Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago, G.A.Ogle
Number of Pages: 1432

USA > North Dakota > Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life > Part 100

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FRANK DOLESHY, proprietor of a fine estate comprising four hundred and forty acres of land in Dwight township. is one of the pioneer settlers of Richland county, and by dint of his efforts has ac- quired a comfortable competence. He entered Da- kota as a stranger in a strange land, and despite his

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limited knowledge of American customs and the English language, he steadily went forward toward the success which is the result of well-directed labor and good judgment. His present home is on sec- tion 6, in Dwight township, and is one of the pleas- ant farms of that locality.

Our subject was born in Bohemia, December 6. 1845, and was reared on a farm in his native coun- try. He emigrated to America in 1873, landing at New York, from where he went direct to Dakota, then a territory. He filed claim to eighty acres of land in section 6, in Dwight township, where he en- gaged in farming until 1896, when he moved to Lidgerwood, where he engaged in hotel-keeping two and a half years. He then returned to his farm in Dwight township, and has followed the pursuit of agriculture to the present time. He has erected a complete set of substantial farm buildings, and the appearance of his entire farm evidences the painstaking care exercised in the work and the strict attention to the details. He owns a tract of land in Wilkin county, Minnesota, and that, with his Da- kota farm, covers four hundred and forty acres.

Our subject was married in his native land, in 1870, to Katie Chima, who died in Dwight town- ship in 1874. Mr. Doleshy was married in Dakota to Miss Anna Stitina. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Doleshy, as follows: Frank, Anna, Rosa, Jennie, Edward, Julia, Jessie and Eliza. Mr. Doleshy is a man of energetic nature, and is among the foremost men of his calling in Richland county.

JOSEPH GOODMAN, proprietor of "The Pioneer Store," of Sheldon, is a business man of practical nature and a capacity for well-directed la- bor. He has made a success in Dakota, and is now one of the substantial men of Ransom county. His store is one of the best in the locality, and carries a complete stock of general merchandise valued at ten to twelve thousand dollars.

Mr. Goodman was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 1, 1854. He removed to South Bend, Indi- ana, with his parents in 1859, and there remained until twenty years of age and engaged in farming. He went to Fargo, Dakota, in 1879, and worked for his brother, and in 1881 erected a store on the old survey of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the firmi of Goodman & Green continued business there until October of that year, when the survey was changed, passing about three miles north of their location. Our subject then removed his business to Sheldon, and was one of the first two mercantile businesses in the town. His patronage has steadily increased, and he now enjoys an extensive trade.

Our subject was married. in 1882, to Miss Jen- nie Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman are the par- ents of three children, as follows: Marion, Harriet and James. Mr. Goodman is a member of the Mod- ern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of Uni- ted Workmen and Brotherhood of American Yeo-

men. He is interested in the general welfare of his community, and has served as a member of the town board. Politically, he is non-partisan, casting his vote for the candidate which in his opinion will best serve his pepple. He is a man who keeps abreast of the times in all matters of a public nature, and is a citizen of true worth and held in the highest esteen1.

OLE ERICKSON. This gentleman is a repre- sentative citizen of Ransom county, and is a resi- dent of section 18, in Moore township. He is widely known and highly respected, and his life af- fords an example worthy the emulation of others. He started in life without capital outside of his physical and mental abilities and the good habits lie had formed, and is today one of the solid men of his community. He went to Dakota as a pioneer settler, and his labors for the first few years were discouraging in their results, but persistent efforts and careful management surmounted every diffi- culty, and he has attained a comfortable competence and a valuable property.

Our subject was born in Norway, November 3, 1855, and soon after attaining his majority came to America. He worked in Fillmore county, Minne- sota, until 1881, when on May 12 he arrived at Val- ley City, and then went to his present location. He had about two hundred dollars in money, and he erected a sod shanty, wherein he lived alone for sev- eral years. He is now the owner of one and a half sections of land, and devotes the farm to stock and wheat raising. He crops about seven hundred acres of land, and winters about one hundred head of stock, and he is at present the most extensive farmer of Moore township. He has improved his estate and has a convenient and neat residence, and a 44x46-foot barn for the shelter of his stock.

