Oscar Julius Knutson MELBY^[1]

1890 - 1954  (63 years)

• Name	Oscar Julius Knutson MELBY
  Birth	7 Mar 1890	Cooperstown, Foster County, ND, USA   [2]
  Gender	Male
  Death	16 Feb 1954	Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA
  Burial	20 Feb 1954	Vang Lutheran, Manfred, Wells Co, ND USA
  Notes	Oscar J Melby Oscar, also known as O.J. Melby, was the tenth child born to Knud and Guri Melby on March 7, 1890 while they were living in Foster County. The crops were poor during that time. However, the Sioux railroad track was being laid through North Dakot a and so a source of income was possible for the folks. So, Knut and all his neighbors went to work for the railroad, building the track. It was through this work that they learned of the new land opening up further west in Wells County. Knud wa s impressed with the land and filed on section 8 in Manfred Township. In 1894 when Oscar was 4 years old, his family and other families moved in a caravan, herding their animals and hauling their belongings on wagons. Oscar took all his schooling in Manfred Township. He became well-versed in farming having worked side by side with his father and older brothers through the years. His parents retired in 1911, and Oscar took over farming his father's land. He marr ied Bertha Nordtorp on July 10, 1910 in Millet Alberta Canada. Bertha was born May 12, 1891 in Øystre Slidre, Valdres, Norway to Gullik and Ragnhild Nordtorp. They had first immigrated to the USA in 1892 on Bertha's 1st birthday, but returne d to Norway in 1899, only to return again in 1906 on her 15th birthday. They settled both times in Manfred, and it was there that Oscar and Bertha became acquainted. They became engaged in 1908, but her parents moved to Canada and they needed he r help. Oscar and Bertha kept in touch and after the crops were planted in 1910, Oscar went to Canada for his bride. In 1914, Oscar and Bertha bought land in section 30 of Manfred Township which had been passed from brother to brother Gilbert, then Chris, then Ole, and then finally to Oscar. Here they lived the rest of their lives. They owned and operated a threshing rig for 22 years. Oscar was very musical having a beautiful high tenor voice, and played the clarinet and violin. They were both very active in Vang Lutheran Church, and Sons of Norway, and other offices in th e community. Born to them were eight children: Cora 1912, Roy 1916, Ruth 1919, Muriel 1921, Orlien 1924, Kenneth 1925, Gene 1928, Ethel 1931. Oscar died February 16, 1954, and Bertha died November 11, 1985. Both are buried at Manfred.
  Person ID	I44469	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	Bergit "Bertha" Gulliksdotter NORDTORP,   b. 12 May 1891, Ringsaker, Hedmark d. 11 Nov 1985, Harvey, Wells Co. ND. USA (Age 94 years)
  Marriage	19 Jul 1910	Millet, Alberta, Canada
  Children	+ 1. Cora Jeanette MELBY,   b. 23 Apr 1912, Manfred, Wells Co, ND. USA d. 1 Feb 1998, Ontario, Canada (Age 85 years) + 2. Roy Gerald MELBY,   b. 23 Jun 1916, Manfred, Wells Co, ND. USA d. 2 Aug 1989, Bismarck, Burleigh Co, ND, USA (Age 73 years) + 3. Ruth Marian MELBY,   b. 28 Mar 1919, Manfred, ND. USA d. 11 Nov 1993, Rochester Olmstead, MN, USA (Age 74 years) + 4. Muriel Genevieve MELBY,   b. 2 May 1921, Manfred, ND. USA d. Mandan, ND., USA + 5. Orlien Bernhard MELBY + 6. Kenneth Odien MELBY + 7. Gene Nordtorp MELBY + 8. Ethel La Vonne MELBY,   b. 18 Oct 1931, Manfred, ND. USA d. Kenosha, WI. USA
  Family ID	F16356	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	20 Nov 2007

  
  

• Sources

  [S23] Audrey Helene Solheim. [S28] Wanda Melchert, Valdres 26/7-1997 (Reliability: 3).