Biographies

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

GEORGE J. PAGEL is a leading business man of Chaffee and has many interests there but gives the greater part of his time to his duties as cashier of the Farmers Security Bank, A native of Cass county, he was born on the 8th of November 1880, of the marriage of Frederick and Catherine (Holzworth) Pagel. The father was born in Germany but when a boy came to the United States and located in Minnesota, where his marriage subsequently occurred, his wife having removed to that state from Ohio, where she was born. Both are now deceased and are buried in the Zion cemetery. All of their six children are still living.

George J. Pagel was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the common schools and the Fargo Business College. Subsequently he taught school for several years but at length determined to turn his attention to business and in 1907 aided in organizing the Farmers Security Bank of Chaffee, of which he has served as cashier. He has wisely directed the affairs of the institution, which holds the confidence of the community, and its business has shown a steady and gratifying growth. He is one of the large landowners of the county, owning individually nine hundred acres of land and having also an interest in an eighteen hundred acre tract, all in Cass county and all under cultivation and well improved. He is likewise a stockholder and director in the Farmers Elevator and is serving as secretary of a general store in Chaffee. He possesses great energy and is very efficient in his work and is thus able to look after all of his extensive interests.

Mr. Pagel gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for ten years has served as township clerk, while at the present time he is a member of the village board and the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and both within and without that organization he has many warm friends. He can be counted upon to cooperate heartily in all movements seeking the advancement of his community whether it be along material, moral or civic lines and is recognized as one of the foremost citizens of Chaffee.

W. R. PARSONS, That North Dakota offers wealth to its agriculturists is indicated in the fact that many who have followed farming within the borders of the state are now able to live retired, possessed of a handsome competence that has come as the reward of their labors in the fields.  Such is the record of W. R. Parsons, who now makes his home in Page. He was born in New Carlisle, Clark county, Ohio, on the 21st of July 1846, a son of Hiram and Jane (Ross) Parsons, both of whom were natives of Ohio.

In the year 1882 they arrived in North Dakota and spent the succeeding year at Buffalo, Cass county, following which the father and his son, W. R. Parsons, took up homesteads in Page township. These properties adjoined and they began the development of the farms. Four or five years later our subject purchased, a relinquishment on a tree claim, which he proved up and which he still owns.  W. R. Parsons continued his residence on the old homestead until 1907, when he left the farm and removed to Page, where he has since resided, his son. Hiram J., now owning and cultivating the old home property. Mr. Parsons, however, still owns four hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land, from which he derives a substantial annual income. He was progressive in his farming methods, wisely and carefully directing the cultivation of his fields, and his careful management and indefatigable industry brought to him growing success.

In 1871 Mr. Parsons was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dewees, a daughter of William and Jerusha M. (Woodbury) Dewees, of Livingston county, Illinois. To them were born eight children, seven of whom still survive, as follows: Edna V., the wife of B. L. Barckley, who is an agriculturist of Rochester township, Cass county; June, who is the wife of T. J.  Pierce, of Fargo; Earl, who lives in Bismarck and is deputy state superintendent of schools; William, a ranchman residing at Nampa, Idaho; Hiram, who owns the homestead farm; Montague, a ranchman living at Chinook, Montana; and Emma, the wife of Howard F. Parker, who cultivates her father’s lands. There are seventeen grandchildren in the family. Mrs.  Anna Parsons passed away July 31, 1907, and her demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.

In his political views Mr. Parsons has always been a republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. For many years he served as township clerk and was also clerk of the school board for many years. He filled the office of member of the village board of Page for three years and he has ever taken an active and helpful interest in those plans and projects which tend to further public progress. He became one of the organizers and charter members of the Baptist church of Page, being now the only survivor among the number who formed the church. He has guided his entire life according to its teachings and the integrity of his word and of his acts has placed him in a most enviable position in the regard of his fellowmen.

CHRIST PAULSON, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising in Warren township, Cass county, is a native of Norway. His birth occurred November 12, 1848, and he is a son of Paul and Carrie Paulson, both of whom have passed their entire lives in that country. Two of their four children survive.

Christ Paulson received his education in Norway and remained there until 1877, when he emigrated to the United States. For a year he resided in Houston county, Minnesota, but in 1878 came to North Dakota and settled on his present farm on section 34, Warren township, Cass county. In the years that have since intervened he has brought his place to a high state of development and made many fine improvements thereon. Although he raises considerable grain, he makes a specialty of stock raising and derives therefrom a good income. He has purchased additional land from time to time and now owns four hundred and eighty acres.

In 1882 Mr. Paulson was married to Miss Eline Graalum, likewise a native of Norway, and to their union have been born ten children: Nettie, who is at home; Andrew M.; Aaguth, the wife of Carl Olson; Otelia C.; Oscar; Joseph, who is working at Cleveland, North Dakota as operator; Jarl, who is a clerk in Fargo; Louise; Richard; and Martha.  Mr. Paulson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church. When he came to this country he was a poor man, but he possessed energy and good judgment and by taking advantage of the opportunities here offered he has gained financial independence.

FRANK W. PEARSON, district agent at Fargo for the New York Life Insurance Company, is a prominent representative of life insurance interests in his part of the state, is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the business and under his direction the interests of the company have been largely promoted. He has never allowed business cares, however, to prevent his activity along the lines which load to the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community and has long been regarded as one of the foremost members of the First Congregational church and a factor in the moral progress of his community.  His life record had its beginning in Manchester, New Hampshire, on the 27th of July, 1856, his parents being William S. and Sarah B. (Paige) Pearson, both natives of the Granite state and representatives of old New England families.

