Ole A. Kaastad immigrated to the United States from Norway in the year of 1882 at the age of sixteen years. Oline E. Stromme was born at Redwing, Minnesota in the year of 1874. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Einar E. Stromme, some years later, moved from the Red River Valley to Griggs County. Grandfather Stromme was among the first early settlers in Griggs County.
My parents were married on August 7, 1893, in Griggs County. A short time later, they took up a homestead in Greenfield Township. They lived on this farm until our father's death on December 8, 1932. In a span of forty-two years, eight children were born to this family, six that are still living.
In bygone days, it seemed common to have three and four day blizzards. Often, as children, we had to walk to school into a stiff, north wind in sub-zero temperatures. Occasionally, hailstorms destroyed what little crop we had. Then came the "dirty 30's" with the billowing clouds of dust and a difficult time for everyone. Yet, through it all, people seemed to persevere. I can remember my father's remark if one of us made some scathing remark about North Dakota's weather, "North Dakota has the most healthy climate in the United States.€
During one tough winter, our father was called up for jury duty in Cooperstown. Since all the roads were blocked and there was even too much snow for horse travel, he walked the railroad tracks to Karnak, then took the local train to Hannaford and the second local from Hannaford to Cooperstown. In a few hours, a blizzard did blow up and its fury raged for three days. No one left the house. On the fourth day, the storm subsided. Now one must look after the livestock. Although only nine years old, I made my way through huge drifts to the barns. In the main barn, all livestock appeared to be alright but in a lean-to attached to the barn where the calves were penned, there was only a large snow bank. Where had it come in? In the northwest corner of the lean-to, I found a small crack, perhaps less than half an inch in width and perhaps six inches long. It seemed impossible that so much snow could have blown in from such a small crack. It seems incredible even to this day. After some shoveling, I found the calves under the snow bank and none the worse except for hunger and thirst. Needless to say, when the livestock had been cared for, I was a tired boy.
From the little house on the prairie with only three rooms and a root cellar, ~ generation grew up. As of this date, I believe that house is still standing and no other family has lived there since. I have enclosed a picture taken some years ago. Two members of the family are viewing it, no doubt with many fond memories. The little house had many happy days and some sad days, some good days and some days of adversity but through it all emerged a good people. Though living many miles apart, we have always remained a close family and are considerate of each other in time of need and in happy events and in time of sorrow.
We must also thank our neighbors and many Griggs Countians who helped us through the years. We must also count the blessings that we all grew up in a church oriented community. The old Union Lutheran Church was the center of community affairs in the early days. Most of all, we thank our parents for their loving guidance.
Since all of us have had a modicum of success, each in our fields of endeavor, one must conclude that from a humble beginning, many good things can happen.
In the affluent society of today, many people cannot cope, the reasons not for me to judge. As for myself, I am thankful to have grown up in an era where one had to cope to survive. In the coming bicentennial year of our nation, it is fitting that we should review our heritage.
Indeed, the little house on the Griggs County Prairie is our "Heritage.€™ €˜ Respectfully submitted Einar Kaastad
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 301