Mr. and Mrs. Alfred P. Nelson had as parents Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Nelson and Mr. and Mrs. Arne Hovland. They were married October 12, 1921, and after a trip to Saskatchwan, Canada to visit relatives and friends, they settled on the Nelson homestead in Greenfield Township.
The dirty thirties arrived with rust, grasshoppers, dust storms and drought. Since there was no crop in 1936, they rigged up a covered wagon from a hayrack, binder canvasses and tarps over the top. Here they had their bed, oil stove and small chest of drawers, table, etc. They set out for Park River, North Dakota. Two neighbors, Vernon Wogsland and Urban Potter rode horses to drive a small herd of Herefords, and eight mules hauled the wagons. Another neighbor, Edwin Everson, drove the old Ford and went ahead to lay out the stopping places. The men had a tent which they set up every night. The cattle grazed at neon and nights. Camp cook, Mrs. Nelson, made the meals. It took five and one half days to reach the farm near Park River where it had rained and feed could be purchased for the cattle. The cattle were trucked back home in May.
Mr. Nelson held many township, school and St. Olaf Church offices. He was secretary, treasurer and trustee at different times. Mrs. Nelson was president of the Ladies Aid and superintendent of St. Olaf Sunday School for many years, and also secretary of Greenbarts Homemaker Club.
Mr. Nelson passed away in March 1966. Mrs. Nelson passed away in July 1980.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 205