Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 162

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

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business. His portrait will be found in these pages in connection with this biography and sets forth in speaking likeness the countenance of one of the leading men of the day in North Dakota.

DR. ALBERT P. ROUNSEVELL, who sus- tains a high reputation both as a man and a phy- sician, is one of the oldest members of his pro- fession in North Dakota. He was born in Tomp- kins county, New York, August 16, 1845, and was the third of five sons in the family of Nelson and Betsy ( Patch) Rounsevell. The history of this old colonial family has been thoroughly written up. Its forebearers are first found in England dur- ing the reign of the Norman kings. About 1700 Philip Rounsevell came from Devonshire, England, and settled in Freetown, Bristol county, Massa- chusetts. He is known in the geneological study referred to as "Philip I."

Dr. Rounsevell was reared on a farm, and grew up with all the advantages his rural life could give him. He was strong, clear-eyed and active, and when the tocsin of civil war called the sons of the north to arms, he was at once interested, and as soon as his age permitted enlisted. He did this August 16, 1864, and was assigned to Company F, One Hun- dred and Eighty-fifth New York Volunteer In- fantry. He joined his regiment in front of Peters- burg in time to have a hand in some of the hottest fighting of the entire war, and the veteran of such battles at Hatcher's Run, Weldon Road, Quaker Farm, Five Forks, even though his stay in the army was brief, surely knows what war is. Through these bloody struggles our subject passed unharmed, and was present in the surrender of General Lee. He was mustered out May 31, 1865, and returning home he thought it was wise to broaden his edu- cation. The next winter he attended Homer Acad- emy, and later completed the course of the academy at Courtlandville, New York. He then began read- ing medicine at Slaterville, New York, and enter- ing the Pennsylvania State University of Medicine and Surgery, graduated in the class of 1871. He practiced seven years, and then entered Rush Medi- cal College at Chicago for additional training. He graduated from that school in the class of 1878, and spent four years in practice at Delano, Minnesota. In the summer of 1882 he arived at Larimore, and at once entered upon a professional career in this country that has been very successful. He is a Republican, and holds to prohibition as the proper and only policy for the state and government to pursue. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and organized the lodge in Larimore. He also organized Appom- atox Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been its commander, and is past department commander of the state organization. He holds membership in several beneficiary associations such as the Independent Order of Foresters, the National Union and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is a charter member of the State Medical As-

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sociation, and is ex-president and former treasurer. He was elected county commissioner in 1884 and has held the office continuously since. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Flora F. York, and three sons are the result of that union : Arthur H., a fruit broker in San Francisco; and two younger sons, Fred L. and Guy K., both at home.

JOSEPH LANGER. The fine farms of Ever- est township form a goodly proportion of the wealth of Cass county and among the prominent men of that vicinity who have devoted their attention to agriculture and are enjoying well earned success Mr. Langer deserves special mention. He was one of the earliest settlers of that locality and has lent his influence for the upbuilding and strengthening of the social and financial interests and labored earnestly to the end that he is now the owner of one of the carefully cultivated tracts of Everest town- ship, his home being located in section 4. His por- trait is published in connection with this sketch.

Our subject was born in Germany January 22, 1852, and was a son of Franz and Rosa ( Miller) Langer, both natives of Germany. The family came to America when our subject was but three months old and they settled in Wisconsin and later went to Wabasha county, Minnesota. Joseph Langer was reared in Wisconsin till nine years of age and then made his home in Minnesota with his parents, where he grew to manhood and began farming in Wabasha county and later owned a farm there. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in the fall of 1877, and entered claim to land as a tree claim and pre-emption. He improved the claims and made his home with his brother and later purchased the farm where he now resides. He is now the pos- sessor of three sections of land, all of which is fully improved, and he is also interested in a general mer- chandise store at Hope, but devotes his attention to farming, in which vocation he has been remarkably successful.

Our subject was married, in 1883, to Christina Weber, a native of Germany. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Langer, as follows: Arthur, Frank, Joseph, Hattie, deceased, and Law- rence. Mr. Langer is a man of active public spirit and has filled the office of supervisor for the past twelve years. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. Politically he is a Republican and is an earnest worker for the principles of his party.

