Hagens in the 30's

Hi there! I saw Andrea was asking about homesteading. I remembered reading how they happened to settle in Divide County so went back to the books that Ardy posted. From both Arnold and Norris' books it looks like Grandpa took off on his own in 1906 to look for open land. He got as far as Minot and couldn't find anything available so he returned to MN. In the meantime, Tom Larson and Tosten Flaten had homesteaded in Divide Co. so Grandpa returned in 1907 to meet them. As you know, Tom Larson's place is where Mom lives now. Gilbert Halverson traveled with him and they hired a "locator" and it turned out that the land right next to Tom was open. Grandpa then had to walk to Ray to take the train to Williston to file the claim. He then went back to MN to put the crop in. When it came time to start moving then Louis, Grandma's brother, decided to also go to make a claim so he went with Grandpa the 3rd time. Grandma and Arnold didn't come out until a home was built.

This picture is from G & G's 25th anniversary. I'm kind of guessing but Arnold and Norris start out the back row (not positive which is which). Roy and Laurence, Louis Tollefson and Fred?. Next to Fred? must be Tom Larson. Bernice, I believe, is behind Grandpa, then Grandma. Then Pearl? and Anna Larson holding Arvid. There's a couple in the middle with the child that I do not know. Have to remember to ask Mom. Maybe relatives from MN (Casbergs?) Also not sure who else is in the picture that has a hat on but is covered up. You'll have to straighten me out where I am wrong. So just some history tidbits......