Family:Osten Romsaas and Gunhild Mytting (1)

“Austin Romsaas and Gunhild Mything were born near Oslo, Norway. Austin was born in August, 1842 and Gunhild wasborn in January 1853. They were married in June of 1875. While the family lived near Oslo, Norway five of their children were born: Peter in March of 1876; Annie in July of 1878; Bertha in December of 1880; Ellen in February of 1884; and Hannah in August of 1886.
The Romsaas family with their five children emigrated from Norway in 1888. They came in a sailing vessel and it took them three weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean. They had to take along their own food for the voyage. They landed in Quebec, Quebec, Canada and from there went by train to Fertile, Minnesota where they were met by their Uncle Paul Slovarp. Their Uncle took them to his farm near Fosston, Minnesota by oxen.

The Mything family was a wealthy family. Their home has been moved from their estate to Maihaugen Park near Lillehamar, Norway. There home was the first to be two stories high: the first to have windows in their home. All the walls were painted in scenes by a Norwegian painter. In those days people ate from wooden plates and each person had their own plate. There was a hole at the edge of the plate where a string went through. After meals the plates were washed and hung on the wall.

While the family were living near Fosston, two more children were born: Syver born on Christmas Eve 1888 and Marie born in August of 1893. In the early 1900’s the family got the urge to “Go West Young Man Go West”. In May of 1903 Austin filed on the South West Quarter of Section 3 Township 149 Range 86 in McLean County or 11 ½ miles south and ½ mile east of Ryder, North Dakota. In May of 1904 he moved his family to the homestead shack which was 10 feet by 10 feet in size. When Ellen and Hannah became 21 they filed on land joining their home Quarter.

Austin and Gunhild built up their farm in the community and continued to farm until Austin passed away in August of 1915. He is buried in Clifton Cemetery 13 miles south and 2 ½ miles east of Ryder, North Dakota. Upon the death of her husband Mrs. Romsaas continued living on the home farm for a few years which was then farmed by her son Syver. During her later years she made her home with her daughter Ellen Rystad near Fosston, Minnesota. She passed away in August of 1934, and is buried in a cemetery near Fosston, Minnesota. Their children were all confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

• Their oldest son Peter filed on the Quarter east of the one his father filed on. He ran the Jeanette Post Office and a store in his home for about four years until Rural Route came out from Ryder in 1910. This Post Office was located on the South East Quarter of Section 3 Township 149 Range 86. Peter and his wife Hannah moved to Fargo in 1918 where they continued to make their home. They had one son Allen who passed away in 1965. Peter passed away in August 1939.
• Annie married Howard Kinney who had filed on a Quarter of land close to the Romsaas farm. Most of their life was spent in Spokane, Washington. They have four children: Amy, Rexy, Elsie, and Walter. Annie passed away in May of 1960.
• Bertha married Edwin Hart. They moved to Canada where they farmed near Regina, Saskatchewan. They had three children: Lloyd and Howard who have both passed away. Cora is married to a minister, Edwin Morrow. He has retired and they live in London, Ontario, Canada. When Edwin Hart passed away Bertha lived with her children. She passed away at the home of her daughter Cora in May of 1971.
• In November 1908 a very happy event took place when Ellen married Osmond Rystad and Hannah married Frank Flynn at a double ceremony at the home of the late Reverend Frank Peterson who was one of the early homesteaders in Emmet Township.
  • Osmond and Ellen Rystad moved to Minnesota where they farmed near Fosston. They had two boys Kent and Omar. Ellen lived in a nursing home at McIntoh, Minnesota until her death in 1983.
  • Frank and Hannah Flynn moved to Canada making their home in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. They had three boys and three girls. Ester who has passed away. Helen and Alice who live in Canada. The boys: Larry killed while a member of the Canadian Air Force. Robert and Kelly Grant both living in Canada. Hannah passed away in August of 1967.

The first school that was held in Romsaas Township (149-86) was held in the Ellen Romsaas claim shack. There was a three month term in the fall and another three months in the spring. Ellen and her sister Hannah both taught at that first school. The first school house in the township was built in 1908. It was built in the North East corner of the North East Quarter of Section 16, 149-86. Then school term became eight months. Ann Graham was the first teacher in the new school.

• Syver married Olga Gustafson who passed away October 23, 1977. The farmed the home farm until Syver passed away in April of 1960. Olga lives in the High Acres Manor nursing home in Jamestown, North Dakota. The had three children: Dale who married Ellen Stenson of Turtle Lake. They lived in Jamestown. Lora married James Hanchett formerly of Ryder, North Dakota. They live in Fremont, California. Earl and his wife Marilyn live in Bismark. He works for the Bureau of Reclamation.
• Marie married a neighbor boy, Fred Hacanson in December of 1914. They farmed in the community until Fred passed away in June of 1969. Marie lives in the nursing home in Garrison, North Dakota. They had one son Gordon who married Bernice Carlson. Gordon continued to farm the home place in addition to their own farm which they purchased in 1946. Gordon and Bernice retired in 1976. They continue to live on their own farm 15 miles south of Ryder.”

Østen (Austin) Pedersen Romsaas Family circa 1891

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Østen (Austin) Pedersen Romsaas Family 1903

1. ↑ ISBN 82-7275-081-3. Ministerialbok for Ringebu 1872 - 1877., Series: XII, Pages: XII. (Ringebu Historielag, Ringebu, Norway, 1994?, Second Date, 1872 - 1877)
   Page 228, Number 16.
2. ↑ Twelfth Census of the United States, Schedule No. 1. - Population.
   Polk County, Enumeration District 280?, Sheet 4?, Line 96.