Ellen Baalson and his wife Kari Ostendatter emigrated from Flaa, Hallingdal, Norway, in 1861. Ellen (born Ellen Baardson) was born on 1 November 1834 in Flaa, Hallingdal, Norway. His parents were Baard Ellenson and Ragnhild Hansdatter. Kari was born on 23 July 1837 to Austen Halgrimson Sonstebyeie and Joran Knitsdatter Svingen in Flaa. Ellen and Kari were married in 1861 and left for America shortly after. They landed in Quebec and traveled to Spring Grove, a large Norwegian settlement, where they stayed until 1865. They settled permanently on the North Fork Township in Minnesota. Ellen became the first rural mail carrier, making the trip to Paynesville on skis. They endured bad weather and hard times on the farm but the family grew. They were very faithful people and the church was a big part of their lives. Ellen died in 1899 and Kari in 1896.