Name/Title
Hovet family: John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet, early residents, Belmont Township, Traill County, NDEntry/Object ID
2024.521.1Description
This family history folder has documents and photographs about John Knutson Hovet, his wife Maggie (Holto) Hovet, and their nine children (see photos of John Hovet with four of their children, and of Maggie in about 1960; photos courtesy Tiny Hovet). A number of documents and photographs are included here in this Catalogit entry 2024.521.1 whereas others are included within the file folder at the Plummer House Museum in Hillsboro. In addition, over 600 digital files of Hovet family photographs and documents are included on a USB Flash Drive within the family history folder for Knudt O. and Julia Hovet (see Catalogit entry 2024.508.1).
John Knutson Hovet's father, Knudt O. Hovet had settled in East Buxton Township (later Stavanger) in Traill County, DT, in 1978, with his brothers, Ole O. Hovet and Thor O. Hovet. These three brother, and other siblings, were born on a Hovet Farm in Norway to parents, Olav K. and Birgit (Bormann) Hovet, who also settled east of Buxton.
Evidently, Knudt O. Hovet also obtained other land east of Buxton, ND, for his older sons to farm. He obtained the northeast quarter of section 20 in Belmont Township (see 1900 plat map) for his second oldest son, John Knutson Hovet, to farm. A house was built on this Hovet farm (photo, below).
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet had nine children between 1895 and 1913 (family tree, below), including Knut J., Jossie, Thelma, Jennie, Knut, Inez, Korn, Stella and Boyd Hovet.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's first child, son Knut J. Hovet, was born on 26 November 1895, but died at the age of 4 on 16 August 1900. Knut J. Hovet was buried in the Hylestad (Hillstead) Cemetery located in the southeast quarter of section 24 in Stavanger Township in Traill County. Section 24 borders Belmont Township on the east.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's second child, daughter Josie Hovet, was born on 30 January 1898 in Fisher, Polk County, MN, located just to the northeast of Belmont, Traill County, ND. In 1900 and 1910 US Census data, Josie lived with her parents and siblings on the family farm in Belmont Township. By the 1920 US Census, Josie, age 21, now lived with her parents and siblings on a farm in Stavanger Township, just to the west of Belmont Township. Her father passed away in 1921. In the 1925 ND Census, Josie, age 27, was employed by Halvorson relatives on a farm in Grand Forks County, ND. In a 1934 City Directory for Grand Forks, Josie lived with her mother Maggie on 3rd Ave S, and her occupation was listed as "hlpr". In the 1940 US Census for Grand Forks, Josie, age 42, continued to reside with her mother, Maggie. Josie's occupation was recorded as "Maid Private Home". Josie Hovet, died at the age of only 46 at the Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks (ND Death Certif.). Josie was interred at the Hillstead Cemetery in Stavanger Township, Traill County, ND.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's third child, daughter Thelma Hovet, was born on 14 February 1900 in Belmont Township. In the 1910 US Census, Thelma was 10, and one the home farm in Belmont Township. At the time of the 1920 US Census, Thelma was 19, and on her parent's farm, which was now located in Stavanger Township. At the age of 24, Thelma Hovet married Sam Brokke in Grand Forks, ND. Sam was born on 19 April 1891 in Grand Forks. Sam and Thelma farmed in Walle Township in Grand Forks, County. By the 1930 US Census, they had three children, Adeline (b. 8 Dec 1924), Johnnie (b. 23 Feb 1927), and Norman (b. 12 Jul 1928). In the 1940 US Census, Sam and Thelma continued to farm in Walle Township.
