Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 39

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

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JAMES D. McKECHNIE. An honorable posi- tion as a worthy citizen and public official of Foster county is due the gentleman above named. He is the present sheriff of that county and is a young man in whom the people repose confidence.

Our subject was born in Bristol, Quebec, Canada, March 29, 1864. His father, Archibald A. McKech- nie, was born in Scotland and was a farmer through- ott his career. He came to America when eighteen years of age with his parents. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Walker, was born in Ireland.

Mr. McKechnie was the fourteenth in order of birth in a family of sixteen children, and is now the smallest of the eleven sons, and he weighs over two hundred pounds. He was reared on a farm in Pon-

tiac county and received educational advantages, and at the age of eighteen years began working for others and followed railroad clerking five years. He went to Carrington, North Dakota, in 1884, and hired out at different employments, and conducted a dray line in Carrington from 1893 to 1898. He also conducted farming for nearly nine years, but did not meet with success and gave up the project in 1893. He clerked in a general store in 1898, and in the fall of that year was elected to his present position.

Our subject was married November 29, 1887, to Miss Agnes Williams, who was born and raised in Kentucky. Mrs. McKechnie's father, William Williams, was of American and Canadian descent, and was a farmer by occupation. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. McKechnie, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Clara B. Mr. Mc- Kechnie holds membership in the Knights of Pyth- ias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Woodmen of the World. He takes great interest in affairs gen- erally and is deservedly popular with the people. Politically he supports the principles of the Repub- lican party.

JOHN DINNIE, widely known as a worthy citi- zen of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is the present mayor of that city, and is identified with its advance- ment in social and financial affairs. He is one of the leading business men of the place and has won his way to the front steadily and now stands as a man of public spirit and commendable character.

Our subject was born near the St. Lawrence river in Dundas county, Ontario, Canada, August 24, 1853. His parents, John and Mary (Gow) Din- nie, were born in Scotland and emigrated to Can- ada in 1849 and settled in Dundas county and en- gaged in farming. They still reside on the old home place. Three sons and six daughters were born to them, and the sons now reside in North Dakota.

Mr. Dinnie received his early training in Canada and then learned the trade of a brick and stone ma- son, and in 1881 went to Grand Forks county, North Dakota and followed his trade there for some years. He engaged in the manufacture of brick in 1889 and the following year his brother, James A. Din- nie. became a partner in the business, and the firm took the name of Dinnie Brothers and still exists and follows brick manufacturing. The Grand Forks Brick. Company was organized in 1894, and our sub- ject is the director of the same. They also conduct an extensive business in contracting and building, and also farming.

Mr. Dinnie was married in 1876 to Miss Ellen Schwerdfegar, a native of Canada. Eight children, two sons and six daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dinnie. Mr. Dinnie served as alderman from the fifth ward in Grand Forks four years, and in 1896 he was elected mayor of the city. His pop- ularity is evidenced by the fact that he was returned to the office in 1898, and liad no opposition to meet

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in his election. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Elks. He is loyal and determined in his adherence to the right and to his friends, and occupies a promi- nent place among the leaders of affairs of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

DONALD C. ROSS. The motto "merit al -- ways commands its reward" is well exemplified in the career of Mr. Ross, the present efficient and popular county treasurer of Cass county, North Da- kota, whose home is now in Fargo. He came to this state in limited circumstances, but through his own well-directed and energetic efforts has acquired a comfortable competence. He is a native of Can- ada, born in Bayfield, Ontario, November 28, 1860. His parents were Peter and Mary (Campbell) Ross, the former a native of Nova Scotia, the latter of Scotland. The mother died in Canada, and in 1880 the father came to Cass county, North Dakota, where he passed away in August, 1898. To this worthy couple were born six children, three sons and three daughters.

Donald C. Ross passed his boyhood and youth in Canada, where he attended the common schools and later followed teaching for some years. On coming to the United States in 1879 he first located in Michigan, but the following year came to Dakota and was employed in the Grafton schools for two years. For twelve years he was engaged in the grain and lumber trade at Wild Rice, and meeting with marked success in business he has become the owner of seven hundred acres of fine farming land in this state, besides property in Clay county, Min- nesota.

