Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 70

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

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WILLIAM C. DRESSER, of the firm of Baird & Dresser, of New Rockford, is one of the earliest settlers of North Dakota, and has become widely and favorably known as a business man of much ability and a citizen of true worth. He traveled through that region prior to its earliest settlement, and during the pioneer days took government land, and experienced the life of a settler in a new coun- try, without neighbors and many hardships to en- dure. He is now among the substantial men of his community, and has gained his possessions by his own efforts and ability.

Our subject was born in Sibley county, Minne- sota, in 1858. In colonial days the Dresser family divided into three parts, and one located in Maine, one in Michigan and the third in New York, and the father of our subject, John Dresser, was a de- scendent of the New York branch. He went to Illinois in early days, and from there moved to Min- nesota in 1856, where he followed farming. His uncle was an adjutant in the war of 1812. In those early days in Minnesota the family had many excit- ing experiences, and during the Minnesota massa- cre retreated to Belle Plain, Minnesota, where they remained two weeks, and then many of the families, including Mr. Dresser's, returned within two and a half miles of the home of Mr. Dresser, and built a sod fort where they lived for about three weeks until the Indian scare subsided. The mother was subject, Jane Ryan, previous to her marriage was a native of New York, and was of Irish-English de- scent. Her family have been in America many generations.

Our subject was the ninth in a family of twelve children, now living, and was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. He left home at the age of eleven years, and worked at the machin- ist's trade in Minneapolis two years, and at the age of sixteen years went to Illinois where he attended the public school, and three years later went to Cus- ter county, Montana, and engaged in stock raising

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two years. He went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 1881, and worked in the office of the New Eng- land Investment company three years. He had spent four months in Grand Forks on account of ill- ness, when on his way to Montana, and was much taken with the country. He worked two years for McBride & Stanton in the real estate business, and in 1888 went to New Rockford and established himself in the same line, and also the collection business. He filed claim to government land near Grand Forks in 1882, and resided thereon for some time. He located in Duluth in 1800. He returned to New Rockford in 1895, and the following year en- tered into partnership with W. O. Baird in the real estate, loan and collection business. He is also in- terested extensively in farm lands, and owns four hundred and eighty acres, and engages in grain rais- ing exclusively.

Our subject was married, in 1892, to Miss Ada B. Woodward, who was born and raised in southern Minnesota. Mrs. Dresser's father, G. E. Wood- ward, was a stock raiser in Dakota for many years, and is now a traveling salesman. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs Dresser, as follows : William E., Grace W. and Ruth. Mr. Dresser is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has held various offices in the lodges. He has always taken an active part in public affairs wherever he has chosen his home, and works for the better interests of his community. Politically he is a Republican, and stands firmly for his convictions. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

OLIVER THORSON, residing on section 6, in Riverside township, Steele county, is one of the suc- cessful agriculturists of that region, and is a gentle- man of the highest character and highly esteemed by his fellowmen. He is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land on which he has good im- provements, and enjoys the comforts of rural life.

Our subject was born near the lake known as the North Sea, in Norway, December 25, 1853, and was the second in a family of three children, born to Aane and Christine ( Halvorson ) Thorson. He worked on his father's little farm in the old coun- try, and after reaching his seventeenth year he came to America with his parents and the other members of the family. They made their home on a farm in Waushara county, Wisconsin, and while a resident of that locality cur subject worked at car- penter work with his father. He went to Fargo, North Dakota, in the spring of 1881, and followed the carpenter's trade there about two years, after which he went to Abercrombie, in Richland county, and while thus employed was gaining a knowledge of American ways and the English language. He went to Steele county, in November. 1885, and im- mediately located on section 2, in Riverside town- ship. His wife and child stopped with a neighbor's family while our subject built a Iox14-fort shanty,

and then were duly installed in the new home, which soon afterward was remodeled and enlarged. He worked at his trade until 1888, and then devoted himself more entirely to farming; and in 1803 re- moved to his present location. He has prospered, and is now the proprietor of a well improved and carefully cultivated tract of land.

