Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 90

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 90

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Our subject was married, in 1880, to Fredericka Hammergren, a native of Sweden. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, as fol-

lows: Annie, Jennie, Dora, Roy and Ruth, all of whom are living. Mr. Johnson has always taken an active part in public affairs, and assisted in the organization of the township in which he resides, and he has served as chairman of the board of super- visors for the past fifteen years. He is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican, and strong in his convictions, and lends his influence for the welfare of his adopted country.

MAGNUS OLSON, a widely and favorably known citizen of Dwight township, Richland coun- ty, is a gentleman who has devoted his time and attention to his adopted country's best interests. He is a potent factor in the prosperity enjoyed by Richland county, and has been of great assistance in developing and extending its agriculture. He is a man of upright character, and is an influence for good in his community, with whose highest in- terests his name is associated. His public spirit has never been called in question, and since taking up his residence in Dwight township he has gained an assured position among his fellow men. His home is located on section 4, and he has added such improvements as make a model country home.

Our subject was born in Norway, December 26, 1849, and was the second in a family of six children born to Engbright and Mary Olson. His parents went to Richland county about 1878 and settled in Dwight township, where the mother died about 1887. Notice of their lives will be found in the sketch of Olaus E. Olson.

Our subject resided in his native country until in 1867, when he came to America and located in Houghton county, Michigan, where he lived with his parents, and moved with them to Macon county, Missouri. He remained there about two years, and then returned to Michigan and spent four years in that state, and later returned to Macon county, Missouri, where he remained until he went to Da- kota, in 1881. In March of that year he settled in Dwight township, where he has since been a resi- dent. He has made section 4 his base of operations, and has improved his farm with substantial build- ings and other modern conveniences and appliances. He now possesses three hundred and sixty acres of land, and has made a success of his vocation.

Mr. Olson was married, in Macon county, Mis- souri, February 13, 1871, to Miss Bertha Hogensen, who was born in Norway, February 19, 1851. Mrs. Olson came to America with her parents in 1869. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson: Lena M., Peter M., Andrew M., May M., John M., Sophia M. and Ole M. The last three named are deceased. Mr. Olson and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. They are well known in their community, and their home is one of social comfort and refine- ment. Our subject is a well-informed man and keeps abreast of the times and in all public mat-

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ters will be found standing on the side of equity and right. He has been associated with the public in- terests of Richland county for nearly twenty years and has experienced the difficulties of a pioneer life, and his present well-improved farm is but the result of earnest effort and judicious management, and the success which has resulted is certainly his due.

THE MAYVILLE NORWEGIAN LUTH- ERAN CHURCH, of the synod of the Norwegian Churches of America, was organized in 1885. The congregation was established in Mayville by Rev. John Halvorson. A church edifice has been erect- ed and it is one of the largest churches in the city. Rev. B. Harstad was the first minister, with John Halvorson as assistant, and he was succeeded by Rev. H. Allen. Rev. J. Tingelstad and Rev. Ivar D. Ylvisaker are now in charge jointly of six congregations, including the one above named.

Ivar D. Ylvisaker was born in Tronhjem, Nor- way, May 26, 1868, and was the fifth of seven children born to Rev. Nils and Christie ( Hundere ) Ylvisaker. His parents came to America when he was a young child and settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where his father took charge of a con- gregation at Zumbrota. The mother still resides in Goodhue county, Minnesota.

Our subject entered the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa, when thirteen years of age, and completed a seven-year course, graduating front that institution with the class of 1888, when but twenty years of age, receiving the degree of A. B. He then entered the Theological Seminary at Rob- binsdale, and there completed a three-years course. This institution is now at Hamlin. In the fall of 1891 our subject was called to Great Falls, Mon- tana, and remained there two years, and in 1893 entered upon the duties of his present charge. Upon his arrival the Mayville congregation 11um- bered twenty-six families and is now extended to thirty-five families, a work accomplished by our subject. The church building has been remod- eled and refitted and is free from debt, and a hand- some parsonage has been erected. Three outlying churches have been erected, all of which are free of debt. The church has prospered under the fos- tering care of Mr. Ylvisiker, and he is loved by his people. He is a gentleman of excellent education and a close student, and has a well-selected library of theological works in English, German and Scan- dinavian, containing some volumes of priceless value.

