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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

Art and Edna Larson Husband's Full Name: Arthur Ludwig Larson Husband's Place of Birth: Cummings, ND Husband's Father's Name: Peter Larson Husband's Mother's Name: Hansine Husband's Siblings' Names: Emil Larson Wife's Full Name: Edna Christine Ongstad Wife's Place of Birth: Pelican Rapids, Ottertail Co., MN Wife's Father's Name: Hans Peder Hendrickson Wife's Mother's Name: Nicoline Olson Wife's Siblings' Names: Hilda, Clara, Alfred, Emil, Anna, Henry, Olaf, Oscar, James, Lottie, Minnie, Children's Names: Leland (Delores Davidson) Larson, Ardis (Henry Kucera), Kermit (Beverly Valent) Waldo (Judith Stockert) Janice (George Dean) Service to Country: Private Arthur L. Larson, Son of Peter Larson, Manfred, ND, entered the service November 5, 1918, and was assigned to the S.A. T.C. Co A., ND Agricultural College Unit. He was on duty at Fargo, but a short time when World War I came to an end and was mustered out of service December 9, 1918. Wedding: Last Sunday, June 10 at 3 p. m. occurred the wedding of Miss Edna Ongstad to Mr. Arthur Larson at the Manfred Lutheran church. Rev. Langseth read the service in the presence of the immediate relatives and a number of friends. The altar was decked with flowers. Miss Mildred Ongstad and Miss Margaret Moen were bridesmaids and James Ongstad and Emil Larson attended the groom. Miss Gudrun Kopseng played the wedding march. She also accompanied Miss Evelyn Moen who sang, "Oh Promise Me." The bride wore a gown of white satin crepe and silk lace made with a long waisted bodice and a bouffant draped skirt, covered with lace and rhinestones. Her veil was caught with a wreath of lilies of the valley and she carried a shower bouquet of pink roses and snowballs. Miss Mildred Ongstad wore a gown of peach georgette and Miss Margaret Moen a frock of orchid crepe de chine. Following the ceremony a reception was held in the church parlors, which were decorated in pink and white, and at five o'clock a wedding dinner was served. The bride and groom left Sunday evening on a motor trip through Northern Minnesota and Canada and expect to be gone about ten days after which they will be at home at the Larson farm six miles northeast of Manfred. Mr. Larson is a well-known, industrious young farmer of this community and has operated his father’s farm for the past few years. His bride has been a resident of this community only since last fall but has won for herself a host of friends. She came to Manfred from Columbus, ND, and before that was a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minn. Edna Christine was the youngest in the Ongstad family and was born in 1900. She came to visit brothers and sisters who had followed the adage of “going west” and met Art in central North Dakota. She was a redhead and had the pep and spice to go with it. If all the other farmwomen milked cows, that didn’t mean that she did. She had a mind of her own, was inventive and creative, learned to ride a bike at 40, to shoot pheasants and plan and carry out woodworking. Her life was cut short by injuries suffered in a car accident (of course she was driving at age 74). There was a resulting blood clot or heart attack as she was recovering. Her husband, Arthur Larson, was born to a Swedish father and Danish mother who immigrated to America in the 1880s. Art started life in eastern North Dakota. He came (at age 4) with his family to homestead in Wells County in 1894. He spent his whole life as a farmer and with Edna raised five children during the depression. There was also another child – stillborn. Art survived blood poisoning, encephalitis, many bouts of pneumonia, high blood pressure and heart trouble, (which cut short his farming years). He lived for 82 years, the last ones being spent in Heimdal and then Fessenden. He was rather quiet, not easily riled, and had a good sense of humor. Source: Janice Larson Dean

Gullik and Marit Dahle Husband's Full Name: Gullik H. Dahle Husband's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Torstein Wife's Full Name: Margit Dahle Wife's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: none Gullik H. Dahle , Manfred Township, was a native of Norway. He came to Manfred in 1894. He was an early blacksmith and farmer. He and his wife Margit were very active in the welfare of the community and church. He was a very good fiddle player. The Dahle’s lost their only child at childbirth. Gullik farmed and also owned and operated a threshing rig. Oliver Rodne later owned their farm. Gullik is pictured playing his Hardanger fiddle. He was born in 1862 and died in 1934. His wife was born in 1859 and died in 1925. Mrs. Dahle : Last Saturday, February 20, Mrs. Marit Dahle was called to her reward as death relieved her long painful suffering. She had been in poor health for quite a few years, although not confined to her bed. During the last year, however, she has not been able to be up and around because of rheumatism. She bore her suffering bravely and with Christian patience and fortitude. She was born in Valdres, Norway where she was married to Mr. Dahle in 1892. They came to the United States in 1893 to Manfred, the same year and have lived here since. She was a respected member of Vang Lutheran Church since its organization. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, two nephews in this country and a host of friends. Source: Mrs. Dahle' obituary

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.