USA > Minnesota > Otter Tail County > History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions, Volume II > Part 3
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Kapler, George R. 383
Kaufmann, Anton
739
Laugen, Peter G.
454
Kempf, William H.
807
Lauritzen, John
666
Kendall, William H.
807
Lausten, Kasper 808
Kirkvold, Christ E. 896
Leach, William J. 368
Kittelson, Christ 887
Kitts, Alexander 924
Lein, Casper 215
Kjer, John 122
Lein, Olaf 958
Klein, M. B. 663
Lein, Peter 126 1 1
Klimp, Edward
356
Kluenenberg, Bernard 987
Levorsen, Levor A.
55
Klug, Carl 555
Levring, Andrew 566
Knoff, Peter M. 751
Lieder, John C. 460
Knudsen, Albert 498
Lien, John 344
Knudson, Christian C. 189
Lien, Peder 504
Knudson, Nels A. 514
Lien, Tobias S. 165
Knutson, Albert R. 363
Ligaard, Halvor P. 170
Knutson, John 788
869
Kopperud, Anton 1
549
Lindall, Peter 713
Linder, Peter 341
Lindquist, Gustaf A.
176
Krause, Arthur A.
951
Krekelberg, John H.
582
Krogstad, John E.
956
Loken, John H. 89
Loken, Peter 726
Long, Michael
509
Krueger, Herman 925
Loop, Leeman 574
Lotterer, Casper W. 440
Luebbermann, Ernst 621
Lueders, Fritz 378
490
Luhning. Wilhelm 451
Lund, Andrew T.
842
Lund, Edward T.
520
Lund, Charles A.
113
Lund, Teman A. 486
Lundberg, Claes A. 265
I.undin, John P. 907
Langsjoen, Nels 707
Lyksett, Ole 255
Lyng, Jacob 150
L
Ladwig. W. F. 558
Lamson, Edward S. 928
Langen, Ole T. 552
Langness, Lowell I. 85
Langren, Mons O. 978
I angvick, F. H. 940
Lincoln, William 192
Lind, Andrew 745
1 Kopperud, Karl J. 199
Korth. Albert 998
Ling, Eric P. 693
Lohmeier, Lewis 138
Kron, Ole 517
Kronemann, M. C. 736
Krueger, William C. 259
Kupfer, Charlie 727
Kvernstoen, Engebret L.
270
Kvilekval, Thorbjorn H. 575
K
Kaddatz, Charles W. 400
Larson, Ole
Joslin, Charles S. 387
Jung, Jacob 247
Larson, Thomas 101
Lehmann, John B. 880
Leonard, Melvin 705
Knutson, Martin 1
Luhning, Henry D.
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Lyne. John, M. D. Fystad. Ole J. 179
197
Morran, Nei- 980
Morrow, William 533
Mortensen, Nels J 134
Mortenson, Martin 829
Moses, Oliver E. 493
Murdock. H. J. 981
Murdock. John 975
Mark, Andrew G. 291
Murray, John E. 565
991
Madson, M. (). 487
N
Nattestad. Christen 546
Nelsen. Hans S. 865
Nelson. Adin 822
Nelson, Anton E. 156
Nelson. Arthur W.
567
Marckel, Amos
289
Nelson. David
655
Martinson, Martin K.
238
Nelson. Eddie N.
776
Martinson, Otto
557
Nelson, Erick E. 154
Matala, Charles A.
664
Nelson, Frank
463
Mathews, Burton H.
400
Nelson, Hans
445
Mathiason, Even
202
Nelson. Ilenry P.
213
Matson. Per Gustav
283
Nelson, J. Emil
561
Mattfeld, John
633
Nelson, Jens
377
Matthews, J. V.
130
Nelson, Jens
231
Mattson. Bernhard
855
Nelson, John G.
859
Maurin, Henry
934
Nelson. John P.
870
Maurin. John
844
Nelson, John W. 434
Nelson, Jonas 525
84
Meland, Rev. Andrew 709
Nelson, N. P. R.
8 ??
