Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 109

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

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Dakota Telephone & Electrical Company, with the following officers: Charles L. King, president and general manager; Otto Grethen, secretary, and Anton Erne, treasurer. The company owns lines from Harvey to Fessenden, thence to New Rock- ford and Carrington and branches to Cathey and Sykeston and has local exchanges in Harvey, Fes- senden and Carrington.

Mr. King was married, in the spring of-1892, to Miss Louisa Newhouse. Mrs. King was born in Iowa and is of Scandinavian descent. Her father, Ole Newhouse, is a farmer by occupation. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. King, as follows: Florence, George and Fred. The two younger children were born in Dakota. Mr. King was elected county commissioner by the Republican party in 1897 and is now chairman of the board. He has served as justice of the peace at Harvey for the past seven years and takes an active interest in public matters. He has been a delegate to nu- merous county conventions and is identified with the Republican party. He holds membership in the Woodmen of the World.

ERNEST MARES. Although this gentle- man is actively engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in Howe township and is recognized as an early set- tler of that locality, who is now conducting an ex- tensive farm, he is also well known as the president of the State Bank of Wheatland. He has resided in Cass county for over twenty years and his active participation in public affairs and excellent business qualifications have placed him among the favorably known citizens of the locality.

Our subject was born in Marquette county, Wis- consin, April 24, 1862. His parents, Robert and Hattie (Mason) Mares, were natives of Toronto, Canada, and New York, respectively. His father was born in 1835 and when three years of age went with his parents to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and grew to manhood in that state and about 1849 moved to Wisconsin, and in 1862 to Winona county, Minne- sota. He remained there until 1882 and then went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a pre- emption to a quarter-section of land on section 12, of Howe township, where he now resides. Two sons, Richard and our subject, and one daughter, now Mrs, Boyd, of North Dakota, were born to this worthy couple. The father is prominent in affairs of a public nature and has filled numerous local offices.

Our subject was reared and educated in Min- nesota and learned the blacksmith's trade. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in 1880 and located in Howe township, on section 12, and purchased section 13. He has followed farming successfully since his settling in North Dakota.

Mr. Mares was married, in 1894, to Lena Lenz, a native of Wisconsin. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mares: Grace I., Fred and Robert. Mr. Mares is a member of the In-

dependent Order of Odd Fellows and is grand marshal of the Grand Lodge of that order. Po- litically, he is a Democrat and an earnest worker for the principles of his party and has served as secretary of the eleventh district.

JAMES D. MCKENZIE, M. D. As a physi- cian this gentleman stands at the head of his profes- sion, and as a citizen he commands the esteem of his fellowmen. He is a gentleman of excellent char- acteristics, and his labors among the people of Sar- gent county have been appreciated and he is now en- joying an extensive and remunerative practice. He has been a resident of Milnor for nearly fifteen years and has gained the confidence of the people. A portrait of Dr. Mckenzie is presented in connec- tion with this sketch.

Dr. Mckenzie was born in the province of Que- bec, March 28, 1840. He was reared there and re- ceived a collegiate education in his native place. He began the study of medicine in Canada, and at- tended the medical department of the University of Michigan, where he graduated in the class of 1869. He began the practice of his profession at West- field, Vermont, where he remained six years, and then went to Floyd county, Iowa, where he prac- ticed about seven years, and in December, 1880, went to Fargo, North Dakota, where he practiced about one and a half years, after which he located in Traill county, North Dakota, and after about two years returned to Fargo and continued there until in the summer of 1885. when he settled in Milnor, North Dakota. He has since been a resident prac- titioner of that town, and has met with unbounded success.

Our subject was married in the province of Que- bec, December 20, 1864, to Miss Margaret Arkley, who was also a native of Quebec. One son has been born to Dr. and Mrs. McKenzie, who bears the name of Clyde J. Dr. Mckenzie was a member of the North Dakota state constitutional convention in 1889, and is prominent in public affairs. He is a member of the North Dakota State Medical Associ- ation, and for twelve years was superintendent of the Sargent county board of health.

