Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 187

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

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AUGUST F. SCHWARZ, a prominent farmer and one of the oldest settlers in Cass county, North Dakota, resides on the old family homestead farm in Addison township.

August F. Schwarz was born in Germany, Oc- tober 26, 1866. His parents, August and Mary (Schulze) Schwarz, both natives of Germany, came to America in 1869. The father was a shoe- maker and farmer by occupation. They first set- tled in Winona, Minnesota, and from there went to Turner county, South Dakota, where they fol- lowed farming until 1879. That year they came to. North Dakota and took a homestead in Cass county, on section 10, Addison township. Here the father died in 1892, aged sixty-seven years. At the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred and ten aeres of valuable land, which he had succeeded in improving and rendering a valu- able and desirable property. He had three sons and three daughters, all of whom reside in North Dakota. He was a man respected and loved by all. He was a member of the Evangelical Association, and in politics was a Republican. He was very popular and was chosen to fill various local offices. The wife and mother is still living on the home farm. The names of the children are as follows: Berthold M., Minnie, Lizzie, Annie, Charles, and August F., the subject of this sketch.

August F. Schwarz and one sister and their mother now live at the homestead, and our subject conducts the farm. He is now one of the earliest living settlers of the county. He is a popular young man, a thorough worker, and has good busi- ness ability. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

JOHN M. SMITH is a progressive and active member of the agricultural profession and the pro- prietor of a productive farm on section 23, Mekinock township, Grand Forks county. He holds a promi- nent place in his calling and well deserves honorable mention in a book like this. Ile was born in Will county, Illinois, May 1, 1846, and spent the first" ten years of his life on the farm where he was cradled. Then his parents took him to Kankakee county, where he grew to manhood. Ile began his career as a farmer on an Illinois farm. From Illinois he moved to Indiana and continued farming

in that state until the spring of 1880 when he broke up and came to Dakota and took up a homestead, where he is now living. This farm has greatly increased, both in productiveness and area under his fostering care, and now owns one thousand acres of land. He has erected good buildings, secured ample machinery and has an increasing herd of cattle on hand. He drives good horses and has everything in good shape around him.

Mr. Smith and Miss Emma Albon were married in Huron county, Ohio, February 22, 1872. She is a native of England and was brought to this country by her parents when a child of six years of age. They lost two children while living in In- diana, and have two children living, who are twins : Nellie S. and Nettie L. Mr. Smith has held local offices and is a man held in high esteem by his neighbors. He has been on the board of education many years and is justice of the peace and school treasurer at the present time. He exerts con- siderable influence on township affairs and is promi- nent in religious matters. He is a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church. His portrait is a valuable addition to these pages.

John Smith, the father of the subject of this article, was born near Aberdeen, Scotland, about 1796. He married Margaret Kirton, also a native of Scotland, and emigrating from their native coun- try, sought a home in Canada. They settled near Hamilton, Ontario, and made that their home for many years. Later on, as noted above, they removed to Illinois and settled in Will county first and after- wards in Kankakee county. He died in 1861 and was the father of six children : Ebenezar, Margaret, Isabella, Anna, John M. and Christina J. The widowed wife and mother came to Grand Forks county in 1880 and died in Mekinock township, in December, 1897, when ninety-two years old.

JOHN I. LEROM, a prominent business man of Buxton, Traill county, lives on his fine farm on section 26, East Buxton township. He owns a large body of land and is engaged in general farm- ing, in addition to his extensive merchandise busi- ness.

Mr. Lerom was born in Norway June 14, 1854, the eldest of ten children born to lver and Barbara (Amondsdatter) Lerom. The father now resides in North Dakota. At the age of seven years our sub- ject came to America, and finally settled in Mitchell county, Iowa, where he lived until 1878. In 1878, after renting land for three years in Iowa, he came to Dakota, having only a team and wagon and a cow, and being three hundred dollars in debt. He examined the land along the Red river, but finding it rather low and level, he went further west to higher ground, and reached what was known as Buffalo Coolie about the 6th of May. He at once constructed a dugout 16x16 feet, there being at that time but one shanty in sight. His wife joined him during the summer, and they established a per-

JOHN M. SMITH.

