Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 65

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 65

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).

When about sixteen years of age our subject crossed the ocean with his parents and sister to join his brother who had previously settled in this country, and they made their home in Clayton coun- ty, Iowa. Our subject worked there a few months at farm labor and then went to Palo Alto county, Iowa, and there remained until the spring of 1879 when he borrowed some money and with his parents went to Dakota, arriving at Caledonia with but two and a half dollars. Father and son both secured land, our subject taking his as a pre-emption, and after about two years turned it into a homestead. He broke two and a half acres of land and built a sod stable and in January, 1881, fearing others would take the claim, he erected a board shanty on top of four feet of snow. The snow was so deep that he could not haul the lumber to the site of his building and he was obliged to dump the load and then carry it piece by piece to his building through the snow. He now has a good farm with excellent improvements, including an artesian well, which was completed after seven ycars in attempting to secure water and is sunk to a depth of two hundred and sixty-two feet. He engages in general farming · and has a property well adapted to that line of ag- riculture. He has a comfortable and convenient residence, erected in 1892.

Our subject was married, in 1888, to Miss Annie Bergstrum, a native of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Mrs. Engebretson spent most of her career in Iowa and when seventeen years of age began teaching and for seven years was identified with educational work in Palo Alto county. Mr. and Mrs. Engebretson

ASLE ENGEBRETSON.

415

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

are the parents of three children, named as follows : Signora Alvina, Irvin LeGrande and Alice Stepliena. The family are members of the Lutheran church and are held in high esteem throughout the commun- ity in which they make their home. Our subject has served many years on the township board and is active in public affairs of local importance. He is a Republican in political sentiment and has at- tended numerous state conventions.

WILLIAM F. REDMON, of Fargo, is now serving his third term as register of deeds of Cass county, North Dakota, and the duties of the office he has most efficiently and satisfactorily performed. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, April 17, 1854. His parents, Elijah N. and Sarah A. (Knapp) Red- mon, were natives of Illinois and Pennsylvania, respectively, and were among the early settlers of Iowa, locating there in the early '50s. After some years' residence in that state they removed to Pres- cott, Wisconsin, where both died. The father was a grain dealer.

Mr. Redmon, of this review, passed his boyhood and youth in Wisconsin and completed his educa- tion in the State University at Madison, graduating from the law department of that institution in 1876. He never engaged in the practice of his profession, however, but was for some time interested in the grain business with his father at Prescott, Wiscon- sin. He came to North Dakota in 1881 and took up a claim in Cass county, which he improved and after- ward sold. 'During his entire residence in this state he has followed farming in company with his brother and has been eminently successful.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Redmon and Miss Cora E. Gates, a native of Wis- consin, by whom he has two children, namely : John N. and Ruby A. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Wood- men of America, and politically is identified with the Republican party. He has creditably filled a num- ber of minor offices and in 1894 was elected register of deeds for Cass county, to which position he was re-elected in 1896 and again in 1898, being the pres- ent incumbent. He has always been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him, whether pub- lic or private and is held in high regard by all who know him.

EDGAR A. PRAY, M. D. One of the most exacting of all the higher lines of occupation to which a man may lend his energies is that of the physician. A most scrupulous preliminary training is demanded, a nicety of judgment but little under- stood by the laity. Through his own efforts our subject is well fitted for the profession which he has chosen as a life work, and his skill and ability have won him a lucrative practice in Valley City and throughout the surrounding country.

Dr. Pray was born in the city of Afton, Minne- sota, February 26, 1868, and is a son of Russell N. and Lydia P. (Van Slyke) Pray, both natives of New York state, the former in 1829, the latter in 1842. They now make their home in Barnes coun- ty, North Dakota. Throughout life the father has followed the occupation of contractor and builder and for the past fifteen years has engaged in farm- ing.

