Omund Jacobson was born September 27, 1874 in Stavanger, Norway. As a boy of twelve he went to sea as a cabin boy to spend the next three years sailing all over the world. In 1890, in search of security, he came to America where he had friends in Valley City, North Dakota.
He was first employed by Hugh Wright to work on his farm (located where Maryvale now stands) and at about the same time by William Fiske who farmed about four miles southwest of Valley City.
He joined Company G at the beginning of the Spanish-American War and served in the Philippines during that war. Immediately following the war he returned to Valley City and on October 17, 1901 married Mary Peterson. She had come to America in 1899 with her uncle from Sweden, where she was born in Malmo on April 30, 1880. Arriving first in Red Wing, Minnesota, she very soon came to Valley City where she lived with the Martin Peterson family. She attended Ritchie School and worked for the Ole Simonson family before her marriage.
Omund and Mary began their married life on a farm near Litchville which they rented from Charlie Lee. For a few years they continued to farm, renting land in two or three locations in the Valley City area. In 1903 the family, then including the two oldest children, moved to Valley City where Omund purchased a dray line from Torkel Undem. He worked also for a short time as a street commissioner, and in about 1904 he joined a partnership in establishing the Sheyenne Ice Company. Within a year or two he purchased the interests of his partners and, as the sons grew up, made the business a family affair: For over forty years the Sheyenne Ice delivery truck was a familiar sight on the streets of Valley City, always attracting, like the Pied Piper, children who followed to pick up the cool chips dropped accidentally (or on purpose) by the delivery man.
A family of ten children was born and reared in this family. Helmer and Helen now reside near Dazey, North Dakota.
Arthur (deceased), married to Lillian Ryerson of Valley City, was the father of Arthur, Jr., Arlen, and Allen.
Francis, a daughter, was killed in infancy in an accident.
Roy, now of Dazey, who married Doris Johnson of Hannaford, is the father of Lawrence, Charles, Neil, Marshall, and Nancy (Mrs. Duane Sather).
Allen John, married to Lillian Langemo, lives in Valley City.
Vivian (Mrs. Ray Fortado of Sacramento, California) is the mother of Michael, Lyle, and Terry.
Marian (Mrs. Duane Kirkness of Billings, Montana) is the mother of David, James, and Rosemary (Mrs. Kenneth Nichols).
Omund, married to Margaret Kaspari, is the father of Bruce, Mark, and Katherine (deceased).
James, who married Peggy Getchell, is the father of Steven, Paul, Cynthia (Mrs. Lynn Remsing), Barbara (Mrs. Roger Sell), Timothy, and Daniel.
Omund passed away on October 22, 1948 in Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California and was brought home to be buried in Hillside Cemetery in Valley City.
Mary, who passed away on December 8, 1969, also is buried in Hillside Cemetery.
Like many immigrants to America, Omund and Mary were hard working, independent, and proud but humble parents who passed on a priceless heritage and a love for their adopted country to their American-born children.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 110