Biographies

North Dakota History and People
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Chicago, Ill. 1917

PETER MADISON, who is residing on section 22, Harwood township, has gained a gratifying measure of success as a farmer, he was born in Sweden on the 22d of May, 1850, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthias Madison, but his mother died when he was an infant, and he has no recollection of her. In 1873 he came to the United States as he had heard much concerning the unusually good opportunities which this country offers to an energetic and industrious young man. He located in Duluth, Minnesota, where he worked on lake boats for a time and later was employed at off-bearing for brick and stone masons. In 1874, however, he came to Dakota territory, settling at Fargo, and for seven years he was employed there at plastering and building. He then turned his attention to farming and worked for S. V. Hoag for one year, after which he took up as a homestead the farm on which he still lives. Subsequently he bought eighty acres of land and his holdings now total two hundred and forty acres, all of which is well improved. Through the intervening years he has worked diligently and as he has followed up-to-date methods and has managed his affairs well his resources have constantly increased. He owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Independent Harvester Company.

In 1881 Mr. Madison was united in marriage to Miss Mary Marguerite Peterson, also a native of Sweden, who came, to this country in 1880. They have become the parents of eight children: Albin, a rancher of Montana; Nellie, the wife of A. T. Ostrom, also a resident of that state; Emil and Ralph, at home; Lillian, who is employed by the Ford Motor Company at Fargo; and Estelle, Myrtle and Walter, all at home.  Mr. Madison is an adherent of the republican party and for several years served as a member of the school board, both he and his wife are affiliated with the Swedish Baptist church and in their religious faith is found the guiding force of their lives. When Mr. Madison came to the United States he was without money, but he possessed ambition, enterprise and sound judgment and the exercise of these qualities has enabled him to gain a gratifying measure of success.

H. A. MALCHOSE, who has made an excellent record as cashier of the Ayr State Bank, was born at Sabin, Minnesota, on the 10th of December 1886. His father, H. A. Malchose, was born in Germany but came to the United States in early manhood and for a time resided in Wisconsin, where he married Miss Mary Schmidt, a native of that state. They at length removed to Minnesota, where he followed the blacksmith’s trade, which he had learned in his native land and where he passed away in 1887. His wife survives and still lives in Minnesota.

H. A. Malchose, who is one of a family of five children, of whom four survive, received his general education in the common schools and prepared for business life by taking a course in a commercial college at Fargo. He remained at home until he was of age and then began clerking in a store. In 1910 he removed to Ayr, North Dakota, and became a salesman in a store, which position he filled until 1911. He was then made assistant cashier of the State Bank of Ayr and two years later his ability was recognized by election to the position of cashier, which he has since held. He has given careful study to the principles of finance which underlie all successful banking, is thoroughly familiar with the minutiae of banking practice and seeks to make the institution a factor in the development of local business enterprises and at the same time pursues a conservative policy that protects the interests of stockholders and depositors.

In 1913 Mr. Malchose was united in marriage to Agnes Punton, a native of Ayr and a daughter of Thor and Elizabeth (Bell) Punton, both natives of Scotland, who came to America about 1880. They at once located on a farm in Cass county, North Dakota, and have since resided here. Mr. and Mrs. Malchose have two sons, Kenneth, whose natal day was the 29th of August 1913; and Hubert A. born December 17, 1915.  Mr. Malchose gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served ably as justice of the peace of Ayr. Fraternally he belongs to Harrison Lodge, No. 101, A. F.  & A. M., and to the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is now serving as clerk. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, whose activities are furthered by their support and helpful interest. He is recognized as one of the most enterprising young business men of the county and his continued success seems assured.

OLE MALEN, One of the substantial citizens that Norway has furnished to Cass county is Ole Malen, who was born in the land of the midnight sun, January 27, 1866, his parents being Nels and Christina Malen, also natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives and there reared their family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living, four now being residents of the United States.

Ole Malen was reared and educated in his native land to the age of sixteen years, when in 1882 he bade adieu to friends and family and sailed for the new world, making his way to Ottertail county, Minnesota, where he resided for seven years. He then went to Georgetown, Minnesota, where he was employed as section boss by the Great Northern Railroad Company for eight years. He had come empty handed to the new world but he carefully saved his earnings until industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm, at which time he made investment in land near Argusville, North Dakota. Through the succeeding six years his time and attention were devoted to its development and improvement, after which he sold that property and rented a farm in Noble town-ship, Cass county, upon which he lived for eight years. At the end of that period he purchased the farm upon which he now resides on section 24, Noble township, comprising one hundred and thirty-nine acres, lying along the great Red River of the North. He has since devoted his attention to the cultivation and improvement of this property and his labors have brought good results.

Mr. Malen has been twice married. He was first married in 1896 to Miss Christina Ohnstad, who was born in Norway and by her marriage became the mother of five children, Nora Matilda, Clara Annetta, Gina, Mable, deceased, and Estella. In June, 1906, the wife and mother was called to her final rest, her remains being interred in the Lutheran church cemetery in Noble township. On the 22d of October, 1907, Mr. Malen was again married, this union being with Miss Breta Berge, who was likewise a native of Norway but emigrated to the new world in 1903. Of the second marriage there are also five children, Anna, Oscar, Harold, Sigurd and Arthur.

Mr. and Mrs. Malen hold membership in the Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings, he votes with the republican party but has never sought nor desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. His life has been active and well spent and his indefatigable energy and perseverance have been the foundation upon which he has built his present success.

MELVIN N. MALLORY, cashier of the First National Bank of Page, Cass county, has been connected with this institution since 1912. His residence in the state, however, covers the intervening years from 1903. He was born in Plainview, Minnesota, November 10, 1877, a son of Julius W. and Ellen E. (Wedge) Mallory. The father was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, and the mother’s birthplace was probably Waupun, Wisconsin, where they were married. In 1864 they removed to Plainview, Minnesota, and Mr. Mallory was engaged in farming for a number of years, his life’s labors being ended in death in 1902. His widow is still residing in Plainview.

Melvin N. Mallory was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the Plainview high school. He also attended Hamline University at St. Paul, Minnesota, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1900, winning the degree of Ph. B.  In 1903 he arrived in North Dakota and engaged in the drug business, with which he was identified in Plainview, Lisbon and Hope until the spring of 1912, when he removed to Page and entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier. In the spring of 1914 he was advanced to the position of cashier and is now serving in that capacity, making an excellent record through his capability, loyalty and enterprise. He is a stockholder in the institution and is a member of its board of directors.

