Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 186

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

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Mr. Broughton was married, in 1880, in Wis- consin, before coming to North Dakota. He has surrounded his home with all the conveniences and many of the luxuries of modern life. In politics he is a Republican, and has attended numerous county conventions. He is at present school treasurer. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is held in high esteem in his community.

HON. PATRICK H. ROURKE, United States district attorney and leading lawyer of Lisbon, is one of the best-known men in Ransom county and throughout the state of North Dakota.

Mr. Rourke was born in Norristown, Pennsyl- vania, October 28, 1854. His parents were Willian and Mary ( Maxwell) Rourke, the former a native of Ireland, and now deceased, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and now living in Lincoln, Illinois. In 1856 the family moved to Illi- nois, and there Mr. Rourke grew to manhood. As he was among the older children in a family of thir- teen, his assistance was needed by the family, and for this reason his education in boyhood was not as thorough as it should have been, as he had to pick up his learning at odd times when opportunity of- fered. He finally succeeded in completing the com- mon branches, however, and then took a one-year course at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then worked for a time at farm work and then for the Chicago & Al- ton Railroad. It was not until he had reached his twenty-fifth year that he was able to gratify his de- sire to take up the study of the law. In that year he entered the law office of R. N. Stevens at Peters- burg, and in 1882 was admitted to the bar in Chi-

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cago. He at once formed a partnership with R. N. Stevens, and in May of the same year located at Lisbon, North Dakota, where for four years, under the firm name of Stevens & Rourke, he did an ex- tensive law and collection business.

In 1883 Mr. Rourke was elected city attorney, and the following year became state's attorney. In 1891 he was appointed by the governor to be one of a committee of three to compile the laws of the state of North Dakota, and was thus occupied three years. He was elected to the state senate in 1894, and was made a member of the joint committee on revision of the state laws, and thus became one of the best informed men upon local law in the state. In 1896 Mr. Rourke was elected mayor of the city of Lisbon, and during his administration many important pub- lic improvements were made, including the system of water works. He served in this capacity two terms.

Mr. Rourke was married, in 1883, to Miss Mary Hartin, who died, without issue, in 1890. He was married, in 1892, to Miss Rose Gardner, and to this union two children have been born, namely, Curran and Grattan. Mr. Rourke is a Republican in political faith, and enjoys to a high degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. It is worthy of mention that since thirty days before he was of legal age he has continuously held office of some kind, evidencing his public spirit and his natu- ral ability as a leader among men. Mr. Rourke has one of the finest, best selected and most extensive law libraries in the state, consisting of about thirteen hundred volumes. He is a great student, a skillful practitioner and a powerful advocate. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

PHILIP A. MANSEAU, the genial proprietor of the Cottonwood Grove farm, located on section 25, Grand Harbor township, is one of the most widely known men in the county. He has done much to advance the prosperity of Ramsey county by his example of fine stock raising and there is no man in North Dakota who is a better judge of fine stock or a more thorough stock man. His portrait forms an essential part of this book.

Mr. Manseau was born in Nicolet, province of Quebec, Canada, January 1, 1861. He was reared and educated there and resided there until 1883. In the spring of that year he came to Ramsey coun- ty and took up a tree claim and pre-emption claim (three hundred and twenty acres). He has made this his home and has witnessed the rapid develop- ment of his adopted county, and has been a part of its growth and history. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres and has made many valuable improvements on his property. By far the most important department of his business is that of fine stock breeding. His Percheron horses are the pride of the community and he has made a marked success in the line of cattle raising, his choice being the Short Horn variety. He also

raises Berkshire hogs and Plymouth Rock chickens and all his choice varieties are the purest blood.

Mr. Manseau was married, in Quebec, to Miss Marie A. Courtchesne, who was born January 18, 1865, in La Baie, in the province of Quebec, where she was reared to womanhood. To this congenial union five children have been born, namely : Marie Gabrielle A., Marie Sylvia, Marie Camille, Marie Beatrice and F. P. Horace E. Their home is one of refinement, where the visitor always meets with a cordial welcome. Mr. Manseau has taken an active interest in public matters and has been en- trusted with some of the more important local offices. He has become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted county and is a valued member of the community where he makes his home.

