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 101

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 101
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 101

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

until the death of Mr. Brown, in October, 1885. Since that time Mr. Kabernagle has been engaged in farming, and also owns an interest in the brewery. He owns 320 acres of land near Hamilton. Mr. Kabernagle was elected auditor of Pembina county in November, 1888, running on an independent ticket, and being endorsed by the republicans. He also served as deputy county treasurer in 1888. He has always taken an active and prominent part in everything calculated to aid in the development of this region, and every laudable enterprise has always received his earnest support. He has held various local positions, such as supervisor, city clerk, etc. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities.

Mr. Kabernagle was married at Pembina, September 5, 1888, to Miss Hannah Eyford.

OHN RISTOW, one of the many gallant "boys in blue" and veterans of the Civil War who live in the Red River Valley, is engaged in farming on section 18, Fanny township, Polk county, Minnesota. Few men in the northern part of the State have a more eventful history or a more eventful army record.

Mr. Ristow was born in Prussia on the 9th of February, 1847, and is a son of. Joachim and Mary (Wilk) Ristow, both of whom were natives of the same kingdom. The family came to the United States in 1860 and settled in Buffalo county, Wiscon- sin, where the parents died.

John Ristow remained at home aiding in carrying on the home farm until he was fourteen years of age. At that time he com- menced life's labors on his own account, working for various farmers in Buffalo county, Wisconsin. On the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty- fifth Wisconsin Infantry, and was sent to

768

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

Minnesota to aid in defending the settlers of the frontier in the famous Indian out- break of 1862. Six months after his enlist- ment he was transferred to the regular service, and assigned to Company C, Eighth United States Infantry. For some time he was on headquarters duty for General Hooker, and later for General Mead. In July, 1863, he and his regiment were sent to New York City to quell the riot just after the battle of Gettysburg. He remained with the Eighth Regulars until a peculiar incident occurred. He went out one night in the city and was detained until morning. In returning he met a member of his company and was told that he would be " court-martialed." This made him nervous over results and he quietly joined Company E, Thirty-ninth New York Infantry, enlist- ing under the name of Charles Homan. He served with this regiment until the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864. At this battle he lost his left arm and was wounded in the right side and right arm. He was then sent to the hospital at Wash- ington, and two months later to the Chris- tian street hospital in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. From there he was transferred to the Broad and Cherry streets hospital, and was finally honorably discharged.

After being mustered out of the service Mr. Ristow returned to Wisconsin and engaged in farming. He remained there until 1878, when he came to Polk county, Minnesota, and took 160 acres of land as a homestead on section 18, Fanny town- ship, where he now lives. This place has since been his home with the exception of four years, when he was county jailer and lived in Crookston. His farm is under a high state of cultivation and is a valuable one. His building improvements are sub- stantial and comfortable. Mr. Ristow draws a pension of $45 per month and well deserves it. He is a genial, hospitable and intelligent

gentleman, well posted on all public matters, a man of the strictest integrity and is highly regarded in the locality in which he lives. He has always taken a part in all matters of a public nature and has filled many of the local offices.

Mr. Ristow was married at Alma, Buffalo county, Wisconsin, to Miss Elizabeth Buehler, a daughter of John and Mary (Veraguth) Buehler. She was born in Fountain City, Wisconsin, but her parents were natives of Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Ristow are the parents of the following children-Charles, Mary, Maggie, John, Theodore and Eliza- beth, all of whom are living at home.

B ENGT JOHNSON, of Hallock, Kittson county, Minnesota, is county treasurer of his county and is one of the most highly respected and prominent citizens of that locality. He was born in Virke, Sweden, on the 20th of November, 1854, and is a son of John and Boel (Larson) Swenson, natives also of Sweden. He grew to manhood in his native land, receiving the same training as to integrity, frugality and industry which is so characteristic of his race. He received an excellent education, attending common schools until seventeen and then for six months attended the graded school at Hvilan. He then worked in a foundry and machine shop for about two years. He then went to a private school for a year, when he entered the college at Malmö, where he took a thorough course of three years and graduated with the highest honors. He then kept books in that town for about one year, and at the expiration of that time, on the 1st of May, 1880, came to the United States. He made his way directly to Dakota, worked on a railroad for a time and followed various kinds of labor until the spring of 1881. He then went to Kittson county, Minnesota, and

769

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA

took a pre-emption on section 2, Skane town- ship. He improved this and still owns the farm. He lived upon it until the fall of 1888, when he removed to Hallock, having been elected county treasurer on the "People's ticket."

