Knut and Randi Nelson Husband's Full Name: Knut E Nelson Husband's Place of Birth: Ramstad, Sigdahl, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Nils Eilertsen Ovestad Husband's Mother's Name: Åsa, Knudsdatter Langrud Husband's Siblings' Names: Bertha Hunstad Wife's Full Name: Randi Ulberg Nelson Wife's Place of Birth: Ulberg, Sigdahl, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Aslaug Ulberg Wife's Mother's Name: Ingebjorg Ulberg Wife's Siblings' Names: Gilbert Children's Names: Anna, Ida, Eilert K. E. Nelson homesteaded the home quarter, the NE 1/4 of Sect 9-149-71, August 2, 1893. His first home was a sod shanty while he batched on the place, and a few years later he built a one-room shanty. In later years he rebuilt the house, adding rooms and additions twice, to bring it to the modern size structure seen above on the picture. He added land as the occasion and need arose until he built the farm up to its present size. His other holdings were in West Norway Township, which land he sold in 1946. The barn was built in 1915 and other buildings added including the granaries, machine shed, blacksmith shop, chicken house and garage; last additions to the house were made in 1926. K. E. Nelson was born in Norway, March 20, 1871, and settled in America in 1891, settling first at Yankton, SD, where he took up farm work. He went to Northwood in May 1892, and came to the Manfred community in August of 1893 where he took up this homestead. He was also a carpenter, and during the early years he rented his land and worked on construction projects in the central part of the state. He made two extended trips to Norway, one in 1901-1902; and the second from 1909 - 1911. When he returned from the second trip in July 1911, he married Norwegian born Randi Ulberg. The wedding took place at Boston, Massachusetts. They returned to the farm at Manfred, which continued to be their home until he died in July 1947. In 1954 Randi moved to Harvey and lived there until her death in 1972. They were the parents of three children: Anna, who died in infancy; Eilert, who took over the home farm ; and Ida, who died in 1938. Eilert was associated with his father in the farming enterprise since he was big enough to help out, and he took over full operations after his father's death in 1947.

Kodalen Hotel Location: Block 4, Lot 9 Proprietor: Evind S. Kodalen Year Started: 1898 Year Ended: 1900 History of Property: This property was purchased by Evind S. Kodalen in September of 1898 and owned by him until 1900. No record, other than land records and this photo are currently available about the hotel. His property was located in Block 4, Lots 9-10. The picture shows Olaf Anderson with his dray team hauling timbers in front of the hotel. Daisy – Kodalen Hotel Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Rudolph's Standard Station Location: LeGrand Addition Lot 12, Block 1 Proprietor: Rudolph Peterson Year Started: 1933 Year Ended: 1945 History of Business: Rudolph bought the Roger’s Lumber Yard in 1933 and remodeled it for use as a garage. Guy Fisher moved the building to its present location in June 1933. In 1945 Harley Boese sold his farming interests and purchased the gas station, but experiencing health problems, Harley was forced to sell the gas station. Helmer Solheim purchased the station in October of 1945 and continued to operate the garage until 1969. Daisy – Rudolph's Standard Station Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Martin and Alma Melby Husband's Full Name: Martin Knutson Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Griggs Co, ND Husband's Father's Name: Knud Olsen Rudi Husband's Mother's Name: Guri Kristensdotter Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Guri, Ole, Christen, Knut, Ragnhild, Gulbrand, Marit, Caroline, Oscar Wife's Full Name: Alma Rosette Haugen Melby Wife's Place of Birth: Baldwin, WI Wife's Father's Name: Tollef K. Haugen Wife's Mother's Name: Bertha Jomen Haugen Wife's Siblings' Names: Lillian, Curtis, Alfred, Elmer, Helmer, Mabel Children's Names: Myrtle Sailer, Kermit, Ellanora Houtkooper, Donald Martin, also known as M. K. Melby, was born to Knud and Guri Melby in Griggs County on October 7, 1886. His parents had filed on a homestead there in 1884. Prior to that, they had emigrated from Norway in 1881 together with their seven children ranging in age from age 19 to 8 months old. They lived in Goodhue County Minnesota for three years. Then in 1884, his sister Caroline was born right after the family moved to their first homestead in Griggs County North Dakota. Then in 1887, the family moved to Foster County North Dakota, the next county west. It was here that his father and older brother Ole helped establish the Melby School District in 1888 where he started his schooling. In 1893, his parents moved to the newly opened land of Manfred Township in Wells County where he completed his schooling. Raised on a farm, Martin was well acquainted with field work and chores, and helped with the harvest too, all of which would serve him well in later years when he had his own farm and also was the owner/operator of a threshing rig which he ran for many years. Martin also had early training in business by working for his uncle, C. C. Melby for 10 years. In 1918 he served as a mail carrier, and in 1919 he bought into the Ford garage in Manfred retaining this until 1939. He drove a school bus until 1945 when he moved to a farm remaining there until 1963. Martin served on the Manfred Township Board, notary public, member of Cooperative Elevator, and school board. He was a member of the Harvey Masonic Lodge, Sons of Norway, and Vang Lutheran Church. Martin married Alma Rosette Haugen on August 30, 1911 at Vang Lutheran Church. Alma was the daughter of Tollef Haugen and Bertha Jomen who farmed near Manfred. Alma’s parents had joined Vang Lutheran Church in 1906 and she was confirmed there in 1909. So through the church and community, Martin and Alma had become acquainted. Martin’s parents retired from farming that same year, and had moved into Manfred just east of the new brick school. The upstairs of this home was where Martin and Alma began their married life while their home in the LeGrand Division was being built. Four children were born to them: Myrtle 1914, Kermit 1916, Ellanora 1922, and Donald 1924. Martin died August 9, 1977, and Alma died March 6, 1982. Both are buried at Vang Cemetery, Manfred ND.

