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John and Jean (Trueblood) Bye Family Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 3114

Scope and Content

The John and Jean (Trueblood) Bye Family Collection, is an eclectic mix of items related to their family history research, as well as to their lives in Fargo and Hatton, N.D. It has been broken down into three series: Family History Series, School Series, and 1313 4th Street N., Fargo, N.D. House History Series.

The Family History Series contains an unpublished family history on the Bye family created by John Bye in 1983. It contains biographical information on the descendants of Arne and Johanne Bye who settled in Hatton, N.D. It includes photocopies of photographs, maps and newspaper clippings. There is a spiral bound booklet of transcribed letters from Ed. S. and Susanne Johnson of Hatton, North Dakota to Susanne's brother Johan Norum, in Rødøy, Norway, dating from 1926-1966. They were translated and transcribed by John Bye and his mother, and is entitled Kjære Johan med Famili (Dear Johan and family). Also found in this series is a spiral bound booklet of a transcribed diary of Ed Bjornholt who was married to Rachel Hanson, the maternal great aunt of Jean Bye. The diary covers the years 1903-1907 and follows his journey from Norway, to Minnesota and eventually to Garrison, North Dakota. There is an 1883 confirmation certificate from Crow River Lutheran Church in rural Belgrade, Minnesota, for Petrine Olufine Mørk. She was later married to John Dahl, John Bye’s maternal great-great uncle. A sub-series of published history books for the parishes of Grue, Meløy, and Rødøy can be found within the collection. The parishes relate to John Bye’s ancestry.

The School Series holds three items. There is a booklet from the Hatton High School’s Class of 1966 reunion, as well as a related newspaper clipping. The booklet features biographical information on the class members. The third item is a Baccalaureate program from the Garrison High School from 1963.

Research materials on John and Jean’s Bye’s house at 1313 4th Street N., Fargo, N.D. can be found in the final series. The Bye’s kept meticulous records on updates and changes made to their house. They also compiled biographical research on the families who previously lived in the house; the J. G. Halbeisen family, and the Charles Schwiderski family. The series includes abstract information, receipts, paint samples, photographs, etc.

Dates

  • 1885 - 2016

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection remain with the creator or held by the NDSU Archives.

Biography

(1) John Edward Bye was born April 20, 1948 in Northwood, N.D., the son of (3) Arnold and (4) Thrine (Johnson) Bye. He attended and graduated from Hatton High School in 1966, and attended North Dakota State University. He entered the U.S. Army in 1970, and served until 1972. His military training was at Ft. Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Ind., followed by service at Fort Riley, Kan. He then was stationed with the Special Mission Advisory Group at Nha Trang, Vietnam with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. When he returned from the war, he attended graduate school at the University of Wisconsin obtaining a degree in archives and library science. He began working at the NDSU Library in 1973, and became the archivist at the Institute for Regional Studies in 1975. He retired in 2011.

(2) Jean Irene Trueblood was born on July 3, 1948 in Minot, N.D. the daughter of (5) James and (6) Irene (Hanson) Trueblood. She was raised on a farm near Emmet, N.D. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. She was employed at MeritCare Hospital in Fargo, from 1970 to 1981.

John and Jean were married on May 23, 1981 at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo, N.D. The had two children, Christian and Kari. In 2021, John and Jean moved to Hatton, N.D. The couple were both interested in family history research, and made numerous trips to Norway.

Second Generation

John Bye’s Parents: (3) Arnold Orlando Bye was born March 17, 1920 near Hatton, N.D. He was the son of (7) John and (8) Olga (Bjerke) Bye. He attended the local school and graduated from the 8th grade. Arnold enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1941, and served with the 210 Air Corps in the Aleution Islands. In 1943, he was sent to the European Theater and served with the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany and Austria. He was discharged in October 1945. He went to work in Minneapolis until 1947, when he returned home to farm in Newburgh Township.

(4) Thrine "Tootz" Johnson was born at Hatton, N.D. on February 14, 1914 to (9) Ed. S and (10) Suzanna (Norum) Johnson. She attended rural school in Washington Township and graduated from Hatton High School. For a number of years, she worked in Minneapolis, Minn. At Charlie's Exceptionale restaurant, and during the WWII years she was employed at the Federal Cartridge Corp. at New Brighton, Minn.

Arnold Bye and Thine were married on November 1946 at Hatton, N.D. They had two sons, John and Gerald. They retired from farming in 1981, and moved to Hatton to make their home. Arnold died on September 22, 2004, and Thrine on July 25, 2011.

Jean (Trueblood) Bye’s Parents: (5) James Dwain Trueblood was born on October 22, 1910 in Platt Township, McLean County, N.D. He was the son of (11) Lewis and (12) Pearl (Hopkins) Trueblood. For a short time, the family lived in Colorado, before returning to Emmet, N.D. He attended rural schools, and worked as a farm hand on several farms. In 1939, he began farming at the farm belonging to his mother and step-father, and later purchased it in 1943. He raised small grain and sheep. He retired in 1972.

