Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 41

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

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WILLIAM A. KELLY, clerk of the district court, is one of the prominent young men of Traill county. He is thoroughly qualified for the position which he holds, and has devoted much of his career to office work of this character, becoming proficient in public record work. He resides in Hillsboro and has attained an assured position as a citizen of active public spirit and energetic character.

Our subject was born in Waterford, Racine county, Wisconsin, March 10, 1861, and was the youngest in a family of ten children, born to Thomas and Ann ( McWilliams) Kelley. His par- ents were born in North Ireland and there is a Scotch strain running through the family. His parents are now deceased. His father was a mason by trade, and provided our subject with good edu- cational advantages.

Mr. Kelly attended the common schools, and at the age of fifteen years entered the seminary at Rochester, Wisconsin, a mile and a half from their home. . He taught school at intervals during three years and attended the seminary, beginning teach- ing at the age of sixteen years. He taught four years in Wisconsin, and after the death of his father, in 1880, he was his mother's support, and moved farther westward. During the winter of 1881-82 he taught near Beaver Falls, Minnesota, and in the spring of 1882 went to Caledonia, Traill county, North Dakota, where his brothers and sis- ters resided, and where he secured a position in the office of register of deeds. Work in the court house continued until 1886, working in the capacity of deputy register of deeds, deputy treasurer and deputy auditor, and in the fall of 1886 he was a successful candidate for county superintendent of schools. The legislature had passed the township school system, and our subject had the responsi- bility of re-organization. In the first session of the North Dakota legislature he was elected first as- sistant engrossing and enrolling clerk, and at the

second sesion of that body he was elected enroll- ing and engrossing clerk, and was elected to that office for the third session. In 1895 he was placed in charge of a corps of clerks for the purpose of enrolling the code as reported from the board of compilation. He had previously worked in the office of the secretary of state transcribing a copy of the corporation records for North and South Dakota, and in 1891 he received anappointment fron the government to assist in securing the amount of the recorded indebtedness of the state.' He pur- chased the "Halstad Reporter" at Halstad, Minne- sota, in 1893, and operated the same one and a half years, and later conducted an insurance and col- lection business in Caledonia. He was elected to his present office, without opposition, in the fall of 1898, and has gained the confidence of the peo- ple of Traill county.

Our subject was married, October 15, 1889, to Miss Lizzie Cleveland, a native of Maine. Mrs. Kelly is a lady of excellent education, and was a teacher in the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Kel- ly are the parents of two children, Clarence D. and Alice M. Mr. Kelly assisted in the organization of Company L, First Regiment of Infantry, Na- tional Guard of North Dakota, in the fall of 1898, and was commissioned first lieutenant. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and politically is an ardent Republican, and has attended all state conventions of his party since taking up his resi- dence in North Dakota.

HON. ANDREW O. HEGLIE, a pioneer set- tler of North Dakota, has been closely identified with the development and advancement of that re- gion. He is public-spirited and progressive, and as a worthy citizen is well-known throughout Rich- land county. He has been a resident of Walcott township since his settling in Dakota, and is now a resident of section 32, wherein he has lived for over ten years, spending the first ten years in Dakota on section 20 of Walcott township. He has improved his farm, and enjoys the comforts of rural life.

Our subject was born in Norway, November 28, 1852. He came with his parents to America in 1866, at the age of fourteen years, and the family settled in Filmore county, Minnesota. Our sub- ject remained with his parents there until 1878, when, in the spring of that year, he went to Da- kota, with his wife and two children, and entered claim as a homestead to one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 20 of Walcott township, Richland county. After ten years lie removed to his present home on section 32, and is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres of well- improved land. His buildings are substantial and afford the conveniences and comforts of modern farming.

