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Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall

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Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall

Birth	:	23 Jan 1833 Norway
Death	:	14 Jul 1914 Blue Blanket Township, Walworth County, South Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Bethlehem Cemetery, Selby, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate	:	45.5363998, -100.0783005
Description	:	Born in Fjelberg parish. According to a detailed Norway map Fjelberg is nowadays part of Kvinnherad kommune. A SATCHEL IN HER HAND Martha Habersdatter was born in Bergen, Norway January 20, 1833, one of a large family of brothers and sisters. She developed early in life the aptitude for the care of the sick that was to carry this young Norwegian girl from her native Norway, first to Wisconsin, then Iowa and eventually to Dakota territory. Trained in the old and honorable Scandinavian profession of midwifery she fulfilled the tradition of generations of the women... Read More	Born in Fjelberg parish. According to a detailed Norway map Fjelberg is nowadays part of Kvinnherad kommune. A SATCHEL IN HER HAND Martha Habersdatter was born in Bergen, Norway January 20, 1833, one of a large family of brothers and sisters. She developed early in life the aptitude for the care of the sick that was to carry this young Norwegian girl from her native Norway, first to Wisconsin, then Iowa and eventually to Dakota territory. Trained in the old and honorable Scandinavian profession of midwifery she fulfilled the tradition of generations of the women in her family. With her little black satchel, the hallmark of her profession as midwife, and still a young girl she came to Iowa just prior to the Civil War. There she married Roelof Johnson in 1861, he died in Virginia serving in the Union Army. She married Johannes Tisdall after the Civil war and with him moved to Iowa and then later to the Blue Blanket territory in 1886. To the young Norwegian wives and mothers of this community Mrs. Tisdall came as a gift from heaven. Many of these homesick girls with their first babies, could speak no word of English. This small woman with her kind hands and indomitable courage brought the memory of their homes in Norway, with the firm ministrations of the trained midwives of that land. Mrs. Johannes Tisdall Gradually her fame spread from her own community to those adjoining. Many years ahead of her generation in the firm conviction that cleanliness was the first requisite in the care of any illness, Martha Tisdall went on calmly combating age old superstitions on the one hand and the rather sour disapproval of the medical profession on the other. With quiet insistence she substituted clean hot water for warm chicken blood or weasel skins, for treatment of infections, boiled water and boiled milk in typhoid cases, clean linen and rigid sanitation for obstetrics. The physicians of her day gave her first grudging acceptance and finally whole hearted admiration and respect. Digressing for a moment, let it be said that there were no hospital-trained nurses in these communities at that time and the average so-called midwife entirely untrained, justified the physician's darkest suspicions. They were well meaning enough, but too often the doctor's best efforts were frustrated and his work undone through sheer ignorance. Mrs. Tisdall delivered countless babies alone, often under the most trying circumstances. No one ever asked for her help in vain. Night or day, in the bitter cold of winter, the mud of early spring and fall, the prostrating heat of Dakota summer she traveled to aid the sick, minister to the newborn or the dying, rejoice with the happy relief of convalescence or comfort the bereft. Her stature was small, she was a tiny woman, but she was mighty in spirit. Though not entirely understanding, her patients and friends learned to respect her principles and it became a standing joke to say--"Martha is coming, put the kettles on!" Many times a weary doctor, worn out with the battle for life on a difficult case, drew a deep breath of relief at the advent of this small, calm, smiling woman, knowing that in her capable hands his work would be safe. One early day physician, receiving tearful and heartfelt thanks for a life saved, paid her deserving tribute "Rather thank Mrs. Tisdall," he said, "The doctor is the Big Gun but Martha is the man behind the gun! " Men and women, grandparents in their turn, recite the legend of Martha Tisdall. The stories of her exploits are many and varied. One elderly lady tells of the birth of her first child during the dreadful winter of '88. Seven times on ski and snow shoe, Martha Tisdall made the perilous distance over deep snow and ice and through a raging blizzard before that young man made his reluctant appearance. Another time during the breaking of the ice in the Missouri river she crossed the river in a row boat. One large Indian rowed the boat, another fended off the swirling chunks of ice that threatened to smash the frail craft to kindling. One small woman sat in the middle of the boat,--no doubt she prayed. She was needed on that farther bank and she went. Many were the anxious eyes, during those years that watched for her tiny figure, carrying her little black satchel--a little black satchel of magic properties, for out of it came all sorts of comforts and necessities, and such an amazing supply of peppermint drops for "good children." In her later years she became Grandma Tisdall, not alone to her own grandchildren, but to the whole community. She died in 1914 at the age of 81. Of her living children one son, Jake lives near Selby, Oliver in Bremerton, Washington, and a daughter, Sophia, in California. Across half of the world from Bergen, Norway to a pioneer community on the South Dakota prairie, Martha Tisdall born Martha Habersdatter, carried her gift of service in her heart. A Florence Nightingale of the Prairie with a little black satchel in her hand.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall's memorial?
Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall's memorial is located at: Bethlehem Cemetery, Selby, Walworth County, USA.
When did Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall death?
Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall death on 14 Jul 1914 in Blue Blanket Township, Walworth County, South Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Martha Halvorsdatter Nordhus Tisdall's memorial?
Latitude: 45.5363998
Longitude: -100.0783005

Family Members:

Spouse

Johannes Helgeson Tysdall

(1814 - 1905)

Children

Martha Katherina Tisdall

(1868 - 1886)

Hans “Jacob” Tisdall

(1875 - 1968)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bethlehem Cemetery
Selby, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5363998, -100.0783005

2. Selby Memorial Gardens
Selby, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4939003, -100.0397034

3. Bethany Cemetery
Selby, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5938988, -100.1102982

4. Salzsiedler Cemetery
Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5657997, -99.9966965

5. Congregational Cemetery
Selby, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5363998, -99.9860992

6. Bangor Cemetery
Selby, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4417000, -100.0575027

7. Peace Cemetery
Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5657997, -99.9156036

8. Glenham Cemetery
Glenham, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5369000, -100.2632000

9. Schnaible Cemetery
Java, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5435982, -99.8933029

10. Java Reformed Cemetery
Java, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5078700, -99.8947200

11. United Church of Christ Cemetery
Java, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5085000, -99.8945000

12. Norway Lutheran Church Cemetery
Mound City, Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6445000, -100.1926000

13. Bender Cemetery
Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6189003, -99.9235992

14. Saint Peter Congregational Cemetery
Mound City, Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6371100, -100.2143000

15. Ratrus German Congregational of Glenham Cemetery
Glenham, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6371340, -100.2143640

16. Bethel German Lutheran Cemetery
Mound City, Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6660500, -99.9966500

17. Java East Cemetery
Java, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5031013, -99.8516998

18. Odessa Cemetery
Mound City, Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6294444, -99.8817750

19. Sutley Cemetery
Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.6293983, -99.8816986

20. Evarts Cemetery
Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.4632988, -100.3174973

21. Mound City Cemetery
Mound City, Campbell County, USA
Coordinate: 45.7188988, -100.0569000

22. Saint Paul Cemetery
Java, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.5219002, -99.8116989

23. Akaska Cemetery
Akaska, Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3480000, -100.1198000

24. Old Zion Cemetery
Walworth County, USA
Coordinate: 45.3549995, -100.1716995