HON. CHARLES W. BUTTZ, owner of a vast landed estate in Lisbon county, is one of the most noted men in the state of North Dakota, and in the West. He is one of the veterans of the Civil war, and was an active participant in the reconstruc- tion of the south after that memorable struggle.

Major Buttz was born in Stroudsburg, Monroe county, Pennsylvania, in 1838. His parents were John and Rebekah (Horn) Buttz, and his grand- father was Michael R. Buttz, who served for many years in the state legislature of Pennsylvania. The family is of German extraction. When our subject was two years old the family removed to what is now known as Buttzville, Warren county, New Jer- sey, and he received his education at Belvidere Academy, and then took up the study of law. When the Civil war broke out he was the second man to enlist in Warren county, the date being April 18, 1861, for three months' service. When this term had expired he assisted in raising a regiment of cavalry known as the Eleventh Pennsylvania, and was com- missioned second lieutenant and later as first lieu- tenant. He saw much detached service, and on the field won enviable laurels for his bravery. He was breveted captain "for meritorious conduct in captur- ing from the enemy a full rocket battery," and was breveted major "for gallant and meritorious service before Suffolk," both documents bearing date of March 13, 1865.

In 1863 Major Buttz resigned from the army and opened a law office in Norfolk, Virginia. Here hie incurred the displeasure of General Butler for championing the cause of a lady whose property had been destroyed by an officer in the general's de- partment, and was ordered by General Butler to quit his military district at once. Major Buttz went to Washington and there called upon President Lincoln, gave him a brief statement of the facts in writing, and the president immediately wrote upon the envelope enclosing the papers, requesting Gen- eral Butler to hear the young man's statement, and intimating 'that he thought there was room enough in his district for both General Butler and Major

PHILIP A. MANSEAU.

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Buttz. This was sufficient, and Major Buttz re- mained in Virginia, and was an active supporter of the government during the troublous times of re- construction. He was sent to the national conven- tion in 1864, and assisted in organizing the Repub- lican party in Virginia. In 1870 he removed to Charleston, South Carolina, and four years later was nominated for congress on the Republican ticket for the second congressional district of South Carolina. E. W. Mackey, his opponent, received the election certificate, but upon a contest was thrown out of office, and Major Buttz was appointed to fill the vacancy, and the following election was elected by a majority of nine thousand.

A stroke of paralysis in 1878 caused Major Buttz to retire from active life, and upon the advice of his physicians he started for Colorado, going via Fargo, North Dakota. On reaching that city he was pur- suaded to remain in Dakota, and began the practice of law. His health improved, and in 1881 he and his brother, Jolin, located upon land in Ransom coun- ty, and Major Buttz contracted for the town site of Lisbon. He practiced law at Lisbon, living on the farm he now owns. He assisted in the organiza- tion and procured the location of the county seat. At the first general election he was elected state's at- torney.

Major Buttz is now living the quiet life of a farmer, and is the owner of sixteen hundred acres, located near the city of Buttzville. It is a model farm of the modern type, and everything is con- ducted upon the grandest scale. Abundance of modern machinery, buildings and conveniences of every kind, with stock of the best grades, he takes great pride in the superintendence of his farm op- erations, and has made a success of this line of busi- ness. In July, 1899, he lost his immense barn by fire, its value with contents being estimated at ten thousand dollars. It was one of the finest struct- ures of the kind in the state, being 34x140 feet, and three stories in height, and handsomely trimmed.

Major Buttz was married, in 1864, to Miss Pickett, who died three years later, in 1867, with- out children. Major Buttz is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He has visited three of the great gatherings of the century, viz: Paris in 1868, Philadelphia in 1876, and the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. For the past twelve years Major Buttz has spent his winters in. Washing- ton, D. C.

EVEN I. EVANSON (sometimes spelled "Avenson") is one of the most prominent and suc- cessful farmers of Traill county, and his home is on section 6, South Roseville township, on the south fork of the south branch of Goose river.