Our subject was married, in Filmore county, Minnesota, November 19, 1873, to Miss Carrie Thompson, who was born in Norway. Seven chil-

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dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heglie, as follows: Emma, Tilla, Julia, Alma, Randie, Ole and Albert. Mr. Heglie was elected to the first state legislature in the fall of 1889 on the Repub- lican ticket, and did very efficient work during his term of office. He has held several of the offices of trust in his township, and was chosen county commissioner to fill a vacancy. He is an active member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

WILLIAM J. CLAPP, a prominent and suc- cessful attorney of Fargo, North Dakota, was born in Wakefield, Massachusetts, November 28, 1857, a son of George L. and Harriet (Fuller) Clapp, both natives of Vermont. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, spent most of his life in Mont- gomery, Vermont, where his death occurred. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Joshua Clapp and the great-grandfather was Captain Joshua Clapp, who was the first settler of Montgomery and a captain in the American army during the Revolutionay war. Both were farmers, but the maternal grandfather was a physician and surgeon. He served as town clerk, as did also the grandfather Clapp for many years.

Our subject was reared and educated in Ver- mont, graduating from the Montpelier Academy in 1880, and soon afterward he began the study of law. On coming West, in 1882, he located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and there he was admitted. to the bar in November, 1883. Removing to Tower City, North Dakota, he successfully engaged in practice there until 1890. He was elected a mem- ber of the constitutional convention in 1889 and in the fall of that year was appointed county super- intendent of schools for Cass county. The follow- ing year he was appointed state superintendent of public instruction and removed to Bismarck. In January, 1891, he became a resident of Fargo, where he has since made his home. His skill and ability in his chosen profession were soon widely recognized and he was not long in building up a large practice, which he still enjoys.

In 1882 Mr. Clapp married Miss Alice Stevens, a native of Vermont, and they have two children : Fannie S. and Henry S. Mr. Clapp has been a life- long Republican and an active worker for the party's interests. He is a pleasant and affable gentleman, and a stranger in his presence soon feels perfectly at ease. Constant study and close application to the details of his profession have enabled him to reach an enviable position in legal circles, and he to-day stands at the head of the Cass county bar.

J. AUSTIN REGAN, one of the pioneer busi- ness men of Fessenden, Wells county, is engaged in handling implements and machinery, and is widely known as a man of ability, and true citizenship. He is the present efficient postmaster of that town, and is also in the elevator business, in partnership with

W. W. Lyness. He is a young man of good busi- ness capacity, and combines industry and integrity and is rapidly taking a prominent position among his fellowmen.

Our subject was born on a farm near. London, Ontario, Canada, November 3, 1870. His father, Patrick Regan, was born in Canada, and was a farmer by occupation. He removed his family to Unionville, Missouri, in 1870, where he followed the mercantile business. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Coughlin, was born and raised in Canada, and was of Irish descent.

Mr. Regan is the second in a family of nine chil- dren, and was raised in Unionville, Missouri, and after attaining his majority started for himself. He went to Carrington, North Dakota, in 1891, and was employed by Thomas Doughty in the machine busi- ness, and in June, 1893, he came to Fessenden and established the same business, in partnership with Mr. Doughty. They continued to conduct the busi- ness together till January 1, 1897, when Mr. Doughty sold his interests to our subject, who became sole proprietor, since which time he has conducted the same alone. This was the first machine firm in the town, and their building was the third or fourth erected in Fessenden. Mr. Regan lost his store buildings by fire, December 27, 1899. His store was 24×100 feet, with an addition 24x60 feet, and was two stories high. Several other places of business were also burned, and the fire was the largest and most destructive of any that ever oc- curred in Fessenden. Mr. Regan and Mr. W. W. Lyness have been in partnership in the elevator busi- ness since 1897, and carry on an extensive business in that line.

Our subject was married January 19, 1899, to Miss Grace Christie, who was born and raised in Minnesota, and is a daughter of Captain A. E. Christie. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Regan, Arthur C. Mr. Regan was appointed post- master by President Cleveland, in November, 1893, and has held the office continuously the past seven years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was elected chairman of the Republican county central committee in Wells county, in 1898, and is an earnest worker for party principles.

OLAU'S R. THUE, one of the leading mer- chants of Walcott, Richland county, has built up an extensive and profitable trade by careful attention to the various details of his work. He is enterpris- ing and possessed of marked business ability, and his efforts have been well rewarded. He has been a resident of North Dakota since 1881, and although lie entered the country as a foreign-born citizen he has placed himself among the prominent citizens of his adopted land.

