Restoration of Manfred Solheim House Bank/Post Office Johnson-Jacobson-Ostrem House Manfred School Vang Lutheran Church Anderson House Solheim Station Cash Store Melby-Rogness House Hotel Johnson

T. O. and Guri Roble Husband's Full Name: Torstein O. Roble Husband's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ole Johannssen Rabølle Husband's Mother's Name: Guri Mikkelsdotter Rogne Roble Husband's Siblings' Names: Knut, Johannes, Gulbrand, Christen, Ole, Tollef, Torleif Wife's Full Name: Guro Skogstad Roble Wife's Place of Birth: Vang, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Andrew Skogstad Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: Ingebjorg Children's Names: Olaf, Mary Haugen, Gina Bergan, Andrew, Melvin Torstein Roble was born at Rogne near Fagernes, Valdres, Norway, reared on the Roble farm at Rogne; attended high school; entered the seminary at Hamar, Norway graduating with a first grade certificate. At age twenty he began teaching which he continued to do for five years. He purchased a farm at Sore Oye; married Guro Skogstad in 1884, daughter of Andrew Skogstad. Torstein and Guro immigrated to America in 1886 with a group of relatives from the same area. Landing at New York they moved on to Minnesota where he taught a Norwegian parish school at Kenyon in Goodhue County. He was also the musical director of the church and a singing society there. Moving his family to North Dakota in 1890, he took a pre-emption and tree claim, one in Foster County and one in Eddy County, where they erected a claim shanty. He purchased horses in order to begin his farm work. The nearest railroad was thirty miles away at Cooperstown. In 1893 he moved his family to Wells County, hauling buildings, machinery and personal effects to a farmstead three miles west of Manfred. Over the years his farm grew to 320 acres with 200 acres under cultivation. In 1905 he was elected president of the Manfred Farmers Elevator. He was secretary of the Vang Evangelical Lutheran Church in Manfred for 25 years. In 1912, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives. After his first wife died, he wintered in St. Petersburg, Florida from 1922-1932. Disillusioned with a second marriage in Florida, he came back to North Dakota where he passed away August 1943 at the home of his daughter Gina in Harvey.

About Us Manfred shows the story of the pioneer spirit and life and also the passion of the dedicated individuals currently working to save the town. In the early 1890s, the Manfred area was settled primarily by Norwegian and German immigrants seeking a better way of life. Through determination, those early pioneers built their homesteads and found life in the Manfred area to be good. In 2000, Manfred History and Preservation Inc was founded, and preservation efforts were begun to safeguard the history for future generations. These efforts have continued throughout the years and will continue far into the future. In 2017, Manfred Historic District was honored to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places as "an excellent example of an agricultural town that showcases both the rise and decline that was common of rural towns." It was noted by the National Review Board regarding this nomination that "it's about time that small town America be recognized, which has for too long been basically forgotten and neglected." Visitors are invited to come experience for themselves this delightful small-town America! Meet our Board Cheryl Ryan- Chair/Director Pam Norstedt -Sec/Collections Mgr. Perry Anderson - Vice Chair/Dir Richard Melchert - Treas/Dir Wanda Melchert - Museum Dir Rose Anderson - Director Carrie Varner - Director/Web Tech Pat Lenz - Director Jamie Schindler - Director Laurie Tollefson - Collections Manfred Founder's Day July 15th 2000 Certifications Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. was founded July 25, 2000, and received its Certificate of Incorporation on August 10, 2000. We have published our Articles of Incorporation, which outline the reasons for our creation and the goals we seek to achieve. Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Goals Mission Statement: The mission of Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. is to celebrate the heritage of Manfred, ND and to share the legacy of rural America through the Manfred Heritage Museum. If you have questions about our purpose or business, please contact us and let us know. Signing Members Listing

