John Askelson was born October 10, 1872 at Cresco, Iowa. His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Nels Askelson.

He came to Dakota in 1898, did farm labor for Fred Williams, and returned to Iowa that fall.

In the spring of 1899, John came back to Dakota and homesteaded at Belfour, North Dakota, and lived there one year. He made several trips from Belfour to Cooperstown by bicycle a distance of about 120 miles.

He came back to Cooperstown the following year and worked for Mars Cussons at the flour mill, Pete Lima at the blacksmith shop and then for Pete Moe at the hotel where he met Elisa Klubben, who also worked there. They were married in 1906 at the Klubben home.

Elisa Klubben was the oldest child of the Waldemar Klubben family, who came to Dakota from Hoiland, Norway in 1881 when she was two years old. Her family settled in Sverdrup Township where she grew up.

John and Elisa made their home in Cooperstown, where John worked as a carpenter and from 1908-1915, he had his own wood working shop, where he repaired wagons, built wagon boxes, etc.

In January 1915, they moved to Washburn Township and farmed there for three years. On March 20, 1918, he bought a farm in Tyrol Township, moved there, and raised small grains and cattle.

He retired in 1943 and he and his wife bought a home in Cooperstown and moved there.

Elisa Askelson died in 1944 and John Askelson passed away in May 1950.

There were four children in the family:

1. Norman born in 1907. He married Marian Askelson in 1942. They farmed in Tyrol Township for many years and now reside out west. They have five children and three grandchildren. 2. Mervin who was born in 1908. He married Helen Gunderson in 1941. They have one child and one grandchild. 3. Manley born in 1910 and died in 1910. 4. Eleanor born in 1912 and died in 1936.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 449