Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 53

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 53

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM M. KEATING. The subject of this notice is certainly entitled to be considered not only one . of the enterprising farmers of Richland county, but one of its most re- spected and honored citizens, and a man of more than ordinary ability. His residence is situated on section 29, Centre township, where he has made his home since 1880. To his original pur- chase of one hundred and sixty acres he has added until he now has six hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. Upon the place he erected a good set of farm buildings in 1897, and has made many other improvements which fall to the value and attractive appearance of the farm.

Mr. Keating was born in Queens county, Ire- land, December 22, 1846, a son of William and Mary ( Brennan) Keating, both of whom died in Centre township, Richland county, North Dakota, the form- er October 16, 1886, at the age of eighty-seven years, the latter May 7, 1886, at the age of seventy-three. When only a year old our subject was brought by his parents to America and for some years the family made their home in Vermont. From there they re- moved to Grant county, Wisconsin, where William M. Keating grew to manhood and was married, May 17, 1876, to Miss Nora Flynn, who was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, October 27, 1855, and was reared in Grant county, and there taught school for a num- ber of years, and in Richland county, North Dakota, for two years. Her parents William D. and Catherine (Sullivan) Flynn, spent their last days in Grant county,, the former dying September 30, 1880, aged seventy-six years, the later August 1, 1898, aged seventy-six years. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Keating, but William, the eldest, died in Centre township, Richland county, North Dakota, June 24, 1895, at the age of eighteen years and three months. Those living are Peter Leo, Dennis J., John F. and Nora C.

In the spring of 1880 Mr. Keating, with his fam- ily, left his old home in Grant county, Wisconsin, and came to Richland county, North Dakota, locat- ing on the farm where he still makes his home. His time and attention have since been devoted to its im- provement and cultivation with most gratifying re-

sults. He was one of the defenders of the Union during the Civil war, having enlisted in October, 1864, in Company I, Twentieth Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. He was in the service one year and at the battle of Spanish Fort was slightly wounded in the left side. He is now an honored member of Sumner Post, No. 7, G. A. R., and he and his fam- ily belong to St. John's Catholic church of Wah- peton.

WALLACE GROSVENOR, vice-president of the Cass County State Bank, residing at Casselton, is one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of North Dakota. He entered that region during the pioneer days of its history with limited means and has persevered through discouragements to the end that he is now one of the substantial busi- ness men and enjoys the esteem of his associates. He has various business interests, and conducts each with keen forethought, strict integrity, and good business methods.

Our subject was born at Bridport, Vermont, February 27, 1850, and was a son of Samuel and Minerva (Wright) Grosvenor. His parents were also natives of Vermont, and the father still resides within fifty miles of his birthplace, and follows farming. The grandfather of our subject, Harry Grosvenor, was a native of Connecticut, and a pio- neer settler of Vermont.

Mr. Grosvenor was reared and educated in his native state, and began life there as a farmer, which he followed in Vermont about four years, and in 1873 went to Boston and remained one year. He then followed the merchandise business seven years, conducting stores in different places in the east, and in 1879 went to Casselton, and purchased the lumber yards of E. S. Tyler & Company, which he conducted till 1891. During these years he erected many buildings in the county, and also oper- ated nine branch yards. He erected some of the best business blocks in the city, and is also interested extensively in farming in North Dakota, and lum- bering in Washington, and is largely interested in gold mining in Wyoming and Idaho. He was one of the organizers of the Cass County State Bank, and has been its vice-president since its organiza- tion.

Our subject was married, in 1891, to Miss A. M. Paine, a native of Manchester, New Hampshire. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grosvenor, named Dorothy and Wallace Paine. Mr. Grosvenor is a man of broad mind and keeps pace with the times, but does not take active part in public affairs, and has not served in public office, preferring to promote the general welfare of his coni- munity by other means.

PERCY R. TRUBSHAW, editor and proprie- tor of the "Griggs Courier," and the efficient post- master of Cooperstown, North Dakota, is a gentle-

334

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

man of ability as a newspaper man, and a citizen of worth. He was born in the world's greatest me- tropolis, London, England, December 3, 1864.