In 1908 Mr. Mallory was united in marriage to Miss Violet Morrish, of Mayville, North Dakota, by whom he has a son, Howard Byron. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the city in which they make their home.

In politics Mr. Mallory is a republican and fraternally is connected with Occidental Lodge, F. & A. M., of Hope, North Dakota. He has made continuous progress since starting out in the business world on his own account and each forward step has brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities. There has been nothing spectacular in his career and nothing esoteric. lie has worked on along the well defined lines of labor and his close application, perseverance and enterprise have been the means of winning for him advancement.

HON. BENJAMIN H. MALLOUGH, of Gill township, Cass county, is making an excellent record as a member of the state senate and formerly for two terms held the office of state representative.  He was born in Canada November 28, 1860, of the marriage of Joseph and Rebecca (Shannon) Mallough, further mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

Benjamin H. Mallough was reared in the Dominion and received his education in the schools of that country, continuing his study through the high school. He remained at home until he was grown but in 1881 removed to Cass county. North Dakota, and two years later took up a homestead, on which he lived for six years, after which he bought his present farm on section 33, Gill township. He at once began to improve his place, which he has brought to a high state of, development. He owns three hundred and twenty acres and also cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of rented land. He is enterprising and progressive and derives a handsome income from his agricultural interests.

Mr. Mallough was married in 1889 to Miss Lillie Collins, a native of Canada and a daughter of Edmund and Ann (Stanley) Collins, both of whom were also born in that country but came to North Dakota with their family in 1880. They are still living upon a farm in Cass county and are highly esteemed in their community, Mr. and Mrs. Mallough have become the parents of six children, namely: Rebecca M., deceased; Loraine M., the wife of F. A. Post, of Casselton; Howard B., who is a graduate of the high school and is at home; Frederick S., deceased; Blanch, also deceased; and Lucile Eleanor.

Mr. Mallough has for years taken an active part in politics and is recognized as a leader in the republican party. In 1901 and again in 1903 he was state representative from his district and at the present time is serving as senator from the eleventh district. His careful study of public questions, his well balanced judgment and his devotion to the public good, combined with his former experience in legislative work, admirably fit him for his present position. He has held a number of local offices and for years was chairman of the township board and for nine years was chairman of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with Lodge No. 31, 1. O. O. F., of Wheatland, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and with the Masonic order, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree and in which he has held a number of offices. Both he and his wife are active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is serving as steward and trustee. He is a man of many sided interests and along varied lines of activity has promoted the advancement of his community.

DAVID M. MALLOUGH is engaged in farming on sections 24 and 25, Howe township, Cass county, where he owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, and since 1907 has also owned an elevator at Embden with a capacity of twenty-five thousand bushels. A native of Canada, he was born on the 18th of April 1879, and is a son of Joseph and Christina (Smith) Mallough, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter in Scotland, both removed to Canada in their youth, but in 1880 they took up their residence in Cass county, North Dakota.  The father homesteaded land there and continued to cultivate it until his demise. His wife also passed away in that county. All but one of their ten children are still living.

David M. Mallough remained at home until he became of age and divided his time between attending school and assisting his father with the farm work. Beginning his independent career, he determined to follow the occupation to which he had been reared, purchased land and began to cultivate it on his own account. After following agricultural pursuits for seven years on section 14, Howe township, he removed to his present farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres on sections 24 and 25, that township. He raises both grain and stock and as he is at once energetic and practical his activities yield him a good financial return. In 1907 he entered the grain business and now owns a large elevator at Embden which yields him a good profit.

In 1901 Mr. Mallough was married to Miss Anna McConnell, a daughter of John McConnell, a retired farmer living in Embden, He was born in Canada on the 17th of October 1849, and his parents were David and Anna (Hamilton) McConnell, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Scotland. The mother removed to the Dominion, however, in her youth and there her marriage occurred. Both Mr. and Mrs. David McConnell resided in the Dominion until called to their reward. They had eight children but five are now deceased.  John McConnell remained at home until he was twenty-three years old, when he began farming on his own account in his native country. Later he removed to Cass county. North Dakota, but a short time later went to the vicinity of Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he took up a claim and built a small shanty, in which he lived for six months. He then returned to Cass county, this state, and bought a farm, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and energies until 1913 when, having accumulated a competence, he retired from active life and removed to Embden, where he is now living. He is a republican in politics, but has never sought office and fraternally is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. When he came to North Dakota he had no money, but he possessed energy and sound judgment and he has gained a place among the substantial men of his county. He is an elder of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. She was in her maidenhood Miss Jane Armour and was born in Canada. They were married in 1877 in that country and they have become the parents of five children, namely : Anna, now Mrs. Mallough ; Minnie, the wife of Albert Hilkey; John; Ida, who is a graduate of the State Normal School at Valley City and is now teaching; and William, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mallough are the parents of two children, Lloyd C. and Lila May.

Mr. Mallough is an adherent of the republican party and has served his district acceptably as school director, but has never sought to figure prominently in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic blue lodge at Casselton and with the American’ Yeomen at Casselton. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church, the work of which they seek to further, and the sincerity of their faith is evidenced in the rectitude of their daily lives.  He is recognized as a man of foresight, energy and business acumen and has been a factor in the commercial advancement of Embden as well as in the agricultural development of his township.

OSCAR MATHISON, who has been a resident of Wiser township, Cass county, since pioneer times, has gained a gratifying measure of success as a farmer. He was born in Norway on the 3d of January 1850, a son of Mathias and Anna S. (Peterson) Mathison, both of whom died in that country.

In 1869, when nineteen years of age, Oscar Mathison, emigrated to the United States and at once made his way to the middle west, settling in Lafayette county, Wisconsin. He worked as a farm hand there and also attended school during the winter months, thus perfecting his knowledge of the English language. He remained in Wisconsin for about nine years but in 1878 came to what is now North Dakota and took up a homestead on section 14, Wiser township, Cass county, where he has since resided. During the intervening thirty-eight years he has converted a wild tract of raw prairie into a highly cultivated and well improved farm, and he receives a good profit from the sale of his grain and stock.  He owns two hundred and forty acres of land and is one of the substantial men of his locality.

In May 1878, Mr. Mathison was married to Miss Mary Swanson, who had arrived in North Dakota but a short time before their marriage. They had one son, now engaged in the machine business at Beach, North Dakota. Mrs. Mathison died December 16, 1884, and in 1886 Mr. Mathison married Miss Margaret Hanson. They are the parents of the following children: Mary, at home; Louisa, the wife of Elvin Madson, who is operating our subject’s farm; Sophia, who is teaching school; Olga, the wife of Walter Fuller, of McKenzie county.  North Dakota; and Hilda and Olaf, both at home.

