Evind and Esther Kodalen Husband's Full Name: Evind Severtson Kodalen Husband's Place of Birth: Eggedal, Buskerud, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Stevert or (Severt) Kodalen Husband's Mother's Name: Beret Larsdater Husband's Siblings' Names: Tilda Kodalen Wife's Full Name: Astrid (Esther) Larsdater Berget Wife's Place of Birth: Eggedal, Buskerud, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Lars Berget Wife's Mother's Name: Kristi Nelson Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Bertha Ligaaden, Lars (Lois), Sigurd (Hannah Johnson) Christina (Pete Peters), Edgar, Thorwald (Lila Neibauer), Alpha, Ida, Astrid (James Alcorn) Lillie (Lionel Wynn), Arthur Pictured are Evid and Esther Kodalen taken in 1893 Both Evind and Esther were born in Eggedal, Buskerud, Norway and were married there on December 31, 1884. Their first child, Bertha, was born in 1885 in Norway. Lars was born in 1887 in Norway, Sigurd was born in 1889 in Norway, and Christina was born in Norway in 1891. They arrived in Portland, Traill County, North Dakota in 1893. Their fifth child, Edgar, was born in that year. In 1898 the joined the Vang Lutheran Church in Manfred. Thorwald was born in 1899 in Manfred. Their residence on the 1900 census was listed as the James River Traill, which place name was later changed to Manfred. They owned and operated the Kodalen Hotel in Manfred until 1903. Evind was also listed as a butcher in Manfred. From 1898 to 1900 the children attended school at Manfred. By 1903 they had moved on to Carpio, North Dakota and five more children were born there. The youngest of the children Arthur was born and died in 1910 along with Esther, his mother. In February 1942, Evind died in Dodson, Phillips County, Montana at the home of his son Ted. Evind died in February 1942.

Local Accommodations Eat Hotels Gas Fessenden Rosa's Pizza (supper only) Cornerstone Coffee The Bunker Bar and Grill Main Street Diner (breakfast and lunch only) Motorheads Harvey JW's Restaurant Hornbacher's Cafe (breakfast and lunch only) Spectators Bar and Grill Krafty's Bar Subway Tastee Freeze (summer months only) Pizza Ranch Bowdon Bowdon Cafe Harvey CobbleStone Inn Artos Motel R and R Motel New Rockford Bison Lodge RV Parks Fessenden City Park Harvey Off-Main RV Park West-Side Park Campground Haven Campground Bowdon Bowdon Park Campground Martin Martin City Park Campground New Rockford Schuster RV Park, LLC Fessenden Cenex Vining Oil Harvey One-Stop Cenex Little Mart Arco Gas Farmer's Union Oil Co. New Rockford Cenex Casey's Harvey St. Aloisuis Medical Center Carrington CHI St Alexius Hospital

Johnson-Jacobson-Ostrem House 1906 - Nennie Johnson built the home on the right for his family. Additions to the house were added after this initial building was built. 1907 - Sold to Rasmus and Maggie Jacobson. 1917 - Sold to John and Emma Nelson. Stayed in Nelson Family for 35 years. 1942 - Purchased by Lars Ostrem. The picture at left is from the 1950s when the Ostrems occupied it. 1987 - Last year as residence. 2004 - Ostrem family gathered for fellowship prior to beginning the restoration project. 2004 - Restoration begins with new roofing. 2006 - New porches installed and front columns restored. 2012 - Installed lath and hardwood flooring where missing. 2015 - Ceiling panels painted and installed. 2016 - Exterior of house painted. This is an ongoing project. 2019- Cleaning out and restoration of garage. Future Plans: Finishing interior and exterior painting Plaster interior Install home exhibit

MHP, Inc. Timeline Below are the major events that occurred since MHP Inc was formed. Lower on the page is the future plans for Manfred. For a complete history of restoration, visit our restoration page and see the progress of each building. Vang placed on National Register June 21 Manfred Days held July 14th and 15th Manfred Heritage Museum established July 25 Staffing of museum in May-Sept. begins Melby Heritage Society (MHS) founded Rural Vestige Alliance (RVA) founded 90th Anniversary of Fagurland Sons of Norway celebration Dedication of school and Hotel Johnson Featured speaker at Christian Women MHP, Inc. added to AmazonSmiles Past Perfect software installed KFYR Radio and made tourism brochures Consultant hired thru Assessment grant MHP hires 3 summer interns MHP holds 1st annual Pioneer Festival 2000 2002 2004 2006 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 2021 2023 2001 MHP, INC. founded July 25th 2000 Vang Church featured in Churches of the High Plains Manfred placed on National Registry Merger of Manfred non-profit committees Installation of 12 interpretive panels 2018 2016 Manfred community receives the 2011 “Preservation Excellence” by PND Grant from SHSND to RVA for School Manfred in Vol. 2 of Ghosts of ND 2010 2012 2003 2005 “Preservation Success Story for 2002” First grant for Manfred Johnson-Ostrem Preservation Founded Celebration Centennial of Vang church RVA purchases school and Solheim House 2014 Manfred hosts its 2nd annual pioneer festival Future Plans 2020 2022 5 Years Post Office and Ostrem House exhibits open Comfort Station installed 10 years Hiring of full-time paid employee Hotel Johnson possibly open for business Solheim House possibly serving as B&B

