Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 31

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

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at Washington, May 24 and 25, 1865, and was mus- tered out July 11, 1865. He was breveted major March 13, 1805, for 'gallant and meritorious service in the field.'

"Major Edwards was present at the meeting of the officers of the Army of the Tennessee, called to organize our society at Raleigh, North Carolina, April 25, 1865.

"The first post of the Grand Army of the Re- public was organized by Dr. B. F. Stevenson, at Decatur, Illinois, and several members were sent over the state to institute other posts. A dozen or so were mustered at the same time. Major Ed- wards, after his war service, was mustered in Post No. 6, at Bunker Hill, Illinois, which was one of the earliest organized posts of the Grand Army of the Republic.

"Returning to his home in 1865, he resuscitated the 'Union Gazette,' at Bunker Hill, Illinois, a paper he published before going to the war, and which was suspended during the war. In 1868 Major Ed- wards secured an interest in the 'Carlinville Free Democrat,' a Republican paper started by Senator John M. Palmer in 1856.

Major Edwards was warden of the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet in 1871-1872. Atter the great Chicago fire he went into business in Chi- cago, and was a member of the board of trade in 1875-1878. He went to the Black Hills in 1876, located at Fargo in 1878, as editor of the 'Fargo Republican.' He established the 'Daily Argus' in 1879. Governor G. A. Pierce, of our society, ap- pointed Major Edwards superintendent of the semi- decennial census of Dakota territory in 1885. Major Edwards was elected mayor of Fargo in 1886-7 ; was a member of the legislature 1895-6. He lost 'The Argus' in 1890, started the 'Daily Forum' in 1891, purchased the 'Republican,' the first paper he started, and consolidated the two, and it is now issued by Edwards & Plumley.

"Major Edwards was married to Elizabeth Rob- ertson at Carlinville, Illinois, in 1870. They have six sons and one daughter, all living in Fargo, North Dakota. The sons are Harry Goodell, twenty-six years; William Robertson, twenty-three years; Al- anson Charles, nineteen years ; John Palmer, seven- teen years; George Washington, thirteen years ; Richford Roberts, nine years; and Marie R., twen- ty-four years.

"Cincinnati, Ohio, March 31, 1898."

MARSHALL HENRY JEWELL, publisher of the "Bismarck Tribune," the oldest newspaper in North Dakota-the weekly edition being established in June, 1873, and the daily in April, 1881-was born in Hector, on the banks of Seneca lake, in New York state, April 29, 1857. His father was a news- paper man, and back in the '50s published the "Seneca County Sentinel" at Ovid, New York. In 1858 Mr. Jewell's parents moved to Michigan and

were among the early pioneers in the region north of Grand Rapids. Mr. Jewell, Sr., in order to sup- port his family while making an "opening" in the pineries, worked much of the time at the printer's trade in Grand Rapids, the nearest town, walking through a dense forest a distance of over thirty miles every Saturday night to spend Sunday at home. These were the surroundings of the first ten years of the life of the subject of this sketch. Obtaining such education as was possible in the "old log school house," he attended school in the vil- lage of .Cedar Springs. Mr. Jewell's parents moved to Wheaton, a suburb of Chicago, where Mr. Jewell attended the college for a brief period.

During his early school days in Cedar Springs Mr. Jewell found opportunity to work "after hours" in the "Clipper" office, and was thus enabled to learn the printer's trade. He went to Chicago and in 1876 was made foreman of the "Daily Courier," and later the telegraph editor of the "Telegraph," on whose presses the first issue of the "Daily News" was printed. Associated with Stanley Hunter, Mr. Jewell came to Bismarck in 1878 and secured con- trol of the "Weekly Tribune" from its founder, Colonel C. A. Lounsberry. He was associated with these gentlemen a few years, succeeding to their interests in 1883. The "Bismarck Tribune" is now widely known as one of the leading and most in- fluential newspapers in the Northwest, while the publishing department, which has handled the state printing since 1883, when the capital of Dakota was located in Bismarck, is one of the most complete of the kind in the country.