Mr. Mathison supports the republican party at the polls, and both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church, the advancement of whose work they promote in every way possible. The sterling qualities which Mr. Mathison has manifested have gained him the respect of all who have been associated with him, and he has won and retained the sincere friendship of many.

WILLIAM MCCOSH, a general merchant of Ayr, North Dakota, was born in Ontario, Canada, March 3, 1873, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Cullen) McCosh, the former a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, and the latter of Nova Scotia. In his young manhood the father emigrated to Ontario, where his marriage occurred and where he successfully engaged in farming until he retired from active life, spending his last years in the enjoyment of a period of rest in Kincardine. He died in 1913, but his wife is still living and makes her home with a daughter in Saskatchewan.

William McCosh passed the days of his boyhood and youth at home and received the greater part of his education in the public schools. In 1894 he came to North Dakota and during the following winter was a student at the Agricultural College at Fargo. In the spring, however, he began to work at bridge building, but after two months entered the employ of Park, Grant & Morris, wholesale grocers of Fargo, with whom he remained for a year. He then became connected with the wholesale grocery house of Lewis, Vidger & Company, remaining with that firm for about eight months, after which he accepted a position with T. E. Yerxa, a grocer of Fargo. He remained in that employ for about seven years, but in November 1903, entered business for himself, becoming a member of the Ayr Store Company, an incorporated concern, which conducts one of the leading general stores of Cass county. From time to time he has bought more stock in the company, now owning more than one-half, and since 1905 he has served as manager of the concern. His long connection with various phases of merchandising well qualifies him for this responsible position, and under his direction the store has proved a very profitable concern. He not only understands how to buy to advantage, but has also made the sales department very efficient and his policy of giving full value for money received has commended the store to the patronage of the public. In addition to general merchandise good lines of hardware and farm machinery are handled, and the company also has the agency for the Overland automobile.

In 1905 Mr. McCosh was married to Miss Catherine Chapman, of Ayr, North Dakota, and they have become the parents of four children, Frances, Jessie, Edwin and Catherine, Mr. McCosh is a staunch republican and for many years served as town clerk, while at present he holds the office of school director. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to the Modern Woodmen; Hiram Lodge, No. 20, A. F. & A. M., at Page, also the chapter, R. A. M., and Dakota Consistory. His religious faith is indicated by the fact that he is a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs, and in business as in other phases of life he guides his conduct by the teachings of Christianity. He possesses sound judgment and foresight and the determination necessary to carry his projects to successful completion. He is justly considered one of the important factors in the commercial life of the city of Ayr.

ALEXANDER MCDONALD was connected with agricultural interests in Cass county for a considerable period but is now operating the oil station in the village of Gardner, he was born in Canada, August 19, 1855, and is a son of John and Margaret (Sterling) McDonald, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to Canada about 1823 and there lived throughout their remaining days, rearing their family of eleven children, eight of whom survive.

Alexander McDonald spent his youthful days in his native country and is indebted to the public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed, he remained in Canada to the age of twenty-four years and in 1879 made his way from that country to North Dakota, at which time he took up his abode upon the farm in Cass county that he still owns, comprising three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 10, Gardner township. This was then a pioneer region and there was little evidence that the work of improvement and progress had been begun. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and develop his fields and as time passed he added many improvements to the property, which he converted into a productive and valuable farm. Year after year he carried on the task of plowing, planting and harvesting and gathered rich crops, but at length he put aside the work of the field and removed to Gardner, where for one year he engaged in merchandising.  At the end of that time he took the oil station which he has since operated and has built up a good business in this connection.

In 1883 Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Kate Curry, a native of Canada and a daughter of John and Margaret Curry. To them have been born two children, namely: William J. who lives on the homestead place; and Margaret May, who is still with her parents.

Mr. McDonald is a republican in his political views and that he is a loyal, faithful and capable officer is indicated in the fact that he has served as supervisor for twenty years.  He has also been a member of the school hoard and is a warm friend of the cause of education.  He belongs to the Yeomen lodge and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in both has tilled all of the chairs. He has never had occasion to regret leaving his native country and seeking the opportunities offered in the growing northwest, for here he found good business chances and in their utilization has worked his way steadily upward.

ALEXANDER MCDONALD, who is manager of the Lynchburg Farmers Elevator Company at Lynchburg North Dakota, and also has charge of the Amenia Elevator Company’s lumberyards, has had many years’ experience in the grain business and is recognized as one of the most able men in that line of activity in the state. He was born in Ontario, Canada, on the 18th of January 1870, and is a son of Alexander and Christie (Stewart) McDonald, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ontario. The father emigrated to Canada in his young manhood and continued to reside there until his death. He was a farmer by occupation and was well known and highly respected in his community.

Alexander McDonald remained in Canada until he was eighteen years of age and received his education in the public schools. In 1889 he came to the States, settling at Crary, Ramsey county. North Dakota, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. He then accepted a position as second man in the old Minneapolis & Northern elevator at Crary, which has since gone out of existence. He remained in the employ of that firm for sixteen years and during two years of that time was their manager at Levant, North Dakota, and for twelve years had charge of their interests at Willow City. In 1910 he became manager of the Occident elevator at Clyde, but in 1914 he resigned that position in order to accept his present place in the employ of the Lynchburg Farmers Elevator Company.  He has charge of two elevators owned by that concern and is also manager of the Amenia Elevator Company’s lumberyards. He understands every phase of the grain business and is so conducting the elevators under his charge that they yield a good profit to their owners.

In 1903 occurred the marriage of Mr. McDonald and Miss Margaret Campbell, also a native of Ontario, by whom he has three children: Sarah Christina; Ada Alexandria and Glen Roy.

Mr. McDonald supports the republican party at the polls and fraternally is identified with Willow City Lodge, No. 47, A. F. & A. M.; and Clyde Lodge, No. 70, K. P. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and can be counted upon to support movements seeking the moral advancement of their community. Mr. McDonald’s dominant characteristics are determination, enterprise and honesty, traits which seldom fail to lead to success, and he is respected by all who come in contact with him.

JOHN MCGUIGAN, who is manager of the elevator at Chaffee, owned by the Amenia & Sharon Land Company, has had long experience in grain buying and is very efficient in his chosen work. He was born in Ireland on the 1st of October 1865. a son of Bernard and Susan (Allister) McGuigan the former of whom died in Ireland, while the latter is still living there at the age of eighty-five years.

