Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 130

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 130

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Politically Mr. Booth is a Republican, and while he takes no active part in political affairs, he is deeply interested in the success of his party. He is one of the representative and prominent men of his community, has been a member of the board of county commissioners of Barnes county, and has also been chairman of the board of township super- visors of Edna township for ten years. Socially he is an honored member of the Masonic order, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

HON. NAHUM B. PINKHAM. As an all around prominent man of Cass county there is is probably no one of its citizens who more justly deserves the title than Mr. Pinkham. He is the oldest American settler of the county and is the owner of three quarter-sections of land in Reed township, his home being located there in section 30. He is a man of broad ideas and practical nature, and has become one of the most highly- esteemed men of the community, and has earnestly labored for the advancement and development of that region, both as to its financial and social in- terests.

Our subject was born in Anson, Somerset coun- tv, Maine, August 21, 1842, and was reared on a farm and resided there until 1868, with the excep- tion of the time spent in the Civil war. He en- listed in July, 1863, in Company H, Nineteenth Maine Regiment, and served till the close of the

war. He passed through a long and brave serv- ice and was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania. Upon his return to his native state he attended the State Normal, at Farmington, Maine, for two years, and then moved westward, and in April, 1871, went to Cass county, Dakota, and took land as a homestead, on which he still resides. He studied law in Maine, and at the first term of court held in Fargo, North Dakota, was admitted to the bar, but he has made farming his chief business, and has met with eminent success in that vocation, and is now possessed of a comfortable income and a good farm.

Our subject was married, in East Livermore, Maine, February 6, 1875, to Miss Rose E. Knapp, a native of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham are the parents of five children, as follows: Rosabel, now Mrs. W. D. Miller, of Edgeley, North Dakota; Emma, now Mrs. Hugh Stoddard, of Minnesota; Estel; Grace, who died in infancy, and N. Clifford. Mr. Pinkham was the first county attorney elected in Cass county after its organization, and during that time held the position of deputy United States attor- ney, under Colonel Pound. He was elected a mem- ber of the legislature in the fall of 1889, when the state was organized, and in the fall of 1890 he was elected state senator and held the office four years. He has been justice of the peace for several terms, and is chairman of the town board of supervisors. He has taken an active part in all public affairs, and was a bitter opponent of the Louisiana State Lottery Company, when that company endeavored to gain a foothold in the state. He is a member of the Ma -. sonic fraternity, and John F. Reynolds Post, No. 5, Grand Army Republic. He is a man true to his convictions, and his career has been that of an hon- orable, upright citizen, and his success and position are well merited.

HON. JAMES BELL, one of the most promi- nent men of Minto, near which village he conducts an extensive farm, is one of the wide-awake, and en- ergetic citizens of Walsh county. Attention to his business, industry, and the most approved methods have been the corner stones of his business trans- actions, and his integrity of word and deed are well known in his community, and he has made many warm friends throughout the county and state. He has resided in Minto for the past fifteen years, and has a pleasant and comfortable home there.

Our subject was born in Renfewshire, Scot- land, August 26, 1850. At the age of ten years he went with his parents to Brice county, Ontario, where he was reared to manliood, and after attain- ing his majority engaged in farming until the spring of 1879. He then decided to try his fortunes in the Northwest, and accordingly went to Dakota terri- tory and at once entered claim to land in Walslı Center township, Walsh county, where he resided and conducted his farm until he removed to the town of Minto in the fall of 1887. He engaged in the grain business in Minto, in 1885, and made his

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home there continuously since 1887. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of land in the vicinity of Minto, and successfully operates the same.

