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 72

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 72
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 72

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).

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In July, 1887, he established a branch office at Motley, Morrison county, and began the publication of the Motley Register, a local republican newspaper, of which John T. Drawz, for eight years connected with the Verndale Journal, is local editor and manager.

Mr. McMillan was united in marriage on the 25th day of May, 1882, to Miss Eliza J. Dougherty, a native of Pennsylvania, and the daughter of David B. and Eliza (Crail) Dougherty, natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. Our subject is an exem- plary citizen, and is a man of the strictest honor and integrity, and was one of the charter members of the Congregational church of Verndale. He has a comfortable residence, and one of the finest private libra- ries in that section of the State.

AMES R. HARRIS, the oldest settler of the Red River Valley, from Big Stone to Pembina, is at present a farmer of McCauleyville, Wilkin county, Minnesota.

Mr. Harris was born on the 7th day of April, 1838, in Sullivan county, Indiana. His parents were James and Nancy Harris, who were natives of Kentucky and came to Indiana in about 1810. The father followed farming in early life and later was a mer- chant in Sullivan village, Indiana. He died there in September, 1855. The mother died in 1842. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are now living- Polly C., Josiah C., Jane, Luther R., Madison, Addison W., Julia and James R.

Our subject was educated both in the common schools of Sullivan county and the high school in Sullivan village. At the age of seventeen, in 1855, he left both school and home, and the following spring came to Garden Grove, Decatur county, Iowa. Here he ran the engine in a saw-mill for a short time. From April to July in 1856 he

was engaged in bringing a drove of cattle from Iowa to Little Falls, Minnesota. He then took charge of the Foster House in Sauk Rapids, and of which he had full control.

In 1857 he was employed by the Brecken- ridge Townsite Company. He endured some hardships in coming to the Valley, but under the guide, Bottineau, the company was successful. The present Breckenridge was located and staked out by General T. H. Barrett in 1858. In the spring of this year Mr. Harris came to the region where he now lives. It was then known as Toombs county, afterward Johnson and lastly Wilkin county, in honor of Colonel Wilkins, of the Eighth Minnesota Regiment. Mr. Harris took a claim of 160 acres under the squatters' act, and subsequently purchased land till he now has about 1,000 acres, 430 acres of which are under cultivation and 120 acres in timber land.

At the time of the Indian outbreak in 1862 Mr. Harris, together with his partner, Mr. Whitford, was in Fort Gary. Whitford, while returning alone, met a company of fugitives under the direction of Commodore Kittson ; disregarding their advice he con- . tinued, and must have met death at the hands of the red-skins, as he was never seen again.

Bently was on the farm and took refuge in the fort. Mr. Harris, in company with eight others, went by the Chippewa country to St. Paul. He was absent now from his claim for about two years.

Mr. Harris was united in marriage in the spring of 1863 with Miss Mary Mccarthy, who lived with the settler's family at Fort Abercrombie. Her parents lived at McGregor, in Iowa, and were natives of Ire- land. Our subject and wife are the parents of six children -. Estelle (deceased), Alfred J., Mary J., Addison, Walter R. and Charles F.

Our subject affiliates with the republican party. He has served his county in the

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capacity of sheriff for seven years, and was appointed to that office when the county was organized. He has also been county com- missioner, and was the census enumerator in 1870 for the counties of Wilkin, Clay, Polk and Pembina. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In the winter of 1881 Mr. Harris was sent to Washington by the settlers on the Abercrombie Reservation as their envoy, with a petition to Congress ask- ing that the reservation be restored to the Interior Department and thus be open for actual settlement. He spent about six weeks in Washington, and, mainly through his own and the efforts of representatives of this district, the reservation was thrown open.

