Stephan Stephans was born in Ostre Toten, Norway, March 28, 1839. He served in the King's Guard from 1860 to 1864, and during this time, he married Maria Anderson. Two daughters, Helene and Augusta, were born in Norway.

In 1867, the family came to America, spending twelve weeks on the ocean, before settling at Decorah, Iowa. In 1869, Mina Stephans was born. She married C. W. (Charley) Olson. Later, the family moved to Lanesboro, Minnesota, where in 1874, Augusta died at the age of ten.

In 1877, Stephan came to the Sheyenne Valley and selected a homestead about eleven miles south of Valley City in Nelson Township. Staying at the C. A. Donelly farm, the men cut logs and built a log cabin on the Stephan land. In 1878, Helene drove the cattle from Lanesboro and Mrs. Stephan and Mina came by train to Worthington. They found the log cabin to their liking and life settled down to that of a pioneer family.

Mrs. Marie Stephans passed away April 21, 1913. Stephan died April 14, 1919.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 237