The Elroy Leader
Elroy, Wisconsin, Thursday, April 2, 1903
A Great Age
Juneau county can boast of, one of the oldest men in the state, for a week ago Friday, Ole Olson Bordalen celebrated his 104th birthday. He was born in Telmarken, Norway, March 20th, 1799 where he resided for forty years. In 1839 (should be 1859) he came to America and settled in Dane county living there for four years when he moved to Fountain, Juneau county where he has since lived. Although he is 104 years old he remembers and often tells of the starvation in Norway in the early part of the 19th century, when they had to climb about in the mountains and gather moss and bark which they dried and then ground into flour which they mixed with a little rye or oat flour. Mr. Bordalen has always been in good health but he has been blind for the past eighteen years, he always counts it a great pleasure to gather his children, grand children and great grand children about him to celebrate his birthday. He has been married twice, is the father of seven chidlren two of which are living, Mrs. Jane Johnson and Mrs. Hanna Knutson of Fountain. One of his sons having lost his live in the Civil War.
contributed by Joan Benner