Our subject was married, in 1883, to Miss Annie Johnson. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorson, as follows: Albert J., Clarence A., Oscar J., Theodore E., Adolph A., Clara M. and Helma A. Mr. Thorson is a man who keeps abreast of the times in public affairs, and has served his community' almost continuously since taking up his residence in Dakota, and is now chairman of the township board. Politically he is a Republican and has served on the county central committee, and is a well-known personage at the conventions of the party.

JESSE J. SANDERS, one of the prominent young men of Devillo township, is successfully pur- suing farming on section 24. He went to Richland county with his father several years since, and now owns a well-improved estate and engages in gen- eral farming.

Our subject was born in Red Wing, Minnesota, February 16, 1867, and is the eldest in a family of four children born to Aaron M. and Caroline (Hare) Sanders, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume. He was educated in the public schools of Red Wing, and during six winters taught school in Swift county. Minnesota. He graduated from the Minnesota State School of Agriculture in the class of 1890, which was the first class to grad- uate from that institution. Mr. Sanders went to Richland county, North Dakota, in the spring of 1892, and purchased, in company with his father, one-half-section of land on section 24, in Devillo township. He has followed the calling of an agri- culturist during his entire career, and is successful to a marked degree.

Our subject was married in Swift county, Min- nesota, near Holloway, December 17, 1895, to Miss Lola Haines, a daughter of Caleb S. and Alice ( Nel- son) Haines. Mrs. Sanders was born in Waseca county, Minnesota, February 24, 1874. One child has been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Stewart D. Mr. Sanders takes an active part in public affairs of his township, and is a member of the board of supervisors, and is also clerk of the school board. Both he and Mrs. Sanders are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are highly respected in the community.

AARON M. SANDERS is one of the promi- nent and well known citizens of Devillo township, and is engaged quite extensively in the pursuit of farming on section 24. He has been a resident of

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Richland county for some years, and has a well im- proved estate.

Our subject was born in Oneida county, New York, June 21, 1835. He resided in his native place until 1847, when he went to Cohoes, Albany county, New York, and in 1849 he removed to Chicago, Illinois, and there followed the carpenter's trade, in connection with his father, in Cook county for ten years, after which he went to Waupaca county, Wisconsin, where he spent two years at his trade, and then followed the same in Hancock, Michigan, until 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-first Wisconsin Volunteer In- fantry. He served nearly three years, and after re- turning from the war in 1865 went to Red Wing, Minnesota, where he was employed in a sash and door factory fourteen years. On leaving there he went to Swift county, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming until 1892, in which year he disposed of his farming interests in Minnesota and went to Richland county, North Dakota. He purchased a half-section of land on section 24, in Devillo town- ship, where he has since resided. He has added good improvements to the place and enjoys the com- forts of rural life.

Our subject was married in Lind, Waupaca county, Wisconsin, to Miss Caroline Hare, a native of Oneida county, New York. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders, as follows: Jesse J., a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Cora A., Minnie and Wilbur. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and they enjoy the respect of the entire community.

JOHN W. MURPHY, one of the leading farm- ers of Foster county, is a large land owner of that region. His real estate amounts to six hundred and forty acres, the home farm being in township 165, range 45, which is well improved in every particular and forms a home of great comfort and even luxury. Mr. Murphy has accumulated this fine estate by honest industry and is highly esteemed as a worthy citizen throughout the county. His many friends will be pleased to find a portrait of Mr. Murphy in this volume.

Our subject was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Au- gust 2, 1856, and is a son of Michael and Margaret (Houlihan ) Murphy, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His father came to America about 1853 and shortly after the birth of our subject the family settled in Fayette county, Iowa, where the father followed farming. The grandparents of our sub- ject were also farmers by occupation.

