Ruth Estella Van Vorst
Home Up




Custer Gerald Stafney was born December 27, 1902 in Grove City, Meeker Co., MN, and died December 13, 1989, in Williston, Williams Co., ND, at age 86. He is the son of Ole Olsen Stafney of Rennebu, Sor-Trondelag, Norway, and Anna Johnsdotter Gronning of Stadsbygd, Sor-Trondelag, Norway.

Ruth Estella Van Vorst was born July 22, 1913, in Vanville Twp., Burke Co., ND, and died June 25, 1993, in Hazen, Mercer Co., ND, at age 79. She is the daughter of Edward John Van Vorst of Minnesota and Hilma Swanson of Sweden.

Custer and Ruth were married August 11, 1934 .

Custer and Ruth had unknown children:

  1. James Dean Stafney: Living.
  2. Carol Jean Stafney: Living.
  3. John Custer Stafney: Living. Married to Darlene Margaret Bailey: Born Unknown; Living.
  4. Mary Ellen Stafney: Living.



TIMELINE

Edward John Van Vorst was born October 22, 1879, in Minnesota.

Hilma Swanson was born January 9, 1874, in Sweden.

 

Name: Edmond Bigford ,  
Residence: Byron, Wisconsin
Enlistment Date: 12 Sep 1864
Side Served: Union
State Served: Wisconsin
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 12 September 1864.
Enlisted in Company H, 5th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 12 Sep 1864.
Killed Company H, 5th Infantry Regiment Wisconsin on 6 Apr 1865 at Sailor's Creek, VA.
 
Sources: 97

 

The 1865 Minnesota State Census taken on June 1, 1865 shows shows Henry Harris is the Head of Household living in Clinton Falls, Steele Co., MN. Living with him are: John Harris; Wm. Harris; Eliza Harris; and Sarah Harris. Also living there are: Sarah Hale; Charlotte Hale; John Hale; Sarah G. Hale; Wm. Harris, Jr.; Ella Harris; a male, Georgie Harris; a female, B. Bigford; Martha Bigford; and Theodore Fish.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on June 17, 1870 shows John Harris (age 39) born in New York is a Laborer living in Alberta Twp., Benton Co., MN with property worth $350. Living with him is his wife, Sarah Harris (age 25) born in Canada. Also living there are their children: Wm. Harris (age 10) born in Wisconsin; Ella Jane Harris (age 8) born in Wisconsin; George Harris (age 6) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie Harris (age 4) born in Minnesota; and Walter M. Harris (age 2) born in Minnesota. Also living in the household was a domestic servant. Living in an adjacent house were John's parents: Henry Harris (age 66) a Farmer with property worth $320 born in New York and Eliza Harris (age 63) born in Connecticut.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on July 20, 1870 shows Samuel Bigford (age 65) born in New York with real estate of $3,000 and personal estate of $700 is a Farmer living in Cuming City Precinct, Washington Co., NE. Living with him is Lavina Bigford (age 56) born in New York, who is Keeping House. Also living there are: Samuel Bigford (age 17) born in Wisconsin; and Annette Bigford (age 12) born in Wisconsin.

The 1870 Mortality Schedule for Cuming City Precinct, Washington Co., NE shows Ellen Bigford (age 22) born in Wisconsin died by Suicide Drowning in May 1870.

The 1875 Minnesota State Census taken on May 1, 1875 shows shows John B. Harris (age 44) born in New York to New York and Connecticut-born parents is living in Alberta Twp., Benton Co., MN. Living with him is Sarah A. Harris (age 31) born in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Also living there are: Wm. H. Harris (age 14) born in Wisconsin to New York and Canadian-born parents; Eliza J. Harris (age 12) born in Wisconsin to New York and Canadian-born parents; George W. Harris (age 11) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie M. Harris (age 9) born in Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents; Hetta M. Harris (age 8) born in Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents; Ida C. Harris (age 5) born in Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents; Violetta V. Harris (age 3) born in Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents; and Anna F. Harris (age 1) born in Minnesota to New York and Canadian-born parents. Also living in the household is Wm. A. Harris (age 34) born in New York to New York and Connecticut-born parents. Living in an adjacent house were John's parents: Henry Harris (age 71) born in New York to New York and Connecticut-born parents; and Eliza Harris (age 70) born in Connecticut to New York and Connecticut-born parents.

The 1875 Minnesota State Census taken on May 1, 1875 shows shows Samuel Bigford (age 62) born in New York to New York-born parents is living in New Richland Twp., Waseca Co., MN. Living with him is a female, A. Bigford (age 17) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents.