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manent home. He did a great deal of hard work and managed with great care and good judgment, and has made a success of farming. He is now the owner of about sixteen hundred acres of fine land, and has made many valuable improvements upon it. He has a valuable artesian well, and his home is surrounded by all the conveniences of a modern country home.

In 1890 Mr. Lerom purchased the general mer- chandise business in Buxton formerly owned by Robert Allen, and the following year the partner- ship of Lerom & Hilleboe was formed, under which firm name the business is now carried on. In 1897 he purchased the implement business of O. B. Olson, and soon after the firm of Lerom Brothers was established and took charge of that business. The business has prospered, and he has succeeded in all lines, which is the best evidence of his excel- lent judgment and good business ability.

Mr. Lerom was married, in 1877, to Miss Jennie Grogard, and to this union nine children have been born, namely: Ida, Elmer (deceased), Inger, Bertha, Hattie, Minnie (deceased), John, George and Oscar. In political sentiment Mr. Lerom is a Republican, and has been active in local public af- fairs. He was elected in 1894 as a member of the village board and has served as chairman of that body. He is a member of the Lutheran church, and is held in high esteem as an upright citizen and a valued member of the community.

HENRY BOND, a wealthy and enterprising farmer of Foster county, lives in township 140, range 62, where he has a comfortable home and a valuable estate.

Mr. Bond was born in Virginia, October 28, 1842. His father was John Bemis, born in Vir- ginia in 1792, and the great-grandfather, William B., was born near Richmond, Virginia, in 1762. The great-grandfather, Charles Bemis, was born in London, England, in 1722, and died at the age of forty years. Our subject's grandmother on the father's side was named Margaret Davis before her marriage, and her father, Benjamin Davis, was a native of Wales, but came to America and became a captain in the American army of the Revolution. Our subject's mother was Rebecca Hensley, and was born in Pike county, Kentucky, in 1802. Her father, James Hensley, was a farmer and hunter and one of the early settlers of Kentucky. He and several brothers were prominently identified with the early history of the state and participated in the Indian wars. His several brothers were James, William, Goodwin, Daniel and Robert. Goodwin was killed by the Indians and Daniel was taken prisoner when a boy, and lived among the Indians many years. He married a squaw, who bore him twins. He afterward visited the white settlements on leave of absence, and never returned to the In- dians. He later married a white woman. His mother's family on the maternal side can be traced

to Wales, our subject's grandmother's name being Mary Likins. Her father was a native of Wales.

Henry Bond was reared on a farm in Virginia, and received a good common school education. When he was eighteen years old he enlisted in the Union army, while some of his brothers joined the southern army. He served three years and seven months, his regiment being the Thirty-ninth Ken- tucky. He was in thirty-three general engage- menst, was captured at Prestonburg, Kentucky, held prisoner four months, and was then exchanged and soon after mustered out with Sherman's army, September 16, 1865. In the fall of the same year he came to Minnesota and filed on a homestead claim near Long Prairie, being the first claim filed in Rey- nolds township, Todd county. He farmed in Min- nesota twenty years, and in 1887 he came to Foster county, North Dakota, took up land, and became one of the pioneers of the county. He has added to his possessions from time to time. and now owns a valuable property, well improved, with good buildings, modern machinery and plenty of stock. In politics Mr. Bond is a Republican, and is a mem- ber of the Baptist church.

GEORGE B. MCKENZIE, one of the most ex- tensive farmers in Stutsman county, and owner of the largest farm in township 144, range 45, is one of the typical pioneers of the Northwest. He was born in Ingham county, Michigan, July 25, 1858.

Mr. Mckenzie is the youngest child in a family of fourteen children born to Duncan and Elizabeth ( Bert ) Mckenzie, the former a native of New York, of Scotch descent, and the latter born in Scotland. The father was a wagonmaker by trade, and went from New York to Canada, and later to Michigan. Both parents died in 1880.