The ancestral line on the paternal side can be traced back to England, whence a representative of the name came to the new world, settling in Rowley. Massachusetts, in 1643. This was John Pearson, who established the first cotton mill built on the western hemisphere. The corner post of the building was still standing in 1800, according to the New England Magazine, when it was taken up and made into foot rules. Timothy Morse Pearson, the great-grandfather of Frank W. Pearson, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, while William S. Pearson participated in the Civil war as a Union soldier. Prior to becoming connected with the army he was foreman in the Stark cotton mills at Manchester, New Hampshire, and after the cessation of hostilities he removed to Detroit, Michigan, and became identified with the Detroit Safe Company as manager of one of its departments, remaining in active connection with the business until 1884 when his health failed and at the invitation of his son Frank he came to Fargo, making his home with his son until his death in 1885. His wife survived him until 1900 and both were laid to rest in Riverside cemetery at Fargo. In the maternal line the ancestry is traced back to England and the first member of the family in the new world, John Paige, arrived in 1638.

Frank W. Pearson acquired a common school education at Manchester, New Hampshire, and at Detroit, Michigan. His father early decided that the son should be a mechanic and at the age of sixteen years he was put to work at the plant of the Detroit Safe Company, in the employ of which concern he remained for eight years. In 1880 he came to the west, arriving at Fargo on the 22d of June, bringing with him an introduction to J. B. Hall, the editor of the Fargo Weekly Republican. Through the assistance of Mr. Hall he secured a position as bookkeeper with the hardware firm of Stevens & Rolph after which he was employed as book-keeper by three different firms until the mid-winter of 1880-1 when he was made agent for the Detroit Safe Company, which he thus represented for a number of years in connection with other work. In the summer of 1881 the Fargo Daily Republican was started and Mr. Pearson was asked to take charge of the circulation department. Incidentally he was in the office when the first edition of the paper was published and he bought the first copy that was sold.  This lie subsequently presented to the State Historical Society. He continued with the Republican in various capacities until 1892 at which time he resigned his position as city editor and in June of that year became special agent at Fargo for the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1893 he was made general agent of the company and has since retained his connection with the company. One of the most interesting experiences that came to him during his association with the Fargo Daily Republican was in representing that paper at Bismarck during the last territorial legislature, at which time he was thrown into daily personal contact with Colonel C. A. Lounsberry, who was representing the Bismarck Tribune. The Fargo Daily Republican was the first newspaper outside of Bismarck that received the first routine report of the proceedings of the legislature and probably the personnel of that legislature made it the strongest ever assembled at Bismarck.

In July 1887, Mr. Pearson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Spotts, of Fargo, who at that time was a teacher of music in the Fargo public schools. To them have been born five children, as fellows: Lillian M., the wife of Ralph Beard, who is a professor in the Oregon State Agricultural College at Corvallis; and Alice G., Mildred, Glenna T. and William S., all at home.

In his political views Mr. Pearson has always been an earnest republican, conversant with the questions and issues of the day and studying the vital problems which continually confront the country. His chief activity outside of business, however, has been along the line of church work. He has been called the resident father of Congregationalism in North Dakota. Mr.  Pearson, and E. W. Judd now of Washington state, were the pioneers in founding the first Congregational church in Fargo, which was the first church of that denomination in the state.  Mr. Pearson has ever since been associated therewith and is now a deacon in the church, he was also the president of the Brotherhood of the church and in all lines of the church work has been very active and helpful. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandry. In 1896 he was chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias lodge and was very active in the work of that organization during the ’90s but has demitted. For several years he was quite active in the Old Settlers Association work and served as secretary under the presidencies of William H. White, Colonel W. F. Ball and Judge Charles A.  Pollock. With every phase of the pioneer development of the state Mr. Pearson is familiar and has not only been an interested witness, but also an active cooperant in many of the plans and measures which have had direct bearing upon the state’s history. Although of New England birth he is passionately in love with that part of the union “out where West begins, where men make friends without half trying.”

HON. A. L. PEART, the owner of a general store at Chaffee, is an important factor in the business life of his community and has also been prominent in public affairs, having served for two terms as a member of the state legislature. He was born in New York on the 16th of September 1852, and his parents were Thomas and Charlotte (Ray) Peart. The father was a native of England and the mother of the north of Ireland, but both came to the United States when children and grew to maturity in New York state, where they were married. In 1857 they removed westward, locating at Mankato, Minnesota, where both died. To them were born ten children, of whom four are deceased.

A. L. Peart remained with his parents until he attained his majority and received a high school education. On leaving home he began working with the civil engineer of a railroad company and was so employed for eight years. In 1888 he came to North Dakota and settled in Cass county, where for twenty-three years he engaged in the grain business. In 1900, however, he turned his attention to general merchandising and for the last nine years has conducted a store in Chaffee. He carries a well selected line of general merchandise of high quality, and his reasonable prices and constant efforts to please his patrons have resulted in building up a large and lucrative patronage.

In 1888 Mr. Peart was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dwyer, who died in 1890. Five years later he married Miss Alice Hill, a native of the Empire state, and they have become the parents of three children, Leslie J., Ralph R. and Edith R., all of whom are at home.

Mr. Peart is a stanch republican and is recognized as a leader in his party. In 1906 and 1908 he represented his district in the state legislature and made an excellent record in that connection, supporting measures which have proved of public benefit. He is now serving as clerk of the school board and takes a keen interest in the welfare of the schools. Fraternally he belongs to the Yeomen, the Maccabees, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masonic order. He holds membership in the blue lodge at Buffalo, this state, and also belongs to the Scottish Rite bodies and has had the honor of conferring upon candidates all of the degrees up to the thirty-second degree. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and their lives are guided by high standards of morality.