Seven years later, on 31 October 1947, Sam B. Brokke passed away, age 56 (US Find-a-Grave info). Sam was buried in the East Walle Lutheran Cemetery, Thompson, ND. In the 1950 US Census, Thelma now resided in the City of Grand Forks with her two boys, Johnnie, age 23, and Norman, age 21. Thelma (Hovet) Brokke passed away, age 68, on 8 April 1968 at St. Lukes Hospital in Fargo (ND Death Certif. data). She was interred in the East Walle Lutheran Cemetery, Thompson, ND.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's fourth child, daughter Jennie Hovet, was born on 4 May 1902 in Buxton, ND. As her older sisters, Josie and Thelma, Jennie was first raised on the family farm in Belmont Township (1910 US Census) and then in Stavanger Township (1920 US Census). On 11 November 1924, Jennie Hovet married Gustav Gunderson in Arnegard, ND. Gus was born on 12 November 1901 in Norway. After they married, they lived in Dewey Township in Pierce County, ND, where Gus was employed as a "Laborer, General farm" (1930 US Census data). By 1935 (1940 US Census), Gus and Jennie resided on First Street in Rugby, ND, and Gust continued to work as a "Laborer, Farm". In 1950, Gus and Jennie continued to live in Rugby, where Gus was employed as "Janitor, Creamery". Gus and Jennie (Hovet) Gunderson had six children, including Cliff (born 6 Mar 1925 in Watford City; m. Anita Johnson; d. age 63, 9 Mar 1988 in Hayden Lake, ID), George C. (b. in about 1926, and died, age about 9 in 1935), Selma (b. 18 Oct 1926 in Watford City; m. Paul Prellwitz; d. age 47, 3 Aug 1974 in Willow City, ND), Gordon (b. 29 Mar 1929 in Rugby, ND; m. Carol Falkenhagen in 1949; d. age 63, 1 Apr 1992 in Cottonwood, AZ), Maynard (b. 10 May 1934 in Rugby; m. Pat Taylor in 1954, and later a Carol I.; d. age 78, 26 Dec 2012 in Palo Cedro, CA), and George A. (named after the son George C. who died in 1935; b. 6 Jul 1940 in Rugby; d. unknown). At some time after 1950, Gus and Jennie moved to Kellogg, Idaho, where Jennie (Hovet) Gunderson passed away, age 64, on 8 November 1966 at the West Shoshone General Hospital in Kellogg (ID Death Certif.). Jennie was interred in the Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg. Gus Gunderson lived another 22 years, passing away, age 86, on 13 October 1988 in Silverton, ID. Gus was buried next to his wife Jennie in the Greenwood Cemetery in Kellogg.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's fifth child, son Knut Hovet (named after their first son, Knut J. Hovet, who died age 4), was born on 8 September 1904 in Belmont Township, Traill County, ND. As his older sisters, by 1920, Knut had moved with their parents to a farm in Stavanger Township in Traill County. On 13 December 1930, Knut Hovet married Alfa (or Alpha) Almen in Crookston, MN. Alfa was born on 9 May 1912 in Viscount, Saskatchewan, Canada. After Knut and Alfa married, they lived in Grand Forks, ND, where in 1940, Knut was employed on "Labor, Fairgrounds W.P.A. Project" (1940 US Census data). When Knut registered for the WWII draft on 16 February 1942 in Grand Forks, he gave his employment as "W.P.A. labor". By 1950 (US Census), Knut and Alfa Hovet had moved to Grafton, ND, where Knut's employment was listed as a"Janitor Hotel" and Alfa worked as "Clerk, Grocery Store" (photo of Knut in Grafton, below). Also, by 1950, Knut and Alfa had three sons born in Grafton (photo, below), including Darrell (b. 20 October 1944; d. age 41, 1986 in Milwaukee, WI), and twins: Merrill 'Tubby' Hovet and Merith 'Tiny' Hovet, born 11 January 1946. Tubby Hovet married Jane Roybal in 1971 in Albuquerque, NM, and they had three children, Troy, Tootsie and Keven. Tiny Hovet married Betty Wir in 1969 in Grafton, and they had 3 children, Jami, Bryan and Shawn. Knut Hovet died on 12 April 1966, age 61, at the Deaconess Hospital in Grafton (ND Death Certif.). Knut was interred in the Lutheran Cemetery in Grafton (grave-marker photo, below). Knut's wife, Alfa (Almen) Hovet, lived another 30 years, passing away, age 84, on 22 July 1996 at Dakota Heartland Hospital in Fargo (ND Death Certif.) Alfa was interred next to Knut at the Lutheran Cemetery in Grafton (grave-marker photo, below).