The Doctor attended school in his native town until ten years of age and then came with his par- ents to Fargo, North Dakota, where he continued his studies in the high school for a time. Subse- quently he entered Carleton College at Northfield, Minnesota, where he was a student for two years, and in the fall of 1891 matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, where he took a full course in medicine and surgery, graduating in the class of 1894. His education was mainly secured through his own efforts and for the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit. Imnie- diately after leaving the university Dr. Pray opened an office at Valley City and it is now said of him that he enjoys the largest practice of any physician in Barnes county. He is one of the most popular citi- zens of the place and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Foresters, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Fraternal Union of America.

Dr. Pray was united in marriage with Miss Frances A. Peake, who was born in San Jose, Cali- fornia, in 1870, a daughter of Ebenezer S. and Mary A. Peake. At present her father is chaplain of St. Mary's School for Girls at Faribault, Minne- sota. He was one of the first missionaries of the Episcopal church in the great northwest territory. The Doctor and his wife have two children, boys, Ralph and Russell.

EDWIN D. WASHBURN. A striking example of what can be accomplished by persistent efforts and honest industry is afforded in the life of this gentleman. He is one of the earliest pioneers of Steele county and makes his home on section 24, in Hope township, and is one of the few farmers of that region who have stayed on their pioneer farms and made a success of their vocation. He is now the fortunate owner of one of the well de- veloped farms of that locality, and despite the dis- couragements incident to frontier life has gathered about him comforts to be enjoyed in his declining years.

Our subject was born in Oneida county, New York, July 11, 1859, and he and his elder sister were the only children born to Edwin R. and Etheline ( Ward) Washburn. His parents are now living in Marshall. Michigan, where the family set- tled when our subject was a boy. He was reared to farm work and in March, 1881, went to North Da- kota in search of a home in the wonderful farming lands of the Red river valley. He worked a season

416

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

in Cass county and soon filed claim to land in Steele county, then a part of Griggs county. For the first few years he made occasional visits to his property and arranged for some improvements and during the summers of 1882 and 1883 experienced the life of a bachelor in a new country. During the early days hunting was the chief amusement, ducks and geese, antelope and an occasional elk varying the sport. It was our subject's privilege to see the last stray buffalo known in that part of the state and to dine at Tower City on a steak cut from this last of the herd of North Dakota. Mr. Washburn now has a well improved property and every necessary con- venience is supplied on his farm.

Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss Letitia E. Howard, a native of Michigan. Mrs. Washburn is a lady of rare attainments and much of her life has been devoted to educational work. She was a teacher for ten years and is one of the oldest teach- ers of Steele county. The first school in Hope town- ship outside of the city of Hope, in 1888, was taught by Mrs. Washburn, in a 12x14-foot shanty, and nine scholars completed the roll. A photograph of the building and pupils is preservea in the home of Mr. Washburn as a relic of pioneer times. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Washburn, upon whom they nave bestowed the name of Howard E. Mr. Washburn is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is a Democrat and is an earnest worker for the principles of his party. He is a man who keeps abreast of the times in all public matters of importance and is highly esteemed throughout his township and county as a public-spirited and wide- awake citizen.

CHARLES A. NULPH, a prosperous farmer of Danton township, Richland county, is known throughout the locality as an energetic and wide- awake citizen. He and his father, Daniel Nulph, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, were the first settlers of Danton township, and it was for his father that our subject named the township Danton. He has been a resident of section 34 since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and has gained extensive land interests.

Charles A. Nulph was born in Sac county, Wis- consin, November 6, 1847, and went to Dakota with his father in May, 1879. He entered a homestead claim to land on section 34, which is his present home farm. He is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land in Danton and Liberty town- ships and his farm is one of the well-improved es- tates of the locality.

