Jesse and Julia Fincher1 Husband's Full Name: Jesse Ephraim Fincher Husband's Place of Birth: Ogden, Monroe, New York, NY Husband's Father's Name: John Alexander Fincher, Sr. Husband's Mother's Name: Betsey Colby Husband's Siblings' Names: Elvira Parish Fincher 1826-1896 John Alexander Fincher 1828-1910; Sara Fincher 1833 - ? Jane Fincher 1837-?; Martha Fincher 1842 - 1911 Wife's Full Name: Julia Hitchcock Wife's Place of Birth: Gates, Monroe, New York, NY Wife's Father's Name: David R. Hitchcock Wife's Mother's Name: Betsey Colby Wife's Siblings' Names: Isham Hitchcock, Stephen Hitchcock, David Wesley Hitchcoch Children's Names: 1) Harriet (Hatti) Louisa Fincher (Daniel C. Jones) 2)Herbert Jesse Fincher (Elizabeth “Eliza” Cone); 3) Amy B. Fincher (Robert T. Roberts) The Finchers were the first settlers at the James River Crossing of the Mouse River Trail, where Manfred is now located. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Fincher were of English descent born in New York State, residing in Pennsylvania for a time and later lived in Washtenaw County, Michigan for many years. The Finchers settled in Wells County, in the spring of 1886, homesteading the land that year. The town, later to be called Manfred, was platted on Section 28, Township 149, Range 71 West on land first patented from the United States by Jesse E. Fincher and Christ Roble.

Ole and Charlotte Brecto Husband's Full Name: Ole A. Brecto Husband's Place of Birth: Columbia County, Wisconsin, USA Husband's Father's Name: Ole Anderson Brecto Husband's Mother's Name: Margit Olson Aadalen Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Charlotte Marie Berglund-Stokes-Jacobson Wife's Place of Birth: Aardahl, Stokke, Hetland, Rogaland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Jacob Jacobson Wife's Mother's Name: Malene Samuelsdater-Gausell later married to Gabriel T. Gedrose Wife's Siblings' Names: Anna Bergland, Solomon Andrew Berglund Stokes, Half siblings Tollak Jakobsen, Thaulow Gedrose Children: Oscar Julius, Mabel Margit, Albert Thorwald, Chester Orlando, Elmer Hamlin, Darwin Royal. Ole was born of Norwegian born parents on a farm in Columbia County, Wisconsin. His family settled in Wisconsin and they were farmers. Ole was the second born in his family. He attended country school. He operated his father’s farm in Wisconsin for ten years prior to moving to North Dakota. In Wisconsin he was the first to experiment in raising tobacco and had a successful crop. In 1887, he took a preemption and tree claim in Wells County. He erected a claim shanty and lived there alone the first year. He has three horses, a plow and a wagon and some machinery. He hauled supplies from Sykeston, fifteen miles. Ole and Charlotte were married in 1889 in Montana, according the marriage records of that state. She immigrated to America in 1888. Six children were born to this family. They youngest of these children were born while they were living in James River, Wells, ND (Manfred). They homesteaded first in Manfred Township #149 and then in Fairville, Township 148.

Jacob Klev Full Name: Jacob Gulbrandson Kleiv Place of Birth: Eggedal, Rogaland, Norway Father's Name: Gulbrand Stenersen Kleiv Mother's Name: Ragna Halvorsdatter Bøe Siblings' Names: Steiner, Kari, Halvor, Knut, Ansten, Ragna, Wilhelm, Engebret, Gulbrand, Sigurd, Emil Jacob Kleiv immigrated to America in 1899. He was an early merchant in Manfred. In 1905 he rented Olaf Tansem’s blacksmith shop for a year while the Tansems resided on their claim near Balfour. He had worked for Mr. Tansem the previous year and learned the efficient art of welding hammer and tongs. He lived southwest of Manfred and in 1905 had a good field of barley. The 1915 Manfred News notes that Engbrecht Kleiv of Arnegard, ND came to Manfred to help his brother Jacob in the hardware business. Also noted in 1915, Hugo Boese bought 160 acres of land from J. G. Kleiv for $35 an acre. Following the township election, J. G. Klev was elected constable. Jacob’s obituary noted that his brother Gilbert (Gulbrand) was in Alaska, William lived in Adams County, Halvor and Engebrecht lived near Palermo. Jacob Kleiv lived a couple of houses from Martin Melby in Manfred in the LeGrand Addition. He is remembered for matchboxes he made of wood. It was for the smaller matches. It was made of wood only and yet it had a cover that would snap open and closed, as Orvin Ongstad recalls. Jacob died unexpectedly in October of 1939. He had been while working at the John Haakenson farm, following his yearly maintenance of a very high windmill at the P. B. Anderson farm. When he reached the ground, he had a fatal heart attack. He was a member of Vang Lutheran Church, and is buried at the Vang Cemetery, north of Manfred.