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's sixth child, daughter Inez Hovet, was born on 11 January 1907 in Belmont Township, Traill County, ND. As her older siblings, Inez was first raised on the family farm in Belmont Township (1910 US Census), and then on a farm in Stavanger Township (1920 US Census). Inez Hovet married Julius Gulson in about 1933. Julius was born on 13 March 1907 in Reynolds, ND. After Julius and Inez married, they lived on S 10th St. in Grand Forks, ND. By 1940 (US Census), they had their two children, both born in Grand Forks: Jean (b. 1934; m. Norman Landvik in 1957 in Warren, MN; Living), and Ronald (b. 12 Feb 1937; d. age 34, 20 Aug 1971, Mekinock, Grand Forks County). In the 1940 US Census, Julius was recorded as a "Cement Worker, County-wide roads, W.P.A.". When Julius registered for the WWII draft on 16 October 1940, he gave S. 10th St. in Grand Forks as their residence, and American Crystal Sugar Co. in East Grand Forks, MN, as his employer. In the 1950 US Census, Julius and Inez, and Jean and Ronald, continued to reside on S 10th Street. Julius, age 43, was recorded as a "Plasterer, Contractors". Julius lived to the age of 85, passing away on 13 May 1992 at United Hospital in Grand Forks (ND Death Certif.). Julius was interred in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Forks. Inez (Hovet) Gulson lived to be 92, passing away on 22 November 1999 at the Valley Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. Inez was interred next to her husband Julius in Memorial Park Cemetery.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's seventh child, son Koren Hovet, was born on 2 March 1909 in Belmont Township, Traill County, ND. Koren was first raised on his parent's farm in Belmont Township but on a farm in Stavanger Township, located just west of Belmont (1920 US Census). Koren Hovet married Gertrude Julia (Gertie) Brokke on 26 December 1935 in Grand Forks (ND, Grand Forks County, Marriage Rec.). Gertie was born on 1 Mar 1896 in Grand Forks County. When Koren registered for the WWII draft on 16 October 1940, he stated that his employer was Sam Brokke, Gerties brother, who was married to Koren's sister, Thelma Hovet. Sam Brokke farmed in Walle Township in Grand Forks County near Thompson, ND. On 5 December 1942, Koren J. Hovet signed an Affidavit of Birth that he was the brother of Knut Hovet; at this time, Koren's address was in Inglewood, California (below). Koren and Gertie later lived on N 8th Street in Grand Forks (1959 City Dir.). Koren and Gertie did not have children but were close to Sam and Thelma (Hovet) Brokke's three children: Adeline, Johnnie and Norman. Koren Hovet died, age 54, on 16 July 1963 at the Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks (ND Death Certif.). Koren was interred at Memorial Park Cemetery, Grand Forks. Gertie (Brokke) Hovet lived to the age of 93, passing away on 8 August 1989 in Grand Forks (US Find-a-Grave info). Gertie was interred next to her husband, Koren Hovet, at Memorial Park.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's eighth child, daughter Stella Hovet, was born on 21 May 1911 in Belmont Township, Traill County, ND. Stella was raised on the family farm in Belmont Township and then on a farm in Stavanger Township (1920 US Census). On 11 October 1929, Stella Hovet, age 18, married Samuel Torkelson, age 22, in Polk County, MN. Sam was born on 26 May 1907 in Thompson, ND. After they married, the 1930 US Census records Sam and Stella on rented farmland in Bentru Township in Grand Forks County, located near Thompson, ND. Sam and Stella had a daughter, Laverne May Torkelson, on 17 May 1930 in Thompson. In 1932, Sam, Stella and daughter Laverne, lived on N 3rd St in Grand Forks, ND (City dir.). The 1940 US Census data documents that in 1935, Sam, Stella and Laverne were still in Grand Forks, but by 1940 they were living in San Francisco, CA, where Sam was employed as a "Coffee Urn Installer" for a "Coffee Urn Supply Co.". Sam and Stella had a daughter born in San Francisco: Patricia Ann Torkelson (b. 21 Apr 1950; m. Charles Corbin on 29 Aug 1970 in San Mateo County, CA; Living). Later, Sam and Stella moved to Daly City, San Mateo County, CA, as shown when Sam registered for the WWII draft on 16 October 1940. On his draft card, Sam declared that he was employed by "Farmer Bros", a coffee company. In 1950 (US Census), Sam and Stella, and daughters Laverne and baby Patricia, still lived in Daly City. This 1950 census recorded Sam as a "Salesman, Coffee company" and Laverne was a "Stenographer, Metal factory". At some point in time after this 1950 Census, Sam and Stella moved from Daly City to Burlingame, both in San Mateo County. Sam Torkelson passed away, age 80, on 5 Mar 1988 in Burlingame, and was interred in a Torkelson family plat in the East Walle Lutheran Cemetery by Thompson, ND. Stella (Hovet) Torkelson lived to the age of 83, passing away on 19 May 1995 in Burlingame, CA. Stella was interred next to her husband Sam in the East Walle Lutheran Cemetery, Thompson, ND.
