Vernon and Elizabeth Sommer Husband's Full Name: Vernon A. Sommer Husband's Place of Birth: Courtland, Nicollet, Minnesota Husband's Father's Name: Frank Albert Sommer Husband's Mother's Name: Emma Louise Schroeder Husband's Siblings' Names: Sylvia, Eldon, Edwin, Marvin Wife's Full Name: Elizabeth Lillian Fuhrman Wife's Place of Birth: Minnesota Wife's Father's Name: John Fuhrman Wife's Mother's Name: Caroline Dietrich Wife's Siblings' Names: Johanna, Julius, Edward, Louis, Pauline, Ida, August, Benjamin, Emily, Walter, Peter, Margaret, Robert Children's Names: Jane Ellen Sommer (Faul) Vernon was the son of Frank and Emma Louise (Schroeder) Sommer. They lived for a time at Courtland, MN before moving to a farm in the Manfred area in 1917. He grew up and attended rural school in the Manfred area. He married Elizabeth Fuhrman on March 15, 1939 in the Methodist Church in Harvey. They lived and farmed east of Harvey. He retired in 1972. They moved to Harvey in 1987. Vernon attended the Bethel Baptist Church in Harvey. Sharing in Vernon's life were Elizabeth, his wife of 57 years; one daughter and one son-in-law, Jane and Ron Faul of rural Hurdsfield, ND; three grandchildren Brenda Neufeld, DeeAnn Wichter and Don Faul, 6 great-grandchildren, Carissa and Caleb Neufeld, Erica and Neil Wichert, Adam and Jessica Faul. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sylvia Kuske; brothers Eldon, Edwin and Marvin,

Edwin and Celia Olstad Husband's Full Name: Edwin Olstad Husband's Place of Birth: Heimdal Township, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: John Theodore Olstad Husband's Mother's Name: Alena Larson Husband's Siblings' Names: Henry, Clara Rolsvig, Hilda Shield, Hazel Bjertness, Joseph, Tilman, Morris (Helen), Tillman, Norin (Vera), Edna (Martin) Lien Wife's Full Name: Celia Natland Olstad Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred Township Wife's Father's Name: Lars Natland Wife's Mother's Name: Tomine Erfjord Wife's Siblings' Names: Sam, Hannah Nedervold, Selmer, Lyness, Myrtle Thompson Ed Olstad was born and raised on the family farm in Heimdal Township, Wells County, and received his education in the Heimdal Township Country School. As a young man he worked as a farm laborer for a number of farmers in the Manfred area. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army during WWI and served in the U.S. Cavalry. Upon being discharged he returned to the Manfred area and continued as a farm laborer for a few years. In 1918, he enlisted in the U. S. Army during World War I and served in the U. S. Cavalry. In the early 1930s he began working on road construction crews throughout the State as a heavy equipment operator. On May 7, 1938 he married Celia Natland in Williston. Celia was born and raised in the Manfred area. They bought their home in Manfred in 1946 from Nennie Johnson's estate. Ed lived there until 1979, and Celia until 1966. They were members of Vang Lutheran Church. Ed made beautiful jewelry from stones he polished in his workshop just back of the kitchen. Mrs. Olstad died in 1971; Edwin continued living in Manfred until 1979 when he moved to Hurdsfield where he resided until January 1982. He was living in Harvey at the time of his death, April 10, 1982 age of 82.

Shirley Implement Location: Block 4, Lot 8 Proprietors: Gilman and Adolph Shirley Year Started: 1925 Year Ended: 1933 History of Business: On December 1925 John Nelson sold his Manfred Implement House to Gilman and Adolph Shirley. In April 1926, the Standard Oil Co. installed a gas pump at the Shirley Bros. It was reported a good location as it was on the main highway. After several years they sold their building and lot to Richard Jorstad who opened a repair shop at that location in 1933. The Shirley brothers moved back to their farm in October 1934. Daisy – Shirley Implement Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Benjamin and Maggie Sorenson Husband's Full Name: Benjamin Sorenson Husband's Place of Birth: Telemark, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Lars Sorenson Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: Sofie, Bergette, Alette, Knudt Wife's Full Name: Maggie Kison Wife's Place of Birth: Yankton, South Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Enoch Kison Wife's Mother's Name: Karoline Kroll Wife's Siblings' Names: Ida, Mathilda Children's Names: Edwin (Stella); Beatrice, Peter Ben and Maggie Sorenson were a young, energetic couple who came to Manfred about 1905 while Manfred was just beginning to flourish. Ben came to America when he was 18 years old. He attended Luther College at Decorah, IA soon after he came to this country. He later came to Wells County settling near Viking starting work at anything he could find. He dug wells, did carpenter work, and for a time erected houses for Native Americans at the Fort Totten Reservation. He came to Fessenden in 1896 clerking at the Viking Store for about three years. At that time he bought a store in Manfred, he continued working with this business and continued to conduct with success until his death. He married Margaret Kison at the time of going into business for himself. In September 1905 Maggie opened a millinery shop next to her husband’s business in a building formerly occupied as a hotel. It was said that Mrs. Sorenson was just the person to conduct this business successfully, as she had considerable experience in that line and her aptitude for such work was well known.” She died in the fall of 1907 of tuberculosis. The following year Ben made a trip to Norway and while there he was taken sick. After returning he was confined to the hospital and just months later he died of tuberculosis. They had three children, a son Edwin, who was five years old when his mother died, and seven years old when his father died. The other children died as infants. Ben died in 1908, he was 37 years old. His wife died in 1907, she was 26 years old. Steiner Aasand, Ben’s good friend and business associate was named guardian for young Edwin. Bergette Sorenson, Ben’s sister came from Norway. The two were married at Vang Lutheran Church and raised Edwin as their son.

