Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 58

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 58

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Mr. Abrahamsen was reared in Wisconsin and remained at home until sixteen years of age, and in 1879 went to North Dakota and located in Traill county, where he entered claim to land and engaged in farming. In June of the same year he went to Grand Forks and purchased a stock of general merchandise and still conducts that business with remarkable success. He was elected county treas- urer in 1886 and served eight years, his efficient work and faithfulness commending him to all.

Our subject was married, in 1881, to Bendika Amanson, a native of Norway. One son and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Abra-

hamsen. Our subject is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has gradually built up an extensive business in North Dakota and enjoys well-earned success. He is a Republican in polit- ical sentiment, and is a man of broad ideas and firm in his convictions. He has a wide knowledge of men and the world and there is no foreign-born citizen of North Dakota who labors more earnestly or has a greater appreciation of the freedom of his adopted land than our subject.

THOMAS C. COMSTOCK, yardmaster for' the Northern Pacific Railroad Company at Fargo, North Dakota, and an honored citizen of that place, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, May 17, 1850, and is a son of Andrew K. and Emma (Car- ter) Comstock, also natives of that state. The father, who was a lumber dealer in the East, came to North Dakota in 1880 and settled in Fargo. Later he engaged in farming in Cass county, and died there in 1897. He had two sons, one of whom is now a resident of New York. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Watts Comstock, was also a native of Fairfield county, Connecticut, and was a farmer and banker by occupation.

During his boyhood and youth Thomas C. Com- stock attended school and remained in Connecticut until 1868, when he removed to Minnesota and for the following year engaged in clerking in Minne- apolis. Later he was in business with his father in the East and there began his railroad career as a civil engineer. Returning to Minneapolis in 1871, he accepted a position on the civil engineering force of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad. The fol- lowing winter he got out ties for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and in 1872 commenced firing on that road. Later he was promoted to the position of engineer, running a train between Fargo and Duluth, and in 1876 was made a conductor on the same line. Two years later he was transferred to the Dakota division and ran trains between Fargo and Bismarck until 1890, when he was made train yardmaster at the former city. In 1893 he was transferred as trainmaster to Jamestown, but in 1896 returned to Fargo and was given his old posi- tion, which he still fills in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He is now one of the oldest and most trusted employes of the road, and is held in high regard by all who know him. His political support is given the men and measures of the Re- publican party, but he takes no active part in poli- tics aside from voting.

In 1881 Mr. Comstock married Miss Ellen Mer- rell, a native of Illinois, and they have three chil- dren : Fannie, Arthur and Merrill.

MARTIN SOMDAHL, one of the self-made men and a leading furniture dealer of Valley City, North Dakota, first saw the light of day in the village of Honefoss, Norway, April 25. 1853, and there he

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attended school until twelve years of age, at the same time acting as messenger boy for Dr. Shjong, one of the foremost physicians of Norway, whose country seat was near Honefoss. Later our subject clerked in a general store and then worked with his step-father at the mason's trade. In the fall of 1869 he commenced painting and followed that pursuit for one year, after which he was in the employ of the Humbledahl & Ringereket Stage Line for a year. In 1870 Mr. Somdahl drifted to Christiania, the chief city of Norway, where he drove a cab for one year, and then accepted a position as driver with the leading liveryman of that place, remaining with him for three years. The following year he was in the employ of the German consul at Christiania, and then went as second waiter on the steamship Olof Kyrre, making two trips to Dronthaim and one to Bergen, after which the boat was laid up. After a short time spent in idleness he secured the position of head waiter on the steamer King Sverre, and the following five years were spent upon steam- ers. For a short time he was a waiter in the Vic- toria Hotel, one of the finest on the continent, and next secured a position on the boat King Sig- vurd, which plied between Hamburg and Havre. During the winter of 1882 he was head waiter in the St. Olof Club, at Drammen, and from there went to Gottenberg, Sweden, where he worked as waiter for the Thrurgaard Society for a time. On his re- turn to Christiania he was engaged in the cafe busi- ness for a short season.