JOHN L. PARISEAN, dealer in farm machin- ery in the village of Joliette, Pembina county, is one of the substantial citizens of that district. He owns and operates four hundred and eighty acres of land near the town, and also buys grain during the season for the Victoria Elevator Company, and is stationed at Joliette. He is a striking example of our self-made man, and has attained a high station as a man of good principles and excellent business tact.

Our subject was born near the town of St. Gabriel de Brandon, Quebec, Canada, January 5, 1860, and was the third in a family of seven chil- dren born to Louis and Julie ( Melancon) Parisean, both of whom were of French descent. The father is deceased and the mother makes her home in Joliette township, Pembina county, North Dakota. The father located on land in Pembina county in the spring of 1879 and in the fall of that year the family joined him in the new home. Our subject assisted on the home farm during his boyhood and until about seventeen years of age, and was edu- cated in the French language. He knew no aln- guage but his own when the family went to North Dakota, and had many experiences while in search of work. He finally obtained work on the railroad in Manitoba, and later began working on the Dal- rymple farm in Cass county, North Dakota, and while employed there made a home study of English and learned to read and write the language. When he attained his majority he entered a homestead claim to land adjoining the village of Joliette, and began farming in a modest way. He prospered in his work and his farm has now reached the extent of four hundred and eighty acres, and while the first property was valued at less than three hundred dollars it is now valued at over seven thousand dol- lars, due to the improvements of the farm, and the excellent drainage system of the city of Joliette, the site of which in early days was covered with water. Mr. Parisean began buying grain in 1895 and in 1898 established in the machinery business. He enjoys a good patronage and carries a complete line of implements and is one of the leading busi- ness men of the town.

Our subject was married, in 1888, to Mary Henry. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parisean : Annie, Henry, John L., Ida, James and Thomas. Mr. Parisean is chairman of the village board and is active in public affairs and an . earnest worker for the better interests of those among whom he lives.

JOHN PELTO, residing on section 15, in Enter- prise township, Nelson county, is one of the pro- gressive and energetic farmers of that region and operates one of the most extensive tracts devoted to farming in the township.

Our subject was born near the town of Ylistaro in Ylistaro, Waasa state, Finland, February 6, 1853. He was the second in a family of six children, born to John and Susanna (Markko). The father, mother and one brother died in 1868 during the great famine. Our subject was then fifteen years of age, and he well remembers during 1867 and 1868, going from place to place in search of bones or scraps of any kind and often he dined on potato pealings. The family was broken up after the death of the parents, and our subject had no home, and as soon as he was old enough he began rafting lum- ber and worked at that eleven years, chopping during

JOSEPH LANGER.

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the winter months. As he grew to manhood the social situation of Finland became distasteful to his idea of freedom and he decided to come to America and he worked ten years with that object in view, but could not get the money necessary. In 1881 he and his wife together had funds sufficient to get to New York, but they could not get to Michigan where their friends were and our subject secured work in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, on the rail- road, and after three weeks they were enabled to continue their journey, and Mr. Pelto worked in the copper mines of Michigan four years. He was in- duced by friends to go to Dakota in the spring of 1887 and then filed on the southwest quarter of section 10, township 154, range 59, but later lost the land during the hard times which followed. He then filed a homestead claim to land on which he now resides in Enterprise township in 1890, and he has made a success of his work there. Fire caused a heavy loss in 1895 and he was already one thou- sand dollars in debt, but he persevered and is now fast cancelling his obligations and getting his place into good condition.

Our subject was married, in 1881, to Miss Mary Pelto. Mr. and Mrs. Pelto are the parents of six children, named as follows: Charles A., Edward, William, Mary, deceased ; Emil F. and Selma. Mr. Pelto is a member of the Lutheran church and is prominent in local affairs and served as treasurer of his township ten years. Politically he is a Populist and is an earnest worker for his party in Enter- prise township.

OLE K. THOE, a leading and prosperous farmer of Grand Forks county, is the owner of an excellent tract of land, and his home is situated on section 5, Inkster township, just below the forks of the Forest river.