Politically he has been an ardent Republican during his entire residence in this country, and on his party ticket was elected, in 1898, to the office of county treasurer of Cass county. He entered upon the duties of the position January 1, 1899, and is now discharging them in a most creditable and satis- factory manner. Fraternally he affiliates with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He is well known and highly respected and has made many friends during his residence in this state.

SIMON NELSON, one of the earliest pioneer settlers of Eddy county, is a man of intelligence and active public spirit, and has made a success of his career in Dakota as a farmer and business man. He is now living in retirement in his comfortable home in Sheyenne, and is widely known and highly es- teemed.

Our subject was born in Telemarken, Norway, in 1854. and was a son of Nels Oleson, who was a farmer and merchant in Norway, and died in his native land, while our subject was still at home. The mother and children came to America when our subject was about sixteen years of age, after he had completed a common-school education, and the

family settled in Dakota county, Minnesota. The mother purchased land and our subject and brother operated the farm, and he remained at home until 1878, when in the spring of that year he went to Dakota and was employed at farm work twelve miles west of Fargo about three years, and in 1881 went to Nelson county, and there took land as a pre- emption, and built thereon a shanty and lived there alone one winter. He went to Eddy county in the fall of 1883 and took land as a tree-claim in town- ship 150, range 67, and built a sod shanty and fol- lowed farming there and lived alone several years. He made his start at farm work with a yoke of oxen, a wagon and plow, and engaged in wheat raising and prospered in that line. He remained on the farm till the spring of 1893, when he purchased a stock of general merchandise from J. W. Rickter, and conducted the store six years. He built a store building in the best business location in Sheyenne, in 1897, and conducted business therein two years afterward, and in the spring of 1899 disposed of his mercantile interests, since which time he has lived retired from active labors in the city of Sheyenne, where he 1899 he erected a comfortable and modern residence. He also owns his business property in Sheyenne, and also his farm of two hundred and forty acres. He has rented his farm since 1893, and the entire tract is under cultivation and well im- proved. When Mr. Nelson located in Dakota, Shey- enne had not been started, and the railroad through his section of Eddy county was in course of con- struction.

Our subject was married in 1897 to Miss Chris- tena Ofstedal, a native of Minnesota, and a daughter of Christian Ofstedal, a farmer by occupation. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Alma. Mr. Nelson takes an active part in public affairs, and is well known as a man of energetic spirit and good judgment. He is a Republican in political faith.

MILO M. CLOUGH, editor and proprietor of the Abercrombie "Herald," is a gentleman of true worth and wide influence for good. He is intelli- gent, progressive, and has a knowledge of men and the world which makes him a man who holds the confidence of the people among whom he labors. His life has been devoted to the higher pursuits of man, and he has spent many years as an instructor in public schools.

Our subject was born in Carlisle, Iowa, July 13, 1862. He was reared on his father's farm, three miles west of that place, and was educated in the common schools until eleven years of age, and then attended the University of Des Moines, Iowa, for nine years, completing the classical and scientific courses. He graduated from that institution in June, 1881, and from a class of twenty-one was chosen as valedictorian. He was then engaged in teaching three years and was principal of the Car- liste schools, and then elected principal of the East

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Des Moines high school where he remained until' 1891. He went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in March, of that year, and spent six months with the Johns Publishing Company, when he was chosen principal of the Hankinson, North Dakota, school and remained there two years. He established the Hankinson "News" in March, 1892, under the firm name of Falley & Clough, and they operated the paper two years, when they sold the same. While a resident of Hankinson our subject taught school in Fairmount, where he was principal. He had previously been elected chairman of the Richland County Teachers' Association, and served one year. He continued his residence in Hankinson until June, 1894, when he went to Abercrombie and established the Abercrombie "Herald." The first issue was dated June 21, 1894, and the paper has steadily in- creased in circulation since that time and is now one of the first sheets of that region. Mr. Clough was elected principal of the Abercrombie high school in 1894, and held that position one year. Since living in Abercrombie he has taken an interest in bee cult- ure, and now has an apiary of fifty-four colonies. Mr. Clough is a man of inventive mind, and when fourteen years of age began working on a check rower, on which he obtained a patent in 1883, which five years later he disposed of at a good figure.

