Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 91

Author:
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: Chicago, G.A.Ogle
Number of Pages: 1432

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WILLIAM F. PRICE. Among the prosperous and prominent young men of Fessenden and Wells county, may well be named this gentleman. He went to Dakota without means, but possessed of unbounded energy and enterprise and has arrived at his present high standing by the exercise of earn- est industry and strict honesty. He is now pro- prietor of the most extensive livery barn and busi- ness in that thriving town, and for many years was a prosperous farmer of that vicinity.

Our subject was born in Winnebago, Wiscon- sin, August 28, 1867, and was the second in a

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family of eight children born to Daniel and Mary (Jones) Price. His father was a native of Wales and came to America in 1866 and settled in Wis- consin, following farming and still makes his home there.

Mr. Price was raised to farm work and received his education at the country schools in his native state and at the age of fourteen years left home and worked by the month and when sixteen years of age went to Randolph. Wisconsin, and followed farm work. He went to Wells county, North Da- kota, in 1887 and took land as a tree claim and pre- emption in township 148, range 70, and built a shanty 8x14 feet, and the following year bought a team of horses and built a sod barn 24x40 feet. His first crop was fifteen acres of oats and the next season he broke sixty acres more of land. He fol- lowed grain and cattle raising and remained on the farm till 1897, when he removed to Fessenden and established a livery barn, the second livery business established in the town. He now has four large lots and a barn 30x80 feet. with a "lean-to" 28x80 feet, and addition 30x50 feet. He keeps twenty- five head of livery horses and his stable is equipped with valuable harness, buggies and other rigs and he enjoys an ever-increasing patronage. He sold one quarter-section of his land in 1894 and another quarter-section in 1896, but took land as a home- stead in 1897, which land he still holds. He bor- rowed money with which to get to Dakota and he is now among the substantial men of his community. He has expended various large sums in sinking a well. but has met with only partial success thus far.

Mr. Price is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Maccabecs. He has been called upon to serve his community in various local offices of trust and has served as school treasurer and school clerk and is favorably known throughout Wells county. In political sentiment he is a Re- publican and is firm for the principles of his party.

CHARLES TRITCHLER, one of the pioneer of Amenia township, Cass county, has been useful in sustaining and extending its agricultural inter- ests and is a gentleman well versed in the best and most approved methods of operating a farm. He has a well-improved tract of one half-section and makes his home in section 6, where he located in the early days of the settlement of that region.

Our subject was born in New Jersey. June 21, 1854. and was one of five sons, one of whom now resides in Fargo, North Dakota. His parents, Joseph and Wilhelmina ( Bahrt) Tritchler, were na- tives of Germany, and the father was a mason, learn- ing the trade in his native country. They emi- grated to America in 1853 and settled in New Jersey, and from thence removed to Pepin county, Wiscon- sin, and from there to Wabasha county, Minnesota, where the father died in 1873. The mother sur- vived him some years and died about 1887.

Our subject was reared and educated in Wis-

consin and Minnesota and in the latter state learned the blacksmith's and painter's trades, which he fol- lowed in Minnesota until 1878. He then went to Cass county and entered claim to the southwest quarter of section 6, in Amenia township, as a homestead and at once began improvements on the place and the following year moved his family to the claim. He is now the owner of one half-section of well-improved land and also operates another quarter-section. He has prospered in the pursuit of farming and has gathered about him the comforts of a rural home.

Our subject was married in Minnesota, in 1875. to Miss Mary Gilbert, a native of Sweden. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tritchler, named as follows: Jessie J .. William F., Mable L., Minnie E., Joseph R., Charles P., Teresa, Katie, Lulu, Myrtle, who died at the age of one year and two months, and John G. Mr. Tritchler assisted in the organization of Amenia township and has served in various local offices, including supervisor and some school offices. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is a Democrat and is a man who keeps posted on current events. He went to Casselton, North Dakota, with limited means and has met with un- bounded success and holds a high position among his fellow men.

