Phillip and Hilda Deede Husband's Full Name: Phillip Deede Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred Township, ND Husband's Father's Name: Andrew Deede Husband's Mother's Name: Dorothy Frank Deede Husband's Siblings' Names: Gottlieb, Pauline Herman, Kate Hirschkorn Christine Hauser, Amelia Lang, Molly Miller Wife's Full Name: Hilda Rodacker Deede Wife's Place of Birth: Fessenden, ND Wife's Father's Name: Matt Rodacker Wife's Mother's Name: Sophia Fischer Rodacker Wife's Siblings' Names: Ella Thygeson, Albert Rodacker, Emma Miller Child's Name: Hildor Deede The Deede brothers, Gottlieb and Phillip worked together as carpenters beginning in 1915 when Phillip was only fifteen years old. They built buildings needed by area farmers such as barns, granaries, as well as additions to existing buildings. To begin a building project the brothers ordered the needed materials, which were then delivered by wagons directly to the building site. One might wonder how many wagonloads were necessary in order to haul the large quantity of materials needed to build a barn. The brothers would then measure the lumber to the proper lengths and cut it with handsaws ready for the building project. After all was prepared, they would then recruit men to help them erect the structure. Phillip had expressed how pleased he was to help the area farmers with their building projects. Two of these hip-roofed buildings are still in existence: the one on his father’s homestead, as well as, the barn on the Gene Melby farm built in 1915. Another barn no longer in existence, built in 1920, was for Mike Fischer. (Source: the New Manfred News December 2002, page 11) Phillip and Hilda moved into the Fessenden community in 1940. They purchased the Rodacker farm four miles west of Fessenden in St. Anna Township. Their son Hildor attended country grade school and graduated from Fessenden High School. In 1951 he married Nellie Harris. He entered the army and was sent to Korea where he served 18 months overseas. Phillip and Hilda remained on the farm until Hildor’s return in 1953, when they purchased a home in Fessenden, known as the G. L. Hope house. Phillip continued his interest in the farm until the early 1970’s. The Rodacker family farm continues to be farmed by Hildor and his sons Thomas and Wayne. Source: Fessenden Centennial Book

C. C. and Anna Melby Husband's Full Name: Kristen Kristenson Rogne Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Kristen Mikkjelsen Rogne Husband's Mother's Name: Guro Gudbrandsdtr Bustebakke Husband's Siblings' Names: Guri Rudi, Gudbrand, Kristen, Marit, Guri Opdahl, Torstein, Kristen Wife's Full Name: Annie Olsdotter Stokkebryn Melby Wife's Place of Birth: North Aurdal, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ola Olsen Stokkebryn Wife's Mother's Name: Mali Knutsdotter Rogne Wife's Siblings' Names: Ole, Ingrid Jorstad, Ingebjørg Meisedalen, Knut Children's Names: Gena Flick, Clarence, Clara Shearer, Anne Cook Kristen immigrated to the USA in 1880. In the USA, Kristen first used Rogne for his last name, as indicated on his marriage recorded at the courthouse, but he soon became known as C. C. Melby. Christian C. Melby was born in Valdres, Norway and as a young man immigrated to the United States as did his two sisters and his brother, T. K. Rogne, who was Manfred's first Postmaster. C. C. first located east of the town of McHenry on a tree claim. In the early 1890's he filed on a homestead north of Manfred, soon to be followed by Anna Stokkebryn, who homesteaded next to his land. They later were married and continued to farm and build up a large farmstead as well as holdings. He built the first large hip roof barn in the area and was instrumental in the immigration of many of his countrymen, paying their fare and employing them until they worked it off and were able to be set up in various occupations. He was an early builder and promoter of Manfred. He built the largest store in Manfred, with groceries, dry goods, hardware and a furniture store on the ground floor. The top floor consisted of offices, apartments and a large hall for social events. One such office was that of