Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 110

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 110

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Our subject was the eldest in a family of eleven children and received a limited education, and at the age of seventeen years left the home farm and learned the miller's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, followed by two years at Cadiz, Ohio, and Canal Winches- ter. Ohio. He then followed his trade in northern Pennsylvania until 1885, when he went to North Dakota, and settled in the northern part of Stuts-

man county. He and his brother farmed together and for the first three years rented land. Our sub- ject had no means and bought horses and machinery on time, and the first season his crop was a failure, not even yielding enough to replace the seed sown. Hail struck the crop and partially destroyed it in 1887, and the following year frost took most of the crop. A poor crop again in 1889 caused him to give up grain farming and devote his attention to sheep raising. They moved their stock to the hills west of Melville, and he and his brother engaged in stock raising four years with success. The brother took charge of the ranch, and our subject assumed charge of the North Dakota Elevator Company's business at Melville and remained with the company until 1898. He engaged in the machine business and continued thus eight years, and also dealt in coal and timber. He bought land in 1893 and be- gan farming in 1895 and purchased one section of land in Stutsman county, and in- June, 1896, he bought three quarter-sections of land in section 32, township 145, range 66, which land now comprises his present farm. He erected a commodious barn in 1896, and his residence, erected in August, 1897, is one of the largest and best in the southeastern part of the county. He erected another large barn in 1899, and the entire tract is fully improved and equipped with the most modern machinery and con- veniences. He sold his business interests in the fall of 1898, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to his farm. He now has a farm of two thousand and eighty acres, and engages principally in sheep p and cattle raising. He is one of the earliest settlers of that region, and has experienced pioneer life, and was lost for several hours in one of the severe blizzards, finally reach- ing his own house and not knowing where he had wandered to. He lost part of his crops in 1887, and suffered a total loss of crops in 1899, but amid these circumstances he has attained a prominent position among the farming community wherein he resides.

Our subject was married, in the fall of 1890, to Miss Ceceila Lipowski, a native of Austria, who came to America when thirteen years of age. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and Mrs. Ack- erman was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years. Two'children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, as follows: Oscar William and Marie Manilla. Mr. Ackerman takes an active in- terest in the welfare of his community and is highly esteemed. He is a Republican in political sentiment and has been a delegate to numerous conventions of his party in the county.

HARRY E. BROWN belongs to that large class of intelligent and progressive farmers whose labors in Dakota are recognized as given for the benefit of their community. He is yet in the prime of manhood, but has acquired a thoroughi knowl- edge of his calling, and his farm is one of the pleas-

JOHN G. BROWN (Deceased) AND FAMILY.

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ant estates of Melrose township, in Steele county, and his recently constructed residence on section 6 evidences his prosperity. His widowed mother, sis- ter and youngest brother reside with him, and every comfort for the family is supplied.

Our subject was the second of six children born to John G. and Martha A. (Gibson) Brown. His father, whose portrait will be found in the group shown in connection with this sketch, was a farmer by occupation, and devoted the prime of his life to the development of a new country. He was born in Ohio, July 10, 1844, and after beginning his labors as a farmer followed that pursuit in Illinois thirty- three years, and in May, 1883, disposed of his in- terests in Illinois and with his family went to Steele county for the purpose of making a home in the new country. Such men as he were needed in the pio- neer days of that region, and he exercised kind hos- pitality and a generous public spirit, and commanded the high esteem of his fellowmen. He was a student of the questions of the day, and in all public meas- ures took an active interest, and in 1893 was elected county commissioner. His popularity and efficient service are best evidenced by the fact that he was again elected in that capacity, and while serving his second term was called from his life duties. His death occurred January 21, 1898. Both he and the mother of our subject were members of the Pres- byterian church, and Mr. Brown in political senti- ment. was a stanch Republican and Prohibitionist. He was a man of exemplary character, and was deeply mourned throughout the locality where he had resided for so many years.

