Among the land seekers arriving in the Sheyenne Valley in 1882 were Jens Borand his wife, Elsie Martina Borgerson. They filed a claim on the southwest quarter of section #2, in what is now Nelson Township. They built their sod house in one of the forks, about a half mile east of the Valley Trail. Their farm prospered from the beginning, as they soon bought some railroad land and built a kitchen addition to their sod structure.
Several years later Mr. Borgerson suffered a paralytic stroke, which rendered him quite helpless. He passed away in 1892.
Mrs. Borgerson continued with the farm operations, with hired help, for several years after the death of Mr. Borgerson. There were no children born to the Borgersons.
Mrs. Borgerson passed away in 1905. The property has changed ownership a number of times since, and today the original home site is barren of buildings. A pit remains where the original home once stood.
The farmstead land is now owned by James and Merrill Stevens.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 35