Mr. Evanson was born in Norway, June 3, 1846, and was the eldest child of ten children born to John and Johanna (Lea) Evanson. The father now makes his home with our subject, while seven of the brothers and sisters are located near him in

Traill, Steele and Grand Forks counties. Mr. Evan- son was reared on a farm in his native land, and in 1869 came to America, accompanied by an uncle about his own age. They worked in Iowa county, Wisconsin, and together purchased. In 1877 Mr. Evanson came to Dakota, having about two hun- dred dollars. In 1878 he took up government land and erected a log house 16x24 feet, and which, with additions, is his present residence. He boarded with a family in the neighborhood and worked upon his land, making valuable improve- ments and putting it under cultivation. He soon sent for his parents, and also assisted his brothers and sisters in getting to America. He has made a success of farming, and has an abundance of fine stock, including shorthorn Durham cattle and En- glishshire and Hambletonian horses.

Mr. Evanson was married, in 1880, to Miss Anna C. Jordet, and to this union seven children have been born, as follows: Clara, Carl C. (de- ceased), Carl J., Melvin J., Ella C., Olga G. and Jacob A. They have also taken into their family a child named Raghild Olson, which receives the same care as their own children. Mr. Evanson is a Republican and is a member of the Lutheran church. In 1898 he was elected county commis- tioner from the Fifth district, and in 1879-80 he served as assessor. He assisted in the organization of the township and has always taken a deep in- terest in educational matters. He took the lead in the matter of establishing public schools, and later in founding the academy at Portland. He is a model citizen and held in high esteem throughout the country.

GOTTFRIED SCHLECHTER, one of the sub- stantial and enterprising business men of Wells county, has an extensive business in general mer- chandise, which he established at Fessenden among the first enterprises of that city.

Mr. Schlechter was born in southern Russia, March 23, 1861. His father, Johannas Schlecter, was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, but emi- grated to South Russia with his family, whence they came to America in 1878. The father and mother and seven children came west and located in Hutchinson county, South Dakota, near Scot- land. Our subject had attended school in Russia and studied the German and Russian languages, and picked up some English. At the age of twenty- one he traveled a year through Iowa, Illinois, Mis- souri and Arkansas. He made a trip down the Mississippi river on a boat as a boat hand, as far as St. Louis, and in these experiences got an insight into American customs and ideas. In South Da- kota Mr. Schlechter owned an eighty-acre farm, and rented one hundred and sixty acres of his father, which he farmed one year. On April 6, 1887. he came to North Dakota and located on government land in Wells county. There he farmed for five years with oxen. He farmed for

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seven years and then for the next seven years rented his farm out. He sold his South Dakota land to his father, and finally sold his North Da- kota farm for four thousand dollars in 1897. In 1893 he opened a general merchandise store in Fessenden, the date of the opening being August 4. It was one of the first business houses in the vil- lage. His brother, Frederick, Jr., is a partner in the business, and two other brothers are employed in the store. The building they first occupied was 26x28 feet, but they have been compelled to add to it from time to time to keep pace with their in- creasing trade, till they now have a building 26x80 feet, with a 20-foot addition for a storage room. Mr. Schlechter has also opened a fruit store in Fessenden, in charge of Christ Roch. He has been very successful in business, and has the largest store in the city. His residence was erected at a cost of two thousand two hundred dollars. Mr. Schlechter was married, when he was twenty-four years of age, to Miss Katie Schoessler. Mrs. Schlechter was born in Germany, and came to Amer- ica when she was twenty-one years of age. Her father, Henrich Schloesser, was a farmer by occu- pation. To Mr. and Mrs. Schlechter seven chil- dren have been born, named as follows: Amelia K., Magdalene, Willie, Henry, Frederick, Edward (deceased), and Arthur. In political sentiment Mr. Schlechter is a Republican, and has been active in matters of a public nature since coming to North Dakota. He was postmaster at Wells Postoffice four years, and school treasurer six years. He is a member of the German Congregational church at Fessenden, and a member of the Maccabees.

ROBERT E. LEE GRUBBS, one of the lead- ing farmers of Ransom county, whose elegant home is in township 133, range 57, is a native of Boone county, Kentucky, and was born March 6, 1863.

