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 54

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 54
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 54

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).

The date of Mr. Hannah's marriage was March 23, 1877. and he and his wife are the parents of the following-named children- William J., Mary R., Lottie M., Robert L. and Nettie E. Mrs. Hannah was formerly Miss Jennette Brownlee, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Dunlap) Brownlee. She was born in Ontario, but her parents were natives of Scotland.

R OBERT J. McNEIL is one of the leading harness makers of Alexandria, Minnesota. He is a native of Canada, and was born February 8, 1857.

Mr. McNeil is the son of Robert C. and Mary (McCallum) McNeil, the former a native of New York, and the latter a native of Canada. Robert C. McNeil was a harness- maker by trade, and followed this business through most of his life in Canada and in Elk River, Minnesota, to which place he came in 1867. He remained in Elk River for two years, and in 1869 came to Alexan- dria, settled on lands within the village limits and lived there until his death in 1874. Mrs. McNeil, the mother of the sub- ject of our sketch, died in 1875. Mr. McNeil opened the first harness shop in Alexandria. His establishment was known from Alexan- dria to Fort Gerry, and for many miles around in the vicinity of these places. People came from the fort and from long distances to buy harness of Mr. McNeil, in whom they had much confidence. Mr. McNeil continued in the harness business until his death. He enjoyed the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow townsmen, was road supervisor for some years, and helped to lay out the road running to Hudson township. The father had a family of nine children, six of whom are now living-Robert J., Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. T. Robards; Walter, William, Frank and Cora, the last adopted by Mr. Sims, a leading hardware merchant of Alexandria. Mary died at the age of eighteen and two others, boys, died in child- hood.

The subject of our sketch received his education in Alexandria, and after leaving school he worked at the printing business for nineteen months for W. E. Hicks, who then owned and edited the Alexandria Post. He then learned the harness business of his father and uncle, W. L. McCallum, and opened a shop of his own in 1878. He located

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his shop on Main street, from which place he has not removed, but has continued business in the old stand from the first. He purchased his present business building in 1881. He has the pioneer shop of the vil- lage, his father having established the busi- ness in 1869. Mr. McNeil keeps from two to four men employed all the time, and has a large business, and also carries a large stock of horse furnishing goods.

Mr. McNeil was married in 1879 to Miss Alice E. Hill, daughter of Lewis Hill, of Alexandria. Four children have blessed this union-Walter H., Edwin C., Edna and Nina. Mr. McNeil is one of the enterprising business men of the village and county, is interested as a stockholder in the Douglas County Bank and Alexandria Manufactur- ing Company, owns over 400 acres of land, and is otherwise financially interested in the welfare of city and county. He is independent in politics, is an Odd-Fellow, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor fraternity.

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AMES D. PARK, who follows black- smithing at Moorhead, Minnesota, is the subject of the following sketch :

He is a Canadian by birth; was born August 24, 1844, and is the son of William and Ann (Dinwoodie) Park, natives of Eng- land and Scotland, respectively. The father was reared at Carlisle and the mother near Glasgow. The father was a farmer and he came to Canada in 1842, engaging in farm- ing, until his death, which took place in 1870; he left a wife and nine children. The mother still lives in Canada, near Chatam, with her son Henry, who is one of the seven children. They are named - Jane, afterward Mrs. Sutherland, deceased ; Andrew, now in Idaho Territory ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Taylor; Agnes, Mrs. Riddell; Isabella, deceased ; James D.

and Henry and John, twins. The father was a drummer boy at the battle of Water- loo. He belonged to the English church, while his good wife belonged to the Presby- terian church.

Our subject was raised on a farm, receiv- ing a common-school education. When he was thirteen years of age he went to learn the trade of a blacksmith, but only worked at it a year with the first man, and then went to Ogdensburgh, State of New York, in 1858, serving full three years. He then worked from that time on until 1863, when he returned to Canada, working there until 1866. After spending a short time in New York State he again went back to Canada, remained a while, but in 1868 went to San Francisco, California, where he remained for three years and a half .. After his trip to the Pacific coast he returned to Canada, but shortly came to Fargo, Dakota Territory, arriving in 1879, and took a claim of 160 acres. He improved and resided on this land for two years, then came to Moor- head, where he purchased a shop and home residence.

