In the spring of 1882 Gerd T. Raveling (born January 14, 1854) left his home near Hanover, Germany on a great adventure. He was going to a strange land but he had friends to receive him there. From the same locality in Germany some time before the Weiss family had gone and settled in Peoria, Illinois. Upon his arrival in Peoria, Illinois, he was with old friends. Gerd Raveling had left behind his childhood sweetheart, Antje Henning with the promise that she would follow him as soon as possible.
The next year Antje Henning found an opportunity to go. Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Raveling, old neighbors in Germany, were leaving their native land to join friends in Illinois and she accompanied them. Early in the spring of 1883 Gerd Raveling and Wilt Weiss came to the Dakota Territory. Wilt Weiss had come to visit relatives who had come some time before and had started farming southeast of Valley City. The bride-to-be was coming from across the sea so Gerd Raveling wanted a home for her. He thought this great farming land and it had great possibilities. He liked, the Dakota Territory and decided to cast his lot here. In the spring of 1883 Antje Henning come to Valley City and a wedding took place at the Weiss farm home on April 29, 1883. The bride and groom worked for Louis Noltimier on his farm for 2 years. Mr. and Mrs. Gerd Raveling were then able to build farm buildings and buy machinery to start on their own. They settled on a homestead on the Southeast 1/4 1/4 1/4 of Section 22 Noltimer township which was filed on November 3, 1891 under the Homestead Act of 1862. Six sons and one daughter were born during these years. Four children passed away early in life. In December 1915 Mr. and Mrs. Gerd Raveling bought a home in Valley City and retired from farming. Mrs. Raveling was born February 28, 1853 and passed away April 1, 1942. Mr. Raveling was born January 14, 1854 and passed away May 31 , 1933.
Their son John Raveling continued to farm the homestead during his lifetime and it is now owned and operated by his son Harold Raveling. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Raveling have two sons and one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Don Raveling reside in Bismarck. Dale Raveling resides at home. Carole, Mrs. James Westra resides in Moorhead, Minnesota. They have two sons Richard and Matthew and one daughter Melissa.
George H. Raveling farmed½ mile north east of the original homestead for his entire life. Mr. and Mrs. George H. Raveling have one son Kenneth who is Fire Chief in Valley City, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Raveling have four daughters.
Theil Raveling farmed all of his life 2 miles north of the original homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Theil Raveling have two daughters, Dena and Angie, married and living in Iowa. They have a son George T. Raveling. Mr. and Mrs. George T. Raveling have one son and three daughters residing in Valley City.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 201