The Faedremindet Lodge of the Sons of Norway

Charter Members of the Sons of Norway, circa 1925

Row 1: Olaf Henning, Roy Ness, Ingemar Oleson, Louie Gubrud, Haakon Eriksmoen, Hans Ness, Sam Knutson, Louie Ebbeson, Braatlien
Row 2: Ovidia Henning, Mrs. Fred Dahl, Mrs. Miles Squires, Mrs. Olief Ness, Mrs. Haakon Eriksmoen, Mrs. Roy Ness, Mrs. Sam Knutson, Mrs. Braatlien, Mrs. Gust Restvedt
Row 3: Ted Austinson, Martin Hagen, Martin Windfaldet, Olief Ness, Emil Hanson, J. P. Johnson, Bergie Torgeson
Row 4: Al Ness, Fred Dahl, Ole Severson, Arne Henning, Erling Ebbeson, Torlief Henning, Sigurd Henning, Christ Grytness, Edwin Eriksmoen

Photo from the collection of Adeline Christianson

From Divide County History 1974, Crosby, North Dakota

The Faedremindet Lodge No. 164 of the Sons of Norway was organized in Ambrose on November 12, 1913. The work of the organization was directed by Chris Peterson, the organizer for the 4th District. He was assisted by J. P. Johnson who was a member of Eidovold Lodge No. 12 of Seattle, Washington. The first officers of the lodge were:

There were 52 charter members. Among the names were:

The Lodge held their first meetings in Miller's Hall. Later meetings were held in the Masonic Temple. In 1923 the lodge purchased the “Electric Theater”, which was then used for meetings as well as for movies and dances. In 1935 sound equipment was installed. During the hard times the "Free Shows in Ambrose" contributed a lot of enjoyment to youngsters and oldsters alike in the Ambrose-Colgan area. Their Lefse suppers were enjoyed by all.

During World War I the Lodge was active in buying Savings Bonds and Stamps. It also contributed in buying an ambulance for the Red Cross. When the Ambrose Hospital was built it furnished a room and contributed generously toward the purchase of X-ray apparatus.

Life Insurance was supplied by the Supreme Lodge but sick benefits were taken care of by the local chapter. In the first 20 years of existence the local lodge paid out over $2,000 in sick benefits and other charitable work. The lodge is no longer active.

Above history taken from page 337 of the
Divide County History 1974, Crosby, North Dakota
(Edited for content)

Above list of Faedremindet Lodge officers was taken from the Sons of Norway record book kept by Edwin Eriksmoen, grandfather of Dave Eriksmoen.

The following is a translation from Norwegian of the minutes from a 1931 meeting of the Faedremindet Lodge of the Sons of Norway. “Faedremindet” means “ancestral parents memories”. These minutes were taken from the Sons of Norway minutes log provided courtesy of David Eriksmoen of Ambrose.

The half yearly meeting was held in the President’s office in the evening of the 8th of January 1931 with the following officers and members present:

C. P. Grytness, O. Ingmar Oleson, Martin Windfaldet, Ingmar Henning,
A. T. Austinson, Henry Torgeson, Edwin Eriksmoen, L. M. Gubrud,
Arne Henning, Olaf Henning, Ole Henning, Carl Ebbeson, A. N. Almos,
Joseph Ness

Minutes were read from last meeting and accepted.  The revision committee reported that they had gone over the books and everything was in order.  Member list was read and the following members were suspended: J. T. Borgen and Harold Hanson with insurance and Mrs. Olaf Ness, Martin Hagen, Emil Hanson without insurance.

At the present time we have sixteen members with insurance and seventeen without insurance. The report shows we have an inventory of $648.35.  Filming equipment a value of $200.00. Library a value of $90.00. The value of the property $2500.00. This year’s status indicates a decline of $202.56, the reason a down value of the filming equipment.

The question in regards to the suspension was discussed and everybody agreed that all members that stood to rest with the subscription for a year should be suspended when they had not sent in their dues to the Lodge and wanting to continue to be a member. The question in regards to the Fire Insurance was tabled to the Lodge’s next meeting.

Meeting adjourned
Secretary
Carl Ebbeson

The following is a translation from Norwegian of the minutes from a 1944 meeting of the Faedremindet Lodge of the Sons of Norway. “Faedremindet” means “ancestral parents memories”. These minutes were taken from the Sons of Norway minutes log provided courtesy of David Eriksmoen of Ambrose.

The half yearly board of directors met at the Lodge #164 of the Sons of Norway, Ambrose, No. Dak. The meeting took place in the evening of the 7th of July 1944 at the Lodge.

The meeting was called to order by the President. The following officers and members were present.

Pres. Hilmar Ness
Vice Pres. Martin Hagen
Sec. J. P. Johnson
Finance Sec. Carl Ebbeson
Treasurer O. Ingmar Oleson
Marshal Olaf Henning
Asst. Marshal Martin Siverson
Other members: L. M. Gubrud, Edwin Eriksmoen

Report from last meeting read and approved. The Lodge books were audited and everything in order. Members system was gone over and decided to leave as before. Also decided was about the Lodge property, leave at same sum as before.

There was no more to bring up at the meeting so

Meeting adjourned
J. P. Johnson
Secretary

Translation of the meeting minutes provided by Randi Knutson.