Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 77

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 77

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Our subject was married, in 1873, to Miss Octa- via Berg. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Oftedal, as follows: Hans P., a medical stu- dent ; Gunhild, a well-known teacher of Traill coun- ty, and a musical student of the Minneapolis Con- servatory; Trygve, deceased; Arne, also studying medicine in Hamline University ; Gustav, who is de- voting himself to farming; Sverre, at home; Axel; Trygve ; Laura and Olga. Mr. Oftedal is a stanch Prohibitionist, and is an earnest worker for that catise.

JAMES CALDWELL. This gentleman is well known as one of the prosperous farmers of Clifton township, Cass county, who is doing an extensive business. His real estate amounts to eight hundred acres, and he is a representative agriculturist and citizen.

Our subject was born in Ontario, Canada, Sep- tember 6 1860. His parents, Andrew and Jane (Davis) Caldwell were natives of Scotland. The father emigrated to America in 1840 and the mother in 1858, and they became residents of Cass county, North Dakota, in 1881, and are welll known as early settlers of that locality where they still make their home. They are paents of six sons and two daugh- ters, all of whom reside in Cass county.

Our subject was raised and educated in Canada, followed farming there until 1881, when he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and settled in Highland township. He resided there until 1892, when he took up his residence in Clifton township and has resided there since that date. He now has eight hundred aces of land all well improved and under cultivation and has met with success in his chosen vocation.

Our subject was married, in 1882, to Dora Fowler, a native of Canada. Five children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell, who bear the following names : Andrew, Agnes S., Ralph, William F., and Albert. Mr. Caldwell is chairman of the town board and assessor, in which capacity he has served several years, and is actively interested in the affairs of his township and county. He holds membership in the Independent

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Order of Odd Fellows, and Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Knights of The Maccabees. Politically he is a Democrat and is firm in his con- victions, and deservedly popular with the people among whom he makes his home.

MYRON J. HOLLEY, a well-known farmer of Fairmount township, Richland county, has followed that calling in Dakota with success, and now has one of the first farms of the vicinity. He also follows the carpenter's trade more or less, and many of the buildings of that region are his work. He makes his home on section 19, and good management and industry are apparent in the general condition of the place as well as every detail.

Our subject was born in Columbia, Jackson county, Michigan, April 3, 1847, and was reared on his father's farm in that county. His father was a carpenter and farmer, and our subject learned the former trade, which he followed many years. He remained at home until he reached his majority, and then went to Washington county, New York, where he was engaged at carpenter work until the fall of 1873, when he went to Wabash county, Indiana. Here he was employed in a grain elevator two years, and then entered the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, as bridge builder, and was thuis employed about four years, until he went to Dakota in the spring of 1881. He entered a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec- tion 19, in Fairmount township, southwest of the village of Fairmount. He has since made that farm his home, and divides his attention between farm- ing and following his trade.

Our subject was married in Washington county, New York, January 7, 1875, to Miss Alice Wiltse, who was born in Adamsville, Washington county, New York, May 8, 1851. Mrs. Holley died at the residence in Fairmount township, Richland county, January 14, 1896, leaving one child, Harold J. Mr. Holley is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was the first master of Fairmount Lodge, No. 37. He takes an active interest in all matters of local im- portance, and is the present chairman of the board of supervisors of Fairmount township, of which body he has been a member for the past five years. As a member of the school board for six years he has advanced the educational interests of that locality, and is a man respected wherever he is known.

GEORGE A. KELLETT. Strict attention to the various details of his work, supplemented by in- dustry and honesty, has placed this gentleman in a foremost place among the agriculturists of LaMoure county. He has been a resident of the state for seventeen years and of section 24, in Grand Rapids township, for five years, and has gained the highest esteem of his associates, while his home farm af- fords him every convenience and comfort of rural life.

Our subject was born in Cayuga, Cayuga coun- ty, New York, September 2, 1849, and was the sec- ond in order of birth in a family of eight children. four sons and four daughters. His parents, Peter and Mary ( Leonard) Kellett, were natives of Ire- land, and his father was a linen weaver by trade. He emigrated to America prior to the Civil war, and during that struggle was a soldier four years, as a member of Company H, Fourteenth Michigan In- fantry.

