Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 180

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 180

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Our subject was married, in 1882, to Miss Oline E. Wold. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson, as follows: Nellie, Gustaf, Emile, Albert, Theodore, Clara, Ida, Oliver and Halfdan. Mr. Gilbertson is prominent in local pub- lic affairs, and served as township and school treas- urer from the organization of the township until

HENRY GILBERTSON.

MRS. HENRY GILBERTSON.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

1897, and is at present a member of the board of su- pervisors. He is highly esteemed throughout Steele county as a pioneer settler and one who has gained for himself a name as a public-spirited and ener getic citizen. Politically Mr. Gilbertson is a Re- publican.

THOMAS S. THOMPSON, owner and pro- , prietor of a fine farm of one section in Rush River township, Cass county, is a gentleman of excellent ability as a farmer, and has gained a good income and an enviable reputation by his earnest efforts and integrity of word and deed. He makes his home in section 13 and follows general farming.

Our subject was born near Kingston, Ontario, June 14, 1861, and was reared there on a farm, and received a common school education. He remained in his native county till 1882, in April of which year he went to North Dakota. He worked at farm labor for others two years, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Berlin town- ship, where he settled and resided about three and a half years. He then disposed of the land there and settled on the farm on which he now resides in Rush River township, Cass county. He owns sec- tion 13, and the entire tract is fully improved and under cultivation, forming an extensive farm, and furnishing a good income and comfortable home.

Our subject was married in Mapleton, Cass county, North Dakota, November 16, 1886, to Miss Alice Howes, who was born at Winchester, Ontario, July 1, 1864. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, named as follows: Mildred, Allen and Elsie M. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson take an active part in church work, and are members of the Church of Christ of the Christian denomina- tion. Mr. Thompson is energetic and highly es- teemed in his community and well merits his finan- cial success.

JONAH A. WHIPPLE, a prominent farmer of Barnes county and an ex-soldier, has a pleasant home in township 139, range 61, which he has gained by faithful efforts and strict business econ- omy. He is a gentleman of excellent ability, and has spent the greater part of his career in farming, in which pursuit he has met with eminent success.

Our subject was born on a farm in Franklin county, New York, in 1842, and was a son of Na- than Whipple, who was of English descent, and was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject, Jonah Whipple, was a farmer in New Hampshire. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Rachel Farquar, was born and raised in Aberdeen, Scotland, and came to America about 1822, and her father was a farmer.

Our subject was the third in order of birth in a family of eight children, and at the age of twenty years he left home and worked at farm labor four years, and in October, 1861, he enlisted in Company

A, Ninety-sixth New York Infantry, and the follow- ing spring was sent south with the Army of the Po- tomac. He participated in the siege of York, Wil- liamsburg and West Point, and spent one year through Virginia. After the battle of West Point he received a sunstroke and was discharged from the service. After the war our subject engaged in farming in Canada until 1882, when he went to Spink county, South Dakota, and entered claim to government land on which he began farming. He erected a claim shanty, 14×18 feet, and a dug-out and sod barn, and engaged in farming there ten years, after which he went to Barnes county, North Dakota, in 1892, and located on the northwest quar- ter of section 6, township 139, range 61, where he erected buildings and established his residence. He and his unmarried boys have a farm of four hun- dred and eighty acres, well improved and all neces- sary machinery, and engage in grain raising mostly, but are interested to some extent in the raising of cattle.

Mr. Whipple was married, in 1865, to Miss Mar- garet Alford, who was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, of American parentage. Mrs. Whipple was a daughter of Amhurst Alford, and was a teacher in Canada. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whipple, as follows: Elah, farming in North Dakota ; Edward F., a merchant in Eckerson, North Dakota ; William W., a merchant in Spirit- wood, North Dakota; Mary, married and residing on a farm in North Dakota; George M., a merchant of Spiritwood; Ruth, married and living on a farm in North Dakota; and Filand A. Mr. Whipple is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a man of exemplary character, and commands the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. Po- litically he is a Republican.

