Erick married Henrietta Hegg 24 May 1880. They farmed on a part of his father's farm. Erick and Henrietta had three children: Elizabeth, Emma, and Anton. Elizabeth married Erick A. Bakke of Frankville Twp. Emma (d. 18 Apr 1942) married Ingeman Sivesind. Anton died 19 Feb 1917. Erick’s wife, Henrietta, died 6 Jul 1906.

Erick was a successful farmer and businessman. He was the founder of the Nordness Telephone Company and for the first few years was president, manager, and lineman. Erick held offices as trustee and assessor in Springfield Twp. He was a devoted member of the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church and in his younger days was very active there.

Erick celebrated his 87th birthday 26 Feb 1943 surrounded by friends and relatives. Although advanced in age, he was youthful in spirit and loved to talk about pioneer events. Erick died 27 Aug 1943. He was survived by two granddaughters: Antoinette (Mrs. Wesley) Webb and Joyce (Mrs. Olin) Johnson.

Solem, Melvin and Clara (Young)

(DeLoris Thornton)

Back row: DeLoris, Curtis and Shirley. Front row: Clara and Melvin Solem.

Melvin Leonard Solem was born 25 Sep 1901 in Winneshiek Co. to John and Elizabeth (Larson) Solem. Melvin was the oldest of 18 children. Some of his brothers and sisters were: Lloyd, Jorgen, Orlando, Norris, twins Harold and Harris, Leonard, Allert, Alice, Lillian, Elnora and Geneva.

Melvin married Clara Marie Young on 3 Dec 1924 at the United Lutheran Parsonage. Clara was born 19 Jul 1906 in Winneshiek Co. to Jacob and Mary (Barth) Young. Jacob was born in Buswiller, Alsace, France 18 Dec 1862 Mary was born in Winneshiek Co. Clara's brother and sisters were: Lydia Sherwin, Amelia Sande, Lenna Erickson, Julia Bergsrud and Roy Young. Melvin and Clara had 3 children: Curtis, DeLoris and Shirley.

Curtis was born in Winneshiek Co. He married Geraldine Haugen 12 Aug 1951 at Canoe Ridge Lutheran Church. Geraldine was born to Gjermund and Marie Haugen. Curtis and Geraldine have one son, Randy. Randy married Linda Swanson on 12 Nov 1977. Linda was born  to John and Mary Swanson. Randy and Linda have 4 children: David, Sara, Daniel and Matthew.

DeLoris was born in Winneshiek Co. She married Glen Thornton on 3 Oct 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church at Locust. DeLoris and Glen have 6 children: Linda, Larry, Alan, Denise, Lori and Jenny.

Shirley married Donald Leyse on 3 Sep 1955. Donald was born to Hjelmer and Myrtle Leyse of Waukon, IA. Shirley and Donald have 3 children: Kerri, Kevin and Krista.They live in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Melvin hired out for work when he was 14 years old to help support the large family. After their marriage Melvin and Clara farmed for many years before moving to Decorah. Melvin worked for Thornton Feed Store for many years before retiring at age 74. Clara worked at the Decorah High School cafeteria until retirement. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting for her grandchildren. Clara died 19 Oct 1981 and Melvin died 31 Jan 1988.

Solheim, Andrew K. and Guri (Lansrud)

(Frances M. Jeffers)

In 1907, Ole and Andreas Traetevik emigrated from Bergan, Norway to Winneshiek Co. They had come from the Svanoy parish in the district of Kinn. Their uncle, Sam O. Solheim of Madison Twp. had sent them prepaid tickets. After arriving, Andreas changed his name to Andrew K. (Korneliussen) Solheim since he had been born on the Solheim farm in Hyen parish, Gloppen pastorate, Nordfjord. Ole returned to Norway. Andrew was born 22 Jan 1883, the son of farmer Kornelius Andersson Solheim and Anne Olsdtr.

Guri Knudsdtr Gilen pa Lansrud (b. 14 Sep 1887) was the daughter of husmann Knut Knutsen Gilen pa Lansrud and Guri Olsdtr. She was baptized in Ron parish, Vestre Slidre pastorate, Valdres district, but had been working in Butengsrud, Wiker parish, Aadealen when she left Norway from Christiania. Her tickets were for steamship and railroad to Decorah.

For a time, Guri was one of the hundreds of Norwegian girls working as maids in Decorah homes. She worked at the Bradish home on Broadway where she sometimes served meals with as many as seven courses. Guri was an excellent cook and baker of Norwegian foods as well as made the best coffee. The latter “talent" was often requested for “Ladies’ Aid" at the Decorah Lutheran Church.

Andrew worked as a painter and interior decorator, sometimes partners with others. His crew painted the Aase Haugen Home in the country, the Smith Hospital when it was new, as well as many other businesses and homes. Andrew was active in the Sons of Norway, Norske Selskab and other Norwegian groups.

On 14 Jun 1914, Andrew and Guri were married at the home of Halvor and Ingeborg (Belle) Halvorson, sister and brother-in-law of Guri. When Andrew received his