Our subject was married at Abercrombie, Rich- land county, August 4, 1894, to Miss Tilda Sime, who was born near Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa. Mrs. Clough was a teacher in the schools of Abercrombie for seven years. She died in that vil- lage March 27, 1896, leaving two daughters, twins, named Matilda Mary and Tillie Marie. The dauglt- ters died in September, 1896. Mr. Clough married Lou Johnson, in Abercrombie, April 5, 1897. Mrs. Clough was born in St. Croix county, Wisconsin. Mr. Clough is a man of genial nature and has a host of friends.

WILLIAM STREHLOW. The business and social interests of Cass county have been carefully guarded and provided for by the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article. He is one of the pioneers of that region, and since taking up his residence there he has labored with untiring per- severance for the upbuilding of the better interests of his community, and is held in a high position in the minds of his associates. He is engaged in the farming implement business in the city of Casselton, and has been identified with the various enterprises of that city, including the First National Bank, in which he was formerly a director, stockholder and vice-president.

Our subject is a native of Germany, and was born in the city of Berlin, April 30, 1844. and was a son of Frederick and Elizabeth ( Menge) Strehlow, both of whom were natives of Germany. His father was a farmer by occupation and came to America in 1849, and settled at Watertown, Wis- consin, where he purchased land and resided until

1864, when he moved to Winona county, Minne- sota, and later to DeForest, Wisconsin, and there made his home until his death in 1894. The mother of our subject died in 1892. They had four sons and three daughters : three sons and two daugh- ters are now living, and our subject and one sister reside in North Dakota.

Mr. Strehlow was reared and educated in Wis- consin, and October 1, 1861, enlisted in Company K, Third Wisconsin Cavalry, and served until Feb- ruary 14, 1865. He was with the Third Army Corps most of the time under General Scofield, and was engaged at Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Fort Smith, and Van Buren, and the raid in Texas, and was wounded twice during the service, once re- ceiving a bayonet wound in his elbow and being once shot through the left leg. but he lost little time from active service and remained until the close of the war. After his discharge from the service he returned to Minnesota, and spent some years at farming and various business pursuits in Minnesota and Wis- consin until 1877. In that year he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered claim to land as a homestead and tree claim in Addison township, built the first shanty and was the first settler in that township, and was the founder of the large German settlement of that vicinity. He remained on his claim the first year alone and was then joined by his family. He removed to Casselton in the fall of 1879, where he has since resided, and is engaged in the handling of farm implements. He has met with eminent success in his business and is regarded as one of the solid men of Cass county.

The subject of this sketch was married in Wisconsin, in 1869, to Mary Buckholz, a native of Germany. Three sons and four daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Strehlow all of whom, with the exception of one daughter,- reside in Casselton. Mr. Strehlow is actively inter- ested in the government of his township and town and has served as mayor of Casselton, and twice as county commissioner of Cass county. He is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, with which party he has affiliated throughout his career. His name is closely linked with the his- tory of that region and much credit is due him for his energetic efforts in furthering its interests.

OLUF HAGEN, county auditor of Traill county, is one of the rising young men of North Dakota. He is a gentleman of exemplary character, and the people repose confidence in him. He is ably dis- charging the duties of his position as a public officer, and is among the public-spirited men of the county.

