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Manfred School 1910 - Early in the year, plans were made for building a two-story brick building to be completed by September 5, 1910 at a cost of $7,853. Contractors were Harrison and Boas. 1973 - The school closed in May. Classes had been held continuously until then. 1974 - The schoolhouse building was sold to Mike and Dianne Aull who together with their children remodeled it and lived there for a number of years. 1993 - The building was sold to Harry Detling who used it for storage. 2006 - Rural Vestige Alliance, a non-profit, was formed and through the solicitation of funds the building was purchased. The intent was to renovate the building. At least a portion will be restored as a classroom(s) furnished with historic Manfred School artifacts. 2010 - The roof was repaired and shingled through numerous grants. 2011 - Interior cleaned out with the help of 23 volunteers. 2012 - A grant from Preservation North Dakota allowed construction of a replica of the original portico. 2014 - Many projects were undertaken inside the school. The walling of two classrooms and the north hall was replaced, wainscoting installed in both classrooms, blackboards installed in west classroom, hole in the hardwood filled in, baseboard projects began, and window panes were replaced. 2015 - The steps were reconstructed and a new door was installed 2016 - The chimney was removed. It was crumbling and dangerous. 2017 - The bell tower was removed; it was leaking in to one of the upstairs classrooms which was a continuous problem. The windows were updated with new panes. The main floor classrooms were painted and the woodwork project started. 2017-2018 - Restoration of dormers with new cedar shingles and port windows. 2018 - The floor was stabilized under the many radiators. Work was started to refinish the main story floors, they were sanded and varnished. The wainscoting and other wood work was stained and varnished in the west classroom. 2018 - The classroom exhibit was installed in time for the first annual Manfred Pioneer Festival. 2019- Restoration and cleaning of front portico. Sanding, stripping, and varnishing of first floor west classroom, entry, and coat closets. Patching of floor holes from former plumbing. Future Projects: Main floor window restoration then upstairs and downstairs Plaster repair in hallway and upstairs classrooms Brick repair and tuckpointing Replacement of flooring which was removed from upstairs classroom

Christian S. and Elizabeth Stradinger Husband's Full Name: Christian S. Stradinger Husband's Place of Birth: Freidentahl, Russia Husband's Father's Name: Karl Stradinger Husband's Mother's Name: Katrena Nehr Husband's Siblings' Names: Elisabetha, Anna, Kari, Johann, Wilheim, Johann, Heinrich, Karoline, Katherine, Wife's Full Name: Elizabeth Stein Wife's Place of Birth: Bergdorf, Glueckstal, Odessa, Russia Wife's Father's Name: Christian Stein Wife's Mother's Name: Magarethe Schmidt Wife's Siblings' Names: Christian, Johannes, Friedrich, John, Karolina, Christine, Heinrich, Caroline, Margaret Children's Names: Ella, Edna, Reinhart, Haldrich, Olga and Harold Edna Stradlinger Glad, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth The Stradinger’s lived in Manfred between 1917 and 1925. Christian worked at the elevator. They lived in the Ostrem house. The children attended school at Manfred. From Manfred they moved to Mercer.