Mr. Jewell has always taken an active part in politics as well as business, and is a familiar figure and prominent factor in all state Republican gatlı- erings. He was chosen secretary of the Repub- lican state committee in 1893 and again in the Mc- Kinley campaign of 1896. He has a wife and one son, and owns one of the coziest homes in the capital city.

HENRY U. THOMAS. The world instinct- ively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has acquired a high reputation in his chosen calling, and whose social prominence is not less the result of an irreproacha- ble life than of recognized natural gifts. It is a pleasing indulgence to write the biography of a man of this character, such as Mr, Thomas is known to be. He is now serving with distinction as commis- sioner of agriculture and labor of North Dakota, and makes his home in Bismarck.

He was born in Magnolia, Rock county, Wis- consin, December 10, 1853, and is a son of Asaph U. and Mary C. (Flint) Thomas, the former a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and the latter of Wethersfield, Connecticut. The father was a machinist by trade, but the latter part of his life was devoted to farming. From Massachusetts he re- moved to Pennsylvania, and in 1847 became a resi-

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dent of Wisconsin, where he made his home for ten years and then went to Freeborn county, Minne- sota. There he spent his remaining days and died in April, 1883. The wife and mother passed away in the same county in 1874. In their family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject and all of the daughters are still living. The paternal grandfather, David Thomas, was born in Massachusetts, April 8, 1781, and died February 28, 1842. He had only one son, Asaph U., father of our subject.

Henry U. Thomas, of this review, grew to man- hood in Minnesota, and the early education he ac- quired in the common schools of that state was sup- plemented by a course at the Adventist Seminary in Freeborn county. He continued to make his home in Minnesota, engaged in agricultural pur- suits, until April, 1883, when he became a resident of Benson county, North Dakota, where he took up land from the government, becoming the first settler of Antelope valley, which he named. He lived there until the fall of 1885, when he was elected county commissioner and removed to Min- newaukon, the county seat. After filling that office very acceptably for two years he was appointed pro- bate judge and served in that capacity for nine years, or until elected to his present office in 1896. His official duties have always been performed in a most commendable and satisfactory manner, and have gained for him the confidence and respect of all.

In January, 1889, Mr. Thomas was married in Fargo, North Dakota, to Miss Laura A. Spotts, a native of Ohio, and to them have been born seven children, namely: Merrill C., Paul C., Lyle J., Erma M., Harold U., William H. and an infant boy who died August 15, 1899. The wife and mother is a consistent member of the Congregational church, which Mr. Thomas also attends. He is a thirty- second-degree Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In his political views he is an ardent Republican, and does all in his power for the success of his party. As a citizen he has at all times the good of the com- munity at heart, and his abilities are exerted to make the state of his adoption one of the best in the Northwest.

HON. JOHN E. HAGGART. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enter- prising city of Fargo and North Dakota than Jolin E. Haggart, United States marshal for North Da- kota. He has been an important factor in public affairs and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabated energy and industry that never flags. He is public-spirited and thoroughly inter- ested in whatever tends to promote the moral, in- tellectual and material welfare of his city, county or state.

Mr. Haggart was born in St. Lawrence county,

New York, April 19, 1846, a son of John and Mabel (Northrop) Haggart, also natives of the Empire state. The grandfather, Gilbert Haggart, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and on his emigration to the United States located in New York, where he fol- lowed farming throughout life. The father was also an agriculturist, was major in the state militia, and was quite a prominent man in New York. He was twice married and had three sons.

Reared on the home farm in much the usual man- ner of farmer boys of his day, John E. Haggart was educated in the country schools. In 1863 he en- tered the employ of the government in the coast construction corps and spent about a year and a half with the Army of the Potomac, after which he re- turned to New York. In 1867 he came west and crossed the plains, starting from Leavenworth, Kan- sas. The following winter was spent in southern Colorado and New Mexico, and he then came to what is now Wyoming, where he conducted a luni- ber yard for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1870. In 1871 he landed four miles below the present city of Fargo, North Dakota, and in August of that year took up a claim on the Sheyenne river, which he improved and still owns. He is one of the most extensive land owners in the state, having nineteen hundred and sixty acres in all in the home farm. He raises from thirty-five to forty thousand bushels of wheat annually, and in 1898 harvested thirty- seven thousand seven hundred fifty bushels. He was one of the thirteen to organize and put in operation the Fargo Southern Railroad, of which he was a di- rector, and is always willing to support any enter- prise for the good of the community.