Mr. Grubbs was the fourth child born to Wil- liam B. and Lizzie (Coleman) Grubbs, both now deceased. The family is of German descent, the father being a native of Virginia and a graduate of the Ohio Medical College. He practiced medicine for many years. The grandfather of our subject was also a graduate of the same institution and president of the alumni association. Our subject's mother was of Irish extraction, and was born on a Kentucky plantation.

When Mr. Grubbs was eight years of age his father removed his family to Greenwood, Indiana, and there practiced his profession about eight years, returning again to Kentucky. Mr. Grubbs re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, and then, in 1884, came to Dakota, and settled on land purchased from the railroad company. There he lived with a brother the first vear, and then erected a shanty 8x10 feet, in which he lived alone for three years, enduring many hard- ships. The old shanty is still standing as a por- tion of his present residence. In 1887 the father

of our subject came to North Dakota and purchased three sections of land, the same being subsequently purchased from him by his son, our present subject, who is now the owner of three sections of excellent lands, and annually cultivates about eight hundred acres. His farm is thoroughly equipped with mod- ern machinery and improvements, and complete sets of farm buildings, including a horse-power eleva- tor, feed-mill, with grain-cleaning attachment.

Mr. Grubbs was married, in 1890, to Miss Nellie E. Hark, native of New York, born April 9, 1865. They have no children. His home is one of refinement, and is surrouned by all the conven- iences and many of the luxuries of life, such as are found in the best homes of the older states. Mr. Grubbs is a Democrat, and has taken an active part in political affairs of the county. In 1896 he was a popular candidate for state representative on the fusion ticket. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and of the Modern Woodmen of America.

ANDREW J. LAVIK, the genial and efficient auditor of Pierce county, has been a prominent and leading citizen since the early settlement of this por- tion of North Dakota. While he has lived most of the time in the city of Rugby, he has also exten- sive farm interests and is one of the leading agri- culturists of the county. The reader of this article · will find his interest strengthened by consulting the portrait of Mr. Lavik on another page.

Mr. Lavik was born in Eksingdalen, Norway, November 26, 1860. His father, Johannes J. Lavik, has been a farmer there all his life. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Maglie Nommedalen. Andrew J. Lavik was reared on the farm and attended country school. He then started to learn the shoemaker's trade and spent three years as an apprentice, beginning at the age of eighteen years. He then attended high school one year and then, in 1883, came to America, landing in New York, and proceeding to Grant county, Minnesota, where he arrived in the spring of the latter year. He spent two and a half years working on the farm and taught Norwegian school about four months. In 1886 he came to Hillsboro, Traill county, North Dakota, and worked at the machine business and on the farm. In 1887 he went to Montana and worked at railroad grading on the Great Northern Railroad. He had in the meantime, in 1886, taken a homestead claim in Pierce county, three miles southwest of Rugby, and in July, 1887, he returned to Rugby and hired out on a farm. He then clerked in a store in Rugby and it was not until 1889 and 1800 that he got out on his own farm. He has made many and valuable improvements on his land and now owns four hundred and eighty acres, with a complete set of farm buildings and all conveniences for the prosecution of agriculture. He cultivates one hun- dred and sixty acres, the rest being devoted to pasture and hay.

Mr. Lavik was married, in 1888, to Miss Mary

ANDREW J. LAVIK.

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has been active in public affairs since his coming to the county. He was elected register of deeds of Pierce county in 1890, being the second incumbent of that office and was re-elected in 1892, serving two terms. He spent the following two years in railroading and in 1896 was elected county auditor, and was re-elected to that office in 1898.

Mr. Lavik was married, in 1888, to Miss Mary Nelson. Mrs. Lavik was born in Norway and came to America in 1877. To this union four children have been born, namely : Jesse, Marvin, Adolph and Maglie A., all having been born in the city of Rugby. Mr. Lavik is an influential member of his party and has attended many state and county conventions. He assisted in the organization of Pierce county, and has been prominent in its councils since that time.

JAMES SWEENEY, one of the most prosper- ous and enterprising farmers of Foster county, has his pleasant home in township 147, range 67, where he has accumulated a valuable property.

