Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 118

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

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Mr. Anderson is one of the best known men in the county, and has gained many warm personal friends by his strict adherence to justice and up- rightness of character.

HON. DAVID B. WELLMAN, one of the most prominent early settlers of Eddy county, has made a success of farming in township 150, range 66, and has aided materially in giving to that re- gion its present name as a thriving agricultural district, while his career as a public-spirited citi- zen is commendable to a marked degree.

Our subjeet was born on a farm near Farm- ington, Maine, May 5. 1850. His father, Joseph F. Wellman, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and also conducted a small farm. The grandfather of our subject bore the name of James Wellman, and the great-grandfather of our subject came to America from England. Three generations of the family have been born near Farmington, Maine. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name

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was Fanny Brown, was of Irish-English descent, and her father, David Brown, was a farmer by occupation1.

Our subject was the fourth in a family of six children, and was raised on a farm near Farming- ton, and at the age of nineteen years left home and was employed at farm work. He later went to lowa, and worked out at farming and then spent eight years in Illinois. He went to North Dakota in 1883, arriving at Grand Forks March 5, and in April of that year went to Eddy county and took government land on the northeast quarter of sec- tion 35, in township 150, range 66. He set up a tent, wherein he lived two months, and then built a shanty 14x16 feet. His first crop was thirty acres of oats, barley and wheat, and the average vield was the largest ever raised on the land. He had a small sum saved from his wages, and with this began farming, and has added to his posses- sions from time to time, and is now the fortunate owner of six hundred and forty acres of land, four hundred and eighty acres of which are under culti- vation. He has erected a complete set of farm buildings on his place, and has supplied all neces- sary machinery and otherwise provided for the economical conduct of the place. He has been successful as an agriculturist, and enjoys a pleas- ant and comfortable home.

Mr. Wellman was elected to the last territorial legislature in 1888, and to the first state legislature in 1889, and was chosen speaker of the house at that session. He is a man who is strong in his convictions, and is always found on the side of right and justice, and wields an influence equal to any citizen of that region. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican, and is a stanch advocate of the party principles.

JOSEPH MATTERS. Among the foremost agriculturists of Empire township, Cass county, the gentleman above mentioned occupies a leading position. He went to Dakota while a young man and has gained a fortune and an enviable reputa- tion by lus earnest labor and honorable principles, and his estate is one of the best in the township.

Our subject was born in Keweenaw county, Michigan, December 13, 1862, and was a son of William and Mari (Gribbins) Matters, both of whom were natives of Devonshire, England. His father was a copper miner and came to the United States about 1850, and first settled in Pennsylva- nia, where he followed mining, and later moved to upper Michigan where he worked in the copper mines until 1879, when he went to Cass county. He homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 20 in Empire township and began at once to in- prove the farm, and remained there until his death, in 1889, aged sixty-three years. He was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and gave material aid to the upbuilding of that denomina-

tion in his neighborhood. The mother still sur- vives, and three brothers and sisters of our subject live in North Dakota.

AIr. Matters was one of a family of six chil- dren, four sons and two daughters, and was reared in Michigan and went to North Dakota with his father and has followed farming there continuously since that time. He now owns a half-section of land in Empire township and has prospered in huis chosen calling.

Our subject was married, in 1886, to Lizzie Burnham. Mr. and Mrs. Matters have one adopted son, named Fay. Mr. Matters is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is public-spirited and progressive and has served on the township board and as clerk of the school board, and takes an active interest in affairs of local importance. In political faith he is a Ke- publican and is earnest in his convictions.

WALTER W. SMITH, a representative busi- ness man and leading citizen of Fargo, is now con- nected with the North Dakota Harness Company, being senior member of the firm. He is energetic and enterprising, and his keen discrimination and sound judgment are shown in the capable manage- ment of what is one of the leading industrial con- cerns of the state. His portrait is shown in connec- tion with this sketch.

