Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 71

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 71

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Our subject has a well-cultivated tract and enjoy> prosperity.

Mr. Peterson was married, in 1884, to Miss Isabelle Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been the parents of one son, Robert, now deceased. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church and is a gentleman who is held in the highest es- teem by his fellow men. Politically, he is a Re- publican.

HENRY GRONKE, living in Hillsboro, re- tired from active labors, went to the Goose river country in Dakota, in 1871, settling on a farm there June 2, and in company with Charles Mergenthal, became the earliest pioneer of the county. Mr. Mergenthal had been through the country the pre- vious year with a surveying party and he and our subject are known as the founders of the German settlement of Eldorado township, Traill county. Mr. Gronke experienced many hardships in his pio- neer home, but is now enjoying the reward of his industry and persistent efforts and has a comfortable home in Hillsboro.

Our subject was born in Hanover, Germany, June 4. 1846, and was the second child and only son of a family of three children born to Henry and Catherine (Bausa) Gronke. He came to Amer- ica in 1857 with his parents and joined his sister in Illinois and as he was a tailor by trade followed that line. His father soon afterward left Illinois for Yankton, Dakota territory, and there he died in 1870 and the following spring our subject joined his mother at Yankton, but was not pleased with the prospects presented in that part of the state and as his brother-in-law, Mr. Mergenthal, had recently returned from a trip hrough the Red river valley and reported favorably regarding the country, five families started on May 24 for the Goose river country. They all drove ox-teams and arrived at their destination June 2 and our subject took a pre-emption claim in section 34, in township 46, range 50, and Mr. Mergenthal settled near by, but the others of the party after a few days left for Minnesota. The little group of log buildings erected by our subject and his party were the only

marks of civilization for miles around and all was undisturbed throughout the valley. Thirty years have passed since then and the most vivid imagina- tion could not picture the advancement of that wil- derness. They were undecided which to pursue, the raising of wheat or cattle, the tall grass and luxurious feed pointing to the latter industry, while the excellence of the soil and the severe winters decided for the former and they bent their efforts to wheat raising, which was very unsatisfactory until 1874 on account of grasshoppers. The po- tato crop was to be depended on and the estab- lishment of a store on the Red river by the Hudson's Bay Company made a ready market for their prod- uce. The crop of 1874 was a success and to the present advancement has been sure and rapid. Our subject now owns seven hundred and sixty acres of land and on his home farm has a large barn and comfortable residence, in which his only son now resides and rents the farm. Mr. Gronke has made his home in Hillsboro since 1898.

Our subject was married, in 1872, to Miss Amelia Housemann. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gronke, as follows: Ida, now Mrs. D. Engle ; William, residing on the home farm, and Minnie, who resides with her parents. Mr. Gronke is a member of the German Lutheran church and in political sentiment is a Republican.

GEORGE LIPPERT. Among the sons of the German empire, in whose coming to America all who honor honest industry may well rejoice, the gentle- man whose name introduces this review is entitled to prominent mention. He went to his present loca- tion in township 139, range 65, in the early days of the settlement of that locality and has risen to a prominent position as an agriculturist and public- spirited citizen entirely by his own efforts and he is now one of the extensive land-owners of that vicinity and has one of the best improved estates in Stutsman county.

Our subject was born in Germany, in 1854, and was a son of Chris Lippert, who was a farmer by occupation as was also the grandfather of our sub- ject, Martin Lippert. His maternal grandfather, Florentine Lampman, was a machinist and manu- facturer. George Lippert was raised on a farm and received a country-school education, after which he remained in his native land engaged in farming with his father until 1881, when he came to Amer- ica. He learned the stone mason's trade in Ger- many, but after coming to America settled in Jef- ferson, Wisconsin, where he worked at farm labor until the fall of 1883, when he went to North Da- kota and purchased the north half of section 35. in township 139, range 65. He worked out the first two years in Dakota and he and his wife con- ducted the farm which he afterward purchased. He was foreman on a farm of five hundred and twenty acres and had two men working under him on the place. He now owns a farm of eight hundred

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and forty acres, of which he has five hundred acres tinder cultivation. He has erected a complete set of substantial buildings, including a commodious and convenient residence, built in two parts, and one of the largest and most substantial barns in that locality. His crops are always to be relied upon and he has made a success of his vocation in Da-' kota.