Post Office Location: Block 3, Lot 6 Post Masters: Oscar Ongstad, Edgar Flick Year Started: 1944 at this location Year Ended: 1992 History of Business: Oscar Ongstad bought the bank building when he was appointed postmaster at Manfred in 1944. He retired in 1962. At that time Marlys Koenig became acting postmaster and in 1964 Edgar A. Flick was appointed postmaster. He remained in that position until the post office was closed in October 1992. Edgar is a descendent of T. K. Rogne, the first postmaster in Manfred. Daisy – Post Office Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Olaf and Sarah Tansem Husband's Full Name: Olaf Emil Tansem Husband's Place of Birth: Minnesota Husband's Father's Name: John O.Tansem Husband's Mother's Name: Caroline Tansem Husband's Siblings' Names: Brigitte, Christian, John Petter Wife's Full Name: Sarah LeGrand, and Sadie Moore Wife's Place of Birth: Skara, Ostergotlama, Sweden Wife's Father's Name: Joseph LeGrand Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Lindstrom Wife's Siblings: Axel, Esther, Inez, David, Hulda, Gertrude, Harry, Clara Children's Names: Hjalmer, Eva Ruth, Clifford, Daphne, Edna Olaf is the man on the early picture in the sailboat with the photographer about 1900, see photo to the right. The 1880 census says he was born in Minnesota. He is listed in the 1900 census of Manfred Township. Olaf was a blacksmith and a farmer. He worked for Jens Renden and managed the Renden Blacksmith Shop. Mr. Tansem homesteaded northeast of Balfour in 1902 and in 1933 rented his farm and moved to Velva. He is buried at the Vang Cemetery north of Manfred.

Humble Beginnings Soo Line Railroad Attracts Settlers It was the coming of the Soo Line Railroad that brought home seekers to Wells County. Settlers had arrived before the eighties in the Sykeston area. The first general election in Wells County, Dakota Territory was held at Sykeston, November 4, 1884. The main issue was the location of the county seat. In those early years, the site of Manfred was known as the James River Crossing of the Mouse River Trail. The Manfred Post Office was established May 3, 1894, with Mr. T. K. Rogne as postmaster. Strength of Character The early settlers were of hardy stock. They were courageous, people of conscience. To practice their religion, they were willing to sacrifice and risk funds. They were energetic and inventive. Grueling tasks were merely challenges and they knew how to make crude substitutes for tools, equipment, clothing and materials they lacked. The majority of them had great physical endurance – men and women of character and vision. Without these qualities they bounties of nature would have been of little value. Enjoying the Company of Friends The spirit of kinship, congeniality and helpfulness existed among the pioneers. Fun parities that lasted until dawn were held in various homes, especially during the Christmas season. Neighbors took turns when social events were the order of the day. Christmas tree programs were well attended. Generally, a pastor was present to deliver the ever-beautiful Christmas Gospel Story. Children would speak pieces, and the audience joined in singing Christmas hymns and carols. A barrel of luscious, sweet-smelling apples served as refreshments. Season’s greetings and pleasantries were exchanged. The spirit of good will was easily felt. Popular places for social gatherings were in the various homes of Ladies Aid embers who met once a month. It was quite an ordeal for the hostess to make the necessary preparations. First a thorough housecleaning had to be done. Unused items were taken out to make more room in crowded quarters of the modest homes; then came several days of preparing for the feast to be served. Whole families attended, fathers and mothers with children wrapped in quilts arrived in bobsleds to enjoy the social doings. In summer, buggies and wagons were modes of travel. After the ladies' aid business session was completed, the guests were invited to be seated at long tables decked out in white tablecloths, and fairly groaning with innumerable varieties of foods and Norwegian pastries, lefse and rømmegrøt. The children waited impatiently for their turn at the second table setting. Fashion of the Time Skirts were floor-length, wide at the bottom with stiffening and bindings to hold them out. Shirtwaists in pretty striped percales were good standbys. Sailor hats were quite the rage, as were the large be-ribboned gaily flowered creations of the period. Elbow length capes trimmed with rich, heavy lace and rows of shining braid added chic to the costume. Men as a rule were bewhiskered and wore derby hats while still white bosom shirts were the style. Watch chains fashioned of human hair, crocheted and finished in gold settings were proudly displayed by young men – generally gifts from their best girlfriends. Growing boys wore knee pants. Generations of Loyalty The first generation of pioneers who settled in Manfred Township have long since gone to their reward. The majority of farmsteads are owned and operated by second and third generations who continue tilling the good earth, which has produced these many years. When we look back across the years, we are reminded of the high hopes, the stunning disappointments, the heroic struggles pioneers endured, we realize that every food of the soil was hallowed with tears and toil and prayers. Source: Chapter Excerpt from Pioneer History of Wells County Author: Sennev Nertrost Whipple Date: March 1966

