Compendium history and biography of North Dakota; a history of early settlement, political history, and biography; reminiscences of pioneer life, Part 98

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

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JOHN E. NESSE. A good proportion of the industrious and energetic men of Cass county are natives of the lands beyond the sea, and many have won honorable stations as citizens, farmers and business men, winning their way under discouraging circumstances and the disadvantages attending a stranger in a strange land. The subject of this re- view is classed among the prosperous farmers of Stanley township, and has gained his station in life by faithful efforts, and honest industry. He has a fine farm, and makes his home in section 7.

Mr. Nesse was born in Norway, November 17, 1852, and was reared in his native country. He left for the new world in 1872, and landed at New York in June of that year, and at once went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he worked at farm labor seven years. He went to North Dakota in October, 1877, and in the spring of 1880 took one hundred and sixty acres of land in Richland county, north of Christine, where he settled and made his home for ten years. He then sold his farm there and pur- chased two hundred and seventy-two acres of land in Stanley township, Cass county, where he has since resided. His farm is well improved and he enjoys a good annual income.

Our subject was married in Cass county, North Dakota, to Minnie E. Palmer, a native of Norway. Mrs. Nesse died in Stanley township, Cass county, in 1889. Three children were born to this union, as follows: Eddie A. G., Adolph M. and Susan. The youngest child died in infancy. Mr. Nesse was married to Miss Julia Anderson, in Stanley town- ship, Cass countv, in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Nesse are the parents of three children, as follows: Ole A., Clara L. and Anna M. One daughter, Ada, died in infancy. The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and are highly es- teemed in their community. Mr. Nesse was a mem- ber of the board of supervisors of Eagle township,

while a resident of Richland county, and is a gen- tleman who keeps pace with the times and casts his influence for good local government.

PEDER J. HOFF, one of the most successful and efficient druggists of Dakota, is proprietor of a fine establishment in Sheldon, where he makes his home, and is also interested in the same business in Enderlin. He is a gentleman of excellent educa- tion, and speaks the English, German and Scandi- navian languages fluently, which adds to his suc- cess in the locality in which he has chosen his work.

Mr. Hoff was born in Skein, Norway, December 26, 1855. His parents, Peder and Carry Hoff, re- tired from a lucrative mercantile business and came to America when our subject was sixteen years of age. Mr. Hoff completed a high-school education in his native land, and at the age of fourteen years took up the study of medicine, and upon his arrival in Chicago, Illinois, he obtained work in a drug store and attended the lectures of the Chicago School of Pharmacy. He entered the Lutheran College of Decorah, Iowa, in 1874, and remained there a year and a half, following which he worked in a drug store in Baldwin, Wisconsin, one year, and in Zumbrota, Minnesota, about eight years. He went to Buxton, Dakota, in 1883, and practiced medicine one year, and then purchased a drug busi- ness in Portland. He established his present busi- ness in 1885, since which time he has purchased the business of two competing firms, and is now the sole druggist of Sheldon, and also owns a part in- terest in the drug store at Enderlin. He is consid- ered one of the best pharmacists in the state, and enjoys an extensive patronage.

Our subject was married, in the spring of 1881, to Miss Sarah Shirley. Mr. and Mrs. Hoff are the parents of five children, as follows: Carl, deceased ; Stella, deceased; Etta, Lillian and Norman. Mr. Hoff has taken the thirty-third degree in the Ma- sonic fraternity, and is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In political faith he his a Repub- lican, and advocates prohibition. He is well known in his community and has a host of friends.

JOSEPH E. CRONAN, who is well known throughout North Dakota, as a man of sterling char- acter and public spirit, is one of the sound financial men of Fargo. He is one of the early settlers of the state, and has aided in its advancement and labored earnestly for its better interests. He has served the people in various important official posi- tions, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all. At present he is president and general manager of the Fargo Packing & Cold Storage Company, and is also a director of the Merchants' State Bank.

