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 92

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 92
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 92

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The parents of Sophia (Stetman) Bruns came to America at an early day and settled in Illinois, the father taking Government land within twelve miles of Chicago. There the parents lived through life, to the ripe old age of eighty-five and eighty-six, respectively. They were the parents of four children.

We now return to the principal subject of this sketch, Henry A. Bruns, whose name heads this article. Henry A. Bruns was born April 9, 1847, at Sherill's Mount, Dubuque county, Iowa. He attended tlie

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common schools until fifteen years of age, and was graduated from Bailie's Commercial College, at Dubuque, at sixteen. From that time until he was twenty he worked on his father's farm during the summer, and in the stores in Dubuque city, and after that time until 1871 as clerk, book-keeper and traveling salesman in the State of Iowa. In 1871 he traveled four months through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Dakota.

Early in the spring of 1871 Mr. Bruns went from St. Cloud to Brainerd, which was then the end of the Northern Pacific track. From Brainerd he rode to Oak Lake, which was then the engineer's headquarters of the road. Here he met Gen. Thomas L. Rosser. The Northern Pacific had sur- veyed its line to the Red river, striking that stream at Elm river, some twenty-eight miles below Moorhead. Mr. Bruns was prospecting -looking out for chances and opportunities. He now returned to St. Paul and bought a load of provisions and ready- made clothing, and took them to Red River. At a point where Mr. Probstfield's house afterward stood he found an encampment of tents, and here were H. G. Finkle, J. B. Chapin and John Haggart. This was about June, 1871. Mr. Bruns opened out his goods here in a tent like the rest. Mr. Finkle was prospecting-was waiting for something to turn up. Here Mr. Bruns took Mr. Finkle in as a partner. They re- mained at this point, Oakport, until the last day of September, 1871, when, the town of Moorhead having been staked out, they all removed there. They lived in and did business in tents through the following win- ter. In March, 1872, Mr. 'Bruns went to McCauleyville and bought a lot of lumber, hired teams and hauled it to Moorhead. They then took the tents off the frame sides of their building, which was on Fourth street, and built up a second story and roofed it in. The building was 22x50 feet. The people

then thought they were going in too heavily in building so substantial a building, and prophesied that that would go " busted." They dealt in general merchandise, includ- ing almost everything except liquor. This was not the first frame building, as Rev. O. II. Elmer had built a little house, and Knap- pen & Sloggy (Capt. C. P. Sloggy) had built in the fall of 1871. In 1864 Dr. Kurtz built a dwelling and also the house where Mr. Storla died, which two houses were the first plastered houses ever built here. Bruns & Finkle carried on their business in the former store until 1877, when they built the large brick block on the corner of Front and Fourth streets, afterward occupied by H. G. Finkle, at a cost of $12,000.

Early in 1872 Mr. Bruns purchased 500 bushels of seed wheat, and brought it into the valley by teams over the snow, which wheat he distributed among the farmers of Clay and Norman counties, Minnesota, and Cass and Traill counties, Dakota, thusstarting the seeding of wheat. The facilities for raising being poor, and the grasshoppers very de- structive, there was no surplus above the amount required for seed until the fall of 1873, and it was then the general opinion that the Red River Valley was a failure as a wheat country .. At about this time, or early in 1874, he placed himself at the head of a stock corporation and built the Moorhead Manufacturing Company's flouring-mill and saw-mills at an expense of $30,000, and the flour-mill soon demonstrated that the wheat raised here was of a superior quality for making strong flour and excellent bread. The flour was awarded first premium at the Minneapolis and State fairs two con- secutive seasons. The saw-mill cut timber for the construction of steamboats, the Min- nesota and Manitoba having been built at Moorhead in 1875 by the Merchants' Trans- portation Company, of which James Douglas was president. These were the best boats

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ever on the Red river. This helped to open up Manitoba and Northwest Territory mar- kets. Later on the Upper Missouri and Black Hills countries were secured, and later still the Yellowstone country, for markets for the flour. In 1878, seeing the necessity for more storage for the rapidly increasing acre- age of wheat, Bruns & Finkle erected a large steam elevator at Moorhead.