Our subject was married, in Bruce county, On- tario, to Miss Jean Herriot, a native of Ontario. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bell, as follows: William, Jessie, Cecilia, Maggie, Jean, and James, Jr. Mr. Bell has taken an active part in public affairs since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and was elected a member of the con- stitutional convention in 1889, and the fall of the same year was elected a member of the state senate on the Democratic ticket, and served one term, and was an efficient and popular member of the general assembly. He served as chairman of the township board of Walsh Center township four years, and assisted in all enterprises for the public good. He is connected with the Presbyterian church and is prominent in the financial affairs of that denomi- nation, and is a gentleman of exemplary character and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

WILLIAM T. HUNTER. Probably no one of the citizens of Cass county is more closely connected with the financial growth of that localty than the gen- tleman whose name appears at the head of this arti- cle. He has various interests and in every enter- prise in which he has embarked has exercised sound judgment and good management, and in conse- quence is one of the substantial men of that region. He is a prosperous merchant and farmer and makes his home in Wheatland, where he located many years since.

Our subject was born near Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, November 27, 1860, and was a son of John B. and Deboralı (Thompson) Hunter, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. His father came to Canada when a boy and followed farming there throughout his career, and died in North Dakota in 1896, aged seventy-six years. Six sons comprise the children of the family, and all now reside in the United States, and John C. and our subject in Cass county, North Dakota.

William T. Hunter was reared and educated in Canada, in the high school, and in 1879 went to Cass county, and was engaged in clerking for his brother in Casselton a year and a half, and then went to Wheatland, where he established his present gen- eral merchandise business. He operates about one to two sections of land annually, and also has estab- lished a branch store at Erie and one at Chaffee. He is also interested in the Wheatland Implement Company, and in each line of his work has met with success.

Our subject was married, in 1881, to Eliza An- derson, a nativeof Canada. Six sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter, named as follows: Wil- liam A., Harry F., Lloyd, Theodore, Robert R. and Harold. Mr. Hunter is interested in the welfare of his community but does not fill public office. He

holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd , Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Modern Woodmen of America. His career has been that of an honorable, upright man, and he is held in the highest esteem wherever he is known.

WILLIAM H. DENNIS. Persistent industry and strict attention to business are not without their results, and a striking example of what can be ac- complished by the exercise of these traits is afforded in the life of Mr. Dennis, who is one of the leading and well-to-do citizens of Edendale township, Steele county. He is proprietor of a fine farm, and his home is on section 29, and there he has gathered around him the comforts necessary to the enjoyment of life in his declining years.

Our subject was born in Prince Edward's Island, January 4, 1852, and was the only child, and was of English and Scotch parentage. He followed farm- ing and and carpentering there until 1879, when he emigrated to Minnesota, and in April, 1880, went to Casselton, North Dakota, and worked at bridge building on the railroad. He then engaged in farm- ing and also followed his trade in Blanchard, Trail county, Dakota, and in 1883 found himself about three thousand dollars in debt. He located in Eden- dale township, Steele county, in 1887, and five years later moved to his present location. He operates one and a half sections of land, and has recently erected substantial and commodious farm buildings on the place and added stich improvements as are found on a model farm.

Our subject was married, in 1890, to Miss Mary Barnes. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dennis, as follows: John William, Henry C., Thomas S., May E. and Jane E. Mr. Dennis is a man of public spirit and is the present chairman of the township board and also the school board. He isa man who keeps abreast of the times on all public issues, and in political sentiment is a Popu- list. His life and labors in North Dakota have been filled with earnest efforts to accomplish the best re- sults for the community in which he has resided, as well as for his personal gain, and he has made for himself an enviable place among the citizens of Steele county.

NEWTON K. HUBBARD is one of the hon- ored veterans of the Civil war whose devotion to his country was tested not only by his service on the field of battle, but in the still more deadly dangers of southern prisons. This gallant soldier is now a leading and prominent business man of Fargo, North Dakota, and a prosperous and influential citizen.

Mr. Hubbard was born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, December 17, 1839, and is a son of George J. and Marian (Adams) Hubbard, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, passed his

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life in New England, and reared a family of five sons, of whom two are still living on the old home- stead in Massachusetts, while two are now deceased. Our subject completes the family. £ His paternal grandfather was Capt. George Hubbard of Revolu- tionary fame, who was a member of the Connecticut troops.

