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 20

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 20
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 20

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engaged in any active employment, except supervising the work of his farm. At the date last mentioned, he was elected to the office of city justice, a position which he graces at the present time (1888). By his energy, tact, industry and economy, Mr. Spendley has succeeded in accumulating a fair share of this world's goods, having, be- sides his beautiful farm, a handsome resi- dence in Crookston, and several hundred . acres of other land. He is a prominent member of Cobham Post, No. 90, G. A. R .; of Crookston Lodge, No. 191, A. F. & A.M .; and of Pierson Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.

Mr. Spendley was united in marriage, February 17, 1883, with Miss Elsie H. New- ton. They have one daughter, Mary Ruth.

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LLIVER WILLIAMS, a prominent and successful farmer and stock-raiser, who resides on section 22, Pomme de Terre township, is one of the most highly respected old settlers in Grant county, Minnesota. His parents, who were Jacob and Lydia (Grinnell) Williams, were natives of Penn- sylvania, where they were among the early settlers. The father died there in about 1850, while the mother died about ten years later. They were the parents of nine children - Olliver, Sarah, Laura, Olive, Harriet, Lydia, Agnes, Joseph and Victoria.

Olliver Williams, who is the subject of this article, was born in Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, on the 12th of February, 1830. Owing to the adverse circumstances of his parents, he was favored with but little in the way of educational advantages, so that all the educa- tion he secured was through his own exertions, and at odd times. When he was about fif- teen years old he began working out, and during the first winter he worked in the pineries. The next was put in at work on a farm in Ohio. He then shifted about a good

deal, and engaged in coal mining, which he followed in Pennsylvania and Illinois for about thirty years. He was one of the earli- est settlers in Rock Island, Illinois, having located there in 1848. He continued to fol- low the business of a coal miner until 1869, when he came to Grant county, Minnesota, where he has since lived. He took a home- stead on sections 22 and 23, Pomme de Terre township, which he improved, and now has a well cultivated and valuable farm. The country was very new at that time and they were among the earliest settlers in the northern part of Grant county.

Mr. Williams has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Isabelle Towner, who was a native of Kentucky. This marriage was blessed with seven children, only two of whom are now living - Olliver and Celena. In 1869 Mr. Williams was again married, his present wife being formerly Miss Mary Butler.

Mrs. Williams was born in Pennsylvania. When she was only three days old her mother died, and owing to the hard times and cir- cumstances of her people she was early thrown upon her own resources and industry. She went to Pittsburgh when eighteen years of age and lived there for ten years, then went to Ohio. A year later she went to Henry county, Illinois, where she met and married Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams is a gentleman of sterling worth and integrity, and both he and his wife are held in the highest esteem by all who know them.

LPHEUS WELLS, of the firm of Wells Brothers, engaged in the gen- eral merchandise business, in Herman, Grant county, Minnesota, is a native of Canada. He was born in Upper Canada, at L'Orig- nal, on the 12th of August, 1839, and is the

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son of Abel and Hannah (Cass) Wells, na- tives of New York and Canada, respect- ively. The father of our subject died in 1876, at Jordan, Minnesota, where he had resided three years. He was engaged in farming, and in his earlier life was devoted to the mercantile business. The mother of the present subject is living in Morris, Ste- vens county, Minnesota, at the advanced age of eighty years. They are the parents of the following named children-Joseph P., Polly, Ann, Rufus, A. W., Azelia, A. and H. H. Joseph was killed at the battle of Vicks- burg, and was in the Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry, Company C. Azelia died at Mor- ris. May 10, 1873, and was the wife of Mr. Wolff, who was engaged in the general mer- chandise business. She was a sympathizer with the Methodist church, and an excellent lady, highly estemeed by all who knew her.

Mr. Wells, the subject of this article, spent his younger days in Canada and attended the public schools of that land until he had reached the age of sixteen years. Until he had reached the age of twenty years, he was engaged in farming in Canada, and at the age of twenty years he removed to Minnesota, settling at Jordan, where he remained eight years, engaged in the milling business with his brother Rufus. At the expiration of the time mentioned lie removed to Grant county, Minnesota, by way of Morris, Min- nesota, where he stopped one month. IIe settled in Herman in 1878, and bought out Mr. Stone, who was engaged in the mercan- tile business. He was assistant cashier in the bank in Herman for two years. He is now one of the stockholders of the bank, and holds an interest in the Stevens County Bank at Morris ; also in a store at Wheaton, Min- nesota.

