Tony and Josephine Breyer Husband's Full Name: Anton A. Breyer Husband's Place of Birth: Codington, South Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Henry Breyer Husband's Mother's Name: Mary Thinnes Breyer Husband's Siblings' Names: Susan, Michael, Margaret, Peter, Henry Jr., Mary, Kathryn, John, Mathew 1st Wife's Full Name: Josie Biever Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Mathias Biever Wife's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Schneider Biever Wife's Siblings' Names: Joe, Anna [Mike Jenny], Albert, Ella Parries, Mathew, Frank Child's Name: Donald (Lillian Gustafson) 2nd Wife's Full Name: Josephine Janisch Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred Township, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Frank J. Janisch Wife's Mother's Name: Mary Koller Janisch Wife's Siblings' Names: Theresa Seil, Mary O’Neill, Annie Hillbert, and Katherine [John Smith] Children's Names: Joann [Jim Hartel], Robert [Joan Severson] Bob and Joann Tony Breyer came to Manfred as a young man and farmed for a number of years, then entered business in Manfred. In about 1926 he married Josie Biever. They had one son Donald. After Josie died, he married Josephine Janisch and they had two children, Joann and Robert. In July of 1930, Anton Breyer purchased the hotel and pool hall in Manfred and operated that business until he died in 1948. The family continued living in the hotel for several years. The children attended Manfred Grade School and Fessenden High School. Donald passed away in 1996, his wife Lillian in 1998; Joann Hartl passed away in 1986. Robert (Bob) is now retired from working with a pharmaceutical company. He and his wife Joan live in South Carolina.

Post Office Location: Block 4, Lot 13 Proprietor: Jerrit Biever Year Started: April 25, 1915 Year Ended: 1944 History of Business: The first Post Office was located in the first mercantile store run by Lars Burkum. In 1903 the post office was housed in the Willborg store. The post office was also located in the C. C. Melby Store, and a building north of the Johnson Place which became the Anderson Drug and later the Confectionery. There is a note in the 1905 Manfred News about Mary Roble’s absence from the post office for a brief period of time, so apparently she worked there at that time. The building pictured above was located between the Hotel Johnson and the Ford Garage. On May 3, 1894, Thorstein K. Rogne was installed as the first Postmaster in Manfred. He was followed by Issac L. Berge in March 1900; Swan N. Willborg, March 1902; Axel LeGrand, November 1906, George Gilbertson, May 1911; Gertrude LeGrand, March 22, 1912; Ole Ranum, January 1914, Ernest Braaten, February 1, 1921; Jerret Biever, April 1925. Oscar Ongstad purchased the Bank Building when he became postmaster in 1944 and this building was used until the post office was closed in October 1992. Edgar Flick was postmaster from 1964 to 1992. The old post office building was used as a brooder house for the turkeys at Harley Boese’s Farm. Daisy – Post Office Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Oscar and Bertha Melby Husband's Full Name: Oscar Julius Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Cooperstown, ND Husband's Father's Name: Knud O. Rudi Husband's Mother's Name: Guri K Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Guri Ranum, Ole, Christen Knutson, Knute Knutson, Ragnhild Wolding, Guldbrand, Marit Satterberg Caroline Anderson, Martin Wife's Full Name: Bergit (Bertha) Gulliksdotter Nordtorp Melby Wife's Place of Birth: Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Gullik Rønjusson Nordtorp Wife's Mother's Name: Ragnhild Olsdotter Hegge Wife's Siblings' Names: Marit Jacobson, Ingrid Hovey, Ingebjorg (Emma), Jennie Isakson, Oscar, Anne, Hilda Roberts, Gladys Basarab Children's Names: Cora Turner, Roy, Ruth Hovey, Muriel Schwartz Boyum, Orlien, Kenneth, Gene, Ethel Bolyard Oscar, also known as O. J. Melby, was the tenth child born to Knud and Guri Melby on March 7, 1890 while they were living in Foster County. The crops were poor during that time. However, the Soo Line railroad track was being laid through North Dakota and so a source of income was possible for the folks. So, Knud and all his neighbors went to work for the railroad, building the track. It was through this work that they learned of the new land opening up further west in Wells County. Knud was impressed with the land and filed on section 8 in Manfred Township. In 1894 when Oscar was 4 years old, his family and other families moved in a caravan, herding their animals and hauling their belongings on wagons. Oscar took all his schooling in Manfred Township. He became well versed in farming having worked side by side with his father and older brothers through the years. His parents retired in 1911, and Oscar took over farming his father's land. He married Bertha Nordtorp on July 10, 1910 in Millet Alberta Canada. Bertha was born May 12, 1891 in Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway to Gullik and Ragnhild Nordtorp. They had first immigrated to the USA in 1892 on Bertha’s 1st birthday, but returned to Norway in 1899, only to return again in 1906 on her 15th birthday. They settled both times in Manfred, and it was there that Oscar and Bertha became acquainted. They became engaged in 1908, but her parents moved to Canada and they needed her help. Oscar and Bertha kept in touch and after the crops were planted in 1910, Oscar went to Canada for his bride. In 1914, Oscar and Bertha bought land in section 30 of Manfred Township, which had been passed from brother to brother Gilbert, then Chris, then Ole, and then finally to Oscar. Here they lived the rest of their lives. They owned and operated a threshing rig for 22 years. Oscar was very musical having a beautiful high tenor voice, and played the clarinet and violin. They were both very active in Vang Lutheran Church, and Sons of Norway, and other offices in the community. Born to them were eight children: Cora 1912, Roy 1916, Ruth 1919, Muriel 1921, Orlien 1924, Kenneth 1925, Gene 1928, Ethel 1931. Oscar died February 16, 1954, and Bertha died November 11, 1985. Both are buried at Vang Cemetery north of Manfred.