Mr. Thoe was born in Dodge county, Minnesota, May 29, 1857. His parents, Knute K. and Gertrude (Exe) Thoe, were both natives of Norway. The father died in Minnesota in 1895. Ole K. Thoe was reared to manhood in Minnesota, and attended the public schools. In 1880 he came to Dakota, arriving in Grand Forks in April, with ten cents in cash. He tramped out to the residence of an old Minnesota neighbor, seven miles from Grand Forks, and was soon employed building log houses and at farm work. He returned home in the summer, but came back to Grand Forks county in the fall, remain- ing during the winter, and taking up a homestead claim in the spring of 1881. Upon this tract his present home is now located. He erected a 10X12 shanty, and this became his home and that of his newly wedded wife. This edifice was supplanted the same year by a 14x16-foot log house, which was but partially completed by the arrival of winter. Since that time he has erected a good and substantial residence, and has made many improvements on his estate, which have made it one of the most valuable farms in the county. On their first settlement in the

county their nearest market was Larimore, and they experienced all the hardships of early Dakota pio- neer life. Mr. Thoe has had no financial assistance since coming to North Dakota, and he and his faithful wife have, by their hard work and good management, founded for themselves a good home and substantial fortune. Mr. Thoe was married, in 1882, to Miss Louise Halvorsen, and to this union eleven children have been born, named in the order of birth as follows: Carl, Peter, George, Casper, Agnes, Henry, Owen, Elmer, Lila, Ella and Julia.

In political views Mr. Thoe is a Republican. He has been active in local public matters. He has been a member of the township board, and for ten years has been school clerk. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and of the M. W. A. He is an energetic worker for the best interests of his com- munity, and is esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

LISANDER A. DAVIS, a prosperous and pop- ular dealer in furniture and undertakers' supplies, has his home and business in Dickinson, and has been a resident of Stark county from its pioneer days.

Mr. Davis was born in the state of New York on a farm in Franklin county, March 30, 1855. His father, Jonathan Davis, was a native of New York and a farmer by occupation, and the grandfather, Jonathan Davis, and also the great-grandfather, Daniel Davis, were natives of England. The mother of our subject was Elmyra Fletcher, who was born in Vermont and married in New York. Lisander A. Davis was the fifth child in a family of eight children, and was reared on a farm, where he found plenty of hard work. His education was obtained in the district school, which was two miles from his home. At the age of twenty-one years he and his brother Newton took charge of the farm, paying to their sisters their shares of the estate in money. The farm consisted of one hundred and twenty-five acres, and they conducted it for six years. In 1883 Mr. Davis came to Dakota, and located in Dickinson, and started carpentering, a trade he had learned in the east. He also took up a homestead, and lived on it for the first two years, riding to town daily to his work. In 1884 he took a partner and they began the contracting business. This con- nection continued for about two years. From 1886 in 1892 Mr. Davis was alone in the same business. In 1884 he added a small stock of undertakers' goods to his business, keeping the same in his carpenter shop. The business increased with the growth and settlement of the community, and he had a large business by the beginning of the year 1892. That year he was unfortunate in the failure of his health, and for five years thereafter was unable to do any hard work. In 1897 he put in a stock of furniture, and he now ocupies a store building 25x70 feet, and his business has prospered.

Mr. Davis was married in New York, in 1880,

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to Miss Janette Fletcher. Mrs. Davis was born in New York state, and her father was Parker Fletcher, a farmer by occupation. The family has been in America for many generations. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have two children: Arthur, born November 18, 1881, and Clara, born July 30, 1887. When Mr. Davis came to Dickinson his entire property con- sisted of his set of carpenter's tools. He now owns a valuable business, his building and residence prop- erty. He was among the earliest settlers of Dickin- son, and helped to erect a good share of its build- ings the first few years. He experienced all the trials incident to pioneer life, including the claim shanty period. No man is better acquainted with the his- tory of Stark county, and no one better posted upon its resources and advantages. He is a Republican in political sentiment, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He was justice of the peace at Dickinson from 1890 to 1896. He is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F.

HANS O. BLEGEN, a leading citizen of Ben- son county, and one of its most successful farmers, has his comfortable home in section 23, Normania township.

