Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 83

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 83

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Mr. Potter was married, in 1882, to Alida L. Hill, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mr. Potter, as follows : Dwight and Waldo. Mr. Potter is one of the oldest editors of North Dakota, and stands in a foremost rank in his calling, and has made a success of newspaper work. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM F. KERNKAMP. Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of Barnes county, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 12, township 140, range 58, where he has one of the best equipped farms in the township, conveniently located near Valley City, the county seat.

Mr. Kernkamp was born on a farm in Washing-

ton county, Minnesota, February 8, 1857, a son of John H. and Mary ( Frederick ) Kernkamp, natives of Germany. The mother died when our subject was a child of four years. The father came to the United States when a lad of sixteen, and first located in Warren county, Missouri, where he made his home for ten years. Since then he has been a res- ident of Minnesota, his present home being in the city of St. Paul.

The primary education of our subject was re- ceived in the district school near his boyhood home, and was supplemeted by a two-years course in the public schools of St. Paul. On atttaining his ma- jority he decided to go farther west. and accord- ingly, in the spring of 1878, came to Barnes county, North Dakota, which at that time contained but very few inhabitants, and the land was still in its primitive condition. He filed a claim on the north- east quarter of section 17, township 140. range 57, which he proved up and subsequently sold. He then purchased his brother August's farm, which he still owns and occupies.

In 1882 Mr. Kernkamp was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Hidel, who was also born in Wash- ington county, Minnesota, in 1864, and they have become the parents of three children, Myrtle, Roy and Ralph, all born on the present homestead of the family. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Kernkamp ap- pear on another page. For many years Mr. Kern- kamp supported the Republican party, but is now independent in politics, preferring not to be bound by party ties, and voting for whom he considers the best man. He is a member of Cheyenne Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. of Valley City, and also the Odd Fellows lodge and the Methodist Episcopal church of that place. He is honored and respected by all and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends.

BERGER M. JOHNSON may be truly classed among the self-made men of Traill county, and is deserving of prominent mention as an all around prominent man. He has gained a good estate by his push and energy, and resides on section 26, of Ervin township, where he settled during the pioneer days of that locality.

Our subject was born in Solor, Hamarstift, Nor- way, June 7, 1851, and was the youngest of three sons born to Martin and Olea Johnson. The family started from Norway in April, when our subject was about three years of age, and the mother be- came ill during the long voyage across the ocean, and after reaching Dubuque, Iowa, passed away. An uncle of our subject died at the same time and the others of the party arrived at their destination in Spring Grove, Houston county, Minnesota, in November, of that year. The country was a wilder- ness in that locality and our subject was reared to a life of pioneering. When about sixteen years of age he left the home of his father and stepmother and began work on a farm at ten dollars per month,.

WM. F. KERNKAMP.

MRS. WM. F. KERNKAMP.

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since which time he has earned his own way. When eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to a wheelwright and was thus employed about seven years in Spring Grove and then worked in Mower county, Minnesota, a couple of years and in the spring of 1878, losing profits on account of factory products, decided to try farming in the Red river valley. He drove overland to Traill county, and arriv- ing at Caledonia, camped there and then took a gen- eral survey of the country and June I unloaded his goods on the site of his present handsome residence and at once started to Fargo to file his claim. He had a horse, wagon and about ninety-seven dollars in cash and built a shanty 12×14 feet with ten-foot posts, and after completing arrangements for his residence he had fifteen dollars with which to pro- vide a living for his family. He secured work at breaking and exchanged some work for flour and vegetables and put a bench in his shanty and worked at his trade, but realized little cash from that work. He now has a fine farm, all well improved and has been successful at farming.

