Walsh Heritage, ND 1881-1981 Volume 1 page 457
OSBJORN THORSEN
Mrs Osbjorn THORSEN was born in Austad, Satersdalen, Norway in 1852. Her parents were Olave Isackson Austad and Joraand Salvesdatter. Gunhild Austad was married to Osbjorn THORSEN in Norway in 1874.

In 1878, Mr and Mrs THORSEN and their two sons decided to leave Norway. After an ocean voyage in a sailboat, they landed in New York. From there they continued by train westward to the end of the railroad, which at that time extended as far as Fisher's Landing, located on the Red River south of Grand Forks. They remained with friends in Bygland, Minnesota near Fisher's Landing until the nest spring, when they came to Fertile Township.

Upon their arrival THORSEN homesteaded land now owned by their son, Kittel THORSEN. The THORSEN family lived at the Bjornson home while a log cabin was being built on their homestead. Mr and Mrs THORSEN were charter members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Fertile Township and they actively assisted in the organization of the church. Mrs THORSEN was also a charter member of the Zion Ladies Aid. They bought their supplies fra the store located at Sweden, no longer in existence, three and a half miles fra their home. Mrs THORSEN often walked there to get supplies and one time she carried a 50 pound sack of flour the entire distance.

Mr and Mrs THORSEN were the parents of nine children: Their two oldest children were born in Norway:
Olaf, born 19 March 1875 -died 8 Aug 1892
Olaf born 15 Jun 1877
Clara, born 26 Jun 1882 - died 10 Apri 1892
Jorand, born 26 July 1886 and died 1924
Karl, born 27 Feb 1891 and died 25 May 1892
Thor, born 18 March 1880
Kittel, born 25 May 1884
Ella, born 12 Oct 1888
--submitted by Arlene Fellman--

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