Home<Broe

Benson County North Dakota Genealogy

Broe Township, North Dakota
Township 154 North Range 70 West

Atlas of Benson County, 1910 Plat Map

Village of Baker

Information taken from the "Esmond Diamond Jubilee 1901-1976" 
This article by Mrs. Lloyd Stadig

Rumors were flying thick and fast concerning the Soo Line Railroad building a branch line to connect Drake and Fordville. The year was 1910. With the coming of the surveyors in the spring of 1911 it was no longer rumor but fact. Right of way and a townsite were purchased in Broe Township.

The townsite of what was to become Baker, the NW 1/4 of Sec. 15-154-70 was purchased from William Church and James Stamner. At first it was thought the town would be north of the tracks. The first buildings, Engebretson's store, a bank, pool al and a tar paper covered building (the black shack) used as a restaurant was built there early in the spring of 1912. Later they were moved south of the tracks. On July 11, 1912 the townsite representatives arrived. They sold lots to many people and companies. Thus July 11 became Baker Day. The first blacksmith shop was built by the Landis Brothers, Charles, Earl and Harry. This building was later purchased by Brefka and used for a paint shop.

Of course the new town had to have a name. It was suggested it be called Williamsburg after the three Williams in the township. Petterson,  Marlenee and Church. Perhaps the people thought the name too long as it was named Baker in honor of C.E. Baker, an early settler from Iowa who was deputy County Register of Deeds in 1898.

First Stores

Baker was a boom town. The Emgebretson Brothers built a new two story building, the ground floor was a store and the second story made two living apartments. The building moved from the north side became the warehouse. In the spring of 1916 the Engebretson's left. The store was purchased by Cornelius Solberg (a brother of Christ Solberg) and Julius Jacobson. While they operated it, Magnus Solberg, Alton Jacobson, and Nora Domer worked there at different times. Later it was operated in turn by a Mr. Fredericks, Frank and Clarence Spaulding, Cy Edwards, Steve and Eva Axtman. The building was finally moved to Balta by Max Warner.

A second store, Baker Mercantile, owned and operated by Fred Bellerud, was built on the west side of Main Street. His clerk, Elmer Veum, became a partner in 1914. Bellerud sold the store to the Cooperative Store Association. Barney Lauchs was probably the first manager. Other managers were Bernard Ellingson assisted by his wife Jessie, and John Stadum. Johnnie Brorby, Louie Westby, Otto Toso, and Lillian Halbakken (now Mrs. Clarence Church) worked there. Later John Stadum, purchased it. Other owners were Paul Stenhjem (under whose management it became the Baker Trading Post), Claude Wolfe, Gordon Jacobson, Palmer Broe, and now Elvin Randles.

The first hardware store was built in 1912 by Theodore Ness. He ran it until 1921 when he sold it to John Allen, a farmer from north of town. After his death his wife and son Clark continued with the business. Not long after her death the children, Clark, Glen, Ruth and Lorraine left. The building was moved to Knox where it was used as a grocery store until it burned in 1971.

Baker could even boast of a millinery store owned and operated by a Mrs. Blackmore. Later it was used for a residence, then Mr. and Mrs. Walter Allen had a grocery store there.

In its hey day Baker had two lumber yards, Bowman-Cullen Lumber Company and Hardware on First Ave., West with Nels E. Nelson as manager and Bovey-Shute and Jackson on First Ave. East with Ed Blettner as manager. Since there was no church in Baker in its first years Mr. Blettner offered the lumber building for services on Sundays. Sunday School and church services were held there. William Church preached most Sundays but occasionally Michael Albert, Preacher Albert as he was called, from Harlow would speak. Later an old school building was moved into Baker for a church. Bill Church provided a pulpit which was built in the North Dakota prison. On August 15, 1917 the First Presbyterian Church was officially organized. William Church served as pastor.

First Elevators

Like most towns in the area Baker had three elevators. To the west was the independent elevator built by John Aker when the town began. He operated it until 1930 when he sold it to the Farmers Union Cooperative Elevator Association. Walter Knote was the first manager f the Farmers Union Elevator. He was followed by by Allwin DeGroot and Howard Thompson. In 1968 it merged with the /farmers Union Cooperative Elevator at Harlow. Since that time it has been managed by Norris and Darrel Johnson. The middle elevator was the O&M-Osborne McMillan. Orlan Hiatt was the first manager. Others were: Melvin Nybo, Carl Dunham, Otto Anderson, Walter Knote, and I.B. Grise last. It was torn down and used to build an annex to the Peavey, the old Spaulding elevator, the one to the east. The first manager of the Spaulding Elevator was Albert Lomsdahl. It burned twice while he was manager. Other managers were: Harry Everett, William Kane, Melvin Solberg, Alvin Halvorson, Spurgeon Meyers and Don West. It was purchased by the Farmers Union elevator about 1950.