Russell and Mary Johnson Husband's Full Name: Russell J Johnson Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred Township, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: John A. Johnson Husband's Mother's Name: Malena Johnson Husband's Siblings' Names:Alvin, Edna Howe, Pearl Gutschmidt, Miles, Leslie, Everett Wife's Full Name: Mary Phippen Johnson Wife's Place of Birth: Great Falls, Montana Wife's Father's Name: Charlie E. Phippin Wife's Mother's Name: Lottie Phippin Wife's Siblings' Names: Unknown Children's Names: John, Russell Lynn, Terry, Charles Russell was born at the Johnson Riverside Farm of Manfred in 1912 and raised there. He moved to the state of Washington where he met Mary Phippen and married November 1942. They lived on the Johnson farm from 1946-1951 before moving back to Seattle. Russell later moved to Retsil, Washington and lived in a Veteran’s Home, where he enjoyed writing stories of his remembrances from his days in Manfred. He died at the age of 99.

V. Fremont and Mabel Hanson Husband's Full Name: Victor Fremont Hanson Husband's Place of Birth: Enderlin, Ransom, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Henry Hanson Husband's Mother's Name: Julia Wife's Full Name: Mabel Eleanor Lokensgard Wife's Place of Birth: Minnesota Wife's Father's Name: Oluf Lokensgaard Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Christensen Wife's Siblings' Names: Child’s Name: Katherine Louise (Dennis Laux) Daughter Katherine Louise and husband Dennis Laux Fremont Hanson was an early businessman in Manfred. He came from Enderlin originally, and was born there. He purchased the Willborg Store in January 1917 along with Olaf Roble. It was known as the Roble-Hanson Department Store. The store burned down and Fremont joined the boys of the draft in April of 1918 and left for Camp Dodge via the 106 (train). The 1920 census lists him as a homeowner and department store merchant, as well as head of the household, and yet unmarried. In 1925 the Hanson and Halvorson business is mentioned in the old Manfred News. It was also noted that he and his wife were members of the Vang Lutheran Church. Mabel was the president of the Ladies Aid in 1925. He was a charter member of Fagerlund Sons of Norway Lodge. In 1926 the Hanson family moved to Minot, ND. They had they had one daughter Katherine, who was born in 1924. Kathryn was raised in Robbinsdale, MN and graduated from high school there. She played Clarinet in the high school orchestra. She attended St. Olaf College after which she spent many years in Wisconsin. She married Dennis Laux and their family consisted of daughters Kristine, Karen and Dawn.They had been residents of Colorado Springs since 1996. Kathryn was a medical technologist. She was a member of the Sons of Norway and enjoyed creating beautiful Rosemaled pieces and intricate Hardanger embroidery. She was also a member of the Ninety-Nines, an organization of women pilots. They were members of Ascension Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs.

