Ben Barrett was born November 12, 1889 at Nebo, N.D. in Steele County, the son of Oscar and Isabelle (Olin) Barrett.  He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1912 at the North Dakota Agriculture College.  In 1916 he married Addie Stafford, a former college classmate.  Addie was born February 2, 1893 near Buffalo, N.D. and graduated from Fargo High School.  Their son, Howard, was born on June 17, 1917.  An influenza epidemic took the life of Addie Barrett in 1918. Ben then operated a dairy farm in Fargo, N.D. and later worked for thirteen years at Staples, Minnesota.  He returned to North Dakota and served as county extension agent in Cavalier County, N.D. from 1928 to 1934 and in Emmons County, N.D. from 1934 until his retirement in 1959.  He remarried in 1935 to Gertrude Rose Wienecke of Loma, N.D.  A son, Robert Edward, and a daughter, Kathleen Lou, were born to the couple.  In 1967 Gertrude Barrett died.  Ben also worked for rural electrification and was actively involved with the improvement of the agricultural program.  He served as vice-president and secretary-treasurer of the North Dakota County Agents Association.  In retirement he began to paint and write.  Ben Barrett died on November 17,1984.  He is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.
 

Ben Barrett Papers  |  Frontier and Pioneer Life | Literature and Music