Our subject was married, in 1892, to Miss Deila Davidson. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ylvisaker, as follows: Herman, Dagny, Sigfrid and Erling.

GILBERT K. JORDET, one of the most ex- tensive farmers of Steele county, conducts a finely- improved estate in Primrose township and resides

on section 7. He has resided in that locality for the past eight years, and has gained an enviable reputation as a man of intelligence and industrious habits.

Our subject was born near Dammond, in Begna Dalen, Valders, Norway, March 21, 1863, and was the fifth in a family of seven children born to Knute and Ranghild (Lindelin) Jordet. The family drove to Dammond in the spring of 1869, and embarked in the sailing vessel Manilla, bound for Quebec. The voyage lasted eleven weeks, and soon after their arrival in the New World they made their way to Black Earth, Dane county, Wis- consin. The father was taken ill a short time before leaving their native land, and survived his arrival in America but a few months, and died September 13, 1869. This left the family destitute, and when our subject was eight years of age lie went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until four- teen years of age. The mother re-married, and our subject made his home one year with his 'step- father, and in 1878, in company with his brother, Ole K., went to Traill county, locating at Mayville, Dakota. He there worked at herding and farm labor, and also attended high school and perfected himself in the common branches. The winter of 1880-81 he passed with his brother and sister in the western part of Primrose township, which at that time was thinly settled, and in 1885 he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in that township, and with only two teams began farming. He has met with eminent success, and now owns four sections of land, making him the most exten- sive farmer of Primrose township. He has de- voted much attention to the raising of Percheron horses, and is the owner of a full blood French draft stallion (Silk). His home farm is fully im- proved and evidences careful tillage.

Our subject was married, in 1898, to Miss Inge- borg Saalsaa, a native of Wisconsin. One daugh- ter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jordet, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Cora R .. Mr. Jordet was postmaster of the Primrose post- office for three years, until the discontinuance of the office. He is a member of the Synod Lutheran church, and is a widely respected citizen. Polit- ically he is a Republican, but devotes no time to political affairs, preferring to serve his community otherwise.

JOHN A. HALE. This gentleman is one of the extensive agriculturists and stock raisers of township 147, range 66, in Foster county, and has been iden- tified with the farming interests of that locality from its early settlement. He has a well-improved estate, and is held in high esteem as an energetic and worthy citizen. A portrait of Mr. Hale will be found on another page.

Our subject was born on a farm near Whitehall, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, February 8, 1864. His father, George H. Hale, was born in Connecti-

John astale

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cut, as were also his ancestors for two hundred years. The family originally came from Wales. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and served as a soldier of the Civil war, while the mother bore the maiden name of Mina C. Wegner. She was born in Germany and came to America when about seven years of age.

Our subject is the elder of two children, and was raised on the farm and attended the country school and assisted with the farm work. He removed with his parents to St. Paul, Minnesota, when about four- teen years of age, and there attended the city schools, removed with the family to North Dakota in the spring of 1882. They lived in Jamestown one sum- mer and then went to Carrington in 1883, and the father took land in the fall of that year and moved thereon, and until 1887 our subject was associated with him in farming, and then worked for others about two years before he began farming for liim- self. He took land in section 21, township 147, range 66, and raised his first crop in 1889. He now has a farm of eight hundred acres, with seven hun- dred under cultivation, and has a complete set of good buildings thereon. His machinery includes a twenty-five-horse-power steam threshing rig, and he has followed grain farming most extensively, but of late is interested in cattle raising. In 1891 and 1895 his farm yielded well and he has made a success of grain farming.