F. J. PHILLIPS, who owns a well patronized meat market in Chaffee and is one of the town’s substantial business men, is a native of New York, born on the 15th of June 1853.  He is a son of Daniel and Almeda (Cook) Phillips, who passed their entire lives in the Empire state. They were the parents of three children, all of whom are still living.

F. J. Phillips received a common school education, but when sixteen years of age began his independent career. He was variously employed in the east until 1878 but in that year removed to Cass county, North Dakota, and took up a homestead near Amenia. He operated his farm successfully until 1891, when he sold the place and removed to Casselton, where he engaged in the butcher business for two years. He then sold out and in 1899 removed to Chaffee, where he has since owned a meat market. He conducts the place in strict accordance with the rules of sanitation and as his meat is of excellent quality and his business dealings are above question he has built up a large and profitable business. He owns the building in which his market is located and also holds title to his comfortable residence.

Mr. Phillips was married in 1886 to Miss Elizabeth Smith, a native of Canada, by whom he has four children : C. A., who is now holding the office of postmaster at Chaffee ; Myrtle, the wife of Thomas Molland; Adelaide, a graduate of the Valley City Normal School and now principal of the school at Chaffee; and Clinton F., who is attending college at Fargo.  Mr. Phillips is a stanch republican in politics and in 1904 was appointed postmaster by President Roosevelt and held that office for ten years, proving capable and systematic in the discharge of his duties. He has also served as school director. He belongs to Casselton Lodge, No. 3, A F. & A. M., of Casselton, and also holds membership in the Scottish Rite bodies and in the Mystic Shrine at Fargo. He is likewise identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Modern Brotherhood and these fraternal associations indicate much of the character of the rules that govern his conduct. His wife holds membership in the Christian church.

ALVIN D. POE is one of the most enterprising and progressive business men of Tower City, Cass county, where he is engaged in the real estate business. He is confident of the great future in store for North Dakota and has given proof of his faith in the state by investing heavily in land. In pursuit of his education he attended the common and high schools and a business college. In 1900 he came to Tower City and made his home with and entered the employ of an uncle, who was in the implement business. Subsequently he turned his attention to the real estate field, in which he is now active. His land is in Cass and Barnes counties and he is recognized as one of the substantial men of Tower City. He is also engaged in the seed business and is energetic and farsighted and display’s sound judgment in the management of his affairs.

Mr. Poe is a republican, believing in the wisdom of the policies of that party, and he is now filling the office of justice of the peace. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge and in his daily life exemplifies the teachings of the craft concerning the brotherhood of man. In the conduct of his private business affairs he has also contributed to the development of his town and county.

JUDGE CHARLES ANDREW POLLOCK, No record that finds a place in the judicial history of North Dakota is more commendable and worthy of admiration than is that of Judge Charles Andrew Pollock, who has five times been elected judge of the third judicial district, his present term expiring January 1, 1917. Not only has he upheld the legal but also the moral status of his community and he is known as the father of the prohibition law of the state. In a word, his influence is always on the side of reform, improvement and progress and his efforts have been of far-reaching effect and benefit.

He was born September 27, 1853, in Elizabethtown, Essex county, New York, and went west with his parents to Iowa in 1856, remaining there until 1881, when he located for the practice of law in Fargo, Dakota territory, where he has since continuously remained.  His more specifically literary education was obtained in Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A. in 1878. His alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts in 1881 and in 1908 the LL. B. degree. In the meantime he had begun the study of law in the University of Iowa and on the completion of his course the LL. B. degree was conferred upon him in 1881. He entered upon the active work in his profession in Fargo and in 1885 was elected district attorney of Cass county, which position he filled for four years, or until 1889. In the private practice of law a liberal clientage was accorded him, resulting from his recognized ability as manifest in the careful preparation of his cases and from clear and forceful presentation in the courts. No man ever conformed his practice more closely to the ethics of the profession.  He never sought to lead the court astray in a matter of fact or law, nor endeavored to withhold from it the knowledge of any fact appearing in the record. Calm, dignified, self-controlled, he gave to his clients a service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, but he never forgot that there were certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and, above all, to justice and the righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of the advocate nor the pleasure of success would permit him to disregard.  It was but natural therefore that he should be called upon for judicial service. In the fall of 1896 he was elected district judge of the third judicial district of North Dakota for a term of four years, taking his seat upon the bench January 1, 1897. His course proved that the confidence reposed in him was fully merited and since then he has been four times reelected, his present term expiring on the 1^st of January 1917. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial, being models of judicial soundness, and the fact that he has so long been continued in office leaves no need for comment as to his ability. For over four years he has had charge of the practice courts of the law department of the State University.

On the 27th of September 1882, Judge Pollock was united in marriage to Miss Martha Clinton, who was graduated from Cornell College with the class of 1879, being a fellow student there with the judge. They have three living children: Clara A., who was graduated from Cornell in. 1908; Lorine M., who is a graduate of the Wisconsin State University of the class of 1912; and Charles M., who was also graduated from the Wisconsin State University in 1913 and from the law school of the State University of Minnesota in 1915.  He is now married and is practicing law in St. Paul.

Judge Pollock is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of El Zagal Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S. He is state president of the Sons of the American Revolution. Holding membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church of Fargo, he is serving on its official board and is recognized as one of the prominent representatives of the denomination in the state, having represented North Dakota in the general conference of his church at Baltimore in 1908, at Minneapolis in 1912, and at Saratoga Springs in 1916. His political allegiance is always given to the republican party but he never allows politics to interfere in any way with his professional duties. He has long been a close student of the great political, sociological and economic problems of the country and along these lines keeps in touch with best thinking men of the age. He prepared and published a manual of the prohibition law, which is to be found generally in the law offices throughout the country. His cooperation has been an effective force in securing the adoption of many measures and the utilization of many plans for the upbuilding and welfare of city and state.