He was married, in 1865, to Miss Derretta Weston, a native of Canada, and the daughter of John Weston. Mr. and Mrs. Park have a family of eight children, six of whom are now living - Rebecca, Ida E., William, John W. (deceased), James D., Andrew T. and Edward D.

Mrs. Park's parents were John and Estlier Ann (Pitt) Weston, natives of England and Canada, respectively. The father came to Canada when a young man. When he was married he was doing an extensive business, raising horses, cattle and grain. He remained there until his death, January 17, 1869. The mother died August 3, 1877. They had a family of thirteen children, ten daughters and three sons- Mary, Mrs. Hutchcroft; Sarah, Mrs. Hutchcroft; Elizabeth Mrs. Burnside; Caroline, Mrs. Riddell; Jane, Mrs.

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Riddell ; Esther A., Mrs. Ranns; Adeline' Mrs. Froom ; John; Derretta, Mrs. Park, and Rebecca, Mrs. Hutchcroft. Those deceased are Richard, George and Alice A. The father and mother were members of the church of England and were wealthy, influ- ential people, who gave their children a lib- eral education.

Our subject is a democrat in his political belief. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Labor and Druids. He is com- fortably situated, having a fine house on Third street, which cost upward of $3,000, and is said to be the best residence on that street.

B UCKLEY D. CATLIN, contractor in brick, stone and general building, has his headquarters at Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He is a native of Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he was born January 20, 1835. His parents were William and Sophia (Kelley) Catlin, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Vermont. His parents were pioneer settlers in Catlin Hollow, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. They were large farmers and stock-raisers, and the father lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four years. The mother is still living in her eighty-eighth year. The father was a democrat in politics. The grandfather was Jesse Catlin, a native of Connecticut, and by occupation a farmer. He lived to be one hundred and four years old, and his wife, Betsey Catlin, lived to the age of eighty-four years. Sophia (Kelley) Catlin was the daughter of Thomas Kelley, a native of Ver- mont and a soldier in the War of 1812. William Catlin, the father of the subject of · our sketch, had a family of nine sons and four daughters, all of whom lived. to mature age. Nine of these children are now living -- Wells G., Wright B., William L., Buckley D.,

Merrit M., Robert W., Elmira M., Sophia and Menerva H.

The subject of our sketch remained at home, attending school during the winter months until thirteen years of age. At this early age he engaged in the lumber business, continuing in that line until twenty-eight years old, during a portion of this time being a jobber in the lumber business in Cameron county, Pennsylvania. August 18, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, in what was then known as the "buck-tail" regi- ment. He enlisted as a private, and was dis- charged as fourth sergeant at the close of the war. He saw much hard service, and was engaged in the following battles : Hooker's first battle, Gettysburg and all of the battles before Petersburg. He was in the Third Division, Warren's Fiftlı Corps, and Bragg's Third Brigade. After leaving the service he came to New York State and en- gaged in farming, which business he con- tinued for four years. Then, in 1869, he came to Iowa, stopping at Clear Lake, where he remained eleven years engaged in dairying. In that city he built the Clear Lake cheese factory, of which he was sole proprietor. He built up an extensive business in that line, the factory being supplied by 300 cows, and after carrying on this business for three years he sold out. 'He purchased village property in Clear Lake and remained there until 1882, at which time he sold out and came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in which place he has continued to reside ever since. He has been engaged very extensively in contracting and building, and has run at times as many as forty men and sixteen teams.

'Mr. Catlin was married February 8, 1863, to Miss Diana A. Cook, of Mckean county, Pennsylvania, by whom he has three living children-Ella E., Albertus W. and Edward L. Ella E. is now Mrs. J. J. Ken-

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dall, of Winona county, Minnesota. Her husband is engaged in the wholesale drug business. She has two sons-John C. and Guy. Albertus W. is now a United States naval cadet at Annapolis, Maryland, where he has been for three years. Edward L. isa student. The mother died in 1872 in Clear Lake, Iowa. Mr. Catlin's second wife was Laura M. Wells, a native of Fairfield, Ver- mont. This marriage took place in 1874, and the wife died ten years later in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. In 1888 Mr. Catlin was married to Rachel A. Perry, of the city of Rome, Oneida county, New York.