Melby, Johan A.
273
Nelson, Nels
920
Menge, Gottlieb 362
Nelson, Nels 404
Merz, Karl 503
Nelson, Nels M. 382
Nelson, Nels W. 703
Meyer. Peter F.
1004
Nelson, Nils H.
323
Meyer, August W. 474
Nelson, Ole C.
95
Miller, August 899
Nelson, Ole P. 777
920
Miller, George H.
446
Nesbitt, James
547
Miller, Henry 767
Ness, Ole P.
798
Mobraaten, Peter J. 142
Nessa, John J.
716
Moe, Peder A. 446
Nesvold, Ilans
786
Newmann, Erwin F.
162
Moen, Gilbert
466
Nicholson, I .. C.
789
Moen, Gilbert G.
341
Niebels. Jacob 608
Nilsby, Otto 868
541
Moklev. Thorsten S. 586
Nodsle. Ole H. 332
Manson, Arnt 317
Nordin, John
222
Monson, Mathias 441
Nordmarken, Oscar
312
Moody, Rev. James
128
Voreen, Anders J. 204
Moore, Patrick 408
Nordgaard, John 259
Mc Bride, Hon. William H. 52
McFarlane, Edmund 588
Mc Mahon, M. T. 924
M
Madsen, Hans 476
Majava. John P. 602
Maki, Isaac K.
581
Malmgren, Alfred 917
Maneval, Edwin C. 329
Mann. Charles H.
1005
Manske, Charles
568
Maurin, Marcus P. 790
Meigs, George A. 515
Nelson, Martin T.
Mesna, Andrias 731
Miller, Carl 145
Nelson, Wilson E.
Moen, Christian J. 682
Moen, Nels T. 208
Moklev, Martin S. 326
Nilsson, Alfred
Myhre, Helmer
Mc
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Norgren, John
223
Person, William 721
Nygaard, Ole
626
Persons, John 311
Nyhus, Ole T.
117
Peters, Ferdinand 647
Petersen, Peter 785
Peterson, Andrew 191
O
Oak, Otto J. 328
Olsen, Lars P.
537
Peterson, Charles A.
671
Olson, Alvin
893
Peterson, Charles G. 999
Olson, Andrew B.
896
Peterson, Daniel A. 502
Olson, Andrew C.
149
Peterson, John 945
Olson, Anton J.
763
Peterson, Jolın A. 918
Olson, C. E.
330
Peterson, John A. 734
Olson, Carl E.
952
Peterson, John A. 419
Olson, Charles O.
989
Peterson, John W. 78
Olson, Hans O.
676
Peterson, Leonard 161
Olson, Hans P. 424
Peterson, Ole
897
Olson, Henry
107
Peterson, Olof
508
Olson, John 353
Petrie, Adison
395
Olson, John H.
890
Petterson, Andrew A. 391
Olson, John L.
873
Phelps, Ray 634
Olson, Joseph 521
Pickit, Horace 77
Olson, Kittel 1
545
Pickit, Justus 132
Olson, Knut
961
Pierce, Amasa J.
411
Olson, Lars
307
Pilger, Ludwig 689
Olson, Louis C.
103
Plowman, Henry
643
Olson, Oliver I 1
448
Post, John P. 595
Olson, Simon 889 1
Poulson, George A. 654
Olson, Torkel 913
Prentice, Frederick 874
Prichett, Harry S., D. D. S. 439
Onsum, Lars L. 181
Proehl, Herman A., D. D. S. 570
Otte, Joseph A.
212
Putnam, Frank S. 748
Otto, Henry C. D., M. D 550
Putnam, Herbert A. 556
Ovri, Rev. Ellend J. 699
P
Quam, Andrew O.
688
R
Rakstad, Gilbert N. 598
Ranger, John M. 701
Ranstad, Thomas A. 110
Rauch, Rev. George J.
