John Knudston was born in Sands, Norway. Julia Annie Neilson
was born in Lofoten Island, Norway. He came to Canada from
Norway around 1868, settling in Quebec City for approximately
four years, then moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A. He
met Julia Annie Neilson in Minneapolis, where they were both
employed at the Pillsbury Residence. Julia worked as an
upstairs maid, and John worked as Coachman. They were
married in Minneapolis shortly after. Pillsbury was better
known as the Pillsbury Milling Company. Later they moved
from Minneapolis to Moscow, Idaho, via the Oregon Trail,
where they settled and farmed.

Of the ten children born, six survived to adulthood. In later
years they moved from Moscow, Idaho to Spokane,
Washington, where John worked as a peddler. About
1910 they moved to Canada, settling in the Lethbridge
(Wilson Siding) district, farming.

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