Andrew and Marit Flatlien 1st Husband's Full Name: Knud Thorson Husband's Place of Birth: Norway Husband's Father's Name: Thore Oleson Ranum Husband's Mother's Name: Sigurd Knutstdatter Gigstad Husband's Siblings' Names: Ole, Ole, Ragnhild, Knud, Anna, Juel, Harold Wife's Full Name: Marit Opdahl Thorson Flatlien Wife's Place of Birth: Norway Wife's Father's Name: Eirik Strandaeiga Wife's Mother's Name: Torø Persdatter Wife's Siblings' Names: Ivar, Thomas, Per, Ingebjørg, Guro Children's Names: none 2nd Husband's Name: Andrew Flatlien 2nd Husband's Father's Name: Lars Jensen Flatlien 2nd Husband's Mother's Name: Pernille Andersdatter 2nd Husband's Siblings: unknown Children: none

2024 Field Day Field Day 2024 took place at Manfred on Wednesday, September 11! Students from across the region enjoyed a fun and immersive day experiencing what life was like in historic Manfred. We are working on adding photos. Please check back.

Anton and Martha Haluska Husband's Full Name: Anton Haluska Husband's Place of Birth: Bohuslav, Russia Husband's Father's Name: unknown Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Martha Dwatha Wife's Place of Birth: Russia Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Edward (Esther Otto); Edna (Joe Farm Hattel); Alvina (Ed Bukula); Levi (died as an infant); Fred f. Hall (Martha Bechler); Evelina (Ervin Boese); Roy (died as an infant); Darlene (Roger Flick); Lawrence, Loren Both Anton and Martha were born in Russia and immigrated to the USA in about 1906. They lived on a farm south of Manfred in Rusland Township until about 1930. At this time they moved to a farm near Chaseley. Their first eight children were born in Manfred. Two died as infants and were buried at the Adventist Cemetery near Manfred in 1921 and 1927 respectively. Anton passed away in 1963 and Martha in 1968. Both were buried at the Chaseley Cemetery.

Harness and Shoe Shop Location: In Meads Hardware Store Block 4, lot 7 was owned by James Mead Proprietor: Arnt Anda Year Started: Ad was found in the 1905 County Paper Year Ended: 1906 History of Business: J. A. Mead succeeded E. W. Stein in the harness and heavy hardware business. In 1906 James A. Mead loaded up his household goods, dogs, and colt and moved to Stanley, North Dakota to make his future home. He intended to enter into the grain business there and later branch out into real estate. The business was closed following his departure from Manfred.

Nelson and Mead Location: Block 4, Lot 7 Proprietors: Nelson and Mead Year Started: ad in 1905 paper Year Ended: unknown History of Business: Nelson and James Mead were dealers in farm machinery, hardware and harnesses according to their ad in the 1905 newspaper. Daisy – Nelson and Mead Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Kermit and Beverly Larson Husband's Full Name: Kermit D. Larson Husband's Place of Birth: Heimdal, ND Husband's Father's Name: Arthur Ludwig Larson Husband's Mother's Name: Edna Christine Ongstad Husband's Siblings' Names: Leland (Delores Davidson); Ardis (Henry Kucera) Wife's Full Name: Beverly Valent Wife's Place of Birth: Fessenden, ND Wife's Father's Name: Ralph Angelo Valent Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Marie Wood Wife's Siblings' Names: James; Betty (Noel Peters); Eleanor (Clinton Anderson); Marjorie (William Wendschlag); Sylvia (Robert Woodworth); Hazel, Donald (Florrine Just); Audrey Children's Names: Diane (Norman Boese); Jay (Beth Wilkinson); Steven, Craig (Catherine Kirkeide) Farmed in the rural Manfred area. March 19, 1934 - February 27, 2024 Kermit D. Larson, 89, of Manfred, ND passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at St. Aloisius Nursing Home in Harvey, ND. A celebration of Kermit’s life will be held in the summer of 2024. Arrangements are with the Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden, ND. Kermit was born March 19, 1934, to Arthur and Edna Larson. He attended grade school in Heimdal and graduated from Fessenden High School in 1952. Kermit and Beverly (Valent) were united in marriage in Fessenden on September 29, 1955 and farmed the Larson Homestead farm for over 50 years. Kermit had a great sense of humor, loved playing cards, and was always ready to help his neighbors, especially if there was dessert involved. Kermit was a member of the Hoff Lutheran Church of Heimdal for many years where he was on the Church Council. He also served on the West Norway Township Board and the Heimdal and Fessenden Elevator Boards and served on the Central Plains Water Board. Kermit is survived by his wife of 68 years, Beverly and one sister, Janice Dean of Fridley, MN: Kermit and Beverly raised 4 children: one daughter, Diane (Norman) Boese of Winter Springs, Florida,: three sons, Jay (Beth) Larson of Apple Valley, MN, Steve (Denise) Larson of Columbus, IN and Craig (Catherine) Larson of Little Canada, MN: 10 grandchildren, Nathan (Lizzi) Boese and Caralyn (Neal) Moore, Grant, Nicholas, and Cole Larson: Courtney (Dylan) Michel, Garrett (Lisa) Larson, and Trent Larson, Ryan and Carter Larson. 5 great grandchildren: Emma, Blake, Julia, Austin, and Jack. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Edna Larson; two brothers, Leland and Waldo Larson; one sister, Ardis Kucera.

