Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 153

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 153

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

NOAH GOYNE, one of the pioneer settlers of Grand Forks county, has one of the best cultivated tracts of land in North Dakota. He resides in sec- tion 27, in Grand Forks township, and has acquired a fine property and an enviable reputation.

Our subject is a native of Durham county, On- tario, Canada, and was born August 21, 1845. His

parents, John and Margret (Rogers) Goyne, were natives of Cornwall, England, and the father was a carpenter and emigrated to Canada about 1839 and passed the remainder of his life there. He died in 1883, aged sixty-six years, and the mother died in 1887. One, son and four daughters were born to them and one daughter is now deceased. One daughter lives in Canada. The others of the children reside in North Dakota. The grandfather of our subject, Richard Goyne, lived and died in England, and was a farmer by occupation.

Mr. Goyne was reared and educated in Canada and followed farming there until 1878, when he went to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim to land in Walle town- ship, upon which he proved his claim and later sold the land. He went to his present home in 1891, and now has six hundred acres of land, all of which is under high cultivation and is made to yield abundantly. He has added valuable improvements to the place, and every appointment bespeaks thrift and good management.

Our subject was married, in 1869, to Mary A. Goudge, a native of Wisconsin. Mrs. Goyne's par- ents were natives of Cornwall, England, and set- tled in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Goyne are the parents of six children, as follows: John B .; Sarah E., now Mrs. C. H. Austin; Fred C .; Will- iam M .; Milton E. and Renee E., all of whom are living. Mr. Goyne is active in public affairs and has served as supervisor of his township and school clerk. He assisted in the organization of Grand Forks township and is an earnest worker for the better interests of his community, financially and socially. Politically he is a Democrat and is firm in his convictions, and has been prominently iden- tified with the movements of his party in his town- ship. He has made a success of his life work and well merits his high standing.

CLARK W. KELLEY is an honored resident of Devils Lake, Ramsey county, where he resides, retired from active business pursuits, in a com- fortable home that affords true hospitality. He is owner of extensive farm lands in that locality and until recently was one of the prominent merch- ants of the city. He spends the summer months on his farm about four miles southeast of Devils Lake, on which he has erected a complete set of fine farm buildings and completed every arrangement for the comfort of his family.

Our subject was born in Theresa. Jefferson county, New York, July 6, 1855. When he was a child his parents moved to Coumbia county, Wis- consin, where he made his home for several years, and was educated in the common schools and at Ripon College in Wisconsin. After completing his studies he was employed as clerk in a hard- ware store at Jackson, Minnesota, three years, and afterward spent ten years as traveling salesman for a wholesale hardware house, until the spring of

1030

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

1884, although in the spring of 1883 he established a hardware store at Devils Lake and removed to that city in 1884. He continued in that business until January 1, 1900, and also operated his farm in Ramsey county. He owns about one thousand acres of land and has made valuable improvements on his home farm. He has retired from business life and is one of the solid men of Devils Lake.

Our subject was married at Jackson, Minne- sota, to Miss Loretta MI. Drugan, a native of Wis- consin. Mrs. Kelley died in Devils Lake, North Dakota, June 21, 1893. One daughter was born to this union, named Loretta M. Mr. Kelley was married to Joanna Randolph, April 29, 1897. Mrs. Keley is a native of Emporia, Kansas. She is an accomplished and cultured lady and was one of the organizers of the Nineteenth Century Club of Devils Lake and was its first president, and also organized the Coterie Club of Devils Lake and served as first president of the same. She is the state chairman of correspondence of the National Federation of Women's Cubs of the United States, and is a lady highly esteemed in the community in which she makes her home. She, with Mr. Kelley, takes an active part in church matters of the Presbyterian denomnation. Mr. Kelley is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is Grand commander of the Knights Templar of North Da- kota. Mr. Kelley has served as mayor of Devils Lake four years and has taken a most hearty in- terest in local affairs of importance. He was one of the organizers of the Chautauqua Association and is a member of the Association. He is a genial gentleman, cordial and courteous, and has a wide acquaintance and is most highly esteemed by all.

THOMAS WALSH. This gentleman is one of the pioneer settlers of Grand Forks county, and is one of the widely known and most highly-re- spected citizens of North Dakota. He was born in county Lauth, Ireland, November 14, 1822, and is now living retired from active labors in the city of Grand Forks.