Our subject was married, in 1887, to Miss Mary Knudson. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Erickson, as follows: Carl, Ole, Andrew and Criste. Mr. Erickson is a member of the Luth- eran church. He is non-partisan in politics, and is a man who keeps pace with the times in all current events. He has gained an enviable reputation by his good sense, and quiet manner of conducting his affairs, and cannot be spoken of too highly in con- nection with his life labors. He has always been ready for any task which came to his lot, and no labor ever tired him or danger turned him from his way, when he saw the desired results. He per- sistently went forward to conquer every difficulty which beset his path, and he is now one of the pros- perous and substantial men of Moore township. A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Erickson appears on an- other page.

MATHIAS LAWRENCE is a prosperous farmer of Dwight township, .Richland county, North Dakota, wherein he settled on section 33

OLE ERICKSON AND WIFE.

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during the first days of the history of that region. He is a foreign-born citizen, but his labors since coming to America have been for the welfare of his adopted land. He is the owner of a fine estate, and is respected wherever he is known.

Our subject was born in Bohemia, February 10, 1844, and came to America in 1866, locating in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming until 1871, when he took up his residence in Dakota. He was one of the very first settlers of Richland county. His farm comprises a half-sec- tion of land in Dwight township, and he is also owner of a half-section of land in Wilkin county, Minnesota. Upon his home farm in North Dakota he has erected a complete set of fine farm buildings, .and added such improvements to the place as entitle it to rank among the fine farms of that region.

Our subject was married in North Dakota, in April, 1873, to Anna Dworak, a native of Bohemia. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1886, leaving the following children: Lizzie, Frank, Charles, Anna and Chris- tiana. Mr. Lawrence was a second time married, in 1887, to Anna Benech. Of this union there are two children, named as follows: Mathias J. and Agnes. One child, Joseph, died when about ten years of age. Mr. Lawrence takes an active inter- est in public affairs, and has served in various posi- tions of local importance. He is public-spirited and progressive, and his labors for the welfare of his community are given freely and with a oneness of purpose which commends him to the esteem of his entire acquaintance.

HON. HAYDEN M. WILLIAMS, one of the most prominent men of southwestern Traill county, resides in a comfortable home on a farm adjoin- ing the village of Blanchard, on section 30, in Bloomfield township, and successfully operates nine hundred and sixty acres of land. He is widely known as a man of active public spirit and energetic character, and as such is highly esteemed and re- spected.

Our subject was born in Dodge county, Wis- consin, February 18, 1858, and was the fourth of six sons born to John H. and Catherine (Webb) Williams. The family is of Welsh-Irish extraction, and the ancestors were New Englanders in colonial times. Our subject's father died in 1896, aged sev- enty-three years, and the mother survives at the ad- vanced age of seventy-eight years.

Leaving home at nineteen years of age our sub- ject passed some time in Iowa, and went to Fargo, North Dakota, in the spring of 1878, but returned east, and in 1881 went to Dakota again, and two years later became foreman on the Preston farm. He used his land rights, in 1885, by taking govern- ment land near Devil's Lake, but remained on the Preston farm until 1893, when he began operations on his farm, and in 1895 was the possessor of a sec- tion and a half of land, which he now operates.

Our subject was married, in 1882, to Miss M. 30

Teresa Cruden, who died June 29, 1899. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as fol- lows: Hayden B., deceased; Joseph Walton; Grant C. and Webb M. Mr. Williams is a member of the Catholic church and also the Modern Wood- men of America. He was elected state representa- tive in 1896 and introduced the bill relating to freight rates and also successfully introduced two other bills of lesser importance. He served as chairman of the agricultural committee and served on the labor and school lands committees and did very efficient work while a member of that body. Politically, he is a Republican and attends county and state conventions of his party. He is a lead- ing spirit in all moves calculated to benefit the lo- cality in which he resides and his popularity is well merited.

