Sam and Amy Ongstad Husband's Full Name: Samuel Ongstad Husband's Place of Birth: Harvey, ND Husband's Father's Name: Bill Ongstad Husband's Mother's Name: Anne Whitman Ongstad Husband's Siblings' Names: Susanna Witzel, Rebekah, Tabitha, Miriam Wife's Full Name: Amy Lautt Ongstad Wife's Place of Birth: Harvey, ND Wife's Father's Name: Bryan Lautt Wife's Mother's Name: Marilyn Muscha Lautt Wife's Siblings' Names: Curtis, Casey, Corey Children's Names: Mathew Curtis, James, Keziah Samuel (Sam) Sofus Ongstad was born to Bill and Anne (Whitman) Ongstad. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Harvey High School in 1994. He was active in FFA; he was State Tractor Driving Champion, State Farm Mgmt Champion, and State Farm Mechanics Champion winning the national title as only the second national champion in ND history. He was a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity, and a State Star Farmer. He graduated in 1997 from NDSU with honors in Ag Engineering. He worked at Crary Company in West Fargo as an engineer until moving back to Wells County in 2003 to farm. While in Fargo, Sam received his Master of Business Administration from NDSU, and passed the test to become a licensed professional engineer. Sam and Amy (Lautt) Ongstad were married June 25, 2004 at the Harvey Mennonite Brethren Church. Sam and Amy now live on the Ongstad Farm, and his parents reside at the Whitman Ranch near Robinson. Amy was born in Harvey, ND to Bryan and Marilyn (Muscha) Lautt. She grew up on the family farm and was active in 4-H and church activities through her school years. She graduated from Tabor College in Hillsboro, KS and worked in Fresno, CA in Youth and Children’s Ministry for one year before returning to Harvey. Sam and Amy enjoy their teamwork on the farm, traveling, hunting, gardening, and being involved in their church. Sam also serves on the Wells County Fair Board

Leslie and Connie Foss Husband's Full Name: Leslie Edward Foss Husband's Place of Birth: Greenbush, Minnesota Husband's Father's Name: Elmer P. Foss Husband's Mother's Name: Gunhild. E. Foss Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Connie Lynn Studebaker Foss Wife's Place of Birth: Wife's Father's Name: Clifford Studebaker Wife's Mother's Name: Wife's Siblings' Names: Children's Names: John, Amy, Cheryl Leslie Edward Foss, son of Elmer P. Foss and the late Gunhild E. Foss was born at Greenbush, MN. After completion of high school in 1958 he enrolled at Pacific Lutheran College, Tacoma, WA. In 1960 he became a student at the Lutheran Bible Institute, Seattle, Washington, from which he was graduated in 1962. Returning to Pacific Lutheran University, he was graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. The following year he began post-graduate work in literature at PLU. In September of 1965 he entered Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. His year of internship was spent in Madison, MN under the guidance of Pastor O. E. Engebretson. During the summer of 1968 he received Clinical Pastoral Education at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, supervised by Pastor William Smith. He was graduated from Luther Theological Seminary in June 1969, receiving a Bachelor of Divinity degree, after which he returned to PLU for further post-graduate work in literature. In July of 1963, he married Connie Lynn Studebaker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Studebaker of Seattle. They have two children, Cheryl Ann and John David. Pastor Foss accepted a call to serve the churches at Harvey (Trinity Bethany), Heimdal (Hoff), and Manfred (Vang), ND where he began his pastorate June 14. 1970. He served as Pastor of the Vang, Trinity Bethany and Hoff churches from 1970 until 1976 when he received a call from Bremerton, Washington.