HON. WILLIAM P. PORTERFIELD is a member of the state senate and also of the board of park commissioners of Fargo and his public service has been an effective force in promoting public progress. He figured, too, for an extended period as a leading factor in commercial circles of Fargo, where for thirty years he was a member of the firm of Fout & Porterfield, well known druggists, but at the present time he is living retired from business. He was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, December 20, 1856, a son of William R. and Ellen (O’Neal) Porterfield. The father’s birth occurred in what was then Martinsburg, Virginia, now Vest Virginia, while the mother was born across the Potomac river in Maryland. The former lived and died at the place of his nativity after devoting the years of his active life to agricultural pursuits.

William P. Porterfield acquired his education at home under the direction of a private tutor, supplemented by a course in Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1879. He afterward clerked for three years as a pharmacist and in 1882 came to Dakota territory, where with others he founded the town of Davenport, Cass county. For ten years lie was prominently identified with the business interests of the town, conducting a drug store, but in 1892 disposed of the store and for two years traveled. In March 1894, he removed to Fargo, where in company with Henry M. Fout be purchased the drug business of M. D, Fleming and organized the firm of Fout & Porterfield, a relation that was maintained for a decade. At the end of that time he acquired his partner’s interest and for ten years conducted the business independently, although retaining the original firm name. On the 1st of December, 1913, he disposed of his store in order to give his attention to his investments. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land near Fargo, the cultivation of which he personally supervises, and also controls sixteen hundred acres of land, being guardian for the owners, so that he is now actively engaged in farming nineteen hundred and twenty acres. He is also a director in the Merchants National Bank and his cooperation with any movement constitutes an element in its success, his activities serving as a stimulus for accomplishment.

In politics Mr. Porterfield has long been an earnest democrat, recognized as a party leader in his state, and in November, 1912, he was elected to the state senate notwithstanding the fact that the usual republican majority is about three to one. lie was the first democrat ever honored with election to the senate from his district, a fact indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him. In 1910 upon the organization of the park system of Fargo, he was elected a member of the park board and at the expiration of his first term of office in 1915 was reelected and for two years has acted as president of the board. He is also serving on the state board of pharmacy and is a member of the executive committee of the national board of pharmacists—an honor of which North Dakota has reason to be proud, as there are but five members of this board selected from thirty-four active states in the association. Mr. Porterfield holds membership in the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and he attends and contributes to the support of the Episcopal church. He has ever been a man of resolute spirit, prompt, energetic and notably reliable and he has in large measure the genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time.

GEORGE PRATT, That North Dakota has proved a land of opportunity to the man of enterprise and determination is evidenced in the record of George Pratt, one of the best-known farmers of Kenyon township, Cass county, who came to this state absolutely without capital and by his own efforts became in time the owner of seventeen hundred and sixty acres of good land, much of which he has now given to his children. A native of Ontario, Canada, he was born on the 28th of March 1851, a son of James and Ann (Miller) Pratt, both natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married. In 1849 they removed to Canada and their first child was born on the River St. Lawrence while they were on their way to their new home in the Dominion. They lived in Canada until 1882, when they came to this state, where our subject had previously removed, and the father purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land on the Red river, in what is now Noble township. He was a leader in his locality and it was he who suggested the name for the township. He continued to reside on his farm for several years but at length retired and removed to Grandin, where both he and his wife passed away.

George Pratt received his education in his native province and remained there for a number of years after attaining his majority but in the spring of 1880 came to North Dakota and preempted one hundred and sixty acres of his present home farm, but not having enough money to pay for the place under the preemption law, changed the claim to a home-stead. He has resided upon this farm for thirty-six years and has made it one of the most highly developed and best improved places of the township. When he arrived here he had no money and in order to provide for his own support and for that of his wife and children he worked for a time for a farmer living nine miles distant from his homestead. There were many obstacles to be overcome and privations to be endured, but these were accepted as a matter of course and in time the prairie became well cultivated fields. From March until July of the first year of his residence in this state his wife and children lived in a barn while he erected a small frame house. It was not long before he had gained a start and he continued to work hard to save his money carefully and gradually purchased more land until his holdings totaled seventeen hundred and sixty acres. He has since given each of his sons three hundred and twenty acres and each of his daughters a quarter section or the equivalent in money but still holds title to eight hundred acres. His financial independence is due to his own industry and business acumen, his investments having been widely made and all of his affairs well managed. He owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company of Gardner and in the Farmers Cooperative Store in Gardner.

Mr. Pratt was married on the 3d of December 1873, in Ontario, Canada, to Miss Mathilda Dempsey, a native of that province, and they have six children: Maggie L., who is the widow of C. Rintoul and resides in Gardner; Susan E., the wife of Harry Peck, who is living in Alberta, Canada; John D. and William J., who are farming in Kenyon township; Annie R., the wife of Harry Fisher, of Gilby, North Dakota; and Robert W., at home.

Mr. Pratt is a stalwart republican and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He formed the first school district in his section and for several years served ably as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife are members of the Wesleyan Methodist church. During the thirty-six years that he has resided in Cass county he has seen a change in conditions that the most farsighted could hardly have predicted and takes great satisfaction in the knowledge that he has been a factor in the development of his part of the country. When he came to this state he came on the first special train that went as far as Fargo. At that time settlers were few and the greater part of the state was yet un-reclaimed for the purpose of civilization. However, he has always had firm faith in the future of North Dakota, a faith which the years have justified.

