Barney Swenson, son of Sven and Berthea, was born on February 10, 1914 in Valley City, North Dakota. He attended school in Sanborn, North Dakota.
At the age of eleven, Barney started work as a field hand. He worked at various farms from 1927-32, those being the Archie Miller, Hans Hanson and William Komorosky farms.
In the fall of 1932, Barney attended the State School of Science and took courses in aviation mechanics.
After his schooling at Wahpeton, he went into the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for 10 months. He returned from there and went to work for Carl Benzinger north of Sanborn. He also worked for a short while in Frazee, Minnesota.
When Barney returned to Valley City, with his wife, there was work with the P.W.A. and the W.P.A.
After World War II started, the Swensons tried their hand in the shipyards of Tacoma, Washington until 1943-44.
They returned once more, this time to work for his brother-in-law, Art Falvey. He also worked for fifteen years as a FORD Mechanic for Kernkamp and Wall.
When Barney changed jobs again, he worked for 8 years as a custodian for the Valley City School System.
Barney had an adventurous spirit though and was off once more, this time to St. Paul, Minnesota as a mechanic and then to Westminster, Colorado as the caretaker of a nursing home.
But Valley City has finally claimed Barney and he is presently employed as a maintenance man at St. Catherine's Church.
Barney was united in marriage to Della Magnuson on March 8, 1938. They have two children, Margaret and Gary.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 242