Archival Anecdotes: Men of Sheyenne, circa 1890

 

February 6, 2023

Aptly titled "Men from Sheyenne," this portrait includes S.A. Olsness, Aslak Aslakson, H.P. Halvorson, L.B. Garnaas, Peter Halquist and Knut Vick. This professional studio portrait was captured by the C.T. Lee Photo Car, which was in operation in Oberon between 1888 and 1895.

At 20 years of age, Sveinung A. Olsness left his home in Vinyo Telem, Norway and traveled by steam and sail to New York, ultimately making it to North Dakota by rail in 1886. When Olsness began farming, wheat sold for 64 cents a bushel in New Rockford.

At that time, farming was done by oxen, horse and mule. Breaking was done by walking plows, and the land was then disced and seeded with a broa...



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