Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company
Number of Pages: 872

USA > Minnesota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 100
USA > North Dakota > Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens > Part 100

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Mr. Whipple was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Lee, of Ohio, and a daughter of John Lee. Mrs. Whipple died March 13, 1887.

Mr. Whipple is one of the prominent busi- ness men of Detroit, being at all times ready to assist in the furthering of matters of public interest. He has been successful in business, and has gathered to him many warm personal friends. He is a stanch republican, and is an influential member of the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities.

WEN N. HESKIN, a resident of Cale- donia, North Dakota, and the present sheriff of the county, is one of the pioneers of Traill county. He was born in Valders, Hamar Stift, Norway, on the 29th of Sep- tember, 1856, and is a son of Nels N. and Anna (Hendrickson) Heskin. When our sub- ject was about twelve years old the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Iowa county, Wisconsin, upon a farm. When Swen was about thirteen years of age he began life for himself, and commenced working out among the farmers. This he followed for several years in Minnesota, and then, in 1872, he came to Traill county, North Dakota, and took a homestead of 160 acres on section 26, Roseville township, where he lived until removing to Caledonia, after being elected sheriff in the fall of 1888. He saw very hard times during pioneer days

and endured many hardships. He started out in life a poor boy, and when he settled on his homestead was so "hard up" that he had to borrow one dollar to go to Fargo in search of work. Uponarriving there he found a teamster who allowed him to sleep in his wagon, and by buying some crackers he tlius saved hotel bills. A part of the sum- mer of 1873 he worked on a steamboat for the Hudson Bay Company, and during the latter part of the summer he worked with a Government surveying party. As fast as he earned money he used it in improving his place, and soon got in such shape that he was not obliged to go out to work, but could devote his attention wholly to his farm. The first spring he came here Moorhead was a village of tents and Fargo was not started until later during that summer. For six years he hauled his wheat to Fargo for market and the trip would consume about a week, and he would camp on the way, frequently scraping the snow off the ground and wrapping himself in his blanket, and thus find a bed on the cold ground. His industry, enterprise and frugality have been rewarded, and he is now in excellent circumstances. He owns 400 acres of well- cultivated land with excellent building improvements, and is rated as one of the most solid and substantial farmners of the county. He was elected sheriff of the county on the temperance ticket in the fall of 1888 by a handsome majority. Before the con- vention was held he was urged to run by his friends, but refused, and they placed him on the ticket and elected him, with no effort on liis part. He is a stanch prohibitionist, and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. A man of the strictest integrity, he is highly regarded both as an exemplary citizen and an official.

Mr. Heskin was married in Traill county, North Dakota, in May, 1874, to Miss Rachel O'Hougan, a daughter of Ole K. and Mary

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O'Hougan, natives of Norway. Their marriage has been blessed with the follow- ing children - Julia, Nels, Ole, Mary, John, Henry and Annie.

ANIEL W. BILLINGS, who is engaged in the general merchandise business at Aldrich, Minnesota, is the leading mer- chant of that place. He was born in the village of Milford, Penobscot county, Maine, June 27, 1851, and is a son of John D. and Esther Billings. His parents were both natives of Maine, and his father was en- gaged in milling and lumbering. Our sub- ject spent his boyhood-days attending school and helping his father in the mill. When he was eighteen years old he went to Minne- apolis, where he attended school for one year, and then for a like period drove a team for a man named John Tidd. He then opened a confectionery store, which he ran for ten months, when he sold out and went back to the home of his parents in his native State. The following spring he went to Harrison, Cumberland county, Maine, and opened a confectionery store, which he conducted for two years, and then sold out. He then went to Colorado in search of a location and spent some three months in looking over the country, after which he returned to Minneapolis: For some time he drove a team and also followed logging, and then came to Wadena county, Minnesota, and took a homestead about three and a half miles from Aldrich. For several years he only carried on his farm at odd times, being gone a part of each year working in the pineries, cooking, etc. In the winter of 1880-81 he engaged in logging on his own account,following this in the winter and work- ing on his farm during the summer months. After three years so spent he then for two years devoted his attention principally to his

farm. In 1886, in company with G. H. Bil- lings, he opened a general merchandise store at Aldrich, and six months later our subject bought out his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business alone. He also handles lumber and wood, and his straight- forward, honorable dealing has built up for him a good trade. He carries a stock of about $2,000.