Kermit and Lillian Melby Husband's Full Name: Kermit Trigby Melby Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Martin Knute Melby Husband's Mother's Name: Alma Haugen Melby Husband's Siblings' Names: Myrtle Sailer, Ellanora, Donald, Wife's Full Name: Lillian Elton Melby Wolf Wife's Place of Birth: New Rockford, ND Wife's Father's Name: Magnus Elton Wife's Mother's Name: Anna O. Elton Wife's Siblings' Names: Lester, Kenneth Children's Names: Curtis, Virgil, Garlet Schmaltz, Jeanne Fry, Laurie Lloyd Kermit and Lillian Melby holding Bergit Melby, daughter of Gene and Betty Melby Obituary - Kermit Kermit T. Melby, 76, Manfred, died Friday, September 4, 1992 in the Harvey Hospital. A family service was held at the Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, with burial in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. He was born February 7, 1916 to Martin and Alma Melby on their farm north of Manfred where he was raised and received his early education. He attended high school at the Benson County Agricultural School in Maddock. As a young man he farmed with his father north of Manfred and also farmed for a time south of Manfred. He entered the Army December 27, 1941, and served during World War II in the European, African and Middle Eastern Theaters. After his discharge September 17, 1945, he returned to Manfred where he was employed as a Wells County maintainer operator for a time. In 1947, he began working as a substitute mail carrier for Manfred. He re-enlisted in the Army in 1948 and served during the Korean War. In 1953, he returned to Manfred and became full-time rural mail carrier. He retired in September 1984. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1868 of Harvey and the Harvey Eagles Club. He was once married to Lillian Elton. Survivors: sons, Curtis, Fessenden, Virgil, Fargo, daughters, Garlet Schmaltz, Jeanne Frey, both of Harvey and Laurie Lloyd, Fessenden; six grandchildren; brother, Donald, Detroit Lakes, Minn; sisters, Myrtle Sailer, Beulah and Ellanora Houtkooper, Fargo. Source: Free Press - September 14, 1992 Obituary: Lillian Lillian was born on January 24, 1930 at New Rockford, ND. She was the daughter of Edwin and Thelma Nokelby of New Rockford, ND. She was later adopted by Magnus and Anna Elton. She grew up and attended school at Manfred. She married Kermit Melby in 1947. She married Victor Wolfe in 1974. They were business owners in the Harvey area. Victor died on July 13, 1994. Lillian died September 13, 1998. Both are buried at the Veteran’s Cemetery near Mandan. She is survived by 3 daughters and 3 sons-in law. Garlet and Daniel Schmaltz, Harvey, Jeanne and Steven Frey, Minot, Laurie and Scott Lloyd, Fessenden; 2 sons and daughter in law, Curtis Melby, Heaton, Virgil and Sandy Melby, Fargo; 6 grandchildren, Adam Melby, Rustin and Tamra Schmaltz, Kyle and Shaunna Lea Lloyd and DeAnna Frey

Helland Electric Location: Next to Post Office Building Proprietor: Arnie Helland Year Started: 1950’s? Year Ended: unknown History of Business: Arnie Helland had an electrical shop in Manfred for a short time. He later relocated his shop to Harvey. Daisy – Helland Electric Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Casper and Selma Berve Husband's Full Name: Casper Berve Husband's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Ola Jonson Berve Husband's Mother's Name: Anna Marie Eilertsdtr Husband's Siblings' Names: Egert, Egert (Josie), Johanna (Knute Ramsfield), Cecilia (Broe), Olida (Ravnaas), Eilert, Oliver (Agnes Berve), Olga (Knudsvig) Jonas (Helen Broe), Wife's Full Name: Selma Rodne Wife's Place of Birth: North Dakota Wife's Father's Name: Haldor Rodne Wife's Mother's Name: Delia Ring Wife's Siblings' Names: Tom, Harley (Phylis), Clara (Ben Rogelstad), Selmer (Nora Ramsfield) Gilma (Roland Howard), Ruth (Bernard Skiftun) Louis (Clara Overland) Children's Names: none 2nd Wife’s Full Name: Hazel Olson Solberg (Nels) Casper Berve was born in rural Manfred, ND to parents Ola Jonson Berve and Anna Marie Eilertsdtr. He lived in rural Manfred most of his life and farmed his land. He married Selma Rodne in 1947. They were active members of the Bethel Lutheran Church in rural Manfred. A few years after Selma's death Casper married Hazel Olson Solberg who had two grown children, Norlin and Janice. Casper and Hazel continued to live in Wells County until their death. They were buried in the Bethel Cemetery.