Mr. Hubbard, of this review, is indebted to the schools of Massachusetts for his early education, but later he was a student in the Providence Con- ference College in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. In 1859 he removedto Painesville, Ohio, where he taught school until the spring of 1861, when, feeling that his country needed his services in her efforts to pre- serve the Union, he enlisted in Company D, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in the service for three years and three months, being first with the Army of the Potomac and later with the Army of Tennessee. During an engagement at Cross Lanes, West Virginia, he was captured with one hundred and fifteen others and held prisoner for nine months and six days, being first confined at Richmond three weeks, New Orleans five months, and the remainder of the time at Salisbury, North Carolina. He was out on parole nine months, and was finally ex- changed in the spring of 1863. The following win- ter he rejoined his regiment at Dumfries, Virginia ; participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, May 1-3, 1863 ; Gettysburg, July 1-3; Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863; Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863; and Ringgold, Georgia, November 27, 1863, where all the officers of his company were killed but one. He was promoted to sergeant ma- jor of this regiment for meritorious conduct at Ring- gold, Georgia. He was in the battles of Resaca and Dallas, Georgia, in 1864. He was slightly wounded at Chancellorsville, and was mustered out at Cleve- land, Ohio, with a war record of which he may be justly proud.

For four years thereafter Mr. Hubbard made his home in Geneva, Ohio. In 1870 he went to Du- luth, Minnesota, and in the fall of the same year came to the Red river valley, being one of the pio- neers of this section. He located on Elm river, in Dakota Territory, and carried the dispatch from Mr. Cook which located the railroad at that place. In company with Jacob Lowell, he located upon land at that point, but the following spring a man "with two guns" jumped his claim and offered to move for $500. Mr. Hubbard declined the offer, however, having given up the idea of farming, to which decision he probably owes his great success. Going to St. Paul in the spring of 1871, he pur- chased a stock of general merchandise and under the firm name of Hubbard & Raymond opened a store at Oak Lake, North Dakota, furnishing sup- plies for the Northern Pacific Railroad. They also successfully carried on stores at Brainard, Moor- head, Glyndon, in Minnesota, and Jamestown, Da- kota, but at the end of two years dissolved partner- ship, Mr. Raymond going to Bismarck, while Mr. Hubbard remained in business alone at Moorhead

for some time. In 1874 he formed a partnership with his bookkeeper, E. S. Tyler, and they opened a store at Fargo under the firm style of E. S. Tyler & Co. This business was carried on until 1882. In the fall of 1875 Mr. Hubbard disposed of his store at Moorhead, and the same year the firm of Hub- bard & Tyler built the Headquarters Hotel at Fargo, in sixty days, at a cost of $20,000. He bought Mr. Tyler's interest in 1880. That hostelry he success- fully conducted until 1882, when he sold the same for $40,000. For some years he has been inter- ested in the real estate and banking business, and assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Fargo, of which he was the first vice-president, and is still a stockholder. He purchased the first three lots sold at this place for one hundred and seventy- five dollars each, on the corner where the First Na- tional Bank now stands, and has been prominently identified with the commercial interests and the de- velopment of Fargo and Cass county.

In 1876 Mr. Hubbard was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth C. Clayton, of Paynesville, Ohio, and they have one daughter, May B. Polit- ically Mr. Hubbard is an ardent Republican, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party, but his extensive business interests have prevented him from taking an active part in political matters, though he has served as a member of the central committee, and delegate to countv and state conven- tions. He was one of the three delegates to the national convention at Chicago that nominated President Harrison. He was one of the first char- ter member Masons in Fargo, and is also an hon- ored member of the Grand Army Post at that place. He has borne a very active and important part in the development and upbuilding of the Red river valley, and is one of the best-known citizens of the North- west. At one time his health failed, and he spent six months in the sanitarium at Battle Creek. He regained his health and is now rugged and strong.

ROBERT E. TURNBULL, one of the first set- tlers of township 149, range 69, Wells county, went to Dakota without means, and is now one of the substantial farmers of his township. He has gained his possessions single handed, and is deserving of a foremost place among the capable and energetic farmers and citizens of Wells county.

