Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 84

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 84

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Our subject was married, in Big Stone . City, South Dakota, November 19, 1876, to Miss Mar- cella Murray, a native of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Movius are the parents of eight children, as fol- lows: Arthur J., Winfred D., Marcella L., Pearl D., Rex M., Walter R., Harry E. and Margaret. Mr. Movius is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. While a resident of Big Stone City he was appointed postmaster and held the office twelve years. He takes an active interest in affairs of a public nature, and is promi nent in business and social circles.

PETER STEFFES, deceased, was one of the brave defenders of the U'nion during the dark days of the Civil war, and an honored resident of Richland county, North Dakota, for several years his home being on section 30, Centre township, where he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born in Prussia, Germany, May 16, 1828, a son of Jacob and Susan Steffes, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland.

About 1853 Mr. Steffes crossed the broad At- lantic to make his home in the United States, and when the war of the Rebellion broke out was living

PETER STEFFES (Deceased), AND MRS. CATHERINE STEFFES.

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upon a government claim in Wright county, Min- nesota. There hie enlisted September 28, 1864, in Company D, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service until June, 1865, when he was mustered out and returned to his home in Wright county, Minnesota. He continued his residence there until coming to this state in 1878, when he took up a homestead on section 30, Centre town- ship. Here he steadily prospered and became the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of very pro- ductive and valuable land, on which he built a nice house and made other improvements.

In Wright county, Minnesota, Mr. Steffes was married, October 15, 1868, to Miss Catherine Schul- thies, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, December II, 1847, and came to America in 1867. Her par- ents, George and Catherine Schulthies, were life- long residents of Bavaria, where their deaths oc- curred. To our subject and his wife were born the following children : Lizzie, Paul, Jacob, Anna, wife of George E. Shipe; John, Joseph, Peter, George, Maggie, Tony, Susan, who died in infancy and Mary. Mr. Steffes died upon his farm March 22, 1895, honored and respected by all who knew hin. He was a communicant of St. John's Catholic church of Wahpeton, and commanded the esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, either in social or business life. A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Steffes is shown on another page.

EDWIN G. BARNES. As a representative citizen, a man of executive ability, a prominent posi- tion is accorded this gentleman. He has managed the vast stock interests and farms of his father for many years, and the results have been successful in an unlimited degree. He resides on section 21, township 129, range 60, in Port Emma township, and his farm is complete in every appointment, and furnishes a handsome income and all the comforts of rural life.

Mr. Barnes was born in Walpole, New Hamp- shire, July 1, 1873. His father, Harrison G. Barnes, was a native of Jamaica, Vermont, and was born in 1826. When a young man he went to sea, and served three years in the United States navy, and was a seaman on the old frigate Constitution. After leaving the sea he engaged in the roofing busi- ness for some time in New York, and then, on account of failing health, removed to New Hamp- shire and purchased the Prospect Hill farm, near Walpole, in 1870, on which place he still resides. His estate is one of the most beautiful country estates in the vicinity, and Mr. Barnes is regarded as one of the most prominent men of his com- munity. He was married, in 1832, in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, to Miss Eliza L. Hall, a native of that city. Six children were born to this worthy couple. four of whom are now living, as follows: Jennie L., Charles H., Alidia M. and Edwin G., our sub- ject.

Edwin G. Barnes completed his education in his

native place, graduating from the high school in the class of 1890. He went to Dickey county, North Dakota, in 1892, to assume the management of his father's vast holdings, amounting in all to twenty- five quarter-sections of land. lo the portion on which he resides he is constantly adding modern improvements, and the balance of the land is given to grain and stock raising. He raises sheep ex- tensively, and in addition the annual yield of wheat is many thousand bushels.

Our subject was married, December 8, 1897, to Louisa Eaton, a native of Norridgewock, Maine, who was born February 14, 1877. Mrs. Barnes is a daughter of Hamlin F. and Lizzie S. Eaton, one of the leading families of Dickey county, a sketch of whose lives appear elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Barnes is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. He is interested in the welfare of his community, and keeps pace with the times in all matters of a public nature, but does not seek public preferment, choosing to serve his community otherwise. Po- litically he is a Republican, and is strong in his convictions.

