Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 34

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 34

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NEWTON A. LEWIS, the well-known pres- ident of the Merchants' State Bank and a prominent business man of Fargo, North Dakota, is a native of Vermont, born in Orleans county, April 4, 1855, and is a son of Harvey and Emily D. ( Tomlinson ) Lewis, farming people, who spent their entire lives in the Green Mountain state. In their family were four sons, three of whom are now living, but our subject is the only one who makes his home in the West. He was reared and principally educated in his native state, but also took a course of study at Gaskill Business College, Manchester, New Hamp- shire.

Mr. Lewis began his business career as a clerk, and followed that occupation in the East for three years, after which he was engaged in business there for himself one year. It was in 1882 that he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and here he clerked in a grocery store for a time. Two years were spent as mailing clerk in the postoffice, and he then embarked in the grocery business as a member of the firm of Vidger & Lewis. They soon became interested in a wholesale produce and commission business, which they successfully carried on together until January, 1898, when Mr. Lewis retired from the firm, but Mr. Vidger still continues the business. Mr. Lewis has been a director of the Merchants' State Bank since its organization, August 18, 1800. It began busi- ness with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, which has since been increased to one hundred thou- sand dollars, and its first officers were Hon. B. F. Spalding, president ; Thomas Baker, Jr., vice-pres- ident ; and L. S. Champirie, cashier. Mr. Spald- ing continued as president for about four years and was succeeded by Col. J. D. Benton, a sketch of

whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Lewis was chosen as vice-president and also served as cash- ier and general manager. In 1896 H. W. Gearey was elected cashier, in which capacity he had served for some months previous, and is still filling that position. When Colonel Benton retired in 1898, Mr. Lewis was chosen president in his stead and Oscar G. Barnes, vice-president. The board of directors are all residents of Fargo and leading business men of the place. They do a general banking business and their annual deposits amount to about four hun- dred thousand dollars. The bank is one of the most solid financial institutions of the state, and its offi- cers are straightforward and successful business men of known reliability. Mr. Lewis is also a stockholder of the Fargo Packing & Cold Storage Company, and is interested in other business enter- prises. Since coming to this state he has met with most excellent success in his undertakings and has become the possessor of a handsome competence se- cured through his own well-directed efforts. Be- sides the property already mentioned, he is also the owner of some real estate.

In 1878 Mr. Lewis was married in Vermont to Miss Cora E. Baker, a native of that state. Soci- ally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and polit- ically is identified with the Republican party. He has been treasurer of the Agricultural College for four years, and today he is one of the best known men in North Dakota, especially in business circles. His life affords an example to the young, in that he commenced life here without money or friends, but having a determination to succeed he industriously applied himself until he has acquired a handsome property.

OSCAR J. SEILER, attorney at law at James- town, is one of the rising young men of Stutsman county, North Dakota. Aside from the practice of his profession he conducts an extensive real estate, insurance and collection business and enjoys the con- fidence of those among whom he resides.

Mr. Seiler was born near Stephensville, Outa- gamie county, Wisconsin, March 20, 1870, and is a son of Jolin and Amanda ( Mason) Seiler. His father was born in Germany and came to America at the age of twenty years and followed farming. Our subject's mother was born in Indiana and was of American parentage.

In a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living, our subject was the seventh in order of birth. He was raised on a farm and attended the country and village schools, and at the age of sixteen years began to earn his livelihood. He went to Stutsman county, North Dakota, and worked at farm labor the first summer near Montpelier for one hun- dred dollars and the following year he spent on farms in the same vicinity, and in the fall of 1887 went to Jamestown and attended school, and the following spring entered the law office of L. T. Hamilton as clerk, and the following winter again attended

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school. He then continued in the law office five years, and in 1893 went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he spent one year in the life insur- ance business with Joe Mills, and in the fall of 1893 he purchased the collection business of Mr. Ham- ilton and entered into partnership with E. W. Camp. He continued with Mr. Camp six years, and March 27, 1899, was admitted to practice in the supreme court. He then dissolved partnership with Mr. Camp, since which time he has conducted the business alone, and his practice and financial inter- ests have steadily increased. He is the owner of considerable property in Stutsman county, about two and a half sections of farming lands, mostly grain farms, and also has a residence property in James- town.