Henry Harris died between 1875 and 1880 in Minnesota at about age 70.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 11, 1880 shows George Van Vorst (age 28) born in Wisconsin to New York-born parents is a Farmer living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is his wife, Nettie Van Vorst (age 16) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin and New York-born parents and married within the census year, who is Keeping House.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 8, 1880 shows John Harris (age 51) born in New York to New York-born parents is a Farmer living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is his wife Sarah Harris (age 57) born in Canada to Canadian-born parents. Also living there are their children: William Harris (age 19) born in Wisconsin; Ella J. Harris (age 18) born in Wisconsin; George W. Harris (age 16) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie Harris (age 15) born in Minnesota; Hattie M. Harris (age 12) born in Minnesota; Ida C. Harris (age 9) born in Minnesota; and Della Harris (age 4) born in Minnesota. Also living in the household were John's widowed mother Eliza Harris (age 75) a boarder with a Palsy disability born in Connecticut of Connecticut-born parents, and John's unmarried brother William Harris (age 43) who is a farmer born in New York of New York-born parents.

The 1885 Minnesota State Census dated May 1, 1885 shows J. B. Harris (age 55) born in New York, who served as a soldier in the Federal army during the rebellion is living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is Sarah A. Harris (age 41) born in Canada. Also living there are: W. H. Harris (age 24) born in Wisconsin; G. W. Harris (age 21) born in Wisconsin; Lizzie M. Harris (age 19) born in Minnesota; Ida Harris (age 14) born in Minnesota; Della Harris (age 9) born in Minnesota; Sadie Harris (age 5) born in Minnesota; and Earnest Harris (age 1) born in Minnesota. Also living in the household are: William Harris (age 44) born in New York; and William Lantry (age 18) born in Minnesota.

The 1890 Veterans Schedule taken June 1890 shows John B. Harris is living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. He was a Private in Company A, 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, and served from November 1863 to August 1864, for a total of 9 months.

The 1890 Veterans Schedule taken June 1890 shows William A. Harris is living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. He was a Private in Company A, 1st Minnesota Infantry Wisconsin Cavalry, and served from February 1864 to July 1865, for a total of 1 year and 5 months. Leigh Larson note: William A. Harris and John B. Harris are brothers.

Olaf H. Stafney was born September 3, 1890 in Grove City, MN and died March 1974 in Noonan, Divide Co., ND.

Jalmer Bernard Stafney, Sr. was born March 23, 1898 in Minnesota and died January 30, 1990 in Woodburn, Marion Co., OR.

The 1895 Minnesota State Census dated June 14, 1895 shows John B. Harris (age 65) born in New York to New York-born parents, who served as a Soldier during the War of the Rebellion, and has lived Minnesota for 30 years and has lived in this district for 18 years is a Farmer living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN. Living with him is his wife, Sarah A. Harris (age 51) born in New York. Also living there are his five children: George W. Harris (age 31) born in Wisconsin and has lived Minnesota for 30 years and has lived in this district for 18 years, who is At Home; Della Harris (age 18) born in Minnesota; Sadie Harris (age 15) born in Minnesota; Ernest Harris (age 11) born in Minnesota; and John Harris (age 7) born in Minnesota.

The 1895 Minnesota State Census dated June 14, 1895 shows Ole Stafna (age 34) born in Norway to parents of foreign birth and having lived in Minnesota for 7 years and having lived in this district for 1 month is Farming in Litchfield Twp., Meeker Co., MN. Living with him is Annie Stafna (age 30) born in Norway to parents of foreign birth. Also living there are three children, all born in Minnesota to parents of foreign birth: Minnie Stafna (age 6-8/12); Olaf Stafna (age 4-8/12); and Olga Stafna (age 1/12).

John B. Harris died May 17, 1899 in Regal, Stearns Co., MN at age 68.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 2, 1900 shows Sara Harris (age 56) born February 1844 in Canada to Canadian-born parents is a widow living in Roseville Twp., Kandiyohi Co., MN, with ten of the fourteen children born to her still alive. Living with her as head of the household is her unmarried son, George W. Harris (age 36) born August 1863 in Wisconsin of Canadian-born parents, who is a Farmer. Also there are her children: Earnest Harris (age 16) born May 1884; John A. Harris (age 12) born June 1887; and Sadie Harris (age 11) born July 1888. The last three children were born in Minnesota.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 15, 1900 shows William H. Harris (age 36) born October 1863 in Wisconsin to New York and English Canadian-born parents is a Farmer owning his own home free of a mortgage and living in Melrose Twp., Stearns Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 10 years, Isey Harris (age 31) born September 1868 in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents, with all five of the children born to her still living. Children living at home, all born in Minnesota to Wisconsin and Minnesota-born parents: Orin F. Harris (age 9) born October 1890; Worin Harris (age 7) born January 1893; Roy Harris (age 5) born August 1894; son, Allison Harris (age 4) born March 1896; and Cyrus Harris (age 1) born March 1899. Also living there is William's unmarried uncle, William A. Harris (age 57) born December 1842 in New York to New York and Connecticut-born parents, who is a Farm Laborer.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 19, 1900 shows O. Stafne (age 39) born June 1860 in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen is a Rail Road Worker owning his own home and living in the Village of Grove City Twp., Meeker Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 12 years, Anna Stafne (age 35) born April 1865 in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888, with 4 of the 6 children born to her still alive. Also living with him are his four children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Minnie Stafne (age 11) born September 1888; Olof I. Stafne (age 9) born September 1891; Olga A. Stafne (age 4) born October 1895; and Hialmal Stafne (age 2) born March 1898.

