Ole and Guri Ranum Husband's Full Name: Ole Juel Ranum Husband's Place of Birth: Stokkebryn, Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Juel Ole Ranum Husband's Mother's Name: Guri Guldrandsdatter Ranum Husband's Siblings' Names: none Wife's Full Name: Guri Knutsdotter Melby Wife's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Knut Olsen Rudi Wife's Mother's Name: Guri Kristensdotter Melby Wife's Siblings' Names: Ole, Christian, Knute, Ragnhild, Gulbrand, Marit, Caroline, Martin, Oscar Children's Names: George, Konrad, Emil, Ida, Clara Gladheim, Gladys Pfundheller Guri, also known as Julia, was born on February 17, 1862. She grew up on the Melby farm in Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and attended the Rogne school and church. In 1881 when she was 19 years old, her parents sold the Melby farm and the whole family emigrated together from Norway to the USA, with the destination of Goodhue County, Minnesota. In 1884, her parents moved to Griggs County, North Dakota where they filed on a homestead, but Guri (Julia) did not go there. Instead, she went to live in Lyon County in southwestern Minnesota, where her Aunt Guri (the younger) Melby Opdahl and her husband Anders Opdahl had been living since 1879. Ole was born September 10, 1858, in Stokkebryn, North Aurdal, Valdres, Norway to Juel O. Ranum and Guri (Julia) Gulbrandsdotter. He came to the USA to southwest MN in 1875, and in 1884 took over the farming operation of his parents at Ghent MN in Lyon County. On May 30, 1885, Guri Melby and Ole Ranum married at Minneota, MN. Several of their children were born there: George in 1886-? (Inez Mitchell-2 children.) Konrad Oscar in 1887 known as Oscar, and Emil in 1890-1878 (Katie Babcock-8 children.) The rest of their children were also born in MN: Ida 1892-1895 and Clara 1894-1986 (Mrs. Ole Gladheim-8 children) at Cottonwood, and Gladys 1899-1974 (Mrs. Raymond Pfundheller -3 children) at Madison.

Adolph Shirley Full Name: Clarence Adolph Shirley Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Father's Name: Emil Shirley Mother's Name: Anna Thompson Shirley Siblings' Names: Gilman, Evelyn Fuhrman, Pauline Adolph could recite the Gettysburg address from memory with flawless diction and the First Psalm in perfect King James English. He is a poet, with two songs published before he was 30. Less than 10 miles from where he was born, Adolph Shirley will celebrate his 100th birthday Sunday, April 3. Born in a farmhouse a mile west and two miles north of Manfred, Shirley grew up with one brother and two sisters. He has lived there all of his life, except for three months when he attended Concordia Academy in Moorhead, Minnesota. Adolph and his brother got scarlet fever, so had to quit school and come home. He later graduated from Fessenden High School. Never married, he spent his life farming. "After I was old enough, I took over our farm. Dad was old and couldn't do it anymore," said Shirley. "It was pretty tough sometimes. It was during the '30s when it was dry from the drought and there were no crops to speak of. I remember one time that five cents a bushel was the market price for wheat." With a fondness for music, he especially enjoys hymns and church music. He was a lifelong member of Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred. It was with his encouragement that the Vang Lutheran Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. He began music lessons upon entering Concordia Academy. After returning home he "took a notion" to have music set to a poem he wrote in seventh grade. In 1925 his copyrighted song "North Dakota" was published. Bill Ongstad sent an original copy of the song to Shirley. Donna Corneliusen sang that song at Adolph’s 100th birthday party. He was surprised to find there was still a copy in existence, as he thought all of his writing was destroyed in their house fire in 1933. He wrote his other published song, "Together Through Life" about a "person I didn't even know." Shirley continued, "I found a picture in "The Farmer" magazine of someone I thought was nice and used her for the subject of the song." I never met her," said Shirley. "I never had enough money to travel that far, as she lived in southern Minnesota." Commenting on turning 100 he said, "I feel as good as I did when I was 25." Adolph passed away on December 17, 2005. Funeral services were conducted at Vang Lutheran Church, and he was laid to rest at the Vang Cemetery, north of Manfred. Source: A Farmer and a Poet at 100 (from the Herald Press April 2005) by Mark Phillips

Adolph and Christine Gross Husband's Full Name: Adolph Gross Husband's Place of Birth: Romania Husband's Father's Name: Bernard Gross Husband's Mother's Name: Hannah Kopp Husband's Siblings' Names: Robert, Mollie, Jennie Wife's Full Name: Christine Rose Rudel Wife's Place of Birth: Romania Wife's Father's Name: William F. Rudel Wife's Mother's Name: Rosina Bietz Wife's Siblings' Names: Fredrick (Edna Albus), Martha (Martin Olschlager) Lydia (Paul Johnson), Esther, Walter (Elevena Eikorm), Children's Names: Edna (Dave Krueger); Lavern (Floyd Arndt), Esther (Ray Danielson), Donald (Lena Scott) Margaret (Orval Kuske); Kenneth (Alice Erfle), Wesley (Evelyn Schmidt) Adolph and Christine Gross were married in Fessenden in 1914. They farmed in Oregon, Canada and Wells County and lived in the Manfred area in the late 1930s and early 1940s at which time their children attended school in Manfred. In 1942 they left Manfred. They lived in the house across the yard from John Smiths and later the Mike Thomas family lived on this land south of the tracks. Adolph died in 1960, Christine died in 1974.

