Louis Melvin Hanson, better known as Melvin, was the oldest child of Even M. and Lena Nayes Hanson. His parents were Norwegian pioneer settlers of Barnes County. On September 3, 1886, Melvin was born on a farm located in Southwest ΒΌ of Section 14 in Thordenskjold Township. Most of his five brothers and three sisters were also born there.
Melvin was the only true farmer in the family and spent almost fifty years of his life doing just that.
Early in 1908, Melvin took Mable G. Peterson as his bride, and later that year moved to Reeder, in western North Dakota, to take up a homestead. They stayed there only a couple of years and then returned to Nome, where the couple then operated a meat market.
The farmer instinct ran high with Melvin and he returned to the home farm.
Eleven children blessed this couple, several being born on the old farm. This was a good family and they made good neighbors. They were always willing to lend a helping hand.
Melvin was a kind and patient husband and father. Being such a versatile person, he was an asset to the community. He loved animals and understood them. Melvin did most of his own veterinary work and also that of his neighbors. He also did the butchering for his own family and for others. Mabel and Melvin cured and smoked the ham and bacon, made the blood sausage and Krub, headcheese, Rola Polsa and all those good Norwegian foods. He was a diversified farmer. Of course, most farmers were at that time.
When Melvin got to be 57 years of age, and Mable 54, they had lived on two other farms by this time, and decided that farming was for the younger set. Their oldest daughter and husband and family moved on to their farm and Melvin and Mabel moved to Valley City.
Melvin first worked at Lee's Market on East Main for several years and then at Schmitz Hardware and also for George Fogarty when he took over. For a few years he owned and operated the Riverside Grocery on East Main. He passed away on May 3, 1957. Mabel now resides at Sheyenne Manor. Two of their daughters live in Barnes County.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 94