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M. A. BALDWINis a native of Vermont and was born in Derby county, in 1867. His parents were Myron .A. and Anna E. (Emery) Baldwin and his father was engaged in mercantile and banking business, and was president of the First National Bank of Lake City, Minnesota. He resided there from 1868 until his death and was prominent in public affairs and was mayor of the city when he was called to his rest.
Our subject was reared and educated in Lake City, Minnesota, and went to Casselton in 1886 and entered the First National Bank of Casselton with which he is now connected as bookkeeper and has risen steadily to the position of president of the institution, he has acquired a high position as a wealthy citizen and a man of excellent characteristics.
Mr. Baldwin was married, in Lake City, Minnesota, in 1882, to Sarah H. Murray, a native of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are the parents of one son, who bears the name of Murray A. Mr. Baldwin is prominent in secret society circles and is affiliated with the following orders: The Elks, of Fargo ; Knights of Pythias, of which he is a charter member; Modern Woodmen of America; Ancient Order of United Workmen and Masonic fraternity. In the last named he has passed the Scottish Rite, Knight Templar, Mystic Shrine and Court of Honor. He is a Republican in political sentiment and is a member of the governor's staff of that organization. He has served several terms as treasurer of his township, and at all times lends his influence for the up building of the better interests of his adopted land. He is intelligent and progressive, and in political sentiment is a Republican.
WILBUR F. BALL. It is to Mr. Ball's perseverance and indomitable energy that he owes his success in life. He is one of the most prominent lawyers of Fargo and one of the best known men of North Dakota.
He was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1843, and is of English descent. Representatives of the family took a prominent part in the Revolutionary war and to it belonged Marv Ball, mother of General Washington. Dabney Ball, our subject's grandfather, was a native of Virginia and a farmer, who died in Washington, D. C. The parents of our subject, John and Sarah (Webb) Ball, were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, as were also three of his brothers, and he preached in Virginia, Maryland and a part of Pennsylvania. He attended college in Baltimore, Maryland, and died in that state in 1845. His wife passed away in 1860.
During his early boyhood Mr. Ball attended the public schools of Virginia and Pennsylvania, but is principally self-educated, as he began the battle of life for himself at the age of twelve years as "devil" in a printing office at Washington, D. C. Later he was employed on some of the old newspapers of that city and was in the office of the "Washington Constitution" for a time. From there he went to Baltimore, Maryland, and subsequently returned to Pennsylvania, working on the "Titusville Gazette" for a time. He next drifted to Canton, Ohio, and from there to Akron, that state. At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted at Canton, in 1861, in the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was rejected on account of his youth. The same spring he again enlisted and went to the front as a member of Company A, Second Ohio Cavalry, with which he served for some months, fighting bushwhackers in southern Kansas and Missouri. He was injured by the fall of his horse and was discharged at Fort Scott, Kansas, in the fall of 1861.
Returning to Meadville, Pennsylvania, Mr. Ball entered the service of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad as brakeman, and after some months spent in the employ of that company became connected with the Buffalo & Erie Railroad, where he remained until the spring of 1864. During that year he commenced the study of law at Ontonagon, Michigan, and on his admission to the bar, in 1865, opened an office at Eagle River, Michigan, where he engaged in practice until 1868. The following three years were passed at Alexandria, Minnesota, and in 1871 he went to Otter Tail City, where he founded the "Otter Tail Record" and conducted the same for one year. He then moved his plant to Detroit, Minnesota, and edited a paper there in connection with his law practice until 1876, when he returned to Alexandria. In 1878 he came to what is now Fargo, North Dakota, driving across the country, and formed a law partnership with John A. Stowell, then district attorney and prosecutor for the third judicial district, comprising all of what is now the state of North Dakota. Mr. Ball began active practice in Fargo January 19, 1879, and two years later was elected district attorney for the district last above named, which position he filled until 1885. In the meantime he was engaged in private practice with George P. Wilson, of Minnesota, for seven years. Judge Wallin became a member of the firm in 1887. In 1888 General Wilson retired from the firm and business was conducted under the name of Ball, Wallin & Smith until the Judge was elected to the supreme bench in 1889. Since then John S. Watson has been admitted to partnership and the firm is now known as Ball, Watson & McClay. Mr. Ball is one of the most successful lawyers of the state, and is assistant counsel for the Northern Pacific Railroad, with which he has been connected since 1872. He was one of the organizers and builders of the Fargo Southern Railroad and was one of its officers and directors during its existence. He is a man of good executive and business ability, who generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and has been a director of the Merchants State Bank of Fargo for some years.