NICHOLAS NIMESYERN is a resident of Red Lake Falls, Polk county, Minne- sota, where he has a well-stocked and popular confectionery and notion store. His native place is found in Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, where he was born January 29, 1857. His parents were John and Maggie (Zimmer) Nimesyern, natives of Germany.

The subject of our sketch spent his early life helping his parents with work on the farm, and also working for neighboring farmers and turning over the proceeds of his labor to his father. In those days the advantages for receiving an education were not of the highest order, but he contrived by home study and attending the district schools somewhat to obtain a fair knowl- edge of books. Remaining with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, he then engaged in farm work for himself. After two years spent in that kind of labor, he next turned his attention to carpentering, following that trade for some five years. Being desirous of obtaining a better educa- tion, during these five years he attended school in the winter months, making a par- ticular study of architecture and draughting, as he then expected to follow the carpenter's trade as a life-long business. He also took a course of instruction in St. John University, in Stearns county ; three years of the time, or a greater part thereof, were spent in Albany, Stearns county. Removing thence he went to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, where he remained for six months working at his trade. Then, in 1882, he came

to Red Lake Falls, purchased four lots, and settled down to work at his trade. He made carpenter work his principal business for about two years, then, in company with his brother, Peter, he engaged in the fur- niture trade, continuing the partnership until 1886. In that year he bought out his brother's interest and has since continued in business alone. In 1887 to the furniture goods he added a stock of fruits and con- fectionery and also musical instruments. His stores are both in one building, but he occupies two rooms, one containing his fine stock of furniture and the other his notion store. Mr. Nimesyern has become one of the leading men of Red Lake Falls, and by his courteous manners and public spirit lias formed many warm friendships. Leaving home when a poor boy, he had no one to look to for support or help and had to make his own way by hard work at any kind of labor he could fine todo. Starting out with nothing, by thrift and careful management he has grown into good circumstances and has built upan extensive trade. He is a lead- ing member of the Catholic church.

- -

RANK J. THOMPSON, one of the leading members of the Red River Valley Bar, a well-known lawyer of Fargo, is also one of the most prominent members of the Masonic fraternity in the Northwest.

Mr. Thompson was born at Rockford, Illinois, on the 23d of August, 1854, and is a son of Jared C. and Sarah J. (Mason) Thompson, natives of the State of New York. At the time of his birth his parents were in Illinois on a visit, their home being in Augusta, Michigan. While our subject was still a small child his parents removed to Marshall, Michigan, where he spent the greater portion of his boyhood-days. He attended the common schools until twelve

770

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

years of age, when he began life on his own account. Since that time he has depended wholly upon his own exertions, and is in every sense a self-made man. Thus the work of a man devolved upon him while he was still a child; but he succeeded by hard work and indefatigable energy in educating himself, and he is to-day one of the most able and capable lawyers in the valley. When he left home he learned the machinist's trade, working for eighteen months as an office boy, and then went into the shops and followed this for four years. He then sup- ported himself by keeping books and look- ing after hotel interests. He then, having a talent for music, finished a musical course, and for two years thereafter taught piano music at Centerville and Three Rivers, Michi- gan. At the expiration of that time he went to Jackson, Michigan, and for two years attended the college at that place ; then entered the law office of Higley & Gibson, and for eighteen months diligently pursued his legal studies. He was then admitted to the bar, and opened an office in Jackson, Michigan, continuing in practice there until the spring of 1878, when he removed to Fargo, North Dakota, and has since made that his home and pursued his profession. He has built up a lucrative business, as he is a successful practitioner, a safe and cautious counsel, an able speaker and a thorough law- yer. During early days here he also found time to devote some of his energies to differ- ent lines, being at one time connected with the United States land office as clerk, and has also devoted some attention to farming interests.