Our subject, when a child, moved with his par- ents to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he attended school and learned the trade of sign and carriage painting, which he followed until the spring of 1883. In the spring of that year he went to Dickey county, North Dakota, and filed claim to land near York- town, where he resided until 1894, and then disposed of his interests in Dickey county and went to his present location, three miles north of La Moure. He has continued to improve his property, and now owns one of the best farms in the township.

Our subject was married in Washtenaw county, Michigan, near the village of Lodi, February 5, 1870, to Miss Lydia Beckley. Mrs. Kellett was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, November 12, 1853, and was the eldest of three children, one son and two daughters, born to Guy and Electa (Crouch) Beckley. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kellett, the three eldest of whom were born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the fourth near Bay City, that state, and the younger four in Dickey county, North Dakota. They bear the following names: Ira ; Daisy, now Mrs. A. D. Hale, of Madison, Wis- consin ; Guy ; Bert : Roy; Frank; John and George. Mr. Kellett is one of the pioneer settlers of the state, and has taken active interest in the development of that region, but does not enter into political affairs.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CASSEL- TON was organized in 1882 with a capital stock of sixty thousand dollars, and the following offi- cers: President. W. F. Holmes : vice-president, J. WV. Fisher; cashier, ex-Governor A. H. Burke. The capital stock was reduced to fifty thousand dol- lars in 1898, and one hundred shares retired. Mr. Holmes was president till 1894, when he was suc- ceeded by H. P. Watts, and Mr. Watts by Myron A. Baldwin. Mr. Fisher was succeeded by William Strehlow, and he by M. A. Baldwin, and Mr. Bald- win in turn by S. H. Knight. Mr. Burke was suc- ceeded as cashier hy E. H. Paine, now deceased. and he by W. F. Holmes, and later Mr. Baldwin assumed the position and his successor was Mr. Langer, who now fills that position.

M. A. Baldwin is a native of Vermont and was horn in Derby county, in 1867. His parents were Myron A. and Anna E. (Emery) Baldwin and his father was engaged in mercantile and banking busi- ness, and was president of the First National Bank of Lake City, Minnesota. He resided there from 1868 until his death and was prominent in public

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affairs and was mayor of the city when he was called to his rest.

Our subject was reared and educated in Lake City, Minnesota, and went to Casselton in 1886 and entered the bank with which he is now connected as bookkeeper and has risen steadily to the position of president of the institution. He has acquired a high position as a wealthy citizen and a man of excellent characteristics.

Mr. Baldwin was married, in Lake City, Min- nesota, in 1882, to Sarah H. Murray, a native of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are the parents of one son, who bears the name of Murray A. Mr. Baldwin is prominent in secret society circles and is affiliated with the following orders: The Elks, of Fargo; Knights of Pythias, of which he is a charter member; Modern Woodmen of America; Ancient Order of United Workmen and Masonic fraternity. In the last named he has passed the Scottish Rite, Knight Templar, Mystic Shrine and Court of Honor. He is a Republican in political sentiment and is a member of the governor's staff.

JACOB C. LANG, a prominent farmer and ex- soldier, residing on his pleasant farm near the vil- lage of Hope, in section 2, of Hope township, is a pioneer settler of Steele county. He now operates about eight hundred acres of land, and has inet with success in his vocation.

Our subject was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 22, 1842, and was the fourth in a family of seven children, born to Henry and Elizabeth ( Byraeder) Lang. His mother is now living in Iowa at the advanced age of ninety-three years. When our subject was six years of age the family came to America and located on a farm near Musca- tine, Iowa, where he grew to manhood, and in Au- gust, 1863 enlisted in Company C, Thirty-fifth Iowa. He participated at Vicksburg, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Old River Lake, Tupela, Nashville, Spanish Fort, and Mobile, and was mustered out in September, 1865, after a brave and loyal service. After his return from the war he engaged in farm- ing for himself in Iowa, and in the spring of 1883 left that state and went to Steele county, North Dakota, where he filed on land in section 18, in Melrose township. He resided thereon two years and then rented land near town, and in 1888 pur- chased the farm which he now occupies. He is well known as a successful farmer, and enjoys the comforts of a country life, and resides near the vil- lage, thus affording the pleasure of social life.

