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Sletten and Elsaas Location: Block 3, Lot 4 Proprietor: J. J. Elsaas Year Started: before 1903 Year Ended: before 1910 History of Business: Center Building on bottom photo Source: September 10, 1903 - W. A. Stickney in Wells County News, Fessenden. "While on tour of Manfred last Tuesday we dropped in on Sletten and Elsaas. Mr. Sletten was out, but we found Mr. Elsaas in his usual good humor waiting on his trade. This firm is thinking of putting on a big bargain sale this fall and if they do Mr. Elsaas says there will be bargains for everybody!" John J. Elsaas was also proprietor of Hotel Dacotah Block 3 - Lot 4 Otto Sletten and John J. Elsaas had moved from Manfred before 1910. Daisy – Sletten and Elsaas Reference points: Red rectangle - Manfred School Blue rectangle - Vang Lutheran Church Purple rectangle – Post Office/Bank Green rectangle – Solheim Station

Emil and Minnie Bundt Husband's Full Name: Emil Henry Bundt Husband's Place of Birth: Wisconsin Husband's Father's Name: August R. Bundt Husband's Mother's Name: Bertha L. Bundt Husband's Siblings' Names: Unknown Wife's Full Name: Minnie Emma Goedecke Wife's Place of Birth: North Dakota, USA Wife's Father's Name: Wilhelm Goedecke Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Gloe Wife's Siblings' Names: Fred Goedecke, (Werlinger) Elsie Goedecke (McBain) Children's Names: William, Irene, Raymond, Elaine, Eugene, Dorothy Emil and Minnie Bundt were married on April 1916. Emil ran the Bundt Meat Market in Manfred in 1917 and 1918. Their first two children were born in Manfred, in 1917 and 1918 respectively. Their third child was born in Fessenden, where they apparently had moved. From North Dakota they moved to Polk County Minnesota and to Montana where three more children were born. Emil continued his trade with the census of 1930 indicating he was a butcher in Minot, ND. From there they moved to Crosby then to Westby, Montana. Death records indicate he died in 1942 and she died in 2000. They both died in Vida, McCone County, They attended Concordia Lutheran Church of rural Fessenden.

Rudolph and Augusta Fiebick I'Husband's Full Name: Rudolph Fiebick Husband's Place of Birth: Volidski, Russia Husband's Father's Name: Frederick Fiebick Husband's Mother's Name: Husband's Siblings' Names: Ernestine Mohr, August, Frederica, Reinhold, Erdmann, Wife's Full Name: Augusta Mietz Fiebick Wife's Place of Birth: Russia Wife's Father's Name: August Mietz Wife's Mother's Name: Maria Hassenbusch Mietz Wife's Siblings' Names: Mathilda Burgstahler, Rudolph, Arthur, Martha Anderson, Emma Mosal, Otto, Fred Children's Names: Olga Weiss, Mathilda Niebuhr, Ella Stolz Emil, Lena, Ida, Martha, Theodore, Feader, Verna Wogh Rudolph was the first of his brothers to immigrate to the USA. He came in about 1893, and then his other brothers, with the exception of Erdmann immigrated here. Rudolph and Augusta were married in 1897. Rudolph and Augusta are listed in the Manfred Township census in 1900, 1910, 1915, 1920, and 1925. They owned land in Manfred Township, Section 34, according to the atlas map of the township. They were still living in Manfred township in April 1937, according to the Manfred News, and their Manfred friends had a party for them, as they were preparing to move to a farm near Fessenden. Pictured - Rudolph and August Fiebick and children: In order of age: Olga, Mathilda, Ella, Emil, Lina, Ida, Martha, Theodore, Verna Picture taken about 1907

