Gilbert Haugen settled on section 4, Strip in 1883. Just to remind you that anyone with Strip after the section means it was part of the section that was later added to Marshall County.
Gilbert Erickson, or Haugen as he was known in this country, was born in Aadalin, Ringerika, Norway, February 15, 1843. As a young man he learned the tailor's trade and came to America at the age of 21 in 1864, on a sail ship.
He lived and farmed for a time with his brother near Grand Meadow, Mower County, Minnesota, and was married there to Bertha Seaverson.
They were the parents of one boy, Edward, and two girls, Annie (Mrs. Thorn Holten), and Christine (Mrs. Bergene). His wife passed away in 1883 the same year he filed on the homestead in New Solum Township.
Section 4, Strip.
The children arrived alone later on the train to St. Hilaire. The youngest was only a year old. Try to imagine what it would be like to put your children on a train by themselves when the youngest was one. We know people on the train would have been helpful but could you?
Gilbert farmed with horses and raised horses for sale. Broncos were brought to Thief River Falls from Montana and sold to farmers. The broncos replaced oxen for farming. If you see old pictures of farming you will note the horses are ill bred with long heads and somewhat skinny bodies.
In 1885 he was married to Ingrid Skindrud who passed away in 1918 shortly after losing their home by fire. The family was housed through the winter in a one room shanty where seven became sick during the flu epidemic. My information does not state if Ingrid or any of the children died from the flu.
If you flip back through the blog to a very early one, you will see his daughter, Annie Holten, with the spinners. In later years, Gilbert stayed with her and also with his other daughter.
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