Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 151

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 151

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"THE DEVILS LAKE INTER-OCEAN" was established in May, 1883, and was known as the "Creel City Inter-Occan" until June, 1883, when the name was changed to the "North Dakota Inter- Ocean." and the paper became the property of the Inter-Ocean Publishing Company. It was founded by Bickham W. Lair. The paper was published un-

der the name of the "North Dakota Inter-Ocean" until September, 1883, when Hon. H. C. Hans- brough became sole owner, editor and publisher. Mr. Hansbrough had held a controlling interest in the plant from the start. The name of the paper was again changed in November, 1884, to "Devils Lake Inter-Ocean," and the sheet enlarged. Dur- ing the years which the paper has existed various editors have been in charge, among them S. A. Nye, now owner of the "Times Record" of Valley City, who edited the "Inter-Ocean" from November, 1888. to December, 1898, prior to which time Sen- ator Hansbrough was editor and proprietor, and gave up the duties of that position upon his election as United States congressman. Sylvester J. Small, the present editor, assumed charge of the paper De- cember 1, 1898, and he has been remarkably success- ful in his work on the "Inter-Ocean." Mr. Small was formerly editor and proprietor of "The North Dakota Republican," published at Casselton, now owned by Franklin Potter, of Casselton. Mr. Small owned and operated the paper at Casselton six years, and then assumed charge of the "Midway News," at St. Paul, for four years, until October, 1898. The "Inter-Ocean" is one of the best papers of the Northwest, and has a circulation of fifteen hundred copies each issue, and is increasing in circulation and popularity.

Sylvester J. Small was born in Beaver, Pennsyl- vania. May 6, 1858, and was reared in Beaver and vicinity, where he lived until 1882, and then went to Fargo and took charge of the Sunday edition of the "Fargo Republican" for three years, and then went to Bismarck and was on the staff of the "Bis- marck Daily Tribune" for three years, and then re- moved to Casselton. From thence lie went to St. Paul, and, after four years there, came to Devils Lake and accepted his present position as editor of "The Devils Lake Inter-Ocean." The paper is owned by Hon. H. C. Hansbrough.

Mr. Small was married in Manchester, Iowa, to Miss Susan Bailey, a native of Iowa. Four chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Small, named as follows: Marion, Susie, Bertha and Jean. Mr. Small is a pleasant, genial gentleman, an able editor, and deservedly popular with the people and news- paper men.

JOHN H. LANBERG. The lands beyond the sea have sent their full quota of energetic and in- dustrious men to Walsh county, and many have won high positions as citizens, business men and agriculturists. Of the men who entered Dakota in pioncer days, and by the exercise of honest indus- try have become worthy citizens and a credit to themselves and their country, the gentleman above named is entitled to a foremost place. He has de- voted his career to farming, and now has a fine es- tate in Martin township, his home being located in section 9.

Our subject was born in Sweden, February 21,

JOHN H. LANBERG.

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1849, and remained in his native place until twenty years of age, when he emigrated to America, in 1869. He landed in New York and at once went from there to Illinois and later to Minnesota, where he was employed at railroad work for about three years, and then worked at farm labor in Minnesota. In the spring of 1880 he left Minnesota for North Dakota, and soon after his arrival there he entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land in Martin township, Walsh county, upon which farm he has since resided. He has thoroughly improved his property, and has erected excellent buildings for the comfort of the family and stock, and the protection of the products of the place, and his real- estate now covers three hundred and twenty acres of land. He has followed general farming and has been successful in his work.

Our subject was married in Martin township, Walsh county, North Dakota, to Miss Johanna Martinson, a native of Sweden. Mr. and Mrs. Lan- berg are the parents of three children, named as follows: Samuel J., Josephine M. and Andrew H. Mr. Lanberg always had the welfare of his adopted country at heart, and has entered into the public affairs of his township and served in various official positions, including constable and justice of the peace, in which capacity he has served for several years. He is a gentleman of excellent character, and has gathered about him a comfortable home and many friends. His portrait, found in this publica- tion, shows the kind of a man who could accomplish what our subject has done, and will be looked upon with intrrest.

