Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 43

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

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tion with John W. Shively, for whom he worked for the succeeding twelve years. After resigning that position he entered the employ of Morris, Dem- ming & Company, of New York, as a traveling salesman, selling hats, caps and furs throughout southern Michigan and northern Indiana for five years. In 1879 he left Michigan and came to Val- ley City, North Dakota, on the first five-car emigrant train which came into the state over the Northern Pacific Railroad. He at once entered land near the city, upon which he lived for one year, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and then took up his residence in Valley City, where he was interested in the farm machinery business until 1885. In that year he took the agency for the Gull River Lumber Company and has acted as such continuously since. On the Ioth of April, 1899, the Valley City State Bank was or- ganized and he was elected vice-president of the same, which office he is now filling with great tact and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is the only man in Valley City who has been contin- uously engaged in business since his arrival in the state, and is now connected with various business enterprises. He is energetic, progressive and per- severing and generally carries forwad to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

In 1879 Mr. Gray married Miss Mary M. Barnes, of Goshen, Indiana, a daughter of James and Mary Barnes,, now deceased. The father was one of the early settlers of Goshen, always took an active part in the affairs of the city generally, and was engaged in the banking business there for years. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have two children, a son and daughter, namely : Henry B. and Amy M. The family occupy one of the most modern and beautiful dwellings in Valley City, it being located in the northwest portion of the place, and its hospitable doors are ever open for the reception of their many friends. Mr. Gray has taken quite a prominent and influential part in public affairs, and has served as mayor of the city three years and president of the school board for the same length of tinie.

ISAAC P. CLAPP, one of Fargo's best-known citizens and successful business men, was born in Dutchess county, New York, March 4, 1839, and is a son of Peter B. and Sarah E .. ( Pells ) Clapp, also natives of New York, in whose family were only two children, one son and one daughter, both still living. The father, who was an agriculturist, spent his entire life in the Empire state, as did also the grandfather, Isaac Clapp.

Our subject was reared in much the usual man- ner of farmer boys of his day, assisting in the labors of the fields and attending the district schools near his childhood home. He followed farming in New York until 1867, when he removed to Norfolk, Virginia, and after residing there for some time he went to central Texas, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for ten years. He next made his home in Kenosha, Wisconsin, until 1880, when

he came to Fargo, North Dakota, landing here on the 14th of October. He soon returned to Wis- consin, however, but the following April located permanently in Fargo, where, as a member of the firm of Clapp & McCrow, he was engaged in the banking business until 1884, conducting the Cass County Bank, which was a private institution. On closing the bank they turned their attention to the real estate business, in which Mr. Clapp is still suc- cessfully engaged, and to some extent he is also in- terested in farming. He is a wide-awake, ener- getic business man of known reliability and due success has not been denied him.

On the 7th of June, 1882, in Wisconsin, Mr. Clapp was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Sleight, a native of Indiana, and they now have one son, Edwin G., at home. Socially Mr. Clapp is a man of prominence in the community where he has so long made his home, and is honored and respected by all who know him. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

GEORGE A. LUCE, one of the leading citi- zens of Hope, North Dakota, conducts a thriving agricultural implement business and is a wide- awake and progressive man. He was the first es- tablished business man of that city, and has met with continued success in whatever line he has directed his abilities, and is the proprietor of a well- stocked establishment, and also engages in wheat raising on his farm near there.

Our subject was born in Wheeling, Cook coun- ty, Illinois, August 18, 1842, and was the oldest son and second child born to Benjamin C. and Mrs. Rebecca (Brown) Luce. His mother bore the maiden name of Ruth. The name of Luce is probably a French name, Luci, which has been per- verted. The great-grandfathers of our subject, both paternal and maternal, served with the Vermont sol- diers in the Revolutionary war, and the grand- father, Andrew Luce, served in the war of 1812.

