Erick Smogard

Erick Smogard of Zumbrota, Minnesota, came to Binford, North Dakota, in the fall of 1901, and bought two quarters of land northeast of town from the D. S. B. Johnson Land Company.  Hogen Smogard, his 24-year-old son, came to Binford the following spring to break land and to start farming.  He and D. A. Goplen shared an emigrant car shipping horses, wagons, breaking plows, etc. from Minnesota.  The first year Mr. Smogard lived with the Gabriel Gabrielson family and the following summer with the Matt Rorvig family.  He built a house and barn in 1904.

He married Gertie Benson of Sheyenne, North Dakota, November 20, 1904.  Gertie Benson was born in Marengo, Iowa, June 20, 1881.  Her parents were Osmund and Jone Bjornson.  (Bjornson was later changed to Benson)  They homesteaded in Nelson County about one mile west of what is now Norway Church in 1883.  In 1895 they moved to Sheyenne, North Dakota.

Mr. and Mrs. Hogen Smogard farmed until 1938.  They retired and moved into Binford and lived there until they passed away.  Hogen died on July 23, 1948, and Gertie died on July 14, 1974.  They had three children: 

  1. Edna Smogard, Mrs. Thorvald Erlandson, Fargo, North Dakota

  2. Arthur Smogard, who is farming the home farm near Binford

  3. Gladys Smogard, Mrs. Francis Rowekamp, Los Angeles, California.

Arthur Smogard married Anne Rekstad of Finley, North Dakota, on June 14, 1934.  They continue to live on and operate the same farm.  They also have three children: 

  1. Marilyn Smogard, Mrs. Richard Bartholomay, Steele, North Dakota

  2. Donna Smogard, Mrs. John Evers, who also lives on a farm near Binford

  3. Wayne Smogard, who is presently living at home.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 506