Annual Pictorial Narratives Each year a pictorial narrative of the activities has been prepared. This section contains each of these narratives. Year 2025 2024 2023 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005c 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2005 c 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2015 2011 2012 2013 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019

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.

Helmer and Annie Solheim Husband's Full Name: Helmer S. Solheim Husband's Place of Birth: Rural Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Severt Solheim Husband's Mother's Name: Bertha Ramsfield Solheim Husband's Siblings' Names: Seivert, Oscar, Sam, Hilda (Georgeson), Art, Selma (Buchta), Anna (Hakanson) and Clarence Wife's Full Name: Annie Onstad Solheim Wife's Place of Birth: Rural Manfred, ND Wife's Father's Name: Ole E. Onstad Wife's Mother's Name: Gina Rogne Onstad Wife's Siblings' Names: Emil Onstad Child's Name: Audrey Solheim Helmer worked for the neighbors as a young man, and became a skilled painter, he was also well known as the fireman with the steam threshing crew. He married Annie Onstad in October of 1943 and farmed the Onstad family farm with his brother-in-law. In 1945 he bought the local gas station, operating it until 1969. He passed away in November of 1969. Annie, following her graduation from Harvey High School and Interstate Business College in Fargo, worked in offices in the Fessenden area. In 1942 she went to Washington, DC and was employed by the U. S. Department of the Navy until 1943 when she was married. Later she worked in the local post office as temporary clerk, served as Deputy County Superintendent of Schools for Wells County, and worked as parish secretary for the church. After Helmer’s death she continued to live in Manfred until 1986. At that time she moved to Bismarck. She passed away in December 2002. Helmer and Annie were active in Vang Lutheran Church, in the Fagerlund #203 Sons of Norway and in community activities. Annie was a member of the Manfred Homemakers Club. She taught Sunday School for 17 years and Bible School for 5 years. She was School District treasurer for many years. When she moved to Bismarck she transferred her church membership to Trinity Lutheran in Bismarck and her Sons of Norway membership to Sverdrup #107 attending both regularly. She was active in the church circle and in the Sons of Norway Hardanger crafts group.

George and Violet Seidlinger Husband's Full Name: George Seidlinger Husband's Place of Birth: Wimbledon, ND Husband's Father's Name: George Joseph Seidlinger Husband's Mother's Name: Laura Mary Hartogh Husband's Siblings' Names: Joseph, Elmer, Marvin, Raymond, Laura, Katherine Wife's Full Name: Violet Betz Wife's Place of Birth: Wimbledon, ND Wife's Father's Name: William Albert Betz Wife's Mother's Name: Agatha Altringer Betz Wife's Siblings' Names: Geneva, Elmira, William, James Children's Names: Darlene (Merlyn Boese); Mary Larson, George Jr., Beverly (Joe) Mueller George and Vi Seidlinger were both born in Wimbledon, North Dakota.They moved to Manfred in 1962. At this time George became the manager of the Farmers Union Elevator and Vi was secretary for the elevator. They have 3 daughters, Darlene, Mary and Beverly and one son, George Jr. George and Vi were very active members of the Manfred community.They were avid golfers, active in the America Legion, Eagles and they were members of the St. Cecelia Church of Harvey. In 1982, when they retired from the elevator in Manfred, they moved to Harvey, George passed away in 1989, and Vi in 2009. Both were buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Even and Kjersti Ostrem Husband's Full Name: Even Ostrem Husband's Place of Birth: Austrem, Vang, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Even Evenson Ostrem Husband's Mother's Name: Bergit H. Leine Husband's Siblings' Names: Marit, Helge, Ole, Anne, Berit Wife's Full Name: Kjersti Heen Ostrem Wife's Place of Birth: Heen, Vang, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Lars Haen Wife's Mother's Name: Kjersti Heen Wife's Siblings' Names: Ivar, Torstein, Ingebord, Trond Heen Children's Names: Ivan, Lars, Bertha Satterlee, Henry, Theodore, Christine Anderson, Evelyn Fisher, Arnt, Ingrid Reinholt-Sheedy, Ivar Even Ostrem born December 5, 1882, and Kjersti Heen born March 16, 1880, were married at Vang Church in the beautiful valley at Vang, Valdres, Norway on January 20, 1903. In 1909, Even and Kjersti, together with three small children Ivan (1904), Lars (1905) and Bertha (1907) left their home in Norway for America. After a strenuous journey they arrived at Tioga, North Dakota, to the home of Kjersti's brother Trond Heen. That same year, Even made use of his "Homestead Right" and filed on land 14 miles southeast of Tioga, and in December their fourth child Henry was born. Six more children were added to them: Theodore (1911), Christine (1913), Evelyn (1914), Arnt (1916), Inga (1918), and Ivar (1920). In 1925, a sad happening occurred when Ivar died during an appendectomy operation at the hospital in Minot. In 1927, Kjersti was so very happy to visit her homeland in Vang, Norway once again, accompanied by a friend Mrs. Ebba Hovey of Tioga. In 1929, Even and Kjersti moved from Tioga to the “Rogne farm” north of Manfred. They joined Vang Lutheran Church of Manfred where Kjersti became an active member of the Vang Ladies Aid. They were also active members of the Fagerlund Sons of Norway Lodge of Manfred, where Even was known for his ability to dance the intricate exhibition ‘Spring Dans’. In 1942, Even and Kjersti moved into the village of Manfred, and lived with their son Lars who had just purchased a home there. In that same year, Even began working as custodian for the Manfred School and continued in this work until his retirement, at which time his son Lars took over that position. In 1953, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Also in that year, Kjersti was awarded a "Life Membership" from the Vang Ladies Aid. Kjersti died in 1958 and Even in 1975. Both are buried in Vang Cemetery, as well as are three of their children Henry, Lars, and Ingrid. Written by Wanda Melchert, 2003