Mr. Cronan was born near Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 1. 1850. His parents, Timothy and Mary (Fitzgerald) Cronan, were natives of Can-

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ada, and the paternal grandfather of our subject, John Cronan, was born in county Cork, Ireland. He came to Canada and remained there until his death. The family came to the United States in 1864, and settled in Polk county, Iowa, where the father en- gaged in farming. He later moved to Nebraska, where his death occurred many years since, and the mother died in Minneapolis in 1888. Four sons were born to them, three of whom are now residents of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Our subject was educated in Canada and Polk county, Iowa, in the common schools, and in 1872 went to Morehead, in company with the contractor on the Northern Pacific Railroad, and after a short time was sent east, but returned to Dakota in 1878 and settled at Fargo. He entered claim to land in 1879. in Walsh county, and in the fall of that year engaged as foreman on a large wheat farm in Cass county, and in the spring of 1880 proved his claim and moved to his farm, where he resided until 1884. He then engaged in wheat buying at Grafton, North Dakota, and in 1800 was elected sheriff of Walsh county. He was re-elected in 1892, but resigned the office in January, 1894, to accept the appoint- ment of United States marshal for North Dakota. He served four years in that capacity, and was an efficient officer. He changed his residence to Fargo, in 1894, since which time he has made his home there. He became interested in the Fargo Packing & Cold Storage Company in 1896. This company is a corporation of fifty thousand dollars capital, and Mr. Cronan is meeting with success as president and general manager.

Our subject was married, in 1890, to Margaret M. Emerson, a native of Wisconsin. Four sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cronan, as follows: John E., Albert J., Lewis W., Francis, Mary A. and Josephine. The family are communicants of the Catholic church. Mr. Cronan is a member of the Order of Elks, and is a man who is deservedly popular. Politically he is a Democrat, which party he has always identified with, and assisted in the organization of the same in Walsh county. He has held minor offices as well as important commissions before mentioned, and in every instance performed the duties faithfully and well.

JUDGE JOHN DUNCAN, a prosperous agri- culturist of Easton township, resides on his pioneer farm in section 12, and is the owner of one half- section of land. He has arrived at his present com- fortable circumstances by the exercise of carnest industry and the strictest honesty, and is one of the leading citizens of Steele county, and held in the highest esteem by his fellow men.

Our subject was born in Aberdeenshire, Scot- land, September 25, 1849, and was the second child and oldest son born to William and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Duncan, both of whom are deceased. The parents were laid to rest in Canada, whither they

removed when cur subject was about six years of age. His youth was passed on a farm in Ontario, Canada, and in the spring of 1878 he made a visit to the Red river country around Fargo and to the north, and in the spring of 1882 sold his Canada property and moved to Dakota, taking as a home- stead the quarter-section of land, on which his pres- ent home stands. He at once began the cultivation of his land to wheat, and has met with success in his calling. He still calls the original house his home. but built a good barn in 1889, and has added such improvements to his house as go to make a good home of comfort.

Mr. Duncan was married, in 1871, to Miss Annie Smyth, a native of Canada, of Irish extrac- tion. Mr. Duncan is a man of active public spirit, and was elected on the Republican ticket in 1888 as probate judge of Steele county, and in 1892 was elected on the Populist ticket'to a second term as county judge. He is identified with the Populist party, and is chairman of the Populist county cen- tral committee. He has served his township as chairman of the board, and is popular and highly esteemed by the people regardless of party affilia- tions.

HON. SWENUNG C. SWENSON, one of the most prominent farmers of North Roseville town- ship, has followed his calling in Traill county for the past twenty-two years, and now enjoys a com- fortable home and the highest esteem of his fellow men. His farm adjoins the city of Portland and he has four hundred acres of choice land. A por- trait of Mr. Swenson appears on another page.

Our subject was born in Jefferson county, Wis- consin, January 29, 1853, and was the third in a family of four children born to Christian and Karre (Nordskog) Swenson, both of whom are now de- ceased. When about four years of age he went with his parents to Fillmore county, Minnesota, and there grew to manhood, assisting with the work on the farm. He received a good common school edtt- cation, and in May, 1877, went to Traill county, North Dakota, arriving at Fargo. He then started to locate a claim, and traveled afoot to the Goose river, at the point where Hillsboro now stands, and followed the stream to his farm which he now occu- pies. He purchased eighty acres of land of the railroad company, and also located a homestead claim, and built a small log house, and with a yoke of oxen purchased began the improvement of his farm. He has added to his possessions from time to time, and now owns and cultivates four hundred acres, all of which is in Traill county, and is well located, and has yielded from thirteen to twenty- two bushels of grain per acre annually. He has erected good buildings and enjoys prosperity.

