My great- grandfather (Robert Bailey) emigrated to America in the year 1834, settling in Huron County Ontario on the shore of Lake Huron. My grandfather (Richard Bailey) then 15 years old grew up and lived in that vicinity for about 50 years. My father (Robert Bailey) was born at that place January 24, 1859. His mother Sarah Ann Harris was born in England. My mother's folks were both born in Scotland and lived on a farm adjoining my father's folks. Life didn't seem to hold much future for the young people in Canada at that time so in the spring of 1882 my father and George Hartman after hearing about the big wheat farms in North Dakota decided to see life in the great Northwest.
They arrived in Fargo on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) in the morning. They found employment on farms owned by the Johnson Brothers (Jack and Jim) in the Kelso Grandin area.
About the first of June, about 8 or 10 men from Huron County in Ontario got together and started out in search of a homestead. With a team of horses pulling a light wagon, loaded with a tent, bedding etc. They headed up the Red River Valley until they reached Pembina. Then they changed directions going southwest to Devils Lake. Here they found the Sibley Trail and followed it to Griggs County. My father chose the NW quarter of Section 12-145-61 as his future home and George Hartman took the SE quarter of Section 2-145-61. Others in the group Ben Howden SE quarter of Section 12-145-61 - Jack Nicoll SW quarter of Section 2-145-61 - Billy Wilson NE quarter of Section 2-145-61 - Dave Nicoll NE quarter of Section 6-145-60 - A man whose last name was Witham filed on NE quarter of Section 12-145-61.
This land was opened for filing homestead claims at Fargo on July 7, 1882. All the aforementioned made it a point to be there on opening day.
By the fall of 1885 Dad had built a small barn and the front part of the house that is still in use. At this time George Hartman and Dad went back to visit their homefolks. In the spring of 1886 they with another old-timer, William Howden, brought 12 horses and other equipment in two emigrant freight cars. This marked the end of oxen power and the beginning of horse power.
On July 14, 1898 I arrived on the scene.
About 1905 I started going to school and my recollections at that time, the farm contained 1020 acres owned and he rented 480 acres more.
Prior to 1912, all grain had to be hauled and marketed at Cooperstown or Binford - a never-ending chore.
In the year 1912, the railroad came to Sutton, ending the long haul that took all the spare time from freeze up till the next harvest.
1913 - Brother Frank went to Glentana, Montana where he filed on a homestead.
1920 - We three brothers Ed, Jim and I took over the farm by the renter's route.
1923 - Dad, Mother and sister Laura moved to Sutton - Ed married Mrs. Marie Starr and started farming on the farm now owned by Clarence Gronneberg. Brother Jim married Charlotte Jackson. Jim and I were in partnership two years.
1925 - I alone was in charge of the farm operation. My sister, Mrs. Violet Taylor, was the housekeeper until my marriage to Beatrice Starr June 16, 1938.
And now, 1975 - eight children and seven grandchildren later, I am making plans to turn the operation over to my two sons Tom and Dan.
This is the 93rd year of continued operation in one family.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 355