Nels and Gunhild Jorstad Husband's Full Name: Nels Olson Jorstad Husband's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Oppland, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ole Nilson Råbolle Husband's Mother's Name: Marit Halvorsdtr Finsalsen Jorstad Husband's Siblings' Names: Ragndi Jorstad, Halvor, Margit Braaten, Carrie Jorstad Wife's Full Name: Gunhild Reistad Jorstad Wife's Place of Birth: Sigdahl, Eggedal, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ole Knudsen Dahlen Wife's Mother's Name: Gunhild Reiersdatter Wife's Siblings' Names: Ole O, Reistad, Thea, Knute Reistad, Lars Reistad, Torstein Reistad, Knut Reistad, Karl Reistad, Vilheim Reistad, Reier Reistad, Torstein Reistad Children's Names: Ole, Richard, Gilma, Nennie, Myrtle Front: Mr. and Mrs. Nels Jorstad Back: Christ Rogne, Mary Jorstad, Mary Hovey, Reier Reistad. Wedding photo July 1905 Nels Jorstad was a brother of Thomas T. Jorstad. Nels was married to a sister of Reier Reistad (who formerly owned the Brian and Laura Muscha farm). Many years ago, Nels and his wife Gunhild, and children lived in Manfred in the house west of the parsonage. After his wife died, Nels Jorstad bought the farm NW of Adolph Shirley's. Their children were Ole, who was a mechanic and farmer in the Manfred area, Richard, also a mechanic died when quite young in a car accident near Hurdsfield. Gilma died when she was 16, Nennie died as a young man of 36, and Myrtle died when she was only 11.

T. L. and Clara Beiseker Husband's Full Name: Thomas Lincoln Beiseker Husband's Place of Birth: Muncie, Indiana Husband's Father's Name: Charles N. Beiseker Husband's Mother's Name: Kate R. Reilly Husband's Siblings' Names: Jessie (Shelby); (Mary Yelland); Henry, Elizabeth (Metzger); Arthur N., Lawrence, Loretta (Roberts) and Chester Wife's Full Name: Clara Edwards Beiseker Wife's Place of Birth: Moscow, Freeborn, Minnesota Wife's Father's Name: Daniel B. Edwards Wife's Mother's Name: Olinda Van House Edwards Wife's Siblings' Names: Henry, Ellen, Amy, Sherman Children's Names: Charles and Lila Netcher Fessenden and Wells County have been the home for many years of one of the shrewdest and most noted bankers and financers of the entire Northwest, T. L. Beiseker. Mr. Beiseker was born in Muncie, Indiana, April 8, 1867, in their covered wagon as the family was moving to Austin, Minnesota. He died in June of 1941. He was educated in the schools of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and at Austin, Minnesota. At Austin he was employed for seven years as deputy county auditor. In the spring of 1893 he came to Sykeston and organized the Wells County Bank with a capital of $10,000, the first bank organized under the state law and also the first permanent bank established in the county. He was elected president of this bank and in 1893 moved it along with the county seat to Fessenden, reaching there November 18, 1894. Mr. Beiseker is interested in several other banks of the county and also in banks in North Dakota and Montana. Mr. Beiseker purchased land in Manfred and had the First State Bank of Manfred built in 1905. In 1892, Mr. Beiseker was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Edwards of Austin and they were the parents of two children, a daughter, Lila, now Mrs. A. L. Netcher of Fessenden, and son, Charles, now deceased, who served in the U. S. Aviation Corps in the World War. Mrs. Clara Beiseker took a very active part in Red Cross activities and on May 1918 became chairman of the Fessenden working branch. It is said by many of those who worked with her that no other woman devoted as much time as did Mrs. Beiseker to the production of the innumerable article her unit was called upon to make. Her mother, Olinda Edwards, must surely have been a great inspiration to her during those days of hard work, and a son in the service must indeed have been the incentive to perform to the most of her ability. Mrs. Beiseker took sick early in spring and died May 7, 1919. Mr. Beiseker left Wells County in the late 1920s after his banking business fell due to poor investments. Beiseker moved to Alberta where he lived out the rest of his days. . Source. The History of Wells County and Its Pioneers – by Walter E. Spokesfield 1929 The Beiseker Mansion in Fessenden, ND. This is where T. L. Beiseker resided while running his banking empire. It has been on the National Register of Historical Places since 1977.

