FORT RANSOM AREA HISTORY

1878 - 1978 F Thorfinnson 644 Fort Ransom area .F6Z history, 1878-1978. T45 c.2 NORTH DAKOTA STATE LIBRARY BISMARCK 58505

MAR 1 $\

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IN APPRECIATION

For the time & effort put forth by Snorri Thorfinnson in the preparation of this book.

Fort Ransom Community Club

Snorri Thorfinnson

North DakoLa Stale Library Bismarck, N. D. 58505

DEDICATION

This booklet about the pioneers is dedicated to the two pioneers who are pictured on this page. It is, to hardy, hardworking, cheerful pioneers such as this that the community is indebted for its heritage. The men and women who gave so much of their lives to the building of a communtiy, transformed a roadless, homeless, unpeopled area into what it is today. The grandchildren and the great grandchildren of the pioneers salute you.

Petra Granlund Helen Libak

N A Bit of History By Loubert Rufsvold Shortly after World War I was over, people of our area and of Ransom County began thinking of past history and events that have occurred in years gone by and ways to preserve and record them for future gener­ ations. A group of citizens met together at the Fort Ransom School and as a result of this meeting the Fort Ransom Historical Society was formed on November 15, 1923. The first officers were Herman I. Berger, Pres., Rev. G.B. Sandanger, V. Pres., Miss Lena Nelson, Sec'y - Treas. A constitution was adopted and Art. 2, Sec. 1 reads "It is organized for the purpose of creating an interest in the history of the local community and the county, securing the publication of such records and historical accounts as may be worthy of preservation, and creating interest in the acquisition and restoration of "Fort Ransom" military post and other historic sites within the county." Art. 6, Sec. 1 read "All residents of the county shall be eligible for membership in this society." In the membership list of years gone by, we find such names as Rev. A.H. Berger, Ole Rufsvold, Jacob Thompson, Paul Ronning, C.B. Void, Gustav Peterson, P.M. Olson, John Brader, Mrs. W.G. Curtis, Miss Effie Freeman, A.M. Kvello, W.S. Adams, Harold Fog and many others. At an early meeting, a contest for a slogan for the society was held. Among the many submitted, the winning one was "Pioneers, Let Us HonorThem."This was suggested by Miss Effie Freeman. Among those who have taken part in programs and historical accounts in the past years, we find the names of Dr. Wemette of Valley City, Russell Reid of Bismarck, Ole Rufsvold, Jacob Thompson, A.H. Berger, Miss Effie Freeman, Paul Ronning, A.M. Kvello, Mrs. W.G. Curtis, W.G. Crocker, Major Dana Wright, G.B. Sandanger and Karl Thomte. The organization has been instrumental in making improvements in the "Fort" site and the making of some historic places and homesteads, also a monument marking the T.J. Walker Mill Dam. There have been periods of inactivity through the years which seems to be the fate of many organizations, however, in 1972 it took a new life and was reorganized and became the Ransom County Historical Society, incorporated under the laws of the State of North Dakota as a non-profit corporation. Since the society was reorganized and incorporated, a museum was opened in the Olson General Store building in Fort Ransom. It also plans to acquire the T.J. Walker mill, the residence, barn and ice house and restore them as historic sites. FORT RANSOM CENTENNIAL

The main social and trade area of Fort Ransom a hundred years ago, consisted of four townships, Northland, Preston, Fort Ransom and Springer. To be sure, there were some who came from farther off, from Hanson and Tuller townships to the south and from LaMoure County to the west. Among the many mem­ ories and past history that the four townships share, is the Sheyenne River that winds its way through the broad valley in each of them. It has always been an important factor in the economic and social patterns of these townships. In the earlier years the river had a marked effect on the pattern of settlement, for the valley furnished the logs for buildings, for fenceposts, and firewood. The raspberries, juneberries, chokecherries and plums found in abundance along the valley were a welcome Standing Rock the high point of the county addition to the diet of those early days. And then, the valley had its own innate beauty that varied with the river swung to the east and southeast, one hundred seasons. The lush deep green of spring, the blossoms of eleven years ago, then abandoned it five years later. The plum and chokecherry, the bushes laden with ripe fruit, old fur trading post that had once been located near vied with the brilliant colors of autumn, and the deep Bears Den Hillock was gone, and so were the Indians hush of a snowblanketed valley in winter. Each season who had, for countless generations lived on or near the had its own type of beauty. valley. The Indians had left little to mark their presence Oh, come with me and wander down the Sheyenne except for arrow points, spear points, tethering stones, Valley tepee rings and tomahawks. The people who were here From Standing Rock and on past Bears Den Hill before them, probably their ancestors, had left a large For Autumn's here, with all its blazing, golden glory red granite rock deeply etched with lines, dots, and A few leaves downward drift to waters cool other markings. On Bears Den Hillock were other stones The Waters gurgle softly past Fort Ransom's dam that had been polished and used for pictographs, and Where once they turned the miller's busy wheel the Thunderbird inscription, most likely of Sioux origin. The millstones slowly ground the farmer's golden grain There was also a large pyramid across the river from the And sent him home with sacks of flour and fragrant hillock. Numerous mounds are found along the west meal. side of the river, each mound a burial site. The road winds in and out among the trees and bushes Except for a small band of Indians and a few squatters Each bend brings vistas fair to greet the eye who had settled on the, as yet, unsurveyed fort reser­ Blue skies, white clouds are mirrored by the laughing vation, there were no humans in this part of the valley. waters Farther north, there was a small town, later to be known While shrubs and trees in Autumn colors vie. as Valley City. This town was located where the Here, once, canoes were manned by Cree and Sioux Northern Pacific Railway (now Burlington Northern) With paddles poised they scanned the autumn sky crossed the Sheyenne. The year was 1878, and the Reluctantly, they took the darkening sunset trail Fort, they too, loved this land as much as you and I. Here ancient trails were worn O'er hills and valley. Though Stone-age people lived here, no one knows From whence they came, nor why they left, or whither: (We know not whence the wind, nor where it goes.) The shifting sands may someday tell a story Of Nomad people that were born to roam: We only know that once, the Sheyenne Valley To them, as now to us, was known as home.

The broad Sheyenne Valley lay smiling in the sun, as the silvery river wound its way through the gently rolling prairie land. One hundred fifteen years ago, in 1863, the army of General Sibley has passed by on its mission to drive the Sioux westward across the Missouri River. The Looking to the southwest from Standing Rock army had built a fort below Bears Den Hillock, where the

3 Looking south and southwest from Standing Rock

Looking west from Fornes Hill section 6 Preston The rugged valley in Preston

The road winds in and out among the trees and bushes Looking west at rolling hills from section 8 Preston

partly surveyed county called Ransom had been opened townships and of their descendants. Some of the for homesteading with the government land office descendants still live here, others are gone. It would be located in Fargo. Down the valley trail, really nothing nice if this story was complete, if every one of those who more than a footpath, came a young Norwegian by the homesteaded in these four townships was included, name of Gilbert Hanson. He was the first of what was to along with those who came a few years later. But the become a wave of settlers sweeping down the valley to hand of time has dimmed memories. Some of the early claim homesteads. Gilbert settled in section 12 of settlers stayed here briefly, and their names are only Northland Township. names, to those who live here now. Some of those who This is the story of the folks who came here to claim live here now have not listed their pioneer forebears, homes in Northland, Preston, Fort Ransom and Springer and even some of those who stayed here for several Preston Church Looking west from Suicide Hill

The water gurgles past Fort Ransom dam Preston Cemetery

Early day Fort Ransom mixed choir 0)

Dedication of rock commemorating first homestead of Gilbert Hanson in 1878. Picture taken in 1928. Incomplete listing, I to r, top row: Morton Berg, unknown. Void, unknown. Nets Broen, John Vance, Severin Prestrud, John N. Peterson, Michael Baarstad, AAS, Aas, Axel Green, Ole Rufsvold. Atty Kvello. Bottom Row: P.B. Henrickson, Andrew Broen, Matt Hanson, Mrs. Andrew Borland, Mrs. Gustav Baarstad, Dorothy Peterson, unknown, Mrs. Nels Broen, Christ Anderson, unknown, Mrs. Christ Anderson, Mrs. Carl Peterson. years have left no kin, and no record of their lives group came during the years 1883 to 1890, and we have among the early settlers. Those who scan the maps the exact date for few of these. showing where the pioneer settlers filed on claims, will The settlers who came in from Minnestoa often came note that we do not have many in the eastern half of in covered wagons, many of them from Fillmore County. Preston and Springer townships, and few in the Those who came directly from Norway were more apt to western half of Northland. come by train to Valley City, or to Tower City and either For information about these early settlers, we have walk the rest of the way or else buy a yoke of oxen. Few drawn on the Jubilee booklet commemorating the 75th of them had more to start with than a willingness to anniversary, which was compiled by CA. Sandhei, and work hard and put up with hardships that today's a fifty year booklet published at the time the Gilbert residents can only imagine. Some spent the first winter Hanson farm was dedicated as the first in the area. We in dugouts on hillsides, maybe roofed over with a few also have an historical account written by an early logs, tree branches and sod. Some built substantial log settler, Ole Rufsvold, and numerous accounts that have cabins, but usually very small. Twelve by fourteen was a been furnished by present residents. It was our desire to common size, few were larger than fourteen by sixteen. find out: first, where the settler came from and date of The barns were usually log structures roofed with his birth; second, his wife's name and birthdate, and rails, branches and sod, or later on straw. Some who where she came from; third, where and when they were settled on the prairie land built sod houses, but there married; fourth, names and birth dates of descendants. were few of these in the four townships. Lumber was Any other information about their early years here along hauled from Valley City, and later from Englevale or with pictures was also solicited. Some sent in carefully Lisbon to build small shacks. Then, as settlement pro­ compiled data, some did not have all the information ceeded, frame houses were built and barns were also available, and some simply did not respond. built of lumber. One can get an idea of lumber costs then The reader will note, that in some cases the compared with those of today by the fact that the information about an early settler is very sketchy. We Standing Rock Church cost approximately $1,000.00. A have pieced together information about the names of modest house, and most of the early ones were small, early settlers, particularly from Ole Rufsvold's account could be built with two to three hundred dollars worth of and the 50th anniversary account, plus various sources lumber. Labor was equally cheap, and many of the old- as to what part of the township these men settled. timers did their own lumberwork. Additional information has been secured from some Early records show that five men came to Northland in church records. This booklet will not delve deeply into 1878, and five to Preston. Fort Ransom had some early the history prior to homestead days. Instead, it is residents, or squatters prior to 1878 among whom were primarily a story of the folks who lived here during the John Harris, Cummings, Herman Ording, John Ording, last hundred years. Edward Peterson and Oliver Spencer. Five Pictures of some farm homes, of the valley, of homesteaded in 1879. Springer was settled a bit later. churches, schools and business places and of people, By 1890, most of the land had been filed on. There may tell more than words can. During the eighties. Fort were ninety three who settled in Northland, ninety two Ransom was the trading point for a large area. There in Fort Ransom, not counting the village. Preston had were no towns between Valley City and Fort Ransom. fifty eight and Springer Township twenty. The records Even after the Northern Pacific branch line was built for these two townships are obviously incomplete, through Sheldon, Buttzville, Lisbon, Elliott and particularly for settlement between 1882 and 1890. Englevale, the Walker flour mill and well-stocked stores This part of the county has shared many events and attracted trade from a wide area. The History of Ransom experiences, some delightful to recall, some sad and County, published as a bicentennial project in 1975, some tragic. Among those that were especially pleasant may be referred to for a more comprehensive account of were the bumper crops of 1891, 1903,1912,1915, and days before homesteaders came and of the arche- 1932, and the years 1936 through 1977 when there ological material found particularly in the Fort Ransom were no complete crop failures other than those caused area. The building of the Fort, the Sibley expedition, and by hail. One must mention 1920 when World War I the days of the Indians are covered in the county history. veterans came home again, 1950 when those of World As the names reveal, most of the homesteaders came War II came back, and the years when our men came from Norway. Some had first come to Wisconsin or to back from Korea and Vietnam. Minnesota, a few were born in these states, but most of Among the bad memories are the blizzard of 1888, the them came directly from Norway. There was a small blizzard of 1917 that took the life of Mathias B. Olson, settlement of Irish in and around Fort Ransom. Some of and the one on March 15, 1941 in which Albert these had been soldiers or civilian workers at the fort, Jacobson and his eleven year old son, Albert, lost their some came from farther east. lives. The winter of 1935-6 was bitterly cold and snowy In order to make it easier to find the names of the early and 1947 was another 'snow-winter'. The settlers often settlers, they will be listed by townships. Our records of spoke of 1896-7 as 'Stor sno vinteren'. That winter homesteading during the years 1878, 1879, 1880 and there was no train service to Englevale for six weeks and 1882 are quite complete except for Springer. A larger none to Kathryn for two months. reasons for the small holdings in the valley, maybe forty or eighty acres, along with additional land out of the valley. There were small jobs available, and during the first twenty years of settlement the top wages were $2.00 a day. Twenty to thirty dollars a month with board was common for summer work, while during the winter a man might work for $10 a month with board and room, or even for board and room alone. Much of the work was physically hard and much of it required skills that are no longer found in our community. There were no chain saws. The ax was the most common implement for felling trees. Six or seven foot two-man cross cut saws were in common use as were buck saws for cutting smaller wood, for the supply of firewood. Some were skillful in the use of the broad- ax for the shaping of logs for the cabins. Only a few of The Thunderbird Rock near Fort Ransom these remain. It is well worth while for members of this generation to examine the log cabin that was moved to Hailstorms also leave a bad memory. Although this the Fort grounds, or the one on the Severson farm in area is not considered to be in a hail belt there have been Preston Township. This kind of work took strength, skill some destructive storms, the last of which came in and endurance. Neighbor helped neighbor in building a 1977, being most severe in Northland and Preston. In cabin, log raising was not a one man job. 1967 a hailstorm took in a very large area in this part of the state. In our area, it covered all of Fort Ransom and Clearing land of trees and brush was a tedious and Springer along with parts of Northland and Preston. difficult job. A tool known as an 'ADZ' or maybe more commonly as a 'grub hoe' was useful for this task. The Drought has played a serious part in our history. The grub hoe or adz weighed four to six pounds. It had a first bad one was in 1900; 1910 was a partial failure, but blade similar to an ax except that it was straight on one the complete crop failures and dust storms of 1934 and side, ground to sharpen, on the other. The blade was at 1936 were the worst. Rust was hard on Bluestem wheat right angles to the way it is on an ax, hence the name in the early 1900's, resulting in an almost complete hoe. And in those pioneer days the only farm implement switch to Durum wheats. Again in 1915, 1919 and you rode on was the farm wagon. You used a walking 1934 rust hit the hard wheats very badly and in 1953 plow, guiding it with your hands and arms and you had and 1954 it hit Durum wheat. to absorb all the shocks and bruises from coming in Good crops and timely rains since the dry years of the contact with stumps, stones or roots. thirties have caused many born since that time to doubt that there ever was a drought in the thirties. Some think The first crops were sown by hand, and some of the that today's farmers are simply such good farmers that if first harrows were actually logs dragged across the they had been doing the farming in the thirties, things field. All through those pioneer years you developed would have been entirely different. Let us hope that a good legs. You walked behind the plow, after you could real dry year does not come to add to their burden of afford to buy a harrow, you walked behind this evermounting debts. May they never have to face the implement until about 1905 or so, when some crucible that separates the men from the boys. extremely lazy man invented a harrow cart. You walked A few comparisons between condition, wages and prices of the earlier years with those of today may be of some help for the descendants of the pioneers. First let us consider finances of those years. Most of the homesteaders had very little money when they came, some none. Even the more affluent had little trouble to pack all their worldly goods in the covered wagon that also carried the family. Credit was difficult to obtain, interest was high and the money they could borrow was seldom for a longer period than one year. On the other hand, their needs were small compared with what we think we must have today. Many started farming with just two oxen. With these they broke the sod, oft times combining their 'yoke' of oxen with that of a neighbor. The prairie sod was not so hard to break, but for those who settled in the valley it was another matter. Trees and brush had to be cleared Gunnar Opgaard in an early model car away before the plow could be used. This is one of the

8 to town because you could walk faster than a team of two. Your pioneer ancestors may have been rough, but oxen, you walked to school, or to the neighbor's cabin don't forget that they were also kind, good neighbors, for a dance. men and women with an extra large measure of At first all the hay was cut with a sythe, then came the courage and resourcefulness, skillful, forward looking five foot horse drawn mower and the ten foot horse and cheerful. They met their problems head-on, with rake. This really speeded up the job, but even then most little complaint and a lot of resourcefulness. farmers used a pitchfork to place the hay on the hay rack Picture taking was rare in the pioneer days. Usually and haul it to the stack, where it was again unloaded you had to go to a studio and pose in some unnatural with a fork and carefully stacked with a fork. But position in front of some of the props of the studio. It is necessity brings out the inventiveness in man. It was certainly true that many of the pioneers were not as grim not long before someone made a bucking pole. This was as their photos may suggest. You will note that we are usually a log about ten or twelve feet in length, with a fortunate in having a few real old pictures. Like the one horse or a team of horses hitched to each end. Cross of the horse-powered threshing machine. But there are cleats of sharpened wooden stakes were nailed to the few pictures available of the pioneer loghouses, bottom of the log. With this you could move several hay dugouts, and sod houses that were the first homes of so bunches to the stack at a time. The hay was then hand many. pitched into the stack. Some laid planks on one end of It is necessary to make a distinction between a house the stack and bucked the hay onto the stack, thus and a home. Some of the humblest houses, including needing less hand work. cabins and soddies, were real homes, while some of the Later on came the sweep rake, still in use, then the most expensive houses may not be homes at all, simply overshot stacker that lifted the hay to a height of 15 to places where part or all of the family spend some of their 18 feet and dropped it on the stack. Some time between nights. The pioneer home often overflowed, not with 1905 and 1910 the hay loader made its appearance. people alone, but with love, hospitality, good will and This would load hay from the windrow to the rack, and neighborly concern. This is the main reason why many some farmers laid ropes in the bottom of the rack and by look back to their early days with nostalgia. Love means of these ropes rolled the hay up on a stack or into kindness, concern for each other cansmoothen many of a hay mow. The later advent of tractor powered sweep the rough spots of life. rakes, farm hands, field balers and portable stackers has The pioneers who lived in real homes, large or small, made haying a very easy task, with the only wear and needed no pep pills to get them on their feet, no tear as far as the farmer is concerned, on the seat of his tranquilizers to sooth their ruffled feelings, cure pants. imaginary ills or put them to sleep. They were close to In the same way, other farm tasks underwent a steady the soil they lived on, close to reality, maybe just a bit change, from the scythe and cradle to the combine, from closer to God than many of their descendants are today. hand shocking, bundle hauling, threshing, etc. to the We can feel sorry for the back breaking labor they present day methods that require a minimum of performed, particularly the women who so often helped physical effort. But with all the labor saving tools and with the farm work in addition to the home. They did not devices we now use, the cost of growing farm cops has even have any soap operas to moon over during the day. increased continually, and no matter how many bushels With all our modern conveniences, and all our labor of grain a farmer can produce he rarely seems able to saving devices, it is still a good question whether keep up with the continually rising costs of the things he families are happier, children better behaved, common needs or thinks he needs to buy. honesty more common, and morality more general It is one of those questions one can debate and never today than in that yesterday of fifty to a hundred years settle, whether all the machines and gadgets have ago. really made life better for the farmer. It probably has We of today can consider these folks, our ancestors, made a lot of difference for the farm wife who once had understand something of the paths they trod, the to do all the cooking, cleaning, washing, sewing and problems they met, the institutions they built, the faith probably a full share of the milking, all of it hard physical they had and maybe, in a moment of complete condor, work. But very few of the pioneer farmers were fat, few ask ourselves. What of us and our children? died of a heart attack at the age of fifty or sixty as is becoming all too common today. Maybe some modern day Confucius will decide that man was not made to spend most of his life in a sitting position, and that use of arms and legs is actually beneficial to the entire body. As one reads the family histories of these pioneers of the Fort Ransom area, one cannot but marvel as how many of them lived to be eighty or ninety years of age. And one must also marvel at the pioneer women who raised families of six to a dozen and even more children, along with all their hard work while their grand­ daughters may be nervous wrecks from rearing one or 10 NORTHLAND TOWNSHIP The Sheyenne River cuts through the northeast and southeast corners of the township in sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 35 and 36. As might be expected these sections were settled very quickly for they offered shelter, wood for buildings, fences and firewood, along with the George Henry Hanson, the first natural beauty of the valley. The rest of the township is white child born in Northland very flat and most of it light soil, ranging from light sandy Twp. loam to loam. The entire township was settled very soon after the first claims were filed in the valley. In fact, there were 56 settlers during the first five years, and 37 more by 1890. The soils are inclined to be droughty, needing frequent rains during the growing period. When conditions are right they are very productive. During the dry and windy early thirties there was much soil drifting, and many farms were abandoned. Those who remained to farm the township knew that it was necessary to farm the land in a different manner to prevent further erosion. As a result, there are probably more miles of 1 - row shelter strips in this township than in any other township in the county. These plantings not only keep the soil from drifting, they also hold snow, which formerly piled up in road ditches, around buildings or down in the woods along the river. There is also a noticeable trend toward more deep cultivation instead of moldboard plowing. During the very early years there was a post office at Standing Rock, in the southeast corner of section twelve. The name comes from the standing rock found atop an ancient mound in section 1 of the township. This mound is also the highest point in Ransom County and affordsan unusuallyfine view of the countryside for a dozen miles in every direction. The only public build­ ings in the county have been the four schools once in full use and the Nordheim Church in section 5. The church is still in use but it is many years since the last rural school was closed. Today the children attend school in Litchville, Kathryn and Fort Ransom. At one time there was a stage coach station in section 9 where the driver would stop long enough for a change of horses. The stage line evidently was either between Valley City and Lisbon, or Valley City and LaMoure. One of the Northland Township schools was known The Nordheim Church as the Bell School. It was situated near the Knute Bell farm. Teachers often boarded at the Bell home and at least two of the Bell sisters taught in this school. This school was located in section 28. Bear Creek No. 2 was in section 8, near the pioneer homesteads of Kolbein Mennis, S.E. Brandvold, J. Andred, and S.E. Arves. A third school was situated in seciton 11 and in this neighborhood some of the early pioneers were Gilbert Hanson, George Hanson, Anton Prestrud, John Kragnes and Theodore P. Berg. Farther south, in section 26, was the fourth school, and here, among many others we find the names of Gustave Anderson, Olaf Skjerbak, Peter B. Henrikson, Hans Kornelius, Andrew Sunne, John Carlson and Peder Holkestad. Home of Israel Henrickson overlooking Preston Township Very often, during the pioneer days, the pupils were

11 M

PIONEER THRESHING WITH HORSE POWER ON ANDREW SUNNE FARM IN SECTION 6. Left to right: Mathias Hanson and John Vance stacking straw; Andrew Sunne in wagon box, Hans Bjerke, Hilmer B. Hammer and unknown behind the wagon. In the stack, bundle on fork Alfred Berg. On the machine with the oil can in hand, Haakon Baarstad. In stack, bundle on fork, Marius Johnson. Feeding machine Andrew J. Siverson, cutting strings on bundles, Ole Sunne (you can just see their heads). On stack to right, Anton Sherback, Carl Jenson and Abel Peterson. On the horsepower rig Amund Halvorson, in buggy Hans Svarvarud. young men and women seeking to learn the rudiments Berger confirmed the first class which included: Eric of the language of their adopted country, and even older Brandvold, Martha Helland, Lisa Flatten, Randi L men who would attend part of the school term. The Reitan, John Eidsvig and Helmer Frostad. school buildings were small, frame buildings (See Fred After the completion of their new church, the first Wards Antique Shop in Fort) with a small entrance, confirmed in 1918 were Leonard Nelson, Conrad windows along one side, rough benches and tables or Nelson, Stanley Ellingson, Olaf Knutson, Joseph perhaps a row of desks and seats for two to four pupils. Helland, Harry Rue, Thea Rue, Sarah Brandvold and They were heated by a wood and or coal burning stove, Anna Knutson. The first record of a marriage was that of and on winter days it was often necessary to stand or sit Berent Nelson and Ragna Salthammer, December 20, close to the stove to keep warm. Lunches were usually 1915. Selmer Nelson and Lily Rue were the first couple packed in half gallon or gallon syrup pails, and as many married in the new church, March 14, 1918. as possible were set on or near the stove to keep them It was in 1916 that the first meeting to plan a new from freezing. Water was usually carried from the church building was held. At that time the active nearest farm, the common tin cup presented some families were the C.J. Salthammers, Charley L. problems for canker sores and colds, as well as other Knutsons, Henrik Hellands, Halvor K. Rues, Peter childhood diseases were spread readily from pupil to Knutsons, Mathias Nelsons, Norin Ellingsons, Oscar pupil. The quality of teaching depended on the teacher, Halmos, Thomas K. Rues, Mrs. Paulien Brandvold and and ranged all the way from awful to excellent. The family, Mrs. Signe Martinson, Eric Hellands, Kolbein eighth grade graduates of 60 to 90 years ago could write Mennis, Anton Opgaards, Lars S. Reitans, Simon better compositions and letters than all too many of Martinsons, Martin Martinsons and Berent Nelsons. A today's high school graduates. beautiful new building was erected, which still stands The children, especially the boys, were needed for on the original site. It was dedicated in May 1920. farm work all too soon, and many could not attend A community choir was organized in 1916 and regularly after they had passed the fifth or sixth grade. seemed to be the center of social activity for the next few There were no frills or flummeries in those days; the years. There were 51 members, directed by Albert three R's were taught. In many cases the noon and the Olsberg. Through the years the Nordheim Congregation recesses supplied fully as good physical education as has been combined with others to form different some of the more elaborate set-ups of today. Just note parishes. In 1899 they were together with Oak Hill, Fort the accomplishments of some of these who never had Ransom and Skandia. By 1903 a parish containing more than an eighth grade education. Spring Creek, Skandia and Nordheim was formed. This continued until 1921 when they joined Sheyenne Nordheim Church Valley and Kathryn. In 1944 the present parish was The pioneers took their religion seriously and even in formed; Kathryn, Nordheim, Waldheim and Sheyenne the first throes of settlement made plans for services Valley. and for religious training of their children. The earliest Pastors who served the congregation have been records in Northland show thattheir Ladies Aid began in Botne, Nesvig, Wisnaes, Berger, Sauer, Eidsness, 1884, just six years after the first claim was filed upon. Lassison, Jothen, Sandanger, Bue, Dahle, Bjorlie, They met in various homes, which were one and two Holte, Stavness, Twiton, Dyrud, Friedrich, Johnson and room log houses. The first meeting was in the Ole Crawford. Donald Ostroot is the present pastor. Overbye home in the NWVi of section 4. This is now a In 1958 lightning struck the tall steeple causing much part of the Brandvold farm. Walking was the most fire damage. Not wanting another lightning rod' the popular mode of transportation and in order not to waste steeple was rebuilt in a different style with the entire time, the ladies carried their sewing and knitting with upper level repaired and repainted. them, working as they walked. Each year they held a The present officers of the congregation are: sale of the articles they had made, with the proceeds President - Dale Morrison, Vice-Pres. - Leslie going to provide a session of parochial school, with a Brandvold, Secretary - Omar Knutson, Treasurer - Mrs. teacher. Present Bible School teachers take note that Mable Graalum, Trustees - Vernon Nelson, Mrs. Earl they were paid $45 for their services. Nelson, and Maurice Thoreson. The first congregational membership is listed, for the Each generation throughout the years has taken great year 1901, as follows: A.C. Raven, C. Martinson, Eric pride in their church and congregation. Their goals still Helland, Hanibol Frostad, Gabriel Bryne, Waldemar center around the same principles that were Olson, Peder Knudsen Aus, Lars Larsen Reitan, Halvor established in the original plan, to do the work of the Rue, K.O. Mennis, Lars Eidsvig, P.L. Reitan, Ole Lord. Kjegstad, Marit Flatten, C.J. Salthammer, Simon Northland Township Settlers Brandvold and Jacob L. Birklid. These names indicate that the folks came from Oak Hill Twp. in Barnes and We have the names of about a hundred Northland from Preston Township as well as Northland. Township settlers. Of these there are six for whom we The first children presented for baptism were Esther have found no information other than the date they Lenora Brynes, and Jennie Margrethe daughter of came to the township. These are listed alphabetically, Jacob Birklid. This was July 9, 1899. In 1902 Rev. with the year of settlement following the name: Hans 13 Fossun Ca, 1887; Martinius Hanson, 1878; Torval Leonard and Louise are now deceased. Art and Hilda Johnson, 1882; John Kregnes, 1879; Lars Renan, live in Valley City, Anna and Rhoda live in Litchville. 1881; and Axel Rinkjob, 1885. There were some Clara was born January 20, 1885 and died April 22, Prestrudes that settled in Northland, but are listed in the 1977. She taught in Ransom County for many years, Preston Township write-up because this is where their later at Crosby and Fortuna. She, as well as Louise and father settled. For some we have little information, for Anna, taught in what was known as 'The Bell' school some considerable. and many other teachers boarded at the Bell home John Aanderud came to this township in the mid while teaching in this school. Leonard and Art took over eighties and settled in section 18. the farm work while their father was on the road selling. Ole C. Aanderud came from Toten, Norway, his wife Several years after their father's death they sold the from Mo i Rana, Norway in 1882. Their homestead was land to Selmer Chose. Leonard worked in Kathryn and the NW VA of section 7. They had eight children: John, Valley City where he lived until the time of his death in Fritz, Earl, Oscar, Olaf, Mabel, Agnes and Helen. Oscar 1973. who was born in February 1911, now farms the Art married Clara Anderson. For a time they farmed homestead. His wife, Isabel (Olson) was born February near Kathryn, then he took over the bulk delivery for 20, 1904. They have an adopted son, Claire. Isabel is the Standard Oil, in Valley City. He and Clara had three 'daughter of A.J. Olson, former state representative. children: Carol, Jean and Arthur Jr. Carol (Mrs. August (See Ole Olson history in Fort Ransom Township). Witt) has two children, Linda (Mrs. Jack Peterson) and Austin Anderson came to Northland in 1882 and Ronnie, who with his wife Beverly, teaches at Belcourt; settled in section 10. One of his daughters married Art and Jean, (Mrs. Alvin Koslofsky) deceased; and Arthur Bell. Another daughter was named Alice. Jr. Ed Anderson came to Northland in the mid eighties and Louise (Mrs. Alfred 0. Hanson) taught school for settled in the valley in section 13. He was farming this many years. After several years in Montana, they moved homestead as late as 1910 but we have found no other back to Valley City where she died in 1957. They had information about him, or his family. three children, Emma, Jesse and Phyllis. Gustav M. Anderson was born in Frederickstad, Anna Bell married Louis Anderson. They live in Norway, September 21, 1886. He came to Valley City, Litchville, where he farmed and she taught school for North Dakota in 1892 and to section 23 of Northland in many years. They have two children, Dennis, president 1895. His wife, Martha Skjerbak, was born in Elverum, of Litchville Bank, and Louis(Mrs. Sumner Rasmussen). Norway, April 19, 1868 and came to this country in Dennis married Marlys Haarsager and they have two 1883. They were married at Fort Ransom in 1892. Mr. children, Scott and Todd. Lois and Sumner (an engineer Anderson was a farmer. They had a family of three for WDAY) have three children, Gary, Debra and Gregg. daughters and one son: Anna, (Mrs. Adolph Schultz) Hilda Bell taught school for many years in Ransom was born in 1892 in Valley City. Her husband was a County and also worked in the Larson Store in Kathryn farmer. Elma (Mrs. Edwin Fagerstrom) was born June and as bookkeeper for Leo Lumber in Valley City. 11,1895. Her husband was a Standard Oil employee. Rhoda Bell taught for forty years in North Dakota. She Louise (Mrs. George Scott) was born July 21,1902. Her was County Superintendent of Schools in Sargent husband was an elevator manager. George M. was born County, principal at Havana and Oakes. Her husband, April 14, 1898 and farmed in Northland. He married Ted Stout was a mail carrier at Cogswell. He served in Alice Hanson, who was born August 21,1906. They had the Navy. Their son, Terry, served in the Marine Corps three children: Gale, born April 3, 1930; Gary, born and for sixteen years has been the principal of the August 3, 1933 and DeLaine (Mrs. Tom Irvin) born Fosston Minnesota High School. He married Jeanette September 23, 1946. Gary is farming the home place. Berg and they have four children: Cara, Theodore, Nils Anderson was born in Norway, April 3, 1855. His Kristin and Tommy. Ted and Rhoda's daughter. Sheila wife, Louisa was born in Frederickstad, Norway, April (Mrs. William Froemke) lives on a farm near Litchville. 27, 1853. After the death of her husband she came to They have three children, Holly, John and Heather. this area and filed on the SWA of section 14. Louisa Johannes Berg settled in section 26 in the early died in 1889. eighties. He was an uncle of Theodore Peterson Berg, John Arves came to Northland in the eighties and filed whose son, Olaf, farms in section 12. on land in section 17. Richard and Oscar Arves now Theodore Peterson Berg was born in Tromsoe, farm this land and other tracts. Norway. He came in 1881 and settled in Northland. In Knute Bell was born in Dane County, Wisconsin and 1883 he purchased land in section 15. His name was came to this township in 1880 filing on the NE VA of Theodore Peterson but there were so many Petersons in section 32. His wife, Charlotte Amelia Abrahamson, the valley that he had trouble getting his own mail. came with her brother, Oscar, to settle near there. Accordingly, he added 'Berg' to his name. His son, Olaf, Knute's sister married Oscar Abrahamson and went was born in 1906 and married Anna Haarsager. They back to Minnesota with him. In addition to farming, Mr. live in section 12. For years Olaf has maintained a string Bell sold Watkins supplies for many years. Knute and of rodeo horses. They have three children Joyce, Aria Amelia had seven children, all born on the farm: Clara, (Mrs. Don Tommeraus) and Richard. Richard lives in Leonard, Louise, Arthur, Anna, Hilda and Rhoda. Clara section 12 and operates land with hisfather. He married

14 Judy Janz of Enderlin and they have five children, Casey, Sherri, Mary, Michael and Deborah. Tollef Berg settled in the SWU of section 15, in 1882. Andrew Bergland came in 1882 and filed on a homestead in NWV4 section 17. He was still farming this land in 1910. Christian H. Bjerke came in 1881 and filed on land in section 4. No further information is available. Hans Bjerke came in 1881 and homesteaded in Northland. The steep hill that borders the east side of his land was and is known as the Bjerke Hill. In 1976 the North Dakota Park Service bought this land and is in the process of making a state park out of this and adjoining land. Christian Mons Bjone was born in Bjornroa, Norway, May 22,1890. He came to LaMoure County in 1904. His only brother, Hans C. Bjone, was murdered in the Verona Bank, February 28, 1927. In 1913 he married Ella Anderson, daughter of Severt and Alexandra Anderson, Alexandra was the daughter of Theodore P. Slattum. Severt was the son of Eric Anderson of Northland Township. Christian and Ella farmed in Litchville Township, LaMoure County until 1934 when they moved to Northland Township. In the fall of 1966 they moved to Fort Ransom. They have five children: Morris, who married Helen Skonseng. They have four daughters. Cynthia (Mrs. Jerry Olson) see Newton Olson history, Preston Twp. Marvel (Mrs. Ted Kruger) of Lisbon whose four children are Jeffrey, Bradley, Janet and Dina. Peggy (Mrs. Monte Hay) of Fargo whose three children are Keith, Kathy and Kevin. Bonita (Mrs. Wayne Oberlander) of Casselton whose two sons are Cory and Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Sunne Jay. Ardella married Arthur Skonseng. They have two daughters. Judy (Mrs. Robert Walker) of Moorhead whose children are Gwen and Tom; and Joan (Mrs. Douglas Zuehlsdorff) of Moorhead whose children are named Krista and Vance. Lyle married Mazie Kopp. They have two children: David, married to Jackie Thompson with a son, Nicholas; and Debra (Mrs. Bruce Blaine) of Bismarck. Hans married Linda Skonseng, daughter of Aksel and Agnes Skonseng. They have six children: Genene (Mrs. Richard Colbert) of Lisbon; DeLaine Melroe with two children named Michael and Mandy; Vickie (Mrs. Steven Ross) of Valley City; Russell at State School of Science, Wahpeton; and Christ and Darrel in Lisbon H.S. Vernon who farms the home farm in Northland Township. Eric Bjorgo came from Norway in the early eighties and filed on a claim in section 21. We have no further record. Johannes Brandum came to the township in the early eighties and filed on a claim. His sister was the wife of Simon Brandvold. Simon Brandvold was born in Norway in 1855. He came by way of Wisconsin and filed on a homestead in section 18 in 1884. His wife, Pauline Brandum, was born in Norway in 1868. She came here in 1887 and they were married that year. Three of their children are living: Melvin, born January 22, 1896 at Kathryn; Julia Petra and Bjorn Granlund with Hay-Burner Motor, Model 1890 (Mrs. E.T. Kolka) born July 21, 1900, now living in

15 Moorhead; Sophia (Mrs. Albin Benson) of St. Cloud, and settled in section 31. His wife, Jacobina Martnes, Minnesota. Seven of the children are deceased: Erick, was born January 13, 1864 in Stegen. They were Elmer, Bessie (Mrs. H. Groth), Gena (Mrs. Myron Peter­ married in Norway in 1891 and came to this area with son), Andrew, Rana and Sarah. Pauline Brandum's seven children. Peder was a farmer and a stone mason. father, Goro Brandum, was born in Norway in 1827. He He also did woodworking in this country. Their children died in 1912. He had come to Wisconsin in 1849 and to were: Martin Olaus, born May 1, 1892, deceased; Ransom County in 1910. Melvin settled in Section 4 of Jennie Christine, born May 1, 1892; Halftan Bernard, Northland in 1924. His wife, Clara Rue, was born July 2, born September 15, 1895, deceased; Haldis Normande 1899. They have three children: Maurice, a carpenter, born May 19, 1897; Berhardine, born April 26, 1899, born May 15,1925; Verna (Mrs. Morris Thoreson) born deceased; Sverre Adelstane, born March 5, 1903, April 2, 1927, who are farmers; Leslie, born July 20, deceased; and Emma Josephine (Mrs. Arthur Sorby) 1920, a farmer and trucker. He married Lois Nelson, born December 25, 1905. daughter of Leonard Nelson, also of Northland. Melvin's Emma married Arthur Sorby, November 12, 1927. wife, Clara, was born in Barnes County. Her parents Their children are Curtis Arthur, born February 23, were Thomas K. and Lena (Reitan) Rue. 1928; Kermit, born October 10,1932; and Darlene, born John Carlson came to the township in 1882, from September 20, 1934. Curtis married Audrey Nelson. Kolkestad, Steingen Norway. He was born in 1854 and They had two children: Judy (Mrs. Gary Streich)iborn died in 1906. His wife, Elen Maria Eleasersen, also from May 29, 1949; and Scott, born November 24, 1952. Holkestad, was born in 1858 and died in 1916. John After the death of his first wife, Curtis married Marilyn sent for her to come to his homestead after he had built Hoff of Lisbon. They have two children: Angie, born a log cabin and they were married, August 27, 1887. June 8, 1969, and Julie, born November 19, 1972. John homesteaded in section 34. Times were very hard Kermit married Arlys Billing. They have five children: in Norway and land was hard to come by. Those Jason, born Sept. 19, 1962; Kory, born Sept. 5, 1963; fortunate to have some land grew barley from which Kevin born Oct. 30, 1964; Kari, born May 14, 1969 and they made 'flat brod'. They heard that in America, barley Keresa, born January 1, 1971. Darlene married Ed. was grown for hogs, and that land was free. Bjerke. They, have two children: Eugene, May 8,1952; John came to Valley City by rail and walked to the and Michael, born September 18, 1959. Emma and Art place he homesteaded and there built a sod house. He Sorby have three great grandchildren: Jessica Streich, acquired a yoke of oxen and began farming. John and daughter of Judy Sorby, born December 29, 1972; Elen had nine children, four of whom died in infancy. Waylon Sorby, son of Scott Sorby, born January 14, George, born in 1892, died in Iowa in 1945; John, born 1976; and Anthony, son of Eugene Bjerke, born March in 1893, died in Bismarck in 1967; Joseph, born in 9, 1977. 1895, drowned at Fort Ransom in 1905; Agnes (Mrs. Gerhard Haarstad was another of a large number of Erroll Smith) of Kathryn died in Valley City in 1963; settlers who came in 1882. He settled in section 22. His William, born in 1901 lives near Brownsville, Texas. He daughter, Mrs. Ervin Kopp, lives in section 20. and his wife, Evelyn Ransom, of Cutbank, Montana, Hagen Brothers, Henry, Ole and Alf, all homesteaded in returned to the home farm in 1947 and farmed it for Northland. Henry filed on a quarter in section 33, Ole on several years, until ill health forced him to retire. They a nearby quarter. Al's claim was in section 22. His wife's have three sons, Homer, Roger and Gordon. Kenneth, name was Minnie. They later moved to Valley City. son of Mrs. Errol Smith, lives at Litchville. Gilbert Hanson was born June 1,1854 in Gulbrandsdal Christ Chose came to Northland in 1910. One son, Dovre, Norway. His wife, Ragnhild Lokken, was born Selmer, farmed in Northland for several years and then January 21,1856, also in Gulbrandsdal. The time she moved to the west coast. Another son, Clarence, now came to this country is not known. They were married in farms the home place. He married Carol Svestad of Prairie Farm, Wisconsin, in 1879. Gilbert, the first Kathryn and they farm in section 33. Carol is the homesteader in this area, filed on a claim in section 12 daughter of Trygve Svestad and Elfie Gunderson. in 1878. He was a farmer, and also one of the original Trygve's father was Peder and his mother Sigrid. They county commissioners in the county. Gilbert and lived at Tinset, Norway. The Chose family consists of Raghild had seven children: George Henry, a farmer and Clay, Cathy, Craig and Cheryl. teacher, born May 21, 1880. He farmed in section 12; Eveneussens Neither Amund or his wife Maline came Marie, a teacher, was born July 21,1882; Oliver, died in to this area, but their six children did. They all used the infancy; Gerhard Oliver, born September 6, 1888, surname, 'Skonseng'. There were Ole, Elinas, Aksel, followed various occupations; Richard Emil, born July 1, Peder, Berner and Caroline (Mrs. Lewzader). Aksel was 1890, was a farmer and railroad clerk; Gena (Mrs. C.J. the father of Mrs. Hans Bjone. Bumgarner) born September 4, 1893, was a farmer's Ole Flotten filed on the NEVi of section 5 in the eighties. wife; Gertie (Mrs. F.C. Hunt) was born October 6,1895. We have no later record. She was a registered nurse. Gilbert Hanson's wife, Peder Gagnum came in 1882 and filed on a claim in Ragnhild, passed away in 1898. section 25. No further records have been found. Gilbert remarried in 1905, to Mrs. Pauline Baarstad Peder Edward Gyldenvand was born in Stegen, Erickson, who had two children, James and Gladys Norway, July 17, 1864. He came to this area in 1903 Erickson. They later changed their names to Hanson.

