Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 89

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 89

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Our subject was married in Minnesota in 1881 to Fanny Penny, a native of Wisconsin. Four chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Little, as follows: Laura M., Lulu F., Edward J. J. and Ellen Jane. Mr. Little has served in various town- ship offices and is active in public affairs. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Brotherhood of American Yeomen, and Knights of the Macca- bees. He is a man of industrious habits and his success is well merited.

JAMES H. WILLS. Among the many pros- perous farmers of Cass county, the gentleman above named, who owns a well improved estate in Wil- burg township, is entitled to a foremost rank. He was one of the first settlers of that locality and has always taken an active part in matters pertaining to the upbuilding and development of his community and is held in a high position by his associates.

Our subject was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, March 9, 1856, and was a son of Henry and Hannah (Tuffs) Wills. His parents came from Canada to Maine and the father was a farmer by occupation and became an early settler of Wis- consin, where they now reside. Our subject has two brothers and one sister.

Mr. Wills was reared and educated in Wiscon- sin and there learned the trade of wagon maker, which he followed until 1878 and then went to Cass county and entered a homestead claim and tree claim to land whereon he now resides in Walburg township. He has a full section of choice land, all of which has been brought to a high state of cultivation, and the improvements of the place make it a home of pleasant surroundings and the land furnishes a good income.

Our subject was married in Wisconsin, in 1877, to Miss Hannah Tuffs, a native of Wisconsin. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wills, as follows: Clarence V., Wilmot H., Hat- tie M., Myrtle V., Floy E., Hamilton W., Lila H. and Lloyd L., all of whom are living. Mr. Wills assisted in the organization of his township and is a man of recognized public spirit. He is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Knights of the Maccabees, and Mrs. Wills is a member of the Bee Hive of Chaffee.

IRA M. BARNES, a proprietor of a fine estate in Yorktown township, Dickey county, has devoted his entire career to that line of work, and has met with eminent success. He is constantly increasing

his farming interests, and adding more improve- ments to his property, enhancing its value, and mak- ing for himself a home of comfort, to enjoy when retired from active labors. He resides on section 32, township 131, range 61, and is one of the early settlers of that locality.

Mr. Barnes was born on a farm near the village of Martville, Cayuga county, New York, April 6, 1855, and was a son of Hiram and Laura ( Bishop) Barnes, both of whom were natives of New York. His father was of French descent, and died in 1891, aged fifty-seven years, and the mother was of Eng- lish descent. She is still living on the old home- stead.

Our subject lived at home until twenty-four years of age, when he secured a position on pier work for the government near his home, and con- tinued thus employed until he went to Dickey county, North Dakota, in March, 1881. He filed claim to the northeast quarter of section 30, in Yorktown township, and is now the fortunate possessor of one section of fine land. He has over fifty head of cattle, nine work horses, and about seventy head of sheep.

Our subject was married near his old home in the Empire state, March 23, 1886, to Miss Agnes McFadden, a native of that county, who was born December 27, 1859, and was a daughter of Benja- min and Elenor McFadden, farmers of that locality. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, as follows: Laura, Basil, Maud, Howard, Barbara, Bertha and Belva. Mr. Barnes devotes most of his time and attention to his farm work, and does not take an active part in public affairs, but is deeply interested in the welfare of his com- munity, and ,is a man who keeps pace with current events, and lends his influence for the upbuilding of the enterprises which tend to the upbuilding of that section. Politically he is an independent voter.

OLE KNUDSON. It is not always those who are native-born sons of America who make a suc- cess of tilling the fertile lands of the new countries which are from time to time opened to the farmer's plow. Many of the more successful agriculturists of Richland county, North Dakota, hail from a foreign land, and one of this number who has made a success of this vocation in Dwight township is the gentleman above named. He is proprietor of a fine estate on section 18, and here he has spent nearly twenty years, and has gained a competence sufficient to turn want from his door and keep him in ease after his retirement from active labors.