ERNST F. MOVIU'S, one of the members of the well-known firm of Movius Lumber Company, of Lidgerwood, is among the prominent and influ- ential men of Richland county. He has been con- nected with this business but a short time, but is known as a gentleman of sterling qualities, and has been for many years a prominent minister of the Evangelical denomination. He is a man of broad views, and highly educated, he casts an influence for good wherever he makes his home.

Our subject was born in Truzlatz, Germany, March 24, 1853. He came to America with his parents in 1867, and resided with them until he became of age. He was educated in the common schools of his native land, and at a private institu- tion conducted by Professor Leisterer, at Jacob- shagen, and completed his education under the pri- vate tutorship of Rev. Liebig, of Woidarg. Upon leaving home he was employed one year as clerk in a retail mercantile establishment at St. Paul, Minnesota, after which he engaged with his brother, William R., in the mercantile business three years. He then joined his father in the erection of a flour mill at Big Stone City, South Dakota, following that business one year, after which he became en- gaged in the ministry of the Evangelical Associa- tion. He spent four years at the work in Minne- sota and then went to North Dakota. He was chosen conference missionary treasurer and acted in that capacity five years, after which he was elected presiding elder, and served in North Da- kota four years, when he was re-elected and sent to South Dakota for three years. He was obliged to resign on account of ill health, but is still engaged in ministerial work. He has spent twenty-one years of his life in that cause. He has been connected

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with his brothers in business enterprises since the spring of 1897, and in the spring of 1899 the Movius Lumber Company was formed, consisting of three brothers, Ernst F., Emil A. and John H. Movius, with our subject as manager of the business.

Ernst F. Movins was married, in Big Stone City, South Dakota, July 29, 1874, to Miss Mary Rosen- kranz, a native of Saxony, Germany. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Movius, two of whom, John and Ernst, are deceased. The surviv- ing children are named as follows: William G., Alfred H., Emil, Etta, Herbert, Alice, Marie and Clarence Mckinley. While a resident of Big Stone City Mr. Movius held the office of justice of the peace. He is earnest and progressive and honored by his associates.

JOHN McINTIRE, a well-to-do and energetic farmer of Casselton township, Cass county, is one of the old settlers of that locality, and is well and favorably known. Mr. McIntyre was born in Buf- falo, New York, March 6, 1845.

The parents of our subject, William and Marion ( Rainey ) McIntyre, were natives of Scotland and were born near Edinburgh. They came to America about 1841, and settled at Buffalo, New York. The father was a mechanic by trade and followed the same in various parts of the United States. He settled on section 17 in Casselton township, Cass county, in 1877, and opened a farm and lived there until 1890, when he removed to Washington, and his death occurred at Seattle, that state, in 1899. Four sons and three daughters were born to this worthy couple, of whom one son is deceased. James and our subject live in Cass county, North Dakota.

Mr. McIntyre was reared mostly in Canada and followed saw milling there until 1878, when he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim to land in section 20, where he now lives. He owns and operates three quarter- sections of land, and has prospered in his chosen calling.

Our subject was married, in 1870, to Miss Maria Spencer, a native of Ireland. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre, named in order of birth as follows: William ; John A. ; Min- nie : Annie, now Mrs. Callahan, of Casselton ; Eliza- beth; George and Clifford, all of whom are living.

DAVID G. MACLAY. Among the younger professional men who are rapidly gaining an as- sured position in their respective lines, this gen- tleman is entitled to special mention. He is a mem- ber of the firm of Ball, Watson & Maclay, attorneys of Fargo, Cass county, North Dakota, and is a man of progressive ideas, thoroughly versed in the law and earnest in his convictions.

Our subject was born in Newark, New Jersey. December 21, 1860, and was a son of William and

Elizabeth (McNeil) Maclay, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of New York City. His father came to the United States in 1845, and now resides in New York.