Arthur Rodne Full Name: Arthur B. Rodne Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Father's Name: Ole L. Rodne Mother's Name: Anna Lunde Rodne Siblings' Names: Lars, Oliver, Otto, Alfred, Carl, Gina, Laura, Berger, Sena Arthur B. Rodne was born September 26.1903, to Ole L. and Anna Rodne near Manfred, ND. "Art" attended rural school in the area and in 1910 traveled with his family to Norway where they spent three years with family. As a young man Art began working on the farm of Nels and Cora (Anderson) Nertrost near Manfred. He worked the fields and with the livestock. His entire life was spent working on their farm. His interest in hunting and trapping was shared with nieces and nephews. He had a special heart for children and spent much time with family showering his nieces and nephews with homemade toys as well as bikes and toy trains and dolls to treasure. Art died on December 4, 1964, at age 61 near Manfred. He is buried at Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Manfred.

Esther Anderson Full Name: Esther Dorothea Anderson Place of Birth: Manfred, Wells, North Dakota Father's Name: Peter Beck Anderson Mother's Name: Anna D. Johnson Wife's Siblings' Names: Arthur, Nennie, Minnie, Orren, Cora, Gertrude (her twin), Pete, Cora, Perry, Frederik, Florence, Mathilda Esther, born May 10, 1895, was the seventh child born to P. B. and Anna Anderson. Her twin sister Gertrude died of diphtheria while still a child. Esther was reared on the family farm west of Manfred. She attended Valley City State College and later Minot State College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Esther taught school for 44 years, 37 of them at Roosevelt Elementary School in Minot before retiring in 1960. She came to Minot in 1923 after teaching for a time in Caldwell, Idaho, Maddock, and Manfred. She also taught briefly at Sunnyside Elementary in Minot before going to Roosevelt School. Esther was a member of the Minot First Presbyterian Church, the Church Circle, North Dakota Education Association, the National Education Association, American Association of Retired Teachers, Minot Stamp Club, Trinity Hospital Auxiliary and Minot Business and Professional Women's Club. Esther died on January 2, 1974. Funeral was held the following Saturday at 10 in Memorial Chapel of First Presbyterian Church. Burial was held in the Manfred Cemetery.

Frank and Anna Mattis Husband's Full Name: Frank Mattis Husband's Place of Birth: Dresden, Germany Husband's Father's Name: Frank Hedwig Mattis Husband's Mother's Name: unknown Husband's Siblings' Names: Thorvald, Inga, Mabel, Clara, Hilda and Alma Wife's Full Name: Gina Hedahl Wife's Place of Birth: Øystre Slidre, Opplund, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ole Svenson Hedahl Wife's Mother's Name: Ingrid Jorstad Wife's Siblings' Names: Sven, Conrad, Oscar, Clara, Emma, Edwin, Edith Children's Names: Frank Jr. 2nd Wife: Anna Skaar Jorstad Gina Hedahl Mattis Anna Mattis, 2nd Wife Gina Hedahl was born in Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway to Ole S. and Ingrid Hedahl immigrating to the USA in 1893 with her parents and brother Swen. As a young child she and her parents and brother lived first at Fergus Falls, Minnesota and then Twin Valley, Minnesota before moving to Manfred in 1895 where her father filed on a homestead. Gina attended the one-room school at Manfred, finisher her schooling in Fessenden when the family located there because her father was elected to a county position at the Wells County Court House. Later, Gina began working in the Register of Deed’s office in Fessenden. According to the published diary of Clara Hedahl. Gina was rooming with her sister Clara and Gladys Ranum in 1916 when they were attending Fessenden High School. In 1917, Gina resigned her position at the courthouse, and together with several friends filed on homesteads near Malta, Montana. She fulfilled the homesteading requirements during the years 1917-1919. The same year Gina had begun homesteading, her future husband, Frank Mattis was working in New Rockford, ND. He was born in German, son of Frank Hedwig Mattis. At the age of six Frank came to the USA with his parents and settled in the New Rockford area. A few years later the family returned to Germany where Frank was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. A short time later he returned to the United States, started farming settling in the Manfred and Esmond area. Though one of his hands was badly crippled due to a childhood accident with a gun, Frank didn’t let this hold him back and was able to do everything himself. On December 24, 1925, Gina Hedahl and Frank Mattis were married at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. For some years they lived on the Hedahl farm north of Manfred where their son Frank, Jr. “Frankie” was born Sept 18, 1926. Frankie started school at Manfred in 1932 and finished his elementary schooling there in 1940. In1946 Frank and Gina purchased a farm of their own just southwest of Manfred. Gina had her home decorated nicely and was often found working on various kinds of stitchery handwork. Frank Jr. died suddenly November 30, 1947. He was a young man full of promise, attending the state university in Fargo at the time of his passing. His mother Gina never fully recovered from the shock of the untimely death of their only child. Gina died July 9, 1953. She was laid to rest beside her son in Vang Cemetery. After Gina died, her husband Frank continued to farm in the area. On June 18, 1965, he married Anna Skaar Jorstad at First Lutheran Church in Fessenden. Anna was born November 8, 1902, in Heimdal, ND. Her first marriage had been to Olaf Jorstad. Frank and Anna lived in Fessenden and in 1966 Frank retired. They were Members of First Lutheran Church, Fessenden and also of the Manfred Fagerlund Sons of Norway Lodge. Frank died August 18, 1976, and is buried beside Gina and their son Frank, Jr. Anna SkaarJorstad Mattis died August 8, 1977, and is buried beside her first husband Olaf Jorstad in the East Vang Cemetery north of Fessenden.

