Happy Birthday to Family Leaplings

Celebrating Leap Day - 29 February 2016

Dear FOLKS,

While writing up the life events of  Oscar Ostrom a few days ago I noticed for the first time that he was a "leapling." According to Wikipedia.com a leapling is a person who is born on Leap Day. 

According to www.parents.com, on average is one person in 1,461 are leaplings and that having your birthday on Leap Day as a pretty exceptional event. A look through my family tree that currently contains, 1551 people shows that Oscar is the only known leapling in the tree. So my family is running close to average, although there as still some folks where I am not sure of their birthdate, but I am working to solve that lack of information.

It is with a warm heart that I wish my second great uncle Oscar Ostrom a happy birthday. He was born on 29 February 1884 in Elbow Lake, Minnesota.  He was the son and eighth child of Olaus O. Ostrom and Toline G. Paulson.  He would live until 1973 when he was 89 years old and had celebrated his true date of birth 22 times.

IMAGE: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

On non-leap years, I wonder whether Oscar would have celebrated his birthday on the 28th of February or on March 1. Again according to Wikipedia, in common years, leapling birthdays are traditionally celebrated on February 28th. In some cases, March 1st is used as the birthday in a non-leap year, since it is the day following February 28th.

Another tradition we have for Lear Day is that it is the day when it is acceptable for women to propose marriage to men.  I don't have records about this aspect of our family's history, so I can't report how many of our couples became engaged on Leap Day and if it was the woman who did the proposing. But it is a fun thing to think about today as you go about your daily routine.

Wishing you a Happy Leap Day. Thanks for stopping by.

The URL for this post is: http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/02/happy-birthday-to-family-leaplings.html

Copyright (c) 2016, Darlene M. Steffens. All rights reserved.

Please comment regarding this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the use the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246@gmail.com. Thank you.

Sod Breaking in North Dakota

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

My, but the weeks go by quickly; here I am with a new story that my cousin Ed Ostrom collected for us.

This week we'll begin to tell some of the stories about Ed's paternal grandfather, Oscar Ostrom. Last week we learned about Oscar's genealogy and saw some of the records that have been found about him. This report is available at http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/02/4-oscar-ostrom.html.

Oscar Ostrom was the 8th child to Olaus O. Ostrom and Toline G. Paulson. With this, along with the traditions of inheritance, he knew to have a farm with lots of acreage he would have to strike out on his own. He was living and working with his pa and brothers on his folks' farm in Elbow Lake, Grant County, Minnesota. Chances for a young man with no money to have his own farm in that area were "slim to none."

All that Oscar wanted to do was to "farm!" That is what he knew and what he dreamed.

He also had an eye on a lovely, young neighbor named Anna Brekke. But since Anna was six years younger than Oscar, he had to wait for her become a little older before they married.

He decided that he would head northwest to Ward County, North Dakota and start a homestead.  His older sister Olina and her husband John Henry Ehlers had been homesteading in this same area for about a year and had reported back how the U.S. government had opened the area to homesteading and an adventurous person could work the land and make the required improvements before having to pay only a small amount.  The land was good and there was lots of acreage being offered.

It is not known if he traveled alone or if he accompanied others when he made the trip from Minnesota to this rugged new area. But there is a high likelihood that he traveled with others from Elbow Lake. Some of his siblings had also heard of the good opportunities in the open prairie of Ward County near the new small town of Douglas that was founded in 1906. So a number of people Oscar knew would soon file for their homestead in  this area too.

Having Olina and John "Jack" Ehlers arrive in the area ahead of Oscar was an advantage. They would be nearby if Oscar ran into problems. He knew he had to work hard to stay ahead of the brutally cold winters that this area has.

It is thought that Oscar applied for a Land Patent in early 1907. He was required to make improvements, including a dwelling, water and reside there for a certain amount of time.

IMAGE: Land Patent Certificate No. 14730
issued to Oscar Ostrom on 02 April 1908. [1]

On 02 April 1908, Oscar Ostrom traveled abut 30 miles north to the Land Office in Minot, North Dakota where he made full payment for the parcel of public land he would call home for next thirty years. His long time friend and now his neighbor, Fred Roberts would also acquire his land patent on that same day.  It is likely that they traveled together. Eventually their friendship would grow when they became brothers by marriage.  While Oscar married Anna Brekke, in 1909 Fred Roberts would marry Christina Brekke, Anna's older sister. Oscar and Fred would become brothers-in-law. A link to the transcription of this document http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/03/amanuensis-monday-land-patent-of-oscar.html.

The legal description of Oscar's parcel reads: the southwest quarter of Section twenty-three in Township one hundred fifty-one north of Range eighty-four west of the Fifth Principal Meridian, North Dakota, containing one hundred sixty acres. [1] The map shows its location in the township.

