Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 38

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 38

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Our subject was born in Tompkins county, New

marshall Brinton,

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COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

York, October 19, 1840, and was a son of Henry and Anna C. (Snyder) Neyhart. His father was a native of Monroe county, Pennsylvania, and his mother was born in the state of New York. The father was a carpenter by trade and passed most of his life in New York state, where his death occurred. Our subject had one brother and two sisters and one half-brother.

Mr. Neyhart was reared and educated in New York and enlisted in 1864 in Company F, One Hun- dred and eighty-eight New York Regiment, and served until the close of the war. His service was mostly before Richmond and he participated in the battle of Hatches Run and some minor engage- ments. After his discharge from the service he went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and re- mained there thirteen years engaged in the oil busi- ness. He went to California in 1874 and spent two years mining in the southern part of that state and then returned to Pennsylvania. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in 1878 and purchased land adjoining the town of Casselton, and in about one year his family joined him there. He was inter- ested in the hardware trade there for some years and also followed farming.

Our subject was married in New York, in 1869, to Mary E. Eager, a native of New York City. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ney- hart, as follows: Charles H .; Arthur R., who served with the Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry in the Philippines as sergeant; Frank A., who is also a member of the Thirteenth Minne- sota, in Company L, as quartermaster-sergeant ; Ralph, Edith M. and Stanley. Mr. Neyhart is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in political sentiment is a Republican, but does not take an in- terest in political matters. He is a man of practi- eral ideas, keeps pace with the times, and has made a success of his calling and merits his high standing.

JAMES H. JOHNSON, M. D. The profession to which this gentleman belongs is well represented in Ransom county and a prominent position among the members is accorded Mr. Johnson. He has been a practitioner in North Dakota for the past fifteen years and is widely known as a skilled physician and surgeon. He is established in Lisbon and is also surgeon of the Soldiers' Home.

Our subject was born in Niagara county, New York, December 20, 1839, and was the eldest in a family of five sons born to Richard and Laura (Cole) Johnson. His father was a blacksmith by trade and prospered in his business and afforded our subject an excellent education.

James H. Johnson was reared in Wilson, on the banks of Lake Ontario, and sailed several seasons on the Great Lakes. He enlisted in Company G, Seventh New York Cavalry, September 9, 1861, and the following spring the regiment was mustered out without active service. He entered the Buffalo Medical University in 1862 and left his studies in

October, 1864, when he was appointed surgeon steward and took service on the sloop of war, San Jacinto, where the service consisted mostly in chas- ing blockade runners. On New Year's morning, 1865, while engaged in that service off Bahama Isles, they ran on a reef, and were in peril for two days, a landing being effected on Noname Cay, where they remained sixteen days, when the government sent ships for their release. Returning to his home after the expiration of his service, our subject resumed his studies and graduated with the class of 1866. He located in Kafamo, Michigan, in 1868, and went from thence to Whitehall, Michigan. He went to North Dakota in 1885 and soon afterward estab- lished his practice in Libson.

Our subject was married, in 1869, to Miss Cyn- thia Herring, a native of Michigan. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson: R. Roy and Burt. The elder son is a dentist of Lisbon and a graduate of the dental department of the North- western University. Our subject is president of the board of pension examiners and has served on the county and city boards of health. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, G. A. R., Sons of the Revolution and Masonic fraternity, having passed the degrees of the Knights Templar and Mystic Shrine in the last named order. Politically he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM C. RESSER, a member of the law firm of Mills, Resser & Mills, of Fargo, North Da- kota, is a man who thoroughly loves his profession and is eminently gifted with the capabilities of mind which are indispensible at the bar. In preparing a case for trial every fact, however insignificant, is carefully studied and its possible relevancy to the merits of the case weighed and considered. He is thoroughly familiar with authority and never at a loss for a precedent.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Resser was born in Cleveland, Henry county, October 6, 1859, and is a son of Charles and Catherine (Sutch) Resser, who were born in Pennsylvania and in 1848 re- moved to Illinois, where both died. By occupation the father was a farmer. Our subject passed his boyhood and youth in Illinois and is indebted to its public schools for his educational privileges. In 1878 he commenced the study of law with Sheppard & Marston, of Cambridge, Illinois, and was admitted to the bar in Illinois in 1881. In March, of that year, Mr. Resser came to Fargo, North Dakota, where he opened an office and began practice alone. In 1888 he formed a partnership with V. S. Stone and Seth Newman, under the firm name of Stone, Newman & Resser. On the death of Mr. Stone, in 1891, the name was changed to Newman & Resser. That connection continued until 1893, when Mr. Resser entered into partnership with H. F. Miller, and was engaged in practice with him until Feb- ruary, 1897. He was then alone until January 20, 1899, when the firm of Mills, Green & Resser was