Mr. Smith was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 28, 1857, a son of Charles and Adeline ( Bixby ) Smith, also natives of that state. From Ohio they removed to Stephenson county, Illinois, and while re- siding there the father enlisted during the Civil war in the Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Intantry, and was killed in the battle of Kingston, North Carolina. The mother is also deceased.

Our subject was reared and educated in Illinois, attending the common schools, and later he spent some years in farming upon the home place. In March, 1878, he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and took up a claim, to the improvement and development of which he devoted his attention for a time He served as deputy clerk of Cass county under George I. Foster for two years, and then commenced the study of law in the office of Wilson & Ball. On his admission to the bar in 1884, he became a member of that firm, with which he was connected until 1892, when he sold his interest to Mr. Watson and spent one year in California. In 1892 he was elected clerk of the district court, and most capably filled that office for four years. Since then he has given his at- tention to the harness trade-a business that was started in the state prison at Bismarck in 1892, but was transferred to Fargo in 1897. The company does a general manufacturing and jobbing business throughout the northwest, and is meeting with well- deserved success.

In 1882 Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Grace Gribble, a native of Michigan, and they have become the parents of two children : Pearl E.

WALTER W. SMITH.

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and Hazel Ione. In his political affiliations Mr. Smith has always been a Republican, and in his social relations is a member of the Masonic frater- nity and the Benevolent and Patriotic Order of Elks. In business and social circles he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow citizens, and his circle of friends and acquaintances is extensive.

GUSTAV A. BRAUER, clerk of the district court of Wells county, is a young man of intelli- gence and ability, and is rapidly rising to prom- inence by dint of his own efforts, backed by the indomitable will and industrious spirit which came to him from thrifty and honest ancestors.

Our subject was born on a farm in Fillmore county, Minnesota, October 16, 1875, and was a son of F. F. and Christine Brauer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Norway. His father left his native country when fourteen years of age and went to Denmark, and then to Norway, and after attaining his majority came to America with his family and settled in Minnesota.

Mr. Brauer was the fifth in a family of nine children, and was raised on the farm and assisted with the work, and at the age of fifteen years be- gan his education at Luther College, Decorah, lowa, where he attended school four years and re- ceived a good education. Ill health forced him to give up his studies and he returned to the farm. He taught several terms in both Norwegian and English schools in Minnesota and followed the work about two years. In 1897 he went to North Dakota and in the spring of that year located at Harvey, where he taught school and later com- menced a real estate, loan and insurance business. He took government land in 1898, and still retains his farming interests, but makes his home in Fes- senden. He is also interested in the First Bank of Harvey, of which institution R. W. Aiken is president.

Mr. Brauer was elected to his present office as clerk of district court of Wells county, in 1898. He has resided in North Dakota comparatively few years, but he is widely known as a young man of sterling qualifications and has a host of friends, and is deservedly held in high esteem by them.

WILLIAM H. DENNY, cashier of the Will- iams County State Bank, is one of the prominent business men of Williston, North Dakota. He has spent many years in that part of North Dakota and has witnessed its development and has aided in the advancement of the locality in which he has made his home.

Our subject was born in Sibley county, Minne- sota, March 17, 1870. His father, William Denny, was born in New York and was a gunsmith by trade. The grandfather came from Germany and settled near Buffalo, New York. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was M. E. Josline, 35

was of Scotch descent. She was left an orphan when young and was raised near Lansing, Mich- igan. Our subject's parents were married prior to the Civil war and moved to Minnesota in 1806. Of their family of five children our subject was the third in order of birth. He was raised in Glencoe, Minnesota, until fifteen years of age and attended the village school and also the Anoka Business College, and at the age of seventeen years started for himself. He worked in various stores in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and in the fall of 1889 went to Montana and was engaged as a cowboy there. He then spent seven years selling horses in North Dakota and in July, 1897, entered the Benson County State Bank at Minnewaukon, North Da- kota. He remained with that institution two years and in February, 1899, went to Williston, Williams county, North Dakota, and established the Will- iams County State Bank in company with C. H. Davidson, who is president, and T. L. Beiseker, vice-president. Our subject became cashier and the bank opened for business February 13, 1899. They contemplate changing it in the near future into a National Bank with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars, owing to the growing business of the institution. It is one of the solid financial enterprises of northwestern Dakota, and under the guidance of Mr. Denny has met with decided suc- cess.

