The family of Hans and Elizabeth Skonnard has its roots in Barnes County.
Elizabeth Frances McKay was the youngest child of John and Elizabeth McKay, born in Ayr, North Dakota, July 8, 1891. She was a young child when her pioneer family settled 18 miles north of Valley City in Grand Prairie Township.
Elizabeth met Hans Christian Skonnard, a young Norwegian immigrant, in Grand Prairie. Hans was born in Gjovik, Norway, April 18, 1884, and left his native country at the age of 18. He homesteaded in South Dakota and attended Park Region College in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, before his marriage. Hans and Elizabeth were married at the home of a Valley City friend on April 2, 1913 and immediately began farming in Grand Prairie Township. Their first farm remained their home until 1943 when they moved to Seattle, Washington.
Four daughters were born to Hans and Elizabeth: Mabel Borghild (Mrs. Melvin H. Hill) born June 3, 1914; Eleanore Myrtle (Mrs. R. J. O'Niell) born March 5, 1916; Esther Louise (Mrs. Noel Flowers) born December 31 , 1920 and Dorothy Elizabeth (Mrs. Raymond Bennett) born February 28, 1922.
The family was active in Wesley Chapel Church in Minnie Lake Township and all four daughters graduated from Grand Prairie High School and Valley City State Teachers College. Only Mabel remained in Barnes County after College. She taught at Getchell Prairie #3 for two years. She married Melvin H. Hill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert John Hill of Absaraka, North Dakota, June 23, 1938 in Valley City. Melvin had also graduated from V.C.S.C. and both Mel and Mabel were teaching in Buffalo, North Dakota, at the time of their marriage. They lived in Cuba township from 1940 to 1946 and have lived in Valley City for 29 years. Their two daughters, Sandra Gail and Connie Rae, were born September 19, 1942 and March 10, 1945, respectively. They both graduated from Valley City High School and the Univ. of North Dakota, and were married in Valley City.
Sandra married Donn John Robertson, Jr. August 15, 1964. Their son, Don John III, was born February 4, 1969 and their daughter, Nicole Elaine, on February 22, 1971.
Connie married Aldis E. Adamson, March 16, 1968 and their daughter, Leah Elizabeth, was born April 24, 1975.
Sandra and Connie Hill are two of the seven grandchildren of Hans and Elizabeth Skonnard, and their children are three of five great grandchildren.
Elizabeth Frances McKay Skonnard died in April 1966, and Hans Christian Skonnard died September 1967 in Seattle, Washington.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 225