The father of our subject, John J. Trubshaw, was also born in England, and was a civil engineer in his native country. He was very proficient in rail- road construction, and was employed in that capac- ity in France about eight years. He is at present engaged in rice farming near Jennings, Louisiana. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Rose Howard, and she died when our subject was a small boy. The father afterward married Eliza- beth E. Phillips.

Our subject resided in the north of England for a number of years and became an apprentice in the office of the "Cannock Advocate," and remained there four years. He emigrated to America in 1881, and went direct to Jamestown, North Dakota, arriv- ing there September 21. He secured a position on the "Alert," and later worked on the "Capital," and subsequently worked on different papers throughout the state. He became manager of the New Rockford "Transcript" in 1885, and acted in that capacity for some time, and in the fall of 1886 went to Coopers- town and worked on the "Courier," and May II, 1888, purchased the plant, since which time he has been editor and proprietor of the paper. He has met with success in his calling, and the paper is widely circulated, and is considered one of the bright exchanges of the newspaper world of North Dakota. Our subject was appointed postmaster of Coopers- town in 1897, by President Mckinley, and is now acting in that capacity.

Our subject was married August 1, 1888, to Miss A. E. Haskell, a daughter of Captain A. Haskell, who resides northwest of Cooperstown on a farm. Mr. and Mrs. Trubshaw are the parents of one child, Mand A. Mr. Trubshaw has served as justice of the peace in Cooperstown, and has also been a mem- ber of the school board. He is a man of intelligence and carnest in his labors for the welfare of his com- munity, but his duties as editor and postmaster claim the greater part of his attention, and he cannot de- vote time to public affairs. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Modern Woodmen of America.

GEORGE H. PHELPS, a well-known and suc- cessful lawyer and an enterprising citizen of Fargo, Cass county, North Dakota, was born in Lowell, Vermont, July 17, 1862, and is a son of Symonds F. and Susan ( Critchett ) Phelps, the former also a native of Vermont, the latter of New Hampshire. The father was an agriculturist and lived and died in his native state. He had only one brother, George H. Phelps, who entered the Union army during the Civil war as first lieutenant of Company I, Sixth Vermont Infantry, and died in Virginia during his service. The grandfather of our subject, Seth l'helps, also a farmer, was born in New Hamp-

shire, and from there removed to Vermont, where his death occurred. He was one of the highly re- spected citizens of his community and held several minor offices.

The subject of this sketch, who is an only son, was reared and educated in Vermont, pursuing his studies in the Johnson Normal School of Johnson, and the St. Johnsbury Academy. After spending some time in teaching school, he read law under the direction of Judge L. H. Thompson, now of the supreme bench of Vermont, and for one year served as deputy clerk of courts in Caledonia county, Ver- mont.

On leaving the east in 1888, Mr. Phelps came at once to Fargo, North Dakota, and the same fall was admitted to the bar here. He began practice with Hon. Mr. Spalding, being in partnership with him from 1890 until June, 1893. Seth Newman was then admitted to the firm and business was conducted under the name of Newman, Spalding & Phelps until February, 1897, when Mr. Phelps was ap- pointed private secretary to Governor Frank A. Briggs, which position he most acceptably filled until the Governor's death. He then returned to Fargo, September 1, 1898, purchased the practice of O. W. France, deceased, and is now doing a large and constantly increasing business. His success at the bar is due entirely to his skill, ability and well-di- rected efforts for prominence in the legal profes- sion comes from merit alone and can not be secured by money or influence. Mr. Phelps is quite prom- inent in Masonic circles, and has taken all, includ- ing the thirty-third degree, and is the past grand high priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the state.

On the 12th of October, 1887, he led to the mar- riage altar Miss Julia L. Leach, of Vermont, and they have one son, Kenneth A., born in 1888.

LUTHER WYCKOFF. An honorable position among the farmers of Walburg township, Cass county, is willingly accorded to this gentleman by his associates. He is a pioneer settler of that region and occupies one of the well developed farms of the county, and has been a conspicuous figure in the development and extension of the great agricult- ural interests of that part of the county.

