ALMER P. ANDERSON, one of the pioneer business men of Newburg, who is now assistant cashier of the State Bank of Newburg, has always made his home west of the Mississippi and is a representative of that class of progressive citizens who have recognized and utilized the opportunities of the northwest and have thus contributed to the development and upbuilding of this state. He was born in Osakis, Minnesota, October 2, 1878, a son of Peter and Liva (Olson) Anderson, both of whom are natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world about 1873 in young manhood and womanhood. It was subsequent to that time that they were married, after which they settled in Todd county, three and one-half miles east of Osakis, where the father filed on a homestead on which they still reside. He is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of good land which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

The district schools afforded Almer P. Anderson his educational opportunities and throughout his life he has remained an apt student in the school of experience. He early became familiar with the arduous tasks that fall to the lot of the agriculturist for he remained upon and assisted in the work of the home farm until his twenty-first year. In 1899 he arrived in Bottineau county, North Dakota, and that fall operated a threshing machine for an uncle. In the month of October, following the attainment of his majority, he filed on a homestead a mile and a half east of the present town site of Newburg and remained thereon until 1905. when the town site of Newburg was platted and he established his home in the new town. There he erected a store building and opened the first hardware store in Newburg, continuing active in business at that point until 1910, when he sold out and entered the State Bank of Newburg as assistant cashier. He has since been active in that connection and is widely known to the business men of the district, who regard him as a substantial and trustworthy business man and representative citizen. He still owns his homestead and another quarter section of land and has an equity in a third quarter.  He has likewise bought and sold other land and in this way has added materially to his income.

On the 18th of September 1907, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Alma Wollan, of Starbuck, Minnesota, by whom he has three children, Pearl Beatrice, Sidney Leroy, and Helen Elenore. Fraternally Mr. Anderson is connected with Russell Lodge, No. 89, A. F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which he is filling the office of treasurer. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and since taking up his abode in Newburg he has served in every official capacity in the town except that of marshal and has been president of the school board since the district was organized.  He has been the promoter of much that is progressive in the life of the town and has been active in advancing those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.

AUGUST ARNDT, manager of the Farmers Elevator at Maxbass, was born in Carver county, Minnesota, on the 10th of October 1876, a son of August and Catherine (Barlage) Arndt, who were natives of Germany, and in childhood came to the United States with their respective parents, who settled in Minnesota. At the time of the Civil war August Arndt, Sr., responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company H, Ninth Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers. He served throughout the period of the Civil war and, being captured, was incarcerated for several months in Andersonville prison. He had three brothers and a brother-in-law who also were Union soldiers, enlisting from Minnesota, and one of the brothers died in prison. August Arndt, Sr., met an accidental death at Buffalo Lake, Minnesota, about 1896. His widow survives and is now residing in Norwood, Minnesota.

To the public school system of his native state August Arndt is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed, but from an early age he has been dependent upon his own resources for a living. In his twelfth year and for two or three summers thereafter he worked in a brickyard and subsequently he was employed in various ways, but eventually secured a position in the flouring mills at Norwood, Minnesota, and was there employed for fourteen years, during which period he thoroughly mastered the trade and steadily worked his way upward in that connection. In August 1909, he removed to Newburg, North Dakota, in order to take charge of the Heising elevator, which six years later was sold to the St. Anthony & Dakota Elevator Company. Mr. Arndt remained with the new proprietors for a year and on the 1^st of August 1916, was placed in charge of the Farmers Elevator at Maxbass, which he now manages. He has always been very thorough in anything that he has undertaken and persistent in carrying forward his well formulated plans to successful completion.

On the 13th of July 1897, Mr. Arndt was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Eklund, of Young America, Minnesota, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom still survive, as follows: Milton, who is employed as bookkeeper in the State Bank of Maxbass; Lloyd, who acts as bookkeeper in the State Bank of Newburg; and Louise, George, Julius, Esther and Theresa, all at home.

In his political views Mr. Arndt is independent. He has served as mayor of Newburg and as a member of the school board of that place for several years. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and he belongs also to Russell Lodge, F. & A. M., of Russell, North Dakota, and to the Modern Woodmen camp. He is one of the representative men of Bottineau county, well known and highly respected, his business ability contributing to the upbuilding of the district, while his social qualities render him a favorite among those whom he meets in business and other relations.