112
Paulson, Charles
334
Rector, Sheldon M. 644
Reierson, Gunder 185
Restad, Alfred P. 631
Revering, August F. 591
Reynolds, Perry 878
Rieman, John G. 548
Riley, Lewis L. 61
Rindal, Mikkel 605
Risbrudt, E. T. 152
Perdne, Charles H. 815
Perkins, Steve L. 573
Perkins, William R. 590
Q
Page, Hon. Henry G. 39
Parks, Edward 251
Parson, Nels 781
Parsons. Judge William L. 49
Pary, Olof 219
Paulsen, Axel S. 650
Paulson, Haagen 900
Peck, Edward A .. Jr. 347
Pederson, Carl K. 691
Pederson, Gilbert K. 874
Pederson, Ole 630
Pederson, Peter K. 472
l'ederson, Syvrin 886
Peppling, Charles _ 252
Risbrudt, Ellef E. 493
Risbrudt, Torkel E. 268
Ristad, Rev. Ditlef G. 96
Oman, William 1. 414
1
Peterson, Andrew A. 297
Peterson, August 908
Nylund, Felix 230
BIOGRAPIIICAL INDEX.
Rachey. J. E. 939
Robertson, Henry 677
Robinson, George W. 670
Rode, Christian 484
Rolandson, Ole
756
Ronning, Lars O. 271
Ronningen, Olaf 639
Ronningen, Syver (). 738
Rosenquist, Alfred B. 518
Sim, John
491
Simonson, Simon 319
Sitz, August J. 280
Sjogren, Edward 399
Sjordal, Theodore 673
Skarsho, Syvert 882
Skeim, Gjert C. 753
Skoglund, Nils J. 275
Skrove, Sigurd M. 35
Sletner, Bernhard A. 507
Slettede. Ole J.
464
Smith, Ellsworth W. 825
Smith, Eric
174
Smith, George W.
827
Smith. William F.
361
Smith. Willis 1. 918
Solum, Andrew O. 759
Solun, Ole L. 658
Sommerness, Ole M. 388
Sonmor. Knut \. 204
Sorenson, Sever C. 501
Sorkness, Colben M. 335
Spies, Mrs. Emilie
452
Schmidt, August
225
Schmidt, Gustav
957
Schmidt, Henry
282
Stege. John 950
Stender. Charles 623
Stenerson, Knute 188
Stenstrom, Lawrence P. 266
Stillman. Alphus 741
Stinar. Clinton R. 632
Stokes, George W. 372
Stone, H. H. 227
Stortroen, Jens A. 182
Stortroen, Paul A. 224
Strand, Thomas 636
Straub, Trank H. 127
Strobeck, Magnus 560
Scther, John J.
172
Sethre, Christian P. 175
Sethre, Hans P. 180
Severson, Julius 821
Sha, German 811
Shanstrom, Louis
984
Svendsrud, Peter C. 497
Shaw, Alva L. 343
Slaw. Darius N. 770
Shea, James H. 359
Shea, Martin 442
Shearer, John 943
Sheldon, George W. 496
Sherping, Olaf Th., M. D .. 144
Shirley. Julius 885
Shonblom. O. R.
143
Siebels, Henry E. 563
Rosvold, Martin
92
Rovang, Nels N. 214
Rowe, David L.
300
Rud, Louis 444
Rude, Ole M.
269
Rudh, Edward J. 384
Rulland, lver O. 169
Rusch, Jacob 667
Ryg. Carl L. 915
S
Sabbin, John 927
Sageng, Ilon. Ole O. 600
Salomonsen, F. E. 694
Samson, Magna 932
Saunders. Frank B. 834
Sayer, John 877
Schachtschneider, Otto E. 100
Schaut, Rev. A. J. 800
Scheer, Charles 787
Schei, Johannes P. 492
Schei, Olaf J. 87
Stang. Martin H.
905
Stangenes, Bernhard
578
Schmidt. 1 .. 11. D.
282
Schmitz. Adolph
370
Schoening, Carl O. 750
Schoening, William F. 752
Schroeder, John 412
Schultz, H. A. 851
Schwantz, Julius E. 638
Seeba Fredrick 946
Seeba, John H.
