He was born at Edinburgh, North Dakota in 1888 when the state was still known as Dakota Territory of the North. While still a child, his parents moved to Manitoba, Canada, but Alfred came back to Barnes County, North Dakota before reaching the age of 21 thus retaining his United States citizenship. Before his marriage, he operated the steam rig for threshing machines that moved from farm to farm during the harvest season. He worked for the Lindquists of Oriska, North Dakota. He married Helen
Kirkhoff in 1918 and farmed for a few years. They moved into Oriska where he worked as a mechanic. Their oldest child, Marguerite was born in Oriska. She married Richard C. Taylor and they have 2 sons, Richard D. and Robert C. Dorathea Marie was born in Valley City and married Clarence Wolski and have one son, Steven. Clarence died in 1974. Both of the daughters are graduates of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and are Registered Nurses. Their son, Sumner was born in Valley City and married Lois Anderson of Litchville and has 2 sons, Gary and Greg, and 1 daughter Debra. Sumner attended Valley City State College before entering the Air Force during World War 2. He served in the South Pacific and upon returning home, attended college in Kansas City, Missouri. He is now Technical Director of WDAY Television in Fargo, his wife is also a Registered Nurse graduating from St. Johns Hospital in Fargo.
Alfred moved to Valley City in 1926 working for Pegg Garage. In 1936, he started working for the North Dakota State Highway Department and worked there until his retirement in 1957. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and Mens Club of the church. He died in 1959 and is buried in Memory Gardens of Valley City. His wife, Helen, is still living in Valley City.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 199