Christ Christman was born in Paltal, Russia, on November 21, 1880. His parents were Andreas and Margaretha Christman. He was the youngest of 10 children. He was 18 years old when he came to Kulm in April 1898. He came to the states with the intentions of owning his own farm and to get away from serving in the Russian Army.
In about 1900 Maria Bogner took up a homestead about 15 miles northwest of Lehr. In 1902 Christ Christman came to Lehr and married Maria Bogner on July 12, 1902, and they settled on the former's homestead. They lived in a sod house and built their first barn which was 16x32 with a 14 foot shed. The total cost was $121.00. They had 3 horses, 1 colt, a wagon and hand plow to start their first farming. They got 40c for a bushel of wheat. Later when it was 60c everybody sold all they had because they thought this was an exorbitant price.
The most feared thing in North Dakota at times were the destructive prairie fires. In the spring of 1909 a great fire swept part of their territory. Because it was early in the spring not too much damage was done, although it burned some machinery and buildings. Other fires destroyed crops and pastures.
Mr. Christman and family moved to Texas in 1907 and lived there only 11 months. He had bought a section of land and this was mostly all hard pan, unfit to raise crops. They realized they we3re swindled or cheated by the real estate agents and because of ill health. Mr.Christman moved back to Lehr in 1908 having lost about $5,000 in this deal.
The mail was hauled on a Star Route to King Settlement from Napoleon, twice a week from 1900 to 1913. The post office was located at John Essig's farm.
Mr. Christman was director of the Hillsburg School District for 21 years. He is Logan County Commissioner for 3rd district at present. He was supervisor of King Township for 6 years.
Mrs. Christman is a charter member of Emanuel Evangelical Church. Mr. Christman joined later. They celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary in 1946. All children were present for the occassion.
The names of their children are: Leodina, Mrs. William Brunner, lives at Napoleon, North Dakota; Albert F. Christmam, Lehr, 14 miles northwest of Lehr; Robert Christman, Streeter, farmer; Otto Christman, Lehr, farmer; Andreas Christman, Napoleon, farmer; Edwin Christman, Napoleon, manager of store; Luella, Mrs. Tom Pond, Los Angeles, California; Leo Christman, Lehr, living on father's farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Christman moved to Lehr on January 3, 1947. They are now living in the house formerly occupied by Mrs. Christman's parents.
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