Peter B. and Anna Anderson Peter and Anna Anderson Husband's Full Name: Peter Beck Anderson Husband's Place of Birth: Vefsn, Nordland, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Anna Dorothea Johnson Anderson Wife's Place of Birth: Vefsen, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Nils Johnson Wife's Mother's Name: Dorthea Sofie Kristinsdtr Wife's Siblings' Names: Albert, Mary Gunderson, Dave, Ole, John A., Nennie Children's Names: Arthur C., Nennie D., Orren C. Cora Nertrost, Esther D., Perry A., Florence, Matilda G. Peter B. Anderson, one of the earlier pioneers of Wells County, passed away Sunday, November 28, 1948 at the home of his son, Perry Anderson, near Manfred. He had attained the age of 88 years, 11 months and 16 days. He was born December 12, 1859. Mr. Anderson was born in Vefsn, Norway, where he grew to young manhood and received his education. He migrated to the United States when he was twenty years old, spent six years alternately working at lumbering and railroad construction in Wisconsin, and as a farm laborer in Traill County, ND. In 1885, he took a pre-emption and tree claim in Eddy County, on which he erected a claim shanty, and with 3 oxen, a wagon and plow, beginning the improvements to his farm. The following spring he was married to Anna D. Johnson of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. They returned to the farm, but after 7 years of successive crop failures returned to Wisconsin. Their optimism for North Dakota farming was still strong, and in 1892 they came to Wells County and filed a claim near Manfred, which was their home for thirty years. Here he built another claim shanty, hauling the lumber all the way from Cathay. They encountered all the hardships common to the pioneers of the time, but their venture proved successful. In 1922, they turned the farm over to their youngest son, Perry and retired to a home in Manfred where they lived until the death of Mrs. Anderson in 1942. Since that time Mr. Anderson resided with his daughter, Mrs. Nels (Cora) Nertrost, and with his son Perry. He was always active in civic, political and community affairs serving on township and school boards, as a Democratic precinct chairman; he was a charter member of the Vang Lutheran Church. He is survived by eight children: Arthur, Nennie and Orren, of Kincaid, Saskatchewan, Canada; Esther Anderson of Minot, Perry Anderson and Mrs. Nels (Cora) Nertrost of Manfred; Mrs. William (Florence) Simon of Fairfield, Idaho; and Mrs. Nathan (Matilda) Burg of Chula Vista, California. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Thursday, at 2 o'clock from the Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred with Rev. E. Aarthun officiating. Burial will be made in the Vang Cemetery, and the pallbearers will include Leslie Johnson, Emil Onstad, Kenneth Melby, Russell Johnson, Lester Burkum and Arthur Rodne. Mrs. P. B. Anderson, Pioneer Mother By Sennev Nertrost Whipple on June 8, 1952 On February 26, 1863, a little girl was born to the Nels Johnson family in the parish of Vefsn, Nordland, Norway. When she grew to the age of six, she came to the United States with her parents who settled near West Salem, Wisconsin, where they engaged in farming. This little girl's name was Anna Dorthea Johnson and when grown to womanhood, she became the wife of Peter Beck Anderson. She spent her girlhood years helping her parents on the farm. Her daughter, Esther Dorthea, writes so interestingly of her mother's early years and I quote. "My mother's dad was of the Daniel Boone type always selling out and moving as soon as he had improved his farm enough to make it the least big comfortable for his family. Mother and her older sister were required to forfeit schooling whenever farm work was in season. During the slack times they cooked and sewed for the family. No wonder mother strived so hard to make us capable of living more comfortably. My mother's schooling was very scanty and McDuffy's sixth reader was the top level reached by anyone in her school." On April 5, 1886, Anna D. Johnson became the bride of Peter Beck Anderson, the ceremony-taking place at LaCrosse, Wisconsin. In 1885, Mr. Anderson had taken a "Tree Claim" and "Preemption of 320 acres in Eddy County, then Dakota Territory, near the present site of McHenry, North Dakota. He built a claim shanty and with three oxen and a plough broke the prairie sod. Later a wagon was added to the equipment. Here he brought his bride and in this little frontier home Anna and Peter began housekeeping. Crops were poor and the location was thirty miles from market. After