WILLIAM A. VENNUM, who has acquired a comfortable income by the exercise of honest indus- try, is deserving of special mention as a prosperous farmer and worthy citizen of Dickey county. He makes his home in section 1, township 130, range 65. of Spring Valley township, and is surrounded by all the comforts of rural life.

Our subject was born on a farm near Union Grove, in Whiteside county, Illinois, October 25, 1844, and was a son of Thomas Vennum. He was left an orphan when a young child, and at the age of two and a half years was taken to Carroll county, where he made his home with Moses A. Green, and there grew to manhood. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, Sixty-fifth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, but was not assigned to service, and in February, 1865, re-enlisted, and his regiment was merged into the Army of the Cum- berland. He was discharged from the service at Newburn, North Carolina, and at once returned to Illinois, where he worked at farming for several years in Whiteside and Carroll counties. He went to Dickey county, North Dakota, in 1882, and at

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AND BIOGRAPHY.

once filed a claim to land, and is now the fortunate possessor of one section of well improved land. He owns fifty head of cattle and eight horses. He is a man of practical ideas, and is among the substantial men of his community.

Our subject was married in Morrison, White- side county, Illinois, January 28, 1874, to Miss Jane Green, a native of Carroll county, Illinois, who was born August 17, 1852. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vennum in Carroll county, Illinois, and three have been born in Dickey county, North Dakota. They bear the following names: Martin, Della, the wife of Carl Woodward, a farmer of Dickey county ; Celia, Maud, Ada, Ida and Laura. The eldest son, Martin, is connected with his fa- ther on the farm, and is a young man of much ability.

NILS E. DAHLEN. The family to which this gentleman belongs is known as the pioneer family of northeastern Nelson county. The father, Elling Dahlen, and eight sons are located near together on well-improved farms, and the subject of this review is the eldest son of the family. He is a gentleman of influence in his community and as identified with the social interests of Nelson county is widely and favorably known. He is a resident of section 12 in Dahlen township, which is named in honor of its pioneer family. A portrait of Mr. Dahlen appears elsewhere in this work.

Nils E. Dahlen was born in Norde Aurdal, Walders, Norway, on the farm Dahlen, a property which has been owned by the family for many generations. The date of his birth is May 11, 1858. The family emigrated to America and settled at Red Wing, Minnesota, in August, 1865, and there conducted a farm in Goodhue county, and in the spring of 1877 removed to Chippewa county. Three of the sons had reached the age required for enter- ing claims in 1881 and they decided to try Dakota and the father also went there to be near his sons. The goods were shipped to Ojata and they then started out to locate land, and followed an old Indian trail toward what is now Forest river. Reaching timber on the upper part of the river they located claims in that vicinity, and built one log house and all passed the winter therein and in the spring small log houses were erected on each of the claims chosen. They had no neighbors for a year and even game was not to be found in those early days. Each now has a fine farm, well de- veloped and improved and enjoys prosperity.

Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Maret Vika. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dalılen, named as follows: Minnie, Emma, Elling O., Agnes, Henry C. and Martin. Mrs. Dahlen died January 22, 1900. She was a faithful wife and mother, and an active worker in the church and well known socially. In the development of the farm and the establishment of their beautiful home she devoted all her energies and patiently endured

the hardships of early life in the new country, aid- ing and sympathising in all good work around her, and she is sadly missed by a large circle of relatives and friends. Mr. Dahlen is a member of the Luth- eran church, and is active in public affairs, having served as assessor of his township six years.

MICHAEL L. SULLIVAN, a well-known and prosperous citizen of Langdon, Cavalier county, North Dakota, deserves special mention for the worthy manner in which he has lent his aid and in- fluence to the upbuilding of better conditions, both material and educational, in Cavalier county.

Mr. Sullivan was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, March 13, 1858. When he was about eight years of age his family moved to Webster county, in the same state, and there our subject grew to manhood, and received his education in the public schools, and worked on the farm during the summer seasons. In 1880, being then about twenty-two years of age, he moved to Dakota territory, and took up land in Grand Forks county and engaged in farming. His land afterwards became the town site of the village of Mekinock. In 1883 he went to Ramsey county, and there prosecuted farming until 1887, when he came to Langdon and opened up his present business, that of meat market and live stock. He has been successful, and is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of excellent lands in Cavalier county, though his attention is given chiefly to his meat and live stock business in Langdon.