IMAGE: 1910 Plat Map of Spring Lake Township
(Section 23, 151N-84W) highlight showing
the 160 parcel belonging to Oscar Ostrom [2]

Shortly after the trip to Minot, he then packed up a horse and buggy and headed back to Elbow Lake and his pending marriage to his sweetheart Anna Brekke. According to his son Edwin "Tom" Ostrom, he didn't have to worry about finding a place for the night, he would just pull off the trail and settle in for the night. Or he could stop at the nearest farmhouse he came across, folks were very obliging to travelers.

Oscar and Anna would marry on 09 Jul 1908.  It was a memorable event that I'll save and tell when we visit Anna's story.

Tom shared this about the early days of homesteading. His pa, Oscar was sod-breaking virgin prairie on his farm. Sod-breaking is a term for the first time ever the land is plowed. It is tough work on the men as well as the horses they used to pull the plow.  Many times having to stop to haul off rocks they found.  A pile of these rocks was hand carried away from the plow and usually left in one spot that was considered most out of the way.

IMAGE: A photo of Oscar sod-breaking virgin prairie about 1920,
from Edwin J. Ostrom's photo collection.

According to Tom about his pa, "Oscar usually had 3 horses in the front and 2 behind, but here he is using 2 in the front and 3 behind. This is because he is short of horses at this critical time.  Plowing with a mare with its colt is unusual.

The other horses Oscar had were in use. Usually you leave the colt in the barn. The problem is when you stop, say hit a rock, the colt wants to suck and gets tangled up in the harness. Then you’ve got a hell of a mess.

The white horse with the colt was a brood mare named ‘Lady.’ One of Lady’s colts turned out to be a ‘pisser.’ When a pisser gets nervous or excited, it puts its tail down and pisses on it, then switches it and flings it all over.

Oscar solved the problem by tying the pisser's tail to the leather breech strap that went behind the horse.

Oscar shipped that horse to New York where they used it to work between rows of berries.  We always wondered about the guy that got that pisser."

SOURCES --

(1) U.S. Bureau of Land Management, "Land Patent Search," indexed database, General Land Office Records (http://glorecords.blm.gov : accessed 23 February 2016), entry for Oscar Ostrom, Ward County, North Dakota, Certificate No. 14730.

(2) North Dakota, Ward County, "1910 County Plat Map Atlas," pg. 63; Map of Spring Lake Township from 1910 Ward County Atlas. Ward County Public Library, 225 3rd St SE, Minot, ND 58701.

CREDIT(S) --

Today, the new book I mentioned arrived as scheduled. It is "Google Blogger for Dummies," by Susan Gunelius.  I hope you'll see some improvement in my skills preparing these articles.  In the meantime, I truly appreciate your patience and interest in these stories. Please enjoy! I am glad you stopped by.

The URL for this post is: http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/02/sod-breaking-in-north-dakota.html.

Copyright (c) 2016, Darlene M. Steffens.

Please comment regarding this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then the use the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246@gmail.com. Thank you.

#4 -- Oscar Ostrom

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

Here I am, back with another chance to tell you about my cousin's family.  Once a week, I plan to tell a new story left behind by my research buddy, Ed Ostrom. I recently discovered that I needed to acquaint you with the individuals who the stories are about.  So today, I am starting off with the first person on the Names List [http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/02/eds-name-and-genealogy.html].

IMAGE: Oscar Ostrom  (ca 1900)
From the collection of Edwin J. Ostrom

Oscar Ostrom is #4 in Ed's Ancestor Name List and was his paternal grandfather.  Ed descended through:

* his son, #3 Edwin "Tom" Ostrom (1911-2007)
* Ed, #6 Edwin "Ed" Junior Ostrom (1944-2015)

Note: The above list is to be interpreted as follows:
Ed Ostrom descended from Oscar Ostrom's third child, Edwin "Tom" Ostrom; and then to Ed, himself, or Tom's sixth child.

