Ole H. Fossum was born April 24, 1866 at Atnedalen, Norway, son of Hans Jensen and Kari (Eriksdatter) Jensen. He left Norway June 9, 1887 and arrived in Skandia Township in July to join his sister Rognhild and her husband Andrew Gusaas. He stated farming in 1898 in Skandia Township.
On November 14, 1903 Ole married Minnie Caroline Nelsen, daughter of Peder and Helena Nelsen, pioneers. Their home at first consisted of one room with a low upstairs room and a shanty kitchen. Later, in 1918 or 1919, an addition was built to accommodate a growing family now numbering eight.
All the children attended Skandia Township school #2. Of the children, Myrtle, Hazel and Martha married and moved to South Dakota. Ruth and Pearl married and live in Minnesota. Olive passed away in 1952. Harry lives in Minneapolis. Esther (Mrs. Faust) lives in Valley City.
Mrs. Ole Fossum passed away November 16, 1967.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 72