Tennes and Anna Hauge IHusband's Full Name: Tennes Hauge Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Torger J. Hauge Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Erfjord Hauge Husband's Siblings' Names: Martha, Albert, Ella, Clarence, George, Martha, Leonard Wife's Full Name: Ann Rogness Hauge Wife's Place of Birth: Pierce County, ND Wife's Father's Name: Andrew Rogness Wife's Mother's Name: Liva Berg Rogness Wife's Siblings' Names: John, Sam, Selmer, Melvin Anton, Elmer, Martin, Jacob, Baby Girl, Lars, Lars Children's Names: none Tennes and Anna Hauge farmed north of Manfred for many years. They were members of the Bethel Lutheran Church. When Anna was interviewed at her 100th birthday she remembered working in a cook car. The hours were long from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day. She made pies and doughnuts. "The men liked the doughnuts and pies," she grinned. Hauge took care of her parents for many years. She married Tennes Hauge when she was about 40 years old. They lived in the Manfred area. When her husband died in 1962, she moved to Harvey. They did not have any children but cared for six teenage nephews. She was an active member of the Bethel Church near Heimdal where she was baptized and confirmed. She was very alert and made her own decisions, even at 100 years of age. When she was about 94 years old she decided to live in the nursing home in Harvey. Excerpts from January 8, 2002, Herald Press Article by Carrie Opdahl

August and Fredericka Schmitcke Husband's Full Name: August Schmitcke Husband's Place of Birth: Poland Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Fredericka Hildebrand Schmitcke Wife's Place of Birth: Russia Wife's Father's Name: Wife's Mother's Name: Wife's Siblings' Names: Children's Names: Albert, Emma [Fast], Gotfried [Mary], Edward, Ben [Elsie], Rudolph [Mary Kleinsasser], Anna [Fred Jungling], Otto [Emma Kleinsasser], Jacob August and Fredericka immigrated in about 1894 and were residence in Manfred in 1901 until about 1906. They are not listed in the census records so apparently came after the 1900 census and left before the 1910 census. August walked to town for candy for the children at Christmas time and never returned, having frozen to death on this trip. Most of the family grew up in McLean County, North Dakota and settled there, according to his great grandson. We have not found his grave, although there are several unmarked graves in the Manfred Township Cemetery, and very likely is buried there.

John P. and Emma Nelson Husband's Full Name: John P. Nelson Husband's Place of Birth: Norway Husband's Father's Name: unknown Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Emma Miller Nelson Wife's Place of Birth: Smaland, Sweden Wife's Father's Name: Miller Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: Alma Miller Erickson Children's Names: Hilda, Edith (Carl Carlson), Henry, Arthur (Emma Larson) Emma came to America from Smaland, Sweden with her parents when she was nine years of age. She grew to womanhood at Winthrop, Minnesota, and then went to Bismarck as a young lady where she married John P. Nelson. John and Emma were married on November 24, 1883. They homesteaded on a farm north of Manfred in 1894, and lived there until August 1917 when they moved to Manfred. John passed away in December 1918. She continued to reside in Manfred, ND until time of her death, except for several years spent with her daughter Hilda in Minneapolis. In Manfred they lived in what was later known as the Ostrem house. Emma died on November 21, 1941 at her home in Manfred and was laid to rest on Tuesday, November 25th. Funeral services were conducted from the Lutheran Church in Manfred with Rev. J. M. Langseth officiating; interment was made in the church cemetery. Pallbearers were Ed Benson, Emil Nelson, Martin Moen, Wm. Abrahamson, Knute Nelson and Ole Rudi.

