As time went on, the farm had grown and prospered.
In 1904 a large barn was built, as well as other buildings
being added. There was a large wooden, shaft-driven
windmill that was used for grinding feed as well as
pumping water. It was considered very modern for those
days. Also the trees started and tended by Julia grew
well, such as the boxelders which she started from seed,
cottonwood trees and lilacs too. Large vegetables and
flower gardens were raised. Their horses, cattle,
chickens, turkeys, geese and sheep, also an unusual
addition of peacocks and guinea hens, besides the usual
cats and dogs.
This pioneer couple always worked for the good of
their community. It was in their home that a meeting
was held to get a telephone system into this area.
The house came to be furnished with the finest
furniture that was available in the territory, and the
family took much pride in their home, as other pioneers.
A water system, bath and new water heating facilities
were added. A water system was also installed in the
bam, a different type than we have today.
Transportation in the very early days had been ox
and carts and wagons pulled by horses. When the
weather was nice, people would sit in the springslatof the
wagon; but if the weather was bad, they would sit down
in the wagon box. In winter there were fur robes and foot
warmers, about eight inches by 14 inches, made of metal
and covered with carpeting. Beneath was a drawer that
pulled out and was filled with a charcoal slab that you
would heat on coals in the stove first to get it going, then
place in the drawer.
In the summer the family liked to go for rides in a
surrey pulled by a pair of black Hamiltonian horses.
They would travel in this manner when attending a
neighborhood gathering at church or at home. Later
John purchased a Model T. Ford.
Long dresses were common for both women and girls
in the late 1890's and early 1900's. Darker colors were
stylish for women's dress up dothing, with usually one or
more rows of pleats at the bottom. Lighter colors, mostly
white, were used as cuffs on the long sleeves and around
the necks of dresses. There were long rows of very tiny
buttons down the front. AU white dresses were used on
special occasions by young girls. Both girls and women
seemed to part their hair in the center and pull it back.
Men wore shapeless dark colored wool suits for dress up
with vests. Beards and moustaches were common.
School was usually in session for only three to four
months at a time and sessions were staggered according
to planting and harvesting seasons. John owned land in
three different school districts and at that time his
children could attend any of those three schools. In
District No. 100, in the school year 1905-1906, there were
35 pupils. Eighteen of those were chUdren belonging to
various Stensland famiUes. Christopher Heen was the
teacher that year.
Another year in District No. 103 there were 52 pupUs
in grades 1-8 in one room. When it was time for one grade
to have a lesson, they would be called to come forward
and sit in the front seats. Each grade took their turns
being called for the different lessons throughout the day.
Comers of the room were used for disciphning naughty
children. Other methods were also used. Schools were
heated with tall round stoves burning wood or coal. Older
boys were often appointed by the teachers to keep the
fires burning while she held class. Lunch was carried in
paper bags, pails or lunch kits. Potatoes were often
baked on the stoves if they were put on early enough they
would be done by noon. Rest rooms were Uttle houses
behind the school - one for the boys and another for the
girls. They didn't have playground equipment, but often
played games such as, "Run Sheep Run," "Drop the
Handkerchief," "Pom Pom PuUaway," etc.
The neighborhood grew in number. Children grew up
and married. Annie married George Gunderson on Oct.
9,1919. They made their home in Seattle. Lewis married
Katherine Ward Feb. 11,1925. Lewis operated this farm
until his death in 1953.
During the time Lewis farmed, John and Julia
moved to Grand Forks where they purchased a home.
They felt far from home ties, so John moved a house and
remodeled it on his east farm. Jutia became too iU to care
for herself and John, so they moved back to the home
farm. Julia died Oct. 14,1929. John died Feb. 26,1931.
Now Uving on the famUy farm are the third and
fourth generations of Stenslands. May we keep in mind
the hardship and toil of those generations before us and
appreciate our heritage.
Submitted by Lori Stensland.
SUNDERLAND FAMILY
Ole H. Sunderland was born on the Sunderland
(Gaard) farm in Telemarken, Norway, Dec. 7, 1820.
While in Norway, he married Anne Oppedahl, who was
born May 8, 1825, in Oppedahl, Telemarken, Norway.
Nine chddren were bom and two girls were later
adopted. They owned this Sunderland farm in
Telemarken, Norway, and also owned large logging
operations in the area. The Sunderland famdy were
active in church and community activities.
In 1862, the family immigrated to America, crossing
the Atlantic in a sad ship. They encountered many
hardships at sea like storms, dlness, water shortage,
etc., taking them several weeks to cross. In mid-Atlantic
a son was bom to them. They named him Kjettti
Rinehardt, the second name being named for the sad
ship "Rea" on which they were crossing. The family first
settied near Madison, Wise., and later pioneered in Iowa
and North Dakota. The famdy endured the many hardships of early settlers who braved droughts, prairie fires,
and severe winter storms, conquering the wddemess we
now enjoy.
In the early 1880's, the family moved to North Dakota
and homesteaded in western Walsh County, six mdes
northwest of the present town of Adams, where they lived
the rest of their lives. Ole H. Sunderland died March 14,
1903, at 83. Anne Sunderland died April 25,1909, at 84.
Salve or S. O. Sunderland was born May 23,1852, in
Telemarken, Norway, and came with his parents to
America in 1862 when he was 10 years old. The family
Uved near Madison, Wise, and later moved to Winne
bago County, Ia., settling near Lake MiUs. WhUe Uving in
Iowa, Salve attended Decorah CoUege, at Decorah, Ia.
He directed his studies toward the ministry, but a long
siege of dlness prevented him from continuing his
education. For many years, however, he taught English
and parochial school. In the early 1880's the famdy, with
the exception of two sisters and two foster sisters who
had married and settled in Iowa and Minnesota, moved
to Dakota Territory, which later became the state of
North Dakota. Salve lived with his parents in western
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