Nels Arneson was born in Minnesota November 5, 1873, the son of John and Kristi Arneson. His family homesteaded on NW quarter of Section 6, Greenview Township, just across the Griggs-Steele County line.

He married Lizzie Olson and they moved to Velva, North Dakota and homesteaded on a quarter of land in that area. They came to Washburn Township in 1909 and lived in the Mardell Hotel. While living there two of their children, Robert - 6 and Beatrice - 4, contracted the dreaded disease, diptheria. Beatrice died September 1, 1909 and Robert died September 2, 1909.

After farming in the area a few years, he sold out and became Manager of a grain elevator in Cooperstown. In 1917 they moved back to Section 13, Washburn Township. The barn on the farm was the Livery Barn from the townsite of Mardell and lumber from the Mardell Hotel was used in building the house. (These buildings are still on the farm.)

In the fall of 1918, Mrs. Arneson was killed in an automobile accident about two miles from their home. Mr. Arneson died in 1940. There were six children in the family:

Robert, Beatrice, James, Esther, Marion and Raymond. James is the only living member of the family. He is owner of the farm purchased by his father. He and his wife, Ruth (Skaar) reside in Cooperstown at the present time.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 474