If we look back 40 years from the combine here in 1971, I can’t imagine the changes from 1931 to now.
So this is also really way back when. My parents both came from Norway and met in Wisconsin at a wedding party, and married and came to Cando.
Many came here with a dream of farming. I do not remember threshing as I grew up; it was hired back then, and we also had a binder of some type.
In the late forties, we had a John Deere combine, we called it the turtle combine; not sure of the model number.
My siblings and I lived on a farm near Cando where we attended a country school.
In 1947 we moved to a farm northwest of Starkweather.
Larry started farming after serving in the Korean War. He had gone to Wahpeton for mechanics as he had a talent for it, but was called to serve before completion. Upon returning, he found this hilly property which his father decided to buy and they could farm together along with his brother.
We got married and applied for a loan, but could not get a loan unless we purchased dairy cattle. So, each day it was hiking the hills to round them up for milking. Then he drove 70 miles to a job to weld for the missile sites, when he could get away.
A “B” John Deere was the tractor for mowing and cleaning the farm yard, and a bigger model Case he shared with his brother and father was for field work.
Grain was hauled 3 1/2 miles to Grand Harbor or Penn. Later to Devils Lake.
After a tornado took the barn and other buildings, leaving the house with broken windows and siding, we sold the cattle and built a shop. We did not have a road for 6 years, 3/4 mile from the main road, and over the highest hills in the county. We had no horses either. Our oldest would walk the mile from the main road if it was muddy — as a first grader!!! So, we were limited and really out in the backwoods!! And— oh , no phone either, for 10 years!!!
Really — in the good old days!! This was the late 50s! Many rocks were picked with many family members picking! If they were left, the combines would pick up rocks as they lay in the swaths, and scooped up with the straw – especially mustard or flax., doing damage to the combine’s pickup parts. In 1966 we farmed the south point of Dry Lake, each owner farming their area, and harvested a nice barley crop, but it was a challenge hauling grain up the steep hill to the yard. We made enough to take a trip that year – the lake was completely dry in 1990. The only time in 70 years.
We farmed only 240 acres , sharing with family for many years. We raised 5 children , were busy, enjoyed reading, daily chores, and later 4-H club meetings, church, swimming, skating, neighbors, fishing, any kind of outdoor fun.
They learned to enjoy activities of many kinds – No time in summer to travel, but we did take our family on local trips and some winter California trips.
It is impressive to watch the big harvest equipment, nowadays. I even got a ride in a combine last fall! The knowledge they need for the operation of it all, I can’t imagine.
We had health problems and other setbacks, but still kept hoping for the best.
I pray the future farmers will keep the faith in their future!!
