Joe Ertelt was born to Frank and Katherine Ertelt of Valley City in 1894. He started farming in 1916 with his brother Ed on the home farm. He was inducted into the army of World War I in 1917. Was discharged in 1919 and returned to farming. In 1923 he married Loretta Schwehr, daughter of William and Mary Schwehr of Oriska, North Dakota. They farmed in Divide County at Fortuna, North Dakota, for six years when drought got so bad they moved back to Barnes County and Springvale Township. In 1940 with three children they bought the farm known as the Mat Weber farm in Section 22 where they farmed until 1960 when they retired and moved to Fingal, North Dakota. They had a family of six children: Donald of Seattle, Washington; Delores (Mrs. Ronald Cline) Seattle, Washington; Clifford of Fingal, North Dakota; Georgena Westminister, California; Janice (Mrs. James Venaas) Argusville, North Dakota; James, Rochester, MI. They also have 20 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 65