Our subject was married, in 1868, to Miss Mar- geretha Bernet, a native of Switzerland. Mr. and Mrs. Lang have been the parents of five children, as follows: Leo, now editor of the "Anneta Pano- rama ;" Ida, now Mrs. Dr. J. L. Stephenson, of Hope, North Dakota; Fred, employed in Hope; Edward, deceased ; and Arno O., residing at home. Mr. Lang is past commander of George P. Foster Post, No. 22, G. A. R., and is prominent in the works

of that organization. He has served several terms as treasurer of his township, and at all times lends his influence for the upbuilding of the better inter- ests of his adopted land. He is intelligent and pro- gressive, and in political sentiment is a Republican.

CARLTON A. GALLUP, proprietor of a fine farm covering three hundred and twenty acres in Fairmount township, Richland county, makes his home there on section 31. He has gathered about him a comfortable competence and is one of the rising young men of that region.

Our subject was born in Jackson county, Mich- igan, January 16, 1867, and was the eldest son born to Anson H. and Nettie (Grosvenor) Gallup. His parents went from Jackson county, Michigan, to Richland county, North Dakota, in the spring of 1880, and located on section 31 in Fairmount town- ship, where they continued to reside until the fall of 1898. They then moved to Wahpeton, Richland county, where they now reside. Four children were born to them, as follows: Carlton A., our subject ; Leoria, Mary and Lulu.

Carlton A. Gallup received a common school education, and in 1880 went to Dakota with his parents. He began farming for himself about ten years ago and is now the owner of one of the finest estates in the vicinity.

Our subject was married in Devillo township, Richland county, North Dakota, November 12, 1890, to Miss Alta Haney, a native of Michigan. Mrs. Gallup is a daughter of the late Robert Haney, of Devillo township. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gallup, as follows: Waldo, Percy, and twins (girl and boy) unnamed. Mr. Gallup and wife are members of the Baptist church. He is active in all matters of a public nature and has served as township clerk two terms. He is a gentleman of ability and true worth as a citizen and highly respected.

CHARLES L. ETZELL is a representative farmer of Barnes county, North Dakota, whose home is pleasantly located on section 28, township 142, range 58 west. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born April 21, 1847, and is a son of John Etzell, whose birth occurred in Germany, in 1803. In the early part of the nineteenth century the father came to this country and he died in Carver county, Minnesota, April 10, 1859, honored and respected by all who knew him. By occupa- tion he was a millwright. The mother of our sub- ject is still living, has married again, and now makes her home in Norwood, Minnesota.

During his childhood Charles L. Etzell was taken by his parents to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where he attended school until 1857. when the fam- ily removed to Young America, Carver county, Minnesota. After his father's death he continued upon the home farm with his mother until May,

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1864, when he responded to his country's call for more volunteers to assist in crushing out the re- bellion. He enlisted at St. Paul, in Company D, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, and participated in the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, and in many skirmishes. The war having ended, he was honorably discharged at St. Paul, July 6, 1865, and returned to his mother's home. He purchased a piece of land in Minnesota and continued to op- erate the same until the spring of 1881, when he be- came a resident of Barnes county, North Dakota. During the November previous he had come to this county and filed a homestead claim, but did not bring his family here until the following spring. He now has four hundred and eighty acres of good farming land and is successfully engaged in its ' cultivation and development. He is widely and favorably known and is held in high esteem by his many friends.

On the Ist of January, 1868, in the village of Young America, Minnesota, Mr. Etzell was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Baumez, a native of Germany, and a daughter of Jacob and Eliza- beth Baumez. She was born December 30, 1850, and died January 5, 1899, beloved by all who knew her. Twelve children blessed this union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Lucy D., March 17, 1869; Flora E., October 1, 1870; Levi L., February 10, 1872; Elsie R., December 17, 1873; Francis P., May 11, 1875; Orpha M., June 30, 1877; Emma L., August 2, 1880; Grace E., September 18, 1882; Ella C., November 16, 1884; Bertha M., November 13, 1886; Raymond H., November 25, 1891, and Harold G., May 3, 1895. All are living with the exception of Elsie R., who died May 11, 1803.

