Sigve Strandness, born December 14, 1853, in Norway, was a prominent merchant in Larimore, North Dakota. After moving to the U.S. and clerking in stores in Minnesota, he co-founded a store in Larimore in 1882. By 1895, he had bought out his partners and successfully managed the business alone. A Republican and active Lutheran, Strandness served three terms on the city council. He married Stina Kron in 1882, who passed away in 1907, leaving five children: Caroline, Theodore, Inga, Marie, and Anna.
Sigve Strandness, a substantial citizen and enterprising merchant of Larimore, North Dakota, is a native of Norway and was born on December 14, 1853, to Thorjus and Kari (Sigvedsdatter) Strandness. He acquired a common school education in his native land and worked at farming until he was twenty years old when he came to the United States and settled in Red Wing, Minnesota. He lived there and in that vicinity for about four years, clerking in a store part of that time. In 1878, he went to Morris, Minnesota, and spent four years as a clerk in the store of Messrs. Larson & Nelson. In 1882, he became associated as a partner with Messrs. Larson & Nelson and, going to Larimore, North Dakota, opened a new store and established the business that has engaged his principal attention ever since.
In 1895, Mr. Strandness purchased his partners’ interest in the business, and for fourteen years, he has carried it on in his own name, dealing in general merchandise and groceries. Mr. Strandness is a thorough businessman and progressive withal, and under his wise management, the business has grown with the development of the lively young city, and it is one of the largest in its line in the place.
Mr. Strandness has always taken a worthy part in public matters and has served three terms in the city council. He is a Republican in political sentiment, and in religious faith, he is affiliated with the Lutheran church.
In 1882, he married Miss Stina Kron of Morris, Minnesota. Mrs. Strandness died on April 9, 1907, and left behind five surviving children. Of these, Caroline, the eldest, is married to Rev. J. A. Johansen of St. Paul, Minnesota, and has two children, Hansine and Stanley. Theodore, the next child, married Miss Hilda Benson and lives in Larimore, N.D. The other children—Inga, Marie, and Anna—are unmarried and live at home. One child is deceased.
Source
C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past And Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns And Villages of the Valley From the Time of Their First Settlement And Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.