Mr. Sweeney was born in the town of Sligo, Ireland, in 1831. He is the youngest of a family of six children, born to John and Mary (MeDermot ) Sweeney, both natives of Ireland. The father was a cooper by trade, and followed that occupation all his life. Our subject was reared on a farm and attended the public schools until he was seventeen years old, when he accompanied his parents to America. He started out to work for himself in New York state, doing farm work. At the age of twenty-three years he enlisted in the regular army, Company C, Fifth United States Infantry, and served five years. During that time he did duty in Florida, Texas, Kansas, Utah, Idaho and Nevada, and was in numerous skirmishes and fights with the Indians. He received his discharge at Camp Floyd, Utah, and then engaged in gold mining in Nevada. After one year in that state he went to Colorado and spent two years mining. In 1862 he mined on Salmon river, Idaho, and then went to Bannock, Montana, where he mined gold one year. In 1863 he went to Virginia City, and was first to discover gold in Alder gulch, Montana. He cleaned up $25,000 in that place, and mined in Montana until 1867. He then went to British Columbia and engaged in gold mining, but shortly afterward re- turned to Utah and engaged in mining of lead and silver. About 1873 he went to the Black Hills and mined gold for one year, making a little "stake.' After mining for some time at different places in Montana, with varied success, he finally purchased teams and began freighting between Cheyenne and Deadwood. He spent two years freighting between these points, and then freighted for one year between Colorado Springs and Leadville. He then moved his teams to Bannock, Montana, and freighted there about a year, and then to Miles City for a few monthis.

From Miles City Mr. Sweeney came to North 54

Dakota, in 1883 and filed claim to land in the northi- west quarter of section 30, township 147, range 67, in Foster county. He put up a shanty and sod barn and began to improve his land. He owned five horses and an old wagon, and for the first two years he lived alone on his claim. He is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of excel- lent land, five hundred and ninety of which are under cultivation. He has fruit trees, a complete set of farm buildings, with good machinery and plenty of stock, and is said to have one of the best equipped farms in Foster county.

Mr. Sweeney was married, in 1871, to Miss Winnifred Agan, who died in 1881. Mrs. Swee- ney was a native of Ireland, though reared in America. Her father was a farmer. Before hier marriage Mrs. Sweeney was with her brothers on the frontier, one of whom was an officer in the United States army, and the other a teamster for the government. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney became the parents of six children, only two of whom are now living.

Mr. Sweeney is a Democrat in political belief, and takes a commendable interest in all public mat- ters. He has held the office of treasurer of his township. He is one of the earliest settlers of Fos- ter county, and is essentially a frontiersman of the old type.

M. F. KEPNER, the popular and genial post- master of New Rockford, Eddy county, North Da- kota, is one of the best-known men in central North Dakota, and his course in life has well de- served the high esteem in which he is held.

Mr. Kepner was born on a farm in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1861. He was the third child born to Davis and Martha (Winterstein) Kepner, and is of German descent, the Kepners having come to America in colonial days. Our subject has eight stepbrothers and sis- ters, born of a subsequent marriage of the father.

M. F. Kepner was reared to early boyhood on the farm, and attended the public schools, and then went to Hillsdale College (Michigan), and at the age of fourteen years left home and worked on the farını for wages. At the age of sixteen years he went to Illinois, where he worked and attended col- lege. In 1886 he came to New Rockford, North Dakota, and worked on the farm for two and a half years for others, taking up land, however, the first year of his arrival in the county. In 1888 he began a collection business, and also a real estate business, which soon developed extensively. He sold out this business in 1896. In 1898 he was appointed postmaster at New Rockford, which position he how holds. He has also carried on farming con- tinuously, and is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land.

Mr. Kepner was married, in 1891, to Miss E. N. Hoffman, a native of New York. They have a family of four children, namely, Ilazel May, Helen

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Amelia, Gordon L., Hortense L., all born in North Dakota. In politics Mr. Kepner is a Republican, and has taken a very active part in public matters. He has been chairman of the district legislative committee, was chairman of the county central com- mittee from 1896 to 1898, and has attended most of the county and state conventions held in the state for several years past. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Knights of Pythias, and has held various offices in both lodges.

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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 186

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