Until eighteen years of age our subject resided on his father's farm in Cook county, and he attended school, and spent two years in a private school in Connecticut. He purchased forty acres of timber land in Berrien county, Michigan, when eighteen years of age, and developed a fruit farnı, and re- sided in that state almost continuously until 1875, and while there he was agent for a steamboat for three years and bought grain one year. He took charge of his father's farm until ,1882, and in Feb- ruary of that year went to Hope, North Dakota. The town was then but platted, and consisted of but one story of the Hope House hotel. Our subject erected the first "shack" in the town, a 14x32-foot structure, and hauled three carloads of machinery sixteen miles across the country from Clifford and established the first business of the city. He was in partnership with C. G. Merriell, under the firm name of Luce & Merriell, and in the fall of 1882 two of Mr. Merriell's brothers joined the firm and

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introduced hardware, and the firm was changed to Merriell Brothers & Luce. They continued in busi- ness thus until 1892, when our subject withdrew, and now conducts the agricultural implement busi- ness himself. He enjoys an extensive patronage and is among the well-informed men in that line. He is the owner of one section of land six miles northwest of Hope, and rents out the land, which is devoted to wheat raising.

Our subject is the father of five children, three by his first marriage and two by his second mar- riage. The elder children bear the following names : Ernest M. C., employed with the Deering Company at Hope; Leona M., now Mrs. J. T. Masters, of Steele county ; and Myrtie, now Mrs. George Swin- gle, of Chicago. Two younger children bear the names of Elsie and Georgie. Mrs. Luce bore the maiden name of Minnie N. Ellsbury. Mr. Luce is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and Masonic fraternity, and has taken the thirty-second degree in the last named order. He is a Democrat in political faith and stands stanchly for party principles.

HERMAN G. SHIRLEY, register of deeds of Ransom county, is one of the most popular and efficient public officers of the county. He is a young man of much business capacity, and is inter- ested in an extensive drug business in Enderlin, Ransom county, and is one of the substantial men of that region. He has gained his possessions and good name through his push and energy, having taken up his residence in Dakota without means and but little business experience. He makes his home in Lisbon, and is well known throughout the county.

Our subject was born in Goodhue county, Min- nesota, January 29, 1866, and was the third in a family of six children born to Nels H. and Astrid (Olson) Shirley, both of whom now live in Min- nesota. His parents were of Norwegian birth and came to America when young, and were married in this country and located on a farm in Wisconsin, from whence they removed to Minnesota.

After attaining his majority our subject went to Dakota and applied himself for two years to farm labor, after which he took a commercial course at Red Wing Business College. He then purchased wheat in Sheldon and other towns, and in 1891 entered a drug store at Sheldon. With W. P. Hoff, he invested in a drug store at Enderlin, in 1898. This store is known as one of the best stocked and most handsomely furnished establish- ments of its kind in the state.

Mr. Shirley was elected register of deeds of Ransom county in 1894, and had the distinction of being the first candidate chosen from the east end of the county. His popularity is best evidenced by the fact that he is now serving his third term in the same capacity. He is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge. and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter, Knight Templar, thirty-second

degree Scottish Rite, Mystic Shrine, and is at pres- ent master of the Lodge of Perfection. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a Republican.

MAXIME BELLEMARE, M. D. This gen- tleman is well known as a physician of practical skill and theoretical knowledge, and he occupies a prominent position among the people. He has fol- lowed farming and the practice of his profession in Cass county for many years, and makes his home in section 27, in Stanley township.

Our subject was born in St. Maurice county, Que- bec, January 24, 1847, and was reared in his native place and attended the Nicolet College. When eighteen years of age he began the study of medi- cine, attending the University of Victoria, from which institution he graduated in 1871. He followed his profession in Canada until the spring of 1882, when he went to North Dakota and located in Stanley township, Cass county, and has since engaged in farming, and also practiced medicine. He has built up a lucrative practice and is widely known. His farm consists of two hundred and forty acres of land, on which he has completed good improve- ments, and has gathered about him the comforts of a model country home.