The subject of this review was reared under the parental roof and attended the schools of his native country in the pursuit of an education. In the spring of 1886 he decided to try his fortune in the United States and after reaching this country continued his journey westward to Casselton, North Dakota. For a short time, he worked as a farm hand, but subsequently farmed in partnership with his brother William, who had preceded him to the United States three years. In 1893 John McGuigan became connected with the grain business and was placed in charge of the Anderson & Gage elevator at Woods, Cass county, he remained in the employ of that firm until they disposed of their elevator at Woods, after which he became manager of the Farmers elevator at that place. Two years later he was offered a position with the Amenia Elevator Company and for six months had the management of their elevator at Langdon. In 1909 he was transferred to their elevator at Chaffee, which is one of the most important elevators owned by the company. A great deal of grain is handled there annually and the successful management of the business requires a thorough knowledge of grain buying and sound judgment, qualifications which Mr. McGuigan possesses in an unusual degree. He and his wife own a half section of good land in (fill township and he and his brother James hold title to another half section in that township, and his holdings return him a substantial addition to his income.

In August 1896, Mr. McGuigan was married to Miss Rebecca Smyth, of Lamour county, North Dakota, and they have become the parents of two children, Mary and Ethel.

Mr. McGuigan is connected with Casselton Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M.: Dakota Consistory, A. & A.  S. R.; and El Zagal Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S. Both he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church, to the support of which they contribute. As manager of the elevator Mr. McGuigan is a factor in the commercial expansion of Chaffee, as the grain business is of great importance throughout the state, and he seeks to promote the general welfare as well as to safeguard the interests of the owners of the elevator.

JOSEPH J. MCINTYRE, carrying on general farming and stock raising, is one of the extensive landowners of Cass county, his different purchases of property aggregating nine hundred and sixty acres all in Mapleton township. Mr. McIntyre is of Canadian birth, the place of his nativity being Welland county, Ontario, and the date May 24, 1847. His parents were Malcolm and Hulda (Doane) McIntyre, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Canada. Coming to the new world, Malcolm McIntyre was married in Canada and there he and his wife spent their remaining days, rearing their family of seven children, of whom four are yet living.

Joseph J. McIntyre spent his youth in his native country and pursued his education in the public schools there, he was twenty-nine years of age when he arrived in Cass county in 1870, at which time he took up his abode in the village of Mapleton, where he conducted an implement store for several years. In 1880, however, he removed to the farm which he now occupies and from time to time he has extended its boundaries until the place comprises today nine hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, much of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, so that the fields return to him a gratifying annual income as the result of the golden harvests which he annually gathers. He makes stock raising a feature of his farm as well as the production of grain and his business is carefully, systematically and successfully managed.

In 1879 Mr. McIntyre was married in Canada to Miss Henrietta Sherk, a native of that country and a daughter of Peter and Drucilla (Bongner) Sherk, who spent their entire lives in Canada. William F. McIntyre, son of Joseph J. and Henrietta McIntyre, operates the home farm and is also one of the directors of the Mapleton State Bank and a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, has taken all the degrees of the order and belongs to the Mystic Shrine, his political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has ably served as clerk of the school board.  Mr. McIntyre is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and his wife holds membership in the United Brethren church. In politics he is a democrat and has served on the township board and also as school director for a number of years, his interest in community affairs is deep and sincere and he cooperates heartily in all those movements which relate to the public welfare and further the general good. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for in Cass county he has found business conditions which have brought to him substantial success as the years have gone on.

MICHAEL J. MCMAHON, a successful farmer of Barnes township, Cass county, is also engaged in the dairy business and has won a gratifying measure of success in both lines of activity, he was born in County Clare, Ireland, August 3, 1855, of the marriage of Jerry and Bridget (O’Connor) McMahon, who in 1870, came to the United States. For three years they resided in St. Paul, Minnesota, but at the end of that time came to North Dakota, where a son Patrick was living. He had accompanied General Rosser on his exploring expedition through the state and subsequently located in Cass county. His father made his home with him for a while, but later homesteaded eighty acres of land.

Michael J. McMahon homesteaded an eighty-acre tract adjoining his father’s farm in 1877 and subsequently purchased railroad land, his holdings now totaling two hundred and eighty acres. In early manhood, he followed railroading for four or five years and ran into Bismarck on the first train into that city. For many years, however, he has devoted his attention to farming and has brought his place to a high state of development. For some time he has engaged extensively in the dairy business and is now milking twenty-two cows, he finds a ready sale for the milk and receives a gratifying profit from his dairy interests.

Mr. McMahon was married in 1880 to Miss Hannah Paulson, a native of Minnesota, whose parents came to this country from Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. McMahon have been born eight children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Frank H. and Daniel, at home; Edward, who is in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad and is living at Livingston, Montana; Theodore, who is also a railroad man and is on a run between Barnesville and Crookston; Alice, who is teaching in the schools of Barnesville, Minnesota; and Walter and Richard, both of whom are at home.

Mr. McMahon casts his ballot in support of the democratic party and for twenty-six or twenty-seven years has served continuously as township assessor, his retention in the office being evidence of the ability with which he discharges his duties. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, but his wife is a member of the German Lutheran church. Both may be depended upon to further movements seeking the moral advance of their community and during the years of their residence in Cass county they have gained the sincere respect and goodwill of their fellow citizens.

MORTEN MORTENSEN, Among the farming population of Cass county a large percentage have come from Norway and have proved their worth as citizens in aiding in the development and upbuilding of the district in which they have located. Among the number whose work has been a most creditable and valuable force in advancing the agricultural development of Cass county is Morten Mortensen, who was born in the land of the midnight sun December 3, 1850, his parents being Morten and Kari Mortensen, who were also natives of that country, where their entire lives were passed They had a family of ten children, seven of whom are living, three being still residents of Norway, while four have come to America.

Morten Mortensen was reared and educated in Norway and in 1870 crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Minnesota, where he spent a year. On the 1st of April, 1871, he arrived in North Dakota, taking up his abode in Harwood township, Cass county, where he lived for several years. In 1877 he filed on the farm which he now occupies on section 28, Harwood township, comprising at the present time two hundred acres of fine land which he has since splendidly improved. When he first came to the county he worked at the carpenter’s trade but with the exception of a brief period has always carried on general agricultural pursuits and success has rewarded his efforts in substantial measure.