Frank and Anna Mattis Husband's Full Name: Frank Mattis Husband's Place of Birth: Dresden, Germany Husband's Father's Name: Frank Hedwig Mattis Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: Thorvald, Inga, Mabel, Clara, Hilda and Alma Wife's Full Name: Gina Hedahl Wife's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Opplund, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ole Svenson Hedahl Wife's Mother's Name: Ingrid Jorstad Wife's Siblings' Names: Sven, Conrad, Oscar, Clara, Emma, Edwin, Edith Children's Names: Frank Jr. 2nd Wife: Anna Skaar Jorstad Gina Hedahl Mattis Anna Mattis, 2nd Wife Gina Hedahl was born in Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway to Ole S. and Ingrid Hedahl immigrating to the USA in 1893 with her parents and brother Swen. As a young child she and her parents and brother lived first at Fergus Falls, Minnesota and then Twin Valley, Minnesota before moving to Manfred in 1895 where her father filed on a homestead. Gina attended the one-room school at Manfred, finisher her schooling in Fessenden when the family located there because her father was elected to a county position at the Wells County Court House. Later, Gina began working in the Register of Deed’s office in Fessenden. According to the published diary of Clara Hedahl. Gina was rooming with her sister Clara and Gladys Ranum in 1916 when they were attending Fessenden High School. In 1917, Gina resigned her position at the courthouse, and together with several friends filed on homesteads near Malta, Montana. She fulfilled the homesteading requirements during the years 1917-1919. The same year Gina had begun homesteading, her future husband, Frank Mattis was working in New Rockford, ND. He was born in German, son of Frank Hedwig Mattis. At the age of six Frank came to the USA with his parents and settled in the New Rockford area. A few years later the family returned to Germany where Frank was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. A short time later he returned to the United States, started farming settling in the Manfred and Esmond area. Though one of his hands was badly crippled due to a childhood accident with a gun, Frank didn’t let this hold him back and was able to do everything himself. On December 24, 1925, Gina Hedahl and Frank Mattis were married at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. For some years they lived on the Hedahl farm north of Manfred where their son Frank, Jr. “Frankie” was born Sept 18, 1926. Frankie started school at Manfred in 1932 and finished his elementary schooling there in 1940. In1946 Frank and Gina purchased a farm of their own just southwest of Manfred. Gina had her home decorated nicely and was often found working on various kinds of stitchery handwork. Frank Jr. died suddenly November 30, 1947. He was a young man full of promise, attending the state university in Fargo at the time of his passing. His mother Gina never fully recovered from the shock of the untimely death of their only child. Gina died July 9, 1953. She was laid to rest beside her son in Vang Cemetery. After Gina died, her husband Frank continued to farm in the area. On June 18, 1965, he married Anna Skaar Jorstad at First Lutheran Church in Fessenden. Anna was born November 8, 1902, in Heimdal, ND. Her first marriage had been to Olaf Jorstad. Frank and Anna lived in Fessenden and in 1966 Frank retired. They were Members of First Lutheran Church, Fessenden and also of the Manfred Fagerlund Sons of Norway Lodge. Frank died August 18, 1976, and is buried beside Gina and their son Frank, Jr. Anna SkaarJorstad Mattis died August 8, 1977, and is buried beside her first husband Olaf Jorstad in the East Vang Cemetery north of Fessenden.