16 Gladys is Mrs. William R. King of Minneapolis. Gilbert and Pauline have one child, Gilmore, born January 16, 1911. His wife is Olga Sperstad. They farm on land just across the road from the original homestead. We are indebted to Gilmore for some fine pictures in this booklet, particularly the one of threshing in the days of "horse-power" threshers, and the one showing an overshot stacker in action. Nels Hanson filed on a claim in section 22 in 1882. This land was in the hands of others in 1910 and we have no further record of Nels. Theodore Hanson was one of the many settlers who came in 1881. He settled in section 11. Adolf Henrikson was born in Mo i Rana, Norway in 1868 and migrated to the United States with his parents, Henrick and Barbara Olson, in 1888. In 1892 he bought a farm in section 32 of Northland, from Israel Henrikson. In 1898 he married Tina Johnson, daughter of Jacob and Dorothea Johnson, from Nesna Norway. They had four children: Barbara Steen, born in 1901 and lived in Seattle, Washington, she died in 1962; David, born in 1908 and presently living in Minot, N.D.; Harold, born in 1913, living in Fargo; and Ole, born in 1920. Ole was killed in a military plane accident in World War II, in 1944. Adolph lived on the farm he owned until his death in 1938. Tina Henrikson retired from the farm and lived for many years in Fort Ransom. She died in 1971 .The farm is now owned by Richard Henrikson, David's son. A.M. Henrikson settled in Northland in 1888. His homestead was in section 27. In 1910, P.B. Henrikson was farming this land, but now there is no farm home in that section. Adolf was the son of Henrik and Barbara Olson. He was born in Mo i Rana, Norway, specifically It wasn't all work Karl Opgaard the Rosvoll (Rufsvold) farm. Gregor S. Henrikson, another son of Henrik and Barbara Olson, homesteaded in section 29. Both he and his wife, Ragna, came from Norway. He was born in Mo i Rana, May 17, 1872; Ragna, April 20,1884. They were married in 1906. They had eight children: Torolf, born in 1910, a teacher; Erling, born January 16, 1913, an

Mrs. Karl (Bergetta) Opgaard Andrew Sunne decked out in wolfskin coat. Picture taken about 1895.

17 whose sons are named Jeffrey R. and Leland. Leland married Carole Birklid in 1959. They have two children, Timothy and Terry. Sven Hoff came here in 1882 and homesteaded in section 33. One of his daughters married Chris Chose. A grandson, Clarence Chose, now has the farm. G.C. Hofos filed on a claim in section 33 and lived there until the time of his death. Gustavcame in 1882 and the 1910 atlas shows that he was still farming the home­ stead. The farm was left to his daughter, Mrs.(Gertrude) Lester. At present, Hans Bjone farms it. Aadne Hoiland came to Northland in 1881 and settled on a claim in the NEV4 of section 32. His wife, Siriana, came a year later. One son was named Willie. F.R. Hovland now lives on and operates this land. A. Hoiland, a son, farmed in section 33. Peder Johnson Holkestad came to America in 1881. He was born in Stegen, Norway. His wife, Maren Johnson, was born at Lorn, Gulbransdalen, Norway. They farmed in Northland Township. There were seven children: Johan Martin, born February 4, 1880, in Norway; Joakim (Jim) C, born August 24, 1881, at Fort Ransom; George Magnus, born September 25, 1883; Ragnvald Andreas, born April 25, 1885; Marie Henrietta, born January 14, 1888; Peter Marion, born January 23, 1899. Peder J. died March 3, 1929, and Maren, June 11,1904. Johan Martin Holkestad married Ann Johanah Rufsholm who was born January 4,1875 at Yttern,Norway. Their children: Hulda Magdaline, born May 9, 1908. She married Alfred Peterson of Kathryn, who was born November 24, 1896. Eleanor Josephine (Mrs. Raphael Ayson). born Jan. 2,1911; Francis Sophia (Mrs. Clarence Peterson).born October 4,1915. Joakim C. Holkestad, Peder's second son, married Helen Josephine Strand of Abercrombie, N.D. They have five children all born at Abercrombie. George Magnus Holkestad, Peder's third son, married Randi Reitan of Kathryn. They moved to Assiniaboia, Sask. Ragnald Martin and Helen Libak 1918 Andreas, Peder's fourth son, married Jennie engineer; Anfin, born March 10, 1915, a carpenter; Gyldevand. Their children: Raymond James, born July 9, Astrid (Mrs. Isensee), a nurse; Sigmund, born March 13, 1919; Ernest William, born February 25, 1925; Johnny 1920, a carpenter; Gudrun (Mrs. Zimmerman), born Peter, born November 22,1927, married Mavis Leopold; June 21, 1922, a housewife; and Brynhild (Mrs. Jeanette Muriel (Mrs. Myron Smedshammer) of Johnson), born February 17, 1925, a housewife. Litchville, born November 22, 1927. Maria Henrietta, Isreal Henrikson first settled in section 22 in Fort Peder's daughter, was born January 14, 1888. She Ransom Township in 1882, then moved to Northland married Louis Thorson of Gardner, N.D. They had five Township. There is a picture of his first home in children: Mildred Louise(Mrs. DonaldSjoquistWoolery), Northland, elsewhere in the Northland section. born June 28, 1917, at Fort Ransom and married Donald Peder B. Henrikson was born in Mo i Rana in Norway, Sjoquist Woolery; Arnold Curtis Thorson, born April July 28, 1858. His wife, Berget Haagenson, came from 23, 1920, married Louise Welch Crosby; Lillian May Norway in 1888. Her birthdate was May 19, 1867. They (Mrs. Forbes Allen Johnson) was born November 4, were married at the Ole Olson farm in 1888. They 1922; Howard Neil Thorson, born June 28, 1928, settled in section 26 of Northland in 1889 and farmed married Marline Riersdorf. (Donald S. Woolery died in there. They had a son and three daughters: Helmer, service, May 2, 1958). Peter Marion Holkestad, Peder's born Dec. 18, 1890, farmer; Bessie was born April 30, youngest son, married Haldis Gyldevand, born May 19, 1896; Lottie, September 22, 1901; and Palma (Mrs. 1897 in Stegen Norway. Their children: Wallace, born in Hjalmer Hanson), September 15, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. November, 1923 at Fort Ransom, died January 26, Hjalmer Hanson (see John Hanson historyfor Hjalmer's 1946; Willard, born January 20, 1924, married Eileen brothers and sisters) had three children: Barbara (Mrs. Flagle, who was born in Minneapolis. Howard, born Tolvin Slattum), and they have a daughter Patricia; Joel, March 10, 1928 at Fort Ransom, married Loraine

18 Dukman from Stillwater, Minn. Kenneth, born June 5, 1936 at Fort Ransom, married Nancy Huttner of Minneapolis. Wallace Holkestad was killed in an aeroplane accident in 1946 near Nanking, China. C.W. Houston was not an early pioneer in Northland Township. He made his home in section 9 and operated four quarters. His farm was a stage stop, for change of horses. Judging by its location, this must have been a stage line either from Valley City to Lisbon or to LaMoure. Jens Jordahl filed on a claim in section 6 in 1882. No further record of relatives has been found. Fred Kopp came to Northland in 1908 and farmed in section 22. The farm was later operated by his son, Ervin Kopp, until his death in the early seventies. Hans Andreas Kornelius was born October 6, 1850 at Steigen, Norway. He came to this area in 1883 and settled in section 26. His wife, Kara Oline Haagenson, was born in Nesna, Norway, July 21,1870. They were married at Fort Ransom in 1903. Hans was a farmer. They had four children, one of whom died at the age of two; Halvor Marcelius Kvalnes, born January 18, 1897. His occupation was farming. Halvor M. Kvalnes married Agnes Rufsvold, daughter of Johannes A.J. Rufsvold. They had two children: Harlan who married a widow, Marjorie. They have six children. Corrine (Mrs. Henry Highness), of Fargo. They have two children. Norman Hildred Kornelius, born August 27, 1903 and died in 1905; Norman Hildred (named same as the child

19 North Dakota State Library Bismarck, N. D. 58505 who died), born May 14, 1905, died Dec. 2, 1971, a farmer. Norman Hildred married Esther Francis Eliason in 1935. They had five children: Mary Lou (Mrs. Douglas Larson), born February 15, 1936; Leroy Allen, born July 23, 1943, an electrician; Carol Dorothy (Mrs. Elroy Haarsager), born May 2, 1942; Jean Helen (Mrs. Gene McManigle), born July 23,1943 and Elaine Norma (Mrs. Lawrence Wadeson), born December 28, 1948. Hermie Kornel, born June 25, 1910 and died June 24, 1935, a farmer. Andrew Kragnes filed on a claim in the northeast quarter of section 14 in 1882. In 1910, this land was being farmed by E. Kragnes while Joe J. Kragnes farmed in section 12. Evidently these were Andrew's sons. Joe Kragnes continued farming until his death, after which it was farmed by his widow and daughter, Christine. Andrew Lahren filed on a claim in section 25 in 1882. A daughter, Louise, married a farmer named Sunne, living in the same township. Carl Markuson came to Northland in the eighties and filed on a homestead. This was likely in section 26, for his son, Hogan, farmed the SVJVA of 26 later. Kolbein Mennis homesteaded in Northland Township in 1882. In 1884 he married Kari Eggan. Both of them were born in Norway. They had five children. In 1915 the oldest son, Oliver Mennis, took over the farming operations. He was married that spring to Minnie

Paul T. and Mary Peterson and sons, Newton and Stephen. Mary was a sister of William Olson.

a O x a U

o> c a> iE i i

o a.

20 Back Row, I to r: Dagny, Carl, John E. Warmbo. Ragna holding baby Sophie, John, Petra Stoermer (sister of Marie), and Sedor. Front Row: Anton holding baby Ruth, Amanda, Martin & wife Randine, Marie holding baby Esther.

Hans Bjone farm in section 33 Orville RufsvolV home in section 34

21 ro

Martin Opgaard farm in 1902 An early day gathering in V.P. Hall Andrew Sunne (picture taken about 1875). Gilmore Hanson

Davidson. They had four children: Cora (Mrs. Harold for several years in section 2. A daughter, Edna, married Arneson); Jennie (Mrs. Paul Markgraf); Alice (Mrs. Edw. Leth Anderson. A son, Norman, has been a repairman Wardell) and Clifford. Mrs. Oliver Mennis died in for the Dickey Co-op Telephone Co. for many years. September, 1977, at the age of 80. Oliver died in 1971. Another son, Edvik, had a filling station cafe at tri- Clifford at first farmed with his father. Clifford married corners on Highways No. 1 and 46. Stella Nelson in 1941. She is the daughter of Selmar Martinius Nelson was one of the first five settlers in the Nelson. In 1944 they bought the Thoreson farm in township. He came in 1878 and settled in section 8. Two section 29 of Preston Township. They are the parents of sons were Selmar and Berndt. Earl J. Nelson now lives five children: Patsy Lou died in infancy; Joanne (Mrs. in section 8. David Weber) lives in Marshall, Minnesota. They have a Mat Olson came to Northland in the early nineties and daughter, Jane. A third daughter, Bonnie (Mrs. Barry settled in section 4. Mathias and his wife came here Kempel), lives in Sioux Falls, S.D. Darrell built a new from Milford, Iowa. Their son, Leonard, was born in house on his father's farm in 1977. He works at the Milford and was thirteen at the time they came to North Lisbon Lumber Company. His wife is Lois Guttormson, Dakota. His brothers and sisters included Lars, Noren, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Art Guttormson. They have two Sena (Mrs. Ellingson), Selmer, Berent, Martha, Alvina, sons, Lynn and Jay. Debbie, the youngest daughter of Dina, Elsie and Conrad. Leonard married Eunice Smith Clifford and Stella, is presently attending the State of Moorhead, Minnesota on November 4, 1930. Their School of Science in Wahpeton. Clifford has operated children are: Lois (Mrs. Leslie Brandvold), Kathryn; the county maintainer in this part of the county for the Roger, Wadena, Minnesota and Claudia (Mrs. Lyle last sixteen years. Pittenger), Bismarck. Leonard is presently living in the A. Mikkelson filed on a claim in section 35 in the mid Rudolph Hotel in Valley City. eighties. We have no further information about him. Nels Olson, or Nils, settled in the Sheyenne Valley in Jacob Mikkelson came in 1882 and settled in section section 35 of Northland in 1879. It was in his home, in 32. Mr. Mikkelson had a son, Bernard, and a daughter, 1882, that the Standing Rock congregation was Tillie (Mrs. Conrad Hanson). The Hansons were long organized. Nils died in 1887 and was buried in the time Fort Ransom residents. Conrad died several years Standing Rock Cemetery. ago and Tillie now lives in Valley City. Severt Olson was among the large group of home­ Edwin Nelson was one of those who came to Northland steaders who came to the township in 1881. He settled in the middle eighties. We have little of his history than in section 18. that of his son, Edwin, who lived in Moore Township for Anton Opgaard, a brother of Martin Opgaard, came to some time before coming to the valley, where he lived Northland in 1887 but did not stay here long. He moved

24 to British Columbia. They bought and moved onto their own ranch 2Vi miles Christian Opgaard came to Northland in 1887. His northwest of Fort Ransom in 1959. This is the old Sunne wife, Jorgine, was born in Ytteroens, Norway. Jorgine Ranch. Carla LeAnn was born November 29, 1959. was a widow (Mrs. Rasmusson) when she married Roger was in the rodeo business for 18 years. He has Christian. They had a daughter, Gunilia, who died at the driven a school bus for nine years and has been a age of nineteen. Mrs. Opgaard had one son, Oldus, by member of a dance band known as 'The Long Branch her first marriage. After leaving the farm, the Opgaards Boys' for eight years. Herma cooked for the Fort Ransom moved to Kathryn, N.D. School for ten years. Ole Overby farmed in section 4, which he homesteaded Severt, Peter, Simon and D. Reitan came to Northland in 1881. No record of how long he remained here or and homesteaded in the eighties. Peter came in 1880 whether he left any relatives has been found. and filed on a quarter in section 4 A year or so later his Hans Paulson came to Northland in 1882 and brother, Severt, filed on the SWVi of section 8. Simon homesteaded in section 22. The 1910 atlas shows that and D. Reitan came in the mid eighties, D. Reitan Marie Paulson lived in the SEVA of section 22 at that settling in section 8. There are no known relatives in the time. She was probably his wife. township but there are some in the Hastings area in Carl Peterson was a brother of Theodore Peterson Barnes County. Slattum. He homesteaded in this township in 1879 and O.L. Selsand came in the mid eighties and filed on a farmed here. He was also a good carpenter and built the homestead in section 30. The 1910 atlas lists him as a Standing Rock parsonage and also the Henry Martinson farmer in this section but we have no record of relatives. house where Betsy Martinson and her brother, Hilmer, A. Severson came to the township in the mid eighties now reside. and filed on land in section 13. He was still on this farm Helmer Peterson was one of the five homesteaders in 1910, but we have no later information. who filed on land in the township in 1878. He had two Joe Severson was one of two settlers who came in sons, Peter and John, and a daughter, Mrs. James 1880. He filed on a claim in section 4. His name does not Nelson, in Nome. appear in the 1910 atlas so presumably he was gone by Jens Peterson was one of six settlers who came in that time. 1879. No trace of descendants has been found. Sever Severson was an 1881 settler in the township. John Peterson came to this township in the eighties. He He filed on land in section 13 in the mid eighties. Joe is believed to have settled in section 10. Severson lived in section 13 and is shown as still there P.K. Peterson, who came to Northland in the eighties, in the 1910 atlas. Whether Sever and Joe were related, was another of the family that included Theodore Peter­ we do not know. son Berg. P.K. Peterson had two sons, Alfred and Paul. Oluf Skjerbak was born in Norway, May 2, 1834 and Paul T. Peterson settled on a claim in section 21 of died Sept. 6, 1890. His wife, Martha, was born in Northland. His wife, Mary Olson, was a sister of Norway, May 5, 1839 and died December 14, 1915. Willie Olson in Preston Township. Paul was one of the They came to the township in 1890 and lived in section family that included P.K. Peterson and Theodore 22. Martha evidently continued to operate the farm for Peterson Berg. she is listed as the owner in the 1910 atlas. Anton Prestrud came to Northland in 1878 and settled Elinas Skonseng was born in Mo i Rana, Norway in in section 2. He came from Hedemark, Norway in 1868 1877 and came to Fort Ransom in 1896. He worked for to Preston, Minnesota. Anton did not marry. Roy Israel Henrikson. Elinas married Bernhardina (Dina) Prestrud, son of Martin Prestrud, bought and farmed Olson, April 25, 1914. She came from Junkerdalen, Anton's land, later selling it to Earl Nelson. Norway in 1905. They moved to a farm in section 35 of Anders and Martha Prestrude came to Northland Northland in 1935. They had three children: Arthur, Township in 1879 following the two oldest sons, Anton Helen and Melvin. Arthur married Ardella Bjone, and Olaus, who had homesteaded in 1878. Anders did daughter of Christ and Ella Bjone. They have two not file on a homestead but lived with his sons either in daughters and four grandchildren. Arthur served in the Northland or in Preston. (See Preston Township history armed forces in World War II. Helen married Morris for full history of Prestrud family.) Ander's youngest Bjone. They have four daughters and thirteen grand­ son, Severin, was only eleven years old when they came children. Melvin and his wife Sue, have four children, here. In 1907, Severin, Martin and Erick went to two sons and two daughters. Melvin served in the 11 th Hettinger and homesteaded near Bucyrus. They came Airborne Division in the Pacific. He was wounded in back to Ransom County later. action and received the Purple Heart and Silver Star. Roger Ray Redetzke was born in Fargo, October 3, Hans Smedstuen homesteaded the SEVA of section 32 1933. He attended school in Fargo, then worked for Rex in the mid eighties. The 1910 atlas shows him as the Brace for eleven years. He married Herma Loraine owner and operator. We have no later information. Bjugstad, November 20, 1955, in Lisbon. Herma was Thomas Soleby filed on the NEVi of section 6 in the mid born September 22, 1934 , the daughter of Carl and eighties. In 1910 the owner of this land is listed as Marit Anna (Schultz) Bjugstad of Sheldon. Their first four Flattin, so Thomas must have gone elsewhere. years of married life were spent on the Brace Ranch. Andrew Sunne was born in Oslo, Norway, September Randy, their son, was born December 15,1956 in Fargo. 9, 1853. His wife, Johanne E., was also born in Oslo,

25 May 30, 1859. They were married in Oslo in 1880. Casper O. Vig came from Norway and settled in Andrew came to this area in 1884 and settled in section Northland section 12 in 1878, one of the first settlers. 36. His wife came the following year. They had twelve He was still operating this land in 1910, but we have no children: Ole Martin, farmer, born April 25, 1881, died further record. in 1963; Anna Christine, born March 5, 1882, died July Marvin White came to Northland in 1882 and filed on a 19, 1885, just four days after they arrived at the quarter in section 34. He sold it to John Rufsvold in homestead; Borghild Pauline (Mrs. Dales), born 1892, and it still being farmed by a Rufsvold. November 19, 1884, died in 1977; Anna Christine (Mrs. Carl Markuson), born November 14,1886, died in 1952; Jennie Sophie, born October 27, 1888, died in 1910; Marie Caroline (Mrs. H.G. Severson), born April 16, 1890; Lovise, born January 15,1892, died in 1892; Carl Johan, born May 26, 1893, died in 1958, he was a farmer; Alma Auguusta (Mrs. Edward Devoid), born Sept. 29, 1895, died 1971, he was a retail salesman; Helen Emelie (Mrs. Martin Libak), born July 22, 1897, widow, lives in Fort Ransom; Alfred August, born January 23, 1900, retired and lives in Hi Acres Manor, Jamestown; Emma Louise (Mrs. Bob Tirrell), born April 4, 1902, a practical nurse, deceased. Anna and Carl Markuson had four children: Agnes, retired, living in Spokane; Haakon, farmer in the Fort Ransom area, deceased; Jenny (Mrs. Gerrelle) have a restaurant in Moorhead; Benhard, a house mover, Fargo. Helen and Martin Libak had eight children. They farmed in Northland Township. Their children are: Berniese (Mrs. Willard Larson), retail sales in Bothell, Wn; Harriet (Mrs. Harold Henrikson), Fargo; Adeline (Mrs. Jerry Packward), Lynwood, Wn; Jeanette (Mrs. Erling Hendricks), insurance, Bothell, Wn; Marvin, with Pacific Bell Telephone in Seattle; Howard, U.S. Army, deceased; Jerome, U.S. Army, deceased; Janice (Mrs. Arthur Kolrud), banking, Fargo. Emma and Bob Tirrell have a daughter, Jean, in education, Livingston, CA. Alma and Edward Devoid have a daughter, Naomi (Mrs. Lanny Nelson), in Janesville, Wis. Marie and H.G. Severson have two daughters: Helen (Mrs. Vernon Huseby), Nome, and Avis (Mrs. James Nelson), Litchville. Anders O. Sunne was a agronomist and a plant breeder of considerable ability. He experimented extensively with plant breeding, with a special effort towards developing a better variety of Spring wheat. He used Blue Stem and Red Club as the basic varieties. By 1911, after 15 years, Mr. Sunne believed he had a new, stable variety. He showed it at the county fair in Lisbon, where it created much interest. The heads had eight rows of kernels with up to 60 kernels per head. He went to the state seed show in Bismarck in 1912 but arrived too late to enter his sample. He did show it to several agronomists, who were very interested in the results of his long years of plant breeding. Mr. Sunne did not see the final results, for he died shortly after his trip to Bismarck. John Vance came in 1881 and homesteaded the NEV4 of 24. He was township assessor for many years. After his death, his wife, Mary, continued to operate the farm and was shown as the owner in 1910.

26 Petrified Tree

Israel Henrickson - Albert Jacobson Threshing Rig. Albert is second from right, Israel third from right.

27 The Andrew Peterson family

FORT RANSOM TOWNSHIP The Sheyenne cuts through only four sections in Fort one must come to the conclusion that they also loved Ransom Township but it has greatly influenced the the beauty of the valley and the hills, for their dugouts entire township during these last hundred years, and were in hillsides that afforded a splendid view. even long before township and county lines were laid It was only natural that Norwegian immigrants coming out. It was here, just across the creek from Bears Den from the fiords and mountains of their native land, Hill that General Terry decided to locate the fort that was walking or following an ox drawn wagon across the built in 1867. And years before that, it was here by the level, treeless plains west of the Red River, would feel a bend of the river that a fur trading post was established sense of home, when they came to the edge of the to trade with the Indians and other trappers who Sheyenne valley. Even today, folks who live in Fargo and brought in pelts of mink, otter, wolverine, wolf, buffalo, come to the Sheyenne valley for the first time, often fisher, muskrat and fox. exlaim, "I did not know there was anything like this in It was here in section 1 and section 2 that the first North Dakota." homestead claims were filed by Anton Anderson and T.J. Walker, coming down the valley from Valley City, Ole Rufsvold. Many of the early settlers filed on eighty searching for a site for a flourmill, found what he a nd forty acre tracts i n order to have a spot for a home in needed in section 2, and there built the flour and feed a sheltered area, with plenty of logs for building, and mill that served a large area for nearly forty years. firewood for the winter cold. And long, long before the settlers came, the ox bow loops of the river, particularly Other settlers loved the gently rolling prairie and the in sections one and two, were the winter camps of many fertile soil as much as some did the valley bottom land. tribes of Indians. Pottery sherds found in abundance In just a few years, 1878 to 1882, fifty one settlers came near the auto camp are from two to three thousand to the township to file on claims, while many others years old. The field that lies between the auto camp and came to the village that sprang up around the Walker the river is literally full of bone fragments and a liberal Mill. In the following five years, thirty eight more came supply of buffalo teeth, showing that in this area large to the township to farm. By that time, the village of Fort numbers of buffalo were killed to make pemmican and Ransom had its own population of folks that operated the buffalo robes that were so important to the Indian. stores, blacksmith shops, the mill, and numerous other businesses. And yet, these Indians of the plains, the Blackfoot and Sioux, Hidatsa, Cree and Sheyenne were not the first. Those of the present inhabitants who knew some of the Long, long before this, another people lived here and original settlers, know that those first years were hard built the many mounds found south and west of Fort years, years of unremitting toil. Everything, roads, Ransom and the big pyramid mound on which the schools, homes, churches, bridges, fences and fields 'VIKING' is located. Early man sought shelter, food and had to be built from scratch, and most of the early clothing, and found these in abundance here. As one settlers came here with little more than a will to work examines the dugouts in which these early people lived, and hands that were not afraid of toil. Yet they lived.

28 they thrived and their hard work was make lighter by Theoretically, farmers can make a good living on land their dream, their dream that they would build a that can be irrigated, on a much smaller acreage than is community where their children and their grand­ needed for dry-land farming. children could enjoy many of the necessities and Another development of the last decade or two in the luxuries that they themselves could only dream about. township is the loss of all dairy farms and all poultry From ox power, to horse power, to steam and gasoline farms. The remaining cattle are beef herds and there are power, they adapted to the changes. They saw the a few farmers with hog projects. Some have disposed of reaper replaced by the binder, the binder by the all livestock depending solely on grains, fertilizer, swather, and combine. They threshed with machines insecticides and ever larger machinery. There are powered by horses, then by stationary steam engines, places in the township where the section line is only five self propelled steam engines, gasoline tractors and, feet wide, where hills little more than piles of gravel and now, the combine has replaced them all. They stacked rock have been plowed, and former sloughs and hay with pitchforks and wagons racks, they made their marshes have also been plowed. On the other hand, own bucking poles out of logs, then used sweep rakes there are a few, oh, so few, who have kept attractive drawn by horses and overshot stackers powered by farmsteads and homes, who still find that farming is a horses. Then came the farm hand on the tractor, the way of life. baler for square or round bales, Hesston stackers, round stackers and the big balers that make bales far too heavy Even though settlement was just a hundred years ago for the farmers of today, to lift. One wonders, though, if there are many misconceptions about the early days. Peter Bong Larson might not have lifted one of them. Some think that the settlers lived in constant fear of the Indians who once lived here. This was never true. Mrs. Farm folks don't talk much about the beauty of the Ted Grothe, daughter of a pioneerfarmer, hasthistosay valley, but the look in their eyes as they view a ripening about the early times, "There was an Indian Trail which field, or the autumn colors of the trees-, speaks louder ran along the Albert Carlblom pasture, through the farm than words. yard and cross country to the writing rock. Groups of One group about whom we have very little information Indians came through from the Wahpeton area every were the Irish who lived in the township and the now and then. Sometimes they were in spring buggies villages. Some like T.J. Walker, Emit Steven Lovelace or wagons loaded with men, women and children. Once and Mr. Currie were businessmen in the village. The in a while, they would stop and ask for bread 'Once the chances are that Robert Kirkhorn was either Scotch or group included a wedding party. The bride wore a white Irish. He operated one of the stores. Other names such dress. They proceeded to the writing rock where they as Cumming, John Harris, A. Avery, Pat Cooney are held a sort of ceremonial dance, and sometimes names of early farmers. The chances are that the camped. One day an old Indian came alone. He settled brothers, Herman and John Oerding were of German for the night near the Carlblom farm. He drove two ancestry. Then there was Oliver Spencer, John Young, horses on a spring wagon. That night one of his horses the blacksmith who had his shop in section 12, J. died. Then he came to the house, wishing to trade his Fairbanks, for whom one of the first rural schools was spring wagon for a single buggy. Albert was not anxious named. Then there was James and John Maddigan. to part with this buggy, but finally gave in and the Indian was on his way. One episode Mrs. Hans John Simmons was, for many years, the harness maker Slapgaard (A pioneer) told me concerning Indians was and shoe repair man in Fort Ransom. In 1906, Mr. Tweto about one Indian who came to her door asking for came from Abercrombie and established the bank. A "brod" bread. He could not speak English except to say Mr. Basset came from Verona and started the first pool "Papoose". Then he showed with his hand how tall room. Later, James Collette operated this pool room. I.J. each papoose was. There were a number of them. He Oliver had the first post office in the township. Four of got a loaf of bread. Mrs. Slapgaard shared what she had the doctors that served the area in early days were Dr. when the Indians came and was on friendly terms with Simmons, who homesteaded the NWV4 section 8, Dr. them." Sherping, Dr. Peterson and Dr. Holm. Mr. Willie Olson, who came to the area as a boy of seven Now, in 1977, there are thirty three rural homes in Fort and died a few years ago at the age of 97, related how an Ransom Township, and twelve of these are not real Indian family had spent a winter in their farm yard, and farms, leaving twenty one farms in all. Of these 21, two that a baby had been born in their tent that winter. Hans depend on outside income. This represents quite a Slattum told how he watched Indians shooting ducks on change over the period of a hundred years. Eight homes the river, one man in the lead canoe doing the shooting, have children of school age. What then is the future of the others picking the ducks up. this township that once had so many homes? Will the farms now in the hands of older people be gobbled up by If homesteaders, some as poor as the Indians the big farmers with their insatiable hunger for more themselves, had made the first contact with the Indians, and more land? There are a few acres of irrigable land in instead of soldiers and buffalo hunters, the relations the township. So far, the tendency in this county is for between the native people and the homesteaders might large landholders to gobble up the irrigable land. have been quite different. Kindness and understand-

29 ing can bridge large gaps of language and race between Norway, for a law of 1736 required all persons to be people who are all trying to make a living. confirmed, and the state Lutheran Church required candidates for confirmation to be familiar with Luther's Catechism, the hymnbook, and the Bible. Norway OUR SCHOOLS established public schools in 1739. The vanguard of pioneer settlers in the Fort Ransom Although at first the immigrants' children might not area were for the most part young parents and recently understand the English spoken by the teacher, they married couples with their families as yet only a hope. soon caught on. Sometimes big unruly pupils "new­ Only a few families had children of school age. The first comers" wanting to learn English, gave the teacher a schools may have had their inception in some settler's bad time. Apparently Mrs. O'Thule, perhaps the first remote log house. teacher in the Fort School, knew how to cope with such As soon as Dakota Territory was organized, the legisla­ pupils. She enforced discipline by wielding a stout ture began to pass school laws. A school system hickory stick. gradually came into being with a Territorial Superin­ Although lacking in training and ill-paid, the pioneer tendent of Public Instruction, county superintendents teachers often performed admirably under difficult (Ransom County got its first county superintendent in conditions. They boarded around from one family to 1881), a pattern of school districts, and standards for the training and certification of teachers. another, without much privacy, walked or rode long distances to poorly equipped schools, built fires and did The earliest school districts were nine square miles, their own janitor work. four to a township. In 1883 a law was passed requiring new school districts to be thirty-six square miles, a One approach to the rural-school problem was consoli­ township in size. Almost without exception the new dation. An 1899 law permitted elections on the consoli­ school district took the name of the political township. dation of schools within the same district. Transporta­ Barnes County was one of five of the older counties that tion was the key to consolidation, and a family system of retained the smaller districts. tranpsorting pupils, without remuneration, was for awhile a stumbling block. Under the 1911 laws, state It appears that the first school districts in the Fort aid was to goto standard rural and graded schools. State Ransom community were organized under the earlier aid greatly strengthened the case for consolidation, and law. The Fairbanks School District, for example, the number of consolidated schools increased four-fold comprised nine square miles in the northwest corner of in the years 1911 -12 to 1916-17. Ransom Country was what was then Fort Ransom Township. That school one of the foremost counties in the consolidation of its district was organized in the spring of 1883. A rural schools. schoolhouse, built originally on section 8, was appar­ ently moved back and forth between the farmsteads of The schools in Fort Ransom School District were con­ Joseph March and Charles Fairbanks. solidated in 1916, and the present school building built within the village of Fort Ransom. Improvements to it Other early schoolhouses in what is now Fort Ransom were made in the early 1950's and an addition (the Township were: what was called The Fort School in the Johnny Nelson school) was made in 1956-57. This had village, the Void School in the southeast part of the a full basement under it including modern kitchen area. district, and the Johnny Nelson School in the southwest part. Courses for the first year of high school were offered on an experimental basis in 1920. They were then dropped These early schoolhouses preceded the building of the for a year and reinstituted in 1922 for a couple of school churches and were used as religious meeting places as terms. Enough courses were offered so that students well as for secular education. could complete two or three years of high school work at Fort Ransom. High school studies were once again Teachers in these pioneer country schools were poorly discontinued from 1924-1926. When they were trained and ill-paid. Often they had no training beyond resumed in 1926 it was on a four-year basis, and the the eighth grade. In the first year's operation of the first class was graduated from Fort Ransom High School Fairbanks School District one hundred dollars was in 1930. Since then a four-year high school was in budgeted for teacher's salary and seventy-five dollars existence until 1968. Graduating classes ranged in size for incidentals. from a high of sixteen down to a lone graduate. The school term was short — in those first years — The grade school continues in operation in the Fort beginning in mid-April and ending in July. Several years Ransom School District with 3 teachers providing later the term was lengthened to seven months, 140 instruction for pupils in grades 1-8. High school days. Attendance was poor, and the average pupil was students are bussed to Lisbon. in school perhaps only half of the time. Winter storms Over the years the Fort Ransom School has been noted robbed the students of many days of classes, and farm for its consistently high quality of educational endeavor. work often took precedence over school attendance. This has been possible through the wholehearted support of its patrons and a high degree of community The Norwegian immigrants had all learned to read in pride.

