Christian and Inger Fosse

It was on December 22, 1870 that Inger Martha Tobiason was born in Jevanker, Hadeland, Norway.  Her parents had her baptized in the Jevanker church on April 9, 1871.  She came to America with her Mother, four brothers and sister, they settled in Hatton, North Dakota

Now Christian Fosse was born in Vig-i-Sogn, Norway on March 25, 1858, he also came to America, settled in Iowa at the age of 17, and later moved to Hatton.  We might add here that the Fosses were members of the old Stav Church in Norway, and each member in good standing at that church had their name engraved in wood on a door and put on their pew and that's where the family would sit.  Now, that church is for tourists and the pews have been taken out, but the doors have been nailed on the walls and the Fosse Door is still hanging in this church.

Inger and Christ were married in 1886 and started farming near Hatton for 10 years.  Later they moved to Griggs County and farmed.  This was located 10 miles south from McVille.

In 1902 they built a new house on their farm, Halvor Bjerntness was the carpenter and he was also Mrs. Fosse's brother.  They also built a new barn on their farm.  After the barn was built they held a big barn dance there.  Mrs. Fosse was one of the first Presidents of the Norway Ladies Aid.  She had that job so long as no one else wanted it.  Pastor Eliason was the first minister in the Norway Church.

The Fosse farm was the stopping place for all the friends and relatives, like Mrs. Fosse always said, "Where there is room in your heart, there is always room to stay."

After our parents retired from farming, Ted Fosse took over the farm and the folks moved to Kloten to live with Gilbert Hanson.  During their stay there the house burnt down and they lost lot of their things.  Later they moved to McVille with the Gilbert Hanson's.

Mr. and Mrs. Fosse celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1936 on the farm with a lot of friends and relatives attending, Mr. Ingvold Larson was Master of Ceremonies.  Ted lived on the farm for several years and later sold the place to Glimsdals and they are still living there.

Christ and Inger had 10 living children, one passed away at birth.  Mrs. Christ Gronfur (Mina)

Mrs. Andrew Skaare (Dina)

Fred Fosse

Mrs. Nels Boostrom (Tina)

Mrs. Gilbert Hanson (Anna)

Mrs. August Schminginske (Marie)

Mrs. George Bakke (Hilda)

Ted Fosse

Mrs. Ed Hanson (Ida)

and Mrs. Francis Johnson (Clara).  Mina, Dina, and Fred have passed away.

Mrs. Christian Fosse passed away on February 23, 1943 and Christian Fosse passed away on March 14, 1947.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 370