Our subject was born in Lansing, Tompkins county, New York, in 1821, and was a son of Joseph and Ella (Gibbs) Wyckoff. He was reared and educated in his native state and also New York. He moved to Minnesota in 1857 and followed general merchandising there and also lumbering to some extent. He resided in Minnesota until 1878, in which year he emigrated in a covered wagon to the Dakota territory and became a resident of Cass county, North Dakota, settling in Walburg town- ship. He homesteaded the southwest quarter of sec- tion 4, and also entered a tree claim to the northeast quarter of section 8, and has resided in Walburg township since that date.

LUTHER WYCKOFF.

337

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

Our subject was married February 22, 1844, in Pennsylvania, to Mary Scott, a native of that state. Seven children, four of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff, as follows: John; Anna, now Mrs. T. W. Page; Milton K .; and James H., all of whom reside in North Dakota, with the exception of one son. Mr. Wyckoff served as as- sessor of Cass county two terms and also as a mem- ber of the town board. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and in political sentiment is a Republican. Mrs. Wyckoff died in North Dakota August 15, 1898. A portrait of Mr. Wyckoff ap- pears on another page.

MILTON K. WYCKOFF was born in Pennsylvania December 22, 1854, and went west with his father and to Dakota with him. He settled on the south- east quarter of section 4 in Walburg township, Cass county, where he has since resided and is one of the prosperous farmers of his community. Mr. Wyckoff was married, in Minnesota, in 1880, to Miss Mary Combs, a native of Minnesota. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff, as follows : Mable M., Carrie E. and Walter W. Mr. Wyckoff is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and Knights of the Maccabees. He is a Re- publican in political faith, but does not seek public preferment, and is highly esteemed.

PETER PRADER. This name will be readily recognized as that of one of the leading business men of New Rockford, Eddy county, North Dakota. He is a member of the firm of Prader & Litcher, general merchants of that place, and Mr. Prader also has a fine farm in that locality. He is a young man of good business capacity, and has been successful.

Our subject was born in Switzerland, March IO, 1868. His father, J. L. Prader, was a farmer, and came to America about 1879, and settled in Wis- consin. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Margaret Kindschey, was of Swiss birth, and her family were farmers for many generations back.

Mr. Prader is the fourth in order of birth in his mother's family, and he had four half brothers and sisters. He was reared in his native land and attended the common schools, and received a Ger- man education, and at the age of eleven years came to America with his parents. He grew to manhood in Wisconsin, and attended the country schools, and assisted on the farm, and in the fall of 1889 went to North Dakota, and the following spring returned to Wisconsin. His father rented the Wisconsin farm and sold the chattel property and the family moved to Eddy county, and he and his father took government land and began farming. Our subject erected a claim shanty IOXI2 feet, and also a board barn, and purchased horses with which to further his farm work. He lived in his shanty alone the first two years during the summer season, and stayed at home during the winter months, and in 1893 he rented his farm and worked at the carpenter trade

until 1895, when he accepted a position as clerk in the general store of Hugh Peoples, where he re- mained two or three years and learned the mercantile business. He purchased the buildings and general merchandise stock of B. F. Bennar, November 20, 1897, which business was established in 1886, and was the pioneer general store of New Rockford. Mr. Prader sold a half interest in the business to Mr. Henry L. Litcher, January 1, 1899, since which time the firm has been known as Prader & Litcher.

Our subject was married, September 30, 1896, to Miss Anna Lenschner, who was born and raised in Germany and came to America with her parents when eleven years of age. Mr. Prader's father, August Lenschner, was engaged in farming many. years with success, and is now living in Wisconsin, retired from active labors. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Prader, as follows: Ernest, and Lyle, both of whom were born in North Da- kota. Mr. Prader is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Democrat and stands firmly for the principles of his party.

ROLAND N. CANHAM. There are numerous fine farms in Richland county which will compare favorably with any others in the state as regards production and also as to the improvements which have been made upon them. Many of these places are owned by young men who have already achieved success in life. As a representative of this class of agriculturists, great pleasure is taken in presenting the name of the subject of this notice, who is living on section 21, Centre township, where he has a fine place of two hundred and forty acres.

