on the perception that he did not have the skills necessary to be a good farmer. Arthur taught history and Latin — first in Roland, IA and then Scandinavia, Wl.

On 6 Aug 1919 Arthur married Aria Ovedia Scarvie (4 Oct 1895-15 Mar 1992). Aria was the daughter of Rev. Simon and Magdelena (Iverson) Scarvie. Rev. Scarvie was the pastor of the Glenwood Lutheran Church where the Lees attended church. Arthur and Aria had known each other since childhood and attended elementary school together. They were the parents of 4 children: Sylvia Madelyn (b. 23 Aug 1920), Loren James, Robert Edward and Arthur Ophelius, Jr.  Arthur, Sr. died in 1983.

Lars died on his farm in Glenwood Twp. 5 Jan 1943. Julia died 19 Nov 1956 at the home of her son, Arthur, in Scandinavia, Wl. Both are buried in the Glenwood Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Lee, Norman and Marjorie (Christen)

(Norman K. Lee)

Marjorie and Norman Lee on July 20, 1950.

Norman Kenneth Lee was born 23 Jui 1912 in Winneshiek Co. He is the son of Knudt K. and Hilda (Vick) Lee. Norman married Marjorie Vail Christen in 1950 at the Washington Prairie Lutheran Church. Norman and Marjorie have 2 children: Laura Jean and Kevin Lynn.

Norman was in the Army during World War II and achieved the rate of Sergeant. Positions in community he has held include: County Auditor, County Treasurer, Frankville Twp. Trustee and Clerk and Washington Prairie Lutheran Church Treasurer. Norman was bookkeeper for Bruening Rock Products, Decorah.When Norman’s son Kevin asked him to write the story of his life, at first he was reluctant to do so. The following is the story Norman wrote:

“This story begins in about 1918. We lived on the Birdsell place in Frankville Twp. about 2 miles north of where my grandparents, Knudt A. and Kjirsti (Nesset) Lee, lived. There was no public road to my grandparents’ farm. We had to go through the neighbor’s farm and past the neighbor’s house. Along the way we had to open 6 gates which was not very convenient. That made 12 gates over and back. My sister, Eileen, was born on the Birdsell place.

I started school while living there. It was a one room school and was the first school west of Frankville. It was called the “Lovstuen School” and was about 3/4 mile from where we lived. I do not remember the name of the teacher, but do remember she was strict and a good teacher. My parents spoke mainly Norwegian at home, so when I started school I first had to learn English. This was at the time World War I ended. Someone came and told the teacher the war was over. She announced “No more school today!" and then had ail the students march back and forth in the road in front of the school singing songs. We got to go home early that day.

Most farmers had a telephone attached to the wall in their home. It was used for many things, including spreading the news. Each farm or home had a different ring.

Ours was a___. With 8-10 families on the same

party line, everyone listened in when the phone rang. Also about this time a few people started to have phonographs in their homes for entertainment. There were two kinds -one used a cone shaped record and the other a flat disc. They both worked well. When we went to visit some of our neighbors, they would play their phonograph for us. This was long before the radio came out.

On the farm 31 March was always moving day - regardless of the weather or road conditions. The move was made with the help of neighbors. A high wagon and team of horses was used. When the weather was bad, sitting on those high wagons with cold feet was no treat. At the end of the trip we would stop at someone’s place to eat. There were plenty of crackers, cheese and baloney along with hot coffee or some other kind of drink. There were not many trucks on farms at that time. When we left the farm in Frankville Twp., it was a long drive to the new one in Springfield Twp. near Nordness. It made a long day for all who helped with the move.

Nordness was quite a place at that time. The Rock Island Railroad went through Nordness and many farmers sold their produce there. There was a creamery where we sold our cream and a place near the depot to load livestock for shipment to Chicago. At one time there were

2    stores, a small auto repair garage and a one room school in Nordness. The store sold almost anything that was needed, including groceries, gasoline and many other things. It also was a place for various gatherings. On Election Day the community voted in the store.

On this farm we lived one and 1 /4 miles from the school we attended. This was a long way to walk - especially in the winter. My sister started school while we were living there. Because we lived so far away, Dad would sometimes pick us up with the bobsled and team. He also would give those living on the same road a ride.

From that farm we moved to the Henry Bodensteiner farm about 4 miles north of Castalia in Bloomfield Twp. This farm was only 1/4 mile from the “Buddenburg School”. From this farm our livestock was hauled or driven to the buyers in Castalia. I remember one time my uncle sold some young cattle to a cattle buyer in Castalia. There