Our subject was married, in 1877, to Miss Lena Olson, a native of Norway, who was reared in Fill- more county, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have adopted a son named Martin M. Mr. Johnson received but three months of English schooling and when about twenty years of age he invested in books and while serving his apprenticeship took up a course of private study evenings, and followed it thus five years, acquiring a good education by so doing. He was the first township clerk of Erwin township and was the leading spirit in the organization of the township and he has since been active in public affairs. He took an active interest in the organization of the school affairs and was clerk for many years and has filled various offices in his township. He is a Re- publican in political sentiment. During Alliance times he was identified with the movements of that body, but strongly opposed its being merged in a political party. He has attended numerous county and state conventions and is well known as a man of active public spirit and true citizenship.

BYRON N. STONE, president of the Bank of La Moure, is a man of active business capacity and a substantial citizen. He is connected with many business enterprises and in every instance his efforts are crowned with success. He is one of the influential men of La Moure county, and is deserv- edly popular with the people.

Our subject was born in Hartford, Washington county, Wisconsin, November 20, 1857, and was the younger of two sons born to Aurilius and Sarah A. (Shepherd) Stone. His father was a native of Iowa, and was a farmer by occupation, and died during the Civil war, having enlisted for his coun- try's cause in a Wisconsin regiment. The mother of our subject now resides in Elkhorn. Wisconsin.

Mr. Stone lived in his native county and vicinity

until eighteen years of age, and attended the high school, and after completing his education began farming with his brother, Fred, on land which was left them by their father. When our subject was twenty-five years of age he and his brother went to Dickey county, North Dakota, and located near the village of Fullerton. They also engaged in the hardware business, and the following year, in June, 1883, removed their stock to La Moure, from which time until 1890 they were engaged in mercantile pursuits, first in hardware, then the livery business, and for a time conducted the Leland Hotel. Our subject was also manager for the Wisconsin Lum- ber Company for three years, and in 1890 became manager for the Downing farm, which position he still holds.

Mr. Stone was married, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, November 12, 1879, to Clara A. Baggs, a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Stone is a daughter of Horace and Laura A. Baggs. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been the parents of six chil- dren, as follows: Effie, now assistant cashier of the Bank of La Moure: Arthur ; Francis L. died aged four years ; Frank D .: Fred B. and Ruth M. The oldest two children, together with Mr. and Mrs. Stone, are members of the Presbyterian church, and our subject is superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Stone is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Order Eastern Star. He is a gen- tleman of exemplary character and well known throughout that region. Aside from his financial interests in the West he is sole proprietor of a large grocery at West Superior, Wisconsin, and is a mem- ber of the firm of W. H. Carpenter & Company, commission merchants, of Duluth, Minnesota.

"THE CASS COUNTY DEMOCRAT," pub- lished by the Democrat Printing Company, of Cas- selton, North Dakota, was established in August, 1899, with the following officers: R. D. Glasgow, president ; Frank Bieber, vice-president : D. S. Smith, secretary and treasurer; and Charles E. Stone, business manager and local editor. This is the only Democratic paper in Cass county and enjoys a large circulation.

Charles E. Stone was born in Kent county, Mich- igan, December 19. 1864. He was reared and edu- cated in that state and began his business career as a harness maker. He went to North Dakota in 1880 and located at Tower City, and after one year engaged in farming, which he followed for some years. He went to Wheatland in 1884 and estab- lished the "Wheatland Eagle," which he conducted nine months, and in 1885 he located in Casselton and was employed as foreman of the "North Da- kota Blizzard." He continued here until 1886 and then moved to Hunter and founded "The Eye." which he published there one year, and then his brother. Henry H., became a partner in the busi-

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ness and the paper was continued until October, 1891. He then purchased the "Casselton Re- porter" and conducted that paper until 1895, when it and the "Casseltonian" were consolidated and Mr. Franklin Potter purchased Mr. Stone's inter- est and retained the name "Reporter." Mr. Stone continued the "Reporter" until 1898, and then es- tablished the "North Dakota Farm and Fireside."

Mr. Stone was married, in September, 1894, to Miss Nettie Brooks, a native of Pennsylvania. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stone, named as follows: Clarence B. and Earl E. Mr. Stone is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has served as master of the local lodge and high priest of the chapter. He is an able editor and enjoys well-merited success.