In 1890 Mr. Mortensen was united in marriage to Miss Ingrid Youngberg. a native of Sweden who came to the United States in 1882, locating in Cass county, North Dakota.  To them have been born three children, namely: Minnie A., who is a graduate of the Oak Grove Seminary and is now teaching school; Martin Arthur, deceased; and Oliver Kenneth, who is ten years of age.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church and, possessing many sterling traits of character, they have gained the warm regard and friendship of many with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Mortensen is independent in politics and for a period of ten years has filled the office of township clerk. He has also long been a member of the township board of supervisors, of which he was chairman for several years. His has been an active and well spent life and he is a self-made man who as the architect of his own fortunes has built wisely and well.

PAUL MORTENSEN, Among the valued residents of Cass county of Norwegian birth is Paul Mortensen, who for a long period was actively identified with farming interests but is now living retired, enjoying a period of rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He was born in Norway, January 3, 1839, a son of Morten and Kari Mortensen, who always remained residents of their native country.

It was there that Paul Mortensen was reared and educated.  At length the opportunities of the new world proved an irresistible attraction for him and in 1870 he crossed the Atlantic, making his way first to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he remained for about three months. On the 8th of October 1870, he arrived in Cass county, North Dakota, and settled on the farm which he now owns and occupies, its location being on section 12, Harwood township. He then built a log cabin with bark and sod roof and puncheon floor. From the door hung the latchstring. which was always out for the welcome of their friends. In that primitive home Mr. Mortensen remained for thirteen years, but as he prospered in his undertakings he added fine improvements to his farm and there are now excellent buildings upon the place. He has two hundred and fifty-one acres of land located on the bank of the Red river and constituting one of the best farms of the county. At the present time, however, he is renting his land and is living retired, for he has now well advanced in years and it is meet that he should have a period of rest.

Mr. Mortensen has been married twice. In 1865, in Norway, he wedded Miss Maren Petersen, a native of that country, by whom he had seven children, as follows: Emil, now a resident of Montana; Otto, living in Moorhead, Minnesota; Karen, who gave her hand in marriage to Rev. L. H. Bueide; Maria, who is the wife of John Soberg and resides in Montana; Minnie, the wife of Rev. 0. J. Overbo, of Aneta, North Dakota; and two who are deceased. The wife and mother passed away in 1881 and in 1882 Mr. Mortensen was again married, his second union being with Miss Martha Petersen, by whom he had three children, namely: Peter, at home; Matilda, who is the wife of Nicholas Petersen, of Hunter, Cass county; and one who is deceased.

Mr. Mortensen and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and in politics he is a republican. He has served as township supervisor and as justice of the peace and is most conscientious in the discharge of his official duties. He has also been school director for a number of years. His life has been well spent and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for when he came to the new world he was empty handed and all that he possesses has been acquired through his industry and determination. By well directed labor he has obtained a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired, although he still occupies the old homestead farm whereon he has continued for forty-six years. He has witnessed many wonderful changes in the county and rejoices in what has been accomplished as the work of development and improvement has been carried steadily forward.

HON. WALTER MUIR, deceased, who was a pioneer citizen of Hunter and for many years one of the most prominent figures in North Dakota politics, being known as the father of populism in this state, in all public connections manifested a devotion to duty that rested upon a clear understanding of the obligations of mankind in public service as well as in private life. A native of Scotland, he was born on the 22d of April 1836, and had therefore almost reached the eightieth milestone of life’s journey when his death occurred in January 1916.  His parents were William and Agnes (Strong) Muir. The mother died in Scotland and some time afterward the father married Miss Elizabeth Simms and with her came to the United States in 1848, settling at Roundout, New York. Later a removal was made to Chicago and subsequently they took up their abode upon a farm in Lake county, Illinois, where they remained until called to their final rest.

Walter Muir was a lad of twelve years at the time of the removal of the family from Scotland to the new world and he supplemented his public school education by study in the Wauconda Academy at Wauconda, Illinois. He afterward worked in the shipyards in Chicago and while in that city began reading law but on attaining his majority heeded the advice of Horace Greeley—“Go west, young man, go west”—and made his way to Pike’s Peak at the time of the gold rush. From that point he proceeded to Denver, at which period there were not two completed houses in the city. He later went to Fort Kearney, where he established himself on a ranch and also engaged in merchandising. In the fall of 1860 he returned to Chicago and began work in the shipyards as a ship carpenter. In his boyhood he had learned the trade under his father, who was a shipbuilder and he had worked in Roundout Creek in New York. On the outbreak of the Civil war he sent his tools home and enlisted for active service at the front, joining the army in response to the first call for troops in April 1861, to serve for three months. The company, however, arrived too late to join the regiment in Freeport, Illinois, where they had rendezvoused, and later Mr. Muir was mustered into the Fifteenth Illinois Infantry as a member of Company I, of which he was soon made orderly sergeant. He served until the close of the war, being mustered out in June 1865.  He took part in the battles of Fort Pemberton and Island No. 10 and also in the last engagement of the war, the battle of Mobile, together with various other engagements during the period of his service. His command furnished twenty-three men to help man the Mississippi squadron under the general order of General Halleck, and Mr. Muir was among the number.  This squadron was transferred to the navy and Mr. Muir was for a short time in charge of the post office department for the fleet. Subsequently he was promoted to master’s mate and was sent with Captain Sanford up to Jefferson, Indiana, for service on the new gunboat Chillicothe. He was made fourth master and later acting ensign, and when the question arose as to the availability of a man to take charge of the forward battery on the gunboat Cincinnati, Mr. Muir was selected and under special order was placed in charge at Cairo. He remained with that vessel in the taking of Mobile and in its various activities up to the close of the war, his position in June 1865. He had made a most creditable record by his continuous and faithful performance of duty and he was complimented very highly by the secretary of the navy for his clear and neatly written reports.  Mr. Muir, at the close of the war, returned home and soon afterward purchased a farm in Steele county, Minnesota, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for about fifteen years, carefully and wisely directing the interests of his business. At the same time he took an active part in public affairs and the strong and admirable traits which he showed in citizenship up to his selection on two different occasions as representative from his district in the state legislature. In 1879 he came to North Dakota and took up a homestead in what is now Hunter township, Cass county. He proved up his property, which he afterward sold, and after gaining title to his first farm he filed on a preemption and later took up a tree claim. Until 1881 he continued to occupy and improve his farm and then removed to Hunter that he might give his children better educational advantages. He was the owner of all that part of the town site of Hunter west of the railroad, having purchased forty acres there.  He owned at the time of his death a little more than a section of land and from his farm property derived a substantial annual income.