Harry E. Brown was a boy fifteen years of age when the family settled in Dakota, and in 1892 he secured a homestead, which he has recently proved his claim upon. He is now the owner of four hun- dred and eighty acres of land, most of which he has acquired by purchase. He engages in diversified farming, and contemplates extensive investments in stock, for the raising of which his farm is admirably adapted. He has placed upon his property such im- provements as entitle it to rank among the best farms of the community, and he operates the entire farm in the most approved manner, and with a view to economy and the lessening of labor.

Mr. Brown is a young man of practical nature, and takes an active interest in local affairs. He is of the same political belief as was advocated by his father during his career, and supports every good cause, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his associates.

JOHN L. ROBERTSON, sheriff of Cavalier county, has been for many years one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the county. His home is at Langdon, but he is a large land- holder, and has been one of the foremost men in the work of developing the natural wealth and re- sources of this section of the state.

Mr. Robertson was born in Scotland, January

7, 1861. He was reared to manhood in his native land, living on a farm until the age of nineteen years. He then came to America and located in Frontenac county, Ontario, Canada, and engaged at farming near Kingston. There he remained until 1882, when he emigrated to Dakota territory and began farming in Walsh county. In 1884 he came to Cavalier county, and took up land in Hope town- ship, and the following year made his residence upon his land. He continued to reside there until 1894, when he was elected to the office of county treasurer of Cavalier county. He assumed the duties of that office January 1, 1895, and so effici- ently and satisfactorily did he perform the import- ant duties devolving upon him the people chose him to the same office for a second term. At the close of his second term he was elected, in the fall of 1898, to the office of sheriff of Cavalier county, and he is now performing the duties of that posi- tion.

Mr. Robertson was married in Scotland, April 2,. 1885, to Miss Maggie Stewart, who is also a native of Scotland. They are the parents of ten children, named as follows: Charles, Annie, Rob- ert, Jennie, Bella, Alexander, Mary, John, Alice and David. Mr. Robertson is an active worker in the Presbyterian church, and has always lent his influence to the advancement of the educational and moral interests of the community. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and A. O. U. W. In addition to the high county offices he has been elected to, he has served three sucessive terms as assessor of his township, and has always taken a commendable interest in the welfare of his own township. In politics he is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Demo- cratic party. He is the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres of land in Cavalier county, and has been successful in all his important undertakings.

CHARLES A. PETERSON. Good judgment based on close observation, supplemented by honest industry has placed this gentleman among the sub- stantial men of Cass county, North Dakota. He is successfully pursuing farming in Howes township, and is proprietor of an excellent farmn.

Mr. Peterson is a native of Davenport, Iowa, and was born January 15, 1855. His parents, Peter and Cecelia (Ohlander) Peterson, were na- tives of Sweden, and settled in the United States in 1853. near Moline, Illinois. They are now re- siding in McHenry county, that state. Six sons and two daughters were born to them, and our sub- ject has one brother now residing in North Da- kota.

Our subject was reared in Illinois and educated in that state, where he followed farming until 1882, when he went to Mapleton, Cass county, and the following year located in Buffalo, and in the fall of 1884 engaged in the livery business and also fol- lowed farming six years. He has since devoted his

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entire attention to agriculture and is now the owner of a well-improved estate and has a comfortable income.

Our subject was married, September 29, 1885, to Mrs. Lucy K. Healy, formerly Miss L. K. Brown, a native of Rockland, Maine. Mrs. Peter- son's parents, William H. and Jane C. (Arey) Brown were natives of Maine and still reside in that state. Mrs. Peterson has a daughter by her former marriage, named Gertrude, who is known as Gertrude Peterson. Mr. Peterson takes an active interest in the welfare of his community and has filled some local offices. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and An- cient Order of United Workmen. His career has been that of an honorable, upright citizen, and he is deservedly held in high esteem by those among whom he has resided for so many years.

WALTER P. WYARD, a general merchant of Cathay, North Dakota, was born in London, England, in 1863. His father, James Wyard, was also of English birth, and was a manufacturer of picture frames and ornamental moldings in the old country. He emigrated to America in 1880 and settled in Philadelphia, where he continued in his trade. His wife was an Aitchison, and was of English and Scotch descent. Her father was a civil engineer in the government service in India.