Our subject was married in Canada to Miss Albertine Gerin Lajoie, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Bellemare are the parents or ten children, as follows: Emma, Corrine, Anna, Marie, Caro- line, Joseph, Aurora, Francis, Aurelie and Maxim. Dr. Bellemare has been active in public affairs since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and has held the office of township assessor four years, and clerk of the school district, and has been a member of the board of supervisors of Stanley township. As a man and citizen he is highly respected and as a physician he has built up an extensive practice.

JOHN H. VAN METER, the leading con- tractor and builder of Dickey county, resides on his homestead farm in Van Meter township. He is the possessor of one half-section of land in section 8, township 129, range 62, but his contracts take his attention so entirely that he rents his land an- nually and does not attempt farming. He is one of the early settlers and well known as a business man of much ability and a citizen of true worth in his community.

Our subject was born in Newark, Kendall coun- ty, Illinois, January 7, 1838. His father, Miles H. Van Meter, was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, March 6, 1810, and died in Hudson, Wisconsin, May 31, 1898. He was a pilot on the Ohio river when a young man, and went to Illinois in 1836, where he lived on a farm for some time, and in later years he followed the joiner's trade in Wis- consin. He was captain in the Illinois militia, and

JOHN H. VAN METER.

MRS. JOHN H. VAN METER.

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had command of a company that was sent to Ot- tawa, Illinois, to quell the riot there during the construction of the Illinois-Michigan Canal. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Litsey, and was a native of Grayson, Ken- tucky. She died in Hudson, Wisconsin, in the late 'seventies, and was the mother of mine children, seven sons and two daughters, our subject being the fifth child. Of the other children two daugh- ters and one son are at the old home in Hudson ; two of the elder sons, D. K. and M. L., are living in Illinois, and are contractors and builders : one son, E. W., resides at Aberdeen, South Dakota ; Henry was killed at the battle of Chickamauga ; and Abe C. died in the early part of 1899. He was the founder, the editor and proprietor of the "St. Croix ( Wisconsin ) Republican."

Our subject at the age of fourteen years, went to Hudson, Wisconsin, with his parents, where.he at once secured work on the river, and at nineteen years of age was a first-class pilot, plying between St. Paul and St. Louis. He continued to work on the river during the summers and in the lumber woods during the winters until 1861, when, in May of that year, he answered his country's call and en- listed in the City Guards, of Hudson, Wisconsin, later known as Company G, Fourth Wisconsin In- fantry, and in 1863 the regiment was merged into the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry. In 1861 he was in Maryland and Newport News, and left the lower James the day before the Merrimac came out. They were then ordered to Ship Island, Gulf of Mexico, and from thence to the Mississippi river, and were there during the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, under Farragut. Our subject was a member of one of the four companies sent to the rear of Fort Phillips to cut off the retreat of the gar- rison at that place, and after capturing the garrison were put into gunboat No. 3 and sent to New Or- leans, and our subject landed in that city April 29, among the first, and on the night of May 8, 1862, he was put into the pilot house of a Mississippi river steamer to pilot an expedition to Vicksburg, a distance of over four hundred miles, over an up- familiar course, rendering the task a difficult one. He remained on the river until July, and in the latter part of that month left the canal which he was helping to construct opposite Vicksburg. He was in the hospital at Baton Rouge for a few days, and then participated in the battle of that place, after which they evacuated the city and fell back to New Orleans, and his company was then de- tached from the regiment and put into the artil- lery, where he served until the spring of 1863. He was with General Banks on his western Louisiana expedition to Red river, crossing the Mississippi at Bayou Sara, and then went to the rear of Port Hudson to besiege it, and was in the assault May 28, 1863. They were sent to Clinton, Louisiana, June 3, to break up the rebel camp. after which hotly contested engagement they went into the rifle pits at Port Hudson, and there remained until June