Our subject was married, in 1893, to Miss Rachel Biglow, who was born and raised in Iowa. Mrs. Seiler is a lady of good education, a high school graduate, and for some time a teacher in North Da- kota. Her father was one of the early settlers of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Seiler are the parents of two children : Linn, who was born in 1895, and Eu- gene, who was born in 1899. Mr. Seiler is treasurer of the North Dakota Hospital for the Insane, and handles vast sums of money in this connection. He is an efficient officer, and highly esteemed as a citi- zen. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Republican.

JUDGE GUY C. H. CORLISS, one of the most learned members of the legal profession in North Dakota, has gained his knowledge and high station by dint of his own efforts. He has studied always with the idea of strengthening his mind and char- acter, and he now stands at the head of the North Dakota bar. Mr. Corliss has resided in Grand Forks since the fall of 1886, and counts every man as his friend who has ever known him. A por- trait of Judge Corliss appears on another page of this volume.

Our subject was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, July 4, 1858. His father, Cyrus K. Corliss, was a lawyer, and was born at Ballston Springs, New York, and moved to Poughkeepsie about 1840.

Mr. Corliss was graduated from the Pough- keepsie high school at the age of fourteen years, and has attended no schools since that time. He then became clerk in a store, and began the study of law in June, 1876, in the office of J. S. Van Cleef, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1879, at Brooklyn, New York. He practiced his profession at his old home until the fall of 1886, when he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and entered into partnership with J. H. Bosard, of that city, which partnership continued until the fall of 1889, when our subject was elected judge of the supreme court and became first chief justice. He served on the bench until August 15, 1898, when he resigned. He was re-nominated for the supreme

bench by all of the political parties in 1892, and had no opposition to his candidacy.

Mr. Corliss was married April 6, 1883, Miss Effie V. Edson, of Clifton Springs, New York, be- coming his wife. Four children, three sons and one daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cor- liss. Judge Corliss was made dean of the law school of the University of North Dakota in the summer of 1889. As a practitioner he is well read, and as a judge he has no superiors in the state. He has a quick and comprehensive mind,. is earnest in convictions and able in his assertions, and de- votes himself to the interests entrusted to his care, and too much cannot be said of him as a practi- tioner and citizen.

THOMAS M. HANCOCK, of the firm of Shields & Hancock, publishers of the "Edgeley Mail," is a gentleman of much force of character, and occupies a prominent position as a citizen of true worth.

Our subject was born in London, England, April 15, 1870, and was the eldest in a family of ten chil- dren, six sons and four daughters, born to Luke and Louisa ( Mitchell) Hancock. His parents were mar- ried in their native country, England, and the father was a machinist by trade. Our subject received his early education in his native land, and came to Amer- ica with his parents when a young boy, and located in Canada. Some time later they went to the state of New York, and there our subject worked at rail- roading, and in 1889 went to Fargo, North Dakota. He secured a position on the "Fargo Common- wealth," which paper has since been discontinued. He there received his first lessons in printing, and re- mained in their employ until the fall of 1891 when he went to Edgeley and assumed charge of the "Mail" publishing office, the following year becoming a partner with Mr. Shields. He is the present editor of the paper, and supervises the news columns. He was appointed postmaster at Edgeley during Cleve- land's administration, and was an efficient officer.

Our subject was married in Salem, South Dako- ta, October 6, 1894, to Miss Hattie French, a native of Missouri. Mrs. Hancock's father, L. W. French, was an extensive farmer in Missouri, and is now a resident of Edgeley, North Dakota. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hancock, a daughter, who bears the name of Gertrude M. Mr. Hancock is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men, Modern Woodmen of America, I. O. G. T., and the Masonic fraternity, and the auxiliary lodge, Order Eastern Star. He is a man of genial social nature, and pleasing address, and is deservedly pop- ular in his community, and is one of the leading newspaper men of that part of the state.