30 The settlement of Fort Ransom Township began in the 1870's. The Fort Ransom Army reservation which was ten miles square (100 sq. miles) was not opened for filing as soon as some of the nearby land. There were several squatters, some of whom lived in the abandoned buildings at the fort. Some left without filing claims, some filed in Springer Township, outside the reserva­ tion. Mr. Cummings and John Harris were both here at the time the fort was abandoned. Harris filed in section 18. He had operated an overnight stop at Harris Ford, on the Fort Ransom, Fort Abercrombie trail. It is evident that many who filed on claims were here but a short time. Some may have been speculators, selling their claim at the first opportunity. Others may simply have been unable to make it. A few filed on land that has never been fit for farming. In cases where it is known that they remained long enough to obtain title, their names will be listed, even though there is little or no more information about them. Those who left without obtaining title will be listed at the end of this story of settlement. Anton Anderson filed on the west half of the S\NVA of section 11 in 1894. He was a brother of LP. Anderson, Eric, Mrs. Oluf Anderson and Mrs. David Mikkelson. He The store where A.J. Olson started in Kidville died in 1927. Anton C. Anderson came to this area from Noverness, Norway at the age of twenty one. He first came to Paynesville with his brother Lars, before coming to Fort Hilmer married Onie Guttormson, daughter of Gregor Ransom territory. He filed on a claim in section 2 and Guttormson, and their children are Juella, Helen and was the first permanent settler. In 1900, he married Gerald. J.M. Anderson's daughter, Betsey, married Inga Highness who came from Tromso, Norway in 1898. Henry Martinson. They had two children, Marvin, who She was born Sept. 2, 1875 and Anton, January 20, took over the management of the Martinson garage 1853. They had seven children: Tilden, born April 22, after World War II. He married Eugenia Collette and they 1901, a retired farmer; Astrid (Mrs. Erickson) born had two children. Marvin died in 1957. Lillian November 26, 1902; Ida (Mrs. Helseth) born December Martinson married Lyle Hilde, an engineer. They have three children. 2, 1904, has an apartment house; Nora (Mrs. Peterson) born December 6, 1906, a saleslady; Connie (Mrs. Hed) Henry Martinson was one of the young men who born December 12, 1910, who manages an apartment started the village of Kidville, 2V2 miles southwest of house; Frieda (Mrs. Savre) born March 24, 1913, Fort Ransom, where he had a blacksmith shop. Later he deceased and Berenice (Mrs. Prenosil) born March 24, moved to Fort Ransom where he had a blacksmith shop 1916. and later on a garage and blacksmith shop. Tilden married Nora Sorby. They have three children: Lars Benoni Anderson was born in Overkjelen, Rana, LaVerne (Mrs. Curtis Olson) has two children, Steven Norway 2/11 /51. His father was Adreas Johanneson and Bradley. Steven married Dolores Ekhart and they from Reinforsheia born 8/23/1800. His mother was have two children. Kit John and Candyce. Bradley Karen Larsdatter, born in 1812 and died in 1952. Lars married Vickie Hanson and they have a daughter, had a brother, Nels, and twin sisters, Birgitte Christine Stephanie. Tilden's second daughter, Lorraine, married (Mrs. Lars Thompson) and her twin who died in infancy. Lowell Johnson. They had two sons, Joe, who married a Lars married Dorthea Svenson who was born in Nord Billing girl and Jerry who married Sherri Carlblom. Jerry Sjona 7/1/1856 and died 10/28/1903. She was the and Sherri have two children, Michael Lowell and Cindy daughter of Svend and Inger Jensen. Lars and Sara had Lynette. Tilden's son, Virgil, married Betty Olson of Fort five children when they left Norway in 1886. On the way Ransom. They have four children: Noreen (Mrs. Bruce they were exposed to scarlet fever and two younger Fraase) who live near Fort Ransom with their children, children died while Inga became a deaf mute. Inga spent Lea and Reeve; Terry, born October 7, 1955 married her life teaching other deaf mutes. They had seven Karen Kostok; Jeffrey, born August 29, 1958 and Lynn, children in this country, twelve in all. Alfred, Sven, Inga, born September 13, 1968. Nels and Laura were born in Norway. Nels and Laura J.M. Anderson came to this township in the nineties died of scarlet fever. Among those born in America who and settled in section 10. His sons, Hilmer and Arthur. survived childhood were Nels, Nora, Carrie, Maggie, They farmed until a few years ago. Arthur married Sophus and August. The oldest son, Alfred, spent his Ragna (arson and they have two sons, Don and Jon. early years in Fort Ransom then left for Montana and on 31 Ingeborg and Peder Anderson

The Slapgaard Twins, Annie & Serine Mr. and Mrs. Nels Nelson

32 Peder and Anna Nelson, 1890 Albert and Serine Carlblom

Jacob and Dorthea Johnson. 1900's

33 The Writing Rock on Bears Den Hill. A.Z. Nelson interpreted meaning "Over 3,000 people were here for 420 years." Sino'Tibetan Alphabet of 6,000 years ago.

34 to California. Alfred's son, Kermit, married Hazel his claim. He said that although the walking was tough, Larson. They live in Helena, Montana and have two it was the wolves that kept him awake. daughters, Sharon Lee and Carol Ann. He returned, built a 12x 14 shack, dug a well and with Lars' daughter, Nora (Mrs. Ludvig Hanson) lives in his oxen and walking plow plowed a fireguard, then West Fargo. Maggie married Charles Errington of Santa drove his oxen back to Minnesota. In the spring of 1886 Monica, CA. Nels and his sister Carrie, farmed the home he loaded the family and all their possessions on a place until 1952 when they sold it to Harry Peterson. covered wagon with four cows following. Alfred, then The two living members of the family are Carrie twelve, walked behind the cows to keep them moving. Anderson in Fargo and Maggie Errington in Santa They arrived at the claim on June 11. Monica. Alfred Zacharias, the oldest son, grew to manhood on Lars Peter Anderson was born July 3, 1856 in his parent's farm. He later bought the NEVi of section 33 Mo parish, Helegland, Norway. He migrated to where he built a one room shack covered with tar paper. Minnesota in 1880 and to this township in 1887 where He lived here alone and found it very lonely, therefore he homesteaded in section 2. He married Jensine named it Penestadet (torcher chamber). In 1905 he built Nelson in 1887 in Fort Ransom. Jensine was born a three room house and married Ellen Kvam who was February 4, 1861 and came to Paynesville in 1886. They born June 8, 1882 in Kenyon, Minnesota. They lived had six children: Alma (Mrs. Harley Johnson) born Sept. here all their married life and built a beautiful farm 4, 1892; She had three children and now lives in home. They had five children, Ida Petrine, Pearl Isabelle, Seattle; Peter G. born November 12,1894, died in 1927; George Hilbert, Esther Alfrieda Canstance, and He left two daughters. The third child, Louise (Mrs. Gertrude Jeanette. Alfred died November 3, 1926 and Wayne Upson) was born September 10, 1896. She had Ellen on October 4, 1931. Ellen's parents were two children and now lives in Santa Rosa, CA. Bernard Johannes and Olive Kvam. William, born July 28,1898died in 1962. He left 1 child. George, the third child, was born February 25, 1909, The fifth child,, Julia (Mrs. Mark Johnson) a retired the only son. When he was sixteen, his father died and school teacher, lives in Fort Ransom. Mark was a former he took over the farm duties. Five years later, his mother county commissioner. Their daughter is Mrs. Ray died. The two older sisters were married so this left Hanson. Wilma, born July 31, 1901 married Herman George and his younger sisters, Esther and Gertrude, Berger. Both of them taught school and Herman was alone on the farm. In 1939, George bought the farm county superintendent of schools, Wilma was a social from the estate and operated it until 1947. He moved to security worker, now lives in Valley City. Fort Ransom and bought the home of Louise Peterson. Jensine, Lars' first wife, died in 1903. He married On August 7, 1949 he married Alice Lund. He worked Ellen Erickson who was born in Nesna, Norway. They for Marvin Martinson in the garage for two years, then had three children: James A., born May 13, 1905, lives bought a grocery store business from Chester Eskelson. in Rapid City, S.D. and has two children; Elmer LaFollet, In 1956, he bought a meat and locker plant. This burned born in 1906 and died in 1968, had five children; down in 1965 and George rebuilt and in 1873 sold it to Eleanor Anderson (Mrs. Paulson), born November, Dwight Peltier. 1908 lives in San Jose, CA and has four children. George and Alice have two children: Michael George, Lars P. Anderson was a member of the state a naturalist, and Holly Kay (Mrs. Cameron Larson). They legislature. Jensine taught in the Bear Creek School No. have two children: Wendy Kay and Patricia Lee. Michael 2, salary $40 a month. Her pupils were five Berland was born 5/23/50 and Holly, April 1971. George says children, two Hofos children, two Holkestads and two that aside from losing his parents when he was too Johnsons. young, he has had a very happy life. Peder Dunderland Anderson was born in Dunderland, Ida Petrine (Mrs. Reinholt Peterson) lived in the area; Norway, August 5,1839. His wife, Ingeborg Haagenson, Pearl married Denwood Lawrence, Esther married was born in Almli, Norway, April 5, 1851. They were Arthur Berntson, and Gertrude married Harley Junker. married in Dunderland in 1873. Peder was a farmer. Coming back to Peder's second son, Hogan; he married They came to this township in 1885 and section 29. Harda Haarstad and they had four children: Alice, Mrs. They had five children: Alfred Zacharias, born April 19, Ralph Mader, Irwin, Hogan Jr. (deceased) and Onita. 1874, a farmer; Hogan, born in 1897, once had a Peder's daughter Christine (Mrs. Adolph Peterson) has lumberyard in Fort Ransom and worked at various jobs; six children: Ira, Clarence, Melvin, Clifford, Elmer anc Christi Ann Bergette, born in 1883 and died in 1886; Arnold. Only Clifford and Elmer are living. Peder's Christine Margarette, born May 30, 1887, housewife; daughter Inga (Mrs. Oscar Kylstad) had nine children and Inga Pauline, born January 18,1896. Ida (Mrs. Adlai Sneve); Irwin, farming the home farm; Peder and Ingeborg left Norway in 1882 on a cattle Philip; Eldiane (Mrs. Harold Johnson); Walvin, a freighter. Their first stop was Nordland, Minnesota carpenter; Grace (Mrs. Charles Kern); Joyce (Mrs. where Christi Anne was born. In the spring of 1885 Lars Sanford Kuznetz); Judith (Mrs. Lawrence Ruud) and left his family in Minnesota and came by ox team and Eldred, deceased. Gertrude Anderson, Alfred's young­ wagon to Ransom County. He staked his claim in section est daughter, married Harley Junker. (See Junker 29, then with water jug in one hand, lunch pail in the history). other and a bed roll on his back, walked to Fargo to file Abe Avery known as Abb came to Fort Ransom in 1889.

35 Rock with incised cross and deep hole in center. At the time it was marked people thought that it pointed to the magnetic north pole.

In 1891 he married Annie Hodgins. They lived in his Harold was the first man in the township to have a plane brother George's claim shanty in section 11 until the and learn to fly. He was killed in an automobile accident. Shiels family moved away. They then lived in the Shiels His son, Ronald, then took over and operated the farm house. Abb was a freighter and sometimes carried the (now much larger) alone until his son, Tommy, began to mail. He was clerk of the Fort Ransom school board for farm with him. Tommy is the fifth generation on this 44 years, resigning shortly before his death in 1943. homestead. Ronald married a Slattum girl and they have George Avery settled in section 11. the fort site was two daughters: Shirley (Mrs. James Sorby) who has two part of his homestead. His wife's name was Jessie. They children, Janelle Marie and Tyler James. Jody, the other stayed on the homestead until 1886 or 1887 when they daughter, is also married. Tommy married an Ekern girl moved to the Mouse River settlement in McHenry from Lisbon. County. Rev. A.H. Berger was born in Norway, October 25, G.L. Archer farmed the NE14 of section 21, from 1913 to 1956. He settled in section 1 in 1898. His wife, Carrie 1930. Strinden, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, was born Joseph Barrow homesteaded in section 28 in 1883. He September 6, 1875. She came to the county in 1898. sold the land in 1888, just after receiving his patent. They were married at Pelican Rapids in 1899. Mr. Hans Berg came in 1882 and homesteaded in section Berger was a Lutheran pastor. They had eight children, 25. He added to his holdings. Hans died in 1912 and his all of whom taught school at one time or another: H.J. wife continued operating the farm until 1925, when a Berger, born May 22, 1900, teacher and county son, Peter, took over. Peter bought the land in 1935. superintendent. He married Wilma Anderson and they Hans had another son, August, who farmed in section 2. had two children: Stella (Mrs. Halvorson) and her Hans also had five daughters: Mathilda (Mrs. Strub); husband were both teachers; Fred E. Berger, born Anna (Mrs. Bean); Lena (Mrs. Anton Haarberg); Cora December 25, 1904, educator; L.E. Berger, long time and Emma unmarried. superintendent at West Fargo, later in legislature; T.K. Peter's son, Harold, bought the home place in 1954. Berger, born August 3, 1909, rural mail carrier and a

36 The family of Irenus Carlblom

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Thompson Andor Nelson. WW I

37 real community leader. The mail was delivered, Page, N.D. in 1949. Their children are: Angela (Mrs. regardless of condition. Helen (Mrs. Olson), born Allen Guttormson) born July 8, 1951, an L.P.N, and August 1911, housewife and operator of a residential coordinator at the Lisbon Nursing Home. She has two rental faciltiy; Harold Berger, born September 26, 1913, children, Melanie, born July 8, 1951 and James, born is a salesman; Edna (Mrs. Reveland) born October 9, June 6, 1973; Roxanne (Mrs. Dennis Rienke) born 1915. She is the residential director of Lutheran Sunday October 10, 1954. Dennis was born March 29, 1942. schools in N.D. She is an accounting clerk and Dennis, a farm laborer; Reverend A.H. Berger attended Concordia College for Glenda (Mrs. Kenneth Truesdell) was born Sept. 15, a while and graduated from Red Wing Seminary. He and 1956, and is a student at Valley City State College; Mrs. Berger came to Fort Ransom in 1898 when he Kenneth, born August 26, 1952, works at the Dahlgren became pastor of Waldheim, Preston, Spring Creek, and Elevator, Lisbon; Tracy, born May 10, 1960 is a student Skandia congregations. This proved to be too strenuous at Lisbon High School. for one pastor and in 1903 two alternatives were Irenus Carlblom came to this township from Cokato, confronted, either divide the parish, or hire an assistant Minnesota and settled in section 14. He was born April pastor. The parish was divided and Rev. Berger was 5, 1854 and his wife, Josephine Johnson, in 1855. They called to serve Stiklastad, Waldheim and Preston were married at Cokato in 1874. Irenus was a farmer. congregations at a salary of $200ayear. For many years There were ten children: Albert, born May 5, 1876, a he served this area, driving with a team of horses, farmer; John, born in 1877, a laborer; Emma (Mrs. summer and winter. He passed away in 1930 at the age Highness) born in 1879; Selma, born in 1881, a house­ of sixty-five. His wife lived to be ninety eight. Rev. keeper; Oscar, born in 1883, a businessman; Anna Berger was forthright in speech and action and his (Mrs. Ronning) born in 1885; George, born in 1887, a former parishioners seem to remember him long after farmer; Herman, born in 1890, a carpenter; Edward, others are forgotten. born in 1892, a laborer; and Alfred, born in 1895, a Hans Berntson settled in section 18, in 1896. He came carpenter. from Norway, as did his wife, Lena Horsager, in 1890. The eldest son, Albert, married Sirene Slapgaard. Hans was born October 4, 1867, and Lena, January 18, Their daughter, Annie J., married Theodore C. Grothe 1879. They were married in Lisbon, Hans was a farmer. on June 6, 1929. Their children are: Kenneth, who They had eight children: Justin, born August 24, a farm married Charleen Anderson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. laborer; Gunhild (Mrs. Nypen) born August 28, 1900; Elmer Anderson. They have four children: Dale, Carol, Alfred, born June 3, 1902; Arthur, born September 27, Linda and Ellen. Annie's other children are Ardell 1905; Louis, born January 3, 1904, farmer; Ethel (Mrs. Grothe, Stanford Grothe, and Alan Grothe. Alan Hanson) born December 7, 1907; Ida (Mrs. Henrikson) married Sandra Laugen. They have two children, born November 16, 1909, teacher and housewife; Tillie Jennifer and Rebecca. Albert's son, Henry O., married (Mrs. Haarsager) born August 30, 1912, teacher and Ethel Henrikson. They had a daughter, Shirley (Mrs. housewife. There are 14 grandchildren. Jans Kruger) of Valley City who has two daughters, John Bjornhei, born September 22, 1885 in Norway, Susan and Sherri; Henry's second wife was Lucietta came to Fort Ransom in 1907. He built his home in the Holweg. They had a son, Leland, who is a chemist with hillside west of the Sheyenne and said that it reminded Pittsburg Glass and Paint Industries. him of his home in Norway. He was a painter by trade Irenus' son, George, farmed in section 16. His son, and in his later years also sold nursery stock. John also Donald, now farms here. Another son, Clair, married constructed models of different types of freight vessels Joan Murray of Lancaster, Minn, in 1952. They were in Norway, and painted a scene of his birthplace. His married in Hallock, Minn. There arefive children: Sherry wife, Louisa Jacobson, came from LaMoure County. Lea (Mrs. Jerry Johnson) born April 30, 1954, has She was born September 15, 1898. They were married two children, Michael Lowell and Cindy Lynette; Debbie in Fort Ransom in 1917. Louisa Jacobson's parents Lou (Mrs. Thoreson) was born August 10, 1956, a were John and Soffie Jacobson, who came from secretary; Patty Jane, born February 16, 1960; Janice Norway in 1890 and settled in Black Loam Township in Lynn, born April 11, 1963, and William Wade, born LaMoure County. They had eight children, five living. February 12, 1965. John and Louisa had three children: Alma (Mrs. Oscar Christianson came from Lake Mills, Iowa in 1906 Gallagher) of Pingree was born June 6,1920. They have and settled in section 31. He married Mathilde seven childen. Melba (Mrs. Art Guttormson) born Anderson who was born in 1878 in Mo i Rana, Norway. January 19, 1922. They have eleven children. Stanley Oscar was born July 17, 1879. Their children were: was born March 2, 1931 and had one child that died in Ingrid Josephine (Mrs. Phillip Hoff) of Lisbon (see Hoff infancy. history), Ingrid was born October 30, 1906; Edward Christian Brandt came to Fort Ransom Township in Bernard, born September 24, 1908; Arthur Elinis, born 1881 and settled in section 24. He did not remain in the August 13, 1911; Mildred Oline, born July 19, 1913; community very long. Mable Lillian, born July 8, 191 5, and Ernest William, Kenneth Brock settled in section 12 of Fort Ransom in born March 19, 1917. Their mother, Mathilde died in 1962. Kenneth was born September 27,1928, his wife, March 1917. Oscar married Christine Grund. There Mary Joseph, on April 12, 1931. They were married in were three children of this marriage: Elmer, born July 1,

38 Albert Carlblom. House, Car and Family

Christian Nelson WW I Albert Carlblom in his coonskin coat

39 1922; Vernal, born September 15, 1925, and Deloris, seventeen. John took over the operation of the farm. He born October 7, 1927. The family moved to Lisbon in married Helga, daughter of Paul Ronning. John and 1936. Helga had three daughters and a son, Harry who lives in Nicolai Cooley moved onto the NWVi of section 20, in Lisbon. The daughters were: Marion (Mrs. Henry 1905. He farmed it until he died in 1928. Hiswidowand Rasmussen); Helen (Mrs. Habeck) at the west coast; and children left the farm after his death and moved west. Bessie (Mrs. Iver K. Enga). John Erickson moved to Nicolai was raised by Mr. and Mrs. N.G. Eggen. Lisbon some years after his wife died. August Denenfelzer homesteaded the SE VA of section Ole K. Erickson and his bride, Petrin (Hoganson), came 18 in 1882. He got his deed to the quarter in 1889 and from Norway as newlyweds to their home in section 27, sold it. in 1882. They brought their meager belongings with N.G. Eggen lived in section 36 of Northland. He married them with which to face the severe North Dakota Mrs. Berit Olson, the widow of Nels Olson. They had no winters, in a shack on the barren prairie. They survived children of their own but raised Nicolai Cooley. In 1905 the hardships and lived on their farm until 1920 when the Eggens moved to the state of Washington. Nels was they moved to Fort Ransom. They had the following a brother of twins, Elius and Nelius Eggen, well known children: Mary (Mrs. Adolph Fladmore). They had six dealers in musical instruments in Fargo. children, Aziel, Wilfred, Arnold, Vidar, Floyd and Olaf Eggen was not a son of Nels Eggen, but may have Vernon; Elida (Mrs. Nels K. Nelson) had five children: been a nephew. He worked for Jens Sorby and others in Miriam, Oliver, Elmer, Floyd and Viola; Margaret (Mrs. that neighborhood and farmed in section 6 of Springer. B.J. Peterson) whose three children are Margaret, C. He studied medicine and went to Minneapolis to Burnell and Joyce; Hogan; Alpha (Mrs. Walter Johnson) practice medicine. There he was killed by a hit and run with two sons, C. Austin and Donald; Beda (Mrs. Harry driver. Hinkle); A son, Olaf, was killed by lightning at the age of I.K. Enga and his wife, Karen, came in the eighties and four and two daughters died in infancy. homesteaded the SEVi of section 31. Their son, Iver, George Falk, born July 10, 1911, married Atha Marian farmed the homestead, as well as, his own land just Peterson (see Elias Peterson history), June 12, 1936. across the township line in Hanson Township. They farmed in section 13. They had four sons, three Andrew Erickson, son of Eric Thompson, and Anna, living. Ronald LeRoy, born October 23, 1937, married daughter of Haarberg, farmed the NWV4 of section 34 Janice Kornelius, November 27, 1964. They have two until his death. They had three sons, John, Oscar and children, Tyler Ronald and Terry LeRoy. Russell R.G. Henry, and a daughter, Betsy, who died at the age of now living on the home farm. Russell is both farmer and

Mr. and Mrs. Lars Thompson

40 crop duster (by plane); Gary Allen, born October 11, Margrite in Norway and first came to the Wilmar 1946, died in an accident August 7, 1970; Arden Keith, Minnesota area. Hans was born in 1824, Margrite in born October 14, 1951, married and in business in 1838. They came to section 1 5 of Fort Ransom in 1884. Lisbon. There were seven children: Bereth, Christine, Gregor, Harold Fog, who was born September 1, 1897 at Fort Bertha, Jennie, Christ, and Martin. Gregor was born in Ransom, married Gertrude Louise Peterson (See Elias 1868. His daughter, Helga, married Anton Strander. Peterson history) June 12, 1929. Both Harold and Ole J. Guttormson came to Fort Ransom Township in Gertrude were teachers. They had a daughter, Delores the nineties and settled in section 6. His wife was Irene (Mrs. Stuart Gair Jr.) born January 6, 1935 and Dorthea Thompson, daughter of Anders and Inger Roland Denan, born December 13, 1936, who married Thompson. Ole Guttormson was from Ranen, Norway. Virginia Lee King Terrarra in 1960. Harold died in 1960 They had five children: Agnes (Mrs. Harry Peterson); and Gertrude married Warren Cusack in 1969. Edith (Mrs. Matt Rasmussen); Oliver, Arthur and Peter Gagnum filed on a claim in section 25 in 1882. No Charles. other record has been found. The Matt Rasmussens had three children, Muriel, Bjorn Granlund came to Ransom Township from Mo, Victor and Delores. Edith died in 1962. Mrs. Harry Norway in 1912. He was born April 14, 1880. His wife, Peterson, widowed, lived in Tucson, Arizona. Petra, also born in Mo, October 28, 1892. They were Oliver married Bereniece Haarsager and they had five married May 13, 1912. They had three daughters: children: Vinton, Oscar, Ray, Allan and Dorothy. Vinton Agnes (Mrs. Hagen) born May 3, 1914, lives in Kathryn. is single, Ray married Betty Jean Shipman, Allan They have three childen, Carolyn (Mrs. Stevens) born married Angela Kay Brock, Oscar married Norma July 7, 1938, housewife and teacher; Sandra (Mrs. Kerrick and Dorothy married Ardell Rasmussen. All but Benson) born August 18, 1939, housewife and nurse; Allan are living. Blanche (Mrs. Thoreson) born June 21, 1943, Arthur Guttormson married Melba Bjornhei of Fort housewife and teacher. Berghild, Bjorn and Petra's Ransom. They have eleven children: Dennis, Jacqualyn, second daughter, was born January 1, 1917. She is a Larry, Lois, Suzan, David, Sharon, Bonnie, John, Brian teacher in Fargo, N.D. Solveig (Mrs. Marvin Nelson) of and Marlene. Jacqualyn married Harley Fink, Lois Kathryn, the third daughter, was born May 12, 1924. married Darrell Mennis and Suzan Marie married They have a son and three daughters: Barry, born July Ronald Jacobson. The others are unmarried. 23, 1952, Patricia (Mrs. Pederson) born February 17, Charles Guttormson married Annie Anderson and 1954 and Susan, born September 27, 1962 and Mary they had three children: Gary, who married Jackie Ann, born June 23, 1965, both students. Groden; Kenneth, who married Sharon Rhodes; and When the Grandlunds came to the area in 1912, Duwayne, who married Valerie Henry. Charles and Bjorn first rented land from Jacob Mikkelson in family have lived in California since before World War II. Northland Township. Later, he purchased an eighty in Halftan Bernard Gyldenvand, son of Peder E. Northland from Peter Holkestad and Karl Johnson. A ski Gyldenvand, was born September 15, 1895 at Fort club built a ski hut here and operated the ski hill for a Ransom. He married Rena Drusilla Peterson,grand­ number of years. Later this eighty was sold to Marvin daughter of Elias Peterson. Rena was born April 9, Nelson, who in turn sold it to the state as part of a state 1905. She was a school teacher. Halftan a farmer. They park. had five children: Robert Howard, born August 18, Petra and Bjorn moved to the Israel Henrickson farm, 1926. Howard married Ruth Schock and they have four now the site of the state park. Agnes, the oldest children. Rena and Halftan's second and third child died daughter, was born here. In 1925 they purchased the in infancy. They were Irene Josephine and Waldemar acreage in Fort Ransom Township from Emet Lovelace, Peterson. The fourth child, Gerald Dane, was born July and made their home there. Bjorn continued his farming 10 and married Gloria Casey in 1939. Doris Berhard- activities until his eighties and passed away in 1971 at ine married Dennis Just of Berlin, N.D. on June 30, the age of 91. Petra continues to make her home here. 1965. They have two children Lisa Renae and Karl The three daughters all graduated from Valley City State Peter. Teahers College and Borghild also attended the John Hanson was born in Norway in August 1864 and University of Minnesota. came to Fort Ransom in 1893 to settle in section 18. His Johan Gregor, whose mother was Dorothea Gregor wife, Kirstianna, came from Norway. They were married Johnson, came to Fort Ransom in the 1890's and settled in 1889 in Hemnes, Norway. Kristianna was born in section 2. Johan was a fine singer and a gifted 5/12/1867. They had six sons and a daughter. Hans C, composer who took a leading part in the music of the born 6/7/91, father of Marlyn, Edna (Mrs. Satreaas) church and of the Nokken choir. He wrote many poems and Floyd. Conrad, born 1 /28/95, father of Wilmer and and was instrumental in getting the pipe organ for the Violet (Mrs. Henrikson). Astrid (Mrs. Ed Rasmussen) Standing Rock Church. mother of ten children, Alden, Jerome, Arlene (Mrs. Gregor Guttormson was born in 1868. He was the son Rufsvold), Maxine (Mrs. Shockman), Curis (deceased), of another pioneer, Hans Guttormson. Gregor came in Beverly (Mrs. Mart), Ronald and Donald (twins), Joyce the mid eighties and settled in section 22. (Mrs. Coit) and Edward Jr. John Hansons' son, Elmer, Hans Guttormson came from Norway. He married married Mary Lohn. Their children are: Wayne, Audrey

41 (Mrs. Morelock), Ray and Dale. Arthur married Ethel Berntson, daughter of Hans Berntson, and their children are: Myrna (Mrs. Schmelsback), Rodney, Richard, and Leone (Mrs. Kulsrud). Hjalmer Hanson married Palma Henrikson and their children are: Barbara (Mrs. Telvin Slattum) Joel and Leland. The five Hanson brothers all farmed in Fort Ransom Township. Conrad was also in business in Fort Ransom and active in community affairs. Hans, Elmerand Arthur live in Fort Ransom. Ray, Elmer's son, and Floyd, Hans' son, farm in the township while Leland, Hjalmer's son, farms in Northland. Ray married Doris Johnson and Floyd married Mavis Anderson. Their children are Bryan, Jeffrey, Darren and Brent. Ray and Doris have two children, Gary and Gayle. Peter G. Gabrielson came in 1904 and farmed the SEV4 of section 20 and sold it in 1930. He came to Fort Ransom in 1893. He was a brother of Mrs. Peder M. Anderson and an uncle of Andy Anderson's. Johannes H. Haarberg and wife, Ingeborg, came in 1888 and settled in section 28. They were elderly people This used to be Bery Kenyon's home - now deserted and died in the 1890's. They had two childen, Andrew Haarberg and Anna (Mrs. Andrew Erickson). H. Haarsager settled on the NWU of section 8 in the nineties. W.C. Heckle came to Fort Ransom Township in the nineties and settled in section 6. In 1910 he was operating 240 acres in that section. He moved to Hanson Township. Ole Mikal Henrikson came from Mo i Rana, Norway, where he was born in 1856. He came to section 2 in

Family of Nels Anderson - Standing: Kernel, Harold, Alvin, Andor. Seated: Nels and his wife Gertrude (Peterson)

42 1882. His wife, Karen Ann Peterson, came from in California. Overdal, Norway. They were married in Fort Ransom in Anna (Mrs. Marvin Frederickson) lives in Fernley, 1886. There were ten children, three of whom died in Nevada. They have four children: Paul, Charles, Ruth infancy. They were: Olaf K. was born in 1880, and (deceased), Richard, and Emily (Mrs. Ray Brown) of became a musician, violinist, teacher and painter. He Rosebud, Montana. taught at the Fargo Conservatory of Music for many Alfred married Helga Hegvick. They have six children: years; Henry, a farmer and choir leader, was born in Shirley (Mrs. David Roach) in Springer Township; 1887; Anne Marie (Mrs. H. Carlblom) was born in 1889, Dennis married Florence Kenyon and lives in Aberdeen, and became a teacher and housewife; Laura M. (Mrs. H. S.D.; Sharon (Mrs. Harvey Haarsager) lives in Litchville; Peterson) was born in 1890, was a housewife and DuWayne married Phyllis Larson and they live in organist; Hilda M. (Mrs. Iner Peterson) was born in Littleton, Colorado; Sheila (Mrs. Ernest Boroszyuk) of 1882, and was a very gifted soloist and artist. She sang Joliet, Montana; and Joanne (Mrs. Palmer Lieb) lives in solos after she was eighty. She and her husband, Iner, Montpelier, N.D. were painters; Cora M. (Mrs. H. Olson) was a piano Haakon married Eunice Collette. They live in Seattle, teacher and housewife; and Ruth (Mrs. Conrad Olson) Washington, and have four children: Donna Mae (Mrs. was a teacher, housewife and naturalist. Richard Olson) of Seattle; Larry married Jan and lives in Ole Mikal's first wife, Karen, died shortly after they Seattle; Kathy (Mrs. Sterling Hayes) of Portland, came to Fort Ransom. She was the first person buried in Oregon; and Judy (Mrs. Seven Steele) lives in Standing Rock Cemetery. Israel Henrikson donated an California. acre for the cemetery. The Henriksons were a very gifted Viola, who had six children: Anita lives in Kansas; family. Ruth made a study of native wild flowers and had Merle lives in Colorado, and Jon. After her husbands a wild flower garden in her yard. death, Viola married Lenard Gabbert and they live in Samuel C. Hoff came to Wisconsin in 1889 where he Lefor, N.D. They have eight children: Lloyd married stayed with his uncle, Sven Hoff, before coming to Fort Vivian Larsen; Vonne (Mrs. Geon Klienert) lives in Sioux Ransom in 1891. He was born in Faaberg, Norway, on Falls, S.D.; Charlotte (Mrs. Jack Baumgardner)of Fargo; September 15, 1869. His wife, Hannah Oliva Lorraine; Phyllis (Mrs. Bruce Warner) of Grand Forks; Thompson, came from Mo i Rana where she was born Patricia (Mrs. Wayne Matthys) of West Fargo; John June 27, 1871. They were married in Fort Ransom in married Donna Erickson and lives in Fargo; Jerry 1893. From 1906 to 1909, Samuel was in the feed married Anna Swenson and lives in Williston. business in Kiddville, and also farmed. He moved to Marie (Mrs. Babe Suter) has four children: Bonnie Lisbon in 1924. They had three sons and a daughter: lives in Utah; Wayne, Lee, and Shirley all live in San Charles Arthur was born March 22, 1894 and died in Diego, California. World War I in France. Philip Ingvald was born March 3, Thelma married Vernon Olson. They live in Redonda 1896, a farmer, retired. Selma Helene was born July 11, Beach, CA, and have a son, James. 1900 and died in 1906; and Samuel Herbert was born The Alfred Holm family have lived all their lives in the December 23, 1938 was a bookkeeper, but is now Fort Ransom area until the children married and moved retired. to other parts of the country. Philip Ingvald married Ingrid Josephine Christianson Martin P. Holt came here in 1880 and filed on land in on December 23, 1938. She was born October 30, section 26. He left the area and went to Minnesota in 1907. (See Oscar Christian history). They had two 1884. children: Howard Stanley was born December 3,1942, Gjermund Hovde and his wife, Torjorg, came from and Marian Olivia (Mrs. Curtis Sorby ) was born July 8, Norway and settled in section 27. He received a U.S. 1946. They have two children: Angie Lynn, born June 8, patent in 1895, so probably bought a relinquishment 1968, and Julie Ann, born November 19, 1972. from someone else. As is often the case with Norwegian John Holm was born in Namsos, Norway, on November families, there was a confusion of names. Gjermund 30, 1875. He came to New York in 1891. He and his Hovde and John Thompson were brothers. John brother, Brookman, and two companions walked to Thompson's name when he first arrived was Johannes Wisconsin, where he worked as a lumberjack. Then he Torbjornsen Hovde, and his brother's name was came to Graceville, Minnesota, and in 1898 to Fort Gjermund Torbjornsen Hovde. At the Void School the Ransom. He married Augusta Erickson in 1903. At the children were entered under the surname of age of 18, she came with her parents and six younger Germanson. The name does not seem to have stuck for brothers and sisters, by way of Canada. She worked in the descendants around Kathryn are known by the Kathryn for a while, then, for Knut Saeter in Fort name Hovde. Shortly after getting his patent, Gjermund Ransom where she met John Holm. sold the land to Frank Strander. John was a blacksmith in Fort Ransom all his life. He Henry Israelson came here in 1882 and settled in died in 1948 of an explosion in his blacksmith shop, section 2 of Fort Ransom. It was he who donated the Augusta died in 1959. They had seven children: Helga, first land for the Standing Rock Cemetery. He left the Anna, Alfred, Haakon, Viola, Marie and Thelma. homestead to his son, Israel Henrikson, who in turn left Helga had three children: Marge lived in Colorado, it to a nephew, Olaf Henrikson. After Olaf's death his Dorine (Mrs. Jesson) lives in Dickinson and Marlys lives widow retained the land. She later married Charles

