Andrew Fortney was born at Forthun, Sogn, Norway in 1852. At 19 he emigrated to America with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jens Furaas. They bought a farm in Wisconsin but in 1876 Andrew moved to Portland in the Goose River district and then in 1877 came to Bartley Township where he homesteaded.

Andrew married Susanne Bringe December 15, 1882 who passed away in 1918 during the "flu" epidemic.

He took an active part in Bartley Township being one of its first supervisors. We found recorded a note to the effect that Nicolai Swenson, Peter Margach and Andrew Fortney estimated the value of the Township at $67,000 at a 3-mill levy would bring in $201 - enough to run the Township for a year. Mr. Fortney was instrumental in building the LYSTER CHURCH, which stood on his land until blown away during a storm.

He moved into Hannaford in 1918 and resided there until his death August 28, 1928. The only way to tell that Mr. Fortney was laughing was by seeing his shoulders shake. One day he gave me a ride to a school party. I was four, I think. I thought I must thank him in Norwegian so I did my best but when I looked back his shoulders were shaking. It turned out I had thanked him for the kiss instead of the ride.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 220