-------------------

INDIVIDUAL'S PROFILE --

Name: Oscar Ostrom
Sex: Male
Father: Olaus Ommundsen Ostrom (1850-1924)
Mother: Toline 'Lina' Gunnuldsdatter Paulson (1846-1934)

TIMELINE FOR OSCAR OSTROM --

Birth: 29 Feb 1884 in Elbow Lake, Grant County, Minnesota, USA. [1 & 12]

Residence: 4 June 1885 (age 1) in Pomme de Terre Township, Grant County, Minnesota, USA.[2]

Residence: 9 June 1900 (age 16) in Lien Township, Roberts, South Dakota, USA. [3]

Residence: 2 April 1908 (age 24) in Ward County, North Dakota, USA; Oscar OSTROM was issued Land Patent No. 14730 (Accession Nr. MV-0754-339) for 160 acres in Section 23 of Township 151N-84W (unorganized but will become Spring Lake Township). [4]

Marriage: 9 Jul 1908 (age 24) in Grant County, Minnesota, USA, groom: Oscar OSTROM of Ward County, North Dakota; bride: Anna Tomine BREKKE of Grant County, Minnesota, USA. Ceremony took place at T. Brekke's, home of the bride's father. [5]

Residence: 1910 (age 26) in Unorganized 151 R94 [would become Spring Lake, although Ancestry indexed it as Cameron Township] Ward County, North Dakota, USA. [6]

Residence: 1915 (age 31) in Spring Lake Township, Ward County, North Dakota, USA. [7]

Residence: 12 Sep 1918 (age 34) in Douglas, Ward County, North Dakota, USA. [1]

Residence: 24 January 1920 (age 35) in Spring Lake Township, Ward County, North Dakota, USA. [8]

Residence: 1925 (age 41) in Spring Lake Township, Ward County, North Dakota, USA. [9]

Residence: 5 April 1930 (age 46) in Spring Lake Township, Ward County, North Dakota. USA [10]

Residence: 1935 (age 51) in Ward County, North Dakota, USA; resided in the rural area of the county.[11]

Residence: 16 Apr 1940 (age 56) in East Hubbard Township Marion County, Oregon, USA. [11]

Residence: Apr 1942 (age 58)in Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon, USA. [12]

Death: 22 May 1973 (age 89) died at home in Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon, USA. [13-15]

Burial: Abt 24 May 1973 at Belle Passi Cemetery, in Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon, USA. [16]

IMAGE: Oscar Ostrom (ca 1950)
from the collection of Edwin J. Ostrom

SPOUSES, MARRIAGES & CHILDREN --

1. Spouse - Anna Tomina Brekke (1890-1972)
Marriage - 09 Jul 1908 in Pomme de Terre Township, Grant County, Minnesota, USA
2. Children:
1. Clifford Martin Ostrom (1908-1964)
2. Julia Lillian Ostrom (1910-1957)
3. Edwin 'Tom' Ostrom (1911-2007)
4. Arvid Tilman Ostrom (1914-1999)
5. Verna Idell Ostrom (1917-1950)
6. Mabel Iona Ostrom (1920-1992)
7. Living
8. Living

IMAGE: Newlyweds, Oscar and Anna Ostrom (July 1908)
from the collection of Edwin J. Ostrom

NOTES --

Oscar was born on February 29.  He was only able to celebrate HIS birthday 22 different times; at least only 22 times on the actual anniversary of his birth.  That is one of the nuisance effects of being born on Leap Year Day.

Oscar was lean his entire life, the result of hard work, chewing Copenhagen tobacco and eating small amounts frequently during the day rather than large meals. It is likely the tobacco also contributed to dental issues. He would not over eat. He was usually found wearing overalls; good work clothes, yet comfortable. Oscar switched from Democrat to Republican and Lutheran to Methodist late in his life.  As Oscar told it, when he was 75 years old, he made the switch in religion when the Lutheran minister would not let his good friend Vick have a Masonic funeral service; so Oscar joined the Methodist church in protest.  Both churches were in Woodburn, Oregon; this info per Ed Ostrom, Oscar's grandson.

In a 2005 interview between Ed and his dad, Tom Ostrom, Tom said "Oscar would get to cutting hair in the spring.  Oscar first cut the hair off all the animals: sheep, dogs, cats and horse tails. Oscar would next line up his sons and cut all their hair off with a horse clipper."  Also included in the hair cutting ritual was Oscar's nephew, Harvey William Roberts (1911-2005).

SOURCES  AND RESEARCH NOTES (in blue)--

This source list is the result of selecting and adding sources to Facts in Ed Ostrom's on line Ancestry Member Tree found as Ed Ostrom's Family Tree on Ancestry.com and then "syncing" this tree with my desktop tree that is one Family Tree Maker.  From Family Tree Maker, I used the report publishing function.

I realized the source list presented was not in "Evidence Explained" format as defined by author Elizabeth Shown Mills, so have tried to reformat those sources. Those interested should be able to locate the documents and records I used from the information included. I am working to learn how to revise the source citations provided from Family Tree Maker into the proper format, so please bear with me.

1.) U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, digital image, Ancestry.com  (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 February 2016), Ward County, North Dakota, Douglas, Oscar Ostrom entry, dated 12 September 1918; citing Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls.