43 Tyler James Walker Sr. Tyler James Walker Jr. at the age of 18 months, 1908

Mildred Evelyn Walker at the age of 2 Celestia. Johanna, Lottie. Bessie Walker

44 Anne Marie Hoiland Carl Thompson

Walter Munkeby home Paul Olson home

45 Kaiser, who has lived alone on the farm since her death. Standing Rock Church. Albert Jacobson was born February 16, 1868, at Mo As stated above, George Dahl Johnson came to Fort nord Ranan, Norway. He came here in 1889 and settled Ransom in 1895 and worked at the Walker Mill. He had in section 22. In 1907 he married Marie Kavli Larson his name legally changed to George J. Dahl when he who was born in Hannesberget, Norway, July 15,1885. married Emelia Lund, December 6, 1899. The reason She came here in 1902. They had ten children: Agnes being there was another man with identically the same (Mrs. Knudson), her husband is a bookkeeper and works name in the area. George and Anna Dahl had eight in advertising in Seattle; Leif E. Jacobson, who died in children (See George Dahl history) in Springer 1932; Gunda E. (Mrs. Harry Peterson) became a teacher Township. and housewife. They have a daughter, Karen; Andrew Karl (or Carl) J. Johnson was born in Gyldenvand, M. Jacobson is a farmer, who lives in Springer Norway, April 27, 1861. He married Ronaug (Rena) Township. He and his late wife worked for many years at Johnson, who was born April 14,1858, at Lorn, Norway. the State Hospital in Jamestown and also worked at They came to Fort Ransom in 1883. Their children were: crafts and pottery making; Dagny L. (Mrs. Morsaint), Mr. Joseph Corin Johnson, born July 20, 1887 at Fort Morsaint is a Navy clerk in Lakewood, CA; Ingred E. Ransom, and Hilda Casbara Johnson, born April 2,1898 (Mrs. Johnson) who is a stenographer-clerk in Seattle; at Fort Ransom. She married John Iverson. Joseph Mary V. (Mrs. Kinnear) an artist and stenographer in married Alma Henrietta Olson, who was born Bedford, VA; Arnold B. is an artist in Seattle; Reuben L. September 4, 1892 at Fort Ransom. Joseph was in is in the Navy at Chico, CA; and Albert M., born in 1929, business in Fort Ransom and, later, farmed in section 28 and died with his father when they were caught in a of Northland for several years. They had two sons: blizzard on the way home from Fort Ransom in March, Warren, who was born in 1923. He farmed the home 1941. place in section 28 of Northland for many years before Charley G. Johnson was born in Lekvaten, Sweden, moving to Fort Ransom. He is employed as a welder in and came here at the age of nine. He traveled with his the Melroe Division of Clark Mfg. Co. in Gwinner, and parents and grandmother in a sailboat that took eleven for the last ten or more years has promoted an annual weeks to cross the Atlantic. They landed in Quebec, rodeo on July 4th; and Lowell, who was born in 1928. Canada, and came by train to Cokato, Minnesota. Then He worked in defense plants, and taught school before from there they went in a covered wagon to the settling in Fort Ransom where he had a store and the homestead located two miles south of Fort Ransom. He Post Office until his death in 1968. Lowell was the lived in section 23 until his death in 1936. He married "spark plug" in all Fort Ransom doings. He married Anne Gullickson who died in 1901. They had two sons, Lorraine Anderson, daughter of Tilden Anderson, and Harley and Walter. Harley married Alma Johnson. they had two sons: Joe, married to Bob Billing's Walter married Alpha Erickson. daughter, lives in Bismarck; and Jerry, who married Jacob Johnson was born in 1845 in Mo Ranan, Nesna, Sherry Lea Carlblom, lives in Fort Ransom and works for Norway, and died in 1931. His wife, Dorthea Gregor, Melroe Mfg. Co. was born in Mo i Ranan, Norway, in 1846 and died in Lars Johnson came from Sweden to Cokato, Minnesota Fort Ransom in 1925. They were married in Norway and in 1883. He settled in section 23. His wife's name is not were the grandparents of all the George Dahl family. listed. They had a daughter who married Irenus Their eight children were all born in Norway. They came Carlblom. A son, Charles, became the owner of the to the U.S. in June, 1898. John Gregor, Dorthea's son, homestead in 1896. He married Anna Gullickson. He came in 1892. Ludvig Johnson, Jacob's son, stayed in had two sons, Harley, who married Alma Anderson, Norway. They were half brothers to the rest of the daughter of L.P. Anderson, and Walter. family. John Johnson, "Snekkur" Johnson, was a carpenter. George Dahl Johnson was born June 10, 1877. He He homesteaded in section 4 in 1882. Snekkur was a came here in 1895, and died March 10, 1863. Petra cheerful man, who loved to tell stories. He moved to (Mrs. Knute Saetor) came here in 1895; Tena (Mrs. Minnesota in the 90"s. Adolph Henrikson) was born May 17, 1879. She came Hans Johnson came in 1883 and filed on an eighty in here in 1895 and died in 1971; Julian Johnson was section 10 and sold it. He then filed on an eighty in born in 1881. He and his wife Jennie live in St. Paul; section 31 and when he had possession he sold this too. Jacobine (Mrs. Martin Lund) was born in 1884. She For a while he lived in the valley north of Fort Ransom came here in 1898 and died in 1952; and Olaf B.N. was and in 1912 went back to Norway. born June 1 2, 1887. He came here in 1898 and died in Albert Jorstad came to this area and settled in section 7 1952. He married Inga Isakson, daughter of Mr. and of Fort Ransom in 1887. He was born October 19,1863, Mrs. Benjamin Isakson. Abel Johnson, a brother of in Trondheim, Norway. His wife, Anna Olson, was born Dorthea Gregor Johnson, came in the early 1890's and August 2, 1872, in Mo i Rana, Norway, and came here in settled near Glover, N.D. He was a teacher, and 1893. They were married in Fort Ransom in 1895. Mr. established the first school in the area. John Gregor Jorstad was a farmer. They had seven children: Olga was a talented musician and wrote many beautiful (Mrs. Rudolph Peterson) was born August 23,1896, and songs. It is said that he contacted Andrew Carnegie and, is deceased; Ole Jorstad was born July 13, 1898, a thus, instigated the getting of the pipe organ for the farmer; Bessie (Mrs. Ditmar Ditmarson) was born April

46 Mr. and Mrs. Irenus Carlblom

Home of Ray Hanson

Peder D. Anderson) in 1947. They farmed in Isley Township until 1958, when he bought the Martinson Garage and moved to Fort Ransom. When his garage was destroyed by fire, he rebuilt almost before the ashes were cold. Harley and Gertrude have three children: Judy Ellen (Mrs. LeRoy Thoreson) was born November 17, 1950; Bonnie June (Mrs. Kenneth Satreaas) was born June 4, 1955; and Sandra Kay (Mrs. Robert Krause) was born June 25, 1957. Bert Kenyon's wife's ancestors came from England 336 years ago, settling in Hartford, Conn, in 1638. The family name was Upson. Bert's ancestors came from the state of New York and moved to Downers Grove near Chicago, where they were among the early settlers. The next move was to Iowa. Bert came from Atlantic, Iowa, to Fort Ransom Township in 1906. He was born on November 17, 1874. His wife, Delia Mae Upson, was born April 2, 1875. They were married at Atlantic, Iowa, in 1898. Bert made his home in section 15. They had five children: Harold was born December 10, 1899, and is a farmer; Marguerite was born January 19, 1902; Robert was born October 12, 1905, and farmed in section 28; Fred was born May 5, 1907, and is a farmer; Lucille was born January 20, 1910. Arthur Knutson settled in section 10 in 1940. He came from Fullerton, N.D. His wife, Agnes, was born June 26, 1898 and came from Wisconsin in 1917. Arthur was Mr. and Mrs. Martin Opgaard born January 13, 1891. They had one son, Edwin, who is in business in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Edwin married 23, 1900; Alfred was born June 17, 1903, and is Lillian Peterson, daughter of Pete and Betsy Peterson. retired; Alice was born January 7, 1906, and is They have three children, Joan, Elliott and James. deceased; Paul E. was born February 23, 1908, a Andrew Kvello came to Fort Ransom in 1881 and farmer; and Inga was born March 18,1910, and became settled in section 24. He served as county commissioner a homemaker. one year and as county treasurer from 1883 to 1888. Harley Junker was born in Isley Township on May 28, Kristen Olaus Larson came from Norway in 1882 and 1923. He married Gertrude Anderson (see family of settled in section 3. His wife, Anne G. Hanson, came

47 from the same community of Mo i Rana. He was born he built a store in the south part of Fort Ransom, across January 19, 1854, and she was born June 2, 1865. from the Stiklastad Church site. In the early nineties he Anna came to Fort Ransom in 1888, and they were bought the Curry Store on the west side of the river. For married in Fort Ransom in 1890. Kristen was a farmer. some time he brought the mail from Valley City, Seven children were born to them: Leif E. Larson was walking, or on snow shoes. He and T.J. Walker born May 31, 1891, and is a retired painter and alternated as postmasters, depending on which party decorator; Helga O. was born May 31, 1893, a was in power. dressmaker, deceased; Peder M. was born November In 1894 he married Betsey Peterson, who was a 28, 1894, a retired farmer; Nora (Mrs. Ludvig Olson) school teacher. She was a sister of Lars Peterson and was born February 7, 1897, and became a housewife; Mrs. Lars Rufsvold. They had a family of four girls and Elmer A. was born May 11, 1899, and is a retired two boys: Florence (Mrs. Cedor Olson) now living in farmer; Borghil (Mrs. Harold Henrikson) was born May Seattle; Phillip, who died at the age of two months; 15, 1907, and is a housewife; Ragna (Mrs. Art Nora lives in Yucoipa, CA; Carrie lives in Anacortes, Anderson) was born May 15, 1907. There are ten Washington; Alfred, who died at the age of twenty grandchildren. Three are the children of Ludvig and seven; and Bessie lives in Fargo. Nora Olson: Dorothy, Duane (deceased) and Kermit. In 1903 Mr. Lovelace built a large store east of the Four are children of Harold and Borghil Henrikson: Neil, river. He sold it to Iver Lien. The store burned down in Bruce, Dennis and Ronald; Einar and Gunvor Larson 1920. Mr. Lovelace continued merchandising in a small had one son, Douglas; Art and Ragna Anderson had two store and ice cream parlor until his death in 1917. After sons, Don and Jon.; Douglas Larson married Marie Lou his death, Mrs. Lovelace continued the store and was Kornelius and they have three children. postmistress for several years. She died in Fargo, April Peder B. Larson was born in Norway, as was his wife, 4, 1956. Astrid. They were married in Moe, Norway, and came to Lorentz Lorentson homesteaded in section 5 in 1882. this country in 1921. Peder was born in July, 1884, He came from Norway and was a blacksmith by trade, Astrid was born May 31, 1899. Peder was a mail but he did not follow this trade here. He remained single carrier. Their home was in section 11. They had four until he sold the farm to Bert Kenyon, in 1906. He then children: Enne (Mrs. Bert Enervold) was born June 4, married a girl whose first name was Lottie, and moved 1918, and is a teacher; Gladys (Mrs. Henrikson) was to Hitterdahl, Minnesota. born June 10, 1921, also a teacher; Peter B. Granlund, Christian Larson settled in section 3 in 1883. His wife's also a teacher, was born July 31, 1925; and William C. name was Anna. She died in 1913, and he died in 1923. Granlund was born October 12, 1933, and is a school McGrath There were a number of McGraths who administrator. Peder B. Larson was a brother of Bjorn homesteaded in Fort Ransom Township. They sold their Granlund but went by the name of Larson. He is reputed land soon after they had obtained title to it. Among them to have been the strongest man in the communtiy. were Patrick McGrath, who settled in SEV4 of section 21 Deuward and Pearl Lawrence lived in the Fort Ransom area in the mid and late 1930s. He operated the Star in the eighties. One of his daughters married Thomas Mail route between Lisbon and Fort Ransom from 1934 Gaughan and another daughter, Sarah, married Ed. to 1938. This also included passenger service. Prior to Dennenfelzer. Patrick was an old man when he came her marriage, Pearl was a rural school teacher in the here, and a widower. Thomas McGrath homesteaded area. They had three daughters, all born here: Verneita the SWV4 of section 25 in 1882. He sold out, and it is Darlene (Mrs. Howard Anderson); Delia Jeanene (Mrs. believed that he went to Sheldon, N.D. Maggie McGrath Alan Ruddy); and Norma Jean (Mrs. C.L. Nichols). The and Roseanne McGrath, evidently sisters, had family moved to Kellogg, Idaho, where Deuward worked homesteads in section 35 in 1883. Maggie married in a lead mine for a while, then to Spokane, Washington, Owen J. Boyle, also an original settler. Roseanne sold where they now reside. her quarter in 1889. Joseph H. McCune homesteaded in section 33 in Andrew Lohn homesteaded in section 5 in the early 1883, and he lost title to the land in 1888. eighties. His wife's name was Sarah. They were known Duncan Muir homesteaded in section 35 in 1881, and as a very kind, helpful couple. Sarah was a midwife. he lost the quarter for unpaid taxes in 1892. They cared for orphans and adopted an Opgaard, whose Joseph Marsh came from Minnesota in 1881 and filed mother died when he was very young. on the NEV4 of section 8. His son, Roy, married Helen Emit S. Lovelace (or Emmet, I have both spellings) was Kellas, the daughter of a homesteader in Springer one of the original Fort Ransomites and its first Township. merchant. He started a small store on the Charley Peder Munkeby came from Norway in 1879, and Homuth farm in 1881. This is where Bruce Fraase lives. settled in Fort Ransom Township in 1883. His wife, Previous to coming to Fort Ransom, he drove a band of Paula Paulson, also came from Norway. Peder was born sheep across this area and all the way to Lead, S.D., no June 19, 1857, and Paula was born May 2, 1871. They small undertaking at a time when the only persons were married in Fort Ransom in 1888. CA. Sandhei said across this vast area were Indians. It does show, of him, "He looked like a Viking ". They had nine though, that the Indians were not hostile unless they children. Evind was born March 29, 1889; Clars was were provoked and had good reason to be hostile. Later, born September 14, 1890; Mathilde was born April 13,

48 1892; Louis was born February 22, 1894; Jette was born August 26, 1895; Peter was born October 4,1897; a chemist; Andor was born in 1894 and he died in 1919 Alma was born October 4, 1899; Helen was born March in World War I; Oeder was born in 1896 and died in 29, 1902; and Henry was born December 24, 1904 1945, he was a farmer. The land homesteaded by Peder Helen (Mrs. Bjerke) lives in Minot, and Henry farmed the has been farmed by his descendants and is now owned home farm until just recently. by Curtis Olson. Nels (Big Nels), son of Peder, and his wife, Marie, had eight children and 19 grandchildren. Henry had two sons, Ronald and Walter. Henry's wife Nels was a carpenter all his life. He built the house now is Inga Jodsaas. Ronald worked for the Anthony Stores, owned by Christine Olson, and worked on the Mercy and Walter farms the Munkeby land. Walter married Hospital in Valley City. Eileen Mahrer of Lisbon and they have five children: Steven was born July 9, 1955. He is married to Marilyn Bjarne Ness was born in Black Loam Township in and has a son, Joshua; Susan was born July 25, 1967; LaMoure County. His parents were Helge J. and David was born May 11,1960; Lori was born June 10, Augusta Adolphson (Ness). Bjarne was born October 1962; and Joni was born April 6, 1966. 22, 1905. He farmed in Black Loam Township, then served in the Air Force in World War II. After the war he Peder's daughter Clara (Mrs. Jens Olson) has two returned to farming. His wife, Anne, is from Atlanta, children, Ordell and Janice. Mathilde went to Seattle. Georgia. They were married in Atlanta in 1945. Anne She did not marry. Jette is unmarried, and was a was born August 7, 1905. teacher. About 1959 or 1960, they moved to Williston where Alma (Mrs. Victor Oliver) has three children, Allen, they worked for the Montana Dakota Company. It was Rolf and Donald. Helen (Mrs. Orville Bjerke) lives in here that Bjarne began painting. He was anxious to Minot. Evind had four children: Wilbur, Milton, Eileen promote art work in his native area and in 1965 built a and Virginia. Louisi had a son, Jack. Peter had two combination art studio and home in Fort Ransom. Here children, Denise and Terry. he continued painting and giving art instruction until his Peder sold his farm to Henry in 1954 and moved to death. He was active in promoting an art and hobby Seattle to make his home with his daughters, Mathilde exhibit in Fort Ransom. After his death, the promotion and Jette. He died in 1947 at the age of ninety. There are was taken over by the Sheyenne Arts and Crafts a number of great grand children of Peder and Paula. Association known as SVACA. Bjarne was the organizer Their grandson, Ronald, and wife Betty have five of the Fort Ransom Community Club. children. Ronald, Debra, Randy, Jill and Julie. Walter Hans H. Olson settled in section 10 of Fort Ransom and Eileen have five children: Steven, Susan, David, Township in 1893. Both he and his wife, Petrine Lori and Joni. Steven and Marilyn's, Joshua, is a great Guttormson, were from Mo i Rana, Norway. He was great great grandson. born November 26, 1858, and Petrine was born June Elling Mikkelson came here in 1882, and homesteaded 20, 1865. They were married in 1889 in Mo i Rana. the NEVA of section 22. He sold this land to his brother- Hans was a farmer. They had four children: Elsie Othelia in-law, Gregor Guttormson, and went to Minnesota. He (Mrs. CA. Sandhei) was born July 12, 1890; Oscar was a native of Norway and his wife was the daughter of Johan, deceased, was born March 30, 1896, and was a Hans and Mrs. Guttormson. farmer; Alveida Josephine (Mrs. Indrelie) was born Nils P. Nilson settled in the SWVi of 4 in 1900. He and February 1, 1906. Her husband is a retired postal clerk; his wife, Johanna, came from Norway. They had four Gunvor Beatrice (Mrs. Einar Larson) was born July 31, sons: I.J. Nelson, known as Johnny Nelson, served in 1908, she became a teacher and housewife. the Spanish American War. When he returned he Elsie and her husband had five children. Sandhei was settled down and married a Swedish girl. After her a teacher and writer. He edited a magazine named death he moved to Minnesota; Carl Nelson was a "Norde Norske", for many years. He also wrote the newspaper editor; Martin Nelson was a prize fighter, history of Fort Ransom for the 75th jubilee, translated and he made his home in Minot; Jacob used hisfather's poetry, and wrote poetry himself. Their children were: surname which was not Nelson, but Elvebakk. He was a Harold and Elmer, both deceased; Alfhild (Mrs. detective. Stadheim); Ella Mae (Mrs. Libak); and Chester. Peder Nelson was born in Norway and was married Mr. and Mrs. Indrelie had five children: Dale, Deloris twice. His first wife was Christine Eliason, who was (Mrs. Goskeson), Lowell, Lois (Mrs. Tukus) and Robert. born in 1859. Peder was born in 1853. They were Gunvor and Einar had one son, Douglas, who married married in Mo i Rana in 1878 and came here in 1882, Mary Lou Kornelius. homesteading in this township. There were five Henrick and Barbara Olson came to the Fort Ransom children by this marriage: Anne was born in 1879 and area in 1888. He did not farm, but his sons filed on died in 1948; Josephine was born in 1882; Lizzie was claims. Henrik was born in 1818, and died in 1892. born in 1884 and died in 1960; Nels was born in 1887 Barbara was born in 1826, and died in 1917. They are and died in 1950, he was a carpenter; and Christian was buried in Standing Rock Cemetery. Their sons, Adolf M., born in 1889 and died in 1919, he was a rancher and Johannes H., Ole Mikal, Lars, Peter B. and Gregor, all mail carrier. took their father's first name and added "son" to it. They Ann Otteson was Peder's second wife. They had three are all listed as Henriksons and each has a writeup, children: Ole was born in 1892 and died in 1947, he was except Lars, who died soon after they came here. Two of

49 the daughters of Henrik and Barbara remained in Mickleson, Berit Pederson, Johanna Pederson, Karen Norway and raised families there. One of them, Malene, Swanson and Anton Anderson. - married Amundus Eveneussen and their children came Oluf and Petrena had five children: Alma (Mrs. to the Fort Ransom area. See "Amundus Eveneussen" Joseph Johnson), Andrew, Ole, Palmer and Oscar. in the Northland history, and the sons and daughters Alma and Joseph Johnson had two children: Warren under the name 'Skonseng'. and Lowell. Andrew Olson married Mary Avery and they Johannes M. Olson came from Norway at the age of had two children: Grace and Clarice. Ole Olson married twenty one, and bought the Fairbanks farm. In 1898 he Olga Olson, Ludvig Olson's sister, and they had two married Anne Nelson. Five children were born on the children: Vincent and Virgil. Virgil married Kernel farm: Ludvig, Christine, Olga, Philip and Justin. The Anderson's daughter. Palmer Olson married Christine family then moved to Harding County in 1909 and Olson and they had three children: Vernon, Curtis and homesteaded there. Four children were born in South Elizabeth. Oscar Olson married Eleanor Stangvik and Dakota; Lloyd, Austin, Helen and Reuben. The family they had four children: Paul, Richard, Marlyn and David. moved to Fort Ransom in 1919 and farmed south of Fort Paul and Joyce Tommeraus, (daughter of Hector Ransom on land now owned by a grandson, Kermit Tommeraus) havefourchildren: Ronald, Russell, Robert Olson. and Rita. Curtis Olson married LaVern Anderson Ole Olson homesteaded in section 10 of Fort Ransom in (daughter of Tilden Anderson) and they have two sons, 1882. He came to this area from Norway. There were Steven and Bradley. Vernon married Thelma Holm. three sons, Oluf, A.J. and Cedor, and a daughter, Paul Olson farms the home farm in section 10. Oleanna (Mrs. H. Simonson). A.J. Olson started in Vincent and Virgil live on their father's home farm in business while quite young, having his first store in his section 11, and work for the Melroe Division of Clark parents' home in section 10. After he became married in Mfg. Co. Curtis Olson farms in section 8. David Olson, 1897, he established himself as a storekeeper at the an electrician, married Renee Billing and makes his cross roads in the N.E. corner of section 15. The place home in Fargo. was called Kidville. At about the same time Alfred Karl Opgaard farmed in section 12 of Fort Ransom Thompson established himself as a blacksmith. In 1919, Township. After the death of his sister-in-law, Mrs. A.J. bought the Walker mill, store and house. He also Martin Opgaard, he raised his nephew Carl. Karl came had the first telephone central in his store at Kidville. His to Fort Ransom Township in 1887. He first settled in brother, Cedor, made the first switch-board. A.J. served section 5 of Springer. His wife's name was Bergitta. as a representative from the county in the state They had six children: Berent was suffocated in a grain legislature in 1909. His daughter, Alice Bjone, had the bin at the age of 18. Gunnar married a Reveland girl, and old Walker store renovated, and rented it to the Ransom operated an elevator in Englevale. Betsey married County Historical Society as a museum. The old Walker Thomas Oien. The other three children, Agnes, Gunder house, barn and mill are in the process of being and Alfred went to the west coast. renovated and will eventually be a part of the county Andrew Pederson came to Fort Ransom Township in museum complex. the late eighties and settled on the NWV4 of section 25. Another daughter of A.J. is Mrs. Oscar Andrud of Andrew came from southern Norway in the eighties Northland Township; while Harold Olson of Valley City because of bad conditions in Norway. He married Petra is a son. Another son, Olaf, passed away several years Lien in January, 1900. Petra came from Norway as an ago. indentured servant. She is said to have worked for the Cedor Olson lived in section 10. He had the first auto Lindberg family in Little Falls, Minnesota, before in the community and as mentioned above, built the Charles Lindberg was born. Petra was born January 21, switch board for the Kidville telephone exchange. Cedor 1871, and died November 5, 1951. Andrew was born in was born in 1883, and died March 18,1940. He lived all 1869, and died December 23, 1958. They had three his life on the farm in section 10. He married Florence children: Arthur was born July 7, 1900 and lives in Lovelace in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in July, 1914. Verona; Emil was born March 26, 1904 and died in Florence was the daughter of Emit Lovelace, Fort 1975; Signi was born in 1902, and died in her early Ransom merchant. Cedor and Florence had five twenties. children: Bertram, who died of wounds received in the Emil married Alberta Annette Peterson on June 8, Battle of the Bulge in January, 1945; Olive (Mrs. 1958. They had two children: Eric James was born Norman Bratlie) of Lisbon has five children: Marvin, October 13, 1959, and Emily Louise was born May 20, who is living in Seattle where he has been employed by 1961. Eric is a student at North Dakota State University, Boeings for 37 years; Charles lives in Des Moines, Iowa, and Emily is a student at Lisbon High School. Emil and is a warehouse foreman. He has four children. farmed in section 25, where the family now lives. James is a city engineer in Seattle, and is married and Edward Peterson came to Wisconsin from southern has one child. Cedor's wife, Florence, lives in Seattle. Norway in 1873, where his father Adolf resided. He Oluf Olson settled in Fort Ransom Township in 1889, worked as a lumberjack in Wisconsin before setting out and married Petrena Anderson in i890. She was the for Plymouth, Dakota Territory. He filed on a homestead, daughter of Andrew Jonason, and a sister of LP. but sold it later and went back to Norway. In 1882 he Anderson, Jonas Anderson and Erick Anderson, Anne returned to North Dakota and brought with him, Lovisa

50 Ronning. They were married in 1882 and settled on a When he drove them to town he said, "The widows of claim in section 26 of Fort Ransom Township. Edward Fort Ransom would pass me on foot." was born in 1852, and died in 1918. His wife, Lovisa, Rebekka was a rugged woman. She was called on was born in 1859 and died May 19, 1949. Five of their many times as a midwife, as it was not easy to get a children lived to maturity. Albert was born August 28, doctor. Many times Rebekka walked to her son's (Paul) 1891 and died June 8, 1961. Of the others, only Clara farm, a distance of four miles. Elias and Rebekka remains. She lives with her daughter in Indiana. Einar acquired several sections of land. These were given to Kornelius was born July 7, 1884. He married Hilda the boys as follows: Anton and Gustav received section Henrikson, March 24, 1924. He died September 6, 13; Pete got section 2; Sam was given NWV4 of 1; Paul 1964. Clara married Paul Hegstad on August 27, 1910. received section 33; Reinhold got section 19 of They moved to Indiana. Paula was born December 5, Springer; Rudolph was given section 23 of Fort Ransom. 1889, and died March 6, 1960. She married Sivert Gustav married Iverine Iverson, daughter of Iver and Hegstad, May 10, 1910. Sivert operated a general store Dorothea Iverson. They were the first couple to be in Dickey, N.D. Albert married Nettie Peterson on married in the Stiklastad Church. In 1900, Gustav August 3, 1922. They had two children: Elsie Louise bought the SE1A of section 13 from Anders Gustav. In was born March 17, 1923, and she married Lyle Nelson 1907, the first telephones were installed. Many times on October 2, 1945; Alberta Annette was born October this system was used for general calls, announcing or 12, 1924, and married Emil Pederson on June 8, 1958. cancelling meetings or fires, etc. Gustav's first car was a (See history of Andrew Pederson family) Model T, bought in 1910. He was in several business Einar Kornelius Peterson, better known as E.K. ventures, such as, a lumberyard, investments in a grain Peterson, was born July 1, 1884. (See Edward Peterson elevator, and a bank. He had his own threshing history for earlier details). Einar married Hilda machine, cook car and all. He paid the first $5 Henrikson of Fort Ransom, March 24, 1924. They lived membership in REA in the Fort Ransom area. in section 23 of Fort Ransom. Both of them were very Gustave and Iverine had seven girls and one son. good painters. Einar's series of pictures of Pinochio may Rena was born in 1905, and she married Halfton be seen in Holger Fog's Credit Union office in Lisbon. Gyldenvand. Their children: Robert, Irene, who died at Hilda was also an accomplished musician. She lives in one year of age, Waldemar, who died in infancy, Gerald, Fort Ransom. Doris and Karen; Inga, was born in 1906, she married They had an adopted son, Richard Forbes Peterson. George Hellickson. They had one child, Helen; Gertrude He married Mary Anderson Heglin on September 18, was born in 1908, she married Harold Fog. Their 1955. Richard was killed in a transport truck accident in children were Delores and Rolland; Grace was born in Utah. They had five children: Bruce (by Mary's former 1910, she died in 1913; Atha was born in 1911, she marriage) was born September 11, 1954; Elizabeth married George Falk. They had four sons, Russell, Darlene was born July 30, 1956; Valerie Ann was born Ronald, Gary, who died in an auto accident, and Arden; October 25, 1954; Russell Earl was born September 29, Olga was born in 1913, she married Otto Rasmusson. 1961; and Harold Richard was born October 10, 1964. Their children are Ardell, Wanda and Ruth; Ivan was Elias Peterson was born June 20,1858, on the island of born in 1917, he died in 1919. Loisella was born in Fr^ya, Norway. His wife, Rebekka Arntsdatter, also from 1923, she married Henry DeHill. They have three Frjtfya was born September 25, 1852. They were children, Howard, David and Naomi. As of 1977, there married at Fr^ya in 1878 and came to this country in are thirty five great grandchildren of Gustave and 1883, settling in section 23, where he farmed. They had Iverine. seven children: Gustav Adolf was born March 7, 1876, L.C. Peterson settled in the SWVi of section 27 in the and was a farmer; Anton Elias was born January 19, nineties. That he may have purchased from an earlier 1882, and became a carpenter and farmer; Peter Olaus settler, as most of the land was homesteaded before was born November 8, 1879, also a farmer; Rudolph 1890. Eiseus was born January 27, 1884, and was a farmer; Paul Edward Peterson was born March 30, 1888, and Paul Edward was born March 30, 1888, he farmed; died December 27, 1949. He married Laura Henrikson Reinhold Marius was born August 27, 1891, and was a (see Ole M. Henrikson) December 24,1915. They raised farmer, and Sam Christopher was born March 7, 1894, a nephew, Elroy Peterson, and had one daughter, Doris and was a farmer. Every one of the seven sons farmed. Miriam (Mrs. Charles Christman). Doris and Charles When Elias and Rebekka came to Dakota Territory have three children, Charles Howard, Doris Diane and they took up a homestead in the north half of section 26. Paul Elroy. Paul Peterson was a son of Elias Peterson. This was poor land, with nothing but a big slough, so Peter Olaus Peterson (See Elias Peterson history) was they left this and took a preemption on the SEV4 of born November 8, 1879. He married Betsey Anderson section 23, around 1885. Elias proved up and received on July 27, 1907. They lived and farmed in section 1. the U.S. patent on the land in 1891. Peter was also a carpenter. He died in 1962 trying to Elias was a kind and humorous gentleman, one of rescue a calf from the Sheyenne river. Peter and Betsey those who started the Stiklastad congregation. Never had six children: Clifford William, was born March 20, owning a car, they used horses and buggy, or walked. 1911, married Velma Pearl Roll in 1933. They ranch in He owned a team by the name of Nancy and Curry. Montana, and have two children, Virginia Velma and

51 Vivian Wanda; Alice Louise (Mrs. Felix Sowada) lives in Guttormson, February 15, 1958. They have two sons, Sheridan, Wyoming. They have five children: Robert Richard Allen and Ronald Keith; Wanda Lee (Mrs. Peter, David Felix, Alice Eileen, Felix James and Paul William Bassen) was born June 7, 1945, and was Anthony; Eleanor Bernice (Mrs. George C Wilson) was married June 16, 1962. They have two children: Lorelie born March 26, 1915, died in 1967. They had three Ann and Deborah Kay; Ruth Maris (Mrs. Daniel Larson) children: Marlin Dale, Lois Diane, and Susan Kay; Lillian was born May 1, 1953. They have a son, Andrew, and a Florence (Mrs. Edwin Mason Knutson) was born daughter. January 28, 1918. They live in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Paul Ronning was born November 27, 1860 in and have three children, Joan Beverly, Elliot Arthur and Christiana, Norway, and came here in 1889. Paul was James Edwin; Agnes Mathilda (Mrs. Tyler Henrikson) the son of Paul Paulson, a Springer Township pioneer. was born February 18, 1927. Tyler is a pilot for the N.D. Paul's wife, Maren, was born January 30, 1972, in State Game and Fish Commission. They have three Gudbrandsdalen, Norway. They were married in 1888. children, Terence Allen, Jane Beth, and Raymond Tyler; When Paul homesteaded he came on foot from Fargo to Ralph Everett Peterson married Dorothy Billing of Fort Valley City, following the railroad track as the rest of the Ransom (Joe Billing's daughter). Ralph farmed in valley was under water. He hired a team in Valley City section 2 and worked on highway construction. He was and came to his homestead in section 15. Paul was a born June 27, 1930, and died February 10, 1966. They painter and a farmer. Paul and Maren had ten had two children, Colleen Kay and Colin Keith. children:Lief was born January 3, 1891, and became a Rudolph Eleseus Peterson was born January 27,1884, mechanic; Helga was born January 30, 1892 and he was a son of Elias Peterson. He married Olga Helena became a housewife; Anna was born January 9,1894, a Jorstad, June 18, 1919. (See Albert Jorstad history) housewife; Luffa was born March 16, 1896, a Rudolph was a farmer. They had two children: Alma housewife; Pauline was born October 20, 1897, a Christine (Mrs. George Ellsworth) was born August 11, housewife; Palmer was born January 13, 1901, a 1920. She was married in 1949. They had an adopted mechanic; Magnus was born December 4, 1903, a daughter, Rebecca Ann Howlin, who married Leslie mechanic; Hilmer was born April 16, 1907, a farmer; Vern Hekkers and had two children, Virginia Christina Perry was born August 6, 1910, highway maintenance; and Michael Leslie. Alma and George's own children and Hortense was born December 4, 1915, and became were George Allen, who was born December 22, 1950 a housewife. and Richard Leroy, who was born June 27, 1953. Christian A. Sandhei was born in Norway in 1879. He Rudolph also had a son, Elroy Richard, born January 8, came to this country in 1901 or 1902. He had bonded 1924. After the death of his mother in July, 1924, Elroy himself to farmers in the Fort Ransom area for his was raised by Paul and Laura Peterson. passage over and after satisfying his contract attended Lars K. Pederson and his mother, Johanna Pederson, Valley City Normal School in 1905 and 1906. He acquired the SWVi of section 27 in 1903. Johanna, also, obtained his teachers certificate, taught school, then had two daughters, Betsey (Mrs. Emet Lovelace) and homesteaded in Adams County in 1907. He farmed, Mary (Mrs. Lars Rufsvold). taught, and worked intermittantly for the next thirty Andrew P. Rosevold homesteaded in section 26 in years. 1882 and sold his rights in 1885. In 1937, he returned to Fort Ransom after working Martin Rosevold came from Minnesota, in 1899. He some time in the State Hail Insurance Department. Here acquired the NEVi of Section 22. His wife was the he farmed until he retired in the late 50's. CA. and his daughter of Oluf Eggen. In 1899, hesoldthequarterand wife, Elise, daughter of Fort Ransom pioneer Hans •eturned to Fergus Falls. Olson, werethe parents of five children, Chester, Elmer, Hans O. Runningen came to section 18 in about 1885. Harold, Alfhild and Elsa May. At the time of his death in He homesteaded 80 acres here and another 80 acres in 1959, he had been the long time editor of the Nord lection 7 of Black Loam, LaMoure County. He was Norge, a paper published by descendants of Norse single. He died in 1 933. Hans came here from Norway. settlers. He was the author of Fort Ransom Seventy )le O. Runningen, a brother of Hans, homesteaded a T Fifth Anniversary history book, and a history of Fort haped quarter in section 18. His sister Carrie, kept Ransom Township that ran in installments in the louse for him. Ole erected very large and substantial Litchville Bulletin in the late fifties and early sixties. mildings on this land, and he also owned land in other Mrs. Sandhei resides in Parkside Home in Lisbon, N.D. ections. He retired to Fort Ransom, and died there in Peter Simmons homesteaded the NEVA of section 5 in 935. 1882. He had three brothers, Elif, Andrew and Eddie. Thomas Ryan homesteaded a forty acre tract in section Another brother, John, was a cobbler and harness I of Fort Ransom Township in 1884. He sold this to maker in Fort Ransom. Peter Simmons farmed for -ovelace, and Lovelace sold it to Homuth. several years but sold it to Martin and Randine Opgaard Otto Rasmusson was born February 14, 1901. He in 1910. married Olga Helena Peterson (See Elias Peterson Elof Simmons acquired title to NWVi in 1899 from history) on July 16, 1936. Otto was a farmer. He died Andrew Erickson. Andrew was the brother, often May 9, 1 963. They had three children: Ardell Keith, who referred to as Andrew Simmons. Elof sold the land to was born February 24, 1938. He married Dorothy Henrik Simonson.