Besides the elevator John Aker also owned the first implement business. He sold International Harvester machinery. He bought the building known as the Black Shack, moved it south of the tracks and used it for his parts building. He also was manager of the Cooperative Shipping Association formed by the farmers of the area.

Railroad

For the convenience of the section foreman the railroad company built a section house. The foreman was responsible for the maintenance of the track. The first section foreman was Pete Wagner. Others were: Bill Hiatt, Pete Nelson and Andrew Aanas. After the foreman was moved to Harlow, the section house was moved to a farm in Isabel township.

Other Businesses

From 1914 to 1919 Baker was fortunate to have a doctor. Dr. Bussen had his office in the milliner store. He also sold Saxon cars and Hamilton pianos. A building erected north of the tracks for a pool hall when moved south to the townsite in 1912 became the Post Office and Confectionery operated by George Olson. Later it was the post office, telephone exchange and drug store. Since George Olson was also working in the Bowman-Cullen Lumber yard, Amanda Olson became the post mistress. Otto Anderson was the druggist. The last business was Otto Toso's grocery store. It was destroyed by fire about 1938.

The poolhall north of the tracks was managed by Paul Huebschwerlen and Curly Jacobson. They built another on the townsite. Shortly after Curly Jacobson was replaced by James McNeil. Following them Tony errands operated it for a short time then Gust Karibalis bought it. He built an addition on the north side which was used for dances, movies, school programs and a general meeting place. After Karibalis left the pool hall was run for a short time by a Mr. Fredericks. he was an ambitious person. He managed a store, the pool hall, and taught school. The next proprietor was Bill Harrigan. He was a very accommodating individual always ready to help a fellow in need by loaning him $5. He always said there were few times he wasn't repaid. After that for short periods it was run by Mr. Eberle and Ed Lundy.

For about a year Harry Landis operated a beer parlor in what had been a bank building. This was some time in the 1930's. Later a building was moved to the corner next to the hardware store for a beer parlor. It was operated in turn by Kenneth Lund, Robert Dennison and Nicholson, Raymond Peterson and Clark Allen, Clem Venetta, George Walters and Oscar Lund Vernon Stadig and Clint Meyers.

In 1913 Julius Lund erected the Lund HOtel, an impressive two story building. It only operated a couple of years before it burned. The same year Mrs. Garvick opened restaurant and hotel on First Avenue East next to the Bovey Shute Lumber yard.

Two banks were established in Baker. One was the Farmers State Bank with Ed Beisbarth, President and Alfred Scobba cashier. Other employees were Albert Ellingson, Ralph Anderson and J.B. Kinneberg. In 1922 Arne Gregor became cashier. In 1926 it was moved to Leeds. The other was the First State Bank with A.W. Engel, President; E.O Craig, Vice President; Sam Brewick and a Mr. Hilden were the first cashiers. After a few years the banks merged.

The Baker Herald, awekkly newspaper, was published by George Olson and Arne Lunde for about two years.

Other Settlers in Broe

Hans Halvorson- (Vesle Hans his Norwegian friends called him). He came from Norway but no one seems to have definite information as to from where or when. It is assumed that he came some time in the nineties. He homesteaded in Broe township.

Although he was a kind, gentle old soul, he came to a sad ending. He occasionally stayed with a bachelor, John Olson, in the Mud Lake Community. Water Ryan, a close neighbor had hired a man, a bum who just came along, to help him with his chores. It was generally understood that Hans was comfortably fixed and had considerable cash. This man had gotten this information from a neighboringg boy, and others.

One afternoon John Olson went to town and Hans remained at home. When John returned home it was dusk or almost dark, and he noticed that the hogs in the hog pen were creating quite a disturbance and he was not sure, but he thought he had seen a man disappearing by his barn when he drove in. He went to the hog pen to investigate and there was Hans dead. He had evidently been killed and thrown to the hogs. Ryan's hired man was immediately suspected and the sheriff went to the Ryan farm to question him. He asked the man where the man was killed the night before and the guy pointed to the Olson farm and said, "Over there". At that time he should have had no knowledge of the killing. He was tried in the County Court in Minnewaukan and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penitentiary in Bismarck.

