Herman Ottin Skolrud was born at home on November 20, 1897 near Rothsay, Otter Tail, Minnesota. He was the eighth child of Ole and Emma.
He registered for the draft into World War I on September 12, 1918. However, he did not serve in the military.
Herman married Julia Holland on January 26, 1926 in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail, Minnesota. They were married in the home of their pastor. They had five children: Marian, Milton, Howard, Clinton, and Dennis.
Herman helped withe first paving project in Fergus Falls. Later, Herman and his son, Milton, operated a portable sawmill business. The business was profiled in a newspaper article that was found in Grandma Julia’s scrapbook. She had also kept a couple of his business cards.
He had various occupations listed on the censuses. On the 1920 census at age 22, he was living with his parents and is listed as a Farm Laborer on the home farm. In 1930 his occupation is listed as Glueing in the industry of Casket Work, and in 1940 his occupation is listed as Farmer.
When Herman sold the farm near Erhard, it was priced at $3500 for 40 acres. The classified ad was placed in the Billings County Pioneer and this ad ran on May 18, 1950.
In 1952, Herman moved his family to Winlock, Lewis, Washington and they built their own home. Herman moved to Rainier, Columbia, Oregon in 1967.
He died in a house fire in Rainier on April 26, 1975. There was an article in the Oregonian regarding the investigation into the fire. His obituary was printed in several papers on April 29, 1975 include the Daily Chronicle in Centralia, Lewis, Washington. He is buried in the Green Mountain Cemetery in Rainier.