14, when the grand assault occurred, when his regiment lost one hundred and sixty men in fifteen minutes. They were compelled to retreat, and July 9 renewed the attack, when the enemy surrenderd. They then went to Baton Rouge and spent the fall and winter of 1863-64 scouting as cavalry, and in February, 1864, about four hundred men re-en- listed after the expiration of their term of service, and were recruited as a full cavalry regiment. Our subject visited his home on a thirty-days' furlough at this time, and during the summer of 1864, and until March, 1865, they were at Highland Stockade and at Baton Rouge, and from the latter place went to New Orleans, and were at the capture of Forts Spanish, Blakesley and Mobile, and were then put in the cavalry service under General Greerson, when they started to join Sherman, who was on his march to the sea. They crossed Alabama and the south end of Florida, and after crossing the Chattahoochee river at Eufala, they met some of General John- ston's men, who informed them that he had sur- rendered to General Sherman, and they then went into camp, and after receiving orders returned to Montgomery, Alabama, where they were divided, and that portion of the brigade to which his regi- ment belonged sent to Columbus, Mississippi, through the Yazoo country to Vicksburg, and thence to Shreveport, Louisiana, by transport. where they were joined by the Third Michigan and Twelfth New York, and were ordered to San An- tonio, Texas, leaving Shreveport July 9. 1865. After their arrival they made two expeditions into the mountains against the Indians, after which the brigade was divided; the regiment to which our subject belonged, the Fourth Wisconsin, went across the lower plains of western Texas, striking the Rio Grande at Fort McIntosh. They were the only cavalry regiment stationed on the river, and their work covered a river frontage of two hundred and fifty miles. Our subject assisted in taking prison- ers to Brownsville, and he witnessed much of the warfare between General Maximilian and General Corteno at Matamoras, Mexico. He served his country five years, one month and a half, as a brave and loyal soldier, and was mustered out at Browns- ville, Texas, May 19, 1866, and June 4 left for his home, where he arrived June 22.

During the summer after his return from the war, Mr. Van Meter resumed his profession as pilot on the river, and in the spring of 1867 began to learn the builder's art under Alexander Gamble, of Hudson, Wisconsin, for whom he worked five years. He has followed the work continuously since, and has constructed many mills and elevators in North Dakota. He resides on his farm, about two miles from the city of Ellendale, and rents his land. He came to Dickey county, North Dakota, April 15, 1882, and entered claim to his land, and returned to Wisconsin for a full set of tools with which to commence his work, and May 12, 1882, he took up the quarter-section where he now resides. Our subject was married in Hudson, Wiscon-

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sin, May 29, 1867, to Mary Kennedy, a native of Ireland. Mrs. Van Meter died in Dickey county, North Dakota, April 26, 1886, leaving two children, as follows: Warren W., now a conductor on the Mexican Central Railroad, out of the City of Mexico; and Kate Mabel, now Mrs. P. J. Cruik- shanks, of Bozeman, Montana. Mr. Van Meter married Mrs. May J. Sweezey Chapman, in Ellen- dale, North Dakota, October 20, 1887. Mrs. Van Meter is a native of New York City, and was born July 5, 1836. Her father was a captain in the American merchant marine service, and died in Jackson, Michigan, where also her mother, who bore the maiden name of Marian Hoar, passed away. Mrs. Van Meter is the mother of three children by her marriage to Mr. Chapman, as follows: Will- iam L., a farmer of Kent county, Michigan; Frank D., a passenger conductor on the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad; and Rose L., who died aged eight years. The family are attendants of the Baptist church, of which denomination Mrs. Van Meter is a member. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Van Meter appear on another page. 'Our subject is commander of John A. Spellman Post, No. 13. G. A. R., Department of North Dakota, and is a prominent citizen. He has held numerous township offices and labors for the better interests of his community. In political sentiment he is a Republican.

HANS J. KINDE. Every community has its public-spirited and progressive members, and a prominent place among those of Richland county is accorded Mr. Kinde. He is an early settler of that region and has become thoroughly identified man of good education and practical knowledge of with its development and advancement. A gentle- his calling, he has aided in transforming that country into a thriving agricultural district, and is the pro- proprietor of as fine a farm as is found in Eagle township, wherein he makes his home on section 13.