As has been stated, Mr. Thompson is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity, a member of Shilo Lodge, No. S, Fargo, of which he has served as worshipful master for five consecutive years. He is venerable mas- ter of Perfection Lodge, Scottish Rite Masons. At various times he has served as an officer

in the Grand Lodge of Dakota, and is now for the second time serving as reporter on foreign correspondence for the Grand Lodge of Dakota. He is a Royal Arch Mason, Knight Templar, and has received the thirty- third and last degree in Scottish Rites of South Jurisdiction.

Our subject was married in Minneapolis, November 12, 1882, to Miss Elmadine Bis- sonette, a daughter of Antoine and Phila- mene Bissonette. They have one child named Jaredine.

J. UNDERWOOD, deceased, was edi- tor and proprietor of the Fergus Falls Journal, established July, 1873. He was clerk of court, which position he held for many years with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He was a native of Clymer, New York, and was the son of Abisha and Mary (Alvord) Underwood, also natives of New York.

Mr. Underwood was married to Miss Nancy Folsom in 1857, and this union was blessed with five children-Annie, Benjamin, Judson, May and Elizabeth. Mrs. Under- wood still has an interest in the Journal, and is a lady of more than ordinary attainments and ability. Mr. Underwood was a republi- can and an exemplary citizen, highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He with his family belonged to the Presbyterian church, of which organization he was deacon for many years.

NDREW PETERSON is the present efficient cashier of the Bank of Wheaton, Traverse county, Minnesota. The bank was incorporated on the 15th day of January, 1889, with the following officers : President, David Burton ; vice-president, O. R. Lifitt ; and cashier, Andrew Peterson, the

771

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

subject of this article. Mr. Peterson is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born in Bergen Stift, in the northern part, on the 9th day of February, 1862, and is the son of Peder and Sigre Pederson, also natives of that kingdom. The father and mother, who are still residing in Norway, are the parents of the following-named children-Peder, David, Anna, Andrew and Aone. Of tlie children all are in Swift county, Minnesota, except Peder, who is still in Norway, and Andrew, our subject.

Mr. Peterson the subject of this memoir, received his education in his native land, where he remained until 1880. Then he emigrated to the United States, and located in Swift county, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm during that summer, and in the following winter attended school in Benson. In the spring of 1881 he secured a position as clerk in the general store of A. N. John- son & Co., with whom he remained for four years. At the expiration of that time he returned to his native land, and after remain- ing one week, again emigrated to the United States, bringing fifty-two emigrants with him, who all settled in Minnesota. Upon his return he located in the village of Wheaton, Traverse county, Minnesota, and opened a general merchandise store, which he carried on, doing a large business until 1888. Then he engaged in the machinery and collecting business until the present Bank of Wheaton was established, when our subject assumed the duties of cashier.

Mr. Peterson was united in marriage, in 1885, in Benson, to Miss Randi Belgum, and this union has been blessed with one boy- Albert S. Our subject and his family belong to the Lutheran church. In political matters he is an adherent to the principles which govern the republican party. He is one of the representative citizens of Wheaton and is prominently identified with all local matters.

JAMES FOREMAN. The subject of this article is a resident of the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in blacksmithing. He is a native of Scotland, born in Forfarshire, and is the son of David and Jane (Clyne) Fore- man, also natives of that kingdom.

Mr. Foreman remained at home attending school until he was sixteen years old, when he commenced in life for himself by entering an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade. After learning his trade he worked out for one year and again returned to the old shop. After remaining six weeks he again worked for six months in a country shop, then went to a new employer, with whom he remained one year. He then went to Montrose and after working six months again returned to a country shop, where he remained one year. At the expiration of that time he went to Brechin and worked six months at his trade. In 1882 he removed to Crookston, Minnesota, and after working one year for McKinin Brothers, removed to Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, and purchased his present blacksmith shop. He also runs a wagon shop in connection and is doing a good business.

Mr. Foreman was married in Crookston, Minnesota, on the 19th of November, 1884, to Miss Josie Johnson. They are devoted members of the Presbyterian church. Our subject is a member of the village council. He is a hard worker and is an exemplary citizen, higlily esteemed by all who know him.