Mernie and Irene Braget Husband's Full Name: Mernie Joseph Braget Husband's Place of Birth: South Dakota Husband's Father's Name: John Braget Husband's Mother's Name: Mary Rust Husband's Siblings' Names: none Wife's Full Name: Irene Thelma Gigstad Wife's Place of Birth: Heimdal, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Anders Gigstad Wife's Mother's Name: Ingeborg Hanson Wife's Siblings' Names: Rudolph Carl, Clara A, Albin, Mabel, Clarence, Willie, Elmer Child’s Name: Gary Jay Braget 2nd Wife’s Name: Gladys Johnson Mernie Braget moved to Manfred from Heimdal in 1932 and became an agent at the Manfred Grain Co. He married Irene in July of 1932, and they moved into the L. O. Burkum house the first week of August. In September 1934 they moved to the Skogmo house. The Bragets were very active in the Manfred community. On May 25 1933, Mernie accompanied P. B. Anderson, Jacob Klev, Nennie Johnson and Sam Rogness on a business trip to Bismarck to visit Governor Langer to see if he would fix the Manfred Dam. If the dam is fixed, it was reported, a truckload of fish will be planted there. The local news reported on June 2, 1938 that the Bragets were moving to Chaffee, ND where Mr. Braget will be employed. Irene Braget died in 1957. In 1958 Mernie married Gladys Johnson. Gladys died in 1978. Mernie died in September 1964 in Minneapolis, MN.

Johnson's Place Location: Block 3, Lot 4 Proprietor: Nennie Johnson Year Started: 1908 Year Ended: 1944 History of Business: In 1908, Nennie Johnson sold the Hotel Johnson and built the Johnson’s Place across the street. For a few years, he had a barbershop and recreation parlor there, but about 1921 he turned it into a general store. In 1933 he opened a Gamble Store in addition to his regular line of groceries and dry goods. Nennie carried on many hobbies in the back end of the store. He collected guns, Indian artifacts and many other things. He made a clock from a buffalo head, a chair from longhorns and buffalo horns. He took a mail order course in taxidermy and had a case full of birds and animals that he had mounted. He tried his hand at oil painting, carving wood, etc. He sold the cash store to Rudolph Peterson about 1944. Rudolph and Nora had the store until 1952 when they sold it to Ervin and Evelina Boese. In 1956, Boeses sold the store to Ed and Stella Sorenson. Ed Sorenson died shortly thereafter, but Stella continued to run the store until 1978 when the store was closed. The building was sold at that time to Edgar Flick. Edgar sold the building to Wanda Melchert who transferred ownership to MHP, Inc in 2017. It has a new roof and the external walls have been reinforced. Daisy – Johnson's Place Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Andrew P and Kjersti Solberg Husband's Full Name: Andrew Pettersen Solberg Husband's Place of Birth: Sparbu, Nord Trondelag, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Peter Ericksen Husband's Mother's Name: Mette Arentsdatter Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Kjersti Nilsen Wife's Place of Birth: Gran Prestegjeld, Hadeland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ole Nilson Wife's Mother's Name: Mary Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Martha [Jacob Helland], Edwin, Clara [Clarence Dybing], Gilman, Malvin, Arthur, Carl, Nels Back - Clara, Nels, Gilmar, Edwin, Martha; Middle - Arthur, Malvin, Front - Andrew, Carl, Kjertsti Andrew P. Solberg, a long-time resident of Manfred township, well known in the Manfred community, passed away at the Harvey hospital Thursday, April 7th, following a short illness with cancer. He had been ill the previous month, and at death had attained the age of 77 years, 11 months and 14 days. Andrew Solberg was born at Sparbu, Nord Trondelag, Norway, April 21, 1860, where he spent his early life. He came to America in 1888, coming to North Dakota and settling first in Traill County, near Hillsboro. He resided there until 1895, when he homesteaded in the Manfred vicinity. He was united in marriage with Kjersti Nilsen, at Hillsboro, December 1, 1892, and to this couple was born nine children, one son having preceded the father in death. Surviving is his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Jacob Helland, Mrs. Clarence Dybing, and six sons, Edward, Nels, Gilmar, Melvin, Arthur and Carl Solberg, and thirteen grandchildren. Mr. Solberg was one of the founders and charter members of the Bethel Hauge Lutheran church of Manfred Township, from which place funeral services were conducted. Rev. Theo. J. Lund of New Rockford was in charge and interment was made in the church cemetery. Honorary pallbearers at the funeral were O. J. Rodne, O. L. Rodne, A. J. Rogness, Tom Overland, T. T. Hauge, and Matthais Christianson, while the active pallbearers were his six sons, Edward, Nels, Gilmar, Melvin, Arthur and Carl Solberg. Special music was furnished by the Bethel church-choir at the funeral. Source: Manfred News April 14, 1938, Obituary