On the 29th of May, 1883, Mr. Somdahl wed- ded Miss Mary Ajuldlin, a native of Christiania, and on their wedding trip they went to Gottenberg, Sweden, returning to Norway in the fall of that year. For three months he was again engaged in the cafe business at 26-B, Princess street, Christiania, and the following two years was head waiter at Victoria Hotel, Christiania.

On the 16th of April, 1885, Mr. Somdahl and his family sailed for New York, and on landing in this country proceeded at once to Valley City, North Dakota. Here he first engaged in farming and car- pentering and in the fall of 1886 became clerk in the general store of Parkhouse & Sales, where his knowledge of the German language was called into service. He remained with that firm for seven years and then embarked in his present business as a furniture dealer. To his own unaided efforts and excellent management may be attributed his suc- cess in life for he started out for himself in limited circumstances. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Maccabees.

FRANK HERMAN. The estates of Mooreton township, Richland county, have given to that vi- cinity the name of a thriving agricultural district, and that on which the subject of this review makes his home is among the first of the township. He has resided in North Dakota several years, and has

displayed a knowledge of his calling which entitles him to a foremost rank among the agriculturists of his community. He has conducted a farm in sec- tion 18 since taking up his work in the western state and has met with success, and is surrounded by all the comforts of a country home.

Mr. Herman was born at Grass Lake, Lake county, Illinois, August 14, 1871, and was the son of Andrew and Mary (Scholl) Herman. His par- ents were natives of Germany.

Our subject was reared in his native county and educated in the common schools, and assisted his father with the farm work. He remained in Lake county until taking up his residence in North Dakota in 1893. He settled on the farm where he now lives in Mooreton township, and operates three quarter-sections of land which he rents of his brother A. F. Herman. While not one of the largest es- tates in the vicinity, he has made it equal to any in point of yield in proportion to size, and the appear- ance of the entire estate is one of thrift and evi- dences the painstaking care exercised in the work.

Mr. Herman was married at Wilmot, Wiscon- sin, December 8, 1892, to Miss Ella Bartling, daughter of Fred Bartling, of Lake county, Illinois. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Her- man, as follows: Frank, Clarence, Edward, and Leo. They are an intelligent group of boys and complete a pleasant family circle.

Mr. Herman is a gentleman of good education and practical business methods, and has gained an enviable reputation for his honesty and industry. He is one of the rising young men of North Da- kota, and well merits his success and good name. The vocation to which he has devoted his life is one of which he has a thorough knowledge, having received a rich heritage, his father following that occupation before him, and instilling into his son the essential qualifications for success. The young men of a community are the ones to whom the men of declining years must look for impetus to the work, and in such a gentleman as the subject of this re- view is to be found every trait of character de- sired. To such can safely be entrusted the future of the state and nation.

OLE ARNEGARD, a member of the firm of Arnegard & Lofthus, hardware dealers of Hills- boro, North Dakota, is one of the rising young men of his community. He went to North Dakota in his early youth and has become a thorough citizen of that state and earnestly works for its social in- terests. He is an able business man, and is inter- ested extensively in farming in Norway township, being one of the early settlers of that locality.

Our subject was born in Rice county, Minne- sota, September 22, 1869, and was the eldest of nine children born to Ole O. and Marit (Knutson) Arnegard, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to America in 1860 and served in the Civil war in Company G, Eighth Minnesota

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Volunteer Infantry, for one and a half years. He was married to Marit Knutson in 1868. The fam- ily moved to Norway township, Traill county, North Dakota, in 1878, where Mr. Arnegard died in 1896. The mother passed away in 1886.

Our subject went to North Dakota with his parents and followed the breaking plow drawn by oxen for several seasons. During the winter of 1888-89 he attended Willmar Seminary and com- pleted a three-years course in a business and aca- demic course, and in the spring of 1892 taught one term of school. In the fall of that year he entered the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks, and graduated with the class of 1896. He then spent two years conducting his father's farm, as he was administrator, and lie is now in possession of the homestead farm, which is fuly improved. It is located in the Goose River valley and from eighty acres of abundant timber he sells elm, ash, oak and box elder. He owns four hundred and seventy acres of choice land in Norway township and his farm is under cultivation and furnishies a good in- come. The present firm of Arnegard & Lofthus was established in January, 1899, succeeding to the old established business of P. L. Prichard. Mr. Arnegard worked two seasons as expert machin- ist for Harvester, King & Company. and a salesman for the Deering Harvester Company.