HON. WILLIAM J. SKINNER, popularly known as "Sunset Skinner," has endcared himself to the people of Steele county by his generous dis- position, kindheartedness and unsullied public career, and it is with pleasure that a brief review of his life is presented to the readers of this volume.

Mr. Skinner was born in Washington county, Vermont, October 17, 1825. His ancestors arrived on America's shores in 1730 and made a home in Connecticut and the grandfather of our subject was a soldier of the Revolution. Our subject was one of a family of ten children and of seven sons he was the youngest. From the time he was twelve years of age he was hired out to neighboring farmers and before he attained his majority his wages paid up a four-hundred-dollar mortgage. He taught school during one winter and after attaining his majority went to Winnebago county, Wisconsin, where he arrived May, 1847, and found a wilder- ness indeed. He engaged in farming there until 1856, and then located in Chippewa county, Wis- consin, and followed farming until 1860, when he was elected county treasurer and after one term in office established with a partner in the general merchandise business in Chippewa Falls. The busi- ness was extended in 1869 to include the handling of lumber and our subject assumed charge of the yards at Davenport, Iowa, and assisted in the in- provement of that city. He went to Dakota in 1881 and filed claim to land in section 28, in Melrose township, where he followed farming and met with success.

Mr. Skinner was married, in 1854, to Miss Lucy A. Rice, who died in 1864, leaving four children, as follows : Myra E .; Cyrus, now living in Dakota ; Cyren, deceased, and Walter W. Cyrus and Cyren were twins. Mr. Skinner was married, in 1865, to Miss Emily R. Coleman, who died in Dakota in January, 1886. Two children were born to this union, Harvey and Abbie. Mr. Skinner began early to take an active part in the affairs of Stcele county, then in Griggs county, and was one of the first justices of the peace appointed, and in 1890 was

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elected to the state legislature and served on the platform committee, chairman of the committee on expenditures, chairman of the committee on county and state boundaries and his efficient work while a member of the legislative body is recog- nized by his fellow citizens. He is a Republican in political sentiment, but is popular with the people regardless of party connections and deservedly so.

WILLIAM H. SISSON, one of the extensive land owners and general farmers of Stutsman county, resides in township 140, range 62, where lie has gathered about him the comforts of a coun- try home. He was born in Otsego county, New York, October 10, 1845. Our subject's father, E. D. Sisson, was a farmer and shoemaker by trade and a lumber contractor, as was also his father, Right Sisson. The great-grandfather of our sub- ject was in the Revolutionary war and the grand- father of our subject served in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Julia Breffle, and was of Dutch descent and was born and raised in New York. Her father, Will- iam F. Breffle, came from Canada and was a wealthy farmer in Otsego county, New York.

Our subject was the eldest in a family of eight children and was raised on a farm and attended the common schools and also attended Athens Academy in Bradford county, Pennsylvania. He moved to Athens, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, with his parents, when a small boy, and he re- mained with them until after he attained his ma- jority. He purchased land when about twenty- four years of age and engaged in farming, team- ing and also working land on shares and was thus engaged until 1880, when he moved to East Smith- field, Pennsylvania, and purchased a forty-acre farm, but did not meet with success there. He went to Spiritwood, North Dakota, April 2, 1892, and the first year there worked for others and rented land and in June, 1893, he purchased a half- section of land and his family joined him. He first rented the land on which his house is now located and later acquired the same by purchase. He has added to his possessions as circumstances would permit, and is now the owner of eight hundred acres of valuable land in the southeastern part of Stutsman county. He has two sets of farm build- ings, all necessary machinery, twelve farm horses, and in 1899 purchased an interest in a steam thresh- ing machine, intending to- use the machine in the threshing of his own grain, rather than for any source of income.

