USA > North Dakota > Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life > Part 80
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James Reid was the eldest in a family of nine children and was raised on a farm and attended the public schools. He left home at the age of nine- teen years and came to America and after working in Philadelphia as a laborer for about five years he returned to his native land to oversee matters per- taining to property there. He again came to Phila- delphia in 1882 and spent one year in that city, going thence to Stutsman county, North Dakota. He took as a homestead the northwest quarter of section 4, township 143, range 62, and as a tree claim the northwest quarter of section 14. township 144, range 63. He lived alone in his shanty one summer and his first crop was not a good yield and was a total loss on account of hail. He had a team of mules, which was his first team and he still owns them and can work them on his farm yet. He resides on his place alone and has every convenience of modern farming, including a commodious barn, granary, chicken houses, windmill for pumping and grinding,
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and all necessary machinery. He has three hun- dred and twenty acres of land, sixty acres of which is pasture and the balance is under cultivation. A wind storm destroyed a 30x60-foot barn on his place in 1892 and fourteen head of cattle were lost. Mr. Reid has a thorough knowledge of his vocation and during 1895-1896 operated an experimental farm for the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault St. Maric Railroad.
Mr. Reid is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is widely and favorably known throughout that locality. Politically, he is a Repub- lican and is a man who stands firm for the principles of his party.
CHARLES HEIN, one of the trustworthy pub- lic officials of Richland county, makes his home in the village of Hankinson, near which place he owns four hundred acres of land. For many years he was identified with the business interests of that thriving village and is well known as a man of ex- cellent characteristics.
Mr. Hein was born in Germany, March 5, 1856, where he lived until twelve years of age, when he came to America with his parents, Gottleib and Amalie Hein. They landed in New York City, in June, 1868, and at once proceeded to Oshkosh, Wis- consin, where they resided three years and then re- turned to New York City, remaining there one year. The family then went to Dakota and settled in Bel- ford township, Richland county, where the father died in February, 1895.
Our subject was engaged in farming in Bel- ford township until 1890, when he removed to Hankinson and engaged in the mercantile business and also stock buying until the fall of 1898, when he disposed of his business. He has erected a sub- stantial dwelling in the village and has gained a comfortable competence.
Mr. Hein was married, in Richland county, North Dakota, November 10, 1882, to Miss Fredericka Schroder, who was born in Dodge county, Wiscon- sin, March 27, 1860. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hein, named as follows: Louisa E., Emma A., Louis C., Charles G., Richard H., Alfred A., Lora M. and Mina A. Mr. Hein was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1897 on the Democratic ticket. He has held numerous school offices in Belford township and also in Hank- inson and is an earnest worker for the raising of the educational standard.
THE STATE BANK OF DAVENPORT, Cass county, was organized in September, 1898, with a capital stock of five thousand dollars and the fol- lowing officers : president, L. B. Hanna : vice-presi- dent, J. Henry Plath, Jr. ; cashier and general man- ager, H. S. Crothers: assistant cashier, W. H. Shure. The board of directors consists of the above named gentlemen with the exception of Mr. Plath.
The institution has an average deposit of twenty- five thousand dollars and does a general banking business and under the guidance of Mr. Crothers is meeting with success and is fast taking its place among the best financial institutions of the county.
H. S. Crothers, cashier and general manager of the State Bank of Davenport, is a gentleman of excellent business qualifications and he has en- tered heartily into the labors of conducting the institution with which he has been connected from its founding. He is a native of Adams county, Wisconsin, and was born February 9, 1868. He was reared and educated in his native state and completed his studies with a business course at Valparaiso, Indiana. He followed the profession of of teacher four years and in 1890 went to North Dakota and settled in Page, and soon afterward entered the Bank of Page as assistant cashier. He filled this position six years and resigned at the end of that time to accept his present position with the State Bank of Davenport. He has been successful in his business methods and is one of the well- known young men of the county.
Mr. Crothers was married, in 1898, to Edith Wisner, a native of Northwest Territory. Mr. Crothers is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Ancient Order of United Workmen.
