TOLNA and TOLNA COMMUNITY
q 1906-1976 *^» HISTORY
NORTH DAKOTA STATS UBRARY Bismarck. N. D. 58505 + F T°lnf Bicentennial 644 Bo • T65 °k Committee Tolna and Tolna T6x Community. C2
+ Tolna Bicentennial Book Comm. F Tolna and Tolna community. 6kk .T65 T6x c. 2
NORTH DAKOTA STATE LIBRARY BISMARCK 58505
JUL25 197Z MinMiiHiiMNti9,!''! STATE LIBRARY
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WrWDAKCTfr BOOK OR AUTHOR
TOLNA
and
TOLNA COMMUNITY
The first seventy years.
By
The Tolna Bicentennial Book Committee
Tolna, North Dakota
1906 - 1976
North Dakota State Library Bismarck, N. D. 58505
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To the sturdy pioneers of the Tolna Community who, amid innumerable hardships, blazed the way for the present generations and to their descendants
and successors this volume is dedicated by all who
have assisted in it's construction.
North Dakota State Library Bismarck, N. D. 58505
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1920 - Present brtitA. TOLNA
Back in 1905, the community that now is Tolna, was nothing but a slough. The pioneers became impatient, hauling all their supplies from Lakota, Bartlett, Lari- more, Cooperstown and other towns located on railroads. They decided to build the village. Among the new towns of North Dakota at that time, Tolna was perhaps the last to be built.
Mr. Tallman, born in New Jersey, as a young man came west to Wilmar, Minne sota and proved to be an exceptional organizer and a promoter. He was associated with many companies, one a large area independent telephone company, which he sold to Northwestern Bell system. He had also become associated with James J. Hill in the railroading enterprises of those days. New lines were built into several states. Mr. Tallman got in on the ground floor of townsites, banks, and the like. He owned the quarter section of land the town Tolna was built on.
On May 8, 1906, the town was surveyed. On May 25, 1906, the townsite was open for sale, and the building of the town began. Miss Tallman, daughter of Mr. Tallman, gave the village the name of Tolna. Mr. Tallman named the streets after his several daughters.
It was also stipulated that the first baby born in the village would be given free land for a house. That baby was a girl, born to Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Heald. She was named Lillian Tolna Heald. Her birthdate was Sept. 26, 1906.
The quarter section of land the town was built on is in sections 10 and 11, town ship 150, range 61, Nelson County, twenty-three miles south of Lakota, three miles south of Stump Lake, and three miles north of the Sheyenne River. The country surrounding the little village is fertile farming land, settled by a thrifty class of people, many coming here in 1881.
Lumber and materials for the buildings were brought in by teams and steam traction engines, as fast as possible and carpenters by the score were fashioning the materials into places of business and residences.
In 1906, the Great Northern Railroad built a secondary mainline from Aneta to Devils Lake, which came thru Tolna. It was necessary to construct a bridge across the Great Stony Coulee east of town. This great bridge when finished was 1,054 feet from span to span and about 68 feet above the lowest part of Stony Coulee. The G. N. R. Co. bought thirty acres of land in the Coulee for a water reservoir. They also bought a gravel pit.
In 1907, the tank crew built the water tank and laid the pipes to the reservoir for the railroad. Mr. A. A. Kobe was the first depot agent. The first train came thru Tolna, August 29, 1907. In October 1907, J.J. Hill, president of the G. N. R. Co. passed thru Tolna on a special train going west.
February 9, 1907, Tolna voted to incorporate and become a village. April 4, 1907, election was held. Reorganization was held May 14, 1907. Officers elected were as follows:
- 1 - «nIBffil uwlflwH tiltIf V'U'^gSS HS
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Building the Great Stony Coulee Bridge in 1906.
- 2 - Trustees - Geo. Magoris - T. S. Ouim - R. D. Heald. Clerk - S. M. Sim Treasurer - A. E. Anderson Assessor - Mat Kohler Justice of Peace - A. Labar Marshall - Jacob Smith
This is what the natives thought about the town, and we still do. Tolna, N. D., is the best on the line. It's faster than a mile a minute. The girls are pretty, the boys are fine. Other towns envious, but they aren't in it. %mj±
TOLNA, N. D., is the best on the line. It's faster that a mile a minute. The girls are pretty, the boys are line, A. A. Kobe Other towns envious, but they aren't in it. Vena Card No 3
Early Tolna Postcard
. •
Water tank built in 1907. Largest Locomotive hauling freight - 1911
3 - Tolna today - 1976
Tolna today - 1976
- 4 EARLY POST OFFICES AND COUNTRY STORES
Prior to the coming of the railroad this area was served by inland stores and post offices.
Ottofy Store and Post Office located in Bergan Township on the farm now owned by Magnus Ensrud served people living south and east of Tolna until 1907 when the railroad came to Pekin and Tolna. The stock was sold to Eidsvog and Gunderson and they started a store in Pekin. Post Masters at Ottofy were S. D. Wangsness, John Iverson, and Inga Stugberg.
Harrisburg was located east of Stump Lake. John O'Brien was the post master here. Harrisburg had several business places, but ceased to operate when the railroad was built to Lakota.
Crosier was located 3 miles southeast of Tolna. Edward Hollander was the post master here.
Tollef Hensrud carried mail from Harrisburg to Crosier to Ottofy to Michael Deehr and Pete Bolkau for distribution 3 times a week.
August 15, 1907, Hensrud made his last trip with mail from Harrisburg to Tolna. Simon Myhre will carry the mail to Tolna until the mail can be delivered by train.
October 14, 1907, mail to Tolna was delivered by train.
Crosier Post Office was moved to Tolna in 1906. Hollander was the post master. Mail service at Tolna had the following schedule: Outgoing mail 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Incoming mail at 4:00 p.m. the same days.
John Holden picked up the mail at Ottofy, Crosier, and Harrisburg and delivered it to Lakota; bringing the mail back from Lakota to Harrisburg to Crosier, and Ottofy on his return trip on a Star Route basis.
Prior to the years of 1905 the area was served by the five country post offices. In 1906 Dissmore resigned as post master. Edward Hollander moved from Crosier Post Office into the townsite. The building, now the old telephone office, once a Dissmore building, was moved into town from 5 miles north of Tolna, becoming the post office.
March 28, 1907, Ted Deehr was temporarily in charge of the post office. In 1909 the Rural Route north of town was established. The annual salary was $600.00.
During the year of 1910, J. A. Palmer became post master. Assisting him was Winslow. April, 1911, mail was being received daily by fast train #27. December, 1913, Mrs. Emil Glans (Hildegaarde) became post master, moving the post office to the Glans Drug Store. Two years later J. J. Schindele took postal examination
- 5 - at Devils Lake and became post master until March, 1920. Schindele moved the office into his hardware store, (vacant lot between present post office and Hoyts Cafe.)
B. A. Hennesey (Mrs. Ivan Hennesey) was the next post master running the post office with the Tolna Tribune in the old hotel building (site of present fire hall) until 1928, then moving to the old harness shop building (site of present REA building.)
Ivan Hennesey was acting post master from April 30, 1939, until May 1, 1941, when W. G. Ward, Jr. became post master, moving the post office temporarily into the Larson building. (Hansing residence at present.) A new building was built north of Gronaas Floral Shop November 11, 1941. The post office remained there until October 31, 1961, when it was moved into the present post office. W. G. Ward, Jr. has been serving since as post master except for two years, 1944 to 1946, when he was in the navy. At that time Genevieve Ward was appointed acting post master.
Mail came to Tolna by train from Fargo and Devils Lake six times a week until 1957, when it was delivered from Fargo by truck. In 1964 the mail came by truck from Devils Lake to Pekin as it does today.
The first appointed carrier on the Tolna Route north of town was Olin Sessions, Sr. He carried mail 3 times a week. He held this position until 1931 when Askil Snortland became the carrier and served until his death in 1968. Then Shirley Snort- land filled in as carrier until the Tolna and Hamar routes consolidated in June, 1969. Orris Vrem became carrier and is continuing until present date. This tribute was bestowed to one of Tolna's oldest and most able pioneers, Mrs. L. A. Schmid, by Rev. Alvin Kartes. Mrs. Schmid was ninty-six years at her death three years ago.
W^' 1 W< ^ fw m 1 j* •—'/• w /• i Br r$ %1 MOST HOLY FATHER
MRS. ANNA SCHMID
humbly prostrate at the Throne of Your Holiness implores the Apostolic Bless ing in pledge of abiding divine graces and favors, Christian prosperity and happiness.
The Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Paul VI, graciously imparts his Apostolic Bene diction in pledge of heavenly favors and in grateful appreciation for fifty-eight years of outstanding service in the Altar Society of St. Joseph's Parish, Tolna, North Dakota.
From the Apostolic Delegation, Washington, D.C., September 13, 1968.
Archbishop of Tarsus Apostolic Delegate HISTORY OF SIGDAL CHURCH
Much church work was carried on before 1882. People coming from Norway had his or her hymn book and Testament, and they would meet at a designated home and sing hymns, read the Word of God and fellowship together on Sundays. Sometimes a mission pastor was available who would conduct services in the homes.
Thus it was that on a Friday, July 21, 1882, after Pastor Ibraham L. Lundeby had conducted services at the Elling Fjeld home, the Sigdal Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was organized. The name Sigdal was chosen because several of the charter members were from Sigdal in Norway.
There were 11 charter members who signed at this first meeting; Namely:
Elling Fjeld Jorgen S. Jorgenson Gunder O. Flaagan Gabriel L. Paulson Helge Kettelson Rude Roar Anderson Thore Halvorson Erick Hanson Kittle Thorstenson Stengrim Halvorson Halvor Halvorson
Elling Fjeld was chosen as the first Secretary; Thore Halvorson, Gunder O. Flaagan, and Helge Rude the Trustees.
Pastor Ibraham Lundeby was the first resident pastor at Sigdal. His salary was $100. 00 a year and there was one service per month.
July 11, 1884, Sigdal was accepted in the Lutheran Synod of Minneapolis, so was no longer a mission group, but belonged to a mother church.
At the annual meeting in November of 1884, they decided to establish a church building fund, which continued to grow through the years. In May, 1888 a committee was chosen to find a location for the church site and cemetery. They decided upon Helge Rude's tree claim, which became the present site of Sigdal Church and Cemetery. The church was finally built in 1891, with Hans Christofferson as the contractor. Bjornstad, Gudmonson, Hollum G. Flaagan, and T. Lundeby were on the building committee.
The first mention of Ladies Aid work was in 1895, when they donated $30.00 for the building of 18 pews. They also furnished money for lumber for an 8x14 ft. barn, and for finishing the interior of the church walls and building of the brick chimney.
Pastor Lundeby passed away in 1897 at the age of 49 after major surgery. Rev. S. S. Wold was installed in December of 1898.
8 - In 1900 a new organ was purchased. Anna Flaagan was the first organist.
It wasn't long before the church needed to be remodeled and enlarged this took place from 1899 to 1903. A bell was bought in 1907, being shipped in by rail to Tolna.
On August 3, 1916, a cyclone demolished the church and its contents, except for the bell. A new church was built during the summer of 1917, the size being 34x50 ft. with a full basement. The Steeple was 16 ft. square at the base. Cost of the building, minus heating, cost $9,475.00 not including donated material and labor. Refurnishing was done by the Ladies Aid. This church was dedicated July 28, 1918.
Sunday School met in the homes up until 1919 when they began to meet in the church. Anton Haugland was the first Superintendent.
A Baldwin Orgasonic electric organ was purchased and installed in 1955.
The present pastor, the Rev. A. Tastad, was installed in October, 1956. One of his first duties was to begin plans for the Diamond Jubilee to be held June 8 and 9 in 1957. A 90th Anniversary was observed in 1972.
L. Lundeby 1884 - 1897 S. S. Wold 1898 - 1936 A. Rude 1936 - 1939 B. Ostrem 1939 - 1942 R. Malde 1943 - 1945 T. K. Spande 1946 - 1952 C. Ritland 1953 - 1956 A. O. Tastad 1956
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New Sigdal Church
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Sigdal Church - 1907 - 9 HISTORY OF THE BERGEN CHURCH —as taken from Sigdal Diamond Jubilee book
In the years of 1881 and on, homesteaders began settling in the community in which the Bergan Lutheran Church was located. Soon the following missionaries held worship services in the various homes: Rev. Fadeness, Rev. Lundeby, Rev. Oksondahl, and Rev. Svenungson.
The first congregation was organized in 1893. Officers elected were Christen Lien, treasurer and Ole O. Forde was Secretary. Trustees were John Nerby, Christ Lien and Ole Forde. Rev. Svenungson served as Pastor until the year of 1897 when Bergen joined with Center, Melrose and Lillehoff congregation to organize a parish. A student pastor Rev. L. A. Haatvedt who resided in Petersburg, ND served this Parish.
During the first crucial years these became members of Bergen: Ole Tufto, John Danielson, Ed Brunswik, Sam Thorson, Jens Andrew, Peter Bergem, Peder Balkan, Halvor Brunswik, Hans Hanson and Nels Forde families.
In 1901 the congregation purchased two acres of land for cemetery and to later construct a church. Hans Tufto, Andrew Vrem, Ole Hensrud, Martin Wollum, and Hans Bolkans were added to the list of members.
The Bergen Church was built in 1903, now a part of the McHenry parish. The Ole Danielson's and Knute Dakkens joined the church.
After using the new church for two years, it was decided to finish the interior, putting in a ceiling and plastering, buy an altar, pulpit, and chairs.
As settlers came into the community, more families joined the congregation.
In 1926 Bergen joined with Sigdal and Sheyenne churches with Pastor S. S. Wold.
While Rev. Ben Ostrem was pastor in 1941, it became necessary to discontinue services and disband. Most of the Bergen members joined with either Sigdal or Sheyenne.
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Bergen Church - 1903
r- GETHSEMANE CHURCH
A meeting of the following families: T. O. Lundeby, Gudmon Gudmonsons, H. P. Overby's, S. M. Torrison, Thor Jenson and Nels Hanson (Dronen) met and decided to organize a church. This meeting was held at Solomon Torrison in February, 1901.
The organizational meeting was then held February 25, 1901. Rev. O. Swenson was selected to be called to be minister. The following officers were elected:
Secretary - T. O. Lundeby - 1 year Deacons - G. Gudmonson - 3 years T. O. Lundeby - 2 years S. M. Torrison - 1 year Trustees - H. P. Oberby - 3 years Nels Hanson Dronen - 2 years Thor Jenson - 1 year Deaconess - Mrs. Gudmonson
Two acres of land on the Jorgen Jorgenson home place SEj Section 7, Township 149, Range 6 was given for a building and graveyard by T. O. Lundeby.
The Secretary was instructed to send the call letter to Rev. O. Swenson to become the first minister for the Gethsemane Lutheran Free Church.
A small church was built which was later enlarged and remodeled to take care of the growth in membership.
Then in 1929, Wm. Tweed was given the contract to build a new church. The members dug the basement for the new church, and also helped other ways. This is the church at the present time.
The Ladies Aid was organized and met in the homes.
The congregation was very active in supporting Augsbury College and Oak Grove High School, which belonged to the Lutheran Free Church. Many of our young members attended these schools as far back as 1907.
Another project supported was the Red River Bible Camp.
Later Gethsemane Church merged with the A. L. C. The call now includes Trinity, Binford, Gethsemane, Tolna, and Our Saviors McHenry.
At present Rev. Norlisn is the pastor.
- 11 - Other pastors serving the congregation were:
Rev. O. Swenson Rev. L. M. Hailing Rev. Ingvald Norum Rev. L. Loland Rev. Mike Helland Rev. Melby Rev. Johnson Rev. Aamodt Rev. A. Norum Rev. Brekhus Rev. D. Gabrielson Rev. Nor lien
Gethsemane Church - 1901
New Gethsemane Church
12 CATHOLIC CHURCH
Looking back into history, the first attempt to establish any form of Catholic teaching in the Tolna area was made by Sister Stanislaus of the order of Grey nuns, when she with two women companions set out from Grand Forks on February 29, 1884, to prove up on a 160 acre homestead located on Stump Lake in Nelson county.
Their crudely-built home was popularly known as "The Shanty." Priests who took turns at a monthly visit, Fathers Ahne, Hunt, Flanigan, and Schirra called the place the "Hermitage."
Seventeen children of Catholic settlers, far from any church, were prepared for confirmation by Sister Stanislaus and on July 4th of that year Bishop Martin Marty from Yankton arrived for the confirmation in this very primitive setting.
It took until 1914 for the effort rooted at Stump Lake to fail because of financial difficulties. Times and conditions had changed as more settlers continued to come into Nelson County.
In the meantime, many Catholic families had homesteaded and settled in the south part of the county. Since there was no church, mass was held in the homes of the families. Father McDonald from Michigan drove with horse and buggy to celebrate mass once a month, taking turns at the homes of the Michael Deehrs, Oscar Deehrs, William Breckheimers, the Ed Stahls, the Martin Burkes, the Peter Burns, and the Lipperts.
This continued until in 1901 when the first Catholic church was built near what was then Ottofy Post Office. Thus Ottofy church became a reality under the supervision of Fr. McDonald, with all parishioners doing their part.
William Breckheimer donated the altar and the lace for the first altar cloth was crocheted by Charlie Goff.
More families continued to settle near, among which were the John Boule family and the Eugene and Ed LaMottes and the Donohues.
Some time later Fr. McDonald turned the pastorial care of Ottofy over to Fr. Hart at Hope, ND. The Catholics at Tolna were also spiritually cared for by him with masses being held in the town hall, school house, and homes.
In 1912, when a new school house was erected in Tolna, Gus Schindele purchased the old building, part of which was made into the Catholic Church. Members of that first congregation were the Frank Cartwrights, Louis Schmid, C. Tursott, Tom Moore, Martin Burke, John O'Brien, Papoon, and S. Pare.
Fathers Higgins, O'Brian, Melby, Widman, besides Fr. Hart served this church until on July 1, 1936, when it became a mission of Lakota and mass was held each Sunday.
- 13 On the 28th of May in 1939, under the leadership of Father Proeller, a new building was begun, to become the St. Joseph Church.
At about this time, St. John's Church at Ottofy was discontinued. A tornado in 1916 wrecked it, but was rebuilt. A few years later when the building was again wrecked, all parishioners were transferred to Tolna and the altar and all furnishings and records were also taken to St. Josephs. This church continued as a mission of Lakota until in 1954 when Father Miller left and Fr. Adam Hasey became the new Pastor, and St. Joseph's became a Parish with St. Peter and Paul of McHenry as her mission church. Fr. Hasey remained for ten years. In 1955-56 a rectory was built.
Fr. Alvin Kartes was the new Priest. He served the two churches for nine years until in 1972 changes again were made. Fr. Bernard Pfau replaced Fr. Kartes and Aneta's was added as another mission church.
St. Johns Church - Ottofy
14 - •
Dedication - 1941 St. Joseph's Catholic Church
15 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The first religious services in the town of Tolna were held July, 1906, a Sunday evening service by Rev. Juell in the Larson building. Later regular services were held in the school house located outside of town in the John Knaus Grove.
June 3, 1906, the Congregational Church was organized by Rev. E. H. Stickney of Fargo, ND, with twelve members.
July 25, 1906, a discussion was held with Mr. T. T. Shiley Mason, contractor and builder, about building a Congregational Church.
The Tolna Tribune announced that Rev. George A. Tatten, pastor, was holding services in 1907.
However, June 19, 1908, the beginning of building had commenced with stone hauling for the church foundation.
October 31, 1909, the First Congregational Church of Tolna was dedicated. The morning service was delivered by Rev. C. C. Ceegan, President of Fargo College, on the subject, "The Soul's Quest for God" and Rev. E. S. Shaw was also present and assisted Rev. Tatten in conducting the services. They were still $1,025.00 in debt, which they hoped would soon be cleared.
In 1910 the first high school classes were held at the church because there was not enough room in the school house.
In 1910 Rev. and Mrs. Smith from Crary would take turns conducting the services. The Tribune tells that Rev. Smith rode his bicycle to hold services in Tolna.
In 1906, the ladies of the Congregational Church met at the John Knaus home to organize the Ladies Aid Society. The following were elected: President Mrs. W. A. Summers; Vice-President Mrs. Harry Knauss; Secretary Mrs. John Knauss; Treasurer Mrs. L. G. Cowie. Next meeting was to be held at Mrs. Horace Palmer's.
As an annual affair, the Congregational Ladies Aid put on each fall in the Drug Store Annex a New England Supper or Harvest Home Supper.
THE MENU
Scalloped Potatoes - Meat Loaf - Baked Beans - Boston Brown Bread - Pumpkin Pie - Apple Pie - Pickles - Coffee.
Because of the ever changing population, the church lost many members. Other members were closer to newly-built churches. The Tolna Congregational Church was dissolved. In September 27, 1965, the church was demolished. Mr. Clarence Ruud bought the lot and built a fine new home there.
16 - I I 1
Congregational Church - 1908
17 LUTHERAN CHURCH OF TOLNA
The first organizational meeting of the American Lutheran Church was held in the fire hall on February 13, 1918, with Rev. H. J. Habel as acting chairman and A. B. Schindele as acting secretary. A discussion on starting a Lutheran congregation was held and a motion was made by Gunder Thompson, seconded by August Hassell, to start a Lutheran congregation. The following were taken in as members at the first meeting: Herman Schindele, Gunder Thompson, August Hassel, Halvor Stavn, Emil Schindele, W. H. Hill, C. E. Lind, John T. Johnson, and A. E. Anderson.
Rev. Habel was called into the service during the war as Chaplain. In April, 1919, Rev. T. S. Hanson was called to serve. He held services at the Congregational Church and the school house.
At a meeting on November 13, 1920 a by-law was adopted to make ladies over 21 voting members.
At a special meeting September 7, 1921, a motion was made by A. H. Dahl, seconded by H. L. Stoon and A. J. Johnson, to build a church. The building committee appointed September 7, 1921, were A. J. Johnson, Ole Lee, Ole Tergen, Mrs. R. M. Mills, and Mrs. T. S. Ouim. Plans submitted by Einar Wold were used in building the church. The Building Committee, of which Otto Flohr was chairman, bought three lots and one lot was donated by George Halverson as a site upon which to build the church, the place where it is now located.
August 23, 1924, the Building Committee and Trustees met and accepted bids for various contracts. Andrew Nelson, Sharon, ND, accepted the bid for building, but he was taken sick and passed away.
Ole Brodshoug, McHenry, was hired to finish the building. The Ladies Aid purchased the furniture in 1937. In the spring of 1939 plans were made for the dedication of the church and the 21st anniversary celebration.
On November 12, 1965, a motion was passed to build a new church. The following Finance Committee was appointed: M. E. Ward, Harry Franzen, Lars Frydendal, Harris Forde, Ole Omlie, Mrs. Phyllis Gutting, Mrs. Oscar Lee, E. D. Beckman, and Clarence Ruud.
The Building Committee appointed was: E. D. Beckman, chairman; Mrs. Harold Johnson; Mrs. Oscar Lee, William Knauss; Mrs. Clarence Ruud; Robert Johnson; Walter Martin; Edgar Luehring; Milo Engen; and Norman Forde.
Master carpenter, Harold Gleason, a member of the congregation at the time, was hired to build the new church. Bill Rath donated many hours drawing plans and making models for the new church. Much of the labor on the building, both interior and exterior, was donated by many members of the congregation.
On February 16, 1969, the first service was held in the new church building. June 15, 1969, the church was dedicated to the Glory of God.
- 18 - New Years, 1976, the new church was paid for. Plans made for burning of mortgage June, 1976, seven years since the dedication and the 50th anniversary celebration.
The Tolna A. L.C.W. was organized at the home of Mrs. Gunder Thompson on March 20, 1918. Mrs. A. J. Johnson served as first president. Meetings were held at private homes, the Lodge and Community Hall. At the first meeting sixteen members signed the membership list.
The Ladies Aid helped to finance the building, and later remodeling. The cradle roll was organized. They purchased an outside bulletin board and had water and bathrooms installed.
In 1969 they had approximately 100 members. To date they have donated $3,940. 97 to the building fund.
Former pastors of the church were: Rev. H. J. Haabel, Rev. T. S. Hanson, Rev. O. G. Sahl, Rev. Harold E. Everson, Rev. L. Olav Tolo, Rev. Lowell W. Holte, Rev. Ernest N. Nelson, Rev. C. A. Carlson, Rev. Arlan K. Johnson, Rev. Stanley O. Satre, Rev. James Algers, Rev. Wilbur Fisher, Rev. Olaf S. Winther (Interim), and Rev. Roger Brockmeyer.
American Lutheran Church of Tolna - 1921
i
New Tolna Church - 1965
North Dakota State Library Bismarck, N. D. 58505 - 19 - LAKE SCHOOL #1
As the early settlers began to homestead in the Dutch Point area they saw the need of schools to educate their children. Long before Tolna came into being Lake School #1 was built. Children of the Wisharts, Guttings, Sessions, Beckmans, Schindeles, McNetts, Engels and others attended this one-room rural school. A few of the early teachers were Minnie Wishart, Leda McNett and Josephine O'Brien. When Tolna redistricted in 1940, the Lake School was closed and was moved into Tolna as a store room. It now stands behind the present school house.
This picture was taken in 1914 - Back row: Miss O'Brien, Esther Ward, John Schindele, Antonio Schindele, George Beckman, Francis Schindele, Rosena Schindele, Walter Groves Front row: Ted Schindele, Elva Ward, Margaret Schindele, Fred Schmidt
- 20 FORDE SCHOOL
Forde School No. 1 was located east of the Michael Deehr farm - just across the road. Kate Dougherty, who became Mrs. Oscar Deehr, taught there in 1893-1894. She wrote in her 1893 diary, which her daughter Mrs. Pat Hand now possesses, "I was hired to teach in the Deehr school for $35. 00 a month for three months.
When school started on October 22, 1893, she wrote, "When I came to school there was no key so I crawled in the window. I have eight pupils. "
As time went by, there were gradually more students. They seemed to start school whenever they liked, coming in groups of two or three until there were 28. Some were older than the teacher. They were people who were new to this country and wanted to learn English. She mentions one who was almost 30 years old.
In January, 1934, she wrote, "They have decided to have more school so I will be here until April."
School terms seemed to vary from three to five months at that time. Later the term in the country schools was usually seven months.
After a few years the Deehr school was moved to a new location - a half mile west of the William Breckheimer farm. School was held here until Forde Township became a part of the Tolna Special School District in 1953.
Other schools in Forde Township were the Hensrud school (Forde #2), the Forde School (Forde #3), and the Balkan School (Forde #4).
- 21 - DAYTON TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS
The first Dayton Township schools were built about 1885. One was built in the Knauss Grove, south of town. Children from the following families attended this school: Knauss, Parker, Palmer, Summers, Mercer, Hovey and Thoralson.
The other school was built in the Sheyenne River Valley a quarter of a mile east of the Lundeby home. Children from the following families attended this school: S. Halverson, T. Halverson, Pete Burns, S. Allen, Besrud, Overby, and Lundeby.
At first the school term was four months. What time of the year school would begin depended somewhat on the weather.
The students attending the river valley school enjoyed being located so close to the river. Skating was very popular. The rubber ice season was fun, but some times proved disastrous, and quite often a student was fished out of the river by the other students.
Later this school was moved on top of the hill.
The third school was built half a mile east of Gehard Flaagans on the south side of the river. Later a new school was built north of the river by Magnus Besmons. Children from these families attended this school in the early days: Hoveskeland H. Halverson, A. Anderson, and Irgens.
Dayton School - 1890 - east of the present Tolna Bridge - 3 miles south of Tolna on Sheyenne River - 22 - SCHOOL
The Townsite Company donated block 6 for school purposes on July 12, 1906. Local school board took up the matter of building a school house. In September, 1906, school was held in the Knauss school in the grove south of Town. Miss Elsie Cowie was teacher.
In August, 1907, the Knauss school was sold on a bid to T. O. Lundeby for $126. 00. There was only one bid for the new building by Matt Kohler, a contractor, for $1,075. 00. The school board turned down his bid and readvertised for a new bid. Charles Trumbul got the contract for $849. 00. By October 8, 1907, the new school building's two rooms were ready for use. H. N. Hem, Hannah Overby, and Mrs. Bell Haugan were teachers.
By May, 1910, the first 8th grade graduation exercises were held in the Tolna Opera House. Hazel Burke, Frances Palmer, Lyleth Scott, Arnold Dovenmuhle graduated. Some high school classes were scheduled to start in September, 1910. These were held in the Congregational Church as school was too small.
On June 6, 1911, Matt Kolher accepted the contract for a new building to be ready for September school starting. It was a two-story wooden structure. The 1907 building was moved across the street and part became the Catholic Church - now the James Hatlestead residence.
The total enrollment in 1911 was 43 pupils, with Edward Markle as principal and Elsie Cowie and Hannah Overby as teachers.
It was not until 1924 when the first high school graduation was held with Lilah Glans, Olin Sessions, and Gladys Anderson as graduates.
School continued on with their accomplishments and problems. As Tolna grew the need for a larger school was evident.
In 1947 the state of North Dakota passed a reorganization law. With the hard planning and work of our local school board, Tolna was the first school in North Dakota to become redistricted by joining with the Sheyenne School District, Dayton, Lake, and part of Wamduska in 1949c Four years later part of Forde Township was added. With the addition of these schools a new building was needed and erected in 1950. The 1911 structure was torn down.
By 1958 part of Odessa was annexed to Tolna School District and also a part of Anderson (Hamar) School District. The following year Illinois Township was added. Again in 1960 part of Colvin Township was attached to Tolna Special School District.
The last annexation was held in 1964 with the addition of Osago (Pekin), Wamduska, and Bergen.
The central or main school has had two additions built. The modern gymnasium and several class rooms were added to the south of the building in 1959. In 1966 a shop, lunchroom, multi-purpose room and more class rooms were attached.
- 23 - At the present the student body numbers 239, a faculty of 20 teachers, 2 cooks, a secretary, two teachers aids, 2 custodians, and a dishwasher are employed.
Six buses bring in the students from a radius of about 16 miles around Tolna.
The following students have graduated from the Tolna High School in the past fifty-one years:
(5) 1925 - Alice Cartwright, Alan Gutting, Sadie Knaus, Wilma Smith, and Elmer Schindele;
(6) 1926 - Darrel Dahl, Marjorie Gutting, Gladys Knapp, Nellie Schindele, Mary Volse, and Julius Knapp; i (3) 1927 - Alice Hand, Alice Thompson, and Ernest Torfin; '
(6) 1928 - Helen Hand, Melvin Lee, Oscar Lee, Eva Schindele, Luella Schindele, and Medley Ward;
(2) 1929 - Thestina Ritland and Irene Willis;
(6) 1930 - Torfin Halvorson, Earl Lee, Beulah Liska, Tillie Ritland, Douglas Schindele, and Grace Thompson;
(9) 1931 - Farnham Allen, Earl Cartwright, Orville Engel, Grace Hand, Roy Hand, Florence Liska, Idora Rude, Luella Thompson, and; Henry Turcotte; } (9) 1932 - Harriet Allen, Alvin Dahl, Julia Eikom, Nina Eikom, Mae Flaagan, May Flohr, Irene Porter, Josephine Ritland, and Richard Shoemaker;
(7) 1933 - Myrtle Cartwright, Erma Engel, Borghild Halvorson, Alvilde Rude, Ervin Schindele, Gordon Winger, and Gladyce Braaten;
(13) 1934 - Agnes Anderson, Mildred Dakken, Eva Deehr, Martha Engel, Dorothy Flohr, Erma Gutting, Esther Halvorson, Clifford Lien, Earl Porter, Edna Porter, Anna Schmidt, Gladyce Sessions, and Wellington Ward; i
(9) 1935 - Dorothy Burke, Eleanor Brenna, Constance Enstad* Leslie Henningsgard, Raymond McClure, Helga Rude, Louis Schindele, Leland Steinmann, and Florence Winger;
(9) 1936 - Severin Enstad, Mildred Keating, Harvey McNett, Helen Ritland, Herman Schmidt, Fredrick Schindele, Ruth Steinmann, Hilma Tollefsrude, and Ferron Halvorson.
1937 - Geraldine Burns, Ray Flohr, Sidney Lein, Clifford Schindele, and (5) Marion Thorson
24 (12) 1938 - Ardell Anderson, Edith Brenna, Lillian Dahl, Loretta Deehr, Lorraine Flaagan, Clemet Gronass, Frances Halvorson, Carl Porter, Esther Rude, Florence Schiller, Rodger Schindele, and Dora Stienmann;
1939 - Vivian Brenna, Jerome Burke, Hazel Halvorson, Signe Lundberg, (9) Maxine McNett, Serine Ritland, Virginia Schindele, Helen Twete, and Hazel Winger;
1940 - LeRoy Anderson, Gordon Deehr, Minruh Gronaas, Vernon Haas, Gladyce (9) " " Halvorson, Delbert Schindele, Helma Vrem, Denzil Ward, and Ursul Ward;
(11) 1941 - LaVern Halvorson, Vernon Halvorson, Howard Johnson, Richard Keating, Irene Lofthus, Ethel Molmen, LaVon Otto, Livonia Schindele, Amy Steinmann, Florence Thorson, and Ura Ward;
(10) 1942 - Clifford Arlien, Pearl Anderson, Dennis Halvorson, Roger Halvorson, Anna Keating, Iver Lundeby, Doris Montague, Betty Nelson, August Schindele, and Duaine Schindele;
1943 - Charles Haas, Shirley Halvorson, Harold Johnson, Duaine Omlie, Muriel (9) Otto, Julia Porter, Unice Ward, Myrtle Wessels, and Joyce Williams;
1944 - Carmen Schindele, Dayton Burns, Solveig Lundeby, and Joyce Burke; (4) 1945 - Sylvia Dahl, Mylo Engen, Leonard Gaking, Rollin Mannie, Delores (9) Omlie, Elva Saunders, Vernette Schultz, Anna Sonderby, and Wallace Vrem;
1946 - Delores Burke, Bernice Vrem, Shirley Jurgenson, Robert Haas, Iver (6) Sonderby, and Terrence Halvorson;
1947 - Marion Beckman, Delores Haas (Ward), Patricia Schindele, and (4) Marvin Schultz
1948 - Karen Anderson, Phyllis Anderson, Phyllis Beckman, Marlys Engel, (9) Claire Flaagan, Ann Halvorson, Willis Johnson, Elsie Sonderby, and Arly Twete; n2\ 1949 - Mary Ann Braaten, Delores Donahue, Daniel Halvorson, Bernice * Johnson, Edna Lofthus, Edgar Luehring, Donna Mannie, Gordon Ronholm, Ted Sonderby, Roger Stenson, Belva Tollefsrud, and Neil Twete;
1950 - Dale Flaagan, Jerome Flaagan, Dedre Haas, Duane Haas, Phyllis (7) Jurgenson, Donald Schultz, and Percy Stenson;
1951 - Junis Anderson, Bernice Bolken, Monte Breckheimer, Thomas Engen, (6) Charlotte Johnson, and Larry Snortland;
25 (7) 1952 - Charlene Beckman, Janice Brodell, Garold Engel, Jacqueline Gulbro, Donald Johnson, Fritzi Rickford, and Ronald Schindele;
(19) 1953 - Lloyd Anderson, Lorraine Bolken, Jerry Brodell, Iris Forde, Shirley Gunderson, Bette Halvorson, Donald Hoveskeland, Carol Johnson, Gerald Johnson, Milo Johnson, Ronald Keating, Nellie Knauss, Howard Luehring, Gerald Lunde, Marthina Roerick, Jimmie Schindele, Gerald Schultz, Joyce Snortland, and Dick Turcotte;
(16) 1954 - Duane Aim, George Beckman, Carole Braaten, Nola Buckheimer, Sally Dahl, Kathryn Flaagan, Edna Gleason, Georgia Gleason, Kay Haas, Averial Hanson, Geneva Hovdeness, Lois Johnson, Orville Johnson, Jole Rickford, Andy Roerick, and Bruce Schultz;
(13) 1955 - Marvin Borgerson, Betty Deehr, Stella Deehr, Kaye Forde, Iona Gleason, Beverly Gunderson, Aloyous Halvorson, Patsy Hand, Verna Hanson, Marilyn Johnson, Patty Jurgenson, Elizabeth Ronholm, and Eileen Ryan;
(15) 1956 - Donna Aim, Gary Arlien, Karsten Braaten, Ordis Engel, Odell Flaagan, Barbara Johnson, Janice Knutson, LaVonne Liska, Wayne Luehring, Mary Ann Lunde, Deanne Messner, Shirley Vrem, Angeline Roerick, Valerie Ryan, and Philip Tollefsrud;
(13) 1957 - Doris Aim, Patty Brodel, Rhoda Deehr, Donovan Flaagan, Leona Gleason, Beverly Halvorson, Meril Hoveskeland, Levi Johnson, Arlene Morris, Robert Sime, Ethel Snortland, Lois Snortland, and Janice Franzen;
(15) 1958 - Lee Breckheimer, Marilyn Burns, Terrance Deehr, Joanne Flaagan, Mavis Flaagan, Jerome Gunderson, Judy Hand, Walter Hensrud, Roger Johnson, Elna Lund, John Mercer, Adam Roerick, Joan Schultz, Nancy Thompson, and Marlowe Thorson;
(16) 1959 - Dennis Christofferson, Michael Donahue, Glen Engel, Marilyn Engen, Mary Ann Engen, Janet Flaagen, Marlys Gleason, Janet Gutting, Richard Harper, Sidney Hjelden, Milton Hoyt, Harlan Johnson, John Jay Rickford, Dennis Ryan, James Schultz, and Darlene Ward;
(18) 1960 - Donna Braaten, Charlene Breckheimer, Paul Donahue, Charles Breck heimer, Bonnie Flaagan, David Flaagan, Allan Forde, Bruce Halvorson, Emilie Halvorson, Janice Halvorson, Myron Halvorson, Arthur Haugland, Larry Keating, Harold Lee, Peter Lunde, Robert Schultz, Roger Snortland, and Lynn Ward;
(10) 1961 - Mary Ann Burns, Bonnie Eikom, Doreen Flaagan, Carol Halvorson, David Lee, Mario Quam, Duane Risgaard, Rose Roerick, Maynard Ronholm, and Emilie Steigberg;
(20) 1962 - Dennis Braaten, Bradley Flaagan, Gerald Forde, Linda Forde, Craig Halvorson, Murril Halvorson, Sandra Halvorson, Jean Hand, Alice Hansing, Tracy Henningsgard, Gordon Hensrud, Hartley Hoyt,
- 26 - 1962 - Dennis Johnson, Rodney Miller, David Ryan, Richard Sime, Marlys Snortland, Curtis Twete, David Thompson, and Clayton Ward;
(22) 1963 - Douglas Braaten, Laura Donahue, Cheryl Flaagan, Maurice Forde, Harry Gunderson, Robert Gutting, Loren Halvorson, Tessie Halvorson, Mary Lou Harper, Margaret Johnson, Norma Johnson, Sandra Johnson, Wayne Johnson, Sharyn Keating, Ellen Lee, Donald Lippert, Deanna Mannie, Cheryl Miller, Judith Peterson, Ilyce Quam, Betty Risgaard, and Jenny Roerick;
(12) 1964 - Renita Engel, Jeanne Flohr, Shirley Ford, Stuart Henningsgard, Lloyd Lee, Peter Lippert, Carol Lunde, Dennis Rismon, Barbara Steigberg, Peggy Ward, George White, and Sheila Hanson;
(20) 1965 - Kelly Dakken, Cornell Donahue, Carolyn Flaagan, Daryl Haas, Keith Forde, Dennis Gutting, Timothy Halvorson, Dale Johnson, Darlene Olson, Londis Quam, Dennis Resinger, Clark Rismon, Dianne Roerick, Robert Rude, Ronald Schmidt, Shirley Schultz, Wesley Sigette, Darlene Twete, Michael Vrem, and Stanley Vrem;
(26) 1966 - Terry Avdem, John Bernard, Deborah Brude, Dennis Burthold, Carol Eikom, Mary Eikom, Randy Engen, Dean Ensrud, Paulette Ensrud, Darlene Frederick, Barbara Flaagan, Margie Flaagan, Pamela Flaagan, Paulette Halvorson, Darlene Johnson, Sheila Klefstad, Ronald Knutson, Lyle Koski, Dale Lee, Larol Martin, Curtis Ruud, Raymond Seidlinger, John Schmidt, Leslie Urvand, Cheryl Vrem, and Dean Ward;
(26) 1967 - Lorray Anderson, Darlene Enstad, Robert Flohr, Laurie Flaagan, Diana Flaagan, Donna Gutting, Clemet Gronaas, Jr., Esther Gleason, Ivan Hackley, Phyllis Hensrud, Gwen Halvorson, Cleo Halvorson, Sherry Halvorson, Valerie Halvorson, Elliot Johnson, Keith H. Johnson, Keith O. Johnson, Lanny Klefstad, Judy Liska, Ricky Molmen, Monica Mannie, Louise Quam, Keith Snortland, Ellen Steigberg, Michael Tweed, and Gary Vick.
