The son of Martin J. Mortensen, Harold was born October 22, 1898, in Green E Township. Here he grew up, attending School District #51, the Valley City High School and the Valley City State College.
On July 8, 1939, Harold and Marie Katherine Archbald were married. Marie v was the daughter of Margaret and John W. Archbald of Sheldon, North Dakota. She taught thirteen years before her marriage, and returned twenty years later to teach twelve more years in the Valley City schools.
The Mortensens farmed in Green Township as dairy farmers until 1942, ' when they changed to cattle feeding until 1962, when they rented the land and moved to Valley City.
One daughter and two sons were born to the Mortensons; James Harold (March 10, 1942), Mary Christine (December 1, 1944), and John Martin (May 29, 1954).
James H. is married to Sharon Lukes, has a Doctor's degree in Philosophy, and teaches at Penn State University.
Mary Christine is married to Vernon R. Enge and lives in Mandan where her husband is editor of a newspaper.
John Martin is a student in the School of Pharmacy at North Dakota State University.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 162