Our subject was born in Norway, October 26, 1860. He received a common-school education and learned the tinner's trade in his native country, and

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remained there until 1881, when he came to Amer- ica. He went at once to North Dakota, and located in Walcott, where he remained about three years in the employ of the Great Northern Railroad Com- pany. He then removed to Mayville, Traill county, North Dakota, and was employed in a general mer- chandise and machinery establishment three years, going from thence to Minot, Ward county, where he engaged in farming five years. He then returned to Walcott, Richland county, since which time he has been engaged in the general merchandise business in that town. He carries hardware, groceries, fur- niture, and a general stock, and enjoys an extensive patronage.

Our subject was married at Minot, North Da- kota, November 19, 1889, to Miss Paulina Monson, who was also born in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Thue are the parents of seven children, named as follows : Richard, Iver, Oscar, Ida, Monrad, Denver, and Dena. The last named two are twins.

ADENIRAM J. AYRES is recognized as one of the leading farmers of Clifton township, Cass county. He was one of the earliest settlers of that region and has aided in the upbuilding of the better interests and become thoroughly identified with the early history of that locality. He has a fine farm, and makes his home on section twenty-eight, where he is surrounded by every comfort of country life, and enjoys the highest esteem of his fellowmen.

Our subject was born at the foot of the Mans- field mountains, in Lamoille county, Vermont, May 13, 1847, and was the third in a family of thirteen children, born to Jasper and Malissa (Green) Ayres. His father was born in Maine, and was a carpenter and farmer by occupation, and when a young man was a captain in the Vermont militia.

Mr. Ayres finished his education and grew to manhood in his native state, and after leaving school learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Vermont until 1869, and in the spring of that year started west. While traveling through Wisconsin he heard of the destruction by fire of the city of Chippewa Falls, and decided to go there, and upon his arrival began contracting and building, and was engaged in that business until he went to Dakota Territory, in 1879. He followed his business in the city about five years, and then decided to engage in farming, and accordingly filed claim to the north- west quarter of section 34, in Clifton town- ship, which he still owns and where he lived about three years. He then removed to his present loca- tion in section 28 and his holdings now amount to one section of land.

Our subject was married, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in September, 1870, to Miss Jennett Sillers. Mrs. Ayers was born in Nova Scotia July 13. 1846, and was a daughter of William and Alexis ( Corbitt ) Sillers. Her father was a native of Nova Scotia and her mother of Scotland. One child, a son, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ayers, who

bears the name of Morton J. Mr. Ayers is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yoemen. He has served as chairman of the township board for a number of years and is active in public affairs. Politically he is a Republican and is firm in his con- victions.

JOHN H. MOVIUS, the efficient postmaster of Lidgerwood, and one of the prominent business men of that locality, is a young man of more than ordi- nary business ability, and is highly esteemed in the city where he makes his home. He was born in Golnow, Germany, June 24, 1860, and has been a resident of Lidgerwood, Richland county, many years. In connection with this sketch will be found a portrait of Mr. Movius.

The father of our subject, Dr. J. William Movius, was a native of Germany, and died in New Ulm, Minnesota, October 13, 1877, aged fifty-six years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Henrietta Bratz, and was also a native of Germany. Eleven children, six sons and five daughters, were born to this worthy couple, of whom our subject was the youngest son.

Jolın H. Movius came to America with his par- ents in May 1867, and was reared at Big Stone City, South Dakota, where he remained until locat- ing in Lidgerwood, Richland county. He was em- ployed by his twoolder brothers, Albert W. and Will- R., in the implement business at Big Stone for two years, after which in company with his brother, Emil A., he purchased the business at Big Stone, which they conducted until their removal to Lidgerwood, in March, 1887. They now conduct an extensive business and enjoy an ever-increasing patronage. Mr. Movius is also interested in the Lidgerwood Mill Company, Movius Elevator Company, Movius Lumber Company, and cashier of Movius State Bank.