seven years of successive crop failures, they returned to Wisconsin for the winter. The following spring, in 1893, they were back to North Dakota to settle on the present homestead claim in Wells County, one and one half miles west of Manfred. Hauling lumber from Cathay, 22 miles distant, they erected a little home, and were among the very first settlers in Manfred Township. In these early years the men would go out threshing for the neighbors and often remain away weeks at a time. Being alone in a strange country during the fall days, she disliked being left alone with her children, especially at night, so she hung heavy quilts over the windows to prevent the lamp light from shining through. Mrs. Anderson related the fact that she with other pioneer women, resorted to the burning of "cow chips" as fuel. Wood and coal were hard to get. This variety of fuel was gathered in sacks and dragged home to burn in the cook stove. Many a good cup of coffee was made over such a fire. It was the custom in those days to gather the bleached bones of the buffalo, which roamed this part of the country at one time. Mute evidence of their existence was the long winding and deeply worn trails made by these denizens of the prairie. A ton of bones would bring five dollars. Butter selling for 77 cents per pound today, then brought five cents. Twelve children, including two sets of twins were born, Cora Nertrost being the first child born in Manfred township. The children's names are as follows: Arthur Clarence, Nennie Delbert, Orren Conrad, and the three living in Canada. Cora Pauline, (Mrs. Nels Nertrost), Esther Dorthea, teacher in Minot Public Schools, Perry Andreas on the home farm, Florence Anna (Mrs. W. D. Simon), Matilda Gorgene (Mrs. N. W. Burg), Gertrude May, Esther's twin died at ten, and Frederic, Florence's twin Cora Aurora and a baby son died in infancy. As the years passed the homestead claim was improved and acres added. Groves were planted and the modern farm today stands as a beautiful monument to the vision and heroic toil of these two pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson lived here for thirty years, retiring from actual farm life in 1922. They established a modern and comfortable home in Manfred where they lived until 1942, when Mrs. Anderson passed away. The son, Perry Andreas, took over the farm operations and at present owns and operates a modern and up-to-date setup, producing both grain and dairy products. Perry and his family have made this their home for several decades. In 1935, a Golden Wedding celebration was tendered Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, by their sons and daughters. The grand event was staged in the Sons of Norway Hall in Manfred when hosts of friends and relatives were present to wish them well. The honored couple was the proud recipients of a congratulatory message from the late Franklin Delano Roosevelt, then president of the United States. This typical pioneer mother was endowed with rare good sense and coupled with an undaunted spirit and faith she learned to know the power of overcoming. In the darker hours of despair she turned to God for guidance. Through the years she developed a sense of true values and a wholesome philosophy of life and living. A kindly neighbor, she shared what she had with those in want. She was loved not only by her family, but also by her friends, and acquaintances. She possessed an unusually creative and artistic genius and produced the necessary wearing apparel for the large family out of whatever materials she had on hand. Figuratively speaking, she would build a bridge across a chasm in order to reach the other side. Her words of sound advice, her teachings of high ideals and principles and the stressing of "Honor above all," left an indelible impression on the lives and living of four sturdy sons and four splendid daughters. Mrs. Anderson was vitally interested in all worthwhile activities and a loyal worker in the church and Ladies Aid. Though the years silvered her hair and took some of the spring out of her step, the smile on her eye ever remained. Her faith and her sunny outlook on life were truly inspirational to all. While tending her beloved flower garden one beautiful May morning in 1942, she heeded the "one clear call" and found the way across the "new land" but not alone. She walked with Him over the hills and valleys of eternity. She was laid to rest in Vang Cemetery near Manfred, and the last rites were conducted in the Vang Church. P. B. Anderson passed away several years later and rests beside her in the family plot.