JOHN SEBRY, one of the pioneers of Burleigh county, and an old soldier with an enviable record, has been classed among the substantial and useful citizens of North Dakota and a valued member of the community in which he resides.

Mr. Sebry was born in Ireland, in 1841, his father, John Sebry, being a native of Ireland and a farmer and mason by occupation. The father came to America when our subject was ten years old and died on board ship at Quarantine Island, New Brunswick. Our subject, the youngest of a family of eleven children, accompanied his mother and one brother and one sister to America the following year and they landed at St. Johns, New Brunswick,

JAMES D. MCKENZIE, M. D.

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and went to Whitneyville, Washington county, Maine. They remained there six years and then the mother and two sons went to Dakotah county, Minnesota. Our subject worked on a farm and also worked out at day labor until 1862, when he en- listed in Company K, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, right wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps. They started May 10, 1863, and went to the plains of Dakota as far as the Missouri river, encountering Indians in several skirmishes. In the fall of 1863 the regiment was sent to St. Louis, where they did guard duty six months and then went to Columbus, Kentucky, and thence to Memphis, Tennessee, and thence to Tupelo, Missis- sippi, where they had an engagement with General Forrest and General John Lee. He was also at the battle of Nashville and at Spanish Fort. In 1865 the regiment started from Dauphin Island to Montgomery, Alabama, and when within fifteen miles of that place received word that the war was ended. They then went to Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi, and then to Fort Snelling, where our subject received his honorable discharge in August, 1865, after an arduous service of three years, being almost constantly on raids and marches.

After his discharge he returned home and went to work in a saw-mill at Minneapolis. In 1872 hie brought his family to Burleigh county, North Da- kota, then a wilderness. The trip was made by team, occupying about six weeks on the journey. He lived for the first six years in Bismarck and then, in 1878. moved to his farm north of that place. He had but one cow, one hog and three horses and but little farm machinery. He now has one hundred and sixty acres, about half of which is under a high state of cultivation and the rest devoted to pastur- age and his farm is abundantly stocked. He has succeeded remarkably well in his farm enterprise and has won a comfortable competence.

Mr. Sebry was married, in 1871, to Miss Mary Casey, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of Mark Casey, one of the early settlers of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Sebry are the parents of six children, as follows: Mark, Mary, James, Jane, Agnes and John H., all of whom, except the eldest, were born in North Dakota. Mr. Sebry is a Democrat in his political faith and has always felt an interest in public affairs. He has been a member of the school board for many years and has devoted his energies to the cause of education in his community. Being one of the pioneers of the state, he has watched its growth and development and his reminiscences of early days are well worthy the pen of North Da- kota's future historian.

GORDON THOMPSON. A high station as a citizen and prosperous farmer has been attained by this gentleman in Rich township, Cass county, where he was one of the first settlers. He has pushed forward toward success and by honest in-

dustry has gained his purpose and is now the fort- unate owner of a fine farm of one half-section and is enjoying the result of a well-spent career.

Our subject was born in Gray county, Ontario, Canada, January 3, 1854. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Houston) Thompson, were natives of Canada and his father was a farmer and passed his life there. He died in 1896 and the mother of our subject survives and makes her home in Canada. They were the parents of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters now live in North Dakota.

Mr. Thompson was reared and educated in Canada and followed farming there until 1880, when he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim to the quarter-section in section 32, in Rich township, on which he still resides. He was the second settler and passed through pio- neer experiences. He now owns and operates a half-section of choice land, all of which is improved. He has met with success in his calling and is one of the substantial men of his community.

Our subject was married, in 1886, to Miss Jane P. Ferrier, a native of Bruce county, Ontario. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, named as follows: Mary H., Thomas G., James A., Jane V., Florence A. and Harry A., all of whom are living. Mr. Thompson is active in public affairs of local importance and has served five terms as supervisor and also filled other offices. He is one of the best known and most highly es- teemed men of his township. Politically, he is in- dependent.

