Hans Evenson Bjerke (1840 - 1916)

Born 14 Nov 1840 in Gjovik, Toten, Oppland, Norway

Husband of Martha (Stenehjem) Bjerke — married 27 Jun 1869 in Wilmington, Houston, Minnesota, USA

Descendants

Died 24 Mar 1916 at age 75 in Kindred, Cass, North Dakota, USA

Biography

Hans Bjerke was living retired at Kindred, Cass County, North Dakota, when he passed away March 24, 1916. He was a factor of no small importance in the agricultural development of his section and owned eleven hundred acres of excellent land. He was born in Norway on the 14th of November, 1840, a son of Even and Martha (Knatterud) Bjerke, both natives of that country. The mother died there, but in 1870 the father emigrated to the United States, where he passed away. To them were born nine children but only three are now living.

Hans E. Bjerke attended school in Norway and continued to reside there until 1862, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. After living in Wisconsin for a year he was a resident of Chicago for a similar period and then went to Houston County, Minnesota where he remained until 1872. In that year he removed to Cass County, North Dakota and located on section 14, Normanna township, which was then a tract of wild prairie. As soon as possible he erected a log cabin covered with a sod roof and there he resided for a number of years. At length, however, he replaced this primitive structure with a large and up-to-date residence and he also erected excellent barns and out-buildings. He maintained his firm faith in the value of Dakota land as an investment by buying farms from time to time until he owned eleven hundred acres, which is in a high state of cultivation and is well improved. He gained financial independence because he was quick to recognize and prompt to utilize opportunities and he managed his affairs in accordance with sound business principles. He believed in the value of organization and cooperated effort and was a stockholder in the Farmers elevator in Kindred.

Sources

North Dakota History and People Outlines of American History, Volume II, Chicago-The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1917- book loaned by the NDSU Library in 2001. Page 2 article on Hans E. Bjerke

1880 US Federal Census

1900 US Federal Census

1910 US Federal Census

1920 US Federal Census

Iowa State Census Collection 1836-1925

Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses 1849-1905

ND State Censuses 1915 and 1925

Norway Church Records 1812-1938

Norway Select Baptisms 1634-1927

US ELCA Records 1781-1969

Minnesota, Marriages Index, 1849-1950

US Indexed County Land Ownership Maps 1860-1918

US Find A Grave Index 1700s-Current

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110219527/hans-evanson-bjerke

US Social Security Applications and Claims Index 1936-2007

Web: Cass County, ND, US Probate Index 1876-1950

Web: Minnesota, US Naturalization Index 1849-1985