Julius Tollefson was born on January 26, 1890 in Rognan, Norway to Tollef Johansen and Anette Abelsen. Tollef was a boat builder and carpenter, and Anette was a housewife. In addition to Julius, they had seven other children: Haakon, Magnus, Emma, Johan, Agnes, Fridjof, and Adolf. Julius immigrated to America on February 16, 1907. At that time, he was an apprentice for a blacksmith, who invited Julius to go to America with him. Language differences posed a problem for Julius when he first arrived, and he worked various jobs on the East Coast until coming to Tacoma, WA in May 1907. Julius's brother had been living in Tacoma for two years, and Julius soon found work there at a sawmill and later worked in lumber camps. In Tacoma, Julius also became involved with several Norwegian organizations, including the Norwegian Good Templars (Temperance), the Sons of Norway, Nordlandslaget, and the Ancient Order of Vikings. Julius held offices in Nordlandslaget and served as a trustee in the other groups. In the 1920s, Julius also helped with the building of Normanna Hall, where various Scandinavian clubs meet in Tacoma. At the time of this interview, Julius was working on his seventy-seventh year in the Sons of Norway, making him the longest continuous member in the United States. Julius considers his heritage very special. In addition to Norwegian organizations, Julius has also been active in church life and was a charter member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Tacoma. Julius has five children: Irene, Mildred, Emma, Telma, and John. His first wife, Inga, passed away, and he later remarried to Judith Mikkelsen.
Lineage
Full Name: Julius Sjønning Tollefson. Father: Tollef A. Johansen. Mother: Anette Abelsen. Maternal Grandfather: Abel Os. Brothers and Sisters: Haakon Tollefson, Magnus Tollefson, Johan Tollefson, Fridjof Tollefson, Adolf Tollefson, Emma Tollefson, Agnes Tollefson. Spouse: Inga K. Tollefson, Judith C. Mikkelson. Children: Irene Johanna Tollefson, Mildred Annette Tollefson, Emma Anne Tollefson, Telma Marie Tollefson, John Julius Tollefson.
From the guide to the Julius Sjønning Tollefson Oral History Interview, 1981, (Robert A.L. Mortvedt Library Scandinavian Immigrant Experience Collection Archives and Special Collections Department)