MARTIN WALSH, who, in company with his brother, Edward Walsh, conducts one of the finest farms of township 149. range 64, in Eddy county, is one of the pioneer settlers of that section, and has gained his acquisitions by dint of earnest efforts, incidentally gaining an enviable reputation as a citi- zen of true worth.

Our subject was born in Quebec, Canada, on a farm, in September, 1863. His father, Edward Walsh, was born in Kilkenny county, Ireland, and came to America at the age of twelve years. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Bridget Delaney, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and came to America at the age of eight years. Our subject was next to the youngest in a family of ten children and was raised on a farm in Canada and assisted with the work and at the age of twenty-one years left home. He had worked, since reaching the age of fifteen years, in the lumber woods of Ontario during the winter seasons and on the farm during the summer months, and in 1886 left home and went to North Dakota, locating in Eddy county. He worked for others at farm labor the first summer and in 1887 entered claim to government land on the southwest quarter of section 9, in township 149, range 64, and built a 14x18 shanty. His brother, Edward, went to Dakota with teams, etc., in the

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spring of 1887 and they first rented land and farmed thus and lived alone and after several months began farming on their present place and their father, mother and sister joined them during that year and made their home with them. The brothers have continued in partnership since and are engaged in mixed farming, raising grain and cattle and keep from twenty-five to forty head of stock. They have a farm of five hundred and twenty acres, including four acres of timber land, and they have four hun- dred and fifty acres cultivated. They have a complete set of good buildings, including a comfortable resi- dence, and one of the best barns in the vicinity, with hay fork attached, and have other buildings and all machinery, including a steam threshing outfit. Their farm is fully improved and is a valuable estate.

Martin Walsh was married, November 6, 1894, to Miss Mary Hogan, a daughter of Andrew Hogan. Mrs. Walsh was left an orphan at the age of nine years and was raised by strangers and came to America from Ireland in 1882. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, as follows: Florence, born February 24, 1897, and Fergus, born March 27, 1899. Both children were born in Da- kota on the farm.

Edward Walsh was married, January 17, 1893, to Miss Lizzie hogan, a sister of Mrs. Martin Walsh. Mrs. Walsh was born in England and came to America with her sister, Mary. Three children have been born to this union, as follows : Ethel, born December 5, 1893; Joseph, born August 11, 1895, and Edith, born June 3, 1899. The brothers and their families live together on their homestead farm and are all members of the Catholic church. Martin Walsh served as assessor from 1894-1896 and takes an active part in public affairs of local importance. Both brothers cast their influence for good local government and in political sentiment are Demo- cratic.

CHARLES A. M. SPENCER. Intelligence and true citizenship are readily recognized by the people of a community and to such as possess these qualifications is entrusted the possibilities of the country. The gentleman above named is a pioneer attorney of Grafton, North Dakota, and not only the general welfare of his immediate community has been placed in his hands from time to time, but he has been called upon to direct his attention to the welfare of his county and state and in no wise has he been found wanting in public spirit or earnest labors. He enjoys an extensive practice in Grafton and is widely known as a leader of his profession in North Dakota.

Our subject is a native of Ohio, and was born at Mansfield, Richland county, November 22, 1850. His parents, David M. and Sarah ( Woodruff) Spencer, were natives of New York and Ohio, re- spectively. His father was a mechanic and farmer and went to Ohio in an early day and from there moved to Noble county, Indiana, in 1862. He

served with an Indiana regiment through the war and was wounded in the Atlanta campaign and went with Sherman to the sea. He later in life moved to Iowa and died in that state in 1873, where the mother also passed away. They were the parents of two sons and two daughters.

Mr. Spencer was educated in the public schools of Indiana and in 1870 entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and graduated from that institution in 1873 and at once began the study of law in the same school and graduated in 1875. He went to Washington ( then a territory) in 1875 and was admitted to the bar there the same year, and began the practice of his profession at Vancouver, remaining there three years. The climate was not beneficial to him and in 1878 he returned to North- wood, Iowa, and practiced there until 1881, when he came to Grafton and has continued his practice there since that date.