Ivar Ravnaas Full Name: Ivar Ravnaas Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Father's Name: Ingvald Ivarson Ravnaas Mother's Name: Olida Johanna Berve Siblings' Names: Oliver (Alma Schimke); Cora (Norman Nelson); Arvin (Helen Olenberger); Cecelia (Marvin Lillemon); George; Morris (Joyce Brewer); George; Inez (Roger Burgstahler); Edward (Kathleen Reding) Ivar Ravnaas was the son of Ingvald and Olida Berve Ravnaas. He was born on the family farm near Manfred and reared there. He worked with his father on the family farm, and also cash rented other farm land in the area. He was an avid hunter. Ivar was buried at Vang Cemetery.

Henry and Betsy Helgerud Husband's Full Name: Henry Hanson Helgerud Husband's Place of Birth: Land, Drammen, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Hans Hanson Helgerud Husband's Mother's Name: Christine H. Skolmen Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Betsy Myhre Wife's Place of Birth: Vang, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Boie Leine Myhre Wife's Mother's Name: Berit Brekke Wife's Siblings' Names: Helge Myhre Children's Names: Kernel, Maurice, Myrtle, Leonard Mrs. Betsy Helgerud Mrs. Henry Helgerud, (Betsy Myhre) was born in Vang, Valdres, Norway, in 1867, and grew to young womanhood in her native country. With her brother, Helge B. Myhre, she immigrated to North Dakota in 1889, residing some years at Fargo before coming to Kindred, North Dakota. Here she established a dressmaking shop and was very successful in her new venture. Helge at this time was employed as clerk in the Lund General Store. It was here she met and married Mr. Helgerud, the date of this union being April 24, 1898. Shortly after they established their pioneer home on her claim five and one-half miles east of Harvey, and where the younger son and wife now reside. Mr. Helgerud was a carpenter and aside from farming pursued his trade for many years. With forethought, planning and hard work they converted their early holdings into a lovely farmstead. Through the years, like all pioneers, they planted trees and a large grove now stands there as a monument to their industry. Acreage was added gradually to the original homestead claim. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Helgerud: Kernel, Maurice and Myrtle (Mrs. Art Jorgenson) all living in Harvey and Leonard, the younger son on the home farm. For many years Mrs. Helgerud and her family were devoted members of Vang Church in Manfred. She was a member of the Vang Ladies Aid and worked untiringly for the good of this organization. Later she became president and gave freely of her time and substance to it. During the later years her church membership was transferred to the First Lutheran Church in Harvey, as it was more accessible to her home. She became ill in 1923 and patiently went through much suffering, until her passing in 1924. A plot in the Sunnyside Cemetery, several miles west of Harvey holds her last remains. The Rev. J. M. Langseth performed the last rites. She was a good neighbor, a fine mother and a loyal citizen she is greatly missed by those with whom she had come in contact. Mr. Helgerud passed away 17 years later. Source: Mrs Sennev Nertrost Whipple

2018 Pioneer Festival 1st Annual Manfred Pioneer Festival a Success! Despite the questionable weather, over 150 people attended the first annual Manfred Pioneer Festival and enjoyed a day of authentic pioneer living. The program was held in the Vang Lutheran Church. Thankfully, a sound system and TV in the basement allowed everyone to see the program. Skits were performed, Manfred was recognized for being listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, and music was enjoyed. Afterwards, people dispersed to check out the standing-still parade, knitting and quilting demonstrations, Pacing Dakota book signing by Dr. Tom Isern, Vang church talk, old-fashioned games, a hot dog and ice cream social, and touring of Manfred. Attendees witnessed firsthand the restoration work of MHP, Inc. throughout the afternoon. MHP, Inc. is hoping to make the Pioneer Festival an annual event. There are already plans in the works for next year’s festival, including talks of a hoedown. Although it is a year away, MHP, Inc. is excited for next year’s festival. They are looking for volunteers to help with planning and other Manfred projects. Keep up with all Manfred events by liking our facebook page and following us here!

