Rasmus O. Soroos was born in 1872 in the beautiful Romsdal Fjord District of Norway. He was the eldest son of Ole and Andrianna Soroos' five children and heir to the family farm. He realized, however, that the small tract of land which was their farm could not support this family with an adequate standard of living. At this time, America was beckoning those with a spirit of adventure to seek greater opportunities and fortune. Before departing for America, a young woman, Anna Misfjord, from a nearby farm, promised to marry him upon his return.
Rasmus Soroos, at the age of 21, left for America in 1893, coming directly to North Dakota. For the next seven years (1893-1900), he was employed by the Soo Line Railroad as a section man working between Valley City and Fessenden, the last four years as foreman at Fessenden.
Finding America to his liking, he returned to Norway to persuade Anna Misfjord that this was the opportune time to marry and return to America. In 1901, they were married in the Lutheran Church at Vestnes where both had been baptized and confirmed.
They returned to America in 1902, coming directly to Valley City, where they lived the rest of their lives, neither returning to Norway again. Three of their children, Alpha, Esther, and Adolf, have visited their parental homes in Norway. Convinced that he would remain in America, he was granted American Citizenship in 1904.
Rasmus entered the carpenter trade, which he had learned in Norway, providing a good living for his growing family. His three sons worked summers with their father gaining invaluable experience and skills, also money to help finance their college education. In those days, the work week was 60 hours, excluding travel time by way of the Model T Ford. In 1903, they became members of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church where their five children were baptized and confirmed.
All of the children completed their education in the schools of Valley City and all were graduates from the Valley City State Teachers College. The boys earned graduate degrees at the Universities of Iowa and Colorado.
They lived to celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary; memorable was their 50th anniversary when their five children and their families honored them. Rasmus died in 1958, and Anna in 1960, both buried in Woodbine Cemetery.
Their children are: Harold, Detroit, Michigan and Jemez Springs, New Mexico; Adolf, Valley City, North Dakota; Esther (Mrs. Roger McLarsen) Casselton, North Dakota; Ralph, Missoula, Montana; Alpha (Mrs. L. Gordon Stone) River Falls, Wisconsin.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 231