The Hans Halvorson land was sold to Christ Solberg who turned it over to his son Eivend about 1918. He erected buildings and lived there a number of years, eventually selling the place to Jay Kirkeide, the present owner.

Carl Hillestad- Carl S. Hillestad was born December 30, 1872 at Lanesboro, Minnesota. He came to North Dakota in 1900, homesteading in Broe Township in the NE 1/4 of Sec. 30. In 1903 he married Minnie Olstad of Harmony, Minnesota. She was born on July 39, 1884 at Henrytown, Minnesota.

Carl Solberg- Carl Solberg was born on his parent's farm in Broe Township. His parents were Christ and Rachel Solberg. He attended schools in Broe Township, graduating from Baker High School. He married Elna Knutson at her parents home at Harlow on June 30 1925. She was born June 24,1904 to Knut and Ida Knutson in the Harlow area. Carl farmed with his father until the fall of 1926 when he and Elna moved in to Baker, where Carl worked at the Baker Co-op Store until June 1928. At that time he became agent for Standard Oil Company bulk plant in town. He continued in this work until the fall of 1962,when after 35 years of service he took his retirement. In the fall of 1963 they move to Ruby where he worked 4 years. They later returned to their home in Baker.

Christ Solberg- Christen Solberg was born in Blakset, Nordjord, Norway in 1869. He first came to America as a young single man of twenty. After working as a farm hand in Nebraska for about a year he became disenchanted with the strange American language and customs, returning to Norway as soon as his finances would permit.

Upon the death of his father he inherited the family farm by virtue of his being the eldest son. In about 1892 he married Rachel Dokseth, a neighbor's daughter in the area. The two eldest sons, Eivend and Olaf, were born in Norway. In 1897 he sold the family farm and emigrated to Swift Falls, Minnesota with his wife and two sons. Here was born the third son, Magnus. The family's entry into Benson County came in the spring of 1898, traveling via emigrant car on the Great Northern Railroad. That year Christ filed a homestead claim in the northern tier of Brow Township, which has since been the family home. While some semblance of buildings were being erected on the homestead, the family made its home on a vacant farm on the north end of the Buttes. In 1916 Rachel Solberg passed away leaving a vast vacuum in the Solberg household. Miss Anna Dokseth a niece of Rachel temporarily took over the household duties. During the winter of 1916 and 1917, Christ made a trip to Norway and on his return in May, we found he had married Oline Loken just before his homeward trip. Oline Loken was born in Olden, Nordfjord, Norway on October 24 1874.

Christ and Oline had one daughter Ragna, who married Ted Hewitt in 1942. The second generation of Boe Township Solbergs are as follows: Eivend farmed in Broe Township and later Cass County, Olaf died in Rugby hospital at the age of 19, Magnus was a merchant in Voltaire and Fessenden. Melvin was a grain merchant and managed elevators in Baker, Lamoure and Bottineau. Carl was a Standard Oil dealer for 35 years and lived in Baker. Martha was a registered nurse and anesthetist, working at the Rugby Hospital and Veterans Hospital in Fargo. Oscar was a classroom teacher, principal and County Superintendent of Schools in Benson County and Vallejo, California schools. H. Ruda, (Mrs Walter Kingsbury) was Deputy Auditor in Benson County, AAA office in Minnewaukan.  J. Signe (Mrs. Palmer Stadum) was an elementary teacher in Benson and Ward Counties. K Olaf lived his entire life on the Christ Solberg homestead. L. Ragna (Mrs. R.T. Hewitt) was a registered nurse and served in the Armed Forces and Public Health in Fargo.

Einar Solberg- Einar Solberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Solberg was born on the original homestead in 1909. He attended Baker Consolidated School and Hanson Tractor School at Fargo after which he farmed with his father. Einar was married to Odena Straabe on November 3, 1960 At St. Petri Church. Her parents were Ed Straabes of York. She was born April 22, 1904. Odena and Einar were engaged in grain farming and beef cattle raising on his father's homestead.

