Ames married Marilyn Gale AXTMAN on 11 Oct 1980 in Williston, ND, USA. Marilyn was born on 21 Jun 1957 in Williston, ND, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ludwig married Myrtle Alice MELBY on 22 Oct 1942 in Glendive, Mt. USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 M-Z, Ed. 5, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Sep 15, 1998, Internal Ref. #1.112.5.15885.40]

Individual: Melby, Martin Social Security #: 501-14-4564 SS# issued in: North Dakota

Birth date: Oct 7, 1886 Death date: Aug 1977

Martin K Melby

Martin, also known as M.K. Melby, was born to Knud and Guri Melby in Griggs County on October 7, 1886. His parents had filed on a homestead there in 1884. Prior to that, they had emigrated from Norway in 1881 together with their seven children ranging in age from age 19 to 8 months old. They lived in Goodhue County Minnesota for three years. Then in 1884, his sister Caroline was born right after the family moved to their first homestead in Griggs County North Dakota. Then in 1887, the family moved to Foster County North Dakota, the next county west. It was here that his father and older brother Ole helped establish the Melby School District in 1888 where he started his schooling. In 1893, his parents moved to the newly opened land of Manfred Township in Wells County where he completed his schooling.

Raised on a farm, Martin was well acquainted with field work and chores, and helped with the harvest too, all of which would serve him well in later years when he had his own farm and also was the owner/operator of a threshing rig which he ran for many years. Martin also had early training in business by working for his uncle, C.C. Melby for 10 years. In 1918 he served as a mail carrier, and in 1919 he bought into the Ford garage in Manfred retaining this until 1939. He drove a school bus until 1945 when he moved to a farm remaining there until 1963. Martin served on the Manfred Township Board, notary public, member of Cooperative Elevator, and school board. He was a member of the Harvey Masonic Lodge, Sons of Norway, and Vang Lutheran Chruch.

Martin married Alma Rosette Haugen on August 30, 1911 at Vang Lutheran Church. Alma was the daughter of Tollef Haugen and Bertha Jomen who farmed near Manfred. Alma's parents had joined Vang Lutheran Church in 1906 and she was confirmed there in 1909. So through the church and community, Martin and Alma had become acquainted. Martin's parents retired from farming that same year, and had moved into Manfred just east of the new brick school. The upstairs of this home was where Martin and Alma began their married life while their home in the LeGrand Division was being built. Four children were born to them: Myrtle 1914, Kermit 1916, Ellanora 1922, and Donald 1924. Martin died August 9, 1977 and Alma died March 6, 1982. Both are buried at Manfred ND.

Occupation:
farmer mm

Martin married Alma Rosette HAUGEN on 30 Aug 1911 in Wells Co, ND, USA. Alma was born on 28 Apr 1892 in Baldewin, WI, USA; died in Mar 1982 in Fargo, Cass Co, ND, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 M-Z, Ed. 5, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Mar 20, 2000, Internal Ref. #1.112.5.15883.70]

Individual: Melby, Alma Social Security #: 502-86-2976 SS# issued in: North Dakota

Birth date: Apr 28, 1892 Death date: Mar 1982


Residence code: North Dakota

ZIP Code of last known residence: 58465 As of April 1995, this ZIP Code was not in use by the U.S. Postal Service. The following primary location may have once been associated with this ZIP Code or may be in the same general geographic region of the U.S. It is also possible that the Social Security Administration had the wrong ZIP Code listed for this person.