Alfred O. and Anna Fonkalsrud Husband's Full Name: Alfred Owen Fonkalsrud Husband's Place of Birth: Montevideo, MN Husband's Father's Name: Ole Anderson Fonkalsrud Husband's Mother's Name: Mina Hanserud Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Anna Nerby Wife's Place of Birth: Wisconsin, USA Wife's Father's Name: Swen Nerby Wife's Mother's Name: Inger Arnesdatter Brager Wife's Siblings' Names: Helmer, George, Lewis Children's Names: Leslie and Marjorie (Robert Tobias) Pastor Fonkalsrud’s parents came from Decorah, Iowa in 1868 and his family still has land holdings in the vicinity. He attended University of Minnesota, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL and Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. Following his ordination he served the congregation of Vang Lutheran at Manfred from 1899 - 1901. He arrived in Manfred in the fall of 1899 and took up his work here. Under his leadership things seemed to change again for the better. Interest no longer waned, and spirituality seemed to grow. When the United Church visitor came to the congregation, Pastor Fonkalsrud was happy to be able to make a good report. Pastor Fonkalsrud was a real soldier of the cross. He served the congregation until the fall of 1901. Music has always been a principal component of the Vang congregation beginning with Mrs. Fonkalsrud as organist and the original choir established in 1901. Choirs have been in existence at Vang periodically over the years, with the pastor’s wife often acting as choir director. From Manfred the Fonkalsruds went to Devils Lake and served as pastor there. He was pastor from 1903 to 1909 of the First Norwegian Lutheran Church in Fargo, which later became the First Lutheran Church. His parish included Salem Church, south of Fargo and Zion Church at Harwood. In 1905, he was elected president of the board of the Lutheran Hospital Association, formed to launch a drive for funds to erect a hospital. The hospital, St. Luke's, was dedicated February 15, 1908 and Dr. Fonkalsrud served as superintendent. Since 1910, he served as hospital administrator successively in the following cities: Brooklyn, NY, Fargo, ND, Minot, ND, Sioux Falls, SD, Mansfield, Ohio. In 1915 he published "Scandinavians as a Social Force in America" He earned the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at New York University in 1913, and in 1919 returned to Fargo as Superintendent of St. Luke's Hospital. On September 25, 1900 he married Miss Anna Nerby, who together with a son and daughter survives him. He was 78 years old when he passed away in 1951 at Mansfield, Ohio.

O. S. and Ingrid Hedahl Husband's Full Name: Ole Sveinson Hedahl Husband's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Svein Gudbrandson Dale Husband's Mother's Name: Guri Olsdotter Hedalen Husband's Siblings' Names: Guddbrand, Ingrid, Gudbrand, Guri, Marit, Anne, Svein Wife's Full Name: Ingrid Jorstad Wife's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Knut Knudson Jorstad Wife's Mother's Name: Sigrid Andersdatter Skattebo Wife's Siblings' Names: Marit (Nels Nelson), Sigrid, Ingeborg (Erik Nelson), and a brother Children's Names: Sven, Gina (Frank Mattis), Conrad (Clara Grimstad), Oscar, Clara (Harold Bullis), Emma, Edwin, Edith Ole S. Hedahl, Ingrid with their family Conrad, Ole S., Gina, Sven, Ingrid, Oscar, Clara Ole S. and Ingrid (Jorstad) Hedahl came to the United States with their two children, Swen and Gina, in 1893 from Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway. They traveled aboard the S/S Teutonic – White Star Line and arrived at Ellis Island on June 21, 1893. It took the ship just under 6 days to travel from Liverpool to New York. After living for a short time in Twin Valley, Minn., they homesteaded north of Manfred in 1895. Six more children were born at Manfred, namely: Conrad, Oscar, Clara, Edwin, Emma and Edith. In addition to farming, Mr. Hedahl served as Wells County Register of Deeds from 1904 to 1910, and as Chief Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk for the North Dakota Legislature in 1913. He also worked for a time at Rogers Lumber in Manfred and in a bank at Berthold. At the time of his death he was serving as Clerk of the Manfred School Board. He died in 1917. Ingrid continued to live at the family farm one mile north of Manfred with her son, Edwin, until her death in 1956. Swen and Oscar both served in World War I and settled in California after the war. Swen died in 1963 and Oscar died in 1980. Neither left any surviving children. Swen was in the life insurance business and Oscar was in the building construction business. Oscar specialized in building in the mountains of California, and prior to his retirement in 1960, had built most of the buildings in Yosemite National Park. Gina married Frank Mattis and they farmed at Manfred. Their only child, Frank, Jr., died in 1947 and Gina passed on in 1953. Frank Mattis continued to live in the Manfred and Fessenden communities until his death in 1976. Conrad married Clara Gramstad and after farming at Manfred for several years, they lived and farmed near Sawyer, until his death in 1958. Their four children, Clarence, Carol, Marjorie and Chester, all passed away at quite early ages, and the only survivors are two children of Chester - Dr. Gordon Hedahl, who lives in Wisconsin, and Mrs. Karen Rohde, who is a teacher in Max. Clara taught school at Robinson, ND where she married Harold E. Bullis. They lived at Robinson, raising five children, before retiring to Phoenix, Ariz. in 1956. Clara died in December 1985. Her children are Robert E. Bullis of Jamestown, Harold O. Bullis of Fargo, Mrs. Edith Bodewin, Barbara Bullis and Mrs. Joan Lake. Both Harold and Robert have passed away. Edwin remained at home after his father's death and operated the family farm. He was quite active in the Republican party of Wells County and served as County Chairman in the early 1950s. He also worked in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Otto Krueger during the winter of 1957-58. Edwin died in 1960. The other two children, Emma and Edith, both died quite young, Emma as a young child and Edith while teaching school in Robinson, in 1927. All of the children of Ole and Ingrid were educated in the public schools at Manfred and Fessenden. The family was all active members of Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred.