Berger and Olive Rodne Husband's Full Name: Berger Rodne Husband's Place of Birth: Fram Township, Wells Co, ND Husband's Father's Name: Ole L. Rodne Husband's Mother's Name: Anna O. Lunde Husband's Siblings' Names: Lars (Inez Erickson); Oliver (Inga Overland); Arthur, Otto, Alfred (Mabel Dovre); Carl (Agnes Stenerson); Gena (Lirgg); Laura (Bill Cook); Sena (Andrew Hillesland) Wife's Full Name: Olive Stenerson Rodne Wife's Place of Birth: Dodge, Dunn Co, ND Wife's Father's Name: Erick Stenerson Wife's Mother's Name: Christina Knutson Stenerson Wife's Siblings' Names: Orville (Bernice), Agnes (Carl Rodne) Children's Names: Karen (Gerry Beutler); Otto, Mark, Paul Berger Rodne was born September 1, 1913 to Ole L. and Anna Rodne near Manfred, N.D. He grew up on the family farm and attended a rural school located two miles from his home. Often these one-room schoolhouses had as many as 40-50 pupils from grades one to eight, with only one teacher in charge. In his late teens, Berger became interested in artwork and did oil paintings of both scenic views and portraits. Some of these he sold to museums for display. On April 6, 1952, Berger married Olive Stenerson of Dodge, N.D. at Seattle, Washington. Olive was born on April 3, 1920 at Dodge. She graduated from Dickinson State College and Lutheran Bible Institute and taught seven years in western N.D. prior to their marriage. In 1954, Ole L. Rodne sold the farm to his son, Berger who still lives on the farmstead. Berger has been active in the community, serving on the school board in Fram Township before the reorganization of the Harvey school district. He later served six years on the Harvey Board of Education. He also has done evangelistic preaching, taking him to churches in North Dakota and Minnesota. He also has enjoyed writing and sharing his poetry and caring for his "stabburs" on the farm. Olive and Berger had four children. Written by Olive Rodne for the Harvey area history book with additions by Karen Rodne Beutler

Ole and Clara Gladheim Husband's Full Name: Ole Bernhard Gladheim Husband's Place of Birth: Stokkebryen, Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ola Ranheim Stokkebryn Husband's Mother's Name: Barbro Olsdatter Gladheim Husband's Siblings' Names: none, several half siblings Wife's Full Name: Clara Genette Ranum Gladheim Wife's Place of Birth: Cottonwood, MN Wife's Father's Name: Ole Juel Ranum Wife's Mother's Name: Guri Knutsdotter Melby Ranum Wife's Siblings' Names: George, Konrad, Emil, Ida, Gladys Pfundheller Children's Names: Bernice (Vern) Nelson, Mildred (Olaf) Nelson, Gerda Berky, Doris Lippelgoos, Ordean, Cora Solberg Mauk, Ora Johnston Thompson, Carol Weymouth Clara Jeanette Ranum was born May 23, 1894 in Cottonwood, Lyon Co. MN. She was the daughter of Ole J. and Guri K (Melby) Ranum. Both Ole and Guri had parents who were early settlers of Manfred, Juel O. and Guri Ranum and Knud O. and Guri Melby. She was the 5th of 6 children, Konrad, George, Emil, Ida, Clara, and Gladys. Konrad and Ida both died young. Clara's family traveled from Minnesota to North Dakota, living in several places before settling in Manfred sometime in the early 1900's. Ole Bernhard Gladheim was born on July 18, 1895 in the Valdres region of Norway, on Stokkebryn, a farm owned by his parents, Ole O. Stokkebryn and his wife Barbro O. Gladheim. Barbro died soon after childbirth and young Ole was raised by his mother's parents on the Gladheim farm. When he immigrated to the US, he went by their name, although in Norway, he is still referred to as Ole Olson Stokkebryn. Ole was Barbo’s only child, but his father remarried and descendants from his half-siblings still live in Norway. Ole Bernhard Gladheim arrived in New York in 1912, sailing from Liverpool, England on the Lusitania, two years before her historical sinking in WWI. He made his way to Manfred, ND to visit his aunt, Anna (Stokkebryn) Melby, wife of Christian Christianson Melby. While visiting, he met the grandniece of Christian Melby, Clara Ranum, daughter of Ole and Julia (Guri) Ranum. On March 8, 1916, Ole Gladheim and Clara Ranum were married. Let it be noted that Ole and Clara had an even closer familial tie; their paternal grandfathers were brothers making them 2nd cousins! Shortly after the marriage, Ole and Clara moved to Sanish, North Dakota where they homesteaded a farm on the cliffs overlooking the Missouri River to the west. Here they raised 8 children, Bernice, Mildred, Gerda, Doris, Ordean, twins Cora and Ora, and Carol. As in Manfred, the area around Sanish and Van Hook had many other families related to Clara, including her brother and sister's families. But the 1930's were not good for the Gladheim family at Sanish, so they moved back to Manfred where they took up the farm from Clara's parents. All eight of the children reached their adulthood in Manfred. Ole died in 1952, killed in an auto accident while traveling in Montana. After his death, Clara sold the farm to her oldest daughter Bernice and her husband, Vern Nelson. Clara lived in Minot for many years before relocating to Vancouver, Washington to live with her daughters there. Clara died in 1986. Both Ole and Clara are laid to rest in the Vang Lutheran Cemetery near Manfred, just a short walk south from their farm. Source: Elaine Homan, 30 Jan 2003