Eivend Solberg- Evend Solberg was born in Nordfjord, Norway, April 13, 1893 and came with his parents to America in 1898. He took possession of the Hans Halvorson land in 1917, built a home and other buildings and lived and farmed there about 30 years. In the spring of 1919 he was married to Emma Naekel, who was born at Valley City in 1889. She had taught school at Hankinson, Minnewaukan and Baker prior to her marriage. They were the parents of three children: Iris (Mrs. Logan), Elaine (Mrs. Hanson) and Clayton (of Minnesota). Eivend eventually sold his farm to Jay Kirkeide, and moved to Leeds where he resided for a few years. They moved from Leeds to FArgo and bought a home there which they later sold and moved to Colton, California. Eivend passed away in September 1965 and Mrs. Solberg in 1970.

John Solberg- John Solberg was born in Utvik, Nordfjord, Noway on May 1, 1872 of parents Elias and Martha Solberg. When 19 years old he came to the United States locating in La Crosse, Wisconsin where for four years he was employed in the limber industry. He then joined his brother Peder in farming at Woonsocket, South Dakota. However the pioneer spirit led the brothers to seek a new home in Tennessee, from which after two years, they returned to their South Dakota home. In 1902 he came to York in a covered wagon. The 350 mile trip required 14 days due to lack of road. He homesteaded in Broe Township near Baker. On October 28, 1909 John married Mathea Lunde of La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was born in Gudbransdalen, Norway, December 9, 1884 and came to La Crosse in 1905. After John and Mathea were married they came to Broe Township and settled on John's homestead. To this union three children were born: Einar of Baker area, Alvin of Leeds and Myrtle, who perished in 1963 in a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean while en route from a visit with home folds to Alaska where  she was employed at the Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage. John and Mathea lived on the home farm until 1952 when they retired and moved to Leeds. Mr. Solberg passed away in 1955.

John Sosalla- John Thomas Sosalla was born in Trempealeau County near Independence, Wisconsin on May 12, 1880. In 1898 he came to the Churches Ferry area and worked on farms during the threshing session. In 1903 he homesteaded in Broe Township. In 1901 he married Mary Blaha in Independence and returned to North Dakota to prove their claim. In 1904 they bought 160 acres in Section 25 and 26 from Van Horne and moved to make their home there. There were eight children in the family: Joseph, the oldest, farmed the home farm until his death in 1951. He was married to the former Valborg Loken of Brinsmade. Theresa (Sally) taught school for a number of years and married Orval Drew of Leeds. William taught in area schools and married Mary Schlagel of Finley. Alice taught school at Willa and Baker and married Walter Knote of Baker. Winnifred taught school in Butte Valley Township and married Harold Blegen of York. Kathryn, Mrs. Harold Larson of Leeds taught at Adams and in Irvine Township. Irene, taught school in area schools and married Felix Eberle. Harry married Mozelle Hamre of Perley, Minnesota.

Martin Spidahl- Martin Spidahl was born in the Elizabeth, Minnesota area and came to Minnewaukan. There he was married to Mrs. Lena Jenson, who had two children; Arthur and Alphid. She ran a hotel in Minnewaukan. Martin and Lena had three sons: Melrin, Leonard and Eilert. The Spidahls moved to a farm south of Baker in 919. After farming for a number of years, they ,oved to Maddock in 1936 because of failing heath.

St. Petri Lutheran Church and Cemetery

Pastoral Acts        Early Members    Cemetery

NE¼ Section l  Broe Township
Rural York, North Dakota

History taken from the 1899-1999 Centennial Anniversary History Book

In 1896 the pioneers who settled bordering areas of Beaver, Twin Lake, Butte Valley and Broe Townships became concerned about their spiritual welfare.  This is a history of the St. Petri Church and its congregation. The following has been compiled from the records dating back to 1896. Before the church was organized, people would attend services at private residences when a pastor was in the area and available. The first pastor invited to visit this community was Rev. E.T. Quam who drove up from Sheyenne, North Dakota once a month to conduct services in these modest homes. The very first service was held in the sod house of Anthon Thompson on April 17, 1898, at which time Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thompson's son, Herman was baptized.

The first minutes translated from Norwegian read: "Following services at the Lars Tollefson home near Sheep Lake, Benson County, North Dakota on October 29, 1899, the following persons: Christen Solberg, Mathias Nybo, Willie Peterson, Lars Tollefson, Lars Sandven, Gustav Pederson, Peder Hilde, Maruis Lunde, Ole Wensryg, Iiver Kinneberg, and Robert Thompson expressed a desire to organize a Lutheran congregation. Rev. E. Lovland was elected president and M.K. Nybo the secretary. A name for the congregation was to be chosen at the next meeting which was to be held at the Lars Sandven home on the 30th of November."