Mr. Billings is a republican in political matters. He is an affable, pleasant gentle- man, and a capable business man.

J ABEZ MERRELL, the efficient postmaster of the village of Burnhamville, Todd county, Minnesota, is a native of the Empire State. He was born at Mt. Vision, Otsego county, New York, and is the son of Tilling- hast and Laura (Gardiner) Merrell, also natives of that State. The parents were married in New York State, where they remained until 1855, when they removed to Wabasha county, Minnesota, where the father engaged in general farming and stock- raising. The mother died April 18, 1870. She was an exemplary member of the Methodist church. The father died in 1881. They were blessed with the following-named children-Jabez, Charles Dwyan, Rhodes, Mary, Alice, Marshall and Freddie, the last three being deceased.

Mr. Merrell, of whom this memoir treats, remained in Otsego county until he was thirteen years of age, attending the district schools and finishing at Chaseville. In 1855 he removed with his parents to Minne- sota and remained with them until he was seventeen. He then secured work on a farm and after four years went to Michi- gan and engaged in farming for one year, and in the salt works for six months. In 1870 he located on section 5, Burnham- ville township, Todd county, Minnesota,

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where he homesteaded land, and for fifteen years followed farming. He held many of the local offices, including supervisor, district clerk, school director, etc. In 1886 he received the appointment of postmaster, and at once removed to the village and assumed the duties of that position.

Mr. Merrell was married on the 16th of June, 1866, to Miss Sarah J. Adrian, a native of Vermont and the daughter of Rev. Isaac Adrian, a Baptist minister. Mr. and Mrs. Merrell have been blessed with the following-named children-James, Ella M., Charles R., Rhodes A. and Jesse G. Mr. Merrell and his family belong to the Method- ist church. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party. He is a public- spirited citizen, actively interested in all local matters, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

ON. KNUTE NELSON, who will form the subject of this biographical article, is the most prominent citizen of Alexandria, Douglas county, Minnesota, and one of the leading men of the State. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born on the 2d day of February, 1843, and re- mained in his native land until he was six years old. At that period in life he emi- grated to the United States, settling in Wis- consin, where he was one of the leading citizens for many years. He attended school, receiving an academic education, and after completing his schooling studied law, was admitted to the bar, and since that tinie has more or less been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He served in the Fourth Wisconsin Infantry as a private and non-commissioned officer during three years of the late war. During the session of 1868-69 Mr. Nelson was a member of the assembly in the Wisconsin legislature, and in about 1870 removed to Minnesota, settling in Alexandria,

where he has since resided. During 1872, 1873 and 1874 he was prosecuting attorney of Douglas county, Minnesota. He was State senator in the Minnesota legislature in 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878, and was presi- dential elector on the Garfield and Arthur ticket. He was elected from the Fifthı Min- nesota District to the Forty-eighth Congress of the United States, and being re-elected at each succeeding election, served until the 4th of March, 1889, when he was succeeded by Hon. S. G. Comstock. He is one of the leading men in the State, and has been prom- inently identified with all political matters. A man of the highest integrity and honor, and a man of great ability, le has attained a National reputation.

AMES V. CAMPELL, a prominent mem- ber of the farming community of Nor- man county, is a resident of the village of Ada. He was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. In 1829 he moved to New York, and lived there until 1850. During that year he emigrated to Portage county, Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Plo- ver, where he resided continuously for twenty-eight years, following the various pursuits of farming, carpentering and log- ging. In 1861 he enlisted in the Tenth Illi- nois Cavalry, and served one year, being mustered out in 1862 with the rank of sergeant-major. In the year 1878 he made another move to the West, and settled in Ada, Minnesota, and engaged in the farm machinery business, which business he con- ducted successfully until the fall of 1887, when he withdrew and has since followed farming. He has always been a stanch republican.

Since the above was written we learn that Mr. Campell has been appointed postmaster at Ada.

