Pioneer Elias Moan was born in Laksvik, Norway 1847 and Gurina was also born in Laksvik 1836. Both came to Spring Grove, Minnesota in 1870 and were married at Spring Grove. They rented land there. They had five children. Jeanette who died at the age 15, Ellen Moan Albin, who lived to be 95 years old. Peter and John both died of diptheria the first year they came to North Dakota. Adolph lived to be 84 years old.

They all came to North Dakota Territory in a covered wagon in 1882 with three cows, a dog, and belongings.

Thought they were much better off than many, because they had horses to pull their covered wagon. They homesteaded on North East corner of Section 4, which is now Lenora Township, Griggs County, later building on North West corner of Section 4, where they began farming. There were many hardships during those early days but they were good Christian parents that were interested in church and the welfare of their family. At one time Elias Moan sent $2000 to an old folks home, to be built in Laksvik, Norway, in 1950, 15 years later.

Ellen had a dress making shop in Cooperstown, North Dakota and made many wedding dresses for the young girls of that time. She married Nels Albin who had homesteaded near Spiritwood, North Dakota

Adolph lived on the original homestead until he became ill, then lived with his sister Ellen for a few years until his death. He, too, was interested in his Church and the welfare of the community.

Ellens family are:

Hazel married to Norman Buhaug living in Moorhead, Minnesota, Gilmore and Clifford at Spiritwood, North Dakota Evlyn married a Roberts living in Fargo, North Dakota, died February 6, 1975.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 344