Nils Bjornsen Full Name: Nils Bjornsen Place of Birth: Sigdal, Buskerud, Norway Father's Name: Bjorn Nielsen Mother's Name: Bergethe Halvorsdtr Siblings' Names: unknown Pictured are Musicians in 1901 including Nels Bjornsen B. Nelson is holding the fiddle Nils Bjornsen was born in 1853 in Sigdal, Buskerud, Norway. He immigrated to Northwood, North Dakota in 1886, and is found in Manfred in 1905. He purchased land from Joseph Le Grand. In 1910 he built an addition to his house, located 3 miles northwest of town. In 1897 Nils was admitted to the church membership at Vang Lutheran Church. In 1917 Nils and Reier Reistad spent the winter in Grand Forks. The 1920 census places him as a boarder at the Christ Roble home. They had a boarding home located at the end of main street in Manfred. Nils remained a bachelor. When he called at friends' homes he was known for bringing a small box of candy as a gift. Nils passed away in the spring of 1920 and is buried at the Vang Cemetery north of Manfred.

Albert and Lucy Biever Husband's Full Name: Albert N. Biever Husband's Place of Birth: South of Manfred, Wells Co, ND Husband's Father's Name: Mathew Biever Husband's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Schneider Husband's Siblings' Names: Joseph, Anna Jenny, Ella, Mathew, Frank, Josie Breyer Wife's Full Name: Lucy A. Specht Biever Wife's Place of Birth: Fram Township, Wells Co, ND Wife's Father's Name: Joseph Specht Wife's Mother's Name: Margaret Collins Specht Wife's Siblings' Names: Mabel, Frank, Edward and Eleanor Children's Names: Eileen, Leroy, Richard, Peggy, Dorothy Albert Biever was born on his family’s farm south of Manfred. He grew up in the Manfred and Harvey vicinities all of his life, with the exception of time when he proved up his homestead in Montana and when in the service during World War I. He was mustered out of the service April 1, 1919. He married Lucy Specht on October 18, 1921. They lived in Manfred a few years, and then they bought a farm a mile and a half-mile south of Manfred, originally homesteaded by William Goedecke in the 1890s. They lived on the farm until 1935 when they moved to Harvey. Albert was a rural mail carrier, and carried mail out of Manfred and Harvey for 36 years. In 1981 Mrs. Biever still owned the Goedecke homestead. She passed away in 1990.

Irvin and Margaret Iverson Husband's Full Name: Irvin J. Iverson Husband's Place of Birth: Lyon, Minnesota Husband's Father's Name: John Iverson Husband's Mother's Name: Ingebjorg Dovre Husband's Siblings' Names: Hilda, Rakel, Martha, Eva, Adolph, Josephine, Clarence, Erling, Elmer, Alfred Wife's Full Name: Margaret Rogne Wife's Place of Birth: Oppland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Bendik Eriksen Rogne Wife's Mother's Name: Kari Knutsdatter Nyhagen Wife's Siblings' Names: Carolyn, Emil Children's Names: Marlow (died age 2), Irene Wedding Picture of Irvin and Margaret Irvin Iverson and daughter Irene Word was received here last week Thursday that Mrs. I. J. Iverson, formerly of Manfred, passed away at her home at Colorado Springs, Colorado in May 1921. Mrs. I. J. Iverson, formerly Miss Margaret Rogne, of Manfred was born in Norway in 1892. When only nine months of age she came to America with her parents, who located at Manfred where Mr. Rogne took up a homestead. She lived with her parents until 1915, when she married Irvin J. Iverson. They made their home on a farm northeast of Manfred until last fall, when the farm was rented and they left to find medical aid for the deceased. Two children were born to this union, Irene, now four years old, and a son Marlow, who preceded his mother to Eternity last July. Last fall the Iversons left for Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn. and finally went to Colorado Springs, in an effort to improve Mrs. Iverson's health. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. Rogne, left for the west some time ago and Miss Caroline Rogne, a sister, who had been teaching in the local schools, left a few weeks ago, and arrived in time to be with her sister when the end came. Mr. Rogne, however, returned to Manfred three weeks ago to attend to springs work there. Source: Obituary Irvin died in California in 1969.