Our subject was married, March 8, 1899, to Miss Kate Huffnail, a native of Wisconsin. Mrs. Denny is a daughter of William H. Huffnail, a leading physician of Osceola, Wisconsin. She Denny is a lady of excellent education and engaged in teaching school several terms. Mr. Denny is the present town and school treasurer and enjoys the confidence of all.

THOMAS MONILAWS, who has met with success in the pursuit of agriculture, is one of the early settlers of Empire township, and is widely and favorably known. He makes his home in sec- tion 34, and has surrounded himself with all the adjuncts of a model country home.

Our subject was born in Ontario, Canada, De- cember 17, 1849, and was one of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to George and Isabella (Taylor) Monilaws, both of whom were natives of Scotland. His father was a farmer and came to Canada in an early day and there spent the remainder of his career. Two brothers and one sister of our subject are now de- ceased, and the other children reside in Canada.

Our subject was reared and educated in Canada and there learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed in his native place until 1879, when he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and purchased land and also entered claim to one quarter-section as a homestead. The entire tract was wild land, and he has since converted it into a well-developed farm. He is now the fortunate possessor of three-

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quarter-sections of land, all of which is tillable, and he has met with unbounded success in general farming.

Our subject was married, in 1873, to Miss Mary A. Moore, a native of Canada. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Monilaws, as follows: Albert E., Alice M., Isabella, Fannie, Eva, Mamie and Robert E. Mr. Monilaws is actively interested in the welfare of his community and has served in various local offices, and is the president of the school board at present. He has been useful in developing and extending the farming interests of Empire township, and his name is closely linked with the growth of his locality. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, and stands stanchly for the principles of his party.

HALVER S. HALVORSON, who has been identified with the development of Foster county, North Dakota, for the past twenty years, is a gen- tleman of good business qualifications, and has made a success of farming and mercantile pursuits. He is one of the most extensive implement dealers and also carries hardware and feed, and deals in live stock in McHenry, under the firm name of Halvor- son & Company.

Our subject was born on a farm in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, October 24, 1875. His father was a farmer and came from Norway about 1866 with his family and settled in Wisconsin, where he took land as a homestead. He died in North Da- kota in 1883, where he became an early settler. Halver S., when six years of age, went with his parents to the western part of Traill county, now known as Griggs county, where the father took gov- ernment land near Cooperstown. He built a small claim shanty and a sod barn and began farming with oxen. The father followed farming there two years, when he became sick and died. Mr. Halverson had a limited amount of schooling and was early put to work, and when large enough began working for others. He spent much of his time in Cooperstown working at general merchandise, machinery and live stock business. Mr. Halvorson is in full charge of his business and was the pioneer implement and live stock dealer of McHenry. He has a good store building, with machine shed, several warehouses and storage building, barn, and so forth, and enjoys remarkable success, and keeps from four to five men employed a good share of the time. He has exten- sive farming interests, and is interested in the gen- eral welfare of his community. He holds member- ship in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America.

SWAIN THORWALDSON, who enjoys the distinction of being the youngest officer in the court house in Pembina county, is rapidly rising to prom- inence and carries a remarkable influence for one of his years. He is a gentleman of integrity and

persistent efforts, and is serving in the capacity of deputy auditor of Pembina county.

Our subject was born in Kyelduskogum, Iceland, May 25, 1875, and was a son of Thorwaldur and Vilborg (Jonsdotter) Stigson. He was the young- est of hfteen children, and his father died while our subject was an infant. In 1881, the mother and ·eight children, piloted by the eldest son, crossed the water, and in September, located at St. Vincent, Minnesota, and soon afterward came to Akra town- ship, and there purchased land, and our subject was reared to farm life. He was deprived of school ad- vantages until his fourteenth year, and he then finished the common schools and clerked in his brother's store at Akra. He entered the Globe Business College at St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1896, and after completing the business course returned as clerk in his brother's store, and in August, 1898, purchased land in Avon township. He was ap- pointed deputy auditor of Pembina county in March, 1899, and took up his residence in the city of Pem- bina, and is now serving in that capacity and is gain- ing popularity as a public official.