HON. MATHEW LYNCH. The business in- terests of Lidgerwood, Richland county, have a wor- thy exponent in the gentleman above named. He is of that class of intelligent workers whose financial interests enable them to labor for the public interests of their community, and is well known as a man of enterprising spirit, and business ability. He has acquired a fortune by dint of his own efforts and is entitled to more than passing mention as a self-made man. A portrait of Mr. Lynch appears on another page.

Our subject was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, November 26, 1857. He received a lib- eral education, attending the common schools and later the Curtiss Commercial College, of St. Paul. He was reared on his father's farm in Wisconsin, and at the age of sixten years began earning his own livelihood. He followed farm work in Wisconsin until the spring of 1879, when he went to Richland county, North Dakota, and took a homestead and tree claim in Liberty township. He engaged in farming until the spring of 1886, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Wyndmere, conducting business there two years. He then removed to Lid- gerwood and has since conducted the mercantile business in that town. For about five years he was in business in company with J. A. Ricket, but later purchased the entire business. He carries a stock of general merchandise, and has a well equipped store, and enjoys an ever increasing patronage. He also owns one section of land in Richland county. Our subject was married at Sibley, Iowa, Sep-

HON. MATHEW LYNCH.

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tember 30, 1888, to Miss Mary Maher, a native of Wisconsin. Three sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lynch, named as follows: Francis Leo, Jamies William and Mathew Hoit. Mr. Lynch was elected to the North Dakota legislature in November, 1898, on the Republican ticket, and did very efficient work in that capacity. He has filled several of the town- ship and village offices, and county justice of the peace. He was appointed by President Harrison as postmaster of Lidgerwood, and held that position from 1890 to 1894.

HARKER WHITFIELD, one of the pioneer settler of Dickey county, has gained a comfortable competence and an enviable reputation by his honest efforts and excellent characteristics. He is propri- etor of a well-improved estate in Norway township, and makes his home there in section 24, township 131, range 60.

Our subject was born on a farm in Wentworth county, Ontario, Canada, October 7, 1859, and was a son of William J. and Orphia (Lyons) Whitfield.

Mr. Whitfield remained at home on the farm until the fall of 1881, assisting on the farm and at- tending school. In the fall of that year he came to the United States and located at Duluth, Minne- sota, and worked in the pineries in that state and Wisconsin for the following nine winters. He went to Fargo, North Dakota, in the spring of 1882, and worked as a laborer in Cass county, that sum- mer, and in the fall went to Dickey county, North Dakota, where he located his present home. He continued to improve the land during the summers and going to the pineries during the winters until 1891, to secure means with which to conduct the farm. His farm is nicely located immediately west of the village of Oakes and he now enjoys a com- fortable income.

Our subject was married, in Wentworth county, Canada, March 22, 1893, to Miss Amy L. Shaver, a native of that county, who was born October 31, 1871. Mrs. Whitfield is a daughter of Edgerton and Early A. (Sweazie) Shaver. Her father is a farmer and fruit grower. Her grandfather, Colonel D. Shaver, was a colonel in the English army during the Revolutionary war. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield, as fol- lows: Ira W. and Harley H. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Whit- field is an influential citizen and an earnest worker for the advancement of his community.

NELS LARSON, a prominent merchant and popular citizen of Dazey, Barnes county, North Dakota, was born near Copenhagen, Denmark, May 7, 1857, and is a son of Lars and Carrie M. (Peter- son) Peterson, who were life-long residents of that country, where they died a few years since. The father was a farmer by occupation and a man of considerable prominence politically and otherwise.

The greater part of the education of our subject was acquired in his native land and he remained there until 1874, when, at the age of seventeen years, he crossed the broad Atlantic to try his fortune in the land of the free and the home of the brave. He located first at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he remained two years and then entered the La Crosse Business College, where he took a full course and was graduated with high honors.