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organized, and in July, 1899, this firm was suc- ceeded by Mills, Resser & Mills. They enjoy a large and lucrative practice and are numbered among the leading law firms of the city.

Mr. Resser was married, in 1881, to Miss Alice T. Dimick, also a native of Illinois, and to them have been born three children: Duane C., Helen and William C. The Republican party finds in Mr. Resser a stanch supporter of its principles ; he has been a member of the county central committee and cloes all in his power to insure the party's success. In 1887 he served as city attorney of Fargo and was a member of the city council in 1885 and 1886. He drew up the city charter which was passed by the legislature in 1887 and takes an active and com- mendable interest in all enterprises calculated to ad- vance the interests of city, county or state.

JAMES KNEEN, one of the most successful and energetic business men of La Moure county, has been a resident of La Moure for the past fifteen years and enjoys an ever increasing patronage. He is a man of practical nature and broad mind and every enterprise for the welfare of his community meets with his hearty support and he is highly es- teemed throughout that locality.

Our subject was born in Liverpool, England, January 25, 1852, and was a son of Thomas and Mary (Cheshire) Kneen. His parents were mar- ried in England and came to America a few years later. They were the parents of twelve children, our subject being the second in order of birth, and his father was a maker of nautical instruments in Eng- land and also in America for some time. He died in Shelton, Connecticut, in 1884, and the mother survives him and is now living in Shelton.

Our subject came to America with his parents when a child of sixteen months and from New York the family went to Derby, Connecticut, where he attended school and after completing his education secured a position with Wallace & Company, ma- chinists, where he learned the trade and also tool making, and during the last years in which he was employed thus he held contracts in the bolt works. He continued thus until 1885, when he went to La Moure, North Dakota, and engaged in the hardware business, which line he handled for some time, after- ward establishing a general merchandise store. He has been eminently successful since taking up his residence there.

Our subject was married, in Derby, Connecticut, in 1874, to Miss Sarah Allice, a native of New York, who was born July 4, 1852. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kneen : Evangeline, who died in infancy, and Robert R., who is now attend- ing the La Moure high school. Mr. Kneen is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes an active part in public affairs and has held numerous offices of trust in Dakota. Politically he is a Republican and is a man who is strong in his convictions for right.

ASMUND K. TWETO, who is extensively engaged in business in Abercrombie, Richland coun- ty, is a striking example of what may be accom- plished by energetic effort, supplemented by hon- est dealings. He has gained a comfortable com- petence by dint of his own efforts and has placed himself among the substantial men of Richland county. Aside from his business interests in Aber- crombie, he is the owner of eight hundred acres of land in Abercrombie and Eagle townships and makes his home in the town.

Our subject was born in Norway May 6, 1859. He resided in his native land until about fourteen years of age, when he came to America with his parents, Knudt and Anna (Flaaten) Tweto. The family settled in Dakota county, Minnesota, where they remained two years and then removed to Worth county, Iowa. After six years in Iowa, they lo- cated in Richland county, North Dakota, in 1879, and made their home in Eagle township, where the father died in the fall of 1888.

Our subject engaged in farming and in addition to that line engaged in the hotel and saloon busi- ness in company with I. A. Johnson for three years, when he sold his interests. He organized the Farm- ers Mercantile Company, of Abercrombie, and was president of the organization two years. He be- came engaged in the farming implement business in 1888, anl has since added flour, feed, grain, live stock and lumber, and handles an extensive and re- munerative business.