Donald and Lillian Breyer Husband's Full Name: Donald Breyer Husband's Place of Birth: South of Manfred Husband's Father's Name: Anton Breyer Husband's Mother's Name: Josie Biever Breyer Husband's Siblings' Names: Robert and Joann Wife's Full Name: Lillian Gustafson Breyer Wife's Place of Birth: Near Plaza, ND Wife's Father's Name: Conrad Gustafson Wife's Mother's Name: Emelia Gustafson Wife's Siblings' Names: Bill Gustafson Children's Names: David, Jim and Patricia Don was born on December 14, 1927, to Anton and Josie (Biever) Breyer on a farm south of Manfred, moving into Manfred he attended grade school there. He graduated from Fessenden High School. Lillian was born on September 29, 1931, to Conrad and Emelia Gustafson on a farm near Plaza. They moved to Heimdal where she attended grade school and two years of high school before graduating from FHS. Don and Lillian were married on April 25, 1950, and the parents of three children: David, Jim and Patricia. Don worked in road construction for several years, but when time came for the oldest to begin school in 1956, they moved to Fessenden for the school year and traveled with the construction work during the summers, claiming Fessenden as "home." Lillian became a secretary again in 1957 for the Wells County state's attorney. In 1960, they built their home and settled down in Fessenden. Don worked for Schmidt Painting until Mr. Schmidt's death and then established his own painting business in 1976. Don and Lillian's three children attended Fessenden schools and graduated from FHS. David attended NDSU for a year, but college was not for him, so he moved to Minnesota, worked for John Deere, steel construction and now has his own business of carpentry. He was married in Minnesota and has two sons, Troy and Matt. Jim graduated from UND with a major in accounting. He married Mary Wallace, a FHS graduate on June 2, 1973. They have two girls, Beth and Jamie. After living a number of years in North Dakota they moved to Chandler, AZ. He has a printing company and Mary has continued in the medical field and also does volunteer work in their church. Patricia graduated from UND in accounting. She has worked in several fields of accounting and many different areas, but is now situated back in Los Angeles, CA as controller for a book publishing company. Source: Fessenden Centennial Book 1893-1993

Victor and Louella Harrison Husband's Full Name: Victor Edward Harrison Husband's Place of Birth: Venturia, McIntosch, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Edward Harrison Husband's Mother's Name: Clarice Husband's Siblings' Names: Bobbie Kolmeier Wife's Full Name: Louella Boese Harrison Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Louis Boese Wife's Mother's Name: Ella Mennegar Boese Wife's Siblings' Names: Violet Kittelson, Raymond, Harley, Mildred Soiseth, Ervin, Wesley, Richard Children's Names: Glenda Sherman, Victor, Debra Lochow, James Louella was raised in the Manfred community. She married Victor Harrison in 1942. Victor was the depot agent in Manfred for many years. They raised four children, Glenda, Victor, Debra and James. Victor passed away in 1973. After Vic passed away Louella married Douglas Oglesby. They lived in Enderlin, where Douglas was superintendent of schools. After he retired they moved to Valley City. Louella passed away in March of 2011.

Gustav and Augusta Boese Husband's Full Name: Gustav Boese Husband's Place of Birth: Shonviese, East Prussia Husband's Father's Name: Julius Boese Husband's Mother's Name: Catharine Krueger Boese Husband's Siblings' Names: 1st Wife's Full Name: Augusta Pohlke Wife's Place of Birth: Russia Children's Names: Arthur, Louis, Hugo, Leo, Baby Boy (died) 2nd Wife's Full Name: Wilhelminia Wife's Place of Birth: Germany 3rd Wife's Full Name: Maria Broschat Wife's Place of Birth: Preussen Children's Names: Erich, Arno, Aimee, Elmer Within his lifetime, Gustav experienced many joys and also much sorrow. Like his father, Gustav lived in three countries over the years. He was born at Shonviese, East Prussia Germany to Julius and Catharine Boese on October 9, 1859. At age six, Gustav, his parents, and two siblings moved to Russia in the hopes of better opportunities. Gustav grew to manhood there, and in about 1882 he married Augusta Poelke who was born 1862 in Russia. Their first child Arthur was born in 1883 and their second child Louis in 1884. In 1886, Gustav, his wife Augusta and their two children made a harrowing escape from Russia together with his father and family. Having crossed safely, they then made their way to Hamburg, Germany were they immigrated together to America on the ship Polaria arriving at New York on June 21, 1886. Gustav and Augusta settled at Madison, South Dakota where their son Hugo was born April 9, 1887, son Leo on April 11, 1889, and another son in 1891 who died at birth. During that same year, Augusta had to be admitted to the State Hospital in Yankton. In 1893, Gustav and his children moved to Manfred Township by ox team. Sadly in 1899, his wife Augusta and sixteen other women perished in a fire at the Yankton State Hospital. On January 17, 1900, Gustav became an American citizen witnessed by Karl Radke and Rudolph Fiebich. He married Wilhelminia (Minnie) Rappuhn, widow of Gustave Rappuhn, but this marriage did not last. Tragically, his oldest son Arthur died in 1907 when dragged by a team of horses. In time, Gustav went to California where he became a carpenter. On November 12, 1914 at Lodi, California, he married for a third time to Maria (Mary) Broschat born March 17, 1881 at Labiau, East Prussia Germany. Their child Erich was born August 30, 1915, then Arno on June 10, 1918, and Aimee on February 21, 1923. Sadly, two of their children died young: Baby Aimee on July 10, 1923 and 5½ year old Arno on January 23, 1924. Their last child Elmer was born November 27, 1924. Maria died at San Joaquin, California on February 16, 1938 and Gustav died at Modesto, California on September 30, 1942. Source: New Manfred News December 2003 – page 5