Our subject was born in Norway. November 24, 1858. He came to America with his parents in 1866, and the family settled in Houston county, Minnesota, where our subject remained until 1873, and then went to Richland county, North Dakota, and settled in Eagle township, where he has since been a resident. He was educated in the common school and at Curtis's Business College, at Minne- apolis, Minnesota. He has engaged in farming and stock raising during his entire career, and has been remarkably successful. He owns six hundred acres of land, and on his home farm has added improve- ments of a substantial nature, and completed every arrangement for the comforts of rural life.

Mr. Kinde was married, in Richland county, North Dakota, November 13, 1883, to Miss Niko- line Christianson, a native of Norway. Three chil- dren have blessed the union, and are named as fol- lows: Oscar, Clara and John. Mr. Kinde takes an active part in local affairs, and has held the office

of township clerk and school treasurer, and has been a member of the board of supervisors. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Po- litically he is a Republican, and is strong in his con- victions.

J. D. HENNING, M. D., a leading physician and surgeon of Fargo, North Dakota, was born January 9, 1850, near the city of Pittsburg, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Dodds) Henning, who were of Scotch- Irish descent, spent their entire lives in Pennsylva- nia, the father following the occupation of farming.

The Doctor attended the academy at Wilkins- bury, Pennsylvania, and after leaving that institu- tion he commenced the study of medicine. In March, 1876, he entered the Jefferson Medical Col- lege, from which he was graduated two years later. During the following three years he engaged in practice at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and from there removed to Cedarville, Ohio, where he re- mained for two years. In 1883 he came to North Dakota, and after eight years spent in practice at Sheldon became a resident of Fargo, where he has since made his home. He is now at the head of a large and growing general practice, and as county physician has charge of the Cass county hospital. He has met with eminent success in his chosen calling, and is justly ranked among the ablest phy- sicians and surgeons of this section of the state.

In 1877 Dr. Henning was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sterrett, also a native of the Key- stone state, and they are the parents of two chil- dren, Carl S. and Helen. Politically the Doctor is an ardent Republican and takes a deep and com- mendable interest in public affairs. He is a mem- ber of the State Medical Society, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Foresters. He is examining surgeon of all these secret organ- izations and others, and is quite a popular and prominent citizen of Fargo.

CHRISTIAN O. BRINK, the popular and efficient postmaster at Horace, Cass county, owns and operates a fine farm in Stanley township, and resides on section 18. His farm is well improved, and he is well known as an agriculturist who is doing an extensive business. His career affords a striking example of what can be accomplished by persistent efforts and honest industry. He is a foreign-born citizen who came to America when a young man and had no means on which to depend aside from those traits of character inherited from thrifty and industrious ancestors. He is now in possession of a fine estate and enjoys a comfortable competence and is highly respected by his fellow- men.

Our subject was born in Norway, July 10, 1845, and lived in Christiana till 1867, when he emigrated

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to America and located in Houston county, Min- nesota, where he worked at farm labor five years, and in the summer of 1872 went to Cass county, North Dakota, where he entered claim to eighty acres of land in Stanley township, which consti- tutes part of his present farm. The buildings upon his farm are modern structures of neat design and finish, and furnish commodious accommodations for the family, stock and products, and modern methods are used in the work of carrying on the place.

Our subject was married in Norway, June 18, 1867, to Miss Carrie Hanson, a native of Norway. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brink, as follows: Caroline, Ole, John and Mary. Mr. Brink was appointed postmaster at Horace, North Dakota, in January, 1898, by Postmaster- General Gary. He has served as chairman of the board of supervisors for the past twelve years, and takes an active and leading part in all matters per- taining to the local government, and is known as public-spirited citizen. He is a member of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church.

GEORGE M. SMITH. This gentleman may be truly classed as one of the leading farmers of township 143, range 65. He was one of the first settlers of Stutsman county, and in prosecuting his farm work has ever been industrious, progressive in his ideas and ready to take advantage of every turn of the tide to improve his circumstances.

Mr. Smith was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 15, 1845. His father, John M. Smith, was a native of Germany and came to America in 1843, and followed farming throughout his career. He was a soldier in the German army. The mother of our subject, Adaline Smith, was born in Ger- many, and was left an orphan at an early age.

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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 43

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