JOHN GRAHAM. Among the well regulat- ed farms of Ramsey county, Lake township contains a fair share, and one of these tracts is owned and operated by the subject of this review. Mr. Gra- ham resides in section 30, and has a home of con- fortable surroundings, and has aided in making the locality well known in agricultural circles.

Our subject was born in Northumberland county, Ontario, Canada, June 3, 1856. He was reared on a farm at his native place, and received a common- school education and resided at home until he was about seventeen years of age. He continued his residence in Canada until 1881, when he went to Manitoba and lived there one year. From Mani- toba he went to North Dakota in the spring of 1882, and soon after his arrival there entered claim to land in Lake township, Ramsey county, upon which he has since resided, and is one of the oldest settlers of Ramsey county. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and has erected good buildings thereon and provided a comfortable home. All machinery for conducting a model farm is sup- plied, and the farm is made to yield abundantly and provides a good income.

Our subject was married in Huron county, On- tario, Canada, to Miss Ann Fowler, who was a na-

tive of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are the parents of five children, who are named in order of birth as follows: Melville J., Elmer J., George O. E., Stella J. and Marvel V. Mr. Graham and wife are members of the Episcopal church, and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends and acquaintances. Mr. Graham is an honored resident of Ramsey county, and his public spirit has never been doubted, and he has served as school director and constable. All local affairs enlist his attention and hearty support, and he is an influence for good in his community.

HOLMES WYMAN, a successful agricultur- ist of Grand Forks county, whose home is on sec- tion 22, Union township, was born in Syracuse, New York, September 18, 1834. When he was sixteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, and with them located on a farm in Winnebago county. Here he lived until 1857. when lie went to Henry county, Illinois, and engaged in farming near Woodhull. There he remained from 1857 to 1881. In the spring of the latter year he came to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and filed a homestead claim to the tract of land where he now lives in section 22, Union township. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of the best land in the county, and has it well improved and equipped with all modern conveniences for farm work.

Mr. Wyman was married in Woodhull, Illinois, to Miss Mary B. Clark, a native of Ohio, and to this union eight children have been born, as fol- lows: Wilson L .; Clarence O .; Adelia E., now the wife of Clark W. Holmes, of whom mention will be found on another page ; Charles L .; Alta M., now the wife of Robert Thompson ; Eva L., now the wife of Otto Gaulke; Leonard H. and Walter E. Mr. Wyman has been active in public affairs of a local nature, and was the first township clerk of Union township.

GEORGE SALISBURY. Among the first set- tlers of Gilby township none is more deserving of a place in the history of Grand Forks county than George Salisbury, who is a large land holder in that township, but who is at present engaged in the livery business in the city of Grand Forks.

. Mr. Salisbury was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, April 29, 1850. His parents were Sam- uel and Catherine ( Barrett) Salisbury, the former a native of Saratoga Springs, New York, and the lat- ter of Bandon, Ireland. The father was a farmer, and first moved to Wisconsin about the year 1837. and later located at High Forest, Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he died. Of this family there are four sons and two daughters living. three of the sons living in North Dakota, and the other children in Minnesota. . The mother died in North Dakota.

George Salisbury was reared and educated in

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Wisconsin and Minnesota, and farmed in the latter state three years. In 1880 he came to Grand Forks county. North Dakota, and settled on section 4. Gilby township, his land being the northeast quarter of that section. He filed his papers in June, and at once took up his residence upon his claim. He is now the owner of a full section of land, all improved, and yielding good returns. He resided upon his land until 1888, since which time he has been en- gaged in the livery and sale business in Grand Forks.

Mr. Salisbury was married in Minnesota, in 1874, to Miss Amelia Malone. Mrs. Salisbury was born in Malone, New York, and to this union three children have been born, namely, James, Bert and Maude, now living, and Jennie, deceased. In polit- ical sentiment Mr. Salisbury is a Democrat, and has taken an active interest in public matters since his arrival in the county. He has filled some of the local offices, and was the first treasurer of Gilby town- ship. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is widely and favorably known throughout the county, and has proved himself a worthy citizen and valued member of the commun- ity in which he has made his home.

