Louis Trostad was born in Gulbransdalen, Norway, February 8, 1872. He came with his parents, Ole Trostads, to Dakota Territory, in 1883. They homesteaded in Section 7 in Lenora Township. Louis and his brother, Gunder, did wood cutting and logging and they both were employed on the Cooper Ranch. While there he saw a team of horses disappear in quick sand.

In February 1899 Louis Trostad and Jennie Botnan were married at West Prairie Church by Pastor Henry Eliasen. Jennie was born June 18, 1880 in Numedal, Norway. She came with her mother and two sisters to Pilot Mound Township, in 1894. Her father, Ole Botnan and brother having arrived 2 years before.

Their first home was a log cabin on the SE quarter of Section 28. Later Mr. Trostad purchased additional quarters of land. At the present time his son and daughter-in-law, Theodore and Selma Trostad own all his father's land, all of Section 22 and 1/2 of Section 27.

Besides farming, Mr. Trostad took pride in his Aberdeen Angus cattle. He also owned a steam-threshing rig and did custom work in the area.

Mr. Trostad served on school and Township boards. He became a director of Jessie Mercantile and Elevator Company in 1914, which he held the remainder of his life.

They were visited by a fire at one time, when a fire in an old haystack got away and burned the entire Section 27. By hard work they were able to save the buildings and property.

Louis and Jennie retired to Cooperstown in 1948 and there Louis passed away March 17, 1949 after a long illness. Jennie Trostad passed away October 26, 1955.

There were six children, Oscar, who stayed with his folks, died in November 1968. Levi died in 1916 at the age of 15, the first Josephine died in 1910 at the age of five, Regina married Martin Johnson.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 382