Jacob MONSON

                   Jacob Monson was born January 13, 1864 in a log cabin in Styrn,Nordfjord,
Norway, approximately 75 kilometers from Alesund, Norway which is on the
coastline of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the winter of 1868 a snowslide killed Jacob's parents (Dorthe and Mons
Gyrva) and a sister, Marte.  Gyrva was the families name in Norway.After Mons
Nesdal and Dorthe Gyrva married they lived with Dorthe's parents (Gyrva).
Because Mons and Dorthe lived at her parents place Mons and Dorthe's lastname
decame Gyrva.  Had Mons and Dorthe lived with Mons's family they wouldhave the
last name of Nesdal.

After the snowslide killed his parents, Jacob went to live with berentLarson
where Jacob became a sheepherder.

At the age of eighteen, Jacob emigrated to the United States.  The seavoyage
took twenty-one days traveling to Hailfax, Newfoundland and down the St.
Lawrence river to Chicago.  Jacob traveled overland from Chicago to Swift
County, Minnesota where he worked as an indentured servant for threeyears for
Truls Paaverud.

Truls lived close to the Braaten Family so Jacob met and fell in lovewith Anna
Braaten.  On May 5, 1888 Jacob and Anna were married.  They lived nearMonson
Lake in Swift County, Minnesota.

Jacob and Anna had thirteen children.  10 born in Minnesota, and 3 bornin
North Dakota.  Those born in Minnesota: Mina Deoanna, July 30, 1889;Nelbert,
December 4, 1890; Mina Deolina, December 19, 1892; Knute Midel, February17,
1895; Agnes Maline, March 31, 1897; Mina Deolina, January 8, 1899; Harry
Tilman, March 21, 1901; Georgia Alvina, June 23, 1903; and Wallace Leroy,
August 5, 1905.

In 1906 the family moved to the Dakota's and there the following wereborn:
Millard Eugene, December 9, 1907; Joseph Tilford, Agust 5, 1910; LillyMyrtle,
May 15, 1912.

The youngest son; Wendell Kenneth, March 18, 1917, was born in Minnesotaafter
the family moved back to the original farm.

Jacob was a forceful, outgoing leader of the community.  He stook forintegrity
and honesty, a true American in every sence of the word.  He was a hardworking
christian and wasn't afraid to stand up for what he thought was right.He was
either on the schoolboard or churchboard whenever they needed him.  Aleader
of the community

Jacob stood tall in the eyes of his children.  His word was law and noone
doubted it.  He was the boss, but he treated everyone the same.  He wasvery
honest and forthright in expressing his viewpoints regardless of aperson's
position in the community.  Be they a minister or hired hand.

When someone needed help, Jacob was willing to extend himself to give
assistance whenever asked.  He was called on to nurse a sick animal or
straighten out a family dilemna or crisis.

Jacob was a tall man over 6 Ft. tall, weighing 160-170, and wore amustache.
So the expression on hes face was hard to read but not his eyes.  Theywould
look stern when needed or sparkle when he was happy.