Arthur Palm was born on February 11, 1894 to August and Selma Palm, Hannaford, North Dakota This was really a special event because Arthur shared the spotlight with a twin sister, Jennie, but she passed away shortly after birth. Arthur grew up at the Palm family home with his parents, brothers Charles, Henry, David, Marcus, Fritz, Gustav and Oscar and a sister Minnie.
Clara Palm was born at Ashby, Minnesota on August 23, 1894, the daughter of Peter and Ellen Woldahl. She grew up on a farm at Ashby with her parents, five brothers, Evan, Ole, Henry, Philip and Joe and four sisters, Amanda, Emma, Juel and Ida. A brother Peter died at the age of 12. Amanda passed away in her early married life. Two of her small children, a boy and a girl, were taken in and raised by the grandparents, plus a niece who joined the household as a young child.
After leaving home Clara worked at a hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and before coming to North Dakota spent a short time at Culbertson, Montana
On November 17, 1920, Arthur Palm and Clara Woldahl were married in Cooperstown with witnesses Minnie Palm (Torkelson) and Walter Larson. Prior to marriage Arthur had rented a farm in Helena Township, which was at that time known as the Skjelset farm. Shortly thereafter they moved to Bartley Township to the farm known as the Sonju farm.
A daughter Viola was born December 13, 1921 and a daughter Elsie October 18, 1923. Viola passed away at the age of 18 months.
Around the early 30's Art and Clara moved to the Palm home farm located also in Bartley Township, six miles west of Hannaford. Around March of 1960 a fire destroyed their home and possessions. Among the many prized articles lost was the Palm family Bible, which was used to record all family information and events. To replace the house an empty building on the farm, which had been used as a schoolhouse when the Palm's were growing up, was rebuilt and put in place of the burned out house.
Arthur semi-retired from farming around 1960 but lived on the farm until his death in August 1970. Clara is presently living at Sheyenne Manor in Valley City. Their daughter Elsie (Cruse), husband Ted and family, Michael and Cheri, live at Kent, Washington. Clara also has a sister Juel living in New Jersey and a brother Joe in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. The land has long been rented by the Beattie brothers.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 228