Our subject's parents, George and Bridget (Mc- Gurry) Walsh, were natives of Ireland and they emigrated to America in 1824, and followed farm- ing in Canada during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, all of whom are now deceased, except our subject.

Mr. Walsh was reared and educated in Canada until eighteen years of age and in 1840 went to Bur- lington, Vermont, and there found work at his trade, that of tailor, which he learned in Canada. He re- mained in Vermont about two years and then spent two years in Canada again, after which he went to New York. Sibley county, Minnesota, became his home in 1856 and he resided there eight years, and in 1862 enlisted in Company I, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the war. He participated in the battles of Oldtown

Creek, Nashville, Tennessee, Spanish Fort and Fort 'Blakely, and at Nashville was shot through both shoulders, injuring the spine. He was mus- tered out of the service as first sergeant and re- turned to Minnesota and remained there until 1871, when he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and in company with Captain Griggs, established a saw- mill and general store and operated them four years and then disposed of the business to the Hudson's Bay Company. He purchased land in the valley during the early days and still retains his real es- tate interests. .

Our subject was married, in Canada, in 1844, to Ellenor L. Ranson, a native of Canada, of English descent. ' Three sons and one daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, named as follows: George H., Caroline, deceased, Charles, deceased, and Edmund. Mrs. Walsh died in November. 1896. Mr. Walsh is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and G. A. R. He assisted in the organiza- tion of the county and was a member of the first board of county commissioners and was appointed county treasurer and also probate judge, and at the same meeting was chosen as one of two to act as justice of the peace for the county. He was later elected register of deeds and filled the office six years, and has also served as county clerk. Po- litically. he is a Democrat and has served his party many years.

HON. WILLIAM J. MOONEY, one of the organizers of Cavalier county, is a resident of Lang- don, and has been one of the most active promoters of the welfare of both the city and the county. Mr. Mooney was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, Sep- tember 29, 1858. He was reared and received his preliminary education in his native county, and graduated from the College of the Sacred Heart in 1875. He taught school at Concord, in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, and then, after two years at this work, he took a two-years' course in advanced stud- ies. After that he went to Moorhead, Minnesota, and engaged in the real-estate, law and loan busi- ness with R. W. Coleman. One year later, in 1882, he located at Bathgate, Pembina county, North Da- kota, and formed a partnership with John D. Stack in the real-estate, law and collection business, handling the town site of Bathgate for Comstock & White. He was admitted to the bar in Pembina county in 1882. After two years in Pembina coun- ty, he came to Cavalier county and was one of the chief instigators of the movement for county organ- ization. He received the appointment of probate judge and clerk of the district court, and was elected county judge in the fall of 1884. He resigned the office of clerk of the district court, but served as probate judge for the full term.

Mr. Mooney has been connected with the leading enterprises that have developed the resources of Cavalier county since its organization. With Hon. Patrick McHugh, he was instrumental in having

HON. WILLIAM J. MOONEY AND SON.

1033

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

the railroad brought to Langdon, they furnishing the right of way from Park River to Langdon. He also, in company with Mr. McHugh and W. F. Winter, brother of George F. Winter, who was at that time county treasurer, organized the Cavalier County Bank, at Langdon, which was later consoli- dated with the Bank of Langdon. In 1893 the First National Bank was organized, with Mr. Mooney as president and principal stockholder. In 1896 he sold his interest in the First National Bank, and the same year organized the W. J. Mooney State - Bank. He is also interested in the town site of Langdon and the North Dakota Land & Townsite Company, and is one of the principal stockholders of the Linden Investment Company.

Mr. Mooney was married in Chicago, Illinois, in December, 1883, to Miss Elizabeth Manning, a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Mooney three children have been born. John is a student at St. John's University, of Collegeville, Minnesota. William J., Jr., died at the age of four years. Charles F. died at the age of eight months. Mrs. Mooney departed this life October 31, 1888.

In all matters of a public nature, and all enter- prises tending to advance the interests of Cavalier county, Mr. Mooney has always been an active leader. He has been intimately connected with its history from the first, and the story of the develop- ment of Langdon and Cavalier county cannot be told without frequent reference to his name and deeds. His portrait appears in this work.