Dr. P. A. Boyum who had his office there before he moved to McKenzie County. C. C. Melby later acquired an alfalfa ranch east of Lancaster, California, and a duplex in Riverside, California. Their two youngest daughters Ann and Clara later owned these properties. C. C. and Anna also had a son Clarence, who at the age of two met a tragic death. As a two-year-old, he watched everything and noticed his mother set a cup up high in the cupboard, so when she turned her back, he climbed up and drank it. It was lye that she was using to wash clothes with. There was no way to save him. Their oldest daughter, Gena who was born September 10, 1895, went to Montana to homestead in 1916 with many other young people from the Manfred area. There she endured many hardships as they all did. She married another homesteader, Ray S. Flick who had moved to the same area. C. C. Melby died in San Pablo, California. Source: Growing With Pride

Warren and Bielda Hoover Warren and Bielda Hoover Husband's Full Name: Warren D. Hoover Husband's Place of Birth: Rock Lake, ND Husband's Father's Name: Daniel W. Hoover Husband's Mother's Name: Maude Moore Hoover Husband's Siblings' Names: Grace and Gladys Wife's Full Name: Bielda Talea Fehr Hoover Wife's Place of Birth: Toronto, SD Wife's Father's Name: Brechter Eilert Fehr Wife's Mother's Name: Mary Elmira Egger Fehr Wife's Siblings' Names: Eilert, William, Julia Albus, Baby, Ruth Krueger, Twin Boys, Walter, John Children's Names: Maridel Sprenger, Derald, David Warren and Bielda Hoover moved from Minneapolis to the former Matt Biever farm near Manfred in the fall of 1944. Warren Hoover came from Rock Lake, where his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hoover homesteaded in 1898. He married Bielda Fehr on November 21, 1940 in Minneapolis. Mrs. Hoover's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Bert Fehr of Manfred. Her grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Eilert Fehr who resided in Manfred Township. The Hoovers' children are Mrs. James (Maridel) Sprenger of Bismarck, Derald (Ruth) Hoover of Stanley and David (Lois) Hoover of Starkweather. There are six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Maridel Sprenger is retired from the ND State DOT in Bismarck. Derald is retired now from his position as Assistant General Manager and Financial Administrator of Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative in Stanley-Williston-New Town. David is retired County Executive Director of FSA-USDA of Towner County in Cando. Derald and David also farm. Bielda Hoover died August 30, 1985 and Warren Hoover died March 13, 1993. Following Bielda’s death, Warren Married Marjorie Rangen. Both are now deceased.

Vern and Bernice Nelson Husband's Full Name: Vern Otto Nelson Husband's Place of Birth: Tolley, ND Husband's Father's Name: Bor Nelson Husband's Mother's Name: Freida Oberg Husband's Siblings' Names: Norman, Lawrence, Roy, A, B, Doris, Margaret, Elaine, Justin Wife's Full Name: Bernice Gladheim Nelson Wife's Place of Birth: Plaza, ND Wife's Father's Name: Ole Gladheim Wife's Mother's Name: Clara Ranum Wife's Siblings' Names: Mildred, Gerda, Doris, Ordean, Cora, Ora, Carol Children's Names: Vernon, Warren, Robert, George, Owen, Curtis, Pam Vern Nelson was born November 25, 1913 at Tolley to Bror and Freda Nelson. He grew up there and began his education. He later moved with his family to the Sanish area where he completed his education. As a young man he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps. He married Bernice Gladheim in June 1942 at San Francisco, California where they made their home until moving back to North Dakota in 1944, She was born at Plaza and raised at Sanish where she graduated from high school in 1934. She worked for the Bank of North Dakota at Bismarck in 1939 during the state centennial celebration. They made their home on a farm south of Manfred until 1950 when they moved to the Gladheim family farm north of Manfred. They were members of the Vang Lutheran Church of Manfred. Bernice was a Sunday School teacher and active in the Vang Ladies Aid. They are buried at the Vang Cemetery north of Manfred.