HON. C. N. VALENTINE. Among the lead- ing and influential citizens of Fargo, North Dakota, is this gentleman, who for fourteen years has been

Suy lo Ff lorlies

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prominently identified with the interests of the state and is now serving as register of the United States land office. He was born in La Porte county, In- diana, May 14, 1850, and is a son of William and Samantha (Taylor) Valentine, both natives of New York, the former born in 1804, the latter in 1811. The paternal grandfather, Alexander Valentine, also a native of New York, was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war and later was a commissioned officer in the state troops. In 1849 the parents of our subject removed from New York to Michigan, where the fa- ther followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1875. In his family were six sons, but our subject is the only one of the number living in Dakota.

On the home farm in Berrien county, Michigan, C. M. Valentine was reared to manhood, and in the public schools of his neighborhood he acquired a good practical education. For a time he was en- gaged in the drug trade in Three Oaks, that state, and from there removed to Benton Harbor, Michi- gan, where he had charge of a lumber pier and later engaged in boating, and was employed as bookkeep- er for four years. In 1886 he came to La Moure, North Dakota, where he was successfully engaged in the drug business until February, 1897, when he was apointed to his present position, that of register of the land office at Fargo.

On the 27th of September, 1876, Mr. Valentine was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Wilcox, a native of Wisconsin, and to them have been born two children : Josephine and Maurice. Since attaining his majority Mr. Valentine has never wavered in his support of the Republican party and its principles, and being a man of recognized ability, progressive and public-spirited, he has been honored with some important official positions, having served as senator from the twenty-fourth senatorial district of North Dakota for four years, and county surveyor for the same length of time. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order and is a man of prominence in his community.

THORE BENDIKSEN, a prominent merchant of Walcott, near where he resides on a well-improved estate, is an early settler of North Dakota. He has extensive business interests in the town of Walcott and is an influential and enterprising citizen of Rich- land county.

Our subject was born in Norway, October 30, 1848. He was reared on a farm in his native land, where he lived until 1870, when he came to America, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel in July of that year. He landed at Quebec and at once pro- ceeded to Crawford county, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm and attended school till the fol- lowing spring, and then engaged as clerk in a gen- eral store at Mt. Sterling, Wisconsin. He was em- ployed there about six months and then spent some months in Iowa, going from thence to Minnesota. He followed different occupations for two and a half years, and then returned to his native country, re-

maining there until 1881. He then came again to America, and at once proceeded to North Dakota. He spent about nine months in Walcott, and then took up a homestead claim in Walcott township and engaged in farming for three years on that land, and then removed to the farm where he now resides. His buildings are substantial and the estate is fur- nished with all of the conveniences of farming, and he is now the owner of five hundred and fifty acres of land. For three years he was employed by the Minnesota & Dakota Elevator Company at Wal- cott as wheat buyer, and during that time engaged in the hardware business in that town, and after operating the business one and a half years he dis- posed of his interests, and was wheat buyer for the Farmers' Grain Association, at Kindred, Cass coun- ty, North Dakota. On his return to Walcott in 1896 he purchased a stock of general merchandise, and conducts the business in connection with his farm- ing.

Our subject was married in Christiania, Norway, January 10, 1875, to Miss Martha Thue, a sister of O. R. Thue, of Walcott. Mrs. Bendiksen was born in Norway, September 24, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Bendiksen have been the parents of eleven children, as follows: Bernhard; Rika; Julia; Maren ; Rong- vald ; Peder died at the age of fifteen months ; Peder ; Oluf: Theodor; Martin and Daniel. Mr. Bendik- sen takes an active part in local affairs, and has held all of the township offices in Colfax township, with the exception of justice of the peace. Politically he he is a Populist. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

ABRAM L. BEGGS, register of deeds of Dickey county, is deservedly popular throughout that re- gion. He was one of the pioneers of that county, and his career in Dakota has been a successful one and marked with persistent efforts to advance the civ- ilization of that locality. Until recently he was act- ively engaged in farming, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, comprising one of the finest farms of the county.