David G. Maclay was reared and educated in the public and high schools of Newark, and completed his schooling in Columbia University, graduating in 1882. He then took a course in the law department of the same institution, graduating in 1885, and was admitted to the bar in New Jersey during the same year. He immediately went to South Dakota, and remained in Charles Mix county three years, and then removed to Mitchell, Davison county, and formed a partnership with Hon. A. J. Edgerton. Mr. Edgerton was chief justice of the supreme court of the territory, and was later appointed to the federal bench. He died in 1897.

Mr. Maclay removed to St. Paul in 1891, where he remained one and a half years, and January I, 1893, went to Fargo, North Dakota. He acted as clerk for some time and in 1895 became associated with the law firm of which he is now a member.

Our subject was married, in 1893, to Miss Annie Ogden Hoppaugh, of New Jersey. Mr. Maclay is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has passed the Knights Templar and Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the State Bar Association, and is classed among the prosperous and highly es- teemed men of his profession.

TOLLEF H. WOLDY, a prosperous farmer of section 1, in Logan township, Traill county, is a gentleman of exceptional business ability and has been identified with many financial enterprises in that locality, meeting with success in all. He is well known and held in the highest esteem by those among whom he resides.

Our subject was born in LaCrosse county, Wis- consin, May 23, 1856, and was the younger of two sons born to Henry and Margaret ( Wolde ) Woldy. His parents were of Norwegian birth, and the father died April 12, 1900, in Milnor, North Da- kota. Until fourteen years of age our subject lived on the Wisconsin farm, and when his father re- moved to Goodhue county, Minnesota, he began for himself, entering a dry-goods store at Faribault, Minnesota, where he remained in the capacity of clerk until about twenty years of age. With his savings he was enabled to attend St. Oluf College one year, and he finished his education with a busi- ness course at Wilmot Business College, at Madi- son, Wisconsin. He then returned to Faribault and entered into partnership in the clothing business with 1. Brockman, and in the spring of 1880 went to North Dakota. He spent one year clerking in Forgo, and then, in partnership, established the pio- neer general store near what is now Kindred. He went to Buxton in the spring of 1884 to take charge of a bankrupt stock, and this he purchased and be- came one of the early business men of Buxton. He served as postmaster there from 1884-88, and in

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1895 traded his business and stock, securing farm- ing lands adjoining the village, and then took up his residence thereon and has followed agricultural pur- suits since that time. He now conducts a farm of one section and has good improvements on the same, including an artesian well and substantial buildings. Aside from his farming interests he is secretary of the Buxton Farmers' Elevator Company.

Our subject was married, in 1886, to Miss Ella Nelson, a native of Minnesota. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Woldy, as follows: Mel- vin N., Helen MI., Ruth L., June I. and Esther. Mr. Woldy is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also the United Lutheran church. He is county commissioner for the third district, having been elected in 1898. Politically he is a stanch Democrat and thoroughly identified with the movements of his party in Traill county.

ADAMS C. SMITH. This gentleman is the fortunate owner of one of the fine farms of Vivian township, Sargent county, and is well known as an agriculturist who is doing an extensive business. His farm is well improved, and every arrangement made for the economical conduct of the farm.

Mr. Smith was born in Underhill, Chittenden county, Vermont, March 12, 1849, When he was seven years of age he moved with his parents to Winona county, Minnesota, and the family settled on a farm, where our subject remained until 1881. He received a common school education, and was reared to manhood on the farm. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in April, 1881, and rented a farm, on which he resided one season, and in June of that year took up a "squatter's claim" to one hun- dred and sixty acres of land in Vivian township, Sargent county, He makes his home on section 10 of that township, and is the possessor of six hundred and forty acres of land. He engages in general farming, and is one of the well-to-do men of that region.

Our subject was married in Winona county, Minnesota, July 14, 1872, to Miss Alice L. Parkhurs a native of Illinois. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, named as follows: Herbert E., Edith I., Lester I., Winnie M., Charles A., Jes- sie and Edna. Mr. Smith is active in all public mat- ters, and has been called upon to serve in various offices of local importance. He has been county commissioner for two terms, and justice of the peace, township clerk, and held numerous school offices, and is one of the men of Sargent county in whom the people repose their confidence. He is enterprising and honest, and well merits his hard- earned rest through his declining years.

