Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 36

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

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At the age of twenty-four years, our subject was married to Miss Mary E. Hartman, who was born and raised near Hagerstown, Maryland, and is of German descent. Mrs. Williams is a lady of considerable education and was a teacher for one year. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as follows: Margaret E., married ; Hartman and Calvin, twins, and the latter is now in South America, representing a machine company; Lawrence, who has recently returned from the Phil- ippines, and is a member of the First North Da- kota Infantry-these four were born on the same farm in Pennsylvania where their father and grand- father were born ; George, born in Kansas ; and Ruth and Elizabeth, born in North Dakota. Mr. Will- iams is a Populist in political faith and stands firmly for his convictions. He was presidential elector in 1892, and was the nominee of the Populist party in 1898 for the state legislature, and was chairman of the first Populist state central committee, and was active in the organization of the party. He was sec- retary of the state Farmers' Alliance from November, 1889, to June, 1891, and was president of the same from June, 1892, to June, 1893. He was land commis- sioner of North Dakota from April, 1893, to July, 1895, and was the first to be appointed in that capacity. He has attended as delegate every state convention of his party, and takes an active part in state and county affairs. His earnest labors have been given with a oneness of purpose which has commended him to all alike.

WILLIAM McGUIGAN, proprietor of one of the fine farms of Maple River township, Cass coun- ty, is one of the energetic and well-to-do citizens of his locality. He went to Dakota without means, and by persistent effort and economical methods has placed himself in comfortable circumstances, and is accorded a prominent place among those of his calling.

Our subject was born in county Down, Ireland, August 2, 1857, and was a son of Bernard and Susanna (Allister) McGuigan, both of whom were natives of county Down. His father was a farmer by occupation and remained in his native land until his death, which occurred February 22, 1899. The mother came to the United States in May, 1899, and now resides with our subject. Our subject has six brothers and one sister, all in North Da- kota with the exception of one brother now residing in Oregon.

Mr. McGuigan was reared in Ireland and edu- cated there and later followed farming in his native isle until 1883, when he emigrated to America and went to Cass county direct, where he has since fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. He had but one dol- lar when he arrived there, and is now the fortunate possessor of three quarter-sections of land, all of which is well improved and furnishes a comfortable income. Our subject was married, April 2, 1891, to Miss Maggie Ross, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. McGuigan are the parents of three chil- dren, named as follows: James E., Melvin B. and Mildred A. The family are members of the Pres- byterian church and are highly respected in the community in which they reside. Mr. McGuigan has filled some of the township offices, and is act- ively interested in the welfare of his adopted land. Politically he is independent, and is a man of pro- gressive ideas and is deservedly popular with his associates.

WILLIAM A. BENTLEY, M. D. The world has little use for the misanthrope. The universal truth of brotherhood is widely recognized also that he serves God best who serves his fellow men. There is no profession or line of business that calls for greater self-sacrifice or more devoted attention than the medical profession, and the successful physician is he who, through love of his fellowmen, gives his time and attention to the relief of human suffering Dr. Bentley is one of the ablest representatives of this noble calling in Bismarck, and is today at the head of the Northwestern Sanitorium in that ciy. His portrait is presented on another page.

He was born in Lebanon, New London county, Connecticut, November 30, 1837, a son of Eleazer and Fidelia (Henry) Bentley, natives of Connecti- cut and Massachusetts, respectively. His father also studied medicine but never engaged in practice and for many years taught school. He died in his native state in 1865, and his wife in 1867. In their family were three sons and one daughter. One son was drowned off Long Island in 1852, and the other brother of our subject is now a dentist at Hopkin- ton, Iowa, while the sister is still a resident of Con- necticut.

Reared in his native state, Dr. Bentley began his education in its public schools ; and later attended H. A. Balcom's Private English and Classical Acad- emy, and Bacon's Academy at Colchester, Connect-

WILLIAM A. BENTLEY. M. D.

