Farmer, father of the Cons*ution of Norway

Talleiv Olavson Huvestad (1761 – 13 July 1847) was a Norwegian teacher, farmer and politician.

Talleiv Olavson Huvestad was born on the Storaasli farm in the parish of Skafså in Øvre Telemark, Norway, the son of Olaf Tollefsson Storaasli (1724-1778) and Torbjør Gjermundsdotter Kjestveit (1734-1805). When his father died in his youth, he and his mother moved to the parish of Eidsborg in Tokke in Vest-Telemark where his mother married Vetle Huvestad. In 1794 he took over the Huvestad farm and on 7 November 1797 married Gjertud Rasmusdotter Mandt (1778-1845). They had 8 children. Besides farming, he served as a part-time teacher in rural Telemark villages. He acquired a special knowledge of health and justice and taught other farmers who sent their sons to him for training. He became deputy chairman of the village, and helped organize legal do*ents for other farmers. With his acquired health care skills, he served as both veterinarian and general prac*ioner. When vaccine was banned in 1810, most towns were affected, but Talleiv Huvestad's valley was vaccinated.

He was elected 2nd representative from Bratsberg County to the Storting in 1818 (and in 1821 & 1824) promoting a strong agriculture initiative.

Talleiv Huvestad was selected to represent Bratsberg amt at the Norwegian Cons*uent *embly at Eidsvoll in 1814, along with Severin Løvenskiold and Peder Jørgen Cloumann.He was a member of the coronation journey to Stockholm of King Carl Johan in 1818.

• Talleiv - born on Storaasli farm near Skafså Church

• Painting: Eidsvold 1814

• Skafså Church

References