HON. FRANK H. PROSSER, senior member of the firm of Prosser & Serumgard, dealers in farm machinery in Devils Lake, is one of the well-known and influential citizens of Ramsey county. He was born on a farm in Delaware county, Ohio, July 25, 1858.

When our subject was two years of age his par- ents moved to Warren county, Indiana, and settled on a farm near Williamsport, where Mr. Prosser was reared to manhood. He was educated in the common schools and at Oberlin, Ohio, where he spent three years, and then engaged in farming two years in Warren county. He then began the study of law in LaFayette, Indiana, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1880, and in the fall of 1882 went to Dakota and located a claim about seven miles southeast of Devils Lake. He resided thereon un- til 1884, and then removed to the city, where he has since been a resident. He was elected probate judge in 1884 and filled the office one year. He engaged in his present business in 1891, in company with Ole Serumgard, and is largely interested in real estate in Ramsey county.

Our subject was married in LaFayette, Indi- ana, to Miss Sally M. Glick, daughter of the late Dr. E. B. Glick, of LaFayette, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Prosser are the parents of two children, named as follows: Frank H., Jr., and John B. Mr. Prosser was elected to the state legislature in 1894, on the Republican ticket, and served one term, and did very efficient work for the development and advance- ment of the better interests of his community. He has served on the board of education in Devils Lake, and has held other minor offices in his tow11- ship, and has always taken an active part in public

affairs. He has prospered in his business ventures and enjoys an enviable reputation as a worthy citizen.

JONAS LENZ, a public-spirited citizen and successful farmer of Grand Forks county, has been a resident of Union township from its early settle- ment and organization, his home being on sec- tion 26.

Mr. Lenz was born in Marquette, Green Lake county, Wisconsin, January 20, 1862. His parents, Ferdinand and Caroline ( Block) Lenz, were na- tives of Germany. They were married in the old country and one child was born there, the other four children constituting their family being born in the United States. The father was a soldier of the Civil war. He came to Dakota at the same time as our subject. He died August 1, 1898, and he and his wife, who died in 1888, now rest side by side in the country churchyard near their Dakota home. Jonas Lenz grew to manhood in his native county and received a common-school education. At the age of eighteen years he came to Dakota and settled in Cass county. He remained there two years and then came to Grand Forks county and took up his residence in Union township, where he has since made his home. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of as fine land as can be found in the county and has erected good buildings. and made many valuable improvements.

Mr. Lenz was married, in Grand Forks county, North Dakota, April 10, 1886, to Miss Sophia Scheer, who was born in Wabasha county, Minne- sota, June 20, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Lenz are the parents of a family of seven children, named in the order of their birth, as follows: Frances, Reu- ben, William, Mabel, Eva, Ezra and Lillie.

Mr. Lenz has been active in public affairs of a local nature and has always taken a commendable interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community and county. He was the first con- stable of Union township and has also served on the board of township supervisors and has been township treasurer for five successive years. He is a man of the strictest integrity and uprightness of character and has a host of friends throughout the county.

MAX M. KLESSIG. Among the many pros- perous and prominent members of the farming con- munity of Cass county may well be counted the gen- tleman whose name heads this personal history. He is an early settler of that region, and makes his home in section 12, of Page township, where he is surrounded by all the comforts of country life.

Our subject is a native of Wisconsin, and was born December 3, 1858. His parents, August and Elizabeth (Wagoner) Klessig, were natives of Ger- many. His father was a farmer and emigrated to the United States in 1850, and the mother in 1848,

MR. AND MRS. MAX M. KLESSIG AND SON.

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and their marriage occurred in Wisconsin, where the mother still resides. The father died June 9, 1900. They were the parents of six sons and three daughters, and our subject is the only member of the family now in North Dakota.

Mr. Klessig was reared in Wisconsin, and re- ceived his education there, and after attaining his majority engaged in farming in that state until 1882, when he removed to Cass county, North Da- kota, and entered a homestead claim to the farm on which he still resides. He was among the first set- tlers in that section of the county, and now owns three quarter-sections of good land, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and is one of the substantial men of his township.