In 1880 we find Mr. Larson a resident of Barnes county, North Dakota, having taken up a home- stead where Leal Station is now located. Shortly afterward he was given charge of the Lenham Ele- vator Company at Dazey and bought grain for the company until they retired from business. Later he had charge of the Cargill elevator at the same place and continued in that position for ten years. In February, 1894, he purchased the stock of gen- eral merchandise owned by Mr. Glendenning and has since conducted the business with marked suc- cess. He now carries the largest stock of goods of any merchant in the northern part of the county and his patronage comes from a territory many miles in extent. He is a wide-awake, energetic business man of progressive ideas and thoroughly reliable.

In Valley City, Barnes county, Mr. Larson was married, in 1881, to Miss Millie Thompson, a na- tive of Norway, who came to the United States when a child, and they have become the parents of five children : Edna, Leonard, Lulu, Nellie and Fred- erick, but the first and fourth in order of birth are now deceased. In his social relations Mr. Larson is a Mason and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and in political sentiment is a Republi- can. He takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs and is now serving as trustee of the State Normal School at Valley City.

THEODORE SELL. Among the prosperous and intelligent farmers of Amenia township, Cass county, this gentleman is entitled to a foremost rank. He is a pioneer of that locality and has la- bored for its upbuilding and has been a potent factor in producing the present solid prosperity enjoyed. His entire career has been marked with industry and integrity of word and deed and he is highly respected in the community in which he makes his home.

Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, March 18, 1843, and was one of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to Gottleib and Catherine Sell, both of whom were natives of Germany, and passed their lives there. His father was a cabinetmaker and joiner by trade. Our subject is the only member of the family who resides in America.

Theodore Sell was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the cabinetmaker and joiner's trade and followed the same in Germany until 1868, in which year he emigrated to America. He located in New York, but later removed to Han-

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cock county, Illinois, where he spent four years and then removed to Pepin county, Wisconsin, where he followed farming for some time, then moved to Lake City, Minnesota, and there engaged in the cabinetmaker's trade four years. He went to North Dakota in 1878, and entered a tree claim to the southeast quarter of section 8, in Amenia township, Cass county, and pre-empted the southwest quarter. He erected a sod house and began the improvement of the place and has resided thereon continuously since. He has prospered as a farmer and has a choice property.

Our subject was married, in 1869, to Sarah Workin, a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Sell died in 1875, leaving two children, one son and one daugh- ter ; Fred G., who is a member of Company B, First North Dakota Volunteer Infantry. He served about eighteen months in the Philippines and was in all the engagements of his regiment and never lost an hour of service from sickness. The daugh- ter, Annie, is now Mrs. Christ Schuer. Mr. Sell was married to Minnie Schuer, a native of Ger- many, in Minnesota, in 1878, and Mrs. Sell died in 1891, leaving two children. Max and Etta. Mr. Sell afterward married Bettie Hasse, a native of Germany. Three children have been born to this union, as follows: William, Emma and Martha. Our subject and wife are members of the German Lutheran church and are highly esteemed through- out that community. Mr. Sell has served as a member of the school and town boards, school treasurer and justice of the peace. He assisted in the organization of the township in which he re- sides and takes an active interest in local affairs. Politically, he is a Republican and is firm in his con- vctions.

ALBERT M. PRATT. The maturer years of this gentleman have been devoted to the pursuit of agriculture and he has met with success and is proprietor of a fine farm in Amenia township. He was among the early settlers of that region and his labors have been extended toward its de- velopment and advancement and his name is closely connected with the history of his community. He is thoroughly practical and prudent and bv these characteristics has acquired a comfortable home.

Our subject was born in Sagadahoc county, Maine, April 24. 1857, and was a son of Charles and Lottie (Woodworth) Pratt, both of whom were natives of Maine. The father was a ship carpenter by trade and still resides in his native state. The grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Pratt, was also a native of Maine, and was a carpenter and lived and died in his native state. Four sons and two daughters comprised the family of which our sub- ject was a member and he is the only one residing in North Dakota.

Mr. Pratt was reared in Maine. He went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1878, and there learned the carpenter's trade and remained there until 1880,

when he went to Cass county, North Dakota, and took land as a homestead in Traill county, but soon afterward disposed of the claim. He settled in Amenia township and worked some years for the Amenia & Sharon Lumber Company as foreman of carpenter work and in 1889 purchased land and has followed farming thereon continuously since. He is now the fortunate possessor of one half-sec- tion of land, which he has fully improved, and has prospered in his vocation.