52 1 Henrik Simonson bought the NW /* of section 4 from she lives at LaMoure, N.D. They have three children; Elof Simmons in 1902, and farmed there for about forty Wayne was born July 29, 1950; Darrel was born years. He died in 1945. September 27, 1954. Henry O. Simonson bought the Simonson quarter from Olive (Mrs. Teddy Griffin) was born October 2, 1926. the estate in 1945, and sold it to Clifford Thorpe in 1952. She lives at Fort Ransom and has a son, Loren. Henry and his family lived in Enderlin for several years Arnold was born December 10, 1927 and lives in before moving to the west coast. Fargo. He married Edna Erbele and they have three 1 Tom Sheils homesteaded the SVi of SE /2 of section 11 children: Debra (Mrs. Milo Geving) was born May 7, in 1881. It included the fort site. Tom died in the 1959; Donna was born May 18, 1960; Dorren was born nineties, and his widow and 3 sons, Bert, George and September 21, 1961. Athol, and a daughter, lived there until the 1900'swhen Emery was born February 27, 1929, he married Mary they went to Canada. Erbele. Their children are: Douglas, born July 14, 1949, Hans Slapgaard was born in 1845 in Varma Dalen, and Mary Jane (Mrs. Douglas Danuser). They live in Norway. His wife, Ingeborg, was also born in Varma Lincoln, Nebraska. Dalen, in 1843 and they were married there in 1871. Irene (Mrs. Benjamin G. Henry) was born July 25, They came here in 1880 and settled in section 24, 1930, she lives in Wichita, Kansas. Their children: where he followed his occupation of farming. The Denise, born August 13, 1957, she is married to Kenny Slapgaards had five children: Oline (Mrs. Johnson) was Harcourt of Wichita; Julie was born November 26, born in 1872; Anna Marie was born in 1878, and died in 1959; Leslie was born August 1, 1961; David was born 1900; Anna Gerine (Mrs. Carlblom) was born in 1878; December 9, 1964. Ole Martin was born in 1881, and died in 1906; Hannah Rosella(Mrs. Harry O'Neil Jr.) of Fargo, N.D. was born Mathilde (Mrs. Ingi Martinson) was born in 1885. December 18, 1931 and died October 15, 1959. Their Grandchildren of these pioneers were: Albert and children are: Kim, born September 16, 1954 and Kevin, Gerine Carlblom's three children: Anna, Henry and born April 18, 1957. Ernest, also Ingi and Hannah Martinson's son, Herbert, James married Marcella Falk and lives in Billings, who farms in section 17 of Springer. Montana. He was born February 22, 1933. Their Frank Strander was born December 18, 1854 in children are: Gary, who was born September 14, 1956; Linkoping, Sweden. He died in Fort Ransom, February 6, Ronnie who was born June 16, 1958. 1930. His wife, Kristina Loftesnes, was born in Sogndal, Genevieve (Mrs. Leroy Siedschlag) was born Norway, February 8, 1869, and died in Fort Ransom in September 8, 1937 and lives at Berlin, N.D. Their 1907. They had three children, Anton born in Sogndal, children are: Gregory, born February 21, 1958; Lynette, January 12, 1892, William Christian "Willie" born in born February 19, 1961; Jay, born September 17,1975 1901 in Fort Ransom, and Anna (Mrs. Hillesland)of San Verney (Mrs. Lawrence Jorgenson) was born Francisco, born in 1905. December 9, 1 938 and lives in Jamestown, N.D. Their Anton Strander came to this country at the age of children are: Robbin, born March 4, 1961; Russell, born eleven. The first person he spoke to in Fort Ransom was June 2, 1963; Randy, born August 18, 1966. George Dahl, at the church. He lived with his mother Roger was born April 12, 1943 and lives in Boise, and stepfather on the farm south of Fort Ransom. He Idaho. He is married to Kathy Jenson. Their children are: worked for several people in the valley before he got Joni, who was born July 5, 1 965; Hedie was born June married, after which he started farming for himself. 21, 1971; and Amy was born January 19, 1976. Times were really hard, and they moved several times John and Marie Theis and four children left Hanover, before settling on the Guttormson farm just a half mile Germany, March 22, 1882, to go to Fort Ransom. The from where he was raised. After his retirement, his son, children were: Henry, age 9; Mary, age 6; Metta, age 4; Emery, bought the farm and now the fourth generation and John, 18 months. Marie's brothers, John and is living on this farm. Herman Oerding, had established a home in the valley. Anton married Helga Guttormson on February 27, The Theis family came to Tower City, hired a man with a 1923. They had twelve children and there are thirty one team and wagon and set off cross country to Fort grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Anton Ransom. The driver did not know the road too well, and and Anna's children are: got lost. After wandering around for some time, they Carolyn (Mrs. Merril Paulson) of Osseo, Minn., whose found someone who directed them to Fort Ransom. children are: Marlene, born February 29, 1944, she is Here, the driver said his horses were too tired to go married and has three children; Merril Jr. was born further, and dumped their belongings in the snow. The February 20, 1949, he is married and has three family walked to the Walker Mill where Mr. Walker put children; Gerald was born July 19, 1954, he is married them in a school house for the night, furnished them and has one child. with flour and supplies for pancakes. The next day, he Harry was born February 20, 1925, he married took them to the Oerding's home. Florence Anderson. They had four children: Kay (Mrs. They homesteaded east of Oerdings, on a hillside, Robert Burud) was born September 21,1 943, and lives where they built a log house and granary. Three in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They have three children; children were born here: Ann, in 1885; Rosa, in 1887; Barbara (Mrs. Randy Dathne) was born May 16, 1947, and Herman, in 1892. They sold the farm to Paul

53 Paulson, father of Herman Paulson, in 1891. In the J. Olson established the town of Kidville. Alfred died in spring of 1892, they moved to a tree claim near Verona. Kidville in 1909. Jacob, an excellent speaker, writer and Anna Theis married Alvin Fick and is the only surviving debater, taught school for eleven years. He helped member of the John Theis family. She still keeps house found the Fort Ransom Historical Society, the Fort for herself on the farm owned by her son, Alvin Fick Jr. Ransom Young Peoples Society and the Fort Ransom Andrew Thompson (Anders Thomason), a brother of Total Abstainers Society. In 1901 he married Christine Lars Thompson, homesteaded in section 15. His wife B. Hendrickson of Irving, Minn. They had three children: was Inger Henrikson, sister of Andrew Henrikson. Both Louise, Ole ED. and Martin. Christine died in 1908. In were from Rossvoll, Norway and had farmed a short 1913 Jacob married Ingeborg Seim of Nesna, Norway. time in Minnesota before coming to Fort Ransom, Their children were Arnold, who died in infancy, Ann where he filed on a homestead in 1885. They farmed and Willard. Jacob purchased a farm in section 32 of there until his death in 1902. Inger died in 1921. They Fort Ransom Township in 1901 and there planted a had three sons and three daughters: Hannah (Mrs. Sam beautiful grove and orchard. This was named Hoff), who died in 1926; Dorothea (Mrs. Ole J. Guttorm­ 'Skogheim' farm. Jacob died in 1934, and Ingeborg, in son) died in 1946; Thomas, the eldest son of Anders and 1966. Louise Thompson lives in Minneapolis and Ole Inger, returned to Minnesota to farm. He married E.D. in Lisbon. Neither married. Martin and his wife, Minnie Pederson of Paynesville, Minn, and they had five Rue, live in Wichita, Kansas and have two married children: Tillie, Ida, Clara, Mabel and Olof. Tillie was Ole daughters. Karen and Hannah. Ann, Jacob and Slattum's second wife (See Slattum family). Ida, the Ingeborg's first born, married Marvin Imboden and they second daughter of Thomas and Minnie, married Hilmer had two children: Lanna (Mrs. Jankowski) and Ronny. Ronning (See Ronning family). Clara, the third daughter, Willard never married and lives in Lisbon. did not marry. She was the Kidville telephone operator Carl Thompson, the boy born under the wagon box, for many years. Mabel, the youngest daughter, married studied art and interior decorating at the University of Theodore Slattum and they have three children: St. Louis and became one of their most promising Raymond, Thelma and Hazel. Their one son, Oluf, did graduates, with offers from many large firms. He also not marry. He died in 1935. Martin Thompson, fourth studied architecture and drew the architectural plans child of Anders and Inger, was the first child born in for the Standing Rock church, the North LaMoure America. He was a carpenter, then became an engineer Church and other structures. He hand crafted seven on a threshing rig. Later, he studied engineering at N.D. violins and a complete pipe organ; also a celestial Agricultural College and Fargo College. Hethen wentto telescope for which he ground the lenses by hand. Carl the University of Minnesota, where Oluf Henrikson, lived on the homestead and died in 1957. CA. Sandhei, Cedor Olson and J.C. Holkestad were fell­ Christian Olson Tollefsrud homesteaded in the NWVi ow students. Then, he and his cousin, Carl Thompson, of Section 1. He died in 1888. studied art at the University of St. Louis. Martin Snorri and Olive Thorfinnson came to Fort Ransom in graduated in Law from the University of North Dakota in 1961, shortly before he quit working for the Farmers 1910. He practiced law in Lisbon, served as States Union Grain Terminal Association. Snorri Maurice was Attorney and as county judge until his death in 1948. He born in Cavalier County, N.D., April 15, 1901, and his married Nettie B. Martin of Wheaton, Minnesota. They wife, Olive Esther Eidsvig, was born in Thordenskjold had two sons, Robert and Alfred. Robert married Wanda Township in Barnes County, December 5, 1904. Their Myhre and they have four children: Tara, Martin, Robert parents were pioneers and immigrants, his from Iceland and John. Robert married Betty Jean Connell and their in the 1870's and hers from Alesund, Norway. Snorri three children are Karen, Charles and Eric. was a county agricultural agent in Sargent County, an Martin was a very gifted man. He was an expert wood Agricultural Instructor in Ravinia, S.D., and in Granville, carver and his collection of life size, hand painted North N.D. He did research and public relations work for GTA Dakota birds is in a Cass County museum. and served the N.D. Farmers Union as Cooperative Thomasina (Sina) married Clyde Ewing of Puposky, specialist. He is the author of a book of poems and the Minnesota. They had five sons: Warren, Stanley, histories of Ransom and Sargent counties. They have Russell, Dale and Riley. Thomasina was the youngest five children living: Roger Norris teaches at Sargent daughter of Anders and Inga. Their youngest son, Central in Forman. His wife is Jo Ann Hanson of Kloten, Albert, who did not marry, died at the age of 30. and they have four sons, a daughter and two Lars Thompson, brother of Anders, lived in Sorhagen, grandchildren; Vaughn Richard is in charge of Skonseng, Norway, where his sons Jacob and Tobias Vocational Rehabilitation in three Minnesota counties Alfred, were born. Lars's wife was Birgitte Andreason. and lives in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. His wife, Mildred They came to Meeker County, Minnesota where they Moberg, was from Gwinner. They have three sons and a lived for a short while, then came to Fort Ransom daughter; Hugh Dennis is a surgeon in Fargo. His wife is Township in 1882 and Lars filed on a quarter in section Nancy Lehan of Sioux City, Iowa. They have two sons 10. Before they had any buildings, Carl Thompson was and a daughter; Bruce Maurice is a science teacher in born under the overturned wagon box. His cradle was Glenwood, Minnesota. His wife is Faith Halverson of the wagon's spring seat. Tobias Alfred, who did not Lisbon. They have five boys; Karen (Mrs. Fred marry, became a blacksmith, and together with Andrew Goeringer) lives in San Antonio, Texas, where her

54 husband is an instructor at the Army Medical Base. They came to have their wheat ground into flour, or to They have two sons. Roger's daughter, Kathy, is married grind their oats and barley for feed, and to buy from the to Larry Henry and their children, Danny and Kimberly, well stocked Walker Store. The flour was bagged under are Olive and Snorri's great grandchildren. the trade name "Hold The Fort". The mill was in C.B. Void came in the mid eighties and settled in the operation from 1881 to 1919, but during the last years it SWVi of section 31. The nearby school was known as was used mainly for grinding feed. Walker sold the mill, the Void School. He was married to Agnette Paulson, a store, house and land to A.J. Olson in 1919. sister of Lauritz Paulson. They farmed this place until Around 1900, the store carried a complete line of 1912 when he sold it to his son, Birger, and moved to a goods needed by the people in the community. As one quarter adjoining the Fort Ransom site. The Voids had man put it, they had everything from corsets to caskets five other sons beside Birger and three daughters. and food to feed. The old store, with its stone walls, is Birger's first wife was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. something of an historic building itself and now it John Vance of Northland Township. Birger and John houses the Ransom County Historical Museum. Mrs. Lund operated a big steam threshing outfit. Oscar, the Alice Bjone, present owner of the building, had it all second son, was in business in Minneapolis; Carl went repaired, painted and paneled or that the historical to Mayville, where he was in business; Otto was a society could use it. The Walker house, barn, mill and banker in Regan for a while, then, the manager of the icehouse will one day be a part of the museum complex; North Dakota Insurance department; Oliver was a they are in the process of being restored. businessman in Bismarck; Arvid died while young. Walker and Emit Lovelace alternated as postmasters, Laura (Mrs. Robert Kirkhorn) first lived in Fort Ransom depending on the party in power. Tyler Walker was, where Kirkhorn was in business, then moved to above all, a helpful man, ever ready to lend a hand to a Moorhead; Gunda lives in Fargo; Hannah married new comer. Many worked in his various businesses Ingvald Iverson, son of John Iverson, and they lived in before they accumulated enough capital to start Englevale. farming. He was a man of vision, with the determinat­ James Wiltse homesteaded the NEVi of section 17 in ion to make his dreams come true. Every community 1881. He retained possession until 1900 when he sold needs a man like that, or the community soon dies. Mr. the land to Nick Cooly. He was probably a relative of Walker's mill isfullydiscussed in the chapter on the City Harold Milton and other Wiltses for the name is not of Fort Ransom. common. Fred Ward came to this township from Hankinson. He Tyler James Walker was born in Rushford, Minnesota, was born in Lidgerwood, N.D., the son of Mr. and Mrs. the son of Hiram Andrew Walker and Celestia Evelyn George Ward. He married Hazel Enfield, daughter of Mr. Nims Walker, and was one of eight children. Tyler's and Mrs. Eugene Enfield. She was born at Grove Lake, wife, Anne Marie Hoiland, was born November 15, Minnesota. In 1953 the Wards came to the Erickson 1863 at Rushford. Her parents were Aadne Aadneson farm in this county and farmed there until 1961, when Haabeth Hoiland and Johanna Christine Jonas they moved into Fort Ransom. Fred operated "Fred's Corneliusdatter. She was one of ten children. They Corral" for a while, then sold it and moved the old were married July 12, 1884, at the home of Hiram Plymouth School house into town for an antique shop. Walker in Valley City. They were the parents of four He also drives the mail truck from Fort to Fargo, part children: Celestine Johanna (Lettie) born November 7, time. 1886; Bessie Marie was born August 31,1888; Mildred The Wards have two children, both born in Evelyn was born December 12,1892; and Tyler James Hankinson. Martin married Lucile Boroszuk of Fort Jr. was born December 3, 1906. Tyler James Sr. died Ransom and they have two children, Bradley and January 25, 1931, at Minneapolis, and is buried in Kimberly. Dorraine married Kermit Olson of Fort Lisbon. Mildred Evelyn and Clarence W. Parker, the Ransom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ludvig Olson. They have husband of Bessie Mae, are also buried in Lisbon. four children: Brian, Deborah, Brent and Dean, all at Tyler James Jr. married Kathryn Edith Jones on home in West Fargo. August 5, 1929, in Portland, Oregon. He was a dentist As mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, there and a maxillo-facial surgeon in the U.S. Army for 23 were several homesteaders who for various reasons years and retired as a Colonel. He died February 4, had a very brief stay in the township. 1961, and is buried in San Francisco National Joseph Barrow came to section 28 in 1880, and sold Cemetery. his farm in 1888. Tyler James Jr.'s son, Charles, is a teacher with many Owen J. Boyle came in 1882 and left. sidelines. He is rebuilding an old home, and haswritten William S. Duffy came to section 34, S\NVA in 1882. a field guide for identifying mollusks of the Monteray Daniel Flack homesteaded NEVi of section 19 in 1883. Bay area. He is also an analytical chemist and, Edson E. Harris filed on land in section 29 in 1882. occasionally, helps examine evidence for the Sheriff's Martin P. Holt filed on a claim in section 26 in 1880, department. and left it in 1884. Tyler James Walker Sr. could well be called the Albert Lowry filed on the NWVi of section 17 in 1882, founder of Fort Ransom. He built the flour and feed mill and disposed of it in 1888. that brought settlers to Fort Ransom from miles around. Frank Lyon filed on the SW14 of section 17 in 1882, and

55 disposed of it in 1887. Duncan Muir filed on the NEVA of section 35 in 1881, and lost it through tax deed in 1892. Samuel D. Oerster filed on the S\NVA of section 4 in 1884, and disposed of it in 1890. Henrik Simonson bought the SEVA of section 4 and sold it the same year. John Stronstad bought the NEVi of section 7 in 1900. He had a son, Halfton, and a daughter, Anne. John died in Hastings, N.D. Thomas Taylor, Ida Taylor and James Taylor all came in 1884, and filed on land. Thomas filed on the SEV* of section 18, and sold it in 1892. Ida filed on the NWW of section 20, and sold it in 1901. James filed on the NWV4 of section 20, and lost it in 1894 (Tax deed). Henry Van Pelt filed on the SW of section 19 in 1884, and evidently did not return to prove up on his claim. These, then, were the settlers and some of those who came later in this township. There have been few farmers who have moved into the township in recent years. When land is for sale, it invariably becomes a part of a larger unit or is bought by someone who has a farm in another township. The vacant houses one still sees here and there, bear mute testimony to the ravages of time and the ever changing agricultural picture.

56 the Big Bend. As the report of a surgeon to the Surgeon General in 1869 stated, "It was the mission to protect the railroad construction workers along the right of way and to maintain order, when they themselves were not creating disorder." Considering the fact that this was an infantry command, and that the nearest point of the right of way of the Northern Pacific was at a distance of 30 miles, one can imagine some of the difficulties. There were no clashes with Indians during the five years the fort was in use. Numerous wagon trains of settlers bound for Oregon, the Idaho gold fields or other points in the west, stopped at the fort. Some of these trains are said to have had as many as 100 wagons. The Fort Ransom community celebrated the 100th anniversary of the building of the Fort in 1967, with a Ed Munson, Mayor of Fort Ransom program at the Fort site and a pageant in the evening at The city was incorporated in 1977 and Mr. Munson the 'Hall of the Mountain King'. was elected the first mayor. Although the Fort is fenced and marked by the North Dakota Historical Society as an historic site, the attitude THE FORT has generally been one of studied indifference and the maintenance has left much to be desired. Fort Ransom, from which the town, the township and For more detailed accounts of the Fort see the 75th the county derive their names was built in 1867 and Jubilee booklet by CA. Sandhei or History of Ransom dismantled in 1872. It was named for General Ransom, County, by S.M. Thorfinnson. a civil war volunteer, who was killed in action during the HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING civil war. Major G.H. Crossman and Captain and Battalion Major W.L. Kellogg were in command of the This site, just north of the Fort Ransom School, got its two companies that were sent from Fort Wadsworth name from the staging of a play, entitled, 'The Hall of the (now Fort Sisseton) to build the fort. General Terry met Mountain King' by Ibsen. This was done by A.G. Arvold, them just south of Bears Den Hill and designated the the founder of the Little Country Theater at North site. Dakota State University. All but one member of the cast The fort was a rectangle, enclosed by a dry moat eight were local people. Since then the site, which has feet deep with the spoil bank on the inside. Two exceptionally good acoustics, has been used for a series blockhouses were built. One was at the entrance where of pageants, many Boy Scout regional meetings, and the trails from Fort Abercrombie and Fort Wadsworth outdoor weddings and other activities. The area is the entered the site, the other at the opposite corner. A property of the State Game and Fish Commission and is howitzer was mounted at each. There were seventeen leased to the Sheyenne Valley Development buildings in all, including officers quarters, two Corporation. barracks, each 30' x 100', a hospital, quartermasters ANCIENT LAND MARKS store, bake shop, stable, guard house, surgeons quarters, and a storehouse. The eastern slope of Bears Den Hill to the west of Fort At about the time that the buldings had been erected, Ransom has numerous ancient remains. The principal hay cut and hauled in to the Fort and a supply of wood one is a large reddish granite rock whose upper surface brought in, a tremendous prairie fire swept through the has been smoothed and used for the inscription of area, nearly burning the fort and destroying the hay and characters and lines. Arthur Z. Nelson, after a three year firewood. The fire also badly burned a group of Indians study of alphabets from all over the world, decided that encamped in the big slough a mile from the fort, killing the inscription was in the Sino-Tibetan language of five many. This was the last group of Indians to stay in the to six thousand years ago. He read it to state that those area. who resided here numbered upwards of 3,000 and that About two hundred men occupied the fort, different they had been here for 420 years. On the southern slope companies being assigned there for duty. It was a of Bears Den Hill there is a limestone rock with a deeply lonesome place, with only one ranch or farm house on incised cross on its face. One point is believed to point to the 50 mile stretch between Fort Abercrombie and Fort the magnetic pole at the time it was inscribed. Many Ransom. Mail was delivered once a week unless winter other rocks with picto graphs of animals and birds have weather prevented it, and supplies were hauled from eroded with time. A very large granite boulder has a Fort Abercrombie by ox wagon trains under the crude likeness of the Thunderbird. It was about this command of Mr. Stevenson, who did the army freight­ stone that parties of Indians traveling between Fort ing. It took three days to travel one way when the river Totten and Fort Sisseton or Wahpeton would stop and could be forded, four days when they had to go around observe some ceremonies, including dancing.

57 Fort Ransom mixed choir. Picture taken in Grafton in 1911

58 Boating on the Sheyenne River

groups, five college groups, boy scouts, 4-H clubs, wagon trail personnel, homemakers clubs and miscellaneous groups. They have varied in size from a half dozen to 150. A guest book kept in the log cabin on the Fort site in 1975 was signed by over 1800 persons. While most of them were from North Dakota and Minnesota, the names included visitors from over forty states and five foreign countries. LOCAL HISTORIC SITES Historic sites of more recent times have been marked. The Ransom County Historical Society has sponsored this work. Among the sites marked in our four townships are: Homesteads of Gilbert Hanson, Theodore P. Slattum, Ole Rufsvold and Anton Anderson; the sites of Plymouth, Kidville, Normanna, Preston, and the Walker Mill. Dr. Stixrud Today's events so soon become the history of tomorrow, that we need to maintain some reminders of Near the writing rock is a smooth stone resembling a what has happened, so that, those who live here later on monument, and few yards from this is a very large will know something about their past. petrified tree. Bears Den Hill was evidently used for STATE OWNED LAND many religious ceremonies of the Sioux, for they considered it sacred. Two large parcels of state owned land are located Just east of Fort Ransom (city) one can view a large near Fort Ransom. One tract is the west boundary line of pyramid with approximately one third carried up from a the city and almost encircles the Fort Site. This is owned nearby hill to shape the pyramid. Other hills along the by the State Game and Fish Commission. At the time of valley have numerous boulders, this one is free of rocks purchase considerable development was planned, a except for two that are laid on two corners of the dam was built across Viking Creek and the reservoir pyramid. back of the dam stocked with trout. The dam washed out Another ancient archeological site is in section 8 of and several years later it was rebuilt and again washed Springer Township and is discussed in the write-up of out. Some work is in progress there at the time this is that township. During the past dozen years the author written. There have been some tree plantings and some has taken dozens of groups of people, ranging from 4th feed for birds. Planned hiking and riding trails never grade youngsters from Oakesand Lisbon schools to two materialized, and sometimes one wonders whether senior citizens groups, on a tour of the archeological land should be removed from the tax rolls and just left as sites in the area. Included have been eight church it is.

59 Walker Store, others the Olson Store. It is owned by Alice Bjone, daughter of A.J. Olson, who operated the store for many years. Mrs. Bjone remodeled and restored the old store, and rents it to the Ransom County Historical Society. The house, barn and mill, that were a part of the Walker property, are being restored. When this task is completed the museum complex will consist of four or five buildings, for it may also include the old ice house. Many hundreds of visitors come to the museum every year. This booklet contains pictures of some of the exhibits of tools and equipment of pioneer days that are now in the museum. They are but a few of the many exhibits. PUBLIC OFFICERS During the past hundred years there have been a number of men from this area that have served in public offices. To make it easy to find who they are, they are The Walker Mill originally listed alphabetically by name according to the office held. To get these names it was necessary to peruse nearly a hundred years of Commissioners proceedings, among other references. It is hoped that this list is correct. State Senator Berg, Peter A. Lund, Martin State Representative Anderson, LP. 1900-1901 Henrikson, John H. Lovelace, E.S. 1896-1897 Olson, A.J. 1909-1910 Severson, H.G. 1936-1946 County Commissioner Birklid, J.I. 1915-1932 Hanson, Gilbert 1881 Henrikson, Gregor 1911-1914 Johnson, Mark 1947-1952 Kvello, Andrew 1882 Rufsvold, Anfelt 1941-1949 Rufsvold, Cornelius 1904-10 Slattum, Ardell 1950-1976 Walker, T.J. 1890-1892 & 1896-1903 Walker Mill 1977 County Auditor Birklid, J.L 1933-1942 Clerk of Court Another tract, purchased in 1976 by the State Park Rufsvold, Aimer 1915-1928 Board is about a mile to the north of Fort Ransom. Here a Register of Deeds park ranger is in charge, old fences have been removed, Saeter, KM. 1924-1925 some down timber cleared away and a residence for the TrG3surer Oerding, John 1891 -1894 caretaker is being built. It appears that this bit of tax States Attorney exempt land will be used and may turn out to be a very Thompson, Martin O. 1915-1916 fine state park. Access roads are a problem, and just Superintendent of Schools what the park will include in the way of attractions to Berger, Herman 1929-1936 folks in this part of the state, is still in the planning stage. County Judge Thompson, Martin 0. 1924-1948 If the park can be developed without the clutter of tourist Soil Conservation Supervisor traps that so often surrounds such an area, the park Severson, Sophus 1967-1974 could be a real fine asset. How it will be developed and operated depends on the state park service, and on the FORT RANSOM BUSINESSMEN input from residents of this area. No one keeps any records of who was in business, or when, in our town. Some owned business, some leased stores, and some were managers. Some operated more RANSOM COUNTY MUSEUM than one place of business. The list that follows may be Another of the more recent additions to Fort Ransom far from complete, but will have to suffice in the absence has been the museum. It is located in what some call the of a better list.

60 Storekeepers (Includes general stores and groceries) E.S.Lovelace 1881-1917 John Curry 1881-1890 Kirkhorn & Lovelace 1903-1917 Robert Kirkhorn 1917-1926 Charley Jacobson 1890s Palmer Reveland 1928-1940 T.J.Walker 1881-1919 A.J.Olson 1919-1941 Mrs. Sarah Olson 1941 -1953 Conrad Hanson 1934-1946 Erling Hendricks 1946-1948 Willard Larson 1948-1953 Walter Johnson 1920-1942 Chester Eskilson 1942-1949 Arthur Highness 1946-1948 George Anderson 1949-1973 Lowell Johnson 1959-1964 Gene Maddock 1965-1966 Kenneth Brock 1966-1971 Sorby-Rasmussen 1971-1975 Walker House Olaf Olson Willard Johnson Peddlers Soloman Hadje & Alex Abdullah 1900s Blacksmiths John Young 1880-1893 Jens Sorby 1893 - ? George & John Severson 1900's John Holm 1903-1948 Henry Martinson started in Kidville in 1898, then blacksmith and garage in Fort Ransom until 1947 Marvin J. Martinson 1947-1957 Andrew Olson & Joseph Johnson1919 to about 1930 Lloyd B. Olson 1944-1953 Ted Grothe 1953-54 Kenneth Grothe 1964-1978 and garage Harley Junker 1958-1978 and garage Miscellaneous Businesses The Walker Barn, note stone wall and boards nailed vertically Mr. Finch, lumberyard with Hogan Anderson, manager 1910-19 Harness Shop and Repair John Simmons Nicolai Nelson Anton Nelson Butcher Shop Alfred M. Highness 1900's Bank Tr. Tweto 1906-1922 Gill Johnson, cashier Restaurants Knute Sather Mrs. Carrie Nelson 1946-1949 Mrs. Herman Carlblom Late 40's Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Sorby Walker Mill in the background Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Anderson 1951-53 Millie Hilde 1955-1956

61 Fort Ransom Today - 1978

Harley Junker's Garage, Welding & Blacksmithing Fort Ransom Post Office

Fort Ransom Lockers Rural and City Fire Department

Kenny Grothe's Garage The Fort Cafe

62 Sheyenne Market Storage garage for antique cars

Fort Corral Fort Ransom Cavalry Unit formed in 1967

Dees Upholstery Fred Ward's Antiques in the Plymouth School

63 Mrs. Haakon Holm 1957-1958 Muriel Sandhei 1955-1962 Oliver Guttormson 1962-1969 Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Rufsvold 1970-71 Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd McCloud 1971-74 Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher 1974-75 Mrs. June Johnson 1975-1978 Pool Rooms or Bars Mr. Basset Art Knutson 1938-1959 Gene Collette 1932-1952 James Collette 1952-1961 Parnel Smaeby 1961-1962 Fred Ward 1962-1969 Hoff, Larsen, Larsen, Sorby, Anderson and 1969-73 Rasmussen Ted Griffin 1973-1977 Dean Burt 1977-1978 Rasmusson Auto Camp

Mail Carriers Christ Myrow first carried the mail from Fort Ransom to Valley City. So, also, did E.S. Lovelace. From the 1890's to the early 1900's, Mr. Thompson, who had a hotel in Lisbon, carried mail to Plymouth, Fort Ransom and Preston. Carriers between Lisbon and Fort Ransom from 1900 to 1930 included: Mr. Nelson, Arne Saetremoe, Adolph Hagen, Wm. Bymers and Willie Hanson. From 1930 to the fifties, Peder Larson handled the job. Mrs. Abe Young started the first rural route. Then Abe Young took it over. Ben Stokes was carrier until 1935. Trygve Berger was carrier from 1935-1975, then Orville Humphrey and Richard Rasmussen.

The 1977 Fort Ransom Bridge

Doctors Dr. Black short time in the 90's Dr. Mohn short time in the 90's Dr. T.M. Stixrud 1902-06 Dr. Arthur Gronvold 1906-1922 Dr. Simmons 1880? Dr. John Ekrom 1902 - 1903 Postmasters J.J. Oliver 1880-1882 E.S. Lovelace and T.J. Walker alternated depending on the party in power 1882-1920 Mrs. Betsey Lovelace 1920-25 Mrs. Walter Johnson 1925-1959

Lowell Johnson 1959-1968 Ransom County Museum Mrs. Lowell Johnson 1968-1978 Mrs. Hilde 1978

64 Social Organizations (Other than those directly associated with the Church) In the 1890's there was a Woodman Lodge, also Yeomen and Red Men lodges. Sons-of-Norway began in 1906 and was inactive for many years, then reactivated in the 1960's. There was the Fort Ransom Band with Knute Saeter as director. Nokken Choir, probably the widest known of Fort Ransom organizations.was started by Rev. Martin Rufsvold and A.J. Kleveland. Directors of the choir include: Olaf Hoiberg, Olaf Henrikson, Henry Henrikson and Oscar A. Olson. The community has had mixed choruses. Those who were active in maintaining and directing them include: Florence Steen, Thelma Moen, Bertha Syverson, Theodore Skonnard, Olaf B.N. Johnson, Mr. George, Olaf Henrikson, Henry Henrikson, Mrs. Laura Peterson and Johan Gregor. Boy Scouts were very active under the leadership of Bear Creek Hall. Home of SVACA John Opgaard and, later, Curtis Olson. There have also been both girls and boys 4-H clubs. The Veterans of same time, exhibits of art and a two week art school were held in the Fort Ransom School with Mr. O'Rourke, Moorhead artist, and Mrs. Yvonne Butzon, Lisbon artist, as instructors. The Stiklastad Church basement was the scene of a dinner and a short program following the Arts and Crafts Show. The show was continued in 1963 and in 1964. After Bjarne Ness moved to Fort Ransom, he took over the management of the Arts and Crafts Show and enlarged it, both as to number of exhibits and area covered. A turkey barbecue that attracted large numbers, became a part of the show which is now called an Arts and Crafts Festival, and since the death of Bjarne Ness it has been sponsored by the Sheyenne Valley Arts and Crafts Association, SVACA. The Fort Ransom Community Club which had been inactive for several years was reactivated with Bjarne Ness as president. The former club had collected Bjarne Ness Gallery something over a thousand dollars for the rebuilding of the cable bridge, and this became the nucleus for the

Foreign Wars have sponsored the annual Memorial Day program and, at times, essay contests for high school students. The local Wild Life Club has had periods of great acitivity and periods when they meet infrequently. The same has been true of the Northland Farmers Union local. The local PTC. has met quite regularly through out the years since it has first started. Major celebrations include the annual rodeo which began in 1959 and has continued since then. It is always held on the 4th of July and is a very popular attraction. The 75th Jubilee was one of the events attended by large numbers, with many former residents and their children coming from the west coast and other points. In 1967, the 100th Anniversary of the building of the Fort drew an estimated 7,000 people, flooding and overflowing the town. An historical pageant was a part of this observance. In 1962, Lowell Johnson and S.M. Bjarne Ness Memorial Bridge Thorfinnson started an Arts and Crafts Show. The exhibits were housed in the Young People's Hall. At the

65 Memorial Bridge that now spans the river. The Community Club meets once a month and is a moving force in all Fort Ransom events. Our Churches Like schooling, religious services also began in the home. Many of the early settlers of the Fort Ransom area were Scandinavian and of Lutheran faith. Custom and tradition made it imperative that the child must receive religious instruction. Parents read from the Bible and held family prayers. Mothers taught their children hymns, and the young studied the catechism to prepare themselves for confirmation. Among these pioneers were men and women versed in the Holy Scripture who could and did, on occasion, conduct religious services. These "klokkers" might be called in to baptize a dying infant or to read from a hymnbook at a burial. Christian precepts became the guiding principles in the establishment of these pioneer Standing Rock Church homes.

be listed in this brief account. Other pioneer families followed in the next few years and settled. Not all became members of either congregation, though they did materially assist the development of both, as well as, other civic progress. Pastors of Standing Rock Congregation 1883 - 1886 — L Hill 1887 - 1904 — O.K. Anderson 1904 - 1905 — J.S. Strand 1906 - 1919 — O.K. Anderson (recalled) 1920 - 1956 — Gustav B. Sandanger 1956 - 1960 — Roger Paulson 1960 - 1969 — Marvin Arneson 1970 - 1973 — Dennis Reiman 1973 - 1977 — Wayne Hagen As previously stated, the Standing Rock Congregation Fort Ransom School was organized in February, 1882, but it took quite a few years before the congregation found it possible to build Standing Rock Congregation a church. The need and the urge to organize Christian congregations became evident. Groundwork for the organization of the Standing Rock Congregation was laid at the home of Theodore Peterson Slattum. This was in the fall of 1881, and the occasion was the funeral of Marie Slattum, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Slattum. Klokker Ole H. Rufsvold conducted the funeral services, and she was laid to rest on her parent's homestead. After the service, Ole Rufsvold and Gilbert Hanson talked about how desirable and necessary it was to get a congregation organized. Pastor J.L. Lundeby of Valley City helped organize the Standing Rock Congregation in February, 1882. The following men, with their families were charter members: Nels Olson, Gilbert Hanson, Ole Rufsvold, Erik Anderson, Kasper Olson, and John Kragness. Ole Rufsvold was elected secretary of the newly organized congregation and served in that capacity until 1910, a period of 28 years. Pyramid Hill with Viking Only the charter members of each congregation will 66 Serious differences of opinion arose over the most suitable location of the church. Atthetime there was no bridge across the river at Fort Ransom, and members of the congregation were rather scattered on both sides of the river. Regrettable consequences of the dilemma were that some members threatened to leave the congregation. In 1889, Mr. T.J. Walker offered a building site that apparently was acceptable to all, and it was decided to build the church where it now stands. The main part of the church was built that same year at a cost of about $1,000. That did not include the steeple or vestry. In 1898 the steeple was erected and a church bell hung in it. The church was then considered completed and was dedicated in June, 1898. An addition to the north (vestry) was built about the year 1902. The church building was altered and enlarged in 1910-1911 at a Hall of the Mountain King cost of $5,000. Stained glass windows for the church were paid for by the Betania Ladies Aid. The cost was $675.00. stands today as a true monument to the pioneer's Christian incept. To inhabitants of the community today it serves as a constant reminder of the Gospel and a legacy to be maintained and perpetuated. Stiklastad Congregation This congregation was organized in 1887. Charter members were the following men, with their families: CB. Void, Hans Slapgaard, Martin Rosvold, Hans Berg, Elias Peterson, Jens Eliason, Reinholt Lorentson, C,G. Johnson, Ed Peterson, Peder Munkeby, Iver Iverson, and AG. Anderson. The congregation, for the time being, was to remain a free church. J. Johnson Briedablik was elected to draw up a constitution. It was written in the Norse language. The name of the congregation wastobe "The Stiklestad Lutheran Congregation". In 1896 the congregation petitioned admittance to the Hauge Synod, continued in this until the Union, and then became a member of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. After the The Skiing Slopes merger of the A.L.C., E.L.C, and U.E.L.C, forming the American Lutheran Church, the congregation becamea The Young People's Society was instrumental in member of A.L.C. getting a pipe organ for the church in the year 1911 .The society raised $1,000 and received an additional $1,000 from the Carnegie fund. Other improvements added over the years have included changes in heating plants, installation of a loudspeaker system, and a new concrete foundation. The present Fellowship Hall, a modification and enlargement of the old Y.P. Hall, was constructed in 1970-1971. "Bear Creek Hall", now the headquarters for the Sheyenne Valley Arts and Crafts Association was originally built for use of the Bear Creek Young People's Society in 1904. The hall was deeded over to the Standing Rock Congregation in 1919. Divine services were conducted there on occasions, and it was also used for meetings of the Young People's Society, and other social gatherings. The hall sold to SVACA in 1976 and moved to its present location in Fort Ransom. The Rodeo Grounds The quaint and beautiful Standing Rock Church

67 As was the case with the Standing Rock Congregation, the Stiklestad Congregation was not able to build a church ediface for several years. During this time they too held meetings in homes and in local schoolhouses. In 1892, plans were made for the building of a church. E.S. Lovelace donated a lot and $75 toward this undertaking. The balance of the building fund was realized from subscriptions and renting of farm landsfor crops. The work of erecting the building was almost all donation work, with the exception of the services of the architect. The building was completed during the summer of 1897 at a cost of approximately $1600. The frugality of both congregations, as evidenced by their willingness to delay building until they could pay their way, was unusual. The lumberyards were trusting and willing to sell lumber fora newchurch on a promise, The new bridge built by Lisbon National Guard or less. The result was that many churches were built on less than a shoestring', and located where there were destroyed by fire. A decision was made not to rebuild. not enough members to adequately support. Most of the members joined the Standing Rock Congregation. This bolstered the declining membership of the Standing Rock and greatly strengthened that church. A stone marker, topped by a miniature bronze cross and bearing an engraved inscription, has been erected on the site of the Stiklestad Church. The neatly kept roadside park along the northeast entrance to the City of Fort Ransom serves as a monument to this pioneer congregation. Russell Larson, former president of the Ransom County Historical Association, has done a lot of research on the old Walker Mill, trying to find out just how it was constructed and how it operated. We are indebted to him for the following article about an institution that, more than any other, was the reason for the existance of Fort Ransom.