Mr. Knudson was born in Norway, Septem- ber 4, 1849, and was the son of Knu and Mary ( Oesen) Knudson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His parents never left their native land. They reared six children, four sons and two daugh- ters, of whom our subject was the second child in order of birth. He remained in his native land un-

574

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

til about the time he reached his majority, and landed at Quebec in the latter part of June, 1870. He proceeded to Brown county, Minnesota, where he remained ten years, and in 1880 went to Da- kota. He located on land as a homestead compris- ing one hundred and sixty acres, in Dwight township which is his present farm. He has erected good buildings and otherwise improved the property and has made it a fit habitation. He is a man who keeps pace with modern ideas and methods, and the best and newest machinery is used on the farm, and in every detail of the work he displays the greatest care. He does not divide his attention be- tween his farm labors and any other business, but pursues the even tenor of his way, giving every man his just due and asking of no man more than is right. He is a consistent member of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church of Dwight, and lives an exemplary life. He has demonstrated what can be accomplished by persistent effort, honesty, and economical use of time and means, and his estate is a living evidence of his thrift through the exer- cise of these characteristics. He has gained a name as an honest, industrious citizen, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his associates.

HANS J. BERGAN, one of the successful and representative citizens of Barnes county, North Da- kota, resides on section 22, township 141, range 58 west, where he is industriously engaged in agricult- ural pursuits. He has prospered in his chosen call- ing, becoming owner of four hundred and eighty aeres of very fertile land, which he has improved with good buildings and converted into one of the most modern in appointment in the township.

Mr. Bergan is a native of the land of the Mid- night Sun, born November 25, 1850, and is a son of Jolın Bergan, a farmer by occupation, who spent his entire life in Norway, dying there in 1870. Our subject was reared on the home farm and acquired his education in the schools of the neighborhood. Later he became a stationary engineer in the village of Kragero and continued to work at that place for a number of years. In 1877 he concluded to cast his lot with his fellow countrymen who had preceded him to the United States, and accordingly, during that year he crossed the broad Atlantic and took up his residence in Pierce county, Wisconsin, where he remained until coming to Barnes county, North Da- kota, in the spring of 1878. On his arrival here he took up a quarter-section of government land, but from time to time he has added to his property until he now has four hundred and eighty acres of val- uable land, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devotes his entire attention.

In Valley City, Barnes county, Mr. Bergan was married, September 6, 1882, to Miss Ida Anderson, who was born in Sweden, September 7, 1857, and they have become the parents of five children, now living three sons and two daughters, Irvine H., Gertrude C., Ralph A., Einar I. and Zelda A. Por-

traits of Mr. and Mrs. Bergan are presented on another page. Fraternally Mr. Bergan affiliates with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Yeoman, and politically is identified with the Pop- ulist party. He is highly respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens and has been honored with a number of township offices.

HON. ELLING SEVERSON, one of the most prominent men of Norman township, Cass county, wherein he conducts an extensive estate, is a wide- awake and wealthy citizen and a pioneer settler of that county. He has gained his fortune by honest and earnest efforts, and from a limited start in North Dakota has accumulated a sound financial stand- ing and gained an enviable reputation.

Our subject was born in Dane county, Wiscon- sin, October 29, 1853, and was a son of Andrew and Martha ( Flatland) Severson, both of whom were natives of Norway. His father was a farmer by occupation and emigrated to America in 1847 and the mother in 1844. They were married in Dane county, Wisconsin, and lived there for many years, and then removed to Goodyear county, Minnesota, where the father died in 1895, and the mother still makes her home there. They were the parents of six sons and four daughters, of whom our sub- ject and one brother reside in North Dakota.

Mr. Severson was reared and educated in Wis- consin and Minnesota and followed farming there until 1880, when he went to Cass county, North Dakota and purchased the farm on which he now resides. It was wild land at the time and he has brought it to a high state of cultivation and has one of the best improved farms of the county. His holdings amount to seven hundred and twenty acres and he has met with remarkable success in general farming and is surrounded by all the comforts of rural life.