NELS B. ARVESON, cashier of the Bank of Carbury and one of the leading citizens of that place, was born at St. James, Minnesota, on the 31st of December 1886, and is a son of Rev. N. and Betsy (Anfinson) Arveson, the former a native of Norway and the latter of Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father was only fourteen years of age when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, and shortly afterward he began studying for the ministry.  He attended Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, and a theological seminary at Columbus, Ohio. He has since devoted his life to the ministry and is now preaching at St. Olaf, Iowa.  His wife is also living.

Nels B. Arveson was reared in a Christian home and was given good educational privileges, attending high school at Decorah, Iowa, and St. Olaf's College at Northfield, Minnesota.  He first became interested in the banking business as cashier of the North McGregor Savings Bank at North McGregor, Iowa, with which he was connected for three years, and for the same length of time was assistant cashier of the Great Western Bank at Osnabrock, Cavalier county, North Dakota, where he located in 1913. At the end of that time he removed to Carbury, Bottineau county, and accepted the cashier ship of the Bank of Carbury, of which he is a stockholder and director. The other officers are E. T. McCanna, president, and P. P. Engh, vice president, both residents of McCanna, North Dakota. The bank has a capital of ten thousand dollars and its deposits now amount to eighty-five thousand dollars, although it was only organized in the fall of 1915. Its growth has been steady and it has the confidence and support of the public. Mr. Arveson is also a stockholder in the Bankers Trust Company & Savings Bank of Minneapolis, which is a one million dollar enterprise.  He is agent for the Ford cars and also handles real estate and insurance, being a very enterprising and wide-awake business man.

In March 1913, Mr. Arveson married Miss Agnes G. Looby, and to them have been born two children, but Eugene T., who was born August 1, 1914, died on the 10th of the same month. Jane Margaret was born January 20, 1916. They are faithful members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Arveson is a republican in politics. He occupies an enviable position in business circles and wherever known is held in high esteem.

C. C. BANKS, now acceptably serving as mayor of Lansford, is the leading merchant of that town and one of its foremost citizens. His birth occurred in Bancroft, Michigan, on the 29th of December 1871, and his parents were Henry D. and Emma (Cornell) Banks, the former also a native of Michigan and the latter of New York. They were married in the Badger state, whence the mother had removed with her parents at an early age. There the father followed farming until 1900, when he came to North Dakota and filed on a homestead near Kramer in Bottineau county. He subsequently sold that place and removed to Lansford, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in 1908. For four years he served his country during the Civil war, being a member of the Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry and corporal of his company. The mother of our subject is still living and continues to reside in Lansford.

During his boyhood C. C. Banks attended the public schools of Bancroft, Michigan, and was graduated from the high school of that place with the class of 1894. After completing his literary education he began his training in mercantile pursuits as a clerk in a general store in Montrose, Michigan. In 1900 he came to North Dakota and secured a clerkship in a store in Bottineau, where he was employed for three years. In 1903 he removed to Lansford and embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. His success in this field would lead one to draw the conclusion that his training had been under competent masters for he is today one of the foremost business men of Bottineau county. He also owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres four miles from Lansford and in all his undertakings is meeting with marked success.

In 1909 Mr. Banks was united in marriage to Miss Helen M. MacMillen, of Bottineau, by whom he has two children, Mildred and Dorothy. In politics he is an ardent republican, taking an active and influential part in public affairs. He served as postmaster of Lansford from 1903 to 1913 and is the present chief executive of the village, now filling the office of mayor for the second term. He was one of the organizers of the Lansford Commercial Club and served as its president for two terms. He never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit, giving liberally of his time and means. He is an honored member of Lansford Lodge, No. 82, A. F. & A. M. ; Minot Chapter R. A. M.; Minot Commandery. K. T.; and Kem Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., of Grand Forks, North Dakota. He also belongs to Minot Lodge, No. 1089, B. P. 0. E. He is one of the representative and prominent citizens of Bottineau county and wherever known is held in the highest regard.

ASMUNDUR BENSON, an attorney at law practicing at Bottineau, was born in Pembina county, North Dakota, July 28, 1885, a son of Thordur and Maria (Sveinson) Benson, who were natives of Iceland. They came to North Dakota in 1883, settling in Pembina county, where the father filed on land and with characteristic energy began to cultivate and improve the property. He resided upon that farm until 1896, and then removed to McHenry county, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1903. His widow is now living at Upham, North Dakota.