In September 1918 Oscar Ostrom completed a WWI Draft Registration Card. This card contains the following:

Serial Card 391, Order Nr. [???], Oscar Ostrom, RFD3 Douglas, Ward, N.D., age 34, date of birth February 29, 1884, white, native born, farming, employed by myself, nearest relative Anna Ostrom, RFD Douglas, Ward, N.D., signed Oscar Ostrom, height medium, build medium, eyes blue, hair light, no physical disqualifications.

2.) "Minnesota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905" indexed database and digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 February 2016), Grant County, Pomme de Terre, page 1  (penned), Family #4, Ole O Ostrom household.

In the 1885 Minnesota State Census, the Ole O Ostrom family was enumerated on 4 June 1885, residing in Pomme de Terre, Grant COunty, Minnesota. The household included:

* Ole O Ostrom -- age 34, male, white, born Norway
* Lina Ostrom -- age 36 female, white, born Norway
* Ole A Ostrom -- age 11, male, white, born Minn.
* Gabriel Ostrom -- age 9, male, white, born Minn.
* Anne Ostrom -- age 7, female, white, born Minn.
* Else Ostrom -- age 6, female, white, born Minn.
* Theodore Ostrom -- age 5, male, white, born Minn.
* Lina Ostrom -- age 3, female, white, born Minn.
* Oscar Ostrom -- age 1, male, white, born Minn.

3.) 1900 United States Federal Census, Population Schedule, Roberts County, South Dakota; Lien: Enumeration District 292, Sheet, Dwelling # 89, Family #89, Line #78, Ole Ostrom household; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 February 2016), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T623, Roll 1554.

In the 1900 U.S. Census, the Ole Ostrom family resided in Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. The household included:

* Ole Ostrom -- head of household, white, male, born Sep 1850, age 49, married 27 years, born Norway, parents born Norway, immigrated 1871, 29 years in US, naturalized, a farmer, owns home
* Lena Ostrom -- wife, white, female, born Mar 1846, age 54, married for 27 years, mother of 10 children, 9 living, born Norway, parents born Norway, immigrated 1872, 28 years in US
* John G. Ostrom -- son, white, male, born Dec 1878, age 24, single, born Minnesota, parents born Norway, farm laborer
* Helena [Olin] Ostrom -- daughter, white, female, born May 1882, age 18, single, born Minnesota, parents born Norway
* Oscar Ostrom -- son, white, male, born Feb 1884, age 16, single, born Minnesota, parents born Norway
* Alberta [Paul Bertil] Ostrom -- daughter [son], white, female [male], born Feb 1888, age 12 single, born Minnesota, paarents born Norway
* Carl J. Ostrom -- son, white, male, Feb 1880, age 10, single, born Minnesota, parents born Norway

4.) Bureau of Land Management, "Land Patent Search," database, General Land Office Records (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/search/default.aspx : accessed 16 February 2016), Oscar Ostrom, Ward County, North Dakota. no. MV-0754-339.

5.) Certificate of Marriage, State of Minnesota, between Oscar Ostrom and Anna Tomine Brekke, dated 9 Jul 1908. Digital copy in the family records obtained by Edwin J. Ostrom.

6.) 1910 United States Federal Census, Population Schedule, Ward County, North Dakota; Unorganized 151 R84: Enumeration District 179; Sheet6A, Dwelling #27, Family #27, line 1, Oscar Oscastrum [Ostrom] household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T624, Roll 1149.

In the 1910 U.S. census, the Oscar Ostrom family lived in Township 151 84W, that would become Spring Lake Township, Ward County, North Dakota. The family included:

* Oscar Oscastrum [Ostrom] -- head, male, white, age 26, married 2 years, born Minnesota, parents born Norway, grain farmer
* Anna Oscastrum [Ostrom] -- wife, female, white, age 19, marriaed 2 years, born Minnesota, parents born Norway
* Clifford Oscastrum [Ostrom] -- son, male, white, age 1-6/12, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Julia Oscastrum [Ostrom] -- daughter, female, white, age 3/12. single, born North Dakota, parents bord Minnesota

7.) "North Dakota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1885, 1915, 1925", indexed database and digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), Ward County, Roll #6877, dwelling number 1, Family #6, Oscar Ostrom household.

In the 1915 North Dakota State Census, the Oscar Ostrom family lists as its members:

* Oscar Ostrom -- male, age between 20-60
* Anna Ostrom -- female, age between 20-60
* Clifford Martin Ostrom -- male, age 5-20
* Julia Lillian Ostrom -- female, age 5-20
* Edwin Ostrom -- male, age 5 & under
* Tilman Arvid Ostrom -- male, age 5 & under

8.) 1920 United States Federal Census, Population Schedule, Ward County, North Dakota, Spring Lake; Supervisor's District 247, Enumeration District 223, Sheet 9A, dwelling FM, dwelling number 136, family # 143, lines 45-51 Oscar Ostrons [Ostrom] household; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancesty.com : accessed 15 February 2016); citing National Achives Microfilm Publication T625, Roll 1343.