In the discussion regarding the choice of a name, Marius Lunde, who served as "Klokker" the first year, spoke in favor of a Biblical name. He suggested the name "St. Petri" by referring to Peter's confession to Christ in Matthew 16-18. "When Christ asked Peter, "But whom say ye that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God." Replying, Jesus said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my church." St. Petri, therefore, was the name chosen by the charter members for this congregation. The first trustees to be elected were Christ Solberg, Lars Tollefson and Torval Torgerson. The treasurer elected was Lars Sandven who served in this capacity until his death in 1921. The congregation also voted to adopt the constitution of the United Lutheran Church. Whereas, on the 24th of March, 1900, the congregation became affiliated with the United Lutheran Church. The first delegated to attend the annual meeting in Minneapolis were M.K. Nybo and Christ Solberg.

The meeting on April 5, 1900 was called especially for the purpose of deciding upon the church site. John Svensby who had joined the congregation at the second meeting on November 30, 1899, had made an offer of land. Mr. Svensby owned 40 acres in SE 1/4 of Sec 32 and 40 acres in the SW 1/4 of Sec 33 all in R69WT155N, this land is currently owned by the Harold Berven family and the Kittle Groff family respectively. John Lundgren joined the congregation on March 24, 1900, and had also made an offer of land. He offered his land at the NE 1/4 Sec 1 R70WT154N. At this meeting it was decided that these two offers should be voted on. Twenty two voted for Svensby site and twenty-eight for the Lundgren site. John Lundgren's offer of three acres of land was chosen for the church site and graveyard. After the vote, 13 members gave up their membership to St. Petri. At the annual meeting in December the congregation expressed their thanks to Mr. Lundgren for the gift of the land. Ironically, Mr. Lundgren was the first person buried in the new cemetery.

On March 19, 1901, at the meeting at Christ Solberg's home, a committee consisting of M.K. Nybo, Lars Sandven, and Lars Tollefson were elected to meet with the representative of the other congregations of this charge to extend a call to a pastor to fill the vacancy caused by Rev. Lovland's death. Rev. J.J. Strandness accepted the call and served this charge until 1903.

Plan for the church building began as early as August 30, 1902. Lars Tollefson, M.K. Nybo and Christ Solberg were named to a committee to accept subscriptions for the building fund. Erick Dokken and Ingebrigt Seim were to calculate a cost estimate for the new building. On December 9th, further plans were made and a committee consisting on Anthon Thompson, John Moe, and Anton Nilson were appointed to collect the budget.

Several meetings pertaining to the building of the church were held during the spring and summer of 1903 with Erick Dokken as chairman. At this time, the congregation also considered an affiliation with the Knox and Sand Lake churches and calling another pastor to fill this vacant charge. Rev. H. Hjertaas accepted this call during the latter part of the summer and served these congregations until 1905. At the annual meeting in December, J.R. Eide was elected "klokker" and served in that capacity for nearly forty years.

At the February 1903 meeting, a building committee consisting of E.O. Dokken, R.L. Opheim, M.K. Nybo, Lars Tollefson, and Anthon Thompson were elected by the congregation. Ingebrigt Seim was chosen to draw the plans for the church. The congregation members provided and hauled stones for the foundation and all the lumber for the church. There is no reference to the completion date of the church building except that two business meetings were conducted on June 13th and July 19th, 1903 at the St. Petri Church. The worship services were conducted in the Norwegian language.

The first baptism service conducted at the new church was held on July 19, 1903 when Theodore Thompson, Roald Nybo, and Mabel Berven were baptized. However the first baptism recorded in the pastoral book is that of Clarence Tollefson who was baptized on July 24, 1899. The first communion service was held November 30, 1899. The communicants were Mr. and Mrs. Lars Sandven, Mr. and Mrs. M.K. Nybo, and Mr. and Mrs. Christ Solberg. The first funeral service was conducted December 5, 1903 for Mrs. Lars Sandven with Rev. J.J. Strandness officiating. The first confirmation class of St. Petri consisted of Casper and Lewis Nybo and Abraham Haaheim. They met with Rev. Hjertaas at Knox during the winter of 1905 and on April 16th confirmation services were conducted for them at Knox Lutheran church. On January 8, 1907 Rev. Strandness officiated the first confirmation services at St. Petri. Members of this class were Eileen Nybo (Mrs. Han Halvorson), Clara Broe (Mrs. C.J. Simpson), Eivend Solberg and August Hagen. The first wedding held at the church was on December 26, 1911 when Mr. and Mrs. John and Marie Lysne were married.