John and Veronica Froeber Husband's Full Name: John J. Froeber Husband's Place of Birth: Harvey, ND Husband's Father's Name: Amond Froeber Husband's Mother's Name: Theresa Binder Husband's Siblings' Names: Henry, John, Emma, Katie, Herman, Warren, Joe, Mrs. Fred Faul Wife's Full Name: Veronica M. Schmitt Froeber Wife's Place of Birth: Harvey, ND Wife's Father's Name: Mathies Schmitt Wife's Mother's Name: Margaret Schmitt Wife's Siblings' Names: Martha Heber, Vincent, Richard, Gilbert, Carl, Children's Names: Donald, Gerald, Betty (Don Pepple) John J. Froeber, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Amond Froeber, was born May 14, 1896 on a farm eight miles southwest of Harvey in a one-room sod house. He attended four years of grade school at Pioneer Township School. Then had to stay home and help his dad on the farm, and he also worked for some of the neighbors. When he was twenty-one years old, he was drafted into the World War I Army and served in the battles overseas from March 28, 1918 until November 15, 1919. He was discharged on November 16, 1921. He married Veronica M. Schmitt, oldest daughter of Matt Schmitt, who also lived on her parents' farm one mile south of the Amond Froeber’s. She attended the same school as John did up to the eighth grade. Then she had to stay home and help her mother with the housework and care of her sisters and brothers as eventually there were nine in the family. After she and John were married, they moved to Anamoose, where John got a job as laborer on the Soo Line section crew. They lived there until 1925 when John got the foreman job at Bordulac. They lived there until 1931, when sections were taken out and foremen started bumping each other for jobs. They went back to Anamoose as laborers again for two years, until he got the foreman job at Kensal. The family lived in Kensal for two years and again moved back to Anamoose, because John was once again bumped. After one year, he got the foreman job at Enderlin, worked hard there, and then bid on Manfred section. The family moved to Manfred in 1940. They lived there until 1970 when they moved to Fessenden. John retired in 1955 with a disability pension. Veronica worked at Manfred School as cook on the hot lunch program from 1956 to 1965 when she retired. Their children were born during their moving days. Donald, the oldest, was born August 29, 1925, and he married Virginia Fryer of Harvey. He is an insurance agent in Crookston, MN. Jerry was born September 26, 1928, and married Betty Detling of Manfred. He is an operator of the Soo Line depot in Enderlin. Betty was born June 12, 1931, and she married Delaine Pepple of Fessenden. They live at Tioga, and he works at Signal Oil Plant. John and Veronica have 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Source: Growing with Pride 1906-1981 - History of the Harvey Area John died in 1982, Veronica in 1994, sons Donald and Gerald died in 2001 and 2003 respectively.

Oliver and Inga Rodne Husband's Full Name: Oliver 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 Rodne Husband's Siblings' Names: Lars (Inez Erickson); Arthur, Otto, Alfred (Mabel Dovre); Carl (Agnes Stenerson); Gena (Lirgg); Laura (Bill Cook); Berger (Olive Stenerson); Sena (Andrew Hillesland) Wife's Full Name: Inga Overland Rodne Wife's Place of Birth: Fram Township, Wells Co., ND Wife's Father's Name: Tom Overland Wife's Mother's Name: Ingebord Strom Overland Wife's Siblings' Names: Lauris (Selma Rogness); Casper, Casper (Alma Bundy); Agnes (Jorgen Lilleberg); Hannah, Clara (Louis Rodne); Henry (Dorothy Pfeifle); Esther; Ingwald (Edna Olson); Melvin (June Day) Children's Names: Orville (Patricia Ebbert); Audrey Ione (Joseph Hauser) Oliver Rodne, son of Ole Rodne (an immigrant from Norway) and Anna Lunde, was born on August 16, 1900 in his parent's sod house in Fram Township of Wells County. Oliver attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in Fram Township until he was ten years old. Oliver then moved with his family to Norway and they lived there for three years. When they returned to the United States they came home to their farm in Fram Township. As a young man, Oliver attended Twin City Barber College in Minneapolis and worked at home during the summer. During one winter Oliver attended Hanson's Tractor and Auto School in Fargo. Oliver had three sisters and six brothers. Inga Overland, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom (Ingebord Strom) Overland, was born August 24, 1904 on her parent’s farmstead in Fram Township. Her parents had just moved from their sod house into their new two-story house built by Henry H. Helgerud. Inga, like Oliver, came from a large family. Inga had six brothers and four sisters. Inga attended grade school in a one-room rural schoolhouse in Fram Township. At the age of seventeen, Inga and Alma Bundy worked in a cook car feeding between 21 to 23 threshers a day, three meals a day. Besides preparing meals and lunches, 16 to 18 loaves of bread and four pies were baked on a coal-burning stove In the fall of 1922, Inga and Alma worked in Minot. In the fall of 1925, Inga started work in a New Rockford Cafe and some years later went to Fargo to work. From 1931-1933, Inga worked in the Lutheran Nursing Home in Harvey. On November 11, 1933, Inga and Oliver were married in her parents' home. Their first home was the G.A. Brower farm in Manfred Township. They lived there for nine years. They then purchased their own farm two miles north of Manfred. During the war, Oliver and Inga and their two children moved to Tacoma, Wash. where Oliver worked in the shipyards. Later they purchased a small ranch on the outskirts of Parkland, Wash. Their children, Orville and Ione, attended school there. After living in the Parkland area for a few years, they returned home together farm north of Manfred and lived there until they moved into Harvey on November 1, 1968. Upon moving into Harvey, Inga and Oliver purchased Mrs. Alice Huber's home at 320 West 10th Street. During the winter months while living on the farm, Inga and Oliver traveled to the West Coast several times. In the spring of 1968, they traveled to Norway to visit relatives and friends and enjoyed doing a lot of sightseeing. Inga passed away in 1984, Oliver passed away in 1987. To Inga and Oliver two children were born. Orville Travis was born in Harvey on August 28, 1934. He married Patricia Ebbert of Fessenden. They have three children: Dean, Wade and Leanne. The Orville Rodne family has been living in the Dodge area, with plans to move to Dickinson before winter sets in. Inga and Oliver's daughter, Audrey Ione, was born July 1, 1938 at Harvey. She is married to Joseph Hauser, and they lived in Eagan, MN. Ione and Joe have one daughter, Elizabeth. Joe has passed away.