He was married in April, 1880, to Miss Lotta Davidson, the daughter of John David- son, and they are the parents of three chil- dren-Edith, Arthur and Stella. He is a re-

publican in politics and takes an active inter- est in all local affairs. He has been the presi- dent of the village council, and is one of the most prominent and highly esteemed citizens of Grant county. He has been chairman of the village board, and held various local offices. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity.

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EORGE L. FRY is a resident of the village of Osakis, Douglas county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the gen- eral merchandise trade, handling all kinds of boots, shoes, dry goods, groceries, etc. He is a native of Indiana, born in Bartholomew county, on the 14th of November, 1851, and is the son of Peter and Martha (Snow) Fry, natives of North Carolina. The father and mother of our subject were united in mar- riage in Indiana, and, after marriage, settled down in that State, which they made their home for the most part of the remainder of their lives. The father died in Arkansas. He was a miller by trade, but, during the latter part of his life, he followed the mer- chant's business and farming. They were the parents of the following named children - Pleates, Emma, Tina, Lenora, George, Her- man and Charles.

George L. Fry, the subject of this bio- graphical sketch, received his education in the village of Hope, Indiana, and at the age of seventeen years left the school-room and removed to Minnesota. He settled at the village of Osakis, Douglas county, where he engaged in the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until 1883. In 1877 he went to the Black Hills, Dakota Territory, where he remained some time, directing the erection of some government buildings in that region. He is one of the earliest settlers in Douglas county, having located there in 1868. At

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that time there were only six or seven set- tlers in the county, among whom were Messrs. Johnson, Adley and Stone. In 1883 Mr. Fry engaged in his present business, general merchandising, which he has since followed. He carries one of the heaviest stocks in the village, and is doing a success- ful and increasing business.

Mr. Fry was united in marriage on the 25th of January, 1875, to Miss Innie McAlip, a native of Bartholomew county, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Fry have been blessed with the following named children - Claud, Le- verne, Myrthe, Ray, Cole and Violet. Mr. Fry is a republican in politics, and is a highly respected citizen of Osakis village. He has held the office of school clerk since 1886, and is actively interested in all local matters. Liberal and enterprising, every enterprise calculated to aid in the growth and develop- ment of his locality receives his hearty aid and encouragement. He was interested largely in the firm which negotiated the establishment of a creamery at Osakis. The creamery has a capacity of from three to four thousand pounds of butter per day, and is one of the most beneficial and impor- tant industries in Douglas county.

RANK HAMILTON. Prominent among the business men of Polk county, Minnesota, is the subject of this article, a successful hardware dealer in the village of Fisher. He is a native of Canada, born in Ontario, on the 14th of April, 1858, and is the son of Frank and Christena (McInnis) Hamilton, also a native of that dominion. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of the following named children -- Donald, William, George, Robert, Kate, Jennie, Flora, Christena and Frank.

Frank Hamilton, the subject of this article, remained at home, attending the excellent

common schools of his native county until he had attained the age of fourteen years. At that period in life, he entered an apprentice- ship to the wagon maker's trade at Cromarty, Canada. He followed his trade for two years in that place, and then removed to Listowell, Canada, where he worked at his trade for one year and then returned to Cromarty, where he engaged at wagon mak- ing. After one year's work, Mr. Hamilton went to Stratford, where he remained twelve months and then moved to Minnesota. He settled in Fisher, Polk county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for four years. At the expiration of that time, he opened a furniture store, and after two years put in a full line of heavy and shelf hard- ware. He still operates the two stores, and is doing a heavy business. His storeison the corner of Third street and Thompson avenue, and is well stocked with all kinds of hard ware and furniture. He carries a stock that would do justice to a much larger place, and has a large and increasing business. He is a genial and affable gentleman, and stands high in the community in which he lives.

Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage in Stratford, Canada, on the 14th day of July, 1886, to Miss Cressie Rankin, the daughter of James and Margery (McNaughton) Ran- kin, natives of Ireland and Scotland, re- spectivelv. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton have been blessed with one child -Errol Clifford. In political matters Mr. Hamilton is an adher- ent to the principles of the republican party.

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ETER LIER. Among thie prominent and influential merchants of the Park Regions is the gentleman whose name heads this article, a hardware and furniture dealer of the village of Ashby, Grant county, Minne- sota. He is a native of Norway, born on the 20th day of November, 1853, and is the son of

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Erick and Maren (Knutson) Peterson, natives, also of Norway. The parents of our subject, who were farmers, came to the United States in 1877, and settled in Dakota, where they have since lived. They are engaged in farming on a tract of land about twelve miles from Fargo, Dakota Territory. They are the parents of the following named chil- dren - Lena, Maren, Karen, Matea, Peter, Emil, Ingebor, Olaf, Oline, Knute, Taline and Carrie.

Mr. Lier, the subject of this biographical article, spent his school days in the land of his birth, attending the common school in Frederick Hald, Norway, until he had reached the age of twenty years. He then assumed the proprietorship of a general mer- chandise store, which position he held for a period of five years. In 1879 he emigrated to the United States and went to Dakota, where he visited his parents. After spend- ing some time at the home of his parents, he · went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he remained for about five months attending school. Mr. Lier then removed to Brandon, Minnesota, where he clerked in a store for three years and a half. He then started in the combined. business of hardware, harness and a lunch counter in Brandon, and after remaining at this occupation for two years, moved to Ashby, Grant county, Minnesota. In the month of February, 1885, he opened up his present hardware business in partner- ship with a Mr. Olson, and on January 1, 1889, they dissolved partnership. He now has one of the most fully equipped hardware establishments in the village of Ashby. In addition to his hardware business, he carries a full line of furniture, paints, oils, sporting goods, etc.

Mr. Lier was married in January, 1882, to Miss Alma Holmgren, and this union has been blessed with the following named chil- dren - Emil, Hjalmar and Edorf Menton. Mrs. Lier is a native of Sweden and emi-

grated to the United States with her parents when in her fourth year. Mr. Lier is one of the prominent business men of the village and takes an active interest in all public and local affairs. He, with his family, are mem- bers of the Lutheran church. He is an ad- herent to the principles of the republican party, and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, highly esteemed by all who bear his acquaintance.

AMES SHEA, a prosperous merchant of Glyndon, Minnesota, is a native of Ire- land, born in the year 1844, and is a son of John and Ellen (Monahan) Shea, also natives of the " Emerald Isle." The father, who was a farmer by trade, came to the United States in 1852 and located in Massachusetts, where the mother died in 1860. In 1876 he came to Minnesota, where he remained until his death in 1878. The family con- sisted of eight children, four of whom are now living - Eliza, now Mrs. Daly ; Michael, John and James, our subject. James was reared in the village of Chicopee, Massachu- setts, where he attended the district schools until he was thirteen years of age. He then commenced in life for himself by working on the railroad. After thirteen years' em- ployment in that occupation, in 1870, he came to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he remained some three years in the employment of the railroad company. In 1873 Mr. Shea re- moved to Clay county, Minnesota, and settled in Glyndon, where he remained until the fol- lowingspring. In the spring of 1874 he moved to Moland township, Clay county, and pur- chased land; also took a pre-emption claim, as well as a tree claim. He at once began to make extensive improvements, but owing to the fact of his being the foreman of the Glyndon section of the Manitoba railroad his time was taken up to a great extent by the

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latter occupation. In 1881 he moved into the village of Glyndon and purchased the hotel he now operates. In addition to his hotel business, Mr. Shea has since opened a general merchandise store, in 1886, and /in 1882 he engaged in the liquor business, these three making him the most extensive and versatile business man in his village. Mr. Shea is also the owner of a 500-hundred acre farm located near his residence village.