LUCIUS C. DAY, who has acquired a com- fortable competence by dint of honest industry and well-spent career, is planning to enjoy a retirement from active labors and makes his home in the vil- lage of Hope, where he is well known and will be a welcomed citizen. He is at present residing on farm on section 10, of Colgate township, and is one of the pioneers of that township.
Our subject was born in New York, February 24, 1840, and was the fourth of eight children born to the union of Hezekiah and Eliza ( Bussey) Day. His father was of English birth and fought in the war for liberty and his old musket is an heirloom of the family.
Our subject was reared to farm work and spent the year of 1860 in Florida and the South and becoming thoroughly impressed with the gravity of the war situation, he was one of the first to volunteer from his state, and April 28, 1861, enlisted in Company E, Twenty-fourth New York. Fredericksburg was the first battle in which he participated, after which followed the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain, Gaines Mill. He returned home in 1863 and after a rest of a few months joined Com- pany D, Eleventh New York Cavalry. Many skir- mishes followed and a heavy engagement took place at Liberty, Louisiana. He was mustered out of the service September 30, 1865, with the rank of cor- poral. Returning to the home farm he engaged in farming thereon until the spring of 1883, when he went to North Dakota and entered claim to land in Colgate township, Steele county. At that time, look-
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ing from Hope in a southeasterly direction, there were but four claim shanties to be seen, and the first three years of his residence in Dakota our subject lived in the village of Hope and conducted lis farm near there. He then erected the upright part of his present house and removed to the coun- try, where he now has a complete set of good farm buildings and all the conveniences of modern farm- ing. His farm furnishes an abundance of water from a depth of twenty-four feet and he has never experienced a failure of crops, the poorest yield averaging twelve bushels of wheat per acre.
Our subject was married, in 1878, to Miss Laura A. Kellogg. Mr. Day is a man of active pub- lic spirit and has served as county commissioner for the first district during two terms. He is a Republican in political faith and is a man who is well versed on the topics under daily discussion and is widely and favorably known.
SEVERT SORENSON, residing on section 10, in East Buxton township, is one of the early settlers of that locality and has aided in its development and advancement. He is one of the citizens of for- eign birth who have labored for the better interests of their adopted land and have gained a comfortable competence and an enviable reputation.
Our subject was born near Tronjeim, Norway, September 8, 1843, and was the eighth in a family of nine children, five of whom are now living. His parents, Soren and Bergoite ( Bjorn) Larson, were natives of Norway. Our subject served an apprenticeship of five years in a blacksmith shop and in July, 1865, started to England, with the in- tention of establishing a wagon manufactory, but found no good location and then emigrated to America, arriving at New York, August 15, 1865. After a short time he started for the copper mines of Michigan, and worked there at his trade eighteen months, but tiring of the isolation of the mines he went to Chicago and from there to Allamakee coun- ty, Iowa, where he purchased a country shop. He took a trip westward through St. Paul to Big Stone Lake in 1868 and the following year started for Colorado, but stopped in St. Ansgar, Mitchell coun- ty, lowa, and there opened a shop during the boom times. In the spring of 1878 he went to Belmont, Traill county, North Dakota, where he secured a mule team and looked for land and entered claim to the southwest quarter of section 2 as a tree claim and in the spring of 1881 removed to Buxton with his family and worked at his trade, meanwhile im- proving his farm for about three years. His health then began failing and he removed to his farm in 1884 and has resided there since. He has added to his acreage and now owns and operates four hun- dred and eighty acres. He has an artesian well and good buildings and has met with unbounded success in agricultural pursuits,
Our subject was married, in 1874, to Miss Ma- tilda Davis. Mr. Sorenson died in 1898, aged forty-
six years. Eight children were born to this union, as follows: Annie, now Mrs. A. Sorley; Samuel deceased ; Henry; Maria M., teaching in Traill county : Minnie, deceased; Martin; Samuel and Otto. Mr. Sorenson is a member of the Lutheran church and is actively interested in educational mat- ters.
