Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 150

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

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appointment as sheriff of Bottineau county. He proved a capable official, and was regularly elected to that position in 1896, and again in 1898. He has always taken an active interest in politics, at- tends numerous county and state conventions, and is a wide-awake and pushing character. He owns a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, and has furnished it with buildings amply sufficient to all its needs. He has also provided it with good machinery, and has three hundred and fifty acres uncler cultivation. He was married in the spring of 1895, to Miss Maggie Miles. She was born in Canada. Her father, John Miles, is an old settler in North Dakota. He came from Ireland at an early day, and has done well in the new world. Mrs. Halls is the mother of one child, Alva J. Her husband is classed among the oldest settlers of this portion of the state. He drove overland from Devils Lake, and has hauled supplies from that distant mart on many occasions. He has endured every kind of privation, and well deserves the abundant success that has come to him.

SAMUEL SAMSON, a well-to-do farmer, living on section 9, Norway township, is entitled to distinction as being not only an old soldier with an enviable war record, but also is one of the oldest settlers of Nelson county.

Mr. Samson was born in Bergen stift, Norway, October 19, 1833, on the farm Njos. He was reared on a farm, and when twenty-eight years of age came to America, arriving here in 1861. He had been a farmer, and also engaged in fishing and sailing in the old country. Soon after his ar- rival he enlisted in Company H, Fifteenth Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry, October 2, 1861. In Norway he was known as Samson S. Njos, but through some error he was enlisted as Samuel Samson, and has gone by that name since. He served three years and some months, having re- ceived his honorable discharge January 6, 1865. Among the engagements in which he took part may be named Murfreesboro, Union City, Island No. 10, Chickamauga, and in all upwards of twenty battles and skirmishes. At Chickamauga he received a severe wound below the left knee, and fell into the hands of the Confederates. He was saved from a prison only by the severity of his wound, which was so neglected that it became dan- gerous to his life. He was without medical atten- tion and confined in a room that resembled a slaughter-house, without sufficient food, and it was only by dint of his strong constitution that he lived through it. He refused absolutely to have his leg amputated, and finally, after two years on crutches, recovered the use of it sufficiently to begin to walk unsupported. He went to Freeborn county, Min- nesota. in 1866, and lived there many years. In 1880 he came to Nelson county, Dakota, and "squatted" on the land he now makes his home. His was the only occupied farm for many miles

around, and became a favorite stopping place for home-seekers in those early days. He returned to Moorhead and worked at railroading near Moor- head during the winter, his wife having had an attack of typhoid fever, compelled him to remain there and using up his surplus means. He returned to his farm in Nelson county in 1881, almost desti- tute. He worked at breaking land and made im- provements on his own place. He lived in a dug- out, lined with logs and covered with earth and bark. However, he endured all these hardships and soon began to prosper. He is now .well fixed financially, and is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable lands, well cultivated and enhanced by many conveniences for farming and stock raising.

Mr. Samson was married, in 1865, to Miss Ber- ret Amfinson. Ten children were born to this union, named as follows: Mary Ann, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Sophia A., deceased ; Bernhart, deceased; John, deceased ; Sophia; Bertina ; Theo- dore and Andrew Gilbert, and one dying in in- fancy. Mr. Samson is a Republican in political views and takes an intelligent interest in the local public affairs and has proved himself a most ex- emplary citizen and member of the community in which he has resided for so many years. He is esteemed and respected by all who know him and he enjoys the confidence and friendship of all the community.

FRANK VANDERLINDEN. The wealth of Ramsey county is formed in a good part by the incomes of the well-regulated farms of Grand Harbor township, and one of these carefully culti- vated tracts is owned and operated by Mr. Van- derlinden, who resides in section 36. He is a pioneer settler of that region, and is one of the worthy citizens of his community, and one in whose coming to the country has aided in its de- velopment to a remarkable degree. He is a man of good character, energetic and intelligent, and has made a success of his labors in the North- west.