(36) 1968 - Debbie Anderson, David Bina, Richard Bjorlie, Gary Haas, Kathy Brekken, Becky Dakken, Steven Donahue, Randy Eikom, Jane Flaagan, Myron Flaagan, Rosajean Flaagan, Midge Forde, Robert Fredrick, Fritz Gutting, Beverly Halvorson, Carol Halvorson, Nels Scot Halvorson, Jane Henningsgard, Duane Flaagan, Don Hensrud, DeLane Hoyt, Judy Keating, Stuart Klefstad, Virginia Knutson, Marcia Mannie, Patricia Martin, Rainell Miller, Dale Quam, Cindy Marken, David Olson, Warren Schmidt, Cheryl Trostad, Denis Tweed, Timothy Twete, Santha Reetz, and Myron Williams;
(21) 1969 - Michael Avdem, James Brude, Richard Ensrude, Catherine Enstad, LeAnna Fetcher, Merle Forde, Verne Lee, David Gutting, Dwight Haas, Sharon Haas, Gary Hansing, Marc Halvorson, Monica Halvorson, liana Hensrud, Louine Knutson, Clark Mannie, Sonja Molmen, Michael Ness, David Risinger, Maureen Schindele, and Lee Snortland;
- 27 - (26) 1970 - Larry Dean Anderson, Ruth Bjorlie, Sidney Bjorlie, Rodney Brekkon, Catherine Engen, Kent Ensrud, Steven Flaagan, Charlene Gutting, Dale Haas, Vance Halvorson, Vaughn Hedstrom, Mary Henningsgard, Linda Hoiberg, Artha Hoyt, Lynn Johnson, Joey Ness, Marsha Klefstad, Heather Opoien, Clayton Quam, David Rude, Mary Schindele, Marcy Sigdahl, Douglas Trostad, Castle Twete, Ricky Ward, and Lee Williams;
(23) 1971 - Connley Anderson, Ronald Dakken, Roger Eikom, Peggy Flaagan, Roberta Flaagan, Laurie Forde, Joan Haas, Dale Hoffman, Mario Hoyt, Steven Johnson, Roger Miller, Terrence Luehring, Eunice Mannie, Monte Morken, Deanna Olson, Lonny Quam, Glenn Rude, Keith Seidlinger, Helene Seidlinger, Mona Sigdahl, Darold Stenson, Debra Tweed, and Nancy Ward;
(17) 1972 - James Aaker, Patricia Avdem, Russell Bjorlie, Clifford Brekken, Jeffery Halvorson, Scott Hedstrom, Connie Herman, Susan Johnson, Sidney Knutson, Jeffery Lindell, Raymond Martin, Lona Molmen, Wendy Stenson, Bradley Tweed, Stacy Twete, Patricia Vick, and Ross Williams;
(18) 1973 - Peggy Burthold, Marlin Ehlers, Kevin Flaagan, Knut Gjovik, Donald Halvorson, Darlene Hensrud, Arlyn Hetler, Marlin Hoyt, Lanna Miller, Larry Ness, Dale Risinger, Lois Rude, Angela Schindele, Melanie Sigdahl, Marcy Tweed, Kim Twete, Shelly Twete, and Steven Twete;
(15) 1974 - Kenneth Aaker, Vance Aaker, Pamela Avdem, Michael Beauchane, Annette Brekken, Patricia Brotten, Nancy Brude, Toni Halvorson, Michael Luehring, Connie Molmen, David Morken, Michael Schindele, Denise Stenberg, Diana Thorson, and Steven Tweed;
(25) 1975 - Gary Beauchane, Marcia Burthold, Joe Dahl, Mark Ensrud, Mary Ensrud, Rita Flaagan, Gail Forde, Alan Gleason, Marjorie Gutting, Lynn Marie Haas, Laurence Halvorson, Curtis Herman, Robert Johnson, Pamela Jorde, Bruce Klefstad, Cheryl Kvalevog, Michael Lund, Kathy Luehring, Brian Messner, Roxanns Messner, Kytte Morken, Brian Schindele, Susan Schindele, Twila Stenson, and Mary Lou Trostad.
28 - 1907
present
1911
29 - BANKS
With the beginning of Tolna there was a need to have a bank. The first bank business in Tolna was done in a shack in the street in front of the location of the present bank.
The bank was open for business July 1, 1906 with D. N. Tollman, President; N. B. Felton, Vice-President; George Magoris, cashier. Capitalized $10,000. 00.
A savings and loan association was organized in Tolna December 21, 1908, with the following officers. R. D. Heald, President; T. M. Hanson, Vice-President; George Magoris, Secretary-Treasurer. Association capitalized at $13, 000. 00 A. M. Kiland was cashier of the State Bank in 1911.
In 1912 the bank was doing very well and showed a footing of $73,200.00.
Jn 1915 Theodore Albrect was President, George Magoris Vice-President and A. M. Kiland Assistant Cashier.
In 1919 the State Bank sold out to the Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Tolna, which had been organized in 1917. This bank was located in the south part of the Gamble Store. Paul Messner, Jr., President; Henry Deehr, Vice-President; A. J. Johnson, cashier; and R. E. Engen, assistant cashier. R. E. Engen had been cashier with George Magores in the State Bank since 1917.
Farmers and Merchants Bank capital at $20,000.00. They moved into the old State Bank building at this time. R. E. Engen resigned in 1925.
In October, 1925, A. J. Johnson resigned and R. E. Engen came back and took over as cashier and director, and Lars Frydendal became assistant cashier. Richard Shoemaker became assistant cashier in 1935 and Ray Flohr in 1939.
Officers today are Milo Engen, President; E. D. Beckman, Vice-President; Tommy Engen, Executive Vice-President; and Ray Flohr, cashier. Tellers and bookkeepers are Mrs. Vernon Molmen, Mrs. Ervin Enstad, Mrs. Donald Risinger, and Mrs. Miles Burthold.
We have a very good bank in our town of Tolna. It was one of the few banks that survived the depression.
Mr. Engen supported the town and community. He promoted many projects which benefited the town and community. Some of these projects are: Rural Elec trification Association, the building of the REA Building, Redisricting of School, water and sewage system, the new school house and many others.
Other tellers and bookkeepers that have worked in the Farmers Merchants Bank are: Eya Middol, Magda Rathe, Selma Tang, Laurence Lein, LaVon Otto, Aleda Anderson, Irene Lofthus, Edna Lofthus, Dorothy Flohr, Robert Buris, Helma Vrem, Muriel Otto, Lorraine Flaagan, Dorothy Miller, Lois Morken, Luella Quam, Kathryn Flaagan, Viola Havdness, Bernice Vrem, Roberta Somerville, Marilyn Burns, Verdeen Berg, Sharryn Tangen, and Delores Tweed.
- 30 - Farmers & Merchants State Bank
-then -
-now-
31 - LUMBER YARDS
Imperial
1906 - 1908 O. L. Aasgard, Manager 1909 - 1910 Arnold Horgen, Manager 1911- Kamrude, Manager 1912 - 1913 J. T. Winger, Manager transferretr3HE d to Barnesville 1913 Hjaimer Johnson, Manager 1916 - 1918 Ray Engen, Manager 1916 - Nortz bought out Imperial 1918 - 1919 Cecil Smith 1919 - M. E. Carlson 1919 - Peter Thompson 1918 - Engen quit - George H. Burman, Manager
March 27, 1924 - Nortz Lumber Company sold out to Atlas
National Lumber Company
1906 - Joe Jackson 1906 - 1907 Rube Heald National and Atlas combined under the management of Rube Heald 1916 - Rube Heald - Atlas Lumber - Manager
Atlas Lumber Company
1916 - M. A. Lang, Manager 1917 - A. H. Molm, Manager 1918 - Henry Deehr, Manager 1918 - Mr. Elliott, Manager 1919 - George Stewart, Manager
1930 - 1943 George Otto operates Independent Lumber Yard. He sold to Farmers Union
Farmers Union Lumber Yard
1945 - Gudmund Ronholm, Manager 1962 - Orvis Ronnie, Manager Others - Norman Lund, Manager Bill Rath, Manager Norman Lund, Manager 1976 - Earl Spencer, Manager
1906 - St. Anthony and Dakota A. A. Laborr, Manager 1906 - North Dakota Lumber Co. L. G. Cowie, Manager 1918 - Imperial bought by Simon Myhre - 32 - -
33 - GROCERY STORES
At the present time, besides the two churches and an expanding school, we are supplied by two well-equipped grocery stores.
Don's Market is one of Tolna's first buildings. M. D. Butler and Co. built it in 1906. Donald Clute purchased the merchandise and building from Mrs. Carl Anderson in 1956 and remodeled it in 1972 into a modern market. Mrs. Anderson and her husband, Carl, purchased this building from T. S. Oium in 1939, moving their groceries and dry goods from the Anderson building or Palmer House Hotel where they had operated since 1935 when they came to Tolna from Hatton, North Dakota.
The other grocery store is Len's Fairway. Len Peters bought the store from Percy Harper who had purchased it from Alfred Balkan in 1957. Mr. Balkan had moved his store into this Wolfe building from the Porter building in 1936. Prior to this, a portion of the building was used for basketball, dancing, etc. From 1920 to 1925 George Halvorson operated a hardware and grocery store here. In 1925, A. B. Schindele moved his merchandise into this building until quitting and turning the building into a recreation hall in the early thirties. This Wolfe building was erected in 1907.
Besides the above mentioned businesses, the south portion of the building has been the home of a cafe run by Gehard Nelson, Elwood Christofferson, and Orville Ryan. Orville Ryan converted it into a laundromat which he operated for about ten years. This part of the old building is at present vacant.
I ,... »«»i
- 34 - FARMERS UNION BUSINESS
The Tolna Shipping Association was organized in 1920. The first business of the Farmers Union.
February 7, 1926, minutes read that Peter G. Johnson, J. N. Johnson, and William Engel were to meet with the Dayton and Forde Locals and try to organize a shipping association. These three men were also authorized to loan $25. 00 interest free to the said shipping association to get it started.
The directors of the Tolna Farmers Union Shipping Association were N. H. Overby, Leland Hanson, Allen W. Johnson, B. H. Lund, Robert Sommerville, and Erling Stieberg Trucker.
It was understood that the first use of the shipping association was to order a carload of salt to be used for haying, stock salt and family use for curing of meat and etc., and a carload of twine. Also in the minutes it is reported that W. Ward, Sr., was to look after the shipment of cattle and July 16, 1927, was established as the date the shipment to South St. Paul would be made.
Due to drought, depression, etc. the association had its problems. If a farmer would patronize the local buyer instead of the Farmers Union. In many cases the farmers would sell to the local buyer and the local Farmers Union manager would be left with rail cars and no cattle.
The shipping association continued to operate by manager Helge Johnson and Lars Aaker, but lack of support by the patrons and poor cattle prices eventually forced it out of existence and in 1931 the Tolna Oil Co. took over the operation. Managers Art Deehr, Charles Williams, and Thomas Vrem looked after cattle shipments during these years until 1953 a group reorganized it, and Richard Halvorson became manager.
Upon the wishes of the patrons, Epiling Stibreg began to truck in February, 1958 and in 10 months hauled 1,420 head of cattle, 610 hogs, and 1,720 sheep and was the biggest trucker in Nelson County.
Other truckers were Kermit Dakken, Ode 11 Flaagan, and Jerry Forde, Tommy Vrem, Martin Gjestvang.
- 35 OIL COMPANY
The men of the community interested in voluntarily associating themselves for the purpose of forming a corporation, met in 1921.
Management shall be vested in a board of directors who shall be elected at the annual meeting and hold office for the term of one year. The first board were:
H. R. Lofthus - Tolna Fritz Gutting - Tolna George Vrem - Pekin Oliver Twete - Hamar L. B. Tweed - Pekin Jessie Haas - Tolna L. S. Johnson - Tolna Sigur Jorgenson - Hamar Helge Johnson - Pekin F. T. Lundeby - Tolna C. C. Haas - Tolna Albert Messner - Tolna
Signed 23rd day of March, 1929, these appeared before Notary Public
R. E. Engen Lars Frydendal
1975 statement of operations totalled $1,123,359.66. Shows the increase since 1929 of $2,500. 00 capital.
36 LEVAL FARMERS UNION
1926 notes from the minutes of the organization meeting of Leval Local Farmers Union: Organizer Foraker acted as secretary. It was duly voted to name the local Leval Local Farmers Union.
Officers elected by ballot were:
J. N. Johnson - President Halvor Lofthus - Vice President J. P. Fahey - Secretary-Treasurer P. O. Johnson - Chaplain H. Wessells - Doorkeeper C. W. Skogby - Conductor
It was moved and carried that the local meet the first and third Mondays of each month at the Perry Johnson Schoolhouse.
In 1976 our local is still meeting the third Monday of every month, still discussing the same issues, and still going strong.
In 1976 the officers are:
President - Russell Haas Vice-President - Harold Johnson Secretary-Treasurer - Phoebe Johnson Program Committee - Howard Pare Delorice Johnson
- 37 FARMERS UNION LUMBER YARDS
Farmers Union first located in the Atlas Lumber Yard on the west side of the street and built the first service station. Later they bought the International Harvester Co. building from L. B. Tweed on the east side of main street. They bought out George Otto Lumber Co. and moved to the International location.
In 1945 Gudmon Ronholm managed the lumber yard. Other managers were Orris Ronnie, Norman Lund, Bill Rath, and in 1976 Earl Spencer.
Our newest business in Tolna is the addition of the Soil Service Center in 1967. A branch of the CENEX soil testing center of South St. Paul, used as a distribution center for central North Dakota. Since this plant opened 6,000 tons of fertilizer is sold annually, a million dollar business. Next year liquid fertilizer will be sold. The present manager is Ronald Houdek.
- 38 - BLACK SMITH SHOPS
1906 - Fred Lang was the first black smith in Tolna
1909 - 1913 A. C. Moe operated a black smith shop in the early days at Tolna. It was located at the Martin Johnson residence site.
1914 - Willind and Louderback were black smiths in Tolna. Mrs. Martin Burke owned the building that housed Moe's black smith shop.
1914 - Otto Flohr bought the shop from Moe, moving the equipment to a building on the site of the present garage owned by Lorraine Vrem.
Years later Flohr sold his equipment to Martin Johnson. The building was replaced by a cement block building owned by Tom Vrem and Martin Johnson.
When the Farmers Union moved into the International Harvester building and expanded their facilities, Martin Johnson bought the Farmers Union building on the west side of the street and moved it to its present location east of Lorraine Vrem's garage. Martin Johnson and his son Dennis are operating this shop at the present time. (1976)
HORSE f Hi V INS
Otto Flohr
39 LAR'S BUILDING
Ouim and Miller started a General Merchandise Store in 1906 in the building we remember as Lars Frydendahl Hardward building, which was located between the Hoyts Cafe and Post Office. This building was torn down in early 1970. Frydendals quit business in 1959, after running a hardward store for twenty-five years. Before this J. J. Schindele and Floyd Session operated a hardware store from 1916 until 1933, when he moved to Lakota. Sessions then dissolved the hard ware business and the store was vacant for a few years.
Prior to the Schindele - Session Hardward, L. A. Schmid had a harness shop here.
40 HARNESS SHOP
Louis Schmid started the harness business when he came to Tolna from St. Paul, Minnesota in 1908. The location was a building on the east side of main street later known as the Hennessy building. This was moved several years later to make room for the RE(A)C building.
In 1914 when T. S. Ouim moved his general store stock from a building on the west side of the street north of the bank, Mr. Schmid moved the harness shop to the Ouim building, later known as Lars' Hardware Store.
His last move was in 1916 when he bought the building that is now the south side of the Gamble Store. Besides making and repairing harness he did shoe repairing and later went into the garage business in the same building until he sold it to Tony Johnson in 1941.
L. A. Schmid - Harness Shop - Taken 1909
- 41 OPERA AND GARAGE
The first opera house was built on the corner lots directly east of Len's Fairway. In early days this was the site of many traveling Lyceums put on by the Stoddard and Art Club, dances, masquerades, graduation, and where clubs and lodges met. In 1912 J. L. Ceilky turned the hall into a garage. A few years later Jerback and Peterson became owners until 1917 when E. M. Peterson was proprietor. Andrew Schindele purchased Tolna Garage from E. Peterson. In March, 1923, E. M. Peterson again became proprietor of Tolna Garage.
Following the fire in 1920 of the Stavend General Store (present location of Tolna Repair Shop, owned and operated by L. Vrem. Gus and Andrew Schindele moved the building to the southwest corner on main street where the garage stands today. However, in the late thirties this business was purchased by Marlin Johnson and Tom Vrem, who bought it from Orlo Christofferson, who ran it for two years.
In 1941 they made a cement block building, tearing down the wooden structure. Vrem and Sons ran a garage. Now it is known as Tolna Repair, operated by L. O. Vrem.
H. L. Stavm Store burned to the ground on December 2, 1920, where he had operated a General Store since 1916, buying out Herman Hanson.
The original owners in 1906 were Dahlberg and Hanson. Dahlberg sold out his partnership to T. M. Hanson in 1909. Herman Hanson and J. S. Jacobson continued as partners until 1916.
First Store in Tolna - 1906
- 42 SCHWAB STORE
"Gambles" with Daniel Schwab owner, purchased this business from Lawrence Anderson who owned the store from 1963 when he purchased the store from Mrs. Irva Hand. Pat Hand operated the gamble store from 1934 until his death in 1956. Pat Hand started his store - (The first gamble store dealer in North Dakota) - in the building directly north of the present gamble store, buying and exchanging places with Ole Hanson's cream station in 1935.
This gamble store was once known as the old Halvorson building, built in 1906. L. A. Lovery had a meat market here. During the succeeding years the meat market had many managers. Some are; W. A. Summers, Summers and Heimark, T. B. Moore, S. S. Myhre, John Smith, Claude Taylor, Ferdinand Schindele, A. E. Anderson, Tom Roller, F. J. Miller, Nick Bauman, Eugene Armstrong, C. A. Huber, R. J. Jenson, and Peter Locken.
It was also the Lunch room ran by Wold-Halvorson in 1912, The People's Bank, and a cream station. The upstairs apartment has housed many families during its life time. The adjoining building on the south was a garage built by Pat Hand and operated by Clarence Brekken. Prior to 1940 it was operated by Tony Johnson, who purchased it from Louis Schmid. Mr. Schmid ran a harness shop and garage. He moved into this building after the Halvorson hardware fire in 1914.
- 43 LA MOTTE HOTEL OR PORTER BUILDING
With the beginning of Tolna the need for housing of the many construction crews was indeed in demand. The Hub Hotel (Beauregard proprietor) was built in 1906, soon became the LaMotte Hotel and kept this title until in the early thirties it was known to most of us as the Porter Building.
Many businesses were housed in this big structure besides a hotel. It was a restaurant, Post Office and Tribune shop and stores. It had the following managers and proprietors over a period of years: Ed LaMotte, Anton Halvorson, Free Price, E. E. Roberts, C. W. Vassau, Toenberg, Williams, Porter, Alfred Balkan, L. Anderson, Ole Braaten, Alphild Mercier, Roger Halvorson, and August Schindele.
This building was torn down in 1970 and a new modern Fire Hall was built in this place.
LaMotte Hotel
44 The old Post Office building, now vacant, was built in 1941 and was used until 1961 when the present Post Office was built. This building has been the site of a storage building and rummage sales the past 14 years.
When Tolna began, a large hotel was erected in this sport, known as the Palmer House built by Johnson.
This building also housed the doctors and many early construction workers. It was operated by Gunder Thompson in 1917 and C. E. Lind in 1922.
It was torn down in the late 30's.
In March, 1976, the Gronaac Greenhouse & Gift Shop vacated this building, which was once a meat market and cream station operated by Mable and Otto Lunde who retired in 1962.
This was a part of the lot occupied by the old hotel, which was torn down.
- 45 - Tolna's first pool hall located on the site of the present auditorium, was built by Pete Burns in 1907 which housed a pool room and opera house on the second floor.
Over the following years Howard Burns, Free Price, S. C. Schultz, O. E. Porter, C. A. Ward, C. Larson, Kusba, and J. W. Monroe were managers. This building burned in 1921 and was never rebuilt as a pool hall.
Pete and Howard Burns' Pool Hall
Roger's Place, the present pool hall, was also one of Tolna's first buildings built by Alfstad and Knutson General Merchandiser in 1906. They dissolved partner ship and in 1907 Haughland Knutson operated a general store here for some time, selling to Charley Sturr who ran a general store and sold to J. S. Jacobson in 1915.
Later the building was sold to Leonard Burns, then to Oscar Johnson, then to Percy Sessions, and in 1946 to Percy Harper. He ran the pool hall for eleven years. Then he sold to Louie Aaker who operated this business for two years, selling out to the present owner Roger Halverson in 1960.
46 - ROD'S BAR
After running a cafe for one and one-half years, Elwood Christofferson divided the building into a cafe and liquor store. With the passing of the law no food to be sold where there was liquor, Christofferson built the cement block building directly south of the Wolfe Mercantile building and continued in the beer and liquor business, selling the cafe to Orville Ryans.
hi 1973 the E. C. Bar was sold to Rodney Braaten who is the present owner and operator of Rod's Bar.
47 TOLNA ELEVATORS
Before the elevators were built, Carl Pederson bought grain on the track in Tolna.
Farmer's Elevator
1907 - 1911 O. B. Hoven, Manager 1911 - H. B. Highum, Manager 1912 - Mark Wold, Manager 1914 - Henry Deehr, Manager 1918 - 1920 L. G. Berg, Manager (left August, 1920) 1923 - Toenberg, Manager 1923 - Elevator sold to Pete Knapp and Alben Bergstrom for $8,000.00
Farmers Union buys the Farmers Elevator
1933 - Floyd Poyzer, Manager 1935 - T. S. Kopserig
Other Managers of Farmers Union Elevator
Elmer Melland Earl Lee Fay Patterson Glenn Aim Ardell Bergrude Glenn Aim Fay Patterson Gil Ness - 1976
1906 St. Anthony and Dakota Elevator - Albert LaBarr, Manager 1906 Imperial Elevator Co. - W. A. Gessell, Manager
J. D. Gruber Co.
1906 Justin Jacobson, Manager - closed April 2, 1908 1909 Re-opend - Fred Dovenmuckle, Manager - left February, 1911 1911 F. R. Coffey, Manager - closed December, 1911 1914 H. B. Highum bought Gruber Elevator 1916 H. B. Highum sold to International Elevntnr Co. - L. G. Berg, Manager
International Elevator Co.
1916 - L. G. Berg, Manager 1920 - Dan Lungren, Manager
Other Managers of International
Claude Hawkins Ben E ricks on Clarence Dalzell 48 - Taken over by Farmers Union Elevator
National Elevator Company
1911 - Mark Wold, Manager 1912 - H. B. Highum, Manager 1913 - A. E. Mapes, Manager - Highum goes to Montana 1917 - C. E. Lind, Manager 1921 - R. H. Shoemaker, Manager
National Elevator closed and building is torn down.
Farmers Union Elevators
49 FIRE STATION
December 26, 1907, the new chemical fire engine arrived. The station was located west of what is now the Clute store. At that time there were two engines. The first move was across the street next to the liquor store.
Later this building was improved and is the present location of the fire station. The present equipment is up-to-date. There are two trucks. A number of years ago the town of Tolna and surrounding country consolidated and now the country area is also served by this fire company.
The George Halverson Hardware store burned because the chemical engines were frozen February, 1914.
"modern" fire-fighting equipment
Tolna has a modern town well and bell towers. William Schultz and the Grovers completed t'ae erection of the city well house and fire bell tower. Many years later the tower was run into by two gentlemen in a large automobile. The bell came down, landed in the back seat of this car. Nobody hurt. The car was taken to a garage. A derrick was needed to get the bell out of the back seat.
- 50 - DEPOT AGENTS
April 1, 1909 - Kobe - Joe Wilson, assistant 1910 - W. H. Riley August, 1912 - W. F. Baehne December, 1914 L. C. Burns August, 1916 - E. W. Bomin - resigns September 26, 1916 September, 1916 H. L. Lamon 1917 - J. R. Toliver 1920 - A. Casad - went to McVille 1925 - A. J. Merck, relief agent May, 1925 - Lester Miller Urban Zimmer Bill Boehne Jack Campbell Tupa Horace Baily
1940 - George Burris Donald Pallanch Ervin Wencil
The depot has been taken out of Tolna for about four years.
51 - SHEYENNE TELEPHONE CO.
The first meeting of what became the Sheyenne Company was held in the Bergen township school house October 28, 1905. Officers elected were: President, A. H. Bjorlie; Vice-President, O. J. Hanson; Treasurer, Ole Walhood; Secretary, B. K. Enstad; Directors, Chris Jacobson, Ole Walhood, and Nels Veteran.
In 1906 the telephone line was built west to Tolna. Farmers did the work. This line took care of Tolna, Pekin, and McVille. Evan Wold and Casper Braaten were line men.
The company was incorporated in 1907, with Pekin as headquarters. Directors elected were: John O. Johnson, Pekin; E. C. Olsgaard, McVille; Ole O. Forde, Ottofy; Ole Walhood, McVille; Knut Fredrickson, Pekin; and James Merchanson, Tolna.
July, 1907, telephone poles were set to Tolna. The switchboard came a few days before July 18. The telephone was installed in Jennings Drug Store. The first central office was in George Halverson's store.
It was then moved to the smallest and one of the oldest buildings in our little village. It was moved from the Disnicore Rural Post Office and became Tolna's first post office in 1906. Later it was the Tolna Central Office and is still called the old telephone office, although for the past twelve years since direct dial was installed, it has been the residence of several families. In the summer of 1976 it will become a Snack Shack — soft ice cream and short orders.
Some of the telephone operators in charge during the many years of service of Sheyenne Telephone Company were: Hulburt, Justin Jacobson, Winnie Robertson, Stilla Moore, Helen Price, Inez Schindele, Irene Stienman, Mrs. Tommy Stahl, Rella Moore Messner, Mrs. George Engel, Helen Summers, Bertha Boyles, Kitty Heins, Florence Gunderson.
Line Men - 1907
52 - BARBER SHOPS
In 1906 Harold Scott had a barber shop in Lars' store, which was next to the present restaurant. Mr. Scott was also the Congregational minister.
August W. Pederson operated the barber shop in 1906.
In 1910 Rally Mills was the barber. He stayed a number of years and had his shop in these buildings: Pete Burns Pool Hall, Emil Glans Pool Hall, Hennessey Building, and Leonard Burns Confectionary. In 1913 Rally had a clothes cleaning business. In 1915 he went back to just barbering.
When Rally Mills left for the West, Jack Jondahl became the barber. At this time the shop was located in the Hennessey building, the present site of the REA building. Jondahl moved to Pekin.
In 1929 Ole Dronen built a shop next to the present bank. In 1936 Ole gave up barbering and moved to a farm.
Alton Knapp bought the shop from Ole Dronen in 1936. Later Knapp left for California.
Freeman Mjolsness bought the shop. He made some improvements, dividing the building into a beauty shop and barber shop. Mrs. Mjolsness was the beauty operator.
In 1958, Arvid Hedstroms bought the shop. Later the Hedstroms enlarged and modernized the shop. At this time Mrs. Hedstrom had four operators and there were two barbers. The Hedstroms are operating the Tolna Beauty and Barber Shop at the present time, 1976.
Mrs. Peggy Hoyt operates a beauty shop in her home at the present time.
Earlier beauty shops were operated in the Stavn home (Bessie Rude), Harper home (Sylvia Grannum), and A. E. Anderson shop (Hazel Olterson), for short periods at the time.
53 DOCTORS
Dr. R. H. Simon, first doctor in Tolna, came from Lakota - located in Jennings building. February 28, 1907, he moved his office into his residence (present Percy Harper home).
August 1, 1907, G. F. Walter, M.D., Physician and Surgeon - Halvorson Building opposite the Wolfe Mercantile.
1910, Dr. P. M. Kellog, Physician and Surgeon - office over harness shop.
1913 - 1916, Dr. R. C. Heron had his office over Drug Store. Went to McVille the last of 1917.
May, 1923, Dr. Litman had his office in home presently Mario Quam residence. He left June, 1924, to Hope, North Dakota.
Several dentists practiced in Tolna, but came certain days from surrounding towns. None lived in Tolna.
- 54 - HOYTS CAFE - DRUG STORES
The need of a drug store was evident. M. D. Butler and Co. started a drug store in 1907 with his general merchandise in the building now known as Don's Market. Also, in 1907 J. G. Jennings Co. opened a Drug Store in the place where Hoyts have their cafe, only operated a short time.
In 1910 H. A. Phillips started the Tolna Drug Co. in the Wolfe Mercantile Co. Building. He sold out to T. G. Pomeroy who operated the store only one year, when Magoris and Kellog changed it from Tolna Drug to Pioneer Pharmacy, managed by Ferdinand Schindele, Jr.
Emil Glans reopened the Pioneer Pharmacy after Magoris and Kellog dissolved partnership in 1913. Moving it into his building with the post office (Jennings Building). Glans sold the Drug Store to L. S. Burns three years later.
Elmer Molmen ran a confectionary store in the early thirties, selling to Elroy Hensrud, who operated a Variety Store. Jack Kuk ran a cafe for a short time. George and Erma Johnson remodeled the entire building and started a well-equipped restaurant. A few years later Alphild and Olaf Omlie took over, selling out to John and Avenal Hoyt a few years ago.
55 - DRAY LINES
Beginning in 1906 Tolna had the following dray men: Jacob Smith, Ted Deehr, Jess Palmer, Smith and Davis, Tosten Stene, C. S. Swenson, Oscar Smith, T. B. Moore, Emil Schindele, James S. Hall, Ole Omlie, William Schultz, Richard Sears, Edwin Arlein, and Olaf Omlie.
Jess Palmer built the first livery stable located directly east of the REC building. This was torn down in the early thirties0
/9^L
This is Ole Omlie while he was draying m iyi9 to 1932.
This is a load of ice weighing 9 tons,,
56 TOLNA TRIBUNE
Subscription rate in 1908 - $1.50 a year.
Started publishing in July, 1906, with L. J. Bowen, Editor; L. L. Lang, publisher and owner. He was from Hope, North Dakota.
April, 1907 - M. D. Brundage August 21, 1913 - G. L. Phillips 1915 - Harry M. Case and Ray Davis, manager June, 1916 - Case, publisher and Lee C. Ross, editor August, 1916 - Case, publisher and Harold Hall, editor February 15, 1917 Ivan M. Hennessey, editor and publisher April, 1919 - Hennessey moves print shop from Glans Building to LaMott Hotel Ambrose Schmid worked for Ivan Hennessey as a Printers Devil 1915 - 1918 July 30, 1925 - Suspends Publications
For several years the Tolna Tribune was the official county paper.
- 57 - 1909 A. H. Dahl purchased the lumber yard and had a dealership for all kinds of farm machinery, mainly Acme, Avery McCormick, Deering, Kentucky, and Case. They used to order machinery and twine by the car load and hired men to set it up.
Some of the men that worked for Mr. Dahl were Lars Frydendal, Joe Schindele, and Henry Deehr. He also sold cars until his death in 1945. Mr. Dahl's son, Alvin H. sold out the machinery and started up a plumbing business in the same building. Elroy Hensrud and Willis Dahl worked many years for Alvin.
First Car in Tolna - Metz
International Harvester
Following the death of A. H. Dahl, the International Harvester dealership was taken over by Odin Hovdeness in 1947, who built a concrete shop directly south of the Town Hall. They sold out to L. B. Tweed and Sons in the late fifties. Stanley and Douglas Thompson ran the International business for a few years before L. B. Tweed sold out to the present Farmers Union Oil Co.
58 EARLY BUSINESS IN TOLNA
C. J. Hand operated the Bartel Oil Company in 1922, which became the Cities Service Company. During the period of years the following consignees running the truck were Claude Hawkins, George J. Schindele, Louie Aaker, and Howard Luehring. While Howard Luehring was operating this business Gulf Oil Co. bought out Cities Service. Today it is known as the Luehring Oil Co.
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C. J. Hand started the first Standard Oil Co. hauling by tank wagon and horse. Taken over in 1917 by Emil Schindele for two years when Emil Nelson took over selling to J. E. Hall. In 1923 Ambrose Schmid ran the business until 1937. Art Otterson ran the Standard Oil until 1940 when Percy Harper ran it for a few years followed by George Otto, Robert Otterson, Henry Wessels, Lyle Dahl, Tom Dorrance, and ending with Owen Raaen. The bulk truck left Tolna in 1962.
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In the late 40's, Otto Flohr constructed a small building beside the central office where he ran an off sale liquor store for several years.
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Vernon Vrem opened a TV and radio repair shop in the Tom Vrem home. Later he moved his business to the Farmers Union Oil Co. for several years. He sold out to Val Marback who opened a TV repair shop in the old Post Office building on main street. This was operated for a short period. He closed shop and moved to Northwood, North Dakota.
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Around the year of 1950 the Rogelstad appliance store was opened in the REC building. It continued business for just a short while. He was also a line man for REC.
- 59 - COMMITTEE THAT WENT TO WASHINGTON, D.C.
Left to Right:
Richard Dell, next man not known, Ray Engen, Ernest Beckman, Joseph Finnee, Darrel Johnson, Alfred Retzlaff, L. B. Twied, Neland Oxton.
Sitting at the table and signing the check:
Claude R. Wicker, REA Administrator
- 60 - REA SHEYENNE VALLEY ELECTRIC
The members of the first board of directors of the cooperatives are as follows:
From left to right:
Abel O. Vig - Aneta Conrad Herigstad - Cooperstown L. B. Tweed - Tolna Alfred Retzlaff - Cooperstown Joseph Finell - Finley John Oxton - Finley Oscar Idsvoog - Cooperstown E. D. Bechman - Tolna A. J. Pare - Tolna
Incorporated September 16, 1944
61 LIGHT PLANTS
The light plant was built by the city in 1919. It was run by Irving Peterson. It was a much appreciated improvement. This was also run by Pat Hand and Andy Schindele.
In 1929 the plant was transferred to the Ottertail Power Company, who is still furnishing power for Tolna in 1976.
However, the greatest boon to our state was the building of the Rural Electrification Administration.
On May 11, 1935, President F. D. Roosevelt signed the executive order 70-37 establishing the Rural Electrification Administration.
This was a great day for rural America and equally as great for the men who had worked so faithfully for this project.
Sheyenne Valley Electric was incorporated September 16, 1944, under the North Dakota law to engage in rural electrification.
The incorporators: John Oxton, Jr., Joseph Finnell, L. B. Tweed, A. J. Pare, E. D. Beckman, Alfred Retzlaff, C. B. Herigstad, Oscar Idsvoog, and Abel Vig were to serve as directors and manage the affairs of the cooperative until qualified successors were elected.
A special meeting of members of cooperatives was held August 31, 1945, at Cooperstown, North Dakota. The resolution adopted at this time set the limit of indebtedness at $5, 000, 000. 00.
Each year much business and progress continued. Many of our local people worked on many of the committees.
1954 was the first year the cooperative operations were financially favorable enough to show a net margin above expenses. During 1955 these margins were allocated back to the consumers on a patronage basis in capital credits. A building site for the central headquarters was obtained in the city of Finley, North Dakota.
Julius Anderson was the first president of the cooperative from 1955-1960.
Sheyenne Valley Electric Cooperative secures its power from Minnkota Power Cooperative of Grand Forks. There have been many improvements in the past years. The latest power development is the 212,000 Kilowatt generating plant at Center, North Dakota. The plant cost $56, 000,000.00. $13,500,000 will be used to build 400 miles of 230,000 volt lines and terminal equipment.
Through the energetic and dedicated work of R. E. Engen, we secured the first building owned by the cooperative, which is the service center at Tolna, North Dakota.
The citizens of the Tolna Community donated the greatest portion of the cost
- 62 - of the building so they would be assured of a service center; now used for a substation.
Part of the building was furnished as club rooms for the use of the community.
Tolna after the rain - June 3, 1911
- 63 - W. P. A.
During the 1930 depression, W. P. A. provided work for many.