Pastoral Acts

Early Members of St. Petri

Taken from Seventy-five Years Leeds/York 1886-1961 Jubilee book

and

"Early history of Beaver Township reprinted from Leeds News June 6, 13 & 20, 1935" Benson County Farmers Press March 10,2004

Herman Hermanson was born at Waterville, Iowa in 1874. He came to North Dakota in 1900, and started farming in Butte Valley Township. The family lived for a few years on the homestead on which Mrs. Hermanson had filed in 1898. Mr. Hermanson filed in 1907, on land which adjoined hers.

J.R. Eide was born in Norway, immigrating to America in 1893. He went to Montana and here he related his thrilling experiences as a cowboy. He came to North Dakota and worked in the vicinities of Hope and Churchs Ferry. In 1901, he bought tow quarters of land in Twin Lake Township.

Christ Solberg was born in Norway. As a young man of 19 he migrated to America, going direct to relatives in South Dakota. Here he worked on a farm for two years. Because of his father's death, he returned to Norway in 1891. He was married in 1892. In 1898 he came to America again with his wife and two sons, Eivend and Olaf, coming directly to Benson County. He rented a farm in Beaver Township for that first season and filed on a quarter section in Broe Township in the fall of 1898, moving over there in the spring of 1899.

John Solberg came over from Norway in 1892, going to friends at La Crosse, Wisconsin. He worked in the saw mills and in the woods. He was evidently an adventurous young man as he told of farming experiences in South Dakota with horse and wagon. The free homestead land was pretty well taken up by this time, so he could file on only forty acres in Broe Township.

Rasmus Lunde was born in Norway and immigrated to this country in 1902. He came directly to North Dakota and bought land in Broe Township that year.

Ole Blegen was born at Stewartville, Minnesota. When he was four years old, his parents moved to a farm near Churchs Ferry where he spent his boyhood. He came to this community in 1905, purchasing the four quarters of school land in Twin Lake Township.

John Lysne came to the United States in the spring of 1891, coming directly to North Dakota, where he found employment near Grand Forks. He came to Ramsey County later and worked at miscellaneous jobs for several years. He bought a farm of three quarters near Minnewaukan in 1902, and farmed there for three years. In 1907, he bought a farm in Butte Valley Township.

Ole Froholm came to the United State in 1892. He worked on a farm near Benson, Minnesota for two years. He came to Churchs Ferry in 1894, purchasing land which he farmed for ten years. He came to Twin Lake Township in 1909.

George Jacobson was born at Glencoe, Minnesota. When he was three years old, his parents moved to Churchs Ferry and here his father homesteaded in 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson moved to a farm in Twin Lake Township in 1908.

Iver Kinneberg came from Hallingdal, Norway to Churchs Ferry about 1894, and worked in that area prior to filing on a homestead in Butte Valley Township, one-half mile south of St. Petri Church. Later he bought the Kennedy farm.

Henry Broe was born near Ossian, Iowa. When he was three years old his parents moved to Buxton, N.Dak., where his father filed on a homestead. When Mr. Broe was 21 years of age, he was lured westward to seek home and fortune coming directly to Broe Township where he filed on his homestead in the year of 1897.

Peter Muri, was one of the earliest settlers in this vicinity. He came from Norway in the year of 1885, going directly to Steel county in Minnesota. Here he worked for our years. He came to Benson county in 1889 and file on a homestead six miles south of Leeds. He was evidently discouraged by the drought of those years, as he did not stay. He went back to Minnesota in the fall of 1890 and there he farmed and worked out for six years. He came back to North Dakota in the spring of 1897, this time going to Brinsmade where he worked for two years. He filed on his homestead in Broe Township in the fall of 1898 and farmed there  until the fall of 1912. Then with his family he moved to Washington, but in the course of a few years realized there is no place like North Dakota, so he returned to his farm again in the spring of 1918.