George B. Mckenzie was reared on the farm in New York to about the age of six years when he accompanied his parents to Canada, where he spent the following nineteen years. He then came to North Dakota, and in 1883 filed a claim to the northwest quarter of section 16, township 144, range 64, in Stutsman county. He owned a team of mules and a yoke of cattle, and with these he farmed for five years, and hauled all supplies from Jamestown, thirty miles distant. He developed his farm and added to it from time to time until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres of valuable land, six hundred and fifty of which are under cul- tivation, and the balance in pasture. He has a com- plete set of good farm buildings, including a large barn, houses for cattle and hogs, feed-mill and an elevator with a capacity of ten thousand bushels. He has an abundance of modern farm machinery, and his land is well watered, and its value en- hanced by an orchard of fruit trees.

Mr. Mckenzie was married, in 1893, to Miss Annie Powers. Mrs. Mckenzie was born and raised in Canada, and is of Irish descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie one child has been born,

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namely, Sherman Mckenzie. Mr. Mckenzie is a Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has held a number of local offices, and attends all county conventions of his party. He is well-known throughout the county and is held in highest esteem.

JOHN H. HUTCHINSON, a well-to do and en- terprising farmer. residing in township 145, range 62, is a native of harrison county, Missouri, where he was born February 5, 1863. His father was E. T. Hutchinson, a farmer by occupation, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Jones, was born and reared in Missouri. Her death oc- curred when our subject was a small child.

Mr. Hutchinson was reared on the farm, and at- tended the country schools, and when he was six- teen years old began working for himself. In 1892 he came to Foster county, North Dakota, and took up government land. He had one hundred dollars on his arrival, and he erected a claim shanty, and for the first year worked for wages. He raised his first crop in 1895, and since that time he has been very successful. He now owns six hundred and forty acres of land, five hundred acres being under cul- tivation annually. He has a complete set of good buildings, and all modern farm machinery.

In political views Mr. Hutchinson is a Repub- lican, and takes a commendable interest in public matters of general interest. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.

HON. HENRY T. HELGESEN. Perhaps no citizen in Milton is interested equally in a financial sense, in the improvement and development of the village as the gentleman above named. He is also one of the public-spirited men of his community and his labors for the advancement of the social and moral influences of his adopted town and coun- ty commend him to a high position in the minds of all. He is a man of strict integrity, careful and methodical in his business habits and carries these characteristics into every detail of his life and has made many friends by his push and energy. He is widely known as a prominent merchant of Milton and extensive owner of Cavalier county land. He conducts the hardware business and also deals in lumber and furniture and carries a complete stock in each line and has met with unbounded success in every enterprise which he has undertaken. His portrait may be found on another page.

Our subject was born in Decorah, Iowa, June 26, 1857. He was reared in his native place and re- ceived a good education there in the graded schools and the Normal Institute of Decorah and then en- gaged in the grocery business in Decorah some six or seven years, when he disposed of his interests and came to Milton, North Dakota, in 1887, and erected the first business house in the town and

engaged in the hardware business, to which he after- ward added lumber and furniture and now carries a large line of each, and he also is interested ex- tensively in real estate in Cavalier county.

Our subject was married in Decorah, Iowa, to Miss Bessie Nelson, a native of Winneshiek county, Iowa. Seven children have blessed this union, named as follows: T. Herbert, Elmer G., Rachel M., Lillian, Gladys L., Raymond Mckinley and Frances. Mr. Helgesen at the first state election, in 1889, was elected commissioner of agriculture and labor and re-elected to a second term in that ca- pacity, being the Republican candidate. He is at present a regent of the State University, to which office he was elected in the spring of 1898, and he is now acting in the capacity of mayor of Milton, and is an efficient and popular official.

WILLIAM F. KRUGER, a pioneer of Wal- burg township, Cass county, is a native of Prussia, where he was born April 27, 1854. His parents were Frederick and Mary (Astrike) Kruger, both natives of Germany. The mother died in Germany, and in 1876 the father came to the United States, settling in Winona county, Minnesota. There he lived until 1878, when he came to North Dakota and settled in Cass county, taking land on section 2 of Walburg township, where he resided until his death, in 1893. He followed farming throughout his life, and was successful in North Dakota. Two sons and two daughters composed his family, all of whom now reside in North Dakota. The grand- father of our subject was Jolin Kruger, who spent his entire life in Prussia.

