Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 184

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 184

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Mr. Capes has passed through every variety of experience that belongs to pioneering in the north- west, and is full of interesting narrations. In 1893 he bought his first span of horses. He now owns a farm of three quarter-sections, with about three hundred and thirty acres under improvement. It is well provided with buildings, a barn 40x60, a granary 24x36, a comfortable house and all needed machinery. He has eight head of cattle and eleven horses-and everything has come to him by hard work and economy. He is an independent voter, takes a lively interest in local affairs and school mat- ters, and has held numerous town offices. He he- longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and is highly re- spected in every relation of life.

ALBERT H. CHASE is one of the well-to-do farmers of Morton county and has gained his pos- sessions by honest industry and judicious manage- ment. He was born in Lewiston, Maine, April 2, 1858, and makes his home in township 140, range 90, in Morton county. A portrait of Mr. Chase ap- pears in this work.

Our subject's father, E. H. Chase, was a carpen-

ALBERT H. CHASE.

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ter most of his life and the family came to America about 1637 and settled at New Hampton, Massa- chusetts. The father served four years in the Civil war and saw active service and was the only man of his company who escaped wounds during the serv- ice. The grandfather of our subject, Ezekiel Chase, was a lumberman and died early in life. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Ricker, was born and reared in Maine, and the par- ents were married in that state and reared a family of eight children, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth. When he was two years of age the family moved to Boston and lived there eight years and in 1867 removed to Wisconsin and settled in Jackson county. The father followed farming and there our subject grew to manhood and was educated there. He began for himself at the age of twenty-one and worked at the carpenter's trade some time and in the spring of 1883 went to Hebron, North Dakota, and took government land in Morton county and built a claim shanty thereon and his first team was oxen, with which he farmed two years. His first crop was good and then followed numerous experiences with hail and failure of crops and he resided on the farm until 1897, when he took up his residence in Mandan. He has a farm of three hundred and twenty acres and has all necessary buildings and machinery thereon and has made a success of his vocation.

Cur subject was married, in 1887, to Miss Jennie Green, who was born in the state of New York and was a daughter of Harry Green, who ran a stage and freight line near Watertown, New York. Mrs. Chase is of English descent and she was a teacher in New York state six years. Mr. and Mrs. Chase are the parents of four children, named as follows : George, born in 1888; Ethel, born in 1890; Susie, born in 1892, and Mary, born in 1894. Mr. Chase was elected register of deeds in Morton county in 1896 and re-elected in 1898. He is now serving his second term in that capacity and has also se- cured the nomination for the third term. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees and politically he is a Republican and an earnest worker for party principles.

NAPOLEON ROBERGE, who is successfully prosecuting farming on section 20, in township 161, range 70, in Merriville township, is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land. He has passed through pioneer experiences in North Da- kota and has remained to gain a good property and an enviable name as a citizen.

Our subject was born in province of Quebec, Canada, June 27, 1850, and was the second in a family of nine children born to Joseph and Armidase (Laflamme) Roberge. He was reared on a farm and began shoemaking when twelve years of age, and worked in Canada until 1870 when he went to Massachusetts and worked in the wholesale shops,

and had charge of the heeling department several years. The work impaired his health, and he then went to North Dakota, arriving at St. John March 20, 1886. After a short time he took reservation land which he now owns. His brother, Phidoleme, settled near, and soon our subject and family were settled in a 14×15-foot log house. He broke five acres with an ox team and raised some barley and vegetables. The life was so entirely different from his former life in the city that he several times de- cided to return east, but each time was influenced by his wife to remain, and he gained remarkably in health, and is now in the full enjoyment of health and is well to do. He follows general farming and has a good herd of cattle. He improves his build- ings as circumstances permit, but lives strictly within his means.

Mr. Roberge was married, in 1877, to Miss Vir- ginia Plante. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Roberge, who are as follows: Napoleon, re- siding at home; Esdras, Avila; Annie, deceased ; Phileas, deceased ; Rose, deceased ; Phileas, Annie, Virginia ; and Matilda, deceased. Mr. Roberge is a member of the Catholic church, and politically is a Democrat. In 1896 he waselected county com- missioner from the fourth district, and is now serv- ing in that capacity on his second term, having been re-elected. He is deservedly popular and success- ful.