In 1875 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hag- gart and Miss Betsy J. Hertsgaard, and to them have been born nine children, as follows: Gilbert W., Mabel E., Maggie I., John C., Estella M., Alex- ander M., George E., William H. R. and Daniel.

Mr. Haggart was the first man to be made a Mason in this state, being initiated into the order in 1873, since which time he has been made a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, a thirty-second- degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the A. A. O. of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Since attaining his majority he has been a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party and has served on the county and state central committees. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Cass county and filled that office for twelve consecutive years in a most capable manner. He was elected the first city marshal of Fargo, and in 1889 was elected to the state senate, of which he was a prominent and influential mem- ber until 1898, when he resigned to accept his pres- ent office, that of United States marshal for North Dakota. He was well qualified to fill that office, as he had previously served as deputy for eight years. He has been called upon to fill a number of other public positions of honor and trust, being a member of the state prison board and other im- portant boards. He also assisted in locating the Agricultural College at Fargo and has done much

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to help that institution, introducing in the senate all the bills in its behalf, including the one to secure the land on which the college has been erected. The part which he has taken in the development of the county and in advancing the interests of the state has impressed his name indelibly upon its records, and he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers and representative citizens.

HON. ANDREW SLOTTEN', a resident farm- er of section 35, in Dwight township, is one of the influential men of Richland county. He has been associated with the public affairs of the vicinity since his earliest residence here, and has worked zealously for the development of his community. He has acquired a comfortable fortune and a good reputation by the exercise of honest efforts, and his home is one of the bright places in the township.

Mr. Slotten was born in Norway, September 16, 1840, and was the second in a family of five chil- dren born to Thore and Elizabeth Slotten. He was reared and educated in his native country and was engaged in farming there until 1867, when in the latter part of June he came to America, and for about one year remained in Wisconsin. From thence he went to Minnesota, and for two years attended the Normal School at Winona. He readily acquired a knowledge of the American ways and customs and became a valuable worker. For seven years he was engaged in various occupations, and then entered the postoffice at Minneapolis as clerk, remaining in that position seven years. On leav- ing Minneapolis he went to Dakota and purchased a half section of land where he now resides. He is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land, and has erected a complete set of good farm build- ings, and engages extensively in farming, meeting with marked success.

Our subject was married in Minneapolis, Min- nesota, February 5, 1870, to Miss Lizzie Bye, the daughter of Taale and Goner Bye, natives of Nor- way, who died in their own country. Mrs. Slotten was born in Norway, December 5, 1843, and emi- grated to America in 1869. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Slotten, as follows : Thorwaland Gunda L. Both our subject and wife are active and prominent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Slotten has identified himself with public affairs in whatever locality he has made his residence, and in Minnesota he was chosen sergeant- at-arms of the house of representatives in 1878, and served during that session. After taking up his residence in North Dakota he early became well known, and was elected to the state constitutional convention, and the following fall was elected to the state senate, serving in the first legislature after Dakota was admitted into the union. He was later elected one of the railroad commissioners of the state, and in the fall of 1898 he was again elected to the North Dakota state senate, for two years, evidencing his popularity. He is associated with

the Republican party politically, and takes a very active interest in the affairs of his party. He is a man of careful, systematic habits and of a con- servative turn of mind, and all matters with which he is connected are materially benefited when the management of the same is left to his care. He is intelligent and progressive, and any project that has for its tendency the development of the financial interests of the county or township meets with his sanction and hearty approval. He is a man of the highest integrity of character and has built for him- self an enviable reputation as regards business ability and true worth. He is a gentleman of pleas- ing personality and has many friends wherever he chooses to reside.

