John A. Steidl (1872-1948) was born in Geresdorf, Austria Hungary, the son of John and Anna Steidl. He came to America in 1881 at the age of nine years with his parents, sisters Anna and Rosalie and brothers Mike, Anton, Joseph, Frank, Martin and Ferdinand. They came to Fargo, Dakota Territory and spent the first night in the Washington Hotel at Fargo. They homesteaded northeast of Fingal in Barnes County, where the father built a stone house in which they lived. Parts of that stone house still stands. John worked on the home farm and for other farmers in the Tower City area. He also collected and sold buffalo bones to help the family income. In 1 895 John Steidl and Maria Sherman were married and he went to work as a clerk for Thorkelson and Peake, who were temporarily operating a general store in a tent on the townsite of Fingal. Ramsett and Peterson bought the store and Mr. Steidl was identified with the firm. In 1938 the owners became Ramsett and Steidl. Later Mr. Steidl became sole owner. The children looked forward to the treats of candy Mr. Steidl always included with the grocery orders and he never failed them. Mr.
Steidl did not have the advantage of a formal education but he took advantage of every opportunity to give help to further education in his community. He spoke German and learned to speak Norwegian to better serve his Norwegian customers from west of Fingal. He did a commendable job of educating himself. The John Steidls had two sons- Rudolph married Helen Bjone and Alexander married Florence Stearns, daughter of Frank and Mary (McFadgen) Stearns in 1936. Alex was born at Fingal in 1901 and grew up there. He attended North Dakota State "U" for one year and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1925. He taught school at Churches Ferry, North Dakota, and at Fingal. In 1930 he became manager of the Standard Oil Bulk plant at Fingal. In 1946 he transferred to Valley City, North Dakota, in the same position. The Alex Steidls have two sons: John, a graduate of the University of North Dakota, married Suezanne Jakes of Jamestown, North Dakota. He teaches at Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Jr. High School. They have two children - Christopher and Liesl. Rudy a graduate of Valley City State College, married LeAnn Ghylin of Bismarck. He teaches in Bismarck High School. They have three children - Michael, Jennifer and Mindy.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 235