Hi Lars, I noticed several different spellings of the name that might help with your search. Canutson, Caunteson, Canuteson. From those I found a few interesting records. Chicago Daily Tribune · Sun, May 15, 1881 · Page 5 Special Dispatch from Ottawa, Ill. The following list of opinions in the Supreme Court were filed with the Clerk of the Northern Grand Division this morning. CIVIL DOCKET: 90. Borchsenius vs. Canutson; reversed and remanded with directions. Here's a summary of the case. *http://tinyurl.com/q3zywt9 <http://tinyurl.com/q3zywt9>* That note was given plaintiff for money collected on insurance policy held by defendant as collateral security for indebtedness due defendant from deceased husband of plaintiff and surrendered after his death for collection on agreement with plaintiff that such indebtedness after being determined by arbitrators should be paid, and their award offered as set-off. Here's another with more details. Charles J. Borchsenius v. Anna Caunteson, formerly Anna Irgens *http://tinyurl.com/nfntvch <http://tinyurl.com/nfntvch>* It seems to be regarding the death of Anna's first husband. *The Library of Congress website has a great deal of Ottawa, IL newspapers on their site. * *-Mark*