The Old Swinging Bridge in winter

The first service in the new church was held September 19, 1897. The church was dedicated in June, 1904. In 1916 a full basement was constructed under the church at a cost of $ 1,959. The altar was a gift from the Ladies Aid, and the bell a gift from the Young People's Society. Pastors of Stiklestad Congregation (Rev. J.J. Breidablik was the first pastor of the congrega­ tion, serving but a short time.) 1889 - 1895 — J.J. Ekse 1896 - 1898 — B.K. Barstad 1898 - 1930 — A.H. Berger (died in 1930) (at one time Rev. Berger served as pastor of 6 congregations: Stiklestad, Waldheim, Preston, Spring Creek, Skandia, and Nordheim) 1932 - 1956 — G.B. Sandanger 1956 - 1960 — Roger Paulson 1960 - 1968 — Marvin Arneson Sons of Norway Hall, Museum in background On October 22, 1968, the Stiklestad Church was

68 How the T.J. Walker Mill Worked between the two mill buildings. It ends just inside the Imagine that we are standing on the dam in the days nortrj wall of the flour mill basement. On the end of the when the mill was in operation. In the end of the dam, shaft is a large drive pulley. A belt runs to a pulley on a near the south river bank, is an opening about twelve jack shaft suspended along the east side of the feet wide. The opening extends through the dam, basement. There are a number of other pulleys on this ending at a heavy wooden gate on the down stream shaft and they are the means of distributing power to side. The gate holds water from entering a twelve by the various machines needed in the milling operation. twelve foot enclosure made of cribbing, probably 2 x In the northwest corner of the basement is a support 10's laid flat and nailed one on top of the other. This made of heavy timbers reaching up to the floor enclosure is called a flume. The top of the flume is such overhead. Directly above it sit a pair of millstones. A as to be as high or higher than the highest level the shaft, butted in a hole in a timber in the bottom of the water reaches when going over the dam. the bottom of support, runs up through the bottom millstone and the flum is open and reaches about three-fourths of the engages the top stone. Power to turn the stone is way to the bottom level of the dam. provided by a belt running from a pulley on the jack Mounted on pilings above and on the riverbank side of shaft, to a pulley on the millstone shaft. The belt will the flume is a building about 16 x 24 feet, in which a have a quarter turn. Looking at the millstone from the feed mill is housed. Beyond this building is an alley top, we see that grain is fed through the middle of the sixteen to eighteen feet wide. On the other side of the top stone, As the stone turns and the grain is ground it is alley is the flour mill nearly thirty by thirty-five feet, two worked to the outside, where it drops into a trough stories with a rock-walled basement. enclosing the bottom stone. A piece of belting attached Near the bottom of the flume are three water turbines, to the top stone sweeps the ground grain into a hopper the largest of which is about three and one half feet in below the floor, from where it is elevated where desired. diameter. It is rated forty horse power and provides On the east side of the main floor are a row of roller power for the flour mill. The smallest turbine is about mills, probably three. Belts, through the floor from the one and one half feet in diameter, rated ten horse jack shaft in the basement, power them. Hanging from power, and powers an electric dynamo. The third the ceiling above the flour mills is a sifter. The sifter turbine is between the other two in size, has a horse contains twenty one different screens and is designed power rating of twenty, and powers the feed mill. to shake when power is applied to it. In operation the The turbines are about a foot and a half in height. grain runs from an overhead bin into the roller mill, then Their outer shells are a one piece casting with a domed is elevated overhead to the sifter where the coarse parts top and open at the bottom. There are little doors all are separated, then down to another roller mill and so around the outside of the shells that can be opened from on. Each mill grinds it finer and each sifting operation the top of the flume. The shells are mounted solid removes the coarsest parts, the end results being a in the flume. Inside the shells the turbines are mounted much finer flour than that ground by the mill stones. on shafts butted in mountings anchored below the Besides the afore mentioned machinery, there are also flume and extending out of the top of the shell. fanning mills to clean grain and a means of washing it In operating, water is let into the flume, the doors of before it is ground. In a room off the east side of the the turbine shell are opened, water rushes in and strikes basement is a Page steam engine that can be belted to blades on the turbine causing them to turn. The water the jack shaft when auxiliary power is needed. then goes out the bottom and down stream. The turbines can be operated individually or simultaneously. What Keeps Fort Ransom Going? The power is coming from the water behind the dam, Many have asked that question over the years, and allowing turbines to be much smaller than a water many have wondered about it without actually asking wheel of the same horse power. The water wheel the question.There is no question about the fact that in obtains it's power from the weight of the water going the past the people of the community were bound over it at any one time. together by real community pride, plus a will to work The shaft from the turbine that powers the feed mill together harmoniously on a project that they deemed extends upward to about two feet above the level worthwhile. All of this effort has been volunteer, unpaid of the feed mill floor. Power is transferred by a belt effort, unpaid that is, except in the satisfaction that from a drive pulley on top of the shaft, through the feed comes from a job well done. Until in recent years this mill building wall to a pulley on the feed mill. This belt was a self-contained community, with local facilities to will have a quarter turn, in-as-much as the pulley on the meet all or most of the needs of the community. Large turbine shaft is horizontal while the feed mill pulley is stores, well stocked, a cafe, blacksmith shop, harness vertical. The small turbine and the dynamo in turns are and repair shop, school, church, postoffice and some belted in the same fashion. The dynamo is located under recreation facilities, met the basic needs of the area. A the feed mill building. Power from the large turbine to well known choir and mixed choruses were the icing on the flour mill is transferred by means of a two and a half the cake. inch shaft. The necessary change of direction is But, sadly, the years have seen a steady eroding of the accomplished by a set of bevel gears. This shaft runs factors that bind a community together. General stores under the feed mill building and under the alley gave way to groceries and then no grocery. High school

69 facilities were abandoned, and the end may not be far Ransom-LaMoure county line. off for the grade school. In place of making our own The hall was truly a community building. It was used entertainment, we rely on canned music and TV. We no as a Young Peoples Hall, the Ladies Aid, religious longer put on home talent plays, pageants, or talent services, weddings, funerals, lunches and programs. shows. It is much easier to sit and watch others. Other Six weeks of Bible school were held there for many towns have reached into our trade area and the number years. Several home talent plays were practiced and put of farmers decreases every year. The pioneers are long on in the hall. A choir was organized with Olaf Johnson gone and the few remaining sons and daughters of the as director and rehearsals were held in the hall. The pioneers are old. This is now the time of the third and organ was donated by the Standing Rock Congregation fourth generations. when they got their pipe organ. The piano was Whether we continue to be known as a rather unique purchased from a Verona farmer. Louise Thompson, and very beautiful community rests on the shoulders Carrie Anderson and Olga Rasmussen all served as and the wills of today's population. To talk of the things organists. done in the past is of little value. It is the things we do In 1919, the Bear Creek organization broke up and the today and plan for tomorrow that counts. Will today's hall was turned over to the Standing Rock active citizens meet the challenge? Will they be able to Congregation. Jacob Mickelson was hired to remodel it. work together unselfishly for the common good? If you Then in 1974, the Standing Rock Congregation sold it at can answer these question you know the future of Fort public auction. The Sheyenne Valley Arts and Crafts Ransom. Association (SVACA) bought it for $2,400.00. After a We have some solid factors to build on. We can fruitless search for a better location the present site, on maintain the beauty of the valley. We can keep it clean. a lot purchased from John Holkestad by Bjarne Ness, We can maintain and improve some of the things being was selected. A $10,000 bi-centennial grant with done, like the skiing facilities, the annual rodeo and the matching funds from local and area donors and some fishing derby, as well as our efforts at being an arts and labor paid through a Ceta grant made it possible to crafts center. provide a basement workshop for the building. An entry, When folks begin thronging the new park there is connecting the original building and the basement, did going to be opportunity for new business and an not change it. It was also necessary to restore the enlargement of some facilities in use now. A grocery building to its original condition. store is a must. Folks driving into the park will need The disastrous flood of 1975 delayed work on the services of all kinds for their cars. More room will be basement. The building was moved in on August 26, needed for cafe and lunch facilities. A series of summer 1975. Instead of a seven mile move it was necessary to plays and or pageants seems to go well at most parks. move it about 30 miles via Highway 46 and down the Voices of the past say, "We conquered problems and Sorby hill. It spent one night on the Stiklastad Church obstacles that you of today will never face nor even site and on August 27, 1975, was placed on the recognize. We built from scratch. Your roads, your basement. Even though not completed it was used for telephone, your electric power, your modern facilities of the 1975 Arts and Crafts Festival. all kinds are a legacy of the past. Compared to ours, your After another year of restoration and yard work, the lives have been easy. Has this ease made you soft? We building was completed on September 25, 1976, and built with the materials at hand, stones, logs, hand labor was dedicated the next day by Governor Arthur Link, to and a spirit of cooperation and optimism. What about be preserved as an historical landmark and used as an you, our grandchildren and our great grandchildren? arts and crafts center. In addition to its use as a Are you equal to the tasks? Are you true to your workshop and Festival building, it is used by the city heritage?" council for regular meetings and city court. It is available Bear Creek Hall for community projects that enhance the quality of life In 1903, a Young People's Society was organized in in Fort Ransom, and it will continue to be held as a trust, the western part of the Fort Ransom community, by a beautiful old building full of memories, with the people, most of whom belonged to the Standing Rock prospect of many useful years ahead. Congregation. This was before the advent of the Service Utilities automobile and it was too far to come to Fort Ransom to Telephone service started out very small in the area, take part in the Fort Ransom Y.P.S. It was named "Bear with the first Kidville line serving five patrons. Cedor Creek Hall" because Bear Creek flows through this part Olson made a switch-board as the line grew. It was first of the community. The Bear Creek Ladies Aid had been built in 1905. In 1906 lines were extended to Kathryn, organized in 1895. The Y.P.S. held their meetings in Englevale and Lisbon and ever since , the community homes until 1904, when they decided to build a hall. has had good service. After A.J. Olson moved to Fort David Mickelson donated the land on which it was Ransom in 1919, the central service has been taken built. The lumber was hauled from Litchville on horse care of by some member of the Thompson family. Mrs. drawn wagons. David Mickelson and Alfred Andreason Hilmer Ronning, a daughter of Thomas Thompson, for were foremen for the project, Johannes Dahl and his many years gave faithful and efficient service. It was the brothers were the masons. The hall was located seven last bit of Kidville and was finally moved to Fort Ransom. miles southwest of Fort Ransom, just across the As old poles rotted and sleet and wind storms

70 damaged the telephone line, it became more and more days of Ma Perkins. It may take their minds off their own difficult to maintain the small telephone systems. worries to commiserate with the endless troubles of the Finally, the Dickey Rural Telephone Company, a make-believe world. Athletic events are modified and cooperative that covers most of Dickey, LaMoure, adjusted to fit the advertising schedules, some of them Ransom and Sargent counties, installed a modern even faked. Even the news casters and the weather men system. In recent years much of the system has been do their best to make their spiels soothing rather than buried underground and the 'party lines' replaced by factual. Wives have been known to refuse to answer a individual service. There is no question about the knock on the door during their favorite sob stories; and excellent service, although, rising costs have made it far husbands forget wives, meals and children during a more expensive than the old Kidville exchange. Gone football game. The first years have not been too good, are the party lines with the clicking receivers of the certainly far from the excellence we so hopefully 'rubber necks'. Gone, but by no means forgotten, are the anticipated. Maybe the next hundred years will show kind, cheery and accomodating voices of the operators some improvement. of the past. Modern technology is efficient and costly, Roads but computerized operations are cold and impersonal. In the Jubilee booklet Sandhei states, "Does the Guess we can't keep the friendly acts if we opt for present generation realize that when their parents and modern ways. That is the way the ball bounces. grandparents came to the present Fort Ransom community and staked out their homestead claims, Rural Electrification there were no roads with the exception of the The Fort Ransom area was among the first to benefit government trails between Fort Abercrombie and Fort from rural electrification. At first, the Cass County Ransom. There were no bridges over the Sheyenne Electric Cooperative bought its energy from the River or over the many creeks?" Not much of a road was municipal electric facilities in Valley City. A minimum of needed for oxen, and even after horses and mules were two customers per mile was deemed necessary at first. used the old wagon ruts were not too bad except when With Kathryn, Fort Ransom, Elliott, Englevale, Stirum muddy. The automobile brought a need for roads that and Crete lined up south of Valley -City it was were reasonably safe at such high speeds as 15 to 25 comparatively easy to get two to a mile, so this was miles an hour. As the speed of autos increased, so did among the earlier projects. When area coverage was the need for roads made for these speeds and for better decided upon, every farm home in the area of the REA bridges. The bridges of pioneer days were not made for could obtain power. There is no question that this has large loads or much speed. They often cost less than a done more to reduce the drudgery of the farm home thousand dollars, as contrasted with modern day than any one other development of the past hundred bridges across the Sheyenne that cost from $ 150,000 to years. Light in the farm yard and power in the farm shop $200,000 each. has wrought changes in farm work. Despite the Ransom County missed the boat on paving. While the doomsday warnings of the Power Companies that rural counties all around us were paving the county roads electrification was an impossibility, the service has from state highways and in to the towns, our county did been uniformly cheaper than the rates in the cities not, and we see the results today. Gravel roads plus auto served by these corporations and power outages less traffic and trucks equals dust. This area has certainly frequent. Storms, lightning and sleet are still serious eaten its full share of dust ever since the first gas factors, and parts of the system are underground to buggies got going, and there is no foreseeable minimize these problems. The most aggravating and improvement in our future. Paving costs have more than needless expense and interruption of service is caused tripled since 1960. Our beautiful river valley has its by those brainless clowns that shoot at the drawbacks too. We have a large number of out dated transformers, wires and insulators. Maybe, sometime bridges to replace, more than enough to use up most of in the future, we will find a way of transforming these our road funds for the next twenty years. Maybe we will citizens into robots and put them to some use. Alert be out of gasoline by then and won't need the paving. reporting by patrons of damages has resulted in the Graveling costs rise each year, maintenance catching of some of the vandals. becomes higher, and snow removal can use up all the Television maintenance funds in a bad winter. Maybe, with our There are very few, if any, homes in the area that do better means of travel, we could get along with fewer not have a television set. Some may be small, while bridges. It is quite a problem today to decide what some are huge colored sets. Regardless of their size or projects should take precedence. It does not do any good whether the picture is in black and white or in colors, to try to lay the blame on any certain individuals, county nothing can be done about a show that is rotten in the commissioners or others. We have to assume our full first place. Many who spent hours in rapt attention to share of the complacency that placed us in today's the T.V. when they were new, now confine their dilemma, and remember how often we voted down the listening to the news programs and a few special request for additional road funds. numbers. Even these are so interspersed with tasteless ads as to make them unpalatable. There are, of course, the soap opera addicts, the carryover from the radio

71 Museum Articles Depict the Past

The pioneers knew how to use these tools A loom made by a pioneer farmer Ax Drill Adz

The round coal heater The parlor hard coal heater with icing glass in sides

72 The cream buyer's corner The butcher block and meat slicer

Scale and cash register One of Carl Thompson's violins

73 Rocker and Crib Waffle Iron

Kitchen Range Spinning Wheel

74 Spinning Wheel and old chair World War I Coats

High Fashion of the 90's High Fashion of the 90's

75 Fort Ransom State Park from north looking SW Fort Ransom State Park from north looking south

Fort Ransom State Park from north looking SE

* X %%%'<%& i),

\ %.A $u& in 77-585 mmmmm ow ^v4^i 'Ut- /fro If e n 8/*4<«S

o £< l.AH^ Vmt ltaa*o,*i J until ISaoi

***^§jf t4-C3

Who says that Fort Ransom never had a bank?

76 vl

The Iver Lund house in Fort Ransom, now owned by Kenneth Brock 78 Preston Township officers elected were Rev. Bothne, chairman, and N.G. The white man's history of this township is just a Eggen, treasurer. There were thirty-three charter hundred years old, for it was in 1878 that Abraham members present at this meeting. They were: Eston Dahl, CA. Anderson, Claus Prestrud, J. Strand and Johnson, Peder Aas, Hans Moeller, Nels Moeller, Martin Svarvarud filed on claims in or adjacent to the Theodore Peterson, Anders Frydenlund, Peder valley. At that time the only landmark in the township Johnson, Nels Broen, Gjorgen Strand, Andreas was Standing Rock mound, atop the highest point in the Svarvarud, Martin Svarvarud, Carl G. Opgaard, N.G. county. The chances are that you could still see the trail Eggen, Ole Hedemark, Peter Nygaard, Evind Svindson, left by Sibley's army as it marched across the township, Christ Tollefsrud, Iver Lund, Elling Knutson, Abraham S. past Brown's lakes, leaving the township in section 2 on Dahl, Ole Rognaldson, Siver K. Lee, Mikkal Thoreson, its way to a camp by Storhoff's Slough in Thordenskjold John Ensen, Christ Anderson, Christian Pederson, Township. The army, according to Colonel Marshall, Anders Kragnes, Nels Hansen, Gulbrandt Halvorson, who kept a diary, were following a well traveled trail all Ole Pederson Eggnaess, Petter Solum, A.L. Hoff and the way from Lake Tewaukon in Sargent County to Bald Andrew Prestrud. Hillock in Barnes County. It seems highly improbable that thirty-three men In 1879, nine more settlers came and all of these filed attended this service and not one woman; or was this on claims in or very near the valley. It was not until 1880 strictly a man's world then. It will be noted that in this that the prairie in the eastern part of the township began gathering there were homesteaders from Northland, to be homesteaded. Nels Broen (Brown), Ole Miller, A.C Fort Ransom and Springer townships as well as Green, Iver Lund and Roger Pherigo were among these. Preston. Then from 1881 to 1889 the settlement of the township was completed. Some of the early ones sold their rights, The congregation met in farm homes and school some proved up and then sold, a few just left. houses or out in the open. Rev. Bothne served the Martin Svarvarud in section 32 had the first post congregation from 1881 to 1886. Rev. G.A. Larson from office, called Mullen. Nels Miller in section 4 had a post Sheldon served in 1886-7. In 1887-89, Rev. Johan office called Miller, run by his brother, Ole. Both of these Jahren was the pastor at Sheldon, and he also served were closed when the Preston Post Office and village Preston. On January 18, 1890, the church became a were started in section 19. A number of thefirst settlers corporation under state law and was called the Fort came from Preston, Minnesota, which may be the Ransom Evangelical Lutheran Church. At this time reason for the township name. Mail was at first brought meetings were held in the "Bell" School and "Kvalnes" from Valley City, but after the beginning of Plymouth School in Northland and the Kragnes School in Preston. and Fort Ransom, a star route brought mail to these and In 1894, the Ladies Aid, known as the "Clay Bank Preston. Ladies Aid", said that they would help in building a church. They would pay for the materials for a basement Until a road of sorts was hewn through the woods to if the men would haul the stones. It was not until 1899 Fort Ransom, the village of Preston served a rather that the first church was built. limited community. Grain had to be hauled to Buttzville Little by little the church was completed. Rev. A.H. or Valley City except for small lots taken to Fort Ransom Berger was pastor from 1899 to 1930. Mikkal Thoreson for milling, or feed for grinding. When the Marion donated three acres for the cemetery; John Hammer Branch of the N.P. was built in 1900, the township was donated the church site. On July 8, 1907, the church split four ways, as far as business was concerned, was dedicated. It was not until 1930 that women were between Nome, Eastedge, Kathryn and Fort Ransom. allowed to vote on church matters. Rev. P.J. Myklund The Preston Church continued to hold the folks in the was pastor from 1930 to 1946. In 1946, the western half of the township in a social community. congregation joined the Sheyenne Valley Lutheran and School were started soon after settlement. They were Rev. L.O. Bjorlie was the pastor. located in sections 8,10,22 and 29. The one in section 8 The Ladies Aid has been active since 1887. It was was first known as the Kragnes School, later as the named the "Yellow Banks" Ladies Aid and was Berland School. The one started near Martin Svarvarud organized for the purpose of raising money for a church has long been called the Birklid School and is now the building. In 1889 the name was changed to Fort town hall. For many years these four rural schools Ransom Ladies Aid. In 1901 it was changed to Preston operated at full capacity, but little by little the number of Lutheran Ladies Aid. It was the aid that offered to pay for pupils decreased, high school students went to Nome, materials for the church foundation, and it has since Kathryn or Fort Ransom and in recent years they have helped with many improvements for the church. gone to Enderlin by bus. Today's number of pupils of When the first church burned down in the sixties, the school age is less than a fourth of what it once was. congregation built the present beautiful church The Preston Church building. There are now about one third as many farm On Christmas Day in 1881, a home mission pastor by families in the township as there were around 1900. the name of Bothne, held services in a log building Despite these problems the church has been active, called the "Svarvarud School". It was about a mile sharing a pastor with the Standing Rock Church in Fort south of the present site of the church. On that same day Ransom. It is true to its original plans, to Worship and to it was decided to organize a congregation. The first Build.

79 CO o

Preston Church with Ray Olson farmstead in background The first Preston Church faced west before the basement was dug.

We do not have write-ups for all the early settlers in 1918; Edwin was born May 2, 1897, U.S. Merchant Preston Township for several reasons. At the time of the Marine service, retired, died in May 1975; Arthur was 50 year celebration, at the Gilbert Hanson farm a list born August 1, 1899 and is retired in California. He was was made of the early settlers in each of the four in police work and U.S. Service; Ida Mae (Mrs. townships, Preston, Northland, Springer and Fort Steinberger) was born February 2, 1902, and became a Ransom. For some reason this list did not include those nurse and homemaker; Gertie was born March 15, who homesteaded the eastern half of Preston. An 1903 and died while attending school in Nome. Only alternate list was the 1910 atlas for the county, but we two sons survive in this pioneer family. were stymied by the fact that few shown on this atlas Esten paid $600 in gold to Mathias Hanson, a half seem to have left anyone of the same name farming brother of Mrs. Aus, for a quarter of land. Mrs. Aus and there today. Only three persons living intheeastern half Mathias were brother and sister of another pioneer, of the township responded to our numerous requests Gilbert Hanson. Esten was one of the early county for information. As a result "hurrakroken" is not well commissioners. He dearly loved to argue politics, a represented. In 1878, CA. Anderson and Abraham Dahl staunch Republican. His wife disliked both politics and are listed as settlers. In 1879, Matt Hanson and Ole argument. Myrhaug are not accounted for. In 1880, D.Hill and Carl Aus says,"When children were old enough to go Atlee Hoff were among the settlers for whom no records out and work at the neighbors, it was usually an were found. Others who came later and for whom we arrangement between parents. If there was an were unable to find records were Ole Grotlund, S. exchange of money, it would often be returned to the Johanneson, Andrew Kregnes, Haakon Barstad, Semon Swenson. It will be noted that we have scant informa­ tion from some others. O.E. Amundson settled in the SEV4 of section 24, in Preston. He was still farming this and an additional quarter in 1910. The last Amundson to farm it was Arvin. The present operator is Juan Schommer. John Ask came in 1880 and settled in the NEV4 of section 1. Austin K. Aus settled in section 6 of Preston, in 1887. He came from Fillmore County, Minnesota. His wife, Guri Rindahl, was born in Dovre, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, November 28, 1861. They were married in 1886 in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Esten was born April 2, 1861. They had eight children: Carl Engeman was born February 20, 1899, a farmer, retired; Anna Marie (Mrs. Roe and later Mrs. Lund) was born September 25,1890; Oscar E. was born April 27, 1893, a farmer, died in an accident; Emma was born October 2, 1895. She was Paul Roe and Anna Roe at the cabin in which they were born. Now employed in woolen mills in Oregon. She died of flu in renovated on Olga Severson farm.

81 Martha and Anders Prestrud and sons. Front Row: I to r Olaus, Anton, Martha, Anders; back row I to r Martin, Erick, Severin

Esten Aus family, back row Oscar, Carl. Anna; middle Arthur, Edwin; front Emma, Ida, Esten. Guri with baby Gertie on lap.

82 family where it was put to best use, rather than given to the child that earned it. In other words, maybe another member of the family needed a new pair of shoes. Carl's first gun was a Stevens 22, ordered from Montgomery Ward, for $5.00. It was shipped to Fingal. No unnecessary journey was allowed to get it, so Carl had to wait until a neighbor, Carl Borstad, had an errand to Fingal and offered to get it. Carl trapped mink and muskrats. Some of this money paid for the gun and the 25C postage. Muskrat furs were worth 80C and mink $20. This was a whale of a lot of money." Nine Aus grandchildren survive. They live in California, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. Numerous great and great-great grandchildren are widely scattered and may never know each other. An Aus geneology is planned and may bring the family together, hopefully while the two uncles are still alive. Andrew R. Borland came in 1882 and settled in the valley. His wife was Anna Barbara, born June 21,1853, in Norway. Our records do not show whether Andrew came from Norway. They had nine children: Lottie; Anna Bertina (known as Birdie); Ella (Mrs. Oliver Wilson); Alma (Mrs. Knute Helland); Emma (Mrs. Henry Pioneers Peder and Berthe Roe Ramseth); and Olaf, who married Clara Anderson, and died in an auto accident in 1936. Two of the Berland daughters lived on the homestead for years after other members of the family were gone. The farm is now owned by Willie Woods. Minnie Berland was Mrs. Fred Larson, and Ella was a teacher in Preston Township. Jacob Birklid was born in Beiarn, Norway, near Boda, Dec. 25, 1870. He came to the United States at the age of 23 and settled near New Richmond, Wise, for several years. After attending Concordia College, he came to the Svendby area southwest of Kathryn to teach parochial school. He stayed at the Gabriel Bryne home where he met his future wife, Marie Bryne. They were married at Svendby in 1898. Marie was born at Stavanger, Norway, in 1880 and came to this country with her folks when she was nine months old. Jacob and Marie operated a hotel in Kathryn, moving to Preston in 1905. They first lived in the valley in section 17, then moved to section 29 in 1909 and farmed there. The farm is now owned by their son, Edgar and his wife, Sigrid Roe (Birklid). Since Edgar retired the farm is operated by Richard Birklid and his son. Jacob was county commissioner from 1915 to 1933, then county auditor until 1940. He was township clerk for 29 years. After he became auditor, his son Ralph became clerk; and when he moved to Kathryn, his son Richard served in this capacity. Jacob and Marie had nine children: Jennie (Mrs. Stevens) of Valley City; Alfie (Mrs. Jenson) of Kathryn; Juliet (Mrs. Keltner) of Independence, MO; Geneva, who died in infancy; Lars of West Fargo; Martha (Mrs. Ross); Ross, who died in 1965; Edgar of Nome, N.D.; and Myrtle (Mrs. Ringdahl) of Seattle, WN. Jacob passed away September 6, 1945, at the age of Christ Pederson Family, 1896 I to r John, Dean, Hilda. Edwin, 74; Marie passed away on October 26, 1968, at the age Christ, Clara. Mrs. Pederson of 89. They were members of the Preston Church and

83 Jacob Birklid Family, I to r top Edgar, Ralph, Lars bottom, , Jacob,

Ralph Birklid Family. I to r Marilyn. Ruth, Richard, Ralph. Carol

84 John A. Moen Family in 1944 I tor standing Jendine, Irene, Jervel. Muriel; seated John A., Mathea are buried in the beautiful cemetery there. Their son, the early seventies. Lars, lives in West Fargo. He was known as the Texas Ellef and Oscar Ellefson came to Preston in the mid Ranger and Johnny Rogers, when he sang over WDAY. eighties and settled in section 11. The 1910 atlas shows Edgar and Ralph's son, both have antique collections of A. Ellefson living there at that time, probably a son of note. Ralph took over the management of his father's either Oscar or Ellef. farm in Preston. He married Ruth Opg^rd in 1933. Warren and Evaline Endersbe bought 240 acres in When they left the farm the son, Richard, took over. section 27, in Preston, in 1902. They bought this from Ralph died in 1965. In 1970, Ruth married Peter Berg. Edward Holman, Slayton, Minn. In 1904, the parents Richard Birklid, present owner of the farm, is married and four children, Stella, Ray, Laura and Myrtle moved to Iverne Belling and they have three children. from Slayton to their farm. They came in a covered M.A. Brauer was among the early settlers in Preston, wagori. At that time the nearest neighbors were Joe homesteading in section 4. In 1910 the farm was being Tommeraus, Martin Larson, Peder Lowe and Wm. operated by his son, A. Brauer, and today, Clair A. Hulet. Two Endersbe sons, David and Warren, were Brauer is the operator. born in Preston Township. There were no phones or A.A. Broen (Brown) came to Preston in 1882 or 1883 roads, and people appreciated their neighbors. Long and settled in section 23. His sons, Alfred and Arvid, hauls with horses made trips to Fort Ransom, Eastedge farmed the home place and other land until very and Nome quite a problem. In the fall a winter's supply recently. of coal, flour, sugar and other staples was bought. N.O. Broen (Brown) settled on land in section 14 in the Wanting better school facilities the Endersbes moved to eighties. Tuller Township in 1913. Walter and Harley were born Henry Carlson came from Sweden, where he was born here. Warren died November 16, 1930 and Evaline died February 2, 1874. He settled in section 16. His wife, May 6, 1949. Only three of the children are living at this Annie, was born May 21, 1884. She came from Buxton, time, Walter and Harley in Auburn, Washington, and N.D. They were married in Moorhead, in 1915. They had Laura (Mrs. Russell Schaller) in Lisbon. three sons and a daughter: Seth was born September C. Fjell came to Preston in the nineties and settled in the 21, 1917, he operates a book store; Levi was born NWV4 of section 7. January 16, 1919 and he farms the old home farm; Paul John Hammer was born July 13, 1846 in Levanger, was born December 12, 1920 and is a Navy ship Norway. He came to Preston Township and settled in repairman; and Cora Carlson is a housewife. section 18, in 1883. His wife, Greta, was born January Christ Clauson came to Preston in 1881 and made his 4, 1844, in Norway. They were married in Norway in home in a little valley in section 33. He had a son, Christ, July, 1873. They had five children all but one of whom and a daughter, Christiana. are deceased. They were: Hilmer, born in 1876 (Orin's S. Eliason was an early settler in section 20. His son, father); Gusta was born in 1878; Ingeborg was born in Evelyn Eliason, lived on the homestead until his death in 1880; Albert was born in 1884; Clara (Mrs. Esse) is now

85 CO o>

Overshot stacker on Gilmore Hanson farm 1914. I to r stack, stacker, almost hidden team to raise stacker, sweep rake, rake, sweep rake. An outfit like this could stack a lot of hay in a day. living in Waltham, Minn. John and Greta and family came to North Dakota from Levanger, Norway, in 1882. In 1883, they traveled from Fargo to Preston Township by ox team in a covered wagon and filed on their homestead. Early in the 1980's they moved to the present Hammer home in section 19. The farm is now owned by Orin and farmed by his son, Myron, the 4th generation of Hammers on the land. Hilmer B. Hammer's wife was Mathea. They had four children: Gladys Agnes was born October 31, 1909; Orin Justin was born February 28, 1913; Ruth Helen was born August 26, 1917 and Mae Harriet was born December 1, 1921. Orin married Edith Rufsvold, daughter of Mark Rufsvold. They have one son, Myron. Martin Hansey settled on the SEVi of section 29, in 1880. His son, Ludvig, had a feed mill in Nome. H. Hanson came in the mid eighties and settled in section 10. The 1910 atlas shows Hans Hanson living Threshing - straw blower, no oxen. This was really fun. there, either the original H. Hanson or a son. K.M. Hanson came in the eighties and settled in section 3. In 1910, E.M. Hanson lived there,presumably his son. Mons Huseby was one of the early settlers in Preston, coming in 1881. He settled in section 3. Mrs. Iver Lokken was one his children. Others were Albert, Oscar, Julia, Ida and Arthur. Ole J. Huseby settled in section 3, of Preston on land still farmed by his son, Vernon. Ole came from Fillmore County, Minnesota and was born January 10, 1862, in Stange, Hedemarken, Norway. His wife, Nora Ellefson, came from Oslo in 1892. She was born January 6, 1879. They were married in Lisbon in 1898 and farmed all their lives in Preston. They had ten children: James E. was born September 7, 1900 and is deceased; Inez (Mrs. August Zaeske) was born February 11,1902 and is retired; Alfred was born March 3, 1904, deceased; Walter was born October 12, 1906, retired; James O. was born March 31, 1908, retired; his twin sister, Evelyn (Mrs. Walter Zaeske) is deceased; Helen (Mrs. Lars Birklid) was born February 7, 1911, retired; Edgar was born November 15, 1913, retired; Marvin was born May 18, 1916, N.D. Highway Department; Vernon L. was born May 5, 1920 and is a farmer. His wife is a Severson from Nome and they have one child. John M. Johnson was a pioneer in Preston. His wife, Hansine, was a daughter of another pioneer, Hans Libak and his wife, Helen (Hedemark). Their farm was in section 35. Following Mr. Johnson's death, Jensine lived in Nome until her death in 1976. A son, Martin Johnson, has operated the farm since his return from World War II. Martin Larson came in 1882. The rest of the family, including his sister, Nellie, came in 1885. He settled in the SEVi of section 28. In the early days he had a threshing rig. His son, Lloyd, died at an early age and his daughter married Leonard Billing. Martin was a Peder Roe home in 1910. standing Anna Roe. seated Berth*. Peder member of the North Dakota legislature. Hans and Helene (Hedemark) Libak came from Norway in 1888 and settled in section 8. Their three oldest children were born in Norway. They had five daughters: Anna, Laura (Mrs. P.J. Myklund); Hansine (Mrs. John M.

