First State Bank of Manfred Location: Block 3, Lot 6 Proprietor: T. L. Beiseker Year Started: 1903 Year Ended: Fall 1919 History of Business: The First State Bank of Manfred was originally chartered September 18, 1898, as the Eddy County State Bank of New Rockford with capital stock of $6,000. Certificates issued by the Secretary of State October 20, 1902 changed the corporate name and location to the First State Bank of Manfred. T. L. Beiseker, born in Indiana was President. C. A. Beiseker was Vice President; Sophus Ongstad was the first Cashier in Manfred (1903-1908). He was succeeded by Roy C. Adams; Clara LeGrand was Assistant Cashier. At the close of business on January 31, 1910, the bank had deposits of $67,470.81 and total resources of $76,612.61. Ten years later, its statement for September 8, 1920 showed loans and discounts amounting to $153,416.05 total resources of $206,451.19, capital stock and surplus of $10,000 and total deposits of $186,687.26, of which $138,773.84 was in time certificates of deposit. The bank was taken over by the State Guaranty Bank of Harvey on February 9, 1925 and the order of dissolution was filed by the Secretary of State on April 13, 1925. The bank building was used as the business office for Anderson Motors and later as the Manfred Post Office. (source Wells Co Historical Bulletin). It is currently owned by MHP, Inc. Daisy – First State Bank of Manfred Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Jake and Evelyn Schlenker Husband's Full Name: Jake Schlenker Husband's Place of Birth: Rusland Township, ND Husband's Father's Name: Mike Schlenker Husband's Mother's Name: Mary Hauser Schlenker Husband's Siblings' Names: Lydia Wagner, Emma, Martha Meissner, Maggie Brodahl, Clara Werner, Tillie Decker, Evangeline Faul, Elsie Baier, John Schlenker Wife's Full Name: Evelyn Pepple Schlenker Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Emil Mike Pepple Wife's Mother's Name: Lydia Mehrer Pepple Wife's Siblings' Names: Devella Vik, Bertha, Irene Schlenker Children's Names: Patricia Hertel, Gerald, Janice Muscha Evelyn Pepple, daughter of Emil and Lydia Mehrer Pepple, was born in Harvey, ND. Her older sister was Devella, the next daughter born was Bertha who died as an infant, and their 4th child was Irene. Evelyn grew up and attended school in Manfred until the sixth grade. She then transferred a country school near Manfred until eighth grade. As a young woman she worked on the family farm and for area neighbors. On October 10, 1941 she married Jake Schlenker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Schlenker. He was raised and educated in Rusland Township, near Fessenden. Jake was the 5th born of 10 children. Siblings were Lydia, Emma, Martha, Elsie, Maggie, Clara, Tillie, John and Evangeline. They lived and farmed southwest of Manfred and in 1952 they bought a café and bar in Manfred. They enjoyed working in the restaurant business and visiting the local people and it was a gathering people for the locals as well as those doing business at the elevators and grocery store. Jake and Evelyn were the parents to three children, Patricia, Gerald and Janice, who all attended school in Manfred. Patricia, known as Patty married Robert Hertel. They lived in California and were the parents to three children, Richard, Randy and Lisa. In 1981 they were reported missing and presumed drown following a boating accident near Martenez, CA. Their children live in California. Gerald married Jeanne Mathison in 1963. Together with their children, Jay, Jeffrey and Jared they made their home in the Minnewaukan, ND area. Janice married Richard Muscha. They live in Casselton, ND. They are the parents of Russell and Sandra. Jake died in 1975. Following his death Evelyn moved to the St. Aloisius Nursing Home where she lived until 2012. They are both buried at the SDA Cemetery in rural Manfred.

Henry and Pauline Weigelt Husband's Full Name: Henry Fred Weigelt Husband's Place of Birth: Anamoose, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Ludwig Weigelt Husband's Mother's Name: Annie E. Pepple Husband's Siblings' Names: William E. Bertha, Selma, Wilbert, Gustav Frank, William, Theodore, Helen, Gustav A Wife's Full Name: Pauline Emma Sprenger Wife's Place of Birth: Elgin, Grant, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Daniel Sprenger Wife's Mother's Name: Justine Pahl Wife's Siblings' Names: Christian, Adolph, Mathilda, Maria, August, Daniel, Johann Children's Names: Morris, Allen and Lewis

Gary and Joan Hoornaert Husband's Full Name: Gary Hoornaert Husband's Place of Birth: Harvey, ND Husband's Father's Name: Howard Hoornaert Husband's Mother's Name: Helen Henne Husband's Siblings' Names: Josephine, Janice, Douglas, Steven Wife's Full Name: Joan Gabel Wife's Place of Birth: Billings, Montana Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Paul, Delon, Jared, Kevin, Scott Gary Hoornaert was the manager of the Farmers Union Elevator in Manfred. They lived in town and raised their family in Manfred.

