Henry Fehr, Sr. was born in Zurich, Switzerland. He came to Canada at age 21. He was married to Lizette Dennstedt. They moved to Preston, Minnesota, where Henry, Jr. was born - one of a family of six. They later moved to Olivia, Minnesota, where Henry, Jr. married Katherene Menz. Katherene was born at Flag Station, Illinois, and, with her family, moved to Olivia. Henry, Jr. and Katherene were married February 24, 1904. They lived in Olivia until 1913, where Allan, lone and Ruth were born.
In 1912, Henry, Jr. came to Wimbledon where he bought the present Brian Fehr farm from the Dennstedt Land Company. The farm is located in the northwest corner of Barnes County, Pierce Township, Section 6, 143 North, Range 61 west, bounded on the north by Griggs County, and by Stutsman on the west. He later bought two quarters in Section 3 of Stateland, also the west quarter of Section 5, plus three quarters in Griggs County, known as the Wilson quarter, the long quarter and one quarter south of the George Samek farm in Dover Township. He acquired 9 quarters of land, which were divided among his children at his death. Mr. Fehr moved his family to Wimbledon in the spring of 1913, where Stella, Violet and Nellie were born.
Mr. Fehr brought a steam engine and threshing rig to North Dakota, and threshed for neighbors as well as his own crops. He later used a big Rumley Oil pull Tractor on his threshing rig. This Rumley tractor was very large, the rear wheels were so large an average-sized man could stand in the wheel with room to spare. This tractor was very slow, but it had power. It pulled a ten-bottom plow; a man had to ride on the plow to lift and drop the shares when turning. 11 was also used to haul grain to the elevator, pulling seven large grain tanks at one time. Mr. Fehr was one of the first in the community to own a combine. He was always reedy to try new methods and equipment in his farming operations.
Mr. and Mrs. Fehr retired to Wimbledon in 1943. They were members of St. John's United Methodist Church. Mr. Fehr was a member of the Wimbledon School Board for 30 years, and a member of the Frazier Farmers Union Co-op Elevator Board for 26 years.
Mrs. Fehr was a charter member of the Royal Neighbors Lodge, and Homemakers' Club. Mr. and Mrs. Fehr celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary February 24, 1954. Mr. Fehr passed away January 3, 1957, and Mrs. Fehr, December 18, 1957.
Allan passed away June 1, 1964. lone and Violet lived with their parents until their parents' deaths. At present, they are living in Wimbledon. lone was a member of the church choir for many years, also taught Sunday School and Bible School.
Ruth took Nurses' training in Trinity Hospital in Jamestown, where she met and married Charles Nelson. They had two children, Gail and Charles, Jr. They moved to Redwood City, California, where Ruth practiced nursing until retirement. Mr. Nelson is deceased.
Stella Fehr Skarloken lives in Wimbledon, and Nellie Fehr Lewellyn lives in Valley City, North Dakota.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 68