Cameron, Candace, Clayton and Jean (The Four Riders)

Our ranch was homesteaded in 1887 by Andrew and Johanna Rosenburg along with his brothers, Nels and Pete, Swedish immigrants. Together they acquired 7000 acres and settled where they knew the railroad soon would be built. They provided food and lodging to the railroad workers as well as contributed their labor and blacksmith skills. Born to Andrew and Johanna was Hilda. Hilda married Ben Norman. To this union 8 children were born.

The following is taken from Sioux County - Memoirs Of Its Pioneers Written by Mrs. Ruth Norman, Mrs. Clarence Raben, and Mrs. Ben Norman

Andrew P. Rosenberg was born July 20, 1849 at Linderod, Sweden and in 1881 came with his brothers Nels and Pete to settle in Burt County, Nebr. Andrew spent one summer in Oregon, and was married at Tekamah, Nebr., Nov 21, 1885 to Johanna Nilson. Johanna was born May 6, 1846 at Christianstodalean, Sweden and came in 1884 to work in Chicago, later moving to Tekamah. Their daughter Hilda was born there Dec. 5, 1886.

Nels and Pete Rosenberg came in 1887 to homestead north of Crawford just past and below the wall of the Roundtop landmark. In 1888 Andrew and Johanna and little Hilda came by immigrant car to Crawford, and the 3 brothers had adjoining claims. Andrew's family moved into Pete's house, which had been built quickly of sod and any other available material. One cold, windy sleeting night the side of the house caved in, so they built a house of their own as soon as they could get the logs hauled. Their hand-dug well had 2 buckets rising and descending on a pulley, the top boarded to keep animals from falling in. Their next well was walled 1-ft thick with stones from the bottom up, and still has water in it, though it was abandoned for one nearer the house. Overnight at their home, about midway between Crawford and Ardmore. A depot, section house and water tank were built on the new railroad about a mile north of Rosenbergs, and a store and residence followed to make the Adelia village. M. D. Jordan built the store, owned jointly with Jake Foster, who later sold his share to Mike O'Connell, from whom Jordan bout it. He lived above the store in a large room, hanging his bed in a corner, and the room was used for dances and other public gatherings.

Rosenburg Family

About 1907, the railroad moved the depot and section house about 3 miles farther north, and other buildings were moved or torn down. The water tank and switch were then called Joder Siding and it became a train-loading place for livestock. Nels Rosenberg ran a store in the newly located Orella until he died. When the railroad began carrying mail, Orella got a post office, and some years later a gals station. Robert Harrisons, John Arners, Jess Arners, John Edward Pelrens, and John B. Jolly all homesteaded in the same area in 1886-87, and were close friends. Social gatherings were held in the schoolhouse built just east of the tracks, not far from Rosenbergs. Hilda, age 5, was one of the first students, and Mrs. Sarah Wisdom was the first teacher. A Lutheran minister came from Hemingford for services at regular times, and families hosted the services included Rings, Petersons, Rabens, Mengs, Hansens, Rosenbergs, and Friels.

In 1907 Ben Norman came to work for Andrew, and Febr. 15, 1909 he and Hilda were married. Hilda has lived on the ranch all but the first 5 years there. Ben and Hilda lived on the ranch all their married life, and they lived in her home built just yards from the original log home.They had 8 children born to this union. Seven of them lived to become adults.

Ben and Hilda Norman

Bernard Ben and Hild's middle son, married Evaline Johnson on July 14, 1954. They had 3 children, Gary, Ben, and Jean. Ben married Diane Kunz on May 23, 1981 and they have 4 sons. Ben died in 1999. Diane and the boys live on a addition to the ranch purchased a few years ago. Jean married Mark Kolling on August 16, 1980. They have 2 boys and a girl.

Sheep were a hardy animal suited for the prairie with coyotes being their mortal enemy. The Rosenburgs and Normans gathered a band of 2000 sheep in their flock. Due to everyone’s hard labor we, the following generation, remain. Bernard and Earl, 2 of the 8 children, bought the ranch from the rest, and divided it into 2 parts. Bernard, Ben and Jean’s father bought the south half, where you will come to visit. Here they ran cattle which were less susceptible to predators than sheep. To diversify, Bernard became involved in Thoroughbred race horses. In 1995 this part of the business was terminated when he died.

Norman Family

The ranch has been added to at various times, and is now divided in 2 parts. Two sons purchased the land from the rest of Hilda and Ben's family. Bernard owned and operated the South portion and Earl owned and operated the North. Bernard and family acquired another property at Horn 6 miles north of Crawford where Bernard's son Ben and family lived. After Bernard's death his children Ben and Jean inherited the South land. Ben and family and Jean and family operated the ranches as one business. Recently Ben's wife Diane and sons have taken over the total ownership of the Horn property. Bernard's daughter Jean and family now own and operate her Great Grand parent's original homestead. Now known as Our Heritage Guest Ranch. The Seven Riders - Grandchildren of the late Benard Norman