I am not direct descendent of Nels Bjerke, I come from Ole Pedersen Bjerke's line, but I ran across this information in an old book that is owned by my mother called the History of Clay and Norman Counties, Minnesota. I hope this helps:
From the "History of Clay and Norman Counties, Minnesota, Their People, Industries and intututions. Volume II, 1918.
E. N. Bjerke, a well known and prosperous retired farmer, now living in the pleasant village of Twin Valley, Norman County, is a native son of the Kingdom of Norway, but has been a resident of the United States since he was seven years old. He was born on October 1, 1856, a son of Nels and Chestin Bjerke, also Norwegians, who came to this country in 1863.
When Nels Bjerke arrived in this country he proceeded out to the state of Minnesota and settled near Spring Grove, Houston County, in which place he reside for three years engaged in farming. At the end of that period he moved to Fillmore county, this state, and located near Spring Valley, where he lived for ten years, following his occupation as a farmer. His next move was to Mower County, also in Minnesota, and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. In all his movements from on to the other of these places, he carried out the journey with the assistance of an oxteam, a mode of conveyance practically unknown to the present generation. Nels Bjerke was a skilled farmer and conducted his agricultural operations with advantage and profit. To Mr. Bjerke and wife the following children were born: Helena, Johanna, Christiana, Petro, Caroline, Clara, Lars, Nels and E. N. the subject of this sketch. They were members of the Lutheran church and their children were reared in that faith.
E. N. Bjerke was seven years old when he accompanied his parents to this country and he was educated in the schools of Fillmore County, later helping his father in the labors of the farm. He moved with his parents to Mower County and in that county started farming on his own account, remaining thus engaged for three years. In 1882 he moved via oxteam to Hagen township, Clay County, and took one hundred and sixty acres of homestead land and immediately commenced to get it into a state of cultivation, continuing to operate the holding for fourteen years. He carried but substantial imprements and had one of the best-kept and most profitable farms in the part of the township in which he lived. Mr. Bjerke then bought another place nearby, known as the old Dudray place, which also contained a quarter section of land, on which he lived as a general farmer until the fall of 1908. His next move was to another quarter section in Wild Rice township, Norman County, and he continued his farming operations in that township until he retired from the active labors of the farm in the fall of 1914. He bought a fine home near the edge of Twin Valley, just outside the village limits, and there he is pleasantly situated. During his active career as a farmer Mr. Bjerke was recognized as a progressive agriculturist, who carried on his operations according to modern methods.
On March 15, 1873, E. N. Bjerke was united in marriage to Sophia Johnson, a native of the state of Wisconsin. To this union the following children have been born: Nora, Albert, Edwin, Helmer, Inga, Oscar, Malvin, Clarence, Selma and Hardean, all of whom are living. The Bjerke family are members of the Lutheran church and are warmly interested in all its good works, as well as in the welfare of the community at large, Mr. Bjerke has always given a good deal of time and attention to public affairs, served as chairman of the township bouard for some time, was also clerk of the school board in Hagen Towship, and in other ways had demonstrated his earnestness in the public interest.