They were early settlers in Bartley Township, having immigrated to the United States from Norway in 1867, to St. Croix County, Wisconsin, in Rush River Township with three children. They lived in Wisconsin, later moving to Minnesota. In 1883, they came to Dakota Territory, settling in Bartley Township. When they moved from Minnesota to Dakota, they had a family of six sons and one daughter. Five sons came with them to Dakota. They homesteaded on a farm on the Northwest quarter of Section 30, in Bartley Township. They resided on this farm until about 1908, when they sold the farm and moved to Iowa to live with a son.
Mr. Hanson died there in 1910. Mrs. Hanson came back to North Dakota to live with another son, Christ Hanson, until her death in 1916. She was a charter member of the Eidfjord Ladies Aid.
In the pioneer days, there were no doctors, so it became the duty of some of the women to help out in times of illness and also to help in the delivery of babies, sometimes even taking over the household duties. It was in these duties that Mrs. Hanson was called upon, and it was related that in winter the old flat irons were always on the stove and warm if she should be called to go out in cold or stormy weather. The irons were used as foot warmers.
The sons of Velleck Hanson's were: Thomas, Hans, Matt, William and Christ.
Christ Hanson was the only one to live in this area. He was born while the family lived in Rush River Township, St. Croix County, Wisconsin, on August 6, 1868. He was confirmed into the Lutheran faith while the family lived at Battle Lake, Minnesota. He came with his parents in 1883. In 1889, he purchased a farm in Dover Township and except for the 4 1/2 years spent at Maddock where they operated a hotel, he resided on this farm until his death in 1931.
On January 6, 1895, he was married to Kari Legreid of Minnewaukan by the Rev. P. A. Thoreson in a Dover schoolhouse used for church services, as there were no churches built at that time.
Kari Legreid was born in Eidfjord Hardanger, Norway, June 9, 1873. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Norway.
In 1881, the family left Norway and came to Deerfield, Wisconsin. Soon after her father passed away. In 1886, she came with her mother and two brothers to Minnewaukan. One brother had homesteaded near Maddock, North Dakota, in Benson County, about 16 miles from Minnewaukan. They made the trip to the farm with oxen, the mode of transportation at that time. She was confirmed at Devils Lake.
They had a family of nine children. Two girls passed away at an early age. The boys were: Almer, Kenneth, Marvin, Melvin, John, Harold and Marcus. The only one living now is John, who resides in Dover Township. Marcus and Kenneth also lived in this area.
John Hanson married Josephine Ahart of Wimbledon, North Dakota. They had two children, Robert and Sheryl.
Robert married Kathleen Tombarge of Dazey. They have three children, Mark, Kari Jo and Robbie. Bob farms and lives near his folk's farm.
Sheryl married Robert Treitline of Wimbledon. They have three daughters, Lisa, Shelly and Dawn. They reside in Dickinson, North Dakota.
Marcus married Mrs. Helen Crites of Lisbon. She had three daughters, Georgiane, Kay and Gladys. Marcus was killed in a farm accident.
Kenneth lived in Bartley Township.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 129