Asmundur Benson pursued his education in the schools of Pembina and McHenry counties and in the State University, from which he was graduated on the completion of the arts course as a member of the class of 1913. He continued there as a law student and won his Bachelor of Laws degree upon graduation with the class of 1915. Immediately afterward he settled at Bottineau, where he opened a law office and has since engaged in practice.  Although advancement at the bar is proverbially slow he has already won a creditable position in connection with his chosen life work and his practice is steadily increasing.

On the 29th of March 1916, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss Lilja Freeman, a daughter of George and Gudbjorg (Goodman) Freeman, who were natives of Iceland and in early life became residents of Michigan. In 1885 they removed to McHenry county, North Dakota, where the father homesteaded and is still engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Benson hold membership in the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party.

JOHN N. BLADES, filling the position of justice of the peace in Bottineau, where he is also engaged in the real estate and loan business, was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, December 4, 1851, a son of John N. and Mary Blades, the former a native of England and the latter of New York. The father was a general contractor and also bought horses for the government. After coming to America he spent his remaining days in New York, where he passed away in August 1904, his wife surviving only until July 1905.

Through the period of his boyhood and early youth John N. Blades attended the public schools of his native city and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties.  He was fifteen years of age when in 1866 he removed westward to Independence, Iowa, where for five years he was employed in a drug store. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the McCormick Harvester Company, which he represented for twenty-six years in Iowa, Minnesota and North and South Dakota. He continued with the international Harvester Company after it took over the business of the McCormick Company and his identification with the two corporations covered thirty-three years. In 1896 he became a resident of Willow City, Bottineau county, and a year later removed to Bottineau, after which he filed on land which he cultivated and improved for three years.  He then took up his abode in the city of Bottineau and for ten years was engaged in the implement business. On the expiration of that period he opened a real estate, loan and collection office and has since been active in that field of labor, during which period he has initiated many important realty transfers, has placed many loans and has written a large amount of insurance. He also puts up lightning rods each year to the value of about twenty-five hundred dollars and he moreover owns one hundred and thirteen acres of land north of Bottineau. In November 1915, he was elected justice of the peace and has since served upon the bench of the justice court.

In February 1882, Mr. Blades was married to Miss Lydia Butler and they have become the parents of two children: Clifford L., who is conducting a moving picture show in Bottineau; and Floyd B., connected with the electric light plant.

Mr. Blades has always voted with the republican party, being a firm believer in its principles. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. High and honorable principles have actuated him at all points in his career and his life measures up to commendable standards of manhood and citizenship.

PETER BORESON, manager of the yards of the Imperial Lumber Company at Landa and numbered among the pioneer settlers of Bottineau county, was born in Norway, July 4, 1853, a son of Borre Peterson and Martha Solberg, who came to the United States in 1867, settling at Spring Grove, Houston county, Minnesota. There the father took up a homestead claim upon which he resided to the time of his death. His widow afterward removed to the state of Washington, where she passed away.

Peter Boreson was a lad of fifteen years when he came with his parents to the United States and in the public schools here he supplemented the educational training which he had received in the public schools of his native country. His education, however, was somewhat limited, for soon after his arrival in America he became a wage earner, working as a farm hand at a, salary of thirteen dollars per month. Later when he was receiving eighteen dollars per month, he thought he was receiving a magnificent wage. In 1881 he went to Hillsboro, Traill county, where he was employed for four years at the carpenter's trade, and in 1885 he received his initial training in the lumber business as an employee in the yard of the Robertson Lumber Company at Hillsboro. A year later this company sold out to the firm of Beadier & Robertson, Mr. Boreson remaining with the latter for three years.  In 1889 he accepted the position of assistant postmaster of Hillsboro under C. W. Morgan, and remained in that connection for about a year and a half. He then resumed connection with the lumber trade as an employee of 0. C. Sarles in the yard now opened by the Valley Lumber Company of Hillsboro. He remained with this firm for nine years and one month and in March 1900, he went to Bottineau county, filing on a homestead four miles south of the present town of Roth. On the 6^th of April of the same year he was placed in charge of the Bottineau yards of the Imperial Lumber Company as manager. In 1901, when the Great Northern Railroad was extended west to Souris, he went to that place to establish a yard there, making the trip from Bottineau to Souris on a bicycle, and on the night of the 17^th of July he slept in the lumber office which he had erected after his arrival. This was the first building erected in Souris. In 1904, when the railroad was extended west to Westhope, he again did pioneer work by going to Landa to establish a yard for the Imperial Lumber Company at that point. Their Landa office was the second building erected in the town. Since then Mr. Boreson has remained in charge of the Landa yard and has there built up a business of large and gratifying proportions. He is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the lumber trade and has made his service of great worth to the corporation which he represents. Moreover, he has proven his faith in Dakota by his investment in property and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land two miles from Landa, on which he resides and which is operated under his personal direction and supervision.