Oliver and Agnes Berve Husband's Full Name: Oliver Berve Husband's Place of Birth: Buxton, ND Husband's Father's Name: Ole Berve Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Berve Husband's Siblings' Names: Jonas, Hannah Ramsfield, Cecilia, Olga, Egert, Olida Ravnaas, Eilert, Casper Wife's Full Name: Agnes Hagen Berve Wife's Place of Birth: Hawley, Clay, Minnesota Wife's Father's Name: Syvert Hagen Wife's Mother's Name: Susanne Helene Solem Wife's Siblings' Names: Mathilda, Hannah, Selma, Mabel, Morris, Lester, Nora, Orville, Leland Brothers Eilert and Oliver Berve Mr. Berve was born November 26, 1894, at Buxton. In 1895 he came with his parents to a farm in Fram Township, Wells County. He married Agnes Hagen December 6, 1948, at Harvey. They farmed northwest of Fessenden until 1959, when they retired. Then they moved to Harvey where they since have lived. Mr. Berve was president for many years of the Bethel Lutheran Church Council. The funeral was Saturday, November 1980, at the Bethel Lutheran Church, rural Manfred, burial in the church cemetery. Survivors include his wife and several nieces and nephews. (source - obituary)

Lars and Gina Burkum Husband's Full Name: Lars Burkum Husband's Place of Birth: Lærdal, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ola Olsson Børko Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Persdotter Mo Husband's Siblings' Names: Jens Olsson Bøe Brita Olsdatr, Per Olsson, Ola Olsson Nordre Bøekjo Wife's Full Name: Guri Gudbrandsdatter Rogne Wife's Place of Birth: Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Oppland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Gudbrand Kristensen Rogne/Melby Wife's Mother's Name: Marit Olsdotter Rogne Wife's Siblings' Names: Kristen, Ola, Gudbrand, Ragnhild Children's Names: Lester and a child who died at childbirth Gina Burkum Lars Burkum Guri (known as Gina) Rogne was born at the Røgnemarke Farm in Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Norway on January 7, 1876, the fourth child of Gudbrand Kristenson Rogne and Marit Olsdotter Rogne. Gina, together with her brothers Kristin, Gudbrand, and Ole decided to immigrate to America, and thereafter settled at Manfred where they had relatives living. It was through her Uncle Torstein K. Rogne, that she met and married Lars Burkum (Bjørkum). Lars was born in Lærdal, Sogn og Fjordane,Norway in 1856 and immigrated to America where he became friends with Torstein K. Rogne. In 1894 the two joined together as partners for the first general store at Manfred. It was named “Rogne and Burkum”. Torstein later sold his interest and moved to Canada. In 1905, Lars built a new store building naming it the “L. O. Burkum Store”. Lars and Gina’s first child died at birth on March 20, 1910. In 1912, a son, Lester was born. Gina was a very loving mother for Lester. She kept her home spotless and was a marvelous hostess. In addition to sewing, she was very talented with handwork such as crocheting and Hardanger. Her work was precise and beautiful. Fortunately, many of the pieces she created are on display at the Manfred Heritage Museum. After selling the Burkum Store in 1916, Lars and Gina bought a farmstead three miles west of Manfred. Here they farmed the rest of their lives. Gina died July 11, 1941, and Lars died two years later on July 7, 1943.

Ernest and Eva Braaten Husband's Full Name: Ernest Benjamin Braaten Husband's Place of Birth: Goodhue, Minnesota Husband's Father's Name: Ole O. Braaten Husband's Mother's Name: Inga T. Braaten Husband's Siblings' Names: Oscar Braaten, Carrie (M. Evenson) Wife's Full Name: Eva Florence Iverson Wife's Place of Birth: Fessenden, ND Wife's Father's Name: John Iverson Wife's Mother's Name: Ingebjorg Dovre Wife's Siblings' Names: Hilda (James Olstad), Rakel (John Dovre); Irvin J. (Margaret Rogne); Josephine (John Brekke) Adolph (Anna Dovre), Clarence, Erling, Elmer, Infant, Agnes, Alfred Children's Names: Erling (Margaret McGough), Roland (Betty) and Reuben (Beverly Laske) Ernest Benjamin Kvam was born in 1894 in Red Wing, Minnesota. His parents were Norwegian immigrants. His mother died when he was two years old and at that time he was adopted by Ole O and Inga Braaten. His name was then changed to Braaten. Eva Florence Iverson was born in 1896 in Fessenden. Eva and Ernest were married in 1930 at Manfred, ND. They lived in the “Boese” house across from the school house. Ernest worked as a carpenter and also worked for various farmers in the area. Eva was well known for being an excellent seamstress. They were active members of the Vang Lutheran Church. In 1939 they moved to Fessenden and transferred their church membership to First Lutheran. Ernest passed away in 1967, Eva passed away in 1983.