87 Johnson); Lillian (Mrs. James Meeker); and Hilda, who died in infancy. Helene lived to celebrate her 100th birthday, October 16, 1951. Hans marketed the first load of durum wheat sold in Nome. M. Lowe settled on the SE VA of section 28. He was not among the very first settlers and may have purchased his farm from a homesteader. Peder Lowe came to Preston in 1882 and settled in section 19. Ourrecordsabouthisfamilyareincomplete. His wife was Annie Slattum, daughter of Theodore P. Slattum. Their son, Helmar, married Sarah Olson, In the early days there was a lot of stack threshing daugher of Newton (Knute) Olson. They farmed in section 19 and also had another quarter in section 33. They had one son, Wallace, who makes his home in the state of Washington. He farmed the home place for several years after returning from World War II. Peder had two sons, Helmer and Sidney, and two daugters, Carrie (Mrs. Rasmus Frederickson) and Harda (Mrs. Ole Slattum) Iver E. Lund, the son of Eric and Anna Lund, Trondheim, Norway, had four brothers and two sisters that stayed in Norway. He was born June 14, 1848 and came to Preston in 1880. He went back to Norway in 1881 and brought his wife and children to this country. His wife was Marie Peoline Hynne, daughter of Pedar Nilson Hynne and Marith Nilsdatter. She was born August 17, 1850 in Skogen, Norway. They had three children: Martin Peter was born September 29, 1873, in Breaking the prairie sod. Note use of collar instead of yoke. Oxen Trondheim; John George was born July 4, 1878; and appear to be red polls. Anna Emelia was born August 23, 1875. They all arrived here in 1881 and lived in a sod hut. Anna (Mrs. George J. Dahl) tells of seeing herds of buffalo. Indians came by and asked for food, particulary loaves of bread, for which they traded beads and blankets. They were kind Indians. Iver's first wife died at the age of thirty nine, in 1889. Iver married Jennie Peterson, who was born November 20, 1850 and died February 18, 1923. Anna Lund Dahl told how they came to Valley City by train and by oxen to Preston, in April, 1881. Anna and her brothers, Martin and John, attended the Svarvarud School. On January 12, 1888, they walked to school where they were joined by friends of theirs, Andrew Svarvarud and Carl Rasmussen, twenty years old. Andrew and Martin were fifteen, Anna was 13 and John was 11. They left school in midafternoon with Gathered around standing rock, standing Theo Roe & Sam Roe, their teacher, John Marsh, but by this time the blizzard seated Mrs. Bertha Maukstad, Mrs. Roe, Peder Roe. Gunner Olson had come in all its fury. They managed to get to the Hansey house and survived the storm. Frank Connelly in Springer Township, down the valley from Fort Ransom, was cutting trees at the Ostreicher farm and was caught in the blizzard. He saw he could not get home, so he burrowed into a straw stack and spent the night there. (See the histories of Martin Lund, George J. Dahl and John George Lund for further history.) Nels Miller settled in section 4 of Preston Township in 1879. The Miller Post Office was on his farm with his brother Ole Miller, as postmaster. Raymond Miller and his wife, Lilly, came from Nome, N.D. in 1943 and settled in section 3. As far as they Seeding the grain BT (Before Tractors) krvow, they are no relation to the other Miller families in

88 the township. Lilly was born in Madison, Minnesota. tin syrup pail exploded because the lid had not been She was born November 15, 1919, and Raymond was loosened, decorating the ceiling with carrots etc. The born April 30, 1915. They were married in Valley City in children enjoyed skiing and swimming in the river. They 1942. Their children are: Judy Viven (Mrs. Maasjo)who also recall John going to Eastedge for coal, wearing a was born May 15, 1942, is a housewife; Fay Alrene long horsehide coat with driving mittens to match. They (Mrs. Ussatis) was born December 17, 1945; Joan hauled wheat to Valley City and exchanged it for flour. Renee (Mrs. Buttke) works in insurance department at John and Mathea retired in 1946 and lived in Enderlin. W.W. Wallworks. John died December 23, 1966 at the age of 87, and Grandchildren are Robin Rae, Jodie Kae and Darwin Mathea died October 15,1974 at the age of 84. They are Darrell Maasjo; and Dwight Dennis and Derek Dennis buried at Preston. Ussatis. Christian Pederson came to the United States from John Anderson Moen was born October 19, 1897, in Nannsta, Norway, with his parents. Per and Gubbjar Maaselven, Norway. His parents were Anders and Axness, to Lanesboro, Minnesota, in 1861. He had two Ingeborg (Johnson) Erickson, Anders was a fisherman. brothers and three sisters. The family came from John had two brothers and three sisters. One sister, Nannsta, Norway. In March, 1877, he married Dordi Marie, came to the U.S. first. She came to Nome and Aus at Rothsay, Minn. She had cme from Osterdalen, married Ole Roe who was killed in a threshing accident Norway, with her parents, Esten and Anne Estenson, in while quite young. They had one daughter, Blanche, 1860. They came to Lanesboro, Minnesota. Christian who died as a young girl. Some years later, Marie moved and Dordi farmed near Rothsay; then in 1882 they sold to Wisconsin and married a Mr. Barstad. their farm to John Maasjo and came to Preston John A. Moen came to this country in 1904, from Township. They had two children, Edwin, two years old Kristiania, Norway. He came to the farm of his uncle. Per and Hilda, a baby. At first they lived in a small shanty; Roe. There were so many Andersons around that he then in the summer of 1884, he built a large two-story added Moen to his name and was known as John A. log house with a large room, bedroom and pantry. For Moen. He worked for Hans Libak, Michael Borstad and lack of water at that spot, he moved the house a quarter others. Mrs. Moen (Mathea Larsen) was born July 10, mile farther north and it stands there today, the home of 1890, in Vang Hedemark, Norway. She was the Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Oehlke. daughter of Lars Larsen and Petronella Peterson. In There were five children in the Pederson family: 1909, Mathea and a girl friend came to this country. She Edwin was born in 1880 and is married to Christine celebrated her 19th birthday aboard ship. She worked Ostvang. They had one adopted boy, William. Edwin on the Ole Huseby farm for many years and also at the died May, 1961, in Chicago. Hilda, was born in 1882 and Ole Larson farm. In 1913 she married John Roe. Mr. married John B. Johnson. They had two boys who have Roe died of TB just nine days before his daughter passed away, and one girl, Eleanor, who married Martin Jendine, was born. Bearson and now lives in Eu Clair, Wise. They had a In 1917, John A. Moen married Mathea Roe. They family of six, all of them in Eau Clair except William, a lived on the SW VA of section 9, in Preston. In 1920 they pastor in Minneapolis. John was born in 1884 and died built a new house. It was all wired for lights, but the in 1935. He married Lindes Thoreson, and they had two closing of banks stopped the purchase of an electric children, Clifford living in Colorado, and Lillian (Mrs. plant. Jendine married John Hegg, son of Rev. Hegg of Leonard Griese) of Halstad, Minnesota. Lindes Nome, and they live in St. Paul. They have a son, John, Pederson now resides at the Sheyenne Manor in Valley in Medford, Oregon. Irene (Mrs. George Prim) of Portal, City. Dena was born October 7,1887 and is now living in N.D., was born February 4, 1919. They live in a nursing home in Carrington. She is ninety. Clara (Mrs. Hollywood, CA and have a son, John, of Cleveland, Martin Mjoen) was born January 12, 1891, and lives at Ohio. Jervel was born October 19, 1922 and married the Skyline Villa in Valley City. They had three children: Lorraine Bjerke of Nome. They live in Enderlin and have Doris (Mrs. Ray Faust) living in St. Cloud, Minn., isnowa three children: Joanne (Mrs. Ronald Sveum) of McLeod; widow. She had five children, all living; Gordon married Kenneth, at an Airforce base in Texas; and Bruce, a Betty Schulz and lives in Crookston, Minn. They have student in Enderlin. three children, all living; Margaret married Walter Muriel, John and Mathea's daughter, was born Henschkorn and lives in Comstock, Minn. She is a August 28, 1926. She married Glennis Hamre of widow with six children all living. Leonard, N.D., and they have four children: Diane of St. After returning from World War II, Clifford Pederson Paul; Jeff, a farmer at Enderlin; Shelley, a student at remained on the farm briefly; then went to Fargo where NDSU; and Susan, a student at Enderlin. he worked for Sears Roebuck. Later, he formed his own The Moen children walked a mile to school each day, business which he and his son operate. with their father accompanying them on cold or stormy Ole Peterson came to Preston in 1881 and settled in days. They drank water from a spring along the way and section 2, the Southwest quarter. We have no other ate a big fat berry in the fall of the year. This is black haw, information about him. or Black horse or Nanny berry, depending on where you Robert Pherigo, one of the few early settlers that was live. They carried their lunch packed in pint glass jars. not of Norwegian descent, came in 1880. He settled in These were warmed in a kettle on the stove. One day a the NEVi of section 12. He had a son named Harry and a

89 daughter, Ella. This is all the information we have. Andreas and Martha Prestrud were pioneers in Preston Township. In August, 1868, Martha Presturd arrived at Preston, Fillmore County, from Hedemark, Norway, with her five sons, Anton, Olaus, John Martin and Erick. Her husband, Anders, was not able to leave Norway at the scheduled time, but, because passage had already been booked, the rest of the family did. Unfavorable winds forced the boat to return to Norway for more water, so the entire voyage took eleven weeks. Anders, a carpenter, later joined his family in Minnesota, where the youngest son, Severin, was born December 17, 1868. Building a road with an 8-horse road grader in 1913 The oldest sons, Olaus and Anton, left Lanesboro in 1878 and were among the first settlers in Preston and Northland townships. Anton settled in the river valley and Olaus on the prairie to the east. After cutting logs for a house and putting up hay, the brothers returned and brought the rest of the family here. They traveled by wagon train and did not get here until fall. They brought with them a cow which supplied some of the neighbors with milk. The family began farming, hauling their first grain to Buttzville. Music was important in the community, so Martin had a dance orchestra that played in the area. One year the brothers built a pavilion in the valley for a fourth of July celebration. Only two of the brothers married. Olaus married Anna Nelson, and the couple had thirteen children: Palmer, Moving Peder Roe's house with a steam engine Carl, Mabel, Stanley, Henry, Raymond, Lillian, Edna, Alice, Evelyn, Hazel, Ella and Stella. Martin married Hannah Mjoen and they had four children, Alice, Alfred, Gladys and Roy. In 1907, Martin, Erick and Severin went to Hettinger and homesteaded near Bucyrus. Martin's family took a pair of horses, Bob and Nancy, who were determined to return to Ransom County. At one time Bob got as far as the Missouri River before they caught him. Later, all of them came back to the family farm. In later years, Anton, the family sharpshooter, remained on his farm in the valley; while Olaus, who was afraid of the prairie storms, moved his family to Washington. Erick built a farmstead to the east of the home place, and John took care of Anders and Martha in One of the old timers a Reeves Steam Engine their later years. Martin took over Olaus farmstead and also built a blacksmith shop in the valley. To become a steam engineer, Martin rode a bicycle to Brookings, S.D. and attended school there. Martin's son, Alfred, later took over the farm in Preston, and Roy took over Anton's farm in Northland. Roy sold his farm to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Nelson who have restored and renovated the buildings. Mrs. Nelson uses the old log cabin as a ceramics center for classes. The "Home Farm", as Martin's farm came to be known, (also officially known as "Evergreen Farm") now includes Erick's homestead and the E.K. Aus farm directly east but in the same section. The farm stands out because of its many beautiful evergreens which Martin set out in the early 1900's, also the many shelterbelts set out in Threshing scene the fields during Alfred's ownership. These earned for

90 the farm the 1971 Ransom County Soil Conservation award. And it is very gratifying for today's descendants of Martin Prestrud to know that the farm is still being farmed and loved by someone of the family. Because, in 1977, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wendel bought the farm. Mrs. Wendel is the eldest daughter of Roy, and perhaps her Grandfather Martin's favorite granddaughter. Good luck, Ann and Chuck. Peder Johnson Roe was born October 26, 1847, in Vingelin, Osterdalen, Norway. His wife, Bertha Olsdatter, from Maalselve, Norway, was born March 4, 1845. They were married in Vingelen in 1873. Peder died in 1914, and Bertha died in 1931. Peder brought his family to Preston in 1880, homesteaded a quarter and bought five more. As each Gilmore Hanson home of his six sons grew up, each settled on one of these quarters, all within two or three miles. All the sons were Paul was born August 21,1886, and died in 1973. He farmers and the one daughter did not marry. Their sons married Theresa Nelson. Their daughter, Phyllis, and their families were: married Maruice Langland, and they have four children: Ole Roe was born January 2, 1875, died 1909. He Kay, Randy, Larry and Rita. Peder's daughter, Ann, was married Marie Moen. They had a daughter, Blanche Ida, born February 18, 1889 and died in 1964. She did not who died in infancy; John was born December 31, marry. 1878, and died in 1914. John married Mathea Larson. The Roe family lived in a one room log cabin until They had a daughter, Jendine (Mrs. John Hegg) of St. 1900, when a large frame house was built. In the cabin, Paul, and they had a son named John; Theo was born the six boys slept in the loft on straw mattresses with September 10, 1880, and died in 1949. He married horsehide robes for covers. Sometimes the winter snow Millie Green. They had eight children: Berger, who sifted through the logs. Peder was not a large man, but married Luella Swenson, and they have a son and two very strong. He carried a stove on his back from Valley daughters. The son, Milo, married Duella Berey and has city, and logs for his cabin from the valley. His six sons four children: Deborah, Leah, Milo and Mark. They live were all over six feet tall; Ole, the tallest of all, being in California, A daughter Janice (Mrs. Duane Robertson) 6'4'. Three of the sons died in their early thirties, Ole had triplets, Elizabeth, Lynette and Kimberly, and a son. and John of tuberculosis, Carl in a farm accident. Carl's Berger's second daughter, Vickie, lives in California; widow, Anna, married John Lund and the girls were Bernice (Mrs. Holter Heideman) lives in Minneapolis. adopted by him. John's widow, Mathea, married John Their daughter, Karen, married Geoffrey Langsam of Moen. They had three children: Irene, Jervel and Washington D.C, and they have two children, Muriel. Christianna and Eire; Avis (Mrs. Homer Hanson) of When the Paul Roe house was built they found 34 Minneapolis has a daughter. Penny (Mrs. Charles Indian skeletons when they dug the basement, and Muehlbauer). many Indian artifacts. Theo's fourth child, Lois (Mrs. Standly Sadowsky) of Andrew Severson came to Preston Township in the Minneapolis, and their son, Terrance Sadowsky, mid-eighties and settled in section 18. His full name married Andrea Duffy. Their three children are Tabetha, was Johan Andres Severson, but he was known as Tara and Leah; Earl Roe married Josephine Essert, and Andrew. His wife, Ragnil Marie Sunbeck, was born in their four children are Joyce, Debra, Richard and Robert; The sixth child of Theo and Millie, James, married Irene Fossen of Kindred. Their children are David and Craig; Grace (Mrs. Walter Larson) of Minneapolis, has a son, Steven. A second son, Michael, married Cathy Skoberg. They have four children: Michelle, Lisa, David and Jeffrey; Stephen Roe, Theo's youngest son, died in the Korean war. Peder's fourth son, Carl, was born August 30, 1882 and died in 1919. He married Anna Aus, and they had four children: Rosella (Mrs. Gene Maddock); Beatrice died in infancy; Alice (Mrs. George Anderson) with two children, Michael and Holly; Carol (Mrs. Sam Grocock) of Redwood City, CA. Theirtwochildren are Samuel and Susan. Severin was born August 24, 1884, and died in 1949. Ardell Slattum home He did not marry. 91 Thomas Vee Family, back row I to r Theodore, Earl, Otis; middle Marvin, Harold. Thorvald, Harry; front Gladys, Thomas. Malene, Clara

Minnesota. She was known as Marie. They had five wife was Jorgina. They had six sons: Hans, Carl, Jens, sons: Sophus Herman was born September 13, 1912; Thron, Ole and John. There were two daughters. Annie Johan Melius was born June 29, 1914; Carl Martin married Peder Lowe. Thron and Hans both farmed in was born June 17,1917; Ralph Arnold was born April 1, section 30 of Preston; Carl in section 24 of Northland, 1919; and George Edward was born June 11,1921. where Vernon Bjone now lives. Jens and Conrad went Johan Melius married Clara Berg, and their five to Moosejaw, Sask. Later, Thron and John moved to children are: Marlene, Steven, Duaine, Karen and Oregon. The second daughter of Theodore and Jorgina, Diane. George Edward married Opal Aarseth, and their Alexandra, married Severt Anderson. children are Geraldine, Gloria, Alice and Martin. Hans married Herda Willason. They had nine Sophus married Olga Olson, who was born March 17, children: Ted married Mabel Thompson, and they had 1920. Their children are Wayne and Darlene. Wayne three children; Hanna (Mrs. Justin Haarsager) of married Sally Hatcher on October 3, 1977. Olga Olson Litchville had six children: Harvey, Elroy, Maynard, was the daughter of Gilbert Olson and Mollevena Larry, Audrey and Estelle; Henry married LaVerne Storlee. There were nine children in the family, Einar Eidsvig, and they have six children: Linda, Mike, Nancy, died when young; Anna (Mrs. Carl Green); Jennie (Mrs. David, Terry and Kevin. Linda (Mrs. Ken Russell) has Milford Anderson) whose children are Rondald, Marlys three children, Jennie, Charles and Wilson. Nancy (Mrs. and Edna, deceased; Gladys (Mrs. Edvick Green) whose Wayne Fox) has two sons, John and Bryan. Terry (Mrs. children are: Dale, Bruce, Marlin and Cindy; Agnes David Darling) has two sons, Wesley and Brandon. (Mrs. Orville Ourenhagen) whose son is Darrell; Robert Slattum married Adeline Libak. Their children Dorothy (Mrs. Melborne Jordet) whose children are: are: Roger, Loretta, Gary, Kenneth and Steven. Arnold Melba, Carol, Douglas and Bradley; Glenn married Slattum married Mary Johnson of Litchville. They have Patricia Hoff. They have two children, Michel and five children: Claudia, Debbie, Jimmie, Becky and Marcie. Camilla. Hazel Slattum married Ronald Berg of Sohpus, who was well known for his interest in Englevale, and their three children are Shirley, Jody and conservation, died in 1976. His farm was picked as the Tommie. Thelma Slattum married Phillip Nelson, and Conservation Farm of the Year. Wayne is an electrician; their children are Kathy, Mike and a daughter. Raymond working at the Clark Mfg. Co. in Gwinner. Darlene is a Slattum married Gloria Lee, andtheirchildren are John, stenographer in Valley City. Paul and Keith. Theodore Peterson Slattum was one of the earliest Theodore P. Slattum's first home was a dugout in a pioneers, settling in Preston, section 30, in 1879. His hillside. Then they built a log house and used the dugout

92 as a root cellar. At the time of the 50th anniversary of Andrine, was born June 10, 1869, in Minnesota. In the Fort, the Slattum cabin was moved to the site of the addition to Hector and Orin, they had a daughter, Anna, Fort, where it stands, four square, a reminder that the born April 29, 1894, and Leo, born February 4, 1897. pioneers built well. Theodore's son, Hans, in telling of Hector was born December 19, 1907, and Orin was early boyhood days, told of Indians paddling down the born December 26, 1909. Sheyenne in canoes. One man in the first canoe would Thomas Vee was born in Aardahl, Norway,on April 22, do the shooting. The man in the second canoe would 1878. At the age of 16 he came to this country with his pick up the ducks. Three of Hans' sons served in World parents, two brothers and a sister. They settled on a War II, Henry, Olaf and Arnold. The Henry Slattums and farm near Frost, Minnesota, and Thomas attended Arnold Slattums make their homes in Washington school at Jule Junction, Iowa, just across the state line. state. During the last thirty years, a large number of His wife, Molena Dahl, was born near Bricelyn, foster children have found love and devoted care in the Minnesota, on August 4, 1880. She grew up on a farm Henry Slattum home where both LaVerne and Henry and attended school in that area. Thomas and Molena treat them as if they were their own. were married on March 22, 1905, near Bricelyn. They Ole Slattum, Theodore's son, was married twice. His left to make their home on a farm that Thomas had first wife was Herda Lowe. They had six children: Helen homesteaded near Edmunds, N.D. In this home nine of (Mrs. Oscar Wallin); Morris; Odin, who married a Scotch their children were born: Clara, Theodore, Earl, Otis, lady named Belle; Ardelle, Ilia (Mrs. Sam Northrop); and Gladys, Thorwald, whose twin brother died at birth, and Lyle. Ole's second wife was Tillie Thompson, daughter a second set of twins, Harold and Harry. Since Edmunds of Thomas Thompson. They had six children: Carol, was chiefly a German communtiy, Thomas and Molena Telvin, who married Hjalmer Hanson's daughter missed having neighbors that spoke their native Barbara, Percy, Olive, Stanley and Janice. language and being close to a Norwegian Lutheran Ardell is the only member of the two families living in church. For these reasons they sold out and moved to Preston. He married Erna. Ardell, long time county section 34 of Preston, where they were active members commissioner, says that he will not die the richest man of the Preston Church. When Tom's brother, Ole, moved in the valley but he will have one of the most attractive off his farm in Springer, they moved to that homestead. homes. Anyone driving by the farm, or coming to the Here they had a larger house, rented the land and dedication of his footbridge, will agree that it is hard to continued to farm their own land. In 1941 they find another such attractive home. purchased the NE VA of section 33, from Albin and Dagny George Strand came to Preston Township in the Hilde. The Vees lived there until 1956 when because of nineties and settled in section 17. failing health they went to make their home with their J. Strand settled in section 17 of Preston, in 1878. His daughter and son-in-law, Clara and Elmer Strand. wife was a Nelson, sister of Mrs. Paul Roe. They had two Thomas passed away April 28, 1957, and Molena children, Elmer, who lives in Eugene, Oregon, and passed away on October 4, 1963. Their youngest child, Anna, also in Oregon. Marvin, was born on their farm in Preston. Thorvald died Martin Svarvarud was among the first five settleis in in 1956, Marvin died in 1967, and Earl died in 1974. Preston Township, coming in 1878. He was a hunter of Clara Strand lives in Valley City. Theodore has retired on renown, being able to walk a coyote to a standstill. Up the farm in section 32 of Preston, Otis is in Minneapolis, and down the hills, in and out of the valley, he would Gladys (Mrs. Edward Sandstrom) in Lisbon, and Harry is follow the coyote until it was completely exhausted. Mr. in a convalescent home in Milwaukee, Wise. Svarvarud settled in section 29 of Preston, where Theodore married Ruby Olson, who has spent many Richard Birklid now makes his home. He had the first years teaching, particularly in Fort Ransom. post office in his home, called Mullen P.O. It was also in The Standing Rock Farm. This was section 5 of his home that the Preston Church was organized. Preston, which belonged to the Northern Pacific Martin had two sons, Andrew and Hans, who also Railroad. It was bought and resold almost every year farmed in Preston in the early 1900's. until Thomas Casey of Litchville bought it in 1903. The M. Thoreson came to Preston in the nineties and settled farm was historically known as the 'Big Farm'. It was in the SWVi of seciton 20. He donated land to the run by foremen or managers and always employed Preston Church for the beautiful cemetery they have many men and women. Many dances were held on the there. His wife's name was Hannah. Their daughter farm, which drew all the young people and neighbors married Thor Hanson, who farmed the home place and together for a good time. In 1914, the farm was officially later sold to Clifford Mennis. recorded as "The Standing Rock Farm". In 1936 Melvin John Tommeraus was one of Preston's early pioneers, and Madge Fornes moved to the farm. They and their settling in seciton 22. His son, Oren, farmed the home son, Lloyd, and his wife, Lorraine, live there today. place until his death in the seventies; now a grandson, Melvin has been a well known breeder of registered John, is farming it. Another son of John's, Hector, farms Polled Herefords. Melvin has another son, Merlin, who in section 14 of Northland. He married Verna Larson. lives on the old Myklund farm. One of their daughters is Joyce (Mrs. Paul Olson) of Fort Ransom Township. John Tommeraus was born December 5, 1863 in Norway. His wife, Ingeborg

93 94 Some Memories of James McAlinden "A brother of George Kidd's, named William (Tom) James McAlinden, now in his eighties, spent most of Kidd, homesteaded the NEVi of section 22. E.J. Rannum his life in Springer Township in section 7. He has a owned it next and now Albert Lund. Tom Kidd then lived remarkable memory for the people and the events of in the valley by the river, until he sold in 1901 and close to a century. Some of his memories, follow: moved to near McMinnville, Oregon. Of their eight "I heard my father, John McAlinden, tell of the first children only three are left. One boy is buried in the night he slept in North Dakota. It was in a claim shanty, Oakwood Cemetery. with George Kidd, in a coulee in the southwest corner of "In 1885 when the territory was open for section seven of Springer Township. Here George had homesteading, Jared Baldwin had squatted on the place filed on a claim which he later hold to Joe Billing. This where Roachs live (section 16). Patrick Madigan wanted happened in the summer of 1887." the place Baldwin had. So when the date opened for "My father and George were nieghbors near filing, Baldwin started out the night before and walked Franktown, Ontario, Canada. My father filed on a claim to Fargo where he had to file on the claim. Madigan had in the Turtle Mountain District of Canada and returned horses, but did not see Baldwin start, so got left out on home that summer. He came back to Springer in 1889, the deal. on April 14. He then bought the rights on a place in "Baldwin married Lillian V. Wisner in 1886. They had section 7, from Christ Roach. There was a claim shack four children born on this place. Later they moved to the on the place, so he had a home. On October 21,1894, he SVJVA of section 30 in Moore, where one child was born married Minerva S. Wisner. I was their only child and in 1895. They moved to Foley, Minnesota, in 1898 have always lived on this place except for ten months in where one child was born. Then in 1906 they moved to 1930-4 when I lived four miles north of Englevale. Oregon, stopping to visit two months at the place owned "Father passed away November 18, 1938, and by Hans Davidson in 1975. (This is section 30, Moore Mother on November 2, 1946. I enlarged the farm by Township.) buying the Charley Homuth homestead in August, "Jared Baldwin passed away December 23, 1932, 1946. I owned the place until I sold it to Kenneth and killed by a falling tree, and Mrs. Baldwin passed away Georgialee Rufsvold February, 1968.1 lived on the place January 21,1929. There are only two of their children until June 22, 1973, when I moved to the Parkside left. Home in Lisbon. "Back in 1889 the Sheyenne flooded the valley. "As for George A. Kidd, he bought a place with a fairly Baldwin had to move up and stay at Madigan's for two good house, from O.R. Stone, and married Harriet weeks until the waters went down. Samuel Leach filed Elizabeth Wisner in April, 1893. They had six children on a claim in section 26 or 27. He died before proving up born there and four later on in Oregon. Only two were on the claim. His widow took the place over, with eight left in 1975. George sold the place to Adolph Erickson children to look after. and moved to a place near Mc Minnville, Oregon. "There is a Mr. Thone buried east of Dave Roach's George passed away November 28, 1938, and his wife place (section 16) in the coulee above the road. The on August 14,1936. Adolph soon tore the house down grave can be seen by the rocks around it. This was and used the lumber to build another farther west, probably about 1890. saying there were ghosts in the house. I fell out of bed "The town of Plymouth was started by James E. about November 22, 1900, but did not blame 'Granny Wisner, named for a town in New York where Wisner Norton' whose ghost was supposed to be there. Virgil came from. He built and ran a flour mill there a few Anderson now owns the place. years, then moved to Enderlin and built where the "There are five or six graves on a hill below Dave baseball ground now is. Later the flour mill burned Roach's gravel pit. It has been said that Mrs. Stone and down, and Wisner moved to Lisbon about 1903 and two or three children, and a man, and Granny Norton lived there until his death in 1911. His residence was are buried there. They called her Granny Norton. She the first house south of the Armstrong Funeral Home. had cancer and was a county charge. Stones were He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery. There was a caring for her and being afraid of cancer they built a brother of J.E. Wisner's that died in 1884 and was room for her, out of one ply of boards and put her in it. buried in Block 33, Lot 15, and in 1904 was moved to the One morning they woke up and found her frozen to Masonic lot. James H. McAlinden now owns the lot death. The way to get to the buildings was across a where he was first buried. His brother's name was swamp from the west or a sidehill road above Pat Luther R. Wisner, and he was one of the first doctors in Maddigan's house from the east. David D. Roach now Lisbon. They had another brother, Henry. owns the land. This is in section 9. "I recall mother speaking of going to a Christmas "I heard George Kiddtell howa neighbor usedtowork program at the Plymouth School with father and sister on Sundays. He would come to borrow a cultivator. He and another man. The evening was nice and clear when had borrowed a horse, then he would cultivate his corn they went there, but when they were ready to go home on Sunday. After dark on a Saturday night George there was a regular blizzard on the hill above the school. walked a mile to hide his cultivator so Brown could not They drove in circles until daylight when the horses got cultivate. Then he walked back on Sunday night and stuck in a drift. They had to cut the harness to get them took it out of the brush. loose. They were above Ned Roaches farm (Wesley 95 Pioneer Jacob Johnson father of George Dahl.

Iver A. Iverson family, back row I to r Jinnie. Iverine, Anna, seated Iver, Elvin, Dora. Mrs. Iverson

House in which Tilde Paulson was born I to r Iver A Iverson. Jinnie, Mrs. Iverson, Anna, Dora by high chair, Elvin in high chair, Iverine

96 Looking NE from State Forestry Land in Springer Looking south from State Forestry Land in Springer

The Plymouth Mill site. This is where Plymouth used to be.

97 Morris Lund barn

Tanner's farm in section 12). They walked to Ned Roach's to get a harness. By that time they were about Morris Lund home frozen to death, as they had not dressed warmly because the weather was so nice. They had blisters on their ears hanging to their shoulders. "There was another girl named Mabel that married Oscar Wilcox and lived on a farm at the north end of the big coulee. They moved to Lisbon. Our claim shanty burned down in 1910, and we built a new house on the hill where it still stands. "The first year John and Josephine Hendrickson were married they lived on our place, the summer of 1904. In the fall they moved in with Cornelius Rufsvold's across the road, until 1905 when they built their own house on the land where Kenneth Rufsvold now lives (section 18). There was plenty of water on our farm, but just north on Adrain Rufsvold's farm they could not get water. They used to water their stock on Dad's place winter and summer until they dug an artesian well in 1904. I can remember the children, Henry and Nettie, bringing the cattle down. Our well also furnished water for the 'Seven Up' threshing outfit. "A man by the name of Oerding owned a farm in the Gene Maddock home valley two miles from Fort Ransom (section 18). Later P.J. Johnson owned the place. A family of Frank H. Connelly lived there a few years. They had a daughter, May, who was buried at Bordulac, N.D. Another daughter, Cecille was born in 1892 and a son, Earl, in 1893. Cecille passed away May 9, 1966, and Earl on March 23, 1971. Both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Lisbon. The Connelly's moved about 1900 to a farm now owned by Morris Lund (section 20). Their neigh­ bors were Kellar, Maddocks, and Olivers, with William T. Kidd north across the river. Both Mr. and Mrs. Connelly are buried in Oakwood Cemetery."

Thank you, Jim, for your reminiscence. If there were more like you, who can recall incidents and people of the past, Springer's history might be said to be involved very much with the Sheyenne. The river winds and almost back tracks through eight sections, and very obviously the first settlers chose the valley. There were exceptions of course, but a look at the farms even as late as 1910 shows how many were small valley tracts, or odd Iver Lund's 80th birthday shaped tracts with a part of the homestead in the valley. It certainly is not surprising, for the valley offered water.

98 Loubert and Lars mowing hay, the best time of the day, coffee time at the Rufsvolds. Sheyenne. To do so, it had to follow ravines in order to avoid deep cuts or steep grades. Based on this, he bought a couple of sections of land and built a flour mill in section eleven. Joe was not the kind of promoter who takes a gamble with other people's money. He staked everthing on his judgement, and lost, not because his judgement was unsound, but because the promoters of the railroad went broke. The grade never got much beyond Elliott and the steel ended at Harlem, another ghost town about three miles south of Stirum. Wisner also built a good home, succeeded in getting a post office and a school. If the railroad had come through, Plymouth might have been a bustling town, and Fort Ransom might have folded early. There were a lot of railroad building schemes around the last quarter of the century. Usually the promoters looked for federal grants of land or money or both. Another railroad that never even got beyond the blue print state, and which would have passed through Springer, Preston and Northland townships was the VALLEY CITY AND TURTLE MOUNTAIN RAILROAD, planned to run from Watertown, South Dakota, through Valley City and on to the Turtle Mountains. Take a look at the deed te your land. If you find that it contains an

Rasmus Frederickson and his first wife Marline Opgaard and children Petra and Clara fuel, building material, wild fruit and beauty. It also required back-breaking work with ax and mattock before the land was ready for a crop. The ghost town of Plymouth was in the valley. Joe Wisner, a land dealer and speculator as well as builder, knew that a railroad was planned to cut through Sargent County northward past the site of Elliott, and that in order to continue School Picnic two schools from Springer and one from Fort northward into Barnes County it had to cross the Ransom

99 and a long line of big boulders along side the creek, with rocks across the creek, makes one realize that some time, some people went to a lot of hard work, but why? Then on a hill to the east there is a large granite rock, chipped so as to be perfectly level in all directions. There is also an Indian pancake rock near the creek, and farther to the east, on Herbert Martinson's land there is a well shaped stone hammock (not shaped by man). One sitting on it can look out over the valley. It has been there for ages, exposed to the weather but the upholstery is still in perfect condition. The springs are not so good. Two large stones with deep markings are to be found on two Lund farms. These things are interesting and intriguing, these parts of a long forgotten past. Not quite so far in the past were the days of the folks who homesteaded Springer Township, and we shall consider them next. For a while it looked as though we would have only about half of the early settlers in Springer Township, but, thanks to Victor and Ralph Humphrey, James McAlinden, the Lewis and Gene Maddocks, Loubert and Mrs. Rufsvold, Vernal and Mrs. Hilde, Herb Martinson, Owen and Mrs. Rufsvold, and Russell Larson we have obtained quite a bit of information. Christian H. Billing first settled in section 24, later Mr. and Mrs. Iver Lund moved to seciton 18 of Tuller. Chris was born in 1863, easement for a railroad, then your land was on the came to this area in 1889 and died in 1924. His wife, planned line. And then in 1899, a great ballyhoo was Frederica J., was born in 1863 and died in 1943. They started for an electric railway from Lisbon to Fort had thirteen children: Leonard, Joe, Frank, who was a Ransom, and that certainly would have cut through blacksmith in Sutton all his life. Max, Charley, Katy, Springer. But, it did not materialize. Peter, Margaret, Louisa, Johanna, Elizabeth, Gertrude If Springer needed any more excitement, it came in and Eva. Chris helped build the Lisbon Opera House. the early days when some men who had worked on the Max is in a nursing home in Fargo; Charlie in Ignatius, railroad survey crew, and evidently had surveyed the Montana; Katy, Louise and Johanna are all deceased. creek that flows past Daniel Roach's farmstead, started Elizabeth is a teacher in Wyoming. Gertrude is a teacher mining for gold. There was very little travel in those in Tucson, and Eve does domestic work in Tucson. early years, 1880 to 1882, so no one knew of this work Max's wife was Beatrice Schossow. in the ravine until the following spring, when someone Joe married Helen Schroeder of Chaffee, and they stopping at the Griswold cabin and saw some gold that had two children: Robert and Dorothy (Mrs. Orville they had found. The news spread like wildfire, and the Pederson). (For more details about Dorothy, see Peter trains brought in whole carloads of would be miners. Olaus Peterson's history in Fort Ransom Township.) Over a hundred came in to Lisbon in one day, according Robert or Bob lives just north of Fort Ransom and is a to accounts, and every spring, creek, coulee and rock highway construction worker. His wife is Helen outcropping was staked out as a mining claim from the Erickson, born May 2, 1925. Bob was born December Big Bend southeast of Lisbon to Highway No. 46. 15, 1923. They have five daughters and one son. The However, the Griswold Mine did not yield enough gold daughters are all married. They are: Corliss (Mrs. to pay out. It must have been exciting, anyway. Dennis Carlblom) who has two children: Renee (Mrs. Section 17, now owned by the State Forestry David Olson) who has one child; Norma (Mrs. Frank Department, has one of the best springs anywhere Holub) who has two children; Vickie (Mrs. Joe John­ along the Sheyenne. Many a Boy Scout Jamboree has son) who has two children; and Gail (Mrs. Marvin been held there, and that ruggedly beautiful area would Mangin); Joe farmed in section 15 of Springer until his have made a beautiful state park. This centennial will death a couple of years ago. His widow remains on the end in 1978, but the next hundred years may see some farm. They also raised a nephew, Dennis Schroeder. development by the Forestry Department. Peter married Evangeline Schempp and after his Section eight, on land owned by Vernon Rufsvold, return from World War II farmed in section 4. He was the there are some puzzling archeological remains. An old last man in Ransom County to use a threshing machine stone lined dugout, a lone grave with a pyramid shaped to thresh his grain every year until 1970. Pete and stone marker, large stones set in a creek bed so as to Evangeline had one daughter, Justine (Mrs. Byron form two open V's, with the open ends facing each Bennes) who was married in 1977. Evangeline died other, suggest an improvised drydock for ship repair. several years ago.

100 daughter, Rosella, is Mrs. Edwin Dick. A son, Walfred, lives in Enderlin. He has three children: David, Dan and Mary Beth (Mrs. James Eckern). Mr. and Mrs. Dick have four children: Dave, Louise, Lyle and Kent. John Billing died in 1946. Frank Connelly was one of the very early settlers in Springer. He first lived on what is known as the Roach farm, then moved to section 20. He was a near casualty in the terrific blizzard of 1888. Frank was cutting wood along the river and did not notice the storm in time. When he realized how bad it was he knew that he could not make it to this home. He had a buffalo hide coat. Finding a strawstack, he burrowed into it, wrapped the buffalo hide coat around himself and lived through the night. The next morning he was able to get home. After Frank's death, a son, Earl, farmed the place until about 1946. Another son was a bridge builder. He built the original bridge, known as the Maddock Bridge, at the Oliver Ford. This is the site of the present bridge by Herert Martinson's farmstead. Partick Cooney (Pat) came in the early eighties. He lived on the NViNEVi of section 17. There was a large family, many boys, but we do not have their names. Punk Hilde recalls how some of them loved to play baseball. Several of the Cooney children died at an early age. Mrs. Cooney was listed as the owner of the farm in 1910. William (Bill) Corrigan was an early settler in the SEVi Iver Lund and children I to r Iver, John, Martin, Anna Lund Dahl of section 33, a neighbor of the Humphreys, Fowler and standing Gordon. The Kelly's, Jim, Roy and Harvey, were other near neighbors that lived just across the township line Ernest Billing was born in 1861, his wife, Mary, in 1862 in Elliott Township. Ernest died in 1923, Mary died in 1921. Ernest's George Johnson Dahl was born in Mo i Rana, Norway, parents came from Bavaria, Germany, in 1848. He grew June 10, 1877. He came to this area in 1895 and died in up in Waseca County, Minnesota and married Mary March of 1963. He first worked at the Walker Mill. In Bock in Richland County, Minnesota in 1882, and they 1899, when he married Anna Emilia Lund he had his came to Ransom County that year. Mary was a sister of name legally changed from George Johnson to George William Bock, who was Elmer Bock's father. For a while J. Dahl. He did this because there was another George they lived in Buttzville where he was foreman for the Johnson in the same community and their mail got Buttz farms. Then they moved to Lisbon where he mixed up. Anna was born August 23, 1876, and died operated an implement business, at first alone, then December 31, 1966. George and Ann had eight with a partner, Thomas Gilbertson. He built and lived in children: Melvin was born May 30, 1900 and died July, the house now owned by Doctor Veitch. Ernest acquired 1923; Geneva (Mrs. W. Hanson) was born October 21, land in sections 10, 11, 14 and 23 in Springer and was 1901 and died in August, 1974; Marie (Mrs. Backman) one of the early large producers of Durum wheat. He was born March 21,1904; Arnold was born January 4, shipped seed by the carload to areas north and west of 1906; Emma (Mrs. Sonke Jenson) was born October 28, Devils Lake. He also exhibited Durum wheat at the 1908; Harry was born February 4, 1911; Stella (Mrs. World's Fair in Paris and also in San Francisco, winning Thompson) was born July 7, 1913; and Gladys (Mrs. many awards. He sold his implement business in 1910 Humphrey) was born September 8, 1918. (See Jacob and devoted his time to farming. Ernest and Mary had Johnson family for more history). four children. Peter was killed in a diving accident in Patrick Folvey (Pat) homesteaded the SWVi of section 1904; Walter died in 1963. His wife was Pauline Best; 33. He was a close neighbor of Bill Corrigan and the Ella (Mrs. A.H. Vihstadt) had twin sons, Ernest and Humphreys. Later, this quarter was owned by George Edward. She died in 1966; Ida (Mrs. Jay Knapp)hastwo Warner of Lisbon. daughters, Harriet and Mary. The Knapps live in Miami, Rasmus Frederickson settled in section 18 of Springer. Florida. He was still farming this land in 1910. His first wife was John Billing, Ernest Billing's nephew, was born in Martin Opgaard's sister. They had three children, Peder, 1883. He came from southern Minnesota as a young Clara and Inga. His second wife was Carrie Lowe, man and lived for a while with his uncle Christian. He Helmer Lowe's sister. The Fredericksons left Springer married Clara Schlaak, and they lived in section 26. and moved to a farm south of Lisbon. All the children Clara, and a daughter, Florence, live in Lisbon. Another moved to South Dakota.