Edward Hustoft and Myrtle Moen were married in October of 1928 at Manfred, North Dakota. They farmed southwest of Manfred, on the Hustoft homestead. In the spring of 1945, they purchased a farm in Barnes County, near Kathryn, and moved there. Eight children were born to them: six sons and two daughters. Their oldest son Myron was involved in a serious mishap and died in injuries in November 1954. Edward Hustoft died in 1973, Myrtle Moen Hustoft married John Sund in 1979, and they lived in West Fargo. He died in 1983, and she died in 1989.

Otto Rodne Full Name: Otto Rodne Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Father's Name: Ole L. Rodne Mother's Name: Anna Lunde Siblings' Names: Lars (Inez Erickson); Oliver (Inga Overland); Arthur, Berger (Olive Stenerson) Alfred (Mabel Dovre); Carl (Agnes Stenerson); Gena (Lirgg); Laura (Bill Cook); Sena (Andrew Hillesland) Otto Rodne was born March 6, 1905, to Ole L. and Anna Rodne near Manfred. Otto traveled to Norway in 1910 with his family and spent three years there with family. He attended rural school in Fram Township and then farmed with his father and brother. Otto became known as a farmer who took great pride in creating neat straight rows, planting the crop with the horses in the spring and threshing the harvest in the fall. Otto took over the duties of the Rodne household after his twin sisters Laura and Gina moved to Seattle. Otto died on September 2, 1951, near Manfred. He was laid to rest at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Manfred. Written by Karen Rodne Beutler

Virgil and Irene Sommer IHusband's Full Name: Virgil Sommer Husband's Place of Birth: Harvey, ND Husband's Father's Name: Harry Sommer Husband's Mother's Name: Alice Becker Sommer Husband's Siblings' Names: John (Gladys Dockter) and Wayne Wife's Full Name: Irene Viola Edinger Sommer Wife's Place of Birth: Wells County, ND Wife's Father's Name: Robert Edinger Wife's Mother's Name: Pauline Huber Edinger Wife's Siblings' Names: Leona, Alice, Bernice, Selma, Robert L. Ida, Donald, Kenneth, Paul Children's Names: June (Ronald Friesen); Mark (Marcella Sprenger); Doris (David Hoffarth); James Irene worked for the First State Bank of Harvey as a bookkeeper after she graduated from high school in Harvey. Virgil and Irene were married February 14, 1944 in Hurdsfield. They lived in the rural Manfred area and farmed there. Irene worked alongside her husband hauling grain and milking cows. Irene was a member of the Manfred Homemakers club and enjoyed gardening, raising flowers and sewing. Virgil died in 2002, Irene died in 2009.

Henry and Tess McBain Husband's Full Name: Henry McBain Husband's Place of Birth: Sacramento, CA Husband's Father's Name: Hugh Alexandra McBain Husband's Mother's Name: Agnes Johnson McBain Husband's Siblings' Names: William Wife's Full Name: Tessie Hollar McBain Wife's Place of Birth: North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Israel Jackson Hollar Wife's Mother's Name: Cora Lee Zirkle Wife's Siblings' Names: Annie, Charles, Jack, Ollie, Rosebud, Sallie, Jerret Biever Children's Names: James and Bernard 2nd Wife’s Name: Margaret Janssen McBain Children’s Names: Jeanne Flick, Ronald, Harris, Delbert, Roger and Dale Henry McBain, at the age of 2, moved with his parents to Ontario, Canada. He came to the Fessenden community in March 1900 with only 50 cents in his pocket. He got a job at T. L. Quarves chopping wood. Albert Lane came into town, saw the young man chopping wood, and offered him a job on his farm. Mr. McBain worked for Mr. Lane and Hamp Lyness until September 17, 1904 when he homesteaded in St. Anna Township about six miles west of Fessenden. McBain raised register Jersey cattle, Shetland ponies, while gees, Canadian ducks and peacocks. At one time he had a Brahma bull and cow. He was a lover of horses and cattle. Henry McBain married Tesse Hollar of Fessenden in 1905 and they were the parents of two sons, James and Bernard. In 1935 he married Margaret Janssen. To this union one daughter Jeanne and five sons Ron, Harris, Delbert, Roger and Dale were born. Mr. McBain passed away on June 1, 1962.