In 1920 U.S. Census, the Oscar Ostrom family lists as its members:

* Oscar Ostrons [Ostrom] -- head, owns home, home mortgaged, male, white, age 35, married, born Minnesota, parents born Norway, farmer, general farming
* Anna Ostrons [Ostrom] -- wife, female, age 28, married, born Minnesota, parents born Norway
* Clifford Ostrons [Ostrom] -- son - male, white, age 11, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Julia Ostrons [Ostrom] -- daughter, female, white, age 9, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Edwin Ostrons [Ostrom] -- son, male, white, age 8, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Arvid Ostrons [Ostrom] -- son, male white, age 5, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Verna Ostrons [Ostrom] -- daughter, white, age 2-3/12, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota

9.) "North Dakota, Territorial and State Censuses, 1885, 1915, 1925," Ward County, Spring Lake, sheet #2, dwelling #18, family #18, Oscar Ostrom household; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancstry.com : accessed 16 February 2016); citing North Dakota State University Archives; Fargo, North Dakota.

In the 1925 North Dakota State Census, the Oscar Ostrom family lists it members as:

* Oscar Ostrom -- age 39
* Anna Ostrom -- age 34
* Clifford Ostrom -- age 16
* Julia Ostrom -- age 15
* Edwin Ostrom - age 13
* Arvid Ostrom -- age 11
* Verna Ostrom -- age 7
* Mable Ostrom -- age 5
* Living

10.) 1930 United States Federal Census, Population Schedule, Ward County, North Dakota, Spring Lake; Enumeration District 51-67, Supervisor's District 1, sheet 2A, stamped 52, handwritten 7801, dwelling 32, family 33, lines 32-39 Oscar Ostrom household, digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T626, Roll 1745.

In the 1930 U.S. Census, the Oscar Ostrom family lists as its members:

* Oscar Ostrom -- head, owns, farm, male, white, 46, married at age 24, born Minnesota, parents born Norway, grain farmer
* Annie T. Ostrom -- wife, female, white, age 39, married at age 17, born Minnesota, parents born Norway
* Edwin Ostrom -- son, male, white, age 18, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Arvid T. Ostrom -- son, male, white, age 15, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Verna I. Ostrom -- daughter, female, white, age 12, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Mabel I. Ostrom -- daughter, female, white, age 10, single, born North Dakota, parents born Minnesota
* Living
* Living

11.) 1940 United States Federal Census, Population Schedule, Marion County, Oregon, East Hubbard; S.D. No. 1, E.D. No. 24-18, Enumerated April 16, 1940, Sheet 2B; House No. 44, owned home, value $1000, lines 66-68 Oscar Ostrum [Ostrom] household, digital image Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 February 2016), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T627, Roll 3373.

In the 1940 U.S. Census the Oscar Ostrom household included:

* Oscar Ostrum [Ostrom] -- head, male, white, age 56, married, highest grade school 7, born Minnesota, 1935 lived in rural Ward Co., North Dakota, farmer, owns farm
* Anna Ostrum [Ostrom] -- wife, female, white, age 47, married, highest grade in school 8, born Minnesota
* Living

12.) U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, database with digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 February 2016), Marion County, Oregon, Woodburn, Serial Nr. U-1711, Oscar - Ostrom entry. Citing NARA microfilm, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

Oscar Ostrom reports in the WWII Draft Reg. Card the following:

* Oscar - Ostrom, living at Rt 1, Woodburn, Marion, Ore., no telephone, age 58, born on Feb. 29, 1884, Elbow Lake, Minn., his wife always knows where he is, farmer, farm is 2-1/2 miles N.E. of Woodburn, Marion, Ore.

13.) Social Security Administration, "U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014" database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 February 2016), entry for Oscar Ostrom, SS no. 541-24-1836.

14.) Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : 15 February 2016) citing Oregon State Library; 1966-1970 Death Index; Reel Title: State of Oregon Death Index; Year Range: 1971-1980; entry for Oscar Ostrom.

15.) Death Certificate transcription for Oscar Ostrom, transcribed by Ed Ostrom. Digital file in family tree files.

