Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 92

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

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Mr. Simmons was married, in 1894, to Miss Mary H. Hazen, a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are the parents of one daughter, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Isabel. Mr. Simmons is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically, he is a Republican and is stanch in his adherence to the principles of his party.

MANSIR W. GREENE, deceased. In the death of this gentleman the state of North Dakota lost a worthy citizen, and the legal fraternity an able member. He practiced law for many years in the state, making his home in Fargo, and was widely known and enjoyed an extensive practice.

Mr. Greene was born at Hopkinton, Rhode Isl- and. August 15, 1848, and was a brother of J. E. Greene, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. He was educated at Albion Acad- emv, in Dane county, Wisconsin, and the State Uni- versity, taking a law course in the last named insti- tution. He began the study of law in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in 1873, in the office of Tracy & Tyrer, and was admitted from their office in 1874 to prac-

tice his profession. He established an office at Wells, Minnesota, and continued there until 1882, when he went to Fargo, North Dakota, and formed a partnership with H. F. Miller, under the firm name of Miller & Greene, which existed until 1886, when M. A. Hildreth became his partner, and the firm continued as Greene & Hildreth until the death of Mr. Greene.

Mr. Greene was married, in 1873, to Miss Min- erva L. Stillman, a native of Wisconsin. Five chil- dren were born to them, three of whom are now living, as follows : Edward S., Ernest N. and Frank W. Mr. Greene was state's attorney at Wells, Min- nesota, two terms. He was a criminal lawyer of note, and probably defended more men than any other attorney in the state. He was a speaker of force and stood high at the bar. Polit- ically he was a Republican, and spoke in behalf of his party principles on numerous occasions at public gatherings. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served three years with the Army of the Cumberland. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

JOHN E. GREENE, of whom a portrait ap- pears in this volume, is one of the most prominent representatives of the legal profession in Fargo,' North Dakota, and enjoys an excellent practice, A man of sound judgment, he manages his cases with masterly skill and tact and has won a most gratify- ing success. He is a logical reasoner and has a ready command of English.

Mr. Greene is a native of Wisconsin, his birth oc- curring in Rock county, January 10, 1858. His parents, William M. and Abbie (Crandall) Greene, were both born in Rhode Island, and in 1856 re- moved to Wisconsin. In 1871 they went to Colo- rado, where the mother died in 1874. In 1889 the father came to North Dakota, where he still resides, honored and respected by all who know him. The father has followed the occupations of a wagon maker and farmer throughout life. In his family were five sons, two of whom are residents of this state: our subject and Mansir W., who is men- tioned elsewhere in this volume.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Wisconsin and Colorado, and in 1878 commenced the study of law at Wells, Minne- sota, under the direction of his brother. After his admission to the bar in that state, in January, 1882, he engaged in practice in Wells, for three years, and in 1885 came to Fargo, North Dakota, where he en- tered the office of Miller & Greene, remaining with them for two years. At the end of that time he went to Moorhead, Minnesota, where he followed his chosen profession until 1891, and then returned to Fargo. He first formed a partnership with C. J. Mahnken, and that connection existed until 1893, since which time he has been alone in business. Our subject devotes his entire time and attention to

JOHN E. GREENE.

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his practice and has never sought nor desired polit- ical preferment. He is thoroughly versed in the law and is never at a loss for a precedent. He has therefore met with good success in his chosen call- ing.

In May, 1882, Mr. Greene married Miss Martha S. Polleys, a native of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, by whom he had three children : Abbie M., Florence W. and James M. The wife and mother departed this life June 7, 1898. Mr. Greene has always affiliated with the Republican party, and while a resident of Minnesota took an active part in campaign work. Fraternally he is a Mason.

RONELDO CARR, residing on section 19, Edna township, is one of the early settlers and self- made men of Barnes county, North Dakota. He came to this state in limited circumstances and by the exercise of his resolute will and persevering industry has built up one of the most creditable homesteads in the northern part of the county. His straightforward methods of doing business and his valute as a member of the community have gained for him a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, who have watched his career with interest and are not slow to acknowledge that he is deserving of all the good that has befallen him.

