Gilbert T. Gilbertson, born in Norway, came to the United States with his family in 1834. Here he grew to manhood, working on his father's farm in Iowa. Here he was to meet and marry Kristi Hegland.

Born in Telemarken, Norway in 1851, Kristi came to America at the age of ten with her parents and two younger brothers.

Gilbert, Kristi and their son, Theodore, born in 1881, came to Barnes County in 1882. They lived the first year in the Carl Jenson log cabin until they purchased a home on the East Prairie, where Selmer (1887), Martin (1889) and Alfred (1892) were born.

Gilbert Gilbertson died in 1894, leaving Kristi with four young sons to carry on. With undaunted spirit she faced her task. "Grandma Gilbertson" as she was affectionately called, was a remarkable woman, whose philosophy was hard work, cleanliness, honesty and a strong faith in God.

Theodore married Bessie Hangrud. Selmer married Betsy Baarstad, and they raised four children. Martin married Myrl Caroline Johnson of Nome, North Dakota, and they have four children. Alfred married Luella Johnson, a sister of Myrl. Their children numbered six. Alfred passed away in 1970.

Kristi Gilbertson died in 1938 at the age of eighty-six.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 79