The 1905 Minnesota State Census taken on June 3, 1905 shows Ole Steffni (age 45) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 17 years and having lived in this district for 2 years is living in the 2nd Ward, City of Hutchinson, Hassan Valley Twp., McLeod Co., MN. Living with him is Hanna Steffni (age 40) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having lived in Minnesota for 17 years and having lived in this district for 2 years. Also living there are five children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Minnie Steffni (age 17) and having lived in Minnesota for 17 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; Olie Steffni, Jr. (age 15) and having lived in Minnesota for 15 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; Olga Steffni (age 11) and having lived in Minnesota for 11 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; Hjlmer Steffni (age 7) and having lived in Minnesota for 7 years and having lived in this district for 2 years; and Custer Steffni (age 2) and having lived in Minnesota for 7 years and having lived in this district for 2 years.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 22, 1910 shows Edward J. Van Vorst (age 28) born in Minnesota to Minnesota-born parents is a General Farm Farmer owning his own farm with a mortgage and living in Twp. 159, Range 91, Burke Co., ND. Living with him is his wife of 3 years, Hilma Van Vorst (age 30) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents, with both of the children born to her still alive. Also living there are his two children, both born in North Dakota to Minnesota and Swedish-born parents: George Van Vorst (age 2); and Myrle Van Vorst (age 11/12). Several Van Vorst families live nearby.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on May 9, 1910 shows Ole Stafney (age 49) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen is a Railroad Section Foreman renting his home and living in the Village of Wayzata, Wayzata Twp., Hennepin Co., MN. Living with him is his wife of 22 years, Anna Stafney (age 45) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 23 and having emigrated in 1888, with 6 of the 9 children born to her still alive. Also living there are his five unmarried children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Olaf Stafney (age 19), a Grocery Wagon Teamster; Olga Stafney (age 15); Jalmer Stafney (age 12); Custer Stafney (age 7); and Lowell Stafney (age 2). John Stafney (age 39) and wife live nearby.

The WWI Draft Registration Report shows Edward John Van Vorst (age 38) is a Farmer living at Lastwood Mountrail, Burke Co., ND.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 15, 1920 shows Edward J. Van Vorst (age 41) born in Minnesota to Minnesota-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm free of a mortgage and living in Vanville Twp., Burke Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Helma Van Vorst (age 42) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents and having emigrated in 1879 and becoming a Naturalized citizen in 1905. Also living there are his three children, all born in North Dakota to Minnesota and Swedish-born parents: Meral M. Van Vorst (age 12); Ruth E. Van Vorst (age 6); and Raymond A. Van Vorst (age 1-6/12). Also living there is Edward's unmarried brother, Burt M. Van Vorst (age 30) born in Minnesota to Minnesota-born parents is a General Farm Laborer.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 16, 1920 shows Ole Stafney (age 59) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and becoming a Naturalized citizen in 1899 is a Railroad Laborer renting his home and living in the Village of Hannaford, Greenfield Twp., Griggs Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Anne Stafney (age 55) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen. Also living with him are his three unmarried children, all born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents: Custer Stafney (age 17), a Railroad Laborer; Loal Stafney (age 11); and Laurie Stafney (age 8).

Edward John Van Vorst died June 10, 1921 in Burke Co., ND at age 41.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1930 shows Hilma Van Vorst (age 40) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents and having emigrated in 1885 and a Naturalized citizen is a widow owning her own home worth $1,000 and is living on Second Avenue East, 3rd Ward, City of Kenmare, Ward Co., ND. Living with her are her two unmarried daughters, both born in North Dakota to Minnesota and Swedish-born parents: Merle M. Van Vorst (age 20), a Telephone Operator; and Ruth S. Van Vorst (age 16).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 11, 1930 shows Ole Stafney (age 69) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 28 and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen is a Section Foreman for the Great Northern Rail Road renting his home for $15/month and living in Mabel Twp., Griggs Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Anna Stafney (age 64) born in Norway to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 23 and having emigrated in 1888 and a Naturalized citizen. Also living there are his three unmarried children, both born in North Dakota to Norwegian-born parents: Custer Stafney (age 26), a Signal Man for the Great Northern Rail Road; Lowel Stafney (age 21); and Lorie Stafney (age 15).

Bert M. Van Vorst was born March 31, 1891 in Minnesota and died October 6, 1950 in Ward Co., ND at age 50.

Hilma (Swanson) Van Vorst died January 8, 1995 in Renville Co., ND at age 80.