W. P. Wyard is the third son in a family of seven children. He was reared in London, and educated at a private academy. He came to this country in 1881, and was first employed by Mitchell, Fletcher & Company, wholesale and retail grocers in Philadelphia. He left that city in 1882 in com- pany with his brother, J. G. Wyard, and went to Chicago. There he found work for a short time, and then pushed on to the prairies of the West, and arrived in Fargo in May, 1882. In company with his brother, J. G., he walked across the country to Jamestown, a distance of one hundred miles. They were foot-sore and weary and stranded, but they had every confidence in the future of the great Northwest. They found work and engaged in the services of a large English syndicate, which was opening up extensive farms in the northern coun- try. The firm was Sykes & Hughes, and the city of Sykestown commemorates the senior partner. The boys drove oxen and broke the prairies for farm- ing the coming year. This was a novel experience for city lads. Breaking the prairie was itself a hard and unusual labor, but the surroundings made it both novel and interesting. They were sixty-five miles away from the nearest railroad station and postoffice : buffalo, antelope and other large game roamed the prairies.

They returned to the East for the winter, and were so well satisfied with the outlook that they brought their families back with them the coming spring, and coming to Carrington, filed on govern- ment land and commenced improvements. He be-

gan farming with one yoke of oxen and lived in a shanty 8x14 feet. They went through the hard- ships common in a new country. The county de- veloped as the tide of settlement rolled in. New towns were built and the railroads came into the neighborhood. They were once more in civiliza- tion. Mr. Wyard proved up in 1890, and then en- gaged in the mercantile business at Carrington. He was in partnership with G. L. Farnham, and in 1893 the firm moved to Cathay and opened a gen- eral store. They were the pioneer merchants of the village and occupied the first building erected in it. In 1895 Mr. Farnham withdrew from the firm, and our subject assumed the entire business. He carries a stock of goods valued at about twelve thousand dollars. He has been remarkably suc- cessful, and has outside his store extensive real estate holdings in North and South Dakota. He was married, in 1887, to Miss Barbara Quarton. She was born in Scotland and came to this country in 1885. Her father, John Quarton, was a grain merchant at Burnt Island, Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Wyard have two children living: Barbara Anna, born April 23, 1892; Noel Osborne, born December 25, 1894. Mr. Wyard's business estab- lishment is on the corner of Third avenue and Sec- ond street, and his residence is on Second avenue.

JOHN S. WERNER is widely known as one of the prosperous business men of Dawson, Kidder county. He conducts the largest millinery and ladies' furnishings establishment in the county, and also has an extensive coal and fuel yard, and is largely interested in farming and stock raising. He owns considerable property, including tene- ment houses, business blocks and residences in Daw- son, and has acquired his fortune since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and has gained an enviable name as a business man and citizen.

Our subject was born in the city of New York, September 26, 1862. His father, John C. Werner, was a tailor and was a native of Germany and came to America when about fourteen years of age. The mother of our subject was of German descent and was raised in Pennsylvania. His parents were mar- ried in the state of New York, and twelve children were born to them, of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth.

Mr. Werner was raised in the city of his birth until fourteen years of age, when he removed with his parents to the country, and the father conducted a truck garden and also followed his trade. Our subject was educated in the city schools and also attended some private and boarding schools and received a good education. He left New York March 10, 1883, and went to Dawson, North Da- kota, and took land sixteen miles north of the town and thereon built a claim shanty and a board barn, and he hired his first breaking done and was then without money. He worked for others for several seasons and had fair crops on his own land, but

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could not advance in the improvement of his place to any extent, and in 1890 he rented out the farm and moved to Dawson and established a restaurant, which he operated two years, and then engaged in the millinerv and ladies' furnishing goods business, which has proven a success. He has engaged in stock raising extensively since 1889, and in 1898 established his fuel business in Dawson, and now does the most extensive business in that line in the town. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land and keeps a farm for hay land.

