Mr. & Mrs. Ole (Olav) Alfson
From Scrapbook of Mrs. Michaelson
Mr. and Mrs. Olav Alfson arrived in northeastern Pilot Mound Township in 1880 to settle on their homestead. They came from Dakota County, Minnesota.
Mrs. Alfson with her three small children, Ingeborg, five years old, Albert, three, and Henry, still a babe in arms headed for Mayville via train, there to await the arrival of her husband. Since the railroad ended three miles from Mayville Mrs. Alfson with children sot out to walk, assisted by a young boy. After walking one-half mile they stopped to rest at a small cabin occupied by a young couple. After hearing Mrs. Alfson's story she was invited to remain there until her husband would arrive with their possessions, consisting of household goods, four horses, cows, pigs, and chickens.
Then Mr. Alfson arrived with his property three weeks later, he had considerable trouble unloading from the train. There were no loading platforms in those days, so in order to get the stock unloaded, the ties lying along the tracks were converted into a bridge to span the gap across the ditch. During; the process of unloading one cow, frantic with fright, leaped from the car across the ditch paying no heed to the bridge which had been lain so painstakingly for her, This, however, caused considerable excitement and mirth for all concerned. Had it not been for the sense of humor and wit possessed by these early pioneers they would have found it extremely difficult to shoulder responsibilities thrown upon them while pioneering.
This couple settled in a wooded section near the Sheyenne hiver, so their first task was to fell trees in order to build a cabin. During this procedure the family lived with a kind neighbor by the name of Rollef Johnson.
The first winter brought heavy snows, but everything had been prepared, so the time passed with no mishaps.
When spring arrived Mr. Alfson left for Mayville to get supplies for the summer.
During his absence Mrs. Alfson had the help of a young boy, Ole Rue.
On Easter Sunday Mrs. Alfson awoke to find about two feet of water in her home. Resourceful young Rue placed planks across chairs to enable Mrs. Alfson to go about her work of preparing meals. Breakfast, consisting of fried eggs was served to the children in bed.
Mr. Rue succeeded in swimming all the stock across the river to safety except one ornery pig that insisted on staying atop a woodpile until the water receded.
When Mr. Alfson reached the Goose River on his return trip he found it had flooded its banks. Undaunted, he unhooked the horses and swam them across while he used makeshift oars and his wagon box and sailed back and forth until all his supplies were taken care of. He was proud, and rightly so, to have brought his flour across in good condition.
His deep concern for his family was somewhat allayed when he found them safe
at the Odegaard's, their neighbor.
Their first harvest consisted of a bounteous supply of vegetables, potatoes, and some grain.
In order to avoid another such experience the Alfson family moved four miles from the river.
Three more children were born to this family, only one of which survives, and he, Albert, lives with his wife in Binford.