Phillip and Hilda Deede Husband's Full Name: Phillip Deede Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred Township, ND Husband's Father's Name: Andrew Deede Husband's Mother's Name: Dorothy Frank Deede Husband's Siblings' Names: Gottlieb, Pauline Herman, Kate Hirschkorn Christine Hauser, Amelia Lang, Molly Miller Wife's Full Name: Hilda Rodacker Deede Wife's Place of Birth: Fessenden, ND Wife's Father's Name: Matt Rodacker Wife's Mother's Name: Sophia Fischer Rodacker Wife's Siblings' Names: Ella Thygeson, Albert Rodacker, Emma Miller Child's Name: Hildor Deede The Deede brothers, Gottlieb and Phillip worked together as carpenters beginning in 1915 when Phillip was only fifteen years old. They built buildings needed by area farmers such as barns, granaries, as well as additions to existing buildings. To begin a building project the brothers ordered the needed materials, which were then delivered by wagons directly to the building site. One might wonder how many wagonloads were necessary in order to haul the large quantity of materials needed to build a barn. The brothers would then measure the lumber to the proper lengths and cut it with handsaws ready for the building project. After all was prepared, they would then recruit men to help them erect the structure. Phillip had expressed how pleased he was to help the area farmers with their building projects. Two of these hip-roofed buildings are still in existence: the one on his father’s homestead, as well as, the barn on the Gene Melby farm built in 1915. Another barn no longer in existence, built in 1920, was for Mike Fischer. (Source: the New Manfred News December 2002, page 11) Phillip and Hilda moved into the Fessenden community in 1940. They purchased the Rodacker farm four miles west of Fessenden in St. Anna Township. Their son Hildor attended country grade school and graduated from Fessenden High School. In 1951 he married Nellie Harris. He entered the army and was sent to Korea where he served 18 months overseas. Phillip and Hilda remained on the farm until Hildor’s return in 1953, when they purchased a home in Fessenden, known as the G. L. Hope house. Phillip continued his interest in the farm until the early 1970’s. The Rodacker family farm continues to be farmed by Hildor and his sons Thomas and Wayne. Source: Fessenden Centennial Book

C. C. and Anna Melby Husband's Full Name: Kristen Kristenson Rogne Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Kristen Mikkjelsen Rogne Husband's Mother's Name: Guro Gudbrandsdtr Bustebakke Husband's Siblings' Names: Guri Rudi, Gudbrand, Kristen, Marit, Guri Opdahl, Torstein, Kristen Wife's Full Name: Annie Olsdotter Stokkebryn Melby Wife's Place of Birth: North Aurdal, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ola Olsen Stokkebryn Wife's Mother's Name: Mali Knutsdotter Rogne Wife's Siblings' Names: Ole, Ingrid Jorstad, Ingebjørg Meisedalen, Knut Children's Names: Gena Flick, Clarence, Clara Shearer, Anne Cook Kristen immigrated to the USA in 1880. In the USA, Kristen first used Rogne for his last name, as indicated on his marriage recorded at the courthouse, but he soon became known as C. C. Melby. Christian C. Melby was born in Valdres, Norway and as a young man immigrated to the United States as did his two sisters and his brother, T. K. Rogne, who was Manfred's first Postmaster. C. C. first located east of the town of McHenry on a tree claim. In the early 1890's he filed on a homestead north of Manfred, soon to be followed by Anna Stokkebryn, who homesteaded next to his land. They later were married and continued to farm and build up a large farmstead as well as holdings. He built the first large hip roof barn in the area and was instrumental in the immigration of many of his countrymen, paying their fare and employing them until they worked it off and were able to be set up in various occupations. He was an early builder and promoter of Manfred. He built the largest store in Manfred, with groceries, dry goods, hardware and a furniture store on the ground floor. The top floor consisted of offices, apartments and a large hall for social events. One such office was that of Dr. P. A. Boyum who had his office there before he moved to McKenzie County. C. C. Melby later acquired an alfalfa ranch east of Lancaster, California, and a duplex in Riverside, California. Their two youngest daughters Ann and Clara later owned these properties. C. C. and Anna also had a son Clarence, who at the age of two met a tragic death. As a two-year-old, he watched everything and noticed his mother set a cup up high in the cupboard, so when she turned her back, he climbed up and drank it. It was lye that she was using to wash clothes with. There was no way to save him. Their oldest daughter, Gena who was born September 10, 1895, went to Montana to homestead in 1916 with many other young people from the Manfred area. There she endured many hardships as they all did. She married another homesteader, Ray S. Flick who had moved to the same area. C. C. Melby died in San Pablo, California. Source: Growing With Pride