101 J. Fromlath at one time owned considerable acreage in Springer, with his home in the east half of section 27. Cyril Schmidt lives there now. In the early forties his son, Sidney, had his home in the east half of section 15. Sidney now lives in Lisbon. Alfred Gunderson came to the are in 1880. He first farmed in Tuller Township, then bought land in section 11 of Springer from Mr. Thompson. This land is now farmed by his grandson, Dell Hilde, who purchased it when he returned from World War II. Alfred was born in Liberty Township. His wife was Ida Lokken. Ida was born in Spring Grove, Minnesota. The Gundersons had one son and three daughters: Elmer, who married Alice Anderson of Fort Ransom, and they have seven children: Allen, Charles, Dale, Richard, Karen, Joyce and Diane. Elmer farmed in Tuller and Moore townships; Lila was born in 1889, and married V.O. Converted horse binder, tractor on steel. Victor Humphrey on Hilde, a son of Ole Hilde. They farmed in both Springer tractor, his father, Gordon, on binder. and Tuller townships. (See Ole Hilde history); Cora (Mrs. He had homesteaded near Selby where they had a Don Cole) and Stella (Mrs. Edgar Tabor) were the other series of very dry years. Ole, his two older sons and two two daughters of Alfred and Ida. daughters, Nora and Tillie, drove two wagons and a herd John A. Gustafson was born in Derome, Sweden, July of 35 cattle all the way from Selby. They settled in 25,1889. He came to section 18 of Springer in 1908 and section 9 in 1903. Two of the boys were well known farmed there. His wife's name was Luffa. She was born baseball pitchers, Albin and Vernal. The other two girls in Fort Ransom on March 16, 1896. They were married in the family were Hazel and Ruby. Vernal (better known in Lisbon in 1918. Their three children are: Lila (Mrs. as Punk) was born in 1898. He married Lila Gunderson Drannan Peterson) born October 13, 1919; Arnold was on September 13, 1919. They farmed in Springer born March 22, 1925; and Marie (Mrs. Francis Schmidt) Township before moving to Tuller in 1930. Lyle, their born September 22,1933, a housewife. Arnold works at eldest son, is an engineer. His wife is Lillian Martinson, the Clark Manufacturing Company in Gwinner. daughter of Henry and Betsy Martinson. Another son, Charles Hanson See Nisner history. Ordell, farms the old Gunderson homestead. Ronnie Ole and Otto Hedemark came to American in 1878. Ole farms in Tuller Township. A daughter, Dolores, lives in settled in the NWVi of section 4 of Springer, and Otto on California, as does Phyllis. Gary, who works in the S\NVA of section 2 of Preston in 1881. Ole moved to electronics, lives in Casper, Wyoming. Black Folds, Alberta, Canada, in 1901 where he and his Albin was born in 1888 and farmed in Montana sons organized a construction company to build railroad before returning to Ransom County. Ole's third son was bridges. Otto did not marry until after he had gone to Bill, born in 1892. Fargo, in 1920. A sister, Helen (Mrs. Hans Libak), was James Hodgins originally homesteaded the NWV4 of also a pioneer. section 14 in Fort Ransom Township and farmed there Hannah Hedemark came to the county in 1882 and until 1896. He homesteaded in 1880. In 1896, he worked in Lisbon for a while. She married Joseph La moved to what has been called the Scott Ranch or the Jesse in 1886, and they farmed in Preston Township Brace Ranch. His wife's name was Sara. Their until moving to Nome shortly after 1900. daughter, Maud, was Mrs. Robert Leach; William Johannes Hendrikson (John) came from Mo, Norway, and settled in section 18 of Springer in 1888. He was born March 14, 1876. His wife, Joesphine Nelson, was born June 9, 1882, and came from Minnesota in 1883. They were married in 1904 and had nine children: Mildred (Mrs. Rufsvold) was born April 18,1906; Harold was born March 8, 1908, a teacher and Standard Oil bulk dealer; Luther was born September 3, 1909, a farmer; Palmer was born June 24, 1911, a sheet metal worker; Ethel (Mrs. Carlblom) was born April 15, 1913, and is deceased; Bereneice (Mrs. Kristenson) born January 7, 1917, is a pastor's wife; Francis (Mrs. Sorby) was born September 5, 1918; Muriel (Mrs. Sandhei) was born July, 1921. Her husband is a Cass County Electric Co-op employee; Andon, born January 2,1924, is a vending machine supplier. The Maddock threshing rig crew, cooks were the Lowe sisters Ole Hilde came from South Dakota to Springer in 1902.

102 Paul Paulson Family in 1897 I to r Gust, Car, Paul, Herman, Hannah, Hilda, Marie, Nettie

103 married Cora Kellas, daughter of another pioneer; Jack, another son, was noted for his strength; Jeanie was Mrs Chris Knudson; Nothing is mentioned about a son, Roy James; A daughter, Mae, married Angus Oliver Hillman; Perry died in 1930; Anne married Abb Avery; and Harrison, the youngest son, was alive as late as 1959. James Hodgins came from Canada and stayed at Dilworth, Minnesota, a year before coming to this area. In his later years, James moved to the Kellas farm upstream from the Scott farm. He died there July 8, 1913, at the age of 75. His widow, Sara, lived with two of her sons on a farm northwest of Verona. She died July 23, 1931. Charles Homath had a farm in section 6 of Springer. It was in his house that Mr. Lovelace started his first small Fiftieth Anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. George Dahl store, before he built one in Fort Ransom. In 1946 he sold this land to James McAlinden. Fowler Humphrey and his older brother, Jim, walked from Fargo to locate their claims in the southern part of Springer, then walked back to Fargo to complete their filing. This was in 1880 that Fowler filed on the SEVi of section 32. They went back to Iowa, where Jim's wife refused to go to North Dakota. A younger brother, Gordon, went instead. In 1881, Fowler and Gordon loaded an immigrant car with horses and machinery and came to Harlem, which was then the end of the line. (Harlem was in Sargent County, south of Stirum) Fowler built a small cabin; while his brother Gordon built a sod barn. Fowler returned to Decorah, Iowa, and married Caroline (Carrie) Costerton. They built the first frame house west of Lisbon. They had three children, Ralph, Glen and Ethel. Ralph, a long time Lisbon resident, is a might spry man for his years. Ralph had six children: Vida, Dorothy, Alice, Dean, Ethel (Mrs. Glover) went to Plentywood, Montana. Glen married one of the Reveland girls. He and Ralph farmed together until the thirties. Gordon Humphrey took over his older brother Jim's claim when Jim did not return to Springer in 1881. He married Clara Costerton of Decorah, Iowa. Their two sons, Victor and Bill, farmed the home place in section Harold Smith on tractor, the boy is Orville Humphrey. 32 until recently. Victor, now 86, is sharp, with a good memory and a keen sense of humor. He married Viola Nail in 1913. Viola's mother was born in a log cabin, once Abraham Lincoln's law office. Vic and Viola had a son, Victor, now a retired Englevale mail carrier. Their daughter, Muriel, is Mrs. Henry Dick. Vic recalls that , Mary Ringdal, sister of the late Oscar Ringdal, was his first teacher. He said that the last time he saw anyone using oxen was at Maddigans, where a horse and an ox were used as a team. An old heirloom, very precious to Victor is a "Chanter", the part a piper fingers when playing the bag pipe. It was used by a forefather in the battle of Culloden Moor, the last battle with the English. There were many early Springer Township settlers from Decorah. Vic remembers Henry (Doc) Gordon, Warren Lamb, two Heckles, Percy and Lou Whitney, Fred Taylor Springer School 1958 I to r Robin Hanson, Duane Johnson, who lived on the farm Gene Maddock now lives on, the Rozella Maddock. Allen Rasmussen. with Jane Brace in front. Scott brothers, and a man named Benedict.

104 Ivor A. Iverson settled in Springer in 1882. He was born in Norway, January 20, 1856, and came to this country either in 1879 or 1880. His wife, Dorthia Elisabeth Jensdatter, was born January 9, 1855. They were married October 20, 1878, at Nesna Parish, Norway. His occupation was farming and fishing. They had sev­ en children: Iverine Emilia (Mrs. Gust Peterson) born September 2, 1879 and married in 1904. She and Gust had eight children, Rena, Inga, Gertrude, Grace, Atha, Olga, Ivan and Loisella. (See history of Elias Peterson); Inga Hansine was born June 6, 1883 and died in 1887; Anna Margarete (Mrs. Ed Gullickson) was married in 1917. They had one son, Edward Renard, born in 1922; Jennie Ingeman (Mrs. Anton Peterson) who was married August 18, 1907. They had six children: Drannan, Raymond, Jeanette, Harold, Edward and Austin; Dora Ingvira was born January 19, 1891. She did not marry and farmed in section 30; Elvin Palmer was born November 15, 1895. He married Aagot Lund, November 4, 1925. They farmed in section 30. There were four children: Dorothy, Phyllis, Rodney and Bruce; Tilde Frederike (Mrs. Herman Paulson) was born February 17, 1898. They farmed in section 7, and had six children: Ivan, Homer, Hannah, Ann, Thormon and Julius. Paul Johnson settled on the NEViof section 18. He married Olive Slapgaard. Paul worked in the Fort Ransom bank, and when his wife died he went back to Norway. Alan and Russell Larson came from Hope, N.D. to Springer Township with their mother, Hilma A. Crother, a brother, Harold, and a sister, Averil. Another sister, Mrs. Rex Brace, died in 1953. It was in 1950 that the Rasmus Frederickson and second wife Carrie Lowe ' imily moved to Springer. Harold was killed in a tractor accident. Averil married Arne Berg of McLeod. They live in West Fargo where he is a brand inspector at the stock yards. They have four children, Darla, Cory, Joel and Marty. Darla is married to Brian Sayler of West Fargo, and they have a son , Craig. Alan and Russell operate the farm. Russell is president of the Ransom County Historical Society and has been active in building up the museum. Charles Larson came to Springer Township in the eighties and farmed in section 10. His wife, Elnora Thompson, sister of Willie Thompson came here in 1882. The Larsons farmed here until 1947. They had a daughter, Mrs. Frandsen (Florence). Her son farmed the place for a few years. Now, Donald Sweet farms it. J.J. Laudert was an early Springer Township settler, making his home in section 25. Following the end of World War II, the Laudert Brothers, Wallace and Howard, farmed there for several years. Wallace then moved to a farm near Lisbon. Howard married and left the area. A daughter, Minnie, operated a beauty parlor in Lisbon. There was another daughter, Oline. Henry Lund was born in Trondheim, Norway. He probably came here in 1881, the time his older brother Iver, went back to Norway to bring his family here. Henry Mr. and Mrs. George Dahl in 1899 first farmed in Thordenskjold Township in Barnes County, moving to section 22 of Springer in 1913. There

105 €J were six children in the Lund family: Paul was born September 11, 1892, died May 30, 1961. His wife's name was Lydia, and they had two sons, Albert and Eddie. In 1977 Albert was farming the home farm; Aagot Alfreda was born September 12, 1900 and died May 3, 1973. She married Elvin Iverson; Jennie married Mr. Backman; Hilda, no record; Agnes whose daughter married Clifford Maddock; and Mildred. Henry died in 1961. John George Lund, the second son of Iver and Marie Lund, was born July 4, 1878, in Trondheim and died September 17, 1969. He came to this country in 1881 with his father's family. His first wife was named Bertha, and this is all the information about her. After Four Generations I to r James, Orville, Victor, Gordon Humphrey the death of Bertha, he married a widow, Ann (Aus) Roe, and adopted two of her daughters, Rosella (Mrs. Gene Maddock) and Alice (Mrs. George Anderson). The Lunds farmed in section 6, Springer. Martin Lund was the eldest son of Ivar Lund and came to this country in 1881 at the age of eight. He was born in Trondheim. His first wife was Ingeborg Emma Knutson, daughter of Ole and Kari Knutson. They were from Laerdal, Norway. She was born December 27, 1882 anddied October 6,1909. In 1911, Martin married Jacobine Jul Johnson who was born February 8, 1884 and came from Nesna, Norway, in 1898. Martin was a farmer. He died in July, 1952. and his wife just five weeks later. Martin and Emma had two children: Morris Irving, born February 25, 1906, a farmer, and Elmer Oliver, born September 28, 1909, also a farmer. Martin also had two children with his second wife, Jacobine Johnson. They were Mabel J. (Mrs. Evelyn Pederson) born March 16,1915, and Donald Jerome, born May 16, 1919, a jeweler. Four Generations I to r Mrs. George Dahl, Mrs. Orville Humphrey Martin played an important part in his community. At holding James Iver Lund. different times he was a teacher, elevator man, and farmer. He also served as a senator from Ransom County. Martin's eldest son, Morris, was born at Nome, N.D. on February 25, 1906. On December 31, 1936, he married Adella Scharpen at the bride's home near Fessenden, N.D. They have farmed in Springer Township since then and have two boys and four girls. Morris has long been interested in soil conservation and farm beautification, as can be seen by the many fine shelterbelts on this land. Mrs. Lund is an active worker in church and has been a 4-H leader. Their children graduated from Lisbon High School and four have or are in the process of getting their college degrees. Martin's second son, Elmer Oliver, married Lila Bertha Wilson at Plymouth. Elmer died November 3, 1940 and Lila, who was born December 10, 1906, died December 13, 1971. There were no children. Mable Josephine, daughter of Martin and Jacobine, married Evelyn Pederson of Springer Township on October 2, 1938. Evelyn was born May 11, 1906, and died in Fargo, August 30, 1970. They had one boy and two daughters. James McAlinden was not one of the first to come to Anna Lund in 1896 Springer, but he lived there a long time. James came from Ontario, Canada. He has been assembling some of

106 Chris Rufsvold plowing with a big gasoline tractor

Martin Lund and Emma Knutson Lund in 1902

The Connelly's Cecille, Earl and Frank

Lunds I to r Morris, Mabel, Mr. Lund, Mrs. Lune, Elmer. Donald

Paul Paulson home built by Theis Silo filling at Morris Lunds I to r Elmer. Fred Steen. Nels Rasmusson. Morris Lund. Nick Kenyon, Elmer Lund in 19B4

107 Springer School No. 3 in 1890's I to r Kellas girl, ?. Ralph Humphrey, Another Kellas girl, Oscar Benson, Victor Humphrey, ?, sitting Kellas girl, ?, ? Entrance to the Griswold Mine on the David Roach Farm.

Griswold Gold Mine on Roach Farm. This is where the mine shaft started.

The home of Loubert Rufsvold since the early pioneering days, this farm has been in the ownership of the Rufsvold family. Griswold Gold Mine on David Roach's farm in Springer Township. This is the open pit of the mine.

108 che facts from his years of experience in the township county treasurer 1891 to 1894. and was kind enough to let me use some of these for the J.J. Oliver helped in the survey of the Fort Ransom Springer write-up preceding the data on the settlers. Military Reservation. He had his homestead in section James Maddigan and Pat were from county Limerick in 17 and was Fort Ransom's first postmaster. He sold the Ireland. James came in 1878 and settled in section 9. land to Hans Slapgaard, and Herbert Martinson is the Patrick filed on land in the same section. Patrick was present owner. Oliver was said to have been a very good born in 1821 and died in 1894. The Maddigans came speaker. He owned one of the early threshing outfits. here from Ontario. The records do not show for certain The Olivers had three daughters, Owna (Mrs. Hodgins), whether Patrick and James were brothers, or if James Bertha and Cora. There were three boys too. Ira was Pat's son. At any event, James was still listed as the accidently shot himself. His brothers were Angus and owner of land in section 9 in 1910, so it would seem Fred. most likely that he was Pat'sson. Patrick's wife, Johana, August Olson was born in Sweden. He migrated to who was born in county Carlo in Ireland in 1826, died in Norway and was married there. In 1881 he came to this 1899. Their daughter married Edward Roach. area and filed on a homestead in section 8. Then he Eugene Maddocks came from Maine in 1882 and went back for his family, the wife and five children. At settled in section 16. He was born in 1855. Here he first they made their home in a tent, then he dug out a met and married Sarah Leach who came here from place in a coulee bank. Here, their sixth child Clara (Mrs. Ontario. She was born in 1874 and came here to teach Otterson) was born. Their nearest neighbors were the school. She was nearly a hundred years old at the time Oerdings, Herman and John. The children went to of her death. Eugene worked on a railroad in Fargo school at Plymouth. before coming here. Eugene and Sarah had sixchildren: John Oestreicher and his wife came from Fondulac, Helen (Mrs. Frank Cotter); Lewis, who married Hazel Wisconsin, to Springer Township in 1906. They came McGinnis of Cogswell, N.D.; Clifford, who married by rail with their three children, livestock and other Helen Lund; Gene,who married Rozella Lund; Winthrop, possessions. Their children were George, aged 14, who died while young; and John. The Maddock boys all Reuben, 10, and Leona, 12. Reuben and George died in liked to hunt, and one hears stories of their expert the flu epidemic of 1918. Leona (Mrs. Daniel Roach) marksmanship. They lived here in the days when there recalls that winter came early the first year that they was something to hunt. were in North Dakota, and that they were unable to Lewis Maddock began farming in 1923. His wife. thresh their grain until the following spring. In 1918, Hazel McGinnis of Cogswell, was the daughter of Leona was in Dakota Business College in Fargo. She James and Minnie McGinnis. James was born in 1868 contracted the flu, and her doctor allowed her to go in Neenah, Wise. Minnie was born in Ontario, Canada, home. Her brothers had not contracted the flu at that in 1873. They first settled in Denver Township, Sargent time. Leona recovered. She says her father had a one County in 1904. Lewis and Hazel had five children: cylinder engine in the barn and that it ran most of the Eleanor (Mrs. David Stangler) was born in 1936; James, time. The sound of it was almost unbearable to her, but who married Darlene DeBoer of Iowa, was born in 1937. she thinks the discomfort made her begin to sweat and They live in Benton City, Washington; Dorothy (Mrs. she then recovered rapidly. Her father took the loss of Donald Erickson) was born in 1939; John was born in his two sons very hard. He had planned on a farming 1941 and married Ruth Peterson. They live in New operation big enough for him and his sons. John Brighton, Minnesota; Kenneth was born in 1946 and Oestreicher was born in 1867 and died in 1939. His wife married Hazel Andel. Lewis quit active farming in 1960. was born in 1868 and died in 1945. Leona still lives on Gene Maddock married Rosella Lund, and they have what was the Oestriecher farm, now operated by her son, James Roach. lived on a farm in section 28. Eugene farmed until 1975 and now rents the farm out but they still live there. Paul Paulson came from Norway and first came to Fort Rosella was a teacher in the Lisbon School for many Ransom. In 1892 he moved to section 7 of Springer. His years. Rosella's mother was Anna Marie Aus. Here wife (Hannah Johnson) also came from Norway. They father was Carl Roe. Carl died at the age of thrity seven were married at Lisbon, January 28, 1886. Paul was and Anna Marie married John George Lund, who born July 3, 1839, and Hannah was born March 3, adopted Rosella and her sister, Alice 1850. They had six children: Karl Johan was born May Jim Maddocks homesteaded the NEW of section 32. He 20, 1886, and died December 29, 1917. He was a had two sons, Elmer and Russel. farmer; Gust Adolph was born January 1,1888 and died G. Magnuson had a half section along the river. He August 7, 1968, he was also a farmer; Hilda Pauline cleared land and sold wood. About thirty acres was (Mrs. Earl Davis) was born October 20, 1889, and died cleared for crops. He married a Nelson girl. December 12, 1970; Anna Marie (Mrs. Jo'e Maus) was John and Herman Oerding were among the very first in born December 18, 1891 and died March 4, 1942; the township. They lived in section 18. In her recollect­ Nettie Louvise (Mrs. Wm. Jones) was born November 4, ions of early days (See Ransom County History) Mrs. 1892, a teacher and housewife. She died April 4, 1920; Clara Otterson recalled that they were neighbors, and William Jones was a mason and carpenter; Herman that they made cheese. She remembered seeing sacks Julius was born July 10, 1895. He was a carpenter and of cheese hung outside the house. John Oerding was painter. He died October 15, 1967. Karl John did not

109 marry. Gust Adolph married Sadie Peterson in 1931. son by the name of Scott Bryan. Hilda Pauline and Earl Davis had five children: Helen, Dolores Maxine married a widower, Charles Elsie, Fern, Grita and Eva. Anna Marie and John Maus Hovelson who had two boys, Gerald Paul and Steven had eight children: Harry, Margaret, Ruby, Vernon, John. Dolores and Charles have a son, David, and a Howard, Earl, Melvin and Gerald. Nettie Louvise and daughter, Kathleen Beth. Wm. Jones had five children: Willie, Floyd, Marilyn, Nels Rasmussen came here when he was fourteen, Marguerite and Warren. Herman Julius and Tilde having lived in Iowa and Minnesota before coming here. Iverson had six children: Ivan, born in 1928; Homer, His wife, Clara Thompson, whom he married in Miles born in 1930; Hannah, born in 1932; Ann, born in 1933; City, Montana, on March 25, 1925, came from Iowa at Thorman, born in 1936; and Julius born in 1940. Tilde, the age of eleven. The Rasmussens lived in Purewater, and the youngest son, Julius, live on the home place in Montana, for three years before returning to North section 7. Dakota. They lived near Lisbon and Elliott before moving Anton Elias Peterson was born January 19, the son of to Springer in 1935. They first farmed the John Revland Elias Peterson. He died in 1960. Anton married Jennie farm, then the George Sweet farm, before moving to the Ingeman Iverson on August 18, 1907. He was a farmer Ernest Billing farm where they lived for thirty one years. and carpenter. They had five children. Anton died of a They moved to Lisbon in 1973. Nels was a township heart attack in 1960. Their first child, Drannan Iver, supervisor for fifteen years. was born February 19,1908. He married Lyla Gustafson They had four children: Eldora (Mrs. Whitney) of on November 2, 1940. They farm in section 19. Their Seattle; Pearl (Mrs. Hemnes) of Seattle; Dale of Chinook two children are Sonje Irene (Mrs. Dennis Olson) and Montana; and Allen of Fort Ransom. Ruth Ann (Mrs. John Maddocks). Allen was born May 28, 1944, attending grade school The second son, Raymond Elias Peterson, was born in Springer and high school in Lisbon, graduating in March 3, 1909, and died March 31, 1962. He married 1962. He married Sharon Rasmusson in 1967. They Florence Durbin on March 6,1937. They lived in Detroit, lived briefly in Lisbon and LaMoure before coming to Michigan, and had four children: Anita Ray (Mrs. Fort Ransom in 1971. In April, 1971, Sharon and Kenneth Hicks); Karen Lee (Mrs. William Taylor); Ted Marilyn Sorby purchased the Sheyenne Market from Lealyn married ToMara Maki, (divorced) then married Kenneth Grothe and operated it until 1975. In Paula Fields, (divorced); Jeanette Antonia (Mrs. Byron September, 1973, Allen opened his own business Mathieu) was born June 25, 1912 and died December known as Al's Electric. In May, 1976, they moved to the 14, 1962. They had a grocery store and a post office in Auto Camp, which they purchased, and built a home on Elliott. They had three children: Cleane Inez (Mrs. Ellis the grounds. Allen and Sharon have four children: Rita Sundlie) who was born August 10, 1958; Clarice lone Kay was born April 30, 1968; Wayne Allen was born (Mrs. Gary Reams) was born June 23, 1942; and Myron March 5, 1972; Luke Dale was born February 8, 1974, Monroe Mathieu who married Wilma Schuessler. and Jason Wade was born March 29, 1975. The fourth child, Harold Vivian Peterson, married Kit Knut Revland, a brother of P.K. Revland, also farmed in Julie Olson. The entire family was killed in an automo­ Springer. The exact location of his home is not known. bile accident in Detroit, Michigan, in 1842. His son, Palmer, operated the Lovelace Grocery for Edward Reenard Peterson was the fifth child, he was several years. born May 1, 1918 and died December 8, 1869. He P.K. (Pete) Revland farmed the S\NVA of section 22 of married Juella Anderson on July 8, 1946, and they had Springer, the quarter where the Earl Steen home is now seven children: Gene Ardell, born May 15, 1947 and located. In two or three other family histories we have married Jean Marolyn Henrikson in 1969. They have a references to someone marrying a Reveland girl' but son, Randell, who was born in 1960; Edward's second none mention whether this was a daughter of Pete's or child, Elaine Jeanine, was born November 27, 1948; of his brother Knut. Stanford Lee was born June 26,1950; Yolanda Raewas Edward Roach came from Ireland by way of Ontario, born July 26, 1951; Neil Wendell was born July 21, Canada, coming here at the age of twenty and filing on a 1952; and Brent Edward was born April 17, 1962. claim in section 12. He married Cathrine Maddigan, Anton's sixth child, Austin Leroy, and his wife, Margo, daughter of Patrick Maddigan. They had five children: are both chiropractors. Daniel, John, Christopher, Edith and Caroline. Daniel Reinholt Marino Peterson was born August 27, 1891, was born in 1900 and lived in Springer until his death in and died December 11,1970. He farmed in section 19 1968. He married Leona Oestreicher in 1925. Their until he retired to Milwaukee, Wise. He married Ida children are: David, who lives on the farm his Anderson on June 25, 1925. She was born October 29, grandfather Patrick homesteaded; Gerald, who lives 1902. They had two daughters: Ruby Irene, born March near Bismarck; James, who lives on his grandfather 17, 1927, and Delores Maxine, born March 10, 1933. Oestreicher's homestead; and Deloris (Mrs. Hilmer Rube Irene married Martin Vee on October 8, 1946. Ronning) of Lisbon. He was born June 26, 1924 and died May 29, 1967. Daniel David married Shirley Holm of Fort Ransom. They had two daughters: Maxine Lorraine (Mrs. James Their children are Leona May, Susan Marie (Mrs. Don E. Sjczpanski) had a son, James Edward. Following a Bjugstad) of Sheldon who has a daughter, Joni; and divorce she married Brian T. Forsberg and they have a Michael David.

110 Gerald married Sharon Michael of Laurel, Montana, worked hard to get the valley road from Lisbon to Fort and they have five children: Mark, Timothy, Kent, Darin Ransom completed. Now, when many his age have and Daniel. James married Gloriann Schmidt of Lisbon. retired to a rocking chair, he is still full of enthusiasm They have five children: Patrick, Anne, Rita, Rosemary and takes an interst in what is happening in the county. and Gerald. Deloris married Hilmer Ronning and their John and Marie Theis are listed under the Fort Ransom three children are: Mary, Catherine and Julie. Mary is Township. Mrs. Donald Morin of Lisbon. Catherine is Mrs. Jeff Peter Thompson and family were very early pioneers in Moellenkamp of Lisbon, and they have a son, Mathew Springer. Their children were: Arthur, Willie, Harry, Allen. Nora and Cecil. Peter freighted lumber and other Of the other four children of Edward and Catherine, supplies from Fargo and Valley City to points in our John Christopher and Edith moved to Montana. Edith county and particularly to Fort Ransom. Many times he married Henry Eddie. Edward's fifth child, Caroline, walked great distances to help neighbors, or to deliver married Joe Weiderholt of Lisbon. They had six children: mail. During his first years of farming he had oxen and Bernard, Edward, Donald, Willard, Kathleen and Irene. other primitive equipment. Harry Thompson, the Caroline Roach was born in 1893 and died in 1933. Joe surviving son, lives in San Diego, CA. Florence (Mrs. Weiderholt died in 1945. Dan Schlect), Peter's granddaughter, lives in Moore Donald Sweet farms in section 10 of Springer. His wife Township. A great grandson, Cliff Thompson, lives in is Pearl Johnson of Milnor and they have two children, rural Moorhead, and there are other descendants both Rebecca and Clinton. Donald's parents were Vernon in this country and in Canada. Sweet and Pearl (Jorgenson) Sweet of Lisbon, where Willie Thompson settled in section 10 of Springer in Vernon farmed and trucked livestock. There were eight 1882. Later he farmed in section 11 and sold this land to other children besides Donald: Joyce (Mrs. Jessie Alfred Gunderson. He then moved to Nome, then Pemberthy) of Lisbon, with two children, Joel and Enderlin. Mrs. Willie Thompson was Ella Lowe, sister of Jerome; Gerald, who married Kaye Siegel of Enderlin Helmer Lowe. Two children, Adeline and Ardmore are and they have four children: Shelley, Clay, Michael and both deceased. Kristen; Marlys (Mrs. Carl Johnson) of Milnor, whose J.E. Wisner was the father of Plymouth, the builder of children are: Dan, Randy, Rickey, Kathie and Vickie; the Plymouth Mill and a man who bought and sold much Elaine (Mrs. Leroy Dick) of West Fargo with one child, land in Springer and adjoining townships. He had a Suzanne; Jack married Donna Dick of Elliott. They live in house in Plymouth, even after the mill no longer Lisbon and have two children, Casey and Andy; Linda operated. None of the Plymouth buildings are left. The (Mrs. Gary Boehlkin) of Lisbon has a daugher, Tracy; school is now an antique shop in Fort Ransom. All one Norma (Mrs. Joe Roll) of Elgin, and they have one son can see is the site of the mill, some of the rocks that Bryan; Sandra (Mrs. Larry Schultz) of Buttzville. formed the dam, and the location of the flume. Wisner Gilbert Sweet and his wife came from Esterville, Iowa, was a promoter, not a miller, and the man who ran the in 1914 and farmed in sections 21 and 28 of Springer. In mill was Charles Hanson. 1941 they moved to Astoria, Oregon. They had five Charles Hanson Mr. Hanson was born in Detroit, children: Vernon, the father of Donald Sweet; Velma; Michigan, November 26, 1839. His wife, Cerepta A. Forrest; Darrel and Raymond. None of them are living Fossbinder, was born in Oakland County, Michigan, now. Darrel Sweet lived in Englevale where he worked March 2, 1839. Charles served in the Civil War with for the railroad for a time, then for the Ransom County several units, during the four years he served. He highway department. His wife was the former Jean started with Company A of Fox Lake Citizens Guard, Hedlund. They had one son, William of Englevale. He then as a private in Battery B. U.S. Light Artillery, then married Eileen Andel, and they have three children, as a corporal in Company G. His outfit earned the name Roberta, Teresa and Pamela. of the "The Iron Brigade" at the Battle of South M.A. Scott operated a large stock farm with Mountain on September 14, 1862. headquarters in section 12 of Springer. Even today it is Charles and Cerepta were married November 25, often referred to as "The Scott Ranch" and the hill 1865 at Lindina, Juneau County, Wise. They had four above the ranch is called the Scott Hill. In the forties a children: Mary Ordell was born September 6, 1876 and Mr. Johnson operated the ranch. Then Rex Brace died at the age of thirteen; Fritz Mortimer was born bought it, and as an added attraction had a herd of February 11, 1872; Hattie L. was born October 27, buffalo for several years. Since his death it is operated 1876; and Glen E. was born June 22, 1880. The family by his heirs. came to Plymouth in 1881 or 1882, and Charles O.R. Stone settled in section 9 in the early eighties. He operated the mill while the little town of Plymouth sold the land to George H. Kidd in 1893. lasted. The mill was taken to Enderlin, where it was operated by steam power. Charles and his wife stayed at Wesley Tanner was a World War I veteran. Upon his Plymouth. He died December 4, 1917, at Plymouth, of return he tried his hand at farming in Montana. After a gangrene of the foot. Cerepta died at the home of their few years of this he returned to Ransom County and son, Glen E. Hanson, of Englevale on September 26, bought the old Roach homestead in section 12. Here he 1922. farmed, raised a family and was one of the farmers who

111 Hattie L. Hanson married George Wilson on May 5, 1895. George was born October 8,1870, at Mishawaka, Indiana. They had five children before moving to Steele, N.D. They were: Easter G. who was born February 18, 1896; Frane E. was born March 15,1898; Stella M. was born August 29, 1899, and died June 28, 1902; Bertha F. was born December 10, 1904; and Lila B. was born December 10, 1905. George was a well driller and also worked on the Northern Pacific at Jamestown until he retired. Seven more children were born at Steele. A daughter, Bessie, married a man named Wallace, and their son, Robert, furnished the information about the family. Grace Yokum We do not have her husband's name. They came to the township in the eighties, and in 1910 Grace Yokum is shown as the owner of the S\NVA of section 7. John Young homesteaded in section 7 of Springer where he set up the first blacksmith shop in the area in 1882. His wife drove the mail between Lisbon and Fort Ransom at one time, then they moved to Lisbon. John sold out to Jens Sorby. John was reputed to have been a very good blacksmith, one who kept a hundred breaker plows sharp for their owners.

112 Friends and Neighbors farm; Philip Orville; Eldeane Lucille (Mrs. Harold Township lines do not make community lines Johnson); Walvin Eugene, a carpenter who married necessarily, and it is easy to understand that some of Miss Newman of Lisbon; Grace Maxine (Mrs. Charles the folks who live in the northeastern part of Preston Kern); Eldred Lewellyn who is deceased; Joyce Marilyn Township would consider Nome or Enderlin as their (Mrs. Sanford Kieznetz); and Judith Anita (Mrs. community. Likewise, northwestern Northland Lawrence Ruud). residents are more apt to think of Kathryn and Litchville. Nels Anderson came from Norway in 1894 and settled Those living in the southeastern part of Springer are in section 6 of Hanson Township. He was born June 24, closer to Lisbon than to Fort. Although the early settlers 1869. His wife, Gertrude Peterson, was born December on these farms may have come to the mill at Fort 1, 1872, in Norway. They were married November 11, Ransom in the early days, later interests took them to 1892, at Fort Ransom. They were farmers and had four these other towns. On the other hand there are also sons: Kernel was born April 29, 1893; and Harold was some very loyal to the Fort Ransom community who live born August 4, 1909. They were both farmers. Alvin outside the boundaries of our four townships. For was born May 2, 1906 and Andor on June 11, 1900. example, the Jacob Jacobsons of LaMoure County, Both worked on the railroad. Kernel Anderson farmed in Oscar and Inga Kylstad of Hanson Township and their section 4 of Hanson Township. He married Alma Olson son, Irvin, and the W. Hansons that used to live along and they had ten children: Florence, Francis, Annie, Highway 27 in Hanson. The Kylstad family is included in Ovie, Lorraine, Lillian, Marvin, Alice, Julie and Phyllis. the history of the Peder Dunderland Anderson family, John Martin Jacobson came from Mo i Rana, Norway, for Mrs. Kylstad is George Anderson's sister. George where he was born August 7, 1857. His wife, Sofie Anderson's maternal grandfather, Johannes Jens Dorthea, came from Urtfjeld, Mo i Rana, where she was Kvam and his wife Petrine Amelie Christofferson, lived born August 24, 1870. He died April 1, 1938, and she in Hanson Township where they settled in the eighties. died May 27, 1947. John settled in the NWVi of section Their children were born in Hanson Township and two 12, of Black Loam Township in LaMoure County in the sons died in infancy and a daughter at eight months. 1880's. They were married in the late 1880's and lived Their closest neighbors were the Babcock family to the out their lives in the same area. They were members of east, and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Berg to the west. Their son, the Standing Rock Church in Fort Ransom. They had Palmer, recalls that his parents used to tell how the eight children: Anna (Mrs. Peder Skonseng) was born Indians from the Crow Creek Reservation in South April 13, 1892,she had four children; Palmer was born Dakota and the Fort Totten Reservation on Devils Lake, April 4, 1894, married Ragna Hanson and they have 12 used to pass by their place in the spring and in the fall, children; Louise (Mrs. John Bjornhei) was born sometimes a continuous migration for several days. September 15, 1898 and they had five children; Josine After completing seeding in 1902, John (Johannes) was born June 27, 1901, and died February 11,1908; made a cover for his lumber wagon and hitched old Jacob was born January 23,1904. He married Berniece Frank and Bill to it. With provisions his wife Petrine Hegli, and they have two children; Olga was born loaded in the wagon, he headed northwest. He followed February 9, 1906, and died February 14, 1908; Arthur the Soo Line for 225 miles, finally finding the place he was born May 22,1911. He married Magdeline Wanner wanted 14 miles south of Balfour. He filed his claim, and they have three children; Gunnar was born January built a sod house and went back for the family. After 14, 1914 and died July 26, 1976. He left one child. harvesting their crop they loaded their belongings on There were twenty seven grandchildren of John and two wagons and with the milk cows following, set out Sophie. for Fingal. Here they went by train to Balfour. They said Jacob A.S. Jacobson married Berniece Heglie, who it took longer to say goodbye to their good friends, the was born October 17, 1909, in Richland County. They Bergs, than it did to load the wagons. were married in Fargo, November 3, 1942. Berniece John M. Kylstad The Kylstads have long been a part of was the daughter of Ole Edwin and Linna Mathilda the Fort Ransom community both socially and in a Heglie. Both of them lived out their lives in the Walcott- business sense. John M. Kylstad came to this part of the Christine area. They had nine children and 20 country in 1880. He was born on a farm in Hedamarken, grandchildren. Norway. In 1892, he married Enga Jodsaas. They had a Jacob and Bereniece had a son, Jerome Orlyn, who son, Oscar Melius. Enga's parents were Ole and died in infancy. In November of 1944, they adopted Kjerston Jodsaas. John died in May of 1934. LaVonne May, who was born October 17, 1939. She Oscar was born on the home farm in section 8 of married Lawrence Bixby in August, 1957, and they have Hanson Township, June 10, 1893. In June, 1914, he four children: Pamela Jean, who was born January 11, married Inga Pauline Anderson, daughter of Peder and 1958; Mary Lee was born October 2, 1959, and died Ingeborg Anderson of Fort Ransom Township. Inga was January 6, 1960; Laura Lynn was born December 30, born January 18, 1896. Oscar and Inga lived their 1961; and Angela Mae was born November 25, 1965. married lives on section 5, Hanson Township, except for a few years when they lived in Lisbon and Oscar worked for the Lisbon Creamery. They had nine children: Ida Johanna; Irvin Melvin, who now operates the home

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114 Acknowledgements At one time I planned to list the names of all those who helped gather material, facts, pictures and so on, for this booklet, and it looked as though it would be a short list. Then the help started coming in, and if I were to list all those who have helped it would almost be an­ other booklet. The priceless old pictures that Ruth Berg, Gilmore Hanson, Mrs. Sonke Jenson, Loubert Rufsvold, Richard Birklid, Helga Libak, Tilde Paulson, Ralph and Victor Humphrey, Mrs. Ted Grothe, Mrs. Anton Strander and others furnished tell more of the old times and the people than any words can tell. Herb Martinson took most of the pictures of modern times. Mrs. Leslie Brandvold sent in the write-up for the Nordland Church, Harvey Sletten for the two Fort Ransom churches and the school. Jim McAlinden the memories of folks and facts in Springer Township. Russell Larson spent long hours researching the Walker Mill, the life of Walker and of several others whose families did not send in any information. Melvin Brandvold gave invaluable information about where the early homesteaders settled in Northland, Edgar and Mrs. Birklid helped with Preston. The Owen Rufsvolds, Loubert Rufsvolds and Gene Maddocks spent a whole evening with us recalling early settlers and facts. It was then I first learned about Hurra Kroken, and later Gilmore gave me more details. Lewis and Mrs. Maddock, Vic Humphrey and Ralph Humphrey furnished more Springer information, and from CA. Sandhei's meticulous research of the names of those who owned Fort Ransom Township land from homestead days and almost to 1938, I obtained names and information about settlers that I am sure most of the readers never heard of. I feel that Fort Ransom owes it to the memory of CA. Sandhei to retype and bind that scrap book of the section by section research that he labored at for many years. It was purely a labor of love. So, to all of you who sent in information about your own and other families, a big THANK YOU. This applies especially to Harold Henrikson of Fargo.

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