ANDREW QUINNILD, who was a successful and well-liked farmer residing in Pleasant township, Cass county, passed away on June 17, 1901. He was born on the 22d of November 1847, of the marriage of Peter and Betsy Quinnild, natives of Norway, who spent their entire lives in that country. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land and remained there until he was almost twenty-four years of age. In 1871 he emigrated to the United States and settled in Minnesota, whence in 1875 he came to North Dakota. He took up a homestead on section 31, Pleasant township, Cass county, and at once began to break the prairie sod and improve his farm. The first building which he erected was a log cabin with a roof covered with tree branches. For a number of years this remained the family residence, but at length he had acquired sufficient means to enable him to erect a fine frame dwelling and he also put up excellent barns and outbuildings. His place comprised two hundred and forty acres and as he brought his land to a high state of cultivation and was both energetic and practical in the operation of the farm he gained more than a competence.

Mr. Quinnild was married in Minnesota to Miss Helen Olson, likewise a native of Norway, who came to the United States in 1857. They became the parents of twelve children, namely: Peter, deceased: Ole, who is living in Hickson, North Dakota: Gustave and Bertha, both deceased; Gustave, second of the name, who is now living in Minnesota: Hannah and Peter, deceased; Helen and Peter, both at home; Henry, who is operating the homestead; and Betsy and Alvin, at home.

Mr. Quinnild supported the republican party after becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States, but never sought public office. He was a communicant of the Lutheran church, as is his wife, and the sincerity of his faith was manifest in the integrity of his daily life.  His sterling qualities commended him to the esteem and warm regard of his fellowmen and there was much sincere grief when he was called from this life. His widow survives and resides on the homestead of one hundred and sixty acres, which she owns. She is well known and has many warm friends.

J. B. RADFORD, one of the leading citizens and prosperous agriculturists of Cass county, came to this state thirty-seven years ago and in the careful conduct of his agricultural interests has won gratifying success, for he is now the owner of six hundred acres of rich and productive land in Warren township, residing on section 34. His birth occurred in Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, on the 14th of February 1859 his parents being Joseph and Frances (Taylor) Radford, both of whom were natives of England. They were married in Wisconsin and resided in that state during the remainder of their lives passing away in Fond du Lac. By trade the father was a mason and plasterer.

J. B. Radford was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the graded and high schools of Fond du Lac. It was in June 1878 when he was a young man of nineteen years, that he came to North Dakota, he had learned the trade of mason under his father and after his arrival here worked for one year in Fargo, assisting in the erection of some of the first brick buildings in the town. In February 1879 he took up his present home farm as a preemption and subsequently changed this to a homestead. The same year he acquired a tree claim on which he proved up and in later years he has purchased two other quarter sections, his landed holdings now embracing six hundred acres in Warren township. He also owns a city residence in Fargo and during the past twenty-three or twenty-four years has spent the winter seasons there.

In October 1882, Mr. Radford was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Wold, of Cass county, who is a native of Norway. To them have been born four children, as follows: Frances, who is deceased; Joseph T., who follows farming in partnership with his father; Amy, who has passed away; and Grace U., at home.

Politically Mr. Radford is an independent republican and for the past twenty years has served as county chairman of his party. He has also made an excellent record as a member of the township board of trustees, having thus served for about twenty-five years, while for four years he was a member of the board of trustees of the State Agricultural College under Governor Burke. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. By his enterprise and energy along political lines and by his scientific and modern methods of agriculture Mr. Radford has earned the high esteem of his fellow citizens and the place in the community to which he is entitled has never been denied him.

A. L. RAMSTAD has been very successful as a farmer and is residing on his place on section 14, Pleasant township, Cass county. His birth occurred on the 1st of March 1861, near Christiania, Norway, and he is a son of L. J. and Martha C. Ramstad, both of whom were likewise natives of that country, where the mother died. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four are deceased. In 1871 the father emigrated to the United States and passed away here.

A. L. Ramstad accompanied a brother to America when he was but nine years of age and for five years thereafter lived in Spring Grove, Minnesota. At the end of that time he removed to Cass county. North Dakota, and took up his residence upon a farm on section 14, Pleasant township, on which he has lived continuously since and which he now owns. He has planted a fine grove and erected excellent buildings in addition to making other improvements upon the place. For a number of years after coming to this state pioneer conditions existed here and his first house was a sod shanty with a sod roof but after two years he was able to build a log house, which has now been replaced with a commodious and well arranged residence. He keeps everything about the place in excellent condition and in his farm work follows the latest methods and uses the newest machinery.

In 1885 Mr. Ramstad was married to Miss Sigrid Lommen, who was born in Houston county, Minnesota. Her parents, G. J. and Aaget Lommen, were born in Norway and in the early ‘50s came to the United States, settling on a farm near Spring Grove, Minnesota, where both passed away. Two of their eight children are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Ramstad have become the parents of nine children, namely: Aaget M. and Leonard G., at home; George A., who is teaching school; Hilda E.; Arthur S.; Ruth I., who is a graduate of the normal school; Clarence I.; Isabel C; and Ethel M.

Mr. Ramstad is an adherent of the democratic party and has served his district as a member of the school board. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church and at all times seek to uphold high standards of morality. He deserves much credit for the success which he has gained, as from early boyhood he has been dependent upon his own resources and is therefore a self-made man.