Erling and Helen Aarthun Husband's Full Name: Erling Aarthun Husband's Place of Birth: Absarokee, MT Husband's Father's Name: John Aarthun Husband's Mother's Name: Gertrude Anderson Aarthun Husband's Siblings' Names: Gabriel, Martin, Bernhard Wife's Full Name: Helen Wilberg Aarthun Children's Names: Janice, Daniel, David, Ruth Erling Aarthun was born at Absarokee, Montana, on November 16, 1918 to the late Rev. John Aarthun and Gertrude Anderson Aarthun. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith by his father. At the age of four he moved with his parents to Lignite, ND, where he completed his elementary and secondary school training. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College and taught in public high schools for two years. On June 30, 1945 he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Wilberg of Trail, Minnesota, a fellow graduate of Concordia. He was graduated from Luther Theological Seminary on September 17, 1945. He accepted the Call of the Bowdon Lutheran Parish of Bowdon, ND in the fall of 1945 and was ordained on September 23, 1945 at the Harvey Circuit convention in Fessenden, ND. He served as Pastor of Vang Lutheran Church from 1945 until 1950. He passed away in 1973. The couple had four children. Janice (Pastor Chris Hallanger) lives in Hatton, ND. Daniel is a Capitol Project Manager for the state of Washington and lives in Olympia. He sings with the Seattle Opera Company. David is the 3rd child in the family. Ruth Ann Aarthun Syverson, the youngest in the family, teaches third grade in Billings, Montana. Taken 1970

Aasand Hardware Store Location: Block 2 – Lot 1 “triangle” Proprietor: Anton Aasand Year Started: 1916 Year Ended: 1920 at this location later purchased the Wilborg Store and had a hardware store there until 1925, when they moved to Harvey. History of Business: Anton Aasand purchased this property from Jacob Klev in 1916. It was a hardware store. When Anton installed a 32 volt Delco electric plant in his store he strung a wire across the road so the church could benefit from the electric plant. It was then that the kerosene lamps in the sanctuary were converted to electric bulbs. Later on Anton rented this place to Rudolph Peterson. It was used for a garage until it was destroyed by fire in about 1932. Star – Aasand Hardware Store Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Halvor and Martha Olsen Husband's Full Name: Halvor Sælid Olsen Husband's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Opplund, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ola Langedal Olsen Husband's Mother's Name: Ingebjorg Olsdatter Husband's Siblings' Names: Ola, Ola, Halvor, Kari, Berit, Knut Wife's Full Name: Martha Rogness Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Nikolai Rogness Wife's Mother's Name: Everina Lunderness Hauge Wife's Siblings' Names: Selma, Elvina Lars, Sophie, Ole, Nora, Anna, Elvin, Ellen Children's Names: Norma Holwegner, Oscar Olsen Halvor Olsen was born in Øystre Slidre, Norway on December 27, 1889. On June 18, 1921 he married Martha Rogness at Manfred. Martha Rogness was born June 1, 1899 to Nickolai and Everina Rogness on a farm near Manfred, where she was raised and educated in a rural school. Halvor entered the service September 18, 1917. He was sent overseas July 31, 1918 and went into action September 12 and served in the St. Mihel and Argonne offensives. He was wounded October 23 in the Argonne Forest. They farmed in the Manfred area until 1939 when they moved into Manfred. They raised beautiful flowers and loved to entertain their family and friends. For many years Mr. Olsen was a trustee of the Vang Lutheran Church. Martha was active in the Vang Ladies Aid and taught Sunday School for many years. Both are buried at the Vang Cemetery north of Manfred. They had two children, Norma (Al Holwegner) and Oscar.