ROBERT W. DAVIDSON, one of the exten- sive ranchmen of North Dakota, conducts this line of agriculture on a pleasant estate in Ward county, his home being located about ten miles southeast of Minot.

Our subject was born in Thompsonville, Con- necticut, in 1841. His father, William Davidson, was a manufacturer of silks and woolen goods, and was born in Scotland and came to America at the age of eighteen years. The ancestors have been soldiers in the British army for generations, and the grandfather of our subject, William Davidson, was a soldier in the British army sixteen years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Stevens, and was of Scotch descent.

Our subject was the fourth in a family of six children, and when he was eight years of age re- moved with his parents to Iowa, where he resided four years and then, in 1853, went to Winona coun- ty, Minnesota. There the father followed farming five miles from St. Charles, and our subject grew to manhood there and attended the schools of that ds- trict. He began for himself at the age of nineteen years, and in 1862 enlisted in Company D, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, under Colonel Marshal. They were sent to quell the Indian disturbance in Minnesota, and in 1863 were ordered to the south, and became a rart of the Sixteenth Army Corps. He was in the campaigns along the Mississippi, in Ten- nessee and Alabama, and was in several engagements

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and skirmishes. He was discharged September S, 1865, and returned to his home in Minnesota, and began farming there. In 1877 he went to Steele county, Minnesota, and after four years there went to Pipestone county, Minnesota. He took govern- mient land and began farming thereon, and in 1883 went to the Mouse river district in North Dakota. He began stock raising and farming, and locating on his present ranch about ten miles southeast of Mi- not. He built a log house and engaged in sheep and cattle raising, and from time to time added to the farm, and now owns and conducts a ranch of about one thousand acres, on which he follows cattle and horse raising. He has a good home with pleasant surroundings, and has made a remarkable start in North Dakota.

Our subject was married, in 1870, to Miss Helen Jones, a native of New York. Mrs. Davidson's fa- ther, Charlie Jones, was a miller, and is now en- gaged in farming in North Dakota. One son and three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, who are named as follows: Ernest, Florence, Lillian and Edna. Our subject has al- ways taken an active part in local public affairs, and has served as county commissioner and county sur- veyor. He is a Republican politically, and is a member of the state central committee, and is serv- ing his third term as such.

HON. CHARLES H. BALDWIN, who has a pleasant home on section 2, Chester township, is known throughout Grand Forks county and well sustains a reputation as an honorable and capable man, acquired by years of thrift, industry and un- broken intelligence. He was born on a farm in Putnam county, New York, October 25, 1857, and grew to manhood under the stimulus of the best country life of the world. He spent his boyhood and early manhood on the farm and was well pre- pared for the responsibilities of life. When he was twenty-two years old he determined to leave the East and seek his fortunes in the newer West. Accordingly he came to North Dakota in the early summer of 1882 and almost immediately settled on the farm where he is now living. Here has been his continuous home since that summer, with the exception of about a year, which he spent in Min- nesota. He was a hard worker, a careful manager and he soon became quite fore-handed. For several years he was engaged in hanking at Emerado, and was president of the State Bank in that village. Farming, however, has been his chief business since his advent in the county. He owns a half-section where he lives and on it has put up good buildings and maintains a model farm. He owns several hun- dred acres of land elsewhere and is one of the lead- ing farmers of the state. Recognizing his ability and his public spirit, the voters of the county elected him to the general assembly in 1888 on the Re- publican ticket. He was an upright and capahle legislator. He has held several local offices, but is

in no sense an officeseeker, and much prefers to devote himself to his own business interests.

Mr. Baldwin and Miss Julia M. Morey were married in Grand Forks county, November 1, 1887. She was born in Ohio, and is a lady of more than ordinary attractions. They are associated with the Presbyterian church and occupy a leading place in the community. A portrait of the subject of this article appears elsewhere in this work.