The subject of our sketch is a loyal sup- porter of the republican party, and belongs to the G. A. R., being a charter member of Stanton post, No. 73, Department of Minne- sota. He built his fine residence, No. 114 Beach street, in 1884. Mr. Catlin is one of the prosperous, progressive citizens of Fergus Falls.

ETER RAMSTAD, the present register of deeds of Norman county, Minne- sota, is one of the first of Ada's citizens, as well as one of the most popular men in that place. He made his appearance in the vil- lage in the spring of 1880, and commenced life there as a clerk in the store of G. S. Barnes & Co., of which his brother was man - aging partner. The following year, in com- pany with his brother, L. L., he put up a store building, and in partnership with him entered into the general merchandise trade, under the firm name of L. L. Ramstad & Co. They continued to carry on the busi- ness until the death of the brother in 1883, after which, the estate being settled up, our subject operated the store under the name of Peter Ramstad & Co. In 1885 he gave up business entirely to attend to other duties.

During the winter of 1880-81, while the subject of the division and organization of

the county was in agitation before the legis- lature, word came to Ada from the commit- tee sent on there to look after their interests, that the name of Wheat was chosen for the new county. This appellation not being in consonance with the views of the leading spirits of the village, a few of them gathered together in the store of G. S. Barnes & Co., and the name of Norman was suggested by Anthony Scheir as a more suitable substi- tute. This seemed to strike the taste of those assembled and it was at once adopted, and the following day a petition to that effect was drawn up and circulated in their store, and by night had some two hundred signa- tures. It was sent to the committee at St. Paul, and the chosen name given the new county, which was ordered to be organized. At the first election the subject of thissketch was chosen chairman of the first board of county commissioners, and held that office forthe year. After the death of his brother, Mr. Ramstad was appointed postmaster in his stead, and fulfilled the duties of that responsible position until the fall of 1886. Ever active in all that related to the home of his adoption he was elected a member of the village council, and at one time was the chairman of the board of supervisors of the town of McDonaldsville. In the autumn of 1886 Mr. Ramstad was nominated and elected to the office of register of deeds, of the county, and entered upon the discharge of the duties, thereof, in January, 1887.

The gentleman of whom this memoir is written is a native of Norway, born January 24, 1851, and is the son of Lars and Carrie (Wauge) Ramstad. His earlier education was obtained in the land of his birth, but at the age of twelve years the left his native home with his parents and came to the United States. The family settled in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where Peter, remained, working on the farm and perfecting his education, until 1870, when, having a strong

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bias toward a mercantile life, and feeling, intuitively, his talents in that direction, he commenced life as a clerk in a store in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, but, after a year or so spent in that employment, in 1872 returned to the paternal farm and contented himself there until 1880. While assisting in the agricul- tural pursuits there, he took an active and intelligent interest in political matters, as far as the town's interest was concerned, and served as treasurer of the township and clerk of the school board until he left there in 1880, when lie came to Ada.

Mr. Ramstad was united in marriage, July 3, 1884, with Miss Christine Schriver, a native of Norway, and daughter of Nich- olay and Netta (Reutz) Schriver. Mr. and Mrs. Ramstad are the parents of two chil- dren-Ibsen L. and Carrie V.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Ramstad are commu- nicant members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and takes an active interest in all religious work. He is one of the present board of trustees of the society of that denomination in Ada. Mr. Ramstad is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge which was organized in that village in 1882, and was connected with the A. O. U. W. when it had an organization in the place. He is the owner of a fine farm of 520 acres of land, about 350 acres of which is under cultivation, to which he gives his personal attention, besides another farm of 200 acres, all lying near the village.

LE J. QUALLEY, cashier of the First National Bank of Moorhead, is one of the most prominent business men in the Red River Valley, and isa self-made man in every sense of that term.