(6) Irene Elizabeth Hanson was born on July 6, 1910 near Emmet, N.D. She was the daughter of Fred K. and Hildur (Erickson) Hanson. She was raised and educated in the Emmet area.

On December 14, 1934, James and Irene were married in Minot, N.D. They had one daughter, Jean. James died on August 22, 1977, in Bismarck, N.D. and Irene died on April 3, 1993 in Garrison, N.D.



Third Generation

John Bye’s Paternal Grandparents: (7) John Bye was born May 8, 1889 in Newburgh Township, Steele County, N.D. son of (15) Arne and (16) Johanna (Amundsdatter) Bye. After the death of his father, Johnny assumed responsibility for the operation of the family farm. He was active in his community, serving as election overseer, janitor of the Goose River Lutheran Church, and member of the Hatton Camp 2737 Modern Wooden of America.

(8) Olga Bjerke was born November 30, 1895 in Newburgh Township, daughter of (17) Ole and (18) Anna (Olson) Bjerke. Olga and Johnny Bye were married on January 4, 1919 at the Beaver Creek Lutheran Church. They had four children, Arnold, Marie, Clarence, and Bertha, who died shortly after birth. Johnny Bye died suddenly on June 24, 1924, at the age of 35. Olga was remarried to Johnny’s brother Alfred Bye, on October 21, 1926, and together they had four children, Alfred, Jr., Frances, Orvis, and Delores. Alfred took over the Bye farm, until it was sold in 1937. They then farmed in Beaver Creek Township a few years before returning to rent a farm in Newburgh Township. Alfred died in 1947. Olga worked as a cook at the Northwood Hospital, and in 1966 moved to Hatton. She died December 23, 1978.

John Bye’s Maternal Grandparents. (9) Ed S. Johnson was born in Meløy, Norway, May 23, 1865, son of (19) Johan E. and (20) Anna Mathea (Johansdatter) Iversen. In 1887 he came to Belgrade, Minn. where he spent a short time. He and his brother John Dahl, purchased a farm 8 miles west of Hatton where they lived together for 10 years.

(10) Suzanna Iverine Norem was born July 23, 1881 in Rødby, Norway. Her parents were (21) Ole and (22) Olea Dorthea (Pedersdatter) Norum. She came to the United States to the Hatton area in 1901. In 1901 Ed and Suzanne were married. They were the parents of five children, Alpha, Odin, Alma, Erling, and Thrine. After their marriage they purchased a farm north of Hatton in Washington Township, where they lived until retiring in 1937. The family then moved into Hatton to make their home. Ed died in Hatton on January 22, 1955 and Suzanna died in Mayville, N.D. on September 10, 1972.

Jean (Trueblood) Bye’s Paternal Grandparents (11) Lewis Milton Trueblood was born on February 21, 1868 in Washington County, Ind. He was the son of (23) William A. and (24) Lizzann (Payne) Trueblood. Lewis was first married to Laura Morris in 1891, and together they had five children, Leonard, Bertha, Floyd, Dennis, and Dorothy. Laura contracted Pulmonary Tuberculosis and died on September 29, 1903.

(12) Pearl Hopkins was born on January 3, 1886, near Salem, Ind., the daughter of (25) James C. and (26) Millie (Gater) Hopkins. At the age of 17, she was hired by Lewis Trueblood to take care of his wife during her illness. After Mrs. Trueblood died, Lewis fell in love with Pearl, and they were married on December 15, 1903. Together they had four children, William, Clara, James, and Veta. In 1910, the family moved to North Dakota settling in Platt Township, McLean County. Lewis and Pearl divorced in 1935, and Pearl moved to Garrison, N.D. and ran a restaurant. Pearl remarried to Swan A. Johnson in 1936. Lewis died on May 5, 1952, and Pearl died on May 20, 1971.

Jean (Trueblood) Bye’s Maternal Grandparents (13) Fred K. Hanson was born May 2, 1882, near Danvers, Minn. He was the son of (27) Knut and (28) Cornelia (Rindahl) Hanson. As a young man he worked in a saw mill and livery stable in Benson, Minn. before moving to Emmet, N.D. to homestead.

(14) Hildur Elvira Erickson was born January 26, 1881 at Inlockahult farm, in Almundsryd Parish, Sweden, the daughter of (29) Karl Magnus Eriksson and (30) Mathilda Eriksdotter. As a young woman, she worked as a weaver in Ryd. She emigrated from Sweden in 1903 with her brother, Walfred. Hildur settled with an uncle in Sheldon, N.D. until 1907, when we applied for a homestead claim a short near that of Fred K. Hanson, and the two met and were married March 12, 1908, as Washburn, N.D. The couple had four children, Mildred, Irene, Carl, and Arnold. Fred and Hildur died within eight months of each other, Hildur on March 11, 1960 in Garrison, and Fred on November 7, 1960 in Minot.