Our subject was married in Lidgerwood, Janu- ary 1, 1895, to Miss Margaret W. Wagner, a native of Ontario. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Movius as follows: Eva H., Charles E. and Gretchen H. Mr. Movius is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Ancient Order of United Work- men, Modern Woodmen of America, and Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and has been grand her- ald of the state lodge in the last named order. He was appointed postmaster of Lidgerwood, January 18, 1898, and assumed the office March I, since which time the office has been raised from the fourth to the third class. He is a man of the highest integ- rity and well merits his success.

SEYMOUR S. TITUS, cashier of the First National Bank of Grand Forks, is one of the oldest bankers of North Dakota. He went there when the village contained but about one hundred people, and with his keen observation and good judgment de- cided to make permanent residence in Red river

JOHN H. MOVIUS.

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valley. Success has attended him financially and socially and he is now one of the most influential men of that region, while the institution with which he is connected is one of the leading banks of the Northwest.

Mr. Titus was born in Oak Grove, Minnesota, June 3, 1851, and was a son of Moses S. and Jane L. Titus, who were natives of Connecticut. His par- ents settled in Minnesota about 1844 and for many years his father was engaged in business in that state, where our subject was reared and educated. He began life as a farmer and followed that call- ing in his native state until October, 1872, when he entered the First National Bank of Shakopee, Min- nesota, as a general helper, working without wages until February, 1874, when he went to Sauk Center in the employ of Andrew J. Smith, banker, and re- mained with him at that place until 1879, acting as clerk and bookkeeper. He went to Grand Forks in June, 1879, going by stage by Fisher's Landing, and was the only passenger. He remained several days and traveled from the village through the sur- rounding country, the fertility of the soil and the possibilities of the country being forcibly impressed on his mind. He returned to Sauk Center for a short time and later located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, August 29, 1879, and in company with J. Walker Smith opened a small bank under the name of the Bank of Grand Forks. This was the first bank on the lower Red river valley and the place they occupied was a small building situated on Third street, between Kittson and Bruce avenues, and was purchased bv then from J. G. Hamilton for about four hundred dollars and was 18x26 feet. In the fall they erected a small addition in the rear, but were unable to obtain sufficient lumber that year to complete the building, which was only shiplapper. That building now stands in the rear of the Reder & Stewart block and is used by that firm as a smoke house. The first, deposit made in the Bank of Grand Forks was made by Thomas Collins and was for forty-six dollars and eighty-four cents, and the first draft issued was to W. G. Woodruff for seventy-five dollars. The first loan was made to Elias Rice and was for seventy-five dollars. On October 31, 1881, the day the Bank of Grand Forks. was superseded by the now First National Bank, the deposits amounted to $234,233.71. To give an idea of the volume of business done in early days, the total aggregate of business done by the Bank of Grand Forks from August 20, 1879, to and in- cluding October 31, 1881, amounted to the enormous sum of $14,203,096.94. The Bank of Grand Forks ceased to exist on October 31, 1881, and the First National Bank came into existence, with the fol- lowing officers: J. S. Eshelman, president ; J. Walker Smith, vice-president, and Seymour S. Titus, cashier. In the summer of 1881 Titus Smith erected the brick block now occupied by the Union National Bank, which was the first brick block in the valley north of Fargo and was occupied by the First National Bank for some years. This

bank is one of the oldest and also one of the soundest financial institutions of that region, and Mr. Titus has ably discharged the duties of cashier since its organization.

Mr. Titus was married, April 5, 1880, to Miss Annie L. Stabler, a native of Maine. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Titus, one of whom is now living, viz., Marion E.

HON. ERIK STAFNE, the efficient postmaster of Galchutt, Richland county, North Dakota, and one of the leading merchants of that village, has been a resident of North Dakota since the early days of its settlement. For many years he engaged in farming in Abercrombie township and is now the owner of extensive farm lands in that vicinity.