The building of the Tolna Dam was one of the main projects. It was predicted that it would be a dry dam, but the spring after it was finished in 1938, water was running over the dam. A fair sized lake has been formed, that provides good fishing in winter and summer. Trees have been planted, a covered lunch stand, picnic tables, and rest rooms have been built. This has become a fine recreation area.
The City Hall was another W. P. A. project. This was built in 1938. Mike Orskog was the contractor.
Many Roosevelt cabins were built in town and country. Later these were called outdoor plumbing. They also rebuilt and graveled roads.
Horses were rented from local farmers. Clif Breckheimer was one of the many who rented out horses.
Tolna Dam
Trees planted and other improvements
have been built and maintained by Wild Life Club
Clif Breckheimer's Horses -
Susie & Queen - Used for W. P.A.
- 64 PHOTOGRAPHY
One of the longest operated businesses in Tolna was run by A. E. Anderson, beginning as early as 1907 and continuing until the late thirties. Many of the pictures in this book are products of his work.
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Some of the first business in early days were the contractors and builders. Hauling the lumber from Larimore and Bartlett, North Dakota by horse-drawn wagons until the train came to Tolna in 1907. Early Contractors and carpenters were: Matt Kohler, Charles Trumbul, J. A. Bilden, G. W. Randolph, H. L. Staven, Mike Orskog, George Otto, Bill Schultz, and Einar Wold.
Others helping with the painting and papering and finishing work were Paul the paint, E. L. McGee, Nick Rischard, Edward Seagren, Olaf Harven, Johnson, and Nelson. In the later years L. B. Tweed, Peter Gleason, Gleason Brothers, Floyd and Clarence Tufto, Ole Braaten, Gudmond Ronholm, and Carl Johannason built and repaired many of Tolna's buildings.
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As early as 1912 J. M. Murchion (local land agent for Canada), P. A. Scott, H. S. Ward, and S. S. Myhre served the town as real estate agents.
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Tolna also had car dealers as early as 1909. A. C. Moe, local agent for the Buick; Myhre and Deehr dealt in Dodge Brothers motor car. A. H. Dahl had dealerships of the Ford, Metz, Studebaker, Dart, Buick, and Chevrolet.
65 - A. E. Anderson at the Wheel
Interior of early photography studio
66 TOLNA CREDIT UNION
Tolna Credit Union has been and still is very active in loaning and saving money for the Tolna Community. Under the management of Oscar P. Johnson, it was set up and continued for the past thirty years.
Mrs. Gil Ness is the present secretary, having her office in the REA Building.
HAROLD'S GARAGE
Harold's Garage, which opened for business in the fall of 1956, is located behind his residence, the old Larson building. He constructed a cement block structure for his garage and remodeled the house. He operated the garage until 1974. In 1971 the town established a city police department which hired Harold Hansing as city cop.
Besides his police duties, he is engineer of the city Water and Sanitation Department.
At one time a watchmaker, Edward C. Lund, resided in our city.
Myrtle Short had a millinery shop and dressmaker shop.
In 1908 Halvorson and Peterson ran an undertaking parlor.
T. B. Moore was the local auctioneer.
At one time Tolna had a one-lane bowling alley with manual pin-setters on the lower floor of the Howard Burns pool room. After the fire in 1921 it was never rebuilt. Lars Frydendal, Algernon Dahl, and Medley Ward were some of the pin setters.
As farmers began to raise cattle, local cream stations were necessary. Some of the early cream buyers were: M. J. Belverud, Ole Hanson, H. L. Stavn, Henry Deehr, Carl Thompson, Carl Lundberg, Ralph Mercier, Florence McClure, George Sanderby, Sigurd Enebo, Einar Aamodt, and Mabel Lunde. The last station to operate in Tolna was the Lunde Meat Market and Cream Station in 1965. Now the dairy farmers either go to neighboring towns or sell their milk to the Lakota Cheese Plant, or have their milk picked up by trucks coming from Lakota, Rugby, or Jamestown.
67 - REC Sheyenne Valley Electric Co-op Building The newest business in Tolna opened for business on Mav 12, (meeting place and home of this book) 1976. Mr. & Mrs. Rick Alfson are proprietors.
00
Welcome Manor, a 4-plex apartment 2020 (New 6 apartment housing units) opened May, 1976 built in 1972 TURKEY CAPITAL
••'• ***..-•', * NORTH°DAKOTA $ Sponsored by
Tolna is the turkey capitol of North Dakota. Since before 1960 turkey raising has been one of our community's bigger projects.
William Knauss and Norman Rude were the first to go into raising turkeys on a large scale, followed by Eddy Luehring, Vern Beauchane, and Harold Gutting in the spring of 1960.
Today we have many more farmers in this business: Terry and Mike Luehring, David Risinger, Richard Price, Robert Gutting, David Rude, Myron Halvorson, Al Jochim, Gordon Hick, Henry Turcott, and Harris Forde, and Ron Houdek.
From March to the last shipment in the fall they handle approximately 40, 000 birds each. Some years its a terrific business, but like all other lines of work, it has its ups and downs.
69 BRECKHEIMER FLYING SERVICE
Another new industry in this area is Aerial Spraying, which is done by Lee Breckheimer. He took his flying lessons in Devils Lake in 1965, where he also learned aerial spraying and sprayed for Wakefield until he started his own business in 1967. He used a Piper Pa-11, now has a Pawnee, hi 1967 he sprayed 5,000 acres but now sprays up to 20,000 acres per year.
He uses pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide for wild oats and broad leafed weeds; insecticides for insect infestations on crops, trees, and yards; fungecides for plant disease; and defoliants for sunflowers. He also does aerial grass seeding and spraying of fertilizers.
Ideal weather is necessary for aerial spraying: not too windy, and temperatures from 50 to 70 degrees, depending on the kind of chemical used. If the temperature is too high, the plane doesn't have enough lift for flying so low.
When Lee first started spraying he had flaggers to mark off the fields for him, but now has an automatic flagger on the plane which drops paper flags or markers.
• I \
- 70 A small industry just outside of Tolna is the stacking and processing of flax straw. The processed straw is shipped to a factory in Pennsylvania, where it is made into Kleenex, napkins, cigarette paper, etc. Each stack contains 300 ton of flax straw.
Another small, but very satisfying business is the one operated by Hilma Stiegberg. For the past three years she has run a Ceramic Shop. An ideal place for the busy housewife to spend her time and talents. Hilma holds classes almost daily throughout the year at her farm home west and south of Tolna.
71 LUNDEBY EVERGREENS
Iver Lundeby is now the owner of the Lundeby homestead of 1882. He and his son Fred have converted fifty acres of the land into a nursery. This is at present the largest evergreen nursery in the state. Sales are mostly wholesale. Many of the trees are sold to the highway departments all over the state. Many trees have been shipped to South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, Iowa, and Manitoba and Alberta Canada.
He furnished the trees for the centennial planting in Bismarck. He also furnished the Christmas tree for the Capitol in 1974. Trees are also grown for Christmas sales.
Iver began this project in 1962, planting three acres, but has added some plantings each year. Now, annual sales are about 3,000 trees. Everything available is sold every year.
- 72 - A & D HEDSTROM Distributor—Shaklee Products
In 1969 when the new beauty shop was built we wanted to go into a new line of cosmetics. While attending a Minneapolis Hairdresser's Convention we were introduced to the Shaklee Products. Giving free facial demonstrations at our formal opening of the "Beauty and Barber Shop" we were impressed with the LaVue products. A year later we attended a Shaklee convention in Billings, Montana and heard Dr. Shaklee, a medical doctor, the founder of these products. In 1915 the Shaklee line had 3 products and now have over 100 items.
With this line of products, operating as a Shaklee Distributor has become the new business of the Hedstrom along with the Beauty and Barber Shop.
LES' UPHOLSTERY SHOP
Les Trostad has been operating an upholstery shop in his home for about four years.
- 73 - Ernest Beckman bought his first Registered Hereford cattle in 1936 from Bowman, North Dakota. This was the beginning of the Beckman Hereford Ranch and raising breeding stock. He began selling and showing cattle around the state, and in neighboring states and Canada.
Above is a picture of Ernest and the Champion Hereford Sale Bull shown at the Winter Show in Valley City March 2nd to the 7th in 1953. It was sold to the Wyoming Hereford Ranch in Cheyenne, Wyoming for $2, 875. 00.
- 74 This house was constructed on the plot of land given to the first child born after Tolna was platted.
R. D. Heald's daughter Lillian Tolna was the child. Heald built this house after 1906. Besides Healds, T. O. Lundebys, Knapps, Christoffersons, and Snortlands have been owners. At the present it is being remodeled.
- 75 STUMP LAKE HISTORY
Stump Lake began some four hundred years ago, (according to the State Historical Society), by a great flooding of the valley where there were heavy stands of trees. They died standing in the flood waters and were not sunken as another legend has it.
When the first settlers came here, it was a much larger lake than at the present time, and of fresh water. It had three major inlets and three outlets at one time. When the Engels came here, it had 25 islands on west Stump Lake, There are only 2 now.
Ever since pioneer days, there has been a gradual drying up of the great lake and getting saltier. The west part of the lake went dry in 1934 and continued that way for many years. Great clouds of alkali dust would blow off the lake bottom. There were some years of little water in the 40's and 50's and would dry up again by fall. The west part of the lake filled up to Dutch Point Road in the spring of 1950; and then went dry again in 1957. Since then there has been water and is quite high at the present time. The east part of Stump Lake has never been entirely dry; but oh what a smell.
The east part of the lake; on the west bank for three miles, was so deep with dropoffs fifty years ago that the youth of the time could run out in the water and dive into deep water; too deep for their swimming ability to test for depth.
During the depression and drought of the thirties most of the dead trees of the lake bottom were sawed up for firewood and fence posts. It was very hard oak and ash and burned with a lot of heat. There is some lakewood left on the west shore of the east lake at the present time.
There have been a few drownings in Stump Lake. Dolly Wishart and the hired man of the Wishart farm went to a party at the Wamduska Hotel, summer of 1909 across the bay in a boat. When the men returned later that night a storm capsized the boat and both were drowned. Dragging operations were carried out but they were not found until nine days later when the bodies came to the surface.
About 1910 or 1911, Martin Knapp (a brother of Peter Knapp, a former resident of Tolna) was drowned in a hunting accident near Bird Island. The lake froze up shortly afterwards and the body was not found until the next June. He was found by Herman Schindele and George Engel while herding cattle on the east shore of the west lake.
There were two drownings near Stump Lake Park in later years.
There was a mailman by the name of Williams hauling mail from Lakota to the country post office Dismore, when his 4-horse team fell through the ice near the shore of the same bay of the Wishart drownings. He only saved one horse of his team.
76 .••\vo p?—r'-~* MB » • ^
77 - The Wamduska Hotel mentioned earlier was built in the 1870's with the intention of there being a town there; on a proposed railroad from Larimore to Harrisburg on the east bay of Stump Lake, to Wamduska, and then on to Devils Lake. The hotel was built from bricks made from clay of the lake shore. It had 44 rooms, a dining room, dance hall, and two stairways. One was a winding stairway.
There were two large boats that operated on the lake during the 1920's. There was a large passenger boat that operated out of Stump Lake Park; and Ervin Peterson of Tolna had a large inboard pleasure boat. Many trips were made out to Bird Island to see the nests of the many birds. The boat was later sold to Andy Schindele of Tolna.
Engel Point or more commonly called Stony Point at the extreme end of Dutch Point was one of the best hunting spots on the lake. There were many stone blinds made at the water's edge as the water receded. Many can be seen at a much higher elevation than the water is now. They are filled up with the drifting sand of the lake bottom. During the dirty thirties shooting was so great that the gun barrels got too hot to handle from the continual firing.
Hunting was so good that several men from the Tolna area built a hunting shack on the Engel farm in the 1920's so they would have a place to stay. I believe Otto Flohr was the last survivor of that hunting group.
According to Indian legend, the narrow range of hills leading up to this point was a place where the Indians drove the buffalo over the high bank on the west side for slaughter. It must have been true because my dad and I picked up many tons of bones during the thirties when they sold for $9.00 a ton.
When the farmers of Dutch Point wanted to go to Lakota in the summer, they had to go either on the west side by the Blue Mountain or around the south end and east around Harrisburg Bay, making a very long trip.
In the fall of 1929 the Lakota merchants, led by Mr. Arnold of the Theater, sponsored a work crew of the Dutch Point farmers to put a road across the lake at a narrow passage by the Wishart farm. The farmers were to be paid one day and work without pay the next. The work was accomplished with horses hitched to Fresno scrapers to pull the dirt up to the water.
Lawrence Johnson had a four-horse team on the other side of the lake hitched to a scraper on this side with a long rope and one horse pulled the empty scraper back. The fill was made in a few days so we could cross the old lake. A huge bon fire was built to celebrate the occasion with drinks and lunches. The new road was christened Dutch Point Highway. Mrs. Wishart and daughter Minnie were the first women to cross the new road. Raleigh Gutting took them across with his car. The Nelson County road crew built the road leading to Highway 1 the next summer.
Someone from Lakota wrote a poem about it:
78 - Our Dutch Point neighbors, used to live far away, When we went to see them, we'd be gone all day. It was the worst situation ever seen. To wear out the tires and burn up the gasoline. So we got together and decided what to do. If we dug up some money, they would furnish the crew. So we carried out the project without a mistake And now we have a good road across Stump Lake.
The Engel and J. D. Farnham land, comprising 261 acres, has been sold to the Garrison Diviersion Conservancy District. They plan in the future to make it a recreation area with swimming beaches, camping grounds, picnic areas, and scenic roads.
The Indians called it Lake Wamduska which means, "When on the waters, oh look. " You have to see it during a beautiful sunset to understand it.
Submitted by,
Orville Engel Tolna, North Dakota 58380
- 79 from Homer Knauss:
Sunken forest of Stump Lake - logs like coal only harder to chop up - but warmed the log shacks.
When Mother and Dad were first married there were homesteaders on every 2 or 3 quarters of land. Some very poor bachelors who walked to Harrisburg and to Jerusalem on east end of Devils Lake and carried home flour, sugar, etc. Remember Grandad Knauss telling about old man Dismore, who lived about where Tolna Cemetery is now, stopping him when he was going to Lakota or Harrisburg. Dismore said all the money he had was 75 cents, asked Grandad to get 25 cents worth of sugar and 50 cents worth of chewing tobacco.
Winter sport for Knauss and Parker boys was running down coyotes, the boys had good horses and there were no fences.
Social center for parties and dances after it was built was the Wamduska Hotel.
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80 Hunting at Stump Lake
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- 81 - HUNTING
Stump Lake provided an ideal place for waterfowl and a hunter's paradise.
Ducks were plentiful. Early in the fall you could hunt Red Heads and Canvas Backs. Later in the fall Blue Bills and Mallards moved in. The bag limit was 25 birds a day.
Geese were so numerous that when they were in flight the light of the sun was temporarily obscured.
The bag limit for prairie chicken and grouse was 15 birds a day.
Hunting licenses were priced at $1. 00 or $1.50 for the season. Shells were 65 cents a box — now they are $5.00 or $6. 00 a box.
George Halvorson had a hunting shack built about 1911 at Sandy Point - the present building site of Perry Williams' farm buildings.
It attracted hunters from Fargo, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Northwood. Leo Burke then a boy of 10 felt very privileged to accompany the hunters to "the shack" to listen to the hunting stories and to eat the food provided by their cook Paul Detrieck, better remembered as "Paul the Paint". He prepared duck in a very unique way to the liking of all these hunters. Oftentimes 10 to 15 hunters occupied "the shack."
Nick Halvorson of Northwood, owner of the first hardware store in Tolna, often hunted in this area.
Oliver Twete accompanied his father Ole Twete to the "hunting shack."
Due to the drought and depression of the thirties, hunting declined.
However at the present time, goose hunting is growing in favor.
82 Horses played a big role in the early farming of the Tolna area.
Horses on the Harry Knauss farm
In the spring of 1912: Erik Stene on plow; John Rimmerud on Drill; McDonald Waterwagon; G. Ronholm on Drill; Brent Eideon on Drag; Fred Lundeby on engine.
- 83 m^Mm^ki^mm^ ; * Kr\>?ESTm& ©N' •A, i^2fef^£ • *'it r jffl iwrniBi Carl Schindele on horse binder. Bill Bluebaker on shock loader on Ward farm around 1915 - 84 - The first big machinery came into the Tolna area around the year of 1910. Most of the rigs were run by steam engines. Early pioneers in steam farming were Wellington Ward, Sr., Ole Hoven, Fred Lundeby, Stromdahl, L. B. Tweed, Olaus Twete, Martin Jurgenson. Some plows had 8 to 17 bottoms. Threshing rigs were operated by a crew of 20 or more men. They pulled as many as 5 binders behind one engine. After the steam came the gas engines. U-TJ^ Martin Jurgenson's Steam Rig -- Earl Jurgenson (?)(?); Hermann Thelin, Martin Jurgenson, Randal Corvie. — On Larry Mannie farm north of Hamar. 85 1 v—^s Err irv ,-*--!?,E-£j3- ^ft SK*- v; K^^K^r ^^B» I ^ -^HIBL^PS^^ '*s« ^^A^fl^^E-i Cr^lSJB^rsTH 1 *•'--?' ' ' s, -. Nels Hagan-Severt Thorson Threshing Crew August Schindele on F. Schindele's M. Gutting rig in 1906. Fred Lundeby took his framing on this Filling silo on W. G. Ward, Sr. farm in 1912. case engine at the A. C. in 1909. - 86 •jfcfiLf 4 Km m M&) < Olaus Twete—Steam Engine .» • 10-bottom plow of W. G. Ward. Gas engine - Ted Stunnann and George Ward. 1912 - 87 - Gertie Forde and Gina Flaagan in Carl Rude Threshing rig of W. G. Ward cook car - 1906. Percy Session and George Ward. i^HBH L. B. Tweed's cook car - 1930. Fred Lundeby's threshing rig. 88 Joseph Tweed, Nick Overby, Lewis Tweed - Gas Engine Harry Knauss' Thresing Rig. Moving of Cook Car of Halvar Lofthus. 89 - SOCIAL ASPECTS OF TOLNA The people of Tolna and its community created their own social fun by gathering in their neighbors' homes for dances, socials and card playing; it being a birthday, anniversary, wedding, charivari or just a time to get together. Different men, women, or children would furnish music by playing an accordian, mouth organ, or fiddle - whatever was available. After 1910 various clubs were organized. Some were: Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Bull Moose, Red Cross Chapter, Sons of Norway, Stoddard Art Club, Commercial Club, Forde Township Debate Club, Workman's Lodge, Tolna Band, Jenny Wren, American Legion, Tolna Shipping Association, and Sheyenne Ski Club. Many baseball clubs were organized; including Pekin, Tolna, Hamar and Warwick. Some names were: The Blue Mountain Boys, Tolna Tigers, Mud Hens, Stump Lake Hell Divers, Ottofy Hickories, Dissmore Giants, and Pekin Blue Boys. These furnished much entertainment in the community for Sunday afternoon and early evening. Each June "Pioneer Days" were held in Tolna. The first of its kind was held June 28, 1909, with nearly two thousand people attending. Beginning with a ball game, a parade of the show, followed with speeches by John Samson of Lakota and Mr. Serumgard. The day ended with a dance. The following years they had such performers and shows as the Georgia Minstrels, Websters Vaudeville, Yankee Robinson Circus, Ed Francis Quality Shows, Skogan's Comedy Company, Horse Races, T. I. Cash Amusement Co. (quote, "They were absolutely rotten, the only good feature was the balloon ascension"), International Chautauqua, Ash Davis Cartoonist, Barnum and Bailey Circus, and other entertain ment. 90 Tolna and community have always been and still are interested in baseball. For years the young men of Forde Township got together to play baseball. In 1911 the LaMotte and Braaten boys organized a ball team with Nels Braaten as manager. They continued to play until 1920. Reindeer Ball Team The Blueboys Henry Lein, Albert Fredrickson, Unknown, Emil Dakkan, Herbert Berthold, Charlie Balkan, Gilbert Dakken, Hector Balkan - 91 Tolna had several good teams: » BMr*; mm 92 - The girls were not to be left out. Tolna had a very good looking team. Many of the girls south of Tolna also had a team. Fosse, Arneson, Bergetta Thorson, Paula Thorson, Joe Palmer - Coach, Selma Messner, Ida Stromme. - 93 Later basketball was the game. This is the 1933-1934 team: Coach Joy Sime, Ruth Halverson, Gladys Sessions, Esther Halverson, Dorothy Flohr, Edna Porter, Dorothy Burke. 94 - 1936-1937 Ski Hill south of Tolna on Vernon Halverson's land. Left to right: Vernon Molmen, Joseph Gleason, Helmer Rude, Philly Geason, Roger Halverson. - 95 !,•" • •-.. . •Vi us. ....> 1. ? ? 2. Helmer Rude 3. Ray Flohr 4. Philip Gleason 5. Sander Kopseng 6. Ferron Halverson 7. Lloyd Tweed 8. Frederick Schindele. - 96 - THE STODDARD ART CLUB The Stoddard Art Club held its first meeting at the home of Mrs. F. M. Wolfe on February 6, 1909. The following officers were elected: President - Mrs. T. M. Hanson Vice-President - Mrs. J. Palmer Secretary - Mrs. T. M. Wolfe Treasurer - Mrs. J. S. Miller The collection of Stoddard lectures was purchased and selections were read at each meeting. Ladies who joined the club in 1909 were: Mrs. Summers, Mrs. H. L. Knauss, Mrs. T. S. Ouim, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Wolfe, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Hovey, Mrs. Heald, Mrs. Sessions, Mrs. J. Knauss, Miss Mary Wishart, Mrs. Magoris, Mrs. Burke, Mrs. H. R. Simon, Mrs. T. M. Deehr, Mrs. LaBarr, and Mrs. Schmid. The purposes of the club were given as education and entertainment. In 1913 the club voted to sponsor a series of five Lyceum entertainments during the winter months. The proceeds were to be used for the purchase of a piano for the school. Other projects sponsored were ice cream socials, dances, home talent plays, and suppers. Donations were made to the Florence Crittendon Home in Fargo and to a Student Loan Fund. The club changed its name to the Civic and Study Club in the twenties. It sponsored projects for the betterment of the community. A public library was established in the Fire Hall, and various members of the club acted as librarian when the library was open to the public on certain days of the week. The Civic and Study Club was the first organization in Tolna to sponsor girls for Girls' State. In the late fifties, the Club was discontinued after nearly fifty years of service to the community. AMERICAN LEGION Many of the young men of our community were inducted into the army during World War I. Knudt Holberg died in camp 1918. Eighteen veterans of World War I started the American Legion Post in Tolna in 1920. It was named for Knudt Holberg. Post Commander - Earl Burns Vice Commander - G. J. Schindele Adjutant - E. S. Wold Finance - George Otto Historian - George Stewart Chaplain - Lars Frydendal Sergeant of Arms - Percy Sessions Other members were: Emil Bordeau, John Stavn, Clifford Haas, Palmer Overby, Oscar Rothe, Lawrence Deehr, Claice Sessions, Peter Thompson, Ludwig Anderson, Fred Peterson, and Thorwald LaMott. This organization kept going fairly well until the end of World War II. On May 29. 1946, the service men again met and formed the Tolna American Legion Post #162, with 31 chartered members: Ray Flohr, Wellington Ward, Jr., Richard Sears, Edward Snortland, Maynard Rude, Charles Thelin, Laurence Haas, Vernon Molmen, Donald Christofferson, Jerome Messner, Burton Tweed, William Farrell, Robert Haas, Telemer Tweed, Henry Wessels, Sanfred Hermanson, Bennie Hermanson, Victor Johnson, Sydney Halvorson, George Dronen, T. G. Tweed, LaVerne Halvorson, C. E. Anderson, Lars Frydendal, Alfred Balkan, Theodore Hensrud, Einar Overby, Gehard Nelson, Palmer Overby, Torfin Halvorson, and George Schindele. Again in March 11, 1958, the above post #162 was reactivated. This is the same group active to 1976. Meetings are held regularly in the remodeled Lodge Hall now known as the Legion Hall Post #162. Present membership is 73 members. 98 - AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY Wives, mothers, sisters and daughters met in the spring of 1959 for the purpose of organizing the Legion Auxiliary of Post #162. Meeting was held in the old lodge hall now known as the Tolna Legion Hall. Receiving the charter May 4, 1959, with the following charter members: Mrs. Burton Aaker (Doris); Mrs. John Anderson (Anna); Mrs. Vern Beauchone (Karen); Mrs. Danfred Danielson (Agnes); Mrs. Lawrence Deehr (Ann); Mrs. Gordon Deehr (Elsie); Mrs. Arivid Flaagan (Rosadell); Mrs. Ray Flohr (Marion); Mrs. Lars Frydendahl (Beninda); Mrs. Sydney Halvorson (Beatrice); Mrs. Elroy Hensrude (Ethel); Mrs. Otto Lund (Mabel); Mrs. Vernon Molmen (Corrine); Mrs. Olaf Omlie (Alphild); Mrs. Donald Pallanch (Janet); Mrs. Thoralph Tweed (Eva); Mrs. Wellington Ward (Genevieve); Mrs. Clarence Dalzell (Edna). The auxiliary presidents the past 17 years have been: Mrs. Lawrence Deehr (7 years) Mrs. Robert Devlin (2 years) Mrs. Wellington Ward (3 years) Mrs. Lawrence Deehr (5 years), the present president with the membership at 48 in 1976. Accomplishment achieved by this organization has been the assistance to the Legion to improve the hall, sending one or two girls to Girl State each year, and helping with the summer recreation program in the community. Submitted by, Gen. Ward - 99 - Georgiana Engen at age 12 was the champion knitter of the Junior Red Cross of Nelson County during WW I 1917-1918. Betsy Ross - Edna Anderson George Washington - Darrell Dahl 100 - "Doll Party" in front of Anderson's Studio. School play for Washington's birthday. The Sunshine Club - 101 - HOMEMAKER CLUBS There are three homemaker clubs in this immediate area - Forde-Dayton, 27-52 er's and Tolna. The purpose of this organization is to help members in homemaking. Information is sent from the Extension Department NDSU and the county. Each year an achievement day is held in the county. The State Convention is held in June at Fargo, North Dakota. Most of the states belong to this organization, and a national convention is also held. 102 The Sears Roebuck band was organized in January, 1908, with Adolph Ness as leader. They practiced every Sunday. The uniforms were ordered from Sven Nerby. They sent for instruments at the cost of $16.50 each. They played for Governor Burke, when he was the speaker in Tolna. A special event for the band was the 4th of July, 1908, picnic at the Albert Halverson grove. They rigged up a platform for a good dance. Band members were Ole Flaagan, Emar Hallum, Herman Halverson, Andrew Anderson, Juluis Borgerson, Otto Rude, Lewis Bolkan, John Braaten, Karl Balkan, Elvin Hallum, Hans Dronen, Nels Halverson, Martin Flaagan, Hakon Wold, Karl Braaten, Raymond Rierson, Albert Halverson, and Kittel Flaagan. The band leader left for Canada in 1909, and that was the end of this great band. I i 9 -- . Tolna Band 103 - TOLNA PIONEER DAYS from 1911 through 1915 - i. AT TOilMA N.D. 104 - TOLNA PIONEER DAYS from 1911 through 1915 - \ * s_ * tat*-* „*- • MHI - 105 - f:-':'\!7i}". :-r"ITn* a >• Ladies Aid at Charley Beckman Jolly Sixteen Play by Ladies Aid - 106 - George Engel wedding — first wedding in Tolna Congregational Church Tolna 50th celebration in 1956: Mrs. George Magoris, Mrs. Gunder Thompson, Mrs. Louis Cowie, Mrs. Louis Schmid, Mrs. R. E. Heald, Mrs. (Dr.) Heron. 107 Tolna group picnicing. Sunday School leaving Tolna for a picnic at Stump Lake. A ride in the surrey with the fringe on top. - 108 - k Camping at Red Willow Lake - 1909. Mrs. Carl Schindele, Mrs, Wellington Ward, Mrs. Ernest Groves. Jr Ti H '^id^afc ** \ i kt Freda and Carl Schindele, Rosa Ward, Ernest and Anna Groves. 4 s. *,..#... •' N * Knauss' Camping,, - 109 - The oldest house in Nelson County was built by Major McLaughlin in 1878, on the south shores of Stump Lake for a mail trail between Fort Totten to Grand Forks. This farm is now owned by Ole Omlie. The house has now been torn down. , ntfii- (UssS*" Oldest house in Forde Township - Nels Forde. 110 - My Remembrance of Dissmore - by - Mildred B. Pare' Just after the turn of the century my dad had our mailing address changed from Jerusalem, North Dakota, to Dissmore. The William Dissmore's moved there about that time from Cresco, Iowa. There were two daughters and two sons — Genevieve, an accomplished musician, and the two sons, Guy and Harry, who worked in the store. Gladys went to school. Grandma Dissmore lived in a cottage east of the north and south road. Groceries, dry goods, and notions and some hardware were carried in the store. In the center of the east wing of the store they had a long table covered with imitation cut glass which was very good looking. We still have some pieces left at the farm a huge punch bowl and cups. Mother brought her crocks of butter and crates of eggs to the store to get things in trade. When the Great Northern came through and Tolna sprang up, the Dissmore's went there and opened a store. Genevieve married a man near Lakota, Metcalf, I think. Guy married Ann Harper, and Harry married Stella Harper, both aunts of Percy Harper. I just wrote Stella to see if Guy, who is in Washington, was still okay and if they might be able to fill us in on some things. Guy and Harry went to Kamaii, Idaho, when they left Tolna. They had a big store there. I should have mentioned that Genevieve gave piano lessons; we took from her and participated in her recitals. Dissmore was a fun place for picnics, baseball, horse racing, and kid's games. No one had a car—horse buggies and carriages and horseback. People came from Lakota and Bartlett—there was no Doyon then. Neighbors west about 3/4 mile were the Waite family. The daughter was back here a few years ago and visited at Quam's. There was a schoolmaster, Mr. Huntley, who had a claim southwest of Dissmore. He later became a mail clerk on the Great Northern branch line north. I'm sure Gus Niles west of Perry Johnson's farm, had his claim at this time. He later married and raised a family. And there were the Wessel's on the line between Nelson and Ramsey Counties. Old Ben had one farm; and Lem, with two children, High and Tena, another. They went to Illinois No. 1 School. Bertha Myer was one of the teachers; she was my teacher also. She is now living in Cover de Laine, California; I saw her not too long ago. Joe Kostefer had his claim near there where Robert and Roger Johnson now live. The Dissmore house was moved into Tolna about 1910, and is now owned by Charlotte Gessner, one of our teachers. Ill - Evidently special occasions were observed by the pioneers. This news item is from the May 10, 1888 issue of the Larimore Pioneer: "Mr. and Mrs. George Knauss celebrated their silver wedding April 24, and the occasion was one to be remembered. The guests, about 100 in number, assembled at an early hour, and after offering congratulations to the host and hostess, were entertained with music, games, etc. until midnight when a sumptuous repast was served, after which many returned to their homes which others lingered until almost dawn. A pleasant feature of the evening was an address to Mr. and Mrs. Knauss by M. W. Williams, a would-be county superintendent." Submitted by, Sadie Hovel +++++++++++++++++ Bergit Halvorson was a mid-wife and delivered many babies around the Tolna, Pekin, Hamar areas. It is told she always responded when called, even if it meant leaving her own family to fend for themselves for many days at a time. There was evidently a general knowledge of aseptic techniques because she kept a white cover-all appron that was ironed with a hot iron and folded and wrapped ready to use during deliveries. She always used soap and hot water generously and was very particular about cleanliness in her work, it was said. When her own set of twins were only a few weeks old a man came to ask for help in the delivery of a baby. The man also said that his children were ill — it turned out the family had typhoid fever. Bergit remained with this family for a week to help out. When she returned to her own home she bathed herself in an asceptic solution and put on clean clothing before she entered her home. Her own family escaped becoming ill after her exposure. Bergit has passed this legacy on to her descendants as five of her grand daughters became registered nurses and many others are affiliated with medicine such as pharmacists and hospital and nursing home work. Submitted by Thore Halverson, Jr. + .+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + SNOW During one of the severe winters in this area the countryside was level with snow, even the valleys were filled to ground level. The sod home of H. M. Hansen, as well as the neighbor's sod homes were covered by snow. They had to keep adding to the stove pipes to keep them above snow level. All that could be seen of the homes was smoke from the chimneys across the prairies. Steps had to be dug down to the door of the sod home to get into it. Submitted by: Ethel Hanson - 112 - One winter my grandfather was in bed much of the time suffering with rheumatism. During that time an Indian stopped by their home and asked if he could stay overnight. The Indian was on his way to wherever his sister lived to treat for rheumatism. While the Indian was at my grandfather's home, he gave my grandfather a treatment. The Indian made an incision in his arm and with a horn extracted the infected blood. After this process of treatment, the Indian gave my grandfather medicine which he had made. This seemed to have a powerful effect. My grandfather was relieved from rheumatism very quickly. He was well very shortly and was able to work as usual, which seemed unbelievable. The Indian wanted nothing for helping my grandfather out of his misery other than a night's lodging and a meal. The next day the Indian was on his way to cure his sister of rheumatism. Submitted by: Ethel Hanson ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Christ Lien, one of our good farmers in Forde Township, spied a bear sneaking into his chicken coop one evening and came out with one of Christ's largest hens. Christ called some neighbors about this. The bear came back the following evening and picked up the next best chicken. Magne Havn was there with his big gun and shot. The bear turned out to be a lion. As retold by Lars +++++++++++++++++++++++ Herman Rude's favorite story to tell his children about the early days was: An Indian named George Washington was one of their acquaintances. He knew (Dad) Helge and they were good friends. Helge had a fish trap set in the Sheyenne River. Each morning he would go to get the fish, but the trap was always empty. He knew there had been fish in the trap, so Helge decided to go down earlier to check it. This time he got the fish, he emptied the trap, and set it again, and headed for home. Over the hill came George Washington. He turned around and went back laughing a hearty "Ho-Ho-Ho. " Grandpa Helge knew what had happened to his fish. Submitted by: Dagny Mannie 113 - hi 1896 a Fourth of July celebration was held at the William Breckheimer home. All supplies were hauled by horse teams from Lakota. Each trip taking two days. There were all sorts of games and contests, such as ring toss, throwing eggs at a colored man, fortune telling, and races. Food was served all day, and in the evening a dance was held in the newly-erected barn. The phonograph was a new invention at the time, so many people spent a lot of time listening. The popular song of the day was "Yankee Doodle." Contributed by: Leona Breckheimer +++++++++++++++++ A Little Remembering There were many good times had, visiting friends and family gatherings, church picnics, Fourth of July, etc., but there were the usual hardships, too. But everyone shared the same hardships so they were not felt to be so bad. As many can recall getting up in the morning and finding the water pail frozen over, so when the electricity came it meant only pushing a button on the electric stove — no ashes, no kerosene — and that was real progress! The Sears and Roebuck and Montgomery Ward Catalogues were studied on long winter evenings, while everyone huddled around the heaters or stoves. Sally Dahl Messner +++++++++++++++++ In the 1880's and 1890's people drove across the prairies with horses and wagon to Cooperstown for their groceries and supplies. Going they would pick up the buffalo bones and sell them. However, there was a mutual understanding among the pioneers that those dried bones should be left for those who did not have other means to buy groceries and supplies. The bones were sold for a good price, as they were used for fertilizer. Geneva Breckheimer +++++++++++++++++ 114 - To her best girlfriend in Norway — from Mrs. Nels Braaten, mother of Johan Braaten Washburn Home Minneapolis, Minnesota March 13, 1887 Good friend Kjisti, After putting it off for a long time, I'm now taking my pen to write a few words to you. I should have written before but didn't thrive too well. Now I have a nice place to work. I make $13. 