Mr. Blegen was born in Norway, near Lille- hammar, February 20, 1853. He was the eldest of four sons born'to Ole J. and Anna (Hanson) Blegen. The parents came to America in 1876. The mother died, and the father now lives with his sons in Benson county. Mr. Hanson was reared on a farm in his native land till he reached the age of sixteen years. He then went to live with the Rev. Mr. Comstrop, where he had the advantages of a good schooling, and where he gained some knowledge of the English tongue. In 1873 he came to America and settled at Rochester, Min- nesota, and there engaged in farm work. He worked out two years and conducted a farm of his own for ten years, and finally, in the spring of 1878, lie visited South Dakota, and in 1883 visited North Dakota, and examined the country with a view to locating. It was not, however, until 1885 that he came to Dakota for permanent settlement. In that year he came to Benson county and filed a claim on the land he now owns. His family joined him the following year, and as he had some stock and a little ready money, he soon had his farm under full operation. The few years of short crops that followed, together with much sickness in his family, discouraged him to some extent, but he has since prospered and is now the owner of five hundred. and twenty acres of valuable lands, three hundred and fifty acres of which he cultivates annually. He has a comforta- ble residence and a capacious barn and all necessary outbuildings, machinery and stock to do a successful farming business.

Mr. Blegen was married, in 1873, to Miss Chris- tina Olson, and to this union seven children have been born, as follows: Ignet, deceased; Anna, Clara, Ole, farming at home ; Oscar, deceased, and

Otella, deceased, and Olaf. After the death of Mrs. Begen, our subject, in 1895, married Miss Mary Erickson, and to them three children have been born, namely, Carl, Helmer and Christena. Mr. Blegen. is a Republican in political views, and has been active in public affairs since coming to Benson coun- ty. He assisted in the organization of the town- ship in 1890, and became chairman of the first town- ship board, and afterward became assessor, and for the last five years has been chairman of the township board again. He is a member of the Lutheran church, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees.

DR. CALVIN M. WAGNER. A position of prominence as a physician and business man of Dunseith, Rolette county, is accorded this gentle- man. He is intelligent and progressive and well merits his high standing and success. Aside from the practice of his profession he is engaged in the general merchandise business and is also editor and publisher of the "Dunseith Herald."

Dr. Wagner is a native of New York, and was born March 22, 1863. He was the youngest in a family of four children, and when he was about fourten years of age began college work, attend- ing different colleges five years with the idea of studying medicine. At the age of nineteen years he began work in a job printing shop and in Feb- ruary, 1882, came to Grand Harbor, North Dakota, and entered claim to land and in 1884 began news- paper work on the "Devils Lake Globe." in which paper his brother owned an interest. In 1886 he went to Dunseith and worked in his brother's news- paper office. His knowledge of medicine was often caled into use but he did not follow the practice of medicine regularly, and in 1895 purchased the newspaper plant. He took a post-graduate course at the New York Post-Graduate Medical College in 1894 and in 1898 entered the Illinois Medical Col- lege and graduated as M. D. in 1899, since which time he has practiced his profession regularly. He established a drug business in 1895 and in 1897 added a stock of general merchandise. During the winter of 1885 and 1886 he drove the mails from Devils Lake to Dunseith, making the round trip semi-weekly. He took a memorable hunt in com- pany with his brother and two companions in De- cember, 1884. They went west from Grand Harbor and arrived at Broken Bone lake without incident and after about a month found themselves loaded down with pelts, including beaver, otter, wolves and muskrats, and started for home. They were over- taken by a blizzard through which they traveled two days, two of the party taking the lead to keep the trail, and they arrived home safely but thoroughly exhausted. Our subject has had much to do with the Indians and he has a fine trade in Indian curios and relics. He is a member of the land firm of Wagner & Crum, who handle lands in Rolette county. The "Dunseith Herald," of which our

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subject has charge, is a four-page, six-column quarto paper, and has a circulation of six hundred copies and is the official organ of the county. The job department is a prominent feature of the es- tablishment and Mr. Wagner gives this work his personal supervision and turns out some of the finest work in the state.

Our subject was married, in 1887, to Miss Mary Ormsbee. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wagner, who are as follows: John M., William F., deceased ; Gilbert E. and Sarah A. Mr. Wagner is county coroner and notary public and takes a hearty interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Po- litically he is a Republican and is a member of the county central committee.