Our subject was married, in Abercrombie town- ship, Richland county, November 18, 1887, to Miss Nellie Erickson, of Willmar, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Tweto are the parents of four children, as follows : Alma, Oscar, Mabel and Alvina. Mr. Tweto is an active member of the Norwegian Lu- theran church and assisted largely in the erection of the church edifice in Abercrombie. He is liberal and public-spirited and is highly esteemed for his energy and integrity.

CHARLES A. LOWELL, a pioneer settler of Cass county, resides at Casselton and is now re- tired from active farm life. He is interested in two sections of land in Cass county and has made a suc- cess of the pursuit of agriculture, now enjoying the result of his efforts and esteemed by his fellowmen.

Our subject was born in Washington county, Minnesota, November 24, 1858, and was a son of Albert and Abbie B. (Read) Lowell, both of whom were natives of Maine. His father was a farmer by occupation and went to Minnesota in 1852 or 1853 and settled in Washington county, where he en- gaged in farming and lumbering and later in the hotel business until his death in 1888. The mother died in 1890, leaving three sons and one daughter. Our subject and one brother in Stillwater, Minne- sota, are the only ones of the family now living.

Mr. Lowell was reared and educated in Wash- ington county, Minnesota, and remained there until

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1876, when he went to Fargo, North Dakota, and made his home near his uncle, Jacob Lowell. He entered claim to land in Maple River township, as a homestead, in 1878, and resided thereon for some years, and in 1894 went to Casselton, where he has since lived. He conducts general farming on two sections of land in that vicinity and has met with remarkable success in his vocation.

Our subject was married, in 1881, to Sarah Ross. Mrs. Lowell died in 1886, leaving two chil- dren, Abbie and Lilly. Mr. Lowell was married to Maud Whitman, a native of Wisconsin, in 1894. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: Maude, Elinor and Margaret. Mr. Lowell is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Modern Woodmen of America and in the first named is a Mystic Shriner. He is interested in the welfare of his community and keeps abreast of the times, but does not take part in political affairs and has never sought public preferment. He is a gentleman of the best of character and well merits his success.

HON. GEORGE S. CHURCHILL, a prom- inent real-estate dealer of Casselton, is an early set- tler of Cass county and is entitled to special men- tion as a citizen of true worth. He is also inter- ested in operating several sections of land in Cass county, and has met with success in general farming.

Our subject was born in Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, April 23, 1863, and was a son of George T. and Sarah C. (Lawrence) Churchill, natives of Con- necticut. His father was a banker and general merchant and was vice-president of the old Key- stone National Bank, of Erie, Pennsylvania, and still resides in that city. The great-great-grand- father of our subject, Captain Charles Churchill, was a native of New England, Parish Weathers- field, Connecticut, and was born December 31, 1723. He was appointed captain of militia in 1762 by the general assembly of Connecticut. He en- listed as captain in one of the militia companies who turned out to repel the invasion of New Haven, July 5, 1779, and he also enlisted as captain of the Sixth Militia, probably the same regiment in which he first enlisted, and was appointed captain by the general assembly. He was a son of Ensign Samuel Churchill of the English navy. The great grandfather of our subject, Samuel Churchill, was also a native of Connecticut. The grandfather of our subject, Josiah Churchill, was a native of Con- necticut, and was a minister of the Presbyterian de- nomination and died in Pennsylvania. The father ·of our subject is a prominent citizen of his commt1- nity and has served as a member of the city council and as county commissioner.

Our subject was one of a family of three children, two sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. Mr. Churchill was reared and educated in Erie, Pennsylvania, and in 1880 purchased land in Cass county, and the following year went to Erie,

Cass county, and followed farming there until 1899, when he moved to Casselton and established his pres- ent business. He followed general merchandising and real estate business in Erie, Cass county, while a resident of that place and has been successful in every enterprise in which he has engaged. He now operates and owns three sections of land in Cass county.

