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WILLIAM N. CAMPBELL, a leading business man and representative citizen of Valley City, North Dakota, is now successfully engaged in journalistic work in connection with David W. Clark, as proprietors of the "People's Advocate," the only paper published in the interest of the People's party in that city. It is a bright, newsy sheet and under its present able management is meeting with well-deserved success. Mr. Campbell is also engaged in the insurance and real estate business and is now president of the Alliance Hail Insurance Company. .
He was born in Addison County, Vermont, December 16, 1854, and is a son of Charles and Electa (Newton) Campbell, who are at present living at Watertown, South Dakota. The father was born in Vermont in 1816 and prior to the Mexican war was a soldier in the regular army, while during the Civil war he was captain of a company in the Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Colonel Hege.
At the age of five years William N. Campbell went with his parents to Waupun, Wisconsin, where he was reared upon the home farm, which he assisted his father in operating during his boyhood and youth. His early education, acquired in the district schools near his home, was supplemented by a course at the Oshkosh Normal School, Wisconsin. He came to North Dakota in the spring of 1882, when it was still a territory, and two years later he took up a quarter-section of land in the southwest part of Barnes County, on which he made his home, engaging in general farming, until coming to Valley City in the spring of 1892. Since then he has given his attention to the insurance and real-estate business, and in 1896 also became interested in newspaper work. upright and reliable in all things, the prosperity that has attended his efforts is certainly justly merited and he has gained a host of warm friends throughout his adopted County.
On the 8th of February, 1885, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Lillie J. McCune, a native of Waupun, Wisconsin, and a daughter of John and Marcie McCune. Three children bless this union, one son and two daughters, namely:. Mabel, Charlie and Luella.
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 value 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. October 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 today 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 systematic 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 1st of January, 1884, in Ionia county, Michigan, Mr. Carr led to the marriage altar Miss Harriet C. Woodcock, who was born in Kent county, 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 high regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
JOHN CHILBERG, whose home is on section 2, township 141, range 58 west, is one of the earliest settlers of Barnes county and has been an important factor in its development and up building. By dint of great energy, perseverance and economy, he has brought his farm from its original pristine wildness to a condition of excellent culture and it stands to-day a monument to his good management and business qualities.
Mr. Chilberg was born October 14, 1854, on a farm near Heselholm, Sweden, and is a son of Nels Chilberg. The father, who was a native of Norway, died when our subject was only six months old, but the mother survived him many years, dying in 1882, at the. age of sixty-six. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native land and continued his residence there until 1870, when he sailed for the New
World. He first located in Washington county, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for one year and during the succeeding seven years was employed in saw-mills and in the lumber woods. At Afton, Minnesota, he was married, in 1875, to Miss Capitola Hackett, a native of Washington county, that state, who died in Clear
Lake, Wisconsin, in 1876, at the early age of eighteen years.
On the 31st of March, 1878, Mr. Chilberg came to Barnes county. North Dakota, and at once filed claim on the southeast quarter of section 2, township 141, range 58, where he has since resided, his time and attention being devoted to its improvement and cultivation. He has become one of the successful farmers of the county and is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil. He was again married, in 1881, in the village of Sanborn, Barnes county, his second wife being Miss Esther M. Secrest, who was born in Minnesota , April 9, 1864, and is a daughter of Samuel and Esther Secrest. By this union our subject has had two children: Clarence V. and Hazel L. The Republican party always finds in Mr. Chilberg a stanch supporter of its principles and he never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.
DAVID W. CLARK, editor of the People's Advocate," is one of the early settlers of Valley City, North Dakota. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, May 9, 1854.