Roy and Ella Adams Husband's Full Name: Roy Chester Adams Husband's Place of Birth: Mabel, Fillmore, Minnesota Husband's Father's Name: Erasmus M. Adams Husband's Mother's Name: Sarah Adams Husband's Siblings' Names: Ella, Silas, Ada (Frank M. Tripp) Wife's Full Name: Ella Josefina Anderson Adams Wife's Place of Birth: Decorah, Iowa Wife's Father's Name: Jacob A. Anderson Wife's Mother's Name: Ellen Simpson Anderson Wife's Siblings' Names: Adolph, Christian, Anna, Tesa, Clara, Arthur, Roy Edward, Children's Names: Raymond, Ada Mae (Bruce Tweten and Augustine Ekren)), Alan and Ruth (David Wright) On the left: Mrs. Martin Melby with Myrtle and Kermit On the right: Mrs. Roy Adams with Ada Mae and Raymond Roy Adams was born in Minnesota in 1883. He married Ella Anderson and they were the parents of four children: Raymond, Ada Mae, Allen and Ruth. Mr. Adams came to Fessenden in 1905 and worked for T. L. Beiseker banks in Harvey, Manfred and Fessenden. He served on the school board, city council, was a Lutheran church trustee for six years and treasurer for ten years. He was city assessor for eleven years. Mrs. Adams passed away February 14, 1953. Roy Adams Obituary Roy Chester Adams died Tuesday, July 15, 1980 in Thief River Falls, Minn, at the age of 97 years. Services were held Saturday at the First Lutheran Church of Fessenden at 11:00 a.m. with burial at the Hillside Cemetery of Fessenden. Officiating at the service was Rev. Arville Bakken, with Mrs. June Streibel, as organist and Lowell Rau and Bruce Tweten singing solos. Casket bearers were Howard McGuiness, Erwin Engbrecht, E. S. Killie, M. C. Solberg, Sam Krause and Alvin Mohr. Honorary Bearers were members of the Mystic Tie Lodge No. 124 of Fessenden. Mr. Adams was born June 17, 1883, in Mabel, Minn, son of the late Erasmus and Sarah Adams. He was raised on the family homestead and received his early education in the area country school. Upon graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Decorah Business College at Decorah, Iowa. While attending college, Roy met and later married Ella Anderson in 1909 at Decorah. After receiving his business degree, they moved to Manfred where he managed the Manfred Bank. Article from the Manfred News July 1906: Roy Adams, cashier pro tem of the Manfred State Bank, passed the reins of business into the hands of S. H. Ongstad last week Friday and left for Harvey where he holds down a position as assistant cashier in one of Beiseker’s banking institutions. In 1925 they moved into Fessenden where Roy accepted a position at the local bank as Banker-Realtor under T. L. Beiseker, who was owner of the bank at the time. They remained in Fessenden until approximately 1972, when he moved to Kensal, where he lived with his daughter Ada Mae Tweten until 1976. He then moved to Thief River Falls, Minn. where he had resided since. Mrs. Adams died February 14, 1953. Roy was very active in Community affairs. He was a member and past Treasurer of the First Lutheran Church for many years, a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge No. 124 of Fessenden and a past member of the Fessenden School Board. He is survived by 2 sons, Raymond of Fargo, Alan of Thief River Falls, MN, 2 daughters, Mrs. Bruce (Ada Mae) Tweten of Kensal and Mrs. David (Ruth) Wright of Oregon City, Ore; 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Collections Manfred is currently undertaking a full inventory of its collections. If you know of someone who donated to Manfred, please reach out to help fill in some of the history on that item!