He is a native of Winnesheik county, Iowa, born May 31, 1852. His parents are Ole O. and Marken Qualley, natives of Nor-

way. They came to America in 1847 and settled on Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin, re- maining for two years and then removed to Iowa, and there engaged in farming until 1881. At this date they moved to Grant county, Minnesota, where the father farmed two years and moved to Washington Terri- tory, where he is still engaged in farming. The mother died. in Winnesheik county, Iowa, in 1857. Our subject is the only child by that marriage. He spent his early days at home, working on the farm and attending school. He attended the Upper Iowa Uni- versity six months; then he taught school and farmed for a while, after which he at- tended school at Marshall, Dane county, Wisconsin, for a term of three months. He also attended the Northwestern Business College at Madison, Wisconsin, for a year, graduating in 1873. In 1874 he taught in the college for three months and then returned home, accepting a position as book- keeper at Ossian, in a dry goods house, where he remained till coming to Moorhead, Minne- sota, in 1877. Here he commenced book- keeping for John Erickson, dry goods dealer, remaining there fifteen months, then accepted a place in the First National Bank of Fargo, Dakota Territory, which place he held for two years and a half, when he accepted a position as book-keeper in the law firm of Benton & Darling, attorneys-at-law in Fargo. After ten months with them he accepted a position in the First National Bank of Moorhead as assistant cashier. He served as such one year. The bank had no regular cashier, however, and he did the business of that office. The next year he was duly elected as cashier of the institution, and is still in that position of honor and responsibility. He is also one of the stock- holders of this banking house.

Politically he says he is a " born repub- lican," but also a strong prohibitionist. He was married in 1877 to Miss Florence Glat-

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hart, daughter of Mary (Long) Glathart, of Ohio. They are the parents of three chil- dren-Florence M., Mary E. and Earnest D. This worthy couple are members of the First Presbyterian church of Moorhead. Our subject has bought and traded for land until he now owns 480 acres; also has city lots upon which he has built. It is with much pleasure that one looks upon a successful business, more especially if he is a self-made man, as is the case of our subject. He is held in the highest esteem by all, both as an exemplary citizen and as a business man.

R EV. E. J. LAWLOR, the able pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, at Crookston, Minnesota, is but a late comer in that part of the State, but has already marked, with his individuality and energy, a portion of the community. The large and handsome church over which he presides, which has a capacity of seating some eight hundred people, was erected through his instrumentality and efficient labor.

Father Lawlor, who is of Celtic descent, was born at Ontonagon, Michigan, April 2, 1859. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Duluth, Minnesota. In 1875 he entered St. Joseph's College, at Ottawa, Canada, where he remained for about three years, but in 1878 matriculated at St. John's University, Collegeville, Min- nesota, from which institution of learning he was graduated in 1881. Feeling called to the priesthood of his church, he pursued a three years' course in the philosophical and theological departments. of his alma mater, and upon the completion of that period was ordained priest, on the 29th of June, 1884.

Upon joining the diocese of Northern Minnesota the subject of our sketch was given charge of St. Francis church, at Fisher's Landing, with the recommendation

of his superiors to establish a new congrega- tion and church in the growing town of Crookston. The congregation at the latter place, of mixed nationalities and several mother tongues, was divided in 18S5. and Father Lawlor was placed in pastoral charge of the English-speaking Catholics of the com- munity. From these elements the Father built up a fine church with a membership of upward of three hundred and fifty, and many of them are among the wealthier and more affluent people of the community.

Of a pure and irreproachable life, of easy and affable address and excellent abilities, Father Lawlor has conquered a prominent place in the hearts of the people of the com- munity, who, without exception, of what- ever church or creed, respect and honor him as a citizen and a Christian gentleman. His work here is but just commenced and life with him is yet close to its fountain head, and with his rare ability and scholarship, will, under the direction and fostering care of the Master he serves so faithfully, accomplish much good in the church. His many excellent qualities, his purity of life, yet modest demeanor, evince a rare disposi- tion, and he is bound to reach a high rank in the church, if spared to fulfil his labors.