HON. RICHARD H. HANKINSON. As an all around prominent man of North Dakota, no one of its citizens more justly deserves the title than Mr. Hankinson. He has been identified with the development and progress of the state, and par- ticularly Richland county, from the early settle- ment of that region, and is now extensively engaged in farming in Brightwood township, and also con-

ducts a real estate and loan business in the town of Hankinson, making his home on his elegant estate on section twenty-two, but is found at his office in Hankinson daily. He owns about two thousand acres of land, and his home farm is beautifully lo- cated on the banks of Lake Elsie, a fine body of water, named for his daughter, Elsie. Every com- fort and even the luxuries of life are afforded on his estate, and the buildings thereon are among the finest in the state of North Dakota. On another page is found a portrait of Mr. Hankinson.

Mr. Hankinson was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, September 7, 1841. He was reared in Grand Rapids, where he lived until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted, in August, 1861, in Company D, Eighth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was with them until January 30, 1863, when he was discharged on account of wounds received at the battle of Wilmington Island, Georgia. He returned to Grand Rapids and re-enlisted in the Thirteenth Michigan Light Artillery and served to the close of the war. He participated in the bat- tles at Pocotaligo, Port Royal, Fort Pulaski and Wilmington Island, and later at Antietam, South Mountain, Fredericksburg and minor engagements until the close of the struggle. He received a wound in the left wrist at Wilmington Island, which caused his discharge, and upon his re-enlistment in the Thirteenth Michigan Light Artillery was com- missioned first sergeant. He was a loyal and true soldier, and served for the preservation of his country.

After his return from the war our subject went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he entered the service of the Northwestern Telegraph Company, and was with them in the capacity of superintendent of construction and assistant general superintendent

HON. RICHARD H. HANKINSON.

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of the company, until 1881. He organized the Northwestern Telephone Exchange Company in 1878, and was elected general manager of the same, serving until March, 1880. After leaving the serv- ice of the Northwestern Telegraph Company in 1881, he settled in Brightwood township, Richland county, North Dakota. He has a fine estate with excellent improvements, and engages extensively in farming. He has divided his time between that line of work and the contracting for construction of telegraph lines, and has built the following lines: From Chicago to Minneapolis; from Louisiana, Missouri, to Kansas City, Missouri; the line for the bankers and merchants from Chicago to Minneapolis. These have been absorbed by the Western Union Tele- graph Company. He also built the telegraph line for the Soo railroad and all their branches west of the Red river. He constructed the first telegraph line built in North Dakota, or British North Amer- ica, in 1871, and personally superintended the con- struction from Moorhead to Winnipeg, and also from Fargo to Valley Center, and from thence to Bismarck. He has engaged in the real estate busi- ness in Minneapolis since locating on his farm and at his office in Hankinson now conducts the real estate and loan business and contracting. He en- gaged in the mercantile business from 1886 to the fall of 1897.

Our subject was married at Grand Rapids, Michigan, January 20, 1868, to Miss Sarah E. Mar- tin, a native of Michigan. Mrs. Hankinson died in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in March, 1874, leaving one son, Herbert L., who is now in the grain busi- ness in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our subject mar- ried Miss Etta M. Wilson, a native of Minnesota, September 27, 1876, at Minneapolis. One daugh- ter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hankinson, named Elsie E. Mr. Hankinson is a prominent member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity, and has passed the Knights Templar degree in the last named order. He was elected to the first state legislature in 1889, and served one term, and was again elected in the fall of 1896. He takes an active part in local affairs, and the town of Hankinson was named for him in appreciation of his services.

HON. WILLIAM T. McCULLOCH, an exten- sive land owner and successful farmer of Griggs county, is one of the pioneers of that region, and has acquired his possessions by judicious management and industrious habits. He is a man of active public spirit and his labors for the advancement of his county and township have gained him many friends. His present home is on section 14, in town- ship 147, range 60.

Our subject was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, November 1, 1842, and was a son of James and Elizabeth McCulloch. He removed to Blanchi- ard township, in Pearth county, Canada, with his parents when he was a young child, and there grew

to manhood, and made his home with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he began farm- ing on rented land in Pearth county, and remained there in that vocation until 1880, when he went to Barnes county, North Dakota, and settled on land northwest of Sanborn, where he lived two years, and then removed to his present land in Griggs county, which he had previously entered claim to. He erected a shanty thereon and has resided on that tract continuously since 1882. He is now the owner of seventeen hundred acres of land in that vicinity, and has met with unbounded success in his calling.