Arnold and Helen Fisher Husband's Full Name: Arnold M. Fisher Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Guy D. Fisher Husband's Mother's Name: Lena Omett Husband's Siblings' Names: Forrest, Violet, Earl, Donald, Kermit Wife's Full Name: Helen Hoepfer Wife's Place of Birth: Martin, ND Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Son Myron and stepdaughter Ginger Arnold Fisher, the son of Guy and Lena Fisher was born in Manfred. He worked as a chef in Minot for many years and later in the Minneapolis area. He died when he was 57 years old. His wife was living in Waukegan, IL after his death. He was buried on the Pedar Opdahl lot at the Vang Cemetery north of Manfred in 1969. There is a distant relationship between the Opdahls and Fishers.

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Wells County Writers Traced Building of the Railroads by Bob Cory – May 5, 1984 – Minot Daily News The Soo Line was built in Manfred in 1892-1893, and this railway was critical to the building of the Great Northern rails much later as the following account by Bob Cory indicates. The Great Northern – 1910-1912 I am indebted to back issues of the Wells County History for the story of how the towns of Wellsburg, Heimdal, Hamberg and Bremen had to wait two years for the Surrey cutoff of the GN (now Burlington Northern) to be completed. The line was opened in early fall of 1912, as a new main route from Fargo to Minot. First grain was shipped from elevators on this line in October of that year. Correspondents for the Wells County Free Press at Fessenden were able to report that the first carload of wheat from Bremen consigned to Minneapolis by William R. Hartl was shipped early that month and a carload of barley consigned by Mrs. August Piper. At Heimdal the Farmers Elevator managed by A. N. Greenfield received 78 wagon loads of grain in one day. That was October 4 and the grain kept coming. Initial construction activity for the new line started in July 1910. The main contract for grading and structures on the entire line had been let to A. Guthrie and Co. of St. Paul in April. Sale of first lots in the new town sites was starting in June. Businesses began to be organized in each town at that time. Expectations ran high. A news correspondent at Bremen said there was talk that “the road will be completed before the snow flies.” The editor of the Free Press, however, felt obligated to write: “Nothing definite can be learned of the Great Northern’s intentions until the work begins to show for itself”. The real show developed in 1912 when as the late E. S. Killie, Wells County historian would say years later, “Every day was circus day.” As correspondents of the Fessenden paper recorded bits of the story week by week, a searcher of the files found it fascinating to follow developments through the eyes of local writers. What they wrote revealed their hope and their curiosity. All they knew was what they could see for themselves. They just had to wait for two years and watch. After all, the rail line for which the contract was awarded in 1910 was 225 miles long. It presented some engineering problems. Among them was the long high bridge across the Sheyenne River east of Hannaford known as the Luverne Bridge, and the lesser yet difficult structure for crossing the upper Sheyenne near Heimdal in Wells County. It was the 500 foot wooden trestle near Heimdal, 63 feet high at the river crossing, about which the residents of northern Wells County were most concerned. It was not finished until June of 1912, when the big steam shovel completed its job and track layers arrived. When the contract to the Guthrie Company was awarded the Wells County hopefuls included people who could remember how fast the Soo Line had accomplished its track laying job in 1892-1893. In one year, the Soo Line constructed 153.8 miles of main line from Cathay in Wells County all the way to Portal on the Canadian border. It was, you see, nothing new for Wells County to witness railroad construction projects. As of 1910 Wells County already had upward of 75 miles of rail line within its borders, including the Soo Line and the Carrington-Turtle Lake branch of the Northern Pacific. Noteworthy is the fact that when the Guthrie firm, began work on the Wells County segment of the Surrey cutoff, it shipped in men, materials and power equipment over the Soo Line to Manfred in order to get a head start on the upper Sheyenne crossing west of Heimdal. Everything essential was moved overland from Manfred about eight miles to the site where the trestle would be erected. How this was done is worth a note. The contractors unloaded at Manfred one big steam shovel, built to be moved over rails, plus railroad dump cars, plus a whole trainload of bridge timbers and lesser items. The Manfred dray line and a number of farmers were hired to haul what they could. But to move the shovel, dump cars and heavier timbers they used a sort of Caterpillar system. Short stretches of temporary track were laid. The hovel was unloaded on these rails and moved as far as it could go – under its own