JAMES H. HIGH, one of the most energetic and successful agriculturists of Barnes county, North Dakota, is the owner of an excellent farm of eight hundred acres on section 35, township 142, range 59, and the northeast quarter of section 2, township 141, range 59. His methods of farm management show deep scientific knowledge, com- bined with sound practical judgment, and the re- sults show that "high class" farming as an occupa- tion can be made profitable as well as pleasant.

Mr. High was born on a farm in Allen town- ship, Hillsdale county, Michigan, April 16, 1844, and is a son of Hiram and Rebecca P. (Kellogg) High, the former born in New York state, in 1813, and the latter at Sharon, Connecticut, in 1820. Both spent their last days at the home of our subject in Barnes county, where the father died in May, 1886, and the mother in May, 1897. Throughout his active business life the father engaged in farm- ing.

When two years old James H. High was taken by his parents to Washtenaw county, Michigan. where he grew to manhood on the home farm, which he assisted his father in operating during the summer months, while he attended the district school through the winter season. Leaving home in 1868, he went to Cass county, Missouri, where he resided for a number of years, and also spent some time in Kansas, being engaged in agricultural pursuits in both states. In 1881 he and his wife made a trip to California and Oregon, remaining on the Pacific slope for some time, and in March, 1884. came to Barnes county, North Dakota, and purchased land of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. Here he has since made his home, and in his farming operations has met with far more than ordinary success.

Mr. High has been twice married. In Michi- gan, in 1857, he wedded Miss Phebe Peck, a native of that state, who died in Cass county, Missouri, at the age of twenty-five years, leaving one daugh- ter, now Mrs. Phehe Walker, of Omaha, Nebraska. He was again married, in Missouri, in 1871, to Miss Lizzie A. Cook, who was born in Cass county, that

state, in 1847. Politically Mr. High is a "silver" Republican, and socially is a member of the Ma- sonic order. He is widely and favorably known and has a most extensive circle of friends who esteem him highly for his genuine worth.

JOHN LERAAS. The farming interests of Easton township, in Steele county, have a worthy representative in the gentleman above named, who operates a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres and has a pleasant home on section 4. He is yet in the prime of life and has attained an assured position among the substantial men of his calling in Steele county, and he is possessed of an indomita- ble will and energetic character.

Our subject was born in Norway, February 18, 1863, and was a son of Knute and Mary Leraas. The family came to America from Norway in 1882, and at once located in Dakota and engaged in farm- ing. Our subject began for himself with fifty cents and soon obtained work at farm labor, at which he was employed four years, in which time he saved from his earnings six hundred dollars, and with this began the improvement of his farm, which he claimed in 1885. He erected a small shanty and began work there, and was soon recognized in the township as a substantial citizen. He has acquired another half-section of land by recent purchase, and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land. His farm is well improved and evidences painstaking care in the labors thereon.

Our subject was married, in 1889, to Miss Martha Erewig. Four children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leraas, as follows: Clara. Leway, Albert and Arthur. Mr. Leraas is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. He is actively inter- ested in welfare of his community, and is an earnest worker in educational affairs, and is a member of the school board. Politically he is a Republican, and is a man who keeps pace with the times and lends his influence for good government and right and justice in public affairs, and is deservedly popu- lar in his township.

JOSEPH A. MORROW, an enterprising and well-known business man of Lidgerwood, Richland county, has spent many years in that region, and buitl a remunerative business in the handling of lumber. He is a man of excellent business quali- fications and the strictest integrity, and enjoys the esteem of his fellow men.

Our subject was born in Londesboro, Ontario, April 11, 1864. At the age of five years he moved with his parents to Clinton, in the same county, and there remained until sixteen years of age, attending the common schools of that place. He went to Spiritwood, North Dakota, in March, 1880, and en- gaged in farming until the fall of 1890, when he learned telegraphy and was employed on the Great Northern Railroad seven years. He went to Lid-

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gerwood, Richland county, in 1894, and held the position of telegraph operator and agent for the Great Northern Railroad at that pomt for four years. He then resigned his position and estab- lished himself in the lumber business, in which business venture he has met with success.