Our subject was married, January 17, 1889, to Miss Mary E. Super, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Wer- ner's father, Jacob Super, were of German descent and was a farmer by occupation. His grandfather and great-grandfather lived near Canton, Ohio. Mrs. Werner had a sister in Dakota, Mrs. S. W. Stinchcomb, and Mrs. Werner went to Dakota through the influence of her sister. She is a lady of good education and was engaged in teaching for some time. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Werner, who are named as follows : Fern C., born in 1889, and Ruth, born in 1892. Mr. Werner takes an active part in local affairs and has held various offices of trust, and is highly esteemed by all with whom he has to do. He is a Democrat in political sentiment.

HENRY H. CRITCHFIELD, M. D. This gentleman is one of the widely-known physicians and surgeons of Cass county, and has resided in Hunter and followed the practice of his profession there for the past fifteen years. He is a skillful practitioner and enjoys a growing and remunera- tive practice.

Our subject was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 20, 1861. His parents, Lyman R. and Ada- laide (Shaffer) Critchfield, were natives of Ohio, and his father is now engaged in the practice of law at Wooster, Ohio. He was a graduate of the Delaware College and the Cincinnati Law School, and was attorney-general of Ohio from 1861 to 1861, and was probate judge of Holmes county and judge of common pleas. The mother of our subject was burned to death in 1895 by an accident resulting from a gasoline stove. Our subject had one brother and six sisters. The brother, Lyman R., is city attorney of Wooster, Ohio, and was a soldier in the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry dur- ing the Spanish-American war. One sister re- sides in Hunter, North Dakota. The grandfather of our subject, Rhuben T. Critchfield, was a native of Ohio, and was a son of Nathaniel Critchfield, a native of Virginia, and one of the first settlers of Ohio.

Our subject was reared in Ohio and received his education there, attending Kenyon College, of Gam- bier, Ohio. He began the study of medicine in 1881, under Dr. S. P. Wise, at Millersburg, and in 1882 went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and en- tered the University of Minnesota in the medical

department and was graduated from that institu- tion in 1885. He began the practice of his profes- sion there and remained one year, and in 1886 went to Hunter, Cass county, North Dakota, where he has resided since and follows a general practice. He also owns one section of land, and has been re- markably successful in every business venture.

Our subject was married, in 1884, to Lilly Ray, a native of Minnesota. Five sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Critchfield, named as follows : Roy L., Burke H., Ralph J., Harry M. and George M., the last two named being twins. Mr. Critch- field was a member of the United States pension board from 1892-96, and has been vice-president of the State Medical Society, and has filled some local offices. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. Poiltically he is a Democrat.

LEWIS MORTENSEN. The life and labors of this gentleman since taking up his residence in Dakota have been devoted to the pursuit of farm- ing, in which he has met with unusual success. He is now the owner of a fine farm in township 148, range 66, and it is to his own efforts that huis success is due, and socially he has gained an envia- ble reputation.

Our subject was born on a farm near Horsen, Denmark, in 1869, and was a son of Christopher and Christina (Sorrenson) Martensen, both of whom were of Danish descent. His parents came to America when he was eleven years of age and settled in Scott county, Minnesota, where he grew to manhood. After attaining the age of eighteen years he left home and went to North Dakota, in 1887, and worked at farm labor three years near Carrington and in different parts of Foster and Eddy counties, after which he rented land near Barlow and began farmning for himself. He rented land until the spring of 1893, when he took gov- ernment land in the southeast quarter of section 34, township 148, range 66, as a homestead, and built upon it a house, barn and other outbuildings. He entered Dakota with two dollars and a half, and when he began farming had about two hundred dollars, which represented his savings from his wages, and with this he made his start at farming. He is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land, about eight hundred of which is under cultivation, and on his home farm he has erected a complete set of good farm buildings and has otherwise improved the estate, which is now entitled to rank among the foremost farms of the township. He has followed grain raising almost exclusively and in 1898 raised twelve thousand bushels of grain, and also raises a few horses and cattle, and he also owns a half interest in a thresh- ing outfit. In 1889 an extensive prairie fire swept that locality, and burned the property of the man for whom our subject was working, and he fought the fire twenty-four hours, and during the time one

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man was severely burned while assisting with the work of subduing the flames. Mr. Mortensen has had no serious loss since beginning his farming except in the year 1891, when he failed to get his gram threshed early enough and then suffered con- siderable loss on account of the delay.

