HON. C. C. JACOBSON, a dealer in general merchandise, farm machinery and automobiles at Landa and now representative from his district in the state legislature, was born in Norway, February 5, 1871. a son of Christ and Lena (Mork) Jacobson, who came to the United States in 1871, when their son was but an infant of six months. They established their home in Adams county, Wisconsin, where the father purchased land and engaged in farming, his active life being spent in that state. His wife passed away about 1911, since which time he has made his home among his children.

C. C. Jacobson was educated in the public schools and in the high schools of Necedah and Waupaca, Wisconsin, and also in the Northern Indiana Normal and Business College, being graduated from the commercial department of the last named institution with the class of 1893. During the succeeding two years he taught school and subsequently was employed in mercantile houses in Necedah and Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. In August 1904, he arrived in Bottineau, North Dakota, and from that time until the 1st of April following he was employed in the settlement of the Ertresvaag estate. Later, in connection with George Sunberg, P. S. Hilleboe, H. J. Dale, P. B. Haber and W. T. Cooper, he organized the First International Bank of Landa and was placed in charge of that institution as cashier upon the opening of its doors for business on the 17th of April. In that capacity he served until September 1912, when he disposed of his interest in the bank and purchased the farm implement business of Gorder & Gorder and the general merchandise business of Andrew Helgerson. Both of these houses he has since conducted and has built up a business of substantial proportions in that connection. He also has the agency of the Studebaker and the Ford cars and is regarded as one of the most progressive, alert and enterprising business men of Landa. He has also made investment in farm property and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, although formerly his holdings were much more extensive but in recent months he has disposed of a considerable portion of his land.

On the 18th of August 1897, Mr. Jacobson was united in marriage to Miss Tillie Christenson, of Necedah, Wisconsin, by whom he has two daughters, namely: Lela Adelaide, a student in the Westhope high school ; and Viola Marie.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church and in politics Mr. Jacobson is a republican. For several years he filled various political local offices and was chairman of the board of supervisors, president of the school board and justice of the peace. In November 1912, he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and in 1914 was reelected to that office, while in the summer of 1916 he was nominated for a third term. His party has thus endorsed his service as a member of the general assembly and in that connection he has done excellent work, supporting much constructive legislation and seeking ever to advance the best interests of the commonwealth.  To this end he places the public good before personal aggrandizement and the general interests of society before partisanship.

JULIUS A. JOHNSON, M. D., physician and surgeon of Bottineau, was born at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, November 3, 1876, a son of Andrew and Carrie (Olson) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway. In 1863 they came to the new world, settling near La Crosse, Wisconsin, where the father purchased land and also entered a claim from the government, continuing to there engage in farming throughout his remaining days. He passed away in April 1908, having for about five years survived his wife, who died in September 1903.

While spending his youthful days under the parental roof in his native state Julius A. Johnson pursued a public school education which he completed at the high school in Black River Falls. Later he attended the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon and then in preparation for a professional career entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, which is now the medical department of the University of Illinois. He was graduated therefrom on the completion of the regular medical course in 1903 and returned to Black River Falls, where he remained in practice for six months. He then removed to Bottineau, North Dakota, where he opened an office and has since engaged in the practice of both medicine and surgery. He had previously visited this state, having from 1894 until 1896 worked for his brother on a newspaper at Minot, following the printer's trade for four years. He now concentrates his energies upon his professional duties and has an extensive practice, his office being thoroughly equipped with all modern appliances to facilitate his work. He is also a stockholder and director of the Bottineau National Bank and owns farm lands in Bottineau, McHenry and Williams counties, his holdings embracing six hundred and forty acres.

On the 7th of October 1903, Dr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Babler and they have become the parents of two children, Thelma and Margaret E. Dr. and Mrs.  Johnson hold membership in the Lutheran church and they occupy a fine home which they own and which is the abode of warm-hearted hospitality. Politically he is a republican and has served as coroner of Bottineau county, while for eight years he was president of the school board. In 1908 he became a candidate for state senator on the republican ticket but was defeated. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America and in the first named has attained high rank, being a member of lodge, chapter, commandery and Mystic Shrine.  Along strictly professional lines he is connected with the Northwestern Medical Society of North Dakota, the North Dakota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and through their proceedings he keeps in close touch with advanced professional thought and methods.

GEORGE H. KALBFLEISCH, engaged in the banking business in Westhope, now occupying the position of cashier in the Peoples State Bank, of which he is also a stockholder and director, was born in Grafton, North Dakota, in August. 1884, a son of Henry G. and Katherine (Rothe) Kalbfleisch, who were natives of Canada. The father was a miller by trade and for many years followed that pursuit. In 1885 he arrived in Bottineau county, North Dakota, and built a flour mill in the town of Bottineau, which was the first enterprise of that character in this part of the state. His remaining days were devoted to the operation of the mill, death ending his labors in August 1898. His wife survived for nearly two decades, passing away in August 1915.