Our subject was born in Belgium, in 1855, and resided in his native place until 1871, when he came to the United States with his parents. The family settled in Brown county, Wisconsin, where onr subject remained until 1882. In March of that year he came to North Dakota, and entered claim to land in section 36, of Grand Harbor township. He at once began the improvement of his farm and has resided thereon since that date. The farm has good buildings and every arrange- ment for its economical conduct. Mr. Vanderlin- den owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, and has met with good success, and his farm yields abundantly and furnishes a comfortable competence.

Mr. Vanderlinden was married, in Devils Lake, . North Dakota, to Miss DeClark, who was

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also born in Belgium. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderlin- den are the parents of one son, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Joseph. Our subject takes an active interest in the general welfare of his community, and casts his influence for good lo- cal government.

AMUND A. BOE is a prominent pioneer of Brenna township, Grand Forks county, wherein he owns an elegant farm of two and a quarter sec- tions of land. Since his residence thereon Mr. Boe has placed upon his farm such improvements as entitle it to rank among the finest pieces of prop- erty devoted to agricultural pursuits to be found within the limits of Brenna township, and he has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growth of that section of the country.

Our subject was a native of Norway and was born in the mountains of that country March 8, 1846. His parents, Amund B. and Ingrea (Trums- datter) Boe, lived and died in Norway, and were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters. Our subject is the only member of the family in the United States.

Mr. Boe was reared in Norway and resided there until 1868, when he went to Quebec, Canada, and from there to the United States, locating in Wisconsin. He moved from there to Goodhue county, Minnesota, and in 1878 went to Grand Forks county, North Dakota. He entered claim to land as a pre-emption in Brenna township, and was among the first to settle in the township. He has resided there since that date, and has added to his possessions from time to time as circumstances permitted and has accumulated a fine farm, on which he has a home of more than tisual comfort.

Our subject was married, in Dakota, in 1897, to Karen Leine, a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Boe are the parents of two children, named Amund and Annie. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and have a host of friends where they reside. Mr. Boe assisted in the organization of his township and has served twice as chairman of the township board, and as an educational worker has served on the school board. He is a Republican politically, and is a man who keeps abreast of the times and lends his in- fluence for the upbuilding of good local govern- ment. He is one of the citizens of Brenna town- ship who settled there when the country was en- tirely undeveloped and he had no means aside from his own energetic spirit and honesty of purpose, and he is now one of the substantial and highly esteemed farmers of his locality.

HENRY LAKE. The fine farms of Ramsey county place it among the thriving agricultural dis- tricts of North Dakota. One of these well regulat- ed tracts is owned and operated by Henry Lake, who resides in section 24 of Dry Lake township,

and is known as a progressive and intelligent men- ber of his community. He has beautified his home farm, and has added to its value as well by planting fourteen acres of trees around his residence, and the landscape in that vicinity is thereby enhanced in beauty. Other valuable improvements have been added from time to time, and the family enjoys a pleasant and comfortable home.

Our subject was born on a farm in York coun- ty, Ontario, Canada, June 11, 1856. He was reared and educated in his native county, and remained in Ontario until the spring of 1882, when he came to Ramsey county, North Dakota. He was engaged in teaching six years in Canada, and after taking up his residence in North Dakota devoted his entire attention to the development of his farm. He now owns four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, and follows general farming with good results and is well-to-do.

Our subject was married in Ontario county, On- tario, Canada, to Miss Mary Jane Scott, a native of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Lake are the parents of five living children, named as follows: Leila L., Ruddy C., Elmer I., Olive and Charlotte M. Ark- sey, the second child of the family, was drowned in a tub of water at the age of twenty months. Mr. Lake is a man of active public spirit, and was the first township clerk of Dry Lake township. He has also been township treasurer and a member of the township board of supervisors, and has held the of- fice of assessor for several years. He and wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and are active in church affairs of that denomination, having been members since 1888. Mr. Lake is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

ISRAEL ANDERSON. Walsh county owes much of its prosperity to the industry and thrift of her foreign-born population, and among these should be mentioned the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He has made for himself and family a pleasant home on section 15, Fertile township, and has surrounded it with the conveniences of mod- ern farm life.