Mr. Canham was born in Nova Scotia, July 10, 1877, and was about six years of age when he ac- companied his parents on their removal to North Dakota, since which time his home has been in Centre township, Richland county. He is the third in order of birth in a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters, whose parents are John and Mary E. Canham. The family is one of con- siderable prominence in the community where they reside.

JAMES F. SHEA, whose home is on section 28, Centre township, is a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Richland county, North Dakota, and has been identified with the up- building and development of this section of the state for over twenty years. He was born in Allegany county, New York, July 13, 1856, a son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Fitzpatrick) Shea, natives of County Kerry, Ireland, who also came to North Dakota. The father died in Wahpeton, in 1886, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, and the mother died in the same place, in 1891, at the age of eighty- three.

When quite young our subject was taken by his parents to Canada, where he continued to make his

338

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

home until thirteen years of age, when he removed with the family to Renville county, Minnesota. Upon a farm in that state he lived until 1873, which year witnessed his arrival in Dakota territory, where for a few years he was in the employ of the govern- ment. Subsequently he spent a few months in the Black Hills, and then came to Richland county, where he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres and also pre-empted a like amount in Centre township, on which he located in 1878. He now owns the whole section of land and an ad- ditioinal eighty-acre tract in Centre township. He has erected good buildings upon his place and sur- rounded these with shade trees, which add materially to its beauty and worth.

At Walpeton, Richland county, May 2, 1881, Mr. Shea was united in marriage with Miss Mary Keating, a daughter of Richard and Margaret Keat- ing, of Centre township, and they have become the parents of five children, namely : Maggie, John F., James A., Eva M. and Helen. Mr. Shea has been honored with several township offices, having been a member of the board of education fifteen years and township assessor about four years. In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and for the success he has achieved he deserves great credit, as it is due en- tirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts.

CASS DEBOLT. Among the men who are gaining a good support by tilling the soil of town- ship 146, range 65, in Foster county, and incident- ally laying aside a competence for future years, there is no better representative than the gentleman whose name introduces this brief review.

Mr. DeBolt was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, October 28, 1848. His father, Michel DeBolt, was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent and was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject, Frasier DeBolt, was a farmer and trader and wealthy land owner. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Martha Martin, was of Welch descent and her parents were farmers.

Our subject was the ninth in a family of twelve children and was raised on a farm near Cincinnati. He received a liberal education, graduating from two colleges and later traveled for his health through the West from 1871-1874. He returned home and engaged in farming several years and then removed to Indiana, where he engaged in the grocery business five years and met with success in that line. He went to North Dakota in 1886 and settled on government land, entering claim to the southeast quarter of section 34, township 146, range 65, on which he erected a 10x14-foot sod shanty. He raised his first crop in 1887 and it averaged eighteen bushels per acre. He has ac- quired three hundred and twenty acres of land and engages in wheat raising principally. He has a complete set of farm buildings and all new ma- chinery and every convenience of modern farming.

He has never had a failure of crops in Dakota and has met with success in his calling.

Our subject was married, in 1894, to Miss Mary E. Wait, who was born and reared in Ohio, where her father, Frank Wait, was a farmer. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt, as follows : Elmer E., Martha E. and Velma E. Mr. DeBolt has held various local offices and was elected by the Democrats and Populists as clerk of courts of Foster county, in 1890, and served two years. He is popular with the people, regardless of party affiliations, and is highly esteemed.

RICHARD KEATING. Among the more prominent farmers of Centre township, Richland county, North Dakota, is the subject of this biog- raphy, whose farm is on section 12. He is a self- made man, who by perseverance and industry has succeeded in acquiring a comfortable home and competence. He has also won the respect and es- teem of all with whom he has come in contact either in business or social life.

Mr. Keating was born in Queens county, Ire- land, November 11, 1830, and emigrated to Amer- ica in 1849. After a few years' residence in Ver- mont, he removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, where he made his home until coming to Dakota territory in 1873. Locating in Richland county, he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 12, Centre township, where he has since lived and has enlarged and improved his farm until he now has two hundred and forty acres under ex- cellent cultivation and supplied with good buildings.

