Bernard Grotberg

Bernard Grotberg was born in Valley City, North Dakota, on March 30, 1896. He spent most of his young life working in the fields, and gained first hand knowledge of what it took to produce the many, many acres of wheat and small grains then prevalent in North Dakota.

In 1920 Bernard married Sophie Weir, who was born in Kentucky in 1896, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A. S. Weir, and granddaughter of Dr. James Weir of Owensboro, Kentucky. Her parents died when she was young, so she was reared by loving foster parents in Winnebago, Minnesota. In 1918 she was induced to come to North Dakota to teach. Her cousin, Lillian Hart, who was principal of the Sanborn School, said she could get higher wages here ($80.00 per month) than in Minnesota. During that year a romance developed with Bernard and they were married in 1920.

They settled on the home farm in Noltimier Township, a typical "Little House on the Prairie".

Bernard's brother Joe, and two sisters, Gertrude and Lydia, stayed with them for a time. They enjoyed life together with these young folks. Sophie's parents had given her a piano for a wedding present, and they all spent many happy hours singing together around the piano. Since Sophie's mother had been a music teacher, music was the talent that was the closest to her heart.

A family of eight children were born to this union:

  1. Bruce,

  2. Perry,

  3. Betty, (Mrs. Leonard Uloth),

  4. John,

  5. Mary (Mrs. John Heath),

  6. Shirley (Mrs. Charles Licha),

  7. Jean (Mrs. Ross Huffman) and

  8. Maurice.

In the 1930s the family lived on the Jim Whitcher farm, ten miles north of Valley City. In 1942 they purchased the Seymour Granger farm in Ashtabula Township, where they still reside.

Through the years the family made their own entertainment at home. Many hours were spent around the piano. John, Bruce and Maurice were vocal soloists, Betty, Mary and Jean, pianists, Perry played several instruments, and Shirley is at present the choir director in the Congregational Church and a vocal soloist.

In 1970 Bernard and Sophie celebrated their Golden Wedding. Their family furnished the program. The addition of in-laws and grandchildren, who were talented, made it a very special occasion, long to be remembered.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 85