Nikolai H. Berg Collection

Collection

Identifier: SC 880

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains articles relating to Berg’s pioneering farming in North Dakota, articles written by Nicolai about early days in North Dakota, and a genealogical types report of the Berg family.

Dates

1934-1935.

Creator

Berg, Nikolai H., 1856-1945. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the NDSU Archives

Biography

Nicolai H. Berg was born August 30, 1856 to Halvor O. and Brita H (Mele) Berg in Lodi, Wisconsin. In 1857, he and his parents moved to Northwood, Iowa. Farming did not go well and the family was in poverty for most of their time there. In 1873, Halvor visited Traill County in North Dakota, where he staked his claim in Newburgh township. In the following year, the family moved from Iowa to North Dakota, crossing the Red River at Breckenridge.

At just 18 years old, Nicolai, married Tonetta Heskin (born in 1852) on November 24, 1874. Because he was married and considered the head of a household, he was able to get a quarter of government land and he would go on to plant wheat in the spring of 1875.

Nicolai and Tonetta would go on to have eleven children, and would eventually move into Hatton, North Dakota in 1926. Tonetta passed away in 1929, Nicolai in 1945.