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icut. At the age of seventeen he commenced life as a teacher in the west and was thuis employed for some time. He became a resident of Minnesota in 1856 and in 1860 removed to lowa, where during the Civil war he enlisted in November, 1861, in Com- pany H, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Col- onel William Vanderer, whose regiment was known as the Iowa Greyhounds after their march of sixty miles on the 5th of March, 1862, to participate in the battle of Pea Ridge, which commenced the fol- lowing day. The Doctor was in the service one year, and was with General Curtiss in Arkansas. Be- sides the battle of Pea Ridge he took part in a mim1- ber of small engagements. He was discharged on account of disability.

In 1863, Dr. Bentley went to St. Paul, Minne- sota, where he engaged in newspaper work for some time. He commenced reading medicine in 1867, attending a local school in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1869 entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated the same year. For a time he was engaged in practice with Dr. Wood- worth, in St. Paul, and then moved to Rush City, Minnesota, where he remained for several years. In July, 1877, he came to Bismarck, North Dakota, where he has since engaged in practice with marked success, not only in the city but throughout the sur- rounding country and towns along the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In connection with his private practice he also conducted the Northwestern Sanitarium as proprietor and manager.

In 1860 Dr. Bentley was united in marriage with Miss Emily A. White, a native of Massachusetts, who died in 1894, leaving five children, namely : Hat- tie F., Nellie S., Emma E., Charles A. and Miriam H. The Doctor is a charter member of the Chicago Orificial Surgical Association, and is acknowledged to be one of the best and most skillful physicians and surgeons of the state. He served as physician at the state penitentiary for five years, and has been county and city physician several terms. He is also a prominent factor in public affairs, and was mayor of Bismarck for four years. He is president of the board of health of Burleigh county, and has been president of the United States pension examin- ing board since 1891, prior to which time he was its secretary for ten years. He was president of the board of trustees of the State Soldiers' Home during the period of its construction and for some time afterwards, and was president of the board of trus- tees in charge of state capital lands and property from 1889 to 1896. He organized the First Regiment Dakota National Guards, under Governor Pierce, and became its colonel, which rank he held for seven years. He was then commissioned adjutant-gen- eral by Governor Burke and served as such for two years. Socially the Doctor is a man of considerable prominence ; is past grand master of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows for both North and South Dakota : and past grand treasurer of the Masonic Grand Lodge. He is a thirty-second-degree Mason and is in line for the thirty-third degree. He is

also an influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic and past department commander of the state. Politically he is a Republican, but is an ad- vocate of the coinage of silver on an equal basis with gold. While at Rush City, Minnesota, he was elected to the state legislature and was a member of the North Dakota legislature in 1893. Wherever he goes the Doctor wins friends and has the happy faculty of being able to retain them. In 1897 Dr. Bentley was the nominee of the opposition caucus in election for United States senator for the state of North Dakota, and received twenty-seven votes, which was the entire vote of the opposition to Sen- ator Hansbrough.

ADONIJAH J. DUNHAM. The maturer years of this gentleman have been devoted to the pursuit of farming, in which vocation he has met with suc- cess, and is now the proprietor of a fine estate in De Villo township, Richtand county. He makes his home on section 23, where he located many years ago, and has added such improvements as are found on a model farm.

Our subject was born in Kings county, Nova Scotia, December 25, 1847, where he lived and fol- lowed farming until about twenty-four years of age, when he came to Massachusetts, and for several years was engaged at the trade of shoe-making. He moved to Dakota territory with his wife and two children in the spring of 1879, and entered a home- stead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23 of De Villo township. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land and has made extensive improvements on his home- stead farm.

Our subject was married, in Ashland, Massa- chnisetts, December 15, 1872, to Miss Elizabeth E. Farley, who was born in Birmingham, England, Februry 2, 1848. Mrs. Dunham came to America in 1871. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunham, four of whom are living, as fol- lows: Allston E., Harry E., Nellie L. and Louis C. Mr. Dunham is an influential citizen of De Villo township, and for three years was constable of that township, which office his eldest son is now filling. The family are held in high esteem by their many friends.

