John Hogenson was born in the parish of Aamot, Osterdalen, Norway on June 19, 1847. He came to America in April 1867, accompanied by an aunt, Oliana Johnson and her son, Martin Johnson. The journey took 71/2 weeks. They located in Fillmore County, Minnesota. In 1871, Mr. Hogenson arranged for his mother and sister, Oline, to come to America. They lived with him for six years. John Hogenson was married to Karen Vestern, February 17, 1876, at the parsonage in Highland Prairie, Minnesota by pastor Kr. Magelson.
In the spring of 1880, Mr. Hogenson decided to visit Dakota Territory. He had heard reports concerning this area, so he set out alone on his mission. Reaching Valley City April 23, 1880, he started north on foot camping at Sibley Crossing the first night. During the night a heavy snowfall made traveling difficult, but he borrowed a pair of skis and made use of them as far as the present location of the Martin Ueland place. On April 25, he camped not far from the Torkel Njaa farm home. The next day he arrived at the Omund Nelson Opheim home on the Sheyenne. The following day he walked farther up the valley where he selected a piece of land for a homestead, slightly northeast of Mount Franklin.
His friend, Peter Mathison, met him and they built a log house on Section 16 in Romness, broke five acres of ground, put up some hay and made preparations for the coming winter.
Then the two men went back to Fillmore County for their families. On September 1, 1880, Mr. Hogenson started back overland for Romness with a yoke of oxen hitched to a prairie schooner, in company with his wife, one daughter, Hellene and one son, Edward. Peter Mathison and his wife were also with them. They drove 26 head of sheep and 16 head of cattle, covering a distance of about 20 miles a day. While passing through the main street of St. Paul, Minnesota, the sheep crowded onto the streetcar track so that the horse-drawn streetcar had to stop to let them pass.
They continued their journey to Fargo, a small village in 1880. After leaving the last settlers at Golden Lake, now Steele County, they were guided by Mount Franklin and other hills near their new home. They arrived at the homestead on September 30, after covering a distance of approximately 600 miles.
In the spring they experienced flood, which has been rather common through the years.
In 1887, Mr. Hogenson was appointed postmaster of Romness Postoffice, which was located in his home for 17 years, including 1904. He was more fortunate than most pioneers because he knew two languages. Therefore, he was often able to assist his neighbors with legal matters, etc. He served as a member of the county board of commissioners and as town clerk and school clerk. He assisted in organizing the Romness United Methodist Church, the members meeting in homes until the church was built in 1903.
Mr. and Mrs. Hogenson celebrated their Golden Wedding on February 17, 1925, with relatives and friends. They spent fifty-two -years together in Romness and could recall many hardships, but they also had many pleasant memories. Mr. Hogenson lived seven years longer than his wife. His youngest son, August (Fritz) and wife, Marion Langford, and their son John lived with him there. (Three generations have lived on the pioneer farm, a total of 95 years. Fritz himself had lived there for 70 years in 1975. )
Mr. and Mrs. Hogenson had nine children, 34 grandchildren and step grandchildren. 1. Hellene (18761924) married Ole Anderson. Children:
John, Lillian, Elmer, Marian, Clara, Arthur, Ruth, Ida, Wilfred and Myrtle. 2. Edward (1879-1948), married Velma Grey. Nine children:
Gladys, Clarence, Cecil, Earl, Raymond, Norman, Elsie, George and Walter. Step-children:
William, Eddy and Maey. 3. Clara Julia (18811908) not married. 4. Ragna (1884-1948) married Carl W. Bue. Two children:
Borghild, and John, deceased. 5. Peter Lewis (1887-) married Gena Olson. Two children:
Twin daughters Karline Gene and Mary Lois, deceased. 6. Henry Joseph (1890-1971), married Angeline Cormier, one son:
Edward. 7. Ida (1893-) married Lawrence Stenbro. Eight children:
Karoline, Laura, Raymond, Arthur, Florence, Clifford, Karleen, and Walter. S. Otto (1896-), married Gwendolyn Robinson. One son:
John Samuel.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 394