Helge and Bertha Myhre Husband's Full Name: Helge B. Myhre Husband's Place of Birth: Vang, Valdres, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Boie Leine Myhre Husband's Mother's Name: Berit Brekke Husband's Siblings' Names: Betsy Helgerud Wife's Full Name: Bertha Nertrost Myhre Wife's Place of Birth: Drammen, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Mads Nertrost Wife's Mother's Name: Sigrid Strand Nertrost Wife's Siblings' Names: Mads, Sennev, Anna, Nels Children's Names: Conrad and Walter Helge B. Myhre was born at Vang, Valdres, Norway on December 31, 1858. He left his native land when a young man, arriving in the United States in 1889. In 1898 he came to Wells County where he resided the rest of his life. He was engaged in farming and stock raising. He was a good farmer, progressive and thrifty and developed one of the finest farmsteads in the Four Corners community as well as acquiring other holdings in the county. He was most successful in his work and built up an ideal farm home. In 1899, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Nertrost at Manfred. Bertha Nertrost Myhre was born near Drammen, Norway on March 16, 1878, the eldest child of Mads and Sigrid Nertrost. With her parents and infant brother, she came to the United States in 1880 entering the new land at Castle Garden, New York City. After several years in Northfield, Minnesota, she moved to her father's claim near Cooperstown, ND, then a territory. She too shared the struggles and hardships of early pioneering. After attending country schools in the community, she entered her high school class at Cooperstown, ND. At 16 years of age, she taught her first rural school. Arriving in Manfred in June 1894, she joined her family and pursued her teaching career in Wells County. She attended the State Teachers College at Valley City several years. Helge and Bertha were the parents of two sons, Conrad Myhre, an electrical engineer at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Walter Myhre who resided on the farm. Both are now deceased. H. B. Myhre was a very prominent resident of Manfred Township. He served as Clerk of the Manfred School Board from 1901 - 1906, as Treasurer from 1910 1912, and as Director in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914. During this time there were three schools in the district. In 1907, the Myhre family joined the Vang Lutheran Church and from 1907 – 1911 Helge served as one of the trustees on the church board. Mrs. Myhre was a charter member of the Vang Ladies Aid, having served as its president several years, and also a member of the Vang Lutheran Church organized in 1906. She gave freely of her time and talent to the church and the community and was ever an inspiration to her family and her friends. She was laid to rest in Vang Cemetery in 1949, beside her husband, who died in 1932.

Harley and Lydia Boese Husband's Full Name: Harley Boese Husband's Place of Birth: Rural Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Louis Walter Boese Husband's Mother's Name: Ella Mennegar Boese Husband's Siblings' Names: Richard, Raymond, Mildred Soiseth Ervin, Louella Harrison Oglesby, Violet Kittleson, Wesley Wife's Full Name: Lydia Stolz Boese Wife's Place of Birth: Anamoose, ND Wife's Father's Name: Michael Stolz Wife's Mother's Name: Sophie Kiemele Stolz Wife's Siblings' Names: Aisenbrey, Michael, Carrie, Rose, John, Jack, Martha Hurley, Fred, Edwin Children's Names: Marlys Piatz, Donna Foster, James, Merlyn, David Harley Boese, son of Louis W. and Ella Mennegar Boese, was born October 24, 1911, at Manfred and grew to manhood in this community. He married Lydia Stolz on March 22, 1936. Lydia, the daughter of Michael and Sophie Kiemele Stolz, was born April 1, 1913, in Anamoose. Harley and Lydia were engaged in farming and in 1942 a gas explosion caused a serious compound leg fracture which hospitalized Harley for many months in Harvey and Rochester, Minnesota. Harley sold his farming interests and operated a gas station in Manfred. Experiencing more health problems, Harley was forced to sell the station. After a year of more hospitalization, Harley started a shoe repair shop, which he could do while on crutches. This business was enlarged to have a lunch counter. Lydia baked and served homemade pastries and sandwiches. As Harley's health improved, they continued to enlarge their business by moving into a larger building formerly owned by Martin Melby, which had been the Ford Garage in Manfred. Many changes were needed to complete this building to contain a restaurant, bar and their residence. This business was sold in 1953 to Jake and Evelyn Schlenker. Harley was employed for a year at the Farmers Union Elevator of Manfred. At this time, he decided to farm again. They bought the Jacob Helland farm one mile north of Manfred. Harley raised turkeys and his flock grew to be 12,000 by the time they retired from farming in 1960. Harley and Lydia were employed for five years at the Cooke Hotel in Harvey. In 1965, they moved to Miles City, Montana where they were employed by the State of Montana at the Pine Hills School. They were house parents to boys in a corrective institution for eleven years. After retirement they moved to Harvey where they now reside. (both have passed away since this article was written) Five children were born to Harley and Lydia. Marlys Piatz has passed away, Donna Foster and Merlyn (Butch) Boese live in St. Paul area, and David is at Miles City, Montana. A son, James, passed away in 1942, at the age of seven weeks. Source - Growing with Pride

