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Esther Anderson Full Name: Esther Dorothea Anderson Place of Birth: Manfred, Wells, North Dakota Father's Name: Peter Beck Anderson Mother's Name: Anna D. Johnson Wife's Siblings' Names: Arthur, Nennie, Minnie, Orren, Cora, Gertrude (her twin), Pete, Cora, Perry, Frederik, Florence, Mathilda Esther, born May 10, 1895, was the seventh child born to P. B. and Anna Anderson. Her twin sister Gertrude died of diphtheria while still a child. Esther was reared on the family farm west of Manfred. She attended Valley City State College and later Minot State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Esther taught school for 44 years, 37 of them at Roosevelt Elementary School in Minot before retiring in 1960. She came to Minot in 1923 after teaching for a time in Caldwell, Idaho, Maddock, and Manfred. She also taught briefly at Sunnyside Elementary in Minot before going to Roosevelt School. Esther was a member of the Minot First Presbyterian Church, the Church Circle, North Dakota Education Association, the National Education Association, American Association of Retired Teachers, Minot Stamp Club, Trinity Hospital Auxiliary and Minot Business and Professional Women's Club. Esther died on January 2, 1974. Funeral was held the following Saturday at 10 in Memorial Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. Burial was held in the Manfred Cemetery.

Arthur Rodne Full Name: Arthur B. Rodne Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Father's Name: Ole L. Rodne Mother's Name: Anna Lunde Rodne Siblings' Names: Lars, Oliver, Otto, Alfred, Carl, Gina, Laura, Berger, Sena Arthur B. Rodne was born September 26.1903, to Ole L. and Anna Rodne near Manfred, ND. "Art" attended rural school in the area and in 1910 traveled with his family to Norway where they spent three years with family. As a young man Art began working on the farm of Nels and Cora (Anderson) Nertrost near Manfred. He worked the fields and with the livestock. His entire life was spent working on their farm. His interest in hunting and trapping was shared with nieces and nephews. He had a special heart for children and spent much time with family showering his nieces and nephews with homemade toys as well as bikes and toy trains and dolls to treasure. Art died on December 4, 1964, at age 61 near Manfred. He is buried at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Manfred.

Kermit and Lillian Melby Husband's Full Name: Kermit Trigby Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Martin Knute Melby Husband's Mother's Name: Alma Haugen Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Myrtle Sailer, Ellanora, Donald, Wife's Full Name: Lillian Elton Melby Wolf Wife's Place of Birth: New Rockford, ND Wife's Father's Name: Magnus Elton Wife's Mother's Name: Anna O. Elton Wife's Siblings' Names: Lester, Kenneth Children's Names: Curtis, Virgil, Garlet Schmaltz, Jeanne Fry, Laurie Lloyd Kermit and Lillian Melby holding Bergit Melby, daughter of Gene and Betty Melby Obituary - Kermit Kermit T. Melby, 76, Manfred, died Friday, September 4, 1992 in the Harvey Hospital. A family service was held at the Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, with burial in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. He was born February 7, 1916 to Martin and Alma Melby on their farm north of Manfred where he was raised and received his early education. He attended high school at the Benson County Agricultural School in Maddock. As a young man he farmed with his father north of Manfred and also farmed for a time south of Manfred. He entered the Army December 27, 1941, and served during World War II in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theaters. After his discharge September 17, 1945, he returned to Manfred where he was employed as a Wells County maintainer operator for a time. In 1947, he began working as a substitute mail carrier for Manfred. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1948 and served during the Korean War. In 1953, he returned to Manfred and became full-time rural mail carrier. He retired in September 1984. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1868 of Harvey and the Harvey Eagles Club. He was once married to Lillian Elton. Survivors: sons, Curtis, Fessenden, Virgil, Fargo, daughters, Garlet Schmaltz, Jeanne Frey, both of Harvey and Laurie Lloyd, Fessenden; six grandchildren; brother, Donald, Detroit Lakes, Minn; sisters, Myrtle Sailer, Beulah and Ellanora Houtkooper, Fargo. Source: Free Press - September 14, 1992 Obituary: Lillian Lillian was born on January 24, 1930 at New Rockford, ND. She was the daughter of Edwin and Thelma Nokelby of New Rockford, ND. She was later adopted by Magnus and Anna Elton. She grew up and attended school at Manfred. She married Kermit Melby in 1947. She married Victor Wolfe in 1974. They were business owners in the Harvey area. Victor died on July 13, 1994. Lillian died September 13, 1998. Both are buried at the Veteran’s Cemetery near Mandan. She is survived by 3 daughters and 3 sons-in law. Garlet and Daniel Schmaltz, Harvey, Jeanne and Steven Frey, Minot, Laurie and Scott Lloyd, Fessenden; 2 sons and daughter in law, Curtis Melby, Heaton, Virgil and Sandy Melby, Fargo; 6 grandchildren, Adam Melby, Rustin and Tamra Schmaltz, Kyle and Shaunna Lea Lloyd and DeAnna Frey