758
Sem. John
871
Sester, Simon
Sether, Even
002
Strommen, Gilbert T. 592
Stubskind, Ole O. 661
Sundberg, Alfred W. 938
Sundberg. Mrs. Augusta (Nordberg) 524
Sutter. O. J. - 218
Svien, John O. 211
Swensen, Ole 375
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Swanson, Andrew 184
Vigen, Jorgen G., M. D. 304
Swanson, John W. 434
Vinje, Olaf A. 799
Swanson, S. A.
124
Vogel, Frank J. 728
Swenson, Ole 151
Syverson, Sigurd
1002
T
Tanglen, William 277
Wagstrom, Andrew 473
Taylor, John L. 948
Walbridge, J. Howard 250
Tennant, David A.
51
Wallace, James P. 720
Tenter, Henry
669
Wallace, John 875
Tenter, William 894
Walseth, Carl L. 913
Thomas, W. E. 287
Walstead, Theodore 410
Thompson, Anton
288
Walz, Michael 274
Thompson, Edward 724
Wangerin, Richard 819
Thompson, Esten 137
Webber, Edward J. 160
Thompson, Jacob 858
Webber, Herbert E.
83
Thompson, John B. 240
Weber, Fred L. 438
Thompson, John T.
803
Welch, George O., M. D. 68
Thorstonson, Carl 970)
Welch, J. H. 607
Thurnshelle, Ole 172
Wemstrom, Carl G. 310
Thygesen, Niels 832
Wendt, Edward 678
Tollefson, Torger 425
West, Walter 870
Tomhave, Albert C.
911
Westover, William E. 403
Tomhave, George E. 519
Wetmur, Amos H. 429
Tomhave, Henry 135
Wheelock, Harry M. 64
Tomhave, John J.
381
Whitson, Albert G. 125
Tommeraas, Lars O. 254
Whittaker, Frank N., D. D. S. 70
Torgersen, John S. 245
Wicklund, Andrew A. 620
Torgerson, Jens 456
Wiese, Albert 690
Torgerson, Onon
201
Wilkinson, Kleber B. 642
Torkelson, Ole 651 1
Tostenson, Tosten
960
Wilshusen, Henry 443
Trana, Anton B.
118
Trautner, George
321
Wilson, Oscar F.
482
Trenne, August
207
Trenne, William
207
Winter, Ernest F. 511
Winther, Henry A. 73
Wischnak, Ferdinand 749
Wold, John J. 299
Wold, William O. 436
Wolleat, George F. 996
Woodhall, William A. 576
Worden. Harrison 1000
Wright. Charles D. 48
Wright, Charles J. 672
Wright, Charles R., Sr. 680
Wright, Charles R. 672
Wright, George B. 36
Wright, William 1 1
584
Vargason, Orrin H. 308
Veden, Andy 296
Vidness, Ole O. 468
Vigen, Andrew T. 364
Wynn, George B. 614
76
Tucker, Abner S.
977
Tullis, David
877
Tvedte, Thomas J. 953
Tweten, Andrew 305
U
Ulsaker, Bjorn
522
Umland, Otto
717
Utne, Christian O. 83
V
Vaglo, John M. 468
Van Antwerp, Edward 923
Wright, Zeba 337
Wutamaki, Jolın 662
Wyatt, John K. 415
Vogel, Frederick 668
W
Will, John C. 526
Wilson, Nils 692
Windsor, Walter B.
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX.
Z
Young, Benjamin F.