Our subject was married, in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, May 14, 1876, to Miss Orissa M. Mack, a native of Vermont. Six children have been born to M. and Mrs. Nulph. Those living are Harry A. and Beatrice L. Katie E. died at the age of two years : Charles L. died at the age of seven months ; Jessie E. died in infancy ; Carrie L. died at the age

of two years. Mr. Nulph takes an active part in all local affairs of interest and is an ardent worker for the advancement of his community. He has held various offices of trust and has been chairman of the board of supervisors for ten years and school director three years. He is well versed on matters under general discussion and is one of the substan- tial men of Danton township.

DANIEL NULPH, for whom the township of Danton, Richland county, was named, is a pros- perous farmer of section 34. He and his son, Charles A., whose life history is given elsewhere, were the first settlers of Danton township and have both been continuous residents since.

Daniel Nulph was born in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1823. He was reared in Jefferson and Venango counties, Pennsylvania, and at fifteen years of age went to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming about five years. He then went to Adams county, Wisconsin, working at farming and on the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers fifteen years at rafting. He then went to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, where he resided several years, and in 1879 went to Dakota. He en- tered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 34, in Danton township, where he has since resided. He is now the owner of four hun- dred and eighty acres of land and his farm bears every evidence of careful management and system- atic work.

Our subject was married, in Dubuque county, Iowa, to Barbara Ann Hyatt, a native of Ohio. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nulph, as follows: Mary A., Charles A., Walter S., Clar- etta, John, George, Grant and Ezra. Mr. Nulph has witnessed the development of that region and has aided in its transformation from a wild country to a thriving agricultural district. He is ever in- terested in the welfare of his community and lends his influence for every enterprise of a public nature.

THEODORE P. SLATTUM, who enjoys the distinction of being the most extensive farmer and land owner in the Sheyenne valley, Preston town- ship, Ransom county, has accumulated his fortune by honest industry and skillful management. His home is in section 30, township 136, range 57, and is one of comfort, and although a quaint log house serves as his dwelling it shelters hospitality and brotherly kindness. Mr. Slattum owns about one thousand acres of land and it is a praiseworthy fact that he has never placed a mortgage on any of his possessions, having steadily gone forward to for- tune and prosperity.

Our subject was born in Christiania, Norway, August 18, 1836, and was the eldest son in a family of five children. He spent eleven years of his life in the army, attaining the rank of sergeant, and also learned the trade of stavcmaker. He came o Amer-

417

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

ica in 1870 and settled in Fillmore county, Minne- sota, and in 1879 pushed his way westward .to Da- kota with an ox-team and forty dollars in money. He was one of the first settlers of the valley and for the past twenty years has not been outside the state. He crops annually about five hundred acres of land.

Our subject was married, in 1859, to Miss Jougine Slattum. Nine children have blessed this union, as follows: Carl, now married and living near his parents; Bertie Marie, deceased; Jens, farming near home; Alexandria, now married ; Frand; John, married and living in Barnes county ; Hans, leader of the Preston brass band; Ole F., deceased ; and Olaf. The family have much musical talent and their home is cheered by strains of music and every comfort afforded the occupants, while the stranger within their home is accorded a most hearty welcome.

JAMES LYNCH. The farming interests of Liberty township, Richland county, have a worthy representative in the person of the gentleman above named, who operates a farm in section 6. He has improved nis estate and made it one on which a remunerative business may be done by one who de- votes himself intelligently to his work. In the way of buildings such arrangements have been made as tend to the economical conduct of the farm and for the comfort of the family a substantial dwelling has been constructed.

Our subject was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, February 21, 1850. He was reared in his native county and made his home there until he went to North Dakota in 1879. He then entered a homestead claim in section 4, and a tree claim in sec- tion 6 and located on the former. In 1897 he re- moved to section 6, where he has since resided. He now owns about one-half section of land and has his farms well improved.

Our subject was married, in Wisconsin, March 5, 1888, to Miss Margaret Thomas, a native of New York state. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, namely: Gladys, Madge and Maud. Mr. Lynch has served as township treasurer and chairman of the board of supervisors and takes an active interest in local affairs. He is a man who keeps pace with the times and in all matters of a pub- lic nature will be found on the side of right and justice.