Our subject was married in Minnesota, in 1884, to Louisa Hausauer, a native of that state. Mrs. Klessig's parents, Michael and Margaret Hausauer, were natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Klessig are the parents of one son, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Earl A. A group portrait of this interesting family is published in these pages in connection with this personal history. Mr. Kles- sig is a gentleman of the best character, thorough and systematic as a farmer, and is held in high es- teem by all with whom he comes in contact. He has an excellent farm, comfortable and comodious buildings, and enjoys the result of a well-spent ca- reer. He has filled various township and school offices, and takes an active interest in public affairs. Politically, he is a Democrat.

PROF. JOHN A. HAIG. As an efficient and popular educational worker this gentleman stands in a foremost rank. He is superintendent of the city schools of Devils Lake, North Dakota, and has devoted his entire life to this line of work and has met with remarkable success, the schools of which he now has charge being noted for their efficient management. Mr. Haig is progressive, enlightened and a tireless worker and well merits his high standing and success.

Our subject was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, October 20, 1849. He spent the early years of his life in Potsdam and vicinity and was educated in the common schools of the town and at St. Lawrence Academy, of Potsdam. He graduated from Middlebury College at Middlebury, Vermont, in 1873, and in the fall of that year was elected principal of the Madrid Union Free School of Madrid, St. Lawrence county, which position he held two years, and then went to Messena, New York, and served as principal of the Union Free School and Academy five years. He then spent another year with his former school at Madrid and was then elected county superintendent of schools of the second commissioner's district of St. Lawrence county and held the position nine years. Then for three years he held the office of justice of the peace in Madrid. New York, and was representative of the town of Madrid on the board of county super-

visors three years. In the summer of 1894 he was elected principal of the city schools of Devils Lake, where he has since remained.

Our subject was married, at Madrid, New York, July 13, 1876, to Miss Mary A. Hawley, a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Haig are the parents of four children, as follows: Ernest H., now a junior in Carleton College, of Northfield, Minne- sota; Alan V., cashier and bookkeeper for E. J. Chamberlain, of Devils Lake: Myron J., a student of the Devils Lake high school; and Helen E., at- tending the city schools of that city. Mr. Haig has striven to promote the educational standard in North Dakota and his services while principal of the city schools of Devils Lake commend him to all as a man of true citizenship and honest principles.

RICHARD DAELEY, the efficient and popular postmaster of Devils Lake, is well known in that locality and has done much to promote the growth of the city and Ramsey county. He was born in Wellington county, Ontario, Canada, August 16, 1858.

Mr. Daeley spent the early years of his life until sixteen years of age in his native place and then came to the United States and followed the blacksmith trade in different places until January, 1881, when he went to Grand Forks county, North Dakota. He followed his trade there and erected the first building in Larimore and resided in that city until May, 1882, when he first appeared in Ramsey county and has since been a resident of the county. He engaged in farming until the spring of 1892 and then engaged in the grain business until the spring of 1898. He was then appointed post- master of Devils Lake by President Mckinley and is the present incumbent of the office, and faith- fully discharging the duties of his position.

Our subject was married, in Larimore, North Dakota, in the fall of 1882 to Miss Anna Welch, a native of Ontario. Mrs. Daeley died in Ramsey county, North Dakota, October 9, 1889. Three chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Daelev, who are named as follows : John A., Mabel and Bertha. Mr. Daeley was married to Minnie E. Kilday, widow of William Kilday, February 22, 1898, at St. Paul, Minnesota. Mrs. Daeley was a daughter of Col- onel A. S. Pattee, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work. Mrs. Daeley has one son by her former marriage, named Albert. 'Our subject has always acted with the Republican party polit- ically and is a man of broad ideas and keeps pace with the times. He is one of the leading citizens of Devils Lake and well deserves the high station which he occupies in the minds of all with whom lic is acquainted.

DAVID M. HOLMES, ex-county treasurer of Grand Forks county, is one of the oldest settlers of the "valley," and is closely connected in its history

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and development. He is now engaged in the real estate, loans and insurance business in Grand Forks and is one of the best known men of the locality.

Our subject was born in Northumberland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1851, and was a son of hugh and Jane (Love) Holmes, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a blacksmith by trade and was a soldier in the Mexi- can war. He became a resident of North Dakota in 1882 and died there in 1884, aged eighty-four years. The family was of English extraction and was among the early settlers of Connecticut. The family on the maternal side settled in Pennsylvania in 1700, and the family of Love was well known there.