00/month so now I want to brag about it, you understand now I feel so happy and at peace in my job. I haven't thrived so well since I set foot on this golden land. Also, I have Inanda and four cousins in Dakota. We have all decided to help each other as if we were brothers and sisters in this foreign country. The times are very poor in the west now and Inanda and I have loaned them all the money we've been able to make. You asked me if I thought it would be a good idea if you came over here. I don't dare give you advice for or against doing so. You probably would like to come to this wondrous land, I imagine, but if you wish to dig for gold, then you'll find more of it there at home — dig it from the mulch of the earth, and it will give you honor. But there are different things for different people, I've never been sorry that I came here. I have a good home with my maternal uncle Arne in Wisconsin, but there is hardly any work to find, very little pay, and very hard work on the farms. I couldn't live there but I can stay with them for vacation when I've worked for awhile. First I am going to Dakota and get some land, when I get enough money. I wash and iron for everyone here; this is also a children's home with 23 children. Be so kind, when you have time, to go to Overvolden to greet mother, brothers, and sisters from me. Olava Mrs. Herb Snyder (Mary Ann Braaten) +++++++++++++++++ - 115 LARS REMINISCENCES How different old time automobiles were back in 1910. The Metz was a cute little automobile to start out with and in those days they shipped them, knocked down all wrapped up in a little package, direct from Metz, Germany. You had to figure out how to put it together when you got the box. We had some nice Interstate cars in the neighborhood before we got to the Model T, that sold for $360.00. Cars took over for the poor horses. Did you ever see an animal more patient than 99 per cent of the horses ? They would stand there and wait for you all day, if you were care less about your time. We used 16 inch walking plows and two bottom John Deere gangs and three bottom plows. The prairie seeding was done by good machinery. Harvest came along the first part of August. The Deehring or Piano Binder was used. Then think about the poor fellow that put up the shocks. Threshing was fun but lots of work. Then came the combine, that one man or girl can operate and do all the harvest. Why didn't we think of that more years back? We are on top of the world now. Look at all the large tractors. They cost money, but they are worth most of it. m 1916 we sold the little 15-30 Titan Tractors. I almost forgot the old steam engine, with its wonderful whistle. If they ran short of bundles and the machine needed water or straw for the boiler. Then all the good afternoon lunches our cooks would bring us. Bless the girls. In 1900 we picked rocks by hand. Now we have rockpickers. You can sit on the tractor and watch all those pesky rocks come creeping towards the picker. Picking corn was another job back in 1908. Poor Emma and I husked corn out in the field. Took us all fall to get it all picked up. Glad the times and lots of things with it has changed so much. The cows liked corn, and then we had to sit down along side of them and take the milk away from them. Now most of the milking is done by machines. What a relief that is. Potatoes were planted by hand. We had to hoe them, and dig them by an old country plow. Potatoes and Ludefisk—nothing better unless it is more Ludefisk and potatoes with a spoonful of butter. Picking spuds after the old time digger was a job. Now we have a two row digger and the machine picks them up, too. We do improve, don't you think? Fifty years ago the deer population wasn't much, but today deer hunting is good. When the month of November came around if you could shoot at the poor things, you might have some meat. One of those hottest and driest years, about 1936, we had more grasshoppers in North Dakota than they had in Utah. At the time the lovely sea gulls came to their rescue. We used poisoned sawdust to try to get rid of them. In the good old days we were bothered by the little friendly gopher. We hunted trapped, and poisoned them, but they still kept up with us. - 116 Lars reminiscences—continued . When we first came to the prairies we could shoot prairie chickens anytime. There were so many of them. Now we have to hunt for them. In the 1930's the country was overrun by the Long-Eared Jack Rabbits. Some Sundays we put on rabbit drives. We could get hay full of the things. They sold for about 10 cents apiece. They made good rabbitburgers as they mixed them 50-50 — one steer and one rabbit. Lars Frydendal 4++++++++++++++++ SOME OF THE EARLY TRAGEDIES TAKEN FROM THE TOLNA TRIBUNE April 6, 1911: Sunday afternoon a prairie fire was started southeast of town and little north of the river. Fanned by a brisk breeze, it swept rapidly westward until it reached the road, which ran south of Tolna. With the help of the road and Mr. Jacabson, Claude Taylor, John Knauss, and his hired man it was checked. It is unknown how it was started, but some claimed that some Italians on the section crew were seen near the area. It destroyed 15 tons of hay belonging to T. M. Deehr and one stack belonging to Steve Allen. February 19, 1914: At 8:45 on Saturday morning fire was discovered in the Hardware of N. Halvorson & Co. and gained such headway that to extinguish it was impossible. By ten o'clock it was a complete $18, 000. 00 loss, covered by only $6, 800.00 insurance. M. C. Lambert, the clerk of the store, went down as usual and shook the hard coal stove in the office, opened the draught, and went across the street to the LaMotte Hotel for breakfast. He was fifteen minutes eating breakfast and when he came out of the hotel he saw smoke coming from the back of the building. Mr. Halvorson, the proprietor of the store, rang the fire bell. Due to the poor condition of the fire equipment and the progress of the fire, nothing could be done to save the store. Several men stayed on the roof of the Ouim building through the entire fire throwing water which was handed up to them by a string of men all the way up the stairs between the buildings. The entire stock of harnesses and fixtures of L. A. Schmid in the Ouim building were moved out into the street — also the bank furniture to the south of the fire was moved. Most of the valuables in the Glans Drug Store was moved out. Across the street, Hanson-Dahlberg store saved the plate glass window from the intense heat by soaking the awning with water. - 117 - Before the fire. Halvorson's Hardware — Burned 1914. •aw 118 - tragedies continued . . . Fire broke out on the roof of the LaMott Hotel, but was easily extinguished. Tolna had a very close call from being wiped from the map. The only thing in their favor was the lack of wind — only a light breeze was blowing from the west. Testing the new fire equipment. August 3, 1916: Terrific tornado does big damage in Tolna and surrounding community as it hit last Thursday evening. The worst tornado in the history of this section of the state. All lines of communication were cut off. The storm hit here about eight o'clock accompanied by one of the heaviest rains of the season. Several fronts of the business places were badly damaged. Chimneys toppled over and small buildings were badly wrecked. The grandstand was demolished and a section of the National Elevator was wrecked. Two freight cars were blown off the track at the east end of the siding. The damage to Tolna and surrounding neighborhood is estimated to be about $200, 000. 00 The farm buildings on O. Anderson, Ole Twete, Herman Rude, Tom Rude, Ole Hoveskeland, Mr. Steiberg, Hans Tufto, Martin Flaagan, Raymond Schiller, Fred Lundeby, John Rimrod, Nels Halvorson, Edgar Burke, Knute & Lars Fredrickson, and the Jake Messner farm were damaged or destroyed. The Catholic Church in Bergen township was completely wrecked and the Sigdal Church was also demolished. 119 y^ i?- \ * * 120 During the fall of 1918 several persons were victims of the Spanish flu. Entire families were ill at the same time. Some people who succumbed to this disease were: Mr. & Mrs. Martin Hoveskeland, Mrs. Art Deehr, Carl Engel, Simon Ryan, Olaus Twete, Sybilla Engel, Tena Thompson, perhaps many others not mentioned in the Tolna Tribune. On January 9, 1919, the village board held a business meeting. Realizing that the flu epidemic has left the vicinity, lifted the ban on social activities in the Tolna area. December 2, 1920 - STAVN STORE BURNED TO THE GROUND Monday morning about four o'clock the fire alarm was sounded as the Stavn Store (Dahlberg & Hanson) was ablazed in flames. Firemen were quick to respond with pails and chemicals to save all the buildings around the store. Sheyenne Telephone building, where Miss Moore and Miss Price lived was in the most danger. Their efforts to awaken the town people and move out of the office was well done. Fire was caused by gas forming in the stove and exploding. This business was replaced by moving of a portion of the opera house as a blacksmith shop and garage — and later replaced by a cement block building, which now houses the Tolna Repair Shop. A i«"efiL KS?^ 121 August 11, 1921: About two o'clock Friday morning after a terrific wind storm and tain, the people of Tolna were awakened by the uncanny peel of the fire bell. It was discovered that the Peter Burns' pool room building was on fire (present site of Town Hall). Firemen did a terrific job in saving Dahl's Implement and Nartz Lumber Co. The pool room was completely destroyed, together with the upstairs assemble which was used as the Lutheran Church to hold services. They also lost their books and other material. Another of Tolna's disasters was the burning of its town hall in 1937. This building was located on the east side of Main Street between the Porter Building and Wolfe Mercantile Store. - 122 - The Sheyenne River is rather a well-behaved river during the flood season and very seldom does any damage. However, in 1913, it really overflowed its banks, and for a week the only way one could cross the river was by boat. 123 Storms were more regular in olden days. We read about some they had back in 1886. You and the oxen had a time to make it. Many did not get home. Saturday evening, March 15, 1941, after a nice day we had a real snow storm. Many were caught in it and froze to death in Nelson County. First week in March, 1966, we had a three day snowstorm that piled up lots of snow, and transportation was difficult. No deaths were reported from this storm. January 11, 1975, we had the dirtiest storm that ever showed up. The snow got so black and sticky, it took half of the next summer to get the stuff cleaned up. We still have the best country. The storms do not last so long. Fred Schmidt in 1945. Gft After a snow storm in 1966 trying to open the roads. 124 In the "dirty thirties" sheep were shipped in from Montana. "This is Stony Coulee" Mi S*SN*^**^P 125 The depression started in 1929. When wheat was selling at $ .26 a bushel cream at $ .10 a pound, and eggs at $ . 08 a dozen. Dell Willis, who farmed where Robert Johnson now farms, took up the fight for $1. 00 wheat and started a Dollar Wheat Association. Mr. Willis gave many talks about one dollar bushel for our good wheat. It took several years before things were corrected. A.B. Schindele, Secretary SLOGAN-'Let's All Do Our Part' DOLLAR WHEAT ASSOCIATION An Organization for the Betterment of Conditions for Both the Farmer and Business Man Directors Dell Willis, Pres. Our Aim is World Price Plus Tariff on J.N. Johnson Domestically Consumed Wheat H.L. Knauss Chas. Gutting Oscar Johnson FARM FOR DOLLARS INSTEAD OF BUSHELS C.C. Breckheimer Tolna, North Dakota -1932 Personalized checks in 1900: a - 126 TREASURER'S! OFFICE* iffiwMMmx COUNTY, D, T. NO. 460 /,P*7 __L loo IvEGEIYEDOE IL^rrrr..^LQtL^fi %£mmmw In full of the following named Taxes jor the year 1883, upon the following described property, to-wit: Sec. Town No. DESCRIPTION OF LAND or or Rn?. of Kind of Taxes AMOUNT REMARK.1 Lot Block Acres Territorial, Nq (of County, YJ Bridge, County School, School Poll, / trv to Sinking, 3v District School, Bridge & Expense, Road 4K3 Road Poll, Special, TOTAL, Penalty ,\J.. per ct. Interest rVner ct ff, per annum. Costs. 6&XIT —JbL; Ihln.p. nf Pp.rsmi.nl Property, .•? County Treasurer. W^S,'/Mt/'krii: Devutu. Receipt received in 1880 for taxes. Along the Sheyenne River many public and family picnics were held, especially on the Fourth of July. There are some wonderful swimming holes, too. Some winters skating was great. In 1975 a new bridge was built to replace the one built in about the 1920's. ait'' "fi# •lfc3**e-« 128 - EXCERPTS FROM THE TRIBUNE Some people ordered more coal when the ground hog saw his shadow February 2, 1909. The Tolna Tribune is the official paper of Nelson County - 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Perry Johnson's friends and neighbors filled the house to overflowing to celebrate Perry's birthday. Over eighty people were present and they enjoyed the evening to the limit. February 4, 1909. The merchants are taking kindly to getting rest rooms for out-of-town shoppers - 1909. Alf Eastgate lectures on Birds - Audibon Society - 1909. S. S. Myhre, poundmaster, instructed for a strict enforcement of the village ordinance prohibiting stock from running at large - 1909. L. H. Wessels came to Tolna for the first time and was surprised at the size of the town and was sorry he had missed out on the big Pioneer Day celebration - 1909. J. D. Hovey writes from Seattle they're having a good time and wishing people from Tolna were there to share it. 1909. Playing tennis as a pass-time these days. No mail from the east on Friday. The mail car jumped the track at Finley. L. O. Johnson showed a check received by his daughter Annette as a prize from this district in the Pupils Corn Contest. A big crowd attended the barn dance at the farm of Oscar Deehr. Matt Kohler has contracted to build a large house at the cost of $2,500.00 for Mike Gutting at his farm on Dutch Point north of Tolna. Also a big barn for Mat Rogness. The Misses Gudmonson, who are attending Oak Grove Seminary at Fargo, returned to their school. Ken Wishart went to Bismarck to register for lands just being opened up. There was no trouble registering, but the crowds on the train were a fright. Olaus Twete finished threshing. The last season has been disagreeable November, 1909. Not much interest in the band at this point. Owners of cattle told not to let stock run loose, as people want gardens and yards to look nice — not like a barnyard. - 129 - Don't forget basket social and dance for the benefit of the baseball team at the Opera House April 12, 1907. Harold Haugland returned Sunday from Fargo. He found Jim Hill's wagon too slow and walked home from Aneta. The smallest large town in the U.S. will celebrate July 4th. That's Tolna. Coming ? Mrs. H. A. Phillip does a lot of singing in church. Ben Palmer had an eye hurt badley. Ed Mercier and he was working on a threshing machine, when a screw-driver hit him. Arnold Dovenmuckle accidentally shot himself while hunting gophers. Did get well again. Dr. Arneson at McVille was his Doctor. Charles Sturn left his summer home for his fishing trip. His store is closed during his absence. Section boss was found tied to the railroad tracks. Rescued by the depot agent. Gus Schindele won 3rd prize for Triumph Flint corn at Fargo Grain Growers Convention. Mr. Andrews on the old Eastgate farm north of Stump Lake has found a better grain market in Tolna. Druggist Phillips can help in emergencies when a doctor is needed. He has taken three years of medical training. H. M. Hanson, Sam Thorsen, and A. E. Anderson summoned as jurors for District Court at Lakota. People saw a snow plow for the first time. It is reported that prairie chickens are being shot in this neighborhood. Cut it out boys, it isn't square and may get you into a heap of trouble. Pete Burns was so surprised to see a deer run across his field. How the deer came here is a mystery - 1910. What a difference in 1976. Sun Flower business isn't a new crop to the Tolna Area. September 23, 1915 Rally Mills had 800 plants, 12 feet high, 12\ inches across. He raised them for chicken feed. Fred Lundeby had twenty acres, which he put into the silo. Farmers and Merchants, businessmen had a meeting about building a potato warehouse. There are no bachelors in Tolna. The old maids have a ghost convention at the hall, March 1. - 130 - A Jewish peddler M. Englert was arrested for peddling from house to house without a license. He had to pay a fine of $10.00. Justice of the Peace was Ole Hoven who was Norwegian. The marshal was a German. What chance did the Jew have to get away with it ? Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Beckman returned from a visit to Germany August, 1911. 1884 - T. 0. Lundeby farm 131 - 1889 - Overby home BWTWB.'TTI. r-..v • •" Roar Anderson home - 132 - p. « ¥ '11 •MBHMK! ••HMISH Sam Thorson farm - 1910 CO w MHMBBH^BHIBH^HMBiBBn^B^HBMK Olaus Twete farm Ed LaMotte's threshing crew at the William Breckheimer farm THE EARLY SETTLERS Frank Miller - 1878 Jorgan Jorgenson - 1882 Mike Gutting - 1881 T. O. Lundeby - 1882 Alex Wishart - 1881 Henry Schindele - 1882 Steugnian Halverson - 1881 Tollef Hensrud - 1882 Thore Halverson - 1881 Gudmon Gudmonson - 1882 Helge Rude - 1881 Michael Deehr - 1886 Elling Fjeld - 1881 Nels K. Braaten - 1887 Edward Lamotte - 1881 Peder L. Balkan - 1887 Roar Halverson - 1881 Gust Nelep - 1887 Ferdinand Schindele, Sr. - 1882 Pete Bergum - 1887 Charley Beckman - 1882 H. P. Overby - 1889 Ole L. Johnson - 1882 Martin Burke - 1890 Peter Burns - 1882 John Quam - 1902 Dan Donahue - 1882 A. Gjestvang - 1902 Gunder Flaagan - 1882 Jens Steberg - 1903 Roar Anderson - 1882 Carl Groseth - 1903 Steve Allen - 1882 - Jack Burns - 1882 Halvor Halverson - 1882 Nels Helle - 1882 Nels Forde - 1882 Jacob Messner - 1882 J. D. Hovey - 1882 Ole Hoveskeland - 1882 William Breckheimer - 1882 - 135 ELWOOD CHRISTOFFERSON Son of the late Charles and Anna Christopherson north of Hamar, came into Tolna in 1943. Elwood and Berna operated a cafe in south half of the Wolfe building, buying the business from Gehard Nelson. Later constructing a cement block building and ran the E. C. Bar until retirement three years ago. He married Berna Joromo and is the father of three sons: Jerry, farming near Hamar; Neil, Tiogo, ND; and Dennis, at Sherburn, Minnesota. They have twelve grandchildren and two great grandchildren. HARRY GUNDERSON Harry Gunderson came to Tolna as a youngster. His father came here from Norway. His father worked on the railroad, which later Harry also did until he hurt his leg in 1973. Florence worked at the telephone office for some time. Her father Even Wold was a line man for many years having begun in 1925. Harry and Florence were married in 1931. They have lived in Tolna most of their life. They have five children. Donna married John Halverson; Shirley married John Skauge; Beverly married Don Dullum; Jerome; Harry married Ruth Lund. They have nineteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 136 MARTIN JOHNSON Martin Johnson came from Osokis, Minnesota, in 1931. He is a blacksmith. He worked for Flohr for eight years, for Orlo Christopherson one year, after which he had his own shop. He married Alice Evsrud in 1936. They have two boys: Harlen who married Gloria, St. Croix and lives in Minot, works for that city. They have one girl. Dennis married Jonelle St. Croix, and is taking over his father's shop. Martin is retiring after many years of faithful service. We wish him many years of enjoyable retirement. STUART B. CLUTE Stuart B. Clute married Olga Hatlestad. They had five children; Florence married Olger Myhre. They have four children. Charles married Delores Omlie. They teach at Adams and live in Tolna during the summer. Children are Steven and Michael. Dorothy married Ralph Erikstad - Starkweather. Donald married Charlene Beckman. They live in Tolna with their children Vicki and Stuart. Betty married Monroe Tweed. They live on the Gudmund Gudmundson farm in Forde Township. Their children are Debra, Walen, remedial math and reading teacher at Glenfield Sutton School; Marcy works at nursing home in Fargo; Jill is a junior at Tolna High. Stuart Clute was a rural mail carrier for 41 years. They moved to Tolna in 1960. They passed away in 1971. 137 THOMAS MOORE FAMILY Thomas (Tom) Moore was born in 1869 and died in 1946. He was one of ten children in the family. Being an adventurous young man, he left for Dakota Territory. His great love for horses and travel found him a job as teamster for Teddy Roosevelt at Medora. His wife, the former Margaret (Maggie) McKeon, of Howard, South Dakota, enjoyed telling how she met her husband. One warm summer evening she was sitting on the front porch of her home with her mother and sister, when three strange young men came walking down the wooden sidewalk. As they passed by, he greeted the ladies. Maggie told her mother, "That's the man I'm going to marry. " They moved to Cooperstown from Pierre, South Dakota, and then to Binford and Tolna. Mrs. Moore died in 1939. In Tolna, Mr. Moore operated a dray service which was located where the Henninsgard trailer court is at present. He hauled dray from Binford to Tolna. He told of a snowstorm that caught him on the road. It got so bad that he was completely lost. He knew his horses could take him home if he did not confuse them, so he tied up the reins and let them go. They brought him safely home with his load. Mr. and Mrs. Moore had four children: Rella, Katherine (Kate), Stella, and Edward (Ed). Rella was a switchboard operator with the telephone company in Tolna for 17^ years. She married Paul Messner of Tolna in 1929. They had one daughter, Margaret Ann. 138 MR. AND MRS. A. E. ANDERSON Andrew E. Anderson was born November 12, 1876, in Kristiansand, Norway, and came to America when he was 6 years old. He married Fannie Anderson from Northwood, North Dakota. They stayed for a while with Andrew's parents on the farm near Sharon, North Dakota, when they came to Tolna in 1906 and their first child was the second child born in the town of Tolna, North Dakota. Andrew was a Photographer by trade, he also put together and sold machinery. Later he had a cream station, then he bought the drug store, then the hotel and moved the drugs and other supplies there. They had a horse and buggy before the Metz car, which came in parts and Andrew had to put it together. He liked gardening, had a lot of flowers and raspberries and other fruits. Andrew and Fannie were blessed with 4 children; Gladys born November 24, 1906 — is Gladys Sondreaal,Moorhead, Minnesota Alice born March 18, 1909 — is Mrs. Melvin Rondestvedt, Binford, North Dakota Edna born September 8, 1910 — is Mrs. Obert Arlien, Fertile, Minnesota LeRoy born October 26, 1922 — is Postmaster in Binford, North Dakota Andrew passed away January 4, 1934, at the age of 57 years. Fannie passed away July 21, 1975, at the age of 89 years. - 139 - ANTON HANSON DAHL 1869 - 1945 Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Dahl and sons Harold, Otis, and Algernan came to Tolna in 1909 from a farm near Meridean, Wisconsin, by train. Mrs. Dahl was born in 1885(1966). Later Darrell, Alvin, and Lillian were born in Tolna. Mr. Dahl's parents were Mr. Ole Hanson and Guri Iversdatter. He drowned and his mother died of diptheria. Mr. Dahl's grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Hans Olson Underdahlen moved to the United States to Wisconsin in 1856 from Gubransdalen, Norway. Many of Mr. Dahl's brothers died of diptheria. Mrs. Dahl's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Anton Swenson. Mr. Swenson was born 1851-1905, and came from Norway and lived on a farm near Meridean, Wisconsin. Mrs. Swenson was born 1860-1937 in Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Dahl sold their farm in Wisconsin and bought the imple ment shop where Alvin H. Dahl now has his plumbing shop. Mr. Dahl sold farm machinery of all kinds. They first lived on the lot where the Merrill Klein family now live. Algernon Dahl has retired from farming and now lives on the Simon Meyer's home. He married Vivian Willis and most of their family lives near Tolna. 140 OTTO FLOHR FAMILY Otto Flohr was born in 1885 in Wimbledon, North Dakota. His parents were Henry and Johanna Flohr, German immigrants. At the age of fifteen he left the farm and took up an apprenticeship to learn the blacksmithing trade. After working in Wimbledon for some years, he moved to Pekin where he worked for O. S. Quam. On November 19, 1914, he married Gina Omlie who was born in Thompson, North Dakota. With her parents Salve and Guri Omlie, she had moved to Trail, Minnesota, and came from there to Pekin to work in a restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Flohr moved from Pekin to Tolna where he purchased a black smith shop. He carried on this business in the Tolna Garage and Machine Shop. He lived in Tolna for 62 years. Mrs. Flohr passed away at the age of 63. Mr. Flohr died December 16, 1975, at the age of 90. He was very active on community affairs while he was in business in Tolna. He helped organize the Tolna Fire Department and was fire chief for over 25 years. At their 51st convention in New Rockford in 1938, the North Dakota Firemen's Association presented him a life membership. He was president of the commercial club, member of the school board, member of the town board, a charter member of the Lutheran Church and a member of Modern Workman Lodge. Mr. Flohr worked on many projects such as the Missouri River Diversion Project, Tolna Community Hall, Highway 15, Tolna Dam, Tolna Cemetery, and the building of the first Lutheran church. People came from miles around to have their plow shares sharpened, their wagon wheels set, and their horses shod. Mr. and Mrs. Flohr had three children: May, Dorothy, and Ray. Their first daughter, May, was a school teacher. During the Second World War she joined the Waves. She married Lawrence Wagner. They live in Dearborn, Michigan. They have three children and one grandson. Their second daughter, Dorothy, was also a teacher. She married Franklin Vanatta. They live on a ranch at Cascade, Montana. They have two daughters and three grandsons. Their son, Ray, has lived in Tolna all his life except for three years in the service during World War II. After high school graduation he attended Dakota Business College in Fargo. In 1939, he started working at the Farmers and Merchants Bank where he is still employed. He and his wife, Marian, lived in California after their marriage in 1944 until he went overseas. He served in both the European and Pacific theatres of War. They have three children: Jeanne, Mrs. Conrad Paulus, lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Robert and his wife, Claudia, live in Fargo. David, a high school student is at home. The Ray Flohrs have two grandchildren. - 141 - MR. AND MRS. OTTO FLOHR 142 - ff f '^%^|r,, Anna Schmid Louis Schmid Louis Schmid was born in a small inland town near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, February 17, 1876. Anna (Schneider) Schmid was born at New Ulm, Minnesota, September 30, 1877. They were married at New Ulm on January 7, 1903, and soon after moved to Michigan, North Dakota, to operate a harness shop. On November 19, 1903, their son Ambrose was born, hi less than two years on January 10, 1905, a fire completely destroyed their business and living quarters upstairs, losing all their furniture and personal belongings. They returned to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, where Mrs. Schmid stayed until after the birth of their daughter Georgiana on April 23, 1905, and then went to St. Paul where Mr. Schmid had gone earlier to work for Kanatz, Grover, Harness factory. They moved to Tolna October 22, 1908, where Mr. Schmid operated a harness shop for many years. Mrs. Schmid as a midwife delivered many babies that grew up and are still living in and near Tolna. She also did practical nursing. When tractors took the place of horses for farm work, the harness business was not too profitable so Mr. Schmid went into the garage business but still did harness and shoe repairing. In 1941 he sold the garage to Toni Johnson. The last few years of his life he was custodian at the school. - 143 Mr. Schmid passed away November 2, 1945, at the age of sixty-nine. Mrs. Schmid continued to live in Tolna until the last four and a half years of her life, when she was a resident of Friendship Manor in McVille. She passed away October 10, 1973, at the age of ninty-six. Following are the members of the Schmid family: Ambrose married to Charlotte Graves and their two children Charles of Brainerd, Minnesota and Donald of Bismarck, North Dakota. Georgiana married to Ray Engen (he passed away in 1967) and their four children Mylo and Tom of Tolna; Mary Ann of Las Vegas; and Marilyn (Mrs. G. Gellner) of Billings, Montana. There are eleven great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren 144 - RAY ENGEN FAMILY Ray Engen, the son of Albert and Marie Engen, who immigtrated to the United States in 1884 from Nordland, Norway, was born on the ship. He was the fourth child in a family of seven children. His folks settled on a farm near Angus, Minnesota. After finishing grade and high school he took a business course at Thief River Falls, Minnesota. His first job away from the farm was in a lumber yard at Hector, Minnesota, later he managed a lumber yard at Garsko, North Dakota, coming to Tolna to manage the Nartz lumber Yard in 1916. He started in the banking business in 1918 and when he passed away in 1967 he had forty-nine years of dedicated banking to his credit. He was also responsible for the many conveniences and improvements we have in Tolna. His wife Georgiana (Schmid) has lived in Tolna her entire life, coming here with her parents and brother at the age of three years. Their four children are: Mylo - married to Bernice (Vrem) is employed at the Tolna Bank. Tom - married to Beverly (Bina) is employed at the Tolna Bank. Marilyn (Mrs. Gerry Gellner) lives in Billings, Montana, where her husband teaches. Mary Ann is a teacher at Las Vegas, Nevada. There are six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 145 - GUDMUND RONHOLM FAMILY Gudmund Ronholm was born on the Island Fitjar in Norway. He was the son of Jensine and Thorald Ronholm. He attended eight years of school in a country school a mile and a half from his home. When he was fourteen years old he walked every two weeks over the mountain to attend his confirmation class. He was confirmed October 4, 1903. He was a sailor along the coast of Norway until he was nineteen years of age. He immigrated to the United States in 1908, having received a ticket from his Uncle Hans of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He worked for his uncle until he had paid for his ticket, which was sixty dollars. He worked for Magnus Risman in 1910-1911 and received his citizenship papers in 1913. He took a trip back to Norway in 1914-1915, returning to this country he farmed the T. T. Risman Farm in Forde Township. In 1920 he attended the Agriculture College in Fargo where he took up carpentry. He did a lot of building in the Tolna and Hamar vicinity, hi 1928 he married Clara Odland. They went to Swift Current Canada where he was manager of the Fred Lundeby threshing rig and his wife cooked in the cook car. The spring of 1929 they bought a home in McHenry, North Dakota, hi 1943 they bought a home in Tolna where he managed the Farmers Union Lumber Yard. He retired from the Lumber Yard in 1960. He and his wife took a trip to Norway in 1960 and also in 1968. They were blessed with four children. Roy Jerome, who lives in Jamestown, North Dakota, where he is a druggist. He is married and they have two children. Gordon Claire, also married, lives in Colorado Springs where he is manager of a TV electric appliance store. Elizabeth Joann is married to Virgil Alme and lives at Helena, Montana. They have two children. Maynard Duane lives in Pekin, Illinois, where he is head of the X-ray department at the hospital. He is married and has one daughter. Gudmond Ronholm passed away May 14, 1969. 146 PAUL MESSNER, JR. Paul Messner, Jr. was born in Wurthenberg, Germany in 1861. He came tc the United States with his parents, two brothers Jacob and Martin. John was born in U.S.A. They lived in state of Michigan, where Paul Messner, Sr. worked in the copper mines at Coal Harbor. The family came to Dakota Territory in 1878 and filed on land in what is now Forde Township. He married Mary Anderson from Valley City in 1886. They had three children. His wife died in 1890. October 14, 1929, he married Rella Moore. Rella Moore was telephone operator. One daughter, Margaret, was born to this union. For 15 years Paul was the President of Farmers and Merchants State Bank of Tolna. He took an active part in state and county politics. He was well-known throughout the state. Paul died July, 1932. 147 - MR. AND MRS. GUNDER THOMPSON Gunder Thompson was born August 20, 1881, in Lake Mills, Iowa, area. His mother Guro (Eikom) Thorbjornson with her 3 children Gunder Gunsten, and Anne left Iowa after the father Thorbjorn Thorbjorson passed away, and came to live with her brother Thomas Eikom in Freeborn Township, Eddy County, North Dakota,, hi a short while she met and married a widower with 10 children by name of Tollef Hensrud, but Gunder stayed with his uncle Tom, until he met and married Betsey Nelson from Blooming Township, Grand Forks County, near Mikinock, North Dakota, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Severin Nelson, also granddaughter of Tollef Hensrud. Betsey was born September 21, 1883. To them were born 5 daughters- Benina Gertie Thompson born May 1, 1903, in Forde Township, Nelson County is now Mrs. Lars Frydendal in Tolna, North Dakota. Tioline Sophia Thompson, born April 15, 1905, in Mekinock, North Dakota died November 11, 1905, from whooping cough. Tina Sophia Thompson was born October 1, 1906, in Mekinock, North Dakota died November 1, 1918, in Tolna, North Dakota, during the Spanish flu epidemic at the age of 12 years. Alice Nettie Thompson, born February 2, 1909, in Mekinock, North Dakota is Mrs„ Olaf Bjornstad and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Grace Clarice Thompson, born August 7, 1912, on a farm south of Hamar, North Dakota, is Mrs. A. C. Lamb and lives in Grand Forks, North Dakotaa Gunder tried various occupations, but seemed to do best in the restaurant business. In Mekinock they had a pool room and ice-crem parlor, and ended with a restaurant. They came back to Eddy County about 1911, farmed for 5 years, then in 1916 moved to Tokia and had Restaurant f Rooms until 1926 or 1927, when they moved to McTenry for a short period, then to Lakota for a couple of years, then to Crookston, Minnesota, for a short time, finally made their home in Grand Forks bought lots outside of the city, got a cook car, built around this as the time went on planted trees and shrubbery and now Grand Forks has built out so the Thompson home is in the city. At this time Gunder was working at the Highway Department as a janitor Gunder suffered 7 years with painful arthritis and passed away April 26, 1951, and is buried in Sigdal cemetery. Betsey Thompson is still living in her home (alone) at the age of 92, at this writing (April 11, Palm Sunday, 1976). Written by daughter, Mrs. Lars Frydendal 148 - MR. AND MRS. LARS FRYDENDAL Lars Frydendal was born January 11, 1891, in (Husmondstuen Frydendal Hverueniu) Ottestad, Norway. He immigrated to America May 29, 1906, and worked for his Uncle Mike in St. Paul, Minnesota, for two years. Lars went to visit his brother in Wisconsin and he worked for A. H. Dahl and his brother Matt in that neighborhood in Wisconsin. Then Lars went to Zumbrata, Minnesota, to work for Siver Dahl (no relation to the other Dahl's) for five years. He came to Tolna to visit A. H. Dahl who had moved here and started working for him until Lars enlisted in the Navy. He came back after two years and worked again for Dahl until 1925 when he worked in the bank for 10 years. He then got into the hardware business for 25 years. Lars married Beninda Thompson June 16, 1924. Beninda was born May 1, 1903, south of Tolna in Forde Township. We have both lived in Tolna since 1916, except for Lars' two years in the service. We celebrated our Golden Wedding Day June 16, 1974. - 149 CURTIS J. HAND After having lived in Valparaiso, Indiana; Benson, Minnesota; and Staples, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Curtis J. Hand came to the Tolna vicinity in 1913. They lived on the farm now owned by Edgar Luehring. Later Mr. Hand became the bulk distributor for the Cities Service Oil Company, and the family moved into the Stavn house in Tolna. Mrs. Hand died in 1929, and Mr. Hand in 1934. There were seven children: Harold, Edgar (Pat), Edna, Alice, Helen, Grace, and Roy. Harold received a PH.D. degree from Columbia University in New York. He taught at Leland Stanford University in Palo Alto, California and at the University of Illinois. He married Kathryn Guy of Oakes, North Dakota, and they had one son, Thomas. Harold died in 1967. Edna married Franklin Clark of Seattle, Washington. She died there in 1973. Alice married J. A. Sime of Northwood who taught school in Tolna in the 30's. From 1956-1964, he was Superintendent of the Tolna School. The Simes now live in Tempe, Arizona. They have three children: John, Marilyn, and Richard. One son, Robert, was killed in Vietnam. Roy was killed in a tragic skiing accident in 1930. Grace married James Oligny of San Francisco and made her home there until her death in 1961. Helen married Ed Blaske of Alice, North Dakota. They live in Bremerton, Washington, and have three children: Roy, Donald, and Joan. Pat was the only one of the Hand family who remained in Tolna. He owned and operated the Tolna Gamble Store from 1934 until his death in 1956. Pat is remembered for his interest in the welfare of the community. He was a member of the Town Board for years and was instrumental in building up the Tolna Fire Department. Through his efforts, new and better equipment was added in order to give Tolna greater protection against fire. He kept this equipment in readiness for any emergency and was always the first to respond to the call for help, whether it was in town or in the country. He married Irva Deehr of Tolna, and they had three children: Patricia, Judy, and Jean. Patricia married Jerald Enstad, and they live in McVille, North Dakota, with their children: Jody, Jill, and Mary Pat. Judy married Dennis Christofferson. They live in Sherburn, Minnesota, and have three children: Curt, Sue, and Katie. Jean is a school librarian at Watertown, South Dakota. 150 JOHN ANDERSON FAMILY John Anderson, son of Aanen and Lisa (Bakstad) Anderson, was born in 1892 in Dayton township in the house where Odien Flaagan's now live. He worked on the farm until he went to serve our country in World War I in 1918 as a wagoneer. He came back in 1919. Anna Arlien, daughter of John and Maria Arlien, was born in Bergen Town ship in 1899. hi 1920 John and Anna were married. He worked for Einar Wold in the carpenter business until 1922, when he started working for the Great Northern Railway on the section where he worked for 35^ years. He retired in 1957. They were blessed with two children. Ardell, married to Shirley Wakeford, lives in Rosenville, California. Pearl, married to Elton Paulson, lives in Rocklin, California. John and Anna have four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. John passed away in 1964 after making their home in Tolna for fifty-four years. Anna spends her winters with her daughter in California. - 151 WALTER PAULSON Walter Paulson, son of Gabriel and Ingsborg Paulson of Pekin, came to Tolna in 1938 as a mechanic to work for Otto Flohr. Walter and Martin Johnson owned the garage and blacksmith shop. He worked under Oscar Johnson as a mechanic and later to Odien Hovdness. He has spent 62 years as a mechanic. 152 MR. AND MRS. LESLIE TROSTAD Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Trostad moved to Tolna September, 1950. Les was employed by the Sheyenne Valley Electric. In 1959 they purchased the Percy Sessions house. In 1965 they built a new home on the same location, having moved the old house, and are using it for a garage. They have three children: Cheryl Ann married Jerome Qualley of Fargo. Cheryl has her own beauty shop in West Fargo. They have two children. Douglas is a machinery assembler at International Uglem-Ness Shop in Northwood. Mary Lou married Marlin Ehlers of Hamar in 1976. They live on Henry Ehler's farm. Leslie and Josephine Trostad still reside in Tolna, North Dakota at their present address. 153 - MR. AND MRS. GUSTAV A. SCHINDELE Gustav A. Schindele, born August 8, 1868, at Schilingen, a small village near Baden, Baden Germany. He was the son of Roman and Anna Schindele. He came to the United States at the age of 20 years October 20, 1889. He lived with his sister Emma Otto in Brooklyn, New York, for a while. In the year 1890 he came to Nelson County, North Dakota, where his brothers Ferdinand and Henry lived about twenty miles south of Lakota, near Stump Lake. There he homesteaded a claim on land in Wamduska Township, adjoining the southwest part of Stump Lake. This place is now vacant, the former Kenneth Schultz farm. On January 8, 1896, he married Francisca Meder at Pinckneyville, Illinois. Later they immigrated by train back to North Dakota, and lived on the homestead and farmed for forty-three years. During this time besides farming, he was township assessor for many years, also threshed for his neighbors at harvest time in late years In the earlier years he played his accordian at neighborhood dances, accompanied by Wellington Ward on his violin. They had four children: Peter, Andrew, Antonia, and Rosena. Besides Antonia Schultz who resides in the Tolna Area, Elsie, Peter's widow, and his son Duane and family reside northeast of Tolna on the former McNett homestead. Both sons Peter and Andrew also are dead, and Rosena (Mrs. Walter Thompson) lives at Renville Minnesota. The picture of Mr. and Mrs. Gus A. Schindele was taken about the year 1920 at Hot Springs, Arkansas, where they enjoyed taking the hot spring baths and winter in the south. 