Mr. Carr as born in Oswego, New York. Oc- tober 3, 1853, but in early childhood went to Ionia county, Michigan, with his parents, John F. and Polla S. (Howe) Carr. The father was also a native of the Empire state and during his younger years followed school teaching and carpentering. He was engaged in the lumber trade in the city of Oswego for a number of years, but gave up that business after meeting with a disastrous fire. He died in Ionia county, Michigan, when our subject was about five years old. His wife survived him many years, passing away in the same county, in 1873.

Our subject continued to reside on the home farm in Ionia county, Michigan, until coming to Barnes county, North Dakota. in 1882. He filed a claim on land near his present home and to-day has eight hundred acres of well improved and valuable land in Barnes county, all of which has been gained by strict attention to business, untiring perseverance and good management. He is a thorough and system- atic farmer and from the wild and desolate-looking prairie has developed one of the best farms in the northern part of the county.

On the Ist of January, 1884, in Ionia county, Michigan, Mr. Carr led to the marriage altar Miss Harriet C. Woodcock, who was born in Kent coun- ty, Michigan. Her parents, John C. and Catherine Woodcock, now reside on a farm in Kent county, Michigan. Our subject and his wife have one son, John B., born in Barnes county. In his political views Mr. Carr is independent, and he has held minor township offices, but has never found much time to devote to public affairs, the management of

his extensive farm requiring the greater part of his attention. He is widely and favorably known and well merits the hign regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens.

JOHN PATTARSON is an honored resident of Finley, where he is living retired from active labors in a comfortable home that is the center of true and generous hospitality. He is one of the oldest settlers of Steele county, formerly being one of its successful farmers and is now the owner of one half-section of land, a half-mile from the vil- lage in section 6, of Easton township. He is pass- ing his declining years enjoying the fruits of a well- spent career.

Our subject was born in county Down, Ireland, February 1, 1821. His parents, John and Nancy (Hughes) Pattarson, were of Scotch and Irish de- scent, respectively. Our subject was the third child and eldest son in a family of seven children and was reared to farm work on his native isle until 1852, when he came to America and was engaged at farm work near York Center, New York, and after one year was joined by his wife and fourchildren. He left the Empire state in 1864 and rented land in Ford county, Illinois, and later purchased a small farm in that county. He went to Dakota in the spring of 1882 and entered claim to the land which is his present homestead farm in Easton township. He disposed of his Illinois property in the spring of 1883 and with his family located on his Dakota farm and his was the first family to settle in Easton township and for many years his house was the best in the township. He later purchased another quarter-section of land and is now the possessor of one half-section, the income from which fur- nished him a comfortable living during his resi- dence thereon and allowed him to lay aside a com- petence to enjoy in later years. He retired from the farm in 1898 and purchased a comfortable property in the village of Finley where he now makes his home.

Our subject was married, in 1844, to Miss Mary A. Smith, a native of county Down, Ireland, of Scotch extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Pattarson have passed together fifty-five years of married life and have struggled with poverty and finally met with success. They have reared and educated eleven children, all of whom reached maturity and nine of whom are still living. The children were named as follows: Jane T., now Mrs. Charles Crawl ; Mar- garet, deceased; John, engaged in mining in the state of Washington; William J. McC., a farmer of Steele county: Sarah, now Mrs. J. B. Reed, of Illinois ; David, deceased; Robert D., dealer in wood and coal in Finley; Joseph McR., engaged in farming in Steele county; Mary E., now Mrs. A. Thompson, of Illinois; Elizabeth A., now Mrs. F. Paulson, and Emeline, now Mrs. John R. Pepper, whose husband operates an elevator in Finley. Mr. Pattarson is a man who keeps pace with the

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times and in political sentiment is a Republican, but is not a strictly party man. He is highly respected and esteemed throughout that section where he has passed so many years.