Ole and Gina Onstad Husband's Full Name: Ole E. Onstad Husband's Place of Birth: Østre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Engebret T. Alfstad Husband's Mother's Name: Anne Olsdtr Rudi Husband's Siblings' Names: Torger, Knut, Ola, Guri Windingstad Wife's Full Name: Guri (Gina) Eriksdotter Rogne Onstad Wife's Place of Birth: Rogne, Ostre Slidre. Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Erik Bendiksen Skogen Wife's Mother's Name: Marit Larsdtr Rudi Wife's Siblings' Names: Bendik, Kari Gilbertson, Lars, Erik, Halvor Children's Names: Annie Solheim, Emil Onstad In the spring of 1896 Ole Onstad came to America arriving in Manfred, ND. Here he made his home for a time with an uncle, Knut O. Melby and family. In 1896, Ole filed on a homestead northwest of Manfred. Gina Rogne came to the United States in 1899 with her mother after her brother Erik passed away. Her father had passed away 6 years earlier. They lived in Wisconsin a year before she moved to her homestead at White Earth in Williams County, since there was very little acreage left to homestead in Wells County. Her brother Bendik had come earlier and obtained a homestead just north of Manfred. Her sister Kari, married to Knut Gilbertson owned the hotel in Manfred. Winters were lonely on the prairie in Williams County so she would spend time in the Manfred area. There she met Ole Onstad. On March 18, 1909 Ole and Gina were married at the Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred, and had their wedding reception at the Manfred Hotel. They lived on the homestead near Manfred until the fall of 1949 when they moved to Manfred. They were both members of the Vang Lutheran church and active in the church. They were also active in organizing community activities including the Valdres Lag and the Sons of Norway. They had two children, Annie, who married Helmer Solheim and Emil who married Linda Brusven. Gina passed away in May of 1953, Ole passed away just 9 months later in February of 1954. They are buried at the Vang Cemetery north of Manfred.

William R. and Johanna Owen William and Johanna Owen Husband's Full Name: Dr. William Roy Owen Husband's Place of Birth: Iowa, USA Husband's Father's Name: William Eugene Owen Husband's Mother's Name: Frances Antonette Whitaker Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Johanna Skogmo Wife's Place of Birth: Elbow Lake, Minnesota Wife's Father's Name: Tomas Anton Skogmo Wife's Mother's Name: Johanna Olasa Kvittum Wife's Siblings' Names: Anna, John T, George B, Jacob, Arthur, James, Alpha, Magda, Arthur, Harold Children's Names: none 2nd Wife’s Name: Sadie Leet Children’s Names: Mary and William Eugene Owen Dr. Owen began his medical practice in 1903 in Iowa. He came to Manfred in 1914 and served as a doctor in Manfred until 1920. At that time he moved to Oakes and served as their doctor until September 1923 when he went back to Osage Iowa and continued to practice medicine in that community until his retirement. He died in Iowa in 1960 at the medical center where he had undergone surgery. In February 1915 Dr. Owen married Johanna Skogmo in Manfred. This marriage lasted only 6 weeks, as Johanna became ill and died at the young age of 21 years. Dr. Owens built a large home in Manfred which was later lived in by P. B. Andersons. He married Sadie Leet in about 1917, and they had two children, both born during the time they were living in Manfred.