TONNES THAMS, M. D. Among those who devote their time and energies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. Thams, of Fargo,

one of the best-known Norwegian physicians and surgeons of North Dakota. He was born on the 5th day of May, 1848, in Norway, near the city of Tunsberg, one of the oklest cities of that country. His parents, Johan and Fredericka (Taralsen ) Thams, were also natives of Norway, but the family is of English origin and was founded in "the Land of the Midnight Sun" in 1688. The father, who was a farmer and miller by occupation, died in Norway, in 1887, but the mother is still living and continues to make her home there. To them were born three sons, of whom two are now residents of the United States.

Reared in his native land, Dr. Thams acquired a good practical education in the schools of that country, attending the high schools and the Uni- versity of Norway, which he entered in 1866. The following year after graduating as master of Phi- losophy, he commenced the study of medicine and was graduated from the medical department in 1873. For eleven years he successfully followed his chosen profession in Norway, but in 1884 decided to try his fortune in the New World. Crossing the Atlantic he first located in Minnesota, where he engaged in practice in Minneapolis until 1893 and during the following two years was a physician of Valley City, North Dakota. In 1895 he came to Fargo and it was not long before he built up the large and lu- crative practice which he to-day enjoys. He is a general practitioner, but his specialty is surgery and he is considered one of the best representatives of this branch of the profession in the state.

In 1875 Dr. Thams led to the marriage altar Miss Augusta Just, also a native of Norway, who died in 1897, leaving four children, namely : Fred- ricka, Ingeborg, Johan L, and S. Nicolai. The Doctor is a prominent member of the North Da- koa Medical Association, is a thirty-second-degree Mason and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Yeomen.

MARTIN LARSON, proprietor of one of the fine farms of township 148, range 65, in Eddy coun- ty, conducts general farming on section 7. also owns and operates, in company with his father, an extensive grain farm in the same county. He is a pioneer settler of North Dakota and has become widely known as a young man of energy and enter- prise. .

Our subject was born on a farm in Freeborn county, Minnesota, in 1872, and was the youngest in a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living, born to Peter and Betsey ( Gulickson ) Larson, Two of the daughters are now deceased and the other children are named as follows: Lewis, Esther, Gulick, Olie, Mary, Nels, Andrew and Martin. The father of our subject, Peter Larson, was born in Norway and came to America and settled in Wis- consin in 1845. He has followed farming through- out his career and in 1855 became one of the first settlers of Mitchell county, Iowa, and returned to

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Minnesota, in 1862, where he remained until 1886, and then located in North Dakota, making a home in Ransom county, where he took government land.

Martin Larson was raised in Minnesota and re- moved with the family to North Dakota, in 1886, where he and his father engaged in farming to- gether. They had a team of oxen and lived alone for some time and built a 10×12 sod shanty and a straw stable and the following year the balance of the family removed to the new home, taking some stock with them. They farmed unsuccessfully for for about six years in Ransom county and then the father and one of the sons went to Eddy county and the father took land in township 148, range 65, and the family removed there. The first crop was two hundred acres of wheat, which was frosted and the entire crop was lost and during the same year they lost their barn by prairie fire. They were not successful the first few years and the father lost the land which he had taken as a pre-emption. Hail destroyed their crops three or four seasons, thirteen horses were lost during the first six years and many losses occurred through various causes. The father and sons now have five quarter-sections of land and cultivate about three hundred acres an- nually. They have a pleasant and well-equipped farm and engage in wheat raising principally. Our subject took land in section 7, in township 148, range 65, as a homestead, in 1895, and has met with success in farming the same and he and his father now have all necessary machinery, horses, etc., for the operation of a modern farm.

Mr. Larson is a young man of high standing in his community and keeps abreast of the times in all public issues of importance. Politically, he is a Republican. His father is prominent in public affairs and has served as a township officer and also justice of the peace. While a resident of Freeborn county, Minnesota, he served as assessor and take an active interest in public affairs wherever he chooses his home. Many of the early settlers of Eddy county have moved from there, but our sub- ject and his father have remained and are well known and highly esteemed citizens.