Fredrick and Elizabeth Hoffman Husband's Full Name: Frederick Hoffman Husband's Place of Birth: Germany Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Elizabeth Wife's Place of Birth: Germany Wife's Father's Name: Wife's Mother's Name: Wife's Siblings' Names: Children's Names: John, Rudolph and Corma, Erma Frederick and Elizabeth settled in the Manfred area and are listed in the 1900 US Federal Census of the James River, Wells County, North Dakota. They emigrated from Germany. They were farmers. Frederick was born in April 1858; Elizabeth was born in June of 1867. They were married in 1897. Three children are listed on the 1910 census – John born 1899, Rudolph born in 1903 and Corma born about 1904, all born in North Dakota, presumably in the Manfred area. The 1920 census lists Rudolph in Hillsdale, Wells County, North Dakota census, and in 1930 the census lists Rudolph and his wife Theresa in Township 147 of Sheridan, North Dakota. The 1930 Census records indicate that Frederick, Elizabeth and daughter Erma were living in Harvey, Wells, North Dakota, USA. Erma was born ca 1911.

Herbert and Eliza Fincher1 Husband's Full Name: Herbert Fincher Husband's Place of Birth: New York, New York Husband's Father's Name: Jesse E. Fincher Husband's Mother's Name: Julia Hitchcock Husband's Siblings' Names: Hattie (Dan Jones); Amy (Robert T. Roberts) Wife's Full Name: Elizabeth Eliza Cone Fincher Wife's Place of Birth: Milan, Monroe, Michigan Wife's Father's Name: Erastus Cone Wife's Mother's Name: Sarah Uptagrafft Wife's Siblings' Names: Erastus, Judge, Joseph, Rebekcah, Benjamin, Jane, William, Rachel, Mary, Alvin Children's Names: Jennie[Alex LeGrand and Guy Fisher], Jessie, Cora, Grace [Sherman Curtis], Nellie, Harvey [Margretta Butler], Ethel [Peter Planner] Herbert’s parents Jesse E and Julia Fincher were the first settlers in Manfred. They homesteaded the land in 1886. Later, it was on the land of Jesse E. Fincher and Christ O. Roble, the town of Manfred was laid out. The plot of land was originally called the Jim River Crossing of the Mouse River Trail. The Fincher’s came from England to New York State, in colonial days. Herbert’s grandmother was the first white child born in New York. From New York they moved to Michigan, where Herbert and his father were carpenters. Herbert farmed with oxen for six years. He carried mail between Oberon and Fessenden for three years. He also hauled buffalo bones to Sykeston several years for additional income. Herbert and his wife Eliza Cone were married in 1884. They had five children: Jennie, Jesse, Cora, Grace and Nellie. Source: Fessenden Diamond Jubilee Book 1893-1963

Joseph and Anna LeGrand Husband's Full Name: Joseph Alfred LeGrand Husband's Place of Birth: Stora Harrie, Skane, Sweden Husband's Father's Name: Jean Louis (Ludvig) LeGrand Husband's Mother's Name: Christina Svensdotter Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Anna Kristina Lindstrom Wife's Place of Birth: Svartbjorsbyn, Overlulea, Sweden Wife's Father's Name: Lars Lindstrom Wife's Mother's Name: Kaisa Carlson Wife's Siblings' Names: Charlotte Children's Names: Axel, Astrid, Inez, Sarah, David, Hulda, Gertrude, Harry, Clara In 1894, Joseph and Anna moved to the new community of Manfred taking up a homestead there, farming there and Anna was also a mid-wife. The earliest school records from 1895 list two of their children Hulda and Gertrude attending, with Sarah, David, Harry, and Clara also listed in succeeding years. The first wedding of their children which was for Esther, took place in 1895. The year 1896 was significant as well, with Joseph and his family becoming citizens of the United States. In 1905 Joseph and Anna also obtained land at Denhoff, as did their daughter Hulda, after which they frequented both Manfred and Denhoff. On June 15, 1906, Joseph and Anna sold 80 acres of their river bottom land near Manfred: the south 40 acres to their son Axel for land adjacent to his homestead and the north 40 acres to S. G. Klev. Joseph and Anna intended to made Denhoff their permanent residence with their daughter Hulda, however, on September 2, 1906 Joseph died. His obituary follows: “Joseph Le Grand died last Saturday night at the home of his daughter Hulda near Denhoff. Joseph was born in Sweden 70 years ago next February and emigrated to this country and was living at Northwood until 1894 when he came to Manfred and took up a homestead, which he farmed until last spring, with the exception of a few years when he was in the hotel business in Manfred. He led a quiet and peaceful life and will be remembered with respect by all who knew him. His remains were buried at the cemetery at Denhoff. " When they had sold some of their land at Manfred, they hadn’t sold their home located near the home of their son Axel so this is where Anna stayed. As she grew older, she didn’t like to stay alone anymore, so her granddaughter Evelyn would come over each evening to spend the night with Anna. Sometimes Anna would tell her stories about life in Sweden such as doing laundry only twice a year, in the spring and in the fall when they changed from winter to summer clothing and from summer to winter clothing. During those big laundry times, the neighbors would all come to help. Because Anna spoke only Swedish, Evelyn didn’t always understand everything her grandmother said. Through the years, Anna would visit her married children and stay with each of them for several weeks. She was remembered as being a very sweet, kind, and quiet person. Anna died October 2, 1923, and is buried at Vang Cemetery north of Manfred. Joseph and Anna have many descendants in various parts of Canada and the USA, but there are none to carry on the LeGrand family name. Of their three sons: Harry did not marry, David left Edmonton for the Yukon gold fields in 1908 with no word from him after 1910, and none of Axel’s sons had any male descendants.

Ole H. and Anna Rudi Husband's Full Name: Ole Haldorson Rudi Husband's Place of Birth: Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: unknown Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Anna K. Wife's Place of Birth: Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Kari (Walfred Johnson); Ragnhild (Ole Enger); Gina (Leonard G. Christ) and Anna (Edward Christ) Ole H. and Anna Rudi – Golden Wedding Celebration in 1935 A very pretty Golden Wedding party was held at Manfred on Sunday, May 1st, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Rudi, residents of that community since 1920. The celebration was held in the Manfred Lutheran church parlors, and about 80 friends and relatives were in attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Rudi were married on May 4th, 1885 in Norway, where they lived until 1915. They then came to America where they first settled at Makoti, North Dakota. In 1920 they came to Manfred and for the last number of years, Mr. Rudi has been employed there as a mail messenger. The church parlors were very pretty decorated in white, pink and gold and two wedding cakes added to the occasion. One of these cakes was very unusual, being a Swedish cake, which was made by Mrs. J. P. Nelson of Makati, N. D. Eighty eggs were used in making this cake, which was of a rich gold color inside and out and carried gold writing on the frosting. Rev. J. M. Langseth led a devotion period, after which letters and telegrams of congregation were read. One was from James A. Farley of Washington, D. C. postmaster general, who extended his congratulations. Included on the program were a song by a ladies trio, an instrumental selection by Orlien and Donald Melby, vocal duet by Mrs. Ole Hovey and daughter, Berniece, reading by Mildred Ongstad, with Miss Myrtle Melby at the piano, song by the trio and presentation of a gift to Mr. Rudi, who offered a response. After this lunch was served and another short program was given, at which T. T. Jorstad of Harvey acted as master of ceremonies. Remarks were offered by Mr. T. O. Roble of Harvey and Rev. Langseth, after which both Mr. and Mrs. Rudi responded expressing their appreciation and thanks for the entertainment given for them. Present at the occasion were three daughters and their husbands Mr. and Mrs. Ed Christ of Wimbledon, Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Christ of Buchanan, and Mr. and Mrs. Watford Johnson of Plaza. They have one more daughter, Mrs. A. N. Enger, who resides in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Enger celebrated their Silver Wedding in Norway on the same day that Mrs. Enger's parents celebrated their Golden Wedding at Manfred, a feature which was also mentioned at the celebration here. Following the Golden Wedding party, Mr. and Mrs. Rudi received the congratulations of everyone present, and everyone wished them many more years of happy married life. Ole passed away in 1954 in Jamestown, Anna died in 1959 in Minot.