Paul and Inez Rognlie Husband's Full Name: Paul Christopher Rognlie Husband's Place of Birth: Spring Grove, MN Husband's Father's Name: Syvert Bertinus Rognlie Husband's Mother's Name: Marie Solum Rognlie Husband's Siblings' Names: Gjorgine, Sivert, Adolph, Magdaleen, Nanna, Clara, Frida, Lilly Wife's Full Name: Inez Signild LeGrand Wife's Place of Birth: Sweden Wife's Father's Name: Joseph LeGrand Wife's Mother's Name: Anna Christina LeGrand Wife's Siblings' Names: Axel, (Jennie Fincher); Esther (Gulbrand Melby) Sarah (Olaf Tansem); David, Hulda, Gertrude, Harry, Clara Children's Names:); Wee Earl Rognlie, (Lillian Grorud); Forrest (Gertrude Jacobson); Verdie, Alden, Inez (Reinhart Theodore Reinerson), Harry 2nd Wife: Julian K. Jenson Rognlie Children: Myrtle (Gerhard Faleide), Phillip (Margaret), Jarl Jerome (Inez) Paul was the second of nine children born to his family. Paul wrote about himself: After a high school was established in Hillsboro, I attended it for four years and later attended the Wilmar Seminary and Business College located at Wilmar, MN. My intention was then to take up the study of law at the University of Minnesota, but the panic of 1893 prevented me from doing that, so the following year, 1894-1895 I traveled with the Rognlie and Framstad Concert Company as a dramatic reader and humorist. Brother Sivert, an accomplished violinist and composer, was the main attraction. We traveled with considerable success through North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. By this time I decided to go back to Benson County where I had made a visit in 1882 and had a ride from Devils Lake to West End (now Minnewauken) on the maiden trip of the Minnie “H”. I had also been in Benson County in 1889 and 1891. The last time I came to take a homestead and while proving up on this homestead took employment as store manager for T. L. Quarve in his Viking. Then in 1901, I built and operated the first hardware and furniture store in Esmond, which I continued for a period of 27 years. During the legislative session of 1901 I served as assistant secretary of the N. D. Senate. From 1917 to 1923 I was secretary of the Hardware Mutual Fire Insurance Company with offices at Fargo. In 1922 I sold my hardware and furniture business to B. I. Steig of Esmond. After 1924 I devoted all my time to the nursery business that I established at Esmond. I also started a fruit orchard at Esmond in 1901 and have maintained it ever since during which time I have originated several new varieties of plums, apples, raspberries, strawberries, shrubs, and trees.” Mr. Rognlie was long active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He held the title of Past Grand Patriarch and Past Grand Representative among others. He was also adjutant General of the Department of Patriarchs Militant.

John and Edna Rogness Husband's Full Name: John Rogness Husband's Place of Birth: Rural Manfred, ND Husband's Father's Name: Andrew Jonson Rogness Husband's Mother's Name: Liva Berg Husband's Siblings' Names: Anna Hauge, Sam, Melvin, Anton, Elmer, Martin, Jacob Wife's Full Name: Edna Charles Wife's Place of Birth: Wife's Father's Name: Wife's Mother's Name: Wife's Siblings' Names: Children's Names: None John was the oldest child of Andrew and Liva Rogness. John and Edna farmed in rural Manfred. They were members of the Bethel Lutheran Church in rural Manfred. They enjoyed spending winters in Arizona in their retirement years. John spoke the Norwegian language fluently and was very proud of his heritage. Edna was trained as a nurse.

Tom and Ingebord Overland Husband's Full Name: Torgjerd (Thomas) Rasmus Overland Husband's Place of Birth: Enstabovold, Hordaland, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Rasmus Bjornsen Ness Øverland Husband's Mother's Name: Liva Vaga Husband's Siblings' Names: unknown Wife's Full Name: Ingebrod Strom Overland Wife's Place of Birth: Lunke, Oyer, Oppland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Ole Hansen Strom Wife's Mother's Name: Karen Olsen Nilsdatter Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: Lauris (Selma Gurine Rogness); Casper; Casper (Alma Bundy) Agnes (Jorgen Lilleberg); Hannah, Inga (Oliver Rodne); Clara (Louis Rodne); Henry (Dorothy Pfeifle); Esther; Ingwald (Edna Olson); Melvin (June Day) Mr. and Mrs. Overland came to Mayville from Norway as young people and were married in Mayville October 5, 1894. They made their home on the farm ten miles east of Harvey until the fall of 1946 at which time they moved to Heimdal, where they lived until their death. They celebrated their 60th anniversary with family and friends.