Our subject was married, in Benson, Minne- sota, May 15, 1898, to Miss Margaret Jane Mur- ray, who was born in Picton, Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow are the parents of one child, whom they have named Charles H. Mr. Morrow is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. Ile takes an active interest in the affairs of local importance, and casts his influence for the better interests of his town and county. He has served as a member of the village board, and every public enterprise meets with his hearty approval and support.

ELBRIDGE F. HORN. Courtenay township has no better representative citizen than the gen -. tleman whose name introduces this review. He was among the earliest settlers of Stutsman county, and is widely known as an influential man and pub- lic-spirited citizen. He is proprietor of one of the most extensive and best equipped estates in that region, and has accumulated his fortune by earnest efforts and honest dealings.

Our subject was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1849. His father, An- drew Horn, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, as was also the grandfather of our subject, John Horn. The family came to America in 1740, and is of Dutch descent. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah A. Swart, was of German descent. Her father, Philip Swart, lived to the advanced age of seventy-five years. The family have been in America many generations, and four uncles of our subject served in the Civil war.

Mr. Horn's parents were married in April, 1848, and he was the eldest in a family of four children, three of whom grew to maturity. He was raised on a farm and received a common-school education and also attended one term at a commercial college. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in teaching in Pike county, Illinois, and in 1875 returned to Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, where he embarked in the grocery business. This he followed three years, and in 1878 returned to the home farm and assisted his father four years. He went to North Dakota in 1882, reaching Jamestown April 15, and in June had entered claim to the southeast quarter of sec- tion 20, in township 143, range 62, as a pre- emption, and had erected a shanty, 12×16 feet, on the land. He worked his farm the first two years with oxen, and lived alone the first summer in his shanty, and his family joined him in the fall of 1882. He purchased in partnership eleven hundred head of sheep in the fall of 1882, and seven hundred of the number died during the winter. This, how-

ever, did not discourage him, and he continued the raising of sheep until 1896, and made a success of that line, his flock' numbering at one time twelve hundred head. He also engaged in cattle raising, and it was not until late years that he engaged ex- tensively in grain raising. He now owns nine hun- ared and sixty acres of land, four hundred. acres of which is tillable, and one hundred and forty acres in pasture land. He has one of the largest barns in the county, measuring 62x180 feet, and a story- and-a-half residence, 30x46 feet, complete in every detail. A windmill operates the pump, feed-mill and grain elevator, and he has all necessary and modern pattern machinery for the lessening of labor. He was one of the first settlers in the northeastern part of the county, and for ten years after taking up his residence there his farm was the stopping place of travelers through that portion of the county. This was a source of four hundred dollars inconie in one year.

Our subject was married, in 1881, to Miss Fan- nie Clark, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Horn's father, Cornelius Clark, is of Scotch-Irish descent and is a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Horn are the par- ents of five children, as follows: Mabel, Lillian, Annabel, Forrest and Sarah. Mr. Horn was the first postmaster at Courtenay, and takes an active part in public affairs. He is the present chairman of the board of supervisors of Courtenay township, and was active in organizing the township, and was the first chairman of the board. He is popular with the people regardless of party affiliations, and has been nominated on the Democratic and Populist tickets for the state legislature and county treas- urer. He was formerly identified with the Demo- cratic party, but since the organiation of the Popu- list party has become identified with the reform principles.

PETER O. VIE, whose career has been de- voted to the pursuit of agriculture, in which he has been eminently successful, is one of the earliest settlers of Moore township, Ransom county. Ile is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, and cultivates annually about three hundred acres, and is also engaged in stock raising, winter- ing about thirty head of cattle, and raising logs quite extensively for that locality.