CERTIFICATE OF DEATH
State of Oregon-State Board of Health
Vital Statistics Section  Local File Number 643  
State File Number 1972 - 010807 Vol 39 page 701
-----------------
Deceased name. Oscar Ostrom
Date of death. May 22, 1973
Race. White   
Sex. male  
Age. 89 years  
Date of Birth. 2-29-1884   
County of Death. Marion
Town of Death. Woodburn   
Inside city. Yes
Hospital. none
State of Birth.  Minnesota  
Citizen of what country. USA
Martial Status.  Widowed 
Name of Spouce. Anna Brekke Ostrom
Social Security Number. 541-24-1836
Occupation. Farmer  
Business. Farming
Residence State. Oregon  
County.  Marion
City or Town.  Woodburn    
Inside city limits. Yes
Street address.  596 Doud Street
Father.  Olaus Anumdson Ostrom 
Mother.  Toline Paulson
Informant. Thomas Ostrom -- Son
Death was caused immediately by. Coronary attack    
Time of onset of death.  immediate 
Death was a consequence of. Arteriosclerotic heart disease.  
Time of onset to death.5 Years
Autopsy.  None  
Certification of attending physician .I attended the deceased from 1962 to 5-22-1973
Last saw the deceased. 5-8-1973 
Did I view the body after death.I did not
Death occured.  10:00 A.M.
Physician.  Paul M Asper  MD
Date signed. 5-29-1973
Physician address.1002 N. Boones Ferry Rd., Woodburn, oregon  97071
Burial. In ground  
Cemetery. Belle Passi Cemetery,  Woodburn, Oregon 
Burial date.  5-26-1973
Funeral director.  Charles B. Cornwell
Funeral Home.Ringo-Cornwell Colonial Chapel, Woodburn, Or
Registrar. Maude Spann  
Date received. 5-31-1973
Date received by state registrar. 0

16.) "Find A Grave," indexed database, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 14 February 2016), memorial page # 82974019 for Oscar Ostrom (1884-1973) with gravestone images, created by Patty C, maintained by: Jerry Reiswig-82nd Airborne, citing Belle Passi Cemetery, Woodburn, Marion County, Oregon.


CREDIT(S) --

I would once again like to thank Randy Seaver of Genea-musing [http://www.geneamusings.com/] for his good work at writing about his genealogy.  His ideas on formatting, page layout, etc. have been so helpful to me while I work on learning my skills at blogging.  Amazon.com has just alerted me via a text that my new book "Google Blogger for Dummies," a book by Susan Gunelius is on its way to me.  For under $20.00, I'll be glad to begin learning more about this new-to-me web publishing tool I am trying to use.

Copyright (c) 2016, Darlene M. Steffens

Please comment on this post by using the "Comments" section at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246@gmail.com.  Thank you.

Ed's Name and Genealogy

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

Part One --- Ed's Middle Name

Some people may be asking if Edwin Junior Ostrom was really Ed's name or a mistake made by this writer?  How is it that his middle name is "Junior?"  This word is usually a portion of someone's name that is written after the last name, known as a title. This is what Ed told me about that. Immediately following his birth, Ed's father was asked by the officials at the hospital, "We need to fill out the birth certificate. What is your son's name?" His father answered something to the effect, "He'll be known as Edwin, Jr."

The officials did not realize that Ed's father had no middle name.  He name was Edwin Ostrom. Period. Yes, just a first name and a last name. He wanted this new son to be known as Edwin Ostrom, Jr.

"But Sir, your son requires a middle name," the official said. Ed's father replied, "Well then, Edwin Junior Ostrom will have to do." That is how Ed's middle name came about and his father got a "Junior."

IMAGE: Ed Ostrom as an infant (ca. 1945)
From the private collection of Edwin Junior Ostrom

Part Two --- Ed Ostrom's Genealogy

In trying to choose Ed's story for this week, I realized I needed some organization for you, my readers, to take note of where in the family tree structure the story generates.

I have decided to begin telling of Ed's ancestors by starting with his grandparents.  Using the ahnentafel numbering system I can climb his tree; a family at a time. I can then stop along the way and tell stories that pertain to the highlighted individual. 

I plan to use the Ahnentafel Numbering System, this system was popularized by a German genealogist in the late 1800s; where you assign yourself as Nr. 1, your father is Nr. 2, your mother is Nr. 3, your paternal grandfather is Nr. 4, etc. In this system, a person's father is always twice the person's number and his/her number is twice plus one. (1)

I am loosely following the format shown through the good work of fellow genealogy blogger, Randy Seaver of Genea-musings. Here is a link to his blog http://www.geneamusings.com/.

We'll begin with Ed Ostrom's grandparents or generation #3. Skipping Ed who is Generation #1 and his parents who are Generation #2.

A Pedigree Chart with Ed Ostrom and the next three generations is shown below.