Reiner and Ruth Widiger Husband's Full Name: Reiner R. Widiger Husband's Place of Birth: Bowdon, North Dakota Husband's Father's Name: Adam W. Widiger Husband's Mother's Name: Lillian Stanibauk Husband's Siblings' Name: Kenneth Wife's Full Name: Ruth Anderson Widiger Wife's Place of Birth: Manfred, ND Wife's Father's Name: Perry Anderson Wife's Mother's Name: Lilly Rodne Anderson Wife's Siblings' Names: Margaret Thorson, Peter, Donald, Verna Bowers, LoAnn Dybing, Orren Children's Names: Carol, Ronald, Janine Schmitz, and Adele Holth Reiner attended rural school at Bowdon and Fessenden High School. Ruth attended Manfred Elementary School and graduated from Fessenden High School.They were married on September 7, 1952. Reiner served in the Army from 1952 to 1954. After their marriage they first lived in rural Fessenden, and then moved to Manfred. They lived in the parsonage in Manfred. Reiner became the Standard Oil Bulk Dealer in Manfred and served in this capacity for a number of years. In 1958 the bulk station was closed in Manfred. Ruth and Reiner then moved to Fessenden where he continued working with Standard Oil and became the agent there. Ruth was employed at the local ASCS and Soil Conservation District offices prior to 1960. When Reiner opened the Standard Station she partnered with him in this work. They were both instrumental in Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. Now in their retirement years they live in the Senior Housing complex in New Rockford. Source: Fessenden Centennial Book 1893 – 1993 with adaptations

Sven and Sofie Erfjord Husband's Full Name: Svend S. Erfjord Husband's Place of Birth: Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway Husband's Father's Name: Sven Nilsson Erfjord Husband's Mother's Name: Marta Karina Husband's Siblings' Names: Nils, Edvart, Torkel, Nils, Clarence Kleng, Thomine, David, Marta Wife's Full Name: Sofie Watland Wife's Place of Birth: Stavanger, Rogaland, Norway Wife's Father's Name: Watland Wife's Mother's Name: unknown Wife's Siblings' Names: unknown Children's Names: unknown Wedding Photo – 1904 in Stavanger, Norway Svend Erfjord came to Buxton, North Dakota from Stavanger Norway about 1890. He homesteaded in Manfred Township in 1897. In 1904 he returned to Stavanger and married Sofie Watland. They returned to his homestead and lived there until 1917. At that time they moved to Esmond, North Dakota, and later moved to Fargo. Mr. Erfjord was a farmer and in addition he did some carpentry work. They were members of the Bethel Lutheran Church and lived two miles north of Adolph Shirley’s farm. Source: Fessenden Diamond Jubilee Book 1893-1968

Anton and Emma Aasand Husband's Full Name: Anton Stenersen Aasand Husband's Place of Birth: Eggedal, Sigdahl. Norway Husband's Father's Name: Stener Stenersen Aasand Husband's Mother's Name: Anne Pedersdatter Frøvold Husband's Siblings' Names: Steiner, Peder, Anne, Sigrid, Lars, Helga, Knut, Gunbjørn, Ole, Berit, John and Helga Wife's Full Name: Emma Opdahl Aasand Wife's Place of Birth: Northwood, ND Wife's Father's Name: Per Opdahl Wife's Mother's Name: Kristine Maria Rustad Opdahl Wife's Siblings' Names: Mathilda Dovre, Edwin, Marie Stickney Children's Names: Arnold, Anna, Palmer, Charles, Marilyn Saint, Richard 1919 Wedding Picture Anton was the youngest brother of early resident Stener Aasand. Anton and Emma operated general stores in Manfred and in Harvey. They owned a grocery and clothing store formerly owned by L. O. Burkum. The building later became the Sons of Norway Hall. In 1934, they moved to Detroit Lakes, MN and in 1944 they moved to McHenry, ND where they operated a general store. Anton died on July 15, 1975. His wife Emma died on June 2, 1985, in New Rockford, ND. For more information on this family see the May 2005 issue of the Manfred News, pages 6 and 7. Golden Wedding