Charles H. Noltimier was born to Frederick and Mary Noltimier near St. Paul Park, Minnesota. In 1886, at the age of 23, he left the family farm and with his oldest brother, August, came to Barnes County and bought a half section of land in Cuba Township.
After two years his brother returned to Minnesota. He was discouraged as their crop had been hailed out and their team of four horses killed by lightning. Charlie, as he was called, decided to stay in North Dakota and in time acquired another half section of land two miles north in Alta Township. This land was also the site of the town of Lanona - no longer in existence.
Lanona consisted of a general store and post office, two grain elevators, a lumber yard, and a Soo Line depot. The store was run by G. W. Sarvis and for some years Charlie Noltimier was the grain buyer for the elevator. He would ride his bicycle from the home farm 1o the elevator, a distance of two miles, in six minutes. At least that is my recollection.
Charlie Noltimier, in the early day was a member of the Valley City baseball seam in the capacity of pitcher. As he was ambidextrous, he could pitch equally well with either arm. In later years he was heard to remark that if he had been born thirty years later, he probably would have played in the "Big League". Other members of this ball team were D. W. Clark, Ing Moe and Willis Wylie. They might not have agreed with his optimistic opinion.
In 1893 Charlie Noltimier married Emma Noth of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and brought her to the new home he had built before her arrival. Three children were born to them, two daughters, Mildred and Florence, and one son, Charles F. Noltimier.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Noltimier were active in the Methodist Church in Valley City. Mr. Noltimier was on the board of Trustees from 1894 until his death in 1948. He was the last of a group who had helped in Methodism since the time of the first church building with something like sixty members.
Mrs. Noltimier was a great believer in education and felt that young people should have a chance to continue their education beyond the country school. Several were given this opportunity through her efforts. She would find a home in town where the student could work for room and board. Mrs. Noltimier paid for their books. When misfortune came into the neighborhood, she was there to offer help and sympathy.
Charlie Noltimier loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He walked many miles hunting foxes and wolves and was included in many hunting parties to hunt deer in the western part of the State, or deer, moose, and elk in northern Minnesota. He had a keen sense of humor and loved to tell stories. I'm sure he had a good audience on these trips.
Charlie Noltimier was active in North Dakota politics. He served in the House of Representatives in the early 1900s and as State Senator in the 16th and 17th sessions of the Legislative Assemblies. Later he was head of the North Dakota, Fish and Game Commission.
He was a man who believed in the good things for his community and State. He enjoyed life, a good joke, and his fellow man. He was a man of integrity who took pride in the fact that his word was as good as his bond. A short time before his death on Christmas Day 1948, he said, "If I had my life to live over again, I would do it the same way".
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 178