In 1883 Mr. Boreson was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna Swenson, who bore the maiden name of Anna Gdstie and is a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Boreson have six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Benhardt, a farmer residing at Tampico, Montana; Gildard, an agriculturist of Bottineau county, North Dakota; Alvin. who also follows farming in Bottineau county; Jennie, the wife of Carl Pearson, of Tampico, Montana; May a high school student who is still under the parental roof; and Vera, also at home.  Fraternally Mr. Boreson is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the American Yeomen. In politics he is a republican and in religious faith he and his wife are Lutherans. Gradually since making his initial step in the business world he has worked his way upward, assuming larger responsibilities as the years have gone on and winning success through persistent, earnest effort.

ASA C. BRAINARD, one of the representative young business men of Bottineau county, now serving as assistant cashier of the Mouse River Valley Bank at Souris, was born in Anamosa, Iowa, January 1, 1892. His parents, F. A. and Lizzie Electa Brainard, are also natives of Jones county, Iowa, where after reaching manhood the father followed farming until 1901, which year witnessed his arrival in Bottineau county, North Dakota. He purchased land two miles south of Souris and upon that place he has since engaged in farming.

Asa C. Brainard was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and he grew to manhood in Bottineau county, remaining under the parental roof until he attained his majority. In the meantime he acquired a good practical education. In October 1915, he accepted the position of assistant cashier in the Mouse River Valley Bank at Souris and has since held that office, discharging its duties in a commendable manner. He affiliates with the republican party and holds membership in the Yeomen Lodge.

ROBERT A. BROWN, engaged in the implement business at Antler, was born in Ontario, Canada, July 29, 1869, a son of David and Christina (McDougal) Brown, who were also natives of Ontario. There the father was reared and educated, after which he took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for many years, but is now living retired although he still owns his land. He has reached the age of seventy-two years and now makes his home with his children, his wife having passed away November 26, 1883.

Robert A. Brown was reared and educated in Ontario and made his home with his grandfather until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he went to London, Ontario, and learned the brass finishing business, which he followed for two years and three months.  In 1895 he crossed the border into the United States and established his home at Leeds, Benson county, North Dakota, where he purchased land and carried on farming until 1900.  He then sold out and made his way to Bottineau county, where he filed on land which he developed, operated and improved for five years. He then again sold, at which time he removed to Westhope, where he worked for a year. He afterward came to Antler and engaged in the implement business, which he has now conducted for ten years, enjoying a liberal patronage that has made his undertaking a profitable one. He keeps all kinds of farm machinery and agricultural implements and his enterprise has brought good results.

In July 1898, Mr. Brown wedded Miss Sarah E. Rock and they have become the parents of seven children: Jennetta, the wife of Guy Ballance, of Saco, Montana; and Rose A., Mary Christina, Rachel E., Robert D., Sarah G. and Margaret E., all yet at home.  The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Brown votes with the republican party and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking he has served for three years as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekah lodge and is also connected with the Royal Neighbors. His life record will bear close investigation and scrutiny, for at all times it has measured up to high standards of manhood, while in citizenship he manifests a loyal and progressive spirit.

