Ole Aslakson (Hegstal) son of Aslak Johnsons was born at Telemarken Norway 1853. He arrived in New York City in 1874. They first settled by Farmington, Minnesota. In 1882 the Aslaksons, Osmundson and others came to North Dakota in ox drawn wagons bringing seven cattle along.
Ole Aslakson planted a tree claim in Nelson County, south of McVille, at the South East quarter of 34. Here he built their sod house after a few years he obtained lumber for a house from the Lee Mill on the Sheyenne River. This house was one of the first wood frame houses in Nelson County. The children recalled the old sod house was where the family stayed during summer storms. It seemed more secure. A few years later the family moved this house to Griggs County North West quarter of Section 8. The two tree claims can still be seen.
The Aslaksons were among the early pioneers who started a Lutheran Congregation south of Kloten, North Dakota. This group split and formed West Prairie Congregation and Valley Grove Church.
The Ole Aslakson (Hegstal) children were Olina (Mrs. Hans Sten), Bucyrus, North Dakota, Harris, Aneta, North Dakota, Anne (Mrs. Ole G. Anderson), Adolph, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Julia (Mrs. Randolph Knutson), Binford, North Dakota, Mary (Mrs. Andrew Larson), Binford, North Dakota, Albert, Camrose, Alberta Canada, and Clara (Mrs. Fred Newcomb), Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.
Mrs. Ole Aslakson died October 28, 1896. Ole Aslakson died December 1900. They are both buried at West Prairie Lutheran Church Cemetery North of Jessie, North Dakota.
Mr. and Mrs. Ole Aslakson (Hegstal) and Harris
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 366