Frank Solberg

Frank Solberg was born in Norway in 1848, the son of Martin and Karie Solberg. He married Christina Ulikka Messing of Sweden, who was born on December 18, 1846. The family lived in Sweden where Frank was a blacksmith.

Five children were born to Frank and Christina here:

  1. Hilma E. (1872),

  2. Maria (1874),

  3. Charles A. (1876),

  4. Louise S. (1878) and

  5. John O. (1881).

In 1882 the family came to Michigan, where Frank worked as a blacksmith. In 1883 the family came to the "West Prairie" - locating near what was later Hastings in Spring Creek Township. Four more children were born on this homestead:

Victoria (1883),

Emil W. (1886),

Gustave A. (1889) and

Selma (1891).

Charles, born in Sweden, married Clara Kulsrud in 1905. Clara was born October 11, 1885 in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Ten children were born to Charles and Clara, eight still living in North Dakota:

Clarence (Grafton),

Florence (Kathryn),

Fred (Lisbon),

Elmer (Valley City),

Myrtle (Kathryn),

Eleanor (Kathryn),

Anna (Valley City), and

Murlyn (Litchville).

Charles and Clara farmed in Spring Creek Township for thirty-seven years, active in community affairs, Homemakers and Ladies Aid. Charles died November 13, 1942. Mrs. Clara Solberg died December 24, 1958.

Vernon, a son, died January 12, 1962, and

sp;a daughter, Mae, died January 2, 1923.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 227