William F. Kruger was reared and educated in his native land, and farmed there until 1871, when he came to the United States, preceding his father by about five years. He first located in Wi- nona county, Minnesota, but in 1878 he came to Cass county and settled on section 2, Walburg township, where he now resides, the family being the first to settle on that section. Although he came to the county without means, he has suc- ceeded, and is now the owner of two and a half sections of the most valuable lands in the county, all under a good state of cultivation, annually yield- ing a good income.

Mr. Kruger was married in Minnesota, in 1880, to Barbara Knobel, a native of Switzerland. She canie to the United States when a child of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Kruger are the parents of the following children, namely: Rose E., Martha M., Reuben A., William R., Walter W., Louis S., Selma B., Benjamin K., Elsie A., Fredericka, Ed- win, Harry, and an infant unnamed. The family are members of the Evangelical Association. In politics Mr. Kruger is independent. He has always taken an interest in public affairs, and has filled a number of local offices. He has been a member of the town board, treasurer, clerk and assessor at dif- ferent times.

HON. HENRY T. HELGESEN.

JOSEPH POWLES.

HON. CHAS. W. PLAIN.

B. PROM.

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JOHN P. HEDMAN, one of the leading and extensive farmers of Eddy and Benson counties, has his home in township 151, range 66, where he has accumulated a valuable property and sur- rounded himself with the conveniences of modern farm life.

Mr. Hedman was born in Sweden June 1, 1851. His father, Peter Johnson, was a nurseryman in Sweden, and is now residing in America. Our subject was reared in his native land and attended the public schools. At the age of seventeen years he came to America with an uncle, and first settled in Minnesota, where he worked on the Great North- ern Railroad one year. He and his uncle then bought land in Wright county, Minnesota, and in 1874 he began farming for himself. His last year in Minnesota he farmed in Kandiyohi county, near Willmar. At different times he owned several small farms in Minnesota. In July, 1882, he arrived at Larimore, and worked there for the Great North- ern road and also at Grand Forks. In 1883 he moved to his claim in Eddy county, having at the time only about one hundred dollars. He worked out during 1883 and 1884, hiring improvements made on his claim, as he had nothing to farm with. In 1885 he and his uncle together purchased a yoke of oxen, and the next year he did his first farming in the state. Notwithstanding discour- agements and losses, he worked steadily, and added to his possessions from time to time, and is now the owner of eleven hundred and sixty acres of land, more' than half of which is under cultivation. He has a complete set of farm buildings, all necessary farm machinery, and plenty of stock. He owns one sixteen-horse-power threshing outfit and another of eighteen horse-power. He has engaged profit- ably in threshing since 1886.

Mr. Hedman was married, in 1874, to Miss Christena Hanson. Mrs. Hedman is a daughter of Peter Hanson, who was a farmer in Minnesota. She was born in Sweden, and came to America in 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Hedman have a family of six boys 'and three girls now living. Mr. Hedman is a Republican and takes a commendable interest in all public questions of general interest. He is a member of the Lutheran church and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

RICHARD WIKEY, owner of one of the most extensive and valuable farms in Wells county, and also a business man of ability, was born in Shrop- shire, England, September 8, 1834. His father, Samuel Wikey, was a farmer, as were also his an- cestors. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Sarah Ralphs, was of Welsh descent, and her people were mechanics. She died in 1862, at the age of fifty-five years.

Richard Wikey was reared on a farm and re- ceived good educational advantages. In 1850 the family came to America and settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania. In 1851 they came west to

Warsaw, Illinois, where the father died, leaving the support of the family upon Richard.

He learned the tinsmith trade, and followed that three years in Warsaw. He then went into the tinware and stove business, and continued about four years. He then went to Missouri, intending to start a fruit farm, but soon fell back upon his trade. He remained in Missouri seventeen years. In 1880 he came to North Dakota and settled in the Red River valley, and the following year established a hardware business at Mayville, in partnership with Charles Denby and John Hicks, under the firm name of Denby & Co. He sold out in 1883 and the following spring came to Sykeston and established a hardware store, soon after adding groceries and a full line of general merchandise. His son soon afterward took an interest in the business, and for the past five years has had charge of the store, dur- ing which time Mr. Wikey has devoted most of his attention to his farming operations. He began farming in a small way in 1889, and increased his operations from time to time, until he now owns twelve hundred and eighty acres, all under cultiva- tion and thoroughly improved, stocked and fully equipped with modern machinery. His granary has a capacity of sixteen thousand bushels.