Peterson Cash Store Johnson's Place 1908 - Johnson's Place built by Nennie Johnson. It was a barber shop and general store. 1944 - Sold to Petersons who turned it into a cash store (grocery store). 1978 - Store closed. 20?? - Tin roof replaced. 2017 - Tin removed from the north side, stabilizing support added and panels replaced in the same location. Missing panels were replaced. . View from front today. Future Plans: Replace front windows Stabilize interior Fix front sign Clean out interior Fix floors Plaster and paint interior Possible commercial exhibit space

Swan N. and Sofie Willborg Husband's Full Name: Swanson N. Willborg Husband's Place of Birth: Sweden Husband's Father's Name: unknown Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Sofie Wife's Place of Birth: Iowa Wife's Father's Name: unknown Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: Mrs. A. B. Lommen Child's Name: Ruth Willborg Swan Willborg was a successful businessman in Manfred for 21 years. The business was located on Block 3, Lot 3. John Benson and Swan Willborg built a store in 1900. Mr. Willborg sold his business in 1917 and moved to California; therefore this indicates he must have started in business in 1896 in Manfred. In 1903, a report from the Wells County newspaper paper –stated that Swan Willborg is nicely situated. His double store is large, commodious and stocked with a nice clean line of general merchandise. He also has the post office in his store. John Benson, formerly a partner of Mr. Willborg has been compelled to quit business and leave the country on account of his continued ill health. John is now in the hospital at Battle Creek, Michigan. His many Wells County friends hope for John’s speedy recovery. A Manfred News item from May 19, 1905, states that Willborg is brightening up his house with a fresh coat of paint. Knut Rudi is wielding the brush. Mr. Willborg has extended his picket fence, enclosing the lot just east of the house. An Ad for the Willborg Store in the newspaper of June 19, 1905, read as follows: S. N. Willborg, Dealer in General Merchandise. Dry goods, clothing boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries, and crockery. Agent for Mr. Peter Fahrney's Famous KURIKO, the great blood and stomach medicine, and all his line of celebrated medicines. June 30, 1905 – Mr. Willborg has put in a large new moneybox his store. It has an inner strong box and ample room for all books and all in all is a fine piece of furniture June 30, 1905 - Nick Halvorson has retired from rural life for the present and hereafter will be found measuring calico and weighing sugar back of the counters in the Willborg Store. Mr. Halvorson commenced his new duties last Monday. August 11, 1905 - S. N. Willborg has purchased a ten-foot showcase for his store. It is an appropriate thing and its fine finish makes it show off very well. Oct. 20, 1905 - Mr. Willborg has added a new sidewalk to the front of his store. Nov 3, 1905 - S. N. Willborg and his right-hand man Mr. Norby were at the central city on business last Tuesday. May 6, 1915: J. H. Nelson resigned his position at S. N. Willborg's Store as salesman. Manfred News Jan 25, 1917 - S.N. Willborg, after 21 years in business sells to Olaf Roble and V. F. Hanson. Manfred News, Nov 22, 1917 - S.N. Willborg who sold out last winter to Roble & Hanson, bought a home in Long Beach, CA

Benjamin and Sennev Whipple Husband's Full Name: Benjamin Franklin Whipple Husband's Place of Birth: Alden, Iowa Husband's Father's Name: Charles Crary Whipple Husband's Mother's Name: Ella E. Hackett Husband's Siblings' Names: Louis, Delia, Ella, Stella, Harvey, George, Dora Wife's Full Name: Sennev Nertrost Whipple Wife's Place of Birth: Jessie, Dakota Territory Wife's Father's Name: Mads Nertrost Wife's Mother's Name: Sigrid Strand Wife's Siblings' Names: Bertha, Mads, Anna, Nels Sennev Nertrost Whipple was a resident of North Dakota since territorial days, being born in Griggs County October 29, 1882. She moved with her parents to rural Manfred where the family homesteaded in 1894. She graduated from Valley City State College and taught school in the Manfred District, in Kindred, Bottineau, Hamilton, MT and Chehalis, WA. In McHenry County at Towner, Mrs. Whipple served as field deputy Superintendent of Schools and was elected Superintendent of