Our subject was married, in 1881, to Miss Susan Seitel, who was a native of Germany, and was a playmate of Mr. Lippert. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lippert, as follows : Lizzie, Henry, George, Richard, Annie, August and Edward. Our subject takes an active interests in affairs of a public nature and has held numerous local offices and served as a school officer. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Lutheran church. In political senti- ment he is a Democrat.

NICHOLAS SCHULTHEIS, an extensive land-owner residing on section 30, of Devillo township, Richland county, is one of the early set- tlers of that region and has amassed his fortune by dint of good management and persistent efforts. He is one of the influential men of his community and is active in his work for the development of that region.

Mr. Schultheis was born in Germany, December 23, 1859, and was one of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, born to George and Margaret (Dressil) Schultheis. The father died in Germany in 1865 and the mother emigrated to America with her family. They settled at Minne- apolis, Minnesota, where our subject grew to man- hood. He was educated in the public schools of that city and afterwards was employed for many years in the planing-mill there. He went to Da- kota territory in the fall of 1879 and entered a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 18, in Devillo township, Richland county,, where he resided until the fall of 1895, when he settled on his present farm. He removed to the town of Hankinson in the spring of 1897 and was employed as wheat buyer for Cargill & Company and was in their employ until the spring of 1899, when he returned to his farm on section 30, in De villo township. His farm is equipped with modern buildings and machinery and is one of the best in the township. His buildings were erected in 1895 and are commodious and substantial structures. He is the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land and valuable property in the town of Hank- inson.

Our subject was married, in Minneapolis, Minne- sota, January 11, 1880, to Miss Mary Gemmett, who was born in Dubuque, Iowa, December 18, 1863. Mrs. Schultheis was a daughter of Anton and Fredericka ( Kohl) Gemmett, the former a native of Italy and the latter of Germany. Her parents were married in Dubuque, Iowa, and the mother died there in

1892. Mrs. Schultheis was the only daughter in a family of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Schultheis have been the parents of three children, two of whom are living, namely: Anna M., now Mrs. Charles McLaughlin, and Peter L. One son, An- thony, died in Hankinson, aged eleven years. Our subject is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has served as school director for several years and is an earnest worker for educa- tional advancement.

JOHN G. JOHNS, M. D., one of the early set- lers of Wells county, was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years and is well known throughout that locality. He has built up an extensive practice in his profession and is one of the rising young physicians of the county. He established his office in Cathay comparatively few years ago, but is recognized as a skillful practitioner and is remarkably successful. A portrait of Dr. Johns appears on another page.

Our subject was born in LaFayette county, Wis- consin, October 10, 1865. His father, James Johns, was born in England and came to America in 1860 and became a pioneer of Wisconsin and is now pro- prietor of a large farm in LaFayette county. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Belinda Orchard, was born in England and her ancestors were in the wars between France and England and our subject has relics of those wars.

Dr. Jolins is the fourth in a family of eight chil- dren and was raised on the farm. He attended the country school and the State Normal at Platteville, Wisconsin, and in 1886 took a course in the Phy- sicians & Surgeons School in Chicago, and the following year went to South Dakota and settled at Ashton, Spink county, where he purchased grain for the D. R. Putnum Elevator Company two years and in 1888 went to Eureka and erected an elevator and bought grain two years. He went to North Dakota in 1890 and became associated with the James Jolins Elevator Company. They owned a line of elevators on the Northern Pacific Railroad and the same year our subject went to Sykeston and operated the elevator there for the company. He filed claim to land near Fessenden in 1892 and also built an elevator at Fessenden and unloaded the first car load of luniber in the town. He also built the first livery barn in Fessenden and in 1895 disposed of the barn and also his interest in the elevator and went to Nashville, Tennessee, where lie attended the medical department of the Univer- sity of Nashville, graduating with the highest honors in March, 1897, wih the degree of M. D. He lo- cated at Moline, Illinois, the same year and prac- ticed his profession there one year and in 1898 lo- cated at Cathay, North Dakota, where he established his practice and also started a small drug store.