Ellery and Arlene Ehni Husband's Full Name: Ellery Roger Ehni Husband's Place of Birth: Chaseley, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: John L. Ehni Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Hoefs Husband's Siblings' Names: Delton, Gerald Wife's Full Name: (1) Arlene Strauss Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Wife's Father's Name: Joseph H. Strauss Wife's Mother's Name: Ida Schnabel Wife's Siblings' Names: Kathyrn Gladheim, Donald, James, Elaine Weigelt, Lucille Wahl, Audrey Larson, Joseph, Richard, Judy Schudel, John Children's Names: Jeffery, Karen, Jeanne, Dawn, Kathy, Kay Ellery Jr., Cindy, Kim Wife’s Full Name: (2) Eleanor Zainhofsky Kim Ehni Opp , Kay Ehni Brown , Arlene Ehni ,Dawn Morcomb , Tic Ehni , Kathy Ehni Loegering andJeanne Ehni Rudel . Ellery Ehni was born near Chaseley to John and Anna (Hoefs) Ehni. He was once married to Arlene Strauss. They were the parents of nine children, all who attended school in Manfred. They lived near Manfred and were farmers. In 1995 he married Eleanor Zainhofsky. They lived near Fessenden. Ellery died in 2012.

Leslie and Olga Johnson Husband's Full Name: Leslie Miles Johnson Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred Township Husband's Father's Name: John A. Johnson Husband's Mother's Name: Malena Johnson Husband's Siblings' Names: Alvin, Edna, Pearl, Miles, Russell, Everett Wife's Full Name: Olga Cecelia Opsal Wife's Place of Birth: Rusland Township Wife's Father's Name: Ole L. Opsal Wife's Mother's Name: Annie Opsahl Wife's Siblings’ Names: Martha, Lewis (died as a baby) Children's Names: Larry, Laverne, Jim, David, Dianne, Marilyn Leslie Johnson was born December 27, 1910, the fourth child of six (two others had died in infancy), to John and Malena (nee Johnson) Johnson. He grew up on the farm 1 ½ miles northwest of Manfred which his parents had homesteaded. He graduated from Harvey High School and attended North Dakota Agricultural College (NDSU) in Fargo. After college, Leslie farmed with his father and brother, Russell. Six children were born to this union: Larry, Laverne, and James (Orville) were delivered by Dr. P.A. Boyum, who had also delivered both Leslie and Olga. The doctor in attendance at the births of David, Dianne, and Marilyn was Dr. P.A. Boyum's son, Dr. Lowell Boyum. All of the Johnson children attended their parents' alma mater, Harvey High School, except Dianne who opted to go to Fessenden. At one point, the six Johnson children were attending six different schools: Larry at NDAC (NDSU) in Fargo, Laverne at Minot State, Jim at Harvey, David at Drake, Dianne at Fessenden, and Marilyn at Manfred. David had the most variety in schools, attending Manfred, Drake, Harvey, and graduating from Minot High School. Leslie frequently attended NDAC extension classes and was always eager to look at new and innovative farming practices. Besides small grain farming and dairying, he also raised capons, laying hens, and Hereford beef cattle. In 1945, he discontinued the cattle and other ventures except for crop farming and started raising a few hundred turkeys. This diversification eventually led to a turkey enterprise of up to 12,000 birds annually. In 1946, Leslie and Olga bought a farm half a mile northwest of the original homestead, and with their two children at the time, Larry and Laverne, moved up there. Leslie's brother, Russell, and his family moved to Riverside Farm where they lived for five years until relocating back to Seattle. Leslie and Olga then moved their family, now including James and the young twins, David and Dianne, back to Riverside Farm. Marilyn came along later. Both Leslie and Olga were the kind of people who really made a difference in the world. Leslie pursued innovative farming methods and pioneered a low-cost market feed for turkeys, which revolutionized the turkey industry. When the Federal Government attempted to institute marketing orders in an attempt to control animal agriculture, Leslie testified at a United States Congressional Hearing and was later told by North Dakota's Congressional delegation that his testimony had been instrumental in killing the marketing orders. Leslie was also active and served in leadership roles in church, community, and state organizations. Olga worked tirelessly to advance opportunities for handicapped individuals on the local, state, and national levels. She was a founder and charter member of both the North Dakota Association for Retarded Citizens and the Central Association for Retarded Citizens. She was a two-term president of the NDARC and served on the board of directors for many years. She coordinated and served on an educational panel which traveled to every area of the state working to establish Special Education classrooms in the schools, and she taught leadership training seminars across North Dakota. Leslie worked beside Olga in all these endeavors and they proved to be a powerful team leaving a lasting legacy which has benefited countless individuals. Olga was also committed to other organizations, taking an active part and holding office in many church, community, and state organizations. In keeping with their adventurous spirits, one of Leslie and Olga's favorite things to do was travel together. They traveled on five continents and in later years took close to 20 trips by cruise ship. Olga could read and speak three languages, and Leslie was known by family and friends as a "walking encyclopedia." Olga died July 30, 2000, and Leslie died February 2, 2002. Written by Laverne Johnson