Mr. Shea was joined in marriage to Miss Margaret Bowler in 1864, and by this union the following children have been born - John E., William J., Ellen, James H., Albert and Mary A. The subject of this memoir is an adherent to the principles of the republi- can party, and ever takes an active interest in that party's campaigns. He is a man highly esteemed, both in business and social life, and is one of the solid and representa- tive men of Glyndon village.

ILTON J PAINE. Among the effi- cient and respected office-holders of the different counties in the famous Red River and Park Regions, is the gentleman whose name heads this article, the present incumbent of the county treasurer's office in Wilkin county, Minnesota. He is a resident of Breckenridge, where he carries on his official duties. Mr. Paine is a native of Maine, born in Bangor in 1833, and is a son of Joshua and Catharine (Jaques) Paine, natives also of the State of Maine. The father was a ship and house carpenter, and in 1852 removed to Stillwater, Minnesota, and bought a farm, but lived a retired life. From Stillwater he moved to Maiden Rock, Pierce county, Wisconsin, and from there to Ellsworth, of the same county. He died in that place in the year 1873, and was eighty-four years of age. The mother of our subject passed away in 1869, at Maiden

Rock. The father of Mr. Paine, the subject of this biographical review, was a captain in the War of 1812, and served with distinc- tion for over two years. He, with his wife, were exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a member of the old Whig party, and afterward joined in the republican ranks. They were the par- ents of seven children, two of whom are now living, Daniel L. and Milton J.

Milton J. Paine, of whom this article treats, received his education in the State of Maine, where he remained, attending school, until he was nineteen years old. During this time he learned the carpenter's trade from his father, and in 1852 he removed to Minnesota, settling at Stillwater, where he worked at his trade for about five years. In 1857 Mr. Paine removed to Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, and remained there for a period of four years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twentieth Wisconsin Infantry, Company A, for a term of three years. He was in many battles and skirmishes, and was wounded in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas. This disabled him, and on account of it he was honorably discharged. After his discharge he returned to Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, and worked at the building of steamboats until 1870. He then was elected county treas- urer of Pierce county, Wisconsin, and retained the position for eight years. In 1880 Mr. Paine went to Wilkin county, Min- nesota, and settled at Campbell, where he opened a general merchandise store, and continued to successfully operate the same for eight years. At the expiration of that time he was elected to the office of county treasurer, and has since filled the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to those by whom he was chosen. In the month of August, 1887, Mr. Paine removed to Breck- enridge, where he erected a. neat and commodious residence on Seventh and Men- denhall streets.

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Mr. Paine was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Lucy Marsh, the daughter of Charles Marsh, of Wisconsin. They have been blessed with two children, Walter and Ella. Mrs. Paine died in 1871, at Ellsworth, Wis- consin, and Mr. Paine was married the second time to Miss Clara Crain, of Mantor- ville, Minnesota, in 1875. While Mr. Paine resided in Campbell, he held the office of postmaster for six years, and was town clerk for six years. He is a republican in his politi- cal affiliations, and evinces an active interest in all local and educational matters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county.

EORGE PARTRIDGE, a resident of section 3, Evansville township, Doug -. las county, Minnesota, is extensively en- gaged in the brick business in Evansville. He is a native of Canada, born in Ontario, May S, 1835, and is a son of John and Hannalı (Gunn) Partridge, natives of Eng- land and Nova Scotia, respectively. They were married in Canada, and came to the United States in 1869, settling in Minnesota. The father, who was a farmer through life, died in 1884, aged ninety-four years. The mother died in 1878. They were members of the Episcopal church, and the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are living, as follows-Betsie, Jane, Thomas, Pemala, George, Francis, Phillip, Eliza, James and Richard.

Mr. Partridge, the subject of this article, spent his school days in Fingal, Ontario, and from the age of fifteen to twenty was with his father, farming. In 1856 he came to Minnesota, settling at Hastings, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil War. During his stay in Hastings he was engaged in the brick business, and Angust 7, 1862, he

enlisted in the Thirtieth Wisconsin Infantry, and was mustered out in October, 1865. He was in no battles, but was skirmishing through Kentucky. After his discharge he paid a visit to the Eastern States, and again returned to Hastings, Minnesota, where he remained one year in the brick business, and in 1867 moved to Donglas county, Minne- sota. He located in Evansville township, and homesteaded 160 acres of land on sec- tion 3. He has since continued his farming industries, but in 1876 engaged also in brick manufacturing, which he has since con- tinued. He was one of the first settlers of the township, and assisted in the organiza- tion of the same in 1868.