The father of our subject was a native of Oxford, Connecticut, and when a young man went to Birmingham, Connecticut, where he learned the machinist's trade, and then moved to Bridgeport, where he started an iron and copper foundry. He invented the Clark sewing machine, and made the first Howe boot machine. He afterward engaged in the gents' furnishing goods business, and when the Pennsylvania oil excitement was running, he sold his business and moved to Tidioute, Pennsylvania, and invested in oil lands, in which business he met with success. His death occurred in 1890. and the mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Louisa Curtis, died December 27. 1899. in Pennsylvania. She was a native of Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Our subject was one of a family of eleven children, and was given good educational advantages. When four years of age he moved with his parents to the suburbs of his native city, but attended the city schools, and was given an academic education in his native state. The family moved to Tidioute, Pennsylvania, in 1867, and there he attended school two years, and in 1869 entered the "Tidioute Journal" office and remained there two years learning the printer's trade. He then took a year's preparatory study, and then entered Cornell University. He secured a position on the "Bridgeport Standard" in 1873, and was thus employed two years, and then spent the fall and winter of 1876 in the office of the "Warren Ledger" as foreman, and in the book and job printing house of Tuttle, Moorehouse & Taylor, of New Haven, Connecticut. In the fall of 1877 he succeeded C. C. Thompson in the insurance business in Tidioute, and iii the spring of 1881 disposed of his business interests and went to Valley City, North Dakota, where he at once engaged in the insurance business. He built an extensive business and represented eighteen companies. He was appointed postmaster of Valley City in August, 1885. and held the office five years, after which he became associated with Joseph Barclay in the real estate and loan business. He disposed of his business interests in 1893, and joined a dramatic company in New York, and spent one season with them in a leading role, a business with which he has been identified more or less throughout his career. He returned to Dakota and took charge of the "Valley City Alliance" one year, and then worked on the state code at Bismarck for some time, and in the fall of 1895 became a partner with W. N. Campbell in the collection business. He took up his present work in January, 1896, and published the first issue of the "People's Advocate," January 8, 1896.
Our subject was married, in Tidioute, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1879, to Clara R. Porterfield, of that city. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark. Mr. Clark was city clerk two terms, and has also been justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is a man of high standing and merits his success.
GEORGE DUNN, a well-known farmer of Barnes county, North Dakota, residing on section 22, township 142, range 58 west, has the reputation of being a strictly first-class business man, reliable and energetic, and is a citizen of whom any community might be justly proud. He was born on a farm in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1861, and is a son of Charles Dunn, also a native of the Emerald Isle and a farmer by occupation. The father is now deceased. The mother was in her maidenhood Miss Isabel Sampson, a native of Ireland and an aunt of Admiral Sampson, now one of the most distinguished officers in our navy.
In 1881 Mr. Dunn bade good by to friends and native land and sailed for America, locating first at Palmyra, New York . Near that place he worked on a farm for about a year, and in the spring of 1882 came to Barnes county, North Dakota, where he filed a homestead. Here he has since resided, his time and attention being devoted to general farming, and by industry, perseverance and good management he has succeeded in accumulating a handsome property, now being the owner of seven hundred and twenty acres of fine farm land. He has erected good and substantial buildings thereon and made many other improvements upon the place which add greatly to its value and attractive appearance. Politically he is independent, preferring to vote for the men whom he believes best qualified to fill the offices, regardless of party affiliations.
WALTER S. EMERY. There is no class of biographies which is more interesting to read than that of the industrious and enterprising farmer's boy who has risen unaided from humble circumstances to a position of affluence and comfort. Prominent among the men of Barnes County who hare thus laboriously toiled onward and upward is Walter S. Emery, a prosperous and substantial farmer residing on section 14, township 142, range 58.
He was born on a farm in Somerset County, Maine, June 26, 1861, and is a son of Edwin and Mary (Ricker) Emery, also natives of the Pine Tree state, where the mother still resides. In 1861, at the opening of the Civil war. the father was following the peaceful occupation of farming, but he laid aside all personal interests and in response to his country's call for aid he enlisted in the Seventh Maine Volunteer Infantry. Some months later he was taken ill and died in the service. During his boyhood and youth our subject attended school and assisted in the operation of the home farm, remaining under the parental roof until the spring of 1883, when he came west. After a short time spent in Minneapolis he went to Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, where he worked in a sawmill one season. In the fall of that year he came to Barnes County, North Dakota, and found employment on the farm where he now lives. In 1884 he took up a tree claim and during his residence in this state he has been remarkably successful, being now the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres of rich and arable land.
