Gunder O. Trostad was born in Gulbransdalen, Norway, February 21, 1874. Gunder came to America with his parents at the age of 10. They homesteaded on Section 7 in Lenora Township.

In his youth Gunder worked at several jobs, and attended school only three months. Gunder and his brother, Louie, cut wood for Knute Thompson in Pilot Mound Township, and also worked on the Cooper Ranch.

Bertha Odegaard was born October 24, 1880, also in Gulbransdalen, Norway. Bertha came to America at the age of 18 and worked for her brother, Ole, until she was married. Gunder and Bertha were married December 29, 1900. They lived with his parents until Gunder acquired the SE quarter of Section 9 and the E 1/2 of Section 16, in Pilot Mound Township.

Gunder was always a lover of horses and his barn was full of heavy draft horses. The lean-to was full of Shorthorn cattle, which he improved with purebred stock. He bought his first tractor, an Avery, in 1912. His first car was a Maxwell.

The following children were born to the Gunder Trostad's:

Olger in 1902

Ida in 1904

Ralph in 1907

Thelma in 1908

Ella in 1912

Clara in 1914

Gladys 1916, she was deceased in 1919

the second Gladys in 1921.

Gunder was treasurer of the "West Prairie" Joint Committee until he retired and his oldest son, Olger, has had the job since. He was a stockholder in the First National Bank in Aneta until the 30's when the banks went broke. He was school treasurer of Pilot Mound for several years, President of the Farmers Elevator in Jessie and President of the Farmers Union Oil Company in Aneta.

Gunder and Bertha celebrated their 50th wedding in 1950.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 380