On the 20th of June 1863, Mr. Muir was united in marriage to Miss Lovisa L. Wheelock, of McHenry county, Illinois, a lady of liberal culture and natural refinement who had been a teacher in Lake and McHenry counties of Illinois. Mr. Muir was also known in the role of teacher of penmanship in Illinois and Minnesota. To this worthy couple were born seven children, four of whom survive, as follows: Marion, who is the wife of William H. Simmons, of Minneapolis; William C, a graduate of the State University of Minnesota, who follows farming and is also engaged in the real estate business at Hunter, North Dakota; Edwin S., a graduate of the State University of Minnesota, who is a successful practicing physician and surgeon of Winona, Minnesota, where for two terms he filled the office of mayor; and Robert W., a graduate of the University of Minnesota and a resident of Hunter, who pursued a law course in the University of North Dakota and is not only now engaged in the practice of law but is also acting as principal of the high school of his city. As is indicated, Mr. Muir was ever most deeply interested in the cause of education, providing his children with the best possible advantages in that direction. In this connection it is interesting to note that two of his grandchildren are also graduates of the State University, while three more are now students there.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Muir were member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as an elder from the organization of the Hunter church in 1883. In politics Mr. Muir was independent. In ante-bellum days he was an Abraham Lincoln republican, believing firmly in the teachings of the martyr president. During the early days of North Dakota’s statehood he felt that the conditions were such that there should be some changes and he organized the Farmers’ Alliance in the state, being made president of the organization and becoming one of its foremost leaders when it was merged in the populist party. His wife, too, also took an active part in the affairs of the populist party and was elected to attend the convention at Omaha in 1892 as a delegate, which she did, exercising her delegate prerogatives in that meeting. For eighteen months Mr. and Mrs. Muir had charge of the populist newspaper, The Independent. At the convention held in Grand Forks he was named the candidate for governor on the independent ticket and he was later also a candidate for congress as the opponent of N. M. Johnson. He was also twice a candidate for the United States senate and once came within three votes of being elected. He did much to mold public thought and action, for while his party did not win victory at the polls, it had a strong influence in curbing the actions of the other parties and in awakening the people to an understanding of political situations. Throughout his entire life Mr. Muir was actuated by a public-spirited devotion to the general good, manifesting in days of peace the same loyalty to his country which he displayed when he followed the stars and stripes upon the battlefields of the south, and thus it was that when death called him on the 17th of January 1916, his demise occasioned most deep and widespread regret, the commonwealth feeling that it had lost one of its most valued and representative citizens.

GUSTAVE W. NACK, who is engaged in merchandizing in Embden, Cass county, is recognized as an excellent business man and has built up a large and profitable custom. He was born in Germany on the 20th of June, 1879, a son of Albert and Alvina (Bast) Nack, both natives of that country, where they remained until 1886, when they brought their family to the United States. They settled on a farm in Cass county, North Dakota, where the father passed away, but the mother is still living and now resides at Casselton.

Gustave W. Nack remained under the parental roof until he became of age and then began farming on his own account. He was practical and progressive and his well-directed labors were rewarded by fine crops, the sale of which yielded him a good income. He continued to farm until 1911, when he removed to Embden and entered the mercantile field, in which he also succeeded. He carries a good stock of goods, selected with reference to the needs of his community, and as his business methods are thoroughly reliable his trade has grown steadily.

In 1909 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nack and Miss Martha Krueger, a native of Cass county and a daughter of William and Barbara Krueger, pioneers of that county who came to this state from Germany. Two children have been born to this union, Evelyne M. and Murl G.

The republican party has a stanch adherent in Mr. Nack and he takes a keen interest in public affairs. He is now serving as postmaster of Embden and has demonstrated his fitness for the office, discharging his duties with efficiency. He belongs to Casselton Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M., and is a Mason in deed as well as in name, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He has resided in Cass county during the greater part of his life and those who have known him since boyhood are his staunchest friends, a fact which indicates his sterling worth.

AUGUST NELSON, who is recognized as a leading merchant of Harwood, Cass county, has not only gained individual success, but has also contributed in no small measure to the commercial growth and expansion of his town. He understands thoroughly the problems that confront the retail merchant and has systematized the work of his store, securing the greatest efficiency in its operation, and his policy of giving full value for the money received has enabled him to retain custom once gained. He was born in Sweden, October 7, 1855, a son of Nels and Maria Nelson, both of whom died in Sweden.

The subject of this review was reared and educated in Sweden, remaining in that country until 1876, when as a young man of twenty-one years he emigrated to the United States, having heard much concerning the favorable conditions here. He made his way to Vermilion, South Dakota, and remained in that locality for about eight months, working as a farm hand during that time. In the spring of 1877 he came to North Dakota and for seven years worked on farms in Cass county, carefully saving his money with the purpose of buying land. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Raymond township, that county, on which he resided until 1907. when he turned his attention from agricultural pursuits to other lines of activity. He removed to Harwood and bought a hotel, which he conducted for six years, in the meantime establishing his present business, which he has made the leading mercantile enterprise of Harwood. He buys his stock with the preferences of his customers in mind and has made unfailing courtesy a part of the service which his store gives its patrons. He still owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Raymond township and also has stock in the Farmers Elevator Company of Harwood.

Mr. Nelson was married in 1884 to Miss Ida C. Wakeland, of Raymond township, who, however, was born in Sweden. Two children have been born to this marriage: Emil, who is manager of his father’s store; and Minnie Christina, at home.  Mr. Nelson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but has never had the time nor inclination to take an active part in public affairs. He and his family are affiliated with the Swedish Lutheran church, the work of which they aid in every way possible, and their lives measure up to high standards of ethics, Mr. Nelson is known throughout Cass county and all who have come in contact with him, whether in business or social relations, esteem him highly.

NELS K. NELSON, Among those who have contributed in no small measure to the agricultural development of the southeastern part of North Dakota is Nels K. Nelson, who resides on section C, Empire township, Cass county, and who owns nine quarter sections of good land in that county. A native of Norway, he was born on the 17th of July 1874, a son of Karolins and Olianna (Arnson) Nelson, who in 1884 emigrated to the United States with their family.  The father took up a homestead near Milnor, Sargent county, North Dakota, and also preempted one himdred and sixty acres, which he subsequently sold. He has become the owner of other land, however, holding title to three hundred and twenty acres near Milnor, and is now living retired at that place.

Nels K. Nelson accompanied his parents to this country when he was ten years of age and continued to reside under the parental roof until he reached man’s estate. He attended the common schools and thus gained a good education. After he became of age he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land and a year later purchased a second quarter section, his labors as a farmer being from the first rewarded with excellent crops. As the years have passed he has added to his holding’s from time to time and they now comprise nine quarter sections, or fourteen hundred and forty acres, of as fine land as there is in Cass county, he has depended upon his own efforts, and the fact that he is now a man of independent means is evidence of his energy, his knowledge of the best methods of agriculture and the wise management of his business affairs. He owns stock in the Ayr State Bank and in the Ayr Farmers Elevator, in which he is a member of the board of directors, and is recognized as one of the leading citizens of his county.

