Frank Ertelt was born on March 1, 1848 in Neisse, Germany. His parents were Frank and Catherine (Pool) Ertelt and his father was a tailor. To avoid military service in his youth, he stowed away on a steamship and, when found, worked his way to America shoveling coal. He arrived in about 1868 and the next fourteen years spent working at various places, including the copper mines in Michigan, and farming in Minnesota.
In 1882, he married Catherine Otto, the daughter of Joe and Catherine Otto, and who was born in Yeogolity, Germany on October 12, 1854. They were married in Valley City and were among the first Catholic couples married there.
The couple homesteaded in Alta Township, Section 30, and this land has passed, through heritage, to his grandson, Roman J. Ertelt.
The children of Frank and Catherine Erfelt are as follows: Mary (Mrs. Emil Lorenz); Annie (Mrs. Antone Espelter); John, married to Francis Thilmony; Frank, Jr., married to Anna Athman; Charles, married to Carrie Krug and Verna Bevins; Emelia (deceased); Catherine (deceased); Joseph, married to Loretta Schwehr; Edward (deceased) and William (Bill), married to Lillian Eggert.
The Ertelts retired to Valley City where Frank died on April 4, 1927. Catherine died at Buffalo, North Dakota, at her daughter Mary's home, on March 6, 1936.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 65