RICK H. JOHNSON, of the firm of C. J. Knutson & Co., dealers in general merchandise, in the village of Kensington, Douglas county, Minnesota, is a native of Sweden. He was born on the 27th of December, 1842, and is the son of John and Anna (Nilson) Knutson, also natives of that kingdom,

Mr. Johnson, the subject of this biograph- ical article, received his education in his native land, where he attended school until he was twenty-one years old. In 1863 he emigrated to the United States and landed at New York City, where he remained a few days, then went to Chicago, Illinois, and worked in a packing house for a short time. Then he secured work on the Moody church, which was in process of erection at that time, and after working three months went to work in the Galena Railroad Company's shops, remaining about three months. At the expiration of that time he went on Lake Michigan as a sailor, and during that trip encountered one of the heaviest storms ever known on the lake. Our subject then returned to Chicago and enlisted, May 28,

1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, serving his full time of enlistment and receiving his honorable discharge on October 17, 1864. The following winter he followed wood-cut- ting in Indiana, and in the spring went back to the lake, where he served as a sailor for four months for Hannah, Lee & Co. In the fall of 1865 he removed to Goodhue county, Minnesota, purchased a farm of 100 acres, and until 1869 engaged in general farming and stock-raising. In the fall of 1869 he went to Kansas with the intention of locat- ing, but, after reaching Salina and not liking the country, went to work for the Atchi- son, Topeka & Santa Fé Railroad Com- pany, working for them for four months. He then went to Kansas City, and went via the river to St. Louis, Mis- souri, and then to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he engaged in the building and grist- mill business with a Mr. Boynton for about one year and a half. At the expiration of that time our subject went to Stevens county, Minnesota, where he worked for twelve years for the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company, as section foreman. He then returned to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and in the following spring went to the Pacific coast, visiting San Francisco, Portland and other places. Upon his return to Minnesota he went to work for the Manitoba Railroad Company, and after remaining with them for eight months went to Glendive, Montana, to work for the' Northern Pacific Railroad Company, but not liking it there returned to St. Paul and resumed work for the Manitoba Company. After two years he went to Traverse county and took a farm and for two years engaged in that industry. In 1887 he went to White Rock, Dakota Territory,. and took charge of a warehouse for C. J. Knutson & Company, spending part of the time there and the rest in the store. In 1888 he returned to Kensington, where he has

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remained ever since. He is one of the prom- inent business men in the village and is doing a good business.

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage De- cember 27, 1867, to Miss Ingra Ringdahl, and this union has been blessed with three chil- dren, named as follows-Edward H., Richard J. and Ebbe V. Our subject and family are devoted members of the Lutheran church. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party, and belongs to C. H. Hun- ter Post, No. 114, Grand Army of the Republic.

HRIST BJORGE, the well-known and efficient postmaster in the village of Lake Park, Becker county, Minnesota, is a native of the kingdom of Norway. He was born in Norway, on the 6th day of October, 1850, and is the son of Erick and Mary (Christenson) Bjorge, also natives of Norway. The father and mother of our subject were farmers in the Old World and emigrated to the United States in 1864. They settled in Wisconsin, where they remained six years, then removing to Minnesota and settling in Becker county, where the father is still living. The mother died in 1866. The father is a democrat and an old pioneer of the county. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church. The father and mother of our subject were the parents of ten children, nine of whom are now living, named as fol- lows-Elsie, Ole, Annie, Christ, Mathias, Edward, Ida, Engeborg, Hannah and Iver.

Mr. Bjorge, the subject of this biograph- ical article, remained in his native land, attending school and early in life em bracing those principals of industry and integrity, which so distinguish the nationality from which he springs. In 1866, or at the age of sixteen years, our subject emigrated with his parents to the United States, and after a voyage of twenty days landed in New York.

He went directly to Wisconsin where he settled in Vernon county, with his parents, who engaged in farming. In 1870 they removed to Becker county, Minnesota, where our subject purchased 260 acres of land in Lake Park township, and resided there, engaged in agricultural pursuits, for ten years. At the expiration of that time he was appointed postmaster, and has since con- tinued to fill the office, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. In 1885 he erected the present substantial postoffice building, and put in a stock of furniture, which he has since handled in connection with his official duties. He has been one of the most successful stock-raisers in the county, and now owns an imported stallion, which cost $1,700. This horse was the win- ner of the second prize at the State fair, and is one of the best blooded animals in the Northwest.