Ole H. Røbole Full Name: Ole Halvorson Robøle Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Oppland, Valdres, Norway Father's Name: Halvor Jorgerson Røine Step Father’s Name: Ole Jorstad Nelson Mother's Name: Marit Nilsdtr Robøle Half Brothers’ and Sisters’ Names: Nels Nelson, Alfred Nelson, Julia Aas (Martin); Bertina (Erick) Aas Ole H. Robøle was born December 27, 1864 in Øystre Slidre, Oppland, Valdres, Norway to Marit Nelson Robøle and Halvor Jorgerson Roine, baptized in Hegge Church and confirmed May 23, 1880 in Hegge Church. His mother Marit later married Ole Jorstad Nelson and immigrated to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Ole emigrated from Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway. On April 21, 1886 he traveled on the Angelo with 8 other young people with the destination of Manitowoc, Wisconsin to join his parents. Ole lived with them there until 1887, when they moved to Otter Tail County, Minnesota. Ole became naturalized in Otter Tail County on December 7, 1895. When his parents decided to move to Pierce County, North Dakota, Ole came along. On April 18, 1899, Ole applied for a homestead on 160.24 acres of land in Heimdal Township, Wells County. He retained ownership of the land until his death in 1924 but leased it out for several years. He felt it was not easy living alone and because he had relatives in the Manfred area, he decided to leave his land in Heimdal Township and move to Manfred to live and work. Ole had many ties in the Manfred area. Ole's first cousins were Ragndi Jorstad (Mrs. T. T. Jorstad) and her brother Nels Jorstad. Ole's mother Marit was a sister to Ole Nelson Robøle/Jorstad, the father of Ragndi and Nels Jorstad. Ole was also related to Mrs. Ole S. Hedahl (Ingrid Jorstad). Ingrid's eldest sister Marit Jorstad was married to Ole's stepfather's brother Nils Jorstad from Otter Tail County, Minnesota. So, Ole felt comfortable living in the Manfred area surrounded by his relatives. In the early teens Ole lived with and worked for Ole S. Hedahl and family, then about 1919 he lived with and worked for Oscar J. Melby and family. Cora Melby remembered that Ole helping her learn English, which she was required to do in order to start 1st grade. Adolph Shirley also remembered Ole helping on Olaf Roble's threshing rig in 1920. Olaf Roble's threshing rig threshed Oscar Melby's fields that year. During the harvest season, Ole was a spike pitcher on the bundle wagon. He specifically chose to pitch bundles because he didn't want to drive horses, and he could not lift the bundles from the field onto the bundle wagon because of his short stature. Ole was called "Stub Ole" because of his small stature. Ole was a quiet man, but an ambitious worker and enjoyed his friendship with everyone in the Manfred area. He often visited his half-sisters Bertina Aas in Douglas and Julia Aas in Rugby. North Dakota. Ole H. Robøle died February 11, 1924, from lobar pneumonia at 59 years of age. He died at the Oscar J. Melby farm, which had been his home for several years. Oscar was the informant on Ole's death certificate and also was the Administrator of Ole's estate. Ole's property was willed to his parents Marit and Ole Jorstad Nelson of Rugby. Ole H. Robøle is buried in the Vang Lutheran Cemetery, Manfred, ND.

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.