Helland Electric Location: Next to Post Office Building Proprietor: Arnie Helland Year Started: 1950’s? Year Ended: unknown History of Business: Arnie Helland had an electrical shop in Manfred for a short time. He later relocated his shop to Harvey. Daisy – Helland Electric Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Casper and Selma Berve Husband's Full Name: Casper Berve Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Ola Jonson Berve Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Marie Eilertsdtr Husband's Siblings' Names: Egert, Egert (Josie), Johanna (Knute Ramsfield), Cecilia (Broe), Olida (Ravnaas), Eilert, Oliver (Agnes Berve), Olga (Knudsvig) Jonas (Helen Broe), Wife's Full Name: Selma Rodne Wife's Place of Birth: North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Haldor Rodne Wife's Mother's Name: Delia Ring Wife's Siblings' Names: Tom, Harley (Phylis), Clara (Ben Rogelstad), Selmer (Nora Ramsfield) Gilma (Roland Howard), Ruth (Bernard Skiftun) Louis (Clara Overland) Children's Names: none 2nd Wife’s Full Name: Hazel Olson Solberg (Nels) Casper Berve was born in rural Manfred, ND to parents Ola Jonson Berve and Anna Marie Eilertsdtr. He lived in rural Manfred most of his life and farmed his land. He married Selma Rodne in 1947. They were active members of the Bethel Lutheran Church in rural Manfred. A few years after Selma's death Casper married Hazel Olson Solberg who had two grown children, Norlin and Janice. Casper and Hazel continued to live in Wells County until their death. They were buried in the Bethel Cemetery.

Christian S. and Elizabeth Stradinger Husband's Full Name: Christian S. Stradinger Husband's Place of Birth: Freidentahl, Russia Husband's Father's Name: Karl Stradinger Husband's Mother's Name: Katrena Nehr Husband's Siblings' Names: Elisabetha, Anna, Kari, Johann, Wilheim, Johann, Heinrich, Karoline, Katherine, Wife's Full Name: Elizabeth Stein Wife's Place of Birth: Bergdorf, Glueckstal, Odessa, Russia Wife's Father's Name: Christian Stein Wife's Mother's Name: Magarethe Schmidt Wife's Siblings' Names: Christian, Johannes, Friedrich, John, Karolina, Christine, Heinrich, Caroline, Margaret Children's Names: Ella, Edna, Reinhart, Haldrich, Olga and Harold Edna Stradlinger Glad, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth The Stradinger’s lived in Manfred between 1917 and 1925. Christian worked at the elevator. They lived in the Ostrem house. The children attended school at Manfred. From Manfred they moved to Mercer.