Mr. Wikey was married, in 1863, to Miss Mary Henderson. Mrs. Wikey was born in England, but came to America when a child, and was reared to womanhood in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Wikey are the parents of four children, namely : Samuel, Albert, Kate and Richard.

LORANC JOOS, one of Stutsman county's most successful citizens, lives on his farm in town- ship 142, range 63, where he operates a valuable farm. He was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, March 13, 1858.

Mr. Joos is the youngest of a family of seven children born to John M. and Barbara Joos, both natives of Germany. The father came to America and in 1870 operated a hotel in Owatonna, Minne- sota. He is now living in Jamestown, North Da- kota.

Loranc Joos was reared on the farm and re- ceived the benefits of a common school education. At the age of twenty-one years he came to North Dakota and took a pre-emption claim to land in Stutsman county, near Jamestown, and also land in township 142, range 63. under a homestead claim. He erected a claim shanty 12x16 feet, with which he proved up on his pre-emption claim, and after- ward moved it to his homestead claim and used it for the same purpose there. He moved to his homestead claim in 1880, having only a team of horses and an old wagon. He added other build- ings and conveniences from time to time, and in 1886 his first barn was demolished by a storm. He continued to farm until 1889. and in the spring of that year rented his farm and moved to Jamestown where he engaged in handling horses and machin-

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ery. In 1896 he returned to his farm and engaged anew in farming, being one thousand dollars in debt. He purchased new machinery, horses and an outfit for farming, and has been very successful since that time. He is now the owner of three hun- . dred and twenty acres of very valuable land, and cultivates annually two hundred and forty acres. He has a complete set of farm buildings, the best of machinery, and his farm is thoroughly equipped for successful agriculture.

Mr. Joos was married, in February, 1881, to Miss Lucy Bouch, a native of Wisconsin, and daughter of Loranc Bouch, who came to North Da- kota in 1879. Mrs. Joos was reared to woman- hood in Wisconsin. To this union five children were born, all in North Dakota, but two of whom are now living, Philip and Edwin. Mrs. Joos has been a most efficient aid to her husband, and to her cheerful assistance is due a fair share of the suc- cess with which they have met since they began life together.

In political views Mr. Joos is a Democrat. He has been active in public matters of a local nature, and has held the offices of school director and school treasurer. He is one of the earliest settlers and best-known men of the county. When he took up his claim there were but three shanties between his place and Jamestown, and that village contained three saloons, two hotels, one restaurant and three stores, most of the buildings being shanties, cov- ered with tar paper.

HALTIN C. RUD, a successful farmer of Steele county, whose valuable farm is in section 6, Primrose township, is one of the pioneers of Steele county.

Mr. Rud was born in Norway, near Christiania, August 27, 1845. He was the second child and eldest son born to Christopher and Anne Rud, both now deceased. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age, and then came to America. He first settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he farmed for two years. He then went to the pineries of Wisconsin for another two years, re- turning to Goodhue county at the end of that time. He purchased a small farm there, and was soon after joined by the family from Norway. In June, 1879, having sold his Minnesota farm, he shipped his personal effects to Fargo, Dakota, and thence direct to his farm, which he had located on the middle branch of Goose river, thus becoming one of the earliest settlers in Primrose township. He con- structed a dugout and for three weary years lived there the life of a bachelor. He has succeeded in improving his farm, and is now the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land, which yields a handsome income annually.

Mr. Rud was married, in 1888, to Miss Lizzie Rubbins, who died in 1893, leaving two children, namely, Carl and Julia. In 1896 Mr. Rud was mar- ried to Miss Jennie Malset, and to this union one

child has been born, namely, Lizzie. Mr. Rud is a Republican' and a member of the Lutheran church. He has materially assisted in the establishment of the church in his locality, and is a valned member of the community. For several years he has been a member of the township board, and attends most of the county conventions of his party.

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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 187

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