Emil Krogsgaard was born June 10, 1859, in Ringsaker, Hedemark, Norway. His parents were Even and Johanna Krogsgaard. They had four sons and one daughter. Since American production had lowered European prices for grain, farming was depressed and many persons migrated. Besides a son who was next to the youngest had little prospect of getting the family farm. After studying telegraphy for a time, Emil decided to go to America.
Emil Krogsgaard arrived by sailship, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He then went to the Albert Lea area in Minnesota where he had friends. Being only twenty years old, he was too young to homestead, so he took various jobs until the next year. He then went to his cousin, Mrs. Mathias Fjelstad in Ball Hill Township. She and her husband had already homesteaded on the NE quarter os Section 24. Sverdrup Township had been surveyed. Bald Hill would be next year. The distance from the Sverdrup line was stepped out to the nearest unoccupied quarter, and stakes were placed near the center of what was to be the SW quarter of Section 14.
The first and second years the breaking of the land was hired. Sowing was done by broadcasting. The third year two oxen were purchased, also a plow and a seeder. Later two more oxen were obtained. The only crop put in was wheat except for some potatoes for food. The crops were good, but the prices were poor.
To supplement his income, Mr. Krogsgaard worked one winter in Valley City, another winter for Syversons in Cooperstown. When the railroad was extended north from Hannaford, he helped lay the track. With his brother, Martinus, he worked on building the bridge over the river east of Cooperstown (1883).
Martinus Krogsgaard had homesteaded the NE quarter of Section 22. His wife found the prairie and its climate too severe. After proving up the land they sold it, and with their young daughter who was born here, they returned to Norway.
In 1888 the NE quarter of Section 23 was obtained from the railroad. A new house was built into the hill. The entrance to the second floor was at the back from the top of the hill. It was usual at the time for those newly arrived to find quarters with whoever had room. The Rothert and the Skjelset families each spent a winter in the first floor of this house. Mr. Krogsgaard would then live on the second floor. This house was later moved to the present site. That house now constitutes the living room, the low bedroom and hall on the second floor of the present house.
Emil Krogsgaard was married to Bergine Wold February 2, 1898. Gina, as she was always called, was born March 6, 1869 to Lars and Mathea Wold, also of Ringsaker, Norway. The Wold farm was about ten miles from the Krogsgaard farm. She came to Philadelphia in 1892 or 1893 where she worked. Later she went to Milwaukee where the two were married. They had seven children:
There are six grandchildren, to date (1975) fourteen great -grandchildren, and three great -great - grandchildren. Emil Krogsgaard passed away May 18, 1940 and Gina Krogsgaard the following year on April sixth.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 201