HARLES C. PONSOMBY, chief train dispatcher and train-master of the Northern Division of the St. Paul, Minne- apolis & Manitoba Railroad, is a resident of the village of Barnesville, Clay county, Min- nesota, and is one of the prominent and respected citizens of that locality. He is a native of New York State, born at Niagara Falls, on the 9th day of March, 1851, and is the son of Charles C. Smith and Abbie L. Smith, natives also of New York.

The early days of Mr. Ponsomby, the subject of this biographical sketch, spent his

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younger days in obtaining an education, and from the age of fourteen on until seventeen, he attended college in Racine, Wisconsin. At that period in life he commenced for him- self, and was employed by F. N. N. Fin- ney, chief engineer on the Canada Southern Railroad, and our subject remained with him about six months. From the expiration of that time until 1880, Mr. Ponsomby was employed by various companies and in vari- ous places, chiefly engaged in clerical work. In the spring of 1880 he went into the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and was engaged as assistant chief train-dispatcher, located at Creston, Iowa. Later he was employed as chief train-dis- patcher, which he held until 1881. In that year he accepted a position as train-dis- patcher on the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba line, and located at St. Paul, Minnesota. His headquarters were after- ward changed to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and then to Crookston, Minnesota. On the 17th of January, 1885, the division headquarters were removed from Crookston to Barnesville, and in May, 1885, Mr. Ponsomby was made train-master and chief train-dispatcher of the whole northern division of the Manitoba line. He has since filled the responsible position which he holds, and is one of the best and most reliable men in his line to be found in the Red River Valley or Park Regions of Minnesota.

Mr. Ponsomby was united in the bonds of matrimony on the 12th day of November, 1875, to Miss Carrie J. Decker, a native of the "Empire State," born at Dresden. The subject of this article is one of the leading citizens of the village of Barnesville, and lias always taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the county or village. At the time of the proposed organization of the new village, independent of the old Barnesville, our subject was one of the active partici- pants in the act of securing a new charter

and forming a separate corporation. He was a member of the board of councilmen of the "new town " and was the second president of the village board. He now holds the office of village recorder, and when the matter of forming a separate and inde- pendent school district was discussed, Mr. Ponsomby was a defender and did active work in carrying the matter through. The "old town people," as they are called, bit- terly opposed both the creation of a new village and the school district, and at the out- set the adherents of the movement liad a great deal to oppose and hinder them. Mr. Ponsomby is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party, and is one of the representative and esteemed citizens of Barnesville and vicinity.

The name of Ponsomby was given our subject by an act of the Minnesota legisla- ture, changing it from Smith upon his appli- cation.

JASPER W. EARL, has a real estate and loan agency at Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, which business he estab- lished in 1876. He is a native of Carthage, Hancock county, Illinois, and was born in the year 1849.

His parents were Harry and Eunice (Howd) Earl, who were natives of Camden, Oneida county, New York. The father, through many years of his life, followed the occupation of farming. For some time he followed this business in the State of Illinois, and in 1856 inigrated to Minnesota, settling near Mankato. He is now living at Lincoln, Nebraska, engaged in the commission busi- ness. His father was Jolın Earl, a native of Germany, who, on coming to America, set- tled in New York State, where he followed the business of farming. He reared a family of

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nine children. The mother of the subject of our sketch was the daughter of Joel Howd, a native of one of the Eastern States, and by occupation a farmer.

The parents of the subject of our sketch reared a family of six children, four of whom are now living - Sarah, now Mrs. Denison; Cecelia, now Mrs. Hanson; Theresa, now Mrs. Kneutson, and Jasper W. The father was formerly a republican in politics, but has of late joined the prohibition party. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother died August 12, 1887.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, remaining under the parental roof until he was nineteen years of age. He re- ceived a good commons chool education, and also took a course in the Bryant and Strat- ton business college of Chicago, Illinois. After completing his course in this institu- tion he was engaged as book-keeper for Lloyd & Hunter for two years. At the end of this time he went to Montana Territory, where he engaged in book-keeping for three years, and during this time was in the employ of Dahler, Armstrong & Co. He was also the first republican elected to office in Beaver- head county, Montana Territory-that of county clerk and recorder. In February, 1876, he came to Fergus Falls, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he opened his present business. He has been city clerk for one term and has held the office of alderman two terms.

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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 54

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