Mr. Spencer has served the county eight years as state's attorney and has also served as mayor and city attorney of Grafton. He was elected attorney- general in 1890, and after serving one term refused to accept the office a second term. He has devoted his entire attention to the practice of his profession and is enjoying an extensive and lucrative legal business. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity in all lodges of the order, including the thirty-second degree, and also holds membership in the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias and is well known in secret society circles. He has been a life-long Republican and is an earnest worker in his county and state for party principles.

MARTIN W. KIFF. Perhaps no man has been more actively associated with the business interests of Cass county than the gentleman whose name heads this article, and he is widely known as an industrious and exemplary citizen. He conducts a general merchandise and machinery business in Tower City, and enjoys an extensive trade.

Our subject was born in Waldo county, Maine, June 1, 1839, and was a son of Greenleaf and Bar- bara (Drinkwater) Kiff, both of whom were na- tives of Maine. His father was a general merchant of Belmont, Maine, and died there in 1852, aged fifty-two. The grandfather of our subject, John Kiff, was a native of Maine, and the great-grand- father was a native of Ireland. The great-grand- mother on the paternal side was a cousin of General Bradford, of Massachusetts. Our subject was one of six sons and is the only one of the family now living.

Mr. Kiff was reared in Maine and received his early education there and at the age of twelve years went to sea as a sailor and followed that occupa- tion sixteen years along the coast and was captain at the age of twenty-one. He engaged in merchan- dising in Vinal Haven, Maine, and followed it there eleven years and in 1862 enlisted in the United States navy under Farragut and served one year and three

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months on a gunboat. He went to Tower City, North Dakota, in 1882 and established a general store, which he still operates and also handles farm machinery and is well known as an able business man.

Our subject was married, in 1860, to Mercy De- lano, of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Kiff are the parents of three children, as follows: Nettie E., Fenno B. and Herbert W. Mr. Kiff is a member of the Bap- tist church and an officer in that denomination and is an earnest worker for temperance. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fllows, G. A. R. and Good Templars and is commander of the local post of the G. A. R. lodge. Politically. he is a Prohibitionist and is a member of the na- tional committee. At present he is chairman of the state central committee and also served as treasurer in 1896. He is one of the well known men of that region and enjoys the confidence of his many friends.

JOHN M. COVELL. Among the foreign-born residents of Wells county, who are thoroughly iden- tified with American progress, may be noted Mr. Covell. He owns a farm in section 24, of township 147, range 70, where the usual improvements have been made and such arrangements consummated as make it a comfortable home.

Our subject is a native of Wales and was born May 13, 1856. His father, Joseph Covell, was a farmer in Wales. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Margaret Evans. Mr. Covell was the third in a family of six children and was raised on a farm and received a limited schooling. His mother died when he was but ten years of age and he then left home and earned his own liveli- hood from that time, working at farm labor. He went to Wisconsin in 1882 and spent two years in Winnebago county, working at farm labor, and in 1884 went to Wells county, North Dakota. He entered claim to government land in township 147, range 70, and settled on section 26, and then worked for others the first year and in 1885 began farming his land. He had one year's savings to make a start with and built a shanty 12×12 feet and bought three old horses and had a dugout for a barn. His first crop yielded twenty-four and a half bushels per acre, and he had about twenty-five acres. His residence, built in 1892, was destroyed by fire, caused by a defective flue, in 1895. and in 1887 fire de- stroyed his dugout barn and two horses. He has had many exciting experiences with prairie fires. He now has a farm of six hundred and forty acres, with about five hundred under cultivation, and has a fine grove started. He has erected a complete set of good farm buildings and with the necessary machinery is fitted for general farming and his estate evidences good management. He has twenty-three head of cattle and eleven horses and follows mixed farming.

Mr. Covell visited Wales in 1893 and upon his

return was accompanied by Miss Deana Williams. Miss Williams filed on land in North Dakota and presently became the wife of Mr. Covell. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Covell, as follows: Jennie, Nellie and Emily. Mr. Covell is a Republican in poitical faith and has attended several conventions as a delegate and is an earnest worker for party principles.

