Halvor Anderson Kroshus was born 5 Jun 1853 at Spring Grove, Houston County, MN. He was the son of John Anderson Kroshus and his second wife Kari Pedersdatter Snugro Kroshus.

His father, John, was born 29 May 1823 on a tenant’s farm on the Molstad Farm in Brandbu, Hadeland, Norway. His mother was born 30 Dec 1821 on the farm Gudmundshagen, Hadeland, Norway.

Both of his parents were married before and had lost their spouses to illness in Wisconsin. Kari not only lost her first husband, Halvor Pedersen, but she also lost a daughter Randi Halvorsdatter. John’s first wife was Maria Andersdatter. With Maria, John had a daughter, Oline Johnsdatter. Oline would marry Berge O. Lee. So Halvor had two ½ siblings, Randi Halvorsdatter and Oline Johnsdatter who married Berge O. Lee and ended up living in Washington state.

Halvor’s full siblings were: Maria 11 Oct 1856-18 Feb 1904 (John O. Kroshus 18 Jun 1853-16 May 1925), Anna 13 Mar 1858-6 Jul 1908 (John Ole Gaare 13 Oct 1858-9 Jan 1950), Peder 24 Mar 1860-unknown, Paulina 10 Jul 1862-20 Dec 1941 (Alexander Theodore Grover 12 Feb 1860-18 Jan 1940), and Albert Julius 22 Dec 1864-3 Feb 1896 (Marie Johanna Johnson 7 Jul 1869-4 Jun 1902).

Halvor’s parents, John and Kari, plus John’s daughter, Oline, moved from Rock County, WI to Spring Grove, Houston County, MN in 1853. By 1855 the have moved to Winneshiek County, Iowa. Halvor went to rural school in Iowa. He was raised on this farm in Winneshiek County and learned to be a general farmer from his father.

Halvor married Kjersti Gulbrandsdatter Melbostad 18 May 1874 at the Big Canoe Lutheran Church, in Winneshiek County, Iowa.

Kjerstie was a willing worker in her home and on the farm. Halvor owned a substantial number of acres just east of Perley in Mary Township. He was community minded and served on the board of the First State Bank of Perley, was a board member of the Farmers’ Elevator Company at Perley and a member and treasurer of the Bethania Lutheran Church. He also served on the Mary Township Board for 26 years.

As Halvor’s farm operation prospered, he purchased more land, until he owned 1,372 acres near his home and also owned a farm in North Dakota.

Halvor and Kjerstie were the parents of 14 children. They were: John A 13 Aug 1874-9 Oct 1941 (Anna Bertine “Annie” Ulvan 9 Jun 1881-13 Feb 1964), Anna F. 22 Nov 1875-16 Oct 1913 (Fred O. Tufte 17 Jul 1863-9 Sep 1951), Karoline A. 20 Jan 1878-24 Oct 1889, Gust Andrew Kroshus Anderson 25 Mar 1880-6 Feb 1962 (Elizabeth Sprung 31 Mar 1882-20 Jan 1983), Maria Christina, twin of Gust, 25 Mar 1880-ca 1882, Henry H. 28 Sep 1882-18 Sep 1950 (Julia VanDerMeer 13 Jun 1884-3 Mar 1967), Mary 1 Oct 1883-25 Jul 1977 (Lauritz Oli Olson 13 Apr 1881-4 Oct 1966), Tilda 15 May 1886-1 Sep 1915 (Martin H. Ellingson 7 Mar 1890-16 Aug 1962), Clara Christine 13 Mar 1888-25 Apr 1977, Martin A. 26 Jun 1891-21 Oct 1981 (Olga Marie Wiig 6 Jul 1893-8 Apr 1982), Oscar 14 Sep 1892-1955 (Inga Jacobson 26 Jan 1895-8 Sep 1966), Joseph H. 28 Dec 1893-9 Mar 1986 (Alida S. Hovland 18 May 1897-29 Aug 1961), William Jennings Leonard 4 Jan 1897-31 Jul 1919 and Emma H. 13 Feb 1901-31 Jan 2000 (Clarence Randal Berg 4 Nov 1900-14 Jan 1992).

Kjerstie passed away at a Fargo, ND hospital 27 Nov 1928 at the age of 74 years of age.

About four years later, on July 29, 1932, Halvor passed away at Fargo, ND. He was 79 years of age. Funeral services for him were held at the Bethania Lutheran Church, Tuesday, August 2, 1932. Pastor Thomas Anderson of Perley officiated. Attorney M. A. Brattland and former Judge Grindeland of Warren, MN were present and spoke during the services. Judge Grindeland was a school mate of Mr. Kroshus in Iowa. Six sons acted as pall bearers.