Knud and Guri Melby Husband's Full Name: Knud Olsen Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Rudi, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ola Mikkjelson Rudi Husband's Mother's Name: Ragnhild Knutsdatter Holdal Husband's Siblings' Names: Marit, Ola, Anne, Ole, Ingebjorg, Ragnhild, Wife's Full Name: Guri Kristensdotter Melby Wife's Place of Birth: Melby, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Christen Mikkelson Rogne Wife's Mother's Name: Ingebjorg Iversdotter Melby Wife's Siblings' Names: Knut, Ingebjorg, Ragnhild, Marit, Guri, Ivar, Ole, Ingebjorg, Ola, Torstein, Knut Children's Names: Guri, Ole, Christen, Knute, Ragnhild, Gulbrand, Marit, Caroline, Martin and Oscar Left to right standing: Martin, Ole, Kristen "Chris" Gilbert, Oscar Seated: Knud (father), Ragnhild "Nellie", Guri (mother), Marit "Mary" Guri, Caroline "Lena", not pictured - Knute Knud Olson Rudi b. 1843, was the fourth son of Ole Mikkelson Rudi together with his second wife Ragnhild Knutsdotter Holdal. Knud’s older brother inherited the Rudi farm, Ole. When Knud came of age he was ready to establish his own farm. He and Guri Christensdotter Melby b.1844 were married in 1861. Knud obtained his share of the inheritance money from his older brother, which he then used to buy the Melby farm from Guri’s parents. Guri had been blessed with parents who had each inherited a farm. Her father, Christen Mikkelson Rogne had inherited Røgnemarke farm #43/5 and her mother, Guro Gudbrandsdotter Melby had inherited Melby farm #41/1. Guri was the oldest child and when she came of age and was ready to marry, she was given the inheritance of the Melby farm. Her parents and her siblings then moved to Røgnemarke. Knud and Guri commenced with farming Melby, and also began their family. Born to them in Norway: Guri 1862, Ole 1864, Christen 1868, Knute 1870, Ragnhild 1873, Gulbrand 1877, and Marit 1880. It was not so easy to provide for a large family living on the small Melby farm. There was the pull to go to America which they had resisted considering so far over the years. But the pull was becoming stronger because in the recent years several of Guri’s siblings had immigrated to the USA and were sending back wonderful reports about that place where a large piece could be obtained for only the filing fee. They finally made the decision to go, sold the Melby farm and departed the spring of 1881 with their seven children, ranging in age from 19 to 8 months. Their destination was to Goodhue County Minnesota where others from Valdres already had successful farms established. They stayed there three years while becoming acquainted with their new homeland. New areas further west were continually being opened for settlement. In 1884 they were ready to file on their own land and start farming. They first went to Griggs County, North Dakota where two more children were born to them: Caroline 1884 and Martin 1886, and in 1887 they moved a little further west and farmed in Foster County for six years. It was there that, Knud’s home served as the first mail stop during those years. Also, Knud together with others in his family organized the first school district, which was called Melby, and he served as it’s first chairman. Knud and Guri’s 10th child was born here: Oscar 1890. The crops were failing during those years, so it was not easy for the people. The Soo Railroad track was being constructed westward through the region, so all the men went to work helping to build the track. But their first love was farming and so as the track was being laid they had opportunity to see the new lands that would be soon open to settlement. Knud and others in his family thought that Wells County looked good, and so they went to Sykeston, the location of the first court house in Wells County, and each filed on a new claim which were all located not far from the railroad track. Back in