FARM HOME OF KNUT P. RYE
Topography—This land is very rolling. There are many sloughs, which contained water in the eighties, but now these are mostly all cultivated, or much hay is cut on them.
The majority of the homesteaders were sons of Norway, who were largely raised on farms in their native country, or worked on the farms in the states before coming to Day county. The soil in this township is very productive. There has not been a year that has not given them a normal crop. There are a greater number of original homesteaders or their descendants still farming in this township than in any other in the county. There are many large and beautiful groves, and several fine tree claim groves, which now supply most of the fuel used by those who have them. Names starred are still residing on their land.
The first child born here was Carl Erickson, to Mr. and Mrs. Christ Erickson, in December, 1884.
The first death came to Hannah Wickre, from the family of H. O. Wickre, May 9, 1884, age 3 years.
The first marriage was consummated between L. J. Tygaard and Martha Aadland, September 7, 1884. Mr. Tygaard built the first shanty in the township on his claim.
The largest family was born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Christenson, parents of six boys and eleven girls.
This township was named at a meeting of several settlers, first and second choice names being agreed upon, and H. 0. Wickre was delegated to meet with the county commissioners to present the name, which was adopted by them.
Dates of settlement of homesteaders:
1883—Even J. Mehlen, Ole Berget, L. J. Nygaard,
Nels 0. Nelson, Sander Amerude, Knute Severson, Martin
Nygaard, T. N. Kjerland.
1884—Jule and *Knute Moen, H. 0. and John Wickre,
Jacob Wickre, *Ole Swenson, *Christ Erickson, *Ole J.
Ensted, *Knute P. Rye, Tom Erickson, Hans Larson,
Gunder and Halver Holland, Mandus Wickre, Albert Nelson,
Martin Johnson, Oxness P. Rye, Christ Lickness, Lars
Bolland, John Lee, Ole 0. Kvam, Mathias Enebo, Severt
Enstad, Amund Huff, Knute 0. Loe, S. 0. Sorenson, Chas.
Hersey, Axel Larson, *Osmund Olson.
1885—*Ludvig Lorensberg, *Ole Nevermoen, Anton
Knutson, *Elias Hoynes, *Mrs. Jacob Larson, *Mrs. S. 0.
Sorenson, Jens Wickre, Andrew Aadland, Bellis and Olaus
Nerland, John Waage, Barker Brown, M. Stakke, Eric
Boland, Knute 0. Moe, John Ensted, Andrew Christenson,
L. L. Nordness.
Mr. Knut P. Rye came to Montevideo, Minnesota, from Christiana, Norway, with his sister in 1879. He worked on farms by the month until May 18, 1885, when he arrived in this township. He filed on a homestead and tree claim, to which he has since added 160 acres. He was married to Miss Anna Maria Loe, December 8, 1891 and to them were born six sons and four daughters, all living but one boy. Three daughters have married, leaving five sons and one daughter at home. Mrs. Rye received 160 acres from her father's estate, this being added to the Rye estate.
Mr. Rye practices diversified farming; milks eight to ten cows, turns off thirty-five to forty hogs and a good bunch of poultry, annually. He is a lover of good horses and has fourteen fine ones for his farm work.
Phone and R. F. D., Pierpont, S. D.
Mr. Ole J. Ensted came to Granite Falls, Minnesota, fom Lesja-skogen, Norway, 1879 and.worked on farms by the month until 1884 when he came to the township and filed on a homestead. He later added to it 320 acres.
He was married to Miss Hanna Kvam, May, 1885 and to this union were born seven daughters and four sons, all living but two boys. An unusual co-incidence occurs in this family. Three of Mr. Ensted's daughters married three Langager brothers, another to Charles Marsh. This is unusual, especially since Mr. Ensted and two of his brothers had married three sisters. The two boys still remain at home. Mr. Ensted has endeavored to give all of his children higher education.
Mr. Ensted practices diversified farming; milking ten cows, turning off fifty to sixty hogs, two hundred chickens, twenty-five to fifty turkeys and some geese and ducks, annually. He has a fine field of alfalfa and seeds sweet clover for hay and for enrichment of land. The farm is possessed of an apple orchard yielding fruit sufficient for home use.
The grove seen in background is on his tree claim and contains twelve acres, furnishes ample fuel for cooking and heating purposes. Mr. Ensted has bought no coal for the past ten years.
All that Mr. Ensted has is the result of hard labor on the farm and the entire property is free from encumbrance.
Phone and R. F. D., Pierpont, S. D.