When Edward Michaelis carne to Valley City (which had been called Worthington) March 22, 1882, there was so much snow around the building he had to sit down and slide in. He bought four oxen for $325 and paid $128 for two cows. He left Valley City with his family May 25 and they arrived at the homestead on the SE of Section 8-145-59, Bald Hill Township on May 28. Some winters all the sheds were snowed under.

He married Wilhelmina Bertha Crane in 1868. Their children were Sophia (Mrs. William Trost) Susan (Mrs. George Stevens) Fredrica (Mrs. Luther Rowley) Ernest, Paul, Martha (Mrs. Harry Husel), Herman and Mathilda.

Edward Michaelis retired from farming in 1906, and until 1911 Ernest and Paul farmed together. After Ernest's marriage to Emma Hogie November 23, 1911, he farmed it alone.

Their children are Walter and Thelma (Mrs. William Jungels) both Cooperstown; Kenneth, Cannon Falls, Minnesota; Deloise (Mrs. Ralph Wisdahl), Alderwood Manor, Washington.

Ernest and Emma farmed on the homestead until 1944, when Walter married Borghild Johnson and took over the farm. They have two children, Bennett, Hannaford and Charlotte, Minneapolis. Walter and Borghild sold the farm to Bennett in 1975, and in 1979, Bennett married Susan Ludwig and they are farming the land that was Edward Michaelis' homestead and tree claim. Walter and Borghild now live in Cooperstown.

Source: Cooperstown, North Dakota 1882-1982 Centennial page 89