Who's Who — Winnipeg Junction Archaeology Education Project

Who’s Who in Turn of the Century Winnipeg Junction?

Unfortunately, we do not know what Emma Westberg looked like.

Created by Dr. Amanda Butler

Emma S. Westberg was born in Highland Grove, Minnesota, on August 20, 1888, on her family’s farm. Her parents were Peter Westberg and Anna Abertsdatter Westberg. When Emma was two years old, her brother Adolf was born; her sister, Anne Josephine, was born when she was five. She had a sister, Minnie, born when she was five, and Tillie, born when she was 11, and another sibling who only survived for a day.
Emma married Ole Gol in 1905 when she was 17. They had four children together: Helmer Roy Gol (who went on to have three children of his own). Lewis Roy Gol. Wallace P. Gol. Owen Hoover Gol. Emma was married to Ole for 42 years.
Emma died on September 9, 1979, in Clay County, Minnesota, at 91. Emma outlived all of her younger siblings, except for Tillie.

Unfortunately, we do not know what Erika Metherall looked like.

Erika Söderlund was born in August 1864 in Örebro, Sweden.
Erika emigrated to the United States in 1888.
She married William Metherall in 1891 when she was 27. They had two children (Lila and Eva) and lived in Moorhead, Minnesota during their marriage.
When Erika’s husband died, she became the owner and operator of the saloon he possessed, making her the only woman to own and operate a saloon in Winnipeg Junction, Minnesota.
Erika moved to White City Park, Oregon, in 1940. She died on January 9, 1950, at age 85, and was buried in Portland, Oregon.

Created by Dr. Amanda Butler

Photo Courtesy of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County

Theodore Johnson was born on October 18, 1883, in Sweden. He was one of 14 children.
Theodore emigrated to Minnesota, U.S.A. in 1903.
Theodore married Anne Josephine Westberg, sister of Emma Westberg. They had many children, including Albert, Oliver, George, Hildur Elvera, Carl, Lloyd, Ernest, and Eleanor.
Theodore operated a restaurant beside his brother-in-law, Ole Gol’s, saloon in Winnipeg Junction, Minnesota.
Theodore died on February 19, 1972, in Becker, Minnesota, when he was 88.

Photo Courtesy of the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County

Created by Dr. Amanda Butler

Ole Hanson Gol was born on November 15, 1868, in Gol Hallingdal, Norway. His parents were Hans and Ragna Tollelvsen.
1893 at 25, Ole Hanson emigrated to the United States of America. The reasons for his decision to leave Norway are unclear. He settled in a community where many immigrants from Norway had already made their home.
While living in the United States, Ole Hanson met Emma Westberg, and the two got married. They had four sons named Helmer, Wallace, Owen, and Lewis.
Ole owned and operated Ole Gol’s Saloon in Winnipeg Junction, Minnesota.
Ole died on March 12, 1947, in Clay County, Minnesota.