Blacksmith and Wheelwright Location: Block 4, Lot 11 Proprietor: Olaf Tansem Year Started: 1898 Year Ended: 1905 on this site with these proprietors. History of Business: Olaf Tansem purchased the property in 1898 and in 1905 transferred his business to Jakob Klev who leased the property. Jens Renden purchased the property in 1905. Jens Renden built a new blacksmith shop in 1905, which he ran until 1943. Blue Daisy – Blacksmith and Wheelwright Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Severt and Engebor Broe Husband's Full Name: Sver Larson Broe aka Severt Husband's Place of Birth: Ossian, Winneshiek, Iowa Husband's Father's Name: Lars O. Broe Husband's Mother's Name: Anne M. Larsdatter Husband's Siblings' Names: There were about 15 siblings including Jorgen, Lars, Louis and Anna Wife's Full Name: (1) Engebor M. Erickson (aka Ingebjorg) Wife's Place of Birth: Ossian, Winneshiek, Iowa, USA Children's Names: Leonard (Petra Hanson), Anna (Aksel Halvor Trygstad), Helen (Jonas Berve), Henry Jorgen (Cecelia Berve), Peter (Josephine Prusha), Emma (Gustav A. Anderson) Wife’s Full Name: (2) Ingeberg Brauhagen Helberg Wife’s Place of Birth: Norway (immigrated in 1902) Children’s Names: Joseph (Luella J. Nygaard), Edwin (Caroline Rolandson), Ordean Severt Broe and Engebor M. Erickson were both born in Ossian, Iowa were married in Iowa on Dec 20, 1877. They had 7 children who lived to adulthood. In 1885, they were listed on the enumeration census living in Traill County, Dakota Territory. There were also church records indicating the baptism of their children shortly after each was born. In 1886, they along with several of their neighbors became charter members of the Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Manfred. They owned at least a portion of Section 2 of Manfred Township and gave the NE corner of the quarter of their land to the church. A new church building and cemetery were placed on this land. The new church was built in 1915. The original church was moved to Heimdal. Severt’s 1st wife Engebor used several different names through the years. Ingebor M. Erickson was the name on the marriage license, Belle was used on one census, Mary Bell on another, and her gravestone lists her as Ingeborg. Mary was the name used on the Manfred census. The children and husband remained constant and at one time it said she had been married 22 years. The Bros were listed in the 1900 census for Manfred Township (then known as Jim River Traill). On April 25, 1902 Ingebor died. She was buried at the Bethel Church Cemetery along with Baby Broe. It appears they may have been the first burials in the cemetery. The graves are near to the front gate, and the list of people buried there does not reflect anyone being buried prior to 1902. In 1905 the land that Severt owned was purchased by Sofus Ongstad. He already owned Section 1. He moved his family to the farm in 1915, at which time their home was built. On February 1907, Severt remarried. His bride’s name was Ingeberg Brauhagen Helberg. The wedding was performed in Simcoe where his daughter Anna Trygstad lived with her husband Aksel Halvor Trygstad, a Lutheran Pastor. Ingeberg and Severt lived on the farm in Manfred. They had three sons, Joseph, Edwin and Ordean. Ingeberg passed away in 1914. She was only 38 years old. She was buried in the Simcoe Cemetery near Velva in McHenry County. Severt maintained his residence on a farm near Simcoe according to the 1920 census, but by 1930, had moved to Alamo in Williams County, where some of his children were living. Severt passed away in December of 1943 and was buried at the cemetery near Alamo, ND.