Mr. Murphy is the third in a family of eight children and was raised on a farm and attended the country schools. He resided with his parents until May 10, 1887, when he reached Fargo, North Da- kota, one of a party of four (all relatives). He worked for the Walter Wood Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company and entered

claim to land as a homestead about fifteen miles northwest of Fargo. He erected a shanty IOX12 feet on the land, but did not engage to any extent in farming the land and in 1883 sold the property for two thousand dollars. He went to Foster coun- ty, in 1882, and located on what later proved to be the southwest quarter of section 6, township 145, range 65, and built a small shanty and began farm- ing in 1884. The Jamestown Northern Railroad was not built yet and he hauled supplies and lumber from Jamestown and he and his brother, James Murphy, lived together on the farm and were in partnership, this partnership lasting until 1891 Our subject now has a farm of six hundred and forty acres and operates about one thousand acres of land annually. He has erected one of the finest residences in the community, which supplies every convenience and comfort. He has a commodious horse barn 66x100 feet, and a cattle barn 50x200 feet, granary, windmill, plenty of good water for two hundred head of cattle, five wells on the place, fifteen acres of forest trees near the house and keeps about thirty horses. He has plenty of machinery for the lessening of labor and the economical conduct of the place and raises hogs, cattle and draft horses, aside from grain raising. He has met with eminent success and his farm in its present condition is in striking contrast to the land as he first began farming upon it.

Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Mary Fitzimmons, who was born in Fayette county, Iowa. Mrs. Murphy's father, Terrence Fitzimmons, was a miner in his early life and later followed farming. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, as follows: Loretta, Raymond, Terrence and Arthur. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he is a Democrat and is a man who keeps pace with the times and is strong in his convictions. Mrs. Mur- phy's mother is Johanna Fitzimmons, whose maiden name was Malone. She now lives in Fayette coun- ty, Iowa, and is now about fifty-seven years of age. Mr. Murphy has made his own way in life and has been very successful.

NEWTON OLSON, who is passing his declin- ing years amid the pleasant surroundings of a coun- try home, is one of the early settlers of Ransom county. He is the owner of one of the fine farms of Preston township, and has gained his possessions by a well spent life. His residence, now in course of construction on section 19, is one of the best in the locality ,and when completed will furnish every comfort and many of the luxuries of rural life.

Our subject was born near Bergen, Norway, in December, 1829. He lived in his native country until about sixteen years of age, when in company with his parents he came to America. The family located near Chicago, Illinois, and later went to Rushford, Fillmore county, Minnesota, where our subject ran a ferry across the Root river and estab-

John, W. Wwoff

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rished a hotel business. He engaged in farming in Douglas county, Minnesota, seventeen years, and in the spring of 1885 went to Dakota to join his sons. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of land, and with his sons, who reside at home, has six hun- dred and forty acres of land, which they farm to- gether.

Our subject was married, in 1855, to Miss Jane Syverson, who was born near Bergen, Norway. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson, twelve of whom are now living, and six re- side with the parents. Our subject is a member of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republi- can, and his firm in his convictions. He served as postmaster of Urness, Minnesota, for eight years. He is contented and at peace with all, and has pur- sued a career that has won an abundant reward in a financial sense.

HENRY P. FOLEY. The wealth of Sargent county is due largely to the well regulated farms, and Hall township is not without its share of the sanie. One of these carefully cultivated tracts of land belongs to the gentleman above named. It is located in section 27 ,and consists of one hundred and sixty acres, on which buildings of substantial construction and good design have been erected.

Mr. Foley is a native of Norway, and was born October 9, 1859. When he was but four and a half years of age he came to America with his parents, and the family lived one year in Illinois, and then settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on a farm, and there our subject grew to manhood, and continued to reside until 1882, when the family went to Sar- gent county, North Dakota, and settled in section 27, in Hall township, where our subject and his parents, Peter and Inga (Thompson) Foley, have since resided.

