I just recently found your message board concerning the Kjella surname. I am one of Christopher's Smedshammer grandsons. There were eight of us but only five still survive. Most are around Fargo, ND however, I have lived in St Louis for the past 30 years. My father was Henry and the last of his brothers, Justin, died about 8-9 years ago. The Smedshammer family (Christ had a twin brother Bent, both of whom immigrated to the US in 1881) had a family reunion on the 100th anniversary of the "boys" leaving Brandbu for the US. They send for the wives about two years later, or about 1883. We do have a copy of his diary from the time he got to MN until about 7 years later. Kind of sporatic, but still interesting.
One of my cousins might have a little more information as he put our family tree together for the reunion. His name is Carlton Ellison and I believe he still lives in Carrington, ND.
I know this doesn't help you in finding more information about your grandfather, but you just never know.
Good luck.
Don Smedshammer