Mr. Stafne was born in Norway, September 30, 1848. He was reared on a farm in his native place and educated in that land. He resided with his parents until coming to America in the spring of 1871, when he located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and soon afterward engaged in the hotel business, in which he continued until he went to Dakota in the fall of 1877. He located one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1874 on Wild Rice river, in Aber- crombie township, and settled on the land in 1877, continuing his residence there until 1895. During that time aside from his farming he engaged in the mercantile business in Abercrombie about four years, and in the fall of 1896 engaged in the mer- cantile business in Galchutt. He carries a general stock of merchandise and enjoys his share of the patronage. He owns five hundred and sixty-five acres of land and is one of the substantial men of Richland county.

Our subject was married, in Abercrombie town- ship, March 22, 1882, to Miss Christina Hagen, a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Stafne are the parents of eight children, as follows: Albert, John, Theodore, Gilbert, Edward, Gunhild, Esther and Anna. Mr. Stafne was appointed postmaster of Galchutt in the summer of 1896, which office he still holds. He was elected to the legislature of North Dakota in the fall of 1895 and served one term. He has held the office of supervisor of Abercrombie township and was county commissioner four years. He takes an active interest in public affairs and every enterprise which tends to the advancement of his community is ably supported by him. Politically- he is a Republican.

OSCAR G. BARNES, secretary and general manager of the Fargo Gas & Electric Company and ex-sheriff of Cass county, is one of the leading and prosperous business men of the city. He is a man of strong force of character, purposeful and ener- getic, and carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Mr. Barnes was born in Grafton county, New Hampshire, April 18, 1855, and is a son of Hiram

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and Esther B. (Gillette) Barnes, who were natives of Vermont, but spent the greater part of their lives in New Hampshire, where the father's deatlı oc- occurred. By occupation the father was a merchant and farmer. Our subject is one of a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters, and is the only one of the number living in North Dakota. His education was acquired in his native state, where he attended high school.

On leaving home Mr. Barnes went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he engaged in the hotel busi- ness for five years, and the following five years he spent in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1882 he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and entered the employ of J. B. Weaver & Company, with whom he was inter- ested in the real estate business for nearly two years. Later he was connected with the Fargo foundry as superintendent for some years, and on leaving that concern started in business on his own account, carrying on the same until 1886, when ap- pointed deputy sheriff under J. D. Benton. After serving in that capacity for six years he was elected sheriff in 1892 and most creditably filled that office for two terms of two years each. He was then elected to the county board of commissioners and is now chairman of the same. In the discharge of his official duties he has always been found prompt and faithful, winning the commendation of the general public and the high regard of all law abiding citi- zens. He is now vice-president of the Merchants National Bank of Fargo, a member of its board of directors and also owns stock in other leading busi- ness enterprises.

In 1890 Mr. Barnes was married, in Wisconsin, to Miss Anna Cassaday, a native of that state, and to them have been born two children, Carroll O. and Esther E., both living. Socially Mr. Barnes is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Knights. Politically he has al- ways affiliated with the Republican party, has served on the county central committee and been chairman of the city central committee. He is quite prominent and influential in business circles and is highly re- spected and esteemed by all who know him.

JOHN SATTERLUND. No foreign element has become a more important part of our American citizenship than that furnished by Sweden. The emigrants from that land have brought with them to the new world the stability, enterprise and perse- verance characteristic of their people and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and in- domitable spirit of the West. A prominent repre- sentative of this class is Mr. Saterlund, the present receiver of the United States land office at Bismarck.

HIe was born in Carlstad, Sweden, May 3, 1851, and in 1869 came to America with his parents, Errick and Mary Saterlund, who located in Traverse county, Minnesota, where the mother is still living, but the father is now deceased. After some time spent in that state our subject came to

Bismarck, North Dakota, in 1872, and remained here for some time. Subsequently he spent about four years in Port Arthur, Canada, and then, in 1878, returned to Burleigh county, North Dakota, where he purchased two thousand acres of land north of Bismarck, on which he engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1882 he removed to Wash- burn, which was laid out and platted by Mr. Satter- lund. McLean county was not organized until No- vember, 1883, and Washburn was made the county seat. Upon the organization Mr. Satterlund was chosen the first sheriff of the county and re-elected to that office in 1884. In 1890 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and re- elected two years later. He was the moving spirit in having the county enlarged in 1891, and is now president of the Washburn Real Estate Company.

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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 41

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