Our subject was married in North Dakota in February, 1881, to Miss Jennie Lee, a native of Norway. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Severson, as follows: Emma, Nellie, Mortena, Cora, Martenus and Geneva, all of whom are living. Mr. Severson is well known as an old settler of Norman township and a public-spirited citizen, and he has served in local offices many years. He was elected to the lower house in 1893 and served one term and was an efficient and popular member of that body. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and is held .in high esteem by his associates. Politically he is a Republican and is strong in his convictions.

THEODORE LARSON, whose pleasant home is on section 18, is one of the progressive members of the farming community of Dwight township. He has resided in Richland county for over eighteen years, and is well known as a man of good character and industrious habits. His career has been marked

HANS J. BERGAN.

MRS. HANS J. BERGAN.

577

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY. 'AND BIOGRAPHY.

throughout with persistent and faithful efforts to advance his interests and those for whom he worked, and he has been rewarded by the acqui- sition of good property and a high reputation.

Mr. Larson was born in Norway, February 25, 1858, and resided in his native land until 1881, when lie came to America. He was engaged at farm work in Norway until fifteen years of age, after which he followed the sea as a sailor for seven years. He came to the United States in 1881, land- ing at New York in the latter part of September of that year. He at once proceeded to Richland county, Dakota, before North Dakota was admitted as a state, and soon after his arrival in Dwight he entered the employ of C. M. Johnson, as clerk and remained with him fifteen years. He had in the meantime purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 18 in Dwight township, and since 1896 has given his attention to farming. He has erected a neat and convenient dwelling on his farm, and has otherwise improved the property, and is meeting with success in that pursuit. He uses his time judiciously, and is possessed of those char- acteristics which go to make the successful farmer as well as business man.

Mr. Larson was married in Dwight, December 3, 1889, to Miss Hansine Enochson, who was born in Norway, March 24, 1869. Mrs. Larson was nine- teen years of age when she emigrated to America, and is a lady of refined tastes, and an able helpmeet. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Larson : Henry, who died at the age of one year ; Oscar, Henry, Theodora, Edwin and Johanne Fredrikke. Mr. Larson is a member of the United Norwegian Lutheran church. In political sentiment he is a Republican. He has been called upon to fill various local offices, including supervisor and township assessor, and has shown a marked interest at all times in the development of his township and county. Although he has not followed his pres- ent calling as many years as others in that com- munity he has dispalyed ability and an enterprising spirit, and his success is assured. He has not yet passed the meridian of life, and has acquired a com- fortable competence entirely through his own efforts. He may be truly classed among the self- made men and he is entitled to the prominent posi- tion he occupies in the minds of his associates.

HON. FRANCIS W. AMES, attorney-at-law of Mayville, is one of the leading men of his pro- fession in North Dakota, and is known throughout that section as a man of broad mind and untiring perseverance.

Our subject was born in Wiscasset, Maine, De- cember 16, 1851, and was the youngest of six chil- dren, born to Charles H. and Zobida .(Tucker) Ames. His father was a carriagemaker. Our sub- ject entered Trinity College at Hartford, Connect- icut, and completed a course of four years in 1876, graduating with the degree of B. A. He taught

in the meantime and of necessity was one extra year in completing the course in college, and soon after his graduation entered the law office of Hon. H. C. Robinson, of Hartford, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He was clerk in the office of the treasurer of Trinity College, two years, and in Oct- tober, 1880, went to Caledonia, Dakota, and es- tablished in his profession, the business chiefly per- taining to real estate and the land office business. He is now the oldest resident lawyer of Traill county. He was appointed clerk of the district court in 1881 and held office until 1885, and in the fall of that year removed to Mayville, where he formed a partnership with George O. Stomner, conducting a general law, real estate and loan busi- ness. Mr. Ames assumed sole ownership of the business in 1891, and now devotes his attention to his profession alone. He was a charter stockhold- er of the First National Bank of Mayville,and isvice- president of the institution. He has a handsonie and commodious residence in Mayville, and enjoys liis ever-increasing practice.