JOHN G. MESSNER. Persistency and hon- esty are not without reward. With no previous experience in agricultural pursuits this gentleman went to Dakota in the early days of the settlement of Cass county and he is now the fortunate possessor of one of the finest pieces of property in the Red river valley. He has a fully equipped and well developed farm in Durbin township and is regarded as one of the solid men of his community. The land was wild at the time he began operations upon it, but good management and faithful efforts have brought it to a high state of cultivation and Mr. Messner enjoys the comforts of country life, laying aside a competence for his declining years.

Our subject was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, August 9, 1840, and was a son of Christian and Anna A. (Birk) Messner, who were natives of the same province and passed their lives there. The father was a farmer by occupation and was a soldier in the German army in the war with Russia. Four sons and two daughters constituted the family, three sons and one daughter now residing in America.

Our subject was reared and educated in his native land and there learned the weaver's trade. He came to the United States in 1863 and went direct to the copper mines of Michigan, where he lived fifteen years. engaged in mining. He went to Cass county, North Dakota, in 1878 and purchased the land on which he now resides. He is the pos- sessor of one half-section of land and has devoted himself entirely to the improvement and cultivation of his farm.

Mr. Messner was married, in Germany, in 1859, to Barbara Kohler, a native of the same province as himself. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Messner, named as follows: Barbara, John, Mary, Christ, Jacob, Rosa, George, Bertha, William and Andrew. The family are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church and are highly respected in the community in which they have resided so many years. Mr. Messner has filled various local offices in the school and town boards and is actively inter- ested in the welfare of his localitv. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Polit- ically, he is a Republican.

"THE PORTLAND REPUBLICAN," pub- lished weekly hy Engh & Lindelien, is the only paper of Portland and was established August 22, 1894, by O. P. M. Huffman, who was succeeded by J. E. Fladeland as proprietor in the spring of 1896 and March 14, 1898, the present publishers purchased the plant. John Lindelien is editor and manager and a brief sketch of his career is presented to the readers of this work.

Jolın Lindelien was born in Buffalo county, Wis- consin, September 26, 1872, and was one of a large family of children. His parents, Ole and Sarah Lindelien, were natives of Norway and when our subject was ten years of age the father settled in Traill county, North Dakota. Our subject worked at farm labor for a short time and when thirteen years of age entered the office of the "Portland Inter Ocean," and remained in that office until the spring of 1890, when the paper was discontinued and the proprietor established the "Lake Review," at Osakis, Minnesota, our subject retaining a position with him. He remained there until 1894 and then re- turned to Portland and began work on the "Portland Press." He secured a position with "The Portland Republican" in 1895 and in 1898 formed the partner- ship of Engh & Lindelien and assumed the duties of editor and manager. The paper has prospered since conducted by the above firm and enjoys a wide cir- culation and is regarded as one of the bright ex- changes in newspaper circles.

Mr. Lindelien is a member of the Fraternal Union and is one of the popular and rising young men of the state. He is intelligent and possessed of good business qualifications and his success is assured.

THOMAS V. PHELPS. Probably no man has been more intimately connected with the busi- ness interests of Sargent county than the gentleman whose name heads the present article and his name is connected with the history of the development and growth of the counties in which he has operated. At the present time he is a resident of Milnor, Sar- gent county, and conducts a general merchandise and live stock business.

Our subject was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, July 3, 1841. He lived with his parents in Wiscon- sin, lowa and Minnesota until he attained his ma- jority and attended the common schools and also received a thorough musical education. He pur- chased a small farm in Fillmore county, Minnesota, at the age of twenty-one and remained there en- gaged in farming from 1856 to 1876 and also taught music and sold musical instruments. He went from Fillmore county to Morris, Minnesota, and took up a homestead in Stevens county, where he conducted the musical instrument business and teaching in addition to his farming. He remained there until the fall of 1883, when he went to Milnor, North Dakota, and erected the store building which he now occupies and established himself in the mercantile business, and also deals in live stock.