Mr. Bjorge was united in marriage on the 28th day of October. 1875, to Miss Dinah Hamre, a native of Goodhue county, Min- nesota, and the daughter of John and Emily Hamre, natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Bjorge have been blessed with the fol- lowing named children-Edwin, Julia, Annie and Oscar. Our subject and his family sympathize with the Lutheran church. In political matters he affiliates with the democratic party, and is actively, interested in all local matters. He is a man of the utmost honor and integrity and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

ANIEL PATTERSON, proprietor of the American House, in the village of St. Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of Scotland. He was born in Iverness shire, Scotland, on the 14th of April, 1849, and is the son of Daniel and Anna (McCay) Patter- son, also natives of Scotland.

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Mr. Patterson, the subject of this sketch, remained at home until he was eight years old, when he commenced in life for himself. He secured a position in a nail factory, where he worked for two years, and then entered an apprenticeship to the baker's trade at which he worked four years. He then worked as a journeyman until 1868, when he emigrated to Canada, where he remained until July, 1870, when he removed to the States and located in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for a few months, then going to Madison, Wisconsin, and there he remained eight months. He then in the spring of 1871 went with a steam shovel on the Chi- cago & Northwestern Railroad. He fol- lowed that business until July, when he went to St. Charles, Minnesota, and worked for farmers through harvest, then he went to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and worked at log driving on the Mississippi river for a lumber company until in the spring. Hethen took a contract with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company to cut and clear their right of way, and was thus employed all summer. Then he engaged in log driving for two or three years, after which he removed to Becker county, Minne- sota, where he remained for several years, en- gaged in farming. He then sold his farm and removed into the village of St. Hilaire, Polk county, Minnesota, where he pre-empted 160 acres of land on section 19, River Falls township, where he lived two years. At the expiration of that time he sold out and set- tled in the village of St. Hilaire where he established a livery stable, which he has since operated. In the spring of 1884 he opened the American House, and since that time has been actively engaged in the hotel business. He is one of the popular land- lords in the county and runs a first-class house. He is the proprietor of one of the best livery stables in the village and gives general satisfaction in all his business rela- tions and transactions.

Mr. Patterson was married on the 14th of November, 1883, to Miss Anna Peterson, and this union has been blessed with three children, named as follows - Catharine, Rose (deceased), and Mabel. Our subject has held the offices of supervisor, constable and notary public. He is a republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Knights of Honor. He also devotes consid- erable attention to making collections, and he is first-class in this line, being able to guar- antee satisfaction to his patrons.

HEODORE O. SJORDAL is a member of the firm of Bjorge & Sjordal, deal- ers in general merchandise and wood in the village of Underwood, Otter Tail county, Minnesota. He was born in Norway, December 24, 1861.

Theodore's parents were Ole T. and Guri- anna J. (Sindly) Sjordal, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father came to America in 1868, and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, engaging at the lumber business and other lines of general work. ' In 1870 the family joined the father in Minneapolis, after a long journey from their native land. In the spring of 1871 the entire family removed to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, settling in the town of Swerdrup, where they took a Government homestead and engaged in farming, which business he is still following. The father is one of the prominent citizens of his town and is very successful in his farming operations.

Theodore Sjordal remained at home help- ing on the farm and attending school until he was about twenty-two years of age; then in 1883 he went to Pelican Rapids, Minne- sota. Here he became a photographer and followed that business for about a year and a half. He then returned home and' soon afterward was married. He then rented a

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farm and in connection therewith engaged in buying and selling wood. Continuing in these lines for one and a half years he then formed the partnership mentioned at the opening of this sketch and which has contin- ued up to the present time. This firm does a large and increasing business and are con- tinually enlarging their stock. They carry a stock of $2,000, and are also agents for various steamship lines to the old country.

Mr. Sjordal was married July 15, 1885, to Inga J. Lein, by whom he has had two children - Almer T. and Conrad T.