Our subject was married, June 28, 1892, to Miss Estella Karr. Mrs. Johns was born and raised in Ripon, Wisconsin. Her father, James Karr, is of

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Canadian-Irish descent and is a carriagemaker by trade and an inventor of distinction in the line of carriage manufacture. Her mother, Elizabeth ( Rowbothamn) Karr, was of English descent. Mrs. Johns' grandfather, Rev. William Rowbotham, was born in England. Has been a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church for more than a half- century and is now superannuated from the east Wisconsin conference. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johns: Llewellyn, who was born March 4, 1894. Dr. Johns is actively interested in the welfare of his community and is popular with the people wherever he resides. He served as jus- tice of the peace in Fessenden two years and has held other minor offices. He reform principles in political views and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was among the first business men of Wells coun- ty and is well known by his friends as "Chief Jus- tice Johns."

HORACE P. BOGUE. The man who was content to go through the Civil war as a "high" private, doing his duty nobly and unflinchingly on the field of battle or in camp, is the man who to-day is serving to the best of his ability-and that ability is of a superior order-as sheriff of Burleigh conn- ty, North Dakota, making his home in Bismarck, where he located in pioneer days.

Mr. Bogue is a native of Illinois, his birth oc- curring in Ogle county, October 7, 1843. His parents, Virgil and Catherine (Nichols) Bogue, were natives of New York and Canada, respectively. The father, who was a lawyer by profession, lo- cated in Ogle county, Illinois, about 1831, or 1832, and became one of its most prominent and influ- ential citizens, serving as county judge for seven- teen years. He also entered land there and in- proved a farm. He died in Ogle county, in De- cember, 1868, and his wife passed away in 1867. In their family were seven children, two sons and five daughters.

In the county of his nativity our subject grew to manhood and was educated. He joined the boys in blue during the Rebellion, in March, 1862, en- listing in Company A, Sixty-first Illinois Volun- teer Infantry. He was captured at Harper's Ferry, but was at once paroled and participated in the bat- tle of Kenesaw Mountain, the siege of Atlanta, the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and Fort Fisher and Goldsboro, North Carolina. Fortunately he escaped without wounds and after three years and six months of arduous service was honorably discharged.

Returning to his home in Ogle county, Illinois, he engaged in farming there for one year and then went to Ashland, Nebraska, where he broke prairie for some time. From there he moved to Merry- ville, Kansas, and in 1872 came to Bismarck, North Dakota, in company with Dr. Burleigh, who was then engaged in building the Northern Pacific Rail-

road into this place. After working for the railroad company for two months he entered land near Bis- marck in 1874. For four years he engaged in clerking here in a grocery house and then opened a general store of his own, which he successfully conducted until 1890, when appoined postmaster of Bismarck, filling that office for three years and a half. He was elected county assessor in 1878 and in 1898 was elected sheriff, which office he is now filling in a most creditable and acceptable manner. While serving in that capacity he hung the second man executed in the state and the first in Burleigh county. He has always affiliated with the Republican party and is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Re- public. He has met with well-deserved success since coming to this state and as one of the representative citizens and honored pioneers of Bismarck is cer- tainly deserving of prominent mention in its his- tory.

In 1876 Mr. Bogue married Miss Catherine Elliott, a native of Canada, and to them have been born two children : Gilbert F and Mary E.

