Alvin was born in 1898 in Watson, Minnesota. When he moved to Binford in 1905 he was only 7 years old.

Just before Christmas that year he and his older brothers followed the owner into a back room in one of the stores in downtown Binford. The gas powered electric generator kept there exploded. 

Alvin's older brothers ran outside to safety. They noticed Alvin was not with them, and Oscar went back into the burning building to find him. It took two attempts, but Oscar was able to pull his little brother from the blaze.

It was too late. Alvin died of his injuries the next morning.

Record of Baptism (Zion Lutheran, Watson MN)

Binford Times Fire Coverage

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Alvin is buried in the Alm Family Plot

Binford (ND) Cemetery