Mr. Sullivan was married in Ramsey county, North Dakota, to Miss Mary A. Baker, who is a native of Whitewater, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Sulivan are the parents of four children, named as follows: Helen J., Albert J., Frank H. and Lu- cille M. Mr. Sullivan has taken an active interest in local public affairs, and has been instrumental in advancement of the city and its varied interests. He has served three terms as alderman, and has been chairman of the school board for two years. He is one of the directors of the school board for two years. He is one of the directors of the First Na- tional Bank, and since his location in Langdon he has identified himself thoroughly with all public en- terprises that promised practical good for his city and county. He has a host of warm friends, and is respected and esteemed throughout the county. In his political affiliations he has been a life-long Demo- crat.

JULIUS R. ENGBERG is a man of progress- ive, enlightened views, and his standing as an old settler of Foster county and a citizen of prominence is well known. He is one of the substantial and successful agriculturists, and is a man of careful methods, and excellent business capacity, and owns and operates one of the best and most extensive farms of township 147, range 67, in Foster county.

M. L. SULLIVAN.

NILS E. DAHLEN.

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

Our subject was born in Sweden, August 8, 1857, and was a son of N. P. and Anna C. Engberg. His father was a carpenter, and the grandfather of our subject was a ship builder. Our subject's par- ents came to America in 1868, and settled in Red Wing, Minnesota, and from thence moved to Bur- lington, lowa, where the father followed his trade.

Mr. Engberg received a common school educa- tion, and after coming to America attended night school, and at the age of twenty years he began clerking in Burlington, Iowa, and six years later in Chicago, Illinois, for two years. He then re- turned to Burlington, Iowa, and was married, and then came to Foster county, North Dakota, in 1886, and bought section 1, in township 147, range 67. This was raw prairie land, and he built a small house and with horses brought from Iowa began the cultivation of his land. He was successful in the raising of grain, and not until 1891 did he suffer any great loss, when prairie fire destroyed five thou- sand dollars' worth of wheat, four horses, four bind- ers and one hundred acres of oats. He now has a farm of two thousand five hundred acres, and culti- vates two thousand two hundred acres annually. He has a complete set of farming buildings, erected in 1891, including a substantial residence, barn, 60x 60 feet, granary, two machine sheds, and also has all necessary machinery and a threshing machine. He keeps about sixty horses, thirty-five head of cat- tle and thirty-five head of hogs, and has a thorough- ly equipped farm. His land is located adjoining the town of Barlow, and the town is built on one of his farms. Mr. Engberg has also engaged in real estate, and represents the Burlington Land As- sociation. He was among the earliest settlers of the county, and is familiar with the land in that re- gion.

Our subject was married in Iowa, in July, 1884, to Miss Anna Streed, who was born and raised in Burlington, Iowa. Mrs. Engberg's father, C. O. Streed, was a merchant and a prominent citizen of that city. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Engberg, as follows: Sumner W., Mary A., Guy W. and Thadeus. Mary A. was the first girl born near Barlow, North Dakota. Mrs. Engberg died in February, 1893. Mr. Engberg is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He takes an active part in af- fairs of a public nature, and was the nominee of the Democratic party for state commissioner of agri- culture. He stands stanchly for the principles of the Democratic party, and is a man of broad mind and highly esteemed.

TOBIAS R. TOBIASON, the efficient post- master of Hatton, and one of the well known busi- ness men of that thriving town, has resided in Traill county for nearly twenty years, and has a well de- veloped farm in Garfield township on which he makes his home.

Our subject was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, March 16, 1854, and was the second child and

oldest son of five children born to Roland and Mary (Thompson ) Tobiason. His parents were natives of Norway, and our subject's elder sister was born in that land. The father now resides in Steele county, North Dakota.