Mr. Arnegard is a member of the Lutheran church, and of the Knights of Pythias, and in polit- ical sentiment is a Republican. He is a gentleman of rare ability and intelligence and was elected trustee of Grand Forks College in 1899.

INGEBREGT MOUM. Among the foreign- born citizens of Cass county who are thoroughly identified with American progress, may be noted Mr. Moum. He owns an excellent farm compris- ing one section of land, in Ayr township, where the usual improvements have been made, and such ar- rangements completed as to make it a comfortable home.

Our subject was born in Norway, June 11, 1849, and was a son of Bertel and Ane ( Kjelmoen) Moum, who were natives of Norway. His father was a farmer by occupation and died in his native land. Five sons and three daughters constituted the family of children of which our subject was a member, and he and one sister, Mrs. Thompson, reside in Cass county, and are the only ones of the family in the United States.

Mr. Moum was reared in Norway and received his education there, and in 1866 came to America, locating in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1874 and then spent one year in Duluth, Minnesota, and then went to New Mexico. He was employed there three years herding sheep, and during his stay there visited the neighboring town but once. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in 1879, and entered a homestead claim to land in section 34, of Ayr township, where he has

since resided, and now owns a pleasant home. He broke forty acres of land and built a house the first fall and now has a well-improved estate, and cultivates one section of land with remarkable suc- cess.

Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss Jo- sephine Peterson, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1875. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Moum, named as follows: Annie J. and Philip B. Mr. Moum is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Brother- hood of American Yeomen. Politically he is a Re- publican, but does not seek public preferment. He is well-to-do and highly respected in the community in which he has resided for many years.

ANTON P. BERGER, a prominent business man of Milnor, Sargent county, has met with suc- cess in whatever vocation he is engaged. He is a man of much force and business ability, and his present business interests insure him a comfortable competence. He is one of the firm of Tisdel, Mel- hus & Berger, and the firm carries a complete stock of general merchandise.

Mr. Berger was born in Norway, July 1, 1853. He was reared in his native country and received a common-school education, and learned the tailor trade, at which he was engaged there for some time. He also followed other occupations until he came to America in the spring of 1879. He located at Lanesboro, Filmore 'county, Minnesota, where he followed the tailor's trade for a few months and was later engaged at painting on the Canadian Pa- cific Railroad for about one and a half years. He then returned to Lanesboro and engaged in paint- ing for about six months, when, in the spring of 1884, he went to Milnor, where he engaged in the saloon business until the prohibition law went into effect. After a few months he engaged in the mer- cantile business to which he has given his attention since. The present firm of Tisdel, Melhus & Ber- ger was formed March 1, 1892. They carry a stock of general merchandise, and are among the leading merchants of Sargent county.

Mr. Berger was married September 4, 1894. in Milnor, North Dakota, to Miss Mary Woldy, who was born in Wisconsin, of Norwegian parentage. Mr. Berger is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and Modern Woodmen of America. He has been village treasurer and township treasurer, and is a man in whom the people have much confidence.

CHARLES M. MITCHELL, the popular and efficient postmaster of Jamestown, was one of the early settlers of Stutsman county, and for over thirteen years was connected with the business in- terests of the city of Jamestown. He is active in public matters and enjoys an enviable reputation as an able business man and worthy citizen.

Mr. Mitchell was born on a farm in Indiana

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county, Pennsylvania, in 1858. His father, S. F. Mitchell, was a native of Ohio, and was reared in Pennsylvania, and was of English descent. The great-grandfather of our subject, Charles Mitchell, emigrated from England and settled in Ohio. He served under Washington in the Revolutionary war. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Bates, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of German descent, her mother having emigrated from Germany. Both of our subject s parents had been previously married, and our sub- ject was the eldest in the second family of children.