Our subject was married, in 1883, to Lizzie Plumber, a native of Massachusetts. Five children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pratt, named as follows: Florence C., Edith E., Theron R., Marion L. and Verna B. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt are members of the Congregational church and are highly respected throughout that locality. Mr. Pratt is a director of the Congregational church He is active in public affairs and assisted in or- ganizing Amenia township and has served in various local offices and is at present a member of the town board. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

REV. JOHN H. JAHREN, pastor of East St. Olaf congregation of Enderlin, is a gentleman of re- finement and excellent education and has done very effective work in Dakota. He is beloved by his people and popular throughout that section of the state.

Our subject was born near Christiania, Norway, November 9, 1855, and was the fourth in a family of seven children born to Hans and Karen ( Nelson) Johnson. When he was fourteen years of age the family came to America and made their home near Rushford, Minnesota, for about three years, when they located permanently on a farm near Monti- video, Chippewa county, Minnesota. Until twenty- three years of age our subject has been employed mostly at farm work and had finished the common branches in both English and Scandinavian schools. He entered the high school at Winona in 1878 and one year later entered the Lutheran College at De- corah, Iowa, completing the six years' work and graduating with the class of 1884, when he re- ceived the degree of A. B. The same year he en- tered the Lutheran Seminary at Madison and took one year's work in theology, which was followed by a year's study at Columbus, Ohio, and still an- other year at Northfield, Minnesota. He was or- dained in 1887 and was given charge of congrega- tions in the vicinity of Fort Ransom and Sheldon, in Ransom county. He made his home near Shel- don and his preaching was done in school houses and in private houses. There were then three con- gregations in northern Ransom county in his charge : St. Olaf congregation, at Sheldon ; St. Pauli con- gregation, at Buttzville, and Fort Ransom congre- gation, near the fort. St. Olaf and St. Pauli con- gregations were organized by Rev. Bale in 1881. | St. Olaf congregation has been divided into two

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congregations, known as East St. Olaf and West St. Olaf, and both have erected churches, as has also the Fort Ransom congregation, all under the guidance of our subject. West St. Olaf is now in charge of A. H. Berger. Our subject assumed charge of Fillmore congregation in 1890 and a fine house of worship has been erected there, all of the churches built under his charge varying in cost from three to four thousand dollars. Fillmore con- gregation was organized by Rev. Hill, Januarv 13, 1886. A steady growth of each of the congrega- tions under the charge of Rev. Mr. Jahren has been apparent and all are in a good financial condition.

Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss Sarah Hanson. Seven children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jahren, as follows: Hans C., Agnes K., Nels T., John S., deceased, Livius, Svanchild A. and Allete. Mr. Jahren is a strong Prohibitionist and has exerted much influence for good in his community in that work. His name is associated with many of the efforts to promote the general welfare of the people and he is deserving of much praise for the good he has accomplished in that lo- cality.

OLAUS E. OLSON. The pioneer settlers of a state or county are entitled to much of the credit for the present solid prosperity of the country. They enter the wild lands and transform them into a thriving district by wielding the implements of the trades and opening up the farming industry. To the latter class belongs the subject of this review. He went to Richland county during the early days of its history and he has striven to make of it an en- terprising, progressive district and his labors have not been in vain. The community in which he re- sides is composed largely of his fellow country- men and no more thriving district will be found in Richland county. Mr. Olson makes his home on section 10, in Dwight township, and he has a pleas- ant farm and substantial buildings which form a fit habitation.

Our subject was born in Norway, October 26, 1852, and was the son of Engibright and Mary Olson. His parents were born in Norway and set- tled in Richland county, North Dakota, about 1878, where the mother died about 1887 and the father continues a resident of Dwight township.