When fourteen years of age our subject entered the Norwegian Lutheran College and attended De- corah Institute, and then applied himself to teach- ing ten years in Winneshiek county, Iowa, and Grant county, Minnesota. During this time he also handled loans and sold musical instruments, and in 1880 entered the employ of W. J. Holmes, of Fer- gus Falls, traveling for the loan business, and in the fall of 1882 went to Mayville to look after his land interests in that locality, and soon afterward settled on his farm in section 8, of Garfield township. The land adjoins the village of Hatton, and he still re- sides thereon. He established a land office, making proofs and loans, and of late has handled some ma- chinery and has established a profitable business.

Our subject was married, in 1883, to Miss Josephine Anderson, who died in 1893. Four chil- dren were born to this union, as follows: Orlando, Wilhelm, Carl, and Joseph, deceased. Mr. Tobia- son was married to Miss Olivia Bye in 1895. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tobiason, named as follows: Theodore and Benjamin. Mr. Tobiason takes an active interest in county, town- ship and school affairs, and well merits his high standing as a citizen. He is a Republican in politi- cal faith, and has served in county and state af- fairs of his party, and is now a member of the Re- publican county central committee.

SEVALD P. DAHLEN. A striking example of what may be accomplished by persistent industry and strict attention to business is afforded in the life of Mr. Dahlen, one of the well-to-do and well- known citizens of Martin township, Walsh county, who is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. He is a worthy citizen and excellent farmer, and was one of the early settlers of that locality. His home is in section 18, and his farm consists of four hun- dred and eighty acres of land, and bears a full line of improvements. The land is carefully and thor- oughly tilled, made to produce abundantly, and in the quality of the crops raised compares favorably with others of the township. Mr. Dahlen is of foreign birth, but has won an honorable name in North Dakota, and although no very exciting events have transpired in his life a brief biography of his career will prove interesting to the readers of this work.

Our subject was born in Norway, November 13, 1861, and in his native country he received his early training and education and spent his boyhood days. After attaining his majority he decided to cross the Atlantic and search for fortunes in the new world, and in 1884 came to America and settled in Walsh county, North Dakota. He was employed at farm

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labor for others for the first few years, and then from his savings thus earned purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in section 17, of Mar- tin township, and he has engaged in general farmn- ing since. He has added to his possessions from time to time, and his holdings now amount to four hundred and eighty acres, all of which he cultivates and devotes his entire attention to the successful operation of his farm.

CHARLES B. McMILLAN, cashier of the State Bank of Hannalı, and postmaster of Han- nah, Cavalier county, is one of the prominent busi- ness men of that locality. He possesses many ex- cellent traits of character, is endowed with activity, persistence and a. good capacity for well directed labor, and the institution with which he is connected is well managed and is one of the solid financial in- stitutions of Cavalier county.

Our subject was born in the eastern part of On- tario, Canada, December 9, 1872. He went to Man- itoba with his parents when he was about three years of age, and remained there until the spring of 1880, when he again removed with the family and located in North Dakota, settling on a farm near Hamilton, Pembina county. He lived in Hamilton until April, 1891, and then came to Langdon, Cava- lier county, and was engaged by McMillan & Laid- law in the farm machinery business until January, 1893. He served as deputy county treasurer two years, and then was engaged as deputy clerk of court until September, 1897, when the town of Han- nah was started. He soon afterward went to Han- nah and has been engaged in the banking business there since that time. He was appointed postmas- ter of Hannah in February, 1898, and is an efficient and popular officer.

Our subject was married in Langdon, North Da- kota, to Miss Minnie Rose, a native of Ontario. Mr. McMillan is keenly alive to the interests of his com- munity, and does all in his power to push all schemes forward that will in any way enhance its growth or elevate its status.

HON. FINGER T. GRONVOLD. Perhaps no man in Pierce county is better known as a business man and citizen of true worth than the subject of this review. He is a resident of Rugby, where he has extensive mercantile interests and is also en- gaged in farming near the town of Barton. His portrait is a valuable contribution to this history.

