Robert R. Wittenberg (1886-1975) was born May 15, 1886, at the farm home in Noltimier Township. He started farming in 1912. On September 20, 1912, he married Anna Schmidt. They had six children: Lillian, married to Paul A. Noeske of Oriska, who have three children, Paul D., Ross and Janel; Ralph, married to Pearl Bullock, who have one son, Robert; Albert, married to Gloria Pilloud, who have three children, Albert Jr., Kurt and Todd; Carl, married to Margaret Froelich, who have two children, Dennis and Pamela; Robert A., Jr., married to Jean Bowder, who have four children, Shela, Rochelle, Renee and Shawn; Esther married to Clyde Connolly, who have six children, Michael, Kevin, Robert, Colleen, Charles and Steven.
The pioneers were all striving to provide enough good food to feed their families and provide a few more comforts as soon as they were able. Robert planned a new comfort for his family. Construction of a wind electric power plant was begun in 1919. In November, 1920, the Wind Electric manufactured by George Manikowski of Wyndmere, North Dakota, was completed. It was a 32-volt plant, electricity being stored in 16-2 volt wet batteries for those none-windy days. Windless days called for the conservation of electricity. The 14-foot wheel made up of fans that would turn into the wind at different angles was controlled by an automatic governor. The generator was mounted directly below the wheel. The belt around the wheel drove the generator. The wheel was on a 40-foot wooden tower.
In 1920, a new innovation in farming took place. A Huber tractor was put into service, being used mainly for plowing.
The children attended Noltimier Consolidated School. Neighbors went together and bought a horse-drawn coach or hack that gave weather protection to their children. In winter, a covered sleigh was used.
Dr. J. Van Houten was the family doctor. He was a great hunter, and had a hunting shack on the shore of Toulack Lake, in the pasture not far from the Wittenberg farm house. On more than one occasion, the doctor had to be rescued from the Wittenberg Holstein bull who would not let him leave his hunting shack.
Robert enjoyed worked with his hands. He spent many hours working with wood. He built many cupboards, lamps, and even toy sleighs that were built to scale.
In August, 1971, his wife passed away, and in January, 1975, Robert passed away.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 272