It was the first steam elevator built in the country, as well as the best and most substantial building of the kind then erected anywhere in the Red River Valley.

The country quickly recovered from the effects of the panic of 1873, and the Northern Pacific Company, which was pushing their line through a wild country inhabited by Indians, required a large amount of provis- ions, grain, tools, etc., to supply the con- struction and engineering departments of the road. Mr. Bruns being familiar with the country, was entrusted with the entire business of the railroad people, and for the four years while the road was being built from Mandan to Helena, his supply store teams and depots lined the whole distance along the line of the road between those points. The construction took over $2,000,- 000 worth of goods, which were at all sea- sons delivered upon the work as required to the full satisfaction of the contractors and the railroad company.

In 1880 Bruns & Kurtz (T. C. Kurtz) built the bank block, which is a two-story solid brick, 100x50 feet, and comprises three stores and the Merchants' Bank in the first story, the opera hall and offices in the second story, and began the banking busi- ness in partnership, which they have ever since carried on. In the same year the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad was building north across the Northern Pacific at Moorhead, through Fargo, and on to Winnipeg, which inaugurated a boom in everything here.

In 1881 Mr. Bruns built the Grand Pacific Hotel, which was finished and opened on Thanksgiving Day of that year. The hotel is one of the finest in the State and is not equaled anywhere in the Northwest outside of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Its cost, including furnishing, was $150,000. The boom of 1880-82 enabled Mr. Bruns to sell off portions of his town and farm . property and to invest liberally in all public improvements, such as Red River Manufact- uring Company's planing and saw mill; Electric Light Company, Moorhead Foundry, Car and Agricultural Works, Bishop Whip- ple School, etc. The depression coming on, the former laid dormant, but the others have worked themselves through, the foundry having in the meantime been sold to A. Anderson & Sons, formerly of St. Cloud, who have added the manufacturing of wagons, and are now progressing success- fully. Mr. Bruns is the present owner o the Moorhead Flouring Mills.

Mr. Bruns has built a large number 01 dwelling houses and other buildings, and owned a half-interst in the row of ten stores east of the Grand Pacific Hotel, which were burned. Mr. Bruns made a great deal of money in Moorhead during the early years and in the boom period from 1880 to 1882, and during the three past years of depres- sion has, doubtless, lost large sums by shrinkage and the unproductiveness of the blocks of property, but he has exhibited an unusual amount of "sand," and we doubt if anybody has ever heard him complain, even though his purse-strings must have been pulled very hard. He has always exhibited much public spirit, encouraged all projects which promised good to the city and county by liberal donations of money. His confi- dence in the ultimate growth of this region has never waned.

On the organization of the city of Moor- head Mr. Bruns was elected mayor, and was

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twice re-elected. During his occupancy of this office the city water works were built, extensive sidewalks were laid, and sewer improvements put in, and two iron bridges were built across Red river, thus giving Moorhead closer connection with Fargo. Of other offices held were coroner of the county, of which he was the first incumbent, when persons used to die with their boots on. He was also county treasurer for several terms, and used to carry the office and books, around in his coat pocket. He also filled the office of county, commissioner, but never follows politics to the detriment of business. He is a republican in political faith.

In 1877 Mr. Bruns was married to Miss Matilda Sharpe, a native of Winnipeg, whose father, Edward Sharpe, and family emigrated from England in the forties by the Hudson's Bay route, and at the instance of that com- pany. Mr. and Mrs. Bruns are the parents of three children - Henry E., Tilley M. and Arthur S. The family attend the Presby- terian church.

ELSON A. MOTT is a prominent liv- eryman and dealer in horses in Fertile, Polk county, Minnesota. He was born in Can- ton, Wayne county, Michigan, October 3, 1856.

