Born: 7 May 1850, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Married: 27 Dec 1871, Trysil, Hedmark, Norway
Died: 23 Jan 1939, Braham, Kanabec Co, MN
Buried: Osterdalen Cemetery, Harwood twp, Cass co, ND
Spouse: Johanne Persdtr Rognerudbraten, Valer
Parents: Martin Embretsen Ostby & Johanne Gjermundsdtr Ostby
Gjermund M. Ostby of Braham, Minnesota passed away last Monday evening, January 23, at the age of 88 years. He has made his home with his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. (Marie) Magnus Johnson for the past two years.
Funeral services will be held on Friday afternoon from the Osterdalen Lutheran Free Church near Argusville, ND. Interment there. Pallbearers will be E.H. Lee, John Nymon, Arne Stangeland, Knut K. Strandwold, Peter Johnson and Henry Soberg.
G.M. Ostby was born in Tryssel, Osterdalen, Norway on May 7th 1850. Here he grew to manhood and in 1871 was married to Johanna. In 1878 the Ostby family came to America, first settling at Northfield, MN and in the fall of the same year moved to North Dakota near Argusville where they homesteaded, settling first on the banks of the Sheyenne River. Later he bought prairie land. He taught Sunday school in the Osterdalen Church when it was built in 1896. Preceding his death was his wife and 7 children. In 1936 Mr. Ostby came to Braham, MN.
Surviving are two daughters and two sons, Mr. Theodore Nelson (Gina) of Chicago, IL, Mrs. M.H. Johnson (Marie) of Braham, MN, John Ostby of Dixon, Montana and Paul Ostby of Argusville, ND. Also 4 grandchildren.
Children:
1 Per, 26 Oct 1874-Dec 1900. Born Trysil, Norway. Died of consumption.
2 Martin, 11 Nov 1877- ? Born Trysil, Norway
3 Ida Gustava, 10 Mar 1880- 8 Apr 1911.
4. Martin, Jul 1882- 8 Jun 1898. Accidental death. Martin and brother turned horses loose to graze, leaving bridle hung on hames of the horses. One horse rolled and while trying to coax the horse to him, Martin inadvertently stepped on the bridle. His foot became fastened and the frightened horse took off running, dragging Martin a mile and a half. He died two hours later.
5 Gina, 29 Dec 1889- 24 Oct 1976. Married Theodore Nelson. They had three children: Eunice, Myrtle and Hubert.
6 John, 6 Dec 1890- 6 Jun 1984. Married Paula Bueide. Farmed by Argusville and Harwood ND until 1934. Moved to Montana and then Everett WA where he worked for the city. Died in Everett, WA. They had no children.
7 Paul, 31 Oct 1894- 7 Dec 1962.
8 Marie Pauline, 30 Mar 1898-1991. Married Magnus Johnson. They had no children.
9 Peter Martin, 30 Dec 1899-1901.
1900 census, Wiser twp, Cass Co, ND states Johanna had given birth to 11 children and 7 were still living.