Skip to main content

Thorvald Ostbye Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 325

Scope and Content

The Thorvald Ostbye Family Papers, although very incomplete, provide a glimpse into the lives of a Norwegian American family in Fargo from the first half of the twentieth century. The collection touches upon his business career, their religious affiliation and daughter Harriett’s years as a teenager. The papers have been organized into four series: Family material, Harriet Ostbye papers, Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, and T. Ostbye and Son Contractors.

The Family Material Series is a scattering of material. Of note is the menu of a dinner attended by King Oscar of Sweden and Norway in 1884 in Christiania (Oslo) at which possibly Mrs. Ostbye was a waitress. The poetry and writings are in Norwegian and longhand and are religious in nature. Some possibly could be sermons or speeches.

The Harriet Ostbye Papers Series consist mainly of her diaries for the period 1917 through 1921 although there are frequent gaps. But, what is written is very complete and give an excellent look into a girl's social life during high school and first year of college at the North Dakota Agricultural College. The North Star is for April 1918 and published at Horace Mann School in Fargo.

The Pontoppidan Lutheran Church Series contains various reports, lists and programs related to this Norwegian American Lutheran church in Fargo, of which the Ostbye family appears to have been active members. The two folders of histories are in Norwegian and each contains a handwritten and typed copy of the history of the congregation beginning with its organization in 1877. They were compiled for Pontoppidan's 40th and 50th anniversaries.

The T. Ostbye and Son Contractors Series consists mainly of the volumes listing their construction projects and provide a detailed breakdown of the various material and labor costs. The 1920-1930 construction projects ledger has an index. The financial ledger basically summarized the final bill for each project.

Dates

  • 1884-1947.

Creator

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are not held by the NDSU Archives.

Biography

Thorvald Nelson Ostbye was born at Nittedal, Norway on February 8, 1860. As a boy in Norway he began learning the wagon and carriage making trade in his brother's factory. For several years he served on the crew of a ship sailing in the Baltic and to other European ports. In 1881 he immigrated to the United States landing at Boston in July and then to Fargo. He began work as a wagon-maker under A.S. Anderson. He later worked in the woodworking business. In 1909 he went into partnership with John Schlanser. Mr. Ostbye later formed his own business which later became T. Ostbye and Son. Among the buildings in Fargo which he built were the Everhardt Candy Company, Magill block, Carnegie Library and addition, Clara Barton and Hawthorne schools, the main building at Oak Grove High School, and St. Mark's and Grace Lutheran Churches. He also built the Steele County courthouse at Finley, North Dakota.



On July 29, 1887 in Fargo he married Kristine Larson Kirkeby also of Nittedal, Norway. They had three children, Lawrence, Marie and Harriet.



Mr. Ostbye served two terms as Fargo Alderman, was a member of the Modern Woodmen and AOUW, and a charter member of the Sons of Norway and served as its first president. The Ostbyes were pioneer members of Pontoppidan Lutheran Church. Mr. Ostbye was also a trustee of Oak Grove Seminary for many years. Mr. Ostbye died February 8, 1943 and Mrs. Ostbye on January 29, 1955. They are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.

Extent

.9 Linear Feet (.9 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Norwegian immigrant who started a contracting business and became a successful Fargo contractor. Responsible for building the Carnegie Library (Putnam Hall) and its addition on the North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University).

Provenance

Donated by Lawrence Ostbye, 1955 (Acc. 325).

Separated Photographs (Institute Photo Mss 325)

43 photographs.

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection
Title
Finding Aid to the Thorvald Ostbye Family Papers
Description rules
Appm
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