Of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, our subject was the third in order of birth. He came with his parents to America at the age of fourteen years and settled in Houghton county, Michigan, and after three years moved with them to Macon county, Missouri, where he lived two years on a farm and later returned to Houghton county, Michigan, and remained until the spring of 1879, when he went to Dakota territory. He pur- chased eighty acres of land and after three years added another eighty acres to his possessions and he is now the owner of one half-section of land. He has resided on the one farm since 1879 and has

erected a complete set of farm buildings and other- wise improved the property. His entire estate bears evidence of careful management of details and at once convinces the visitor of the thrift and energy of its owner.

Our subject was married, in Houghton county, Michigan, February 28, 1874, to Miss Christina Mathewson, a native of Norway, who was born February 7, 1855. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson, as follows: John P., who enlisted in Company I, First North Dakota Regi- ment, and served in the Philippines; Emma C .; Mary A .; Edward ; Johanna died at the age of eight years; Ernest Maurice; Elmer E. died when four years of age; Fred O .; Elmer E .; Barney A. and Pearl J. Both Mr. and Mrs. Olson are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Olson has served as constable in Dwight township and has gained the confidence of the people among whom he has chosen to make his home. The family is well known throughout Richland county and are held in the highest esteem by all.

ANTON O. HANSON, residing on section 23, in Dwight township, Richland county, is propri- etor of a fine farm, and has devoted the greater part of his career to the pursuit of agriculture, in which he has been remarkably successful. He has acquired a knowledge of times and seasons which makes him a worthy counselor and he has used his judgment to his own advantage as well.

Our subject was born in Norway, May 29, 1856. His parents, Ole and Bertha (Abrahamson ) Hanson, reside in. Rice county, Minnesota, and are natives of Norway. They have five children, as follows : Anna, Anton O., our subject, Nels P., Lena and Christ O.

Anton O. Hanson came to America in 1872. land- ing at Quebec, the last of May, and at Faribault, Minnesota, June 2, of that year. He engaged in farming in Rice county, Minnesota, and continued to reside there until the spring of 1883. when he went to Richland county, North Dakota, and pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, in Dwight township, where he has since made his home. He has erected a complete set of farm buildings and owns three quarter-sections of land, which he operates to the best advantage.

Mr. Hanson was married, in Rice county, Min- nesota, April 23, 1878, to Miss Anna Elstad, who was also a native of Norway. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, as follows: Alice M., now Mrs. Arthur Case : Belle: Olive C .; William O .; Fred L .; Ida J. and Clara M. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and are well known in Dwight township and are highly respected. The community in which Mr. Hanson resides is settled largely by his country- men and the thrift, thoroughiness and honesty of his native land are everywhere apparent in the well- kept farms of Dwight townshin.

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FRED B. SIMMONS, manager and co-partner in the Amenia Mercantile Company, of Amenia, is one of the prominent business men of that thriving city and of Cass county. He is a man of ability and keen foresight and under his guidance the af- fairs of the firm have prospered and they now carry a complete line of general merchandise and conduct a business of forty thousand dollars per annum.

Our subject was born at Sacramento, California. February 14. 1858, and was a son of Nathan and Julia E. (Forster ) Simmons, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Massachusetts. His father was a whaler in the East and about 1853 removed to California and engaged in merchandis- ing, remaining there until 1865, when the father died and the family returned to Vermont. The mother died in North Dakota. Three children were born to this worthy couple, two sons and one daugh- ter, and all now reside in North Dakota.

Our subject was reared and educated in Ver- mont and remained in that state until 1882, when lie went to North Dakota and located at Hunter and began work for Fuller & Tohnson, in the ma- chine business, and then spent one year with Walter A. Wood & Company. He then began clerking for Gale & Dufany at Hunter and remained with them until 1893. In that year the Amenia Mer- cantile Company was formed, J. H. Gay, Peter Dufany and our subject being the partners, and they purchased the mercantile business of the estate of E. W. Chaffey, of Amenia. Thev increased the stock and our subject and G. L. Dunning were given the management of the business. Mr. Dun- ning retired in 1897, since which time Mr. Simmons has been the manager of the firm They have built up an extensive trade and are well-known merchants of that region.

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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 91

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