Our subject was married in the fall of 1891, to Miss Addie B. Pease, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin. Her father, Elijah D. Pease, was a native of New York state, and was a farmer by oc- cupation. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hale, as follows : Ruth, born July 7, 1893 ; Harry, born December 1, 1894, and Leslie, born Jan- uary 20, 1896. Mr. Hale is well known throughout his community, and was assessor in the third dis- trict in 1896 and 1897. He holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and polit- ically is associated with the Republican party.

HENRY H. BUTTON is classed among the energetic and capable farmers of Cass county, and he has acquired a comfortable competence and an enviable reputation since taking up his residence in that locality. He has devoted his entire career to agricultural pursuits, and is well versed on the most approved methods of conducting an estate, and car- ries into execution the better methods, discarding the useless. He has always used persistent efforts to advance the interests of those for whom he has labored as well as his own, and the various farms of which he has had the management have pros- pered under his care. He is thorough, practical and honest, and is held in high esteem by his fel- lows. He was one of the first settlers of Harmony township, and is a resident there near the town of Casselton.

Our subject was born at Panama, New York, January II, 1848, and was one of the three sons,

one of whom is now deceased, born to Alvin and Lodema (Doud) Button, natives of Vermont. His father was a farmer by occupation and moved to New York in an early day and was among the first setters of that section. He passed his life in New York, and the grandfather of our subject, Josepli Button, removed from Vermont to that state and spent his declining years.

Our subject was reared and educated in New York in the common schools, and remained on the home farm until he attained his majority. He went to Dade county, in southwest Missouri, in 1869, and followed farming there until 1873, when he re- turned to New York and remained until 1879, in which year he went to Cass county, North Dakota, as superintendent of the Cheeney farm, and con- tinued thus eight years, and later became superin- tendent of the Dalrymple farm. He had previously purchased land, and has devoted himself entirely to the pursuit of farming. He is now the owner of one and a half sections of land, which he operates with marked success, and has become one of the well-to-do men of his community.

Our subject was married, in 1879, to Martha S. Stewart, a native of New York. Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Button, as follows : Joanna L., Mary S. and Martha S. Mr. Button has served as supervisor and assessor of his township, and assisted in the organization of the township and named the same after his home town in New York. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in political faith is a Republican and strong in huis convictions.

ALECK BURMAN. The foreign-born resi- dents of Cass county have been instrumental in a large degree in the present prosperity attendant on that locality, and one who occupies a prominent position among that class is the gentleman above named. He has the welfare of his adopted land at heart, and labors earnestly and with painstaking care for the development and upbuilding of its bet- ter interests. He has acquired a comfortable home in Casselton township, and was a pioneer settler, his home being on section 18.

Our subject was born in the northern part of Sweden, March 3, 1844, and was a son of Nels and Bertha (Nelson) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, and passed their lives there. Our sub- ject had two brothers and two sisters, all of whom remained in Sweden.

Alex Burman was reared and educated in his native land and followed farming there until 1869, when he emigrated to America and located at Still- water, Minnesota. He worked in the woods, driv- ing teams and chopping timber, and in 1876 went to Cass county and took land as a pre-emption in section 12, of Casselton township, where he set- tled and at once began breaking the land and adding improvements. This property he sold in 1882. He then purchased a half-section on section 18, and of

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this tract he is now the owner, and also farms an- other half-section. He has met with success in his chosen calling, and is one of the substantial men of his community.

Our subject was married, in North Dakota, in 1879, to Johanna Peterson, a native of the southern part of Sweden, who came to America in 1877. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bur- man. Those living are named as follows: Beda C., Henry and Clara M. Allen F. and Fred B. are deceased. Mr. Burman is a man who keeps pace with current events, and casts his influence for good local government, but does not seek public office, and votes the independent ticket.