The parents of the subject of our sketch were Joseph G. and Amy C. (Mason) Mott, natives of New York. When Nelson was in his eleventh year his parents came to Minne- sota, settling on a farm near Sauk Centre, Stearns county. Here he remained with the parents, working on the farm and attending school until he was twenty years of age. He then removed to Ada, Norman county, where, in company with his brother, A. W. Mott, he engaged in the general merchandise business. Continuing in this line for two years, he then

sold out to his brother, and engaged in the farm machinery business, running a branch house for Messrs. Moser & Moechel for two years. Then, in partnership with a Mr. West, he engaged in the same line of busi- ness for two seasons, at the end of which time he purchased Mr. West's interest and con- tinued the management thereof until 1886. In this year he sold out the entire business and took a trip to New Orleans, going from thence on a visit to his native county in Michigan. After a short time spent in visiting friends in the place of his nativity, he re- turned to Ada, Minnesota, and engaged in the brokerage business until the spring of 1887, when he went to Minot, where he en- gaged in the general merchandise and lumber business in company with Thorp Brothers. One month after this business was opened they were burned out, and almost the whole of their stock was destroyed, entailing a loss of about $14,000, with no insurance. In spite of this severe loss, however, the firm at once rebuilt and continued in business until in June, 1888. Mr. Mott then sold his interest to his partners and engaged in dealing in horses, buying and shipping, and also run- ning a livery. In July of that year he went to Fertile, Polk county, where he opened in the same kind of business. He still owns a fine residence in the town of Ada, and also has a livery in Fosston.

Mr. Mott was married in Caledonia, Da- kota, to Miss Nora A. Campbell, daughter of James V. and Lydia (Harroun) Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Mott have one child-Isla May.

Mr. Mott is of English ancestry, and his family can be traced back for many years. They were people of wealth and high social position and left large fortunes, which will one day be distributed among the American descendants. Mr. Mott is a wide-awake, energetic business man, and has taken a deep interest in all public matters since coming to Fertile. He is a genial, warm-hearted, pleas-

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ant gentleman, and is liked and esteemed by all who know him. While residing in Ada he held the office of justice of the peace, and is now constable of the town in which he lives. He is a leading member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Ada.

UNDER OLSON, the present incum- bent of the office of sheriff of Walsh county, North Dakota, is one of the most prominent and efficient officers in the great Northwest. He is a resident of the city of Grafton, Walsh county, North Dakota, where he is engaged in his official duties. He is a native of the kingdom of Norway, born in Seljord, Telmarken, Norway, on the 8th day of September, 1852, and is the son of Ole and Torbor (Salie) Knutson, also natives of that kingdom. The parents of of our subject emigrated to the United States in about 1852 and located in the State of Iowa, where they still remain.

Mr. Olson, of whom this article treats, commenced in life for himself at the age of nine years, when he went and lived with his aunt, doing chores and odd errands for her and attending the common schools until he was ten or twelve years of age. He then engaged in farming, working by the month, at which he engaged until he was about twenty-three years old. He then engaged in the farm machinery business, in Winneshiek and How- ard counties, Iowa, but finding that he could make more money at farming, worked for a Mr. Bean on a farm for eight years. At the expiration of that time he engaged in farming on his own account, and in the spring of 1882 removed to Dakota and set- tled in Walsh county, where he took a home- stead of 160 acres on section 29, Lampton township. He then sold his farm to his brother James, and after his brother proved up on it our subject purchased the land and

then hired out to Sproot, Ormston & Com- pany, of Grand Forks, to sell farm machinery. After working for that firm for ten months he hired out to A. J. Stacy, with whom he worked for one year. Our subject then, in partnership with John Code and Fred Car- penter, purchased the business, which they carried on together for one year, when he was elected to the office of county sheriff, which position he has since held. He is well known throughout that section of the country, and is highly esteemed for the thoroughness in which he discharges the duties devolving upon his position. Mr. Olson was united in mar- riage in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 10th of September, 1885, to Miss Ann Thompson, and this union has been blessed with one child - Alletie Gleora. In addition to his official duties he is engaged in the farm machinery business in Park River, where he employs five men and is one of the leading business citizens. In political matters he affiliates with the republican party. Since he has been in the office of sheriff he has had two murderers under his charge; the first one killed his own brother and then died in the insane asylum. The other was James Col- lins, who killed Lyman Moore on the 4th of July, 1888. After he was captured there were strong demonstrations of lynching him, and our subject telegraphed for the Grafton militia, bringing them here on a special train in time to stop further proceedings. Collins was convicted and was sentenced for life.

