August Finner was born in Posen, Germany in 1848. He migrated to the United States in 1880, settling at New London, Wisconsin. Here he married Pauline Rusch in 1883, who shortly before had also come from Germany.

August and Pauline them moved to Barnes County settling on a homestead which constitutes a part of the townsite of Wimbledon, North Dakota. It is now known as Finners Addition to Wimbledon.

August Finner was granted his homestead certificate Number 7335, signed by Grover Cleveland in 1893.

Homesteading, even in the late 1880s and early 1890s was no picnic. The nearest town was Dazey, a round trip of 26 miles to get supplies, a slow trip when made by oxen. Shortages were common, both in food and fuel and health services were to all intents and purposes, nonexistent.

Born to August and Pauline were three sons and seven daughters. Emil, born in 1884, died in 1957. Otto died in infancy. Ernest died in 1923. Minnie, born in 1888, died in 1972. Pauline and Bertha live in Long Beach, California, while Frieda lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Hilda lives in Valley City and Mollie, the oldest, lives on a portion of the family homestead. Born in 1885, she has lived here continuously except for two years, since her birth.

Pauline Finner passed away March 5, 1903 and August died November 15, 1922.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 70