Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 78

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

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Our subject was reared and educated in his native place, and remained there until seventeen years of age, when he followed the sea as a sailor four years and later was promoted to an officer. He later learned the carpenter's trade and followed it four years, and in 1856 went to California and spent three years at his trade and also mining to some extent. He returned to Maine in 1859, and in the spring of 1861 went to Lake City, Minne- sota, where he followed his trade, and also engaged in farming until 1878. He then went to Cassel- ton, North Dakota, and established a lumber yard, which he has conducted continuously since. His farming interests include three and a half sections of land in the vicinity of the city, and he is also a stockholder in the first National Bank, and also conducts the harness business, and owns an interest in the general merchandise firm of Beiber & Knight, one of the first firms established in Casselton. Mr. Knight has built some of the best business blocks in the city, and has aided materially in the upbuild- ing of the financial and social interests of the com- munity.

Our subject was married, in 1860, to Miss Roanna Maddox, a native of Maine. Four chil- dren were born of this union, one son and three daughters. Mr. Knight was married to Abbie Stetson in 1882. Mrs. Knight was also a native of Maine. Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Knight. Our subject is widely and favor- ably known, and is a representative man of the com- munity in which he makes his home. He went to North Dakota with limited means, and now enjoys a fortune, the result of his earnest endeavors and good management. He is heartily interested in public affairs, and lends his influence for good gov- ernment, and is associated with the Republican party, but does not seek public preferment.

JAMES COLLINS, sheriff of Grand Forks county, North Dakota, is young man of integrity and high standing. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born November 16, 1860, and is a son of Michael and Mary ( Blake) Collins, both of whom were natives of Ireland. . The father came to Canada when a young man, and in 1870 went to Sauk Center, Minnesota, and in 1882 located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he resided until his death, in 1897. Our subject had three brothers, one of whom now resides in Grand Forks, where the mother also resides.

Mr. Collins was reared and educated at Sauk

Center, Minnesota, and in 1882 went to Nelson county, North Dakota and entered claim to land there and followed farming for some time. He was appointed county commissioner of Nelson county in 1884 and afterward elected to the office, and in 1888 came to Grand Forks and entered the employ of his brother in the machine business, and was thus engaged until 1895, when he received the appointment of deputy sheriff under M. J. O'Con- or, and served as such four years. He was elected sheriff of Grand Forks county in 1898, and began his official duties January 1, 1899, and is ably and faithfully performing the same.

Mr. Collins was married, January 5, 1899, to Miss May Riley, a native of Minnesota. Mr. Col- lins is a member of the Order of Elks, Ancient Or- der of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has been a life-long Republican, and is a man who keeps abreast of the times in all public matters, and is firm in his convictions. He is a gentleman of broad ideas, and possesses energy, perseverance and a good capacity for well-directed labor, and his services for his community and county have been given with a oneness of purpose highly commenda- ble, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

FRANCIS R. SMYTH, M. D., is a skillful physician and surgeon of Bismarck, North Dakota, whose knowledge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and whose ability in ap- plying its principles to the needs of suffering humanity has gained him an enviable prestige in professional circles. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, June 8, 1852, a son of James and Euphe- mia (Robertson) Smyth, also natives of that coun- try. In his younger days the father was a member of the English army and assisted in conquering India, and later served as postmaster of Dalmel- lington, Scotland, for a quarter of a century. He died in 1880, his wife in 1875. To this worthy couple were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the only one in America.

Dr. Smyth was educated in his native land, at- tending the Free Church Training College, of Glas- gow, and Anderson's University, of the same city, the latter being a medical school, from which he was graduated in 1875. The same year he joined a whaling expedition to the Arctic regions as ship surgeon, and thus spent about one vear. He then engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in London, England, for nearly five years, at the end of which time he returned to Glasgow, Scotland, and practiced there until coming to America in 1885. He first located in Mercer county, Dakota territory, and from there removed to McLean coun- ty, North Dakota. In 1890 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago, Illinois, and was regularly graduated from that institution. He

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came to Bismarck in 1893, where he soon succeeded in building up the large and growing practice that he now enjoys.

In 1898 Dr. Smyth was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Clayton, a native of Iowa. He is local surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and is acting assistant surgeon of the United States marine hospital service for the district of Missis- sippi. He is also a member of the state board of medical examiners of North Dakota ; was president of the North Dakota State Medical Society in 1898, and a member of the American Medical Association. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and polit- ically affiliates with the Democratic party, but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his professional duties.

HON. SAMUEL E. STEBBINS, who is well known for his intelligence and active public spirit, is successfully pursuing the vocation of an agricult- urist on section 13, of Devillo township, Richland county. He was born in Brookline, Vermont, April 30, 1830.