Mr. Anderson is a native of the kingdom of Swe- den, and was born April 26, 1829. He remained in his native land until twenty years of age, and then went to Norway, where he resided about seven years. In Norway he worked at the trade of stone- cutter and mason. In 1855 he came to America and proceeded direct to Beloit, Wisconsin, where he ar- rived in June of that year. He followed his trade in Rock county, Wisconsin, for about ten years, and then went to Worth county, Iowa. There he continued to work at his trade, and also engaged in farming for the period of about twelve years. In 1878 he came to Dakota and took up government land on section 28, Fertile township, Walsh county, and has made his home there ever since. Although, owing to his ill health. he has been able to do but little work personally, yet he has erected a substan-

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tial residence, and many farm buildings for shelter of his stock and machinery and the storing of his grain, and has placed many valuable and convenient improvements upon his estate, greatly enhancing the value of the farm. He now owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent lands, though formerly he was the owner of a half-section.

Mr. Anderson was married in Norway to Jo- hanna Gunderson. To this union ten children have been born, eight of whom are living, named in the order of their birth as follows: Andrew; Betsey, now the wife of Hans Onsrud ; Olava, now the wife of George Thompson; John; Sophia, now the wife of Fred Sinkler; Carl, and Ida, the wife of Nels Folson. The two children who died are John, who died at the age of two years, and Annetta, who be- came the wife of Ole Everson and died in Grand Forks county, at the age of twenty-six years. Mrs. Israel Anderson died April 19, 1900, and her taking away leaves a void in this family that nothing can fill. She was a good wife and a faithful mother.

HON. LORENZO D. WYMAN, pioneer and prominent farmer and public-spirited citizen of Grand Forks county, has his home on section 18, Union township, of which township he is the first resident settler.

Mr. Wyman was born in Onondaga county, New York, on a farm near Syracuse, January 3, 1842. His parents were Pazzi L. and Susan P. (Woolsey) Wyman, the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, and the latter of Delaware county, New York. They were the parents of a family of eleven children, of whom our subject was the sixth in or- der of birth.

When Lorenzo D. Wyman was eight years of age he accompanied the family to Winnebago coun- ty, Illinois, where they located on a farm twelve miles north of Rockford. Here our subject was reared to manhood and educated in the common schools. When he was sixteen years of age he went to Sauk county, Wisconsin, and resided there until the spring of 1862, when he returned to Illinois, this time going to Henry county and engaging in farm work there until the spring of 1881. He then came to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and filed a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also a pre-emption claim to an additional one hundred and sixty acres, all in Union township. He began at once to improve his farm and has re- sided there since. He raised the first crop of wheat grown in the township. He has added to his pos- sessions, and now owns four hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, all improved and under a high state of cultivation, with good buildings and equipments for farm work.

Mr. Wyman has been prominent in public affairs of the county, and was elected on the Republican ticket to the state legislature in 1886. He has held many local offices, among them being township treas- urer, chairman of the board of supervisors and town-

ship assessor. He has always taken a commend- able interest in all enterprises which he believed to be for the interest and welfare of his community and county.

Mr. Wyman was married in Henry county, Illi- nois, to Miss Sarah Clark, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Wilson T. and Deborah ( Butler ) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Wyman are the parents of four chil- dren, named as follows: Lucy M., the wife of Will- iam S. Dean; Harry E., Clark I. and Henry D.

JAMES THOMPSON occupies a prominent place as a well-to-do and progressive member of the farming community of Cass county, in Berlin township, of which he has been a resident for nearly a quarter of a century, and has become well known as an exemplary citizen. He makes his home on section 28, and enjoys the comforts of country life. His portrait appears in this work.