IMAGE: Ed Ostrom's Pedigree Chart
Created by Family Tree Maker

NAME LIST:

Generation #3 - Ed's Grandparents

4. Oscar Ostrom (1884-1973)

5. Anna Tomina Brekke (1890-1972)

6. Reinert Immanual Emerson (1870-1950)

7. Dora Elisa Nilson (1877-1965)

Generation #4 - Ed's Great-Grandparents

8. Olaus Ommundsen Ostrom (1850-1924)

9. Toline "Lina" Gunnuldsdatter Paulson (1846-1934)

10. Torstein Andreassen Brekke (1853-1940)

11. Anna Olsdatter Stavaas (1853-1931)

12. Raymond Reinert Ommundsen Emerson (1819-1904)

13. Inger Tobine Tallachsdatter (1836-1918)

14. Peder Christian Nelson (1828-1888)

15. Gurine Marie Tomasdatter (1832-1904)

Generation #5 - Ed's Great-Great-Grandparents

16. Ommund Ommundsen Ostrem (1820-1895)

17. Anna Malena Andreasdatter (1829-1855)

18. Gunnuld Ketilsrud Paulson (1801-1875)

19. Gunnild S. Johnsdatter (1818-1890)

20. Trond Andreas Collin Trondson Kattevolle Brekke (1810-1856)

21. Kirstine Adamsdatter (1815-1905)

22. Ole Johnson (1819-1863)

23. Kjersti Olsdatter (1825-1905)

24. Ommund Ommundsen (1776-1862)

25. Anne Malene Sigbjornsdatter (1781-1869)

26. Tollach Sigbjornsen (1794-1867)

27. Ingeborg Christoffersdatter (1795-1875)

28. Niels Johannesen (1804-1834)

29. Pemille Johannesdatter (1798-1883)

30. Tomas Christophersen Altermark (1776-1864)

31. Marit Mattisdatter (1794-1845)

and more to be added later.

Stick with me and we'll start to learn about Ed's ancestors.

Note: These Ed's Day Wednesday articles and genealogy are from the collection by Edwin "Ed" Ostrom (1944-2015). It is my plan to publish Ed's stories, thus sharing them with many.

(1) Hall, Rebecca Ann, What is Ahnentafel or Sosa-Stradonitz System?, Rootsweb.com,

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~bkivak/ahnentafel.htm. Accessed 9 Feb 2016.

Raising Coyotes - Spring, 1926

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

This story happened to Edwin "Tom" Ostrom, beginning in the Spring of 1926, on his father's 160-acre homestead that was acquired in 1908.  The homestead was 6 miles east northeast of Douglas, North Dakota, one-mile north of Hwy 53, in the SW quarter of section 23, in Spring Lake Township.

IMAGE: left to right Tom Ostrom, Arvid Ostrom
 each holding a coyote pup.
Photographer: Anna Brekke Ostrom
Photo from Edwin "Ed" Ostrom's private collection.

The interview held with Tom Ostrom was taped and transcribed by his son Edwin "Ed" Ostrom in 2005:

The narrative begins:

“Oh that Coyote. We were still losing lambs and finally I spotted it. I was plowing one day in this field and I spotted her. But it was pretty close to evening so I had to go to the barn and take care of the horses. I knew because of the way she acted she was awful close to her den.

After taking care of the work horses, I took the saddle horse and rode out there. I followed and spotted her again. Somehow she led me right to the den and sure enough I found it.

I went home. I knew she would be there the next morning because during the day she would be out hustling for her pups. Early dawn the next morning Arvid, my brother and I rode out to near the den. Arvid stayed back to watch while I went to the den.

Coyotes don’t have the claws so they can’t dig their own new hole. They use a badger hole instead. This hole was built into the side of a hill so the old mother could come out and look around.

I could hear her puppies yip, yip, yipping. I knew the mother was in there because I could hear her grunting. She was grunting because the pups were nursing.

Arvid and I went home to figure out what to do with them. We went back that night and I brought along all the equipment we needed: 7 gunny sacks, one for each pup and one for the mother, a shovel to open it up enough so we could reach into the den, a barrel to put the coyotes in, a 30-30 rifle, lots of rope, a flashlight and a stick. We didn’t use grain sacks as Pa would have a fit. They were too precious and used for other things; like resewing the fabric for aprons and clothes.

The coyote mother came out part way so I shot at her but missed; and away she went.

We felt safer that she was gone because we didn’t know what she’d do to us when we were pulling her puppies out. Another trouble was we didn’t know if the male was in there. They claim males never go in the den with the pups but they will hunt for them. They will kill a rabbit or something and the mother will pick it up and take it to the pups. They also claim that the male will bring food to the mouth of the den but won’t go in.

I didn’t have the nerve to go down in there but I had to. I went in head first with a flashlight and saw the pups. The den was padded all up with grass and straw.

