James W. Stull came to Valley City with his father and mother, Rev. E. B. Stull and Julia Sarsfield Stull, on June 21, 1890. Born in 1878 he started school at the age of 12 in Valley City. The Rev. E. B. Stull came to serve as the Methodist minister but was also involved in a farm south of Valley City. He served as a deputy sheriff and was active musically both instrumental and vocal in the community.

James, an ambitious lad, had his own printing press and printed the "Smallest Newspaper" at the age of thirteen. In due time James attained manhood and married Minnie Hoff of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in June of 1899, the service conducted by his father.

James Stull worked for the First National Bank for twenty five years, and was an insurance agent for many years. He and his wife retired in 1948 and moved to Santa Cruz, California, to join a daughter Charlotte, a teacher there. Another daughter, Harriette, has been a teacher and is retired in Michigan.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 241