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PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

AMOS ROSE. The subject of this bio- graphical sketch is a resident of Breckenridge township, Wilkin county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is a native of Canada West, born on the 27th of Octo- ber, 1845, and is the son of Silas and Mary Anı (Hawkins) Rose. The father died in June, 1881, and the mother in September of the same year. They were the parents of eight children -William, Rachel, Hiram, Henry, Mary, Malissa, Amos, and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Rose, of whom this article treats, remained at home, attending school and assisting his father on the home farm until he was twenty years of age. In 1866 he removed to Kansas, where he followed contracting on the Kansas Pacific Rail- road for five years, also working on the Fort Scott & Baxter Springs Railroad. At the expiration of that time he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he took a contract to build a grade on the Northern Pacific from Crow Wing river west to three miles east of Moorhead. He was the first person to haul goods to be lodged in Moor- head for Bruns & Finkle. After finishing the contract Mr. Rose went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and took the contract to furnish piles for the Manitoba Railroad from St. Cloud to the Northern Pacific Railroad. He then took a contract from the same road to grade from four miles east of Sauk Centre to two miles west of Melrose. After filling the contract he engaged in various occupa- tions until 1872, when he located in Brecken- ridge, and until 1884 was engaged by the Government, furnishing teams for transport- ing soldiers, etc., between different points. He then opened the first livery stable in the village, which business he carried on until he located on his present farm.

Mr. Rose was united in marriage April 27, 1872, to Miss Lizzie Murphy, a native of Wis-

consin, and the daughter of Thomas Murphy. Her father worked in the copper mines until she was thirteen years old, when he moved to Dakota, settling near Wild Rice, where he followed farming until his death, which occurred November 20, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Rose have been blessed with four children- Doliy, Mertle, Orville and Willie. Our sub- ject is one of the prosperous farmers of Wil- kin county, and has held the office of sur- veyor for three years. He devotes his time exclusively to farming and is prominently identified with all local matters. It will be of interest to state that while contracting on the Kansas Pacific road Mr. Rose served as boss over the original "Buffalo Bill" and became intimately acquainted with that notorious personage.

EV. E. S. PEAKE, pastor of the Episco- pal church in Detroit, Becker county, Minnesota, is one of the leading and es- teemed clergyman of the northern part of the State. He is a native of Andrias, Dela- ware county, New York, born January 15, 1830, and is the son of William C. and Anna (Merwin) Peake, also natives of that county. Our subject's ancestry on his father's side were of English descent, while on the mother's side were of Welsh extraction.

The Rev. Mr. Peake, spent his younger days in attending school in his native State, and after passing successfully through the common schools, entered the academy at Kingsboro, New York, and then at Delhi. From the latter place he went to Nashotah, Wisconsin, and entered the Episcopal Theo- logical Seminary, from which he graduated in 1852. He then became a tutor of the college at Nashotah, where he remained three years. At the expiration of that time, and at the request of Jackson Kemper, Bisliop of Wisconsin and Minnesota, he

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removed to Shakopee, Minnesota. He estab- lished charges at Fort Ridgely, on the Lit- tle Sioux and Winnebago Indian agencies. He was then sent to take charge of an Indian village ten miles north of Brainerd, Minne- sota, where he remained until 1856, when he went to Crow Wing, and had charge of the pas- torate at Little Falls for three years. He was then elected chaplain of the Twenty-eighth Wisconsin Infantry, serving throughout the war, and was mustered out with his regiment. He then returned to Minnesota, and, after spending one year in Austin, accepted a call to San Jose, California, where he remained for four and one-half years. At the expira- tion of that time he accepted a call to San Francisco, and after remaining in that city for seven and a half years returned, in 1878, to Minnesota, and was assigned to the charge at Moorhead, Minnesota. While there he visited Wadena, Valley City, Breckenridge, Crookston, Glyndon, Ada and Pembina. After remaining two years in Moorhead he removed to Detroit, and for two years was pastor at that place. In 1882 he went to ·Valley City, Dakota Terrirory, and after two years again returned to Detroit, where he has since remained. He is a man of integrity and honor, a true Christian, con- sistent in his relations to all, and an excellent pulpit orator.

Rev. Peake was married in 1856 to Miss Mary Parker, and this union has been blessed with three children-Amasa, Fannie and Elizabeth. Our subject is chaplain of the Grand Army Post and the Park Region Association, G. A. R.