306
Zilliox, Frederick 846
Youyp. Oscar
290
Zimmer, William
744
Youngberg, Charles
163
Zuehlke. Ferdinand 465
O. P. B. JACOBSON.
BIOGRAPHICAL
O. P. B. JACOBSON.
O. P. B. Jacobson, of Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, was born in Fredriksvarn, Norway, July 2, 1857. He received his schooling at Sande- fjord, where his parents moved when he was three years old. After gradu- ating from school, at the age of fifteen, he went to sea as apprentice in a sailing ship. Four years later he graduated from Christiana Navigation Board and got his captain's certificate. After several years of traveling around the world, he came to New York, where he was offered a position at Castle Garden. From there he went to Fergus Falls, Minnesota. At that time it was a growing town. Mr. Jacobson describes Fergus Falls as "a booming Western town" and he soon enrolled himself in the ranks as clerk in a general store. After several years in the store, he went on the road for a wholesale grocery house and afterwards he was traveling repre- sentative for the McCormick Harvester Company. His territory was very extensive and the large acquaintanceship which resulted, aided by his knowl- edge of grain growing and handling, was to serve him well later in his varied career. In 1909 he organized a company that bought the old and well- known Norwegian paper, Fergus Falls Ugeblad, of which he became the editor and manager. Like his other lines of endeavor, the Ugeblad was soon a success under Mr. Jacobson's management. In 1911 he retired from active management of the paper, but became its president. He accepted an appointment as a member of the board of grain appeals, tendered to him by Governor Eberhart. Three years later, a vacancy occurring in the state railroad and warehouse commission by reason of the resignation of C. F. Staples, Governor Eberhart named Mr. Jacobson for this place. In 1914 he was a candidate to succeed himself and was nominated and elected by an overwhelming majority. In recognition of his thorough knowledge of small grains, which are a feature of the agricultural resources of the state, he has continued to look after that part of the business that comes under the commission. The employees of this department pass on every bushel of grain raised in Minnesota and adjoining states and establish grades as fixed by the appeal board, and is known in every market in the world.
(3b)
34
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTAA.
Mr. Jacobson was married in the fall of 1885 to Miss Gertrude M. Olson, from Brooklyn, New York. They have had a family of six children, three of whom are still alive.
HON. HALDOR BOEN.
The late Haldor Boen, who was a member of Congress from the state of Minnesota during the early nineties and who during his life was prominent in the civic and political life of this county as well as for many years a prominent newspaper owner and publisher, was born in Sondre Aurdal, Valders, Norway, on January 1, 1850, and died on July 20, 1912, at Aurdal, Otter Tail county, Minnesota.
In 1868, in company with his two brothers, Andrew E. and Erick E., Haldor Boen emmigrated to the United States and a little later set- tled at Grand Meadow. Mower county, Minnesota. There they remained with relatives for a short time, when Haldor went to St. Cloud and where he pursued a course in the State Normal school. In 1871 he came to Aurdal, Otter Tail County, and entered a tract of state land, comprising eighty acres. His brother took eighty acres and he built a log house and broke up some of the land. When he was twenty-four years old Mr. Boen was married to Margaret Brekke and, immediately after their marriage, they removed to the homestead which he had previously bought. They remained there until 1888, when they removed to Fergus Falls.
Shortly after removing to Fergus Falls, Mr. Boen purchased a com- fortable home on North Union avenue. He served as clerk in the office of the register of deeds at Fergus Falls and was also a clerk in one of the legislative sessions of the eighties, or before he moved to Fergus Falls. In 1887 he was elected register of deeds of Otter Tail county, succeeding George W. Boyington.
Mr. Boen assisted in organizing the Farmers' Alliance in 1884 and became its secretary, holding the position for seven years. The Alliance at that time was coming into prominence all over the state of Minnesota. The Alliance finally decided to enter into politics and became the Populist party. . \ big landslide occurred in 1889, at which time the new party swept everything before it in this part of the state, and when Kittel Halvor- son was elected to Congress, Mr. Boen being one of his prominent sup- porters and managers. Mr. Halvorson served two years in Congress and in the fall of 1802 Mr. Boen was nominated and elected to Congress as Mr. Halvorson's successor. The prestige of Populistism at this time receded and two years later, in 1804. Mr. Boen was defeated by Frank M. Eddy for re-election. Afterward Mr. Boen returned to Fergus Falls and pur- chased the Fergus Globe, which he edited for a number of years or until
35
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
failing health compelled him to relinquish the editorial chair, at which time the Globe suspended publication.
