| Name | Kittil Skugrud |
| Birth | 1 Nov 1863, Sigdal Norge |
| Death | 14 Nov 1933, Rothsay MN Age: 70 |
| Burial | Hamar Rothsay MN |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Education | Common School Education in Dodge County MN |
| Religion | Lutheran |
| Father | Syvert Kristensen Skugrud (1822-1884) |
| Mother | Ingeborg Olsd Gronseth (1830-1902) |
Kittil Skugrud is the sixth son of Ingeborg Olsd. Gronseth & Sjur or Severt Skugrud. Kittil Skugrud married Andriena Nordhhagen. Kittil Skugrud came to America in 1873 landing in Quebec, Canada. He was first in Dodge County and then came to Wilkin County in 1880.
KITTIL S. SKUGRUD
The fine farms of Akron township, Wilkin county, bespeak the enterprise and industry of the citizens of the community, many of whom have been identified with that locality's development from its early days of settlement. Prominent among this number may be mentioned Kittil S. Skugrud, who is the owner of a well-improved and valuable estate and is one of the leading men of his township.
Mr. Skugrud was born in Norway, November 1, 1863. His father, Severt Skugrud, was of Norwegian birth and he followed farming in his native land until 1873, when he came to America, locating in Dodge county, Minnesota. He was there engaged in farming until his death, in 1885.
Our subject came to America with his parents at the age of ten years, landing at Quebec, Canada. He came direct to Dodge county, Minnesota, where he was reared and received a good common school education. He began to work at farm labor at the age of fifteen years. In the spring of 1880 he came to Wilkin county and settled on railroad land which he afterward bought in Akron township. He constructed a dugout 14 by 16 feet and he built a sod barn, and thus began his farm life. He did the first breaking of his land with cattle, and his nearest town was Rothsay. He has continued the improvement of his farm and now owns eighty acres of land, upon which is a complete set of substantial farm buildings, a good windmill, and all machinery and equipment for conducting a model farm. He has a pleasant home and has built it up by his good business management and honest industry.
Mr. Skugrud was married in 1887 to Miss Andrine Nordhagen. Mrs. Skugrud was born in Norway in 1863 and came to America in 1883. Her father, Henry N., is of Norwegian birth. He came to America and located at Rothsay, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Skugrud are the parents of eight children, namely: Julian Helfred, Sigward Enevold, Alma Christine, Henry Bernhard, Edwin Arthur, Melvin Kornelius, Irene Teoline, and Ella Dagny. All were born in Wilkin county, Minnesota. Mr. Skugrud is a man of active public spirit, and he has served his township as chairman of the board of supervisors and assessor for the past seven years, and also as school clerk of his district. He is independent in political following.
Reference - Compendium of History and Biography - 1904 by H P Cox, WPA Interviewer, April.
Old Timer Comes to Rothsay 50 Years Ago Today
Kittel S. Skugrud is another well known "Old timer" of this village, having landed in Rothsay just fifty years ago "today." He was just a boy at that time and accompanied his uncle Tollef Gronseth home, who had been visiting relatives in the Southern part of the state. The Skugrud family had resided in Dodge County for a few years, having come from Norway in 1873.
Mr. Gronseth and his young nephew came to Rothsay on an early morning train, landing here at 2 o'clock in the morning. There were no street lights in those days, so the town or what there was of it, was a dreary place to get off in. However, they walked out to the Gronseth home, which was about five miles Southwest of town. Mr. Skugrud recalls that there was no snow, but the ground was somewhat icey.
A short time later that spring, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Syvert Skugrud drove up with a team of horses and a covered wagon. Andrew and Torger Gronseth drove up at the same time, and all settled on railroad land in Akron township, which they later bought, and built substantial homes. The first year Kittel worked for Tollef Gronseth and then at the home of his parents.
He was married to Miss Andrina Nordhagen in 1883. They lived in a dugout 14 x 16 and he built a sod barn. They had the farm one mile south and a mile west of town for several years. It is now farmed by Nels Christianson and owned by Lawrence Paulson. In those early days much breaking was done by oxen. Mr. Skugrud recalls events and dates quite securately, but does not wish to tire our readers by repeating the many interesting experiences told previously in other write-ups by "old timers." However, he recalls that he served on a jury in Breckenridge 40 years ago last fall. During that term of court a man by the name of Andrew Wold was tried for the murder of Hans Hagen and was convicted. He was sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Brown. Sheriff Cameron was in office at that time.
Wold hit Hagen over the head with a whiskey bottle during a quarrel in a lonely shack on the "flats." After serving 25 years in the "pen" Wold was pardoned and visited these parts again, but has not been heard from for several years.
Mr. Skugrud served on the school board and town board and was assessor for many years, while living in Akron. The family moved into Rothsay in 1906. Mr. Skugrud was regular R. R. Carrier for eight years and six months, and has been connected with local post office as substitute carrier and helper almost constantly during all these years in town. He also has been a handy assistant at the Rothsay Meat Market off and on during these many years. He is a jolly old man and makes friends with everybody. If he can do anyone a kind turn, he never hestitates in doing it. He is big hearted and real friend of his many grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Skugrud are the parents of eight children, all being married and having homes, excepting the oldest son Julian. The others are Mrs. Carl Jensen of Rothsay; S. E. Skugrud, a prosperous farmer and dairyman at Nashua, Montana; H. B. Skugrud, who recently sold his farm in Montana and now is residing in Rothsay; E. A. Skugrud, one of Rothsay's successful merchants; M. C. Skugrud, who has been employed during the past four years as a traveling salesman for the Fargo Flour Milling Co., Mrs. R. S. Cowie, who is the "better, as well as biggest half" in the Enterprise home; Mrs. P. J. Klengson, wife of "Pete the barber", also resides in Rothsay. From Rothsay Enterprise - Date unknown.
Kittil Syvertsen Skugerud
Kittil was born at Skugerud in Grenskogen, Sigdal, November 1, 1863. He left for America with his parents in the spring of 1874. They came first to Vernon Township, Dodge County, Minnesota. In the spring of 1880 they moved to Akron Township, Wilkin County, Minnesota. There Kittil farmed for 25 years. In 1906 he was appointed mail man for Route 4 out of Rothsay, Minnesota. He then moved into the town, where he is now living and is presently working for Uncle Sam. Sigdalslag 1914.
| 1 | Andrina Nordhagen |
| Birth | 19 Apr 1863 |
| Death | 14 Jun 1936, Rothsay MN Age: 73 |
| Burial | Hamar Rothsay MN |
| Marriage | 1883 |
| Children | Julian Helfred (1884-1957) |
| Melvin Cornelius (1886-1960) | |
| Sigward Enevold (1889-1958) | |
| Alma Christine (1890-1963) | |
| Henry Bernard (1891-1957) | |
| Edwin Arthur (1894-1966) | |
| Irene Theoline (1898-1957) | |
| Ella Dagney (1901-1989) |