Hastings, North Dakota
is a farmer. He was born in Gaarden Aas in Vestnes, on December 24, 1856 and emigrated to America in 1883 to Valley City, North Dakota. He came first to Peter Knutsen Aas, his sister's child, who had grubstaked so many newcomers from Norway. He took a homestead in Sandprairien and lived there until 1900 when he moved to the farm he now has.
His wife, Anne Salthammer, was also from Vestnes. She died in 1906. They have five children, three sons and two daughters. Their oldest son Albert is on a nearby farm. Melvin and Henry are at the farm home. Anne, who is Melvin’s twin sister, is a housekeeper on the farm and is in very good shape for her age. On the wall in his living room is a picture of an old "Name Guesser" from Romsdoling, Anders Arnesen Mesfjord, who was in the War from 1812 to 1814. When the war ended, he went from Roros to his home in Vestnes. He was a carpenter, smith and especially capable as a rifle maker and intelligence which he used as an eager soldier. He was a strong fellow and could lift a saltbarrel with ease.
Source: Norwegians and Norwegian Homes in America by Hans Jervell - 1916 - Page 52