Our subject was born in Brant county, Ontario, Canada, in 1876, and was a son of William and Sa- rah Marie (Day) Turnbull. His father was of Scotch descent, and was an early settler of North Dakota. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Michael Turnbull, was born in Scotland and came to America in 1840. The mother of our subject was born in England, and died when our subject was but two days old.

Mr. Turnbull was the youngest in a family of eight children, and was raised by his aunt, and at the age of twenty-one left home and went to Wells county, North Dakota, and entered claim to land in

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section 22 and section 27, where a shanty was erected, township 149, range 69. He built a 14x16- foot shanty and lived therein five years in company with his two brothers, and the three farmed to- gether. They used oxen, and their nearest railroad station was New Rockford. Their first crop was forty acres of wheat, and was a good yield. Mr. Turnbull now has six hundred and forty acres, five hundred acres of which is under cultivation and the balance is in pasture and grass land. He has a good residence, barn, granary and all buildings and machinery for the conduct of a model farm, and has followed grain raising exclusively and with success. He lost twenty-five tons of hay and fifteen acres of oats and twelve acres of wheat by prairie fire, and has had many exciting experiences with fires in early days. In 1896 Mrs. Turnbull was severely burned in trying to escape through a prairie fire, and in consequence was unable to be around her house for two months.

Our subject was married, in February, 1892, to Paulina Edinger, who was born in Germany and came to America with her parents. Her father, Carl Edinger, is an old settler of Dakota. Fout children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull, as follows: Flossy, born in 1893; Annie, born in 1896; Olive, born in 1897; and Lawrence, born in 1899. Mr. Turnbull is actively interested in public affairs, and has served as school clerk for the past eleven years. He is a Republican politically, and has attended as delegate numerous conventions. He holds membership in the German Baptist church. He and his brothers and one other party were the first settlers of township 149, range 69, and are well known throughout the locality in which they have made their homes. During the winter of 1899, De- cember 26, Mr. Turnbull took a trip back to the old Canadian home for the first time inside of thirteen years, and was indeed surprised to see the changes that had taken place. His aunts he found still alive but failing very fast. The oldest, Nancy Turnbull, was then eighty-one, and was indeed very feeble; and the other, Isabella, was in the seventieth year of her age. They still held the old homestead, and had been farming the same. It gave him great pleasure in meeting old schoolmates and compan- ions during his visit, who were glad to see him. He left Canada March 6, 1900, for his Dakota home, and after a tiresome journey of four days and nights on the train arrived in Dakota to find his family all well and glad to see him home again.

OLE CHRISTENSON, an agriculturist of prominence in Walsh county, has been a resident of Prairie Center township for twenty years, being one of the pioneers of the region. His pleasant home on section I, surrounded by the comforts and con- veniences of modern country life, shows little trace of the primitive conditions under which he began his career in North Dakota.

Mr. Christenson was born in Winneshick county,

Iowa, near Decorah, April 4. 1854. He was reared and educated in his native county, and although his education was all obtained within the county, he managed to get the best it afforded. He attended the common schools. In 1874 he left Winneshiek county and went to Clay county, Minnesota, where he took up a homestead claim and lived there for six years. He then sold it and came to North Dakota and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 1, Prairie Center township. This was in April, 1880. He improved his estate, and from time to time erected buildings for the storing of his crops and shelter of his stock and machinery, and today there is not a better improved or more valuable farm to be found within the township. He is the owner of three hundred and forty-four acres of land, and is regarded as one of the substantial and influential citizens of the county.

Mr. Christenson was married in Clay county, Minnesota, January 20, 1878, Miss Ginna Ander- son becoming his wife. Mrs. Christenson is a na- tive of Norway. Three children bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Christenson, named in the order of their birth, Cara M., Caroline E. and DenoraE. Mr. Christenson has always taken an active interest in affairs of a public nature, and has been called upon to fill many local offices of trust. He has been presi- dent of the school board for fifteen years, served upon the board of arbitration, and also as township trustee. He is also an active church worker, and is a trustee of the United Lutheran church. His well- known integrity and fair-minded liberality have brought him the esteem and confidence of all men of every party and of whatever faith.