After attaining the age of eighteen years Mr. Mitchell left the farm where he had been raised and worked in a general store in Latrobe, Pennsyl- vania, and in 1883 he graduated from Duff's Com- mercial College at Pittsburg, and in the spring of 1884 went to Stutsman county, North Dakota. He located at Jamestown and worked for George Hebert in his barber shop, and in 1885 established a tonsorial parlor in that city, in which business he engaged for thirteen years. He was appointed postmaster at Jamestown by President Mckinley, in August, 1898, and assumed the duties of that office August 5, of that year, in which capacity he is now employed.

Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss Jen- nie Hysong, a native of Pennsylvania, who was raised in that state. Her father, Benjamin Hy- song, was a farmer by occupation, and Mrs. Mitch- ell is probably of German descent. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Chloe, who was born in 1885. Mr. Mitchell was elected alder- man in Jamestown in 1894, and served two terms, the last two years acting as president of the council. He is prominent in public affairs and in 1896 was chairman of the Republican county committee. He is widely known in secret society circles, and holds membership in the following orders: Ancient Or- der of United Workmen, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Mac- cabees, Royal Arcanum, Knights of Labor, Sons of Veterans and Patriotic Sons of America.

DANIEL F. SIEGFRIED, of whom a portrait · appears on another page, is a well-known and pop- ular druggist of Sanborn, North Dakota, whose patronage comes from a territory many miles in extent. The business policy he has maintained has brought him prosperity. He is methodical and sys- tematic and the plans which he has pursued com- mend themselves to the judgment and respect of all.

Mr. Siegfried was born in the village of Catasan- qua, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, November 31, 1844, and is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most honored families of that state. The first of the name to come to America was a native of Switzerland. He braved the early dangers of an ocean voyage in 1643 and settled in the Lehigh valley. Our subject's great-grandfather, John

Siegfried, served with distinction as a colonel in the Revolutionary war and had charge of the supply train which carried provisions to the troops at Valley Forge. Daniel M. Siegfried, father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1822, and is still living, his home being in Warren county, that state. By trade he is a cabinetmaker. The mother, whose maiden name was Violette Peters, died when our subject was but two years old. She was descended from Mayflower stock.

During his childhood Daniel F. Siegfried ac- companied the family on their removal to Bethle- hem, Pennsylvania, and was a student in the schools of that place until 1861, when he joined the boys in blue as a member of Company C, Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac. During the early part of his service he took part in all the im- portant battles in which that command was engaged, but after the battle of Gettysburg was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, with which he re- mained until honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., in 1865. After a short visit at home Mr. Siegfried entered Crittenden Commercial College at Philadelphia, and later attended LaFayette Col- lege at Easton, Pennsylvania. On the completion of his education he engaged in the oil business, traveling through the oil districts of Pennsylvania for a number of years. In 1881 he decided to try. his fortune in the west and accordingly came to Barnes county, North Dakota. The following spring he opened a drug store in Sanborn and has since engaged in business there with flattering success.

In the fall of 1869. in Greenville, Mercer coun- ty, Pennsylvania, Mr. Siegfried was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary J. Kamerer, a native of that state, and a daughter of Daniel Kamerer, who was a farmer by occupation and a direct descendant of one of the passengers of the Mayflower who landed on the shores of this country in 1620. Our subject and his wife have two sons: Harry E., who com- pleted his education in the State Normal at Valley City, and William A., who was a student in the schools of Fargo.

For many years Mr. Siegfried was a supporter of the Republican party, but at present is a Pop- ulist and was an elector of the state of North Da- kota for that party in 1896, when William J. Bryan was nominated for the presidency. He is a Scot- tish Rite Mason and a member of the Blue lodge of Sanborn. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular in both business and social circles, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man he is recognized as a valued citizen of the community.

