Kenneth Dawkins and Catherine (Kay) Frank of Oakes, North Dakota, were married in Valley City on January 10, 1937 by the Rev. George Parish of Epworth Methodist Church. We lived at Oakes until November of 1937 when we moved to, Valley City to make our home. We soon bought a house at 746 4th Ave. N.W., where we have continued to reside.
Dawkins Appliance Store has been a well known business establishment in Valley City, North Dakota, Barnes County, for nearly 35 years.
Ken was first employed as a service engineer in the Valley Appliance Store on North Central Avenue owned by Ben Pfusch. He then started a service business on his own. First in the back of the Pfusch store, later on Main Street West with the Art Bonhus Electric Shop, then to a location on Main Street just west of the Dakota Drug where the business expanded into appliance selling,. Continued increase in business forced another move into the old Rex Theatre building on South Central Avenue, which is the present location.
Kay worked for some years as a bookkeeper for the North American Creameries. Later was associated in the Dairy Queen on North Central Avenue for nine summers. This was sold so more time could be spent at the Appliance Store.
There are two children. Donald Lee was born at Mercy Hospital in Valley City, February 20, 1943. He attended grade school and graduated from Valley City High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Dakota State University and took employment with Control Data Corporation in Minneapolis.
Betty Ann was born at Mercy Hospital July 7, 1949. She also attended grade school and graduated from Valley City High School. She received the Bachelor of Science from North Dakota State University in Home Economics. Betty and James Frank McConnell of Cavalier, North Dakota, were married August 28, 1971 in the Epworth Methodist Church in Valley City. They have a son Loren James born February 16, 1975 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Jim is presently with the Air Force.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 56