Joel S. Weiser born (August 13, 18341925) in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He married Louisa Cleaver of Berks County (1835-1909). They lived in Shakopee and St. Paul, Minnesota. While living in Shakopee Joel S. Weiser enlisted in Co. "I" 9th Regiment, Minnesota Infantry at Fort Snelling. He returned to his home at the close of the civil war suffering from malarial fever; his black hair turned white. In 1887 they moved to Worthington, North Dakota, later called Valley City. He had filed on a homestead and tree claim of 320 acres four miles northeast of town. He is credited with changing the name to Valley City.
John C. Weber was born February 13, 1904 on a farm near Winstad, Minnesota, the first son of Joseph and Anna Weber. John had three brothers and two sisters: Joseph, Daniel, Frank, Johannah and Ann. John, at the age of twenty-two, came to Oriska and worked for two years for Fred Wagner. John and Clara met and were married on January 24, 1928. They started to farm in March of 1928 on the Homer Pike farm. They became the parents of three children; Joseph, who died at the age of nine days, Harriet (Mrs. George Dimmer) and Clement. John and Joel Weiser built the N. P. House, a store and warehouse. The large Weiser home was built in 1881. His mother, Mrs. Mary Shroeder Weiser, lived with them. His father died enroute from Pennsylvania to Minnesota. He was a member of the Territorial Council, the second Assembly of the State Legislature, served three terms as Treasurer of Barnes County, twice Mayor of Valley City in 1886 and 1905-1906. He was an early director of the First National Bank and trustee of the Methodist church. He was deeply interested in politics, civic affairs and the G.A.R. His brother Dr. Josiah Weiser, was killed by the Indians while serving in Sibley's Army in 1863. Josiah S. Weiser Post of the G.A.R. is named to honor him.
Joel S. Weiser's mother, Mary Shroeder Weiser was the first woman buried in Hillside Cemetery. Children born to this couple: Ella Weiser ,- Schilling - January 1860-August 27, 1947; Ida Weiser - Mrs. J. W. Sifton; Lydia Weiser - Mrs. Linwood Foster; Emma Weiser McPherson, Philips, Kernkamp.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Schilling were the first couple to be married in Valley City. They went to live on the Schilling farm in Noltimier Township immediately after their marriage as Christ Schilling was one of the first to settle in that Township. He had a good home ready for his bride. Their only means of transportation was by ox team and there was no bridge across the Sheyenne River except the railroad bridge. Mr. Schilling all dressed in his wedding suit driving an ox team and wagon started to ford the river as all had to do. A heavy rain the night before caused high water and as he reached the middle of the stream he and the wagon box started floating down stream but with much effort he got to shore and arrived at his wedding in time. The Schillings had one son, Harvey, a civil engineer, who lived in Ashland, Oregon. He died in 1938.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 261