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Benson County North Dakota Genealogy

Normania Township, North Dakota

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

It is believed that the earliest homesteader to settle in Normania township came in the spring of 1883. He was John L. Solberg, who homesteaded on the east side of Mauvais Coulee, the present site of the bridge near the present farm of Clifford Myhre.

Most of the early settlers of the township were of Scandinavian descent. Some came directly from the old county, some from the eastern states and a few from Canada. There were a number who came from the Red River Valley who, even in that day, found land prices too high, and pushed west where land was "free". Many of the first pioneers were stopped by the Mauvais coulee and did not go any further. While there were few settlers in the early 80's, the coming of the railroad brought many more homesteaders and much of the township was soon claimed.

Among the earliest homesteaders were: Invold Anderson, Torger Tofsrud, Thor Brujord, Erick Lysne, Thoral Torgerson, K.O. Hiaasen, John Lunde, John T. Solberg, and Mary McDonnel. Arriving a short time later were: T. Wardrope, T. Kildahl, A. Kirkeide, H. Peterson, H. Blegen, B. Muri, J. Wigness, R. and A. Yri, E. Andrews, and F.M. Foss. Other homesteaders were: G. Engebretson, Sr., A. Blegen, J. Thompson, O. Jacobson, B. Halvorson, B. Hefta, C. Halvorson, T. Hefta, H. Halvorson, J. Kirkeide, T.N. Lien, J. Haney, O. Wilmer, O. Kinnlien, I. Knudson, J. Kennedy, C. Johnson, and M.K. Medhus.

The township was officially organized in 1890, and the first township meeting was held April 23, 1890. George Engebretson Sr.'s choice of "Normania" (Norman for Norway) was accepted as a name for the township after much discussion at an organizational meeting. Mr. Engebretson also had the distinction of being the first representative elected from Benson county to the first State Legislature in 1889. Hans Blegen also assisted in organizing the township and became the first chairman of the board. He later served as Assessor for many years, his son Olaf, living on the O. Kinlien homestead, is present Assessor for Normania township and has served for many years. The first supervisors were John Kennedy, Halvor Peterson and Knud Hiaasen. Normania township also boasted one of the first State Senators to the State Legislature in A.J. Kirkeide who served for two terms. He was a county commissioner from 1895-1903.

No history of Normania township would be complete without mentioning Silver Lake which for a period of about ten years from 1925-35, was quite a resort area. There was swimming and boating and resort area. There was swimming and boating and the Vinji-Yri concession. Many people from Leeds as well as the surrounding area looked forward to picnics at the Lake.

Churches

LebanonChurch Site Today Photo by Peter Herman Photography

The Lebanon Congregation was organized in march 1897, under Pastor E.O. Larson. Hans Blegen of the Antoichia Congregation assisted in the organization. The present church site and cemetery was offered by Ole Jacobson. During the first two years meetings were held in the homes or in school houses. The church was built in 1899.

The first church congregation organized in the township was the Antiochia Congregation late in the year 1885 under Pastor O.S. Haukom. The first meetings were held in the homes.The first marriage in the congregation was of Bent Muri and Randi O. Froholm on November 14, 1885. The first baptism took place in 1886-a child of Pedar and Oline Rasmusson

Bent Muri Family

Normania School District No. 4

The Normania School District was organized on January 21, 1885. The first election of school officers for the district was held February 28, 1885 & the following were named judges of the election: M.B. Brown, John C. O'Connell & Wm. Johnson. The election was held at the home of John Spaulding & the following officers were elected: James McGowan, director; John Spaulding, clerk; L.D. Harriman, treasurer. The first school held in the township was in a sod house on the Thomas Wardrope farm in the summer of 1885. May Roberts was the first "hired" teacher, receiving a salary of thirty dollars a month.

In 1892 four school houses were built by John Backstrom; one for each nine sections square at a total cost of $2,480.00. The school officers in 1892 were: A.J. Kirkeide, Halvor Peterson, and J. Kennedy, Directors; Thomas Wardrope, clerk ; and E. Bullock, treasurer

At that time not only Benson County but the entire state of North Dakota was sparsely populated, & school facilities were of a very elementary nature throughout. So it was with district No. 4 of Benson County. In the meantime 1 or 2 country schoolhouses, poorly equipped from almost every point of view, although ranking with the best at that time, were built. These satisfied the education needs of the community for some time.

It was not however until about 1889 when the nucleus of the district, Brinsmade School No. 1, was started, this being the birth year of Brinsmade. In 1913 the Brinsmade School was classified as first-class & had an enrollment of about 70, including 13 high school students. There were 2 other schools in the district. The board of education consisted of Magnus Hofstrand, president; J.G. Vigeland & M. F. Moylan, directors; F.W. Bowman, clerk; & Thomas Ose, treasurer. Due to reorganization Brinsmade School District No 42 disbanded in 1958 & became parts of Leeds & Minnewaukan special school districts.

Brinsmade School #1

Taken from the Benson County Farmers Press "Brinsmade Gopher Day Centennial
July 1 & 2, 1989 Centennial Special Edition

From its start in 1889 until 1904 the Brinsmade school was in what might be called a dormant state: that is, no real progress was made during this time. The schoolhouse consisted of a 1 room building constructed on what was commonly known as the old-time county school plan. Everyone had to furnish their own books & on more than one occasion several pupils were obliged to use the same textbook.

In 1904 the Brinsmade School had a great awakening. The school population increased very rapidly, thus much larger & more up to date accommodations had to be secured. Those enrolled were divided into 2 departments giving both the teachers & the pupils better opportunity for success. This was also the initial year of the high school. The first class to graduate from Brinsmade High School was in 1912. There were four students in this class: Roseline Olsen, Nellie McGarvey, Oscar Myking Mehus & Bell Mehus.

Commencement exercises for the graduating class of 1919 of Brinsmade High School was held at the Opera House Jun 27. Receiving diplomas were Annie Cochrane, Elizabeth Cochrane, Nora Link, Ollie Wegley & Svanau O. Yri.

Brinsmade High School graduated 4 students May 27, 1921. Anna Yri was salutatorian & valedictorian was Ernest Yri.

In 1927 high school diplomas were received by Kiaran Dooley, Wm. Harman & Ernest Ringenberg. Eighth grade graduates were Jennie Larson, Donald Tester, Kate Plummer, Milton Stockton, Wilma Olson, Ernest Plummer, Norma Lien, Arthur Tangelin, Agnes Lien & Ernest Bingaman.

Graduates in 1928 were Irene Bigaman, Stella Tangelin, Agnes Loken & Louise Ose. In 1929 the graduates were Minnie Pierson of Harlow & Alma Halvorson of Fillmore. Eighth grade graduates were Norman Vigeland, Lawrence Forrest, Dorothy Tester, Patricia Bowman, Norman Myking, Roy Loken & Lloyd Church. Eighth grade graduates in 1930 were Alfred Ose, Harold Zaloudek, Ralph Bingaman, Carl Lien, Donald Harmon, Charls Robinson, Edwin Johnson & Ray Forest.

Normania School #4

1901
Teacher: Miss Thea Picard

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