H. J. McDONALD, one of the influential and well-to-do farmers and stockraisers of Pierce coun- ty, though recently retired from the active prosecu- tion of agriculture, resides upon his valuable estate in township 156, range 73, southeast of Rugby.

Mr. McDonald was born on a farm in the state of New York, January 23, 1857. His father, Don- ald McDonald, was a farmer, and a native of Scot- land, who came to America in 1854. The mother, whose maiden name was Louisa Booksbarker, was a native of Germany, and came to America in April, 1853. Her marriage to Donald McDonald occur- red at Toronto, Canada.

H. J. McDonald was the second child of a fam- ily of six children, and was reared on a farm in New York. At the age of ten years he acompanied his parents to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He received his education in the public schools, and worked for himself most of the time after he was twelve years of age, doing farm work in Indiana and Illinois. In 1887 he came to North Dakota, locating first in Steele county. There he farmed on rented land for eight years. baching it most of the time. In 1894 he came to Pierce coun- ty, and located government land a few miles south- east of Rugby. He and John Rattle, mention of whom will be found on another page of this volume, erected a shanty. 14x20 feet. on the line of their claims. This building Mr. McDonald now uses as a part of his granary. T11 1895 his lands vielded him about one thousand bushels of flax and two thousand bushels of wheat, the wheat vield being thirty bushels per acre. He went into stock raising to some extent also, devoting much attention to sheen the first few years. His only bad luck was in 1899, when he lost about half his crop by hail. He owns four hundred acres, practically all under cultivation. and about one hundred and sixty acres fenced. He has a fine residence, barn and out- buildings, and a complete outfit of farm machinery. His home is surrounded and protected by a grove of trees five acres in extent. In 1900, owing to ill- health, he sold his horses and rented his lands.

Mr. McDonald was married, June 30, 1896, to Miss M. E. C. Morden. Mrs. McDonald was born in Canada, and was a school teacher for some years. Her father, an old settler of Dakota, is now a resident of Oregon. She came to Dakota with her parents, W. S. and Elizabeth Morden, in the fall of 1882, being then a child of eleven years. Mr. and

HON. CHARLES H. BALDWIN,

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Mrs. McDonald are the parents of two children, namely : John W., born June 12, 1897, and Grace E., born April 4, 1899. They have a pleasant home, fitted with the comforts and conveniences of modern country life. Mr. McDonald is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is independent and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has held local offices, and has the con- fidence and esteem of all who know him.

HON. HENRY McLEAN, residing on section 35, Cypress township, Cavalier county, has been for many years an influential citizen and public-spirited member of the community in which he has resided since coming to North Dakota. He has served his county and state in many important capacities, and has always discharged his duties with a fidelity and conscientiousness that have won him the esteem of all good citizens regardless of political faith.

Mr. McLean was born in Scotland December 5, 1847. When he was about three years of age he accompanied his parents to America, and they set- tled on a farm in Huron county, Canada, where our subject grew to manhood. He received his edu- cation in the common schools, and supplemented it by reading and observation. In 1882 he emigrated to Dakota and took up lands under the pre-emption laws, locating first in Harvey township, Cavalier county, but later removed to Cypress township, and located on section 35, where he still resides. He is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valu- able lands, which he has improved by the addition of convenient buildings and other appurtenances to a well conducted farm.

Mr. McLean was married in Huron county, On- tario, to Miss Margaret Work. Mrs. McLean was born and raised in Huron county. They are the parents of eight children, namely: Elizabeth, An- nie, Agnes, Sarah, Norman, Alexander, Margaret and Robert.

Since coming to Cavalier county Mr. McLean has taken an active interest in affairs of a public nature and has been honored by election to a num- ber of important positions. He was the first clerk of Harvey township, was assessor of Cypress town- ship, was a justice of the peace and school director. He served two terms as a member of the board of county commissioners, and was its presiding offi- cer. In 1898 he was elected to the legislature on the Republican ticket and is now a member of the house. His affability, together with his faithful- ness to duty and strict integrity, have won him a host of friends.