HESTER SHOUDY, publisher and pro- prietor of the Mercury, at Brecken- ridge, Minnesota, is a native of Albany county, New York, born February 19, 1857, and is the son of Hiram and Catharine Shoudy, also natives of New York State.

Mr. Shoudy spent his younger days on the home farm, and attended the common school until he was fifteen years old, when he entered the State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Iowa. He then clerked in a drug store in Campbell, Minnesota, where he later purchased a small stock of drugs, and, in partnership with Dr. Heath, remained in business until March, 1888, when he re- moved to Breckenridge and purchased an interest in his present paper with H. H. Snell.

In 1884 Mr. Shoudy was married to Miss Hattie Jay. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party.

HOMAS SIMPSON, the live real estate agent of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1849.

Mr. Simpson is the son of Michael and Ann Isabella (McCoy) Simpson, the former a native of Prussia, the latter of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. The parents settled in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, in an early day, where the father became a speculator of considerable note. From Pennsylvania the father went to Mexico, where he engaged in catching wild horses for some time, going thence to Pike's Peak to engage in digging for gold. He was quite successful in his various enterprises and became very wealthy. Gathering his means together he returned to the East to enjoy the comforts that his money and position would bring to him. Unfortunately, however, while riding in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was thrown and badly disabled ; he has since resided in Fort Wayne. The mother died in 1887.

The subject of our sketch was the only child in his father's family. He received his education principally in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he attended and gradu-

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ated from a commercial college. His early life, however, was one of hard toil, and much of his early education was obtained by study on the old home farm. He remained at home with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he began to look about for some business in which he could engage. When still a mere boy, by his mother's advice he first began speculating, after which he became a kind of general speculator for some years. For sixteen years he held the position of depot agent at Susquehanna, in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company. During this time he was a member of the school board for sev- eral years and was always identified with some of the public interests of the precinct in which he lived. He was also superin- tendent of a Sabbath-school and a leader of the choir in the Presbyterian church for sev- eral years. At the conclusion of this period of sixteen years, he made up his mind to go West, taking the advice of one of America's most eminent men. He started for Wash- ington Territory, going by way of Chi- cago, where he remained three weeks and then went by way of steamer to Duluth, where he was detained a short time. He then struck out on an exploring expedition, and becoming interested in this kind of life he continued for some time in examining lands in northwestern Minnesota. In 1886 he came to Perham, Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, where he has since been engaged actively in the real estate business.

In June, 1872, Mr. Simpson was married to Miss Cora Amelia Britton, a native of Lairdsville, Pennsylvania, a lady of excel- lent qualities and highly educated. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have three children-Maud B., Grace E. and Guy C.

Mr. Simpson is one of the brightest and most successful business characters in this part of the county, and has become famous as one of the "hustlers " in regard to land

matters. He is familiar with every section along the Northern Pacific Railroad east of the western boundary of Minnesota.

In politics Mr. Simpson is a loyal sup- porter of the principles of the republican party, and by virtue of his characteristics of energy and push has attained to con- siderable popularity in local politics. He is a leading member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity.

R EV. HARLAN G. MENDENHALL, pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is also president of the Grand Forks Plain- dealer Company, that paper being owned by a stock company. He is one of the most powerful pulpit orators in the Red River Valley and a man of excellent literary attainments. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Chester county of that State on the 12th of April, 1851, and is the son of W. B. and S. A. (Harlan) Mendenhall, natives also of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Mendenhall, of whom this article treats, attended the common schools in Ches- ter county until he was ten years old, when he entered the Willis Seminary, East Hampton, Massachusetts, which he attended for two years. In 1869 he was connected with the Springfield, Massachusetts, Republican, and later he entered LaFayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and after one year went to the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, graduating with high honors in 1874. From 1875 to 1878 he was pastor of the Third Presbyterian church at Fort Wayne, Indiana, and for the succeeding three years had charge of the Sixth Presbyterian church at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

From Pittsburg he was transferred to Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, where he had charge of the pastorate for two years, and in

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November, 1883, was stationed at Lamoure, Dakota Territory, where he remained till the following April. In the summer of 1884,he took charge of the First Presbyterian church at Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he has since remained. He is a man of extensive and versatile knowledge, a thorough scholar and a forcible speaker. He is a powerful ora- tor, and is popular and highly esteemed wherever he is known. In February, 1889, he bought an interest in the Grand Forks Plaindealer, of which he is president. The paper is owned by a stock company, and is one of the leading journals in the Red River Valley. Mr. Mendenhall is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, and is a con- scientious Christian gentleman.

