Stark A. Knutson (Styrk Andreas) was born May 22, 1895, at Ulevik, Stamnes Norway, north of Bergen. In June 1914, he came to the United States to Litchfield, Minnesota, and worked for his older brother, Axel. About a year later he came to Dazey, North Dakota, to visit his brother, Magnus, and decided to stay and farm with him. Then in 1916, he sent for his bride to be Serina Jonson born April 17, 1894, at Klubben, Halsnoy, Norway, south of Bergen. They had met in Odda, Norway where they were both working. She arrived in Dazey, North Dakota, in August 1916. They were married December 6, 1916, at Valley City, North Dakota, and farmed in the Dazey area for a few-years. Stark operated a Dray in Dazey hauling coal, etc. Then he went farming on what then was known as the Larson Place east of Dazey for a while. In the spring of 1925, they moved west of Hannaford to the Fortney farm and farmed for a couple years. In the spring of 1927, they moved east of Hannaford to the Daniel Syverson homestead in Greenfield Township and farmed there for 13 1/2 years.
Stark enjoyed helping his neighbors and friends with sick or injured livestock, turkeys, etc., and was sort of a neighborhood barber (what he did for many years for friends) and whatever anyone needed help with. Farming became difficult during the early '30s with the drought and depression. Then Stark and Serina quit farming and he went to work on construction as a carpenter on the overpasses being built over the Great Northern Railway Crossings at Hannaford, Pillsbury, Glenfield, Carrington and Jamestown, then went on to Montana and worked on the construction of the Fresno west of Havre and bridge construction near Livingston, Montana, and one summer in Yellowstone Park.
In 1942, Stark and Serina moved their family to Anaconda, Montana, and he went to work for the ACM Smelter for nearly 30 years until retirement.
In 1972, Stark and Serina moved to Columbia Falls, Montana, to be near family. They lived it here; Glacier Park and the mountains reminded them of Norway. They made a trip back to Norway. Stark in 1957, by an ocean liner, and Serina made a trip in 1972, by airline.
Stark passed away October 1981, and Serina lives by herself. She still crochets, writes letters to Norway and tries to read the newspapers, although her eyesight is failing her. She will be celebrating her 95th birthday in April.
They had nine children, two died in infancy. Arthur the third at age of 55 years. They have 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Edith, born 1919, near Dazey, attended Bartley and Stromme Schools, married to Leo Schulte in 1936. They had five children and eight grandchildren. A daughter died in 1941, age 2 1/2 years old. Leo passed away in 1971. She married in 1973, and resides in Columbia Falls, Montana, with her husband Hershal Mason.
Knute, born 1921, near Dazey, attended Stromme School, was in the CCC's about three years. About a year later in 1940, he enlisted in the Army and then joined the American-Norwegian 99th Battalion Sep. He was in five campaigns in WW II. He was married to Lucille Chevre in 1941. They had five children and eight grandchildren. Lucille passed away in 1979. One son died at the age of 30 in 1980. His three daughters live in the St. Paul, Minnesota, area and his only son lives in Columbia Falls, Montana. Knute is retired after working as pile driving foreman for the same contractor for 41 years. He is now married to Alice Allen and lives in Columbia Falls.
Arthur was born in 1922, died October 1977.
A. Irene, born 1926, on the Fortney Place, attended Stromme and Hannaford Schools, married Raymond Barnhart in 1949. They have two sons and two granddaughters. Ray owned and operated the B & F Excavating Co., in Columbia Falls. Ray passed away in 1986. Irene still has the business, operated by their son.
Leonard, born 1928, at Cooperstown, North Dakota, attended Stromme and Hannaford Schools, enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1946, served in Pacific areas. Married Roberta Schmidt in 1952. They have two sons. Leonard is a building contractor and resides in Columbia Falls.
Olga, born 1930, on the Syverson Place, lives in Cathay, North Dakota.
Stewart, born 1933, on the Syverson Place, attended Hannaford School, enlisted in the Army in 1951, was stationed in Germany and in the States. He and Joan Michell were married in 1953. They have six children (the youngest are twins), and three grandchildren. Stewart is a building contractor.
Source: Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 188