P. O. King (1847-1941) sixth son of Ole Larson (Toppen) Marking (18021887) and Maren Oldsdatter Brustuen (1803) was born in Biridalen, Norway. As a young man Mr. King worked five years as an apprenticed cabinetmaker and studied architectural drawing in the Royal Norwegian Drawing and Art School in Christiania, earning board and room. In 1868 he married Karen Iverson (18451872) born in Ringerike, Norway. Two daughters were born: Theresa Adelina (1869-1957), Mrs. H. C. Stenshoel, born in Christiania, and Ida Othide (18721902), Mrs. Martin B. Brown, born in Duluth, Minnesota. In June 1872 Mr. King and family left Norway, arriving in Duluth, Minnesota, July 1872. Four months later his wife died leaving two small children. He moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin, and in 1874 married Sophia Rasmusson born in 1849 in Loland, Denmark, coming to America in 1872. In the summer of 1877 he came to Worthington (Valley City) Dakota Territory, where he helped his brother Nils Olsen King and Mathias Olsen build the first store building for Arne Olson of Duluth and many other stores, shanties and houses. They sent for their families and they all arrived on the same train in 1878. Mr. King bought a lot for $10.00 and put up his own store building and put
in a line of furniture. Mr. Ole Knudson, jeweler, occupied part of this building. He built the first school and one of the first churches which was the Norwegian Danish Methodist Church, where he was a charter member. He built two of the first bridges in Barnes County. The record shows that he was awarded $1500.00 by the County Commissioners to build the Baumez bridge. Mr. King served on the first Valley City council (1883-1884) and was treasurer of Valley City School District # 2 for several years. He was County Commissioner for four years. In 1888 he bought homestead rights for $450.00 and built the farm home six miles south of Valley City, adding more land until he had 720 acres. King School was located on his farm. The children of the second marriage are: Thora Amalie Seavor (1875), Conrad Alfred "Fred" (1876), Carl (1878), Anna Mathilde (1881), Henry Wilhelm (1883), Eddie Rudolf (1886), Clara Elizabeth Martin (1888), Willie Olaf (1890), Albert Milton "Burt" (1893). Mr. King adopted and raised his grandson, Archie P. Brown. In 1907 Mr. King moved to Oregon where he lived with some of his children until his death in 1941 at the age of ninety four years.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 123