Comments on: North Dakota Land

By: Lois Larson Hall

Lois Larson Hall — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:23:46 +0000

The homesteading act allowed 160 acres per person so a husband and wife could each file on a claim and get 320 acres between them. That doesn’t explain how Smith, with no wife, could have homesteaded 300 acres, or why only Isaac but not Anna filed, unless Grandpa came out to North Dakota, staked his claim, went back to Wisconsin to claim his bride, and by the time they got back all the land was spoken for. You did mention that some of the land was probably considered fairly useless for farming so that certainly could have been used as criteria for the size of land grants and the reason for Smith’s 300 acres.

My Nelson grandparents homesteaded 640 acres in this manner: In a nutshell, my grandmother Alice Erickson came to North Dakota from Minnesota as a young single woman with her father, Aaron Erickson. They each claimed a 160 acre homestead. My grandfather Henry Nelson and his brother Billy each had a 160 homestead. Billy died so Henry took over his land. All totaled up that eventually gave Alice and Henry 640 acres.

By: George

George — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:27:22 +0000

Wow thanks. Good memory, Uncle I. Frank Ramus and Adolf Ramus were each issued a half section about 2 miles to the west, in 1914. No doubt they could have expanded even closer to the Whited house. I hope to get hold of the 1916 plat maps for that county…oops, North Dakota I mean. Those places are on the Montana side though. I don’t have a line on those yet.

Yes, I am also curious about the transfer of land from Smith to Isaac. Not $100 worth though

Also a very good question about the double-sized allotments. I’m guessing it may have to do with the amount of arable land on the parcel. I know the land to the north of “Isaac’s house” is very hilly, with real badlands at the ridgetops, extremely barren. The north portion of Axel’s parcel looks even worse on the photos, although I haven’t been there in person.

By: Uncle I

Uncle I — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:19:31 +0000

As I remember, your descriptions of the propteries are extremely accurate. Before the Walter Harts lived where Ron Whited’s house is located. there was a Fred Ramus family whose house was located a short distance away. They were extremely good friends with my parents.
A couple things now intrigue me: Why were Axel and Smith alloted 300 acres while Isaac and Oscar got only 160 acres. I would have thought that all homesteaders would have been alloted the same acreage?????
Also, how was the title of Smith’s property transferred to Isaac? I have tried to find out through North Dakota land records but get to the point where they want $100.00 for information and that stops me.