PAUL SORKNESS, M. D., one of the ablest representatives of the medical profession in Fargo, North Dakota, was born in Dunn county, Wiscon- sin, October 17, 1867. His parents, Ebert and Sarah (Quistad) Sorkness, are natives of Norway and on their emigration to America, in 1860, set- tled in Dunn county, Wisconsin, where they still continue to reside, the father being engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. On the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in the Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and was in the service of his adopted country for about two years, taking part in many of the important battles, including that of Gettysburg. He was also with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea.

Dr. Sorkness is one of a family of four sons and the only one of the number residing in North Dakota. In the county of his nativity he grew to manhood and was given good educational advan- tages. He attended the high school of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and later the Galesville University, of Galesville, Wisconsin, from which he was graduated in 1887. For five years he followed school teaching in Minnesota and then took up the study of medi- cine, entering the medical department of the Uni- versity of Minnesota in 1892 and graduating there- from in 1895. Subsequently he took a hospital course at St. Barnabas Hospital, Minneapolis, where he spent one year. In 1896 he opened an office at Moorhead, Minnesota, where he engaged in prac- tice for one year and then came to Fargo, North Dakota. Although comparatively a recent arrival his skill and ability in his chosen calling have al- ready become widely recognized and he enjoys a large and constantly increasing practice. He was assistant county physician for one year and is a

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member of the North Dakota Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

In 1897 Dr. Sorkness was united in marriage with Miss Josephine Berg, a native of Minnesota, and they have one child, Sidney O.

DR. JOHN D. TAYLOR. This gentleman is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and he has gained an assured position as a practitioner and true citizen. He was born in Ontario, Canada, May 16, 1859.

The parents of our subject, Charles B. and Mary (Lockhart) Taylor, were natives of Scot- land and went to Canada about 1850. The father was a merchant and remained in Canada until about 1866, when he removed to Detroit, Michigan, and still resides in that city.

Mr. Taylor was the only son and attended the public schools of Detroit and first engaged in the drug trade in that city and followed the same there four years. He came to Grandin, North Dakota, in 1879 and established a drug store there, which he conducted until 1889. He read medicine in the meantime and in 1886 moved to Church's Ferry and operated a store there until 1893. In 1889 entered the Medical College of Detroit, graduating from the same in 1891. He began the practice of his pro- fession the same year and conducted the store and practice until 1893. He attended Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1892-1893, graduating from the institution in the latter year, and he attended the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital in 1899. He came to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 1893 and has devoted himself to the prac- tice of his profession and followed a general line of practice and now enjoys a liberal patronage. He is a member of the North Dakota Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Association and is a member of the United States pension board and is city health officer.

Dr. Taylor has met with continued success in his work and he has become prominent in medical and social circles. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Elks. He is interested in the wel- fare of his town and county and in every way pos- sible aids in the advancement and upbuilding of the government and social interests of his adopted city.

HENRY THEEDE, owner of one section of land in Devillo township, Richland county, is a striking example of what may be accomplished by persistent effort and good management. He has pursued the calling of an agriculturist since taking up his residence in this country, and has acquired a comfortable competence and a fine estate. He is one of the wide-awake men of his locality and is held in the highest esteem by his associates.

Our subject was born in Schlessing, Germany, June 6, 1852. He remained in his native land until

1869, when he set sail for America and the voyage across the Atlantic in the sailing vessel took seven weeks. He landed in New York in August, 1869, and proceeded from thence to Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, where he stayed one year, employed at farm labor. He then worked two years in She- boygan county, Wisconsin, and was employed at dif- ferent places in Wisconsin until 1880 when he moved his family to Dakota and located on his present farm. He took a homestead on section 30, of Devillo town- ship, and has erected a comfortable dwelling and all necessary outbuildings and completed every ar- rangement for lessening labor incident to farm life. He has added to his possessions and now owns and operates one section of land.

Our subject was married, in Fond du Lac coun- ty, Wisconsin, May 4, 1875, to Miss Mary Morsch, a sister of Mrs. John Schmitt, of Summit township. Mrs. Theede was born in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, May 25, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Theede have been the parents of eight children, four of whom died in childhood. The surviving children bear the following names: John Alton, Nicholas, Lizzie and Francey.

