Hans Harstad was born in Ore, Norway on September 29, 1869. He came to the United States in 1892 and settled near Hallock, Minnesota, on a farm.
Several years later he met Anna Hanson. Anna Emelia Hanson was born May 25, 1882 at Canby, Minnesota, the daughter of Peter and Christine Hanson.
Hans and Anna were married on January 29, 1901 at Stephen, Minnesota. They farmed near Hallock until 1909. By then they had three children: Clifford, Arnold, and Iola. That year the Harstad family came to North Dakota and lived on the Charles Jones farm near Eckelson for a short time. In 1910 they rented the Kirkeby farm near Leal in Anderson Township.
In 1916 they bought a farm in Stewart Township. A new barn and house were built that same year. On July 27th of that year a daughter, Lenore, was born and on April 25, 1920 the twins, Kermit and Clinton, were born. There were good years and bad years and the drought and dust storms of the 30's made very tough living.
One of the big thrills in the Harstad family was when Hans bought his first new car - a Mitchell - quite the car in those days.
The new 2-room Stewart Consolidated school was built about 1922. A large gym became a real community center with school programs, card parties and dances and basketball. One happy occasion for the Harstad family at the school was Hans and Anna's 25th wedding anniversary. A big surprise party was put on by relatives and neighbors. For many years the teachers boarded and roomed at the Harstad home. When the new North Central school was built, the Stewart School closed and now it stands empty and boarded up.
With much regret, the Harstads left their Stewart home and lived for a short time on the Rasmusson farm near Dazey. Several years later they bought the Frank Smith farm just south of Rogers in Stewart Township. By then Clifford, Arnold, Iola and Lenore were all married. Clinton was drafted in the army so spent 4 years serving his country in World War II.
Kermit stayed on the farm and helped his dad until he got married, then his dad and mother moved to Rogers.
Mr. and Mrs. Harstad were charter members of the Rogers Lutheran Church and Mrs. Harstad was a charter member of the Ladies Aid.
In 1954 Hans became seriously ill so it was necessary to move to Valley City. Hans passed away on March 12, 1956 and Anna passed away July 5, 1962.
Blessed be the memory of Hans and Anna Harstad.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 95