On the 25th of December, 1865, Colonel Ball married Miss Mary A. Menyweather, a native of Michigan, and they have four children: William M.. John G., Frank A. and Sarah G. The Colonel has been a life-long Republican and has taken a very prominent part in party affairs. Socially he is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Fargo and is widely and favorably known throughout the state as a lawyer and public-spirited citizen.
BANK OF BUFFALO. This institution is a state bank, and was organized in September, 1885, with a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, and the following officers were chosen: President, S. G. Moore; vice-president, C. C. Schuyler; cashier, J. A. Winsloe, and the above named men as directors. The bank was reorganized in 1892, the capital stock being reduced to five thousand dollars, and the following officers were chosen : E. E. More, president; E. M. More, vice-president; S. G. More, cashier; and A. L. Bayley, assistant cashier. The institution has been under the management of S. G. More since its organization, and is one of the sound financial institutions of the county.
S. G. More, who has charge of the affairs of
the Bank of Buffalo, is a gentleman of ability and recognized as one
of the leading business men of North
Dakota. Mr. More was born in St. Lawrence
county. New York,
August 14, 1856. He was reared and educated in New York, and was a
graduate of Union University, and in 1880 entered the
Albany Law School,
and graduated from that institution in 1882. He was admitted before
the supreme court of New
York the same year and followed his
profession at Ogdensburg three months, and during the same year went
to Fargo, Cass county. North
Dakota. He practiced law there three years,
and then removed to Buffalo in 1882, where he has
continued his practice in addition to the bank work. He is also the
owner of six sections of farm lands in Cass county, and has
prospered as a business man.
Our subject was married in
New York
, in 1890, to Miss Emma
E. Messenger. Two children, one son, named David S., and a daughter,
Edith M., have been born to Mr. and Mrs. More. Mr. More was
appointed postmaster at
Buffalo
in 1897 by President
McKinley. He is one of the best known business men of
North Dakota
and deservedly
popular with the people. In political sentiment he is a Republican
and strong in his convictions.
LUCIAN A.
BARNES, a prominent and influential farmer, residing
on section 21 in the township which bears his name, is a man of
progressive, enlightened views, and his standing as an old settler
of Cass county is well known.
Our subject was born in Martinsburg, Lewis
county. New York,
April 17, 1840, and was a son of the late Judge A. H. Barnes and
Clarissa (Hills) Barnes. His father went to Yankton, South Dakota,
in 1874, and lived one year, and then resided in Fargo, North
Dakota, nine years, when he returned to Delavan, Wisconsin, where he
died early in the '90s, aged seventy-two years. He was appointed
United
States district judge by President
Grant. The county of Barnes, North Dakota, was named in honor
of Judge Barnes. The mother of our subject died in Delavan, Wisconsin, aged about thirty-seven
years.
Lucian A. Barnes was reared in his native
state, and remained until nineteen years of age, when he located at
Delavan, Wisconsin,
and was engaged in farming and dairy business and later engaged in
cheese making. which he followed twelve years. He went to Cass
county. North Dakota,
in 1878, and settled in Barnes township, which was named for him. He
has devoted himself chiefly to the pursuit of agriculture, but has
practiced veterinary dentistry to some extent, and is a man well
versed in all branches of farming. He has made good improvements on
his farm, and is the fortunate owner of one thousand two hundred
acres of land in Barnes township.
Our subject was married, August 30, 1864, in
Wisconsin
, to
Mary A. Means. Mrs. Barnes was born in
England November
21, 1841, and came to
America
in 1853. She was
a daughter of Peter and Mary Means. Her father was a farmer by
occupation and died in
LaGrange,
Wisconsin
, in 1882, and Mrs.
Barnes" mother died in 1874. One child, a son, who hears the name of
Alanson H., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barnes. He is engaged in
farming, and is one of the rising young men of that locality. Mr.
Barnes takes an interest in affairs of a public nature, and is
identified with the Republican party, and an earnest worker for his
party principles. He holds membership in the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows.
OSCAR G.
BARNES, secretary and general manager of the Fargo
Gas & Electric Company and ex-sheriff of Cass county, is one of
the leading and prosperous business men of the city. He is a man of
strong force of character, purposeful and energetic, and carried
forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Mr. Barnes was born in Grafton county, New
Hampshire, April 18, 1855, and is a son of" Hiram and Esther B.
(Gillette) Barnes, who were natives of Vermont, but spent the
greater part of their lives in New Hampshire, where the father's
death occurred. By occupation the father was a merchant and farmer.
Our subject is one of a family of eight children, five sons and
three daughters, and is the only one of the number living in North
Dakota. His education was acquired in his native state, where he
attended high school.
On leaving home Mr. Barnes went to Boston,
Massachusetts, where he engaged in the hotel business for five
years, and the following five years he spent in Cincinnati, Ohio. In
1882 he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and entered the employ of J. B.