Gullik and Ragnhild Nordtorp Husband's Full Name: Gullik Rønjusson Nordtorp Husband's Place of Birth: Nordtorp 20/3 ØS, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Rønjus Jonsen Nordtorp Husband's Mother's Name: Narit Knutsdotter Rogne Husband's Siblings' Names: Jon Wife's Full Name: Ragnhild Olsdotter Hegge Wife's Place of Birth: Hegge 20/3 ØS, Valdres, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ola Sveinson Hegge Wife's Mother's Name: Ingrid Halvorsdatter Sælid Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Margit, Ingrid, Ingebjorg, Bergit, Jennie, Oscar, John, Anne, Hilda, Gladys Gullik R. Nordtorp was born in Valdres, Norway. He was married to Ragnhild Hegge also from Valdres, Norway. They ran a Tourist Hotel called Heggenes, in Valdres. They came to Wisconsin in 1892, lived there one year and then moved to Manfred. As the agent for the Smith Roger Lumber Co., he founded the first business house in Manfred in 1893. Later he erected his home, the stone house, which became a familiar landmark. The two first babies were baptized in the stone house, and two weddings were held there. Christ Roble and C. C. Melby's services were held there and Sunday School to start with too. He also was a carpenter and with a crew-built section houses from Enderlin to Anamoose. They also built schoolhouses. Ten children were born to the union. They are: (Margit) Mrs. Jacobson, (Ingrid) Mrs. Sever Hovey, (Emma) a school teacher and banker; (Bertha) Mrs. Oscar Melby; (Jennie) Mrs. Isakson; (Oscar and John) both contractors and built elevators, Anne, a public health nurse, a district nurse in the Peace River County; (Hilda) Mrs. Bill Roberts, deceased, (Gladys) Mrs. Aster Basarb, she was a teacher at High Prairie and he farmed. Gullik Nordtorp was the secretary when they first started the congregation in Manfred and was active in the welfare of the church and community. Gullik Nordtorp was born July 12, 1858, and died February 23, 1934. His wife, Ragnhild was born October 13 and died October 27, 1929. They both died in Camrose, Alberta.

George and Tillie Dybing Husband's Full Name: George Theodore Dybing Husband's Place of Birth: Fram Township, Wells, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Tannes Dybing Husband's Mother's Name: Ingrid Kopseng Husband's Siblings' Names: Mary Rogelstad, Clarence, Anna Wife's Full Name: Tillie Bauer Wife's Place of Birth: Harvey, North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Andrew Bauer Wife's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Kafton Wife's Siblings' Names: Arthur and Donald Children's Names: Myron and Susan Tannes and Ingrid Dybing's youngest son, George married Tillie Bauer, daughter of Andrew Bauer of Harvey. For a time, he operated in partnership the Socony Vacuum Oil Station and Bulk Fuel dealership in Harvey. His partner was Albert Patzer. In 1942, they moved to Minot where George was involved in the fuel business until he started carpentry as a trade. At the time of this writing, he is still carpentering on a semi-retirement basis. George and Tillie have two children, Myron, a retired music teacher in Kindred, and Susan, who is living in Minneapolis, Minnesota Source: Growing With Pride [George passed away Oct 28, 1997, in Minot; his wife Tillie died July 5, 2021.]

