Oscar was born on a homestead near the Cooper farm not far from Cooperstown to Omund Ashland and Axeliane on April 26, 1898.  Omund Ashland (July 20, 1868 - May 5, 1933) and Axeliane (Bull) Ashland (December 27, 1872 - November 19, 1953), are Oscar's parents.  They came to America as other relatives were already settled in North Dakota and felt they would have a better life in America as times were hard in Norway those years.

Margaret was born in Norway and came to America when she was eight years old.  Her parents are Hans Lenning (October 10, 1859 - February 5, 1934) and Tella (Thorson) Lenning (October 9, 1869 - January 3, 1930).  Margaret's mother and four brothers and her sister came to New York where they met her father who had been in America for sometime.  They lived in New York and Canada before coming to North Dakota.  Margaret's Aunt Malina Thorson was working on the Benson farm near Shepherd, so the Lennings came to the Cooperstown area.

Oscar and Margaret came to Hannaford in 1919, when Oscar worked on the Great Northern Railroad section and lived with Margaret's Aunt Malina in the house that used to be referred to as the elevator house west of the elevator.  In the '40s, it was moved out to the Anton Paintner farm near the Kjelgard farm.  Later Oscar worked in the railroad towers in North Dakota.

Margaret and the two children, Phyllis and Bruce, moved out to the Omund Ashland farm.  Phyllis attended the Michealis School for two years.  In 1926, they bought the hotel building, once known as the California Wine House.  This was torn down in the early '70s.  It was back of what is now Margaret's Beauty Shop.  Oscar began working in the railroad coal chute and worked there until 1939.  Kermit was added to this family in 1928.  Oscar went out to Oregon where two of his brothers were and was employed in a sawmill in Culp Creek, Oregon  He was so lonesome for his family he returned home in less than a year.  He always enjoyed carpenter work, so for a while was busy with this and the three Oscars were a team.  Oscar Ouren and Oscar Hoffman and Oscar Ashland became known as the three Oscars.  Later he worked for Chet Jackson and later bought the business and had this until he ;tired.

The Ashland home was referred to as being like "Grand Central Station" as a welcome was given to all who came.  Margaret several times commented that she never knew how many to set the table for.  This house had 13 rooms, so they rented rooms to high school students and families through many years.  Oscar was given the nickname of the "Fix-it Man" by the neighborhood children (the Boes, Ludwicks, Bjors and Syverson).  Anything that needed to be fixed was brought to him to repair - a y, chair, and an iron, etc.  He spent many hours mending these items after a long hard day shoveling coal at the coal chute.  Many will remember how he half-soled their shoes and put on new heels.  Many summer and fall evenings he would play softball with the children and he was always the first the chosen to be on a team.  He and Harvey Benson hauled old railroad ties and scrap wood down the creek so the children could build a fire to warm themselves while they were ice skating.  It has been said of Oscar that he repaired something in every home in Hannaford, wondering if he even got thanks.

One incident the towns people and the family will long remember was the huge ice jam on the creek down by the railroad power house.  The men contacted by the railroad refused the task of dynamiting this.  Oscar took on the job and tense minutes followed as he crawled out over the ice, slipping, stumbling and carrying the dynamite.  Men on the sides of the creek banks had ropes around Oscar's waist to help pull him in, in case he stumbled and hindered his safe return.  Bill Lunde related how they all stood watching, waiting, no one making any sounds.  Ole Forseth had said "he wouldn't have given a dime that O. J. (as he was called by many) would make it back alive." Much cheering followed after the blast that was successful and it was the talk of the town for some time.  It was said it was the biggest ice jam ever seen of this Bald Hill Creek and also the biggest explosion.

One Christmas Phyllis and Bruce will never forget was a big secret.  Days before they were forbidden to go into the garage and they obeyed - Santa was on the way.  Christmas Eve came and all the gifts handed out and each one thankful for what he or she received.  Oscar disappeared and came into the front room and under each arm he was carrying a sled painted red and black and there were two overjoyed children.  Many hours were enjoyed with these sleds, said to be the fastest in town.  When Kermit was about five years old, Oscar made a bobsled-type for him.  Reminded many of Frank Paulson's drey.  It was the envy of many small boys.

Many cold, icy nights Oscar was called out to thaw out the frozen fire siren, which seemed to be his job for many years.  He was a Fire Chief so was very much aware of how important it was to have this siren ready to go at any hour.

Margaret was a busy homemaker and always had the coffee pot on for anyone who would drop in.  She was the towns seamstress and through the years sewed many bridal outfits.  If she heard of some child who needed some clothes, she would sew late into the night for them.  Many band members will remember she made their capes of orange and black colors during the '50s.  She was hired to make the first altar cloth and drape for the new Faith Lutheran Church.  She has always loved to bake bread and always had some on hand to bring to a home where there was illness or on the arrival of a new baby.  Many a Saturday she was a barber for many from the country and town.  Several service men would come home on their furloughs and come to have a hair cut.  She loved to play games with the children and they all liked when she would play hide and seek.  After her family were gone from home, she worked at the Hannaford Mercantile and enjoyed being with the public.  She became a favorite with many who spoke Norwegian to wait on them.

When Oscar retired he enjoyed doing some odd jobs such as sharpening saw blades and plow shares for many farmers.  He liked to be in the yard and enjoyed visiting with any passer-bys.  The young children would stop by and he could entertain for hours.  Seemed he could keep any age interested and he loved every minute of this.

In 1946, they bought the Omund Westley home and lived there until it burned in 1975.  Oscar remarked that every house he had lived in in Hannaford was gone after the last burned.

Phyllis married Orlano Palm.  Bruce married Doris Erickson, Kermit married Marilyn Rasmusson.  They had 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Oscar passed away January 18, 1983, from pneumonia.  Margaret lives in Hannaford and enjoys making handcraft items and visiting with her friends.  She still bakes bread and shares it with her neighbors.  She will be 92 in March and keeps up with the events of the community.

Source:  Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 82