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specific groups
ladies aid, zoar
senior citizens club
from Hampden Diamond Jubilee Book, 1979
The Hampden Farmers Telephone Company was organized
and lines were placed in 1908 and 1909. Though records are
incomplete, names of operators were Sylvia Morstad, Myrtle Nelson, Helen
Claus, Ethel Bordson, Mrs. Irons, Verna Werner Peters, Carol Mortenson,
Avis Aanstad, Violet Werner Overbo, and Clara Lennon. There was no
service after 10 p.m., and not before 7 a.m. Also, no Sunday
service. Later, forenoon Sunday service was provided.
Hampden was not very old when electric service was
furnished to the townspeople. The first owners of the light plant
were Harpster Brothers, operated by Clarence Mitchell, uncle of Mrs.
Carl Mortenson. Though this plant was a big advancement, it was
not like our service today. Lights blinked at 11:30 p.m., and were
turned off at midnight, to come on again at 7 a.m. The Otter Tail
Power Company took over, and have given service since. The R.E.A.
began electric service to the rural community in December 1949.
Hampden once boasted of silent movies in the Fisher
Hall with Albert (Shorty) Cumbers operating the machine. Mrs.
Harry Neidlinger played the piano to add to the entertainment.
When the Community Hall was built, the sound films were shown with
Linden Borg, Ray Reimer, and Carl Mortenson taking over. Some
films were shown in Hampden before they came to Devils Lake.
MAIL SERVICE
The following information was received from National
Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C. 20408:
Hampden, Ramsey County, N.D. ; Established as
Northfield on March 4, 1902. Name changed to Hampden on July 15,
1903.
The following is a list of Postmasters who have served
in Hampden followed by their appointment date:
Ole Iverson, March 4, 1902; Joseph Elliott, June 26,
1902; Ole Knudson, September 16, 1905; Kenneth B. Williams, August 6,
1918; J. Rodney Williams, July 16, 1921; Erick Myhre, August 4, 1924;
James McMillan, July 17, 1933; Marily B. Peters, December 28, 1963...
Mail carriers have been Gilbert Garnas, Ed Seward,
Albert Ogland, and Carl Mortenson from 1920 until his retirement in
1965. Norman Christian, 1965-...
Alfred W. Dahl was also substitute carrier
occasionally.
Hampden Lodge No. 143, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, was organized in May of 1911. They can boast of winning
several trophies in competitive drill contests. They have recently
purchased the former John Waade Harness Shop Hardware and will renovate
it for their lodge room. (The Harness shop was razed in the summer of
1999, and is no longer standing). North Star Rebekah Lodge No.
81, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized in March of
1912.
The first Homemakers Club in this community was
organized March 20, 1935, with 18 members. The officers were Mrs.
Clarence Hedlund, president; Mrs. O.W. Neidlinger, vice president;
Mrs. Glenn (Helen) Neidlinger, secretary, and Mrs. Carl Mortenson,
treasurer. Other members were Mrs. L.O. Flott, Mrs. Henry Reimer,
Mrs. Palmer Freed, Mrs. Ted Taylor, Mrs. M.A. Knutson, Miss Selma
Hosterman, Mrs. Pete Rudser, Mrs. Norman Hoiland, Mrs. Dale Roberts,
Mrs. Theodore Olson, Mrs. Jerry Bragg, Mrs. W.L. Howe, Mrs. E.A.
Neidlinger, and Miss Emma Waade.
They chose for their Motto, "Joy is not in
things." The club colors were pink and green, and the flower
was the wild rose.
The club has remained active throughout the years with
almost a complete turnover in membership. In later years other
clubs were organized, the "Town and Country", the "C and
R" and the "Banner" Homemakers.
from Ramsey County History: vol 2, p 598-99; published 1983
coming soon
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