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, of Larimore, is one of the oldest religious organizations of the city. The earliest meetings and the pioneer organization under Father Cahill date back to 1882. Father Flanagan was placed in charge of the work in 1884,

and immediately erected a building for the use of a parish consisting of some twenty-five families. His field covered a radius of about forty miles, and in it he proved himself an indefatigable worker. Father Connolly assumed pastoral charge in 1887 and re- mained two years. From 1889 there was a period in which several rectors succeeded each other to the manifest disadvantage of the new movement.

Father James F. Simpson was sent to the strug- gling parish, and under his wise administration :: soon took on a hopeful aspect. He is still in charge and every year since his coming has been marked by distinct improvement. He has over fifty fam- ilies under his spiritual supervision, and they they are earnestly and enthusiastically aiding and helping the church onward. He is still a young man, and was born in Brooklyn, New York, Jan- uary 27, 1864. He was the third in a family of seven children in the family of Thomas and Roseanna (Gorman) Simpson, both natives of Ireland. From his early boyhood our subject was deeply interested in religions matters, and in 1879 he entered St. Charles' College at Ellicott City, Maryland, and later became a student at Niagara University, New York, graduating with the class of 1885. He took the theological course at St. Bonaventura Seminary, New York, and was ordained to the priesthood January 25, 1889. He was appointed an assistant rector at St. Patrick's Cathedral, at Harrisburg. In 1891 he removed to Centralia, Pennsylvania. He did not remain there long, but in 1894 came to Larimore to the very great advantage of the church in this city. Under his care at the present time are two distinctively mission movements, both of which are prosperous. One is St. Mark's church at Conway, and the other is St. Veronica's at Park River. At Conway he has thirty families and at Park River fifteen ; both congregations are flourishing and out of debt.

THOMAS T. ANDERSON. In whatever vo- cation engaged the persistent man is the successful man. The subject of this review went to North Da- kota in the early days of the settlement of Ramsey county, and by the exercise of judicious care and earnest efforts has become one of the well-to-do and respected citizens of Lake township. He has erect- ed a comfortable residence in section 16, and de- votes himself entirely to the prosecution of his farm work. Beginning on the farm, as he did, without much knowledge of how to conduct it, he soon found out that thinking alone would not open it up. The ability to labor was needed, and he had that, for he had been trained to work from childhood up. Mis- takes were made which could have been avoided had . not experience, which is so much needed by all new beginners, been lacking. Our subject says: "We like to say a word to the young folks that go out for themselves, and especially to the frontier of a new country to take up any occupation, be careful not to

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contract any more debts than they can possibly help, because in a new country where interest on notes on borrowed money is high they will find out that by the time they have paid their debts they have paid nearly as much in interest, if not more. And I think this is the main cause why it takes so long a time for people to become independent in a new country.'

Our subject is a native of Norway, and was born November 14, 1858. He resided in his native land until 1870, when he came with his father to the United States, the mother having died in Norway. Mr. Anderson lived one year in Fillmore coun- ty, Minnesota, and then removed to Wisconsin, and resided there until 1885. In April of that year he went to North Dakota, and at once settled on land in Lake township, of Ramsey county, where he has continued his residence since and has acquired a good property. On his home farm good build- ings and other valuable improvements have been placed, and modern machinery and methods of con- ducting the farm are used. Mr. Anderson owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, and is one of the solid men of Lake township.

Our subject was married in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, to Miss Thurine Thompson, who was a native of that county. Four children have been born to bless this union, who are named as follows: Carl T., Ella T., Hannah E. and Thomas E. Mr. An- derson takes a most hearty interest in public matters of importance, and is a member of the township board of supervisors of Lake township, in which office he has served for some years. He is now township clerk and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he has to do. He and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Anderson is a gentleman of foreign birth, but it may be said to his credit that he has become thoroughly identi- fied with American progress and is devoted to the interests and welfare of his adopted land.

JOHN P. HICKS is one of the oldest prairie farmers in Neche township, Pembina county, and is numbered among the most successful. He was born in Devonshire, England, Januarv 14, 1836, and was one of a family of ten children, two of whom were older than himself.