Our subject was married, in 1878, to Miss Maria Nelby. Mr. Swenson is a member of the Lutheran church. He has always taken an active part in public affairs, and was a member of the first board of

HON. S. C. SWENSON.

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supervisors of his township, and in the fall of 1898 was elected to the lower house, and served in the sixth session of the state legislature. He served on the following committees: Engrossing and en- rolling, agricultural, warehouses and grains. Po- litically he is a Republican, and is firm in his con- victions, and attends the county and state conven- tions of his party. He is a man of broad ideas and earnest effort for the upbuilding of the community in which he makes his home and has attained prom- inence as a farmer and citizen.

OLE EIELSON. As an all around prominent man of Hatton, there is probably no one of its citi- zens who more justly deserves the title than Mr. Eielson. He is yet in the prime of vigorous man- hood, intelligent and well educated, and as such is highly esteemed and respected. He is one of the leading merchants of that thriving town, and han- dles furnishing goods and groceries.

Our subject was born in Vernon county, Wis- consin, March 27, 1863, and was the fifth in a family of eight children, born to Even and Gunild (Olson) Eielson. His parents were natives of Norway, and the father now resides in Wisconsin.

When thirteen years of age our subject entered a store at Chaseburg, Wisconsin, and spent eight years clerking in the store and selling machinery. He went to Hatton, North Dakota, in the spring of 1884, and entered the employ of Hegge & Nelson and clerked for them about six years, and then formed a partnership with C. Gunderson in the gen- eral merchandise business in Hatton, and after one year the business was conducted by E. Eielson, our subject's brother, and for whom he clerked about two years. In 1894 the firm of Thompson & Eielson was established and in 1896 our subject be- came sole owner of the business and now conducts the same with success.

Mr. Eielson was married, in 1892, to Miss Olive Baalson, a native of Minnesota. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Eielson, as follows : Elma, Edwin, Benjamin and Adaline. Mr. Eielson is a member of the Lutheran church, and is an ex- emplary citizen. He takes an active part in local affairs of a public nature, and is now president of the village board of directors, and is also a member of the school board. All enterprises or improve- ments tending toward the upbuilding of the town meet with his hearty approval and support, and he is one of the well-known young men of Traill county. Politically he is a Republican, and has at- tended numerous county conventions of his party.

NEIL CAMPBELL. The farming interests of Antelope township, Richland county, have a worthy exponent in the person of the gentleman above named, who operates a farm in section 26. He is the possessor of four hundred acres of land, and the estate is one on which a remunerative business may

well be done by one who devotes himself intelli- gently to his work. In the way of buildings every arrangement has been made for the economical con- duct of the farm, and for the comfort of the family a nice residence has been constructed.

Mr. Campbell was born in Bruce county, On- tario, September 19, 1855, and was the only child of Charles and Isabella (Mckinnon ) Campbell. The father died in Bruce county, Ontario, Canada.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native coun- try, and was reared on a farm. He resided with his parents until 1877, when he went to Dakota, and entered claim to land in Cass county. He disposed of his interests there in 1880, and removed to Rich- land county, taking land in Antelope township, and has since resided on section 26. He has given his time wholly to the pursuit of agriculture, and his fine estate of the present day is in striking contrast to the land as he first saw it in the early days of the settlement of that region. He cultivates four hundred acres of land, and has met with success in every way.