Mr. and Mrs. Boen had nine children, six of whom are living, namely : Sophia M., Theodora A., Harold, Alvin. Errick and Erwin. Sophia M. is now Mrs. Jacob Qualle and lives near Brooten, Stearns county, and they have two sisters. Theodora A. married Ira Wall, a jeweler, and lives at Washburn, North Dakota, and they have two sons. Harold married Mar- garet Plowman, and they live in Wadena. Alvine, Erick and Erwin live at home with their mother. Mrs. Boen, whose maiden name was Margaret Brekke, was born in Tellamaken, Norway, and in 1861 came to America with her father, who was a farmer. The family made the trip to America by way of Quebec, Canada. Subsequently, they settled in Dane county, Minnesota, and lived near Liberty Prairie for twelve years. In 1873 the family came to Otter Tail county, and settled in Aurdal township, where they homesteaded land and where the father and mother lived until their death. Mrs. Boen's father died at the age of eighty-seven and her mother at the age of ninety-three. They were the parents of twelve children, seven of whom are living.
Haldor Boen had a conspicuous part in the political history of this section of the state during his day and generation. He worthily discharged all his duties both public and private, which fell to his lot. He was a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows.
1148894
SIGURD M. SKROVE.
Successful farmer and stock raiser, public spirited citizen, man of public office and leader in the affairs of local life, Sigurd M. Skrove is one without whose record and a review of whose life this volume would be incomplete. Sigurd M. Skrove was born in Norway, on April 22, 1867, the son of Martin E. and Martha (Skrove) Skrove, who were natives of Norway, in which county they lived until the year 1882, when they came to America. Martin E. Skrove is the son of Elling and Sigrid ( Kulstad) Larson, who were born in Norway, where Sigrid Larson lived until her death in the year 1860, while Elling Larson came to America and lived with a son, dying in the year 1897. Martha Skrove is the daughter of Jonas T. and Martha ( Hallan) Skrove, who were farmers in their native land of Norway, in which county they lived their entire lives.
On reaching America, Martin E. and Martha Skrove came to the state of Minnesota and located at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, where they lived for a time, after which Martin Skrove rented a farm in Douglas county, Minnesota, living there for three years and then moved to Wilkin
36
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
county, Minnesota, at which place he homesteaded a farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he now lives, having in the meantime accumu- lated about three hundred acres of land, all of which is well improved and highly cultivated. Martin E. and Martha Skrove are the parents of six children, Sigurd, Martha, Eline, Ida, Soren and Martin. In church affilia- tion Martin Skrove and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.
Sigurd Skrove was educated in the public schools or Norway and for about three months in the common schools of Douglas county, Minnesota, after which he took up a homestead, during the year 1888, in Wilkin county, Minnesota, where he engaged in general farming and in the digging of wells in the community, until the year 1893, and then he moved to Tumuli town- ship, east of the town of Dalton, in Otter Tail county, where he purchased two hundred and fifteen acres of land, which he improved with a remodeled house and by the addition of modern equipment, where he now engages in general farming and in the breeding of purebred Holstein cattle and Duroc-Jersey hogs.
During the year 1893, Sigurd Skrove was married to Oline Margaret Dahl, who was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, the daughter of B. C. and Anna (Vick) Dahl, both of whom were natives of Norway, who came to America and settled in Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where they homesteaded a farm in Tumuli township, after a short residence in Winneshiek county, Iowa.
To the marriage of Sigurd and Olnie Skrove were born the following children, Martha, Berten, Neola, Sanford and Milda. Sigurd Skrove and his family are interested and faithful members of the Norwegian Lutheran church at Dalton.
In public life and in official circles, Sigurd Skrove is prominently con- nected, he now serving the community as justice of the peace, and also as treasurer of the school district. For ten years this worthy citizen held the office of township treasurer and in this office, as with all other public measures or projects, Sigurd Skrove served well and with notable efficiency.
GEORGE BURDICK WRIGHT.
