John Saugstad was born near Stenkjer, in Trondhjem, Norway, August 24, 1863. He grew to manhood there and divided his time between going to school, fishing and learning the carpenter trade. For two years he served as an apprentice without salary. According to John's description, his boss was a very good man, and saw to it that John had enough to eat and wear, and some spare time he could call his own.
John Saugstad came to this country in 1889. He came direct to Daily, where his cousin Ole Hjelde was post master and was operating a country store. Here John as a newcomer, helped in the store, learned to speak some English, and occasionally got a job as carpenter. In 1898 John married Elene Bostad, who was born in Norway, February 21, 1874, and had come to this country some time after John arrived and had also been working for Ole Hjelde. Shortly after their marriage they bought a farm from Ole Halvorson that was located in Section 26 of Nelson township. Here throughout the years they built a nice home and raised and educated a family of three girls and five boys. One boy died in infancy. All of the Saugstad children attended the Daily school in School Dist. # 1. Most of them continued their education by going to high school, and college, and Alfred has attended the State University. They all were confirmed in the Sheyenne Valley church and active members of Sheyenne Valley Luther League. All the girls became teachers, as did Alfred. Martin, the oldest son, is employed by the Northern States Power Co. at St. Paul; Oscar is enjoying a prosperous business with his blacksmith shop at Pekin, North Dakota; Norman and John Jr., are farming extensively and living on the old homestead. Signe - (Mrs. Grady Crawford) Alamosa, Colorado; Effie - (Mrs. Clarence Langemo) lives in Norma Township; Anna - teaching at Stillwater, Minnesota, and Alfred is Principal at Red Lodge, MT. Mrs. John Saugstad died October 12, 1939. She had been an active member of the Ladies Aid. John Saugstad was school clerk of School Dist. # 1 for many years and treasurer of the Sheyenne Valley congregation for about twenty-five years.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 215