Arvid wouldn’t go in there.  He stood back. I looped a rope around one of my ankles leaving the other leg free so I could move around if I needed to. If both legs were tied together I couldn’t wiggle my way out of there. I thought this over, you bet your life, before I went  in there. The hole wasn’t big enough to roll over. My arms were tight to my body. Before I went in I gave the end of the rope to Arvid. If he couldn’t pull me out he was supposed to attach the rope to the horn of the saddle in case I had to get out in a hurry. I didn’t know exactly what I was getting into you know but I was pretty sure because I had talked to guys who had dug coyotes out of a den.

I took two sacks with me not having the slightest idea how many were in there. I was thinking I could put the pups all in one sack but that didn’t work so I put 4 in one sack and 5 in the other sack. The pups were the size of big cats. I had gloves on though, in case I got to close to their sharp teeth. I brought two extra ropes with me and tied a rope on one sack and Arvid pulled it out. Then I put the remaining 5 pups in the other sack and hollered to Arvid to “Pull 'er out, pull 'er out.”
 
We towed a stone boat(1) out there with a team of horses and we had a barrel sitting on the stone boat. We put some straw in the barrel and put the nine puppies on top of the straw.

It’s scary to go into a den. I had a two-foot-long stick with me in that hole in case a coyote came out biting and scratching or if another coyote was in there. The hole was a gradual decline and then it started back up again. They say the male will go in and help the female dig the badger hole bigger for her den and bring her food before she gives birth.

We dug out nine pups that Spring. Well, then I knew I was going to raise coyotes. I didn’t think I could raise nine so I killed three.  I don’t remember if I got a bounty on those or not, but I kept six.

I then made a pen for them. You could howl and they would howl, all six of them would howl. In the summertime we let them out. They were puppies, you know. We had a dog by the name of Donnie. When we hollered, “Donnie come here.” Donnie would round them up and they would go back to their pen. They hated to go back to the pen. Donnie never bit them or anything. He’d round them up just like sheep and herd them into the pen where they’d go for the night.

I was about fifteen then, I guess. But those coyotes grew and they were so pretty too. They were hard on Ma’s chickens. She [Anna] would say, “That’s it, you got to get those coyotes in. You can’t let them out because my chickens are disappearing.”

Well, every once in awhile we’d catch one of Anna’s chickens and throw one in the coyote pen. That poor chicken would squawk and each coyote would have a piece of chicken. Anna put the stop to that too. Everything went along fine during the fall. I was going to keep the coyotes till after Christmas in January. I don’t remember what else I fed them. Anna’s poor chickens were the main thing.
 
Then finally I killed my coyotes. I skinned them out and made a drier. I was very proud of my skinned coyotes. That was a big thing to get in those days. I had shot one some time before and got fourteen dollars for the hide. That was a lot of money for those days.

I went into Minot one day with Oscar who took me up there. We went to the Minot Hide and Fur Company.  They knew me because I had traps and a trap line. I’d also brought in my skunks and weasels before. Owner said, “Son, you’re going to be quite disappointed when I give you an offer on these.” I said, “Why?” Owner said, “I’m going to give you one dollar and fifty-five cents for all 6 of them.” Tom, “You must be absolutely out of your tree.” Owner, “That’s all I can do. Those coyotes, they were raised.” Tom, “Yes, how’d you know?” Owner, “You can tell it. Their fur isn’t goldy like they would be out.” So I combed it out too. But the fur was knotty. Owner, “That’s all I can do.  If you don’t want that, you can send them down to Fargo.”

I took them down to Fargo. I got a check for one dollar and sixty five cents for the furs. That was my experience.

Anna would laugh. She had all those missing chickens and was very happy I got rid of all those coyotes.”

Individuals mentioned in this interview:

1. Edwin "Tom" Ostrom (1911-2007) - son of Oscar and Anna Brekke Ostrom
2. Arvid Tillman Ostrom (1914-1999) - son of Oscar and Anna Brekke Ostrom
3. Oscar Ostrom (1884-1973) - son of Olaus Ommundson Ostrom and Toline Gunnulsdatter Paulson
4. Anna Tomina Brekke Ostrom (1890-1972) - daughter of Torstein Andreassen Brekke and Anna Olsdatter Stavaas

Note: These Ed's Day Wednesday articles are from the collection by Edwin "Ed" Ostrom (1942-2015). Ed noted that the photograph included here was given to him by his first cousin 1 x time removed, Ione Peterson Schooler (1920-2005).It is my plan to publish Ed's stories, thus sharing them with many.

(1)  According to Wikipedia.com a "stone boat" is a type of [flat-bottomed] sled (sledge) for moving heavy objects such as stones or hay bales.