Charles Gustav Nayes

Charles Gustav Nayes (1853-1933) came to Barnes County with his parents and family from Neenah, Wisconsin in the late 1870's. Lars and Tonetta Nayes, his parents, had 8 children, John, Charles, Alex, Thomas, Melvin, Lena, Emma, Salina, and Hannah.

Charles purchased the Northwest ΒΌ of section 25 138-57, Norma Township in 1880 and began farming. He married Sophia Peterson who had come to Norma Township with her family from Neenah, Wisconsin. They were the parents of

  1. Tillie (August 9, 1889 - June 1955),

  2. Jessie (November 12, 1891 - February  10, 1972),

  3. Cora (January 5, 1894 - ),

  4. Lawrence (November 8, 1896 - November 20, 1958),

  5. Sanders (October 14, 1898 - ),

  6. Clarence (December  28, 1900 - May 1965), and

  7. Edna (September 13, 1904 - ).

By 1891 Charles and Sophia had purchased 3 quarters of land in section 25, Norma township, from the N.P. Railroad. In the early 1900's he also bought farms at St. John and Woodworth, owned and operated the Livery Barn in Fingal, and built another house in Fingal. The Nayes families have always been members of the Lutheran Church.

Lawrence attended schools at Fingal and a business college in St. Paul. After college he returned to operate the farm at Woodworth. While there he met and married Mary Deede (February June 1901- ), November 1, 1920. Mary was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Wagner Deede. Charles sold the farm at Woodworth. Lawrence brought his bride to the farm in Norma township. Later Lawrence and Mary bought the farm and continued to live there until Mr. Nayes's death in 1958. After his death Mrs. Nayes moved into the home that they owned in Valley City. Sister-in-law, Cora Nayes Herk lives with Mary. Mary still owns the farm and rents it to grandson, Marlyn Maasjo.

Lawrence and Mary Nayes had five children - Virginia, LeRoy, Loretta, James, and Dorothy.

Virginia, born October 12, 1921, graduated from Fingal High School, B.S. degree VCSC. Married Milton Maasjo, Fingal. Three children, Dawn (Mrs. Ronald Struxness, Wheat Ridge, Colorado), Elizabeth, and Marlyn, Fingal.

LeRoy, born March 2, 1923, graduated from Fingal High School, B.S. degree NDSU and Master's degree U of Minnesota. Married Lillian Nydahl. Three children, Larry, Linda, and Lee. LeRoy is state director of farm programs for FHA, and lives in Bismarck.

Loretta, born May 28, 1924, graduated from Fingal High School, R.N. from Lutheran Deaconess Hospital, Chicago, Ill. Married Charles E. Baird, Tracy, California. Two children, Michael and Patrick.

James, born November 14, 1926, graduated from Fingal High School, B.S. and Master's degrees from NDSU. Married Joan Nydahl. Two children, James Jr. and Julie. Teaches Vocational Agriculture in Jamestown.

Dorothy, born September 11, 1928, graduated from Franklin High School, Oakland, California, VCSC. Married Wayne Wilkins. Three children, Kim, Susan, and Nancy. The Wilkins live at Wasco, California.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 166