SIDNEY CLARKE, cashier of the Union Na- tional Bank, of Grand Forks, is one of the fore- most business men of the Northwest, and was one of the founders of the institution with which he is now connected.

Mr. Clarke was born in Brooklyn, New York, May 31, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Ruth Clarke, who were both natives of England. They came to the United States in an early day, and the father died in Brooklyn. Our subject was educated in his native state, graduating from Colgate Uni- versity in 1882. The same year he came to Crooks- ton, Minnesota, and entered the employ of the First National Bank, rising step by step to the position of assistant cashier. He continued there until 1885, when, in company with Mr. Beecher, he organized the First National Bank of Park River, North Da- kota, acting as cashier of the institution. He or- ganized the state bank of Milton in 1887, being vice-president of the same. He came to Grand Forks in 1890, and became cashier of the Union National Bank, of which he was one of the organ- izers. He is one of the oldest bankers in this re- gion and one of the most successful, passing through the panic of 1893, when many other banks were wrecked.

For some years Mr. Clarke has been a member of the State Bankers' Association, of which he is the secretary. He is a prominent member of the Baptist church, and was president of the state con- vention at one time, and is the present state treas- urer of that denomination. He is active in literary circles and is a man of excellent education and enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the state. Politically he is a Republican and is an earnest worker for the party principles, but does not seek public preferment.

JOHN I. JOHNSON. On the young men of the community much of the prosperity of the coun- try depends, and those engaged in the agricultural pursuit are leaders in the labors for the future. The subject of this review has contributed much to the development of Dwight township, by his per- sistent efforts and industrious habits. His farm is

well improved and has aided in giving that district a name among the great agricultural regions of the West. He is yet in the prime of vigorous man- hood. and is a gentleman of uprightness, and com- mands respect wherever he is known. He has re- sided in Richland county since his childhood days, and is engaged in general farming on section 9, in Dwight township.

Our subject was born in Fillmore county, Min- nesota, August 15, 1869, and was the son of Ole and Annie (Kvenbraaten) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Soon after emigrating to America they settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where they remained until their removal to Furgus Falls, and later to Richland county, North Dakota. They settled in Dwight township, where the father died in 1880, and the mother died in 1893. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children : John I., died in childhood; Mary: John I., our subject ; Lillie ; Rudolph ; Olivia and Ole A.

John I. Johnson was but a boy when he moved with his parents to Richland county, and he grew to manhood and received a common-school educa- tion in Dwight township. He is now the possessor of two hundred and forty acres of fine land, on which he has good improvements, including a con- plete set of farm buildings, for the comfort of his family and for the shelter of his stock and products. He has acquired a thorough knowledge of his call- ing, and is one of the successful farmers of the county.

Our subject was married, in Dwight township, Richland county, North Dakota, June 16, 1893, to Miss Minnie Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Thompson, of Ibsen township. Mrs. Johnson is a native of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and was born September 5, 1873. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, as follows: Marvin E., Arthur W., Miranda J. and Gifford E. Mr. Johnson is prominent in public affairs and was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1899. He is one of the rising young men of his locality, and is deserving of success,

HON. ELBRIDGE C. SARGENT. The wealth of Cass county is formed in great part by the incomes from the well-developed farms of that locality. Among those who have brought many acres of raw land to a high state of cultivation and have prospered as a result, the gentleman whose name heads this review is entitled to special mention. He and his brother, Frank J. Sargent, are owners of extensive tracts in that region, and aside from grain raising are interested largely in cattle and horses. They make their home near Amenia, in Amenia township, and are highly respected for their business ability and good citizenship.

Elbridge C. Sargent was born in Merrimac county, New Hampshire, July 1, 1852, and was a son of George W. and Emily G. (Bunker) Sar- gent. His parents were natives of New Hamp-

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shire and his father was a farmer and passed his life in that state, where he died in 1897. The mother passed away in February of the same year. The grandfather of our subject, John Sargent, was also a native of New Hampshire, and spent his career there engaged in farming and died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Three sons constituted the family of children of which our subject was a member, and all are now residents of North Da- kota : Elbridge C., Frank E. and Willis J.

