Asle Knudsen
was born on a farm
in the Hallingdal section of Norway in 1844.
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He was Baptised in the Al church
In 1865 he came to America where he became a Methodist Pastor, and bought this house in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He wrote these words in 1929, telling about "A Brief Visit to Hallingdal in 1902."
"My oldest sister was Mrs. Ole Simonson Pukerud. She did not know that I, her oldest brother, had come to Norway, and she did not know me when I came to her home. She thought I was the sheriff who had come to report about some work on the road. Then she noticed my long beard and she knew the sheriff did not have a very long beard.
"There's something different about you, " she said. "I could almost think you were my brother." Then the tears flowed freely, and we let happiness rule for both of us."
"My cousin had a farm nearby. I was soon over there. I met him outside his beautiful house and greeted him. I said, "Hello."
"And good day to you," he answered. "Who are you?"
"Oh, I am from Amerika."
"Would you by any chance know a man by name of Asle Knudsen?"
"Yes, I know him real well."
"Is that so! But tell me, is he a Pastor? I have heard that but I don't know if it is true."
"Yes, it is true."
"Do you know him? Have you heard him preach?"
"Many times!" "I would really like to hear him."
"He is talking to you right now."
"He was very quiet for a long time. Then he said in a loud voice, "I suppose you have come to take a bunch of Norwegians to America?"
"No, people have so much that is good here in Norway - things we do not have in America, so if they want to stay here, i think they should stay, and if they want to go, let them go."
"You talk like you have good sense," he said, and added, "come into the house so we can talk more.
The legend of his family not knowing him when he returned to Norway for a visit was proved to be true by his own words.
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