George H. Kalbfleisch has been a lifelong resident of North Dakota and almost the entire period has been spent in Bottineau county. He was graduated from the Bottineau high school with the class of 1901 and afterward attended the State University and also pursued a course in Aaker's Business College at Fargo. In 1906 he removed to Westhope to accept the position of assistant cashier of the First International Bank, with which institution he continued until 1908, when the bank was merged into the Peoples State Bank, Mr. Kalbfleisch being retained in the position of cashier. He has since acted in that capacity, promptly, faithfully and efficiently discharging his duties and thus contributing in large measure to the success of the institution, which has enjoyed a steady growth and is now recognized as one of the strong financial concerns of Bottineau county. He took an active part in organizing the Peoples State Bank and in its conduct has ever held to the highest ethical standards. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bottineau county.

In April 1913, Mr. Kalbfleiseh was married to Miss Lillian M. Johnson and they have become the parents of two children: Gaylord H., born in October 1913; and Kathryn S., born in September 1915.

Mr. and Mrs. Kalbfleiseh are consistent members of the Baptist church and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and at the present time he is filling the offices of city treasurer and secretary of the board of education. He is a public-spirited citizen and his efforts have been a potent force in upbuilding and developing those standards which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.

JOHN KENT, engaged in the undertaking business in Lansford, was born in Shiawassee county, Michigan, August 4, 1875, a son of Jacob and Mary (Readson) Kent, the former a native of New York and the latter of Michigan. The father was a farmer by occupation and in early life removed westward to Michigan, where he purchased land whereon he engaged in farming throughout his remaining days. He died in the year 1898, while his wife passed away in 1900.

John Kent was reared and educated in Michigan and remained with his parents until they passed away. In 1901 he became a resident of Bottineau county. North Dakota, and for a year was employed at day labor. He then filed on a homestead and broke the first furrows in his fields, converting the tract of wild prairie land into a rich and productive farm. After living upon that place for six years he sold out and established his home in Lansford, where he opened a furniture store and undertaking business, continuing active along those lines for five years. On the expiration of that period he sold the furniture store but has since continued active in connection with the undertaking business and he is now also engaged in the sale of pianos.

On the 22d of January 1902, Mr. Kent was united in marriage to Miss Bertha M. Hamblin and they have become parents of two sons: John William, born November 20, 1902; and Charles H., born September 3, 1904.

In his political views Mr. Kent has always been an earnest republican and has served as a member of the town council of Lansford, while for three and one-half years he was chief of the fire department. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, of which he is an exemplary representative, and he is a consistent member of the Methodist church, possessing many sterling qualities which have won for him the warm regard, confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen.

CARL A. KIRKEBY, The business interests of Souris have a worthy representative in Carl A. Kirkeby, who owns and operates an elevator at that place, also deals in farm machinery of all kinds and is interested in banking. He is a native of Iowa, born near Decorah in Winneshiek county, September 9, 1879, and is a son of Anton H. and Tilda (Evenrud) Kirkeby, by whom more extended mention is made in the sketch of George W. Kirkeby on another page of this work.

In the county of his nativity Carl A. Kirkeby grew to manhood, receiving the usual educational advantages and when not in school assisting in the work of the home farm.  At the age of fifteen years he started out in life for himself and was employed as a farm hand for several years. In 1903 he came to North Dakota and the following year became a resident of Bottineau county, where he took up a homestead and devoted three years to its improvement and cultivation. At the end of that time he removed to Souris, where he was employed in a hardware store for two years, and then turned his attention to the grain business, serving as manager for the St. Anthony Elevator Company for four years and for the Farmers Elevator Company for three years. Since that time he has engaged in the grain business on his own account, now owning and operating a modern elevator. He is also engaged in the implement business, handling all kinds of farm machinery, wagons, buggies, etc., and is vice president of the Mouse River Valley Bank at Souris.

On the 8th of August 1906, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kirkeby and Miss Pearl Monkman, and they have one child, Doris, born March 19, 1912. In religious faith they are Lutherans, and in politics Mr. Kirkeby is an ardent republican, taking an active and commendable interest in public affairs. He is now efficiently serving as chief of the fire department and as a member of the city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Sons of Norway. Although his interests are varied, he has made a success of business affairs and besides the property already mentioned he is the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Bottineau county.

GEORGE W. KIRKEBY, cashier of the Mouse River Valley Bank at Souris, North Dakota, is one of the wide-awake, energetic young business men of Bottineau county. He was born in Decorah, Iowa, on the 28th of May 1891, a son of A. H. and Tilda (Evenrud) Kirkeby.  The father is a native of Norway and on coming to the new world about 1873 located in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where he purchased land and engaged in agricultural pursuits, residing upon one farm for thirty-two years, but he is now living retired in Decorah.