The father of our subject, Samuel Stebbins, Sr., was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and made lus residence in Vermont from the age of four years until his death at the age of eighty-five years. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Blandin, was born in Brookline, Vermont, and died at the age of eighty-three years. This worthy couple had five children who grew to maturity, as follows: Eli; Sarah E .; John B .; Samuel E., our subject ; and Charles Q. Jonathan Stebbins, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 12, 1761, at Brimfield, Massachusetts, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died at the age of eighty-nine years.

Samuel E. Stebbins was reared on a farm in Brookline, Vermont, and was educated in the com- mon schools and the academy of that state. He re- sided there until he attained his majoity and then traveled quite extensively and engaged in various occupations in different states, and in the fall of 1856 went to Winona county, Minnesota, and pur- chased a farm near Winona, where he resided for some months and then removed to Winona and was employed in the office of the "Winona Republican" until April, 1861. He then enlisted in Company K, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served one year and a half, as corporal and sergeant. He was wounded in the left foot at the first battle of Bull Run,, and was discharged at Fort Monroe, for disability. Returning from the service, he remained in Winona for a short time and then removed to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, and followed sur- veying. He was county surveyor of that county for six years, and was then engaged in the same capacity for the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany nine years, after which he spent two years on

the government survey, spending in all seventeen years in that line of work. he went to Dakota territory in 1880 and purchased one section of land in what is now Mooreton township, where he set- tled and resided until 1886, when he removed to Devillo township, locating on section 13, where he has since resided. He now owns one half-section of land, and has erected a complete set of substantial buildings and made such improvements as make it a fit habitation.

Our subject was married, at Winona, Minne- sota, in January, 1863, to Margaret King, a native of Scotland. Mrs. Stebbins died in Mooreton town- snip, in November, 1882, leaving seven children, as follows: Minnie L., Walter K., Agnes S., Roland A., Ralph S., Winsted J. and Ethel A. Mr. Stebbins was married, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, July 29, 1886, to Mrs. Margaret F. Myers, who was born in New York City, September 3, 1838. Mr. Stebbins takes an active part in all matters or moves calculated to benefit his township or county, and has held numerous offices in his township, and was elected to serve in the territorial legislature of 1884, which office he ably filled one terin.

JAMES GRASSICK, M. D. This gentleman enjoys the distinction of being the oldest resident physician of Traill county, North Dakota. He is a gentleman of intelligence and excellent education and has taken a prominent position as a citizen and practitioner, and enjoys a liberal patronage and the highest esteem of those among whom he has lived and labored. He is interested extensively in several business enterprises in that locality and farm lands near the town of Buxton, and has accumu- lated his fortune single handed.

Our subject is a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and was born June 29, 1850. He was the young- est in a family of seven children born to Donald and Helen ( Edward) Grassick. The father died when our subject was a small child, and when he was six years of age he came to America with his mother and step-father, Peter Grant, and resided on a farm in Huron county, Ontario, Canada. When seven- teen years of age he began teaching school and devoted himself to that profession twelve years, the last five of which time he was principal of the Hen- sall public schools in Ontario. During this time he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. J. Mc- Diarmid, of Hensall, and afterward entered Ann Arbor College and took a year's study, and then entered the Rush Medical College in Chicago and graduated with the class of 1885. He worked six months in the Toronto general hospital and Burn- side Lying-in hospital and then went to Dakota, thinking the West the best place for a poor man to make a start. He went to Buxton in the fall of 1885, penniless, and as he remarks, "with his whole kit in his vest pocket." He established his office at once, and for the first few years covered territory forty miles north and south, west to May-

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ville and east into Minnesota. After two years of practice he returned to Ann Arbor College and in 1888 received a diploma from that institution, and then returned to his former field. He took a post- graduate course in Chicago in 1896, and strives to perfect himself in his profession. He has built up an extensive practice and has met with remarkable success. Mr. Grassick has an archeological col- lection of Indian relics and curiosities of the North- west, which is said to be the finest in the state. It is well arranged, and much patient care has been expended in bringing it to its present state of order and display. M. Grassick is a shareholder in the Farmers' Lumbes Company, and a shareholder and director of the State Bank of Buxton.

Our subject was married, in 1889, to Miss Chris- tina McDougall, a native of Canada. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Grassick, as fol- lows: Jessie Christina and Donald James, de- ceased. Mr. Grassick is a thirty-second-degree Mason, and also holds membership in. the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Denio- crat in political sentiment and earnest in his con- victions.

JAMES B. ANDREWS, proprietor of the North Dakota Stock Farm, one of the finest estates in Sargent county, is a man of thorough business methods, and has gained a prominent place among his associates by his earnest efforts and honesty. He is engaged in the raising of fine horses, and owns some of the finest roadsters to be found in the Northwest. His home is on section 4 of Mil- nor township, and he has every convenience of a model country home.