GILBERT L. RAMSTAD One of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Pleasant township, Cass county, is Gilbert L. Ramstad, who is living on section 10, and who belongs to that class of substantial citizens that Norway has furnished to the new world and to whom is largely due the development and upbuilding of Minnesota and the Dakotas. He was born in Norway on the 21st of February 1856, and is a brother of A. L. Ramstad, in whose sketch on another page of this work is given an account of their parents. He was a little lad of twelve years when the family crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making the voyage in 1869. He had previously attended school in Norway and after coming to the new world he worked on a farm in Houston county, Minnesota, until he reached his twenty-first year. In 1877 he arrived in North Dakota and took up his abode upon his present farm, where he has now lived for thirty-nine years, entering his land as a homestead claim. To his original holdings he has added until he now owns two hundred acres, constituting a rich and productive farm from which he annually gathers substantial harvests. He has added to his place all the modern improvements and equipment’s of the model farm property and in conducting the work of the place follows most progressive methods. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Hickson.

In 1882 Mr. Ramstad was united in marriage to Miss Mina Hanson, a native of Norway, who became his wife about six months after her emigration to the United States. To them have been born nine children, as follows; Louisa; Hattie, the wife of Oscar Larson, of Beltrami, Minnesota; Nora, a teacher by profession; Ella, who is employed as a stenographer at Fargo; Gerdardt; Anna, who is engaged in teaching; Minnie, who is preparing herself for the work of a trained nurse; Victor; and Arthur.

In his political views Mr. Ramstad is a democrat and for several years he served as a member of the school board, but has never sought nor desired political office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and other interests and duties. He and his family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and their influence is always given on the side of right, progress, truth, justice and improvement.

ROBERT B. REED. One of the most important corporations that has contributed to the development and upbuilding of Cass county and this section of North Dakota is the Amenia & Sharon Land Company, of which Robert B. Reed is the treasurer. He is an enterprising, forceful and resourceful business man whose training and experience have qualified him to meet any emergency, while his energy and enterprise lead him to put forth efforts along lines that are directly resultant and beneficial to the company which he represents and to the district at large. He is a descendant of one of the old New England families, his birth having occurred in Ellsworth, Connecticut, July 23, 1874, his parents being John H. and Florence (Chaffee) Reed, who are mentioned in connection with the sketch of his brother, Walter R. Reed, on another page of this work.

He began his education in the public schools of his native state and afterward continued his studies in schools of North Dakota, eventually becoming a pupil in the State Agricultural College at Fargo, from which lie was graduated with the class of 1895. He has the distinction of having received the first diploma ever issued by that college.

Following his graduation Mr. Reed became actively identified with the Amenia & Sharon Land Company, in which connection he worked his way upward. He was eventually appointed secretary and still later became secretary and treasurer and at the present time is filling the responsible position of treasurer of a company which is one of the oldest established corporations in this part of the state, beginning operations in 1875 since which time it has contributed much to the settlement, development and progress of North Dakota.

In 1899 Mr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Varnum of Sykeston, North Dakota, by whom he has three children, namely: Florence M., Althea V. and Clarence R. In his political views Mr. Reed has always been an earnest republican and keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day, but does not seek nor desire public office. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and guide their lives according to its teachings. They display many sterling traits of character and to them is freely accorded the hospitality of the best homes of this section. In his business career Mr. Reed has ever readily recognized opportunity, and while he does not possess that un-curbed ambition which often brings about erratic movements in business, he has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way and his diligence and sagacity have been strong points in gaining for him success.

WALTER R. REED Several important corporate interests feel the stimulus and profit by the enterprise and business ability of Walter R. Reed, who is at once a man forceful and resourceful, recognizing and utilizing opportunities that others pass heedlessly by. Industry, close application and determination have brought him into prominent connections and he is now known as an executive officer in various companies, including the Amenia & Sharon Land Company, of which he has been president and general manager since 1912.  A native of New England, Mr. Reed was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 2, 1871, a son of John H. and Florence (Chaffee) Reed, both of whom were representatives of old New England families which were represented in the Revolutionary war. Walter R.  Reed is a great-grandson of Eliakim Reed, are of the signers of the “Association,” and a great-grandson of Simeon Edgerton, a captain of the Revolutionary war in the Connecticut line. The grandmother of Mr. Reed in the paternal line was of Knickerbocker Dutch stock and her emigrant ancestor was treasurer of New Amsterdam under Peter Stuyvesant. the first Dutch governor of New York, and he owned a peach orchard where lower Broadway of New York city is now located.

John H. Reed was a native of the Empire state, while his wife was born in Connecticut. She died when her son Walter was but nine years of age and three years later the father with his three children came west to North Dakota, settling at Amenia, where his father-in-law. Eben W. Chaffee was the pioneer resident, arriving there in 1875. He been one of the founders of the Amenia & Sharon Land Company, of which he was made manager, continuing in that position until about the time of his death, which occurred in 1893. He had much to do with shaping the development and activities of this section of the state and was a most prominent and influential citizen.  Following the arrival of John H. Reed at Amenia he, too, became actively associated with The Amenia & Sharon Land Company with which he continued until 1910 and since that time he has lived retired, residing with his daughter, Mrs., W. W. Brown, in Amenia township, Cass county, he is classed with the representative and valued citizens of the district.  Walter H. Reed was reared at home, acquiring his education in the public schools and also under private tutors in Connecticut. He afterward had the advantage of pursuing a course in Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio, for three years, and when his studies were completed be returned to Amenia and became actively associated with the Amenia & Sharon Land Company, of which he was made treasurer in 1892. he then bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control and in 1912 he was elected president and general manager of the company. He has since directed its policy and his enterprising efforts, keen business sagacity and sound judgment have been salient features in the success which has attended the undertaking that was established by his grandfather more than forty years ago. The company was organized by bond holders of the Union Pacific Railroad Company in 1875 and E. W. Chaffee and Edward Gridley were sent to Cass county to locate lands. They selected all the railroad land in Amenia township and in Walburg township and six sections in Gill township. The name of the company was taken from the towns of Amenia, New York, and Sharon, Connecticut, where the original stockholders resided, and the company operates grain elevators at Amenia, Chaffee, Mason, Newman and Ripon. In 1911 the company was reorganized under the laws of North Dakota and in 1912 Mr. Reed succeeded to the presidency upon the death of H. F. Chaffee, who was one of the victims of the Titanic disaster. He is also the president of the Miller-Chaffee-Reed Company, holding and dealing in farm lands, the two companies controlling about forty thousand acres. His business activity also extends to other undertakings which are valuable assets in the development of this part of the state. He is president of the Amenia Elevator Company, operating twenty-five elevators in different parts of the country, and he is the president of the John Miller Company, a grain commission firm at Duluth and Minneapolis, which was established by ex-Governor John Miller, H. F. Chaffee and Walter R. Reed.  All these interests show Mr. Reed to be a man of resourceful business ability, possessing sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise and carrying forward to successful completion what-ever he undertakes. Ho ever recognizes the fact that when one avenue of opportunity scorns closed he can carve out another path that will lead to the desired goal.

