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HARVEY E. KEENE, who occupies an influential and prominent position among the agricultural population of Barnes county, makes his home on section 35, township 142, range 58 west, and is the owner of a fine farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings. His total acreage at the present time is nine hundred and sixty.
On a farm in Anoka county, Minnesota, Mr. Keene first opened his eyes to the light of day May 28, 1861, and when only two years old was taken by his parents, William H. and Florentine C. (Harvey) Keene, to a farm near Cottage Grove, Washington county, that state, where they still reside. The father is a native of Maine, and throughout life has followed farming. On the old homestead in Washington county, Minnesota, our subject grew to manhood, his time being devoted to the labors of leaving the parental roof in the spring of 1884 he came to Barnes county, North
Dakota, where he worked for Page Persons for a time, and then operated rented land for two years. In the spring of 1887 he located on his present farm and has successfully engaged in its cultivation ever since.
In 1886 Mr. Keene married Miss Clara A. Swanson, who was born in Washington county, Minnesota , October 26, 1862, and they have become the parents of two children, namely: Vera V. and Orlo A. The Republican party finds in Mr. Keene a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. Socially, he is a man of prominence in his community and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
 WILLIAM F. KERNKAMP. Among the sturdy, energetic and successful farmers of Barnes county, who thoroughly understand the vocation which they follow, and are consequently enabled to carry on their calling with profit to themselves, is the subject of this sketch. He is actively engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 12, township 140, range 58, where he has one of the best equipped farms in the township, conveniently located near Valley City, the county seat.
Mr. Kernkamp was born on a farm in Washington county, Minnesota, February 8, 1857, a son of John H. and Mary (Frederick) Kernkamp. natives of Germany. The mother died when our subject was a child of four years. The father came to the United
States when a lad of sixteen, and first located in Warren county, Missouri, where he made his home for ten years. Since then he has been a resident of Minnesota, his present home being in the city of St.
Paul.
The primary education of our subject was received in the district school near his boyhood home, and was supplemented by a two-years course in the public schools of St.
Paul. On attaining his majority he decided to go farther west, and accordingly, in the spring of 1878, came to Barnes county. North
Dakota, which at that time contained but very few inhabitants, and the land was still in its primitive condition. He filed a claim on the northeast quarter of section 17, township 140, range 57, which he proved up and subsequently sold. He then purchased his brother August's farm, which he still owns and occupies.
In 1882 Mr. Kernkamp was united in marriage with Miss Carrie Hidel, who was also born in Washington county, Minnesota, in 1864, and they have become the parents of three children, Myrtle, Roy and Ralph, all born on the present homestead of the family. For many years Mr. Kernkamp supported the Republican party, but is now independent in politics, preferring not to be bound by party ties, and voting for whom he considers the best man. He is a member of Cheyenne Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. of Valley City . and also the Odd Fellows lodge and the Methodist Episcopal church of that place. He is honored and respected by all and those who know him best are numbered among; his warmest friends.
GUSTAV LARSON. It is said that biography yields to no other subject in point of interest and profit, and it is especially interesting to note the progress that has been made along various lines of business by those of foreign birth who have sought homes in America-the readiness with which they adapt themselves to the different methods and customs of America, recognize the advantages offered and utilize the opportunities which the new world affords. We find a worthy representative of this class in Mr. Larson, whose experiences in life have been varied and interesting, but during his residence in Barnes county has followed the peaceful occupation of farming on section 13, township 141, range 58, and has met with well-deserved success.
He was born on a farm near the city of Carlstead, Sweden, June 6, 1853, and is a son of Andrew and Anna (Olson) Larson, now residents of Minnesota. He attended the public schools of his native land and assisted his father in the labors of the home farm until sixteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself. He went to Christiania with the view of securing a position in one of the numerous manufacturing establishments of that city, but failing in this he purchased a stock of notions and started out as a peddler, selling his wares to the farmers among the mountains. After disposing of his goods he returned to the coast, and obtained a position on a farm near the village of Orendorf, where he worked for nine months, or until the spring of 1870. By this time he was consumed with a burning desire to go to sea, and shipped before the mast on a vessel bound for England. He sailed from that country on a vessel which carried two cargoes to Russia. This was the beginning of a sea-faring life which lasted for four years, during which time he visited many of the important ports of the world.
