John (Johannes) Berntsen was born on September 25, 1899 in Aurland, Sogn, Norway. He received his formal education in Norway and in 1921 he immigrated to Hastings, North Dakota.

John Berntsen worked on farms as a farm laborer and also as a clerk in the Peterson and Dahle General Mercantile Store in Hastings, North Dakota.

In August of 1925 he married Mabel Giste, daughter of Martin and Karen Giste of Hastings, North Dakota. After their marriage they began farming operations on one of Mr. Giste's farms north of Hastings. However, twelve years later they purchased a farm six miles northwest of Litchville, North Dakota, upon which they lived for the next thirty years before retirement in Cackle, North Dakota.

There were three daughters born to this union: Inez, Joyce and Martha Adeline. Inez and Joyce graduated from the Hastings High School and Martha from he Litchville High School. All the daughters attended the Valley City State College and taught school in the surrounding area.

Inez married James L. Anderson of Evansville, Minnesota. They have three children, Larry, Cynthia and Sara. Joyce married Wesley Poykko and they have two children, Julie and Brian. Martha married Clarence Meidinger and they have five children, Kevin, Gerald, Jan, Kent and Karen.

John and Mabel were members of the Spring Creek Lutheran Church while living in the Hastings area. Later they became members of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Cackle, North Dakota.

John has lived in Barnes County for arty-six years. His wife Mabel passed away in March of 1969 after the move to Cackle. John now resides at Cackle.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 29