DUGALD CAMPBELL, manager for the John D. Gruber Company, dealers in agricultural implements, lumber, coal and harness at Maxbass, was born in Durham, Ontario, August 12, 1881, a son of George and Flora (Gilchrist) Campbell, both of whom were natives of Scotland, whence they emigrated in childhood days to Canada with their respective parents.  The father, who is now deceased, devoted his life to farming. The mother is a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Dugald Campbell was educated in the public schools of Durham, Ontario, and became a wage earner in his sixteenth year, at which time he secured employment as a farm hand.  In the spring of 1900 he came across the boundary line to the United States and established his home in Bottineau county. North Dakota, where for two years he engaged in farming.  He subsequently spent a similar period at work at the carpenter's trade and for one year was in Bottineau and one year at Westhope. In 1904 he filed on a homestead in Lewis township, Bottineau county, a mile south of Maxbass, and thereon resided until 1908, when he took up his abode in the town and accepted a position with the John D. Gruber Company, working in both the office and the yards. Two years later, in recognition of his ability and fidelity, he was advanced to the position of manager of the business, in which capacity he has since continued and under his guidance the enterprise has become a growing and profitable concern. At all times he displays a progressive spirit and his activity has been a forceful element in promoting the progress of the community.

In 1910 Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Anna May Greenwood, of Durham, Ontario, and to them have been born three children, Walter G., Donald E. and Islay G. Mr.  and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Presbyterian church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is the present town treasurer of Maxbass, while for two years he served as clerk of the village. He is regarded as one of the representative citizens of his town and in his life exemplifies the spirit of western enterprise and progress -a spirit that is leading to the rapid development and substantial upbuilding of North Dakota.

CLARENCE M. CONDIT is a member of the Condit & Son Electric Company, builders and proprietors of the Westhope electric light plant. Drawn to Bottineau county by its opportunities for business growth and expansion, he has become a factor in the development of his part of the state. He was born in Warren county, Iowa, August 8, 1861, a son of Daniel M. and Sarah M. (Martindale) Condit, the former a native of Orange, New .Jersey, and the latter of Gallipolis, Ohio. They were married in the latter state and in 1856 removed westward to Iowa, becoming pioneer settlers of Warren county, where the father purchased government land at the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. They continued to reside in Warren county until called to their final rest, Mr. Condit passing away in 1873, while his wife survived until 1907.

Liberal educational opportunities were accorded Clarence M. Condit, who supplemented his common school course by study in the Ackworth Academy of Ackworth, Iowa. He then took up the occupation of farming in his native county, devoting his energies to the work of tilling the soil until 1893, when he became one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Citizens Bank in Milo, Iowa. For seven years he remained as cashier of the institution and then resigned his position, after which he spent two years in the real estate and abstract business in Winterset, Iowa. In 1902 he disposed of his interests in that connection and in April of the same year came to North Dakota, filing on a homestead a mile north of the old town of Richburg in Bottineau county. He was thereafter identified with agricultural pursuits upon that place until 1914 and still owns the property. In 1905 he was appointed postmaster of Westhope and served in that capacity for five years. In 1914 he removed from his farm to the town and in 1916 he and his son, Gilbert H., built the electric light plant, which is one of the most modern and thoroughly equipped little plants of the Mouse river loop. The son is an electrical engineer, having taken a course in electrical engineering in the State University of Iowa, and for the past two years he has had charge of the Mouse river drainage project and also during the same period has been county surveyor of Bottineau county. In addition to his electric light interests Clarence M. Condit is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of farm land all in one body.

In 1882 Mr. Condit was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Turner, of Milo, Iowa, by whom he has three children, as follows: Geraldine M., the wife of Dr. L. L. Bowie, of Buckeye, Iowa; John T., who is agent for the Studebaker automobile and lives at home; and Gilbert H., who is associated with his father in the conduct of the electric light plant.

In politics Mr. Condit is a republican and fraternally is connected with Westhope Lodge, No.. 74, A. F. & A. M.; Westhope Lodge, No. 87, I. O. O. F.; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is recognized as a man of sterling worth and during the fourteen years of his residence in Bottineau county has gained a most substantial and creditable position in business circles. All who know him entertain for him warm regard because of his progressive spirit, his thorough reliability and his social, genial nature.

WILLIAM J. COOPER, an able and successful practicing attorney of Westhope, was born in Ontario, Canada, March 9, 1875, his parents being Thomas and Janet (Robertson) Cooper, who were natives of that country and of Scotch descent, their respective parents having removed from Scotland to Ontario. In 1878 the father left Canada accompanied by his wife and four children to establish his home in the United States. He filed on a claim in Traill county, North Dakota, and for twenty years remained a successful farmer of that locality. In 1898, in order to give his children better educational opportunities, he removed to Mayville and there resided for five years or until 1903, when he established his home in Alexandria, Minnesota, where he now resides.