Mr. Andrews was born near Woodstock, Mc- Henry county, Illinois, November 5, 1860, and was the second son and third child in a family consist- ing of seven sons and three daughters born to Mal- colm C. and Phœbe D. (Bailey ) Andrews. When he was five years of age he moved with his parents to Delaware county, lowa, and the family settled on a farm near Manchester, where they remained about five years, and then moved to Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Mason City, where our subject lived with his parents until about 1882. He attended the common schools and the high school at Rockford, Iowa, and in the spring of 1882 went to Clitherall, Otter Tail county, Min- nesota, where he engaged in the drug business four years, and then removed his stock of goods to Mil- nor, Sargent county, North Dakota. He continued in the business in Milnor for four years, until 1890, when he disposed of his stock and located on his present farm on section 4 of Milnor township. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, and on his home farm has erected substan- tial and commodious buildings and provided com- fortable quarters for his produce and stock. Since 1800 he has been engaged in breeding fine road and carriage horses, and now has about thirty head of

fine specimens. His farm is well known through- out that region as "The North Dakota Stock Farm."

Mr. Andrews was married, in Brampton,Sargent county, North Dakota, June 2, 1888, to Miss Carrie Finch, daughter of William and Elizabeth Finch, of Sargent county. Mrs. Andrews is a native of Canada. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, as follows: Lyle B. and Neil B. Mr. Andrews takes an active interest in local affairs, and is an carnest supporter of church work. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of Pythias.

J. HENRY PLATH, JR. This gentleman is readily recognized as one of the leading business men of Cass county. He is vice-president of the State Bank of Davenport, and also has valuable farming interests in Davenport township. He has met with success in every enterprise to which his attention has been directed and is one of the well- to-do and influential early settlers of that locality. A view of his residence is shown on another page.

Our subject was born in Buffalo county, Wis- consin, October 1, 1856, and was a son of J. Henry and Helen M. ( Henken) Plath, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. His father was a carpenter by trade and followed the same for some years, and about 1850 emigrated to America. He settled at Galena, Illinois, where he passed some years, and then removed to Fountain City, Wiscon- sin, and resided there until 1878. He then went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim to the southwest quarter of section 6, in Daven- port township, and opened up a farm of two thou- sand acres, most of which he acquired by purchase. He followed farming in that township until 1897, and then went to California and spent some time and then returned to Galena, Ilinois, where he now resides. He was married in Galena, Illinois, and four sons and four daughters were born to the union, all of whom reside in North Dakota, with the excep- tion of three daughters. He filled various local offices while a resident of Davenport township, and is well known there and held in high esteem by all.

Our subject, J. Henry Plath, Jr., was reared and educated in Wisconsin, and there began his busi- ness career as a farmer. He went with his parents to Dakota and entered a pre-emption claim and also a tree claim in Davenport township, Cass county, and has resided in that township continuously since that time. His farm is a model in every particular, he has a fine residence, good barns, and other out- buildings, and enjoys a home of more than usual comforts.

Our subject was married, in 1885, to Minnie Berger, a native of Illinois. Four children have ben born to Mr. and Mrs. Plath, named as follows: Clarence H., Carrie H., Floyd W. and Lillian C., all of whom are living. Mr. Plath has served on the township board as chairman and treasurer, and

FARM RESIDENCE OF J. HENRY PLATH, Jr., CASS CO., N. DAK.

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is active in public affairs of his township and county. He is a trustee of the Valley City Normal School, of Valley City, North Dakota. He and family are closely associated with the Moravian church, and Mr. Plath is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

NELS O. BRAKKE. For nearly thirty years the gentleman above named has tilled the soil of Norman township, Cass county, North Dakota, and he is well known as an old settler of that locality and a man of energetic spirit and practical nature. He is the owner of a well-developed farm of three quarter-sections and is surrounded by all the com- forts of country life and enjoys a good competence and the respect and esteem of his many friends.

Our subject was born in Norway, September 12, 1845, and was a son of Ole N. and Berget (Swanson) Brakke, both of whom were natives of Norway. The mother is deceased, but the father still survives. Our subject was one of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom one brother and our subject are the only ones in the United States.

Mr. Brakke was reared and educated in Nor- way, and in 1869 came to America and located in Houston county, Minnesota, where he remained three years. He went to Cass county, June 17, 1872, and entered a homestead claim to the south- east quarter of section 26, in Norman township, on where he still resides. He erected a log house and began breaking the prairie land, and has held con- tinuous residence there. He has increased his pos- sessions to three quarter-sections, all of which is well improved, and he is now one of the well-to-do men of Norman township.

Our subject was married, in 1869, in Minne- sota, to Liv Oleson, a native of Norway. Eight children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brakke, named as follows: Birgit, Olaf, Olina, Oscar, Carrie, Nels, Ingebrecht and Selma. The family are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Brakke assisted in building the church of that locality and has served as an officer of the same. He has served his community as a member of the school board, and is one of the public-spirited men of Norman township and well merits his high standing and financial success. Politically he is a Republican, and is firm in his convictions.

