Peder O. Gaasland

Peder Olson Gaasland was born March 12, 1867 at Brennes, Norway. He came to America in 1892. His first job was working on the railroad from Dilworth to Valley City. He also went to night school at Moorhead, Minnesota, to better learn the English language.

In 1895 he rented a half section farm from Charles Conont. Mr. Conont had purchased it in 1879 from the railroad and it had a small set of buildings. In later years Peder built a new house and barn. This farm was the East ½ of Section 13, of Meadow Lake Township. In January 1901 he purchased the farm. This was his home for the rest of his life and all eleven of his children were born there. In 1896 he went back to Norway where he married Hannah Sortens. Two children were born to them: Martin born in 1897. He died January 1974 at the age of 76 years; Jennie Alice was born in 1899 and died in September of 1956 at the age of 57 years. Hannah Gaasland died in 1900 of T.B. at which time Jennie was given to Christ Olsons of Fingal to raise. In 1902 Feder wrote to Elizabeth Stoutland, a cousin of Hannah's, to come to America to be his wife. She came in April of 1902. She was born in Brennes, Norway, October 29, 1878. To this union were born nine children:

  1. Peder J.;

  2. George;

  3. Harold;

  4. Arne;

  5. Henry, who died in 1944;

  6. Jennie, (Mrs. Ragnvold Moluck);

  7. Jens -died 1913;

  8. Edwin;

  9. John and

  10. Helen (Mrs. Harry Van Hal).

Peder O. Gaasland passed away March 25, 1925. His widow continued to farm with the help of her children. After Henry's death in 1944 John farmed the land until 1946 when his son-in-law Harry Van Hal farmed it till 1950 when he purchased his own farm and moved to it. Mrs. Gaasland also moved with them and made her home there for some years. John Gaasland had now purchased the farm. In 1966 she moved to Valley City to the Manor and later to the Nursing Home. She is now 96 years old and still loves the company of her children and friends. She has been a widow 50 years. As long as health permitted she was very active in the work of the Elim Free Church of Svea, serving the Savior she loved. Peder O. Gaasland loved nature and planted many trees, something his children are still doing. In 1975 John Gaasland sold the farm to a son, Lee Gaasland, so the home farm is still in the family.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 75