William J. Cooper had the benefit of instruction in the Mayville Normal School, and then determining upon law practice as a life work, he began studying with that end in view in the University of Minnesota. He did not complete his course there, however, but turned his attention to banking and in 1904 arrived in Westhope as cashier of the First National Bank, in which important position he capably served until the business was closed out in 1910, it being absorbed by the Bank of Westhope. Subsequently Mr. Cooper entered into partnership with V. Ormsby Soule for the practice of law, under the firm style of Soule & Cooper, and in the past six years has given his undivided attention to his law practice, being regarded as one of the leading barristers of the Bottineau county bar. His partner died in 1915, since which time he has practiced independently, and on many occasions he has given demonstration of his power to successfully cope with involved and intricate legal problems. He studies closely every phase of a case, possesses comprehensive knowledge of the law and ably applies its principles to the points in litigation. While largely concentrating his energies upon his work as a member of the bar, he also gives supervision to his farm of two hundred acres of well improved land a mile and a half north of Westhope.

Mr. Cooper married Miss Emma Netterfield, of Wingham, Ontario, by whom he has five children, namely: Amy E., William Ross, Thomas George, Dorothy Jean and Frances Elizabeth. Fraternally Mr. Cooper is connected with Westhope Lodge, No. 74, A. F. &. A. M.; Phoenicia Chapter, No. 17, R. A. M.; Lorraine Commandery, No. 13, K. T., and the Modern Woodmen of America and he stands as a loyal supporter of the panicles of Masonry, which rests upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. His political views accord with the teachings of the republican party and his life is guided by his connection with the Methodist Episcopal church, in which both he and his wife are devoted members. In all branches of the church work they take an active and helpful interest and Mr. Cooper is now serving as a member of the board of trustees and as superintendent of the Sunday school. In all his business affairs he has been thoroughly reliable, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen and ever careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional ethics.

ADAM CRANSTON, North Dakota derives its wealth in large measure from its grain interests, and prominent among its business men are those who are buying grain and managing its elevators, thus shipping the products of its fields into all parts of the country and thus bringing North Dakota into close business relations with every section of the Union. Active in the grain trade is Adam Cranston, now manager of the Farmers Elevator at Antler and also one of the pioneer settlers of the town. He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, September 7, 1883, a son of Adam and Euphemia (Ferguson) Cranston, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ontario. The father on leaving his native land became a resident of Ontario and in less than a year he lost his eyesight, since which time he has been blind.  It was after this that he married and he has never seen his wife nor children. In 1900 he came to North Dakota and took up a homestead four miles east of Antler, on which he has since resided.

Adam Cranston of this review is indebted to the public school system of Ontario for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. He came with his father and the family to North Dakota in 1900 and when he attained his majority in 1904 he, too, homesteaded about four miles west of Antler and during the succeeding eleven years was actively engaged in farming. As early as 1905 he identified himself with the grain business and during the years 1906 and 1907 bought grain on his own account, buying on the track at Kuroki and Antler. Subsequently, however, he concentrated his entire attention upon his farming interests, so continuing until August, 1914, when he was made manager of the Farmers Elevator at Antler and has since been in control of that undertaking. His work in this connection is thoroughly satisfactory to those whom he represents, for he watches the market closely and makes judicious purchases resulting in profitable sales for the company. He still owns his homestead property but has recently sold a quarter section which he had in the meantime acquired.

In 1915 Mr. Cranston was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Johnston, of South Dakota, by whom he has a son, James L. Mr. Cranston votes with the republican party and labors untiringly to promote its success because of his firm belief in its principles. He is now chairman of the board of township supervisors, in which official capacity he has served for the past twelve years, his long continuance in the office being proof of his marked fidelity and capability. He has also recently been appointed justice of the peace of his town. Fraternally he is identified with the following organizations: Antler Lodge, No. 80, A. F. & A. M.; Antler Lodge, No. 109, I. O. O. F.; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Modern Brotherhood of America. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cranston hold membership in the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested, Mr. Cranston is now serving as one of the church trustees. His is a busy and useful life fraught with substantial results, his success being the merited reward of his persistency of purpose and untiring industry.