In 1900 occurred the marriage of Mr. Nelson and Miss Nellie M. Lindstrom,. of Erie township, Cass county, and they have become the parents of six children of whom three are still living, Anna S., Gordon A. and Elmer.

Mr. Nelson is a republican in politics but has never had the time nor inclination to take an active part in public affairs. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and both he and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian church. During the three decades that he has resided in this state he has witnessed a remarkable transformation, for when he arrived here it was still largely a frontier region and the most farsighted could not have predicted its present high state of development.

CHARLES H. NEWTON has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life’s journey and now resides upon a farm in Cass county, near Harwood. He is a veteran of the Civil war and the same spirit of loyalty that prompted his active defense of the Union has been manifest throughout the days of peace. He was born at Windsor, Vermont, December 15, 1839, his parents being Daniel and Rosalind (McFall) Newton, natives of Vermont and Ireland respectively. They were married in the Green Mountain state and there continued to reside until called to their final rest. They had a family of two sons, the elder being Martin, who is still living in Vermont.

The younger son, Charles H. Newton, was reared and educated in Vermont and when a young man of twenty-one years responded to the call for troops following the outbreak of the Civil war. He joined Company G, Fourth Vermont Infantry, as a private and held all the non-commissioned offices and later advanced to the rank of first lieutenant.  He served throughout the entire period of the struggle and was in many important engagements, including the battles of the Peninsula, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, the second battle of Bull Run, Antietam, the first and second engagements at Fredericksburg, the battle of Gettysburg and a number of others of less importance.  At the Battle of the Wilderness he was four times wounded, one bullet piercing his left lung, and he lay on the field for seven days before his wounds received attention. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Halls Hill, Virginia, and returned to his home with a most creditable military record, having been most faithful in his support of the Union, his valor and loyalty being displayed on many a southern battlefield.  On again reaching Vermont Mr. Newton turned his attention to farming. He had been married in 1864 to Miss Prudence Jane Smith, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Ira and Hannah (Jacobs) Smith, who were born in the states of Connecticut and Vermont respectively. Both passed away in the Green Mountain state.

Mr. and Mrs. Newton remained in New England until 1883, when he came to North Dakota and secured a half section of land in Steele county upon which they established their home, living there for five years, during which time he added many improvements to the property. In 1888 he removed to Cass county and became superintendent of the farm of H. F. Miller, comprising three thousand acres. Of this he was superintendent for eight years, at the end of which time he removed to the farm upon which he now resides near Harwood.  Mr. and Mrs. Newton had no children of their own but reared an adopted daughter from the time she was sixteen months old. Mrs. Newton passed away December 11, 1913, and was laid to rest in the Oak Grove cemetery at Harwood. She was a consistent member of the Universalist church, to which Mr. Newton has belonged for forty years, always taking an active part in the church work.

In politics he is an earnest republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party, and he has served as assessor, justice of the peace and as county commissioner of Cass county for five years, discharging his duties with marked capability and fidelity. He belongs to the Grand Army post at Fargo and greatly enjoys meeting with the “boys in blue” and recounting incidents that occurred during the Civil war. He is today one of the esteemed and honored residents of Cass county, well meriting the uniform regard which is tendered him.

GUST NYSTROM is widely known and highly respected throughout Cass county, to the agricultural development of which he has contributed not a little. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of well improved and highly cultivated land and he was the organizer and is the president of the Farmers Elevator at Horace. A native of Sweden, his birth occurred on the 4th of January 1858, and his parents were Peter and Nettie Nystrom, who were lifelong residents of that country. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are still living.

Gust Nystrom was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools of Sweden, where he remained until 1882. In that year he came to America and, making his way to the west, found employment as a carpenter in St. Paul. After a year he came to North Dakota and took up land in Richland county, where he resided for seven years, after which he sold that place and purchased his present home farm on section 24, Warren township, Cass county. He has improved the place with fine buildings and has made it one of the best developed farms in his township. He has also purchased additional land and now owns four hundred and eighty acres, all of which is improved. He was the organizer and is the president of the Farmers Elevator at Horace, a progressive and prosperous concern.

In 1885 Mr. Nystrom was united in marriage to Miss Amelia .Jensen, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1881. She passed away in 1913 and was laid to rest in the Horace cemetery. She was the mother of ten children, namely: Alma, the wife of Elmer Holman; Ida; Adolph; Amelia, who is teaching school; Jane, who is a graduate of the Aakers Business College at Fargo and who is now a bookkeeper in the Scandinavian Bank of that city; George; Lydia; Walter; Robert; and Ernest.

Mr. Nystrom is a stanch republican and docs all in his power to secure the victory of that party at the polls. He has served on the town and school boards, discharging the duties devolving upon him in a capable manner. He is a member of the Lutheran church, of which he is one of the trustees, and for ten years he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is one of the leaders in all movements seeking the moral advancement of his community and is likewise interested in everything that tends to promote its material development.

LARS OLSEN, who is engaged in farming on section 33, Warren township, Cass county, has also served as postmaster of the town of Warren for twenty-three years. His birth occurred in Norway on the 11th of March 1849, and he is a son of Ole and Margaret Olsen, who were lifelong residents of that country. They were the parents of six sons, of whom four are still living, and all reside in America.

Lars Olson was reared in his native land and acquired his education in the public schools there but in 1870, when about twenty-one years of age, came to the United States.  He lived in St. Paul until 1876 and was there employed as a laborer. His next removal was to Thompson, Minnesota, whence in July 1878, he made his way to Cass county, North Dakota, and located on his present home farm on section 33, Warren township. He erected a log cabin with a bark and sod roof, which was the first house on the prairie in his part of the county, and for six years that remained his residence. At the end of that time, however, he built a better dwelling and as the years have passed he has made other improvements upon his place. He has planted a line grove, which serves as a windbreak and also adds to the beauty of the farm. He owns one hundred and sixty acres, from the cultivation of which he derives a good income, and in addition to growing grain he raises considerable stock. For twenty-two years he also engaged in buying grain but has now discontinued that business.