power. Then the temporary track behind it was taken up and re-laid forward. This method was used for the string of dump cars also. They were drawn along the trackage, little by little by Andrew Erickson’s thresher engine. Earth moving for the river crossing began immediately for the contractors knew better than the Heimdal rubbernecks that this project would take a long time. Meanwhile grading was started at Bremen also. In July it was reported that “men and teams are arriving daily.” The base camp for this 1910 activity was set up at Manfred, where camp operators would have access to rail supply. Crews were living there in large tents, and the Manfred correspondent of the Free Press described this camp as “a white city.” A little later that year tracks for the new line were laid from the east as far as New Rockford. But the need for a supply base at Manfred on the Soo continued through 1911. Grading work west from New Rockford was halted for the season in August of 1910. The men and equipment were moved elsewhere. Work did continue, however, with shovel and scrapers at the upper Sheyenne bridge site near Heimdal until February 1911, when there was a shutdown for the rest of the winter. In the spring of 1911, work was not resumed at Heimdal until June. The big shovel was active again. A large amount of filling was done on both sides of the river, and crews of men were shaping the banks that would be needed at the ends of the trestle. Two weeks later basic grading was being done “all along the line”. Cutting and filling operations for the Wells County segment continued into autumn. It was October before actual work on the wooden trestle that would bridge the river was commenced. Meanwhile in September, electric lights had been installed on the steam shovel so that it could operate longer hours. By this time, it was evident that men and machines would have to remain on the job as long as possible during the winter to build foundations for the trestle and to excavate a large cut that was required between the river and the town of Wellsburg to the west. For this cut, a large amount of blasting with dynamite was done in February 1912. The winter campaign for cut and fill and grading between Heimdal and Wellsburg meant that when the time came for laying track, the rails and machines would be moved into Wells County from Minot, not from the east via New Rockford. With arrival of work trains from the west expected in the spring of 1912, the contractor’s base cam now was set up near the trestle site. Seven or eight “tar-papers” bunk houses were placed there. A dining hall was built large enough to accommodate more than a hundred workers. Along with the work trains, a large pile driver was brought to the scene in April. It had been used on bridges that were built east of New Rockford. By that time, according to historian Kellie’s account – “Across the level prairie crews were at work building grade with four-house frescos and two horse scrapers. Across low places where more dirt was needed, it was hauled in horse-drawn dump wagons loaded from elevator graders drawn by eight or 12 horses. Crews of men with picks and shovels put in the final touches of leveling the grade to the height indicated by the surveyor’s stakes. “At Heimdal most of the activity was still centered on the bridge across the Sheyenne, where a quarter mile long structure for the trestle, which reached a height of 65 feet was being erected and filled in.” The Heimdal correspondent for the Free Press reported in early June that the steam shovel had about finished its work at this site; that yes, the steel would be laid into Heimdal from the west. The steel gang had arrived at last, and at first was “occupied in laying track and sidetrack for the gravel pit west of town.” When July came, the correspondent at Bremen wrote: “The greatest event in the town of Bremen was the laying of steel by the great Northern. There was a large gathering of people welcoming the long looked for rails.” Then the big steam shovel was brought to Bremen and used to make a cut for a large gravel pit. After continuous track wax in place all along the line, the final job to e done was to spread and pack the last coat of ballast around the ties, to hold them there. For this work, gravel from the large pits at Heimdal and Bremen was used. This gravel provided ballast all the way east to Hannaford. As a last note: In 1923 the wooden trestle was replaced by a series of four concrete box culverts. Source: Wells County Writer Traced Building of the Railroads by Bob Cory May 5, 1984 –Minot Daily News

Quality Goods Location: Unknown Proprietor: unknown Year Begun: unknown Year Ended: unknown History of Business: There is evidence that the building that became Solheim Service was once a company by the name of Quality Goods from the name that shows through the paint along with that of Rogers Lumber. No information is known about Quality Goods at this time. Since the building became a garage when it was moved to the LeGrand Addition, it is likely that the business was so named at an earlier location.

