"Bjug Aanondson Harstad was born Dec. 17, 1848 in Valle, Saetersdal, Norway, came with his parents to Seneca, Illinois in 1861 moved to Fillmore county, Minn. 1865 and entered Luther College, Decorah, Iowa in the fall that year, graduated there 1871, entering Concordia Theologicl seminary, St Louis, Mo. the same year from which he graduated in 1874. He immediatley accepted a call as missionary in the Red River Valley, north of the Fargo, N.D. Teritory, married Feb. 14 1877 to Miss Guro Svensdaughter Aamli (also written as Omlid) born Sept. 29 1858 in Aanebjor (Arneberg) Bygland, Saetersdal, Norway.

In 1894 he founded Pacific Lutheran College serving as principal or teacher until 1899. He took part i the Nome gold rush hoping thus to aid the College, Bjug Harstad died June 20, 1933 at the age of 84. Bjug and his wife were parents of eleven children."