In Valley City, Barnes County, Mr. Emery was married, in March, 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Martha B. Beal, also a native of Maine, born February 17, 1866. Her parents, Henry and Emily Beal, make their home at present in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Emery have eight children, four sons and four daughters, all born on the farm where they still reside. In his political views he is a stanch Republican, but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. In connection with general farming he is quite extensively engaged in stock raising, and at present has upon his place forty-nine head of good horses and a large herd of high-grade cattle. For the success that he has achieved in life he deserves great credit, as it is due entirely to his own industry, enterprise and good management. He is now one of the wealthiest men in the northern part of Barnes County. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
OLE ESEBY. Barnes county has many well-to-do and successful farmers who have accumulated what they have of this world's goods through individual effort. Among this class the name of the subject of this notice is entitled to a place. He is residing on section 26, township 141, range 58, where he is industriously engaged in the prosecution of his noble calling and is meeting with good success.
Mr. Eseby was born in Norway, March 5, 1847, a son of John and Marie H. (Johnsen) Eseby, also natives of that country. He remained at home until seventeen years of age, engaged in farm work and during the following five years his life was that of a sailor. At the age of twenty-two he emigrated to America and his first employment in the New World was on a large farm in Illinois, where he remained three months. Going to Michigan, he was engaged in lumbering there for two years and from there went to Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm and m the lumber woods for the same length of time. Later he was employed in the pineries of Minnesota during the winter, but in the spring returned to Wisconsin and worked in saw-mills. In March, 1878, he came to Barnes county. North
Dakota, and secured one hundred and sixty acres. of government land on which he now resides. He has since extended the boundaries of his farm and now has three hundred and twenty acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation.
In the city of St. Paul . Minnesota, in 1881, Mr. Eseby was united in marriage with Miss Annie Gilbertson, who was born in Norway , in 1857, and they have become the parents of the following children: Hilda G., Josie, Oliver A., Alma M., Nora J. and Myrtle. In his political views Mr. Eseby is a stanch Republican and in his social relations is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
CHARLES L. ETZELL is a representative farmer of Barnes county, North Dakota, whose home is pleasantly located on section 28, township 142, range 58 west. He is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born April 21, 1847. and is a son of John Etzell, whose birth occurred in Germany, in 1803. In the early part of the nineteenth century the father came to this country and he died in Carver county. Minnesota. April 10, 1859, honored and respected by all who knew him. By occupation he was a millwright. The mother of our subject is still living, has married again, and now makes her home in Norwood, Minnesota.
During his childhood Charles L. Etzell was taken by his parents to Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where lie attended school until 1857. when the family removed to Young America, Carver county. Minnesota. After his father's death he continued upon the home farm with his mother until May, 1864, when he responded to his country's call for more volunteers to assist in crushing out the rebellion. He enlisted at St. Paul, in Company D, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry: was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, and participated in the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, and in many skirmishes. The war having ended, he was honorably discharged at St. Paul, July 6, 1865, and returned to his mother's home. He purchased a piece of land in Minnesota and continued to operate the same until the spring of 1881, when he became a resident of Barnes county. North Dakota. During the November previous he had come to this county and filed a homestead claim, but did not bring his family here until the following spring. He now has four hundred and eighty acres of good farming land and is successfully engaged in its cultivation and development. He is widely and favorably known and is held in high esteem by his many friends.
On the 1st of January, 1868, in the village of Young America . Minnesota, Mr. Etzell was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Baumez, a native of Germany , and a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Baumez. She was born December 30, 1850, and died January 5, 1899, beloved by all who knew her. Twelve children blessed this union, their names and dates of birth being as follows: Lucy D., March 17, 1869; Flora E., October 1, 1870; Levi L., February 10, 1872; Elsie R., December 17, 1873; Francis P., May 11. 1875; Orpha M., June 30, 1877; Emma L., August 2, 1880; Grace E., September 18, 1882; Ella C., November 16, 1884; Bertha M., November 13, 1886; Raymond H., November 25, 1891, and Harold G., May 3, 1895. All are living with the exception of Elsie R., who died May 11, 1803.
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