CASPER OLSON VIG, residing on section 12, . in Bear Creek township, is one of the earliest set- tlers of Ransom county. He has accumulated a fine property by dint of his own efforts and is a striking example of what can be accomplished by honest industry and careful management.

Our subject was born at Claven, Frosta, near Tronhjem, Norway, April 19, 1853. He was the youngest in a family of three children born to Ole and Martha (Olson) Olson, both of whom are now living in their native land. After having worked as a farmer and sailor until his twenty-second year he came to America and worked in a saw-mill in Wisconsin, and spent the winters in the lumber woods. He worked on a grading train for about two years and during several threshing seasons followed that work in Goodhue county, Minnesota. He went to Valley City in July, 1878, and from thence to Ransom county, taking land as a pre- emption on the banks of the Sheyenne river. He had about two hundred and fifty dollars with which to develop his farm and built a log house 12x16 feet. He developed a wheat farm and now owns five hundred and twenty acres of fine land, all of which, with the exception of the pre-emption which was his homestead farm, he has acquired by pur- chase. He has added to his original dwelling and has a comfortable residence on his homestead farm. He owns a threshing outfit and is a well-known and successful thresher of northwestern Ransom county, this work adding materially to his annual income.

Our subject was married, in 1878, to Miss Anna Kragness. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vig, as follows: Oscar A., John, Sophia, Mary. deceased, Martin, Carl, Alfred and Amanda. Mr. Vig has served as chairman of the township

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board and assisted in the organization of Bear Creek township. While he did not file on his land as early as others of the settlers he is the first pio- neer of the township and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his community. Polit- ically, he is a Populist and is a man who keeps abreast of the times in all public affairs and is strong in his convictions.

SAMUEL B. LANGFORD. As a representa- tive farmer and exemplary citizen of Sverdrup town- ship, this gentleman is deserving of special mention. He is one of the earliest settlers of Griggs county and from a limited start he has gained a fine es- tate, and on section 6 enjoys the comfort of one of the finest residences of the county. Mr. Lang- ford was born in Cornwall, England, January 8, 1837, and was a son of Samuel and Mary Lang- ford, both natives of England. The father died many years ago and the aged mother survives him and makes her home in Cornwall, England.

Our subject remained in his native land and at- tended school and also assisted on the farm until he had attained his majority, when he came to America and located at Ontario, Canada. He en- gaged in the pursuit of farming there until 1872, when he removed to St. Clair county, Michigan, where he also followed farming and resided until 1881, when he went to Griggs county, North Da- kota. He erected a shanty on his land, near the site of his present residence, and the little shanty was among the first built in the neighborhood. He has steadily improved the property and has gathered about him all the conveniences and comforts of modern farming. His buildings are substantial structures and every arrangement has been sup- plied with an idea to the economical conduct of the farm and the comfort of its inhabitants.

Mr. Langford was married in Canada, in 1859. to Mary Brown, a native of England. Mrs. Lang- ford died about four years after their marriage, leav- ing two children, Samuel and Bessie. Mr. Lang- ford married Miss Hannah Lewis, a native of Eng- · land, in 1865. Nine children have been born to this union, as follows : Laura M., Alberta A., Oliver A., John H., Alfred E., Lillian M., Ida E., who died in infancy, Cora and Minnie. Mr. Langford is prominent in local affairs of a public nature and is justice of the peace. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal church and is a trustee and steward of that denomination. In political sentiment he is a Populist. He is a man of broad ideas and keeps abreast of the times and is highly esteemed throughout the county.

HON. FRANK J. LANGER, cashier of the First National Bank of Casselton, is a gentleman of rare ability and the intricate affairs of the insti- tution with which he is connected are successfully · attended to by him. He has been identified with the

development and advancement of the social and financial interests of Cass county for nearly a quar- ter of a century and has always had the welfare of his adopted country uppermost in his mind. He has gained a high position and is worthy the confidence reposed in him.

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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 71

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