HON. MATHIAS L. ENGLE is one of the few old settlers of southwestern Ransom county who have remained to acquire a fortune. He and Mrs. Engle are the owners of one thousand two hun- (red and eighty acres of land, and they make their home on section 5, in township 133, range 57, dur- ing the farming season, and are residents of Lisbon, Ransom county, during the winter months, where they have a comfortable dwelling. Mr. Engle per- sonally superintends the work on the farm, and the estate bespeaks careful management and prosperity.

Our subject was born in Allegany county, New York, September 1, 1843, and was a son of Mathias L. and Deboralı (Watts) Engle, both of whom were of German descent. He acquired an academic edu- cation and worked many years for the American Express Company, and was a trusted employe. He arrived at Lishon, North Dakota, in the spring of 1881, and made filings on some lands, and by pur- chase secured more, and was soon in possession of two thousand three hundred acres. Of this he cul- tivated about one thousand acres, and was recogniz -. ed as one of the leading farmers of that region.

Our subject was married, May 20, 1874, to Miss Cora W. Robinson, a native of New York. Mrs. Engle is a lady of rare attainments, and is a gradu- ate of Baxter University of Music. She is a sup- porter of all progressive movements, and in Lisbon has identified herself with church work and chari- table projects. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Engle, named Floyd C. Mr. Engle is a men- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of Lodge of Perfection. Politically he is a Democrat and pro- hibitionist. He was elected to the state senate in 1890 and served two terms, during which time he was on the appropriation committees and introduced the bills which secured the funds for building the soldiers' home in the city of Lisbon. He is at present a member of the state Democratic central committee. He was chairman of the board of county commissioners from 1882-88, and has aided in the development and growth of Ransom county. His personal interests were often sacrificed for the welfare of his community, and he has gained the confidence of the people, and is deservedly held in high esteem by them.

HARRY N. TUCKER, a prominent merchant of Courtenay, is one of the rising young men of Stutsman county. He has met with success in all his business ventures, and enjoys an extensive pat- ronage and an enviable reputation as a business man and citizen.

Our subject was born in Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1866, and was a son of John and Lucinia ( Whitney) Tucker. His father was born and raised in Virginia, and was a farmer and contractor, and engaged in building locks on the Pennsylvania canal. He was a Union man during the Civil war, and the only one on that side in this family of Tuckers. The mother of our subject was born and raised in Vermont and was of English and Irish descent. Her grandfather, Colonel Robert Cochrane, and her father, Lieutenant Whitney, both served in the Revolutionary war.

Our subject was the youngest in a family of eight children, four of whom are living, and he at- tended the country and town schools and one term at commercial college. At the age of eighteen years he went to North Dakota. After working for his brother three years he entered claim to land on sec- tion 14, township 143, range 62, where he erected a claim shanty 16x16 feet and lived therein part of the time for five years, and conducted farming. He began buying wheat for the Osborn McMillan Eleva- tor Company, in November, 1892, and was the first settler in Courtenay, and the elevator of the company was the first building to be erected in the town. He hired his farm operated and worked with the elevator company four years, and is now the owner of eight hundred and eighty acres of land and on his home farm has a complete set of farm buildings. What land he cannot personally operate he rents out and

HARRY N. TUCKER.

MRS. HARRY N. TUCKER.

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engages in grain raising on his own acreage. For some years he followed horse-raising with success- ful results, and raised fine specimens of work horses. He established himself in the machinery business in the spring of 1893, and later became associated with L. O. Larson, under the firm name of Larson & Tucker. Mr. Tucker established in his present loca- tion in 1898 and now has a commodious and substan- tial store building and enjoys an extensive trade. He also deals in real estate in which line he has been very successful for the past two years. Ever since Mr. Tucker has been a resident of North Da- kota his life has been one of the busiest. In 1897 he built in the village of Courtenay one of the finest residences in Stutsman county. He has endured his share of hardships, commencing with the disadvan- tages existing from the inconveniences of a pioneer life and hauling his crop eighteen miles to market in winter.