JUDGE LUTHER D. McGAHAN, editor and publisher of the "Free Press," of Devils Lake, is one of the widely-known newspaper men of North Dakota. He is a gentleman of intelligence, good education, systematic and public spirited, and com- mands respect wherever he is known. He was born in Ravenna, Ohio, September 25, 1865.

Mr. McGahan was reared to manhood and ed- ucated in his native place and resided there until April, 1885, when he went to North Dakota and was engaged in editing a paper at Winona. In the spring of 1887 he went to Williston, North Dakota, in advance of the railroad, and established "The Williston Beacon," and published that paper until 1889, when he sold his interests and removed to Minto, North Dakota, and in company with George WV. Wilson established "The Minto Journal." He remained there until 1891, and then disposed of his interests in Minot and located in Devils Lake. where he has since resided. In 1892 he established the "Free Press" in company with Siver Serumgard, and they operated the plant together until the spring of 1895, when Mr. Serumgard retired and Mr. Mc- Gahan became sole owner. The paper is Republi- can in politics and boasts a circulation of eleven hundred copies each issue. Mr. McGahan has de- voted his career to newspaper work and has met with unbounded success.

Our subject was married, in St. Paul, Minne-

sota, June 4, 1889, to Miss Jennie H. Spelman, a native of Stark county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Gahan are the parents of two children, named as follows: Luther S. and Aileen S. Four children born to Mr. and Mrs. McGahan died in infancy. Our subject served. one term as chief of the en- rolling and engrossing force in the state senate and as bill clerk in the senate one term. He has been city justice at Devils Lake for six years and is actively interested in local affairs of a public nature and works earnestly for the upbuilding of his town and county. He established the lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Devils Lake and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of the Maccabees and is prominent in each of the orders.

HON. D. W. McCANNA, one of the most en- terprising and progressive citizens of Towner coun- ty, resides on section 30, in township 158, range 66, and operates twenty-five hundred acres of land. He is engaged extensively in farming and the rais- ing of Short Horn cattle and Percheron horses.

Our subject was born in Vermont, April 16, 1852, and was the sixth in a family of thirteen chil- dren born to Michael and Maria (Burheart) Mc- Canna. The father was a native of Ireland and the mother was of German-French extraction and was born in Canada and the married life of the parents began in Canada. They later settled in the states and when our subject was an infant removed from Vermont to Clayton county, Iowa. Our subject worked at home until twenty-four years of age and then began farming for himself, but after five suc- cessive crops failed he found himself heavily in debt and with a couple of teams went to North Dakota, arriving at Grand Forks, near where he farmed one year. In the fall of 1882 he went to the Big Coulee country to look over the country and in the spring of 1883 a colony of about forty fam- ilies was formed and our subject had the honor of turning the first furrow in the community. Forty claims were taken under the "squatter's" claim on either bank of the Big Coulee, May 9. 1883. Mr. McCanna has since been a prominent resident of that community and he has prospered to a marked degree. He now has a handsome residence, fully equipped with modern conveniences and enjoys a home of great comfort.

Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss Bridgie Gorman. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McCanna, named as follows : Simon M., who was the first son of white parents born in Towner county ; Maude C .; Mary A. ; Mabel M .; David, deceased; David T .; Emily T. and Marian. Mr. McCanna has been actively interested in public affairs of his county. A county conven- tion was called in 1884 at Coolin postoffice of Big Dan's Crossing, and our subject was chosen first county assessor. He served as a state representa- tive in 1892 and as state senator in 1894. and as

1034

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

a representative of the farmers devoted his atten- tion to agricultural affairs and served on the house and senate committee on public lands and was the only farmer who served on the judiciary committee.

ARTHUR MCINTYRE. In the vast agri- cultural interests of North Dakota a leading part is taken by the farmers of Grand Forks county. Prominent among this number may be mentioned Arthur McIntyre. He is a man of enterprising spirit, energetic and possessed of intelligence and honesty and is deserving of a place in the annals of the state. His home is in Grand Forks town- ship and he has acquired a good fortune.