George Burdick Wright, known during his lifetime as the first import- ant figure in the early settlement of Fergus Falls, was a native of Williston, Vermont, where he was born in 1835, the youngest son of Brigham and Urania ( Murray ) Wright. He received his academic education in his native state and was, by profession, a surveyor or civil engineer, having been actively engaged in that profession until 1869. Hle located a quarter of a
37
OTTER TAIL COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
section of land, where the city of Fergus Falls now stands, on the north side of the river, in 1867, in company with R. J. Mendenhall, of Minne- apolis.
These gentlemen formed a partnership and sent a crew of men to their place under the supervision of Henry Dow, who arrived on the site of Fergus Falls, August 19, 1870. At once they commenced the construc- tion of a dam across the Red river. They also commenced the erection of a saw-mill and the next spring built an addition and put in one run of stone for the manufacture of flour. They platted two hundred acres of land on the north side of the river, Mr. Wright having secured forty acres in addi- tion to his former one hundred and sixty. On the south side of the river, they platted one hundred and sixty acres of land and commenced building and improving, this work having been the beginning of the town of Fergus Falls. In 1870 and 1871 they sent a crew of men into the pine timber in the region of what is now the town of Corliss and in the spring of 1871, they rafted the logs down the river and had them cut in their saw-mill in Fergus Falls. Mr. Wright became the sole owner of the unsold interest of Mr. Mendenhall in 1879 and, after that time devoted his entire time and all of the money he could command to the building up and improving of the town.
In 1881 Mr. Wright built what is known as the "Beehive" for a manu- factory. He was a man of remarkable energy, just such a man as was needed for the trying times of the early settlement of Fergus Falls and vicinity. He had the faculty of seeing ahead clearly and his conclusions rarely were known to be erroneous. He firmly believed the town, in whose interests he was working, would some time become an important city, but he was destined not to live to see the full fruition of his efforts. His death occurred on April 29, 1882, while he was still in the prime of life, being then only forty-seven years old.
In 1860, George B. Wright married Serena Ames, the adopted daugh- ter of Rev. Charles G. Ames, a distinguished Unitarian clergyman. Mrs. Wright, who is remembered by all her friends for her beautiful character, died in Minneapolis in March, 1868, leaving two young children, Mary and Vernon, the former of whom died in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1881, and in February, 1870, Mr. Wright married, secondly, Mrs. Carrie A. Whit- comb, of California, who brought to their home in Minneapolis, two chil- dren of ages corresponding to those of the children of Mr. Wright.
Mr. Wright's early life, his wonderful business qualifications and the pride he took in the city, of which he was the founder, have been described in the following words of his intimate friend. W. A. Croffut: "But scant justice has been done in the published sketches of George B.
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OTTER TAIL. COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Wright to qualities and abilities which made him known to a public beyond the circle of his acquaintances; or to the gifts which he displayed to the infinite amusement of his friends. In a word, Mr. Wright was an exceed- ingly clever man, with a full appreciation of the deliciously ludicrous; a faculty for molding into form those clever conceits which most Americans like to read, and the power to think deeply and well, and to express his thoughts with very pungent English. Thousands of people who never knew the genial man read the emanations of his pen, which he did not hesitate to father, and the large number of contributions which he made under a nom de plume.
"A large part of these emanations of his pen have been preserved in two scrap-books, which the Pioneer Press of St. Paul has obtained from the family for reminiscent reproductions. In the second scrap-book much is preserved that he wrote after 1875. Probably nothing was ever done that called Fergus Falls into more public notice than a series of humorous advertisements which he published. He made them so eccentric that people looked for the periodical changes in them. It was his persistence in causing the phrase, "the coming city of the Northwest," to be linked with Fergus Falls, which has undoubtedly joined the name of this city with that phrase for all time. These advertisements were usually headed, 'George B. Wright's Remarks,' and the character of them may be judged from a few specimens such as the following :
"Land! Land !! Land !!! Land !!!! Mold and loam and clay and sand, The very ground ou which we stand. (To get it, how we've starved and planned ) ! Broad landscape, rivers, mountains grand ; White fields by blizzards gently fanned, Brown lawns by torrid blazes tanned ; Dry dirt marked out-prospected-panned.
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