WILLIAM A. AYERS, who owns a good farm on section 34, township 142, range 58 west, and has distinguished himself as one of the most active and enterprising citizens of the community, came to Barnes county, North Dakota, in 1879. Since that time he has given close attention to the improve- ment of his land, upon which he has erected good buildings, and the soil of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Ayers was born in Grant county, Wiscon- sin, October 14, 1856, and is a son of Riley and 24

Mary (Nettleton) Ayers, both natives of New York state. The father was born in 1823 and through- out his active business life followed the occupation of farming. He is now a pensioner of the Mexican war and an honored resident of Valley City, North Dakota.

Our subject attended school in his native state until sixteen years of age, and then went to Pepin county, Wisconsin, for two years. He then went to Minnesota, where he made his home until the spring of 1879. On the 7th of June, of that year, he ar- rived in Valley City, Barnes county, North Dakota, and immediately filed claim for the land on which he now resides. The same year he was married, at Willmar, Minnesota, to Miss Ella Wiley, also a native of Wisconsin, who died upon his farm in Barnes county, in 1881, leaving one child, Myrtle. Mr. Ayers was again married, in 1890, his second union being with Miss S. Ferrell, who was born in Indiana, and by whom he has one son, Varlynn. Politically our subject is a stanch supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party, and religiously he is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. As one of the honored pioneers and highly esteemed citizens of the cottu- ty he is certainly deserving of honorable mention in a work of this kind.

KNUTE JENSEN, residing on section 35, in township 130, range 60, is entitled to special men- tion as a man of natural business ability and ener- getic effort. He is one of the rising young men of Dickey county, and although a resident of that locality comparatively few years he has acquired a comfortable home and an enviable reputation. He conducts farming on one half-section of land, which comprises his well-improved estate, and is also a grain buyer, and is patronized by those more con- venient to other elevators tlian his, an evidence of his honesty and popularity.

Our subject was born on a farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, February 13, 1871, and was the sixth in a family of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. His father, Jacob J. Jensen, was born in Norway, and died in Watertown, North Dakota. He was a farmer by occupation.

Our subject resided in his native county until 1881, when he moved with his parents to Hand county, South Dakota, and there lived on a farm until 1889, when he removed to Watertown and worked at painting and paper hanging until 1895. He then went to Port Emma, Dickey county, North Dakota, and began buying wheat for the North- western Elevator Company, and has continued in that position continuously since, during which time he has rapidly increased the volume of business. His farm of one half-section is adjacent to the ele- vator, and he has successfully conducted farming in addition to grain buying. He engages in stock raising, having about seventy head in all, including cattle, horses and sheep.

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Our subject was married in Port Emma town- ship, in 1898, to Miss Aggie E. Baker, whose par- ents reside on the farm adjoining Mr. Jensen's. Mrs. Jensen was born in Canada in 1873. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jensen, as follows: Edith Agnes and Coral Esther. Mr. Jensen is interested in the affairs of his township and supports every public enterprise which will in any way enhance the public interests. He is a member of the town board and is town treasurer. Politically he is a Republican.

LEVI P. BAKER, a well-known farmer of Fairmount township, Richland county, has attained an assured position among the substantial men of his calling, as he is possessed of perseverance, en- ergy and integrity.

Our subject was born on a farm in Clarendon county, New York, September 1, 1840. When about three years of age he removed with his par- ents to Jackson county, Michigan, and the family resided in Summit township until the death of the parents, when our subject was seventeen years of age. He then worked at farm labor for others in Jackson county and vicinity for ten years, and then went to Montcalm county, Michigan, and purchased a farm, where he lived two years. He returned to Jackson county and purchased land in Napoleon township, on which he followed farming fourteen years. He disposed of his interest in Michigan in the spring of 1882 and went to Dakota and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec- tion 30, of Fairmount township. He has erected a complete set of good buildings on his home farm and is the owner of seven hundred and forty acres in Fairmount township.

Our subject was married, in Greenville, Mont- calm county, Michigan, March 17, 1867, to Miss Clarissa Ann Holden, who was born in McHenry county, Illinois, April 12, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Elgin D., Almond J. and John G. One son, Hubert, died at the age of twenty-three years, and one daughter, Dolly, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Baker take an active interest in religious affairs and are promi- nent members of the Baptist church, in which he is deacon and trustee. Ile has served as treasurer for his township for three terms and has gained the confidence and esteem of a large circle of acquain- tances.

PETER C. PETERSON. This name is borne by a prominent citizen of township 146, range 65. of Foster county, whose career in North Dakota extends over a period of fifteen years. During this time he has been found standing on the side of right and justice, and has acquired a comfortable com- fortable competence and an enviable reputation.

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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 78

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