Hotel Johnson Fagerlund Sons of Norway Lodge 1906 - Hotel built by Nennie Johnson. It also served as a barber shop and restaurant. 1908 - Purchased by Knut Gilbertson and renamed it the Manfred Hotel. 1922 - Christ Anhorn purchased the hotel, and in 1924 he established a lunch counter in connection with his pool hall. 1953 - Purchased by Fagerlund Sons of Norway to serve as their lodge. 1988 - Last year of use. 2005 - Front boardwalk installed. 2008 - Exterior restoration, jacking of floors, and building of webbing network inside. 2009 - Exterior painting. 2017- Exterior painting. 2019- Shingling of outhouse. Future Plans: Maintain the Exterior of the Building

Ted Jorstad Husband's Full Name: Theodore O. Jorstad Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred Township, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Thomas T. Jorstad Husband's Mother's Name: Ragndi Olsdotter Jorstad Husband's Siblings' Names: Mayme Larson, Margaret, Alfred, Wife's Full Name: Madeline Florence Langelle (divorced) Children's Names: Sandra Carpenter, Judy Tabler Ted was born in Manfred Township, attended Harvey schools. He was a railroad worker, and held other jobs in Alaska and Chicago before returning in 1975 to Manfred, where he owned and operated a service station until 1977. He then lived in Harvey for a time, and more recently had been living at a Rugby Nursing Home. Theodore O. Jorstad 77 died Sunday, April 20, 1980. A grave side service was held Thursday at Vang Lutheran Cemetery, Manfred. Survivors include daughters Mrs. James (Sandra) Carpenter, Tacoma, Washington, and Mrs. Charles (Judy) Tabler, Larned, Kansas, four grandchildren and a sister Mayme (Walter Larson).

Mads and Sigrid Nertrost Husband's Full Name: Mads Nertrost Husband's Place of Birth: North Aurdahl, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Sigrid Strand Nertrost Wife's Place of Birth: North Aurdahl, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Nils Strand Wife's Mother's Name: Sennev Hande Wife's Siblings' Names: Children's Names: Bertha Myhre, Mads Jr., Sennev Whipple, Anna Smith, Nels Nertrost Mads Nertrost America, believed to be the "Land of Promise", beckoned so Mads and Sigrid decided to try their luck in the new world. In the spring of 1880, they sailed via the White Star Line bound for New York. After a voyage of six stormy weeks they arrived at the port of entry, Castle Garden, in the harbor of New York City. Daughter Sennev wrote - I have reconstructed a scene, as described to me, when my parents with two small children disembarked. I can visualize my father plodding down the gangplank carrying heavy baggage and with my two-year-old sister riding "piggy-back." My mother, hopeful and courageous, was following clasping her six-week-old son to her breast. They spent two years in Northfield, Minnesota. Then they decided to go to Dakota Territory to file on a Preemption claim of 178 acres, traveling by train as far as Valley City, where the railroad ended. From here, on a June day in 1882, a covered wagon caravan started out in the direction of the setting sun, en route to what now is Jessie, nine miles northwest of Cooperstown, Griggs County, Dakota Territory. In this company were several families who became our neighbors. The June weather was mellow, the virgin prairies filled with flowers under a star lit sky, on a feather bed spread on the ground, in the leeway of the covered wagon. First came the task of building a shelter. A small patch of virgin soil was broken up. The turf lay glistening in the sun for a few days, and then it was cut up and shaped into convenient sizes. These were built up like bricks; creating a humble one room "home". It had one window, a door, and the floor just the good old earth. Main articles of furniture were a small wood-burning stove, a bedstead, a table, several chairs and a huge iron bound chest brought from Norway. In this container were mother's prized Norwegian articles - linens, silverware, a large leather bound Bible, several hymn books, Luther's enlarged Catechism, readers for children, Hans Christian Anderson's Fairy Tales, and The Arabian Nights. Our bedding and a feather bed were also included. It was in this little sod house that I was born the following October, in 1882. Parents and three children lived in this single turf abode until spring, when a one-room frame house was erected and sodded up to the eaves. In half a dozen years two more children were born, and we were five. Accommodations had to be arranged for the growing family. I recall an extra bed, a box like affair, a foot high - made of boards, low enough to be pushed under the big bedstead in the daytime. This was furnished with a straw mattress and blankets, a feather quilt for covering, and the three of us slept soundly. Although poor, as the common lot of all pioneers, we were rich in the love that held us together as a family. In those early territorial days there were no places of worship except the home family altar. A mission minister held services in some far distant schoolhouse twice a year. It was on such an occasion, when I was nine months old, that my father and mother took turns carrying me to baptism as they walked to a school house six miles distance, on a hot July day in 1883. It was the coming of the Soo Line Railroad that brought home seekers to Wells County. We arrived at Manfred in1894 where father made use of his Homestead right establishing permanent residence on a quarter section of land four miles northeast of Manfred. Five children were born to this couple, Bertha, Mads, Sennev, Anna and Nels. They were active members of the Vang Lutheran Church and the Manfred community. Mads died in 1898 while the children were still very young. Sigrid died in 1926. Source: Sennev Nertrost Whipple, daughter

