Kathryn, North Dakota
is a farmer. He was born on August 3, 1854 at Aas in Vestnes and emigrated to America in 1880 to LaCrosse, Wisconsin. He moved to Polk County, Wisconsin and worked there as a carpenter. He moved with Ole Sjegstad to Valley City, North Dakota, in 1881 and took a homestead at Sandprairien and has lived there since as a farmer. He was the first Romsdolinger to take a homestead on the west side of the Sheyenne River where there is now a large Romsdalsle settlement.
Ole Sjegstad died in December 1914 and Peter Knutsen Aas is now also the owner of his farm and thus both of the oldest homestead farms.
In 1888 he went on a trip to Norway in the fall and he returned in 1889. Then on May 11, 1889 he married Marit Helland, who is also from Vestnes. They were married by Pastor Johannes Bothne. They have seven children, three daughters and four sons. The oldest daughter Martha graduated as a nurse from St. Lukes Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota. Emma graduated from the Normal School in Valley City, North Dakota and held English School for four years. For the last two years she has been working with Dr. Rindlaug, Fargo, North Dakota. Alma goes to High School in Fargo, North Dakota. The two oldest sons, Knut and Karl, are on the farm. Their two youngest sons, Olaf and Meinart, are still of school age.
In 1905 he built a fine, comfortable Home, where there are flowers and a wide view over the Romsdals settlementet at Sandprairien. They are both very hospitable and kink-hearted and have guided many who came from Norway to find roads to their homes. As a Pioneer he has been with and organized School, Parishes, the Farmer Elevator Company and the Farmers Telephone Company. He is a very public spirited man, and follows with good timely question and is simultaneously a good Norwegian and a good American Citizen.
Source: Norwegians and Norwegian Homes in America by Hans Jervell - 1916 - Page 51