LIERRE BOTTINEAU, well known as a guide in Sibley's expedition across the plains, and as Government scout, is a resi- dent of the village of Red Lake Falls, where he owns considerable land near the village. He is a native of Dakota, born about twelve miles west of Grand Forks, and is the son of

772

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

Charles and Margaret (Clear Sky) Bottineau. About the time our subject was born Lord Selkirk formed a colony of Swedes and Scotchmen near Fort Gary, and after the death of Lord Selkirk they commenced an exodus. Although our subject was a boy, he was well skilled as a guide, and he acted as such to a great many families. In a great many early expeditions he was employed as a scout and guide by the Government, and was such in the noted Sibley expedition. He is well acquainted with all Dakota, Min- nesota, Montana, etc., and his services as such were invaluable. In 1841 he took a claim where St. Paul now stands, but later sold it for a horse and cow. He then bought a claim where St. Anthony Falls is located, and by the dishonesty of purchasers lost thousands of dollars. He now owns 200 acres of fine land adjoining the village of Red Lake Falls.

Mr. Bottineau was married in Winnipeg to Miss Jennie Larence, and they were blessed with the following-named children- Pierre (dead), John, Pierre (dead), Mary, Danie (dead), Rosalie (deceased), Margarette, Leon and Elsie (twins, deceased). After Mrs. Bottineau's death, our subject married Miss Martha Garvis, and they have been blessed with the following-named children- Martha, Charles, Leon, Henry, William, Emilie, George (deceased), George, Norman, Laura, Jennie (dead), Jenny, Agnes and Noah.

ILLIAM H. PATTEE, M. D. a prom- inent and leading physician and surgeon, residing in the village of Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, is also engaged in the drug business in connec- tion with his professional work.

From the records of a meeting held in May, 1788, the orthography of the name

Pattee has undergone various changes, such as Petty, Pettee, Patty, Pattee, etc., yet all derived from the same original word. The following is a brief ancestral record of our subject's ancestry. Sir William Pattee was a physician to Cromwell and King Charles of England. He was one of the founders of the Royal Society and was knighted in 1660. He was a copious and exhaustive writer on political economy, and Macaulay in his history of England mentions this fact. Peter Pattee, a son of Sir William was born in Lansdowne, England, in 1648. In 1669 on account of certain political ideas he enter- tained, he found it necessary to take a hasty departure from his native country. He emigrated to the United States, and settled in Virginia, and after remaining a few years went to Haverhill, Massachusetts, where, in November, 1677, he took the oath of alle- giance. He was married at Haverhill, and became the father of a large family. He founded the corporation at that place and established a ferry and mill, which retains his name to this day: Peter Pattee was the grandfather of Captain Asa Pattee, who was born at Haverhill in 1732, and removed to Warner county, Massachusetts, at about the close of the Revolutionary War. He was a captain in the French and Indian Wars, and was present at the taking of Quebec. On coming to Warner he located where the village now stands and erected the first frame house, now known as the Dr. Eaton House, in which he ran a hotel for a number of years. He was the father of John Pattee, who was the father of Asa, Jesse and Cyrus Pattee, also of Daniel, who settled in Canaan and whose descendants are prominent citizens of Grafton county, Massachusetts. Asa Pattee, the son of John Pattee, the grandson of Capt. Asa Pattee, and the great-great- great-grandson of Sir William, was born in Warner county, Massachusetts, on the 14th day of October, 1800, and was educated in the

773

PARK REGIONS OF MINNESOTA.

district school on Tory Hill. In 1827 he was married to Miss Sallie Colby, the daughter of Stephen Colby, one of the Revolutionary soldiers and a prominent man of a century ago. Mr. Pattee was a practical and success- ful farmer through life, and served repeat- edly as a selectman and representative. He was the father of the following- named children-John (deceased), Dr. Luther, Stephen C., Dr. Asa; and daughters, Mrs. Palmer and Mrs. E. C. Cole.

