| Summary: | In 1952 he entered into a partnership with Harley Guskjolen to open a Dry Goods Store, known as the 0 and G Department Store, and where he also operated his jewelry center. The partnership dissolved in 1954 and at that time, Melvin built a new building in the business district of Maddock south of the drug store, known as the Oksendahl Jewelry. Melvin was a member of the Maddock Commercial Club and the North Viking Lutheran Church. On November 1, 1945 Melvin married Grace Melass in Maddock. To this union were born four sons, Leland, Douglas, Rodney and James. Melvin died March 24, 1968. Grace took up Practical Nursing at Devils Lake Junior College and is now a nurse at Northwood. MR. AND MRS. NILS OKSENDAHL Nils Oksendahl was born July 15, 1878 at Eksendalen, Norway. He was educated and helped on the family farm until he got "American Fever" at the age of 22. So in 1900 he immigrated to the United States. His uncle, Ivar Oksendahl, met him at Minnewaukan. He stayed with his uncle until he filed a claim in 1901. Nils' first impression of this country was not so hot but decided to give it a try. He farmed in East Fork Township for 5V2 years. Then he returned to Norway for a visit. In the spring of 1906, he returned to the farm in East Fork- -this time it looked much better! On June 27, 1910, he married Jennie Anderson of Nesna, Helgeland, Norway. Four children were born to them. Clarice (Mrs. Obert Reine) of Seattle, Wash.; Esther (Mrs. Harry Myren) of Maddock; Melvin, who owned a jewelry store in Maddock for many years; and Harold, who took over the family farm. Also, in 1910, Mr. Oksendahl was road foreman in East Fork Township. A year later he was promoted to road overseer and later became township supervisor. The Fron Lutheran Church organized in 1912. Mr. Oksendahl became a charter member of this church. Many years later they merged with North Viking in Maddock. As with everybody, the "dirty thirties" took their toll. The government started buying cattle and paid from $4.00 to $29.00 a head. In 1932 wheat hit a low of 19 cents a bushel and an eight gallon can of cream sold for about $8.00 and eggs sold for a cent apiece. After the depression, Nils ran for County Commissioner and served from 1933 to 1945. In 1954, Mr. Oksendahl returned to Norway for a visit with remaining family and friends. The rest of his years were spent with his children. MR. ANDMRS. SEBASTIAN PFEIFER Sebastian Pfeifer, son of Henry Pfeifer and Theresia Bartsch, was born in 1895 in South Dakota and came to North Dakota in 1901 and lived near Orrin. In 1919 he married Veronica Thomas, daughter of Casper Thomas and Ann Heilman. She was born in North Dakota and lived near Wellsburg. After they were married they farmed near Wellsburg until 1952. They then retired and moved to Harvey. Sebastian passed away in 1964 and Veronica is still living in Harvey. Children born to this union are: Casper, Henry, Fabian, Albert, August, Irene, Theresia and Lydia. OLE AND MARIA PRAMHUS Ole was born on November 23, 1870 in Decorah, la. and came to Cooperstown with his parents where they were engaged in farming. He homesteaded in East Fork township in 1895. He married Maria Nyberg April 17, 1902. He repaired watches and clocks at his home. All the boys in the family learned the trade of watch repairing. He 298 Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited with Multi-Page TIFF Editor.
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