Henry P. Foley was married in Hall township, Sargent county, North Dakota, July 21, 1895, to Miss Selma Nygaard. Mrs. Foley was born in Norway, January 14, 1875, and was a daughter of Olaf and Maria Nygaard. She came to America with her parents in 1885, and the family settled in Hall township, where the mother died November 9, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Foley are the parents of two children, as follows: Julius O. and Marie O. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Foley takes an active part in all af- fairs of a public nature, and has served as chair- man of the board of supervisors of Hall township. He is a gentleman of industrious habits, and care- ful methods, and has gathered about him the com- forts of a country home, and provided for the time when he rests from active labors.

HOMER D. LANDIS, who stands among the foremost men of his calling in Richland county, is pursuing farming on section 23, of Devillo town- ship. He has a well-improved estate, and although

a resident of that locality a comparatively short time, has gained the respect of the entire commu- nity.

Mr. Landis was born in Gorham township, Ful- ton county, Ohio, October 9, 1859. He was reared on his father's farm in that township, and received a common school education. He resided with his parents until ne reached his majority, when he went to Grass Lake, Jackson county, Michigan, where he engaged in farming for some years. He was then employed as section foreman on the Michigan Cen- tral Railroad for four and a half years, and on leav- ing Grass Lake went to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Here he followed the livery business chiefly for four and a half years, and in April, 1887, went to Rich- land county, North Dakota. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 23, in Devillo township, and it is on that tract he now makes his home. 'He has added to his original pur- chase, and is now the owner of one half-section of land, on which he has erected a complete set of good buildings, and is prepared to enjoy the comforts of country life.

Our subject was married in Minneapolis, Min- nesota, to Miss Louisa Anderson, a native of Swe- den. Mrs. Landis died in Devillo township, Rich- land county, May 10, 1896, leaving two children, as follows: Arthur D. and Clara L. Mr. Landis married Miss Ethel L. Barnes November 23, 1898, at Lidgerwood, Richland county. Mrs. Landis is a native of Minnesota. Our subject takes an active interest in church work, and is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is strong in his convictions for right, and is an ardent worker for the interests of his township and county.

HORACE G. SCOTT, one of the leading attor- neys of Casselton, is a member of the firm of Pollack & Scott of that city, and enjoys an ever- increasing and lucrative practice. He is a gentle- man of intelligence and true worth, and his stand- ing as a citizen is beyond question.

Our subject was born at Hudson, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, April 26, 1856, and was a son of William W. and Agnes (Cavin) Scott, natives respectively of Maine and Ireland. His father was a lumberman, and moved to Wisconsin about 1853, where he still resides.

Horace G. Scott was reared and educated in Wisconsin in the public schools and Hinckley Mili- tary Academy, and later took a course in the State University. He then began reading law at Hud- son, and in 1882 went to Traill county, North Da- kota, and entered claim to land and in 1885 resumed the study of law with R. M. Pollock. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1887, and later spent two years in California, and in 1890 formed a partnership with R. M. Pollock, under the firm name of Pollock & Scott. He has met with success in the practice of his profession, and enjoys a good practice.

Our subject was married, in 1894, to Miss Helen

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J. Shaw, a native of Michigan. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Scott, as follows: Wal- lace W. and Agnes C. Mr. Scott is a member of the Cass County Bar Association. He has been city attorney of Casselton for the past four years. He is a Republican in political faith, but does not seek public office.

HARVEY E. KEENE, who occupies an influ- ential and prominent position among the agricultu- ral population of Barnes county, makes his home on section 35, township 142, range 58 west, and is the owner of a fine farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. His total acreage at the present time is nine hundred and sixty.

On a farm in Anoka county, Minnesota, Mr. Keene first opened his eyes to the light of day May 28, 1861, and when only two years old was taken by his parents, William H. and Florentine C. (Harvey) Keene, to a farm near Cottage Grove, Washington county, that state, where they still reside. The father is a native of Maine, and throughout life has followed farming. On the old homestead in Washington county, Minnesota, our subject grew to man- hood, his time being devoted to the labors of leaving the parental roof in the spring of 1884 he came to Barnes county, North Dakota, where he worked for Page Persons for a time, and then op- erated rented land for two years. In the spring of 1887 he located on his present farm and has suc- cessfully engaged in its cultivation ever since.