Mr. Campbell was married in Wahpeton, Nortlı Dakota, April 2, 1888, to Miss Kittie E. Smyth, who was born in the province of Quebec, March 14, 1863. Mrs. Campbell was the third in a family of eight children born to Robert C. and Mary (Orr) Smyth. She was seventeen years of age when she went from Quebec to Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have been the parents of seven children, six of whom are now living, and are named as follows: Elsie V., Alice M., Cora I., Jennie M., Effie D. and Mabel F. One son, Roy, died at the age of fifteen monthis. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Congre- gational church. Mr. Campbell has interested him- self heartily in all matters pertaining to the building up of the entire county, and has rendered valuable aid in the affairs of local government. He has been school clerk in Antelope township for the past ten years, township assessor six years, and chairman of the board of supervisors for three terms. He is loyal and determined in his adherence to the right and to his friends, and is held in the highest esteem by all.

GEORGE G. PASSAGE, a prominent and suc- cessful farmer and stock raiser of Bowen township, has been a resident of Sargent county for nearly fifteen years. He is proprietor of a valuable estate, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his asso- ciates. He makes his home on section 32, where he has resided continuously since going to that region.

Our subject was born in Schenectady county, New York, February 2, 1845. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and at Mohawk Academy, in Herkimer county. New York, and later taught school in Schenectady county for several years. He resided there until 1885, with the exception of three years spent in Indiana, as clerk and bookkeeper in a general store at Centerville,

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and one year in the employ of his uncle at farm work in Michigan. He went to North Dakota in the spring of 1885, and settled on the farm where he now resides, on section 32 in Bowen township. He has erected a complete set of substantial farm build- ings, and added other improvements to the place, and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, and he engages in general farming and stock raising, meeting with success. He has purchased grain at Towanda, a station on the Soo Railroad near his residence, for the Osborn, McMil- lin Elevator Company, and is an able business man.

Mr. Passage was married in Schenectady, New York, in 1872, to Miss Melvina Westcott, a native of Schenectady county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Passage are the parents of five children, as follows : Bertha, Leroy, Nettie G., Lizzie and Mae. Mr. Passage takes an active interest in matters of a pub- lic nature, and has been a member of the board of supervisors of Bowen township for two terms, and served as school director. He is a gentleman of good education, and occupies a prominent position in his community.

FRED B. MORRILL, a leading attorney of Fargo, and senior member of the firm of Morrill & Engerud, of Fargo, was born in Kennebec county, Maine, July 6, 1858, and is a son of William H. and Angeline (Graves) Morrill, also natives of Maine, where they still make their home, the father being engaged in agricultural pursuits. The early edu- cation of our subject, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by a course at the Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and by a commercial course at a business college in Augusta, Maine. In 1879 he began reading law with his uncle in Showhegan, that state, and was admitted to the bar in 1882.

Immediately afterward Mr. Morrill came to Fargo, North Dakota, and entered the law office of John J. Skuse, where he remained for one year, and then began practice for himself. He was alone in business until 1897 when he formed his present partnership with Mr. Engerud. His fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability have several times called him to office, and his public as well as his pri- vate duties have always been discharged in a most commendable and satisfactory manner. He was alderman of Fargo in 1889 and 1890; was city attor- ney in 1894 and 1895, and in 7896 was elected stat's attorney, to which position he was re-elected in 1898, being the present incumbent. The affairs of the county have never been better managed in this direction than under his prosecution, and he has proved a most efficient man for the place. Since casting his first ballot he has been a supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and has taken an active part in campaign work. Socially he is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine, and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

In 1883 Mr. Morrill was united in marriage

with Miss Carrie J. Works, also a native of the Pine Tree state, and they now have an interesting family of three children : Don O., Fay B. and Lynn W.

CHARLES H. GUDGER occupies a prominent place as a well-to-do and prominent member of the farming community of Dwight township, in Rich- land county. He makes his home on section 20, and has a fine farm, upon which he has placed such improvements as entitle it to rank among the finest pieces of property devoted to agricultural pursuits to be found throughout the community, and has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growth of this section of the county.

Our subject was born in Wisconsin, September 15, 1853, the third in a family of seven children born to David and Mary (Deits) Gudger. His father was a soldier in the Second Regiment, Wis- consin Volunteers, and after serving about three years, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, and the mother of our subject survives.