Our subject was married in 1884 to Miss Lulu Knapp, a native of Wisconsin. Mrs. Churchill's parents, Nathan and Angelina ( Green ) Knapp, were natives respectively of Canada and Wisconsin. Her father served four years in the Civil war with the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in Company B. and participated in the battles of Bull Run and Shiloh in 1862. He now resides in Washington. Mrs. Churchill is a great-great-granddaughter of Abra- ham Lighthall, who served as a sergeant, corporal and captain in the Revolutionary war, enlisting from Albany, New York, in the Fourth Tryon Company Regiment of New York, in 1780. He was born in Jefferson county, New York. He was appointed by General Washington as captain of a company of three hundred friendly Indians, and was captured by the Indians, escaped and returned to Washington, and served as aide to General Washington during the remainder of Washington's life. He was six feet, seven inches in height, and was of powerful physique. Mr. and Mrs. Churchill are the parents of one son, George E. Mr. Churchill served as a member of the lower house in 1893, and was chair- man of the insurance committee, and a member of other important committees, including the ways and means committee. He has been identified with the movements of the Republican party throughout his career, and is stanch in his political faith. He is intelligent and progressive and well merits his suc- cess and high standing.

JOHN S. WATSON, a leading and successful attorney of Fargo, North Dakota, and a member of the well-known firm of Ball, Watson & McClay, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, February 20, 1857. His parents, Samuel E. and Elizabeth M. (Brown) Watson, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively, but for many years have been residents of Indiana. The father is a merchant.

Our subject was educated in Wabash College, from which he was graduated in 1878. Later, for two years, he was employed as a teacher in that in- stitution and the following year was spent as a stu- dent in the law office of Hon. P. S. Kennedy, of Crawfordsville, Indiana. In May, 1881, he was ad- mitted to the bar and the same month came to Jamestown, North Dakota, where he at once opened an office and engaged in practice until coming to Fargo, in 1892. With W. F. Ball he formed a partnership, which still exists, and they are now at the head of a large and lucrative practice. Mr. Watson was prosecuting attorney for Stutsman county, North Dakota, in 1883 and 1884, and in 1887

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was made attorney for the Northern Pacific Railroad in the James river valley, in which position he con- tinued until 1892. Since then he and Mr. Ball have controlled all the business of the company in North Dakota and western Minnesota and also that of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in this state. Mr. Watson is not only a good lawyer, but is a good business man as well, and has served as vice-president of the James River National Bank, of Jamestown, for some years. His powers as an ad- vocate have been demonstrated by his success on many occasions, and he is an able lawyer of large and varied experience in all the courts. He has met with most excellent success during his professional career and stands high at the bar of this state. He takes no active part in political affairs, but is always willing to support any enterprise for the public good. Socially he is a Knight Templar Mason.

.In 1884 Mr. Watson was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie E. Wells, a native of Wisconsin, and to them has been born one child, Constance.

ROBERT M. POLLOCK. Not by gift, pur- chase or influence can one rise at the bar, but solely by merit must he gain his reputation, his ability win- ning him greatness and enabling him to pass on the highway of life many who had accomplished a part of the journey ere he started out. Through his own well-directed efforts Mr. Pollock has become one of the prominent lawyers of Fargo and has become a leader in public affairs.

He was born in Racine county, Wisconsin, De- cember 16, 1854, a son of James H. and Eveline (Halstead) Pollock, of New York. The father, whose life was devoted to farming, removed to Wis- consin in 1848 and there made his home until his death. He had nine children, four sons and five daughters, seven of whom are now living, and five are now residents of North Dakota.

During his boyhood and youth our subject at- tended the public schools of his native state, and then taught school for three years, during which time he also read law. Subsequently he entered the law officeof Judge Elbert O. Hand, of Racine, and in 1879 was admitted to practice at the bar of Wis- consin. In 1880 he came to Casselton, North Dakota, and opened an office, being engaged in practice there for seventeen years. While there he was city attor- ney, mayor, a member of the board of education, was a member of the constitutional convention in 1889, and in 1891 was appointed by Governor Burke as a member of the compilation commission to compile the laws of the state. He also served as state's attorney for Cass county for four years from January, 1893. He removed from Caselton to Far- go in January, 1897, and here he has since success- fully engaged in practice. In 1891 he formed a partnership with H. G. Scott which still exists, and they retain a clientage of so representative a char- acter as to alone stand as evidence of their profes- sional ability and personal popularity.