Arthur and Lydia Wiege Husband's Full Name: Arthur E. Weige Husband's Place of Birth: Antelope, Grant, ND, USA Husband's Father's Name: Fredrick Wiege Husband's Mother's Name: Magdelena Scheuffle Husband's Siblings' Names: John, Adeline, Herbert, Anna, Louise and Anraine Wife's Full Name: Lydia Martin Wife's Place of Birth: New Leipzig, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: John Martin Wife's Mother's Name: Mary (aka Maria) Grabatin Wife's Siblings' Names: Emma, Bertha, Arthur, Ereth, Florence, Reuben, Roland, Ruth, Anetha, Esther Children's Names: Dianna [Robert Carlson], Connie [Dan Hagestad], Douglas Lydia Martin and Arthur Wiege were married in Missoula, Montana. In the early 1950s they moved to Manfred, North Dakota. Their home was just north of Halvor Olsen’s home on the east end of Manfred in the LeGrand Addition. This house was later moved to Harvey. They moved to Harvey about 1956, and by 1958 had moved to Missoula, Montana. They attended the Nazarene church in Fessenden, and continued being very active in their church in their move to Montana. Art was a good carpenter. Arthur died in Hebron, North Dakota in 1995. Lydia died in Missoula in 2011. Both of their ancestors immigrated from Romania to the USA.

Donald and Evelyn Fisher Husband's Full Name: Donald I. 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: Forest, Violet Frazer, Earl, Arnold, Donald, Kermit Wife's Full Name: Evelyn Ostrem Fisher Wife's Place of Birth: Tioga, ND Wife's Father's Name: Even Ostrem Wife's Mother's Name: Kjersti Heen Wife's Siblings' Names: Ivan, Lars, Bertha Satterlee, Henry, Ted, Christine Anderson, Arnt, Ingrid Reinholt and Ivar Children's Names: Larry, Darrell Don Fisher, 80, Harvey, died Saturday, April 9, 1994 at his home. The funeral was Thursday in First Lutheran Church with burial in Sunnyside Cemetery, both Harvey. He was born February 7, 1914, in Manfred to Guy and Lena Fisher. He grew up and attended grade school there and high school in Harvey. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps in western North Dakota. In 1935 he began working for the Soo Line Railroad on the section crew out of Manfred. He married Evelyn Ostrem July 3, 1936 in Minot. They lived in Manfred. They moved to Sparks, Nevada in 1942 and later to Richmond, California where he worked for a railroad. They returned to Manfred in 1943 and later moved to Harvey. He continued working with the Soo Line Railroad as a brakeman and conductor. He retired in 1976. He then worked as the caretaker for the Harvey Golf Club for several years. He was involved in golfing and bowling leagues in Harvey. He was a charter member of the Wells Eagles Aerie in Harvey and was a member of First Lutheran Church in Harvey. *Source: Manfred News - Dec 8, 1938 - Mr. and Mrs. Don Fisher moved into the former Joe Tessem house this week. From Evelyn’s obituary July 22, 1996 Evey was born in Williams County near Tioga, ND to Even and Kersti (Heen) Ostrem. She grew up and attended school near Tioga. She married Don I. Fisher on July 3, 1936 at Minot, ND. They lived in Manfred, ND where Don worked for the Soo Line Railroad and she was a homemaker. In 1942 they moved to Sparks, Nevada and to Richmond, CA where they lived for a year before returning to Manfred and later to their home in Harvey, ND. Don died April 9, 1994. Evey was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Harvey. Evey enjoyed golfing, bowling and being with friends and family. Evey is survived by a son Larry of Las Vegas, Nevada; Six grandchildren, four great grandchildren, brothers Arnt, of Gresham, Oregon, Ted of Portland, Oregon, Henry of Oxnard, CA, sisters Bertha Satterlee and Ingrid Reinholt both of Seattle, Christine Anderson, Harvey. Evey was preceded in death by her parents, son Darrel in 1978, husband, brothers Ivan, Lars and Ivar.

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