MICHAEL M. LENHART, one of the early settlers of Davenport township, has a well-improved estate and has gained an assured position and the highest esteem of his followmen by his earnest ef- forts toward success in his calling.
Our subject was born in Baden, Germany, Au- gust 22, 1849, and was a son of Michael and Leona (Hawk) Lenhart. His parents were natives of Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1853 and settled at St. Louis, Missouri, and from there went to Fountain City, Wisconsin. His father was a farmer by occupation and died in Minneapolis, where also the mother died. They were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject is the only one in North Dakota.
Mr. Lenhart was reared and educated in Wis- consin and resided there until 1879, when he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a home- stead claim on section 8, in Davenport township, where he has resided continuously since. He was among the first settlers of that region and now has a half-section of choice land in Cass county and a tree claim in Richland county. His buildings on his home farm are modern in design and finish and form a home of more than usual comforts and with other improvements of the place make a valu- able estate.
Our subject was married, in Wisconsin, in 1872, to Anna Plath, a native of Illinois. Five sons, all of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lenhart, as follows : Emil P., Christ R., Frank A., George A. and Benjamin B. Mr. Lenhart has served in various local offices and is active in mat- ters pertaining to the general welfare or upbuild- ing of his community. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a Democrat politically and is a stanch adherent to party principles. His farm is well located in every particular and he is enjoying well merited success.
STEEN H. NELSON, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of Steele county, is successfully pursuing agriculture in Greenview township. Ile was a pioneer of Dakota, and has aided in the development and growth of the great agricultural interests of the locality in which he has chosen to reside for so many years.
Our subject was born on a farm in Washara county. Wisconsin, November 22, 1854. and was the oldest son and third child in a family of ten children, born to Nels and Anna ( Anderson) Nelson. His
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S. H. NELSON AND WIFE.
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father is still living on the old home farm, where our subject was reared and labored until his twentieth year. He then worked out in that vicinity and was thus engaged for several years, and then went to Goodhue county and worked there in the woods of Wisconsin until 1880. In the spring of that year he went to South Dakota with a team for the purpose of looking over the country with a view to locating there, and after his arrival worked on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He wished to look fur- ther before taking land and with several companions crossed the country to Fargo by team. They were young men who had been reared in a wooded coun- try, and the trip across the prairie was not only pleas- ing but novel in its experiences. So called city after city was passed, though consisting of one or two shanties and the inevitable sign in glaring letters, "land office." Our subject selected the land which comprises his present homestead in the fall of 1880, and filed claim to the land in the spring of 1881. He then removed to his farm accompanied by his wife and his brother, and he built a 16x20-foot shanty, which was his dwelling until the log house 16x26 feet was constructed. This last named building forms the main part of his present home. He has prospered in his chosen calling, and is sur- rounded by the comforts of country life.
Our subject was married in the spring of 1880, to Miss Bertha Marum, a native of Norway. Mrs. Nelson died in 1896. She was a lady of true womanly grace, and presided over his household with dignity and kindliness. She was a true help- meet during the pioneer days and patiently endured the hardships incident to their early life in Dakota, looking to the prosperous times which attended them in later years. She was a christian lady whose labors in the church and charitable cause are sadly missed, and by her exemplary life gained a host of friends throughout that community. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, as follows : Ber- tha, deceased; Bertha, deceased; Norris, Steven, Arthur, and Lulu. A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson appears on another page. Mr. Nelson has interested himself heartily in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the township and county, and has rendered valuable aid in the affairs of local gov- ernment. He was elected county commissioner for the second district, in the fall of 1883, and was among the first to fill that position. He was elected county treasurer of Steele county in the fall of 1894 and his popularity and efficient services are best evi- denced by the fact that he was re-elected to that office, serving two terms. He is a Republican in political sentiment, and has served as delegate to county and state conventions of his party.
FRANK PHILLIPS, a public-spirited and en- terprising member of the farming community of Moran township, Richland county, has devoted the greater part of his life to the pursuit of agriculture. He has been exceptionally fortunate and is propri-
etor of as good a farm as can be found in Moran township, his homestead being located there on sec- tion 12.
