Johannes Hansen Nysveen

Who was Johannes Hansen Nysveen?

Johannes Hansen Nysveen was a 60 (sixty) year-old Norwegian-American farmer and prominent resident of Hillsboro, North Dakota, who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. Born in Rognstad, Øyer, Norway, Nysveen had built a life spanning two continents, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, family devotion, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Early Life and Family Roots

A Norwegian Beginning

Born on September 17, 1851, in the picturesque region of Oppland County, Norway, Johannes was christened on October 26 of the same year in Øyer. His parents, Hans Syversen (Guldberg) and Anne Jonsdatter (Rognstad), likely instilled in him the values of hard work and perseverance that would shape his future.

First Marriage and Family Life

On November 15, 1877, Johannes married his first wife, Kristiane Erikson, at Øyer Church. This union marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one that would soon lead him across the Atlantic to pursue new opportunities.

The American Journey

Immigration and Citizenship

Around 1885, Johannes and Kristiane, along with their growing family, made the bold decision to emigrate to America. This move, like for many Europeans of the time, was likely driven by the promise of land and prosperity in the New World. Their determination paid off, as Johannes eventually became an American citizen, fully embracing his new homeland.

Building a Legacy in North Dakota

The Nysveen family settled in North Dakota, where Johannes established himself as a farmer. Over the years, he and Kristiane welcomed several children:

• John Jr. (May 16, 1878 - October 29, 1903)
• Elias/Nils (September 14, 1882, born in Norway)
• Arnt (July 28, 1885, born in North Dakota)
• Caroline ‘Lena’ (July 28, 1887 - January 31, 1906)
• Martha (December 28, 1888)
• Henry (November 2, 1891, born in North Dakota)

Johannes’s success as a farmer in the Hillsboro district allowed him to acquire “considerable property,” as later reported by local newspapers.

A New Chapter in Life

Return to Norway and Second Marriage

Following the death of his first wife, Johannes made the decision to return to his native Norway. There, he found love once again and married Pauline Regnstad. This new union brought more joy to Johannes’s life when, on July 12, 1911, Pauline gave birth to twins, Jan and Paul.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

An Unplanned Voyage

In a twist of fate, Johannes boarded the RMS Titanic for his return journey to America. He had not originally intended to travel on the ill-fated ship, a decision that would have profound consequences. His mission was to travel from Øyer to Grand Forks, Traill County, North Dakota, with the purpose of transferring his share of the farm to one of his sons.

Titanic Details

• Class: 3rd Class
• Ticket Number: 345364
• Cabin: Unknown
• Lifeboat: Did not escape
• Ticket Price: £9 6s 4d

The Tragic Aftermath

A Family Left in Uncertainty

The chaos and confusion following the Titanic’s sinking left Johannes’s family in a state of uncertainty. His wife in Norway was unaware of his fate until weeks after the disaster when the final passenger lists were published. Adding to the confusion, his name had been distorted to “Nyoven” in some reports.

Financial Struggles and Compensation

Johannes’s widow faced significant hardship after his death, left without income or insurance. However, various funds were established to assist Titanic victims’ families:

• The Mansion House Fund paid 2,180.40 NKr (£120) on January 17, 1913
• Damage claims of 2,205 NKr ($625.75) were paid on April 26, 1916
• Additional payments of 607.50 NKr ($168.25) in 1917 and 25.41 NKr ($6.84) on December 31, 1927

Local Impact and Remembrance

The loss of Johannes Nysveen was felt deeply in his community. Local newspapers reported on his tragic fate:

“Nysven was a prominent farmer of the Hillsboro district and was on his way home from Norway where he had been on a visit. He was 61 years old and leaves a number of children.” - Grand Forks Herald, April 29, 1912

“Among the victims of the Titanic, was John H. Nysven, an old former resident of Hillsboro, who had been living in Norway, his old home, the past two years. He went back to Norway two years ago and married. Four children by his first wife live near Hillsboro. Nysven owned considerable property near that city.” - Ward County Independent, May 2, 1912

Legacy and Remembrance

Although Johannes Hansen Nysveen’s body was never recovered from the icy Atlantic waters, his memory lives on. A cenotaph stands in his honor at the Norway Lutheran Cemetery in Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota, serving as a poignant reminder of a life cut short and the far-reaching impact of the Titanic disaster on families and communities across the world.

Johannes Hansen Nysveen’s story is a testament to the immigrant experience, the pursuit of the American dream, and the unforeseen tragedies that can alter the course of lives and history. His journey from a small Norwegian town to the fertile fields of North Dakota, and his untimely end aboard the Titanic, encapsulate the hopes, struggles, and ultimate fragility of human existence in the early 20th century.