Charles H. Gudger was reared in Grant county, Wisconsin, and received a common school education. He worked out at farm labor in Grant county, until 1872, when he went to Dakota, and in the fall of that year filed claim to one hundred and sixty acres in Center township, Richland county. He partially improved his farm, and then sold his right and for five seasons was employed on a flat boat, running from Breckenridge, Minnesota, to Winnipeg, Man- itoba. He then engaged in railroad work, first as brakeman, later, baggageman for three years, and finally spent two years as conductor on what is now the Great Northern Railroad. In 1882 he again settled in Richland county, and has since been en- gaged in farming in Dwight township. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is well improved, and he has gained a competence to tide him over a rainy day if need be.

Mr. Gudger was married, in Center township, Richland county, June 12, 1890, to Miss Anna Bur- ton, who was born in England, and was a daughter of Charles Burton. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Gudger, Charles F., who died when about one year of age.

JAMES P. AYLEN, M. D. Among the pro- fessional men of North Dakota, Dr. James P. Aylen, physician and surgeon, whose office is in Sheldon, stands in the foremost rank. He is well fitted by education and training for the position he holds, and his genial and social temperament has endeared hin to the people of Ransom county, and he is especially popular in his home town of Sheldon. He has met with unbounded success in his practice, and his field of labor extends twenty-five miles in each direction from Sheldon. He has successfully competed with others of his profession, and since 1895 has been the sole physician of that city.

Our subject was born in Aylmer, Quebec, Can-

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ada, September 25, 1863. His ancestors for gener- ations back were professional men, devoting then- selves either to law or medicine. The father of our subject was Dr. John Aylen, and the mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Saloma Prentiss. Their family consisted of three sons and one daugh- ter, and true to the professional instincts, the sons, of whom our subject was the eldest, devoted them- selves to medicine.

At an early age our subject entered Collegiate Institute at Ottawa, and later attended Woodstock Baptist Theological College. He next entered Cor- nell University, but soon left the institution to pur- sue his medical studies at McGill University, which institution he attended four years, and then entered Bellevue Hospital College, graduating therefrom in March, 1888. He chose Minneapolis, Minnesota, as a location, where he established his office and to practice orthopedic surgery. His health soon began failing, and in May, 1888, he went to Sheldon, since which time he has followed his profession there. He is devoted to his work, but by way of recreation has not only the largest kennel of dogs in the state, but also some of the best bred, and speediest cours- ing hounds. Among them is the celebrated dog "Oakes," out of Vallaire and Raven.

Mr. Aylen was married, in 1887, to Miss Flor- ence Carter. Mrs. Aylen is a lady of rare attain- ments, and presides over the household in a truly gracious manner. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Aylen, as follows : Gerald Valley Lee, deceased ; and Walter C. Our subject is a member of the Ransom Medical Society, the North Dakota Medical Association, the American Medical Asso- ciation, and has been for two and a half years a member of the state medical examining board, and since 1888 has been county physician. In the fra- ternal world he has attained prominence, and is a Scottish and York Rites Mason, and is grand master of the state Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also holds membership in the Knights of the Mac- cabees, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Mod- ern Woodmen of America, and Brotherhood of American Yeoman. Politically he is a Republican and is strong in his convictions.

FRANK J. FORMANACK, a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of Dwight township, Rich- land county, has been a resident of Dakota since his boyhood, and is well known as a gentleman of true worth in his community. He makes his home on section 32, and is surrounded by all the adjuncts of a model country home.

Mr. Formanack was born in Bohemia, December 15, 1852, and is a son of Albert and Anna Forma- nack, who were early settlers of Richland county, North Dakota. Our subject came to America with his parents when but six years of age, and the fam- ily settled in Iowa county, Wisconsin, where he passed his boyhood days, and at the age of thirteen years went to Dakota, and has since been a resident

of Richland county, and has followed the pursuit of agriculture, with the exception of two years spent in the employ of the government in surveying. He entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also pre-empted eighty acres on section 32, in Dwight township, of which property he is still the fortunate possessor. He has improved his land and erected substantial and commodious farm buildings, and made it a fit habitation.

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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 98

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