ARL M. IVERSLIE. The gentleman whose name heads this article is a resident of Belgrade village, Stearns county, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the gen- eral merchandising business in partnership with Mr. Erickson, the firm name being Erickson & Iverslie. He is a native of the State of Wisconsin, born in Waupaca county,

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on the 22d of January, 1864, and is the son of Thomas and Andrea (Torgorson) Iverslie, natives of Norway.

Mr. Iverslie, the subject of this biography, remained in his native State but a short time, his parents moving to Minnesota when he was four months old and settling in Kandiyohi county, where they took a home- stead and engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Our subject remained with his parents and attended school until he was nineteen years of age, when he conimenced in life for himself. He then went to Will- mar, and, after attending school for one winter, rented a farm and engaged in farm- ing on his own account until October, 1886. He then removed to the village of Belgrade, Stearns county, Minnesota, and in partner- ship with Mr. Erickson established a general merchandise store, which they have since carried on. They are doing a good business and are carrying about a $5,000 stock. They have a liberal share of the general patronage and are highly esteemed for their fair and upright dealing.

Mr. Iverslie was married December 20, 1888, to Miss Lena Berg, of Kandiyohi county. Our subject is a republican in his political affiliations, and now holds the office of village recorder. He is a gentleman of integrity and honor and is actively inter- ested in all local matters.

ALTER C. AINSWORTH, a pros- perous and esteemed farmer of Wilkin county, Minnesota, is engaged in agricultural operations on section 30, town- ship 132, range 45. He is a native of New York, born in Cazenovia, Madison county, New York, February 27, 1839, and is a son of Pharmenus Ainsworth, also a native of the same place. Our subject's mother's name before her marriage was Miss Keziah Webber.

She died in 1848. They were the parents of four children-Lucian, Lucretia, Walter and Harriette.

Mr. Ainsworth received his education in Cazenovia, where he attended school until he was fifteen years old. He was then thrown upon his own resources, and for the succeeding five years engaged in the creamery business. He followed that vocation in con- nection with farming until he removed to Minnesota, locating in Wilkin county. In 1861, on May 11, he enlisted in the Thirty- fifth New York Infantry, and served until June 13, 1863, when he was honorably dis- charged at Elmira, New York. He partici- pated in the battles of Bull Run (second battle), Antietam and Fredericksburg. After his discharge he returned to New York and followed the creamery business until he removed to Minnesota. Since settling in Wilkin county he has been successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is one of the leading farmers in the county.

Mr. Ainsworth was married April 13, 1864, to Miss Elenora S. Davis, and this union has been blessed with one child-Leurell. Mrs. Ainsworth was educated in her native county, Madison county, New York, and is a daughter of Edmund and Ada C. (Curtis) Davis, natives of Connecticut. Her father died in 1855, and the mother in 1885.

Our subject is one of the leading and sub- stantial men of the county. He is a stanch democrat in his political affiliations. He is a man of integrity and honor, and an exem- plary citizen.

HAUNCEY L. BAXTER. Prominent among the leading and successful attor- neys in the Park Regions of Minnesota is the subject of this article, a resident of the vil- lage of Perham, Otter Tail county, Minne- sota, where he is engaged in a large and

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increasing law practice. He is a native of Carver county, Minnesota, born on the 14th day of May, 1859, and is the son of Judge L. L. and Emma (Ward) Baxter, natives of Vermont and Wisconsin, respectively. The father was raised and educated in Cornwall, Vermont, and in 1858 settled in Carver county, Minnesota, where he remained until 1881. He was in the service during the war and returned in 1864. The mother of our subject died in 1872. They were devoted members of the Episcopal church. They were the parents of four children, named - Chauncey, Arthur, Mabel and Mary.

Mr. Baxter, the subject of this biographical review, received his education in the various schools of the State and completed at the State University, from which he graduated with high honors in 1882. He then entered the newspaper business in Valley City, Dakota Territory, and after remaining there one year sold out and removed to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he ran a paper for some time. He then took a trip through the East and South, and finally returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he entered the law office of Eugene Wilson, with whom he remained six months. He then entered the law department of the State University of Ohio, from which he graduated in 1885. He at once returned to his native State, and located at Wadena, Minnesota, where he opened a law office and for eighteen months was engaged in his profession at that place. At the expiration of that time he went to Perham, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, where he has since remained, engaged in the prac- tice of law. He is prominently known as a lawyer and citizen throughout the northern part of the State. He is actively interested in all political matters and affiliates with the democratic party. It is unnecessary to say much of the personal character of our subject, after introducing him as the son of so promi- nent and well known a man as Judge Baxter.