Peder and Kristine Opdahl Husband's Full Name: Per Opdahl Husband's Place of Birth: Vang, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Eirik Ivarsson Strandaeiga Husband's Mother's Name: Torø Persdatter Husband's Siblings' Names: Ivar, Marit, Thomas, Ingebjorg, Guro Wife's Full Name: Kristine Maria Rustad Wife's Place of Birth: Hurdal, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Andreas Christiansen Wife's Mother's Name: Kristine Larsdatter Wife's Siblings' Names: Johan Children's Names: Mathilda (m Knut Dovre); Emma (m. Anton Aasand); , Edwin (m Sophie Rogness); Marie (m. Clyde Stickney) Peder was born on August 2, 1859, in the Vang district of Valdres, Norway. He was born Per Eirikson, son of Eirik Ivarsson Strandaeiga of Øye (1820-1890) and Torø Persdatter of Vestre Slidre (1822-1909) who married in 1850. Eirik and Torø had six children, five of whom moved to America: Ivar b.1850 to America in 1874, Marit b.1854 to America in 1874, Thomas b.1856, Per (Peder) b.1859 to America in 1883, Ingebjørg b.1862 to America in 1886, Guro b.1867 to America. Peder grew up on a tenant farm (husmannsplass) on Opdal called Turen, and later on, another tenant farm on Opdal called Hølten. The records of Vang Church (kirke) of Norway show that Peder emigrated from Norway as a bachelor (ungkar.) His last name was listed as Opdalseiet, indicating that he was a worker on an Opdal farm, carrying the farm name, but he was not related. It was a normal practice for people to use the farm name as their family name. Kristine Maria Andreasdatter Rustad was born February 9 and baptized March 2, 1856, in Hurdal, Norway to Andreas Christiansen and Kristine Larsdatter married in 1855, tenant farmers at Rustadbrug Saugbygning. Parents of Andreas were Christian Pedersen and Dorthe Maria Pedersdatter. Historical research is ongoing, and little is known as yet of the early years for Peder and Kristine in America. We can envision what life might have been like for them, and what adventures they encountered in their new homeland. For Peder, it is believed that he had worked on the John Opdal farm in Norway, perhaps traveling to America together. Peder’s name is listed next to their names in the Exit Records (Udflytnings-attest) of Vang Church in Norway. How might he and Kristine have met in America? This is not known. However, it is interesting to note that after immigrating, Kristine attended cooking school in Iowa and then became the cook for the governor of Iowa. Based on family records, we are able to join their story at the point when Peder and Kristine settled in Grand Forks County at Northwood, North Dakota where their first two children were born, Mathilda on September 20, 1889, and Emma on March 20, 1891. In 1896, they moved with their young family to Forward Township in Wells County where their third child Albert Edwin was born on October 3, 1896, and then their fourth child Marie was born on December 4, 1899. Here then is where Peder and Kristine lived the remainder of their lives, a little over three miles west of Manfred. They started farming, and built a house remembered by family members as “containing four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs all heated by the cookstove in the kitchen and a big iron stove, with mica windows in the living room.” Peder had also filed on land in Canada. The wonderful resource of the old Manfred News from the Wells Country Free Press reports the following entries relating to their land in Canada: July 07, 1905 Pete Opdahl and G. Rortvedt returned from across the line Thursday morning. The latter came from Stavely, Alberta and the former from Wetaskiwin. He filed on a chunk of King Edward’s land about 130 miles east from that point. May 6, 1915 Peter Opdahl returned from Canada, where he was looking after his farming interests. Peder and Kristine’s active life took a turn when Peder fell seriously ill with spinal meningitis and became an invalid. Their son Edwin, who was enrolled in business college in Fargo, ND, had to quit school and come home to farm for his dad. A news entry tells about Edwin attending school at Fargo: January 6, 1916 Olaf Roble, Conrad Hedahl, Edwin Opdahl, and Conrad Shefveland left for Fargo Sunday to attend the winter term of the A. B. College (Aakers Business College.) Kristine died May 31, 1928, and Peder died March 6, 1930, in Manfred Township. Both are buried in Vang Lutheran Cemetery, Manfred, ND. (From the New Manfred News, May 2005, page 4)