The parents of our subject, William and Grace (Palmer) Hicks, were natives of England and are both deceased. The father was a tenant farmer in England, and the early days of our subject's life were passed on a farm in that country, and in 1857 the family emigrated to America in hopes of better- ing their financial condition. Chicago was their destination, and they soon went to Blackhawk coun- ty, Iowa, where their eldest daughter and her hus- band resided. The father invested in land, and our subject worked with him about three years, and in 1860 went to Colorado, but found mining unprofit- able after six months spent there, and then returned

to his native country, and in 1862 again set sail for America with his bride. He went at once to Chi- cago, and there secured employment as driver on a street car, and in 1864 settled on a farm in Iowa, and in the spring of 1877 went to Emerson, Mani- toba, to view the Red river valley. Frost had de- stroyed the crops, and he decided the country was too far north to suit agricultural pursuits, and re- turned to Iowa, but found the same condition ex- isting there, and in the fall of that year went with his family to a farm near Emerson, Manitoba. He sold his interests there in 1879, and went to his present location, where his efforts have met with marked success. In the early days he invested in stock to some extent, and found it profitable as long as there was "range" for the cattle. He now en- gages in general farming and also threshing. He introduced one of the first horse-power threshing outfits on the prairie, and every season has operated the machine, and now has an Altman & Taylor steam engine and an Advance separator.

Our subject was married in England, in 1861. to Miss Maria Hicks, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hicks. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hicks, named in order of birth as follows: William T., now married and farming in Neche township; Elizabeth A., now Mrs. Harry Vosper ; Tula M., deceased; Fredrick I., deceased ; George H., engaged in farming with our subject ; Iola C., deceased ; and Grace, at home Mr. Hicks is a member of the Episcopal church and also the Knights of Pythias. He served as chairman of the township board twelve years, and in 1897 was elected county commissioner, and in local matters is heartily interested. He is identified with the Re- publican party politically, and is strong in his con- victions.

HON. THOMAS H. OKSENDAHL. There is no more enterprising business man in Pierce county, than the subject of this review, who con- ducts the hardware business in Rugby and is one of the well known and prosperous old settlers of that locality. He was born on.a farm in Voss, Nor- way, November 17, 1862, and was the fourth in a family of nine children. Mr. Oksendahl was reared on a farm and received a limited education during his boyhood, but later spent two years in the high schools of his native land. He finished his studies at the age of twenty-one and then came to America with his brother and settled in Grant county, Min- nesota. He worked at farm labor there and in 1884 came to Traill county, North Dakota, and worked on a farm and also taught school two winters. He entered Pierce county in the spring of 1886, driv- ing overland from Hillsboro, and traveled with four oxen and a wagon. He camped out during the summer and then took a claim in township 156, range 73, and resided on section 4. He built a shanty and lived alone there several years and farmed with oxen seven years. In 1895 he had a farm of three hun-

HON. THOS. H. OKSENDAHL

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dred and twenty acres and engaged in grain raising mostly. He then spent six weeks looking over Al- berta and Northwest Territory in Canada and then returned to Rugby and purchased the hardware store of E. O. Runningen and established himself in that business. He had a small stock, but the business has been successful and a new building now holds a stock valued at five to six thousand dollars, and is 31x75 feet in dimensions, the largest hardware store in the county.

Our subject was married, in 1897, to Miss Julia Hiller. Mrs. Oksendahl was born in Norway and canie to America about 1883. She is a daughter of John Hiller. Mr. and Mrs. Oksendahl are the parents of two children, who are as follows : Engwall, born in August, 1898, and Ruby, born in March, 1900. Mr. Oksendahil was clerk of the state senate in 1891 and clerk of the house in 1899. He was deputy register of deeds three years and in 1893 was elected to the state general assembly, serving as representative one term. He assisted in the organization of Pierce county and is prominent in local affairs and is deservedly popular. His por- trait will be scanned with interest by all who read this article.

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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 184

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