ANS L. MELGAARD, proprietor of the . Farmers' and Merchants' Bank in the village of Argyle, Marshall county, Min- nesota, is one of the leading business men of the place, and has been prominently identi- fied with its business interests. He was born in Fron, Gulbrandsdalen, Norway, on the 4th of November, 1859, and is a son of Lars and Anna (Melgaard) Melgaard, who are suc- cessful farmers in Norway.

Hans L. Melgaard, whose name heads this article, remained on the home farm and attended school until he was fourteen years of age. He then secured a position in a gen- eral store in Ringebo, with an uncle, where he remained for three years. At the expira- tion of that time he secured a clerkship in the wholesale and retail store of A. Berg- seng, one of the heaviest merchants in Lille- hammer, Norway, and retained this position for five years. He then, in 1882, came to the United States and proceeded directly to Fargo, North Dakota, and immediately secured employment as book-keeper in the First National Bank, one of the heaviest monetary institutions in the Northwest, which position he held for three years and a half. At the expiration of that time he removed to Crookston, where he opened a loan and insurance office in partnership with Judge C. O. Christianson. This was contin- ued for about one year, when Mr. Melgaard removed to Argyle, and opened his pres- ent bank. The paid-up capital of the bank at this time is $15,000. Mr. Melgaard is doing a very large business in real estate mortgage loans, and represents some of the strongest foreign loan companies. He has been very successful in his business ven- tures, and the bank ranks among the most substantial and solid business houses of the county. Mr. Melgaard is a man of the strictest integrity, and is highly esteemed both as a business man and an exemplary citizen. In political matters he is a repub-

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lican ; has at different times represented his county in State, district and county conven- tions, and in fact takes an active interest in all matters affecting the welfare of Argyle and vicinity.

OHN S. ANDERSON, a hardware mer- chant at Caledonia, North Dakota, is one of the leading citizens of the county in which he lives. He has taken a prominent part in public affairs, has held some of the most important offices in the county, and his name is indissolubly connected with the his- tory of that locality.

Mr. Anderson was born in New York City on the 10th of January, 1860. When he was five years old his mother died and he was sent to the Orphan's Home, where he remained for thirteen months. He then was sent to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he lived with a Mr. F. L. Frisby for about one year. At that time he went to live with Andrew Staaleson in Vernon county, Wis- consin, where he remained on the farm until 1875. At that time he began working for himself, but continued making his home with Mr. Staaleson until 1878. He evinced a strong desire for an education and about all the money he earned during the summers was spent for schooling in the winters. In 1878 he went to Norman county, Minne- sota, which then formed a portion of Polk county, where he taught school, worked on farms and followed various kinds of labor until the fall of 1880, when he removed to Caledonia, Traill county, North Dakota. He clerked for the county treasurer and register of deeds " off and on" until 1882, when he was appointed deputy register of deeds. He filled this office acceptably until July, 1883, when he received the appointment of county treasurer, and was elected thereto for the term beginning January 1, 1884. Upon the expiration of his term, January 1, 1887, he

engaged in the real estate and loaning busi- ness, and in July, 1888, he opened a hard- ware store, and still carries on these lines of business. He made an excellent record as an official, is a man of the strictest integrity and of good business capabilities, and is highly respected in the community.

He was first married at Caledonia to Miss Anna Thorson, who is now deceased, leaving one child-Ansoph Elesa. He was again married at Caledonia to Anna A. Dale, a daughter of Andrew and Ingra Dale, who were natives of Norway. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are the parents of two children-Josephine Adaline and Ervin Archibald.

Mr. Anderson is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity.

EWIS D. PLATT is one of the leading citizens of Hillsboro, North Dakota, where he is cashier and book-keeper for the North Dakota Roller Mills of that place.

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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 92

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