George Sowden was born in Cornwall, England, and came to Detroit, Michigan in 1869, where he worked as a miller.

In 1870, he sent for his fiancée, Aunie Morris, also born in Cornwall on April 22, 1846. She arrived on October 12, 1870, and they were married on October 16. Here, their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1871.

The family then moved to Kingston, Minnesota, and here their only son, William George, was born in 1873. In 1874, they moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, where George worked in a mill for six years. Three daughters were born here: Jessie (1875), Annie (1877) and Emma (1879).

In 1880, the family moved to Valley City, where he worked at Marsh's Mill, south of the city. Here, Jennie was born in 1881. It was then that the family went farming in Baldwin Township in Sections 14 and 15. In 1891, Alice was born.

In 1909, the family returned to Valley City, the children having grown up and left the family nest.

Mr. George Sowden passed away in October, 1916, and Aunie then lived with Alice (who married Peter Nielson) until her death in 1928.

Peter Nielson was born in Sweden in 1885. After their marriage, he and Alice farmed in Alta Township where their five children were born as follows: Aunie (Mrs. Leon Jensen); Allen of Valley City; Jessie (Mrs. James Buehler); and James of Raleigh, North Carolina. George was killed in Germany in 1945.

Both Peter and Alice passed away in 1963.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 232