Our subject was married, in Fillmore county, Minnesota, February, 1863, to Miss Anna Tomp- kins, who was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. Mrs. Phelps died at Milnor, North Dakota, Feb- ruary 25, 1884, leaving two children, as follows: Grace and Edith. Mr. Phelps married Miss Sarah Johnson in Milnor, North Dakota, July 6, 1888. Mrs. Phelps is a native of Norway. Three chil-

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dren have been born of this union, as follows: T. Van, Boyd S. and John R. Mr. Phelps takes an active part in church work and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He is promi- nent in public affairs and to his influence and ability is due much of the present prosperity enjoyed in Sargent and adjoining counties.

DUNCAN BROWNLEE. This gentleman represents various financial interests in Cass county and is recognized as one of the leading merchants of Mapleton. He also owns and operates sixteen hundred acres of land and engages quite extensively in the raising of stock. He is one of the pioneers of that region and is widely and favorably known there.

Our subject was born in Linn county, Missouri, April 16, 1858. His parents, David C. and Eliza- beth (Stanley) Brownlee, were natives, respectively, of Scotland and Missouri, and the father was born in Scotland in 1815, and raised there to the age of nineteen years, when he came to the United States and followed the carpenter's trade for some time and then settled in Missouri, where he followed farming until 1883 and then removed to North Dakota. He now resides in Mapleton, Cass coun- ty. Six sons and three daughters were born to this worthy couple, three of the sons now residing in North Dakota.

Duncan Brownlee was reared and educated in Missouri and there began his career as a farmer, where he remained until 1879, and then went to Cass county, North Dakota, and rented land north of Mapleton. In 1888, in company with his brother, Andrew J., he engaged in the general merchandise business at Mapleton and thev still conduct the business with increasing patronage, his brother acting as manager of the business there, and he is also postmaster of Mapleton. Mr. Brownlee op- erates sixteen hundred acres of land, which he has improved fully and stock raising forms a basis of a good yearly income from the estate.

Our subject was married, in 1880, to Clara Mc- Claren, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee are the parents of four children, named as follows : Olive, William, Hazel and Glenn. Our subject is a man of active public spirit and has filled various offices in his township. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party and is a stanch advo- cate of party principles. He has met with success in every enterprise in which he has engaged and is deservedly popular.

E. H. WRIGHT, editor and proprietor of the "Wimbledon News," is a young man of much force and has gained an enviable reputation in news- paper circles and the community at large in that region.

Mr. Wright was born in Tecumseh, Nebraska, March 31, 1870, and was a son of Daniel K. and Marilla (Mills) Wright, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut. His father was a farmer by occupation and died in Afton, Iowa, in 1895, aged sixty years. The mother survives him and makes her home in Afton.

When a child our subject moved with his parents to Afton, Iowa, where he first attended school and after completing the public schools of that town, en- tered the Drake University at Des Moines, in 1889. He began the study of law and graduated from that institution in the class of 1891, after which he prac- ticed for a time in Creston, Iowa, and Afton, and then removed to Armour, South Dakota, where he followed his profession two and a half years. He went to Wimbledon, North Dakota, in August, 1899, and purchased the plant of the "Wimbledon News," which paper he has since published. The paper enjoys a wide circulation and under Mr. Wright's management has rapidly grown in strength and is among the bright papers of the locality.

Our subject was married, in Kulm, North Da- kota, in 1896, to Cora I. Coleman, a native of Iowa. Mr. Wright is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Politically, he stands for the principles of the Re- publican party and is a man strong in his convic- tions.

RALPH WEIR, a pioneer settler of Cass county, is one of the leading farmers of Dublin township, and has a fully improved farm in section II. He has devoted his career to agricultural pur- suits and is thorough, practical and industrious, and occupies a prominent position as a citizen of true worth.

Mr. Weir was born in County Grenville, On- tario, Canada, May 27, 1842, and was one of nine children, three sons and six daughters, born to George and Jane (Kennedy) Weir, both of whom were natives of Scotland. His parents emigrated to America in 1838 and passed their lives in Canada. His father was a railroad contractor and built some of the leading railroads of Canada.