Our subject was married, in the fall of 1896, to Miss Johanna Ugelstad, who was born in Nor- way. Her father died in Norway, and Mrs. Mor- tensen and her mother came to America in 1892. Mr. Mortensen is a man of industrious habits and practical nature, and devotes little time to public affairs, but is interested in the welfare of his com- munity and lends his influence for good local gov- ernment. He is independent in political faith, and is an occasional attendant at conventions of his party.

HANS J. BREKKE. A prominent position as a citizen and a member of the farming com- munity of Grafton township, Walsh county, is held by the gentleman above named. He is of foreign birth and brought to this country the habits of thrift and economy characteristic of the children of the Scandinavian peninsula. He resides in section 31 of Grafton township, and has a pleasant home and well-regulated farm.

Our subject was born in Christiania, Norway, March 26, 1859, where he was reared and educated. He remained in his native country until 1878, and then emigrated to America and located in Fillmore county, Minnesota. He worked out at farm labor about two years until the early summer of 1880, when he went to Walsh county, North Dakota (then Grand Forks county), and entered claim to land in Walsh Center township. . He lived there several years and then settled on section 31, in Graf- ton township, and has resided there continuously since that date. He has thoroughly improved his farm with good buildings, and modern machinery is used in conducting the place. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of good land and has made a success of his vocation in North Da- kota,

Our subject was married, in Grafton township, February 20, 1893, to Miss Josie Helgennes, a native of Iowa. Three children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brekke, named as follows: Helger, John and Ruth. Mr. Brekke has devoted his career to agricultural pursuits and has made a success of his calling and is well known as an early settler and an energetic farmer of Walsh county.

HIXSON M. POWLISON. This gentleman is the fortunate owner of one of the estates of Cass county, and is well known as an early settler of that region. He operates three and one-quarter sections of land in Bell township and successfully follows general farming. He is a gentleman of in-

telligence and progressive ideas and is deservedly held in high esteem by his associates.

Our subject was born in Galesburg, Michigan, June 6, 1861. His parents, Isaac V. and Elizabeth (Allen ) Powlison, were natives of New York. They went to Michigan as children, making the trip overland, and the father of our subject was a farmer and passed the greater part of his career in Michigan. He went to Dakota in 1880 and died there in 1887. Our subject was one of a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom, with the exception of one, now reside in North Dakota.

Mr. Powlison was reared in Michigan and attended the high school at Galesburg, Michigan. He went to North Dakota in 1881 and worked with his father two years, and then began buying wheat for the Northern Pacific Elevator Company and continued for them as long as they were doing busi- ness there, after which he bought wheat for the Great Western Company at Hunter, North Dakota, until 1890, since which time he has followed farm- ing. He operates three and one-quarter sections of land and has been remarkably successful.

Our subject was married, in 1888, to Miss Anna Haserick, a native of Stanton, Minnesota. Two children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pawlison, upon whom they have be- stowed the names of Ford M. and Lucile A. Mr. Powlison is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically is a Republican. He has filled numerous local offices and is now president of the school board.

MURDO A. FINLAYSON is recognized as one of the leading ranchmen and general farmers of Ransom county, North Dakota. He is a man of excellent education and business ability, and has made a success of his labors in Dakota. He resides on section 2, in Sydna township, and he and Mrs. Finlayson together own eight hundred acres of land, which is excellent grazing land, and they de- rive a handsome income from the stock kept thereon.

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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 110

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