Berger and Olive Rodne Husband's Full Name: Berger Rodne Husband's Place of Birth: Fram Township, Wells Co, ND Husband's Father's Name: Ole L. Rodne Husband's Mother's Name: Anna O. Lunde Husband's Siblings' Names: Lars (Inez Erickson); Oliver (Inga Overland); Arthur, Otto, Alfred (Mabel Dovre); Carl (Agnes Stenerson); Gena (Lirgg); Laura (Bill Cook); Sena (Andrew Hillesland) Wife's Full Name: Olive Stenerson Rodne Wife's Place of Birth: Dodge, Dunn Co, ND Wife's Father's Name: Erick Stenerson Wife's Mother's Name: Christina Knutson Stenerson Wife's Siblings' Names: Orville (Bernice), Agnes (Carl Rodne) Children's Names: Karen (Gerry Beutler); Otto, Mark, Paul Berger Rodne was born September 1, 1913 to Ole L. and Anna Rodne near Manfred, N.D. He grew up on the family farm and attended a rural school located two miles from his home. Often these one-room schoolhouses had as many as 40-50 pupils from grades one to eight, with only one teacher in charge. In his late teens, Berger became interested in artwork and did oil paintings of both scenic views and portraits. Some of these he sold to museums for display. On April 6, 1952, Berger married Olive Stenerson of Dodge, N.D. at Seattle, Washington. Olive was born on April 3, 1920 at Dodge. She graduated from Dickinson State College and Lutheran Bible Institute and taught seven years in western N.D. prior to their marriage. In 1954, Ole L. Rodne sold the farm to his son, Berger who still lives on the farmstead. Berger has been active in the community, serving on the school board in Fram Township before the reorganization of the Harvey school district. He later served six years on the Harvey Board of Education. He also has done evangelistic preaching, taking him to churches in North Dakota and Minnesota. He also has enjoyed writing and sharing his poetry and caring for his "stabburs" on the farm. Olive and Berger had four children. Written by Olive Rodne for the Harvey area history book with additions by Karen Rodne Beutler