Our subject and brother, Frank E., were reared and educated in New Hampshire and followed farm- ing and carpenter work. They went to Cass county, North Dakota, in March, 1879, and purchased. the land in section 28 of Amenia township on which our subject now resides. They at once began the im- provement of the place, and they now own and operate fourteen hundred and sixty acres of land, and raise an average of twenty thousand bushels of grain annually. They are also partners in the Owego Cattle Company's ranch, recently established in Ransom county. They purchased twenty-one hundred and sixty acres of land, and will handle the coming season six to seven hundred head of cattle. They have devoted their attention wholly to agricultural pursuits, and nave secured their prosperity and success by good management and persistent efforts.

Elbridge C. Sargent was married, in 1880, to Addie F. Robbins, a native of New Hampshire. Mrs. Sargent died in 1896, leaving three daughters, as follows: Lura E., Alice B. and A. Mildred. Lura is attending school in the Fargo College; Alice is attending school in Massachusetts, and Mil- dred A. in New Hampshire.

Mr. Sargent assisted in the organization of his township and school district, and was among its first officers. He was elected to the legislature and served in 1895-97, and again in 1899, and is now representing his district. His services are efficient and toward the better interests of the community, and he is held in the highest esteem throughout that region. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in both local lodges. He has affiliated with the Republican party since attaining his majority, and is stanch in defense of party prin- ciples.

FRANK E. SARGENT was born in New Hamp- shire, July 15, 1855. He has been associated with his brother, Elbridge C., since taking up his resi- dence in North Dakota, and is widely known as a man of ability. He has served nine years as a member of the township board, and in political sentiment is a Republican, and is the manager of the Owego Cattle Company's ranch in Ransom county.

WALLACE GALEHOUSE, the efficient post- master of Carrington, and one of the leading mer- chants of that thriving town, is a gentleman of ex- cellent business tact and has made a success in North Dakota. He has resided in Foster county many

years, and was formerly a well-known agriculturist of that locality, but the comfortable circumstances which now surround him have been acquired through his present business, due to his earnest in- dustry and careful management.

Our subject was born in Danville, Vermillion county, Illinois, April 16, 1860, and was a son of J. E. and Mary ( Gohn) Galehouse, both of whom were Americans by birth and of German descent. His father was in the agricultural implement business and moved to North Dakota in 1885 and settled at Carrington.

Mr. Galehouse was the oldest in a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, and was raised in that city and educated in the high schools. He started in the agricultural implement business at the age of eighteen or nineteen years and followed the same until he went to North Dakota, in the spring of 1884. He took land as a pre-emption in May of that year, and erected an 8x12-foot shanty, and worked for others at farming and driving ox- teams and other work, and the following year his father and the family moved to Dakota. He had a few teams and a wagon and industriously set about his farming, but the first five years on the whole were unprofitable, and he made little head- way. He was appointed postmaster of Carrington by President Harrison in 1889, and during the early part of 1892 made a trip to California, remaining there until the spring of 1894, when he returned to Dakota and established a clothing and gents' furnishing goods store. He started his present business 111 a 20x20-foot rented building, and now owns and occupies a 22×48-foot building, which he acquired by purchase, and also purchased the build- ing adjoining. He has increased his stock and now carries a complete line, one of the largest in the locality, and conducts the only exclusive clothing store in Carrington and enjoys an extensive trade.

Mr. Galehouse takes an active part in state and county affairs, and is an earnest supporter of every public enterprise. Politically he is a Republican, and has attended numerous state and county con- ventions of his party. He was appointed post- master of Carrington a second time, under the Mc- Kinley administration, which position he still holds. He is a young man of good business capacity and is deservedly held in the highest esteem.

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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 90

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