Gulbran and Anna Melaas Husband's Full Name: Gulbran P [aka Gilbert] Melaas Husband's Place of Birth: Elbow Lake, Grant, Minnesota, USA Husband's Father's Name: Peder Melaas Husband's Mother's Name: Martha Iversdattr Heir Husband's Siblings' Names: Ivar, Ellena [Berndt Peterson], Martin, plus two sisters and a brother Wife's Full Name: Anna Evline Bakke Wife's Place of Birth: Aastad, Otter Tail, Minnesota, USA Wife's Father's Name: Ole Pederson Bakke Wife's Mother's Name: Anne Amundsdattr Amundson Wife's Siblings' Names: George, Peter, Thorvald Child’s Name: Melvin A. Melaas (born and died in 1906) Gulbran homesteaded land in Fram Township, Wells County in 1898, and in 1902 he married Anna Bakke from Minnesota. They continued to farm until 1933 when his health began to fail. He retired from farming, but they continued to live on the farm. In 1934 they rented their land to Nils and Hazel (Olson) Solberg, and the Solberg’s purchased the land in 1954. The property has been in the Solberg family since that time. The Nils Solberg family gave Anna’s wedding gown to the MHP, Inc. Museum, where it is displayed. Janice Solberg Baum-Johnson said that she and her siblings always affectionately called them uncle and auntie, but they weren’t related. Gulbrand and Anna had only one child, Melvin who died as an infant. The Melaas’ are all buried at the Bethania Lutheran Church Cemetery near Wellsburg. Gulbrand died in 1953, and Anna died in 1964. Anna was living in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, the place of her birth, at the time of her death.

Frank and Anna Marie Kolasky Husband's Full Name: Frank M. Kolasky, Sr. Husband's Place of Birth Poland Husband's Parents Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Anne Mary Stoos Wife's Place of Birth: Rollingstone, Minnesota, USA Wife's Parent’s Names: unknown Children's Names: Elizabeth (Frank Nilles); Peter, Mary (Stroby); Frank (Ella Moser); Nicholas; Louis; Ann (George Evertz); John L P. B. Anderson, who filed on his claim in 1892 and brought his family to Manfred Township in the spring of 1893, recalled that there were four settlers who had arrived about three and a half years earlier (ca 1879). They were Charles Bartz, Frank Kolasky, Jesse Fincher and William Goedecke. Frank received homestead papers as follows: 11 Jun 1895 in 149. Wells, North Dakota, USA; Homestead Land Section: 035; Homestead Meridian: 5th pm; Homestead Range: 071.0W In the Old Manfred News, August 1905 issue Frank Kolasky is busy these hot days hauling sand for the new bank building. Frank also has the job of hauling the brick, of which there will be seven carloads. In the Old Manfred News, in May 1906 the following article was in local column: Frank M. Kolasky sold his farm, 320 acres last week to Mark Wilson, the Fessenden land man. The consideration was $4500. Frank harvested this year’s crop but Frank, like a good many nowadays, has the Canada fever and will no doubt ship to southern Alberta and make that his future home. The 1900 Manfred Census lists the parents and all 8 of the children, the youngest being only 4 months old at the time of census. Only the oldest was born is Cass County and buried in 1950 in Harvey. The other children were born in Manfred - James River Crossing of the Mouse River Trail. The census also says that Frank M. owned a farm and immigrated to the USA in 1875. Some of the children attended Manfred School from 1898 – 1902.

Herman and Cora Weinmann Herman and Cora Weinmann Husband's Full Name: Herman Joseph Weinmann Husband's Place of Birth: Forward, Wells, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Herman Joseph Weinmann Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Katherine Prom Husband's Siblings' Names: Lawrence, Francis, Marie Starman Wife's Full Name: Cora Ethel Arneson Wife's Place of Birth: Fairdale, ND Wife's Father's Name: Ole Arneson Wife's Mother's Name: Martha Pedersdtr Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: John and Roger Herman J. Weinmann was born in Forward Township, near Harvey and was reared there. He farmed in Manfred Township, Wells Co until 1963 when they moved into Harvey. Herman operated a Coast-to-Coast store in Harvey until retiring in 1972. His wife Cora worked in the store as well. They were members of St. Cecilia's Catholic Church and served on the Manfred Township Board and Wells County Farmers Home Administration board. Herman died in 1977, Cora died in 1991. They are buried at Sunnyside Cemetery near Harvey.