Schools in Wells County for 4 terms from 1914 to 1922. While superintendent, Mrs. Whipple instituted the first countywide declamation contest, athletic contest and playday. She was appointed chairman of Women's Liberty Loan Drive in World War I and the American Junior Red Cross. After her retirement she attended school in Los Angeles. She was a longtime member of the Order of Eastern Star in Inglewood, CA. She devoted her time in later years to writing pioneer history and poetry. She had been a resident of the Harvey Nursing Home for some time. She married her husband, former Wells County Judge B. F. Whipple in 1929; he died in February 1970. [Taken from her obituary] Sennev was a great historian, writing a number of stories about Manfred and its beginnings. B. F. Whipple served as Wells County Judge for 29 1/2 years. He died at the Connor Hotel, where he had been making his home the past couple years. Funeral at 1st Lutheran Church. Born at Alden Iowa, filed on a homestead in southern Wells County in the fall of 1901. He taught school briefly in the county and graduated from UND in law in 1904. After practicing in Sheyenne for a year, the young lawyer moved to Fessenden in 1905. He became a law partner of J. J. Youngblood. In 1913, Mr. Whipple became Wells County State’s Attorney and served through 1924. In 1937, Mr. Whipple was appointed judge of the Wells County Court of Increased Jurisdiction. He served as judge until retiring in 1967. That year Mr. Whipple was honored at Old Settlers Day at the Wells County Free Fair. It was noted at the Old Settlers Day that Mr. Whipple had served as city attorney of Fessenden for two terms, had been clerk of the Fessenden School District for many years, and had been a president of the Fessenden Civic and Commerce Association. Following his retirement Mr. Whipple continued to hunt and to play golf. In 1967, Mr. Whipple donated a tract of land to the Fessenden school for the purpose of a football field and track and field events. The school appropriately named the sport area Whipple Field. His wife, the former Sennev Nertrost, who lives at Harvey, survives, as does on sister Mrs. Fred Buttschke, Vallejo, CA and 25 nieces and nephews. B. F. Whipple died in Fessenden in February 1970. He is buried at the Hillside Cemetery. Sennev died in the Harvey Nursing Facility in July 1970 and is buried at Vang Cemetery, Manfred.

Jens and Bertha Hustoft Husband's Full Name: Jens Hustoft Husband's Place of Birth: Imsland, Stavanger, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Johannes Steffenson Hustoft Husband's Mother's Name: Inger Ingbretson Husband's Siblings' Names: Margarete, unknown Wife's Full Name: Bertha J. Aageson, Hustoft Wife's Place of Birth: Stavanger, Norway Wife's Father's Name: unknown Aageson Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: Thomas, Rachel Hong and another brother in Norway Children's Names: Edward J. Hustoft, Selma (Marshall)Josund, Elizabeth (Fred) Schagunn Jens J. Hustoft emigrated to the Buxton and Mayville areas about 1887 from Stavanger, Norway. There he worked and finally homesteaded until he decided in 1894 to move on westward to the Manfred community. He sold his homestead in Mayville to his brother-in-law. He again homesteaded and settled in the Manfred area in 1893. On December 4, 1894, he married Bertha Aageson. She also had immigrated to the Buxton area from Stavanger, Norway in 1890. She worked on the Granden Bonanza farm until her marriage. They had three children - Edward, Selma (Mrs. Marshall Josund), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Fred Schagunn). As early settlers and pioneers, they participated in organizing the Lutheran Church in Manfred and took an active part in many other community affairs. Source: Growing with Pride