In 1886 Mr. Keene married Miss Clara A. Swanson, who was born in Washington county, Minnesota, October 26, 1862, and they have be- come the parents of two children, namely: Vera V. and Orlo A. The Republican party finds in Mr. Keene a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. Socially, he is a man of prominence in his community and a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men.

NELS P. NELSON, an industrious and enter- prising business man and farmer residing in De- villo township, is one of the early settlers of Rich- land county. He located there in pioneer days and had but just taken up his residence in this country and knew little of American ways or language, but with a determination to succeed went on with his labors and has been well rewarded. He is now the possessor of one of the fine farms of that region and also operates a blacksmith shop in the village of Fairmount.

Mr. Nelson was born in Denmark, January 8, 1846. He followed the trade of a blacksmith in his native land until 1879, when he emigrated to

America. In the spring of that year he settled on section 10, of Fairmount township, where he re- sided until 1884, when he removed to the village of Fairmount and engaged in blacksmithing, continu- ing until 1894. He then purchased the farm on which he now resides, on section 24, of Devillo township, and removed thereon in the spring of 1898. In connection with farming he also oper- ates his shop in the village of Fairmount. His farm covers three hundred and twenty acres of land and substantial buildings and other improvements make it a pleasant home.

Our subject was married, in Denmark, March 23. 1869, to Miss Else K. Christenson. Mrs. Nelson was born in Denmark, April 18, 1844. Five chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, as follows: Carrie, now Mrs. B. W. Schouweiler, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume ; Mary, now Mrs. George Grosvenor ; F. P .; Henry and Carl. Mr. Nelson is a prominent worker for the advancement of his community and has served as a member of the village board of Fairmount and is president of the Devillo township school board.

NELS R. PETERSON, proprietor of one of the fine farms of Riverside township, in Steele coun- ty, is a man of wide experience and has made a success of his vocation as a farmer. He is one of the very few Sheyenne river settlers and among the oldest of the pioneers of Steele county. He re- sides on section 32 and his possessions cover two hundred and eighty acres of land, one hundred and fifty acres of which are under cultivation, balance grass land. His farm was well chosen in the early day and is admirably adapted to diversified farm- ing, in which he is engaged.

Our subject was born in Norway, October 26, 1847, and was the fifth in a family of six children born to Roald and Annie ( Larson) Peterson, both of whom are deceased. His father was a carpenter by trade and as a boy our subject began working with his father and learned the trade and when twenty-four years of age he borrowed money and came to America in search of a fortune and a broader field for labor. He worked at farm work three years and then in a saw-mill in Wisconsin two years and then returned to Illinois, where he first resided, and after a short stay went to Iowa and engaged in farming in Clay county. He and two companions, Charles Palfrey and Samuel Lowe," in the spring of 1881, went to Dakota from Iowa overland. The high water and spring floods made traveling dangerous and in some places al- most impossible and from Watson, Minnesota, to Fargo the trip was made by rail. After arriving at Steele county our subject selected his present farm and located thereon as a homestead. His companions took land farther from the valley on the wild prairie and after all had secured their land there was not ten dollars to be raised among

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them. Our subject has his team and wagon, but no other resources. They built a board shanty on Mr. Lowe's place and then all constructed a log house for our subject, consisting of oak logs, and was 18x20 feet. This forms the main part of Mr. Peterson's dwelling at present and is in a state of good preservation. Mr. Lowe later returned East and our subject and his other companion lived together and our subject worked on the railroad and on the Dalrymple farm and later was engaged in breaking land and during the season of 1882 raised a few acres of oats and then lived alone on his farm three years and increased his cultivated acreage each year. He devotes himself at present to diver- sified farming, his farm furnishing good timber shel- ter and hilly land and watered by flowing springs.

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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 70

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