Ole and Clara Gladheim Husband's Full Name: Ole Bernhard Gladheim Husband's Place of Birth: Stokkebryen, Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Ola Ranheim Stokkebryn Husband's Mother's Name: Barbro Olsdatter Gladheim Husband's Siblings' Names: none, several half siblings Wife's Full Name: Clara Genette Ranum Gladheim Wife's Place of Birth: Cottonwood, MN Wife's Father's Name: Ole Juel Ranum Wife's Mother's Name: Guri Knutsdotter Melby Ranum Wife's Siblings' Names: George, Konrad, Emil, Ida, Gladys Pfundheller Children's Names: Bernice (Vern) Nelson, Mildred (Olaf) Nelson, Gerda Berky, Doris Lippelgoos, Ordean, Cora Solberg Mauk, Ora Johnston Thompson, Carol Weymouth Clara Jeanette Ranum was born May 23, 1894 in Cottonwood, Lyon Co. MN. She was the daughter of Ole J. and Guri K (Melby) Ranum. Both Ole and Guri had parents who were early settlers of Manfred, Juel O. and Guri Ranum and Knud O. and Guri Melby. She was the 5th of 6 children, Konrad, George, Emil, Ida, Clara, and Gladys. Konrad and Ida both died young. Clara's family traveled from Minnesota to North Dakota, living in several places before settling in Manfred sometime in the early 1900's. Ole Bernhard Gladheim was born on July 18, 1895 in the Valdres region of Norway, on Stokkebryn, a farm owned by his parents, Ole O. Stokkebryn and his wife Barbro O. Gladheim. Barbro died soon after childbirth and young Ole was raised by his mother's parents on the Gladheim farm. When he immigrated to the US, he went by their name, although in Norway, he is still referred to as Ole Olson Stokkebryn. Ole was Barbo’s only child, but his father remarried and descendants from his half-siblings still live in Norway. Ole Bernhard Gladheim arrived in New York in 1912, sailing from Liverpool, England on the Lusitania, two years before her historical sinking in WWI. He made his way to Manfred, ND to visit his aunt, Anna (Stokkebryn) Melby, wife of Christian Christianson Melby. While visiting, he met the grandniece of Christian Melby, Clara Ranum, daughter of Ole and Julia (Guri) Ranum. On March 8, 1916, Ole Gladheim and Clara Ranum were married. Let it be noted that Ole and Clara had an even closer familial tie; their paternal grandfathers were brothers making them 2nd cousins! Shortly after the marriage, Ole and Clara moved to Sanish, North Dakota where they homesteaded a farm on the cliffs overlooking the Missouri River to the west. Here they raised 8 children, Bernice, Mildred, Gerda, Doris, Ordean, twins Cora and Ora, and Carol. As in Manfred, the area around Sanish and Van Hook had many other families related to Clara, including her brother and sister's families. But the 1930's were not good for the Gladheim family at Sanish, so they moved back to Manfred where they took up the farm from Clara's parents. All eight of the children reached their adulthood in Manfred. Ole died in 1952, killed in an auto accident while traveling in Montana. After his death, Clara sold the farm to her oldest daughter Bernice and her husband, Vern Nelson. Clara lived in Minot for many years before relocating to Vancouver, Washington to live with her daughters there. Clara died in 1986. Both Ole and Clara are laid to rest in the Vang Lutheran Cemetery near Manfred, just a short walk south from their farm. Source: Elaine Homan, 30 Jan 2003

Fredrick and Elizabeth Hoffman Husband's Full Name: Frederick Hoffman Husband's Place of Birth: Germany Husband's Father's Name: Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Wife's Full Name: Elizabeth Wife's Place of Birth: Germany Wife's Father's Name: Wife's Mother's Name: Wife's Siblings' Names: Children's Names: John, Rudolph and Corma, Erma Frederick and Elizabeth settled in the Manfred area and are listed in the 1900 US Federal Census of the James River, Wells County, North Dakota. They emigrated from Germany. They were farmers. Frederick was born in April 1858; Elizabeth was born in June of 1867. They were married in 1897. Three children are listed on the 1910 census – John born 1899, Rudolph born in 1903 and Corma born about 1904, all born in North Dakota, presumably in the Manfred area. The 1920 census lists Rudolph in Hillsdale, Wells County, North Dakota census, and in 1930 the census lists Rudolph and his wife Theresa in Township 147 of Sheridan, North Dakota. The 1930 Census records indicate that Frederick, Elizabeth and daughter Erma were living in Harvey, Wells, North Dakota, USA. Erma was born ca 1911.