William J. Westergaard (1866-1918) came to Valley City, North Dakota, in 1891; he and Jennie Wedin were married October 10, 1897. Jennie Wedin (1875-1950) was born at Duluth, Minnesota-and came with her parents Ingrid and Andrew Wedin to Valley City, Dakota Territory, in 1879. The Wedins were married in 1861 and immigrated in 1869 from Sweden to the Duluth, Minnesota area, while Duluth was still an Indian village. In 1879 they came to Dakota Territory settling on land northeast of Valley City which later became Northwest Nursery property. In 1881 they moved to their farm in Hobart Township with their son John and two daughters, Anna and Jennie. Jennie attended the local schools, Hope academy in Moorhead, Minnesota, and a music conservatory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a pillar in her church (Nebo Lutheran), a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher for many years; a member of the building committee and the organ committee and also organist for many years.

Mr. Westergaard was in the hardware and farm implement business. He was Mayor of Valley City, North Dakota 1904-1905 and served six years on the North Dakota Penitentiary Board under Gov. Frank White. He was a member of the Masons and Elks. The Westergaards had one daughter, Jeanette, and a granddaughter, Jeanette LaBaron.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 265