Our subject was born near Lillihammer, Nor- way, August 24, 1867, and was the fourth in a . family of six children, born to Ole and Anna (Hagen) Hagen. His parents died in Norway and our subject and two older brothers are the only surviving members of the family. His father was a land owner of comfortable circumstances, and our

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subject remained at home until seventeen years of age, when he emigrated to America, and at once went to Wisconsin, where an uncle lived. He engaged in farm work and also in the mills in St. Croix county, and in the spring of 1885 went to Dakota and worked at farm labor, making his home at Clifford Traill county. He entered Bruflat Academy at Portland, in 1888, and spent two winters in the business course, completing the same in Curtiss Commercial College, graduating with the class of 1891. He returned to Traill county and taught school one term, and then went to Grand Forks University to perfect himself in the English lan- guage. His education was obtained by his own efforts, and he has acquired a thorough business training since taking up his residence in North Dakota.

Mr. Hagen is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Modern Woodmen of America. He was appointed deputy treasurer of Traill couny in 1894, and served one year, followed by four years as deputy county auditor, and in 1898 he was elected to his present office as county auditor. He was well qualified for the position, having become familiar with the duties while deputy auditor, and is recognized as a gentleman of true citizenship.

JOHN W. VON NIEDA, a worthy representa- tive of the moneyed interests of Fargo, Nortlı Da- kota, is now president of the Red River Valley National Bank, one of the most solid financial insti- tutions of the state. It was founded in 1881 with a capital stock of $100,000, and its first officers were L. S. Fallett, president ; W. A. Kindred, vice-pres- ident and L. W. Fallett, cashier. When L. S. Fal- lett resigned the presidency in 1891 he was suc- ceeded by J. W. Von Nieda, who had served as vice- president for six months previous. Stephen Gardner had succeeded Mr. Kindred as vice-president, and R. S. Lewis had succeeded L. W. Fallett as cashier, but is now serving as vice-president, while J. E. Hyde is the present cashier. The present board of directors consists of the following: W. B. Hancock, R. S. Lewis, James E. Hyde, E. A. Perry, J. E. Montgomery, F. A. Irish, J. H. Lewis and J. W. V'on Nieda. They do a general banking business ; have over seven hundred thousand dollars in deposits and a surplus of fifty thousand dollars, the largest in the state.

Mr. Von Nieda, of whom a portrait will be found in connection with this sketch, was born in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1844, a son of George and Elizabeth C. (Carling) Von Nieda, also natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared in his na- tive city and educated in its public schools. At the age of sixteen he commenced clerking in a whole- sale store, and later learned the drug trade, which he followed for twenty-two years, twelve years in Pennsylvania and ten years in Fargo, North Da- kota. In 1877 hie removed to Minneapolis, Minne- sota, and for five years represented the firm of An-

thony Kelley & Company on the road, traveling all over North Dakota and northern Minnesota, and driving over much of the territory. Coming to Fargo in 1882, he opened a wholesale drug house, and for five years was associated in business with J. B. Raboteau. In 1892 he sold that business and has since given his entire time to his banking inter- ests. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man of keen discrimination and sound judgment.

In Pennsylvania, Mr. Von Nieda was married in 1865, to Miss Florence Hughes, a native of that state, and to them have been born three children: Charles K., Maggie E., and George, now in Ann Arbor Michigan. During the Civil war Mr. Von Nieda enlisted in Company K, First Philadelphia Gray Reserves, and was in active service about two months. In his political views he is a stanch Dem- ocrat, and has taken an active part in the campaigns of this state. Fraternally he is a member of the Mystic Shrine of the Masonic order and the United Commercial Travelers. He is now serving as treas- urer of the Agricultural College. In business affairs he has prospered, and fortune has certainly dealt kindly with him. His life is a living illustra- tion of what ability, energy and force of character can accomplish, and the city and state have been en- riched by his example. It is to such men that the West owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and ad- vancement.

LEONARD A. ROSE is one of Fargo's most able and prominent attorneys. He is also a man who has brought his keen discrimination and thorough wisdom to bear not alone in professional paths, but also for the benefit of the city and state where he now makes his home, and with whose inter- ests he is thoroughly identified. He was born in Ontario, Canada, July 5, 1843, and is a son of David and Patience (Robinson) Rose, natives of Canada and Connecticut, respectively. The father spent his entire life in his native land, where his death occurred, but the mother died in New York. To them were born two sons and two daughters, but our subject is the only son now living.