THEODORE T. JAHR. Among the public officials of Traill county who are efficient, honora- ble and highly esteemed, the name of Mr. Jahr, county treasurer, should be given a foremost place. He is a gentleman whose interests are with his com- munity and whose earnest labors for the advance- ment of Traill county, together with his excellence of character, have gained him the entire confidence of those among whom he has made his home for many years. He is proprietor of a fine farm in Norway township, and his residence is located in section 32.

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Our subject was born in Freeborn county, Min- nesota, April 9, 1868, and was the second in a family of six children born to Troger and Ronong (Ste- rerson) Jahr, both of whom were natives of Nor- way, and now reside in Norway township, Traill county, North Dakota. Four of the children are now living and reside in Traill county.

Our subject was the eldest son, and with his parents moved to North Dakota in 1882, shipping stock and other supplies, and the family located in Norway township, Traill county, and they farmed in common for some years. A division of the land was made in 1891 and our subject then began farm- ing for himself. He is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, which is well lo- cated and improved, and furnishes a comfortable home. An artesian well supplies an abundance of good water, and the farm is admirably adapted to general farming. Mr. Jahr took a business course at Bruflat College, in Portland, North Dakota, from 1888-90, farming during the summer season and at- tending school during the winter months. He was elected to his present office as county treasurer in 1898 without opposition.

Our subject was married, in 1896, to Miss Esther Johnson. Mrs. Jahr was one of the best-known educators of Traill county, having taught there about ten years. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jahr, as follows: Johan C. and one unnamed (twins), both deceased; Richard T., born May 22, 1898, and Claudie Marie, born January 21, 1900. Mr. Jahr is a member of the United Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican, but is a popular official regardless of party affilia- tions. He has served on the township board and takes an active part in public affairs and is rapidly gaining influence.

AUGUST KRUMM, a public-spirited and enter- prising member of the farming community of Cass county, has devoted the greater part of his life to agriculture, in the pursuit of which he has been very fortunate and is the proprietor of a fine estate in Maple River township.

Our subject was born in the province of Thur- ingen, Germany, June 27, 1858, and is a son of Henry and Christina ( Moench) Krumm, who were natives of the same province. His father was a farmer by occupation, and was foreman of his dis- trict for years. He died in his native land Decem- ber 16, 1899, and the mother died in 1898. They had three sons and three daughters, and our subject is the only one of the family in the United States.

Mr. Krumm was reared in his native land and educated there, and then learned the painter's trade, which he followed and also farming until 1882, when, in company with his uncle, he came to Amer- ica. He went direct to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a homestead and pre-emption claim to land in Pontiac township, and began the improve- ment of his farm. He purchased the land on which

he now resides in 1892, and is now the owner of an entire section of land, which he has under culti- vation, and has made a success of general farming.

Our subject was married, in 1895, to Miss Mary L. Kaut, a native of Wisconsin. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Krumm, as fol- lows: Jane M. and Emma L. The family are members of the Evangelical Association, and are highly respected in their community. Mr. Krumm is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He takes an active interest in local affairs and in polit- ical sentiment is a Republican. He has met with success in North Dakota, and enjoys the result of a well-spent career.

THOMAS D. PARSONS. "Fairview Farm," in Mooreton township, Richland county, is one the largest estates in that region, and is under the management of one of the progressive, intelli- gent gentlemen of the vicinity, the subject of this review. He is making a successs of his work and has been entrusted with the entire management for several years past. He is yet a young man, but has shown marked ability for business, and is enter- prising and careful in detail.

Mr. Parsons was born on a farm in Steele county, Minnesota, December 23, 1860, and was the son of George and Mary (Paul) Parsons, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England. Our sub- ject was one of nine children, as follows: Henry, Anna, Mary, William, Louisa, Thomas D., Charles H., Sarah F. and George F.

Thomas D. Parsons was reared in his native county and educated in the common schools, and later attended Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna. After leaving the school room he was employed by the Walter A. Wood Harvester Company as trav- eling salesman, and was in their employ as such for about ten years. He entered the employ of W. P. Adams in 1889, and after two years assumed the management of the entire farm, which comprises nine sections of land. During the harvest and threshing season one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five men are at work, and during the fall and spring forty to fifty men are under his employ. The farm is owned by W. P. Adams, of Chicago, and Mr. Adams entrusts every branch of the work to the management of Mr. Parsons. He has so well conducted the farm that he has made of it one of the best in the county, and his labors have been satis- factory in every way.