Mr. Beggs was born on a farm in Dundas count- ty, Ontario, Canada, July 10, 1861, and was the eighth in a family of ten children, born to Hugh and Mary (Robinson) Beggs. His father was born in Ireland and came to Canada when a young man. He followed the pursuit of agriculture and is now enjoying a retired life in Canada.

Our subject attended the schools near his home until sixteen years of age, when he went to Cali- fornia and worked on a dairy farm for a short time, after which he returned home and remained until the fall of 1882, when he went to Ellendale, North Da- kota. He at once filed claim to land in the eastern part of the county on the James river, where he lived fourteen years, and which comprises his present farm land. He was one of the first men to settle in that part of the county, and his estate is now a valu- able one. He was elected to fill the office of register

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of deeds of Dickey county in the fall of 1896, when he removed to Ellendale. His popularity is best evi- denced by the fact that he was re-elected in the fall of 1898 by the largest majority given any candidate on the ticket, excepting one instance where there was no opposition, a testimonial of his worth as a citizen and public-spirited man.

Our subject was married near his home in Can- ada, in 1881, to Miss Manda Bush, a native of Can- ada. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beggs, four of whom are now living, as follows: Oscar C., Ethel, Mabel and Ruth. Mr. Beggs is a member of the Baptist church and the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges. He is a Republican in political sentiment and strong in his convictions. Since tak- ing up his residence in Dakota he has rapidly risen in prominence, and is one of the trusted men of Dickey county, and merits his high name.

FRANK SANFORD. Barnes county's well- known and popular register of deeds has an inter- esting record, and from the study of his life his- tory one can learn valuable lessons. The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual and is the means of bringing to man suc- cess which has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. It illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending on his own resources, looking for no out- side aid or support, Mr. Sanford has become one of the most prosperous and influential citizens of Valley City.

He was born in Liberty township, Jackson county, Michigan, September 25, 1860, a son of James P. and Cornelia (Nutten) Sanford. The mother, who was a native of Pan Yan, New York, died in Michigan, at the early age of thirty-two years, and for his second wife the father married Alice McCormick, of Rochester, New York. He was born in the Empire state in 1830, but since a boy of four years has made his home in Michigan, and is now living on the farm which his father, Abra- ham Sanford, took up from the government. The latter removed to that state when it was still a terri- tory, and helped construct the old state road from Detroit to Chicago. He died in Jackson county, Michigan, in 1880, at the age of seventy-seven years and five months.

Frank Sanford attended the district schools near his boyhood home and later was a student in the high school at Hillsdale, Michigan. On leaving that institution he went to Logansport, Indana, where he took a course of study in higher mathematics at the Smithson College and remained there until the school was abandoned. On his return to Michigan he taught school for a number of terms in that state and also for one term at Momence, Kankakee county, Illinois.

On the 18th of March, 1882, Mr. Sanford first set foot in Valley City, North Dakota, and at once

located land on section 20, township 142, range 59 west, as a homestead. He also took up a tree claim and pre-empted other land. Industrious, enterpris- ing and persevering, he has met with well deserved success during his residence in this state, and is now the owner of a two and three-quarter sections of land in one body, while his wife has a section of very fine land in Griggs county, North Dakota. He was first married, November 20, 1879, to Miss Esther Rhoades a native of Jackson county, Michigan, who died on the homestead in Barnes county, North Dakota, June 26, 1882, and on the 13th of October, 1886, he led to the marriage altar Miss Helen S. Kingsley, a native of New York state.

Mr. Sanford has always taken an active part in political affairs and is a stanch supporter of the In- dependent party. He has represented his district on the board of county commissioners, being elected in 1891, and in 1894 was first elected register of deeds, in which office he is now serving his third term with credit to himself and to the entire satisfac- tion of all concerned. He is a prominent Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine which meets at El Zagal temple, Fargo. For the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit, for it is due entirely to his own well-directed efforts and good management. During his early residence in this state he would return to Michigan during the winter and teach school in order to defray the expenses of improving his land.

HORATIO C. PLUMLEY, manager and part owner of the "Forum," of Fargo, North Dakota, is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and busi- ness capability. He has made a success of his vo- cation, and is one of the influential citizens of the state, and his paper is widely known. He holds many important commissions and ever performs his duties faithfully and well.

