Schwenger, Harry and Alvilda

 

My grandfather, Hans J. Haugen, was born on May 27, 1855, in Burk 3, Fylehaugen Norway.  My grandmother, Monsina Sabo, was born on November 13, 1849, in Norway.  They were married on January 9, 1882, in Norway and left for the United States on April 10, 1882.  They arrived in Ada, Minnesota, on May 4, of the same year and moved to Hannaford, North Dakota, in 1883, to Land Section 14, in what is presently known as Greenfield Township, Griggs County.  They settled in a mud hut until they could build their house.  Hans and his brothers as well as neighbors, built the Union Lutheran Church in 1884.

Mr. and Mrs. Hans J. Haugen had four sons.  Hilmer, their first born, died at the age of two.  Their other sons were Helmer, John, Benny and my father, Mikel, who was born on April 19, 1887.  He eventually attended Concordia College for a short time and later farmed with his father until he was married.

My mother, Madli Sabby was born in Ovre Eidsfjord, Hardanger Norway on September  5, 1887.  Her parents were Thore and Anna Nilsen Sabby.  She came to the United States on the HMS Mauretania in June 1908, and settled in Wimbledon, North Dakota, where she made her home with Mr. and Mrs. John Miklethun.  She had left her mother, father, two sisters and one brother in Norway to make a better life for herself.

My parents, Madli and Mikel Haugen had three children.  The first was Harry Teodore who was born on December 15, 1912, and died on January 31, 1914.  The second was a daughter, Alvilda Marie (myself), born March 8, 1914.  The third was Harry Marvin Teodore, born April 9, 1915.

Harry Marvin Teodore Haugen and his wife, Anna Severson Haugen, are retired and still reside one the beautiful farm in Dazey, North Dakota, where they raised their three sons, Harland, David and Joel.  Harland and his wife, Myrna live in Valley City, North Dakota, an have three children: Kimberly K., Rick Allen, and Wade Michael.  David and Joel live near the parents in Dazey.  David has two daughters, Marnie Lynn and Jan Marie.

I, Alvilda, graduated from Stromme School (eighth grade) in 1928, and from Hannaford High School in 1932, where I had participated in glee club and chorus.  After graduation I did housework for people in Hannaford, Walum, Dazey, Valley City and Fargo.  These jobs were just to tide me over while I planned my future.  During this time tragedy struck our humble home: My father and mother were stricken with the flu.  Friends and relatives came to help us.  I will never forget their kindness.  Dr.  Almklov came from Cooperstown and cared for them to the best of his capacity.  However, my mother died of pneumonia on January 28, 1937, and my father died on March 1, 1937, both from complications due to the influenza.

I, Alvilda, married Harry Schwenger on October 17, 1937.  We left the farm to work for others, first in Garske, North Dakota, and then in Leal, North Dakota.  Harry was born in Dazey on February 19, 1908.

In 1938, we came to Ridgefield, Conn., to work for a wealthy couple.  By then two of Harry's sisters, Minnie and Alice Schwenger had already settled in New York City.  In 1940, we moved to Bridgeport, Conn., where Harry worked in a factory for a while.

Our first two children were born in Bridgeport, Conn.  Harry Michael Schwenger on July 3, 1943; and Madelyn Alvilda on February 24, 1945.  In July 1946, we moved to the rural community of Oxford, Conn., where we still reside.  Harry, Sr., worked at Creamery Package in Derby, Conn., for six years and eventually took a job at Avco Lycoming Corporation (now Textron Corporation) in Stratford, Conn., in 1952.  On July 30, 1957, our third child, Janet Marie was born in Derby, Conn.

Through the years I was busy raising my children, working part-time, teaching church school and singing in the church choir.

In the meantime, after graduating from high school, Harry Michael attended the University of Connecticut for a short time before becoming involved in the printing and publishing business.  He now manages an advertising distribution firm in Connecticut and resides in Oxford, Conn., with his family.  He married Ingrid Cawthra on October 11, 1969, in Stratford, Conn.  Ingrid, born on May 26, 1946, has been teaching art to grades one through six in Naugatuck, Conn., since 1969.  Harry and Ingrid have one child, Christian Harry, who was born on August 24, 1978, in Bridgeport, Conn.  He is now in fifth grade and participates in Oxford soccer and Oxford Little League.

Madelyn Alvilda attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City for two years after high school and then in 1966, became a professional dancer, a career she still enjoys.  She has also returned to college and is currently pursuing a liberal arts degree at Pace University in Pleasantville, New York.  She plans a career in commercial art.

Janet Marie graduated from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut in 1979, with a BS degree in both psychology and philosophy.  She went on to attain a masters degree in psychology from the City College of New York in New York City in 1981.  In December 1988, she completed her Ph.D., in Industrial Psychology at Columbia University in New York City and plans to pursue a career in human resource management or personnel counseling.  Her interests include tennis, swimming, running and basketball and she currently resides in Oxford, Conn.

We are now actively involved in Oxford Senior Citizens, an organization which we helped to launch-shortly after Harry's retirement from Avco Lycoming in 1974.  In fact, though I no longer belong to the church choir, I like to sing and periodically give concerts at the Oxford Senior Center with the help of a professional pianist.

Finally, a highlight of our retirement years was the celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary at a surprise party given by our family on October 17, 1987.

Arvilda Haugen Schwenger and Harry on 50th anniversary, October 17, 1987.

Bruce and Julie Sedler moved to Hannaford in October 1976, when Bruce accepted the job as principal of Hannaford Public School.  They are the parents of three children.  Brandon was born on June 18, 1977; Steven on December 20, 1978; and Brittany was born April 10, 1980.  Bruce was named superintendent at the school in 1982.  Julie is employed as a school bus driver for the Hannaford Public School, a job she has held since 1982.

The family enjoys all sports activities.  The children participate in both the baseball and basketball programs.  Julie enjoys sewing and crafts.  Bruce is involved in both amateur basketball and summer softball.  They are members of Faith Lutheran Church.

Source:  Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 228