Burkum Hardware Store Location: Block 3, Lot 8 Proprietor: Lars Burkum and T. K. Rogne Year Started: In 1894 T. K. Rogne and L. O. Burkum established the first store in Manfred. In 1905 they built the building pictured which was known as the Burkum Hardware Store. Year Ended: 1916 History of Building: H. B. Myhre bought out L. O. Burkum in 1916 and Anton Aasand and Nick Halvorson was purchased the building in 1917. In 1926 the Sons of Norway purchased the building for lodge use and continued to use it until 1952 when the building burned down. Daisy – Burkum Store Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Erik and Marit Rogne Husband's Full Name: Erik Bendiksen Skogen Husband's Place of Birth: Rogne, Skogen, Østre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband’s Place of Death: Rogne, Skogen, Østre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Bendik Halvorsen Skattebu Husband's Mother's Name: Guro Eriksdotter Rudi Husband's Siblings' Names: Ragnhild, Sigrid, Ingrid, Kari Wife's Full Name: Marit Larsdtr Rudi (Rogne) Wife's Place of Birth: Rudi, Neigarden, Østre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Lars Syversen Hovi Wife's Mother's Name: Kari Aalaksdatter Rudi Wife's Siblings' Names: Syver, Ingrid Melby, Aslak, Sigurd Children's Names: Bendik, Kari Gilbertson, Lars, Erik, Halvor, Gurii (Gina) Onstad Photo – Marit Rogne taken in 1917 Marit L. Rogne was the third child born to Lars Syversen Hovi and Kari Aalaksdatter Rudi. She was born on November 14, 1835 in Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway. Marit Larsdatter Rudi married Erik Bendiksonn Rogne in 1859 in Valdres, Norway. They had 5 children, Bendik, the oldest, Kari, Lars, Erik and Guri. After her son Erik Rogne died in 1899, Bendik and Kari Gilbertson went to Norway and brought back their mother. This was in 1900. She proved up a homestead at Esmond in 1905, then went back to Norway, but returned again with Bendik in 1909. She lived with her son Bendik for a period of time, and then moved to the home of her daughter Guri. Although she never drove a car, she loved to visit the neighbors and would often spend several days with them. She did a lot of knitting and kept the family in mittens through the cold North Dakota winters. She would spin the wool on the spinning wheel she brought over from Norway. She also did a lot of reading and particularly enjoyed it when the Decorah Posten would arrive - the newspaper that had lots of interesting Norwegian material in it. She died at the age of 90 on March 15, 1925 in Manfred, ND and is buried in the Vang Lutheran Cemetery north of Manfred. --------------------- Obituary from Wells County Farmer March 25, 1926 front page - column 3 Pioneer Manfred Lady Passes to Great Beyond Mrs. Marit L. Rogne, who has made her home for the past few years with her daughter, Mrs. Ole Onstad of Manfred, died Monday, March 15, after a short illness. The deceased was born in Valdres, Norway, December 15, 1835, and came to this country about twenty years ago. She reached the ripe old age of 90 years and 4 months. She leaves to mourn, one son, Bendik Rogne, and one daughter, Mrs. Ole Onstad, besides a host of friends. Funeral services were held Wednesday, at 2:00 o'clock from the Vang Church, Rev J. M. Langseth Officiating.

Sorenson Millinery Proprietor: Mrs. Ben (Maggie) Sorenson Location: Block 2, Lot 1 Year Started: October 1905 Year Ended: ca 1907 History of Business: This women's hat making business was located in Sorenson Hardware operated by her husband Ben Sorenson. The millinery closed in 1907 after Maggie's death. The picture shows an example of Maggie's work. Daisy – Sorenson Millinery Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Marvin Bendickson Husband's Full Name: Marvin Bendickson Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Martin Bendickson Husband's Mother's Name: Olga Lund Bendickson Husband's Siblings' Names: Adeline, Helen, Florence, Fern, Glen, Joanne, Lucille, Donna Bendickson Home West of Manfred The Bendickson family is listed on the Manfred census from 1915 - 1940. Marvin is one of Martin's children.