Foster County, they loaded up all their meager belongings on wagons. Knud even took his barn apart and laid it flat in sections on a wagon, they gathered their domestic animals together and caravanned to Wells County to their new claims in Manfred Township. Everyone was busy with putting up sod houses to use as temporary quarters until they could obtain lumber to build their homes. Knud erected his barn, and it is this barn that can be seen on the photo of Knud and Guri proudly standing in front of their home. Their house still stands, though abandoned. And though the barn Knud had brought from Foster County did not survive the years, the granary and the pig and chicken house are still standing. The granary can be seen in that same photo. The photo showing Knud and Guri with nine of their ten children was taken at the home of their son, Ole, in the village of Manfred. This home still stands, though abandoned. Knud was one of five founding fathers of Vang Lutheran Church in 1894. Many of their children were starting to have families of their own, and Guri always had lots of cookies on hand when they came. Music was always a part of family gatherings, and Knud and Guri were gracious hosts. Knud and Guri farmed until 1911, at which time they moved into Manfred and their son Oscar continued on their farm. Guri began to fail in her later years and died in 1921. After that, Knud would often stay at the home of one of his several children living in the area. Knud died in 1927. Both Knud and Guri are buried at Vang Lutheran Cemetery at Manfred.

Olaf and Nina Roble Husband's Full Name: Olaf Roble Husband's Place of Birth: Kenyon, Goodhue Co, MN Husband's Father's Name: Torstein O. Roble Husband's Mother's Name: Guro Skogstad Husband's Siblings' Names: Mary, Gina, Andrew and Melvin Wife's Full Name: Nina Swedlund Wife's Place of Birth: Wheaton, MN Wife's Father's Name: Nils Swedlund Wife's Mother's Name: Christine Lindquist Wife's Siblings' Names: Lillian, Roy, Ida, Dewey, Dancy, Edna, Tony, Una Children's Names: LaVone, Orville, Wayne, Jean and Jerald Olaf Roble was born to Mr. and Mrs. Torstein Roble (Guro Skogstad) at Kenyon, Minn. in 1886. He died at Harvey in 1933. He moved with his parents to homesteads near McHenry and Cooperstown in Eddy County. Then they moved to another homestead between Manfred and Harvey on the James River alongside the Soo Line Railroad. He went to school in Manfred and skated to school on the ice on the James River during the winters. He attended Fargo College where he took up manual training, steam engineering and music. He mastered the valve trombone, cornet, violin and saxophone. At Manfred he played with the Manfred Cornet Band. He started in business in Manfred as a coal dealer selling coal out of a box car. He went into business with Fremont Hanson in a general store, was a barber, worked in the Ford and John Deere dealership under Olaf Anderson who sent him to Harvey to run the A.B. Motive Power Co. The "A" stood for Anderson and the "B" was the previous owner and partner, O. E. Blanding. He had a big steam threshing rig, complete with cook car, which he had nine successful seasons. Olaf Roble went to Swift Current, Sask., Canada with Lars Hanson and stayed a year and acquired a quarter of land by homestead laws of Canada. He returned to Manfred in 1916 denouncing the Queen of England and became an American citizen again. In 1917, he married the schoolteacher that came from Velva and the Minot State Normal School, Nina Swedlund. She lived in Manfred, on the Halvorson farm they purchased west of Manfred, and also in Harvey. She became a widow in 1933 and had five children, age 15 and below. She continued to run the 640-acre farm, acquired full ownership of the business and property of the A.B. Motive Power Co., about eight or ten rental houses and the home which was built new for her at 221 Brewster Street in 1928-29.