Rudolph and Martha Hieb Husband's Full Name: Rudolph Hieb Husband's Place of Birth: North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: William Jacob Hieb Husband's Mother's Name: Almilia Gonski Husband's Siblings' Names: Selma Wife's Full Name: Martha Helen Neuman Wife's Place of Birth: Wells County, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Adolph F. Neuman Wife's Mother's Name: Alvina Krause Wife's Siblings' Names: Hilda Kitzman, Elsie Hanson, Lawrence Neuman Children's Names: Raymond Hieb Rudolph and Martha Hieb In 1947 Rudolph Hieb accepted the Standard Oil Company bulk agency in Manfred, recently vacated by Orlien Melby. Mr. Hieb was in the plumbing and excavating business while in Harvey and owned and operated the Hieb Trailer Park. Martha Helen Neuman was born in Wells County, and married Mr. Hieb at Fessenden. They farmed at Chaseley and then lived at Harvey and in California before she came to Moorhead in 1972 Survivors include a son, Raymond, two sisters and a brother, Mrs. Herbert (Hilda) Kitzman, Jamestown; Mrs. Elsie Hanson, Cathay, Lawrence, Bowdon; and three grandchildren. Burial was in Sunnyside Cemetery, Harvey. Info from their obituaries.

Matt and Jerret Husband's Full Name: Mathew B. Biever, Jr. Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Mathew Biever Husband's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Schneider Biever Husband's Siblings' Names: Joseph Biever, Anna Jenny, Albert Biever, Ella Biever, Frank Biever, Josie Breyer Wife's Full Name: Jerret J. Hollar Wife's Place of Birth: North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Isreal Jackson Hollar Wife's Mother's Name: Cora Lee Zirkle Wife's Siblings' Names: Annie, Charles, Jack, Ollie, Rosebud, Sallie, Tesse (1) Gustav Goedecke, (2) Henry McBain Child's Name: Orris Biever Mrs. (Jerret) Biever was the postmistress in Manfred starting her career in April 1925 and continued until 1944. Matt ran the gas station – most likely located on main street in Manfred. There was a gas station on Block 3, Lot 6 (east of where the Bank was located) during the time period. Math was born in 1894; Jerret was born in 1899. They were married April 30, 1917 in Fessenden.

Edwin and Pauline Lithun Husband's Full Name: Edwin Lithun Husband's Place of Birth: Fram Township, Wells County, ND Husband's Father's Name: John Lithun Husband's Mother's Name: Martha Finstad Lithun Husband's Siblings' Names: Edward, Martin, George, Alice, Koni, Sigvald Wife's Full Name: Pauline Burgard Lithun Wife's Place of Birth: Orin, ND Wife's Father's Name: Peter Burgard Wife's Mother's Name: Frances Gisinger Wife's Siblings' Names: Julia Thomas, Tom, Frances Backmeier, Tillie Penzhover, Mary Schneider, Magdalena Woitte, Betty Morgan, Margaret, Barbara Wolf, Vernie Keller, Katie Lemer, Mike Children's Names: Rosella Kambeitz, Marcella Kalenske, Vernon Pauline was the daughter of Peter and Frances (Gisinger) Burgard. She grew up and attended school at Orrin, ND. She married Edwin Lithun on February 22, 1943 in Harvey. They lived and farmed in the Manfred area. She worked in the housekeeping department at St. Aloisius Hospital in Harvey for several years. They moved to Rugby where she worked at the Haaland Home. Edwin died July 17, 1969. She returned to Harvey and retired in 1984 as head cook at the Harvey High School. She was a member of Trinity Bethany Lutheran Church, the Eagles Auxiliary and the St. Aloisius Hospital Auxiliary, all of Harvey. She is survived by a son, Vernon of Williston, two daughters Marcella Kalenske of Jesup, Iowa, Rose Kambeitz of Bismarck; seven grandchildren; one great grandchild, brother Tom of Rugby, sisters Frances Backmeier, Yelm, WA, Tillie Penzhover, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis, Mary Schneider, Orrin, Magdalena Woitte, Balfour, Betty Morgan, Rasamond, CA, Margaret Fetting, Mount Lake Terrace, WA, Barbara Wolf, Towner, Vernie Keller of Harvey, Katie Lemer, Minot. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Julia Thomas, brother, Mike Burgard. Obituary: Pauline Lithun; son Vernon has died since this was written