Art and Edna Larson Husband's Full Name: Arthur Ludwig Larson Husband's Place of Birth: Cummings, ND Husband's Father's Name: Peter Larson Husband's Mother's Name: Hansine Husband's Siblings' Names: Emil Larson Wife's Full Name: Edna Christine Ongstad Wife's Place of Birth: Pelican Rapids, Ottertail Co., MN Wife's Father's Name: Hans Peder Hendrickson Wife's Mother's Name: Nicoline Olson Wife's Siblings' Names: Hilda, Clara, Alfred, Emil, Anna, Henry, Olaf, Oscar, James, Lottie, Minnie, Children's Names: Leland (Delores Davidson) Larson, Ardis (Henry Kucera), Kermit (Beverly Valent) Waldo (Judith Stockert) Janice (George Dean) Service to Country: Private Arthur L. Larson, Son of Peter Larson, Manfred, ND, entered the service November 5, 1918, and was assigned to the S.A. T.C. Co A., ND Agricultural College Unit. He was on duty at Fargo, but a short time when World War I came to an end and was mustered out of service December 9, 1918. Wedding: Last Sunday, June 10 at 3 p. m. occurred the wedding of Miss Edna Ongstad to Mr. Arthur Larson at the Manfred Lutheran church. Rev. Langseth read the service in the presence of the immediate relatives and a number of friends. The altar was decked with flowers. Miss Mildred Ongstad and Miss Margaret Moen were bridesmaids and James Ongstad and Emil Larson attended the groom. Miss Gudrun Kopseng played the wedding march. She also accompanied Miss Evelyn Moen who sang, "Oh Promise Me." The bride wore a gown of white satin crepe and silk lace made with a long waisted bodice and a bouffant draped skirt, covered with lace and rhinestones. Her veil was caught with a wreath of lilies of the valley and she carried a shower bouquet of pink roses and snowballs. Miss Mildred Ongstad wore a gown of peach georgette and Miss Margaret Moen a frock of orchid crepe de chine. Following the ceremony a reception was held in the church parlors, which were decorated in pink and white, and at five o'clock a wedding dinner was served. The bride and groom left Sunday evening on a motor trip through Northern Minnesota and Canada and expect to be gone about ten days after which they will be at home at the Larson farm six miles northeast of Manfred. Mr. Larson is a well-known, industrious young farmer of this community and has operated his father’s farm for the past few years. His bride has been a resident of this community only since last fall but has won for herself a host of friends. She came to Manfred from Columbus, ND, and before that was a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minn. Edna Christine was the youngest in the Ongstad family and was born in 1900. She came to visit brothers and sisters who had followed the adage of “going west” and met Art in central North Dakota. She was a redhead and had the pep and spice to go with it. If all the other farmwomen milked cows, that didn’t mean that she did. She had a mind of her own, was inventive and creative, learned to ride a bike at 40, to shoot pheasants and plan and carry out woodworking. Her life was cut short by injuries suffered in a car accident (of course she was driving at age 74). There was a resulting blood clot or heart attack as she was recovering. Her husband, Arthur Larson, was born to a Swedish father and Danish mother who immigrated to America in the 1880s. Art started life in eastern North Dakota. He came (at age 4) with his family to homestead in Wells County in 1894. He spent his whole life as a farmer and with Edna raised five children during the depression. There was also another child – stillborn. Art survived blood poisoning, encephalitis, many bouts of pneumonia, high blood pressure and heart trouble, (which cut short his farming years). He lived for 82 years, the last ones being spent in Heimdal and then Fessenden. He was rather quiet, not easily riled, and had a good sense of humor. Source: Janice Larson Dean