In 1874 Mr. Larson landed in Quebec, Canada, and from there went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he made his home for about seven years. Two years after locating there he sent for his mother, two brothers and three sisters, who were still in Sweden, the father having come to the new world in 1875. After assisting his parents in getting nicely settled he went to Montana and Idaho for the purpose of buying land, but not finding a desirable location he came to Barnes county, North Dakota, in 1883. For two years during his stay in the far west he was engaged in grading for the Northern Pacific Railroad as a contractor. He also looked into the mining business with a view of engaging therein, but having no experience he abandoned the idea. On coming to Barnes county he purchased the place where he now resides, and at present his landed possessions here amount to one section of very choice land, in the operations of which he has been remarkably successful.
On July 6, 1888, in Fargo, North Dakota, Mr. Larson marred Miss Inger Carlson, also a native of Sweden , born in 1858, and a daughter of Gustav and Annie Carlson. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Wisconsin some years ago, but her mother is still living, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Tilda Benson, in Minneapolis . Politically Mr. Larson is a Republican, but has never desired office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farm, which is one of the best tilled and most desirable places on the North prairie. Fraternally he is a member of the American Yeoman organization.
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. (Peterson) 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 homestead where Leal Station is now located. Shortly afterward he was given charge of the Lenham Elevator 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 general merchandise owned by Mr. Glendenning and has since conducted the business with marked success. 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 native 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 Frederick, 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 Republican. He takes a deep and commendable interest in public affairs and is now serving as trustee of the State Normal School at Valley City.
CHARLES J. LEE, well-known druggist of Valley City, North Dakota, is one of the prominent young men of that place, a leader in business and social circles.. The business interests of the city are well represented by him and whether in public or private life, he is always a courteous, genial gentleman, well deserving the high regard in which he is held.
Mr. Lee was born in the village of Arcadia, Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, January 9, 1869. His father, John Lee, was a native of Norway, born in 1810, and in early life he engaged in farming in that country. On his emigration to America he settled in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, during the pioneer days of that state, when but two houses stood on the present site of the city. Subsequently he took up a homestead where Winona, Minnesota, is now located. In West Salem, Wisconsin, he married Miss Christina Johnson, who still survives him and now makes her home in Green Bay, that state.
During his boyhood and youth Charles J. Lee aided his father in the operation of the home farm and acquired his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. On coming to Barnes county. North Dakota, he worked for one season on a farm and then removed to Valley City, where he attended school and also worked. In 1893 he entered the Northwestern University at Chicago, Illinois, and took a pharmaceutical course, graduating the following year. He at once returned to Valley City and has since successfully engaged in the drug business at that place, having built up a large and constantly increasing trade. He is now a director in the Valley City State Bank and is also extensively interested in real estate, owning at the present time about one thousand acres of land. This property has been acquired through his own well-directed efforts and good management, for he is a business man of more than ordinary ability, enterprising and energetic.
In 1897 Mr. Lee married Miss Mary Holverson, of Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs and although still a young man he has most creditably served as president of the city council. In 1898 he was president of the Pharmaceutical Association of North Dakota, and is past chancellor of the subordinate lodge of Knights of Pythias.
CHRIST LUDWIG. Among the most enterprising citizens of Barnes county, North Dakota, are those of foreign birth, who have brought into this fertile and productive country the thrift and economy of the old world. Among these there is no figure that stands out more prominently in the history of the county than Mr. Ludwig, who is meeting with marked success in his farming operations on section 22, township 142, range 58 west.
He is a native of Germany, born in 1835. and is a son of Jacob and Mary Ludwig. At the age of fourteen years he emigrated to the United States, and spent two years in New
York. He then traveled quite extensively, stopping in various states, until 1879, when he came to Barnes county. North Dakota, and took up land on the southwest quarter of section 22. where he still resides. He has met with excellent success in this state, and is now the owner of a whole section of land, which he has placed under excellent cultivation and improved with good buildings, that stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.
Mr. Ludwig wedded Miss Mary Stainman, who was born in Greene county, Wisconsin , in 1863, and they now have a family of ten children, all living. Since casting his first vote Mr. Ludwig has been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, but has never found time to devote to public affairs, though he always faithfully performs his duties of citizenship, and is one of the most public-spirited citizens of his township.
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