In that city George W. Kirkeby was reared and educated, being given good advantages.  He attended Luther College and completed his education at Valder's Business College. On leaving home he went to Montana, where he was employed in a bank for one year, and then came to Souris, Bottineau county, North Dakota, accepting the position of assistant cashier of the Mouse River Valley Bank, which was organized in 1903. It has a capital of fifteen thousand dollars and does a large business, its deposits now amounting to one hundred and ten thousand dollars. In 1916 Mr. Kirkeby was made cashier of the institution, the other officers being M. E. Wilson, president; C. A. Kirkeby, vice president; and A. C.  Brainard, assistant cashier.

Mr. Kirkeby is a member of the Sons of Norway and the Yeoman lodges and is also identified with the Lutheran church. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the democratic party and does all in his power to promote the interests of his adopted state.

WILLIAM H. LACKEY, One of the most prominent business men and influential citizens of Westhope is William H. Lackey, who is proprietor of a large hardware establishment at that place. He is a native of Wisconsin, his birth occurring in Westfield, July 25, 1861, and his parents being Philo and Mary (Stewart) Lackey. The father was born in Vermont but the mother's birth occurred across the line in Ontario, Canada. By trade Philo Lackey was a wagon and carriage maker. He removed to Wisconsin about 1840 and was engaged in wagon making at Westfield when the Civil war broke out. Feeling that his country needed his services he enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment and remained at the front for one year. He then returned to Westfield and continued to reside there until called from this life in May 1885. His wife had passed away in March 1876.

Reared to manhood in Wisconsin, William H. Lackey is indebted to the public schools of Westfield for his early education, which was completed in the Curtiss Business College of Minneapolis. He learned wagon and carriage making under his father, with whom he worked about seven years, and succeeded him in business which he conducted until the summer of 1885, when he sold out and went to Minneapolis. He was subsequently engaged in the real estate business there for twelve years and while there took a very active and prominent part in public affairs, serving as a member of the city council of Minneapolis for four years.  In 1897 Mr. Lackey removed to Langdon, North Dakota, and entered the employ of F. H.  Stoltze in the lumber business, remaining there one year. He next went to Devils Lake in the interest of the same company, and in December 1903, established a lumberyard for Mr. Stoltze at Westhope, Bottineau county. He had charge of the same until May 1907, when he severed his connection with the company and embarked in the hardware business at Westhope on his own account. He has since purchased the building which he now occupies and he carries a well selected stock of both shelf and heavy hardware, for which he finds a ready sale in the town and surrounding country.

Mr. Lackey was married in November 1893, to Miss Sadie Adamson, of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they have become the parents of four children, namely: Isabelle, born in Minneapolis, March 29, 1895; Stella, born in Minneapolis, March 5, 1897; Esther, born in Devils Lake, North Dakota, August 22, 1899; and William, born in Westhope, December 22, 1906.

The democratic party has always found in Mr. Lackey a stanch supporter of its principles and he is now serving as a member of the democratic state committee from Bottineau county.  He has served on the school board of Westhope and was president of the county association of school boards for four years. He was also a member of the town council one year and ran for state senator on his party ticket in 1908 but was defeated by forty votes. He was the first master of the Masonic lodge at Westhope and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Yeomen and the Modern Woodmen of America. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian and is now serving as a member of the board of trustees of the church to which he belongs. No man in the community is held in higher regard or exerts a greater influence in local affairs than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. In business affairs he is always prompt and reliable and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.

ANTON LALLUM, mayor of Bottineau and assistant cashier of the Bottineau County Bank, is a representative of that class of substantial and progressive citizens that Norway has furnished to this state. He was born December 19, 1879, in the land of the midnight sun, his parents being Gunder and Anna (Olson) Lallum, who came to the United States in 1886, settling in Barnes county. The father purchased a farm near Fingal, acquiring three hundred and twenty acres of land which he still owns, but he ceased the active operation of his farm in 1913 and retiring from business life removed to Longbeach, California, where he now makes his home.

Anton Lallum was a little lad of but of seven summers when he became a resident of North Dakota, and after attending the public schools he continued his education in the Valley City Normal School, subsequent to which time he devoted five years to educational work.  He afterward pursued a business course in the Globe Business College of St. Paul and in the fall of 1904 arrived in Bottineau, where he secured a position in the Bottineau County Bank as bookkeeper. His faithfulness and capability led to his advancement to the position of assistant cashier of this institution, which shows deposits of over a half million dollars and ranks among the most important banking concerns of the northwestern part of the state.