In 1898 Mr. Reed was married to Miss Inetta Gowland, of Amenia. This union has been blessed with two daughters, Eleanor P. and Elizabeth. Mr. Reed gives his political allegiance to the republican party and as every true American citizen should do. keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is ready to support his position by intelligent argument. In fraternal circles he is well known, holding membership with Casselton Lodge, No. 3, A. F. & A. M.; Casselton Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M.; Fargo Council, No. 1, R. & S. M.; Auvergne Commandery, No. 2, K. T.; Dakota Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R.; and El Zagal Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S. He is likewise an Odd Fellow, belonging to Colfax Lodge, No. 7, at Casselton. Mr. Reed is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church, guiding their lives according to its teachings and at all times measuring up to high standards. They occupy a pleasant home in Amenia, which is attractive by reason of its warm hearted hospitality and good cheer and their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.  Mr. Reed belongs to that class of men who have done much to further public progress, for in advancing individual interests he also promotes public prosperity.

LEVI RICE, Among the pioneers who, in spite of obstacles and privations, established their homes in Cass county in the early days of its history and who, as the years passed, developed the prairie into well improved farms, is numbered Levi Rice, who is now living retired in Tower City, enjoying a richly deserved period of rest and leisure. His birth occurred in Nova Scotia on the 23d of August 1840, and he is a son of Levi and Margaret (Robison) Rice, natives of Annapolis county, Nova Scotia, where their entire lives were passed. The father devoted his time and energy to agricultural pursuits.

Levi Rice was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools in the pursuit of an education. When seventeen years of age he went to Bigby, Nova Scotia, where he apprenticed himself to the carpenter’s trade under his brother Abner. He worked at carpentering in Bigby for twenty-three years, gaining an enviable reputation as an expert and conscientious workman, but in 1880 he decided to try his fortune in North Dakota, which he believed offered unusual opportunities to the man who was not afraid of hard work and was determined to succeed, he located in Cass county and homesteaded eighty acres on section 32, Cornell township, which he soon brought under cultivation, and later, from time to time he bought other land, becoming the owner oi live hundred and eighty acres in all. He concentrated his energies upon the operation of his farm, and his industry and efficient methods resulted in the production of good crops which brought a high price on the market. In 1902, feeling that he had accumulated a competence, he gave up the work of the farm and removed to Tower City, where he has since lived retired. He owns stock in the Farmers elevator at Tower City.

Mr. Rice is one of the substantial men of his county and his resilience is comfortable and commodious, but during the first winter that he resided in this state he lived in an eight foot square shanty, where he kept bachelor’s hall. The following year, however, his wife and his son Francis joined him and he built a shed addition to his shack which served as the family residence for two years. At the end of that time he was able to erect a good dwelling.

On the 3d of February, 1867, Mr. Rice was United in marriage to Miss Cassandra Hawksworth, a daughter of Joshua and Mary (McCormack) Hawksworth and a native of Bigby, Nova Scotia, in which country her parents spent their entire lives. Mr. and Mrs.  Rice have one son, Francis T., a lumber merchant of Tower City, who married Katherine Wasam and has two children, Clifford and Marjory.

Mr. Rice supports the republican party at the polls, being convinced that the adoption of its policies would make for prosperity and the solutions of many problems of the day, and he manifests a commendable interest in everything that affects the general welfare.  He has served for a number of years as a member of the school board, proving capable and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. Both he and his wife are members of the Federated church and no good cause appeals to them in vain.

JOHN F. ROTZIEN is well known in Cass county and is the efficient manager of the Farmers elevator at Addison, which does a large and profitable business. He was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on the 29th of April 1878, a son of John and Falava (Mayer) Rotzien, both natives of Germany, whence they were brought to this country by their respective parents when children. They were married in Wisconsin and took up their abode upon a farm near Fond du Lac, where they resided until 1887, when they went to McLeod county, Minnesota, where the father is still living.

John F. Rotzien was reared at home and received his education in the public schools.  However, his opportunities along that line were very limited as he did not attend school after his mother’s death, which occurred when he was but nine years of age. He received valuable training in farm work, assisting his father from early boyhood until he was twenty-five years of age. For the last seven years of that time he was also engaged in the live stock business, buying the first carload of stock when he was but eighteen years old. He continued to buy and ship stock for a number of years and in 1903 he also turned his attention to the lumber business in Price county, Wisconsin. He continued active in that field until 1910 and was subsequently for two years engaged in the ditching business in Minnesota. In 1912, however, he came to North Dakota and became manager of the Reliance Company’s elevator at Linton, remaining there until 1914, when he was given charge of the Farmers elevator at Addison, the business of which he has since directed.