154 - MCNETT'S Levi Adelbert McNett and Frances Helen Sessions, a sister to Olin Sessions, Sr., were married in 1875 at Fredricks Berg, Iowa. They left Iowa and came to Lakota, North Dakota in 1886 and homesteaded on what is now the farm of Duane Schindele. Nine children were born to them: Amos died at the age of two; Emma (Mrs. Richard Carr); Lydia (Mrs. John Gardner); John (married Lena Gutting); Alonza (married Theresa Brennan); Raymond (married hia Tennyson); Alfred (married Inez Ridge); Blanche (Mrs. Ralph Dodds); and Olin. There were thirty-nine grandchildren born to their children. Harvey, son of John and Lena McNett is the only descendant living in the Tolna area today. Lon, Raymond, and John were well-known for their ball-playing in early days. 155 BECKMAN Charles Beckman was born in Germany. He was an orphan boy with no education. His father died when he was \\ years old and his mother died when he was 3 years old. A widow woman took care of him until he was twelve, when he ran away. His job had been herding geese. He then got a job with the Krupp's Ammunition works. When he was 16 years old, he came to America. A young lady who was to later become his wife, Emma Frederika Wilhelmina Dorthea Theordora Pape, was also born in Germany (Wesenberg, Mecklenburg), she was the daughter of a German tailor. She was born in 1863. Mr. Beckman came to Grand Forks, North Dakota, when he arrived in America and worked in a brewery until 1882. He then started west on the Great Northern train which went as far as Larimore at that time. From there he walked to Stump Lake and filed on the Southeast quarter of section 24-151-61. Emma Pape came to America and to Grand Forks with her uncle, Fred Forrester, in 1882. There her uncle started the first meat market in that new town with a Mr. Dobmeyer. With uncounted acres of "free land" on every side the young woman, Emma Pape, soon staked out a claim on what was known as "Dutch Point". She met the conditions of a strange land and reacted as did all the pioneers who stuck to their land, hi the following year, 1885, Emma was married to Charles Beckman whose homestead joined hers. Their honeymoon was a train trip from Grand Forks to Michigan, from which point Charles walked to his pre-emption, returning the next day with a yoke of oxen and a new wagon to take his bride to their prairie home. They were destined to live their for four decades. Their house was a 10 by 10 shack. They proved 320 acres of land on the spot where the present farmstead now is located. After a few months in the tiny shack, the Beckman's built a 12 by 18 home on the line between their two claims. This seemed luxurious after living in the small quarters where bedding and other things had to be put outside each day to make room for the daily activities. The furniture in the first home consisted of one wooden bedstead, a second hand dresser, cook stove, and two chairs. The carpenter who built the 12 by 18 house also built a table and some shelves, and also a bench. That first year seemed to justify the pioneer dream that wealth was to be quickly garnered. They harvested 366 bushels of wheat from the 12 acres of newly broken prairie. Disappointment came with the second year for drought hit the country, and they realized 200 bushels from 22 acres. Also, they lost one of their oxen when the animal slipped on the ice of Stump Lake and broke his hip. Toward the spring they bought a three-year old steer. Emma helped her young husband break him with the aid of a good stick and a rope over his horns, hi about a month the steer was behaving well and walked down the field beside the old ox hitched to a stone boat. Their barn was made of sod and they drew water from the well with two wooden buckets, a rope, and wheel, hi the first 20 years they often had frost in early August - 156 - so the wheat in the low places was frozen. They stacked this separately for feed. Drought hit often and in 1910 they threshed 48 bushels from 65 bushels of seed wheat. In those early days the Beckmans got mail at Crosier Post Office. Lakota had just begun. Most of their needs came from Lamb Brothers at Michigan. They picked several loads of buffalo bones and Mr. Beckman sold them for groceries there. In 1886 the Beckman's first child was born. They were 23 miles from a doctor and so Mrs. Beckman and baby were cared for by neighbor women. Five children were born to the Beckmans. They were Mrs. Emma Ward, Hansboro; William K. Beckman, Lakota; Frieda Beckman, Lakota; Ernest Beckman, Tolna; and George Beckman, Tolna. After 17 years on their farm Charles Beckman surprised his wife by driving home a new buggy for her use. This spelled comfort and luxury for her as she could spin rapidly down the road to town or the neighbors. The shining black top gave shelter from the hot sun. The Beckmans, with other Germans of the community, often gathered at the Ferdinand Schindele, Sr., grove and also the Gutting grove for picnics complete with games, sports, and visiting. After 40 years on the homestead, the Beckmans moved to Tolna in 1924. Mr. Beckman died the following year. A son, Ernest, took over the farm. Ernest received all his education in the rural school, Lake No. 1, which was located about one mile from the homestead. This was the first rural school in Nelson County. After Ernest took over the farm, his sister Frieda helped him until he was married. He was married in 1928. His bride, the former Olive Francis Sears, lived east of Tolna and was one of 11 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sears. Her father originally came from Canada and married the former Katie Franz, who was born in Wisconsin. Olive and Ernest Beckman had four children born to them. They are Marion Ethel, now married to Rollin Mannie and parents of four children, living in Atlanta, Georgia; Phyllis Jean, married to Vernon Jorde and parents of two children; Charlene Emma, married to Don Clute and parents of two children (they live in Tolna and own Don's Grocery); and George Everett, married to the former Sharryn Tangen and parents of four children and living on a farm south of Lakota on Stump Lake on the original Stromdahl farm. When REA came to the farm, it seemed like an impossible dream. It revolution- alized everything. The farm was brightly lit, water was pumped by electricity for the cattle, the cream separator ran by turning a switch instead of the hand crank, and an RCA record player was banging away in the house. The electric stove made cooking a breeze and all the family enjoyed all of the other appliances they gradually bought. In 1950 the old house was remodeled. The kitchen underwent the biggest change. White steel cupboards, a dishwasher, automatic washer and dryer, and floor tile made it really modern. Central heating and some carpeting and inlaid flooring added to everyone's comfort. All of the children received part of their education at the rural school, Lake No. 1. - 157 - They walked the one mile most of the year. When it was stormy or extremely cold, Ernest drove the "covered rig" led by one horse to get them there. When Ernest took over the farm, 15 horses were the source of power. First he plowed with an 18-inch walking plow, and by 1930 he had a 3-bottom plow. Threshing grain was done with an old Romley and threshing machine. This required a crew of many men to room and board for many weeks depending on the weather, hi 1947 the first combine came to the farm. Olive did much of the milking of about 10 cows by hand. This provided milk, cream and butter for the family. Also chickens were raised every year for eggs and chickens to eat. In those days the cream and egg checks paid for the groceries, and there was some spending money left besides. Pigs were also raised to eat and sell. Ernest was active in community affairs. The following offices helped to keep him busy: Officer & director of Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Tolna Director of Sheyenne Valley Electric Cooperative School Board member & President Lake No. 1 and Tolna Dayton Director Sheyenne Telephone Co. President North Dakota Hereford Association Director Nelson County Fair Association Chairman of Building Committee ALC of Tolna - 158 WELLINGTON WARD, SR. W. G. Ward was born at Deerfield, Michigan in 1871, the oldest of seven children. Walter and Lucy Ward with their six children immigrated to Dakota territory in 1882 and homesteaded at Arvilla, North Dakota. The father passed away the following year. Mother and children moved to Lakota township where she filed on a homestead in 1883. Wellington who was twelve years old had to work at many odd jobs to help his mother support the family. In 1896 he started farming south of Mapes and was married to Rosa Schindele. A few years later moving to their homestead three miles northeast of Tolna (The farm where Ida Franzan now lives). George, the oldest son, was born at Mapes and five other children Irene, Esther, Elva, Medley, and Wellington, Jr. were born and raised on this farm. Wellington Ward, Sr. was a very active farmer, took part in many community projects. Instrumental in breaking sod in area with high powered machinery. He hauled lumber from Bartlett, North Dakota, to help in the building of Tolna. Was "road boss" when they built the road across Stump Lake, and a member of various organizations that were started in the early days of Tolna. His wife died in 1929. His daughter Elva (Mrs. Guy Saunders) continued on the homestead until 1944 when they sold to Harry Franzen and moved to a farm near McVille. Irene (Mrs. Ted Stienmann) had four children: Leland, Ruth, Dora, and Amy; and eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. George married Jessie Farrell. They have five children: Denzil, Ura, Unice, Ursal, and Delores; eighteen grandchildren, and twenty-three great grandchildren. Esther, Mrs. George Otto, has four children: LaVon, Muriel, Elain, and Veranna; fourteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Elva, Mrs. Guy Saunders, has four children: Elva Louise, Neil, Dennis, and Donnie; eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Medley married Mildred Christofferson. They had four children: Robert, Rosalie, Judy, and Nancy. Eight grandchildren. Mildred died in 1960 and Medley married Margaret Baumgartner seven years ago. Wellington, Jr. married Genevieve Christofferson and they have three children: Lynn, Peggy, and Dean; and five grandchildren. Irene Stienman, Esther Otto, Elva Saunders, Medley and Wellington all live in Tolna. Grandchildren Unice Forde and Delores Haas daughters of George; Muriel Pare daughter of Esther and Elva Vrem daughter of Elva and grandchildren of the late Wellington Ward, Sr. reside in the Tolna area. 159 The Wellington Ward, Sr. Family 160 - OLE LEE Ole Lee arrived in the Pekin, North Dakota area from the fishing village of Aalesund, Norway, in 1901. He spent a few years in the Pekin vicinity, where he also attended a rural school to learn the English language. In 1903 he homesteaded 3| miles northeast of Tolna, Leval Township, where the Lee farm is still located. He married Maria Louisa Schindele, daughter of pioneer Ferdinand Schindele, March 12, 1909. Together they continued farming and raised three sons Oscar, Melvin, and Earl. There are nine grandchildren. The family farm is still operated by Oscar's sons. Oscar and Earl reside in Tolna, and Melvin in Valley City, North Dakota. Ole was one of the early settlers who assisted in the building of Tolna by hauling lumber from Lakota for the new town. He also hauled feed for the horsee s for the railroad crew while the railroad was being built. - 161 - FERDINAND SCHINDELE, JR. Ferdinand Schindele, Jr. married Inez Chilson from Canada and worked in Tolna. They had the telephone office for many years. They had 3 children: Vernon, now deceased; Mrs. Odien Flaagen (Doris); and Delia (Mrs. Roy Stenson). Mr. Schindele passed away 1954 and Inez lives in California. 162 MICHAEL GUTTINGS Michael Gutting came from Germany in 1871. He married Christena Engel in New Jersey. There they had three children George, Charles, and Ten a. They came to Minneapolis and then to Dakota territory by wagon along with Alex Wisharts in 1881. They homestead seven miles northeast of Tolna along Stump Lake. Three more children were born Fritz, Lena, and Rose. The oldest boy George passed away at an early age. Charles, Tena Keating Fahey, Fritz, Lena McNett, and Rose Schindele all married and lived in Nelson County. hi later years the farm homestead belonged to Fritz and Francis Gutting where they raised five children Shirley (Mrs. Askil Snortland), Raliegh, Angie (Mrs. Henry Turcott), Erma (Mrs. Matt Nelson), and Jean. The Gutting farm at this time is farmed and operated by Dennis Gutting, son of the late Raliegh Gutting, who also ran the farm until his death in 1964. This is the fourth generation of Guttings on the homestead. Other descendants of Michael Gutting still living in the Tolna area are Harold Gutting, son of Charles, who farms the farm his folks had; Robert, son of Harold, also resides on his grandfather's farm; Harvey McNett, son of Lena; Angie Turcott, daughter of Fritz Gutting farm in the area; and grandson Fritz Gutting, Jr., the son of the late Raliegh Gutting lives in Tolna. Harry Keating, son of Tena, farms northeast of Tolna. There are a number of other descendants living elsewhere in the United States. 163 Michael & Christena Gutting '^Kt M Fritz & Charles Gutting - 164 - ALEXANDER WISHART The Wishart and Michael Gutting families came from Minneapolis to Dakota territory in a wagon pulled by a horse and ox to prove up their homestead in what is now Wamduska township in the year of 1881. Moving from Indiana to Minneapolis with his wife, Betsey Ann, and family. Their children Janet, Minnie, William, George, Mary, Kenneth, and Duncan all grew up on the farm. Duncan drowned in Stump Lake when he was 17 years old. The others have passed away. No relatives live in the Tolna area at present. Mrs. Jack Campell (Myrtle Sessions), a daughter of Janet Wishart Sessions, lives in Larimore, North Dakota. The Wishart homestead is now standing vacant. The land is farmed by Duane Schindele. OLIN SESSIONS Olin Sessions came from Iowa and settled on land about three miles south of the Wishart farm. He married Janet Wishart. Their family consisted of four sons Percy, Floyd, cloice, and Olin, and one daughter Myrtle (Mrs. Jack Campbell). They all grew to adulthood here and lived in the area for several years. Now all have passed away except Olin who lives in California and Myrtle in Larimore, North Dakota. Olin Sessions was the first rural route mail carrier on the route north of Tolna. Janet Wishart Sessions 165 - MR. AND MRS. CHESTER PORTER AND FAMILY Chester A. Porter was born in Jefferson City, North Carolina, on July 28, 1890 He came to Lakota area in 1911. He married Lola Williams May 23, 1913. She came with her parents from Ohio in 1901 to the Tolna community. She attended Mayville College and taught school mostly in Nelson County. They farmed near Lakota until 1926 when they moved into Tolna. He operated a grocery business until 1934 and was then employed at various places until retiring in 1951. He died June 6, 1961, and was survived by wife, 3 daughters, and 2 sons. Mrs. Sam (Irene) Benson, Frazee, Minnesota; Mrs. Gerald (Edna) Forde, Hamar- Mrs. Julia Verke, Carrington; Chester E.; Ray, ND; Joseph C, Cavalier, ND- 3 brothers, a sister, 25 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. 166 FERDINAND SCHINDELE FAMILY Mr. and Mrs. Schindele and their family of five children left their home in Newark, New Jersey in the spring of 1882. They traveled by immigration train from New York City to Grand Forks, Dakota territory. The railroad was just beginning to be built into the northern part of the territory at that time, so Mrs. Schindele and children stayed in Grand Forks until Mr. Schindele could get transportation. The family arrived in Larimore and finished the trip to their future home by team and wagon. They filed on a homestead near Stump Lake in the area now referred to as "Dutch Point". They settled near the Mike Guttings and Wishart families who had arrived the previous year. After many hardships they had a home established. By then more families had settled in the area so a school was needed. Lake School #1 was started. Mr. Schindele served on the school board for many years. He also served as County Commissioner for several years after North Dakota was admitted as a state. Mrs. Schindele, Rosenina Engel and sister to Mrs. Mike Gutting, was active in getting religious services into the homes. Also was the one called for if sickness was in the neighborhood, as there were no doctors near. She boasts of delivering more than one hundred babies. They farmed in that area until 1917. They then moved to a farm at the north edge of Tolna (one now owned by Harris Forde). The homestead was taken over by their son Herbert who continued to farm until his death. Harold, Herbert's son, took over the farm and is still on it at the present time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schindele were born in Germany, coming to the United States in 1872 and 1871 respectively. They were both employed in Newark, New Jersey where they met and married in 1874. Five children Rose, Henry, Carl, Ferdinand, Jr., and Joseph were born before they migrated to Dakota Territory. Here six more children were born Anna, August, Herbert, Louisa, George, and Christian. They all lived and married: Rosa, Mrs. Wellington Ward; Henry to Carrie Hahnshuh, Carl to Freida Otto; Ferdinand, Jr. to Inez Chilson; Joseph to Agnes Volse; Anna to Ernest Groves; August to Agnette Kuhn; Herbert to Mayme Opien; Louisa to Ole Lee; George to Florence Burke; and Christian to Pearl Howser. There were forty-four grandchildren, nine of whom still live in the Tolna vicinity: Irene Steinman, Esther Otto, Elva Saunders, Medley Ward, Wellington Ward all children of Rosa; Oscar Lee and Earl Lee, sons of Louisa; Doris Flaagan, daughter of Ferdinand, Jr.; and Harold Schindele, son of Herbert. There are thirty-three more grandchildren living in other parts of North Dakota and in other states. 167 <35 00 HENRY SCHINDELE Henry Schindele, born in Boden, Germany, came to the United States in 1875. He lived in New York until 1882 when he migrated to Dakota territory and homesteaded near Stump Lake (the farm of Harvey McNett). He married Maria Berk of Grand Forks in 1884. She also came from Germany. They raised eleven children: Lena (Mrs. Richard Harper) with children Henry, George, Edward, Percy, Robert, Marion, Clifford, Warren, Harry and Russell; Albert (he married Rose Gutting) with children Clarence, Gladys and Albert, Jr.; Theresa (Mrs. Peter Henninsgaard) with children Pearl and Leslie; Herman (Frances Price) with children Marie, Clark, Miles, and James; Christina (Mrs. Henry Deehr) with children Eva, Loretta, and Gordon; Emil (married Helen Price) with children Lester, Dorothy and Ardis May; Grace (Mrs. William Wendt; Martha (Mrs. Richard Halvorson) with children Ferron, Roger, Emily, and Coleen; Frances (Mrs. Lawrence Sullivan); John (married Erma Polhamus) with children Patricia and Ronald; and Margaret (Mrs. Hubert Rueschenberg) with children Katherine, David and James. The youngest and oldest girls died in infancy. Grandchildren living in the Tolna area are Percy Harper, George Harper, sons of Lena; Leslie Henningsgaard, son of Theresa; Roger Halvorson, son of Martha; Eva Tweed and Loretta Aamodt, daughters of Christina; Albert Schindele, Jr., son of Albert. Four daughters living are Theresa in the state of Washington, Grace in Arizona Francis in Minnesota, and Margaret in Montana. 169 ENGEL HISTORY The town of Bartlett was burning when George G. Engel, Sr. came to Dakota Territory in 1882 from Wittenberg, Germany. Bartlett was the end of the Great Northern railway then. He walked from Bartlett to the Dutch Point area of Stump Lake, where the Wishart, Ferdinand Schildele, Sr., and the Mike Gutting families were already settled. Mrs. Mike Gutting and Mrs. Ferdinand Schindele, Sr. were sisters of George G. Engel, Sr. Mrs. George G. Engel, Sr. and George, Jr., born October 29, 1881, came from Germany in 1883. George, Sr. homesteaded S.W.J of Section 13, of what is now Leval Township. He also planted a tree claim 80 acres south of the homestead. My father George G. Engle, Jr. helped plant the trees. Some were seeds. The certificate of tree planting was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt on June 22, 1904. Three other sons were born to the couple. Fred and Carl were twins, born March 21, 1885 and William was born May 13, 1889; all on the Engel homestead. George, Sr. died May 29, 1908. Mrs. George Engel, Sr. (maiden name Sybilla Keif) died November 3, 1918, of the flu epidemic of that year. George, Jr. married Rina Aasgaard June 22, 1911. Rina was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ole Aasgaard early residents of Tolna. Ole Aasgaard was the manager of a lumber yard in Tolna. Two children were born of this marriage-. Orville - July 1, 1913 and Erma - May 27, 1915. Mother Rina died July 31, 1924. George, Jr. married Beatrice Brekke on August 8, 1927. Six children were born of this marriage: George Myron, born 1928 — died September, 1944 of auto accident; Marlys (Mrs. Perry Williams), born 1930; Garold, born 1934; Marjorie, born 1937 (Mrs. Harris McDonald — died February 23, 1976; Jack, born 1938; Blair, born 1944 — married Ramona Wimmer. George, Jr. died March 24, 1952. He had farmed in the Tolna area all of his life. Orville married Aase Tollefsrud June 30, 1937, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bjorn Tollefsrud of Tolna. Three children were born of this marriage: Ordis, born 1938, married Laurence Haas — they have four children: Owen, Laurie, Vicki, and Kathy. They live on a farm near Carrington, where Laurence is manager of Reimers Seed Farm. Glenn, born 1941, married Joann Morlock. They have two children Jodi and Michael. He works for Geological Survey: Water Resources at Lincoln, Nebraska. Renita, born 1946, married Knut Kjenslie in 1974. She works in a clinic in Denver and he is a civil engineer also employed there. Aase died January 17, 1955 of cancer. Erma married Joe Bruzelius of Fargo. He worked for Fargo Paper Co. until retiring. Four children were born of this couple: Gary, Judy, Janet and Joe, Jr. - 170 - Mr. & Mrs. George Engel, Sr. Mr. & Mrs. George Engel, dr. Orville Engel Family 171 William Engel married Olga Skogley in 1912 at Medicine Hat, Alberta. Olga was born in 1895 at Norway. They moved to the Warwick area where they farmed near the Sheyenne River. Later they farmed northwest of Tolna and also on the Engel Homestead. They moved to Minnesota in the spring of 1938, to the Henningsgaard home place near Little Sauk, Minnesota, where he had farming interests, all his life. Twelve children were born to this marriage: William, Jr. married Elaine Johnson; Freddie, married Pearl Engel — died November, 1969 — auto accident — 13 children were born to them; Martha, Mrs. Harry Lindback — Harry died January, 1969; Archie; Sidney; Richard, deceased; Lucille, Mrs. Edwin Renkin; Mildred, Mrs. Al Blank; Florence, Mrs. Ray Warner; Fern, Mrs. John Ahrens; Virgil; Earl, died in infancy. They had 45 grandchildren and 43 great grandchildren. Olga died in 1956. William died in 1969. Carl Engel, Sr. married Christina Wessels in 1910. They farmed northwest of Tolna at site of Dissmore Post Office. Four children were born to them: Carl, Jr. married Kathern Ahreus, deceased; Marie, Mrs. Albin Johnson, deceased; George John; Pearl, Mrs. Freddie Engel, 13 children—11&12 were twins. Carl, Sr. died in 1918 of the flu. Tina died in 1941. Fred Engel never married. He farmed the Engel Homestead in the 1920's and did farm work until moving to Minnesota about 1945, where he purchased a small wooded farm near Jergen's Lake, Little Sauk. He also worked in the iron mines of northern, Minnesota in the early 1930's. He died in 1954. As I finish this history, I have to tell of incidents of great concern in the life of the Senior Engel family. My dad and grandmother Engel were returning from Lakota with a horse and an ox hitched to a sleigh, when the ox fell through a crack in the ice of Stump Lake with two of its feet. It could not get up again, so my dad had to unhitch the horse and ride to neighbors at which was called the Paine Place for help. When they got back the ox had managed to get up again. Another time Grandfather and Grandmother Engel were returning from Lakota with a team of horses hitched to a sleigh, with a load of coal and flour. The sleigh became stuck in a snow bank during a terrible blizzard in the hills southwest of the Wishart farm. They had to unhitch the horses and hold on to the horses' bridels. The horses found the way home. I write this from the same Engel Homestead where I now make my home. Orville Engel - 172 The Aasgaard Family — Early Residents of Tolna 173 James Liska and Anna Chizek were married in Iowa in 1901. hi 1926 they came to Tolna from Brocket and lived on the farm where Norman Rude now lives. They had seven children: Ernest married Gladys Stene Art married Dora LaMotte James married Selma Halvorson Lydia married Walter Donahue Alice married Ernest Justus Beulah married Selmer Halvorson Florence married Rudolph Halvorson James Liska passed away in 1930 and Mrs. Liska in 1958. LEON TURCOTTE Leon Turcotte filed on a homestead three miles east of Tolna around 1900. He married Flora McDonald and raised two children, Ernest and Ruth. His wife passed away five years later and he married Alma Smith. To this marriage two boys and three girls were born: Henry, Willie, Helen, Frances, and Lorence. Henry resides on the home place. He married Angie Gutting and they are the parents of one son, Dick, of New Rockford, North Dakota. - 174 - FRANK CARTWRIGHT Frank Cartwright was born 1873-1950 in Faribault, Minnesota, and came to Nelson County and worked for Ferdinand Schindele, Sr. He later filed on a home stead in Osago Township, now known as the LeVain Morken farm. Frank married Georgiana Turcotte in 1901 (died 1931) and they were blessed with 5 girls Mrs. Ole (Mabel) Omlie, Mrs. W. (Ethel) Wellington, Mrs. Ernest (Alice) Schilling, Mrs. Roy (Edith) Bryngilson, and Myrtle (deceased) and 4 boys Leonard, Earl, Eugene (deceased), and Vernon (deceased). Georgiana lived on the Catholic Sisters missionary place, where the Kermit Brekken farm is. This farm was owned by St. Michaels of Fort Totten. Her father, Cyril Turcotte, worked on this farm. The families used the frozen ice on Stump Lake to do their skating. This is how Frank and Georgiana met. MR. AND MRS. FRANK CARTWRIGHT & FAMILY Mabel, Ethel, Leonard, Eugene, Alice, Frank, Myrtle, Vernon Earl, Georgiana, Edith. 175 OLE OMLIE Mabel Cartwright and Ole Omlie were married in 1924. Mabel was a school teacher in the area. Ole came from Minnesota in 1915 and worked on farms and later bought the dray line in Tolna. They lived on the Ole Lee residence. They moved to her father's farm, Frank Cartwright's, in 1932. They have 2 children: Delores (Mrs. Charles) Clute, and a son Duaine, who lives on the farm and raises purebred cattle with his Dad. Duaine is married to Pearl Sigette. 176 - JESSE PRICE Jesse Price, born 1831, and his wife, Mary Hayes, born 1836, came from Prince Edward Island to Missouri about 1882. They came to Larimore by train and to the Tolna area by oxen. They homesteaded near the Hovey farm. They had five children. One of the girls, Bessie, got typhoid fever and had to remain in Larimore over winter. She later married Lawrence Haas. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Price were John, Charles, George, Bessie and Jim Price, who lived north of Tolna. 177 DELL WILLIS FAMILY Dell Willis was born 1887 in Loyal, Wisconsin. His grandparents came by oxen and horses in a procession of five wagons in 1845 from Ohio to Wisconsin by way of Chicago on the Madison Road. Chicago was very small at the time and the roads were very poor. The family encountered their first sight of a train and were awe struck by it. They couldn't figure how it stayed on the rail road tracks. Dell's mother died when he was ten years old and that ended his formal school at grade 3. He used to say of the people he lived with, "It was cheaper to hire a boy and a wheelbarrow; than keep a horse." He was separated from his family for fifty years as most of them were adopted. He worked in the harvest fields in the Carrington area as a lad. He contracted polio at nineteen years and left him with a weak leg so that he limped. He was a streetcar conductor in Fargo, where he met Lillian Haas (born in 1889 - the year North Dakota became a state), who was going to high school in Fargo. They were married and moved to the Lawrence Haas place in 1918 and moved to the Moran farm in 1919 in Leval Township where Robert and Roger Johnson now live. They had seven children: Mrs. Alton Knipp (Irene); Fred Willis married Eunice Mannie; Mrs. Algernon Dahl (Vivian); John married Dorothy Peterson; Donald married Loretta; Calvin married Lily Nelson; Russel, Wanda Digg. Mr. Willis died in 1945 and Mrs. Willis, 86 years old, lives on a farm near Alsia, Oregon. 178 CLIFFORD HAAS Clifford Haas was born in 1893 to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Haas. He served in the Army in France in World War I. He married Neva Mannie 1924, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Mannie. They moved to their farm in 1926 where Russell Haas now lives. Cliff and Neva had five sons and a daughter. Robert married Delores Jenson; James married Joyce Avery; Roger married Carole Braaten; Lawrence married Ordis Engel; Kay married Anthony Russell. - 179 Jesse J. Haas was born in 1896, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Haas. He rode horseback to Dissmore Post Office to get the mail. He married Bertha Loftus from McVille in 1920. She was a school teacher in Lake school. They built their farm where they now reside. They had four boys: Vernon; Charles (married Delores Donahue - Delores and two sons were killed in a car accident); Sidney, who married Delores Ward; Duane, who married Bonnie Anderson. Richard Loftus was in the House of Representatives in North Dakota for many years. Sidney Haas lives on the former Richard Loftus farm. Jesse was very active in community affairs and after the farm chores were done, he went hunting. They have many descendants. - 180 - EUSTACHE MANNIE AND MAUDE HAAS Eustache Mannie lived 1889 - 1947. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Mannie, came from Illinois. He married Maude Haas and they lived most of their life on the Laurence Haas home. Their home burned down and built the house that Maude lives in now. Their children: Glen, married Phyllis Burkeland and he drove a gas truck in Tolna; Betty married Kermit Dakken and lives on the George Knauss, Sr. farm; Rollin Mannie married Marion Beckman, and manages a weather station in Atlanta, Georgia; Larry married Margaret Opoien and owns the Lindstrom farm at Hamar; Donna married Kenneth Bugbee, a former elec trician in the former days of R. E. A. - 181 L. O. (OLE) JOHNSON Born in Skane, Sweden in 1862, Ole Johnson came to America and filed on a homestead southwest of Lakota in 1882. He named his farm Lake View Farm. He married Margaret Midgarden Nelson in 1889. She came from Rauland Tele mark, Norway. They had five children, three died as children, and Norman and Anita grew up on this farm. Norman married Hilma Johnson and took over the home farm. To this marriage one son, Harold, and four girls were born. Their daughters were: Bernice (Mrs. Lee Brotherton); Carol Mae (Mrs. Dale Flaagan); Lois (Mrs. Richard Weed); and Barbara (Mrs. Ray Walter). Harold married Delores Olson and are now farming the original homestead. This was the third generation of Johnsons on the Lake View Farm a mile from the old Dissmore Post Office. Beside Harold and family, Carol Mae Flaagan and family reside in the Tolna area. J. N. Johnson's have nineteen grandchildren as well as their five children who survive them. - 182 PERRY JOHNSON Perry Johnson was born January 27, 1867 at Blastorp, Skane, Sweden. He came to Nelson County on February 10, 1885. He worked out for awhile, took a homestead near some mountains and named his farm "Blue Mountain Stock Farm" His sister Jennie kept house for him for some years, after her husband, Herbert Thatcher, died. On February 15, 1900 he married Isabelle Saunders, who was born June 9, 1879 at Ryde, on the Isle of Wright, England. She came to the United States in 1881 and to Nelson County in 1882 with her brothers, Bill and Lou Saunders. To this union were born nine childres: Elizabeth, Mrs. Ed Williams; Irene, Mrs. Evert Quam; Harry; Allen; James; Robert; Ervin; Grace- and George. The surviving boys,Allen and Robert, live on farms in the commun ity with Jim near Lakota. Gordon Quam, son of Irene, grandson of Perry, lives on the old homestead. Gerald Johnson, son of Allen; Roger, son of Robert- and Perry Williams, son of Elizabeth, also grandsons of the late Perry Johnson live in the Tolna community. There are 43 living descendants of the Perry Johnsons. - 183 GODLEB SCHMIDT Godlib Schmidt, born 1867 in Dusseldorf, Germany, came to the United States and settled in Nelson County in 1897. He lived with the Engel family for a while. Schmidt homesteaded a small piece of land in 1903 and later bought more land south of the homestead. He returned to Germany in 1904 to get his wife Marie Schwartz and came back to the United States on the Kaiser William ship in 1905 where they resided on his farm the rest of their lives. They are the parents of three sons and one daughter: Fred, William, Herman, and Ann. The homestead was deeded to their oldest son, Fred, and now the grandson, Ronald,is farming the land. - 184 - PETER JOHNSON Peter and Caroline Johnson bought the farm, now farmed by Keith Forde, in the early 1900's. They came to the Tolna area from Lakota, where he had been employed as a butcher. They had four children. Oscar (at one time manager of the Tolna Farmers Union Oil Company, but now deceased) was married to Alice Cartwright. Victor farmed on his dad's home place and never married. Leonard also farmed on the home place and married Rhoda Simons. They had five children: Wayne, Mar garet, Dale, Darlene and Terry. Hilma married Norman Johnson and have five children: Harold, Bernice, Lois, Barbara and Carol Mae. (See Ole Johnson) Harold and Carol Mae Flaagan, children of Hilma, and Wayne and Darlene Forde, children of Leonard, live in the Tolna area. Keith and Darlene Forde now have the Pete Johnson place. - 185 - GUST NILEP FAMILY Gustav Nilep was born in Germany, November 25, 1874. He came to America in 1889 and to North Dakota in 1892. His wife Christina Nilep was born in Germany, June 29, 1882. She came to America in 1903, and to North Dakota the same year. They were married in the Lutheran Church in Lakota, October 11, 1905. Gus Nilep's homestead is in (Dissmore) Leval Township. At the present writing, no one is living on this farm. They had ten children - six of them are living. Rose, Mrs. Ted Schindele lives in Washington Frank lives in Devils Lake Mabel, Mrs. Glen Aim Mae, Mrs. Engolf Snortland lives on a farm north of Tolna Harold, married Ardis Oporen. They live in Devils Lake. Henry is employed at Lake Region Junior College at Devils Lake. There are nine grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. Gustav Nilep died in 1957 and Mrs. Nilep died in 1963. 186 - LON CHILSON, SR. Lon Chilson, Senior and Martha Jacobson Chilson moved from Minnesota in 1899. They first settled where the Pete Johnson's finally lived, and is now the home of Keith Forde and Darlene Johnson Forde. In 1901 they bought what was known as the Dissmore place where Mrs. Chilson had the post office and a country grocery store. Mr. Chilson did stone masonry. They had six children: Mabel (Mrs. Arnold Moe), Inez (Mrs. Ferd Schindele), Ada (Mrs. G. Elliot), Rose (Mrs. Art Elliot), Lon, Jr., Madge Chilson. They moved to Saskatchewan, Canada in 1910. 187 Ferdinand Schindele, Jr and Inez Chilson Schindele lived in Tolna where Ferdinand worked in a drug store and the Schindele hardware. Later they were in the hotel business at Hamar, then Warwick and McVille. Mrs. Schindele also worked for the Sheyenne Telephone Company at Tolna and Hamar. They had three children: Vernon (deceased), Doris (Mrs. Odin Flaagan), and Delia (Mrs. Roy Stenson, California). Mr. Schindele passed away in 1954 and Inez Schindele Despaine lives in California. - 188 - ARNOLD MOE AND MABEL CHILSON MOE The Moes lived upstairs over what is now the Gamble Store and Mr. Moe did blacksmith work in Tolna when the town first began. They had one daughter - Fern Moe - before moving to Saskatchewan, Canada. - 189 Lawrence Haas was born in 1860 in Waukon, Iowa. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Haas, came from Germany and raised their family in Iowa. Law rence went to St. Paul to learn a business trade and heard about the land to be homesteaded near Tolna and settled on what is now the Overby land north of Highway 15 in Nelson County. His shanty blew down and he was unable to find a good water supply, so he walked until he found the natural spring, where he built his farm and lived until he died. He married a neighbor girl, Bessie Price, daughter of Jesse Price in 1887. Their children were Mrs. Dell (Lillian) Willis, Ray, Clifford, Jesse and Maude (Mrs. Eustache Mannie). Many of the descandants still live in the area. - 190 - WILLIAM AND ELIZABETH PARKER William and Elizabeth Parker. Children: Perry, Nancy, George, Mary, Charles, Albert and Nellie. 191 GEORGE AND SARAH KNAUSS George and Sarah Knauss. Children: Daniel, William, Mamie, Harry, Lillie, Sally, Emma, George and John. - 192 - HARRY AND NELL KNAUSS Harry and Nell Knauss. Children: Homer, Eunice, Perry, Sarah (Sadie) and William (Billie). 193 William and Elizabeth Parker came from Missouri with their seven children to homestead west of where Tolna is now. The patent for their homestead was issued in December 1884. William Parker was one of the early Nelson County officials. He and his wife died in the early 1900's. George and Sarah Knauss, with their family of eight children came from Penn sylvania in 1882. They homesteaded south of the present location of Tolna. Two of their daughters, Mamie and Emma, died when only a few years old. One other child, John, was born in 1886. He is the surviving member of the family and lives in Spokane, Washington. The family home is now owned by Kermit Dakken. On his land east of there, George Knauss planted his tree claim - some of these trees are still there. Church services were held in the homes. This group of Presbyterians had as one of their early pastors, Reverend Bernard Kroeze, who later became Pres ident of Jamestown College. After Tolna was organized, the Knauss families became active in the building and work of the Congregational Church. Harry Knauss told of attending school in Arvilla during the winter months, when he was a boy. Later, one room schoolhouses were built. A teaching cer tificate was obtained by passing the required examination; the only qualifications necessary were to be sixteen years of age and an eighth grade graduate. Nellie Parker received her certificate, but never taught. Most of the children of the Parker and Knauss families moved out of the area when they became adults. George Knauss, Jr. owned land south of the Sheyenne River for many years. He moved to Hannaford, where he managed an elevator until he became postmaster. John Knauss married Lillian Scott and they lived on the home farm with their children, Florence, Gordon, Paul and Winfield, until they moved to Spokane in 1925. Sally Knauss married L. A. Day and lived near Southam for many years. They retired to the farm located south of Leo Burke' s. Lillie Knauss married Albert (Dick) Parker and they soon moved to Canada. Nellie Parker and Harry Knauss were married in February 1892. Sarah Knauss died in 1915. George Knauss spent the last years of his life with his daughters, Sally Day and Lil Parker, on the farm in Forde Township. He died in 1936 at the age of ninety-six. Dr. B. Kroeze officiated at the funeral in the Congregational Church in Tolna. Harry and Nell Knauss homesteaded west of the present site of Tolna. Later they bought land from J. D. and Helen Hovey, that became their home. This land is presently owned by Mrs. William Knauss. During 1906 - 1907, Harry Knauss was in the machine business, with Sandlie. He was also in the grain buying business at one time. Five children were born to Nell and Harry Knauss. Homer married Cora Hoveskeland. At present they live in Windom, Minnesota. Eunice married - 194 - G. E. Nelson, a Tolna High School teacher in 1914. Their children, Fred, Dorothy, and Harry were born after they moved to McVille. Eunice has continued to live in Valley City after the death of her husband in 1958. Perry married Dena Hamre in 1924. Their two boys, Wayne (Dick) and Harvey attended school in Forde Township. Perry married Margaret Goodwin in 1939; they had one child, Margaret Ann. Perry died in 1964. Sadie married George Hovel in 1932; they live south of Pekin. Their two children are Joan and Jerome. William married Vivian Gress in 1931. Their children are Bernard, Nellie and Polly. They lived west of Tolna until his death in 1967. Vivian now lives in Valley City. Nellie Parker Knauss died in April 1942; Harry Knauss died in February 1952. 195 MR. AND MRS. JAMES D. HOVEY FAMILY James D. Hovey, with his wife and four-year old son arrived in Larimore, North Dakota, March 10, 1882, that being the end of the railroad coming from Iowa. They were thankful for their good health, but had only fifty cents in cash. He had a job on the Edison farm near McCanna getting a salary of $25.00 a month. They owned one horse, two cows, and a few household items, not more than a wagon box full. They worked for eight months, and on settling up, was given $35. 