Renden Blacksmith Shop Location: Block 4, Lot 11 Proprietor: Jens Renden Year Started: ca 1902 Year Ended: 1943 History of Business: Gullik Dahle was the first blacksmith in Manfred; he came to Manfred in 1894 and lived until 1934. His blacksmith shop was located on the corner lot. In 1902, Renden purchased this property from Dahle (Block 3, Lot 6). On September 1905, T. L Beisker purchased this property from Jens Renden for the new bank. There was another blacksmith shop, this one run by Olaf Tansem, and later owned by Jacob Klev. This shop was on the site later occupied by the Cash Store (Block 3, Lot 9) Jens G. Renden came to Manfred in 1902. In 1905, when the corner lot was purchased by the Manfred State Bank, J. G. Renden bought a lot across the street - Block 4, Lot 11 and in December of that year opened the new blacksmith shop in this location. The hotel was soon built next door to the blacksmith shop. Jens prospered at his business of general blacksmithing and wagon making. His shop was very busy, which goes to show that his work suited the farmers. Olaf Tansem managed this shop together with Jens Renden for a while. Mr. Renden died in 1945. Daisy – Renden Blacksmith Shop Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Gordon and Christy Anderson Husband's Full Name: Gordon Clifford Anderson Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Olaf Anderson Husband's Mother's Name: Caroline (Lena) Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Clayton, Alice Smith, Orvin Wife's Full Name: Christine Ostrem Anderson Wife's Place of Birth: Tioga, ND Wife's Father's Name: Even Ostrem Wife's Mother's Name: Kjersti Heen Ostrem Wife's Siblings' Names: Ivan, Lars, Bertha Satterlee, Henry, Theodore, Evelyn Fisher, Arnt, Ingrid Reinholt, Ivar Children's Names: Rodney, Robert, Darlene [Bill Quinette], and Sandy [Bill Krebbs] Golden Anniversary - 1985 Christy was born to Norwegian immigrants Even and Kjersti Ostrem on the family farm south of Tioga. She attended country school in Williams County and graduated from eighth grade there. In 1929 the Ostrem family moved to Manfred. Christy stayed and worked in the Tioga and Russo area. In 1930, she joined her family in Manfred. She enjoyed church functions and dancing at the Sons of Norway Hall. It was at one of those dances she met Gordon Anderson. She said he looked like a movie star! Christy and Gordon were married in Minot in 1935. They lived in Manfred where two children were born, Darlene and Rodney. In 1943, the family moved to Harvey where Gordon worked for the Soo Line Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. Two more children were born, Robert and Sandra. In 1966, Gordon suffered a stroke and was confined to a wheelchair. Christy was his caregiver until his death in 1992. Christy was a loving and patient wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She taught by example. Most of her friends called her an angel. She was always there to help in a time of need. She enjoyed to the fullest the times spent with family and the many games of Shanghai. Christy was a member of the Vang Lutheran Church of Manfred and 1st Lutheran Church of Harvey. Christy was faithful to her Lord in quiet and simple ways. She passed away on April 18, 2010. Gordon’s parents were also of Norwegian descent and lived in Manfred. He sold cars and had a livery. Lena was known for her beautiful flowers and was a master in the kitchen.