Our subject was married, in 1883, to Miss Lucia A. Phelps: Four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ames complete the family circle, and are as fol- lows: Corrie, aged fifteen years; Genie, aged thir- teen years; Chauncey C., aged nine years, and Harold, aged six years. Mr. Ames was elected state's attorney as a third party Prohibitionist in 1888, and was returned to the same office on the Republican ticket. He was elected to the state senate in the fall of 1898, and was a member of the judiciary committee, and introduced and was in- strumental in carrying many of the important bills, sonte relating to the altering and changing of court procedure. He took a prominent part in the sen- atorial fight for Congressman Jolinson and made the nominating speech. He has served as county attorney and has prosecuted many well-known char- acters. He is one of the wide-awake men of the state and his name is indissolubly connected with the growth and development of Traill county and its surrounding country.

JOHN E. VEON, the popular editor of the "Fingal Herald," is conducting this paper with signal ability and success, and holds a prominent position among the young journalists of the state. He was born in Wabasha county, Minnesota, No- vember 30, 1871, and is a son of Orson Veon and Anna (Winter) Veon. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Ohio and died in Olmstead county, Minnesota, in 1875, at the age of forty-five years. The mother is still living and now makes her home in Wilmot, South Dakota.

The primary education of our subject was. acquired in the district schools of his native state. Later he attended school at Rochester and Orinoco, Minnesota, for one year each, and when a young man went to Milbank, South Dakota, and entered the high school at that place. He graduated from

578

COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

the Northwestern University of Chicago in 1894 with degree B. Ped. He then taught school in Grant county, South Dakota, seven years, and in 1898 accepted the position of principal of the city schools of Fingal. Later he started the "Fingal Herald," which, under his able management, has steadily prospered, and row enjoys a good circula- tion.

In Milbank, South Dakota, Mr. Veon was mar- ried, in 1892, to Miss Eva Taylor, a native of that state, and to them have been born two sons, namely : Harvey R. and Rolland J. By his ballot and through his paper Mr. Veon supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and though never an office secker, he keeps in touch with the affairs of the state generally.

O. H. WEST. A brilliant example of a self- made American citizen and a grand exemplification of the progress that' an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunities, is shown in the case of Mr. West, who is now suc- cessfully engaged in the agricultural implement business in Dazey, Barnes county, North Dakota. His singular success is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his lofty and laudable ambi- tion placed before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and perse- vering effort-characteristics which he possesses in an eminent degree.

Mr. West was born in Norway, December 15, 1857, a son of Halsted and Gertie K. (Wiste) West, also natives of that country, where the mother died when our subject was a small child. The father, who throughout life engaged in farming with marked success, died in 1875, at the age of forty-two years. Our subject first attended school near his boyhood home, but completed his education at Hammers. In 1881, at the age of twenty-four years, he emigrated to America with the hope of benefiting his financial condition. He came direct to Valley City, Barnes county, North Dakota, where he found employment at the carpenter's trade. He also took up a homestead, proved up the same and engaged in farming for a short time. In the spring of 1891 he embarked in his present business at Dazey, and he has met with almost phenomenal success. His patronage comes from a territory many miles in extent, covering a large portion of the northern part of Barnes county, and his trade, which is constantly increasing, now amounts to over fifty thousand dollars annually. He is one of the heaviest dealers in farm machinery in the county.

In Valley City, in 1881, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. West and Miss Lorenza Salberg, who was born in Norway, in 1864. Eight children blessed this union, namely: Gertie, Severin, Oliver, Louise, Hannah, Myrtle, Gladys and one who died in infancy. All were born in Barnes county. Mr. West has found very little time to give to political affairs, but always faithfully discharges his duties

of citizenship, and at the poles votes independent of party ties, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices. He is a straight- forward, honorable business man who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, and he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Barnes county who esteem him highly for his genuine worth.

