Gabriel Sorenson, known as ''Gabe", was born in Esberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, on March 11, 1860. At the age of six he was hired out to a Christian Christianson (who later migrated to the United States) to herd geese. He later became an apprentice blacksmith and mechanic under Andrew J. Davidson.
Christian Christianson had settled at Brainard, Minnesota, and worked at the Northern Pacific railroad shops. Learning that a good mechanic was desired, he sent for Gabriel Sorenson to fill the position. Gabriel, realizing this was an excellent opportunity, immediately left for the United States, not however, before assuring his fiancé Christine Davidson, the daughter of his employer, that he would return to claim her for his bride or send for her.
He worked several years at Brainard before coming to Barnes County in 1880, where he filed on a homestead in Section 2 of Spring Creek Township. He built the required shack and planted trees. Here he found work with his brother James Sorenson, who was building a flour mill on the Sheyenne River near the village of Daily. He helped float lumber down the Sheyenne River from Valley City for the mill and assisted in it's erection. He then established a blacksmith shop at the mill site.
In 1884 his fiancé Christine came and in July Gabriel and Christine were married at the home of his brother James at the mill site. They remained on the farm until 1891 when they moved to Casselton, North Dakota. Here Gabriel went into partnership with his brother-in-law D. A. Davidson, in a machine shop known as the Davidson-Sorenson Blacksmith and Boiler Works.
This business became known far and wide for its excellent and inventive work.
Five children were born to Gabriel and Christine, four in Barnes County and one in Cass County. The oldest died in infancy. David M. was born in 1888; Andrew in 1890, Ella in 1891 and Verna in 1893.
David M. married Grace Davidson in 1912. Grace was born in Champayn County, Ohio on November 10, 1892. She had come to LaMoure County with her parents, Henry and Margaret Roena (Armstrong) Davidson.
David and Grace operated a store at Independence, LaMoure County (now a ghost town). In the spring of 1914 they moved to Coburg, Montana to homestead. Four years later they returned to the original Gabriel Sorenson homestead.
Here the David Sorenson family farmed for over twenty years; always progressive farmers, vitally interested in 4-H Club work. Both David and Grace served as Club leaders and Esther, their daughter, took first place in the livestock judging contest at the Chicago International in December of 1939. The entire family, David, Grace and seven children, were honored at a banquet at the North Dakota Winter Show in March of 1940 as a representative 4-H Club family.
David M. Sorenson passed away suddenly on February 9, 1942. His wife, Grace, remains on the family farm, now farmed by Roy Sorenson, a son. His brother, Frank, farms the Ole Hjelde farm and Donald is farming the Frank Davis farm. It has been said of "Gabe" Sorenson, that "not a finer man ever walked the face of this earth".
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 229