Our subject was reared and educated in Canada and at Potsdam, New York, in the academy of that place, and in 1866 went to Northfield, Min- nesota, but upon the death of his father, in the same year, he returned to Canada and followed farming there until 1877, when he went to Cass county, and purchased the land on which he now resides, paying $6 per acre for the land. He open- ed up the farm and was engaged in buying and ship- ping horses into North Dakota until 1886, when he removed the family to the new home and he has resided there continuously since. He now owns and operates one section of land, and has met with eminent success in his vocation.

Our subject was married in Canada, in 1866, to Harriet J. Shaver, a native of Canada and a sis- ter of George H. Shaver, a pioneer settler of Cass

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county, North Dakota. Five children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Weir, named as follows: Harry M., Jane A., now Mrs. Charles Gibson ; Arthur H., Ralph K. and Maggie S. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and are highly respected throughout that community. Mr. Weir is a man of intelligence and keeps pace with current events, and in political faith is independent. He has filled various township offices, including chairman of the board. He be- came a member of the Masonic fraternity while a resident of Canada, and is still associated with that order.

OLE A. OLSON, the leading merchant of Glover, Dickey county, is a man of sterling business qualifications and is well known throughout that locality. He carries a complete stock of general merchandise and enjoys an extensive patronage. He is also interested in buying grain during the season and is a correct judge and is held in the highest esteem by all with whom he comes in con- tact.

Mr. Olson was born on a farm near the village of Little Hammar, Norway, November 15, 1846, and was a son of Ole and Randene ( Peterson) Olson. His father was a farmer and carpenter and both parents lived and died in Norway, their native land.

Our subject remained at home until after he attained his majority, attending school and working at farm labor in the vicinity of his home. He turned his face toward the New World in 1867 and came to America to seek his fortune. He lo- cated in Chaseburg, Wisconsin, in Vernon county, and there worked in a saw-mill and at carpenter work until 1870, when he removed to Trempeleatt county and engaged in the mercantile business at Pigeon Falls, of which place he was the first post- master. He purchased a farm in 1876, which he conducted in connection with his business until 1888, in which year ne went to Dickey county, North Da- kota, and settled in Glover, where he has since con- ducted a general merchandise business. He also buys grain for the Monarch Elevator Company. He has built up an extensive trade in that locality, and has met with success.

Our subject was married in Pigeon Falls, Wis- consin, in 1877, to Miss Ingeborg Olson, a native of Norway. Mrs. Olson was born in 1850, and came to the United States the same year as Mr. Olson. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ol- son, as follows: Clara R., who is now a teacher in the public schools of Glover ; John O., who is associ- ated with his father in the mercantile business ; Carl E .; Anna L., who died August 20, 1890; Julia L .; Arthur H. and Odin L. Mr. Olson is prominent in public affairs, and has held the office of township treasurer, and has been chairman of the township board. Politically, he is a Republican, and firm in in his convictions.

ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, Jo- cated at Lisbon, Ransom county, was erected in 1888. It is an imposing structure, 40x60 feet, built of corrugated iron in imitation of stone, and is among the best church buildings of the community. The congregation of St. Aloysius was organized by Rev. M. M. Turney, in 1884, and about thirty fami- lies were then communicants. During the hard times the church work of necessity did not prosper, rather fell short, and people moving from the coun- try reduced the congregation to about fifteen fami- lies. A renewed interest is being shown at present, and with the conditions of the country more favor- able the church is likewise improving. The present pastor of the church is Rev. J. B. McDonald.

Rev. Mr. McDonald was born in Prince Edward Island, December 7, 1873, of Scotch parentage. At the age of fourteen he began his studies at St. Dun- stans College, completing at La Valle, Quebec. He was admitted to the priesthood in 1896, and was sent as assistant priest to Jamestown. He went to Lisbon in 1898, and he now has three outside con- gregations under his charge, where there are no church buildings, St. Mary's church at Sheldon, and congregations at Verona and LaMoure. Our sub- ject has also organized congregations at Edgerley and Enderlin. He is earnest in his work, and his efforts have been abundantly rewarded by the in- creasing interest taken in the work since he was placd in charge in that locality. He is a man of ex- cellent education and broad mind, and at once sees the needs of his people, and puts forth every effort to secure their comforts, and in turn is beloved by them.

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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 92

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