In 1905 Mr. Lallum was united in marriage to Miss Inga Hendrickson, of Brooten, Minnesota, by whom he has a daughter, Bernice Eleanor. Mr. Lallum has always voted with the republican party and at the spring election of 1915 was the popular candidate for the mayoralty, being elected by a good majority. He is now the chief executive of his city, to which he is giving a businesslike and progressive administration characterized by needed improvements and progressive measures. In his work as mayor he avoids all useless expenditures and needless retrenchments and seeks to build not only for the present but for the future. His devotion to the general good stands as an unquestioned fact in his career.

OLAUS O. LEE, who is successfully engaged in the hardware business in Roth, Bottineau county, North Dakota, was born on the 12th of September 1865, in Holmestrand, Norway, of which country his parents, Ole and Andrena (Lian) Lee, were also natives, he was only two years of age, when in 1867 the family crossed the Atlantic and took up their residence in Wisconsin, where the father worked at his trade as a stone mason for several years. In 1877, however, he came to North Dakota and securing a homestead in Traill county turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued to farm throughout the remainder of his life, dying in 1887. His widow still survives him.

Olaus 0. Lee began his education in the public schools of Wisconsin and after the removal of the family to this state continued to attend school for some time in Traill county, where he grew to manhood. He early became familiar with the work of the farm while aiding his father in its operation and he remained with his parents until of age. In 1900 he filed a claim on land near Roth in Bottineau county and was engaged in its improvement and cultivation for five years. For a time he worked for others and hired his own farm operated but in 1907 he removed to Roth and has since engaged in the hardware business, owning the only store of the kind in the village. He carries a large and well selected stock of shelf and heavy hardware and enjoys a large patronage. He still owns his farm in Bottineau county.

In October 1907, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Elizabeth La Bar, and they have two children: Elton, born October 14, 1909; and Archie, born February 14, 1911.  Mr. Lee is serving as township treasurer at the present time and is an ardent supporter of the republican party. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. His business career has been most commendable and he has the confidence and high regard of all who know him.

WALTER R. LEE, owner and publisher of the Antler American, has made his home in Bottineau county since 1909 and it was in that year that he purchased the American, a paper of which he is now the proprietor. He is a native son of North Dakota, his birth having occurred in Walhalla, December 10, 1885. His parents, Edward G. and Eleanor E.  (McGuin) Lee, were natives of Canada. In 1878 the father became a resident of Pembina County, North Dakota, where he worked in a mill for a time and also engaged in farming, filing on land there which he continued to develop and cultivate until 1890. He then removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and became a member of the police force of that city for a time, after, which he returned to North Dakota, where he passed away in 1894. His widow is now living with a daughter in Grand Forks.

Walter R. Lee was reared and educated in this state, supplementing his common school training by study in the State University. During that period he also learned the printer's trade, at which he worked until 1909, when he removed to Antler and purchased the Antler American, which now has a subscription list of eight hundred and fifty. In addition he does a large job printing business and he has a splendidly equipped office, containing a linotype machine and two presses as well as all of the smaller accessories in the way of type, etc.  He likewise owns the building which he occupies and his business has now reached gratifying proportions.

In June 1906, Mr. Lee was united in marriage to Miss Anna Schmidt, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Martin) Schmidt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Berlin, Ontario. In pioneer times they became residents of North Dakota and the father drove a stagecoach between Grand Forks and Acton. Later he took up a homestead claim, which he occupied and operated for several years, but for the past twenty years he has been engaged in the elevator business at Grafton and at Walhalla, making his home in the latter place. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have become the parents of a son, Maurice, born July 12, 1909.  The religious faith of Mr. Lee is that of the Methodist church, while his wife is a member of the Catholic church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he is a stand pat republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to the principles of the party because of his firm belief in their efficacy as factors in good government. For six years he filled the position of city auditor and he has always been a champion of those interests which are most potent forces in bringing about the general improvement of the district in which he lives.

E. J. LILLIE, who is now manager for the Imperial Elevator Company at Maxbass, North Dakota, was born in Marion, Linn county, Iowa, on the 24th of October 1885, a son of George A. and Mary (White) Lillie. The mother was also a native of Iowa, but the father was born and reared in Vermont, remaining there until after the Civil war. He enlisted in a Vermont regiment and served for one year. In 1866 he removed to Iowa, and purchased land in Linn county, where he continued to follow farming throughout the remainder of his life. He died in September 1900, and his wife passed away in September, 1895.

E. J. Lillie passed his boyhood and youth in Linn county, Iowa, attending school and assisting in the work of the home farm. In 1902 he came to North Dakota and located in Bottineau county, where he was in the employ of different elevator companies for some time.  In 1910 he took charge of the Imperial Elevator Company's business at Maxbass and in its management he has displayed excellent business ability. He is a wideawake, energetic man and his services have proved very satisfactory to the company he represents.

Fraternally Mr. Lillie is a Mason, belonging to the lodge at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and he is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at that place. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, and in politics he is a republican. He takes a deep interest in the questions and issues of the day and keeps well informed on current events.