Our subject was married, October 1, 1895, to Miss Louisa M. Brastrup, who was born in Mon- mouth, Illinois, in 1874. Her parents were natives of Denmark, her father being born and reared in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. They removed to this country in 1872 where they have resided since. Mr. Brastrup was an early settler of North Dakota, and was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Tucker was reared in Illinois and North Dakota, and is a lady of excellent education and taught in the public schools of Dakota for several years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tucker as follows: Norman G. and Madaline E. Mr. Tucker is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is prominent in public affairs, and has attended numerous conventions of the Republican party, with which party he is asso- ciated. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker will be pleased to find their portraits on another page.

JAMES W. WILSON, one of the earliest set- tlers of Corinne township, Stutsman county, is oper- ating a fine farm which bears no semblance to the place of pioneer days. He has met with unbounded success in his calling, and every arrangement for the comfort of the family or the economical con- duct of the farm have been provided. He makes his home on section 4, in township 1.44, range 62.

Our subject was born in Ontario, Canada, July 17, 1865. His father, Samuel Wilson, was of Penn- sylvania Dutch descent, and was a farmer and car- penter by occupation. He died when our subject was twelve years of age. The grandfather of our subject, James Wilson, was also a farmer. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Jane Walks, was a native of England and came to Amer- ica when a young girl.

Mr. Wilson was the fifth in a family of nine children, and was raised on a farm in Canada, and attended the country schools and the high school, and after the death of his father began to assist in the support of the family. He left home at the age

of twelve years, and he and his elder brother fur- nished the support of the others of the family as well as themselves for many years. After attain- ing his majority Mr. Wilson went to North Da- kota and located in Stutsman county. He borrowed money with which to get to his destination and soon afterward entered claim to the north half of section 4, in township 144, range 62, on which he erected a 12×16-foot shanty. He worked at farm labor four years in Barnes and Griggs counties and dur- ing the summer of 1889 hired some of the land on his farm broke and the following season lived on the farm and cultivated his first crop, which was not a profitable one, and the summer of 1891 he rented the land for one dollar per acre and worked for others, disposing of his team and effects. He moved into his shanty again in the spring of 1892 and has resided on his farm continuously since. He lived alone until the fall of that year, and be- gan the improvement of his place. He is now the owner of seven hundred and eighty acres of land, most of which is under cultivation, and he has ex- cellent farm buildings, wells, cistern and all neces- sary machinery, including a twenty-two-horse-power threshing machine. He has engaged in threshing each season since 1896, when he purchased his threshing rig, and he personally oversees the run- ning of the machine. When he located in Corinne township the nearest shanty in Corinne township was two miles from his farm, and he has aided in the development of that locality and witnessed its growth, and is now one of the substantial farmers of the community.

Our subject was married, in November, 1892, to Martha Simonson, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1885. Mrs. Wilson's father, Simon Johnson, afterward settled in Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been the parents of three children, as follows: Floyd, Glenn and Myra. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has served his community in various offices of trust, and is township and school clerk, and was school di- rector three years. In national affairs Mr. Wilson favors the principles of the Republican party, but in local affairs casts his influence for the man who will work for the better interests of the community.

SEWELL H. KNIGHT. Probably no one of the citizens of Casselton is interested more exten- sively in the financial interests of that locality than this gentleman. He is one of the pioneer men of Cass county, and by careful management and in- tegrity has gained a fortune and the respect and esteem of his fellow men. He is well known as one of the leading lumber merchants of that city, and is also the owner of extensive farm lands in Cass county, and has other business interests which claim part of his time.

Our subject was born in Lincolnville, Waldo

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county, Maine, April 19, 1832, and was one of four chuuren born to Westbrook and Olive ( Norton) Kmght, who were natives of Maine. The grand- father of our subject, Westbrook Knight, was also a native of Maine, and the great-grandfather of our subject, who also bore the name of Westbrook Knight, was a native of Massachusetts, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Maine. The family were farmers and spent their lives in that state.

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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 77

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