M.K. Nybo was born in Norway and came to America in 1881 at the age of 16. He is one of the earliest immigrants to the area. He worked on the railroad in different parts of Minnesota and at other employment until in 1884, when he came to North Dakota. He lived at Churchs Ferry for eight years and here he had the dray line. He came to this vicinity in 1898 and filed on land in Twin Lake Township, on which he lived.

A.E. Tufte was born in Norway and came to this country at the age of 17. He worked on farms near Leeds and Churchs Ferry the first three years he spent in this county. In 1896, he started farming north of Leeds. Early in the spring of 1897, not being old enough to take a homestead, he squatted on land which is still a part of his farm. He tells us his first home was a wagon box. Mr. Tufte and family moved to Cando in 1912 to farm, but returned to this vicinity in 1916. A.E. attributes his culinary ability of today to his experience as a bachelor in those pioneers days.

Gabriel Lokken filed on a homestead in Broe Township in 1889. He sold this land and a few years later bought his present farm in Twin Lake Township. He had a well-digging machine, so did that line of work for some time.

Moures Thompson came here from Benson, Minnesota in January of 1900, filing on his homestead at that time. His brothers, Anthon and Robert, had evidently told him of these rich, fertile prairies that produced number one grain, so he too decided to establish a farm in North Dakota. He returned to Benson for the remainder of the winter and came back to his homestead in the fall of 1900, when he built his mansion, the typical one-room shack of pioneer days. Anthon and Robert did the breaking for Moures during the summer of 1900 and also put in his first crop, 15 acres of flax in the spring of 1901. Moures tells of the modest equipment he shipped up from Benson, which included a wagon, four horses and harness and his dog. He spent the summer of 1901 working near Churchs Ferry but settled down to batch on his homestead in the fall.

Tosten Berven and Lars Sandven came out together from Abercrombie, N. Dak. in the spring of 1897. Mr. Berven had worked north of Leeds the previous year and being favorably impressed by the opportunities this vicinity afforded, evidently had induced his friend to come out west to homestead. They built a house across the line dividing their land and here the Sandven family and Mr. Berven lived together until Mr. Berven's marriage in 1902. Everything was then divided 50-50, even the house, 24 by 14 feet in size. This was sawed in half crosswise, Mr. Berven moving his share to his place and Lars Sandven moving his part of the house to his land.

Olof Pierson was born in Sweden on April 19, 1869. He came to America with the family in 1883, staying at Jamestown, North Dakota, the first year, then drove out to Minnewaukan in a covered sleigh, drawn by a team of mules. When the family lived at Minnewaukan, Mr. Pierson and his father picked buffalo bones on these prairies, their trips taking them up to York Lake and the Buttes. This project netted them five to six dollars a ton. In the spring of 1889, the Pierson family settled in Beaver Township, where he farmed extensively until his death in August, 1948. Other interests besides his faming were Herford cattle and Percheron horses, at one time he was the sixth largest Percheron breeder in the United States. 

E.O. Dokken was born in Norway and immigrated to this country in the year 1881. He came directly to Grand Forks, where he worked on a farm for several years. He then learned the carpenter trade. He came to our community in 1899, filing on a homestead in Beaver Township.

Robert Thompson came to Beaver in the spring of 1897. He was born April 24, 1874, at Benson, Minnesota, leaving there in 1896, for Mekinock, North Dakota, where he stayed a year. He started the journey to Leeds on a bicycle but because of a great deal of rain, had to take the train from Lakota. The Robert Thompson family lived with Anthon in his sod home for about three years. When Robert built a frame house on his homestead, Anthon lived with them until his marriage.

Anthon Thompson, December 2, 1872-June 8, 1951, was born at Benson, Minnesota. In July, 1896, he left there in a covered wagon seeking land at Emerado, North Dakota and on the Red Lake reservation in Minnesota. Not meeting with any success there he decided to come to Leeds induced by friends. He filed on his homestead in Beaver on the eleventh of July, 1896.

Johan A. Lundgren, was born in Sweden on December 24, 1855 and he died in Broe Township June 1, 1901. He homesteaded in Broe Township and was a member of St. Petri Church. He donated three acres of land as a site for the church and cemetery, at a meeting held April 5, 1900. The record shows that Mr. Lundren was the first one to be buried in St. Petri Cemetery.

 Others in the immediate area were Anton Nepstad, John Moe, Ole Tollefson, Lars Ollefson, Anton Nelson,  plus many of the pioneers mentioned in the Beaver Township history like Ole Erie.

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