00 a month. He traded the horses for oxen. On the first day of November they started out for Sheyenne, south of Stump Lake, taking two days. All they had there were squatters rights to 160 acres of land with a tar paper shanty, twelve by fourteen feet, one small load of wood, and a little hay, and $15.00 worth of groceries bought at Harrisburg, at the east end of the Lake in Dayton township, Nelson County. Mrs. Hovey (Helen) was born September 10, 1855 in Green County, Wisconsin. She was on the Winnebago Reservation in Wisconsin. They befriended the Indians and fed them when they came to their place. Mr. and Mrs. Hovey celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary June 30, 1927 and were still living on the same section of land where they homesteaded west of Tolna. Helen Hovey was a member of the Nelson County Fifty Year Club. They had two sons and one daughter; Arthur, Herbert and Edna. Edward Mercier married Edna and they had one son Ralph. Edward was born in 1888 and passed away in 1945. A tribute given to Mrs. Hovey from a young neighbor, who remembers her, said, "She was a wonderful neighbor and friend". After Mr. Hovey passed away, June 13, 1932, she came to live in Tolna until her death, May 19, 1948. - 196 - MR. AND MRS. THORE J. RITLAND AND FAMILY Johanna Engre Hovlandsdal, born May 27, 1887 at Flekke in Sunnfjord, Bergen, Norway, came to the United States in 1906 and resided two years in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She later went to Fort Benton, Montana, where she was married to Thore J. Ritland on February 22, 1909. They proved up on Homestead there, and ten years later moved to Hamar, North Dakota, Eddy County, where they lived a year or two. Then they moved to a place three and a half miles west of Tolna, North Dakota. Six children were born in Montana: Bertha, Tillie, Tessie, Helen, Josie and Sonny. Four children were born in Hamar, Tolna vicinity: Irene, Serine, Tomy and Teddy. During 1929 Mrs. Ritland operated a hotel in Hamar - moving back to Tolna, Nelson County (3| miles west) in the spring of 1930. She passed away March 20, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois, where she went to spend the winter with three daughters. She was a hard worker and a good mother. Thore J. Ritland, born in Stavanger, Norway, October 17, 1879, came to the United States in 1900 and passed away in Oklee, Minnesota, March 10, 1959. Bertha, age 28, was killed in a car accident. Tillie, age 39, was killed in a tractor upset. Tomy, age 23, was drowned at Lake Ashtabula. 197 HALVOR R. LOFTHUS Halvor R. Lofthus was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota on November 14, 1890. Ida Jeanette Gutterud came from Thief River Falls, Minnesota. They were married June 26, 1921. They started farming west of Tolna and were blessed with three children: Mrs. Sidney (Irene Elenora) Arneson, Mrs. Kenneth (Edna Ann) Vrem, George Warren, who is now farming the home place. Halvor passed away July 31, 1937. 198 - JENS OLSON STEIGBERG Jens Olson Steigberg, July 4 and Inga Samuelson, July 6 were both born in 1872 at Steign Nordland, Norway. They were married in Norway on January 6, 1901. In 1903, they imigrated to America and lived at Ottify, North Dakota with Iverson, an uncle of Mrs. Steigberg. During the three years they lived there, Mr. Steigberg worked the Iverson farm and Mrs. Steigberg was the Postmistress. In 1906 the Fort Totten Indian Reservation was opened to homesteaders, and they filed a claim in Freeborn Township, Eddy County. While proving their homestead, they also farmed for Lars Haggen southeast of Ottify, now the Art Bergstrom farm. In 1910 Mr. Steigberg returned to Norway for a visit and when he returned, he brought Mrs. Steigberg's sisteen-year old neice, Anna Samuelson and twelve- year old Axel Myhrs with him. Axel lived with the Steigbergs for fifteen years, and in 1925 he returned to Norway where he is still living. Anna Samuelson lived with them until 1916, when she married Fred Lundeby. They farmed in the Tolna area until 1973, when they moved to McVille. Mr. and Mrs. Steigberg built a large farm where they chiefly produced live stock. They were active in community affairs and were also active members of the Sigdahl Lutheran Church. They had four children: Ole Samuel, Harold, Erling, Martha Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Steigberg lived on their farm until the fall of 1943, when they moved to Tolna, North Dakota. Mr. Steigberg passed away on March 25, 1944 . Mrs. Steigberg lived on in Tolna until she passed away on August 31, 1958. The Steigberg's oldest son, ole, joined the United States Army in 1934 and remained in the service until 1955, when he retired and made his home in Rockford, Illinois. He married Doris Hegstrom from Rockford in 1945 and they had four children: Ole, Jr., presently in the United States Army, John and family live in Rockford, Illinois, Patricia lives in Denver, Colorado, Christina lives in Rockford, Illinois. Ole passed away in November 1959. Harold Steigberg left home in 1936 and moved to Spokane, Washington, and in 1937 he married Margarette McGill. They lived in Spokane until 1956 when they moved to Seattle where they now reside. They had three children: Harold, Jr. lives in Seattle, Washington, Joan Peters and family live in Alderwood Manor, Washington, Dianne Donny and family live in Seattle. Erling married Hilma Tallefsrud of Tolna in 1941. He farmed the homestead place south of Hamar until his death in May 1973. He had four daughters (see Tollefsrud history). - 199 Martha married Orville Enstad from Pekin, North Dakota in 1941. They lived in the Pekin area until 1957 when they moved to Arvilla, North Dakota. In 1968 they moved to Seattle, Washington where they now live. They had four children: Ordell James and family live in Goldendale, Washington, Eliza beth Marie Ginnestad and family live Alderwood Manor, Washington, Marjorie Cecelie Juma and family live in Portland, Oregon, Bernice Elaine Loken and family live in Mayville, North Dakota. 200 JOHN QUAM FAMILY John Hans Quam was born January 15, 1878 in Gubrensdalen, Norway, the son of Hans John and Gyda Quam. He emigrated to the United States in 1895 at the age of 17. He first settled at Northfield, Minnesota where he was employed as a painter until 1901, when he came to Pekin, North Dakota with a threshing rig. John Quam met Claudia Larson at Pekin and they were married in 1903 at Lakota. They settled in a log cabin south of Pekin, where he painted in the community and farmed. Claudia Larson was born in Oslo, Norway, March 12, 1885, the daughter of Knut Larson (a fireman) and his wife Inga. Claudia came to the United States and the Lakota community in 1901 and lived with her aunt and uncle - Deanna and Mons Iverson - until her marriage to John Quam on September 5, 1903. In 1905 they homesteaded 5^ miles southwest of Tolna, Nelson County and farmed there the rest of their lives. Tolna was not a town, so they did their trading in Binford, Lakota and Ottofy. The Quams were the parents of ten children: Henry, who passed away in 1963 Mrs. Ole (Julie) Stigen of Wisconsin Mrs. Chris (Anna) Jorstad, who passed away in 1975 Mrs. Conrad (Alma) Hanson of Niagara, North Dakota Sever J. Quam of Minot, North Dakota Mrs. Alvin (Petra) Bjerke of International Falls, Minnesota Mrs. Harvey (Vivian) Hanson who passed away in 1974 Mrs. Dan (Mabel) Hanson of McCanna, North Dakota Mrs. J. R. (Clara) Drengson of McCanna, North Dakota Carl J, who farms the homestead John Hans Quam passed away on January 21, 1939. Claudia Larson Quam passed away May 17, 1962. 201 - to o to 'JJLVFB'WEDD/ tm.Ar hi. D»k, SIMON SNORTLAND Simon Snortland came to the United States from Hagasen, Norway in 1886. He first settled in Sharon, North Dakota, coming to the Tolna vicinity in 1918 with his wife and children: Martha, Hans, Askil, Engolf, Olaf, Simon and Edward. They homesteaded on the farm where Engolf lives today. Here, one more girl was born - Louise. Simon Snortland's have fifty-one living decendants. Engolf, his wife Mae, and son Robert live on the home place and Edward and family live on a farm one mile west of Tolna. 203 - STENGRIM HALVORSON From the archives of Norway the following record was obtained by Murrill Halvorson, grandson of Stengrim Roysen Halvorson. Note that many of them changed their name from Roysen to Halvorson, after they came to America. The following record lists the brothers and mother — the age they were and the date they left Norway. NAME YEAR THEY LEFT NORWAY AGE Thore Roysen 1868 — Eirick Roysen 1876 22 Stengrim Roysen 1880 23 Halvor Roysen 1881 33 Ola Roysen 1883 38 Kari Arnesd Roysen 1883 70 Four of the Halvorson (Roysen) brothers came to North Dakota. Eirick remained in Minnesota. He kept the Roysen name. Thore farmed in Minnesota for 13 years before coming to North Dakota. He sold his farm in Minnesota to his brother Eirick. Thore and Stengrim came to North Dakota in 1881. They walked from Larimore to the Tolna area. Stengrim married Kari Olsgaard in Montevideo, Minnesota. In 1881 they came with their 6-week old son Halvor to North Dakota to settle in the Tolna area. Their first home in North Dakota was a dug-out in the hill side, a mile east of the Melvin Flaagan farm. The sod house he built later here was an improvement over the dug-out. Later a frame house of lumber was built here. They bought food and provisions at the store located at Fort Totten. At that time the Indians at Fort Totten were guarded by soldiers. Some years later he moved with his family to the place where his grandson Daniel Stengrim Halvorson now lives. Stengrim and Kari's Family Halvor - lived in the Crosby area Peter - died in Montana of tuberculosis Nels - 1884 - 1968 Carrie - Mrs. Kittel Flaagan (history listed elsewhere — Flaagans) Betty - Mrs. R. Mills (history listed elsewhere — Flaagans) Sophie - Mrs. Joseph Quam (history listed elsewhere — Flaagans) Rudolph - 1899 - 1964 (history listed elsewhere — Flaagans) Theoline - died of heart attack at age 16 Sally - died at the age of 13 of tuberculosis Inga - died of tuberculosis at the age of 37. 204 Stengrim's loyalty to the United States was shown by his active participation in selling Liberty Bonds during World War I, feeling that it was his duty as well as his privilege to serve his country. When approached about returning to Norway Stengrim replied, "I left Norway with nothing — all my possessions and comforts have come from America; this is my country; I will stay here." - 205 - NELS S. HALVORSON Son of Stengrim and Kari Halvorson, he bought the land homesteaded by Jack Burns. He married Clara Flaagan, daughter of Gunder Flaagan. They have eight children: Selmer - married Beulah Liska. They farm north of Tolna. Cleo - married Sherman Lillethun. Sherman is deceased. Cleo lives in McHenry and operates their store. Sydney - married Beatrice Matejeck. Their farm is the former Raymond Schiller farm. Sydney died in 1964. Clarence - works on construction projects in Montana. He was married to Ethel Molmen. Esther - the former Mrs. Leslie Henningsgard, passed away in 1971. Frances - married Carl Rasmusson. They live in Spokane, Washington. Gladys - married Carl Moeller. They live in Vancouver, Washington,, Vernon - married Joyce Burke. He owns the Nels S. Halvorson farm. Shirley (Roggow) - is widowed. Lives in Anchorage, Alaska. 206 - RUDOLPH O. HALVORSON 1894 - 1964 Rudolph, son of Kari and Stengrim Halvorson, married Nora Donahue in 1922. They farmed the home place where Stengrim had settled. After Rudolph's death his sons Daniel and Aloyus farmed the land; Daniel living on the home farm and Aloyus in Tolna. Rudolph and Nora had 7 sons. They are their families are as follows: LaVern - born August 16, 1923. Married Mary J. Brunette in 1942. They have 6 children Ronald, Wayne, Larry, Mary Michelle, Lynette Marie, and Paulette Rose. Eugene Dennis - born September 14, 1924. Married Sylvia Grannum in 1943. They have 2 girls Vickie Sue and Kathy Denise. Arthur Rodney - born December 24, 1925. Married Marie K. Kober September, 1950. They have 5 children Rodney A., Lawrence D., Judy Lynn, Cynthia Marie, and Eric James. Terrence Anthony - born January 10, 1929. Married Carol Fazendin October, 1962. They have 3 children Mary Kathryn, Thomas Anthony, Steven Terrence. Daniel Stengrim - born September 6, 1931. Married Marie L. Yetzerina October, 1964. They have 5 children Ann Marie, Lora Jean, Brian Daniel, Susan Louise, and Brenda Joan. Aloyus Dale - born June 7, 1937. Married Arlene Heine May 2, 1959. They have 3 children Randolph Owen, Barbara Jo and Nancy Loy. Murrill Patrick - born June 16, 1944. Not married at this time. 207 - BERGIT AND THORE HALVORSON Bergit and Thore Halvorson were married in Aal, Hallingdal, Norway, and came to America in 1869. They brought with them one daughter, Kari. The other children were all born in America. They came as far as Illinois and lived there for a while, perhaps due to lack of funds to go on further at the time. From there they moved on to Montevidio, Minnesota, and settled there for twelve years. After three years of crop failure due to draught and grasshoppers, they decided to migrate further west. They sold their land in Montevidio and went in search of available land in the Dakota Territory. Thore and his brother, Stengrim, went by train to Valley City and then took off by foot north, following the Sheyenne River. About 80 miles to the north they found land to settle on along the Sheyenne River. Stengrim returned alone to Montevidio to bring back the families and all their worldly possessions. They were able to come by train as far as Grand Forks, but from there everything had to be transferred into the wagon hitched to oxen. The cattle were herded along behind, and so began the trek for 60-70 miles east to the new found land where Thore was waiting for their arrival. They camped along the way and rested the oxen and the cattle. No doubt there were anxious worries of Indian attacks and equipment breakdowns and all such, but evidently all went fairly well, excluding a few mishaps such as the baby (Bertine) falling out of the wagon once. She was not hurt as she was bundled up in a blanket quite well! Bertine always took a little good natured "ribbing" about this little incident and it became a family joke to say "Guess they should have left you there on the prairie. " After arriving at their destination, they lived in a one-room dug-out in a hill side until they were able to erect a log house. Rooms were later added to the original log house and the house is still standing on the Albert Halvorson farm 4 miles south of Tolna. Thore Halvorson died at the age of 66 in 1904, and is buried at Sigdal Cemetery. Bergit outlived him a number of years and died at the age of 80 in 1924, and is buried alongside Thore at Sigdal Cemetery in the family plot. The family of Thore and Bergit: Kari was married to Bessrud, who died, and then was married to Krammen. Kari died at the age of 28. A daughter Malene also died at a very young age, 14 years. Rier Halvorson married Pauline Wold, a neice of Rev. S. S. Wold. There were six children born to Rier and Pauline. Bertha, Theodor, Jennie, Martin, Carl, and Ruth. Rier passed away in 1960. Rier and Pauline farmed in the Pekin vicinity. Timothy Halvorson, Theodor's son, now owns and operates the farm. Nels Halvorson married Anne Aune from Trondhjem, Norway. They had three children. Thorwald, Borghild, and Hazel. Nels and Anna farmed near Tolna and their son Thorwald now owns and operates the farm. Nels passed away in 1928. Henry Halvorson married Elise Wold from Stange, Norway. They had two sons. Torfin and Edward. Henry passed away in 1958. Henry and Elise farmed a few miles south of Tolna. - 208 - Bertine married Robert Roberts, a lawyer in Lakota, North Dakota. To this union 2 sons and a daughter were born. Robert, Tracey, and Lorraine. Bertine Roberts died in 1968. Bennie Halvorson married Emma Wold from Stange, Norway. They moved to Canada and farmed there. Three children were born to Bennie and Emma. Alice, Victor, and Hazen. Bennie died in 1966. Lena Halvorson married Halvor Stavn from Flaa, Norway. They had four children. Ida, Ernest, Melvin, and Lloyd. They lived in Hibbing, Minnesota. Lena passed away in 1963. Emma Halvorson married William Evans from Canada and lived there during their married lives. They had two daughters and one son. Emma died in 1965. Albert Olaf and Ole Halvorson never married. Albert Olaf lived on the home place until his death in 1965. He purchased the farm and farmed it until his death. Ole Halvorson passed away at an early age in 1927. Tila Halvorson never married and died at the age of 37 in 1915. She is also buried at Sigdal Cemetery. Thore Halvorson Family 209 - HENRY HALVORSON Henry Halvorson was the son of Thore and Bergit Halvorson. He married Elise Wold, they farmed in Dayton Township. Mr. and Mrs. are deceased. They had two sons — Edward now residing at Friendship Manor in McVille. Torfin married Pearl Gulseth. He was a veteran of World War II. When he returned from the service he was the instigator in organizing a local community club. Torfin was interested in civic affairs and served on the Township Board during W. P. A. and was instrumental in rebuilding the road going south of Tolna. They lived in Devils Lake for a few years, where he worked at the Gamble Machine Department. They later came back to the farm, where they lived until his death March, 1976. Their children are: Beverly - teaching at Thief River Falls, Minnesota Donald - Deceased, 1975 Robert Henry - died at birth Laurence - attending Lake Region Junior College. Torfin Halvorson Family - 210 - Ola and his mother, Kari Roysen, came to North Dakota in 1883 after the death of the father in Norway. They lived a mile east of the Melvin Flaagan farm. Kari Roysen died February 6, 1893. Her son, Ole, lived for many years alone in the little old house by the creek that ran across the road. He became sort of a recluse and an eccentric. The neighborhood children enjoyed to drop in on him — he always had hard candies in a jar. Maybe the jar wasn't always too clean, but after the walk through the woods and wading in the creek awhile, that little piece of candy looked mighty good! Then Ole would usually give a lecture about the biblical pictures on the wall — getting up into the bed and pointing to the pictures with the stove poker, much to the delight of his young visitors! Ole had to be bodily removed from his little home in the woods, by the nearest of kin, when it became apparent that he was a sick man. He did not live very long after that. Ola is buried at Sigdal Cemetery. - 211 HALVOR HALVORSON AND INGEBORG HERMANSON Halvorson came from Norway in 1881. Halvor Roysen Halvorson came to North Dakota with his family some years later. He built his home on the site where his grandson Melvin Flaagen now lives. They brought two children with them from Norway: Berget Halvorson Sail, now deceased; and Carrie Halvorson Flaagan, deceased. Later the following children were born: Halvor, Jr., Mary, Christina Newhouse, Herman, Richard -- all deceased, and Inga Jerpbak, now living in Devils Lake. Roger Halvorson of Tolna and Manser Halvorson of Hamar are grandsons of Halvor Roysen Halvorson. Halvor Halvorson, Sr. Family - 212 - Mr. and Mrs. Gunder Flaagan came to the United States from Sigdal Norway in 1872. They lived first at Northwood, Iowa, then came to Dakota Territory in 1882. First they lived in a log cabin built on the Coulee, hi 1884 they built a home in Forde Township, on the present site of Ted Stenson's, short distance from Sigdal Church of which Gunder Flaagan was a charter member. Children of Gunder and Rogna Flaagan were: Ole, born in Norway; Mary Heaasen; Anna Lunde; Julia Stenson; Kittel Flaagan; Martin and Clara Halvorson. Gunder was born in 1835 - 1911. Rogna was born in 1842 - 1899. Ole Flaagan homesteaded east of his folks. July 1, 1903, he married Carrie H. Halverson. They took an active part in the community activities. They had seven children. Gerhard, who married Lillian Twete in 1926, lives on what used to be the Nels Helle farm. Gerhard has been on the township board, Director of Oil Company, and Credit Union Board. They have five children. Jarvis married Betty Quanbeck and lives in Coopers town. Dale married Carol Johnson. They now operate the home place. Donna married Robert Baldwin, Joanne married Gary Bonde and Doreen married Arthur Maes. All the girls reside in California. Ida Flaagan married Oscar Engel, deceased. Odien Flaagan married Doris Schindele Flaagan and now lives on the Anne Anderson farm. Odien has been active in civic affairs. He has served on the school board township board, and was county commissioner for ten years. He has been on the elevator board for 30 years and still is. There are seven children: Claire married Allene Jeter in Texas. They have three daughters Brenda. Dona, and Chanda; Jerome married Patricia Ellsas. They have five children Mark, Julie, Paul, Dennis, and John; Kathryn married Charles Loe. They have five children Denise, Jeffery, Susan, Teresa, and Curt; Mavis (Mrs. Roland Enstad) has three children Gregory, Kendall, and Lisa; Janet (Mrs. Nace Haugan) has two children Kelly and Kristi; Margie (Mrs. Tracy Henningsgaard) has two children Chad and Jill; Odell married Ilyce Quam and they have three children Douglas, Patty, and Michael. Odell lives on the home farm. Leonard Flaagan married Daisey Christie in 1940. They bought the Pete Burns farm. Later he bought the Ole Flaagan farm, where they now reside. They were blessed with 7 children: David, who farms with his Dad; Bonnie lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, she is a physical education teacher there; Cheryl married Jerry Forde. They live by Hamar, North Dakota. They have three children Vonda, June, and Dona. Jerry is the present Farmers Union trucker; Carolyn married Ken Novak and resides in Bismarck; Laurie and Roberta, beauticians, live in Pierre, South Dakota; one child died in infancy. Lorraine married Cliff Erlandson. They live in Washington State. Melvin Flaagan married Dorothy Burke. They live on his grandfather Halvorson's farm. They have three sons Donovan, Bradley, and Myron. - 213 Mary Flaagan Heaasen lived in Church's Ferry, North Dakota. Anna Lunde born in Iowa, lived in the Brinsmade-Harlow area. There were nine children Arnold, Clarence, Roy, Gladys, Esther, Art, Norma, Ervin, and Otto. Otto Lunde married Mabel Hepswurling. They farmed at Brinsmade area for awhile. They then came to Tolna where he operated a meat market, grocery, and cream station. They had six children James, Gerald, LeRoy, Peter, Mary Ann, Harold, and Carol. Julia Flaagan married Severen Stenson and lived in McVille. She died in 1917. Their children were Glenn (deceased); Hazel Horner (deceased); Twins: Ted; and Tolna (deceased). Grace Dyvud lives at New Folden, Minnesota; Sidney, McVille, North Dakota, farms and trucks; Roy lives in Paco Rivera, California. Carrie Halvorson and Kittel Flaagan were married June 22, 1906, in Sigdal Church of which their parents Mr. and Mrs. Stengrim Halvorson and Mr. and Mrs. Gunder Flaagan were charter members when the church was organized in 1882. For two years they lived at Binford, North Dakota, where Mr. Flaagan was a blacksmith. Then followed two years on the Gunder Flaagan farm year Sigdal church, hi 1910 they moved to the home in Calvin Township, Eddy County, where Mrs. Flaagan continues to reside. Mr. Flaagan's death occurred July 4, 1957. Members of their family are: Ruth (Mrs. Grant Norem), Minot; Gilmar, at home; Mildred, at home; Mae (Mrs. Eugene Sanderson), Eugene, Oregon; Ted, Fargo; Selma (Mrs. Adrian Nute), Mora, Minnesota; James, Grand Forks; Arvid, Pekin. Arvid and Rosedel Anstedt have ten children. They bought the H. Lien farm in Forde Township. Arvid also does trucking. NOTE: Kittel Flaagan was born in Worth County near Northwood, Iowa, and was 2 years old when he came to North Dakota with his parents. Martin Flaagan married Gina Thorson. He farmed several places, then rented the Sam Thorson farm until he died. Mrs. Thorson now lives in Pekin. They had seven children. Erva married Arnold Spedahl and lives in White Bear Lake. Irene married Ernest Spedahl and lives in Minneapolis. Gilman lives in Minot. Bernherd married Viola Anderson. They bought and live on his grandfather's farm, Sam Thorson. Bernherd is interesting in community affairs. They have two sons. Duane farms with his father and also is renting a farm. Bennett (deceased) and one daughter Laurel just completed high school and is enrolled at Science School in the fall. Gordon married Mary Ann Burthold and lives in McVille. Amy married Clayton Aaser and farms near McVille, North Dakota. Kenneth married Connie Hanson and lives in Fargo. Clara Flaagan married Nels S. Halverson. (Refer to Nels S. Halverson history). - 214 - Mr. and Mrs. Ole Flaagan -215 MICHAEL DEEHR FAMILY On May 2, 1886, Michael and Mary (Schaefer) Deehr came to Lakota from Sheyboygan, Wisconsin, with their six children Oscar, Helen (Ella), Henry, Anna, Theodore, and Arthur. They had come to America from Koblenz, Germany. They came to Dakota Territory by train and were met by their brother-in-law William Breck heimer, who took them to his home in Forde Township. Mrs. Deehr and Mrs. Breckheimer were sisters. The Deehrs stayed with the Breckheimers until they had their own home. On November 1, 1886, they bought the quarter of land adjoining the Breckheimer farm on the north. This had been homesteaded by Erick Hanssen who had built a sod shanty and sod barn on the property. The first house the Deehrs built had three large rooms down stairs and four bedrooms upstairs. The Deehrs were active in church and community affairs. Their home was often used for church services. Father McDonald from Michigan, North Dakota, would come to say Mass there and at other Catholic homes in the area before St. John's Church was built at Ottofy. In 1890 the Deehr post office was established. This was in part of the Deehr's dining room. Mr. Deehr was postmaster until his death when his son, Oscar, became postmaster. Mail was delivered three times a week by Tollef Hensrud. The route was from Deehr to Ottofy, Bue, and Harrisburg. Mrs. Deehr became known for her skill in nursing the sick and for her services as a midwife for many of the pioneer families. She was also noted for her skill in crocheting and other handwork. Mr. Deehr did a great deal of wood carving. After Mr. Deehr's death, Mrs. Deehr continued to live on the farm except for a few years when she lived in Lakota where she died October 30, 1922. She made her home with her youngest son, Arthur and his family. A grandson, Terrance Deehr, has now purchased the home farm and is living there, 216 OSCAR DEEHR FAMILY Oscar Deehr came to Forde Township with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Michael Deehr in 1886. Their farm and the surrounding area came to be known as the "Deehr Flat." A post office was established in one room of the family home and handled the mail addressed to Deehr, North Dakota. The oldest son, Oscar, was the Postmaster. On November 21, 1894, he married Katherine (Kate) Dougherty of Lakota, who taught school near the Deehr home in 1893 -1894. Her father, Laurence Dougherty, was from Carrickmacross, Ireland. Her mother, Ellen O'Donoghue, was from Killarney, Ireland. They lived in Minnesota before coming to Lakota in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Deehr bought the Bornstad farm, which was one mile east of the home farm. They operated it until the time of his death in 1937. Mrs. Deehr died in 1952. Three children were born to them: Laurence, Frank, and Irva. Laurence was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1917, and served in active duty in France in the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of Chateau Thierry. After the Armistice was signed in 1918 he became a member of the Army of Occupation and was stationed near Koblenz, Germany, where his grandparents were born. He returned home in 1919. He married Ann Hanestad of Badger, Minnesota. When his father died, he took over the family farm. He died in 1973. Frank made his home in Los Angeles, California, where he married Helen Drake They had two daughters: Dorothy and Bette. He was employed by the Security First National Bank of Los Angeles until he retired in 1964. He died in 1974. Irva taught school in Berwick, Grace City, and Tolna. She married Pat Hand of Tolna, who operated the Tolna Gamble Store until his death in 1956. They had three children: Patricia, Judy, and Jean, (see C. J. Hand family). 217 MARTIN BURKE FAMILY Martin Burke was born of Irish parents Bridget O. Flynn and Patrick Burke. They immigrated to Seaforth, Ontario Canada from Ireland. Martin Burke came to North Dakota from Canada in 1890 and settled in Forde Township, hi November, 1890, he married Helen (Ella) Deehr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Deehr, pioneer settlers in Forde Township. He was an enterprising man with traits of courage and wit. He improved his farm, built a new house in 1901, and a big barn in 1905. He improved his horses by raising Percheron draft horses and improved his herd of cattle by obtaining purebred sires. Children of the pioneer era enjoyed going with their parents to dances in the homes. Square dancing was popular then. Martin Burke is remembered by many calling square dances. There was no mistaking the command of his clear, Irish voice. Martin Burke met with an early death January, 1908, at the age of 48 years. Vernon Halvorson, a grandson-in-law now owns and operates the original Martin Burke Farm (1976). Martin Burke - 1860 - 1908 Mrs. Martin Burke - 1872 - 1937 Children born to this union: Edgar Joseph Burke 1891 - 1956 Wife, Tina Hannestad 1897 - They farmed the Martin Burke Farm Hazel Burke 1894 - 1920 Husband John T. Winger They lived at Barnesville, Minnesota Florence Burke 1896 - 1971 Husband George J. Schindele They farmed in Leval Township Erie Patrick Burke 1899 - 1912 Died of accidental gun shot wounds while hunting in 1912 Leo Michael Burke 1901 - Wife Cora Opoien 1902 - Leo owns and operates a farm in Dayton Township 8 grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Burke and 28 great grandchildren. - 218 The Martin Burke Family 219 - ARTHUR L. DEEHR FAMILY Arthur Deehr, born May 2, 1884, was the youngest of six children born to Michael and Mary Deehr. He died April 30, 1967. When he was 27 years old, he married Stella Moore of Tolna. They were married eight years when she died from the flu. They had two sons Robert Joseph and Terrance Arthur. Arthur married Ragnhild Larson in 1929. They had no children. Robert married Gena Braaten, and they had one daughter, Betty. Robert (Bob) died April 1, 1937. Betty lives at Minot and is married to Allen Lindsey, a dentist. They have three sons Gregory Scott, Jeffrey Allen, and Timothy Dwaine. Terrance married Konstanse Enstad and they are not living on the Deehr homeplace which he has purchased. Terrance was employed for ten years at the Minnkota Power Company (REC) in Grand Forks before going into farming. They have three children: Stella, Rhoda, and Terrance, Jr. Stella lives in Bismarck. She is married to Weldee Baetsch, Administrator of Social Services of North Dakota. He is also a major with the 311 General Hospital Headquarters Unit of the U.S. Army Reserve. Their two children are Tamara Lee and Marc Arland. Rhoda married Roger Messner, a farmer in Forde township. Their home was homesteaded by Halvor Reha, a carpenter who moved to Northwood. It was also the former home of the Albert Messner family. Rhoda and Roger have six children: Roxanne, Activity Director at McVille Nursing home; twins Renae and Rhonda; Ross- Roberta; and Rodney. Rhonda is now Mrs. Dale Hoyt. Terrance Arthur, Jr. married Karen Miller and they live at Bowman, North Dakota, where he is head lineman of the outpost station of Sioux Electric (REC). Their children are Michael, Michelle, and Rebecca. - 220 - Theodore M. Deehr was born December 19, 1888, and died October 15, 1948. He married Jennie Burns, and they made their home in Tolna where he was postmaster for a short time. He spent several years farming near Red Willow Lake and at Mohall, North Dakota. From Mohall, they moved to Seattle where they had a boarding house. Their three sons are: James, a real estate broker at Ephrata, Washington; Vern, a retired Air Traffic Control Specialist at Veradale, Washington; Curtis Theodore (Ted), an oil field salesman for Oilwell Division, U.S. Steel at Long Beach, California. There are eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Anna Marie Deehr was born August 10, 1878, and died January 16, 1964. She married Herbert Simon in 1898, and they made their home in Lakota. He was a tailor there in the early years. He also served as postmaster in Lakota for years. They had six children: Verna, a piano teacher; Gladys and Shirley, school teachers; Ruth Loeffler, Executive Secretary at Dayton Hudson Corporation, all of Minneapolis; Grace Simon Waters, Sunnyvale, California; and H. Harold Simon, Solar Gas Company, Missoula, Montana. There are four grandchildren and six great grandchildren. - 221 HENRY DEEHR FAMILY Henry Deehr, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Deehr, and Christine Marie Schindele, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schindele, were married in Lakota, North Dakota on April 28, 1915. They lived in the Tolna area all of their lives. Henry passed away on May 20, 1963, and Christine passed away October 27, 1975. They had three children: Eva, Loretta, and Gordon. Eva married Thoralph Tweed, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Tweed on May 25, 1941. Thoralph is engaged in farming. They live at McVille and Mesa, Arizona. Loretta married Einar Aamodt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Aamodt, on June 3, 1943. One son, Donald Lee, was born to them on April 2, 1944. He passed away on June 21, 1971. Einar farms south of McVille, and Loretta teaches school in McVille. Gordon married Elsie Sonderby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Sonderby, on February 29, 1952. They have four sons: Alan, Mark, Timothy, and Darin. They live in Prescott, Arizona. Gordon is the personal secretary of the pastor of their church. Tolna People Wed Yesterday Miss Christena Schindele and Henry Deehr Married at Lakota— Left Immediately for Fair. Married at Lakota on Wednesday afternoon, April 28, 1915, Miss Christena Schindele and Henry Deehr, Father McDonald officiating. Henry stole a march on his friends here on Wednesday morning when he left without notice for Lakota where he was married and in the afternoon left for San Francisco, where they will spend about a month at the fair. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Simons acted as groom and bridesmaid. The bride is the daughter of Henry Schindele, one of the large farmers living north of Tolna and is highly respected by all who know her. The groom is one of our prosperous farmers, having a fine farm south of the river and has been manager of the farmers elevator at this place for the past year. - 222 - WILLIAM BRECKHEIMER FAMILY William Breckheimer, one of the earliest settlers in Forde Township, was born at Sheboygan, Wisconsin on July 18, 1855. He was one of five children whose father had immigrated to the United States from Bingen-on-the Rhine, Germany. At the age of sixteen William became an apprentice to a blacksmith from whom he learned the trade. After three years he established his own shop and trade in Kassan, Minnesota, and later in Dodge Center. Dakota Territory was opened up at this time so his pioneering spirit moved him to go to Mayville, North Dakota, where he purchased and operated a general merchandise store. William, in later years, told his grandchildren that this turned out to be the only failure he had had in his entire life. Complete crop failures for the farmers affected the businessmen in town as well, so he sold out and walked to his homestead in Forde Township. He began farming with a team of oxen and a walking plow. He had built a blacksmith shop and so continued with this work also. Other settlers had moved into the area, so while William sharpened their plow lays or made plow shares for them, they took over with his team of oxen and plow. In that wav ^e g0t fortv acres of sod broken that first year, while his neighbors got their blacksmith work done. After five years of farming, he returned to Wisconsin for a visit and while there met Miss Margreta Schafer whom he later married. His father returned with him to North Dakota and the two built a larger house. On June 29, 1887, William and Margreta were married at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In This new and larger house their first son was born, Walter on April 10, 1888. On December 7, 1890, another son Elmer; then on October 11, 1896, a daughter Lucy; and on November 15, 1898, a third son, Clifford. Mrs. Breckheimer, being a seamstress, sewed for the neighboring women while they helped with her housework. The nearest town was Lakota so all grain had to be hauled by horses and wagon which was a two-day trip. Groceries and other supplies were bought in large amounts, especially the winter supply of food. A flour mill was located on the Sheyenne River some twenty miles from the homestead. To this mill William made a once a year trip with a load of wheat to be ground into a year's supply of flour. This homestead grew in acres as well as more buildings were built when lumber became easier to get to the farm. The town of Tolna was only eight miles away. On this farm today the third generation resides and is the beautiful home of Monte and Betty Breckheimer and family. After Mrs. Breckheimer's death in June, 1919, William retired from farming and traveled extensively in Europe and the Holy Land before settling in California and later in Washington, where he died on July 4, 1934. Walter and Elmer farmed together for five years in Eddy County until Walter and Leona Peeve of McHenry were married and they continued to live on the same farm for thirty-two years. They retired and moved to Tolna in 1954. They have three children Orval, an instructor in California School System, residing in Torrance, California; 223 - Virginia (Mrs. Eugene Becker), who resides on the family farm in Eddy County; and Shirley, (Mrs. Harold Withers), of San Diego, California. Elmer married Ursula Simonitch of Campbell, Minnesota, and farmed in Eddy County until in 1935 when they moved to Campbell, Minnesota, and later to Oregon. They had two foster daughters, Ruth and Eva Mae. Ursula died on July 12, 1965, and Elmer on February 2, 1971. Lucy was married to Edward Groves and two daughters, Margie (Mrs. Thomas Gonzales), now residing in California; and Frances (Mrs. Leon Schuler), residing in Nevada. Lucy and Edward farmed north of Tolna until moving to California in 1942. Edward passed away in 1954, and Lucy on February 8, 1976. Clifford married Geneva Tweete and they continued to live on the original William Breckheimer farm until they retired to Tolna in 1965. (refer to Olaus Twete history). William Breckheimer Mr. and Mrs. William Breckheimer Age 17 Age 71 224 HELGE RUDE Parents: Father - Kittel Torstenson - 1825-1908 Mother - Astri Torstenson - 1824-1897 They came from their home in Sigdal, Norway to America to be near their son, Helge, who had established his home here. They lived in'this area until their death. They are buried in the Sigdal Cemetery southwest of Tolna. Helge Rude, 1855-1923, was born in Sigdal, Norway. His wife Ingeborg, 1856-1932) was born in Eggedal, Norway. They were married in Norway. In 1881 they, with their son Carl, came to America to the state of Iowa. They took the name of Rude when they came to America. After living in Iowa for one year, they left for the Dakota Territory, traveling by covered wagon drawn by oxen. The Rude's rested for a time with some set tlers in the Goose River Territory (Portland, North Dakota). In 1882 they came to their first place, located southwest of Tolna along the Sheyenne River. Many of the pioneers settled along rivers to be assured of water and for a supply of fish for food. The trees found near the river provided them with shelter and fuel. Helge had brought seeds with from Iowa, which he planted in this new land. He went back to the Goose River area on foot to work and earn money for provisions and more seed. When he returned to his home, he cleared more land - spading a larger patch to plant more seed. Their first home was a sod cellar built in the hillside. Later they built a log house. The west wall of this log house is part of the present house on the Ludwick Bakstad farm. Helge Rude is remembered by many as a friendly generous man, sharing food and provisions with anyone in need. If the neighbors were ever in need, they knew they would get help at Helge Rude's. All travelers headed west were treated kindly. They were allowed to rest here and upon leaving, they were given provisions. The Helge Rudefe made friends with the Indians in the territory by giving them food. Thus the Indians learned to trust them. They left a white feather to alert other Indians that here was a friendly settler. No harm was inflicted by the Indians to places marked by the white feather. 225 The Helge Rude's had nine children: Carl, born in Norway, married Anna Borgerson; Sigrid, Mrs. Knut Vick, Sheyenne, North Dakota; Amalia, Mrs. Thorvold Odden, Barronette, Wisconsin; Inga, Mrs. Julius Borgerson, Rock Glenn, Saskatchewan, Canada; Herman, married Marie Haug, Hamar, North Dakota; Otto, married Agnes Hagen, La Glace, Alberta, Canada; Ella, Mrs. John Hanson, Hamar, North Dakota; Norman, deceased; Herbert, married Caroline Christensen, Hamar, North Dakota. - 226 HERMAN RUDE'S Herman Rude - September 20, 1886 - born at Hamar, North Dakota - son of Helge Rude. He was born in a sod cellar. Their food was mainly mush, dried peas, ground barley, parched corn, etc. They ground corn and wheat in the coffee grinder, which was then used to make bread. Sometimes they burned dried potatoes for coffee. Larimore was the closest town for many years. Later Lakota became a town and was some closer. He hauled grain to Lakota, and stayed overnight; then bought provisions and headed for home early the next morning. In winter the ice would be frozen so they could cross Stump Lake and that made the trip to Lakota much shorter. Marie Haug was born at Lillehamar, Norway, May 3, 1883. She had learned about America at school. She also had sisters and brothers living in America and she wanted to go there. A girl had gotten a ticket to Kennsington, Minnesota to be a hired girl for a family who sent the ticket. At the last moment this girl got "cold feet", and didn't want to leave Norway. Marie got this girl's ticket and left Norway at the age of nineteen, coming through Quebec to the United States and by train to Minneapolis. Marie had to pay back this ticket by working for this family at $3.50 a week. About three years later, she went by train to McHenry, North Dakota where she was met by her sister and brother-in-law, Christian Bakstad, who came in with horses. They lived where the Halvor Haugland farm is now. Herman and Marie were married December 31, 1907. They lived on a farm south of Tolna, where Mrs. Rude and her son still live. They have had their ups and downs as most pioneers did. In 1916 their home was destroyed by a tornado. They had eight children: Norman - turkey farm, Tolna, ND Maynard - on home place, Hamar, ND Idora - Mrs. Sanford Knutson, Hamar, ND Alvilda - Mrs. Seeb, Williston, ND Esther - Mrs. Frank Oren, Binford, ND Helga - Mrs. George Oren, Deceased Helmer - World War II casualty Dagny - Mrs. Manny, teaches at Tolna, ND 227 - THEODORE RISMON Theodore H. Rismon was born in Grue, Solar Norway, December 19, 1851. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Anna Pederson Mollerud, also from Grue, Solar Norway. She was born September 20, 1844. They lived in Elvenger Nes on Romerike for fourteen years until they immigrated to the United States and settled in Forde Township. To this union was born seven children: Hannah, Emma, Magnus, Amine, Thorvald, Elna and Ovidia. One boy died in infancy. Theodore came to America in 1891 with two of his daughters, Emma and Amine. He took an important part in building the community; being active in school and civic affairs, and was always ready to help his neighbors in need. Mrs. Rismon immigrated to America one year later, 1892, with the rest of their family: Magnus, Thorvald, Elna and Ovidia. She was a believer in Chris tianity, active in Ladies Aid work, and would walk six or seven miles to attend the meetings. She was always ready and willing to assist in all activities. Hannah, the eldest daughter came to America with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Rismon, when she was ten years old. Hannah married Knut Monson on July 28, 1904. They lived on a farm near Finley, North Dakota. Their chil dren were: Alice - deceased; Theodore - deceased; Hazel; Kenneth; Edna and Raymond. Emma was united in marriage to Anton Evenstad on January 17, 1900. They lived in Lakota where Mr. Evenstad was engaged in cement and stone works. Their four children were Sidney, Arnold, Edwin - deceased, and Ellen - deceased. Magnus - refer to Magnus Rismon history Amine - refer to Olaus Twete history Thorvald - refer to Jorgenson - Rismon history Elna - refer to Jorgenson Rismon history Ovidia was born December 28, 1888. She married Hans Lindback October 31 1909. They lived in McKenzie County, where they resided until Mr. Lindback passed away in 1916. They had four children: Olga, Harry, Alfred and Evelyn. Ovidia later married Fred White. - 228 to to CD MAGNUS RISMON Magnus Rismon was born October 14, 1877 in Grue, Solar Norway. He came to America in 1892 with his mother, two brothers and two sisters. He lived on the former John Irgen farm along Sheyenne River in Dayton Township. He married Anna Hoveskeland November, 1906. She was born December 28, 1877; came to America from Tysnes, Norway to live with her brother, Severt M. Hoveskeland, until she married Magnus. She passed away April 28, 1928. He married Malene Hoveskeland November 25, 1933. She also came from Tysnes, Bergen Norway. She immigrated to America October 13, 1927, to the Magnus Rismon farm. He passed away May 2, 1967. There were two foster children - Evelyn Lindback, who married Aldien Miller and William Joseph Farrell, who married Anna Sundeby, daughter of Christ and Marie Sundeby. They had four children: William, June, Richard and Peggy. They lived on the Magnus Rismon farm for a few years, then moved to Torrence, California. One of his sons, William Magnus; his wife, Susan (Adrien); and their two sons, Michiel and Toney, now live on the Magnus Rismon farm. 230 - OLAUS (OLE) TWETE Olaus Twete was born August 25, 1858 in Fitjar, near Bergen Norway. In 1886 he immigrated to the United States to Ridgeway, Iowa. He came to North Dakota the following year, located in Nelson County on a farm in Forde Town ship, which he purchased from Ben Nelson for $1,000. He later bought the quarter north of the home from Gus Myers for $750. Amine Rismon was born in Grue, Solor Norway, October 29, 1879. She came to America when she was twelve years old with her father, the late Theo dore Rismon, and her sister Emma. They lived with her uncle, Ole Rismon, until her mother and the rest of the family came to join them a year later. Amine had been in the United States only a short time when the William Breckheimer's had a July 4 celebration in their new barn. She could speak very little English, but was asked to sing a patriotic song at the program and she sang beautifully. Olaus Twete and Amine Rismon were married November 16, 1897. To this union were born seven children: Oliver - December 10, 1898-November 27, 1973; Myrtle - April 23, 1900-February 1, 1966; Alvin M. who died in infancy 1902; Lillian - February 2, 1903; Geneva - April 25, 1905; Alvin L. - March 28, 1907- November 27, 1955; Thelma - December 3, 1909. Olaus owned a steam threshing machine including a cook car. He spent many weeks each fall threshing for the neighbors. The fall of 1918 the dreaded influenza epidemic hit the area. The whole family was sick except mother, she was left with the care of all of us besides doing the chores. Olaus, Oliver and Myrtle had pneumonia. Myrtle was in the hospital, but there was no room for the others. Olaus passed away November 1, 1918. Mr. Twete had built up a beautiful modern home and had the best regulated farm in Forde Township; which was a fitting monument to a man who immigrated to this country thirty years earlier with nothing but rugged health and a deter mination to win. Amine Twete and the children helped with the farm work until Oliver was old enough to take over. Later on Alvin farmed it and Mrs. Twete moved to Tolna. Amine (Minnie) Twete passed away October 9, 1958. The original Olaus Twete farm is now owned by Curtis Twete and farmed by Neil Twete, both grandsons of Mr. Twete. The third and fourth generation descendants of Olaus and Amine Twete are the following: 231 tuo to Mr. and Mrs. Olaus Tweete Oliver, Myrtle, Geneva, Lillian Oliver and Bergetta Thorson Twete - refer to the Oliver Twete history Myrtle (Mrs. Obert Hoveskeland) refer to Ole Hoveskeland history Lillian (Mrs. Gerhard Flaagan) refer to Ole Flaagan history Geneva (Mrs. Clifford Breckheimer) Their children are: Barbara Jeanne (Mrs. Denzil Olson) Monte and Betty Risgaard Breckheimer and four boys: James, Thomas, Paul and Jay now living on the original William Breckheimer farm Nola (Mrs. Roger Bjelk) Lee and Charlene Kennedy Breckheimer and their four children: Bret, Dale, Cheryl and Michelle. They live on the original Bella Lundeby Jorgenson farm. Lee also does aerial spraying Charles and Ann Hager Breckheimer, Devils Lake Charlene (Mrs. Howard Dapper) Alvin and Agnes Anderson Twete - refer to Adolph Anderson history Thelma (Mrs. Sigurd Johnson) who lived on the original Theodore Rismon homestead. She is now living at Friendship Manor, McVille. They had two sons, Larry and Terry. - 233 - MR. AND MRS. OLIVER TWETE AND FAMILY Oliver Theodore Twete was born December 10, 1898, Forde Township, Nelson County, Pekin, North Dakota. He died November 27, 1973. He was in Soil Conservation for 32 years in Nelson County. The Wildlife dedicated the Rifle Range by Pekin, North Dakota in memory of Oliver's contributions and ser vice toward land and wildlife. (1975) He was married May 19, 1921 to Bergetta Theoline Thorson, who was born March 26, 1897. They were blessed with four children. One daughter, Helen Orane Logan was born December 14, 1921. There were three sons: Kearn Duane. He served two years in the Army and was born November 2, 1924. Arley Oliver was born November 21, 1929 and died December 20, 1972, Tolna, North Dakota. Neil Severt was born December 1 1931. He served two years in the Army. There are seventeen grandchildren and six great grandchildren. THE OLIVER TWETE RIFLE RANGE -DL0ICATE0 TO THE MEMORY OF OLIVLR TV. i CONTRIBUTION AND ' . ANDWIIOHFC CONSERVATION • - 234 BJARNE H. LUND Bjarne H. Lund was born August 9, 1894 in Hamar, Norway where he re ceived his education. He immigrated to America in 1911 with J. O. Lundby, where he made his home. He attended North Dakota Agriculture College, Fargo and Augsburg College. He served in the Army during World War I and was wounded in the battle of Argonne, France. He married Olga Jorgenson October 30, 1926. They lived at the Theodore Rismon farm fourteen years, then bought the Tom Emerude farm; where they lived until Bjorne passed away February 7, 1971. He was active in many com munity affairs; serving on the Federal Land Bank Board, Tolna School Board, and was Deacon of Sigdal Church for forty years. Olga Lund lives on their home farm where their son Harlan, wife Rhoda, and five children operate the farm. Besides Harlan, they have two daughters, Ordis, Mrs. Sonderby and Elna, Mrs. DuWayne Anderson. There are eleven grandchildren. - 235 - JORGENSON - RISMON HISTORY Jorgen Jorgenson came from Lordal Sogn, Norway in 1882. Mrs. Jorgenson, the former Bella Lundeby, sister of T. O. Lundeby and Reverend Ibraham Lundeby, came from Vaaler, Norway in 1882. Jorgen and Bella were married at Reverend Lundeby's home. They then went to the Jorgenson homestead. Their home was often the meeting place for church services. They had two children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jorgenson died at an early age. Jorgen, May 18, 1895 and Bella, March 24, 1897. Sigur and Bergelot moved to their uncle, Reverend Lundeby, until he passed away. They then moved to their uncle, T. O. Lundeby. Since there was no high school in Tolna at the time, Bergelot attended Oak Grove and Sigur attended Agricultural College at Fargo, North Dakota. When Sigur was twenty-one years of age, he bought a spirited team of horses and a spring wagon, which was the going transportation at the time. Sigurd and Berge lot loaded their belongings into the spring wagon and left for a newly built home on the Jorgen Jorgenson homestead, that had been their first home with their parents. March 3, 1908, Bergelot and Torvald Rismon were married. They lived with Sigur until their own home was built on the Bella Jorgenson homestead. Torvald Rismon was the son of Theodore Rismon, who came from Solor Norway in 1892. He came with his mother as his father had come earlier and homesteaded in Forde Township. Torvald did some carpentry work. He built the second blacksmith shop in Tolna. After marriage he farmed. They had seven children: Jalmer - Ann Slettbok. Havre, Montana; Agnes - Harold Axen, Fargo, deceased; Selma - Clarence Axen, Fargo, North Dakota; Esther - James Steslie, Winnifred, Montana; Bernie - Dorothy Swenson, deceased; Lillie - John Lidin, deceased; Obert - Gena Braaten Deehr, Tolna, North Dakota. Obert and Gena were married in Fargo, North Dakota. For some time, they lived on the Art Deehr farm. They bought the Ole Tiegan Homestead, north of Tolna, where they have resided since. They have three children: Betty married Dr. Allen Lindsay, Minot, North Dakota; Dennis - Doreen Bjorkman, Fargo, North Dakota; Clark - Jane Colhenson, Williston, North Dakota. Sigur Jorgenson married Elna Marie Rismon, January 29, 1910. Elna came from Norway to America with her mother in 1892. She attended the local school in Forde Township. Sigur and Elna had one foster child, Mrs. Bjarne Lund. Later Dorothy White lived with them for four and a half years. Elna passed away September 22, 1952. Sigur continued to live on the farm for a number of years until poor health made it necessary for him to move to the rest home at McVille. He passed away February 23, 1969. - 236 v 3 ^ i) Torvald & Bergelot Rismon Family - 237 - IBRAHAM LUNDEBY Ibraham Livuis Lundeby came in 1878 from Solor Norway to the area, where other members of his family also later homesteaded. He was the first missionary pastor of the Norse Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eastern, North Dakota, an area from Ellendale to Park River and Devils Lake to the Red River. He or ganized more than a dozen congregations during the 1880's. His formal training as a pastor was at Minneapolis and he was ordained in Shellrock, Iowa in April 1880. He brought his bride Jensine Jensen, to a sod dug-out in the hillside just above where the old Overby house stands. This was later replaced by a log cabin, built by his parishioners, and that is now the living room part of the Overby house. When he brought his bride home, he also brought an organ. They had to cross the river, which had risen due to rain, and the organ floated out of the wagon. For tunately it was saved. The organ is still in the family. About 1885 he filed on land and built a home further south, where the Oscar Muller home is. The trees were all planted and cared for by the boys in his first confirmation class. Two of whom were A.K. Anderson and Ole Lysne. They had three children; Bertha and Obert died as children and Gudred, Mrs. Eheland, who served as a missionary to China from 1916 to 1926. She had one son, who died with his mother in an accident at Sebeka, Minnesota in 1933, so there are no decendents of his immediate family. Ibraham was a powerful man in both stature and personality. He handled hardships that were many and often spent days and nights during storms with his oxen, later horses, on the prairie under his overturned wagon, or in sod dugouts as he traveled. Familiar photos show him wearing a skull cap, which he made for himself after he received his wig, he always wore before, that, by boiling it in lysol water to rid it of lice picked up in sod houses. He died at 49, still a young man, from an overdose of chloroform while under going surgery for gallstones in Fargo about 1897. 238 Thorbjorn O. Lundeby, born November 15, 1864, and Olea Sveneby came from Solor Norway to Minneapolis in 1880. He worked as a printer on newspapers in St. Paul and Moorhead until 1884. He married Olea Sveneby June 2, 1884 at a nearby farm home in Dayton Township, by his brother Reverend Ibraham Lundeby. They lived in a sod dug-out on their homestead by the river and later built a small frame house which is now the kitchen of the old Lundeby house. There is only one tree on the early photos - an oak west of the house, that is still alive. They had four children: Ole, Fred, Bertha and Helene. Ole died as a young man. Helene died as a child. T. O. was very active all his life in church, local and county affairs. He served many posts in local government and 26 years as Nelson County Commissioner. The Jorgenson children stayed with the Lundeby's after their parents death. Fredrick married Anna Iverson from Sigerfjord Norway and Bertha married John Rimmereid in a double ceremony November 15, 1915, when Fred and Anna took over the farm and T. O. Lundeby's moved to Tolna. Fred Lundeby's lived on the farm all their lives. Fred was very active in all local interests and politics. They had eight children, six surviving: Vivian, Gudrid, Thorbjorn, Iver, Solverg, and Liv. There are 27 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Danny Ring- dahl, Vivian's son, the youngest grandson of Fred's, is enrolled at N. D. S. U. taking agricultural engineering, just as his grandfather had done in 1909 when the school was called the A. C. Iver Lundeby now owns the original homestead of his grandfather. Fred died in April 1975 at the age of 85. Anna now lives in McVille, near her daughter, Mrs. Carl Ringdahl. - 239 HERMAN OVERBY FAMILY Herman Overby and his younger brother Iver came from Norway to Wisconsin in 1885. An older brother, Halvor, had immigrated to Wisconsin years earlier and was established. Herman stayed with Halvor for awhile. During the winter he worked in the woods, and in the summer he hauled cream. In 1888 Herman came out to North Dakota to visit his cousins, the Lundeby's, who had come from Norway some years earlier. He investigated the land situa tion, and made arrangements to buy land in the Tolna area. Herman married Anna Nelson from Curran Coulee, Wisconsin in 1889. They shipped their equipment to Lakota, North Dakota. He bought Reverend Ibraham Lundeby's homestead and also Olaf Lundeby's homestead. The first parsonage built in this area was built on Reverend Lundeby's homestead, which the Overby's have remodeled and still reside there. Mr. Overby, like so many pioneers, was active in church and local govern ment. Mrs. Overby, helped many with dressmaking. There were ten children: Johanna - Mrs.Elvin Hallum - farmed at Hamar; Nicolay and Palmer took over the farm in 1915 and farmed it until 1966. Both have been active in local government. Palmer has been Township Clerk since 1923. In later years both have enjoyed traveling. Luella, Alma, Albert and Halbdon - deceased; Lawrence - married Myrtle Olson and had an insurance company in Fargo; Lydia - Mrs. Elias Hailing. Mr. Hailing was instructor and Dean of Music at Mankato State College. Berdella - Taught school in North Dak ota, Montana, and Nevada and has traveled to all the continents of the world; Gilbert Overby, son of Lawrence now operates the farm. - 240 ROAR ANDERSON Roar Anderson was born in Fitjar, Norway in 1859. He emigrated to America in 1877. After settling on his homestead, his first concern was to further the word of God. He was a charter member of the Sigdal Church. The farmers gave a percentage of their wheat bushels to build the church. Roar gave a cash donation of $500. 00. Roar Anderson made his home (1882) on the place where Kearn Twete now lives. In 1892 he married Helena Christianson from Drammen, Norway. Their family of boys: Harold, who later returned to Norway; Adolph married Bella Jensine and lived on the farm where Raliegh Anderson lives. Their children were Agnes, who wed Alvin Twete. Alvin passed away in 1955 and Agnes later married Roy Loken; Viola married Raymond Benhard Flaagan; Raliegh wed Molfried Hegvick, their son Connelly lives on his grandad Adolph's farm; Lila wed Glenn Hermanson; Aleda married Edward Snortland and lives west of Tolna. Adolph passed away in 1944 and Bella passed away in 1954. Abel never married and passed away in 1966. Julius wed Magna Urvand and had 8 children. Russell married Virginia Franson. Doris wed Reuben Dakken and lives in Tolna. Junis married Arthur McMahon. Lloyd married Joni Short. Roar married Arlene Ferestad. Harold died of a car accident at age 8. Raymond married Faye Sundby. Myron wed Bernadine Dodson. Julius passed away in a snow storm in 1946. Magna later remarried Clarence Omer Fitchar and a girl Leanna was born. Mrs. Fitchar passed away in 1975. Henry served four years in England in World War n. Henry, Abel, and Johnny made their home east of the Tolna Dam. Henry passed away in 1976. Johnny never married and is the only survivor of the Roar Anderson family. - 241 - Aane Anderson Walwatnee came from Fitjar, Norway in 1884. He came to Forde Township where he homesteaded the place that Odien Flaagan now owns. He married Lisa Bakstad in 1887. They were very active in community affairs. They had eight children; Anna, Andrew, John, Ludvig, Inga, Amanda, and the twins William and Ella. Anna married Halver H. Halverson and lived on his father's farm where Melvin Flaagan now lives. John married Anna Arlien and lived in Tolna. After John's death Anna moved to California. Ludvig married Gena Moldal. They lived in this area for sometime then moved to Montana. Amanda is the only one now living and has her home in the state of Washington. 242 STEVE ALLEN FAMILY Steve Allen came to Dakota Territory from Canada. He married Lilly Fisher from Wyoming. Their farm was directly west of the Nels S. Halvor sons. At the present time this farm is owned by Nick Overby. They had eleven children: Gertrude - died as an early teenager Grace - Mrs. Oscar Rothie Katharine (Katie) Herrin - lives in Montana Nettie - deceased Margaret (Maggie) - married Thorald LaMotte and lived in Canada until her death Elizabeth Dowd - lived in Illinois (deceased) Clarence - deceased Agnes - Mrs. Ben Helgeson (deceased) Elmer - died in an auto accident William - lives in Tolna Frank - lives in Tolna 243 - PERKINS HISTORY William E. Perkins came from Springfield, Illinois, to Nelson County, South of Lakota. hi April, 1881, he raised cattle. This ranch was called the "Dakota Cattle Co!" This ranch involved about 5,000 acres of land. He also raised some grain. The railroad had not been built all the way to Devils Lake, so a stage took passengers from Lakota to Devils Lake. Jennie M. Carrall came from Iowa as a young woman to Lakota. She taught the first country school south of Lakota, North Dakota. She rode horseback five miles in snow and cold to get to the schoolhouse, where she also had to do the janitorial work, fires, etc. Jennie Carroll met William Perkins in Lakota. They were married November 4 1891, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Then they moved south of Lakota to Johnson Lake, 13 miles south of Tolna. They all grew up on the prairie, attending a country school. They drove a team, in all kinds of weather, often 30 degrees below, but she states it did not hurt them, as they are now 76-77 and 80 years of age. The geese were so plentiful, she states her mother drove a team up and down the wheat field to keep the wild geese from eating all the young wheat that was green. They drove thirty miles to Lakota for groceries. Later they went to McHenry which was on the map in 1899. They got their mail at the Deehr Post Office. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins helped to built the first Episcopal Church in Mc Henry and the first school by Ed LaMottes and Edgar Burkes farms on the prairie. This history was sent in by Mrs. Harold Burns (Ruth Perkins) now living in Arlington, Virginia. Harold is deceased. They had four children: Eddie Burns, a lawyer in Fargo, North Dakota; Bill Burns, lives with her in Arlington, Virginia; Peter Bums, was killed in an auto accident; Freddie Burns, lives in Arlington, Virginia. She states all in all it was a good life, good food, good neighbors, and plenty of work. Harry Pick, Billy Perkins, William E. Perkins, Sr. 244 BURNS FAMILY Peter Burns, one of the very early settlers in our community, was born in 1857 on a farm near Renfrew, Ontario, Canada of parents who emigrated from County Cork, Ireland. When he was fourteen years of age he started working in the Canadian lumber camps. When the ice went out of the rivers in the spring, the logs would be floated down the Ottawa River, then into the St. Lawrence River on the long and dangerous trip to Quebec. He made this trip every spring and told that many of the men would be sick in the morning when they knew there was a log jam to be broken. In thelate 1870's he, his parents, sister Sara and brother Jack moved from Canada to Sauk Center, Minnesota. It was here he met and married Elizabeth Collins, a young teacher, and she shared all the hardships of a pioneer life. In the summer of 1881 he filed a claim on 160 acres of land in what is now Forde Township. He and James Collins, who had also filed on a homestead, walked out here from Larimore to see the land. They did not stay then, but returned to Grand Forks and worked for wages for a year to earn enough money to get started on their claims. They came back with a team and wagon in the spring of 1882 and built a sod shanty on the quarter line where their two quarters joined each other. They lived in this sod house until they had plowed up the homesteads. He broke up the land with a walking sod plow, sometimes even working by lantern light late in the evening. In 1884 they raised their first crop. The first few years they hauled their grain to Cooperstown, a two day trip. He built a new house and barn in 1897. That was the year Harold was born and they were living in a new granary at the time. Jack Burns was also among the early pioneers and farmed the quarter of land that Nels Halvorson lived on in later years. Later he moved to the Rock Lake area. Jim, Steve, and Frank Collins were Peter's brothers-in-law, and lived here for a short time. Peter and Elizabeth Burns had a family of two boys and two girls: Jennie (Mrs. Theodore Deehr 1890 - 1970); Cleo (Mrs. H. B. Highum 1895 - 1970); Harold (1897 - 1972); Ervin (1899 - 1961); and an adopted son Howard (1885 - 1937) who was Elizabeth's sister's son. His mother died at his birth. Elizabeth died in 1906. In 1909 Peter Burns married Blanche Wrolson and five children were born to them who grew to adulthood. They are Earl L. of Tolna; Myrtle, Mrs. Gerald Scheltens of Ormond Beach, Florida; Thomas of Wolf Point, Montana, who died in 1974; Geraldine, Mrs. A. J. Mullally; and James Dayton both of Seattle, Washington. 245 - The Burns family lived in the town of Tolna between 1924 - 1928 during which time Harold lived on the farm. They moved into Tolna again in 1934. Peter died in 1942 in Tolna and Mrs. Burns in 1947 at Seattle, Washington. Peter Burns - 246 - DANIEL DONOHUE FAMILY Dan Donohue was born in Ireland February 4, 1856. Emma Schindele was born in Germany May 19, 1862. She came to New York and was married to Mr. Otto in 1880. George and Frieda Otto were born to this union. After Mr. Otto's death, Mrs. Otto and the two children came to Dakota Territory in 1898. Dan Donohue came to Dakota Territory from Connecticut and states east in 1882. He filed on land in Forde Township. A son, Walter, owns the Donohue farm at the present time, and makes his home there. Dan Donohue married Mrs. Otto, children: 1. Rose - married Latimer (deceased) 2. Walter - married Lydia Liska in 1930. Their children: Delores - Mrs. Charles Haas — died in an auto accident — four children survive Clayton - married Joan Ackre — owns the Vigeasaa place where they live Larry - married Annette Vink — They have two children and live in Montana. Larry was stationed in Germany while in the army. Donald - married Barbara Allmann — They live in Montana. He was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. They have four children. Michael - works on construction Paul - served in Viet Nam War — works on construction now. Laura - Mrs. Clifford Savageau — lives in Fargo. Cornell - married Cheryl Vrem — He bought the Borgerson farm. Steven - served in the Viet Nam War — He's at home on the farm. Adlai - married Juanita Childers — He works on construction. They have one son. 3. Jim - married Augusta Wurst. They live in Washington and have 3 girls. 4. Mary - married Carl Miller. They have 7 children. 5. Nora - married Rud Halvorson (history listed with Stengrim Halvorsons) Mrs. Dan Donohue died in 1947. Dan Donohue died in 1953. - 247 MR. AND MRS. SEVERT THORSON AND FAMILY: Severt Thorson was born in Ulvundfjorden, Stangviks Parish Nordmore, Norway on August 21, 1861, and died on June 21, 1938, at the age of 76 years and 10 months. At the age of 7 years, he came with his folks to Granite Falls, Minnesota, Chippiwa County, and lived there until the summer of 1883, when he came to North Dakota (then Dakota Territory). He came west by covered wagon train in company with Ole A. Bergstrom and Nels Hagen. He filed on a homestead in Forde Township, where he lived until his death; with the exception of five years that he lived in Pekin, North Dakota. He was married to Betsy Erickson Storedal on May 30, 1888. She was born January 25, 1862, in Hallingdahl, Norway. She was confirmed in Norway. She came to Blair, Wisconsin, and made her home with her sister. They were blessed with eight children, all of whom survive, with the exception of one son, Selmer, who died in infancy. Edwin died at the age of 82 years, Theodore died at the age of 55, Gina, Mrs. Martin Flaagan, Pekin, ND, Anna, Mrs. S. O. Hoveskeland, Hamar, ND, Ida, Mrs. Gilbert Dakken, Pekin, ND, Bergetta, Mrs. Oliver Twete, Tolna, ND, and Paula, Mrs. Melvin Tangen, Fisher, MN. There are 31 grandchildren at present. Bernhard Flaagan is living on his Grandfather's home place. Bergetta Twete daughter mmW. - 248 - BJORN TOLLEFSRUD FAMILY to the generation of 1976 Bjorn Tollefsrud and wife Ingeborg (with daughter, Aase, 10 months) came to the United States from Hallingdal, Norway in the year 1910. They came to Tolna and then went to live and work for John Danielson, an uncle of Mrs. Tollefsrud. This place is now the Olga Risgaard farm. In 1913, they moved to the Hans Hanson farm in Forde Township, which is now the Harry Hanson farm. They became members of the Bergen Church and were members until the church disbanded in 1941. They then joined the Tolna Church. In 1918 Bjorn Tollefsrud's wife passed away at the age of 28 years, leaving three young children ranging in age from 2 to 8 years. They were Aase, who passed away in 1955 at the age of 44—she was married to Orville Engel of Tolna; Ruth, married Julius Ensrud of Pekin; Hilma, married Erling Steigberg of Hamar. Bjorn Tollefsrud later married Oline Liabraaten and to this marriage was born a daughter, Belva, who married Myron Hanson of Hamar. They are residing in New Rockford, North Dakota. Oline is still living at the age of 83 years. She also came from Hallingdal, Norway. In 1921 Bjorn Tollefsrud moved to a farm one and a half miles southeast of Tolna, where he resided until his death in 1961. Aase, Mrs. Engel, had 2 girls and 1 boy. (see Engel history). Ruth, Mrs. Ensrud, has 2 boys and 2 girls. Philip married Sonja Berg of McVille. Phillip has a PHD, and works for the Government Science Research Department at Albuquerque, New Mexico. They have two girls. Judy married Ted Rinebarger of Kansas. He is a Major in the U.S. Air Force stationed at Omaha, Nebraska. They have 2 boys. Jeanne is living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is supervisor of Alan and Stum Associates, Inc. Hilma Steigberg has four girls. Emilie, the oldest, married Bruce Christy of Minneapolis. He is branch manager of Brandt, Inc. They reside in St. Louis, Missouri. They have 1 boy and 1 girl. Barbara married Everett Rom of Minot. Everett works for Lockhead Shipbuilding in Seattle. Barbara teaches at Green River Community College in Auburn. They reside in Federal Way, Washington, and have 2 girls. Ellen married Jack Imdiehe of Mulrose, Minnesota. Jack is a student at the University of North Dakota, and Ellen is Head Residence at Gillette Hall. They have 1 girl. Beverly married Leroy Meidema, a dairy farmer at Eckelson, North Dakota. Bev teaches at Spiritwood, North Dakota. Belva, Mrs. Hanson, has 2 boys and 4 girls. The oldest, Myrna, married Ryan Roaldson of Carrington. Ryan is a Landscape Gardener with the Park Board at Grand Forks. Myrna works as a teller in the Red River National Bank. Michelle married Mark Kvamme of Glyndon, Minnesota. Mark is an electronics technician with Sperry Flight Systems at Phoenix, Arizona. Lyndon is in the U.S. Army, stationed in Hawaii. Colleen, Kyle, and Shannon are at home. 249 - — %*r- ) Ingeborg and Bjorn Tollefsrud 250 - MR. AND MRS. JOHN DANIELSON John Danielson was born May 13, 1869, at Ness, Hallingdal, Norway, His wife, Oline Dakken, was born October 23, 1875. In the late 1880's John came from Norway to Forde Township, then Dakota Territory, and homesteaded on what is now the Olga Risgaard farm. He met and married his wife in America in 1898. They had no children, but their home was seldom empty, as people often stayed with them upon arrival from Norway. In the early 1920's they bought the Oliver Enstad home in Pekin where they lived until Oline's death in 1926. They had rented their farm first to Helge Johnson and then to Peter Braaten, and then John sold it in 1936 to Narve Risgaard. After his wife passed away John made his home with his brother, Ole, and then with a niece, Mrs. Otto Knapp of Grand Forks, until his death in 1937. The home John and Oline had in Pekin was until recently the Parsonage for the Pekin Lutheran Parish. - 251 OLE DANIELSON FAMILY Ole Danielson was born July 23, 1872, at Ness, Hallingdal, Norway. His wife, Anne Tollefson, was also born at Ness on November 2, 1873. They were married in 1893. In May of 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Danielson sailed to America and landed in New York. At this time they had three children Daniel, Margit (Mary), and Tollef. They came by train to Binford, North Dakota, where they were met by Ole's brother John Danielson. John transported them by lumber wagon to his home in Forde Township. They stayed with John and his wife until fall when they rented a farm from Halvor Reha. This is the present Roger Messener farm. During the seven years on this farm, they had two daughters Selma and Agnes. While living on this farm Ole rode a bicycle to the Fessenden area, about 70 miles to the west, to look for homestead land, but none was available. He also visited two older brothers in the Harvey area who had come to America and homesteaded on land there several years before. Ole was gone from home for about a wekk. Their mailing address was Ottofy Post Office until rural routes were established after the trains came. The mail was picked up at Ottofy and brought to the Pete Bolkan farm, where the surrounding neighbors would call for it. In the fall of 1910, Ole bought a farm to the southwest, at the foot of the hills from Jens Andrew, father of Mrs. Ted Quam. At this farm another daughter, Ethel' was born. All of the Danielson children were confirmed in the Bergen Lutheran Church located just a few miles north of their home. The brothers Daniel and Tollef never married. Margit married Theodore Thorson and they had six children; Bernice, Stanley, Marian, Florence lone and Mavis. They lived in Forde Township and in Devils Lake for many years. After Theodore passed away, Margit built a home in Tolna. Selma married Gotfred Gilbertson and had one son, Donald. They now live near Binford. Agnes married Danferd Danielson and they live in Forde Township. Ethel married Amund Rauk and lives near Leeds North Dakota. They have two children, Duane and Elizabeth. Ole passed away January 12, 1948, at the age of 75. Anne and her sons lived at the farm until 1956, when they sold it to Walter Donahue and moved into Tolna to live with Margit. Daniel passed away in 1963. Anne died November 21, 1964 at the age of 91. There are 64 direct descendants living at this time (1976). Residing in Tolna are Margit and Tollef, Mrs. Ray Flohr (Marian), Mrs. Percy Harper (Florence), and Stanlev Thorson. 252 Mr. and Mrs. Ole Danielson The "Ole Danielson" family, taken in 1946; Daniel, Selma, Agnes, Tollef, Ethel, Anne, Ole, Margit. 253 - HISTORY OF HANS M. HANSON FAMILY Hans M. Hanson was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, on August 16, 1862. In 1868, he moved with his family to Chippewa County, Minnesota. In 1883, he came to North Dakota Territory by covered wagon, and homesteaded in Forde Township, known now as the Harry Hanson farm. Hans married Ingeborg Danielson, sister of Ole and John Danielson. Their first home was a sod house located about a half mile southwest of the Harry Hanson home. They endured many hardships providing for their family. Land was broken with oxen and a wooden walking plow. The mother would knit stockings, caps, scarves, etc. for the family. The wool was carded by Hans and spun into yarn by his wife. She would often knit a stocking in an evening. Grain was hauled to Lakota, a distance of 30 miles, by wagon and horses. Hans got his firewood from the Bernt Opoien farm, a distance of 7 miles. A frame house was built in 1886, which was a welcome change from the Decorah Posten covered walls of the old sod house. However, the papered walls served an educational purpose for the oldest daughter, Dena, who learned to read from the news paper covered walls. Later Dena stayed with the Bernt Opoiens and attended school. They belonged to the Bergen Church. He was a member of the choir. In 1916 they moved to Cooperstown. Ingeborg was stricken with paralysis and was an invalid for 21 years. She was cared for by her daughters Mrs. Martin Rood and Mrs. Henry Hanson. Hans served his community as a barber, veterinarian, and an undertaker, and is remembered as a kind and generous man. - children - Dena - Mrs. Martin Wallum 1881 - 1972 Melvin - married Mary Stahl 1888 - 1919 Hannah - Mrs. Martin Rood 1886 - 1959 Helmer 1887 - 1957 Harry - married Marie Tangen 1889 - 1969 Ida - Mrs. Roy Gratias 1891 - 1975 Albin Alma - Mrs. Henry Hanson 1896 - 1932 Clarence - married Josie Tangen 1898 - 1935 Ethel 1900 - 1905 Harry Hanson, son of Hans and Ingeborg Hanson, is owner of the original home farm. He took over the farm in 1920, and it is still owned by his wife, the former Marie Tangen. Harry passed away in 1969. Their children are; Ethel, a teacher at Fargo; and Harriett, Mrs. Clarion Haugen, of Grand Forks. They have 2 granddaughters. 254 Ole Fredrikson was born at Stanvik, Norway July 12, 1846. After completing his military service he emigrated to America in 1880. He was employed in Michigan and Wisconsin. In 1882 he came to Dakota Territory and filed on a homestead which is now Forde Township. He farmed with oxen in the early years. With help from neighbors, a log cabin was built in which the family lived until 1907 when a new house was put up. In later years, two sons Knut and Albert took over the farming. He was married to Marit Reinseth in 1888, who was also from Stangvik, Norway. She was born March 27, 1855. There were eight children: Lars, Martin, Fredrik, Knut, Emil, Albert, Minda, and Emma. Ole Fredrikson died May 8, 1924. Mrs. Fredrikson died August 19, 1928. Lars O. Fredrikson was born at Stangvik, Norway on March 17, 1871, and came to Nelson County in 1887. He married Gertrude Soiseth in Lakota on July 3, 1903. He farmed in Forde Township until 1950 when they moved to Pekin, North Dakota. He was a member of the State Legislature for 20 years and was a member of the Board of Higher Education for 12 years. He died December 30, 1951, and Mrs. Fredrikson died August 23, 1973. 255 KNUDT FREDRIKSON Knudt Fredrikson was born in Stanvik, Normor, Norway January 6, 1856. He came to America in 1884 to his sister's home in Baldurn, Wisconsin. From Wisconsin he came to Ottofy, Dakota Territory, to his brother Ole Fredrikson, who had established his home nearby. Some time later he filed on land adjoining Ole Fredrikson's farm and built a home for himself. He married Bridt Korsbakken of Lesjaskogen, Gudbransdalen, Norway February 12, 1897, at the parsonage of Sheyenne Lutheran Church. Rev. Ibram Lundeby officiated. - children of Knudt and Bridt - Minnie - Mrs. Helmer Brakke, Aneta — — passed away January 23, 1940 Fridthjof died January 11, 1969 Bella - Mrs. Soren Eliason, Pekin Martin lives on the home farm Benjamin lives on the home farm Bridt Fredrikson died in childbirth October 9, 1907. Knudt Fredrikson married Nellie Sather of Haseloy, Norway July 6, 1914. They were both active in church work. Knudt passed away September 11, 1919. Nellie passed away April 8, 1937. Blessed be their memory. There are 7 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Knudt Fredrikson Family Minnie - Knudt - Fridthjof - Martin - Benjamin - Bella. 