Our subject was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, October 15, 1859. He was reared on his father's farm and resided there and in the adjoin- ing county of Howard till the spring of 1884, when he went to North Dakota. He entered a home- stead and also a tree claim on section 12, of Moran township, where he has made his home with the exception of two years, while he was engaged in business in Lidgerwood. He now owns three hun- dred and twenty acres of land and on his home farm has erected a complete set of modern build- ings and surrounded himself with the comforts of rural life. He engages in general farming and is one of the substantial men of Moran township.
Our subject was married, in Howard county, lowa, to Miss Mary Polda, a native of Bohemia. Mrs. Phillips came to America with her parents when she was but five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are the parents of five children, named as follows : Anna, Thomas, Rosa, Mary and Paul. Mr. Phillips is an active worker for educational advance- ment and has held numerous school offices in Moran township and other of the township offices of trust. He has gained an enviable reputation in his con- munity and well merits his success.
AMBROSE B. WILLEY. This gentleman is one of the leading farmers of Willey township, Sar- gent county. He is proprietor of a fine estate, on which he conducts general farming, and has met with success. He is one of the earliest settlers of that region and has labored for the advancement of his county and community and the township of Willey was named for him in appreciation of his public services.
Our subject was born in Otsego county, New York, April 1, 1836. He was reared in Livingston county, New York, where he lived and followed farming till the spring of 1884, when he removed to Dakota and settled in Willey township, Sargent county. He has resided there continuously since and has improved the place and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land. His home on section 18, is well located and every convenience of modern farming facilitates the work.
Our subject was married, in Livingston county, New York, March 13, 1856, to Miss Catherine Dif- fenbacher, who was born in that county, April 6. 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Willey are the parents of four children, who bear the following names : Elmer, Norman, Ida and Newton. Mr. Willey has held numerous township offices and in all matters of a public nature he will always be found on the side of right and justice. He is an influence for good in his community and his life and labors in North Da- kota have been for the upbuilding of the county and state. He is industrious and honest and well merits his success.
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ARNE P. BORDERUD. A prominent posi- tion as a prosperous merchant and energetic farmer of Cass county is accorded this gentleman. He engages in the mercantile business in Davenport and also owns and operates four hundred acres of land. He has acted as postmaster of Davenport for the past three years and is an efficient and well known officer.
Our subject was born in the southern part of Norway, June 25, 1851, and was a son of Peter A. and Johanna Borderud, both of whom were natives of Norway. The family emigrated to America in 1870 and lived in Iowa one year and then went to Cass county, North Dakota, the following spring and settled on section 24, in Norman township. The father entered claim to land there and resided thereon until his death in 1894. Six children, three sons and three daughters, constituted the family, of which our subject was a member, and all reside in America with the exception of one who is now deceased.
Mr. Borderud was educated in Norway and fol- lowed farming exclusively until 1883, when he es- tablished a general store in Davenport, Cass county, and now has an extensive trade. His farm is care- fully cultivated and well improved and evidences good management and painstaking care in its op- eration.
Our subject was married, in 1880, to Bolette Myhra, a native of Norway. Three children, all of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Borderud, and are named as follows : Julia, William, and Geneva. The family are members of the Lutheran church and are highly respected in the community in which they reside. Mr. Borderud has filled various minor offices and is held in high position as a gentleman of genuine worth and public spirit. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and politically he is a Republican and is a stanch ad- vocate of party principles.
OLE ESEBY. Barnes county has many well-to- cloand successful farmers who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through individual effort. Among this class the name of the subject of this notice is entitled to a place. He is residing on section 26, township 141, range 58, where he is industriously engaged in the prosecution of his noble calling and is meeting with good success.
