My dad, Johannes Wathne, was born in Stavanger, Norway, December 1883. He attended school there and also in Bergen, as his family moved there later.
He learned the photography trade, and had his own studio for two years. Then the studio building was to be closed for several months for remodeling. Dad wanted to go to America, and as he had relatives in the Cooperstown area, he thought it a good idea to come to Griggs County. He worked several years as hired man on farms, and in 1913 started farming for himself on the Johan Watne farm, where Otto Watne lives now. January, 1918 dad married Maria (Vatne) Sharpe. She was the daughter of Tonnes and Bertha Vatne, who came to America in 1884. They wanted a farm of their own. Grandpa bought the homestead rights for $200.00 from Julia Busrack, on the Northeast quarter of Section 8, in Sverdreep Township, 145 range 58. The farm now owned by Mark and Mary Lou Johnson.
Mother went to the Langford school, where I went also. She worked as a hired girl, also was a seamstress. In 1904 she married Barhild Sharpe (Bill), they had one son, Irvin, who lives at Olympia, Washington. Bill died when Irvin was 3 years old. Then her brother Simon Vatne and also Gabe Sharpe worked for her on the farm. In January 1918 she married dad (Johannes). They had two children. I (MAURICE) was born March 1920. I helped on the farm at home. June - '51 Dorcas Wuflestad and I were married. We live five miles SW of Cooperstown with our two sons, Larry and Bart. In September 1924, Florence was born. She attended the Langford school, Cooperstown school and Jamestown College. She taught many years before her marriage to Harvey Sletten of Jamestown in December 1969. They now reside at Fort Ransom, North Dakota
Mother died April 19, 1934. Dad married Margaret Person in 1938. They moved to the Walter Houghton farm in 1941. Dad died in 1949. Margaret married Thorwald Gilji in Seattle, Washington in 1956. He died in 1974 and Margaret now resides at Spring Valley, California
We rent our land, but we as a family enjoy living on the farm.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 280