Our subject was married, in 1898, to Miss Krist- bjorg Johnson, also a native of Iceland. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorwaldson, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Waldimar Stigur. Mr. Thorwaldson is a Republican in po- litical sentiment, and is a man who keeps pace with the times and lends his influence for good govern- ment and the upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home, and well merits his high stand- ing

WILLIAM STAPLES, the popular postmaster and merchant of Absaraka, is one of the pioneer set- tlers of Cass county, and is widely known as an able business man and worthy citizen.

Mr. Staples was born in Stroudsburgh, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1856, and was a son of Nelson and Sally A. (Albertson ) Staples, both of whom were natives of Monroe county, Pennsyl- vania. His father was a lumberman and operated a saw-mill. He went to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1851, where he operated a saw-mill until 1861, and then returned to Pennsylvania, and the following year went to Wabasha county, Minnesota, and after the close of the war moved to Georgia and from thence to Alabama, where he followed lumbering until 1877, and then went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1888 to Cass county, North Dakota. He lo- cated land in Buffalo township and opened a farm on railroad land which they had purchased some years before. He also became interested in mer- chandising in Absaraka, and continued farming in addition until his death in 1891. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was held in the highest esteeem by his fellow men. The mother of our subject survives and makes her home in Buffalo township, Cass county. Two sons and six daughters were born to this worthy couple, and the

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daughters living are as follows : Mrs. E. J. Hodgson, St. Paul; Mrs. E. A. D. Reynolds, Chicago ; Mrs. J. B. Mecham, Mrs. William Metzgar and Jennie. The last three named are residents of Cass county.

Our subject was reared in Minnesota and edu- cated at Hamline University of Red Wing, Minne- sota. He then spent some years in the south with his father and then went with him to North Dakota and located land in Buffalo township, Cass county. They began merchandising in 1882 and erected the store in Absaraka, and our subject also operates about six sections of land, three and a half sections of which he owns. The average yield of grain is forty thousand bushels per annum. He is a success- ful business man and farmer, and enjoys a liberal patronage.

Our subject was married, in 1888, to Miss Anna Dorsey, of Stillwater, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Sta- ples have one daughter, Carrie M. Mr. Staples has been postmaster for many years, and has filled vari- ous public offices in his township. Politically he is a Democrat.

GEORGE BRYNJULSON, county sheriff of Wells county, residing in Fessenden, carries on an extensive farm near that city and is one of the wide- awake and well-to-do citizens of the county. He began for himself in North Dakota without means and has steadily risen by his own efforts and is now possessed of a comfortable competence and an en- viable reputation.

Our subject was born on a farm in Telemarken, Norway, in 1858. His father, Talaf Brynjulson, was a farmer and came to America in 1861 and setttled in Wisconsin. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Aslang Jorgendatter. Seven children were born to this worthy couple, our subject being the second in order of birth. He was reared on a farm in Wisconsin until eight years of age and then removed to Lincoln county, South Dakota. The father took government land in 1868 and still resides thereon. Our subject re- mained on the farm in South Dakota and attended the country school. There were but few settlers in that locality during their early residence there and. they lived under the protection of government win- chesters and experienced four Indian scares. Mr. Brynjulson left home at the age of seventeen years and drifted through the country in South Dakota, following the stone mason's trade from 1875-1894. In 1883 he went to Jamestown and spent three years in the vicinity of that city and Bismarck working at his trade. He settled on land in township 147, range 71, in Wells county, taking it under a "squatter's right," in 1883 and 1885 took up his residence there- on. He had a sod shanty, but no barn and farmed with oxen the first six years and from 1883-1887 lived alone and engaged in grain raising principally. He followed the stone mason's trade and farming and threshing in South Dakota from 1891 to the summer of 1893 and then returned to his North