Our subject was reared in Pennsylvania. He re- ceived a liberal education there, making a study of telegraphy, and for twenty years worked in the employ of the Western Union, the American and the old Northwestern Telegraph Companies. He became a resident of North Dakota in 1871, locat- ing at Fort Abercrombie, and removing to Grand Forks in the spring of 1872, where he spent four years on surveys and then entered the employ of the Northwestern Telegraph Company as operator, and also worked for the Hudson's Bay Company and remained with them until 1875, in the fall of which year he was elected register of deeds. He resigned his office in 1876, went to Deadwood, South Dakota, and remained there a short time and then returned to Grand Forks and in 1877 was again elected register of deeds and served two years in that office, at the same time holding the offices of county superintendent and county survevor. He engaged in the drug trade in 1877, established the first drug store in Grand Forks and followed that business until 1894, when he was elected county treasurer and filled the office until 1898. He also served two terms as mayor of the city and has served as member of the school board. He now has a good business and carries extensive real estate investments.

Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss Re- becca Schlaberg, a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are the parents of three children, one son and two daughters, named as follows: Jessie S., Vivian A. and Frank B. Our subject is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias. He has been a life-long Democrat and is prominent in party matters.

ALBERT S. PATTEE, well known as Colonel Pattee, is a prominent business man of Devils Lake, North Dakota. He was born in Blissfield, Lena- wee county, Michigan, May 4, 1845, and when he was five years of age removed with his parents to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where the mother died and two years later the father and children returned to Lenawee county and settled in Adrian, where they remained two years, after which they made their home in Lafayette, Indiana. There our subject was

reared until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted, September 20, 1861, in Company A, Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war and the last two years of his service he was on detached duty, serv- ing in the postoffice department. At the last battle of Nashville his horse fell, breaking Mr. Pattee's left leg. After the war he returned to Indiana and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Seafield, Indiana, where he was appointed postmaster and continued there for several years. He then removed to Monti- cello, Indiana, and continued in the mercantile busi- ness until 1882. He came to North Dakota in 1883 and settled on a claim in Minnewaukan township, Ramsey county, where he lived about two years. He then went to Devils Lake and purchased the hotel known as the Tower House, which he op- erated until April 20, 1900, when the hotel was de- stroyed by fire and Mr. Pattee and his wife barely escaped.

Our subject was married, at Seafield, Indiana, to Miss Maria Templeton, a native of Indiana and a daughter of the late Hon. James Templeton, who was a judge in Indiana several years. Mr. and Mrs. Pattee are the parents of four children now living, named as follows: Minnie E., Walter J., Jessie and Caius C. Mrs. Pattee is ex-president of the W. R. C. of Devils Lake.

HON. JAMES MICHELS, a prosperous farm- er residing on Grahams Island, in Benson county, North Dakota, is one of the early settlers of that region and an old veteran soldier with an enviable record.

Mr. Michels was born in Canandaigua, New York, November 8, 1841. He and a sister were the only children born to the union of James and Elizabeth (Johnston) Michels, both natives of Ire- land. The father was killed by accident when our subject was a baby and when he was nine years of age he went to live with an uncle. Later he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade.

In December, 1862, Mr. Michels enlisted, in Elmira, New York, in the volunteer service, becom- ing a member of Company D, Fifth New York Artillery. He was stationed at Forts McHenry and Marshall and took part, in 1864, in Hunter's raid. In 1864, his term of enlistment having expired, he re-enlisted in Company K, Eighty-seventh Penn- sylvania Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and was engaged at Petersburg, Sailors Creek and at the surrender of General Lee. He was discharged in 1865, but re-enlisted in Com- pany C, Seventeenth United States Regulars, and up to 1869 was stationed in Texas. In 1870 he was sent up to Fort Sully to deal with the Indians, who were making trouble, and he joined Stanley's ex- pedition to the mouth of the Powder river, partici- pating in skirmishes at Heart river and O Fallon creek. In 1877 he was stationed at Fort Totten, thus becoming acquainted with the Devils Lake

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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 151

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