JOHN P. PEASE belongs to that better class of farmers, whose labors as developers of the coun- try have been given heartily and faithfully toward the present solid prosperity enjoyed and are a credit alike to themselves and the community in which they reside. He is successfully pursuing agriculture in Easton township, in Steele county, and his pleas- ant home is on section 6.

Our subject was born in Waldo county, now known as Knox county, Maine, February 27, 1833, and was the sixth in a family of eleven children born to William H. and Jerusha ( Packard) Pease. The l'ease family in America dates to about 1630, when three brothers of that family came to this country from England and settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Packard family is also a colonial

family and from that side our subject inherits a strain of Scotch blood. The father of our subject owned and operated a grist-mill in Maine and there our subject grew to manhood and was employed at farm work and in the mill and at the age of six- teen years went to Natick, Massachusetts, where he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade and fol- lowed the same in Natick and Woburn about fifteen years. He enlisted in Company E, Fifty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, in 1863, and was detailed as musician with the Ninth Army Corps and served till the end of the war. After his re- turn from the service he became foreman of a shoe factory at Woburn, Massachusetts. He established in the merchandise business in Portland, Maine, in 1873, but owing to the stringency of the times the business proved unsuccessful and in the spring of 1882 he went to Dakota and there amid a striking contrast to his former pursuits and an entire change of scene he began to gather about him the comforts which he now enjoys. He has a well-developed farm of one half-section, and is retired from active farm work, enjoying in his declining years the fruits of a well-spent life.

Our subject was married, in 1857, to Miss Elsie J. Brasbridge. One son, Frank E., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pease. He is a professional mu- sician and is now traveling as clarinetist with Walter L. Maine. He bears a state reputation as an artist in his line and is well known among the musicians of the Northwest.

Our subject is a man of intelligence and keeps abreast of the times in all public affairs. He was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1888 and and served one term. He was a member of the Farmers' Alliance and was a well-known organizer in the early days of the Populist party, with which party he is now identified and has twice served as a delegate to Populist state conventions and has been a member of the Populist central committee.

WILLIAM H. BARNETT, an able representa- tive of the legal profession now engaged in suc- cessfull practice at Fargo, North Dakota, is a native of Wisconsin, his birth having occurred at Fox Lake, Dodge county, July 23, 1856. His parents, William D. and Julia (Huntley) Barnett, were both born in New York and removed to Wisconsin in 1846. The father, who was a carriage builder by trade, died in that state in 1868, leaving two sons-one a physician of Michigan ; and our subject.

In the common schools of his native state Wil- liam H. Barnett obtained his primary education, which was supplemented by a course at Downer's College, Fox Lake. He commenced the study of law at that place under the direction of Francis Hamilton, and in 1879 entered the law school at Madison, from which he was graduated the follow- ing year. Shortly afterward he came to Fargo and accepted the position of clerk with the firm of Briggs & Elders. In 1883 he commenced practice

WILLIAM H. BARNETT.

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and two years later was elected police justice, which office he capably and satisfactorily filled for eleven years. Since then he has devoted his entire time and attention to the practice of law and has been eminently successful, retaining a clientele of so representative character as to alone stand in evi- dence of his professional ability and personal popu- larity. As a Republican he takes quite an active part in politics, has stumped the county in the interest of his party, and has been a delegate to state conven- tions. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and some insurance orders. In 1883 Mr. Barnett .married Miss Lelah H. Tillotson, of Rushford, Minnesota, whose father was receiver at the United States land office in St. Peter, Minnesota, during President Buchanan's administration. In connec- tion with this sketch a porrait of Mr. Barnett will De found on another page.

WILLIAM HENSCHEL, one of the most in- fluential and best-known citizens of Cass county, is conducting a fine farm in Walburg township and is also engaged in the handling of farm machin- ery in Chaffee. He is a foreign-born citizen, but has become identified with American civilizaton and progress and is possessed of energetic character and active public spirit.

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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 84

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