John Fagerstrom was born March 26, 1846, the third child of Johannes Nilsson Fagraberg and Lena Fletaser. He was born in Ostra Torsas, Province of Smaland, Sweden. He left Sweden in 1867 for Dakota Territory. He married Ellen Iverson on December 7, 1882. Ellen Iverson was born July 15, 1855, baptized December 11, 1855. Her ticket is dated March 29, 1882 from Grong, Norway. Her parents were Iver Iverson and Ingeborg Anne Henriks daughter Skratas, who were married February 17, 1854.
John Fagerstrom homesteaded land Northwest ΒΌ of Section 10 Marsh Township. The land patent was dated March 30, 1886. An additional 80 acres was sold by the Northern Pacific to a Dan Titus in 1876. He later sold to Charles Kindred and Kindred sold to John Fagerstrom.
There were 8 children born to this family: Ida (May 11, 1883); Johanna (August 4, 1884); Elizabeth (May 8, 1887); Gustav (December 10, 1888); Charles (July 21, 1890); a child born in 1892 passed away in infancy; Edwin (November 23, 1893) and Wilhelm (December 9, 1896).
John Fagerstrom died May 14, 1911. Ellen Fagerstrom died May 14, 1934. They were charter members of Nebo Lutheran Church.
The present owners of the land are Warren and Donna Mae Johnson. She is the daughter of Edwin and Elma (Anderson) Fagerstrom of Kathryn, North Dakota. The house with several additions, is over 90 years old and proud of the three-generation ownership. The fourth generation living here includes Mark W. Johnson, presently a law student of U.N.D., Jeff Paul, a Jr. at Valley City State College, Jeri Lou (Mrs. Terry Thilmony) now working on her Master's degree in sociology at N.D.S.U.
Warren K. Johnson was born and raised near Luverne, North Dakota. His parents were Fred and Clara (Nelson) Johnson. Warren and Donna were married December 30, 1945. Two grandchildren of the Johnsons are Parker and Trevor Thilmony.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 65