John Knutson and Maggie (Holto) Hovet's nineth, and last, child, son Boyd Hovet, was born on 20 March 1913 in Buxton, ND. As his older siblings, Boyd was first raised on his parent's farm in Belmont Township but then on a farm in Stavanger Township (1920 US Census). In 1930, at age 17, Boyd Hovet was a "laborer" on the farm of Ole Norbo in Bentru Township in Grand Forks County (1930 US Census). In a 1932 City Directory for Grand Forks, Boyd lived with his widowed mother, Maggie, and siblings, Josie and Koren, on 3rd Ave S in Grand Forks, and Boyd's occupation was given as Laborer. On 20 March 1936, Boyd Hovet married Melvina G Tofslie in Polk County (MN Marriage Indx). Melvina was born on 9 December 1919 in Grand Forks. In the 1940 US Census, Boyd, age 27, and Melvina, 21, lived on S 10th St in Grand Forks, and Boyd's occupation was recorded as "laborer, Bldg Const". When Boyd registered for the WWII draft on 16 October 1940, his employer was American Sugar Co. in East Grand Forks, MN. In the 1950 US Census, Boyd, 37, and Melvina, 30, lived in an apartment on 7th Ave S in Grand Forks, and Boyd gave his occupation as "Laborer Farm". Boyd and Melvina did not have children. In the 1959 City Directory for Grand Forks, Boyd and Melvina lived on 10th Ave N, and Boyd's occupation was coded as Laborer. Melvina (Tofslie) Hovet passed away, age 62, on 1 October 1982 in Grand Forks. Melvina was interred at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Grand Forks. In a 1989 City Directory, widowed Boyd Hovet lived on Lincoln Dr in Grand Forks and was retired. Four years later, Boyd John Hovet passed away, age 79, on 20 February 1993 at the United Hospital in Grand Forks (ND Death Certif.).Boyd was interred next to his wife Melvina at Memorial Park South Cemetery in Grand Forks.
As noted in the brief descriptions of their nine children, by 1920 John K. and Maggie (Holto) Hovet had moved from their first farm in Belmont Township to a farm in Stavanger Township in Traill County (1920 US Census data). About a year after this census, John K. Hovet passed away, age 49, in July 1921 in Traill County (Find-a-Grave info). John K was buried in the Hillstead Cemetery (see Monument photo, below) which is located in the SE Qtr. of Sect. 24 in Stavanger Township, Traill County, ND. At some point in time after her husband John K. Hovet's passing, Maggie moved into a house on 3rd Ave S in Grand Forks, ND (1934 City Dir.), and later to a house on 4th Ave S (1955 & 1959 City Dir.). Maggie (Holto) Hovet passed away, age 86, on 14 December 1961 in the Deaconess Hospital in Grand Forks (ND Death Certif.). Maggie was buried next to her husband John K. Hovet in the Hillstead Cemetery (see grave-marker photo, below).Acquisition
Accession
2024.521Source or Donor
Tiny HovetLocation
* Untyped Location
Resource RoomBuilding
Plummer House
