Julie's ancestor, the Reverend Jens Jersild, immigrated to America (Wisconsin) in 1885 from Denmark.

It is told that he had to rely on his ingenuity to provide for his wife and ten children. Using an old knitting machine, he began knitting sweaters in his home. Soon friends and neighbors wanted his beautiful knits.

His business grew and moved into a little school house.

Later, a knitting mill was built to house what became
Jersild Knitting Mills.

Today, the company is owned by Bemidji Woolen Mills.

Whenever Julie can, she prowls around antique stores looking for the oldest of the Jersild sweaters for her small collection.

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