In 1907 Mr. Rotzien was married to Miss Irene Whiting, of Clitherall, Minnesota, by whom he has two children, Courtney K. and Doris Irene. Mr. Rotzien casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has not taken an active part in politics. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Latter Day Saints church, to the support of which they contribute. He is a successful business man. a good citizen and a loyal friend, and all who have come in contact with him hold him in high esteem.

HON. HEZEKIAH JOHN ROWE, of Casselton, is serving for a second term as state senator after an interval of twenty-five years from the period of his first service. Throughout the interim there has been nothing to make his fellowmen lose faith in his public spirit and devotion to the general good. On the contrary there has been much that has heightened their belief in his loyalty to all that makes for good citizenship and for the upbuilding of the commonwealth. In private life he is known as a capable physician, who for forty years has successfully practiced, being numbered among the alumni of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia.

Dr. Rowe was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1848, a son of Hezekiah and Lucy (Holtzer) Rowe. He completed his classical education in the Vermillion Institute at Hayesville, Ohio, and prepared for his professional career as a student in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, which conferred upon him the M. D. degree in April, 1876. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching, becoming superintendent of public schools, but later concentrated his attention exclusively upon the practice of medicine and surgery, his efforts at all times being characterized by a sense of conscientious obligation that has made him an earnest student and kept him in close touch with the advancement that is continually being made by the medical fraternity. While never too hasty in discarding old and time-tried methods, the value of which has been proven, he has nevertheless been quick to recognize the value and advantage of new ideas and discoveries and has utilized these to the benefit of his many patients.

On the 6th of October 1880, in Loudonville, Ohio, Dr. Rowe was married to Miss Helen Taylor a daughter of A. A. Taylor, who was a manufacturer of flour and occupied a prominent business position in Ohio. For his second wife Dr. Rowe chose Rosina Ursula Messner, a daughter of John G. Messner, a member of the firm of Messner Brothers, a large business corporation on the Range in Minnesota, having for several years been there engaged in the wholesale and retail meat and grocery business. Dr. Rowe has two sons, of whose records he may be justly proud. The elder, Arthur T. Rowe, D. D. S., is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and now practices his profession at Larimore, North Dakota. He married Marian Degnan, of Winona, Minnesota. The younger son Dr. Paul H. Rowe, is a recent graduate of Rush Medical College of Chicago, having pursued a six years’ course, receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago University. He is now located at the Washington Boulevard Hospital of Chicago.

Dr. Rowe’s military experience covers service in his teens as a private of Company D, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the Civil war, when he was honorably discharged. This is but one phase of the proof of his loyalty and patriotic citizenship. In Casselton, where he has been located for thirty-seven years, it is known that his aid and influence can always be counted upon to further any progressive public measure, and the school system of the city is largely a monument to his devotion to the cause of education, for through many years he has been continuously president of the board, laboring untiringly and effectively to raise the standards of the schools. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and recognizing his ability for public service, chose him as their representative in the state senate in 1890, and now, after twenty-five years of civil life, he is again a member of the upper house, having been re-elected in 1914 for a four years’ term. His consideration of public questions is deep and thorough and when he endorses a measure it is because of his earnest belief in its efficacy as a factor in good government. He introduced the first bill in the senate of the state of North Dakota.

In religious faith Dr. Rowe is a Presbyterian and fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows. Of the latter organization he was grand master in 1885 and 1886, during territorial days, and he has represented the Odd Fellows lodge in the Sovereign Grand Lodge twelve times. He belongs to the Commercial Club of Casselton, and in social circles Dr. Rowe and his wife occupy an enviable position. Theirs is an attractive residence, and he also owns other city property. He is thoroughly identified with the interests of city and state, a typical representative of the northwest, ever recognizing the duties and obligations of citizenship and knowing that he has a part to play in connection with the upbuilding and development of the state.

CORNELIUS RUST, Among the many Norwegians who have become valued citizens of the northwest is Cornelius Rust, of Raymond township, Cass county, who owns eight hundred and fifty acres of good land and also has other business interests. He was born in Norway on the 15th of August, 1851, of the marriage of Elias and Christina Rust, both natives of that country. The father died there, and the mother subsequently emigrated to the United States, her demise occurring in Minnesota. Seven of their twelve children are living.

Cornelius Rust received his education in his native land but when about twenty years of age came to the United States and going to the middle west, located in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he lived for eight years. In 1879 he removed to Cass county. North Dakota, and took up his residence on section 3, Raymond township. Upon his farm he built a small house, twelve by fourteen feet, and that remained his residence for three years, he has since erected a large and well-designed dwelling and has made other improvements upon his farm, which is now one of the valuable places of the county. Its value is increased by a fine grove which he planted, and he also has all kinds of fruit upon the farm. In addition to his home place he owns other land, his total holdings being eight hundred and fifty acres, all of which is improved. He owns stock in three farmers’ elevators and is a director in the one at Prosper.

In 1882 Mr. Rust was married to Miss Betsy Kyllo, who was born in Norway and by whom he has seven children: Emma, at home; Herman P., who is farming in this county; Charles; Josephine, the wife of Oscar Peterson, of Prosper; and Edward, George and Clarence, all at home.

Mr. Rust is a republican and has served on the school board for several terms. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church, the teachings of which govern their conduct. They have made many warm friends in the county, where both are well known, and he is recognized as one of the most substantial men of his locality. When he came to this country, however, he was without capital, and his success is due entirely to his enterprise and wise management.

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