Gullik and Marit Dahle Husband's Full Name: Gullik H. Dahle Husband's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Torstein Wife's Full Name: Margit Dahle Wife's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: none Gullik H. Dahle , Manfred Township, was a native of Norway. He came to Manfred in 1894. He was an early blacksmith and farmer. He and his wife Margit were very active in the welfare of the community and church. He was a very good fiddle player. The Dahle’s lost their only child at childbirth. Gullik farmed and also owned and operated a threshing rig. Oliver Rodne later owned their farm. Gullik is pictured playing his Hardanger fiddle. He was born in 1862 and died in 1934. His wife was born in 1859 and died in 1925. Mrs. Dahle : Last Saturday, February 20, Mrs. Marit Dahle was called to her reward as death relieved her long painful suffering. She had been in poor health for quite a few years, although not confined to her bed. During the last year, however, she has not been able to be up and around because of rheumatism. She bore her suffering bravely and with Christian patience and fortitude. She was born in Valdres, Norway where she was married to Mr. Dahle in 1892. They came to the United States in 1893 to Manfred, the same year and have lived here since. She was a respected member of Vang Lutheran Church since its organization. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, two nephews in this country and a host of friends. Source: Mrs. Dahle' obituary

Osmund and Karin Eilertson Full Name: Osmund Eilertson Place of Birth: Norway Father's Name: Eilert Olson Mother's Name: Sissel Osmundsdatter Wife's Name: Karine Eilertson Children's Names: Olga Ostenson, Selmer, Ola, Borghild, Eilert

Edwin and Stella Sorenson Husband's Full Name: Edwin Sorenson Husband's Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan Husband's Father's Name: Benjamin Sorenson Husband's Mother's Name: Maggie Kison Husband's Siblings' Names: Beatrice and Peter Wife's Full Name: Stella Ashton Sorenson Wife's Place of Birth: Huron, Ontario, Canada Wife's Father's Name: Joseph Ashton Wife's Mother's Name: Ellen Whitesell Wife's Siblings' Names: John, Chester, Gladys, Hazel, Carl, Joseph, Joseph (2); Thelma Children's Names: none Edwin’s parents were very up and coming members of the Manfred community, and his father Ben had a hardware store. Ed’s mother died in 1907, and his father died in 1908 when Ed was only 6 years old. His father’s good friend Steiner Aasand and Steiner’s wife Bertha, who was Ben Sorenson’s sister, raised young Edwin. Steiner also took over the hardware store and ran it until 1911 when he sold it to Jacob Klev. Ed and Stella were married in 1923 in Detroit, Michigan and lived in the Manfred-Harvey area. In 1956 they purchased the Manfred Cash Store – the grocery store in Manfred from Ervin and Evelina Boese. They lived across from the schoolhouse. Edwin died in 1959, and Stella continued running the cash store until 1978. She later moved to Harvey and lived there until her death in 1981. Stella was good natured, and a friend of all. People often gathered at the store to visit or play a game of cards.

