In 1880, Mr. and Mrs. Bernt Olson, together with Mr. Olson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ole Bjornstad and his brothers, Gilbert, Martin, Theodore and his sister, Hannah, and also several others, left Decorah, Iowa. They had one team of horses, one yoke of oxen and two covered wagons. The oxen had been broken that spring in preparation for the journey. The Olson's settled on a homestead on the NW quarter of Section 25, near the Sheyenne River in what is now Romness Township. They were among the first settled in the county. Bernt Olson was born in Wisconsin, April 27, 1855. His wife, Martha Mary Torfin (Lysebreck) was born December 16, 1857 in Iowa. They were married April 8, 1876, in Iowa. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom three, Ed, Ole and Gilman died in infancy.
Anton Olson was the first white child born in Romness Township, January 31, 1881-l' and the first white boy in Griggs Company He grew up at the home of his parents, east of the Ringsaker Church by the south edge of Horse Hill. He was united in marriage to Lena Anderson on March 17, 1902. To this union eight children were born:
Agnes (Mrs. Hons Kastet, 1903)
Bert in 1904
Irene (Mrs. Clifford Stromsodt) in 1907
Ruby (Mrs. Sigvart Auren) in 1910
Grace (Mrs. Levi Krushwitz) in 1912
Alphild born in 1912, died at an early age
Orinda (Mrs. Clarence Trelstad) in 1917
also a girl who died in infancy.
Anna married August Brueske, one son, Ronnie
Julia married John Lind
Tilla married Conrad Olson
Bella married John Stromme. They had six children, Palmer, Marian, Beatrice, Floyd, Verna and Gloria. (No family history concerning Julia and Tilla's families.)
Olaf Olson was born in Romness
married Olive Jeanette Monson, on November 11, 1917. They have one daughter, Lenore. Mrs. Olson died June 30, 1938. Mr. Olson died July 1973.
Matilda married Albert Sundeen. (No History.)
Elvina married Ole Anderson, June 2, 1917, at Cooperstown, North Dakota She was born in Romness Township, August 22, 1897. He was born May 15, 1892, son of Gustaf and Unnie Anderson, in Fillmore Company, Minnesota Later his parents and family moved to Lenora Township, Griggs Company They farmed 27 years in Romness and 10 years in Lenora. They purchased the homestead of her parents in Romness. They moved to Cooperstown in 1958. They celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1967. They have two daughters, Evelyn and Joyce.
Evelyn was born March 30, 1919. She married Leon Young, October 15, 1945. Four children:
William, Allen, Michael and Deborah.
Joyce was born October 24, 1926. She married Oliver Anderson of Binford, November 17, 1945. He was born in Pilot Mound Township, November 13, 1922, son of Lars and Neva Anderson. He farms in Pilot Mound, Tyrol and Romness Townships. He spent 14 months in the Air Force in Texas. Joyce was employed at the First State Bank of Sharon for several years. Their children are:
Julie is attending University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. Richard attends Cooperstown High School.
In 1970, they purchased the original homestead of Brent and Mary Olson, from her parents, Ole and Elvina Anderson.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 401