Andrew Magnus Carlson (1854-1904) came from Sweden to Duluth, Minnesota. C. F. Kindred who was land commissioner for the N. P. Railroad worked with O. J. Johnson, a real estate man in Duluth to get settlers into Barnes County. He influenced Mr. Carlson and others to come. Mr. Carlson was married to Mary Larson (1853-1952) in 1879. She was born in Oslo, Norway, the daughter of Nels and Nikoline Larson. Her brother Henry came to Duluth in 1864 where he had relatives. He found work and saved enough money to send for his father Nels in 1868. The father and son were able to send for the mother and seven children by 1872. They lived in Duluth for six years then came to Barnes County where they homesteaded in Marsh Township. In 1882 the father, Nels Larson died; his wife Nicotine and children moved into Valley City to a home where the Rudolf Hotel now stands. Mr. Carlson and his cousin John Edwin Bergreen had a clothing store on main street and he took an active part in the organization of Valley City and served as alderman for the Second Ward. He also guaranteed the money to pay for the survey to determine the city limits. Mr. Carlson died in 1904. Six sons were born to the Carlsons: Fred and Robert live in Tacoma; Ben and Arthur live in Minneapolis and Willard and Clarence in Valley City, North Dakota. All are now deceased.
C. Willard Carlson (1892-1974) attended Valley City schools, served in the U.S. Army overseas and returned to Valley City where he and his brother Clarence were in the restaurant, real estate and farming business. He married Alice Stenshoel Peterson. She died in 1965.
Clarence V. Carlson (1896-1966) attended Valley City schools and was active in Valley City Normal athletics. He served in Co. "G" at the Mexican Border and in the U.S. Army as an officer overseas in World War I. He married Clarissa E. McEndree of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1920, returning to Valley City to make their home. They had one son, C. Jerome Carlson who died in 1972, leaving his wife and four children. Clarence was active in community affairs and served three terms on the City Council and the Selective Service Board for several years. He was in business with his brother Willard in the restaurant, real estate and farming. Clarence was a greeter for all former Valley City folks who came back to visit and an enthusiastic booster for North Dakota and Valley City.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 43