Our subject was married, at Milford, Massa- chusetts, November 24, 1892, to Miss Jennie L. Phipps, daughter of Waldo and Margaret ( Claflin) Phipps, the father a native of Hopkinton, Massa- chusetts, and the mother of Holliston, Massachu- setts. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Phipps, namely: Jennie L. and Maggie I. Jennie L., now Mrs. Parsons, was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, October 21, 1864. She is a lady of refinement and has inherited the housewifely in-

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stincts of the New England home. Two children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, upon whom they have bestowed the names of Robert Adams and Mary Margaret. Both our subject and wife are members of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Parsons affiliates with the Ma- sonic fraternity. He is a gentleman who is entitled to much credit for the labors he has put forth for tlie advancement of his community, and is held in the highest esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. It is indeed no easy task for one to conduct as large an estate as has been placed in his care and bring pleasing results in every instance, and in the hand- ling of those under his employ during the busy sea- sons he has shown great ability in a business way, and at the same time displayed a spirit of kindli- ness which has gained him many friends and as- sured him success.

The W. P. Adams farm is widely known and deserves the highest praise for its high state of cul- tivation, good crops and its neatness in every detail, and is one of the very best in the state, being almost entirely under cultivation.

MAJOR JOHN H. FRAINE. This gentleman occupies a prominent and influential position as a member of the North Dakota bar. He has an exten- sive practice in Grafton, North Dakota, and his practice has brought him in contact with the most learned members of the profession in the state, and he is recognized as a gentleman of broad ideas and excellent qualities. He has recently returned from the Spanish-American war with the rank of major, and during his service earned high honors for loyalty and bravery.

Our subject was born near Sheffield, Notting- hamshire, England, September 7, 1861, and is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Cook ) Fraine, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of England. His father was an ivory-worker and came to America in 1866 and settled in Brooklyn, and now resides in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Our subject is one of the four sons who grew to manhood, of whom one brother and our subject reside in North Dakota. Mr. Fraine was reared and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts, and re- mained in that state until 1878, and then spent some years in travel. He came to North Dakota in 1885 and settled at Grafton, where he finished reading law and was admitted to the bar in May, 1891. He at once began the practice of his profession and con- tinued alone until January 1, 1893, when he formed a partnership with Judge Sauter, which existed until Judge Sauter was appointed district judge of the newly created seventh judicial circuit. Mr. Fraine gave his entire attention to the practice of law until the breaking out of the Spanish-American war, when he enlisted, April 26, 1898, as captain of Company C, First North Dakota Infantry. Prior to that he had been captain of Company C for five years as a member of the National Guard. He sailed for Manila

in May, 1898, and served seventeen months, and was discharged with the rank of major of the First North Dakota, Second Battalion. During the serv- ice he participated in twenty-four engagements, in- cluding the battle of Manila, Santa Cruz, and was with General Lawton in three campaigns. He served with distinction and honor to himself and country. He has met with good success as an at- torney and has an increasing practice.

Our subject was married, in 1882, to Miss Marian Robinson, a native of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Fraine are the parents of one son, named John R. Mr. Fraine is prominent in secret society cir- cles, and holds membership in the Masonic fra- ternity, Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Foresters. He is independent in political faith, and wields his influence for good local government.

NELSE C. RUKKE belongs to that class of en- terprising and intelligent farmers whose homes are places of social and mental comfort, and whose work as developers of the country is a credit alike to themselves and the community. His estate is in Pilot Mound township, and his pleasant residence is situated in a picturesque spot on the banks of the Sheyenne river, in section 1. He was the first set- tler of that township, and is widely known and highly esteemed.

Our subject was born in Norway, December 4, 1840, and was the seventh in a family of twelve chil- dren, six sons and six daughters, born to Christian and Ture (Syverson) Rukke, both of whom died in Minnesota. A brother of our subject, Sever, was a member of the Sixth Minnesota Volunteer In- fantry during the Civil war, and died in camp at Helena, Arkansas.