Manfred, North Dakota

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Manfred, ND. USA
• Emigration: 1881, USA

Notes:

KNUT AND GURI MELBY

Knut Olson Rudi b. 1843, was the fourth son of Ole Mikkelson Rudi together with his second wife Ragnhild Knutsdotter Holdal. The Rudi farm was inherited by Knut's older brother, Ole. When Knut came of age he was ready to establish his own farm. He and Guri Christensdotter Melby b.1844 were married in 1861. Knut obtained his share of the inheritance money from his older brother, which he then used to buy the Melby farm from Guri's parents. Guri had been blessed with parents who had each inherited a farm. Her father, Christen Mikkelson Rogne had inherited Røgnemarke farm #43/5 and her mother, Guro Gudbrandsotter Melby had inherited Melby farm #41/1. Guri was the oldest child and when she came of age and was ready to marry, she was given the inheritance of the Melby farm. Her parents and her siblings then moved to Røgnemarke.

Knut and Guri commenced with farming Melby, and also began their family. Born to them in Norway: Guri 1862, Ole 1864, Christen 1868, Knute 1870, Ragnhild 1873, Gulbrand 1877, and Marit 1880. It was not so easy to provide for a large family living on the small Melby farm. There was the pull to go to America which they had resisted considering so far over the years. But the pull was becoming stronger because in the recent years several of Guri's siblings had immigrated to the USA and were sending back wonderful reports about that place where a large piece could be obtained for only the filing fee. They finally made the decision to go, sold the Melby farm and departed the spring of 1881 with their seven children, ranging in age from 19 to 8 months.

Their destination was to Goodhue County Minnesota where others from Valdres already had successful farms established. They stayed there three years while becoming acquainted with their new homeland. New areas further west were continually being opened for settlement. In 1884 they were ready to file on their own land and start farming. They first went to Griggs County, North Dakota where two more children were born to them: Caroline 1884 and Martin 1886, and in 1887 they moved a little further west and farmed in Foster County for six years. It was there that, Knut's home served as the first mail stop during those years. Also, Knud together with others in his family organized the first school district which was called Melby, and he served as it's first chairman. Knut and Guri's 10th child was born here: Oscar 1890.

The crops were failing during those years, so it was not easy for the people. The Soo Railroad track was being constructed westward through the region, so all the men went to work helping to build the track. But their first love was farming and so as the track was being laid they had opportunity to see the new lands that would be soon open to settlement. Knut and others in his family thought that Wells County looked good, and so they went to Sykeston, the location of the first court house in Wells County, and each filed on a new claim which were all located not far from the railroad track. Back in Foster County, they loaded up all their meager belongings on wagons... Knut even took his barn apart and laid it flat in sections on a wagon, they gathered their domestic animals together and caravaned to Wells County to their new claims in Manfred Township.

Everyone was busy with putting up sod houses to use as temporary quarters until they could obtain lumber to build their homes. Knut erected his barn, and it is this barn that can be seen on the photo of Knut and Guri proudly standing in front of their home. Their house still stands, though abandoned. And though the barn Knut had brought from Foster County did not survive the years, the granary and the pig and chicken house are still standing. The grainary can be seen in that same photo. The photo showing Knut and Guri with nine of their ten children, was taken at the home of their son, Ole, in the village of Manfred. This home still stands, though abandoned.

Knut was one of five founding fathers of Vang Lutheran Church in 1894. Many of their children were starting to have families of their own, and Guri always had lots of cookies on hand when they came. Music was always a part of family gatherings, and Knut and Guri were gracious hosts. Knut and Guri farmed until 1911, at which time they moved into Manfred and their son Oscar continued on their farm. Guri began to fail in her later years and died in 1921. After that, Knut would often stay at the home of one of his several children living in the area. Knut died in 1927. Both Knut and Guri are buried at Vang Lutheran Cemetery at Manfred.

Occupation:
farmer

Knut married Guri Kristensdtr ROGNE on 14 Apr 1861 in Rogne Kirke, Øs. Guri (daughter of Kristen Mikkjelsen ROGNE and Guro Gudbrandsdtr BUSTEBAKKE) was born on 8 Mar 1844 in Rogne 43/5, Marké Øs; died on 26 Mar 1921 in Manfred, ND. USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Goodhue Co., MN, USA
• Emigration: 1881, USA

Notes:

Beitrusten kaller henne Melby