Christ Paetou, with the reputation of being the largest man in Dakota Territory, came to Barnes County in October of 1877. He staked a claim and then walked to Fargo to file on it. Here he bought a span of mules and drove them back to his claim, three miles east and one mile south of Worthington, now (Valley City). He returned to River Falls where his family was staying and the entire family, his wife and three children, Mary, Chris and Louisa, came to Worthington, where they stayed with the Otto Beckers that winter. Christ built a log house and shed with logs hauled from the Sheyenne River. The family moved in on Easter Sunday 1878. A large frame house was started and completed that year.
February 21, 1880 another daughter, Eda, was born. In 1885 the house burned but another was built while they lived in the old log house.
The Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in the Christ Paetou home and he was one of the first stewards. Later services were held in Valley City in the school house until the church was built. Mr. Paetou, who weighed 425 pounds in 1878, weighed 408 pounds at the time of his death. A photo of Christ Paetou and a pair of his shoes are on display in the County Museum.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 189
Mr. Chris Paetow, one of the oldest settlers in Barnes County died at his home, near this city on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Paetow had been at work in the field, attending to his harvest, and the excessive heat of Monday prostrated him—a case of sun stroke—he went to the house, but did not rally from the shock and died as above stated.
The deceased was, without a doubt, the largest man in North Dakota, weighing about 450 pounds, but he was so well proportioned that few had any idea of his weight.
The many friends and acquaintances of the deceased deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in the demise of their husband and father, who lived respected and dies honored by all who knew him.
The funeral services were held yesterday, Rev. Spurr officiating.
Published in the Valley City Times-Record, Valley City, North Dakota, September 24, 1891.
Submitted by Dennis C. Olson #48363213
Contributor: Dennis C. Olson (48363213)
February 21, 1880 another daughter, Eda, was born. In 1885 the house burned but another was built while they lived in the old log house.
The Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in the Christ Paetou home and he was one of the first stewards. Later services were held in Valley City in the school house until the church was built. Mr. Paetou, who weighed 425 pounds in 1878, weighed 408 pounds at the time of his death. A photo of Christ Paetou and a pair of his shoes are on display in the County Museum.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 189
Mr. Chris Paetow, one of the oldest settlers in Barnes County died at his home, near this city on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Paetow had been at work in the field, attending to his harvest, and the excessive heat of Monday prostrated him—a case of sun stroke—he went to the house, but did not rally from the shock and died as above stated.
The deceased was, without a doubt, the largest man in North Dakota, weighing about 450 pounds, but he was so well proportioned that few had any idea of his weight.
The many friends and acquaintances of the deceased deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in the demise of their husband and father, who lived respected and dies honored by all who knew him.
The funeral services were held yesterday, Rev. Spurr officiating.
Published in the Valley City Times-Record, Valley City, North Dakota, September 24, 1891.
Submitted by Dennis C. Olson #48363213
Contributor: Dennis C. Olson (48363213)
Christ Paetou, with the reputation of being the largest man in Dakota Territory, came to Barnes County in October of 1877. He staked a claim and then walked to Fargo to file on it. Here he bought a span of mules and drove them back to his claim, three miles east and one mile south of Worthington, now (Valley City). He returned to River Falls where his family was staying and the entire family, his wife and three children, Mary, Chris and Louisa, came to Worthington, where they stayed with the Otto Beckers that winter. Christ built a log house and shed with logs hauled from the Sheyenne River. The family moved in on Easter Sunday 1878. A large frame house was started and completed that year.
February 21, 1880 another daughter, Eda, was born. In 1885 the house burned but another was built while they lived in the old log house.
The Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in the Christ Paetou home and he was one of the first stewards. Later services were held in Valley City in the school house until the church was built. Mr. Paetou, who weighed 425 pounds in 1878, weighed 408 pounds at the time of his death. A photo of Christ Paetou and a pair of his shoes are on display in the County Museum.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 189
Mr. Chris Paetow, one of the oldest settlers in Barnes County died at his home, near this city on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Paetow had been at work in the field, attending to his harvest, and the excessive heat of Monday prostrated him—a case of sun stroke—he went to the house, but did not rally from the shock and died as above stated.
The deceased was, without a doubt, the largest man in North Dakota, weighing about 450 pounds, but he was so well proportioned that few had any idea of his weight.
The many friends and acquaintances of the deceased deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in the demise of their husband and father, who lived respected and dies honored by all who knew him.
The funeral services were held yesterday, Rev. Spurr officiating.
Published in the Valley City Times-Record, Valley City, North Dakota, September 24, 1891.
Submitted by Dennis C. Olson #48363213
Contributor: Dennis C. Olson (48363213)
February 21, 1880 another daughter, Eda, was born. In 1885 the house burned but another was built while they lived in the old log house.
The Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in the Christ Paetou home and he was one of the first stewards. Later services were held in Valley City in the school house until the church was built. Mr. Paetou, who weighed 425 pounds in 1878, weighed 408 pounds at the time of his death. A photo of Christ Paetou and a pair of his shoes are on display in the County Museum.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 189
Mr. Chris Paetow, one of the oldest settlers in Barnes County died at his home, near this city on Tuesday evening.
Mr. Paetow had been at work in the field, attending to his harvest, and the excessive heat of Monday prostrated him—a case of sun stroke—he went to the house, but did not rally from the shock and died as above stated.
The deceased was, without a doubt, the largest man in North Dakota, weighing about 450 pounds, but he was so well proportioned that few had any idea of his weight.
The many friends and acquaintances of the deceased deeply sympathize with the bereaved family in the demise of their husband and father, who lived respected and dies honored by all who knew him.
The funeral services were held yesterday, Rev. Spurr officiating.
Published in the Valley City Times-Record, Valley City, North Dakota, September 24, 1891.
Submitted by Dennis C. Olson #48363213
Contributor: Dennis C. Olson (48363213)
Gravesite Details
Mary was not a biological daughter. Her surname was Anderson and she was raised by the Paetow family.
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