Christen Knutson MELBY

1868 - 1936  (68 years)

• Name	Christen Knutson MELBY
  Birth	11 Jan 1868	Melby Øs   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Death	13 Dec 1936	Minnesota, USA
  Notes	Christen K Melby Chris, also known as C.K. or Christ Melby, was the third child born to Knud and Guri Melby on January 11, 1868. He grew up on the Melby farm in Rogne, Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and attended the Rogne school and church. In 1881 when he was 13 years old, his parents sold the Melby farm and the whole family emigrated from Norway to the USA, Goodhue County, Minnesota. In 1884, his parents moved to Griggs County North Dakota where they filed on a homestead, and in 1887 they moved to Foster County. In the fall of 1889 he left home, and in 1890 at age 22 years old, he settled in Lyon County were his aunt Guri Opdahl and sister Guri Ranum both lived. Chris married October 3, 1891 in Minneota MN to Mary Haas Marken Larson born May 11, 1874 Minneota MN. She was the only child of Arnt Larson and Jorgina Haas who were both born in Mosjøen, Norway. Thirteen children were born to them: Clarence 1892, George 1894, Almer 1895, Grace 1897, Orvin 1899, Agnes 1902, Julius 1903, June 1904, Olga 1907, Kermit 1909, Lillian 1911, and Harriet 1915. Chris was not only a farmer, but he was an influential businessman. He helped shape the beginnings of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank in Minneota and served as cashier. He was in the hardware and implement business from 1911 to 1918. In 1916, Chris was elected to the House of Representatives serving two terms in the Minnesota legislature. In 1919, he moved to North Dakota and bought his father's farm. He and his family became very active in the Manfred community and in Vang Lutheran Church. Music was a very important part of Chris' life, and at Manfred he directed the Vang Lutheran Choir, and his entire family was very musical. His daughter Grace played the organ until she passed away in 1932. In the fall of 1929, the family returned to a farm in Lyon County. Throughout Chris' life he was in public service and a leader in many organizations: township, county commissioners, Hope Lutheran Church, farmer's cooperative elevator, creamery, and oil company. Chris died December 13, 1936 and Mary died August 21, 1937. Both are buried at Minneota MN. Five children preceded them in death: Agnes, Julius, and Kermit died in infancy. Orvin was killed by lightening as he was going through a gate with his two horses, who also died. Grace's daughter Julie died in infancy and Grace died at nearly 35 years of age during an operation. Eight children went on to have descendants.
  Person ID	I44198	Valdres Slekt
  Last Modified	20 Nov 2007

  
  

  Father	Knut Olsen RUDI,   b. 1 Jun 1843, Rudi 51/1, Store Rudi, Øs d. 12 Jan 1927, Manfred, ND. USA (Age 83 years)
  Mother	Guri Kristensdtr ROGNE,   b. 8 Mar 1844, Rogne 43/5, Marké Øs d. 26 Mar 1921, Manfred, ND. USA (Age 77 years)
  Marriage	14 Apr 1861	Rogne Kirke, Øs
  Family ID	F6272	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Marit Haas Marken LARSON,   b. 11 May 1874, Menneota, Minnesota, USA d. 21 Aug 1937, Menneota, Minnesota, USA (Age 63 years)
  Marriage	3 Oct 1891	Minnesota, USA
  Children	+ 1. Clarence Arnold MELBY,   b. 14 Nov 1892, Menneota, Minnesota, USA d. 1985 (Age 92 years) + 2. George Melvin MELBY,   b. 26 May 1894, Minnesota, USA d. 6 Jun 1937 (Age 43 years) + 3. Almer Julian MELBY,   b. 15 Nov 1895, Minnesota, USA   4. Grace Rosetta MELBY,   b. 16 Jul 1897, Minnesota, USA d. 1 Jul 1932 (Age 34 years)   5. Orvin Leslie MELBY,   b. 1 Apr 1899, Minnesota, USA d. 17 May 1917 (Age 18 years) + 6. Clifford Marion MELBY,   b. 9 Nov 1900, Minnesota, USA   7. Agnes Gurine MELBY,   b. 10 Dec 1902, Minnesota, USA d. 26 Dec 1902, Minnesota, USA (Age 0 years)   8. Julius Conrad MELBY,   b. 16 Nov 1903, Minnesota, USA d. 10 Oct 1904, Minnesota, USA (Age 0 years) + 9. June Amanda MELBY + 10. Olga Marie MELBY,   b. 25 Aug 1907, Minnesota, USA d. 23 Aug 1952 (Age 44 years)   11. Kermit Orlando MELBY,   b. 28 Nov 1909, Minnesota, USA d. Jan 1911, Minnesota, USA (Age 1 year) + 12. Lillian Rebecca MELBY + 13. Harriet Beatrice MELBY
  Family ID	F16247	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	20 Nov 2007

  
  

• Sources

  [S23] Audrey Helene Solheim.