Fourth Generation

John Bye’s Paternal Great Grandparents: (15) Arne Christiansen Bye (b. April 2, 1858 Grue, Hedmark, Norway. - d. October 28, 1911, Steele County, N.D.) (16) Johanna Amundsdatter (b. October 4, 1858 in Grue, Hedmark, Norway -d. February 12, 1927, Hatton, N.D.). m. Jan 16, 1881 (children Carl, Jorgen, Bertha, Emma, Anna, Albert, John, Carelius, Alma, Clarence, Olve, Mayme, Alfred, Olga, Nora, Clara).

(17) Ole Andreas Bjerke (b. May 12, 1856, Hurdal, Akershus, Norway – d. Feb. 17, 1923, Hatton, N.D.) (18) Anna Maria Olson (b. Feb. 17, 1869, Gran, Hadeland, Norway -d. Aug. 5, 1948, Hatton, N.D.). m. (children: Oscar, Johann, Julia, Olga, John, Annie, Oliver, Elmer, Peder, and Arvid)

John Bye’s Maternal Great Grandparents: (19) Johan Edvart Iversen (b. Jan. 22, 1843, Ågskaret, Meløy, Norway – d. Mar. 5, 1919, Hatton, N.D.) (20) Anna Mathea Johansdatter (Sep. 21, 1841, Hemnes, Nordland, Norway – d. Sep. 8, 1929, Sharon, N.D.) m. 1867 (children: Ed S., Ida, John (Dahl), Carl, Iver, Alfred, and Birger. All children used last name of Johnson, except John, who used Dahl)

(21) Ole Christiansen Norum (b. Nov. 17. 1840, Halsa, Meløy, Norway – d. Jun. 29, 1903, at sea near Rodoy, Norway). (22) Olea Dorthea Pedersdatter (b. Aug. 22, 1847, Ågskaret, Meløy, Norway – d. Sep. 8, 1923, Vaagenge, Rødøy, Norway). m. (children: Johan, Dorthea, Hansine, Martin, Susanne, Ole, Anton)

Jean (Trueblood) Bye’s Paternal Great Grandparents: (23) William Alexander Trueblood (b. Mar. 1, 1837, Indiana – d. July 16, 1909, Washington Co., Ind.) (24) Elizzann Payne (b. Feb. 5, 1844, Washington Co., Ind. – d. Dec. 23, 1915, Washington Co., Ind.) m. 1863 (children: Dawson, Joseph, James, Louis, John, William, Daisy, Phebe, Niles, Colby, Hugh, Adelia).

(25) James C. and (26) Millie (Gater) Hopkins. (no associated photos)

Jean (Trueblood) Bye’s Maternal Great Grandparents: (27) Knut Hanson Finnesbo (b. Oct. 2, 1851, Lindås, Hordaland, Norway – d. Mar. 21, 1890, Swift Co., Minn.) (28) Cornelia Fredriksdatter Rindahl (b. Apr. 1, 1860, Aure, More and Romsdal, Norway – d. Dec. 22, 1925, Benson, Minn.). m. 1876 (children: Hans, Fredrik, Rachael, Carl, Karen, Bertina) 2nd m. 1892? Lars Fragodt (children: Gena and Lise).

(29) Karl Magnus Eriksson (b. Mar. 30, 1857, Almundsryd, Sweden – d. Nov. 28, 1935, Almundsryd, Sweden) (30) Mathilda Eriksdotter (b. Apr. 24, 1862, Urshult, Sweden – d. Apr. 5, 1912, Almundsryd, Sweden) m. Mar. 3, 1880 (children, Hildur, Ida, Walfrid, August, Martin, Axel, Gustaf, Henrik, Ture, Markus)

Extent

.75 Linear Feet (.75 linear feet)

Language of Materials

English

Norwegian

Abstract

Eclectic collecton of materials belonging to former NDSU Archivist John Bye and wife Jean (Trueblood) Bye, related to Norway, and their family history research. Also includes historic research on their home at 1313 4th Street N. in Fargo, N.D.

Provenance

Donated by John & Jean Bye, 2021 (Acc. 2021-016irs & 2021-028irs).

Separated photographs

66 photographic prints and charcoal art drawings processed into Photo 2207 & Oversize Photo 16.

Separated Books

The following books were separated and cataloged into the Institute for Regional Studies Archives book collection:

Bye, Jean Irene. The Trueblood History from Indiana to North Dakota, 1868-2018 . Fargo, North Dakota: Jean Trueblood Bye, 2018. (CS71.T8673 2018).

Bye, Jean Irene, and John E. Bye. Knut Hanson Finnesboe (1851-1890) from Norway to America . Fargo, ND: Jean and John Bye, 2005. (CS71.F5246 2005).

Bye, Jean Irene. Out in Dakota : Hanson Roots . Fargo, N.D: [The Author], 1983. (CS71.H2489 1983).

Trooper (Garrison, N.D.). Garrison, N.D: Garrison High School. [1961,1962, 1963, 1964, 1965]. (LD7501.G37 T76)

Hattonian (Hatton, N.D.). Hatton, North Dakota: Hatton High School. [1948, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966]. (LD7501.H38 H37)

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the John and Jean (Trueblood) Bye Family Collection
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States