Our subject is a native of county Renfrew, Can- ada, and was born August 20, 1853. His parents, Ar- thur and Charlotte ( Childerhose) McIntyre, were natives of North Ireland and emigrated to Canada about 1842 and spent their lives there. The father died in 1892, but the mother is still living. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom our subject and four sisters reside in Grand Forks coun- ty, North Dakota. The grandfather of our subject, James McIntyre, died in Canada.

Mr. McIntyre was reared and educated in Can- ada and went to North Dakota in 1888. He pur- chased the quarter-section of land on which he now resides, and he has placed valuable improvements there, including a handsome brick house, one of the finest in the county. Every appointment of the home evidences culture and refinement and all conveni- ences for the family are carefully looked after. Mr. McIntyre is one of the substantial men of his com- munity and may well be proud of the result of his labors in North Dakota.

Our subject was married, in 1896, to Miss Aggie Smith, a native of Canada also. Mrs. McIntyre presides over the household with true dignity and bears a fair share of the good management of the home, which has such pleasing results. Mr. Mc- Intyre is a gentleman of active public interest and keeps pace with the times and' casts his influence for good government and social improvement.

FRANK HONETT, proprietor of one of the fine farms of Freshwater township, Ramsey county, is one of the citizens of whom his fellow men may well be proud. He has aided in the advancement of locality and is a gentleman of excellent character, industrious and honest and has gained a host of friends and a good estate, his home being in sec- tion 2.

Our subject was born in Sweden, April 26. 1855. He came to America with an older brother at the age of eleven years and lived in Illinois and other states sonne and was engaged at labor and for some share of the tinie on a farm until 1877, when he went to the Red river in North Dakota and there entered up a homestead claim in Traill county. He resided thereon until 1882 and in the spring

of that year went to Ramsey county and at once selected the farm on which he has since made his home. He has erected a complete set of good buildings thereon and made other valuable improve- ments and has one of the best farms of his town- ship. He owns seven hundred and twenty acres of land and has made a success of general farming and is enjoying just reward for his labors there.

Our subject was married, in Devils Lake, North Dakota, to Miss Lena Olson Lee, a native of Nor- way. Mr. and Mrs. Honett are the parents of seven children, who are named as follows: Mary A., Carrie O., Tena W., Lena J., Albert J., Esther C. and Blanche F. One son, Ernest, is deceased ; he died in infancy. Mr. Honett is an active worker for the advancement of his community in educa- tional affairs and has served as school director for many years. He is also prominent in Masonic circles, with which order he is associated.

THOMAS SHANAHAN, deceased. For over sixteen years prior to his demise this gentleman followed agricultural pursuits in Grand Forks town- ship and was one of the first settlers of Grand Forks county. He met with success in his calling and had a comfortable home and enjoyed an enviable rep- utation and in his death the community lost a most worthy citizen.

Our subject was born in county Tipperary, Ire- land, January 22, 1831. His parents, Barney and Mary (Ride) Shanahan, were natives of Ireland. The father died in his native country and the mother came to America in 1845 with the family, which consisted of four sons and one daughter, all of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Shanahan was reared and educated in Can- ada and engaged in farming there until 1878, when he went to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim to the northwest quarter of section 32 in Grand Forks township, and was among the very earliest settlers there. He erected a small house and at once began to break his prairie farm and he resided thereon during the remainder of his life and made valuable improve- ments and gained a good income.

Our subject was married, about 1854, to Jane Mears, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Shann- han were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are now living and are as follows: Annie; Barney: Eliza H., now Mrs. Haley; Mary, now Mrs. Murphy: John; Dennis; Maggie, now Mrs. White; Alexander and Patrick. Dennis Shanahan. was born March 15, 1868, in Canada, and wert with his parents to North Dakota in 1878. He was married, November 24, 1897, to Lilly Huggins, a native also of Canada. One child has been born to this union, named Jane E. Dennis now resides on the pioneer homestead of his father. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shanahan re- side in Grand Forks and Butte, Montana.

Thomas Shanahan died in Grand Forks county,

1035

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

North Dakota, in January, 1894, and the mother died January 14, 1898. They were members of the Catholic church and were highly esteemed in the community in which they spent the declining years of their lives.

