history of Butte (Minot, Velva, Turtle Lake: high school, living in, farm)

[historygirl]

Hi all, Does anyone know of material about the earliest history of the area-Dogden (Butte) etc? Does the centennial book of Max cover this area? My great-grandparents lived there 1905ish to maybe early teens or beyond, and would love to get the feel of what their life was like. Thanks from a Californian.

[DaninEGF]

Originally Posted by historygirl

Hi all, Does anyone know of material about the earliest history of the area-Dogden (Butte) etc? Does the centennial book of Max cover this area? My great-grandparents lived there 1905ish to maybe early teens or beyond, and would love to get the feel of what their life was like. Thanks from a Californian.

Here is all I could find about Butte ND in McLean county ND...
Links on the main web page may help you out more.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ndmclean/Mc...s/ButteTwp.htm

My wife's parents grew in up in the Velva area just north of your area in question and currently live between Max and Minot. Very open area but somewhat hilly at times. Farming is the mainstay with very small towns.

Dan

[historygirl]

Thanks, Dan. I was also able to find out a bit more from some history books. It's funny to think it was more populated in 1910 than it is now.

[tim042849]

I grew up on a farm south of Turtle Lake, which is south and west of Butte,
to the best of my memory. Mind you, I have been in Alaska since 1971, but
still have much family in that area. My father, who still lives on the family
farm is 96 and slipping into dementia. His current memory is not at all
reliable, but I'm am going to try to quote from my memory what he has told
me about the Butte area.

At one time there were people in the Butte area who described themselves
as being of Russian descent. It is likely that their ancestors were Germans
who first migrated to Russia, perhaps during the adminstration of Katherine the
Great, and then to North Dakota.

My last name is Johnson, I believe that there people now living in the Butte
area with the last name Johnson. Not related to my family, but probably
known to my family, and perhaps a wife originally from the Turtle Lake or
Coleharbor area.
Referencing the link in the first post to this thread, I see mention of Ruso.
I knew people from Ruso, their name was Ravnaas. I believe that Lui Ravnaas,
once a teacher at Turtle Lake High School, still lives in Turtle Lake.
It is sad to see these little towns dwindle away. The farming life is a good life,
and it is farming that gives these towns there life, although I believe that
Turtle Lake has also benefited from a nearby coal mine. (Falkirk)
Tim Johnson