Our subject was born in Frontenac county, Ontario, February 9, 1849. He was reared in that county on a farm, and remained there till the fall of 1877, when he went to Dakota with his wife, and took one hundred and sixty acres of land as a homestead, and began farming on the place where he still resides. He has added to his posses- sions from time to time and is now the fortunate owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he has placed such improvements as are found on a model farm. His buildings are com- modious and substantial, and every method which lessens labor or adds to the comfort of the inhab- itants of the place is provided. Mr. Thompson is well versed in his chosen calling, and enjoys suc- cess.

Our subject was married in Frontenac county, Ontario, April 18, 1870, to Miss Margaret Mor- row, a native of that county. Mrs. Thompson died in the same county, January 31, 1872, leaving one daughter, Ellen S., who became the wife of Miles E. Scott. He died in Berlin township, Cass county, North Dakota, February 14, 1899, leaving five children, as follows: Blanche M., Edgar D., Ernest J., Sarah E. and Margaret M. Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Fedora M. Nelson, in Frontenac county, Ontario, October 4, 1876. Mrs. Thompson was born in that county, June 2, 1850. Six children have been born to this union, named as follows: George R. was married, in Minnesota, to Annie Oseng, January 21, 1900; he is a farmer of Berlin township; Edward J., Wil- liam E. G., John T., Adelaide M. and Andrew A. are the other children. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Free Methodist church, and take an active part in church affairs. Mr. Thompson has been school director for several years, township treasurer, and chairman of the board of supervis- ors, and is an earnest worker for the general wel- fare of his community, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his fellows.

JAMES THOMPSON AND WIFE.

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ANDREW SHERVEN, one of the members of the agricultural community who have made Grand Harbor a prosperous township and added to the wealth of Ramsey county, is a native of Norway, and, like so many of her hardy sons, has found a congenial home in the great Northwest.

Mr. Sherven was born in Norway, November 11, 1849, and was reared on a farm in his native land until he was about twenty years of age, when, in 1869, he came to the United States. He first went to Dane county, Wisconsin, where he was employed in farm labor for three years. He then went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he remained about two years, and then went to the Red river val- ley, in North Dakota. Here he worked on the Northern Pacific Railroad one summer, when he re- turned to Goodlite county, Minnesota. He attend- ed the Auxburg Seminary, at Minneapolis, for three years, and also took a business course in Cur- tiss' Business College of that city.

In the spring of 1883 Mr. Sherven came to Ram- sey county and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he still makes his home. He has added many valuable improvements, and his prop- erty is one of the most desirable estates in Ramsey county. He is now the proprietor of three hundred and twenty acres of land, having added one hundred and sixty acres. He was engaged in the hotel busi- ness in Grafton for about a year and a half since coming to North Dakota.

Mr. Sherven was married in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Miss Mary Samuelson, who is also a native of Norway. They are the parents of four children, named in the order of their birth as follows: An- drew, Jr., Caroline, Matthew and Annetta. They have a comfortable home, supplied with all the con- veniences of modern farm life. Mr. Sherven has taken an active part in the public affairs of his com- munity and township, and has been entrusted with some of the more important offices of his township. Among others may be named that of supervisor, assessor, school director, etc. He has used his in- fluence to advance the educational interests of his community, and has been a worker for the upbuild- ing of the schools of the township. He is also a con- sistent member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

LEVI B. PENDROY, prominent among the business men of Towner and McHenry county, has been a resident of the county since its early settle- ment and has been successful in business and in all his undertakings.

Mr. Pendroy is a native of Iowa, and the date of his birth is July 12, 1861. He is the third child in a family of six children born to J. M. and Sarah ( Baldwin) Pendroy, the former a native of Indi- ana and the latter born in Ohio. The two families trace their ancestors back for many generations in America.