Mr. Rukke came to America with his parents when three years of age, and the family located on a farm in Rock county, Wisconsin, where he re- ceived his first educational training, and in 1857 removed with his parents to Brown county, Minne- sota, and there grew to manhood and assisted his father on the farm until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted in Company E, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, at St. Peter, Minne- sota, in April, 1861, and the regiment was consigned to the Fourteenth Army Corps, under command of General George Thomas. Mr. Rukke served four years, and was wounded at the storming of Missionary Ridge, November 24, 1863, and in con- sequence was confined in the hospital at Evansville, Indiana, six months. He participated in the battles of Mill Spring, Kentucky; Corinth, Mississippi ; Shiloh ; Perryville, Kentucky ; Chickamauga, Chat- tanooga and others, and marched three months with Sherman from Dalton to Atlanta.

After his return from the war Mr. Rukke pur- chased a half-section of railroad land near his father's farm in Minnesota, and there engaged in farming for some years. He was elected county treasurer of Brown county, Minnesota, in 1870, and

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was elected in the same capacity three times, and after leaving that office he removed to St. Paul, where he became traveling representative for the Walter A. Woods Harvesting Machine Company, under Fuller & Johnson, general agents for the Northwest. He remained with them about six years, and then went to North Dakota and secured a posi- tion with Bayam & Hoiland, at Mayville. He was in their employ one year, and in 1884, in company with Mr. Hoiland, engaged in the machine business at Cooperstown, and were the pioneers in that line. The following year our subject disposed of his in- terests to Knute Thompson & Finley, and he re- moved to his farm, where his family had resided since locating in the state. He has continued farm- ing since, and is now the owner of five quarter- sections of well-improved land, all of which is located in Griggs county.

Our subject was married, in 1868, to Miss Guro Odegard, a native of Norway, who was born May 9, 1850, and was a daughter of Thore and Guro Odegard. Mrs. Rukke's father now resides in Cooperstown, North Dakota, and the mother died in that city in 1896, aged seventy-six years. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rukke, as follows: Christian W. died at the age of five years; Agnes T .; Christian W .; Elma died at the age of twelve years ;; Guy V .; Seward died at the age of three years; Nellie G. and Elma S. Mr. Rukke is prominent in public affairs in his township and coun- ty, and served on the first board of county commis- sioners ofter the county was organized, and has been chairman of the board of supervisors of his town- ship for the past six years. He is a member of Rockwell Post, G. A. R., at Cooperstown, North Dakota. Politically he is a Republican, and stands firmly for the principles of his party.

GEORGE A. BANGS. Among the younger professional men of Grand Forks county, North Da- kota, who are rapidly attaining prominence, may be mentioned Mr. Bangs, of Grand Forks. He is a gentleman of good education, energetic and pro- gressive, and enjoys the highest esteem of his fel- lowmen. His success has been unbounded since taking up the practice of law, and he has built up a large and remunerative practice and is one of the substantial citizens of that city.

Our subject was born in Le Sueur county, Min- nesota, November 1, 1867, and was a son of Alfred W. and Sarah D. ( Plowman) Bangs. A brother of our subject, Tracy R. Bangs, is also well known in North Dakota, and a sketch of his life appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Bangs was reared and educated in his native county and attended the high school, and studied law first in his father's office, and in 1882 went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, as a clerk in the land office. He also held a claim to land in that vicinity and remained in the land office until 1802. He then spent two years in the study of law in the office of Tracy R. Bangs and

C. J. Fisk, and was admitted to practice in the fall of 1893. He had purchased an interest in the above named firm, and after being admitted to the bar remained with them until July, 1895, when Tracy R. Bangs retired from the firm, and it then existed as George A. Bangs and C. J. Fisk until Judge Fisk was chosen for the bench. Mr. Bangs was appointed city attorney in 1896, and is now serving in that capacity. He was elected state's at- torney for Grand Forks county in 1898 and is acting in that office.

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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 36

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