Gene and Betty Melby Husband's Full Name: Gene Nordtorp Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Oscar J. Melby Husband's Mother's Name: Bertha Nordtorp Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Cora Turner, Roy, Ruth Hovey, Muriel Boyum Orlien, Kenneth, Ethel Bolyard Wife's Full Name: Betty Lou Rodacker Melby Wife's Place of Birth: Cathay, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Thomas Rodacker Wife's Mother's Name: Minnie Pepple Rodacker Wife's Siblings' Names: Margaret Watson, Roy Children's Names: Marsha, Brian, Bruce, Michael, Arnie, Bergit Albrecht Betty Melby, 89, Harvey, formerly of rural Manfred, passed away Friday, June 8, 2018 at the St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey. Betty Lou Rodacker, daughter of Tom and Minnie (Pepple) Rodacker, was born August 26, 1928 at rural Fessenden where she was raised and attended rural school. She graduated from Fessenden High School in 1946 and, soon after, enrolled in a Fargo Hairdressing School. Upon completing the course, she returned to Fessenden and began working at Ella’s Beauty Shop. She also worked at a Minot beauty shop for a short time. On September 19, 1948, Betty was united in marriage to Gene Melby at the Germantown Baptist Church of rural Cathay. They made their home on the Rodacker farm east of Fessenden where Betty cared for her father for several years. They then moved to the Melby farm southwest of Manfred where they farmed until 1982. In addition to helping with the farming operation, Betty worked for Wells County Social Services as an In-Home Care Specialist for 20 years. She was a member of the Vang Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aid, and served as church choir director for many years. Betty always had an open door and a pot of coffee ready for her family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Gene; her children, Marsha Melby of Minot, Bruce Melby of Manfred, Michael Melby of Minot, Arnie (Norma) Melby of San Diego, CA and Bergit (Mike) Albrecht of Apex, NC; 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son, Brian; brother, Roy; and sister, Margaret. Funeral: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 at 11:00 A. M. at the Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred. Burial: Vang Lutheran Cemetery Obituary – Betty Melby Her husband Gene died in 2020.

Erick Gartland Full Name: Erick Gartland Place of Birth: Namsos, Nord-Trondelag, Norway Father's Name: unknown Mother's Name: unknown Siblings' Names: unknown Erick Gartland was born in December 1850. He was born in Norway and immigrated to the USA in 1868. He was a grain buyer for the Farmers Elevator in Manfred and is listed only in the 1900 census of Manfred Township. He is listed as renting his home in Manfred. Source: 1900 Census

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