Mr. Vie was born near Hammer, Norway, June 25. 1839, and was the only son and third child in a family of four children born to Ole P'. and True Enaason. He was reared on a farm and assisted with the farm work, and after the death of his father took charge of the home farm. He dis- posed of his interests in Norway, in 1867, and with his wife and children came to America and settled in Fillmore county. Minnesota, where he secured work on the railroad, which he followed most of the time until he" located in Dakota, in the spring of 1881. He then had a cow, a few household

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effects and about one hundred dollars in money, and he built a small frame house, 14x16 feet, sodded on the outside, and made a permanent residence on section 34, in Moore township. He worked for others the first summer and hired ten acres of break- ing done on his farm, and the following season secured a yoke of oxen and put in a small crop and broke more land, also working some for others. He added improvements to the place as circum- stances would permit, and is now the owner of a fine estate, and enjoys a comfortable income.

Our subject was married, in 1863, to Miss Mary Vie. Mrs. Vie was an able helpmeet to her hus- band in the pioneer days, and after assisting in bringing about the easy circumstances which the family now enjoys, she was called to her last rest, in 1897. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Vie, as follows: Ole; Tina; John; Martin, de- ceased; Christ ; Oscar, deceased ; Oscar ; Paul and Arthur. Mr. Vie takes an active interest in public affairs in his township, and is the present township treasurer. He is well known as a gentleman of true worth, and commands the respect and esteem of his fellow men. Politically he is a Republican.

BARNEY HILL has for the past twenty years been engaged in farming on section 34, township 141, range 59, Barnes county, with most excellent results, and now has a valuable place of four hun- dred and eighty aeres. This fine farm, with its tasteful and substantial buildings and its general air of thrift and comfort, forms one of the most attractive spots in the landscape of the township. As a citizen and business man Mr. Hill stands high in the esteem of his neighbors, and in the various enterprises inaugurated for the advancement of the community he has been a cheerful and ready as- sistant.

Mr. Hill was born October 23, 1855, near Mason, the county seat of Ingham county, Michigan, and there he was reared and educated. His parents were Eseck and Charlotte (Stacey) Hill. The mother died when our subject was only five years old. The father, a painter by trade, was a native of New York, and from that state removed to Michigan in 1855, making his home there until his death, which occurred in Portland, in 1896, when he was seventy-six years of age. He was a sol- dier in the Civil war and was a man highly re- spected by all who knew him.

At the age of nineteen years Barney Hill left his native county and went to Jackson county, Mich- igan, and for a number of years worked on different farms there and in northern Indiana. In July, 1879. he came to Barnes county, North Dakota, and filed a homestead where he now lives. He has since been actively identified with the agricultural inter- ests of this locality and has taken quite a prominent part in the upbuilding and development of the coun- ty. He has made a pronounced success of his life work, overcoming the many obstacles in his path

which would have discouraged many a man of less persistence.

In Jackson county, Michigan, Mr. Hill was mar- ried, in 1878, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Sweet, who was born in Calhoun county, that state, April 21, 1860, a daughter of Clark and Eveline Sweet, now deceased. They have one child, a daughter, Grace, who was born October 26, 1879, and is now attending the State Normal School at Valley City, Barnes county, North Dakota. The family is one of prominence in the community where they reside.

WILLIAM R. MOVIUS, of the firm known as the Lidgerwood Milling Company, has been a resi- dent of that thriving town for the past ten years, and has become well known throughout Richland county as a men of business ability and integrity. He was born in Truzlatz, Germany, November 1, 1850.

Mr. Movius came to America with his parents in 1867 and continued to reside with them until 1873, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Big Stone City, South Dakota, for three years. He then disposed of his business interests and en- gaged in farming near that city for three years, and then conducted the real estate business in Big Stone seven years. He conducted the milling busi- ness in Big Stone City three years, and in 1890 moved to Lidgerwood, Richland county, North Da- kota, and is now of the firm of Lidgerwood Milling Company. Success attends him in every business enterprise and he is one of the substantial men of his locality.

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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 83

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