Mr. Olsen was married in 1876 at St. Paul, Minnesota, to Miss Carrie Erickson, who died in 1887. She was the mother of six children, of whom four survive, Ole, Alfred, Carl and Hilbert. In 1891 Mr. Olsen was again married, Miss Sophia Sontroll becoming his wife. To them have been born ten children, Mabel, Alice, Melvin, Lydia, Cecelia, Reuben, Bernice, Lenora, Arnold, and one who is deceased.

Mr. Olsen is an adherent of the democratic party and for the past twenty-three years has served efficiently as postmaster of the town of Warren, which is located on land which he once owned. Since 1881 he has been school director, for fifteen years he has served as treasurer of his township, and he was formerly township assessor and has at all times proved conscientious and capable in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church, in whose teachings are found the principles which govern their conduct.

TORGER OLSEN, who is carrying on general farming in Pleasant township, Cass county, was born in Norway, April 14, 1844, his parents being Ole and Anna Olsen, who were likewise natives of the same country, in which they resided until 1878, when they made the voyage across the briny deep to the new world and afterward lived with their son Torger, both passing away at his home in Cass county.

Torger Olsen is one of a family of five children, four of whom are yet living. His youthful days were spent in his native country, where his education was acquired in the public schools. He came to America in 1871, when twenty-seven years of age, and made his way to North Dakota, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the county in which he still resides. He first worked as a farm hand for five years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase land. He then bought the farm upon which he now resides and has since improved it with good buildings, with modern farm machinery, with well kept fences and, in fact, all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the twentieth century.  To his original purchase he has added as his financial resources have increased and has thus extended the boundaries of his place until it now comprises four hundred acres on section 1, Pleasant township.

On the 2d of February, 1883, Mr. Olsen was married to Miss Antonetta Lee, a native of Norway, who was brought to the new world when four months old. Twelve children have been born to this union: Amelia, the wife of Ole Agge, a resident of Pleasant township, Cass county; Hartvig, living in Stanley township; Matilda, the wife of Joseph Stiles; Tideman, who remains upon the home farm, which he is operating; Anna, the wife of L.  Mickleson, of Fargo; Clara, who married Bernard Ertsgaard, of Fargo; Laura, the wife of Hjalmar Thorson, of Fargo, who is a member of the North Dakota National Guard and has gone to the Mexican border; Melvin, Clarence, Tina and Odin, all at home; and Alvin, deceased.

Mr. Olsen and his family are all members of the Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In politics he is a republican and has served as school director for a number of years but has never filled political positions. He has ever preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for when he came to the new world he was empty handed. He has built his success upon the sure foundation of industry, perseverance and honorable dealing and is now numbered among the substantial farmers of his county.

JOHN OLSON, who is residing on section 30, Hill township, and owns thirteen hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Cass county, is now one of the wealthiest men in his township but when he came to this state he was without capital other than his enterprise, his sound judgment and his determination to win prosperity in this new country. He was born in Sweden on the 2d of February 1859, a son of Olof and Johanna Olson, both of whom lived and died in that country.

The subject of this review remained at home during the period of his boyhood and youth and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He continued to reside in his native country for a number of years after reaching his majority but in 1886 crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way direct to North Dakota, arriving in Cass county on the last of June. When he reached New York city he had but ten dollars in money and when he arrived in North Dakota he had not even a dollar. It was imperative that he obtain work at once and he hired out as a farm hand, working in that capacity for two or three years. He carefully saved his money and in 1888 purchased a relinquishment on a homestead—his present home farm—on which he located in the following spring. He at once began the cultivation and improvement of his land, which he has brought to a high state of development. He proved very successful as a farmer from the start and from time to time has bought additional land, now owning thirteen hundred and sixty acres of the finest land in Cass county. He is practical and progressive in carrying on his farm work, being ready to substitute a new method for an old if it promises to be more efficient, and in managing the business phase of farming he displays sound judgment.  He has firm faith in the future of the state and is contributing in no small measure to the agricultural development of his section. In addition to his large land holdings he owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company at Alice.

On the 28th of December 1887, Mr. Olson was married to Miss Mathilda Jensen, a native of Denmark, who came to America on the same ship as her husband. They have become the parents of five children: Oscar, at home; Minnie, a public school teacher; Amelia, who is also teaching school; Herman, at home; and Clara, who is likewise a teacher. The three daughters are all graduates of the State Normal School at Valley City.

Mr. Olson studies public questions carefully and casts an independent ballot, he has served as a member of the township board of trustees for the last fifteen years and for many years has been school treasurer and a member of the school board. He has given the same care and thought to the discharge of his official duties that he gives to the conduct of his business Interests and has made an excellent record in office, both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and at all times they seek to exemplify the teachings of that organization in their daily lives. He is one of the foremost residents of Cass county and not only holds the respect but also the warm regard of those who have been associated with him.

NELS OLSON, a well known and enterprising farmer of Reed township, Cass county, owns and cultivates two hundred and sixty-eight acres of rich and productive land. His farm, in its well kept appearance, presents a marked contrast to its condition in early days when he lived in a log cabin with a sod roof and had comparatively few of the comforts of life, he was born in Sweden, May 7, 1845, a son of Ole and Elnora Olson, who were natives of that country, where they spent their entire lives, rearing their family of six children there.

Nels Olson is the only one of the family now living. His education was acquired in the schools of his native country and he was a young man of twenty-five years when, in 1870, he sailed for the new world, making his way to Minnesota, where he spent the first winter. In the spring of 1871 he arrived in Cass county, North Dakota, and took up his abode upon his farm on section 8, Reed township, where he has now remained for forty-five years. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made when the tract came into his possession, but with characteristic energy he began to develop it and in course of time once wild prairie was bringing forth good crops, he built a log cabin which he covered with a sod roof and occupied that home for some years, after which it was replaced by a more commodious and modern dwelling. He now owns two hundred and sixteen acres of arable land, which he has improved with good buildings, and his farm has been converted into very desirable property.

In Sweden in 1869 Mr. Olson was married to Miss Hannah Sanberg, a native of that country, and they became the parents of seven children: Anna, the wife of August Nolin; Edward, at home; Samuel; Albert; Selma, the wife of Peter Westling, of Moorhead, Minnesota; and two who have passed away. The wife and mother died in 1908 and many friends as well as her immediate family were left to mourn her loss. She was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, to which Mr. Olson also belongs.  His political support is given to the republican party and, while he has never sought public office, he has served for several years as a member of the school board. He has had an active and well spent life, bringing to him a substantial measure of success so that he has been able to provide a comfortable home for his family and lay up a tidy sum for the proverbial rainy day. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for he found here the opportunities which he sought and in their utilization has gained a place among the well-to-do citizens of Cass county.

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