Edward Rostad, (1917-1933)

Headstone GPS Coordinates:

Birth: 14 February 1917, poss. Crosby, Kitsap County, Washington

Death: 13 July 1933, Crosby, Kitsap County, Washington

Relatives in Seabeck Cemetery: Marie Rostad, Christian Rostad

American Revolutionary War Patriots*: None

Disclaimer: These lines have not been officially proven by NSDAR standards

Edward Rostad was born on February 14, 1917, in Seabeck, Washington—most likely in the family home his parents had built with determination and sacrifice. He was the youngest son of Christian Winter Rostad and Marie Bolette Rostad, Norwegian immigrants who had crossed oceans and frontiers to create a life on a small ranch in Crosby near Seabeck.

By the time Edward was born, his parents had already lived many lives: farming in Norway, mining in Alaska during the gold rush years, laboring in Seattle, and finally settling as cattle ranchers in Kitsap County. Edward entered a household shaped by hard work and resilience. His older brothers, Louis and Alfred, were growing into young men, and the rhythms of farm life—livestock, crops, timber, and community—formed the backdrop of his childhood.

In October 1925, when Edward was eight years old, disaster struck the family. Fire destroyed the Rostad home. The dramatic events of that day were recorded in the Kitsap Herald on October 25, 1925, in an article written by Rev. Samuel Bassett, known as “BRUTUS.” Though Edward is not named directly in the account, it paints the scene of the world he inhabited:

“An Appeal for a Neighbor
Mr. Rostad bought, years ago, eighty acres, which included the improvements on the old homestead of Paul N. Myhre of Silverdale. He paid part, and Mr. Myhre took a mortgage on the place for the balance. I have been told on good authority that there is still a balance of $275 due on that mortgage. Mr. Myhre for some years, had a fire insurance on the house of $600. Mr. Rosatad, when he came home the evening of the day the house was burned, notified Mr. Myhre of the accident, so he could notify the insurance company, and found out by Mr. Myhre that he had requested the agent to call on Mr. Rostad for the insurance fee before the insurance would run out, and Mr. Mesford promised that he would, but forgot it, I am sure. So, Mr. Rostad found himself with no protection against fire. Such happenings sometimes catch the best napping. I am sure the loss to Mr. Rosatd would not be covered if we could raise $3,000 for him.

Mr. Rosatd, as stated, was not at home the day of the fire. The oldest boy, Lewis, was sick abed. After dinner, Mrs. Rostad was digging potatoes in the field. Seeing great smoke rising from the feed room, which was attached to the house, she ran home and found the building on fire. She rushed and called the son to come from his bed right away. The house was on fire, and off she went and used all the water she had handy to try to quench the fire, but was unable to; so in she went to the burning house and pulled her sewing machine out to safety, and repeatedly went in, daring the fire, to try to save what she could, and that was very little. She had her two arms scorched pretty badly with the fire. They had over $75 worth of grain purchased and stored in the feed room, as part of the winter supply, and lots of groceries. Besides, they have lost all their wearing apparel, beds and bedding. Their house was well furnished. The neighbors had done what they could to help them, but very few here are flush with money. Mr. Rostad will receive from Rudy Hintz about $400 for timber that he logged from the place. Outside of this, they are penniless, to build a house before the winter sets in. Mr. Murray of the West Fork camp lent them a good-sized canvas tent and donated them a mattress, springs and bedstead. Mr. Just gave them one hundred pounds of flour, a pair of boots to Mr. Rostad and a few shoes for the boys. Mr. Marshall gave a pair of shoes, a clock and some other things. Mr. and Mrs. Zoffel, before they left for California, gave them their cooking stove and a bed. To enumerate all will, I think, to take too much space in the Herald. Can I, in my appeal, touch a thousand Samaritan hearts that will give a dollar apiece toward helping this poor family in building a house? It will cost Mr. Rostad a great deal more than that, because he is noe carpenter. He is a hard-working man on the farm. I think, Mr. Editor, it would be well to have the people disposed to help in the northern part of the county, to send their contributions to the bank at Poulsbo, if it will receive the money. Mr Fridn Mr. Greaves, may be, will get the bank of Silverdale to receive collections; and maybe Mr. Fairfield in the Valley and the country around him. I have a pretty good friend at South Colby, Mr. Rust. Maybe he will be able to do something in this. I appeal (continued) BRUTUS.”

Edward grew up in the rebuilt home that followed this tragedy. Yet his childhood was marked by a serious medical condition—epilepsy. At around thirteen years old, his parents made the difficult decision to send him to Medical Lake near Spokane, where he stayed at the State Custodial School for two years to better manage his condition. For a young boy, this meant separation from home, brothers, and the familiar land of the family ranch.

After two years, Edward returned to Seabeck. But in the late summer of 1932, tragedy struck. On August 28, 1932, during clearing work on his father’s ranch, Edward suffered a seizure and fell into an open fire. He was terribly burned.

He endured nearly a year of suffering. Hospitalized for months, he was brought home about a month before his death and was reportedly “seemingly recovering” when he passed away on July 13, 1933, at just sixteen years old.

 

The Kitsap County Herald, Friday, July 28, 1933, recorded his passing:

“The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Rostad passed away last Thursday, after a year of suffering. Edward, aged 16, met with an accident about a year ago be being terribly burned from falling into an open fire as clearing was being sone on his father’s ranch. He was in the hospital until one month ago, when he was brought home and was seemingly recovering when death claimed him. He was buried at the Seabeck Cemetery on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., Rev. Hokenstad preaching and rendering a very touching sermon. Mr. and Mrs. Rostad and family wish to thank all the neighbors and friends for the beautiful flowers and the help they rendered, and to Rev. Hokenstad they asked me to say that their hearts were full to overflowing for his kindness. SHEBA”

Edward was buried at Seabeck Cemetery, in the community where he had grown up. His death left a lasting mark on his family. Twelve years later, in December 1945, both of his parents would die within two days of each other. 

Christian and Marie were laid to rest beside their youngest son.