August Palm was born in Sweden on October 26, 1856. He grew up in Sweden and came to America in 1880. One of the first difficulties he encountered was in delivery of his mail as there were a number of Olsons and he decided at this time to change his name from Olson to Palm. He chose the name Palm from either a town in Sweden or some association with his native country.
Selma (Johnson) Palm was born in Nerke, Sweden on October 18, 1857. It was in 1881 that she came TO America and eventually to Chicago, where she stayed until November of the following year, when she came to Mayville. On May 22, 1884 she became the bride of August Palm. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Ohman in Hillsboro. Two weeks later the newlyweds came to Bartley Township to live on the farm where Mr. Palm had erected a sod house the previous year.
This sod house was quite different from many sod houses at this time as it was boarded on the inside, while others had no frame work excepting the window frames and door cases. This was to be their home until in 1887, when they moved into a small frame house, the lumber for which was hauled from Valley City. Ten more years rolled on, when C. L. Peterson was hired to build an addition to the house.
As a busy mother and housewife can you imagine anything more disheartening than to have a quilt all ready for tying and then to come and find your yarn twisted this way and that about the stove and table legs? Such was the case with Mother Palm when she set about to complete the first quilt made on the farm. Her cat and dog were resting peacefully beside their finished work. Besides taking care of a family of nine children Mother Palm laundered clothes for neighboring hired help. This included patching also and netted her $3 a week. All the clothes worn by the family were sewed by hand until in 1894 when she became the owner of a sewing machine. All the mittens and socks were also handmade and for these she spun the yarn. Another way in which she earned extra money was to board the schoolteacher, which was her job as long as the one-room schools were in use.
During the haying season, Mr. Palm would cut the hay before going out to work and it was Mrs. Palm's duty to rake and bunch the hay with a hand rake. The children were along to do what they could which consisted usually in emptying the water jug. As the years rolled by, more land was acquired until at one time eight quarters were owned and operated by Mr. Palm and all the work was done by horse power. Threshing time came with even more work. For mother it meant the added task of cooking for 24 men without additional help.
In times of sickness when the father was away at work it was necessary for the mother to walk about 31/2 miles to a kindly neighbor lady, Mrs. V. HANSON, for assistance. One of these times it was Henry who took sick. With him in her arms and Charley, about two years old, toddling behind, they set out for Mrs. Hanson who often times took the place of a doctor in those early days. Going to church on Sunday mornings was another real pioneer experience as they traveled in a lumber wagon for twenty miles.
Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Palm:
Only one is still living and she is Mrs. Oscar (Minnie) Torkelson, who with her husband who is retired, live in Tacoma, Washington. Mother Palm lived with her daughter and family until her death. She was bothered with rheumatism for a great number of years but this never hampered her sunny disposition or the friendly greeting she had for everyone. Her hands were never idle, especially if there was a crochet hook within her reach and she enjoyed this hobby for many years.
Mr. Palm passed away in 1915 at the age of 59. Mrs. Palm passed away in 1950 at the age of 92.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 227