ALEXANDER LEINES, Energy, prudence and persistent effort have marked the career of this gentleman, and he has attained a good station among the farmers of Richland county, North Da- kota. His labors have been well directed, and have

DANIEL F. SIEGFRIED.

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resulted in the acquisition of a fine estate on section 2 of Garfield township, where he is surrounded with those improvements and comforts which go to make the model rural home.

Mr. Leines was born in Norway, August 20, 1836. He came to America while yet a young man, in 1869, and for ten years lived in Story county, Iowa. He located in Garfield township, Richland county, in September, 1879, and has since made his residence in that locality. He is the fortunate pos- sessor of four hundred and twenty acres of land, and he has acquired a knowledge of his calling which has enabled him to bring about the best results in his farm work. He has a well-kept estate, and the appearance of the entire farm is commendable and evinces careful labor.

Mr. Leines was married, in Norway, to Ellerine Johnson, who was born in Norway, June 27, 1849. Nine children, all of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leines, as follows: Jens, Nils, Emily, Kaja, Albert, Emil, Ella, Henry and Elmer. Since taking up his residence in Richland county our subject has taken an active interest in the affairs of local importance, and has served as township supervisor and also as a member of the school board. He has given efficient service in each capacity and has aided in raising the standard of education in that region. He is a man of broad mind, and has acquired a knowledge of American ways and customs, and has given his children every opportunity within his power to become valued and honored citizens, and he himself has gained a place 'in the minds of his associates of which he may be justly proud.

JOHN D. CARROLL, an extensive farmer and cattle raiser, has a pleasant home on the banks of Lake Washington, near New Rockford, and is one of the early settlers of North Dakota. He is a prominent citizen of Eddy county and has gained his high standing by industrious habits and earnest efforts for the advancement of the community, and was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 19, 1850. His father, Simon S. Carroll, was of Irish descent, though American born, and a farmer throughout his career. The mother of Mr. Carroll, whose maiden name was Mary J. Gunn, was of Scotch descent, and her family has been in America many generations.

Mr. Carroll was the second in a family of eight children, and was raised on a farm and attended the country schools. His father dealt in lumber and owned a sawmill, and the family removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa, when our subject was eighteen years of age, and his father engaged in farming. Our subject soon afterward engaged in the horse business, which he followed nine years in Oska- loosa, and in 1879 made a trip to North Dakota, and shipped a carload of horses to Fargo, and fol- lowed that business thereafter until 1883. His family then joined him in Dakota, and made their

home in Fargo, where he conducted a livery and sale stable. Fire destroyed his barn in 1883, and he then began the livery and hotel business at Bart- let, North Dakota, and after six months moved his entire establishment to Lakota, North Dakota, where he followed the livery and hotel business and farni- ing until the fall of 1887, when he disposed of his in- terests there and located at Lake Washington, in Eddy county, where he has since contimied the stock business. He soon afterward removed his family to the ranch, and he now has a well-improved and pleasant farm, and has followed the stock business for the past twelve years. He keeps the farm especially for the raising of cattle, and buys and ships stock, including cattle and horses. He is now serving as sheriff of Eddy county, and makes his home in New Rockford.

Our subject was married, in 1870, to Mary E. Jones, of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Mrs. Carroll was a teacher in the public schools of Oskaloosa and vicinity for seven years, and is a lady of rare at- tainments. Her father, Joseph Jones, was of Welsh descent, and was a farmer by occupation. The family have been in America many generations. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Car- roll, two of whom, Joseph and John, are deceased. The three living children are as follows: Cath- erine J., now Mrs. Thomas Turner, and her hus- band is a bookkeeper in one of the large stores in New Rockford; Francis N. ; and W. J., who is now deputy sheriff of Eddy county. Mr. Carroll is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Modern Wood- men of America and Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He takes an active part in affairs of a public nature, and was elected on the board of county commissioners of Nelson county in the fall of 1884 on the Republican ticket and served one term. He was elected sheriff of Eddy county in the fall of 1896, and his popularity is best evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected in 1899, and is now serving his second term in that capacity. Po- litically he is a Republican.

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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 58

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