During his residence in Vermont Mr. Keating married Miss Margaret Cauglain, a native of Kings county, Ireland, who died in Grant county, Wis- consin, April 25, 1872. The children born of this union were, Mary, now the wife of James F. Shea ; Thomas ; Celia, wife of William Masterson ; Bridget, wife of Donald Wright; Anna, who married John O. Shea and died in Centre township, July 2, 1892; Margaret, wife of James Hickey; Eleanor, who died in childhood; John, and Catherine, who mar- ried Robert Wright and died in Wahpeton, in No- vember, 1896. The family hold membership in St. John's Catholic church of Wahpeton and are highly respected by all who know them.

NICK SCHMID, of the firm of Searle & Schmid, dealers in farm machinery, grain, fuel, etc., is one of the popular and successful business men of Dickey, La Moure county. He has been a resident of that locality many years and is also proprietor of a farm one half mile from the village, on which he conducts general farming and makes his home. He has thoroughly improved his home farm and is surrounded by the comforts of a coun- try life.

Our subject was born on a farm in Switzerland, January 27, 1853. His father, John Schmid, was

339

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

also a native of Switzerland, and died in Cass coun- ty, North Dakota, in 1895, aged seventy-eight years. The mother of our subject who bore the maiden name of Mary Rath, died when he was about twelve years of age.

Mr. Schmid received his first schooling in his native land and at the age of fourteen years came to America with his father and settled on a farm in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1884. He located land in La Moure county, North Dakota, in 1883, and the following year filed claim to the same, the southeast quarter of section 28, township 136, range 62. He devoted his entire attention to farming until 1893, when he became associated with C. A. Searle, in the machine busi- ness. He has made a success in this enterprise and enjoys an extensive patronage.

Our subject was married, in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, in 1881, to Miss Mary E. Schmoker, a native of that county, who was born in 1860 and was a daughter of Paul and Rose Schmoker. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmid, the eldest daughter being born in Wisconsin. They are named as follows: Mollie D., Pearl R., Annie D., Alfred J. and George J. Mr. Schmid is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. He is prominent in public affairs and has held numerous township offices of trust and was also county commissioner for three years. Every enterprise for the better interests of his community meets with his hearty approval and support and he is deservedly held in the highest esteem.

EDWARD ENGERUD, junior member of the firm of Morrill & Engerud, is one of the promi- nent young attorneys practicing at the bar of Fargo and has already achieved an enviable repu- tation in his chosen calling. He was born in the city of Racine, Racine county, Wisconsin, Febru- ary 13, 1868, and is a son of Lars and Christine (Bakke) Engerud, natives of Norway, who came to America in 1852 and first settled in Chicago. Two years later they removed to Wisconsin and in 1877 became residents of Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, where the father died in 1897. By trade he was a blacksmith. He had three sons, one of whom entered the United states navy, rose to the rank of lieutenant and died in the service.

Reared in Minnesota, our subject obtained his early education in the public schools of that state. In 1881 he came to Grand Forks, North Dakota. and entered the high school, from which he was graduated in 1882 with the first class sent out from that institution. The following year he became a student at Beloit College, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1887. He then commenced the study of law at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and was admitted to the bar at that place in 1889. For two years he was engaged in practice with Judge C. L. Lewis. now of the supreme bench of Minnesota, and he

continued at Fergus Falls until the spring of 1893, when he removed to Sheldon, North Dakota, and entered the employ of Edward Pierce as an attorney. A year later he went to Lisbon and was engaged in practice there until coming to Fargo in 1897. He served as state's attorney for Ransom county for one year. On taking up his residence in Fargo he formed a partnership with Mr. Morrill, which still exists and they now enjoy a large and lucrative practice, both being able and prominent lawyers. Mr. Engerud is now serving as assistant states attorney of Cass county. He is a stanch Republi- can in politics and has stumped the state in the in- terest of that party.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 53

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