Knut and Gunhild Vaa emigrated from Norway to America in May of 1876. They settled in Filmore County, Minnesota and later moved to near Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The family remained on a small farm there until a hailstorm destroyed the crops in 1887. Knut then moved to Seattle, Washington where he worked on several small farms and also at a railroad company. By 1889, he saved enough money for his family to join him, and together, they moved to Poulsbo, Washington and bought a small homestead. At that time, Knut and Gunhild had one daughter and four sons, and they later had another two sons together. Their son Edwin worked in the lumber business, first near Liberty Bay and later in Port Gamble