Mr. Eseby was born in Norway, March 5, 1847, a son of John and Marie H. (Johnsen) Eseby, also natives of that country. He remained at home until seventeen years of age, engaged in farm work and during the following five years his life was that of a sailor. At the age of twenty-two he emigrated to America and his first employment in the New World was on a large farm in Illinois, where he re- mained three months. Going to Michigan, he was engaged in lumbering there for two years and from there went to Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm and in the lumber woods for the same length
of time. Later he was employed in the pineries of Minnesota during the winter, but in the spring re- turned to Wisconsin and worked in saw-mills. In March, 1878, he came to Barnes county, North Da- kota, and secured one hundred and sixty acres.of government land on which he now resides. He has since extended the boundaries of his farm and now has three hundred and twenty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.
In the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1881, Mr. Eseby was united in marriage with Miss Annie Gil- bertson, who was born in Norway, in 1857, and they have become the parents of the following children : Hilda G., Josie, Oliver A., Alma M., Nora J. and Myrtle. In his political views Mr. Eseby is a stanch Republican and in his social relations is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
JULIUS E. ALBER, a public-spirited and en- terprising member of the farming fraternity of Cass county, has devoted the greater part of his career to agriculture, in the pursuit of which he has been very fortunate and is proprietor of one of the fine farms of Warren township, wherein he located in pioneer days.
Our subject was born in Germany, September 7, 1857, and was a son of Ferdinand and Annetta ( Threska ) Alber, who were also natives of Germany. The family, consisting of parents and one son and four daughters, emigrated to the United States in 1876 and settled in Minnesota and in 1893 moved to La Moure county, North Dakota, where the father died in 1896. The mother survives and makes her home in La Moure county. They were parents of two sons and four 'daughters, all of whom reside in North Dakota, with the exception of one daughter.
Mr. Alber was educated in Germany and in 1872 came to America and settled in Winona county, Minnesota. He resided there until 1878 and then went to Cass County, North Dakota, and entered a pre-emption claim in section 28, in Warren town- ship, and began at once to make a home there. He las resided thereon continuously since that date and now owns three quarter-sections of choice land and has his entire tract under cultivation and well improved and stocked. He has made a success of his vocation and is among the substantial men of his township.
Our subject was married, in 1882, to Dora Zoost, a native of Germany. Mrs. Alber came to America with her parents in 1872 and the family first settled in Illinois and later moved to Minnesota and in 1879 went to North Dakota. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alber, as follows: Henry F., Amelia M. and Lena D., all of whom are living. The family are members of the Lutheran church and are held in high respect by their friends throughout Warren township. Mr. Alber has served as a member of the town board and as chairman and treasurer of the same and is a man of sound judg-
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ment and active in public affairs of local importance. He has made a success of his career and is de- servedly popular with those among whom he re- sides.
CHARLES G. BOISE, a public-spirited and enterprising citizen of Sherbrooke, Steele county, is well known and highly respected throughout that locality. He is the editor and proprietor of the "Steele County Tribune" and has made a success of his calling in North Dakota. His paper enjoys an extensive circulation and is one of the leading party papers of the county.
Mr. Boise was born in Huron county, Ohio, September 7, 1861. The name is of French origin and was originally spelled De Bois, which was later changed to Boies, and the grandfather of our sub- ject made a final change to the present spelling- Boise. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Gould and she was a descendant of Pere- grin White of Mayflower fame.
When seventeen years of age our subject entered the preparatory course of Oberlin College and re- mained there three years devoting a portion of his time to special scientific work and voice culture. He went to North Dakota in the summer of 1883 and two years later settled on land which his father had purchased. He was elected clerk of courts of Steele county in the fall of 1892 and served in that capacity two terms and after the completion of his second term he was elected county auditor. He pur- chased the newspaper plant which he now operates in the spring of 1899. The "Steele County Trib- une" was was established by E. S. Seymoure in March, 1887, and was a Republican paper. Its history is somewhat varied and it passed in rapid succession through four changes and finally passed into the hands of T. S. Hunt, who edited it as a Democratic sheet. It now supports the principles of the G. O. P. and its editorials are to the point and it is one of the recognized leading exchanges of the newspaper world, in Steele county.
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