Mr. Partridge was married to Miss Nancy Mclellan, in October, 1866, and they were blessed with two children, as follows-John H. and George M. Mrs. Partridge died in 1875 at River Falls, Wisconsin. Mr. Part- ridge was again united in marriage in 1877, to Miss Harriette Burch, by whom one child was born, Mary E. Mrs. Harriette (Burchi) Partridge was a native of Wisconsin, and died in December, 1SS0. The subject of this memoir was joined in marriage, the third time, to Miss Lucy Williams, in 1883, and they have had two children, Eliza M. and Mat- tie J., who died December 5, 1887. Mr. Part- ridge is a republican in his political belief, and is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. The family are members of the Presbyterian church.

RANK J. BURNHAM, president of the First National Bank of Moorhead, Minnesota, and attorney at law, came to Clay county in April, 1872, settling at Glyndon, where he remained three years, practicing at his profession. In 1875 he came to Moor- head. In 1882 he was elected president of the bank, being one of the organizers of that

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institution in 1881. Mr. Burnham is a native of Norwich, Windsor county, Vermont, born December 31, 1842, and a son of James Burnham. The father was a native of Han- over, New Hampshire, and a farmer. After his marriage to Miss Amelia Whitman, of Pomfret, Vermont, he moved to that State. She was the daughter of William Whitman. Our subject's grandfather's name was James Burnham, a native of Essex, Massachusetts, but spent most of his life in New Hampshire, being also a farmer ; and tradition says they are from English stock. coming to America in the early settlenient of Massachusetts. The Whitmans are of English descent. Will- iam was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and for a time a prisoner on board a ship in New York harbor.

F. J. Burnham, our subject, is a graduate of Dartmouth College, in the class of 1869. . He graduated at the law school in Chicago in 1871, after which he opened an office. He was burned out in the great fire of that year, after which he was in the employ of the aid society until the next spring. Mr. Burnham is a man of large experience, and has always taken an active interest in matters that per- tain to the city and county. He was county attorney from 1876 to 1880, also the first county school superintendent of Clay county, being elected in 1873, serving three years ; was also a member of the city council, a member of the city school board, and has held various other offices.

Mr. Burnham enlisted in the Ninth New Hampshire Infantry, August 8, 1862, and was in the army three years, and held vari- ous positions, up to that of first lieutenant. He was slightly wounded three times. He was in the following battles-South Mount- ain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, siege of Vicksburg and Jackson, Mississippi, and the principal engagements of the Virginia cam- paign of 1864 and 1865, under General Grant, commencing with the Wilderness and ending

at Appomattox. He is the president of the Moorhead & Southeastern railroad, and has helped to organize the Moorhead & North- ern, Moorhead & Barnsville and Moorhead & Southeastern railroads.

Mr. Burnham was married January 17, 1873, to Miss Harriett F. Laughton. This union has been blessed with three children- Bessie A., James H. and Frank H.

In politics Mr. Burnham is a republican, ever taking an active part in everything con- cerning local and State politics. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is also a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. Notwithstanding our subject is deeply wrapped up in the business affairs of life, yet he is a firm believer and professor of the Christian religion, and is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Moorhead.

ASPER N. SANFORD, a prosperous and highly esteemed member of the farm- ing community in the famous Red River and Park Regions of Minnesota, is a resident of section 24, Elbow Lake township, Grant county. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Crawford county, on the 14th day of July, 1854, and is the son of Ebenezer and Lorena (Beardsley) Sanford, natives of New York State. The father and mother of our subject were married in Pennsylvania on the 3rd of April, 1844, and the father of our sub- ject died at an early day in Illinois. He was engaged in the stoneware and queens- ware business, and in the latter part of his life followed farming. They were the par- ents of the following named children- Francisco. Newman, Sylvia, Senath, Susan- nah, Jasper N. and James. James, Newman and Susannah are deceased.

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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 20

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