Gulbrand and Esther Melby Husband's Full Name: Gulbrand Knutson Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Knud Olsen Rudi Husband's Mother's Name: Guri Kristensdotter Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Guri, Ole, Christen, Knute, Ragnhild, Marit, Martin, Caroline, Oscar Wife's Full Name: Esther LeGrand Wife's Place of Birth: Skane, Gotland, Sweden Wife's Father's Name: Joseph LeGrand Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Christina Lindstrom Wife's Siblings' Names: Axel, Inez, Sarah, David, Hulda, Gertrude, Harry and Clara Children's Names: Georgiana Nelson, Carlton, Arthur, Marion Peterson, Ida Erickson, Elmer, Gordon, Morris, Evelyn, Raymond, Earl, Alice Peterson, Irene Haines Gilbert Melby Family 1950s Back: Morris, Carlton, Raymond, Elmer, Arthur Middle: Alice, Marion, Ceclia, Ida Front: Irene, Gilbert, Earl Gulbrand, known as G. K. or Gilbert Melby, was the sixth child born to Knud and Guri Melby on April 4, 1977. During his earliest years, he lived on the Melby farm in Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and attended Rogne church. In 1881 when he had just turned 4 years old, his parents sold the Melby farm and the whole family emigrated from Norway to Goodhue County, Minnesota. In 1884, his parents homesteaded in Griggs County, North Dakota, and in 1887 they moved to Foster County and farmed there for six years, and then in 1893 his parents moved again to the newly opened land of Manfred Township in Wells County. Gilbert was too young to file on a homestead having just turned 16, but he was able to help his parents start up their new farm. Gilbert was very musical and could play several instruments. With his great love of music, it is very likely that he played with some of the local orchestra groups. It was at Manfred where Gilbert met Esther LeGrand. She was born September 7, 1873, in Skane, Gotland, Sweden, with the given name of Astrid Hildegard LeGrand, to Joseph Alfred LeGrand and Anna Kristina Lindstrom. She had immigrated to the USA in 1885 with her parents, first settling at Northwood, ND before coming to Manfred Township. Gilbert and Esther were married on December 11, 1895, at Manfred. Gilbert and Esther bought the land located in section 30 of Manfred Township that had been in the LeGrand family. Sometime during these years at Manfred, Gilbert was working in one of the elevators. Due to an accident while employed there, he lost a foot but didn't let this hold him back in any way. With the help of an artificial foot, he managed very well, as if he had two feet. Few even realized that he had an artificial foot, having only a slight limp. Gilbert and Esther moved to Kenmare in 1904, to Coteau in 1909, then to Bowbells, and lastly to a farm west of Bowbells. Thirteen children were born to them: Cecelia 1896, Carlton 1897, Arthur 1899, Marion 1900, Ida 1901, Elmer 1902, Gordon 1904, Morris 1906, Evelyn 1907, Raymond 1909, Earl 1911, Alice 1913, Irene 1916. Nine have descendants, Cecelia did not have children, Gordon died at age 24 from tuberculosis, Morris remained single, Evelyn took ill and died at age 18. Gilbert farmed most of his life and was a wonderful musician. He directed the Coteau Band and many of his sons also played in his band. He was also the band director at Bowbells. He was also well known as a grain buyer, school board member of Coteau, served in the Minnesota Township and Ward Township Boards of Burke County, served on the Selective Service Board for Burke County during both World Wars I and II, served one term as Burke County auditor 1914-1920. He belonged to the Bowbells Masonic Lodge and the Minot Elks Lodge. Gilbert was afflicted with Hodgkin’s disease, which his daughter Alice also has. Esther was quiet, so caring and thoughtful regarding each family member, a fine Christian woman, and well respected in the community. Esther died May 30, 1938, at the Bowbells Hospital as the result of heart and kidney complications. Gilbert died October 9, 1963, at the Kenmare Hospital of complications resulting from a stroke.

Solheim Station 1894 - The first business in Manfred, Smith and Rogers Lumber Co was managed by Gullik Nordtorp from 1894-1899, and was located near Gullik's stone house. 1908 - Rogers Lumber Co in its second location closer to the railroad tracks.Rogers Lumber closed in 1932. 1933 - The Rogers Lumber building after being purchased by Rudolph Peterson and moved to the east side of Manfred. Peterson remodeled the building for use as a filling station. 1938 - Service station with owner, Rudolph Peterson from 1933-1942. 1945 - Helmer Solheim bought the gas station. 1947 - Service station with Helmer Solheim, owner 1945-1969. 1969 - Helmer Solheim sold the station to Ted Jorstad who operated it until 1974. The building was then purchased by Delbert Rask for a garage, and later by Harry Detling. 2003 - Audrey Solheim (pictured) purchased the building. 2004 - A steel roof was added. 2005 - The exterior was painted. It was restored to the look from 1945-1969 when Audrey's father, Helmer, owned and operated the gas station. 2015 - The top decorative caps were rebuilt. The building was started to be repainted which is an ongoing project. Future Plans: Stabilization and straightening of the wooden frame Restoration of the front entry

Businesses of Manfred Manfred was home to many businesses over the years. Click on one below to learn more about it. A A and B Motive Co. Aasand Hardware Store Anderson-Melby Motor Co. Anderson Drug Store Anderson Livery B Blacksmith and Wheelwright Burkum Store C C. C. Melby Store Confectionary D Dahle Blacksmith E Elevators F First State Bank H Harness and Shoe Shop Helland Electric Hotel Dacotah Hotel Johnson J Joe Biever Machinery Johnson's Place K Kodalen Hotel L Langworthy Lumber Co. M Manfred Cash Store Manfred Lumber Co Manfred Telephone Company Central Office N Nelson and Mead Nelson Implement P Post Office - Biever Post Office - West Side Post Office Q Quality Goods R Renden Blacksmith Shop Roble Hanson Department Store Rogers Lumber Rognlie & Sorenson Hardware Rudolph's Standard Station S Schlenker's Cafe and Bar Shirley Implement Shop Sletten and Elsaas Solheim Service Soo Line Depot Sorenson Hardware Sorenson Millinery W Willborg/Aasand/Soderback Store These histories were prepared by Manfred History and Preservation.