HENRY E. LAVAYEA, the manager of the Hersey farm in Arville township, and the owner of the Grace wheat farm in Grace township, is one of the more prominent people associated with agricul- tural interests in Grand Forks county. He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, where he was born March 2, 1852, and is now in the full prime of his manly powers. He was the third child and the oldest son born to Joseph E. and Angeline P. (Foote) Lavayea. His father was a native of Can- ada, and of French descent, and his mother of New England Puritan stock. Joseph Lavayea was a ship- builder, and as lie grew up, young Henry acquired an insight into the trade. He went through the public schools and graduated from the high school of his native city in due time. After leaving school he went into the editorial and composing rooms of the "Cleveland Leader," and spent some two and one-half years, later continuing his education in the Kentucky University at Lexington, Kentucky. He returned to Cleveland and engaged in the work of harbor construction for ten years.

In the month of December, 1879, Mr. Lavayea visited North Dakota, and was so impressed with the outlook of the state that he came again, and yet again before his final location within the borders of the state in 1882. In 1881 he acquired fourteen hundred acres of land, which he made into a farm, and named in honor of his only child, the Grace wheat farm. In the spring of 1882 he made his permanent residence in this county, and from that time has taken a front place as an extensive, pro- gressive and scientific farmer. The farm soon paid for itself, and its improvements. Elegant buildings replaced the first rude structures, ample machinery was provided, and the entire plant put under a sys- tematic business administration.

Mr. Lavayea became manager of the Hersey farm in March, 1889, an extensive farm of two thousand five hundred acres on the Turtle river, and here he has made his home for the last twelve years. The raising of Clydesdale horses and Jer- sey cattle was at first attempted on an extensive scale, but of late he has been giving much attention

and indeed almost exclusively to the cultivation of grain, for which the soil and climate of the Red river valley is peculiarly favorable. He is a Re- publican and a believer in legal prohibition. Since 1885 he has been in attendance upon every legis- lative assembly held in Bismarck. As assistant and chief clerk he lias been brought into close relations and intimate touch with the life of Dakota, both as a territory and a state. At present he is a member of the Republican state central committee, and his acquaintance and personal friendship cover the state. On July 31, 1900, at Larimore, he received the nomination as state senator to represent the fifth legislative district. He is a member of the Masonic craft, and is counted one of its most re- liable workers. He was married, in 1876, to Miss Mary E. White, Ohio born and bred. They have one daughter, Grace W., a charming young woman and now a student at the University of Minnesota.

HON. ROBERT B. RICHARDSON, residing in Drayton, Pembina county, is retired from active labors, and enjoys the results of a well-spent career. For many years he successfully conducted farming near the city, and thoroughly improved his place and ranked among the foremost men of his calling. His active public spirit has never been called in question, and he has served his community in vari- ous capacities and always faithfully and well and is one of the honored men of North Dakota.

Mr. Richardson was born in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, April 20, 1840, and was of English extrac- tion. He and an elder sister were the only children born to Robert and Ellis (Baker) Richardson. The father, after arriving from England, cleared a farm of one hundred acres in the Canadian woods and there our subject was reared to manhood. His education was limited to lessons in a log school house and he had no studies after the age of twelve years, and his boyhood and early manhood were passed quietly in the routine of farm labor. He assumed charge of the farm upon the death of his father in 1874, and later decided to seek a home in the west and in the spring of 1879 visited the country northwest of Winnipeg and then went to Pembina county, North Dakota, and in the south- eastern corner of the county found a settlement of progressive Canadians and determined to join them. He filed claim to and in section 25, in Dayton town- ship, and then returned to Canada and in the fall went again to Dakota and erected a house. A dis- astrous prairie fire swept through the settlement about that time and three persons met death, and many head of stock and much property was de- stroyed, and this disaster cast a deep gloom over the little settlement. The family joined our subject in the spring of 1880 and they were permanently located in Drayton township. It is noteworthy that the public move of this settlement was the establishment of a public school, and true to the early progressive spirit they have always led in public en-

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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 162

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