Our subject was married at the age of twenty- four years to Miss Phebe Ann Doty, a descendant of Edward Doty, who landed in America in the May- flower, and she was also a relative of Miles Standish. Mrs. Sisson's father, John Doty, was an eminent divine in the Baptist faith in Pennsylvania and was a graduate of llamilton College of New York. Mrs. Sisson began teaching school before she was

sixteen years of age and she became a popular and efficient teacher in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, where she followed that calling many years. Mrs. Sisson died May 3. 1899, leaving three sons, as fol- lows: Harry L., Byron and Myron. Two other sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sisson, the eldest of the family, Frederick C., having been killed at the age of twenty-five years, and the third son in order of birth, Gordon G., is also deceased. Our subject has been eminently successful in his calling and is one of the deservedly popular men of his com- munity. Politically, he is a Republican.

MARION GRANGE, who is well known as a prosperous general merchant of Sheldon, North Dakota, has passed through varied experiences and is a man of thorough knowledge of men and the world and profits by his business experiences. He has been associated with the financial interests of Sheldon for many years and occupies a prominent position in the minds of his associates.

Our subject was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 24, 1846. His parents, Claude and Christo- phine (Sebuette) Grange, were natives of France and came to America prior to their marriage, which occurred in New York. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom were older than our subject and his twin sister. Until fourteen years of age our subject remained at home and as- sisted on his father's farm and then entered Notre Dame University, in Indiana, remaining there two years. He then worked for others about one year and drifted back to his Ohio home and in September, 1864, enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Ohio Light Ar- tillery. He was on garrison duty at Natchez and Vicksburg during the greater part of his service, which lasted nine and a half months. He began farming in St. Joseph county. Indiana, in the fall of 1867, and in 1882 went to Dakota. He invested in a farm southeast of Sheldon and purchased the junior member's half-interest in the general store owned by Goodman & Greene. After about five years he entered the employ of A. B. Rudd, in the general merchandise business and remained with him one year, then purchased a stock of goods in company with A. D. Walter, which business they conducted about two years, when our subject sold his interest and in July, 1898, purchased the building and general merchandise business of C. F. Schroeder and is now well established in a brick building 25×80 feet in measurement.

He now enjoys an extensive patronage and steadily increases the stock.

Our subject was married, in 1873, to Miss Chris- tina Goodman, who later died, leaving no children. Mr. Grange married Miss Mary Stoltz in 1886. Three children have been born of this union, as follows: Ina F., Leo and Louise, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Grange is a communicant of the Catho- lic church. He is well known in secret society cir- cles and is a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees and Brotherhood of American Yeomen

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and also holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was postmaster of Shel- don under both of Cleveland's administrations and was an efficient officer. In political faith he is a Democrat.

EUGENE M. PATTON, clerk of the district court of the third district of Cass county, North Dakota, was born on the 8th day of March, 1857, in Montgomery county, New York, a son of Robert and Harriet (Mayer) Patton, also natives of the Empire state, where they spent the greater part of their lives and where the father died. One brother and our subject are the only representatives of the family in North Dakota.

Reared in his native state, Eugene M. Patton is indebted to its common schools for his educa- tional privileges. He began his business career as a clerk in a hardware store, where he remained for ten years. In 1882 he went to St. Paul, Minne- sota, and after spending one year there he came to Fargo, North Dakota, as assistant clerk in the United States land office, where he was employed for three years. The following ten years he was bookkeeper for W. Strehlow & Company at Cassel- ton, North Dakota, filling that position until elected clerk of the district courts in 1896. He was re- elected to that office in 1898 and is now filling the same with credit to himself and to the entire satis- faction of his constituents.

In 1888 Mr. Patton was married, in Wisconsin, to Miss Grace H. Hartwell, a native of Michigan, and to them have been born three children, who are still living, namely : Robert F., Earl H. and Eugene L. Mr. Patton has always been a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party and does all in his power to insure its success. So- cially, he holds membership in the Masonic fra- ternity and the Ancient Order of United Work- men. He came to this state'a poor boy, but with a determination to succeed and has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming the difficulties in his path by his own unaided efforts. He has not only met with success, but has gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life.

BENJAMIN TAYLOR. Richland county, North Dakota, is well known as a thriving agri- cultural district and one of the most noticeable townships in the county is Center township, wherein the home of this gentleman has been for a quarter of a century. He has aided in transforming the wild land into tillable farms and is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of land in Rich- land county.