Manfred School 1910 - Early in the year, plans were made for building a two-story brick building to be completed by September 5, 1910 at a cost of $7,853. Contractors were Harrison and Boas. 1973 - The school closed in May. Classes had been held continuously until then. 1974 - The schoolhouse building was sold to Mike and Dianne Aull who together with their children remodeled it and lived there for a number of years. 1993 - The building was sold to Harry Detling who used it for storage. 2006 - Rural Vestige Alliance, a non-profit, was formed and through the solicitation of funds the building was purchased. The intent was to renovate the building. At least a portion will be restored as a classroom(s) furnished with historic Manfred School artifacts. 2010 - The roof was repaired and shingled through numerous grants. 2011 - Interior cleaned out with the help of 23 volunteers. 2012 - A grant from Preservation North Dakota allowed construction of a replica of the original portico. 2014 - Many projects were undertaken inside the school. The walling of two classrooms and the north hall was replaced, wainscoting installed in both classrooms, blackboards installed in west classroom, hole in the hardwood filled in, baseboard projects began, and window panes were replaced. 2015 - The steps were reconstructed and a new door was installed 2016 - The chimney was removed. It was crumbling and dangerous. 2017 - The bell tower was removed; it was leaking in to one of the upstairs classrooms which was a continuous problem. The windows were updated with new panes. The main floor classrooms were painted and the woodwork project started. 2017-2018 - Restoration of dormers with new cedar shingles and port windows. 2018 - The floor was stabilized under the many radiators. Work was started to refinish the main story floors, they were sanded and varnished. The wainscoting and other wood work was stained and varnished in the west classroom. 2018 - The classroom exhibit was installed in time for the first annual Manfred Pioneer Festival. 2019- Restoration and cleaning of front portico. Sanding, stripping, and varnishing of first floor west classroom, entry, and coat closets. Patching of floor holes from former plumbing. Future Projects: Main floor window restoration then upstairs and downstairs Plaster repair in hallway and upstairs classrooms Brick repair and tuckpointing Replacement of flooring which was removed from upstairs classroom

Osmund and Karin Eilertson Full Name: Osmund Eilertson Place of Birth: Norway Father's Name: Eilert Olson Mother's Name: Sissel Osmundsdatter Wife's Name: Karine Eilertson Children's Names: Olga Ostenson, Selmer, Ola, Borghild, Eilert

Edwin and Stella Sorenson Husband's Full Name: Edwin Sorenson Husband's Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan Husband's Father's Name: Benjamin Sorenson Husband's Mother's Name: Maggie Kison Husband's Siblings' Names: Beatrice and Peter Wife's Full Name: Stella Ashton Sorenson Wife's Place of Birth: Huron, Ontario, Canada Wife's Father's Name: Joseph Ashton Wife's Mother's Name: Ellen Whitesell Wife's Siblings' Names: John, Chester, Gladys, Hazel, Carl, Joseph, Joseph (2); Thelma Children's Names: none Edwin’s parents were very up and coming members of the Manfred community, and his father Ben had a hardware store. Ed’s mother died in 1907, and his father died in 1908 when Ed was only 6 years old. His father’s good friend Steiner Aasand and Steiner’s wife Bertha, who was Ben Sorenson’s sister, raised young Edwin. Steiner also took over the hardware store and ran it until 1911 when he sold it to Jacob Klev. Ed and Stella were married in 1923 in Detroit, Michigan and lived in the Manfred-Harvey area. In 1956 they purchased the Manfred Cash Store – the grocery store in Manfred from Ervin and Evelina Boese. They lived across from the schoolhouse. Edwin died in 1959, and Stella continued running the cash store until 1978. She later moved to Harvey and lived there until her death in 1981. Stella was good natured, and a friend of all. People often gathered at the store to visit or play a game of cards.