Our subject was united in marriage in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, on the 12th day of October, 1882, to Miss Lucretia Brewer, who died in that place, March 18, 1883. She was an estimable lady and highly esteemed by all who knew her for her many virtues. Our subject is a member of the military order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and also belongs to the Sons of Vet- erans. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party.

OHN P. LUNDIN is a prominent busi- ness man of the village of Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota. He is engaged in the insurance, loan and real estate busi- ness, and also carries a large stock of general merchandise, besides having a farm of about four hundred acres which he is farming. Mr. Lundin is a native of the land of Sweden, and was born in Lönnberga, May 6, 1851. His parents were Ole and Anna C. (Johnson) Peterson, natives of Sweden, and farmers by occupation. His father is deceased and his mother is still living in the old country. He

has three brothers- two in the United States and one in Sweden.

The subject of our sketch lived at home with his parents on the farm until he was twenty years of age, and then, in 1871, emi- grated to the United States. The first year of his life in this country was spent in farm work near Paxton, Illinois. He then spent one year at the carpenter's trade, and then for one year engaged in farming for himself. Turning his attention to easier manual pur- suits he clerked in a store for one year, after which, for two years, he became agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Company selling land. He then engaged in the insurance and fruit tree business, which he followed until 1878. He then removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he became gen- eral Scandinavian agent for the B. & M. Railroad, with his office in the Ashland block. He continued in this important position until the spring of 1881, when he made a visit to Sweden, returning to Chicago, May 15tlı, of the same year. He then engaged as traveling agent for the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad for one year, and in the spring of 1882 removed to Stephen, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he engaged actively in selling lands as agent for that company in the years of 1882 and 1883. In 1884 Mr. Lundin built a large store building and opened a general mer- chandise business, and in connection han- dled insurance loans and real estate. He still holds the position of land agent for the railroad company.

December 29, 1881, Mr. Lundin was mar- ried at Paxton, Illinois, to Miss Mary E. Fager, daughter of Charles Fager. Mrs. Lundin was born September 3, 1858, at Attica, Indiana. The fruits of this mar- riage were two children - Arthur John and Linda.

Mr. Lundin has held numerous positions of trust since coming to this county, and in

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every way has proven himself a worthy and efficient officer. He has been chairman of the town board, village recorder, and is now a member of the board of school directors, and is also town treasurer. He is a leading member of the Congregational church, and in politics affiliates with the republican party. Mr. Lundin has been careful and conserva- tive in business matters, and has been emi- nently successful in all lines in which he has engaged.

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OHN KABERNAGLE, county auditor of Pembina county, North Dakota, is one of the most prominent citizens as well as pioneers of the Red River Valley. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, January 3, 1853, and is a son of Herman H. and Mary E. (Musterman) Kabernagle, who were natives of Hanover, Germany. Our subject grew to manhood in his native city, receiving his education in private schools, which he attended until about fifteen years of age. He then engaged in clerking in stores, and followed this until twenty-one years old. He then went to Washington, District of Columbia, for instructions preparatory to becoming connected with the Government's signal service. He was stationed as assistant at Philadelphia for one year ; then for six months was stationed at Boston. He was then ordered back to Washington, promoted to observer and given charge of the Balti- more station. One year later he was trans- ferred to Pittsburg. In 1876 he came to Pembina, Dakota, and assumed charge of the signal service station there, and after remain- ing two years was ordered to Arizona. Not liking the country nor climate of that region, he resigned his position and returned to Pembina. In company with the sheriff, Charles J. Brown, he engaged in the mercan- tile business, and this partnership continued

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Illustrated album of biography of the famous valley of the Red River of the North and the park regions of Minnesota and North Dakota : containing biographical sketches of settlers and representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company Number of Pages: 872

Author: Alden, Ogle & Company
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Alden, Ogle & Company
Number of Pages: 872