Mr. Omund Ashlund was born in Stavanger, Norway in 1868. He was 12 years of age when his mother and stepfather decided to go to America. This journey was filled with troubles. A storm on the Skagerak endangered their lives before they had even boarded the ocean liner, Thingvalla, which was to take them to New York. The long sea journey was barely begun when engine trouble necessitated another week's delay at Copenhagen, Denmark. The mother had contracted rheumatic fever and was unable to walk. She had to be carried on board the train at New York and was not able to care for the children even after they reached their destination in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota.
Their first year in America had brought little of either joy or wealth, so the Ashlands decided to move to Dakota Territory. They had heard of the free land, and the great opportunities there, and they also had some relatives living in the east central part of what is now North Dakota. Preparations were made for the long journey, which was to be made in covered wagons with oxen to draw them. The drive was a hard and tedious trip. The roads were poor and there were very few bridges in those days. Oftentimes all the loads had to be carried across the streams, article by article, for the water was high and the wagons low. One team of oxen became lame. They stopped at a farmhouse and a man trimmed the oxens' hoofs, but he clipped them so close that they were worse than ever. So the farmer made heavy felt boots and bound them on the animals' feet. This protected them and their lameness was soon gone. The family met with few obstacles after that, and in less than three weeks, they reached their destination, then called Gallatin Post Office, on the Sheyenne River, 9 miles southeast of Cooperstown. There they stayed for a short time with relatives.
In the spring of 1883, Omund and his father planned to take a claim. This was done by "squatting" as it was then called, or setting up a residence on a quarter of land. Each settler was entitled to the land he lived on. The Ashlands chose theirs in Section 10, Range 55, Township 145. They built a sod house and barn. The house was fourteen feet square. Most of the sod houses at that time were all sod and logs, but the Ashlands put a good floor in their home. The walls were two feet thick at the base and thinner at the top. The roof was made of branches and twigs laid over three large poles across the top. To fill in the open spaces, they used hay. This structure had one window and one door. In 1884, an addition was made to the hut. This part was 14x10 and gave them a good-sized room.
The parents were busy at all times. The father made all the shoes and furniture. Even some of the dishes were carved out of wood. The mother spun, wove, and knit for the family. The beds were wooden frames with straw mattresses. Chairs and tables were made from logs brought from the Sheyenne. Aside from those things, furnishings were scarce. The Froilands were the most fortunate people in the community, for they owned a sewing machine.
Gurina Froiland, an aunt, stayed with the pioneer family and sewed her wedding outfit during the summer of 1885.
The Froiland's neighbors were Fred Williams, T. T. Fuglestad, Jens Bull, and an uncle to the pioneer, Jorgen Soma. Axeline Bull, daughter of Jens Bull married the pioneer, Omund Ashland, in June 1890.
To this union 8 children were born:
The pioneer later bought a farm where he resided till his death at the age of 64.
Omund's son, Jens, still lives in Griggs County. He was born here October 5, 1895. He worked with his father till he was called to service in WW I, and served two years.
He married Myrtle Leir, March 13, 1922. They have four children:
Jens bought land in Cooperstown Township, then later purchased more land, consisting of 1280 acres. This is being farmed by his son, Gordon, grandson, Barton, and son-in-law, Maynard Walen.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 194