Our subject was born on the farm in Sigdal, Norway, April 25, 1868. His father, Thor Gron- vold, was a farmer throughout his life and spent his career in Norway. Our subject was the young- est in a family of eight children and was raised on the farm and had limited school advantages. He began for himself at the age of seventeen years and went to America soon afterward, landing at New York, going from there directly to North

Dakota. He spent one year in Traill county, and in 1887 went to Barton, Pierce county, and took government land on which he began farming. He and his brother drove from Traill county and our subject built a small shanty and lived alone many years. He farmed with oxen four years and his first few crops were failures and he worked for others to get a living. He remained on the farm eight years, during which time he secured an Eng- lish education by attending Grand Forks College three winters, paying his way by his work. The last winter in school he was taken ill with typhoid fever and was sick most of the winter. He was elected county treasurer of Pierce county in the fall of 1894 and re-elected in 1896 and served four years. He was elected to the state legislature in 1898 and is now serving in that capacity and enjoys the con- fidence of his fellows. In January, 1900, Mr. Gron- vold bought an interest in a hardware store with Mr. Henry Ellingson, who established the store in 1899, and our subject and partner have erected a fine store building, with warehouse in the rear and carry a complete line of hardware and farm ma- chinery. Mr. Gronvold retains his farming inter- ests and has a tract of four hundred acres on which he engages in grain raising.

Our subject was married, November 25, 1897. to Alice Egeland, a native of Wisconsin, and daughter of J. M. Egeland, a native of Norway. Mrs. Gron- vold taught school in North Dakota and Minnesota three years. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gronvold, whose birth is dated May 20, 1900. Our subject is a Republican politically and is prominent in party affairs.

HENRY HOLZ, a hard-working and honor- able farmer in township 159 north, range 75 west, was born on a farm in Wisconsin, September 7, 1858. His father, William Holz, was a life long farmer. He was a native of Germany, came to this country about 1850 and settled in Wisconsin. He served his adopted country faithfully as a soldier during the Civil war. His wife was Minnie Hem- shrot. She was born in Germany, and came to Wis- consin before her marriage.

Henry is the oldest son of this honest and re- spectable couple, and had six brothers and one sister. He was brought up on his father's farm, and learned how to work and how to save by actual example and daily experience. When he was about thirteen years old his parents moved to Olmsted county, Min- nesota, and continued farming for a year, then moved to Mower county, Minnesota. When our subject was twenty-three years old the family came to Walsh county, North Dakota, and located on gov- ernment land. Henry selected his own claim, and put up a shanty 12×14 feet. They continued in that county some four years, and then removed to Mercer county and began farming, but poor luck attended them. In 1887 Henry Holz and three brothers came to Bottineau county. They walked

HON. F. T. GRONVOLD.

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from their Mercer county home to Minot, ninety- five miles, and from there to Bottineau county. They located their claims April 27, 1887, and put up a sod shanty, twelve feet square that spring. Others of the family came on the same year, and found lo- cations not far away. Henry Holz continued to live alone until 1895. He has done much threshing throughout the county, and in 1894 lost a separator by fire. In 1896 he lost two the same way, and in 1897 bought another. He now owns an eighteen- horse-power, Buffalo Pitts, and notwithstanding his severe losses has made a decided success of the threshing business. As a farmer he has experi- enced an even greater success. When he was be- ginning in this county he had a cash capital of five dollars. He now owns a farm of four hundred and eighty acres with two hundred and eighty-five un- der cultivation, and four lots in Omeme, North Da- kota. The farm buildings are very good. There is a barn, 18x30, with a machine shed 18x40; a granary 16x24, and a very cozy and comfortable house. He is working into cattle and hogs, and has two acres of fine forest trees. He is a Democrat, and was township assessor for four years, and is now completing the last year of his service in this connection. He is a member of the German Luth- eran church, and takes an active part in its affairs, being one of its trustees. He was married in Feb- ruary, 1895, to Miss Emilie Hinz. She was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1885. Her father, John Hinz, came to this country in 1887 and settled in North Dakota. She has one child, Elvira, born January 25, 1896.

JOHN E. HANAWALT is one of the leading farmers of Walsh county, wherein he is a large land owner. His real estate amounts to some over a section of land, the home being located in section 10 of Harriston township. The farm is well improved in every particular, and furnishes a home of great comfort and even luxury. In the accumulation of this fine property much credit is due Mrs. Hana- walt, who has borne a fair share in the good man- agement from which it has resulted.

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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 180

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