Ali and Agnes Benson were both born in Svea Township. Agnes, the daughter of Andrew (Gust) and Inga Carlson, and Alf, the son of Michael and Abalone Benson. When quite young their parents moved to Litchville and later moved back to their farms.
Agnes attended schools in Litchville, Svea, Sanborn and obtained her degree
from the State Teachers College in Valley City, North Dakota. She taught school for a number of years and went with her Aunt, Alma B. Kerr, to Baghdad, Arabia, and taught in a Girls' Training College there for two years. They traveled extensively over the Middle East, Europe and England during the summer months.
In 1929, Agnes and Alf were married. They have farmed most of their married life. She taught in Svea and Kathryn. Alf was treasurer for the township for over 30 years. He also was on the Barnes County Farmers Union Board and for ten years was on the Litchville Farmers Union Board. He served on the Selective Service Board for over ten years. They moved to Valley City in 1961.
They have one son, Allen, who works for the LB.M. Co. in Rochester, Minnesota. He is married to Lucille Marcaux of Manchester, New Hampshire, and they have four children: Glenn, Luann, Eve and Norma Jane.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 26