Carl Rienhart Ostrom was born to Charles Ostrom and Anna (Orre) Ostrom on Feb 23rd, 1895 in Kanabec County. He was the 6th out of 10 children.

Here is his obituary published in the Kanabec County Times on Friday, Sept 30th, 1904:

The tragical death of Carl Ostrom, the 9-year-old son of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Ostrom of Lewis Lake, late Sunday afternoon has caused a shadow of gloom to pervade that entire community.

The circumstances connected with this sad accident as near as we have been able to learn about are like this: Charles Ostrom and his brother Andrew live at Lewis Lake about a mile apart. On Sunday, Blair Ostrom, the 13-year-old son of Andrew Ostrom, visited his cousin Carl Ostrom, the son of Charles Ostrom. Towards night Blair started for home and it was arranged that Carl should go with him. On their way they met Blair's brother, Alfred, a boy of 15 years of age. He was after the cows and had with him a shot gun and after a few minutes talk it was agreed that Alfred should go on alone for the cows and Blair and Carl should continue their journey to Blair's home. To make better time the shot gun was given to Blair to carry home.

After going a short distance Blair and Carl came to some barbs, which Blair with the gun in his hand crawled thru and Carl was just attempting to follow when Blaire threw the gun over his shoulder in a position to carry it more easily. Just as the gun struck his shoulder it exploded, the contents entering Carl's side just above the hip, making a terrible wound, as he was only some 8 to 10 feet away. Blair turned around and when he saw what had been done he called his brother Alfred and they carried Carl to their home where he died about an hour later.

Blair says he had no idea how the gun happened to explode, as it did not come in contact with anything that would give it a solid jar and did not raise the hammer or touch the trigger. He is nearly prostrated with grief and it is a terrible shock to both families. They will receive the sincere sympathy of the entire community.

Funeral services were held at the Mission church, Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Kling, local pastor and the remains were laid to rest in the Mission cemetery.