EDWARD ERICKSON. To those who en- tered the Dakotas while yet in the prime of life and worked with a determination to make a success of their respective callings, and thereby develop the financial and social interests, is due the present solid prosperity of that region. Our subject has been a resident of Richland county, North Dakota, for the past twenty-six years, and when he located there he had hardly passed his boyhood days, but he had learned the results to be obtained from honest labor, and he began his calling, that of an agricult- urist, determined to place himself among the sub- stantial men of his community. He is now the fortunate possessor of a well-improved estate, and is a respected citizen of Dwight township.

Mr. Erickson was born in Norway, January 27, 1859, and was a son of Erickson and Ingborg ( lostenson) Anfenson, notice of whom will be found in the sketch of Thomas Erickson. Our subject came to America early in the '7os and re- sided in Stearns county, Minnesota, going from there to Dakota in the fall of 1873. He has given his attention wholly to farming since locating in Dakota, and now has two hundred and eighty acres of tillable land on section 10, in Dwight township, on which he has erected a complete set of substan- tial and comfortable buildings. The farm bears every evidence of a well-kept estate, and the details of the work are carefully looked after. Mr. Erick- son is a man of untiring energy, and personally supervises all the labor incident to farming.

Our subject was married, in Richland county, North Dakota, July 24, 1884, to Miss Bridt Bakken, a native of Norway, daughter of Peter and Marit ( Boardson) Bakken, also natives of Norway.' Our subject is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and is a man who is earnest in the perform- ance of his duties. He has made a host of friends in Richland county, who willingly accord him a high position among the successful and progressive men of that county.

JAMES M. McKISSICK. Among the young men who are rapidly rising to important stations as citizens and business men the gentleman above named deserves special mention. He is interested in a general merchandise business in Mayville, and also operates a farm in Cass county, his home being located on section 15, in Casselton township.

Our subject was born in Onondaga county, New York, December 20, 1875, and was a son of

579

· COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY. -

Charles and Lizzie M. (Koster) McKissick, both of whom were natives of New York. His father was born in 1846, and was reared and educated in New York and followed farming there until 1881, when he went to North Dakota and began work on the De Wight farm, in company with Governor J. M. Miller, near Wahpeton. He continued there for some years and then went to Casselton and assumed the management of the Hinkle Smith farm of Cass county, which he continued for some time. He later assumed the management of the Grandon farm, near Mayville, North Dakota, on which he is now located. He also owns two sections of land in Casselton township, which our subject operates. He is also interested in general merchandising in Mayville, and also another farm in Cass county, and also land in New York state. He has accumu- lated his property since taking up his residence in North Dakota, entering the state without means. He has been married twice, and has two sons, our subject and Charles, now residing at home.

James M. McKissick went to North Dakota in 1883, and was educated at Minneapolis and Fargo. He has acquired a comfortable competence by his earnest efforts, and is rapidly attaining an assured position among the well-to-do men of his commu- nity.

Our subject was married, December 14, 1898, to Clara M. Trammell, a daughter of James Tram- mell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhee in this volume.

FRANK G. JOHNSON, one of the leading citizens of Casselton township, is classed among the prosperous agriculturists of Cass county. His farm, on section 12, evidences good taste and refinement, and every appointment is in accordance with mod- ern ideas and methods, and he enjoys the comforts of rural life amid the most pleasant suroundings. He is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Casselton, and is recognized as a man of good capacity and excellent character.

Our subject is a native of Sweden, and was born March 14, 1844. His parents, James and Annie Johnson, lived and died in Sweden, and our subject is the only one of the family of five children, three sons and two daughters, who came to America.

Frank G. Johnson was reared and educated in his native land and followed farming there until 1869, when he came to America and located at Still- water, Minnesota, where he remained seven years. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in 1877. and entered claim to the north half of section 12, in Casselton township, as a homestead and tree claim, and he still resides on the land. He began at once to break his farm and improve the same, and he has added to his original farm, and is now the owner of one thousand acres of choice land.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 89

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