Mr. Rose was reared and educated in Canada and New York, and in 1864 was graduated from the Provincial Normal School of Toronto. In 1866 he was appointed professor of mathematics in East- man's Business College, of Chicago, Illinois, and the following year accepted the position of principal of grammar school No. I, of Davenport, Iowa, where he remained for sixteen years. During that time he was prominently identified with the educational work in Iowa, conducting normal institutes in the state. In the meantime he also studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1880, being licensed to prac- tice in all of the courts of Iowa. In 1883 he re- moved to Fargo, North Daota, where he has since made his home. He had visited this state in 1879 and bought property here. In 1887 he was ap- pointed by Governor Church as superintendent of

JOHN W. VON NIEDA.

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public instruction for the territory of Dakota, and re-appointed by Governor Mellette. He was elected state's attorney for Cass county in 1800, and filled that position for two years, since which time he has successfully engaged in general practice.

Mr. Rose was married in Canada, in 1866, to Miss Annie Thornley, a native of England, and to them have been born five children, namely : Arthur C .; Albert E., who is now receiver in the United States land office at Peavey in the gold fields of Alaska ; Pansy ; Clara L. and Emma I.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Rose has been a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has taken an active part in campaign work during his residence in this state. He is one of the most prominent Masons of North Dakota, and has filled all the chairs in the subordi- nate and grand lodges, being past right eminent grand commander of Knights Templar, past most excellent grand high priest of Royal Arch Masons, past potentate of the Shrine. He is also knight commander of the Court of Honor and has filled all positions in every branch and has recently had con- ferred upon him the thirty-third degree of Scottish Rite Masonry of the order. He is always court- eous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, he has met with excellent suc- cess in life, and today ranks among the ablest lawyers of Fargo.

RUEL GALLUP. This gentleman, being one of the pioneer business men of Casselton, is well known throughout Cass county, and is held in high standing as a citizen. He conducts a coal and wood and livery business in Casselton, and enjoys a good patronage, and is a man of ability and good judg- ment.

Our subject is a native of Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New York, and was born October 1, 1833. His parents, Chester and Phœbe (Scudder) Gallup, were natives of Monroe county, New York. His father was a farmer and followed that calling in New York during his entire career, and died in that state. The grandfather of our subject, James Gallup, was a native of New Hampshire, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, under General Scott. He passed away in the state of New York. Our subject had four brothers, three of whom are now living, and two reside in Cass county, North Dakota.

Mr. Gallup was reared and educated in the state of New York, and engaged in farming there until 1877, when he went to Casselton, North Dakota, He arrived there March 29, and assumed the posi- tion of superintendent for the Amenia and Sharon Land Company, and was associated with them two years. He also entered a homestead claim in Amenia, which he proved upon and later sold to Mr. Chaffee. He was made superintendent of the Grandin grain farm in 1879 and was thus engaged three years, and then spent one year as superintend-

ent of the Howe farm. He removed to Casselton, Cass county, in 1882, and engaged in the wood and coal business and later established the livery busi- ness. He has met with success and is among the substantial men of his community.

Our subject was married December 24, 1862, to Addie M. Hathaway, a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Gallup are the parents of one son, William, who is now engaged in the livery business in Cas- selton. Mr. Gallup was the first alderman of the city of Casselton, and has served as police judge for eight years. He affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., and is one of the oldest members of the state. In political sentiment he is a Democrat and is firm in his convictions.

GEORGE F. FLETCHER, the enterprising and successful farmer of township 140, range 64. in Stutsman county, is one of the early settlers of that locality, and is well and favorably known. He was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1853.

The father of our subject, Jeremiah Fletcher, was born and raised in Yorkshire, England, and was a farmer by occupation, and was the youngest in the family. When but a boy he came to Canada with his father, William Fletcher. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Darby, was born in England, and came to .America when a girl, and her father was a carriage black- smith.

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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 39

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