Hon. O. H. DeS. Irgens (1855-1931) was born in Chicago, Illinois, son of John S. Irgens and Louise P. Arnts, natives of Norway. John S. Irgens came to the home of an uncle in New York when he was seventeen years old, he lived in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota; at one time owned a farm two miles southwest of Valley City. Mr. Irgens attended public school and high school at Austin, Minnesota. He was a clerk in a general store in Lyle, Minnesota, and came to Valley City, North Dakota, in 1878 where he clerked in the store of J. S. Weiser, a pioneer merchant. He was next employed by W. F. Jones, a lumber merchant, then was deputy County Treasurer under C. A. Benson. O. H. deS. Irgens and his brother Lewis C. Iregens owned a drug business in Valley City, North Dakota, for ten years when the brother left to study dentistry. Mr. Irgens continued the business for two years then sold out. In 1904 he was elected County Judge and served until his death. In January 18, 1878 Judge Irgens was married to Annie M. Wilson, daughter of M. O. Wilson of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. Their children are: Lillian - Mrs. G. H. Getchell; Henrietta A.; Clara Bell - Mrs. T. Platt Williams; Flora F. and Edwin A. R. Irgens. Judge Irgens was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the I.O.O.F.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 109