J.R. Engberg was in his early twenties when he came to the Barlow area from Iowa in 1882. He had various interests- selling machinery as well as real estate. He also operated the farm on Section 1, Birtsell Township and other lands.

He was instrumental in platting out the village of Barlow, the streets were named after his children, May and Sumner, Thaddeus and Guy. He died in 1907 and was buried in Iowa. His wife and four children survived.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 1B