Our subject was married, at the age of twenty- four years, to Miss Sarah A. Sonsborn, a native of Canada, who was born in 1849. Mrs. McCulloch is a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Sonsburn, and her father was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. McCulloch have been the parents of six children, as follows: James A., Elizabeth J., Will- iam A., Graham, Maggie and Norman. The eldest daughter, now Mrs. George Pratt, resides north of Cooperstown, North Dakota. Mr. McCulloch served as a state representative from 1891-95, dur- ing which time a special session was called to make an appropriation for the World's Columbian Expo- sition. He is a man who casts his vote and in- fluence for the principles which he thinks will best benefit his county, and he is a leader among his as- sociates, and as a man of extensive financial affairs he is recognized among the leading men of northern Griggs county.

GENERAL ELLIOTT S. MILLER, the adju- tant-general of North Dakota, has attained distinct- ive preferment in military and political circles, and is one of the representative and prominent citizens of Bismarck. He was born in McLean county, Il- linois, November 15, 1846, a son of Sanford C. Mil- ler, a native of Harrisonbury, West Virginia, who removed to Illinois in 1836 and died in that state. The mother died during the infancy of our subject and he never knew her given name.

General Miller was reared and educated in Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois, and when the Civil war broke out he enlisted, in August, 1861, in Company B, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. He took an active part in the West Vir- ginia campaign, and in the engagements in the Shen- andoah Valley, including the battle of Winchester, in March, 1862. After the battle of Antietam the regiment was transferred to South Carolina and was in the battle of Morris Island. They veteranized January 1, 1864, and were brought back to General Butler's army on the James river. Later they par- ticipated in the battles of Petersburg and Rich- mond and in the famous charge on Fort Gregg, and were in the engagement at Appomattox just before the surrender of General Lee. The government presented the regiment with their eagle in recogni- tion of the gallant charge on Fort Gregg. General Miller was wounded in the head on Morris Island,

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in 1864. and before Richmond was wounded in the right arm and also in the shoulder and foot, being confined to the hospital for four months. He was mustered out as a sergeant December 16, 1865.

Returning to Illinois, he made his home there until 1879, and the following year came to James- town, North Dakota, where he took up a homestead. He did not engage in farming, but followed con- tracting and building there for several years. In 1885 he was made quartermaster of the First North Dakota State Troops, and in 1891 was com- missioned colonel of the regiment. He was ap- pointed adjutant-general by Governor Roger Allen in 1895, and then removed to Bismarck, where he has since resided. He has met with marked success during his residence in this state and has also gained the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact either in public or private life.

He has been a life-long Republican and has takeu an active part in the councils of his party. He is a prominent Mason, a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine, and is also an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he has been inspector general of the depart- ment of North Dakota. He has also been a dele- gate to the national encampment from North Da- kota, and was commander of W. H. Seward Post, of Jamestown, for five years.

HON. GEORGE LUTZ, who is conducting an extensive business as a lumber dealer in James- town, is one of the leading business men of Stuts- man county. He has steadily pushed forward and his present property interests are the direct re- sult of careful management and persistent efforts.

Mr. Lutz was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, December 19, 1852. His father owned and op- erated a flour and sawmill. Our subject attended the public schools of his native place and at four- teen years of age engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, which he followed four years, and then was employed in the bank five years, and spent one year in the German army. For the following four years he was correspondent in Antwerp for a German, French and English importing firm, a position which required a knowledge of the languages of those countries. He came to America in the fall of 1879 and landed at New York, after which he went to Chicago, where he accepted a position in the Chicago office of an exporting firm, with whom he was employed until 1882. In August of that year he went to Jamestown, North Dakota, and was employed by Hartman, Durstine & Company, lum- ber dealers. There were but few dwellings in the town at that time, and in 1884 he became manager of the James River Lumber Company, and was connected with them until 1893, when he estab- lished a lumber yard for himself. He purchased the wood yard of Topliff & Company in 1895, which business he operates in connection with the lumber yard, and enjoys an extensive patronage.

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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 31

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