William Barr, born in 1860, came to Barnes County with his brother in 1881 and took a homestead in Ellsbury Township. He also worked for Page Person and took advantage of his offer to borrow equipment to break up the sod on his homestead.
William brought his bride, Bertha Wittkop, to his claim in 1884, where she joined her sister, who had married Henry Barr two years previously. Bertha was born in 1865 in Afton, Minnesota. Her brother, Alfred Wittkop joined the two sisters and homesteaded in Minnie Lake Township, very close to the Barr Brothers.
The Barrs and the Wittkops were of German descent and traveling German missionaries soon found the little community and services were held in the homes. South there was a settlement of Norwegians and Norwegian ministers did the same for them. Later, they joined together and services were held in the school and later in church. The church, located in Section 6, Minnie Lake township, was later struck by lightning and burned and was never rebuilt.
Everyone had to work but they found time for play also. The families provided their own entertainment, getting together on Sundays to play outdoor games, singing around the organ, taking part in basket socials, ice cream socials, school affairs, fishing and hunting.
Fourth of July celebrations were a highlight. Plenty of homemade ice cream, athletic contests, baseball games, speeches, and a chance for the love-lorn to get together.
The village of Hope was the nearest to the farms in the early days. As better roads were built, the town of Page became the trading place. After the Fargo-Minot cut-off on the Northern Pacific was built, Pillsbury became a bustling town and the Pillsbury Consolidated School was built. However, before the school was built, William Barr bought a house in Valley City so that his children could get an education at the Normal School.
Many of the homesteads were lost during the great depression but the Barrs were able to hold on to their land. Milton, son of William, took over the operation of the farm after William retired and operated the farm until his death in 1971. Then Elizabeth and Lydia took over the management of the farm until 1973, when it was sold to Stanley Holcomb.
The following children were born to William and Bertha Barr: Flora, Arthur, Anna, Walter, William, Jr., Milton, Elizabeth, Martha, Lydia, and Irene. Only Elizabeth and Irene remain of the William Barr family.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 23