Mr. Sjordal is a man of good business qualities and has been successful in whatso- ever he has engaged. Possessed of a good common school education, and being well read he is a capable business man. In poli- tics he affiliates with the republican party, and he and family are members of the Uni- tarian church. Mr. Sjordal is the present postmaster of his town and has also held the position of constable one term.

T PROF. ANGUS HAINES, who will form the subject of our present article, is the heaviest merchant in the new town of Paynesville, a thriving and prosperous vil_ lage in the southwestern part of Stearns county, Minnesota. He is one of the best known and leading men in the central part of the State. One of the founders of the' town in which he lives, he has been promi- nently identified with its history, and no man has done more to aid in the growth and development of this vicinity than has he. Energetic, enterprising and liberal, every beneficial move or project receives his ear- nest support and encouragement, and he has always been a leader in public enterprises wherever he has been.

Angus Haines was born on the 5th day of February, 1843, near Toronto, Canada. His

father, William Haines, was also a native of. Canada; but his grandparents were from the Old World-the grandmother being a native of Scotland, the grandfather of Ger- many. The life of William Haines has been devoted principally to farming, although for some years he followed Jumbering. He is still living, now a resident of Paynesville. His wife, the mother of Angus Haines, died here in 1870.

Our subject, Angus Haines, grew to man- hood in his native Province, receiving the same training as to integrity, economy and industry, which is so characteristic of his race. Until he had attained the age of sev- enteen he attended school, and then taught his first term of school in Cartwright, Can- ada. He then came west with his parents to Kankakee county, Illinois, and was there engaged in teaching district schools for four years. At the expiration of that time he took a course in the State Normal Univer- sity at Normal, Illinois, after which he became principal of the schools at Kankakee, Illinois, serving for two years. He then became principal of the schools of Momence, Illinois, and two years later, in 1872, he came to St. Cloud, Minnesota. He there became principal of the city schools, in which responsible position he served for four years. He then removed to Litchfield, and for ten years served as principal of the schools at that place, and did a great deal toward building up the schools and raising the grade of the educational institutions in that city. At the expiration of that time he gave np his profession, and has since devoted his attention to mercantile pursuits. In the meantime, however, before leaving his profession, he had engaged in merchandising in the old town of Paynesville, and his store there at one time was robbed of $1,100 worth of dry goods. The thieves were captured about six months later. When the Minne- apolis & Pacific Railway was built the new

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town of Paynesville was platted on land belonging to a brother of our subject. Professor Haines at once moved his store to the new town, and has since remained there, being one of the most active in advancing the interests of the new village. He carries a complete and extensive stock of goods, invoicing about $15,000, and his strict integrity and honorable business methods have won lim an extensive trade.

Professor Haines was married in Septem- ber, 1876, to Miss Sarah Whittemore, the danghter of a banker in Kankakee, Illinois. They became the parents of two children, who are now living - Hiram A. and Sarah A. Mrs. Haines died May 10, 1888, at Kankakee, Illinois, and was buried in the family burial lot. Her health had failed, and she had returned to Illinois on a visit.

DWARD GUMMER, of the firm of Gummer & Chilton, leading general merchants of the village of Frazee City, Minnesota, is one of the prominent citizens of that section of Minnesota. He is a native of Canada, born in Ontario, on the 2d day of March, 1864, and is the son of John and Almena (Chilton) Gummer, natives also of Ontario. The parents removed to Frazee City, Minnesota, in 1882, where they are now living a retired life. They had a family of the following-named children-Emma, Edward, Edgerton and Ella.

