Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
A2025.000.003 |
Object Name |
Collection |
Tagline |
Textual records from and about Olaus Nilsen Jeldness (Gjeldness) from 1897-2010. The Collection includes history, correspondence, legal records, reports, publications, notes, ephemera, photographs, and clippings. This Collection has three Sub-Collections relating to Olaus' mining endeavors in Washington. These include Apex Gold Mining Company, American Hill and Gold Hill properties, and King and Queen mining properties. |
Collection |
MS 147 - Olaus Jeldness Collection |
Scope & Content |
Textual records from and about Olaus Nilsen Jeldness (Gjeldness) from 1897-2010. The Collection includes history, correspondence, legal records, reports, publications, notes, ephemera, photographs, and clippings. This Collection has three Sub-Collections relating to Olaus' mining endeavors in Washington. These include Apex Gold Mining Company, American Hill and Gold Hill properties, and King and Queen mining properties. There are related artifacts in the RMDC object collection. See acccessions 1967.271, 1967.272, 1967.273, 1967.274, 1967.275, 1967.276, 1967.277, and 1992.14. |
Year Range from |
1897 |
Year Range to |
2010 |
Admin/Biographical History |
Olaus Nilsen Gjeldnes (more commonly Jeldness) was born October 1, 1856, in Stangvik, Norway to parents Nils Halvorson Gjeldess and Asbjørg Olsdtr Brøske. He was one of seven children and was an accomplished skier and ski jumper. Before leaving Norway, Olaus reportedly set a national record with a ski jump of 92 feet, a record that stood until 1888. Olaus was 16 when he left Norway in 1873 and emigrated to the US. Olaus spent the next 21 years working in various mines throughout the US, Norway, and British Columbia before moving to Rossland in 1894. He first took a job at the Josie Mine, but soon started out on his own prospecting. Notably, he staked the Velvet Mine on Mount Sophie, which produced 620,785 grams gold. On June 13, 1890, Olaus married Sigrid Hendriksen in Spokane Washington. Together the couple had three daughters - Randie (b.1892, d.Feb 24 1930), Anges Marie (b. May 18, 1896 in Rossland, d. Jan 22, 1973), and Margaret (b. Sept 20, 1899, d. June 15, 1917). On March 6, 1897, Olaus organized the first ever recorded Canadian ski competition - it should surprise no one that he won. Olaus was also instrumental in starting the Rossland Winter Carnival, which we celebrate to this day. The first Winter Carnival was held in 1898 and featured two skiing competitions - ski racing and ski jumping championships of Canada. Olaus won both these events from 1898-1900. After he stopped competing, Olaus continued as patron of the Winter Carnival, supplying the trophy for the ski jumping competition. His contributions to sporting excellence in Rossland, caused Rosslanders to later call him the father of competitive skiing. Olaus left Rossland in 1899, settling in Spokane. He continued to be involved in the mining industry, investing in and consulting on a number of projects. He passed away on April 24, 1935, at the age of 77. Following his wishes, his daughter Agnes scattered his ashes on the top of Red Mountain. |
System of arrangement |
The main Collection is arranged in the following series, sub-series: - Series 1: History - Series 2: Correspondence, 1898, 1916, 1928, 1947-48, 1968, 1974 - Series 3: Legal Records, 1927 - Series 4: Reports, 1899 - Series 5: Publications, 1935, 2010 - Series 5.1: American Scandinavian, 1910 - Series 6: Notes - Series 7: Ephemera, 1927-28 - Series 8: Photographs, 2010 - Series 8.1: Daughters (A2022.034) - Series 9: Clippings, 1897-98, 1900, 1907, 1935, 1938, 1968, 1972-73, 1977-79 Sub-Collection 1: Apex Gold Mining Company Scope and Content : The Sub-Collection consists of the textual records regarding Olaus Jeldness’s involvement in the Apex Gold Mining Company from 1922-1923. Includes correspondence, financial documents and legal records. The Sub-Collection is arranged in the following series - Series 1: Correspondence, 1922-23 - Series 2: Financial Documents, 1923 - Series 3: Legal Records, 1923 Sub-Collection 2: American Hill and Gold Hill Properties Scope and Content : The Sub-Collection consists of the textual records regarding Olaus Jeldness’s involvement in the American Hill and Gold Hill properties from 1929. Includes correspondence, reports, maps, and photographs. The Sub-Collection is arranged in the following series: - Series 1: Correspondence, 1929 - Series 2: Reports - Series 3: Maps - Series 4: Photographs Sub-Collection 3: King and Queen Mining Properties Scope and Content : The Sub-Collection consists of the textual records regarding Olaus Jeldness’s involvement in the King and Queen mining properties from 1929. Includes correspondence and reports. The Sub-Collection is arranged in the following series - Series 1: Correspondence, 1929 - Series 2: Reports |
Extent of Description |
11.5 cm of textual and photographic records |
People |
Jeldness, Olaus Jeldness, Margaret |
Search Terms |
Apex Gold Mining Company American Hill and Gold Hill Properties King and Queen Properties |
Subjects |
Skiing Mining Miner Prospector Consultant Correspondence Legal Records Financial Records History Family Tree Magazine Article Photographs Ephemera Media Coverage Obituary Newspaper Clipping Reports Maps |