Anders Svensgaard was the son of Torleiv (Tollef) Gauteson and Guro (Norstedokker) Olsdatter. The areas and farms mentioned are situated either in or very near Hallingdalen, which is a valley going through Buskerud Fylke, from southeast to northwest. Anders' father gave him the family farm and Anders was the owner until he sold it in 1885 and bought the Haugen Farm from Thuri's brother, Asle. Very much in debt the farm was sold at auction July 30,1887 after which they emigrated to America with three of their four children. Over one hundred years ago, in 1875, large eastern corporations rolled into the vast plains of the Dakotas. The Indian problem was pretty much under control by that time and the level, fertile plains were ripe for the white man's plow. These corporations had the money for machinery, seed and labor and the land was there for the grabbing. These corporation farms ran from 3,000 to 65.000 acres and grew only one crop, wheat. So much money was made from this growing gold that they were called "Bonaza Farms." Lured to the Dakotas by the reports of large profits in grain production, settlers began arriving in the late 1880's. They came from states east and south and from Norway, Russia, Germany and Canada. Tolleiv and Elling emigrated to America in 1887 and Anders followed in 1888. His wife, Thuri and daughter Kari came later. From the eastern seaboard they moved west stopping with Norwegian friends and relatives in Minnesota and Iowa. These Norwegians had preceeded them to the "New World" and were probably happy to give the newcomers a few weeks rest, English lessons and advice in exchange for news of those they had left behind. Knowing that Thuri and eleven year old Carrie would be well taken care of, Anders and his sons, Tollef and Elling continued on to the north central plains of North Dakota. Here at Willow City they filed on a homestead in Section 23 of Wellington Township in the Spring of 1888 and began "proving up". Getting the seed into the ground was probably their first priority followed by some sort of shelter for the family. After these two important tasks were completed, Thuri and Carrie could be sent for. The family was not complete however, until Julia, 24, who had remained behind in Norway, joined them. Julia arrived weakened by the effects of diptheria which had killed three of the family that had given her shelter in Minnesota. With the family intact they began the long, ardious task of making a home for themselves in strange surroundings.