Edward Gummer, the subject of this biographical sketch, received his education in Queen's College, Kingston, Ontario, where he attended school until he was sev- enteen years old. He then removed to Minnesota, and located in Frazee City, Minnesota, where he secured a position as clerk in the general store of Campbell & Chilton, with whom he remained three years. At the expiration of that time he

went to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he took a course in the St. Paul Business College. He then returned to the village of Frazee City, and purchased Mr. Campbell's interest in the general store, and since that time has been engaged in the business with Mr. Chil- ton, they being the leading general firm in the village. Mr. Gummer was elected to the office of village treasurer, in January, 1889, which position, he still holds. Hc is a republican in his political affiliations and is actively interested with the movements of that party. He owns 300 acres of fine land in Hobart township, Otter Tail county, which is well improved and which he now rents. He is one of the leading young busi- ness men of the village and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

HEODORE L. BENNEWITZ. The

subject of this biographical sketch is a resident of the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he is extensively engaged in a general hardware and machine business. He is a native of the State of Wis- consin, born in Ottawa, Waukesha county, Wisconsin, on the 8th day of January, 1854, and is the son of Hon. John C. and Mary (Huegelman) Bennewitz, natives of Germany and kingdom of Prussia. The grandparents of our subject, on the father's side, were Henry and Elizabeth (Kieger) Bennewitz, natives of Germany, and on the mother's side, Zacharias and Mary (Palter- man) Huegelman. Our subject's father is a resident of the village of Argyle, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the lumber business. An extended review of his life will be found in another department of this work.

Mr. Bennewitz, of whom this article treats, was united in marriage on the 13th day of September, 1882, to Miss Estella Bayrell of Red Wing, Minnesota, the daughter of Chris-

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topher and Seliciti (Malvousen) Bayrell. Mr. and Mrs. Bennewitz have been blessed with two children-Cleveland Arthur and Violet Theodora, who died August 28, 1888. In political matters our subject affiliates with the democratic party.

LBERT W. MOTT. Prominent among the merchants of Polk county, Min- nesota, is the subject of this sketch, a resi- dent of the village of Fertile, where he is engaged in the general merchandising busi- ness. He is a native of Michigan, born in Wayne county, on the 14th day of Decem- ber, 1852, and is the son of Joseph C. and Amy (Mason) Mott, natives of New York. The father is now engaged in farming near Sauk Centre, Minnesota, where he moved in 1867. The father and mother of our subject are the parents of four children-Albert W., Nelson A. and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Mott, our present subject, remained in his native State until he was fifteen years of age. During that time, he remained on the home farm and attended school until 1867, when he removed with his parents to Minnesota and settled near Sauk Centre, where our subject remained on the farm, which his father had purchased, for five or six years. He drove a team two summers on the Northern Pacific Railroad, at the time of its construction. He received a fair education, and until he had attained the age of twenty-one was engaged in various occupations, such as teaming, farming, etc., and was with the Government Survey on boundary line to mountains. He then returned to Sauk Centre and bought a farm six miles south of the village, and after engag- ing in farming for two years, removed to Ada, Minnesota, where he put in a stock of general merchandise and continued in busi- ness for three years. At the expiration of

that time he took a homestead one mile from Ada, and for the next four years was engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He then removed into Ada and went into the grocery business in partnership with G. L. Thorp, and after continuing the business for one year they removed their stock of goods to Beltrami, Minnesota, and erected a large store, and put in a complete stock of grocer- ies. In addition, they engaged in the general merchandising and lumber business, and farm machinery. After remaining in the business in Beltrami for three years, our subject went to Fertile, Polk county, Minne- sota, and put in a general stock of goods. In 1888 he sold his interest in the store at Beltrami, and since that time has been engaged in the business in Fertile. He has the best class of patronage and is doing a successful and increasing business.

Mr. Mott was married August 3, 1878, to Miss Mary E. Loomer, a daughter of Albert and Mary (Rolands) Loomer, natives of New . York and Wales, respectively. This union has been blessed with two children-Alfred E. and Albert G. Our subject has held the offices of town clerk, chairman of board of supervisors, postmaster, member of village council, etc. He is a democrat in politics and highly esteemed by all who know him.

R. J. J. STONE, one of the leading and successful practitioners of the Red River Valley, is a resident of the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in his professional duties. He is a native of Vermont, born in Arlington, Bennington county, Vermont, on the 17th day of August, 1827, and is the son of Ethan and Agnes (Rule) Stone, natives of New England and Scotland.

Mr. Stone remained at home, and attended the common schools and seminary until he

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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 72

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