Levi B. Pendroy was reared on a farm in his native state, and took such advantages as the school

system of Iowa afforded at that time. At the age of twenty-two years, accompanying the family, he located in the Mouse river country of North Da- kota, twenty-five miles from the site of the city of Towner. The trip from Iowa was made wholly by team and occupied several weeks in the journey. They made a location in 1882, in the fall of the year, and erected a log shanty 16x16 feet, and at once set about the work of farming and stock raising. In 1883 they raised little except garden stuff, but the next year they had an immense crop, the yield of wheat being forty bushels to the acre and oats one hundred and ten. He continued to farm for seven or eight years, and then, in 1892, moved to the city of Towner and for two years did contracting and job work. He then opened a meat market in 1894, and since its opening, July 9, of that year, he has done a prosperous and increasing business. His start was a modest one, having about fifty dollars invest- ed ; but in 1897 he had not only enlarged his business in that line but had added a line of general merchan- dise. He now occupies a building 40x60 feet, with storage warehouse in the rear, and does an immense business in all lines he handles.

Mr. Pendroy was married, in 1884, in Iowa, to Miss Jessie Robinson. Mrs. Pendroy was born in Illinois, the daughter of J. L. Robinson, who is also an old settler of North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Pend- roy have four children, named as follows: George, Lulu, Mattie and Myrtle, all born in North Dakota .. Mr. Pendroy is a Republican in political faith, and has taken an active part in political matters in the county. He has attended numerous conventions as a delegate, and has many friends throughout the county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Modern Woodmen of America, and has been venerable consul of the latter since the lical lodge was organized.

MICHAEL J. O'CONNOR, ex-sheriff and public-spirited citizen of Grand Forks county, is a resident of the city of Grand Forks, where he has given much of his time in the service of the county.

Mr. O'Connor was born in county Mayo, Ireland, April 21, 1855. His parents were James and Ellen (Flynn) O'Connor, both natives of Ireland, where the father was a merchant, and both spent their en- tire lives. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom our subject and his sister are the only members residing in the United States.

Michael J. O'Connor was reared and educated in Ireland. He came to the United States in 1874 and located in Chicago, where he resided six years. In 1880 he went to Eau Claire. Wisconsin, and was employed in a dry-goods house. In 1882 he. came to Grand Forks and obtained employment as a clerk, which he followed two years. In 1885 he was appointed deputy sheriff under James A. Jenks and continued to serve in that capacity for ten years. In the fall of 1894 he was elected sheriff of Grand Forks county, and at the expiration of his first term

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was re-elected to the same office, serving a second term. Since the expiration of his second term lie has been successfully engaged in agriculture in Rye township.

Mr. O'Connor was married, in 1895, to Minnie McGory, who is a native of Canada. Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Catholic order of Foresters and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In po- litical views he is a Republican, and has been an active member of that party since coming to North Dakota. He has been successful in a finan- cial way since coming to Grand Forks county, is now well to do, and enjoys the confidence and es- teem of all worthy citizens throughout the county.

CLARK W. HOLMES, a prosperous farmer residing on section 20, Union township, is one of the early settlers of Grand Forks county who has con- tributed so much to its prosperity and rapid growth.

Mr. Holmes was born in Utica, Oneida county, New York, April 2, 1850. His parents, Stephen V. R. Holmes and Ruby (Barnett) Holmes, were natives of New York, the father born in Oneida county, New York, and dying in Knox county, Illi- nois. The mother still survives. They were the parents of two children, a son and a daughter, of whom our subject is the younger.

Clark W. Holmes, when three years old, accom- panied his parents to Knox county, Illinois, where they settled on a farm near Oneida. There our subject was reared to manhood and received a com- mon-school education. In the spring of 1882 he came to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and filed a homestead claim to the tract of land where he now resides. He has added to his possessions, and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of well improved and valuable land, upon which he has erected substantial buildings and has equipped his farm with all modern improvements for farm work.

Mr. Holmes was married in Grand Forks coun- ty to Miss Adelia Wyman, the daughter of Holmes Wyman, of whom mention will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Holmes was born in Henry county, Illinois, and accompanied her parents to Grand Forks county. To Mr. and Mrs. Holmes two children have been born, namely: Van R. and Fern G. Mr. Holmes has taken an active part in public affairs of a local nature and has been chosen to fill some of the township offices. He is well known and held in high regard by all who know him.

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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 150

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