Gulbrand and Esther Melby Husband's Full Name: Gulbrand Knutson Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Knud Olsen Rudi Husband's Mother's Name: Guri Kristensdotter Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Guri, Ole, Christen, Knute, Ragnhild, Marit, Martin, Caroline, Oscar Wife's Full Name: Esther LeGrand Wife's Place of Birth: Skane, Gotland, Sweden Wife's Father's Name: Joseph LeGrand Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Christina Lindstrom Wife's Siblings' Names: Axel, Inez, Sarah, David, Hulda, Gertrude, Harry and Clara Children's Names: Georgiana Nelson, Carlton, Arthur, Marion Peterson, Ida Erickson, Elmer, Gordon, Morris, Evelyn, Raymond, Earl, Alice Peterson, Irene Haines Gilbert Melby Family 1950s Back: Morris, Carlton, Raymond, Elmer, Arthur Middle: Alice, Marion, Ceclia, Ida Front: Irene, Gilbert, Earl Gulbrand, known as G. K. or Gilbert Melby, was the sixth child born to Knud and Guri Melby on April 4, 1977. During his earliest years, he lived on the Melby farm in Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and attended Rogne church. In 1881 when he had just turned 4 years old, his parents sold the Melby farm and the whole family emigrated from Norway to Goodhue County, Minnesota. In 1884, his parents homesteaded in Griggs County, North Dakota, and in 1887 they moved to Foster County and farmed there for six years, and then in 1893 his parents moved again to the newly opened land of Manfred Township in Wells County. Gilbert was too young to file on a homestead having just turned 16, but he was able to help his parents start up their new farm. Gilbert was very musical and could play several instruments. With his great love of music, it is very likely that he played with some of the local orchestra groups. It was at Manfred where Gilbert met Esther LeGrand. She was born September 7, 1873, in Skane, Gotland, Sweden, with the given name of Astrid Hildegard LeGrand, to Joseph Alfred LeGrand and Anna Kristina Lindstrom. She had immigrated to the USA in 1885 with her parents, first settling at Northwood, ND before coming to Manfred Township. Gilbert and Esther were married on December 11, 1895, at Manfred. Gilbert and Esther bought the land located in section 30 of Manfred Township that had been in the LeGrand family. Sometime during these years at Manfred, Gilbert was working in one of the elevators. Due to an accident while employed there, he lost a foot but didn't let this hold him back in any way. With the help of an artificial foot, he managed very well, as if he had two feet. Few even realized that he had an artificial foot, having only a slight limp. Gilbert and Esther moved to Kenmare in 1904, to Coteau in 1909, then to Bowbells, and lastly to a farm west of Bowbells. Thirteen children were born to them: Cecelia 1896, Carlton 1897, Arthur 1899, Marion 1900, Ida 1901, Elmer 1902, Gordon 1904, Morris 1906, Evelyn 1907, Raymond 1909, Earl 1911, Alice 1913, Irene 1916. Nine have descendants, Cecelia did not have children, Gordon died at age 24 from tuberculosis, Morris remained single, Evelyn took ill and died at age 18. Gilbert farmed most of his life and was a wonderful musician. He directed the Coteau Band and many of his sons also played in his band. He was also the band director at Bowbells. He was also well known as a grain buyer, school board member of Coteau, served in the Minnesota Township and Ward Township Boards of Burke County, served on the Selective Service Board for Burke County during both World Wars I and II, served one term as Burke County auditor 1914-1920. He belonged to the Bowbells Masonic Lodge and the Minot Elks Lodge. Gilbert was afflicted with Hodgkin’s disease, which his daughter Alice also has. Esther was quiet, so caring and thoughtful regarding each family member, a fine Christian woman, and well respected in the community. Esther died May 30, 1938, at the Bowbells Hospital as the result of heart and kidney complications. Gilbert died October 9, 1963, at the Kenmare Hospital of complications resulting from a stroke.

Solheim Station 1894 - The first business in Manfred, Smith and Rogers Lumber Co was managed by Gullik Nordtorp from 1894-1899, and was located near Gullik's stone house. 1908 - Rogers Lumber Co in its second location closer to the railroad tracks.Rogers Lumber closed in 1932. 1933 - The Rogers Lumber building after being purchased by Rudolph Peterson and moved to the east side of Manfred. Peterson remodeled the building for use as a filling station. 1938 - Service station with owner, Rudolph Peterson from 1933-1942. 1945 - Helmer Solheim bought the gas station. 1947 - Service station with Helmer Solheim, owner 1945-1969. 1969 - Helmer Solheim sold the station to Ted Jorstad who operated it until 1974. The building was then purchased by Delbert Rask for a garage, and later by Harry Detling. 2003 - Audrey Solheim (pictured) purchased the building. 2004 - A steel roof was added. 2005 - The exterior was painted. It was restored to the look from 1945-1969 when Audrey's father, Helmer, owned and operated the gas station. 2015 - The top decorative caps were rebuilt. The building was started to be repainted which is an ongoing project. Future Plans: Stabilization and straightening of the wooden frame Restoration of the front entry