Mr. Taylor was born in Bedfordshire, England, May 8, 1844, and left his native land in 1862, going to Melbourne, Australia, where he remained from January, 1863, to May, 1870. On the last named

date he started for America and landed at San Francisco, July 14, 1870. The following Septem- ber he crossed the continent to Wisconsin and made his home in Grant county, that state, until Decem- ber, when he went to East Dubuque. Here he spent the winter of 1871-1872, the following season going to Butler county, Iowa, and after the harvesting and threshing were past went to Dakota, taking up one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now section 6, Center township. He has resided thereon continuously since and has added such improve- ments as make a fit habitation and affords the com- forts of country life. His estate of eight hundred and eighty acres lies partly in Dwight and partly in Center townships and is one of the best farms in the locality.

Our subject was married, in Morris, Minne- sota, December 1, 1877, to Miss Lydia Gudger, daughter of David and Mary (Deats) Gudger. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor : Walter, who died at the age of four years; Bessie died at the age of thirteen years, and Allen B. Mr. Taylor has followed the pursuit of agri- culture during the greater part of his career and has made a success in his chosen calling. He is active in public affairs of local import and is a willing supporter for every good enterprise which has for its object the advancement and development of his community.

MARTIN ERICKSON. Galesburg, the south- western township of Traill county, North Dakota, was not settled as early as were many of the other townships of that locality, but those who first took up their residence there endured the hardships of pioneer life, and may as truly be called pioneers as any in the state of North Dakota. Among these families who were the first settlers may be named the Erickson family, and a sketch of Martin Erick- son is here presented.

Mr. Erickson was the fifth in a family of ten children born to John and Ellen ( Pearson) Erick- son. His father, who has passed away, was one of the first men to homestead in Galesburg township, and the mother now resides with our subject and owns the old homestead. The family came to America from Norway when our subject was thir- teen years of age, and located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where they lived until 1879 and then went to North Dakota.

Our subject filed claim to land in the spring of 1880 and built a 12×14 board shanty, where he lived much of the time alone until 1883, and then erected a more commodious building, the kitchen of his pres- ent comfortable residence. In choosing his home- stead he has a fine location, and from his door may be seen a great stretch of country, and villages are cliscernable in almost every direction. He has se- cured an abundant flow of surface water of superior quality at a depth of twenty-five feet, and his farm is well adapted to general farming.

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Our subject was married, in 1883, to Miss Sigrid Werness. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Erickson, as follows : John, deceased; Jos- eph, deceased ; Elvine ; Signe ; Halfdan; and Eliot, deceased. Mr. Erickson is recognized as one of the leading men of his township, and from an early day has faithfully performed the duties entrusted to him. He is a Republican in political faith, and strong in his convictions.

JOSEPH O. BLOUIN, a wealthy farmer of Hall township, Sargent county, is one of the most influential men of that community. He is an ex- tensive land owner and has been a resident of North Dakota since 1888. He laid out the present town site of De Lamere, in 1898, and has aided in the development and advancement of that vicinity.

Our subject was born in the province of Quebec, May 15, 1859. His parents, Maglore and Camla (Furnet) Blouin, were of French descent and moved to Sargent county, North Dakota, in 1892, since which time they have been residents of Hall town- ship.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native place and lived there until twenty-three years of age. He assisted his father with the farm work and attended school and when he left Quebec, in 1882, came to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, where he followed different occupations until 1888. In the summer of that year he settled in Hall township, on section 17, where he has since followed farm- ing. He is the possessor of thirteen hundred and sixty acres of land in Hall township and engages extensively in general farming.

Mr. Blouin takes an active part in all local af- fairs of interest and has been a member of the board of supervisors of Hall township for several years. He started in life without means, but by persistent efforts and well-directed labor he has accumulated wealth and has gained an enviable reputation while attending to his farm work and looking to the better interests of his community.

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Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1900 Publisher: Chicago, G.A.Ogle Number of Pages: 1432

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago, G.A.Ogle
Number of Pages: 1432