ARTHUR EDMONDS is one of the representa- tive general farmers of Traill county and has been a conspicuous figure in the development and exten- sion of the great agricultural and business interests of the eastern part of North Dakota. He lives on the banks of the Red river of the North and owns nineteen hundred and forty acres of land located in Minnesota and North Dakota, and his home, in Caledonia township, Traill county, is one of the most complete and modern residences in his locality.

Our subject was born in Bedford, Canada, Au- gust 26, 1856, and was the tenth in order of birth in a family of eleven children born to Joseph and Ar- villa ( Rouse) Edmonds, natives respectively of Ver- mont and Canada. The family was of German and Scotch descent.

When our subject was one year of age a home was made in St. Lawrence county, New York, and when he was but three years of age the mother died, and during war times the father, with his second wife and family of children, moved to Houston coun- ty, Minnesota, and the father followed farming there. Our subject had eight half brothers and sis- ters. He left home in 1876 for western Minnesota, and in the spring of 1877, in company with Messrs. Houghton and Steele, went to the Red river valley from New Albion, Iowa. He had no effects and but few dollars in cash and after reaching Caledonia, Traill county, he secured a half-section of govern- ment land, but had not the means with which to de- velop the farm and worked for others at farm work and also in the hotel at Caledonia until 1880. His faith in the future of the country prompted him to purchase two hundred and forty-six acres of land, on which he made a payment of fifty dollars in 1882, and he then went to live on his estate. He has added to his possessions from time to time and his farm has attained generous proportions. The buildings on his home farm are of good construction and his residence is furnished with an artesian well and other conveniences of modern farming, while he has store houses and an elevator fitted with improve- ments of the latest pattern. His farm includes one hundred and twenty acres of timber land, and with his own saw mill he has framed most of his build- ings. A private ferry connects his land lying on the Dakota side with that in Minnesota. His average wheat crop is about eighteen to twenty bushels per acre, but his crop of 1891 from five hundred acres was sixteen thousand bushels of wheat, No. I, hard, which sold for eighty-five cents per bushel, and again in 1895 he had a similar yield. Mr. Edmonds has met with severe losses in his struggle to reach comfortable circumstances, and in 1892 lost five thousand dollars' worth of property by fire. Mr. Edmonds is now turning his attention to stock and has a small herd of thoroughbred Hereford cattle and proposes increasing his stock in this direction. His farming operations necessitate the use of forty-five head of horses and employment of ten men reg- nlarly. He has reached a station of wealth and in- fluence and enjoys his winter months with his family in California or elsewhere in quest of milder cli- mate.

Our subject was married, March 8, 1881, to Miss Sophia Olson, a native of Sweden. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds, as fol- lows: Edith, who is completing a musical educa- tion at St. Mary's Hall, Minnesota ; Elmer, Charles G., Jessie MI., Oscar W. and Tracey D. Mr. Ed- monds, since taking up his residence in North Da- kota, has been actively interested in public affairs

418

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

and is an attendant of county and state conventions. Politically he is a Republican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and 1. O. F. He was one of the organizers and is one of the directors and stock- holders of the H. D. C. & S. Telephone Company, and is one of the solid men of North Dakota and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.

DR. MITCHELL M. LOCKERBY, one of the pioneer dentists of North Dakota, has followed his calling in Grand Forks for many years and is widely known as an able practitioner and man of active pub- lic spirit. He was born in Odessa, New York, Octo- ber 14, 1849.

The parents of our subject, Bennajah and Mary A. (Terry) Lockerby, were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts, respectively. The father was a miller and later moved to Michigan and died near Grand Rapids, that state.

