OLE OLSON BJORNSTAD family, who came to Griggs County in 1880 (Romness).
OLE OLSON BJORNSTAD (1820-1895) and Mrs. Maria Bjornstad (1819-1892) were born and married in Norway, came to Wisconsin, moved to Iowa and then to Romness Township in Griggs County, 1880, with a caravan of pioneers. Their children who came with them were:
1. BERNT OLSON (1855-1933). He was born in Dane County, Wisconsin. He married Martha Torfin Lysebeck (18571929) in 1876. Children:
Mrs. Albert (Bella) Sundeen - died 1937. Anton - first child born in Romness Township in 1881. Olaf; Mrs. Ole Anderson; Mrs. August Brueske; Mrs. John Lind, Mrs. (Tilda) Mathilda Olson.
2. GILBERT OLSON, shortened from Elling Gunerious Olson Bjornstad was born October 15, 1858 at Highlandville Winnesheik Company, Iowa and died in 1942 in Griggs County. In 1879, he married Maria Kajsa Anderson Punland who was born in Wermland, Sweden in 1845. Children were:
Mrs. L. L. (Anna) Hilstad, Henry Olson, Albert Olson, Mrs. Ole (Clara) Midstokke and Mrs. Lewis (Gena) Hogenson. Two children died of diphtheria in 1882.
3. MARTIN (Martinius) OLSON (1857-1920). He married Maria Nelson (1866-1942) in Romness in 1885. Children were:
Anna Maria, Nils Olai, Lena Kristina, Emma Amalie, Oscar, Otto, IdaAmilia and Alice Lenora.
4. THEODORE B. OLSON (1866-1933). He married Marie Thyle (1874-1963), who was born in Wisconsin. Their children:
Ener Olai, Melvin Malius, Mabel Theoline, Oscar, Henry and Ruth.
5. JOHN TORFIN (-1932). He was born in Iowa and married in 1878 to Hannah (Johanna) Olson Bjornstad (1935) who was also born in Iowa. They came to Griggs County with Bjornstads in April 1880 and were "squatters" on land held by (1957) Alf Ueland, built a log house on 26-146-58 where their daughter Thilda, the first child born in Griggs County, was born on September 11, 1880. Other children were:
Edwin (1882-), Albert (1884-) and Clara J. (1895-1906).
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 401