Mr. Plumley was born in Addison county, Ver- mont, June 15, 1856, and was the son of Frederick S. and Sarah (Clark) Plumley. His father was a farmer by occupation and died in Vermont, and his mother died in Fargo, North Dakota. His father served in the legislature of the state of Vermont, and was a public-spirited and respected citizen.

At the age of thirteen our subject left his native state and went to Mexico, New York, where he was educated in the Mexico Academy, and the high school of Syracuse. He then entered the office of the "Mexico Independent," as "devil," and there learned the trade of a printer, continuing there until 1881, when he went to Fargo, North Dakota, and became associated with the "Argus," first as trav- eling solicitor and then as night editor and local reporter. In 1883 he was appointed managing cdi- tor and continued with that paper until 1891. In October of that year, in company with Major A. W. Edwards, he founded the "Forum," since which time he has been manager of that paper. He is thor- oughly acquainted with the calling which he has

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chosen, and since 1893 has been state printing expert. Mr. Plumley was married in 1888 to Miss Helen S. Green, a native of New York. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is deputy inspector general for North Dakota, and secretary of the board of trustees of the Scottish Rite Cathedral. He is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution, his great-grandfather and his great-great-grandfather serving in the American army from Massachusetts. He has been president of the State Press Association. He served as a member of the state prison board for several years, and was chief clerk of the territorial census for 1885. Mr. Plumley stands for the prin- ciples of the Republican party.

ELLIS R. PETERSON. Industry and natural ability are the leading powers in the agricultural as well as the commercial world, and in a new country the display of these talents is more mani- fest than in a more developed region. Richland county, North Dakota, has many who have made a success of the pursuit of agriculture by dint of their well-directed labor, and a prominent place among that class is accorded the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphis. He makes his home on section 12 in Garfield township, and al- though a young man is the possessor of a fine estate.

Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden January 5, 1869, and was the fifth in a family of twelve chil- dren born to Andrew and Anna S. Peterson. The mother died in Garfield township in 1894. Our subject came to America with his parents in 1881 and the family settled in Richland county, where Mr. Peterson has made his home since. He is the possessor of one half-section of land in Garfield township, on which he has placed modern improve- ments and is surrounded by all the comforts of rural life.

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church, being secretary and organist of the local congregation, and is a man who is respected wher- ever he is known. He has filled various local of- fices of trust and gained the confidence of the peo- ple among whom he resides. He is chairman of the township board of supervisors and as an in- terested worker for education is clerk of the school board. He has a prosperous future in North Da- kota and his oneness of purpose in all public affairs has already gained him an enviable place in the minds of all.

FRED D. ALPIN, editor and part owner of the "Ransom County Gazette," has ably conducted the various departments of that paper, and has built for himself an enviable reputation as an editor, and a large patronage for his paper. He is also con- neeted with other financial enterprises and is one of the substantial men of the county. He has made his home in Lisbon for the past fifteen years and is

well known as an excellent business man and true citizen.

Mr. Aplin was born in Perry, Wyoming county, New York, May 5, 1858, and was the youngest in a family of five children born to Abner P. and Eliza C. ( Melteher) Aplin. When about fourteen years of age he began working in a printing office, and when sixteen years of age went to Caro, Michigan, to complete his trade. He remained in that state seven years, during which time he was part owner of the "Advertiser." On his way to Montana, where relatives of Mrs. Aplin were living, our subject stopped in Lisbon, in October, 1884, and there formed a partnership with H. S. Harcourt, the original newspaper man of Lisbon, publishing the "Dakota Herald." The "Dakota Herald" and "Da- kota Clipper" were consolilated in January, 1886, and the "Ransom County Gazette" was established under the control of our subject and W. S. Buck- ley. The present partnership with E. S. Kilbourne was formed in August, 1892. The paper is a Republican sheet and stands firmly for the princi- ples of that party. Aside from his newspaper in- terests Mr. Aplin is a director of the State Bank and director of the Lisbon Building & Loan Asso- ciation at Lisbon.

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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 34

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