Dakota farm. August 19, 1896, fire destroyed his barn, a fine structure, and his son, John, who was in the burning building, lost his life. He has had varied experiences with prairie fires and severe storms and in 1886, while on his way to South Da- kota via the stage, stopped to take dinner and started for Ellendale, when a storm broke and they lost their road. Mr. Brynjulson was the only one fa- miliar with the prairie and he guided the party for some time, but they finally refused to follow him farther and he left them and walked to Ellen- dale and then sent a team to meet them. One of the occupants of the stage, a young lady, afterward died from the exposure. Our subject has added to his possessions and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, on which he has erected a set of good buildings. His barn was blown to pieces during the summer of 1899 and he has since built a 40x64-foot structure with basement, and he also has a large granary and other farm buildings. A grove of trees is near the house and the entire farm presents a pleasing appearance.

Our subject was married, in 1887, to Miss Han- nah Dolan, a native of Norway. Mrs. Brynjulson was a daughter of Gerhart Dolan, who still resides in Norway. Mrs. Brynjulson died November 15, 1890, leaving two children, Tolaf and John, the latter now deceased. Mr. Brynjulson was married to Miss Ella Dolan, a native of Telemarken, Nor- way, in 1894. Mrs. Brynjulson came to America in 1892. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: Alma, Beatta and Olga. Mr. Brynjulson was elected sheriff of Wells county in 1896, and his popularity is best evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected in 1898, and is now serv- ing his second term. He also holds the office of postmaster at Bawdon, North Dakota, his appoint- ment being made March 30, 1900. He has held numerous school offices and takes an active interest in affairs of a public nature. Politically, he is a Republican and an earnest worker for party prin- ciples.

WILLIAM HOWELLS, an early settler of Bell township, Cass county, is successfully operat- ing three sections of land and is well known in that region for his energetic character and strict integrity. He has followed farming throughout his career, and is well versed in the most approved methods of operating a farm and is able to con- tribute information for the benefit of others less favored by nature or experience.

Our subject was born in England, September 15, 1852, and was a son of Henry and Ellen ( Hall) Howells, natives of Wales and England respect- ively. His father was foreman on one of the large farms of England for many years, and in 1861 went to Canada, where he remained until his deatlı in 1898. The mother of our subject survives and makes her home in Gray county, Ontario, Canada. She was the mother of four sons and six daughters,

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two of the sons now residing in the United States and the others of the family in Canada.

Mr. Howells was reared and educated in Canada and there learned farming, and in 1878 came to the United States and the following year located at Fargo, North Dakota. He went to Hunter, Cass county, in 1883, and opened up the farm for James Hales, since which time he has operated three sec- tions of land, breaking most of it himself. He has met with unbounded success in the pursuit of ag- riculture and is one of the men whose labors in North Dakota have done much to sustain and ex- tend the farming interests.

Our subject was married, in 1892, to Miss Car- rie Nyquest, a native of Sweden. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Howells, as fol- lows: Nettie E. and Minnie E. Mr. Howells is a Republican in political faith and stands firm for his convictions.

BENJAMIN H. SMITH, proprietor of one of the most completely equipped blacksmith and re- pair shops of central North Dakota, has been en- gaged in his calling in Steele, Kidder county, since the early settlement of that thriving town, and is widely known for his skill and workmanship. He also conducts a paint, oil and glass business and is enjoying well-earned success in his business en- terprises.

Our subject was born in New York Mills, New York, in 1855, and was a son of Hoton and Marian (Stephens) Smith, the former of English descent and the latter a native of the state of New York. His father was a millwright and pattern maker and was known throughout central New York for his workmanship at his trade, which he followed throughout his career. His family came to America about seventy-five years ago. The ma- ternal grandparents of our subject came to America prior to 1827.

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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 118

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