Severt and Bertha Solheim Husband's Full Name: Severt Johan Solheim Husband's Place of Birth: Rodne, Vikedal, Rogaland, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Sjur Sjurson Husband's Mother's Name: Helene Torsteinsdtr Rodne Husband's Siblings' Names: Thomas, Anna, Johan, Olaus, Hilda, Johanna Wife's Full Name: Bertha Karina Ramsfield Solheim Wife's Place of Birth: Ossian, Winnishiek County, IA Wife's Father's Name: Osmund Knutson Ramsfjeld Wife's Mother's Name: Sofia Salomonsdtr Berg Wife's Siblings' Names: Sam, Jacobina Neimeier, Anne, Andrew, Knute, Sivert, Anna Lee Children's Names: Seivert, Oscar, Helmer, Sam, Hilda Georgeson, Art, Selma, Anna Hakanson, John and Clarence Wedding Photo 1896 Severt Solheim was born Norway. He attended school there; at that time the school year was only six weeks long. He immigrated to America in 1889 when he was just 19 years old. He applied for his naturalization in Traill County and was naturalized in Wells County in 1900. Bertha Ramsfield was born to Norwegian immigrants in Ossian, Iowa, where she was also baptized. In 1878, her family came by covered wagon and oxen to Traill County, Dakota Territory. They came directly to Belmont Township in Traill County where her father Osmund filed on a homestead. It was located eight miles east of Buxton and 2½ miles west of the Red River. Bertha and Severt were married in Hillsboro, ND on the 15th of August 1896 and moved to Wells County in 1897, homesteading north of Manfred. They were active in the Bethel Lutheran Church, which was near their farm. They lived on their homestead until 1932 where they raised ten children. They then moved to a farm north of Heimdal. Bertha died in 1948, Severt in 1949. They are buried in the Bethel Church Cemetery near Manfred.

Marie Hovey Full Name: Marie Hovey Place of Birth: Griggs County, North Dakota Father's Name: Nils Olson Hovey Mother's Name: Marit Hoyme Siblings' Names: Ole, Carl, Julia, Nora Marie Hovey Retires: Thirty years of devotion to duty and service to a community seldom duplicated ended August 1, 1952, when Marie Hovey retired from her job as switchboard operator for the Manfred Telephone exchange. Although her position may seem like an insignificant one to the rest of the world, few people will ever receive from their neighbors the honor, love and respect for a job well done that the people in the Manfred area show Marie for her unselfish devotion to their welfare and convenience. Ill health forced her retirement. She is now making her home with her brother, Ole Hovey, and his wife who live northeast of Manfred. Mrs. Harley Kittelson has taken over Miss Hovey's job. Miss Hovey took over as switchboard operator for the independent exchange June 1, 1923 and served in that capacity until her retirement without a vacation. The longest she was away from the switchboard during the 30 years was in 1952 when she spent 11 days in the Harvey hospital. Although occasionally someone would fill in for her while she went to a neighborhood party, she seldom left the exchange building where she made her home. One winter when she was crippled with rheumatism she had casters put on the bottom of her chair so she could wheel herself from her bed to her place at the switchboard, should a call come in at night. Miss Hovey placed herself on 24 hour call. There was understanding among the customers of the company that no calls would be placed after 10 p.m. but countless times Marie got out of bed late at night to place an emergency call, try to ring or locate someone being called long distance. Another example of the service she rendered was given by S. A. Rogness who said "Marie saved me driving many extra miles when I had the bulk gas truck. When a farmer left word that he needed gas, Marie would call around the countryside until she found me to tell me that I could make my delivery on my way back to Manfred." The exchange started in 1909 at one time served 175 farms and businesses. The consolidation and enlarging of farms, the depression which forced some farmers to drop or discontinue phone service, the reduction in the number of businesses and residences in Manfred, and lines which were torn down because of construction and were not rebuilt contributed to the curtailing of services of the exchange which now has about 60 phones. Marie would not see some of the people she served until they paid their bill at the end of the year, but she could always recognize the people by their voices. A collection has been taken in the Manfred community and a sizeable sum will be presented to Marie as a gift of good will from the people of the area. The material rewards she received for her efforts were small, but Marie Hovey has a place in the hearts of the people of Manfred that no amount of money could buy. Article on Marie Hovey from the Wells County Paper August 1952 1886-1953 Marie died on December 5, 1953