William H. Pattee, M. D., the subject of this sketch, is a native of Warner county, New Hampshire, born September 7, 1856, and is the son of Stephen and Sally Pattee, also natives of that county. The father was the son of Peter Pattee, who has been men- tioned above. Our subject remained at home attending school until he was twenty-one years old. In June, 1877, he graduated with high honors at Burlington, Vermont, and then for a few months attended medical lec- tures at Boston. He then went to Belmont, where he engaged in his professional work until the spring of 1878. He then went to London Ridge, and until 1881 followed the practice of medicine. In February, 1881, he removed to Minnesota and located at Peli- can Rapids, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he engaged in his profession, and in 1886, in partnership with Dr. Rea, established his present drug store. Since that time he has been actively engaged in · his profession and the drug business, and is one of the most prominent and successful practitioners in the county.

Dr. Pattee was married on the 24th day of September, 1883, to Miss Antoinetta Scott, and this union has been blessed with the fol- lowing-named children-Stephen and Her- bert. Our subject is a democrat in his politi- cal affiliations and is actively interested in all local matters. He is a man of the strict- est integrity, and is highly esteemed both professionally and as an exemplary citizen.

M. HIGLEY, a prominent merchant of Lake Park, Becker county, Minne- sota, is engaged in the hardware business, handling a full line of heavy and shelf hard- ware, stoves, tinware, cutlery, household furnishing goods, etc. He is a native of Potter county, Pennsylvania, born on the 17th day of December, 1843, and is the son of Isaac M. and Polly (Felt) Higley, natives of New York State. The father removed to Pennsylvania in about 1840 and in 1852 to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where he followed farming for three years. Then in 1856 he settled in Dover township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he pre-empted 160 acres, where he is now living, engaged in farming. Mrs. Higley died in 1857. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living-our subject and Susan.

Mr. Higley, of whom this article treats, remained at home, attending school until he was seventeen years old, when he enlisted in Brackett's Cavalry. They at once went to Benton Barracks, and formed in the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. Our subject was on the skir- mish line in Kentucky and Alabama, and in 1864 re-enlisted and was with General Sully's expedition across the plains. In 1866, after receiving his discharge, he returned home and purchased a farm, on which he remained, engaged in farming until 1870. He then removed to Becker county, Min- nesota, and took a soldier's homestead five miles south of Lake Park, which he culti- vated and improved, remaining there until 1883. He then traded his farm for his pres- ent property in Lake Park, on the corner of block 10, where he has since carried on the hardware business. He has been promi- nently identified with the progress of the village, and has held the following offices: member of the school board, village recorder, constable, school treasurer, etc.

Mr. Higley was married in 1867 to Mrs. E. M. Bogue, of St. Charles, Minnesota, and

774

RED RIVER VALLEY AND

the daughter of Morril and Maria Chamber- lin. By her first husband Mrs. Higley was the mother of two children-William H. and Harriet A. Mr. and Mrs. Higley are the parents of four children, named as follows- Miles M., Ella E., Frank B. and Mary E. Our subject is a republican in his political affiliations. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Sons of Temper- ance. He is one of the solid business men of the place.

- LBERT P.MCINTYRE, proprietor of the Windsor House, and also postmaster of Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in Kenosha county on the 25th of August, 1845, and is the son of John P. and Margery McIntyre, natives of New York. In 1857 his parents removed to Dodge county, Min- nesota, and located on Government land there.

Mr. McIntyre, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until August 21, 1862, wlien he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Min- nesota Infantry. He expected to receive a twenty-days' furlough to go home and har- vest, but owing to the Indian trouble coming on the company were ordered to the Win- nebago Agency, where they remained nine months and then joined Sibley's expedition. After this was finished they returned to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, and were ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, where they were sta- tioned for two or three days in Benton Bar- racks, when their colonel, J. H. Baker, was appointed provost marshal, and for nine months our subject's company served on pro- vost duty in the city. They were then ordered to Columbus, Kentucky, and after remaining in camp there for two months went to Mem- phis, where they werefor three months. Their brigade, under Colonel Mower, then went up White river to Duvall's Bluff and into Mis- souri to Cape Girardeau, and then to St.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 101

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