ALBERT BERNDT. The wonderful resources of America, and the opportunity afforded honest in- dustry to gain a footing in business and society, has called to this land many of the sons of the German empire. They are found in almost every pursuit, and are among the prosperous members of the com- munity where they have chosen their homes, and among the farmers of Richland county the gentle- man whose name heads this article occupies a promi- nent place. He is one of the early settlers of Bran- denburg township, Richland county, and is now a resident of section 7. A portrait of Mr. Berndt is presented on another page.

Our subject was born in Germany, January 18, 1855. and remained in his native land until 1872, when he decided to seek his fortune in America. He located in Wisconsin, but after a short stay re- moved from there to Dakota territory in 1873. He was employed as a section hand on the Northern Pacific Railroad for some four years, and then be- gan farming. He entered a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land in Brandenburg township, and for over twenty years has resided on that estate. He owns one and a half sections of land, and on his home farm has erected a set of sub- stantial and commodious buildings, of modern arch-

ALBERT BERNDT.

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itecture and design, and has thoroughly improved the property.

Our subject was married in Brandenburg town- ship, Richland county, July 7, 1876, to Miss Emily Popp, who was born in Germany, August 17, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Berndt are the parents of two chil- dren, named Glory M. and Paul W. The family are attendants of the Evangelical church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Berndt are members. They are high- ly respected in Richland county.

JOHN FORAN, deputy county treasurer of Morton county, is one of the best known men of that locality, and has been identified with the advance- ment and growth of his locality. He was actively engaged in mercantile pursuits in Mandan for many years and is a man of good business ability and hon- est dealings.

Our subject was born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1852, and was a son of Jolin Foran. His parents died when our subject was a child and he was raised by a cousin of his father, Patrick Foran, who was an American by birth. Mr. Foran was reared on a farm in Ontario, Canada, and received a limited edu- cation. When he was twenty years of age his foster parents died and he went to Pembrook, Ontario, and was employed as clerk in a store there two years, and then secured a position as chief clerk on a steam boat and held the position two years, after which he worked for different firms two years on the Ottawa river, and in 1878 went to Minnesota, and finally settled at Granite Falls, that state. During the win- ter of 1878 and 1879 he was in the employ of B. F. Pillsbury, and in the spring following went to the Red River Valley and took government land in Rich- land county, and also worked in the office of reg- ister of deeds in Wilkin county, Minnesota, and in January, 1879, went to Bismarck, North Dakota, and accepted a position as carpenter for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Mandan, and was in the employ of the company two years, the last year having charge of the carpenter crew. He then followed his trade in Mandan one year and in 1882 assumed charge of the lumber yard in Mandan for Hagar Brothers, and was thus engaged four years. He was employed in a dry goods store in the winter of 1883-84, and then conducted the Inter Ocean Hotel one year, and in 1885 established a grocery store in Mandan and continued the business until January, 1888, when he disposed of the store and spent some time in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. He was elected county auditor of Mor- ton county in the fall of 1888, and was twice re- elected to the office, serving three terms in success- ion, holding the same on the Democratic ticket. He now has charge of the county treasurer's office as deputy, and ably and faithfully discharges his duties in that capacity. While acting as county auditor, Governor Briggs, now deceased, was treasurer, and our subject and Mr. Briggs became strong per- sonal friends.

Our subject was married, in the spring of 1885, to Miss Mary McGowen, who was born in Wa- basha, Minnesota, and was a daughter of Hugh Mc- Gowen. Her father was a pioneer of Minnesota and was actively interested in the settlement of Wa- basha county, Minnesota. He was of Scotch birth. Mrs. Foran was engaged in teaching in Wabasha county for some time and is a lady of refinement and culture. Mr. and Mrs. Foran are the parents of three children, as follows: Agnes, who was born in Madison, Wisconsin ; Robert, born in North Dakota and Margarette, born in North Dakota. Mr. Foran is a wide-awake citizen of active public spirit and well merits his popularity.

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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 130

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