Mr. Lockerby was reared in New York and re- ceived his early education in that state and attended the People's College of Havana, New York. He then learned the trade of sawyer and filer, and in 1871 moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and later engaged in the general merchandise business at Rockford, Michigan. He began the study of den- tistry in 1876 and in. 1878 began the practice at Rockford, Michigan, and continued there until 1883. He then came to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and at once established an office and has been engaged in the practice of his profession here since that date. He has met with remarkable success and is now in comfortable circumstances. He owns some business property in the city and also residence property and has gained his possessions by judicious management and persistent efforts. He is a member of the State Dental Society and served as vice-president of the same in 1897.

Our subject was married, in Michigan, in 1875, to Alice G. Young, a native of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Lockerby are the parents of one son, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Arnold G. Mr. Lockerby is prominent in secret society circles and holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has taken the thirty-second and York Rite degrees. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He has devoted his career to his vocation and is a gentleman of progressive, enlightened views, and his standing as an old settler of the county and a citizen of prominence in Grand Forks is well known, and he is deservedly held in high esteem and respect by his fellow men.

WALTER S. NULPH, a pioneer settler of Dan- ton township, Richland county, is successfully pur- sning the calling of an agriculturist on section 28. He has acquired a comfortable competence by dint of his own efforts and is one of the substantial and respected men of that community. His home farm

is nicely located and well-improved and every con- venience to lessen labor is provided, while the de- tails of the work are carefully looked after.

Our subject was born in Strong's Prairie, Adams county, Wisconsin, November 27, 1852. He was . but a young boy when he moved with his parents to Winona county, Minnesota, and afterward to Blue Earth county, Minnesota. Our subject went to Richland county, North Dakota, in the spring of 1880 and entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 28, in Danton township, where he has since made his home. He is now the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of land and on his home farm has erected substantial and com- modious buildings. He has followed the pursuit of agriculture during his entire career and has met with marked success.

Our subject was married, in Blue Earth county, Minnesota, June 25, 1876, to Miss Mary Shroll, a native of Wisconsin. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nulph, three of whom are living, as follows: Pearley E., Walter E. and Raymond. One daughter, Nettie C., died at the age of ten years and one month. Mr. Nulph has ever taken an active interest in the development of that region and is prominent in local affairs. He was the first con- stable of Danton township and has served his con- munity in various ways.

GUNDER O. JOHNSON, one of the best known and influential pioneer settlers of northwest- ern Steele county, is a man of excellent character- istics and has acquired a fortune in Dakota by his earnest efforts, supplemented by his integrity and honest dealings. He owns and operates a farmi of eight hundred acres and resides on section 34, in Bergen township and engages in diversified farm- ing.

Our subject was born in Hardanger, Bergens (Stift ), Norway, January 3, 1855. In a family of five children there were two children older than he and his twin brother, and he was a son of Ole and Inglio (Gunderson) Johnson. The mother died in 1895 and the father now resides in Trempeauleau county, Wisconsin. When our subject was about twelve years of age the family embarked for Amer- ica on the sailing craft "Helvasea," and after a pleas- ant voyage lasting about seven weeks landed at Que- bec, Canada, and from thence immediately went to relatives at Trempeanleau, Wisconsin, and the father took a homestead farm. Our subject was employed at farm labor until 1881, when he rented land and began farming for himself and in the spring of 1882 went to Dakota and took the quarter as a homestead on which he is now living. He started from Wisconsin with about one hundred dollars, a team and six or seven head of horned stock and upon his arrival at his land he found him- self with little means. With his one light team he managed to break ten or fifteen acres of land and then he and a neighbor combined teams and got con-

G. O. JOHNSON.

MRS. G. O. JOHNSON.

421

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

siderable sod turned. Our subject erected a sod shanty 12x16 feet in the fall of 1882, which was his dwell- ing until 1888. He cropped about ten acres of wheat and five of oats and barley the first year and lived mostly on his stock and chickens and has devoted much of his attention to the raising of stock and the dairy interests and has added materially to his in- come from this source. He now has a fine stone basement provided for a dairy. He bought a tree claim soon after taking up his residence in Dakota and has since added to his possessions from time to time.

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 65

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