E. MILTON CRARY, editor and publisher of the "Ramsey County Courier," published in Crary, North Dakota, is one of the well known newspaper men of the county. He was born on a farm in St. Lawrence county, New York, September 30, 1868, and was reared in that county and educated in the common schools and at the State Normal at Pots- dam, New York. After leaving the normal school he was engaged in teaching in St. Lawrence county two years and then went to Crary, North Dakota in the fall of 1889. He was engaged in teaching in North Dakota from 1889 to 1897. He established the "Ramsey County Courier" in 1894. This is a Republican paper and has a circulation of about five hundred copies each issue. Mr. Crary established the "Williston Herald" at Williston, North Dakota, in 1899, which has a circulation of five hundred copies, and he is sole owner of both papers, and personally edits the former. He engaged in the real estate and farm loans business in 1897, to which he devotes most of his attention and has made a success of his work.

Our subject was married, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Miss Frances McDonald, a native of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Crary are the parents of one son, named Clayton G. Our subject has held numerous local offices in Stevens township and has served as county justice. During the legislative session of 1896 he was appointed by the speaker of the house as clerk of the supply and expenditure committee and filled the position during that ses- sion. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees and Modern Wood- men of America.

LARS O. BUE, postmaster and general merch- ant at Bue postoffice, Nelson county, is the owner of one of the finest and most valuable homes in Nel- son county.

Mr. Bue was born in Bergenstift, Norway, April 8, 1861. He was the youngest of five chil- dren born to Ole and Christe (Davidson) Bue. The father now lives in Winnishiek county, Iowa, the mother having died several years since. The father still lives upon the farm where he located on first coming to America in 1866.

Lars O. Bue was reared to farm labor and at the age of nineteen years he began clerking in a store. In the spring of 1881 he went to Dakota, landing at Valley City, and then started on foot for the "Big Bend" in the Cheyenne river. After a walk of sixty miles he located the farm he now oc- cupies, built a 6x6 log shanty and held the land as a squatter. During the fall of 1881 he worked in

the Red river valley and the following autumn in the Goose river valley. In the meantime he had se- cured a yoke of oxen and in the spring of 1883 filed a claim to his land and began farming operations. In the month of May, 1882, the postoffice was es- tablished and named Bue, in honor of our subject, and he became the first postmaster and has con- tinued to hold that position since. In 1890 he in- vested in a stock of general merchandise and ha. done a prosperous business in that line. He is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of valu- able land, well improved and highly cultivated. He erected a fine residence in 1898.

Mr. Bue was married, in 1883, to Miss Olina Mikkelson, and this union has been blessed by the birth of nine children: Clara, Oscar, Gilbert, Al- bert, Nels, Clarence, Oliver and Ludwig, twins, and Oliver. Clara, Clarence and Oliver, one of the twin brothers, are now deceased. Mr. Bue is a Republican and has taken an active part in party affairs in his county. He was one of the organizers of the township and was elected township clerk. He was a delegate to the first Republican conven- tion in Nelson county and has attended most of the county conventions of his party and three state conventions. In 1888 he was elected county com- missioner from his district. He is a member of the Lutheran church and a member of the A. O. U. W. He is well known throughout the county and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

ANDREW J. KILDAHL, ex-county commis- sioner of Ramsev county, resides on a pleasant farm in section 5 of Irvine township, and is one of the substantial citizens of his locality. He has resided in that county for over seventeen years and during his stay there has aided materially in its advance- ment. For many years he was a tradesman, follow- ing carpentering, and many of the buildings of Grand Forks and Ramsey counties bear his handi- work.

Our subject was born in Norway July 22, 1854. At the age of twelve years, in 1866, he came to America with his parents and they located in Good- hue county, Minnesota, where our subject was reared and educated. He assisted on his father's farm and then learned the carpenter's trade at Northfield, Minnesota, and resided in Northfield six years. He then went to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and followed his trade in Grand Forks and vicinity for some years. He went to Ramsey county in May, 1883, and located on the farm on which he has since resided. He has ap- plied himself to the labors of conducting a farm since locating there and has met with remarkable success. He now has a well improved estate, on which he has erected substantial and commodious buildings of modern design and finish and his farm ranks among the best in the township. He owns nine hundred and sixty acres of land in Irvine town-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 153

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