Mr. Pollock was married, in December, 1881, to Miss Christine Corse, at Racine, Wisconsin, and their family consists of seven children, namely : Eve- lyn H., Mina, James W., John C., Hal., Robert B. and Hew. In his political affiliations Mr. Pollock is a pronounced Republican and has taken an active part in the campaigns of the state. Socially he be- longs to the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

HENRY J. OBERMAN, who is filling the office of county auditor of Dickey county, North Dakota, in an efficient and public-spirited manner, is one of the rising young men of that region. He is possessor of one of the most valuable tracts of land in the northern part of the county, consisting of one section, on which he conducted farming for many years, and from a limited start has acquired a com- fortable competence, mainly by his own efforts and honest dealings.

Mr. Oberman was born in Joliet, Illinois, June 1, 1864, and was the ninth in a family of ten children born to John F. and Wilhelmina ( Brinkman) Ober- man. Both parents were natives of Germany, and the father was a quarryman by occupation. The mother of our subject died when he was but five years of age.

Our subject finished his education in the schools of Joliet and in 1882 went to Ellendale, Dickey county, Dakota, and filed claim to land thirteen miles north of the county seat, but at present owns one section of land in Porter township.

Our subject was married in Monango, Dickey county, North Dakota, in 1891, to Miss Francis E. Scott, a native of Iowa, who was born in 1872. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Oberman, whom they have named Frederick S. Mr. Oberman is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. He has served his township in many of the offices of importance, and his present position is gaining for him the confidence of the peo- ple among whom he has resided for so many years. Personal matters are at all times cast aside for the more important issues of his community and county, and he labors for the general welfare of the people with a oneness of purpose which places him foremost in the rank of esteemed citizens.

HON. GEORGE N. SMITH, one of the wealth- iest and most influential citizens of Cass county, re- sides on section 17, in Rush River township, and in company with his brother, operates an exten- sive tract of land. He went to Dakota with limited means, and by dint of energy and perseverance, sup- plemented by the strictest integrity, he has accumu- lated a fortune and an enviable reputation. A por- trait of Mr. Smith is shown on another page.

Our subject was born in Wyoming county. New York, April 1, 1849. When quite young he re- moved to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, with his

HON. GEO. N. SMITH.

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parents, in 1854, and settled near Schoolcraft, Michigan, where he was reared to manhood. He was educated at the Kalamazoo Baptist College, later at Parson's Business College in that city, and remained in Kalamazoo county till the spring of 1879, when he went to Dakota and located in Cass county, in what is now Rush River township, where he has since been a resident. He assisted in the organization of the township, and named it. He purchased, in company with his brother, Forrester H. Smith, one section of land, section 17, township 14I, range 51. They have steadily increased their acreage, and are now the owners of five sections of land in Cass county, and our subject is also interested in a large tract of land in South Dakota. He and his brother have erected a set of fine farm buildings on the home farm in section 17, and enjoy all the comforts of rural life. In the spring of 1872 they shipped from Michigan twenty-two cars of stock and emigrant movables, and at that time sixty-three men, women and children, went to settle in North Dakota with them. The first year our subject and brother with the aid of five men and fifteen head of horses and mules, seeded six hundred acres of wheat and oats, and broke six hundred and forty acres of land, put up seventy-five tons of hay, harvested twelve thousand three hundred bushels of wheat, and five thousand bushels of oats and back-set six hundred and forty acres of prairie. Only during harvest time were more men employed. They have been possessed of untiring energy and a capacity for well-directed labor, that has placed them at the front as agriculturists.

George N. Smith was elected to the legislature in the fall of 1890, and served one term, giving very efficient service for his community. He has held many of the township offices in Rush River township and is thoroughly identified with the upbuilding and general welfare of that locality. He is liberal and contributes to the various religious denominations, and no charitable cause worthy of support, or needy person, is refused aid when it is asked. He has gained his fortune steadily and well merits his success.

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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 38

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