Gulbrand Eriksen Mørstad

Gulbrand Eriksen Mørstad was born in Østre Slidre ca. 1830. About 1856 he was given a death sentence for having made counterfeit money and for having murdered his companion. The sentence was subsequently changed to lifetime in prison. While in prison at Akershus castle, Christiania he was engaged in carving the two lion sculptures which can now be seen outside the Norwegian parliament building in Oslo. The work was done under supervision of the artist Christopher Borch. In 1872 Mørstad was pardoned and released from prison. He later lived with his wife Ingeborg and son Erik in Christiania (Oslo). He worked as a wood carver. On September 15th, 1881 he emigrated to America. He departed on the ship Dronning Louise (DFDS) for Copenhagen. I anticipate that he embarked on the S/S Harald at Copenhagen to sail for New York (arrival about 10 October 1881), as he had bought a ticket from the Thingvalla Line agent in Christiania. He was destined for Chicago, traveling alone. His son Erik still lived in Christiania in 1900. I find no more traces of his wife. I am trying to help a friend finding information about Mørstad's life in America. He probably called him self Morstad. Variations of the first name may be Gulbrand, Gudbrand or Guldbrand. Any information would be most appreciated.