FRANK C. DAVIES, the genial and popular proprietor of the hotel Davies, of New Rockford, and deputy sheriff of Eddy county, is one of the pioneers of the county, and well known throughout this section of the Northwest.

Mr. Davies was born in Bremer county, Iowa, December 17, 1858. His parents, C. F. and Caro- line (Lane) Davies, were natives of New York and Michigan respectively. They were early settlers of Iowa, and in that state the father died in 1897. The mother still resides in Iowa.

Mr. Davies was reared on the farm, and received a common school education, having attended the vil- lage schools of Tripoli and Bradford. At about the age of seventeen years he entered the employ of J. C. Garner, of Waverly, Iowa, dealer in lumber and machinery. In 1882 Mr. Davies came to Da- kota, first locating in Grand Forks. He came to Eddy county in 1883, and to New Rockford in 1890. For some two years he was engaged in the lumber and machinery business in New Rockford. He began the hotel business in New Rockford in 1890, con- ducting the Merchants' Hotel for one year. In 1891 he built the Davies Hotel, which he has since con- ducted. The building has about forty rooms, and is conducted for the accommodation and convenience of the public, Mr. Davies being one of the most popular hotel men of the state.

In addition to his interests in the city of New Rockford, Mr. Davies owns four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, nearly all of which is cultivated annually. He is a Republican in po- litical views, and has taken an active interest in the public affairs of the county. He has been deputy sheriff of Eddy county for five years. In his social connections he is a member of the Elks. the Knights of Pythias, the M. W. A., the A. O. U. W., Royal Neighbors and Degree of Honor.

Mr. Davies was married, in New Rockford, North Dakota, to Miss Mattie E. Sheldon, in 1884. Mrs. Davies was born in Tampico, Illinois. To this union one child has been born, Frederick Shel- don Davies, the date of his birth being June 1, 1886.

WILLIAM H. MILLER. As an old settler and representative citizen of Howes township. Cass county, this gentleman is widely known. He was among the first to enter that locality and begin the development of a farm, and has prospered in his calling, and is now proprietor of an excellent prop- erty. He was the pioneer blacksmith of that region,

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and is skilled in his trade, which he successfully con- ducted many years.

Our subject was born in Dundas county, Can- ada, March 4, 1855, and was a son of James and Isabella (Hunter) Miller, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Aberdeen, Scotland. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and moved to Canada when a young man and married and spent his life there. He was the father of three sons and five daughters, and two sons and one daughter now re- side in North Dakota.

Our subject was raised in Canada and educated there, and learned the blacksmith's trade. He went to Wisconsin in 1876, and remained until 1879, and then went to Cass county, where he took a home- stead of one quarter-section, on which he now re- sides in Howes township, in section 18. He was among the earliest settlers of that region, and now owns and operates a half-section of excellent land which he has fitted with good improvements.

Our subject was married, in 1886, to Miss Nico- line Schmidt, a native of Germany. Mrs. Miller's parents, Frederick and Christina Schmidt, were na- tives of Germany, and her father died in his native land, and the mother emigrated to the United States in 1883 with her family. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of three children, Harvey J., Frank L. and Estella F., all of whom are living. Mr. Mil- ler assisted in the organization of his township in 1884, and has served as township clerk since that time. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America and Brotherhod of American Yeomen. In political sentiment Mr. Miller is a Democrat, and stands firm for the principles of his party.

GEORGE M. ACKERMAN. A striking ex- ample of what can be accomplished by persistent industry and strict attention to business is afforded in the life of this gentleman, who is one of the leading and well-to-do farmers of Foster county. He owns an extensive tract of land in township 145, range 66, and has spared no pains or means in making it one of the model farms of the locality.

Mr. Ackerman was born on a farm in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1862. His father, William H. Ackerman, was of German descent, and was a shoemaker by trade, but later in life followed farming. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Angilina Weaver, and was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Her ancestors in America date to Colonial times.

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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 109

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