2ot> - NARVE RISGAARD Narve Risgaard was born at Flaa, Hallingdal, Norway. He came to America to the John Danielson farm in the spring of 1910. He served in World War I and was discharged in 1919. He bought the John Danielson farm in the fall of 1936. He married Olga Aaker in 1937. Olga was born in Rock County, Minnesota, and came with her parents Lars Aakers to Colvin Township, Eddy County, in 1916. She attended the Colvin Public School. They had two sons and one daughter. Betty, Mrs. Monte Breckheimer, are the parents of four sons. Duane married Delores Burke and is employed at the Tolna Farmers Union Oil. Lee married Mrs. Harvey Lyman and reside near Grace City, North Dakota. - 257 ED La MOTTE Ed La Motte was born in Ontario, Canada in 1857. The family came to Massachussets when Ed was l\ years old. Ed had four brothers and two sisters. Two brothers and the two sisters stayed in Massachussets while two of the bro thers came out here. Eugene and Charles came to file on homesteads too. All three brothers filed on homesteads close together. Ed left home at an early age and landed in Grand Forks and worked here a few years before he came out here to live on his homestead the rest of his life in Forde Township. Ed married Tollete Thoraldson. They were blessed with six children - 3 boys and 3 girls; Filex; Tharold; Gilbert; Rosie; Mrs. Alvin (Anna) Broten; Mrs. Manser (Lillian) Halvorson. Filex is the only one left and lives on the old homestead today. Ed La Motte had the first radio in the neighborhood in 1920. They had lots of company, and the same happened when TV came in and friends and neighbors gathered there to watch ball games, etc. as this was a new thing. LaMotte - First House Lillian LaMotte - 258 - MR. AND MRS. TOLLEF HENSRUD Tollef Engebretson Hensrud and his wife, Guri Olsdatter Bakkerud, immi grated from Hemsedal, Hallingdal, Norway, April 11, 1870 with their three small daughters, Barbro-3g years old, Mari-1^, and Anne-8 month old baby; also Tollef s parents - father, Engebret Tollefson and mother, Barbro Ivars- datter Intelhuus and two brothers, Ole and Ivar and three sisters, Anna, Kari and Margit. They landed in Quebec, Canada and came to settle in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota where most of the family are still living. Iver left Blooming Prairie in 1877 and settled in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. Tollef decided to go to North Dakota about 1882 with his family of six, namely: Olene, Karoline, Ingebret, Ole, Margit and Carl. By this time, his oldest daughter was married and living in the Mekinock, North Dakota area. Here, Tollef settled for a little while. Another daughter was born here, and was baptized at Ness Luth eran Church and named Gurine. Later they moved to Forde Township, Nelson County, south of what is now Tolna, North Dakota, where his wife Guri died on October 14, 1886. On May 8, 1887 Tollef married Guro Gunstensdatter Eikom Thorbjorson, a widow with three small children, the oldest, six-year old Gunder Thompson (Thorbjornson), his little brother, Gunsten (Sten) Thompson, and sister, Anne (Mrs. Pete Knapp). Tollef, with his ten (though some had left home by now) and Guro's three, made a big family to start anew. (Guro died August 2, 1937.) A patent was issued on his homestead in 1890. He had a feed mill and also a blacksmith shop, so people for miles around would come to the Hensrud home stead to get their blacksmithing done. He also hauled mail three days a week from Harrisburg, a small town east of Stump Lake. This town sprung up in anti cipation of a railroad going through there, but the railroad did not fulfill its pro mise. It swung sixteen miles north of its claims. Harrisburg was surveyed on June 10, 1882 and was officially vacated by court order on November 25, 1902. What was once Harrisburg is now part of the farming country near Stump Lake. Tollef Hensrud would bring the mail to Ottofy, which was a country store and post office and to Crosier and Deehr Post Offices, located in these farm homes. One time when Ted Hensrud carried the maiL for his Dad, he crossed the river Sheyenne when it was at flood stage, the horse drowned, the rig was demolished. Ted saved himself and the mail bags when he caught hold of a branch. Tollef Hensrud passed away October 9, 1907. In 1909 the Hensrud farm home burned to the ground, while a couple of the girls were out milking cows in the evening. Mrs. Hensrud and a couple other children were visiting her brother, Tom Eikon, for the day about eight or ten miles away. Reverend S. S. Wold and members of the Sigdal Church took up a collection for a new house for the Hensrud family. Reverend Wold told the people, those who owed Hensrud any money, could pay it now to the widow. Hensrud's farm is located ten miles south of what is now Tolna, North Dakota. The Dakota Territory (DT) became North Dakota state in 1889. Tolna is south of Stump Lake and became a town in 1906 when the Aneta branch line railroad came through. 259 Tollef Hensrud's second marriage brought seven more into the world: Gertie, Theodore, Gena, Edwin, Clara, Nettie and Iver. Also, Tollef s second wife came from Arendal, Telemarken, Norway. Beninda Frydendal - Great Granddaughter Tollef Hensrud's Children and Who They Married Barbro Hensrud (1866-1949) - married Severin Nelson, they had fifteen children: Betsey, Mary, Nettie, Theodore, Martin, Oscar, Emil, Gina, Bella, Sella, Alvin, Minnie, Otilia, Evelyn, and Nina. Raised their family and farmed near Mekinock, North Dakota. Mari Hensrud (1868) - married Gustav Hanestad, they had nine children: Martin, Adolph, George, Gordon, Minnie, Tena, Nina and Ann. Raised their family and farmed on their homestead in Roseau County, Badger, Minnesota. She died in 1960. Anne Hensrud (1869-1956) - married Torsten Rustan, they had eight children: Anne, Jean (Gena), Bertina, Ella, Beninda, Bernard, Tilda and Theodore. Farmed and raised their family near Greenbush, Minnesota. Olene Hensrud (1871-1968) - married Andrew Vrem, they had five children: George, Alice, Thomas, Myrtle and Arthur. The Vrem home south of Tolna. A widow, she married Helge Johnson and continued living at her home. Karoline Hensrud (1872-1930) - never married, in her later years, she had a nice little home in Warwich, North Dakota. When she was younger she worked out in cook cars and the like. Ingebret Hensrud (1874-1899) - never married Ole Hensrud (1875-1958) - never married - bachelor, around Hamar, North Dakota much of his life Margit Hensrud (1878-1972) - married Thomas Eikom, they had twelve children: Amanda, Gilmore, Helma, Clara, Omer, Theodore, Julius, Julia, Nina, Temon, Elevene and Antony. Lived all their life on the same place, eight to ten miles south of Hamar, North Dakota in Freeborn Township, Eddy County. Carl Hensrud (1880-1967) - married Clara Dakken, they had nine children: Gertie, Thelma, Cleona, Viola, Alton, Elroy, Dale, Adelle and Claire. They lived most of their life on their farm south of Tolna, North Dakota, later moved into Tolna and ended up in Devils Lake. Gurine Hensrud (1882-1970) - married Hans Tufto, they had fourteen children: Mabel, Gena, Clarence, Irene, Emma, Hannah, Gertie, Odin, Gilbert, Gor don, Clarice, Jonette, Rachel and Floyd. They spent most of their lives on their farm south of Tolna, but later lived in Tolna, she ended by living in the old peoples home in Devils Lake. Gertie Hensrud (1888) - married Obert Forde, they had 5 children: Norman, Gerald, Orris, Esther, and Harris. They lived on their farm south of Tolna, until she became a widow, then she moved to Tolna. Theodore Hensrud (1889-1951) - never married, stayed home most of his life, he was in the Army in World War I. Gena Hensrud (1891) - married Andreas Aamodt, they had fifteen children: Thelmer, Melvin, Hazel, Alvin, Alfred, Gertie, Norma, Sidney, Burton, Myrtle, Kenneth, Edwin, Geneva, Norman, and Mabel. They lived many places, but much of their lives were spent Bartlett, North Dakota. - 260 - Edwin Hensrud (1893-1974) - married Esther Haugen - they had five children: Walter, Edwin, Gordon, Phyllis, and Keith,, They live on the home place south of Tolna. Clara Hensrud (1894-1962) - married Temon Brenna, they had three daughters: Elenore, Edith and Vivian, they moved around a lot. Temon was a butcher. Nettie Hensrud (1896-1970) - married Martin Messner, they had ten children: Ethel, Mercedes, Jerome, Norris, Leonard, Helen, Shirley, John, Roger, and Dianne. They lived most of their lives farming south of Tolna, when the children grew up, Martin and Nettie bought a home in McVille, North Dakota. Iver Hensrud (1898-1960) - married Delores Simonson, they had four children: Donald, Illana, Darlene, and Debra. They did some farming south of Tolna, but did some carpentering up until he got so ill he could not work anymore. Tollef and Guro - 261 - MR. AND MRS. HANS TUFTO AND FAMILY Refer to Tollef Hensrud family and Knut H. Dakken family. Hans was raised by his grandparents, Tufto, and took their name. 262 - Knut H. Dakken was born January 6, 1843 in Norway. He was married on September 27, 1873 to Martha Gulderandson, who was born June 23, 1857. Knut died December 23, 1920 and Martha died May 29, 1899. They had ten children: Hans, born January 4, 1874 and died 1946; Olina, October 23, 1875 - October 12, 1926; Rangdi, February 22, 1878 - August 7, 1885; Albert, September 2, 1880 - June 6, 1882; Albert, October 31, 1882 - died; Elen, September 30, 1884 - August 21, 1885; Emil, June 16, 1886 - January 11, 1971; Gilbert, November 7, 1889 - January 12, 1968, Clara, September 5, 1894 - died; Alma, February 21, 1897 - September 1930. - 263 Ida Syverine Thorson — born January 8, 1893 — married March 11, 1914 to Gilbert Dakken — born November 7, 1889 — died January 12, 1968 7 children Mildred, Selma, Idella, Evelyn, Kermit, Reuben, Myra Mildred Bertine Dakken — born December 30, 1914 — married October 13, 1938 to William Jacobson — born October 24, 1912 Selma Cleo Dakken — born September 23, 1916 — married November 30, 1946 to Richard G. Eykyn — born August 23, 19— 6 children Donald, Charles, Alice, Mary Beth, Michael, Patricia Donald Gerard Eykyn — born August 21, 1947 — married April 14, 1973 to Lollie Beth Barbare Charles Joseph Eykyn — born August 5, 1949 Alice Marie Eykyn — born July 2, 1950 — married June, 1967 to Theodore Paulson children Charles Theodore Chaley Theodore Paulson — born December 18, 1967 Mary Beth Eykyn — born November 7, 1953 Michael Edwerd Eykyn — born March 31, 1956 Patricia Ann Eykyn — born October 6, 1957 Idella Gilma Dakken — born November 19, 1918 — married October 17, 1946 to Lloyd Tweed — bora June 4, 1917 2 children Douglas, Curtis Douglas Lynn Tweed — born November 20, 1947 — married December 16, 1973 to Katherine Kraft Curtis Lowe Tweed — born May 17, 1952 - 264 - Evelyn Thea Dakken — born July 7, 1920 — died July 15, 1944 Kermit Orlando Dakken — born June 4, 1922 — married October 14, 1946 to Betty Maude Mannie — born July 16, 1924 2 children Kelly, Becky Kelly Eugene Dakken — born March 31, 1947 — married January 4, 1970 to Sharon Lee Boggetto — born March 10, 1950 Shauna Lee Dakken — born September 4, 1970 Sheri Kay Dakken — born July 31, 1972 Dawn Marie Dakken — born January 16, 1976 Becky Marie Dakken — born January 15, 1950 — married Terrance O'Neal Braathen — born August 4, 1940 Reuben Osborne Dakken — born July 31, 1924 — married July 6, 1953 to Doris Anderson — born September 25, 1931 children Ronald Ronald David Dakken — born December 17, 1953 Myra Marie Dakken — born November 3, 1931 — married November 20, 1947 to Delbert Schindele — born February 2, 1922 children Ira May Ira May Schindele — born October 20, 1948 — married April 27, 1973 to Roger Armstrong Clinton Joseph Armstrong — born October 11, 1973 265 ANDREW VREM FAMILY Andres (Andrew) Vrem was born August 11, 1867. He was one of eight children of Ingebret and Aslaug Vrem, who immigrated to America in 1867 and settled in Chippewa County near Benson, Minnesota. In 1870 Ingebret passed away and in the year 1881 the family moved to the Nelson County area south of Tolna. Andrew married Oline Hensrud on April 15, 1893. Their five children are George, Alice, Thomas, Myrtle, and Arthur. Andrew moved to Denver, Colorado, where he died on July 4, 1904. Oline returned to the homestead south of Tolna and married Helge Johnson on December 11, 1911. Helge passed"?rway January 31, 1939. Oline moved to Tolna and then to Grand Forks where she stayed with her daughter Myrtle, later moved to the home for the aged. She passed away January 18, 1968, at the age of 97. Alice Vrem, second child, was born June 17, 1897, and married Christ Christenson on June 20, 1917. They had two children Orpha and LaVaine. Alice died on October 8, 1927. 266 - THOMAS VREM FAMILY Thomas Vrem was born on April 3, 1899, and married Agnes Gjestvang on February 15, 1922. They farmed south of Hamar until they moved to Tolna September, 1943. He has spent his entire life farming, in the cattle business, and construction. Their eight children are: Archer, married Margaret Bailey and had three children Vicky, Wayne, and Dennis, all residing at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Archer has since been remarried. Orris, married Elva Saunders. They farm south of Hamar and Orris is a mail carrier out of Tolna. They have three children Stanley, Sheryl, and Mark, and three grandchildren. Vernon married Arlene Perchert and is a TV repairman at Crookston, Minnesota. They have three children Alan, Darrell, and Pamela. Wallace married Rose Mary Abbot and they had two boys Robert and Richard. Wallace was later married to Chijoko Furuta and they have two girls Jannette and Lauren. They live in Tacoma, Washington where he is custodian at a school after twenty years of army service. Bernice married Mylo Engen in 1947. They have two children Randy and Catherine. Mylo is employed at the Tolna Bank. Randy married Verdean Berg of Mapes. They own a fishing lodge in Saskatchewan Canada, where they live during the summer, known as Lawrence Bay Lodge. Catherine married David Olson of Pekin. He is associated with the Farmers Union of McVille, where they live. Lorrain Vrem, after four years of service in the Korean conflict, later worked on construction in Minnesota and Montana and later returned to Tolna and married Genevieve Roerick. He purchased the Tolna Repair Shop. They have three children Roxanne, Wanda, and Kristi. Shirley married Dale Ehlers of McHenry. They have lived in Washington State since their marriage, where he works in home construction. They have four boys Wade, Wayne, Wesley, and Ward. Michael served two years in the service and works with a telephone company at Mankato, Minnesota. He married Diane Lardy. They have one child Thomas Michael. 267 GEORGE VREM FAMILY George Vrem was born October 11, 1894. He married Hazel Jacobson on Julv 5, 1920. They have two children Hilma and Kenneth. Hilma married Ingmore Olson of Pekin and they have two daughters Vicky and Vangie. Kenneth Vrem married Edna Lofthus. They have two children David and Gail. They live in Devils Lake. George is retired from farming and is living in Tolna. His wife is a resident of McVille Friendship Manor. 268 THEODORE QUAM Theodore Quam, son of Sever Quam and Cecelie Larberson, was born in Winneconne, Wisconsin in 1876. He moved to Dakota Territory with his parents, and they settled two miles south of Pekin. Theodore moved to Forde Township about 1906. He married lngaborg Andruos and they had three sons Clarence, Ingvald, and Selmer. Clarence married Signe Hoveskeland, and they had three boys Mario, Tolna; Dennis, Fargo; Wayne, Jamestown. Ingvald married Alpha Rude. They had four children Ilyce (Mrs. Odell Flaagan), Dayton Township; Landis, Philippines; Louise (Mrs. Peter Becherl), McHenry, ND; Clayton, at home. Selmer married Delia Johnson and they make their home in Cooperstown, where he is a mortician and county coroner. They have two children Deloris (Mrs. Larry Vigesaa, Billings, Montana; and Mylo, New York. 269 - to © The Christ Lein Family MR. AND MRS. HENRY LIEN FAMILY Mrs. Henry Lien (Clara Marie Gjestvang) was born in Norway April 4, 1892. She came with her parents to the United States when she was 10 years old. Her parents (Anton and Susanna Gjestvang) homesteaded in Forde Township, Nelson County, North Dakota, on the farm now owned by their great granddaughter, Mrs. Cornell Donohue. There Clara attended school and grew up. On June 16, 1915, she was married to Henry Adolph Lien (born March 22, 1890), son of Christian and Helene Lien, who also homesteaded in Forde Township on the farm now owned by Arvid Flaagen. They were married in the Bergen Lutheran Church. Henry and Clara farmed in Forde Township until they moved to Tolna in the fall of 1946. In 1960 they moved to Cavalier where they lived until poor health made them decide to enter the Good Samaritan Home at Osnabrock in 1968, and four years later the Lake Region Nursing Home at Devils Lake, North Dakota. Henry and Clara had four children, including a set of twins. Clifford lives at Billings, Montana; Sidney at Minot, North Dakota; Marlys (Mrs. Palmer Holth) at Fairdale, North Dakota; and Fern (Mrs. Earl Kiner Jr.) at Cavalier, North Dakota. Henry Lien died in 1975 and Clara died in 1975. Ki 271 MR. AND MRS. JACOB MESSNER & FAMILY Jacob Messner was born in Wittenburg, Germany. When he was 6 years old he came to the United States with his parents (Paul Sr. and Ursula), and 2 brothers Paul Jr. and Martin. They came by boat to Cool Harbor, Michigan, where Paul Sr. worked 11 years in the copper mines. They then came to Dakota Territory and homesteaded land 3 miles from Valley City, North Dakota. Jacob's brother John was born in the U.S. A. When Jacob was 20 years old he went out on his own to make his way in life. He left with a team of oxen and a lumber wagon and journeyed to Pekin, North Dakota, where he filed on a homestead. Jacob filed on a Tree Claim in 1882 in Forde Town ship, Nelson County, and lived in a sod shack. This farm is now occupied by Norman and Alice Rude. Alice is a granddaughter of Jacob. Jacob married Helene Rickford August 22, 1889, in the Missouri Synod Faith. Helene told of her parents that they were not given the privilege of choosing their mate. Their parents on each side mated them while they were still babies in the cradle and married them young. This was customary in that part of Germany. Jacob and Helene had 9 children as follows; — Albert Messner farmed near Pekin, North Dakota, and married Agnes Stahl. They had five children: Earle, Wilford, Russell, Marion, and Jacob. George Messner farmer near Hamar, North Dakota. He married Idelia Rude and they had five children: Isabelle, Florence, Lyle, Allen, and Harvey. Martin Messner farmed near Pekin, North Dakota. He married Nettie Hensrud and they had 10 children: Ethel, Mercedes, Jerome, Norris, Leonard, Helen, Shirley, John, Roger, and Deanna. Their farm is now occupied by son Roger and wife Rhoda. Clarence Messner, grocery store owner in Pekin, North Dakota, married Ingeborg Torrison and they had 9 children: Dorathy, Rose, Donald, Bernice, Louise, Erwin, Vernon, Loren, and Melvin. Alice Messner married Dell Senear and they had 2 children. Dell got killed and Alice married Vic Simonson and lived in Minneapolis. Selma Messner married Ray Schiller and they had 2 children: Forence and Ralph (Bud). Ray died and she married Jorgen Gronaas. He died and she later married Axel Paulson. She now lives at Clearwater, Minnesota. Ruth Messner married Erwin Steffan. She died giving bir,th to their third child. Their children are Roger, Marion, and Ruth. They farmed by Cooperstown, North Dakota. Paul Messner worked for the Highway Department. He lived at Binford and Pingree. He married Madeline Main. He later married Alga Standahl and they had three children Donna, Robert, and Paul. Later Paul married Bertie Ekroth. Paul passed away. Esther Messner married Stanley Webb. They farmed on Jacob Messner's homestead. Later, due to ill health, they moved to Minnesota. They had 3 children Milo, Kenneth, and Alice. Stanley died and Esther later married Leonard Kirkhoff. They presently live at Humboldt, Iowa. 272 The favorite Messner family dish, traditional even today, is sauerkraut and noodles. It is a soup broth poured over homemade noodles and kraut. Large amounts of sauerkraut were prepared from the family garden in the fall from cabbage. It was stored in crocks and canned. A trip was planned in the fall into town to stock up on supplies for the winter. Large amounts of garden vegetables were canned for the winter months. Of course, mother always baked bread and used her own yeast starter. They kept their meat salted in crocks or smoked in the smokehouse, as no freezers nor refrigerators were had. Beans were prepared and set on the back of the range (stove) to keep warm. Jacob and Helene Messner Family Selma, Clarence, George, Alice, Martin, Albert, Jacob, Esther, Helene, Ruth 273 - OLE S. HOVESKELAND Ole S. Hoveskeland was born February 10, 1857, on the island of Tysness, Bergen, Norway. He came to Mayville, North Dakota on April 1, 1882. A year later he filed papers on a quarter section of land in Forde Township and on a tree claim in Eddy County. hi 1883 he built a 10' x 12' shanty on his piece of land in Forde Township. Six months later he obtained a piece of land in Dayton Township (the present Donald Hoveskeland farm) through a squatter's rights and he built a 9' square log cabin on it. He built a larger house in the spring of 1886, and in 1903, a still larger one. This house burned down in 1936 and was replaced with the present one which was moved in from the Warwick area. In 1916, a tornado struck the barn that had been built in 1886, along with four other buildings. These were rebuilt that fall. On July 13, 1886, Ole S. Hoveskeland and Marie Thoraldson Fitjar from Stondoen, Norway were united in marriage. To this union there were nine children born, four boys and five girls. They and their families are as follows: Mollie (Mrs. O. E. Hanson) deceased; Siver, deceased, (wife Anna Thorson, children Sydney, Omar, Burton, Martin); Thorald, deceased; Cora (Mrs. Homer Knauss Windom, Minnesota, children Harris, Phyllis, Alice, Merlie); Martin, deceased (wife Hilda Newhouse, deceased); Obert, Binford, ND (wife Myrtle Twete, deceased present wife Ragnhild Larson Deehr, children Vernis, Lois, Donald, Mari Lynn)- Mabel (Mrs. Roy Kyllo, Fargo); Connie (Mrs. W. P. Aim, Hamar, ND); and Connie's twin sister, Clara, who died in infancy. By the fall of 1919, his sons had taken over the operation of his farms, so Ole and the rest of his family moved to Fargo where he purchased a home and some lots Ole and Marie lived together for fifty-four years until she died on August 16, 1940 at the age of 81 years. Sometime after this, Ole returned to the Tolna community where he lived until his death at age 97 in 1954. His son, Obert, continued operating the home farm until he retired from farming: in 1959. At this time, his son Donald took over its operation and is the present owner Donald's children David and Laura are the fourth generation of Hoveskelands to live on this farm since its founding in 1883. 274 *•• • .,.-w':-': The Ole S. Hoveskeland Family NELS KNUTSEN BRAATEN'S HISTORY Nels K. Braaten (Tideman's brother) was born in Aadalen in 1859 and died in 1944. He came to the U.S. in the spring of 1886 with two cousins. One cousin, Berthe Ellefsdatter, sister of Syver Elifson, came to the home of his sister Ragnild Tonga, in Kenseth, Worth County, Iowa. Nels had all his clothes and a few belongings (including a pair of scissors which his father had made) in a small wooden trunk. His first job was a farmhand at the Haukerhus farm in Iowa at $15. 00 a month. In the spring of 1887 he came by railroad to Lakota and accompanied Steingrim Halvorson home, who had come here in 1881. He then went on to McHenry to his sister, Kari Nerby, and worked for her husband Andrew. He filed on a homestead on the next quarter and built a little board shack on the prairie. His cousin Elling Moen homesteaded the third quarter. Anne Olava Jonsdatter Overvolden was born in Aadalen in 1862, and died in 1908. She and Nels were neighbors and engaged to be married when she left Norway in 1885 and came to work for her cousin Inanda Helgeson Helland, director of Washburn Children's Home in Minneapolis. In June, 1887, Olava came to Dakota and she and Nels were married by Pastor Gronvold near New Rockford, returning to Minneapolis to work while Nels continued to work on his homestead. In 1888 Nels bought a walking plow and a team of oxen. He worked and lived with Ed LaMotte, a Frenchman who had come from Massachusetts in 1882. Olava returned to Dakota that summer of 1888, and they lived in Ed LaMotte's father's house until Nels bought the landrights to the Braaten home quarter from Mr. Davenport in early 1889. At the same time he acquired the adjoining quarter by tree claim. They moved to their new home and a daughter Clara was born. Nels broke a few acres of sod that spring and built onto the small wooden shanty. He also built a small straw shed for shelter for the oxen and one cow. In 1890 he seeded a few acres of wheat, but the year was very dry and he got only enough wheat to grind some flour and saved a few bushels for next year's seed. In 1891 the wheat was seeded early and frozen black; however, it came up again to yield 45 bushels to the acre. A second child Johan was born in 1891 (died in 1975). In 1892 Nels bought his first team of horses (Cobb & Nelly) from Nels Helle. That summer Hans Christofferson and Gilbert Rude built an 8-stall barn. A third child, Karl, was born in 1893, and was accidentally killed when kicked by a horse in the year 1916. In 1900 an additional quarter of land was added to the farm purchased from John Kelly. Nels broke 10 acres of sod and planted it with ash, cottonwood, boxelder, poplar, and willow. He also dug currents and other shrubs by the river and transplanted on the tree claim. Nels and Olava hoed these hundreds of trees and shrubs by hand until they had started growing well. 276 - In the fall of 1930 Nels Braaten gave the farm to his son Johan. Johan married Petra Larson in 1930. Petra also came from Aadalen Norway in 1915. Johan lived on this homestead until his death in 1975. They were the parents of one daughter Mary Ann (Mrs. Herbert L. Snyder Jr.). Mr. and Mrs. Nels Braaten, Clara, Johan—1892 Mr. and Mrs. Johan Braaten 277 NILS FORDE Nils Forde was one of the earliest settlers in our community. His parents came from Evanger, Bergenstift Norway in 1858, and located in northern Iowa. In 1859 they emigrated to Jackson County Minnesota near where New Ulm was later located. Nels was born in 1861. He and his family were among the sufferers from the Indian Massacre of that section of Minnesota in the summer of 1862. At the time of the Indian raid there were 2 sisters and 2 brothers besides Nels. His father was killed in the raid. At the age of 40 years, Ole Forde, a son, was shot in the elbow which handi capped him for the rest of his life. The Indians were finally subdued but the settlers returned to Iowa at Esterville. They later returned to Minnesota locating 9 miles south of Spring Grove. Kari came to Cooperstown with her family in 1880 and she later homesteaded on 2 quarters seven miles south of Tolna. It was later called Forde Township, after the family. Kari died in 1903 and is buried at Bergen Cemetery. Martha, a dress maker, a daughter, never married and is buried at Bergen. Anna, another daughter, died in infancy. Ole, known as "Big Ole" settled in New Rockford and Sheyenne area! He died in 1943 at the age of 92. Olous, known as "Little Ole" settled in the Aneta and Finley area. He died in 1948. Nils homesteaded in 1892 between Warwick and Hamar. He married Jettie Aalstad in 1893. They lived in Forde Township a few years and tnen moved to the Warwick vicinity. They had six children: Obert was born September 13, 1893 and died October 30, 1958. Jessie was born January 9, 1896, and died October 25' 1958 James was born April 13, 1898 and died December 29, 1972. Henry was born November 2, 1899 and is living at home. Clara (Mrs. Clara Erickson of McHenry) was born November 19, 1904. Nettie (Mrs. Carl Gunderson of Carrington) was born October 14, 1906. Jettie was bora March 12, 1875 in Montevideo, Minnesota and died August 30, 1972, in Carrington at the age of 97. Nels died in 1934. Obert Forde married Gertie Hensrude November 5, 1913. He moved to the farm near Warwick in 1905. He farmed there until returning to the farm south of Tolna where his grandmother homesteaded and lived there till his death. Survivors at the time of his death included his wife, 1 daughter 4 sons 25 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. - 278 - RYAN FAMILY Simon Ryan emigrated to America in 1911 from Stange, Norway. He came to North Dakota the same year and worked for Nels Braaten. He married Clara Braaten December, 1912 and farmed until 1918, when he died during the flu epidemic. Clara passed away in August, 1971. They were blessed with four children: Orville, Tolna; Mrs. John (Avenelle) Hoyt, Tolna; Siverin, killed in World War II; and Carl, who died December 30, 1969. Carl Mr. and Mrs. Simon Ryan 279 LOUIS TWEED Louis Tweed was born in Valestrand Norway in 1882. He came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tollef Tweed, to America in 1884. They came to Cooperstown, which was the end of the railroad. They spent their first night in the jail house (only to sleep). He married Gina Gudmunson in 1908. The Tweeds and Gudmunsons immigrated to America on the same boat and later two of the Tweed boys married two Gudmunson girls. Gina drove a team 12 miles to McHenry to take piano lessons. They built their farm where their son Thoralph now lives. Louis was county commissioner and active in community affairs for many years. Louis and Gina had two daughters and eight sons. Marvin and Leonard have passed away. Florence married Morris Larson; Lloyd wed Idella Dakken; Burton wed Betty Mann; Clifford married Inez Bjornson; Rueben married Evelyn French; Kenneth married Ruth Jesness and they live on a farm south of Tolna; Delores married Arvid Hedstrom and they live in Tolna and operate a beauty and barber shop. Thoralph wed Eva Deehr and lives on the Louis Tweed home. The Thoralph Tweeds, Hedstroms, and Kenneth Tweeds are still living in the Tolna vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Tweed, Thoralph & Marvin 280 - PEDER L. BOLKAN Peder Bolkan was born October 28, 1861, at Lunner, Hadeland Norway. He came to the U.S. December, 1885, and settled at Clermont, Iowa. In the spring of 1887, he filed on land in Forde Township, which is the farm Mr. and Mrs. Hector Bolkan are now living on. He married Gulbjor Paulson October 15, 1887. Gulbjor also came from Lunner Hadeland. They had six children: Charles Lewis, Caroline, Henry, George, Oscar, and Hector. Hector and Olga Bolkan have two girls: Bernice Martinson of Grand Forks, and Lorrain Marquart of Lakota. Oscar and Inga Bolkan had one boy Payne. 281 GUDMONSON FAMILY Gudmon Gudmonson and Martha Thoraldson were married in 1880 in Fitjar Norway. They came to the U.S. in 1884, and homesteaded on the present home place in Forde Township. Their first home was a dirt cellar, then a sod house, then a frame house, and in 1908 the present house was built. Mr. Gudmonson was very active in church work, and was also a traveling evangelist. Their home was often used for church meetings. In 1914 they went back to Norway for a visit. Mrs. Gudmonson had two sisters living in this area, Mrs. Ed LaMotte and Mrs. Ole Hoveskeland. There were five children. Martin was born in Norway. He married Bergina Arbo. They had two daughters. The Gudmonsons farmed in Eddy County for a number of years. Later he was blacksmith in McHenry. From there they moved to Brainerd, Minnesota, where he worked in the Northern Pacific Shops. Bergina married Louis Tweed (see Tollef Tweed history). Thea taught school and later attended Moody Bible Institute. She died in 1923. Marie and Gilbert were twins. Gilbert died at six months. Marie and Bergina Gudmonson married Tweed brothers. Joe Tweed and Marie Gudmonson were married July 15, 1916. They bought the Gudmonson homestead and lived there until the present time. There were seven children. Gordon died at birth. Mildred was an Army nurse in France and Germany during World War II. She married William C. Thieduim and now lives in Philadelphia. Gelaine served in the World War II, Australia, New Guinea, and Philippins. He later bought the homestead farm of John Nerby. He married Donna Kvaal, a grand daughter of Nels Nelson, for which Nelson County is named. They have three sons Mark, Marland, and Mario. Gelaine has served on the township board and the church board. Lawrence married Shirley Jorgenson. He bought the William Matheson farm in Eddy County. They have five sons Michael, Denis, Bradley, Steven, and Grant. Bernice graduated from Oak Grove and later married Alfred Steinke and resides at Bismarck. They have four children. Eunice is deceased. Monroe served in the Korean War and later married Betty Clute. They bought the Joe Tweed home, that was the Gudmon Gudmonson homestead. Monroe is the 3rd generation. They have three girls Debra, Marcy, and Jill. Monroe has served on the church board and Farmers Union Oil Co. board. Muriel married Geo Vigessa and lives in Cooperstown. gt| ..•iuJ y - 282 - to 00 CO The Joseph Tweed Family NERBY FAMILY Mr. and Mrs. John Nerby came from Moster, Norway to Minnesota about 1880. They came to Forde Township in 1891. They settled on the farm now operated by Gelaine Tweed. Their oldest daughter was Stina. She married Albert Thorson and moved to Minnesota near Canby. Christina married James Jesme, who farmed the land after John Nerby passed away about 1911. She later moved to California. Another daughter Inga was married to Magne Havn. They lived in Forde Township most of their lives. They had two children. Selma lives near Kloten, North Dakota. Gilbert lives on the Hoven home place. Lewis lived in Minnesota. He was killed in a train accident. After John Nerby's death, Mrs. Nerby went to live with her daughter in Minnesota. 284 - JORGEN GRONAAS FAMILY Jorgen Gronaas came from Moster, Norway to live with his aunt, Mrs. John Nerby in Forde Township in 1909. He married Minnie Lien in 1918. They had two sons Clement and Minruh. Clement was born in 1919 and Minruh in 1922. Mrs. Gronaas died when Minruh was born. Jorgen's sister, Martha Gronaas, came from Norway to help Jorgen in caring for the two boys. Clement spent six years in the U.S. Navy. He married Lillian Asken in California in 1942. They came back to North Dakota and farmed in Forde Township until 1956 when he joined the police force in Grand Forks. Later he returned to Tolna where he operated Tolna's first Floral and Greenhouse business. In 1976, he moved his business to McVille. Clement and Lillie have three children: Janice, Karen, and Clement Jr. Minruh farmed in Forde Township from 1941 until 1945. He married Lillian Erickson of McVille in 1941. From 1945 to 1964, they farmed in the McVille community. Since 1964 he has been with American Family Insurance in McVille. They have three daughters: Annette, Karen, and Audrey. - 285 - Christ Sonderby was born in Vilbjerg, Denmark February 19, 1889. He came to America at age 23 and settled near Pekin, North Dakota. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1916 and was honorably discharged in 1921. Marie Ammentorp was born in Norring, Denmark March 14, 1888. She came to America in 1909 and settled in Chicago, Illinois. In 1922 Christ Sonderby and Marie Ammentorp met aboard ship as they both returned to Denmark to visit their families. They returned on the same ship and Christ returned to North Dakota, and Marie to Chicago. They were married in Chicago in 1925 and came to North Dakota and made their first home in a small log cabin on the hill overlooking the Sheyenne Valley west of the Pete Peterson farm. The log cabin is still standing at this date, but is in a bad state! They moved to the farm that is now owned by Leslie Henningsgard, if my memory is correct, I believe the farm was owned by a party with the last name of Hassel. The family moved to Tolna in 1944 and the farm was rented to Theodore Braaten. Christ and Iver left for Vancouver, Washington in November, 1944, to work in the Kaiser shipyard. Christ worked as a carpenter and Iver as an electrician until May 13, 1945, when Christ died suddenly of a heart attack. Marie lived in Tolna until her death in 1959. She was buried on her birthday, March 14. The children of Christ and Marie Sonderby are all living and are as follows: Anna Marie married William (Bill) J. Farrell in 1947. They farmed the Magnus Rismon farm until 1953, at that time they moved to Torrance, California, where Bill is employed by North American aircraft. They have four children June, Bill Jr., Dick, and Peggy. Iver served in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1949. He was recalled during the Korean Conflict and served again from 1950-1952. He is now living in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he works for an electronics company as an electrical engineer. His ex-wife Diana lives in Sheridan, Wyoming with their children Mark, DeDee, Tony, and Michael. George served during the Korean Conflict 1951-1953 with the U.S. Army. He returned to Tolna until 1957 and then re-enlisted in the Army and served until 1961. He is now working at Stockyard Lumber Co., West Fargo, North Dakota. George is unmarried. Elsie married Gordon Deehr of Tolna in 1952. They lived in or near Tolna until 1966. At that time they moved to Prescott, Arizona. They have four boys Alan, Mark, Timothy, and Darren. Elsie works for the V. A. Hospital and Gordon does office work for the church. Theodore (Ted or Teddy) served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1954. He married Ordis Lund in 1954. They have four boys Chris, Kim, Scott, and Clark. Ted is manager of the Crane Johnson Lumber Co. of Cooperstown, ND. 286 - LOUIS S. JOHNSON Louis S. Johnson was born in Sunndal, Telemarkin, Norway March 15, 1884. In 1909 he came to America and began to work as a carpenter with his cousins in Chicago. He did not like the city of Chicago, so began working as a hired hand in harvest and hay fields, gradually working his way to the Thorbjorn Thoraldson (Pearl's father) farm in Dayton Township. He worked for a year or more at this farm. This is how Pearl Thoraldson and Louis S. Johnson met and fell in love. They were married June 14, 1911. They lived in Dayton Township for five years, then moved on to Sanish, North Dakota, to home stead. They were only able to homestead five years, as the water made Louis ill. They moved back to Dayton Township only a short ways from Pearl's homeplace. They lived here until 1947. They spent one year in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then returned to Lakota to be employed as manager and matron of the Good Samaritan Home for 10 years. In 1958, Louis at 74 years of age was injured in a car accident forcing them to discontinue this work. They moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where they lived until his death January 14, 1963. Pearl continued to live there until 1972, when she moved back to Tolna, where she still resides at the Welcome Manor apartments. Pearl and Louis were blessed with 10 children during this marriage. Oscar, Pekin, North Dakota, continues to live on the home place in Dayton Township. Mrs. T. F. Sutherland (Inghild), Long Beach,California; Lillian Edwards, Santa Ana, California; Mrs. Miles Burthold (Astrid), Pekin, North Dakota; Mrs. Jim Farley (Patty Low), Houston, Texas; Mrs. Gordon Wass (LuEll), Elk River, Minnesota; Mrs. Norman Forde (Clara), Hamar, North Dakota. Three boys Thomas, Sigurd, and Henry have passed away. There are 28 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. 287 ALEX - RAYMOND SCHILLER Alex and Raymond Schiller came to the Tolna area sometime in 1914, from Nicollet, Minnesota, near New Ulm. They settled on the farm that is now owned by Earl Burns, later selling to Lawrence Deehr. Alex built the place now owned by Irene Stienmann. He married Mimi Tomter and had two daughters Eva and Lilah. They live in California. Raymond married Selma Messner and farmed on the place now owned by Beatrice Ryan. They also had two children Florence and Ralph. - 288 TOLNA COMMUNITY The community surrounding Tolna was settled by stable and ambitious people. They came here with the intention of building permanent homes. Many of these people came from many different foreign countries, bringing their traditions with them. The majority of the people who settled north of Tolna were of German, English, and Scandinavian descent. South of Tolna the majority were Scandinavian with a sprinkling of Irish, German and French. With such a mixture of people, it can be understood there were often disagreements, but happily nothing too serious. This is a farming and cattle country, which has been developed from small beginnings. In spite of all the hardships of the pioneers, we of the present generation can be very thankful that we inherited such a beautiful heritage. Let's be proud of it and carry on. 289 Material for this booklet was obtained from the 1906 - 1925 issues of the Tolna Tribune, Tolna Anniversary Booklet, Sigdal Jubilee Booklet, Records from the Farmers Union, The REC Booklet, school records, and by talking with Pioneers. Thanks to the community for its very fine cooperation in writing their histories and special items and furnishing pictures. A special thanks to the A. E. Anderson family for the use of their many pictures. We hope that this book will be of interest to all. It has been our wish to revive some memories and history of the early days. There may be errors and omissions, but we trust that they will be excused, because an honest attempt has been made to make an accurate history account of this community. The Committee Along with the following histories of our early pioneers, some have been contacted, but with no response. Others we could not find surviving relatives or friends to give us pertinent information. However, we feel they have contributed much to Tolna's beginning and growth. Some were: Seagrens, Teagartens, Bluebackers, Buechats, Ole Tiegen, Hassel, Ole Hanson, Glans, Fjeld, Kettel Ler, Besrud, Brunswick, Peter Bergum. 290 CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE PRINTING OF THE TOLNA AND COMMUNITY BICENTENNIAL BOOK Hensrud Family Reunion Mr. & Mrs. Lars Frydendal - Tolna Tolna Gambles Farmers & Merchants State Bank - Tolna Don's Market - Tolna A & D Hedstrom (Shaklee Products Distributor) Tolna Beauty & Barber Shop (Arvid & Deloris Hedstrom, Owners) Roger's Place - Tolna Hoyt's Cafe - Tolna Lundeby Evergreens - Tolna Gronaas Greenhouse & Floral - Tolna & McVille Alvin H. Dahl (Plumbing & Heating, Trenching & Septic Tank Cleaning) - Tolna Peggy's Beauty Shop - Tolna Johnson Welding - Tolna Harold Hansing - Tolna The Overby's - Tolna Rod's Bar - Tolna Tolna Repair Service Farmers Union Oil Co. - Tolna Farmers Union Lumber - Tolna Postmaster & Clerk - Tolna Welcome Manor Apartments - Tolna Sanford & Idona Knutson - Tolna 291 - (CONTRIBUTIONS CONTINUED) Farmers Union Elevator - Tolna Terrance & Connie Deehr - Tolna Luehring Oil Co. - Tolna Les Upholstery Shop - Tolna - 292 wfiai. + F 644 .T52 T65 1976 c.2