Weaver & Company, with whom he was interested in the real estate
business for nearly two years. Later he was connected with the Fargo
foundry as superintendent for some years, and on leaving that
concern started in business on his own account, carrying on the same
until 1886, when appointed deputy sheriff under J. D. Benton. After
serving in that capacity for six years he was elected sheriff in
1892 and most creditably filled that office for two terms of two
years each. He was then elected to the county board of commissioners
and is now chairman of the same. In the discharge of his official
duties he has always been found prompt and faithful, winning the
commendation of the general public and the high regard of all law
abiding citizens. He is now vice-president of the Merchants National
Bank of Fargo, a member of its board of directors and also owns
stock in other leading business enterprises.
In 1890 Mr. Barnes was married, in Wisconsin,
to Miss Anna Cassaday, a native of that state, and to them have been
born two children, Carroll O. and Esther E., both living. Socially
Mr. Barnes is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks and the Loyal Knights. Politically he has always affiliated
with the Republican party, has served on the county central
committee and been chairman of the city central committee. He is
quite prominent and influential in business circles and is highly
respected and esteemed by all who know him.
 WILLIAM H.
BARNETT, an able representative of the legal
profession now engaged in successful practice at Fargo, North Dakota, is a native
of Wisconsin.
his birth having occurred at Fox Lake, Dodge county, July 23,
1856. His parents, William D. and Julia (Huntley) Barnett. were both
born in New
York and removed to Wisconsin in 1846. The father, who
was a carriage builder by trade, died in that state in 1868, leaving
two sons-one a physician of Michigan; and our subject.
In the common schools of his native state
William H. Barnett obtained his primary education, which was
supplemented by a course at Downer's College, Fox Lake. He commenced the study
of law at that place under the direction of Francis Hamilton, and in
1879 entered the law school at Madison, from which he was
graduated the following year. Shortly afterward he came to Fargo and accepted the position of
clerk with the firm of Briggs & Elders. In 1883 he commenced
practice and two years later was elected police justice, which
office he capably and satisfactorily filled for eleven years. Since
then he has devoted his entire time and attention to the practice of
law and has been eminently successful, retaining a clientele of so
representative character as to alone stand in evidence of his
professional ability and personal popularity. As a Republican he
takes quite an active part in politics, has stumped the county in
the interest of his party, and has been a delegate to state
conventions. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and some
insurance orders. In 1883 Mr. Barnett .married Miss Lelah H.
Tillotson, of Rushford, Minnesota, whose father was receiver at the
United States land office in St. Peter, Minnesota, during President
Buchanan's administration.
STEPHEN B.
BARTLETT, one of the leading attorneys of Casselton,
Cass county, is widely known for his intelligence and integrity. He
is well versed in his profession and is one of the prominent men in
legal circles of North Dakota, while his active public spirit and
character are irreproachable. He has resided in Casselton nearly
twenty years and counts a host of friends.
Our subject was born at Warsaw, Wyoming county,
New York, April 1, 1849, and was one of eight children, six sons and
two daughters, who grew to maturity, born to William K. and Elmina
(McLaughlin) Bartlett. His father was a native of New Hampshire and
his mother of Vermont. The father was a farmer by occupation and
passed his life in New York.
Stephen B. Bartlett received his education in
the common and high schools of New York state and on leaving the latter at
once began the study of law in 1867 at Warsaw, New York, and was
admitted to practice by the supreme court of that state at
Syracuse, in
1873. He began the practice of his profession at Warsaw and
continued there until 1880, when he removed to Lake City, Minnesota,
and practiced there two years. He removed to Casselton in the spring
of 1882 and has followed the practice of his profession in that city
continuously since that date. He formed a partnership in 1888 with V
.R. Lovill, which was dissolved in 1898. Mr. Bartlett is also
extensively interested in farming and operates an extensive tract in
Traverse county, Minnesota.
Our subject was married, August 5, 1875, to
Miss Cora L Chamberlin, a native of Wyoming county, New York. Three
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett, as follows:
William K., now attending the medical department of the State
University of Minnesota; Elizabeth and Lawrence M. Mr.
Bartlett is a Mason of long standing and for five years occupied the
position of worshipful master of the local lodge of Casselton. He
served as district attorney in 1888 and 1889 and ably discharged the
duties of that office. He was nominated by the Democratic party for
attorney-general of the state, but refused to accept and has also
refused to have his name used for other important offices in the
county and state. While a resident of New York he entered the field as a
public speaker for General Hancock in his home county and has been
associated with the Democratic party throughout his career and is an
active worker for party principles and a recognized
leader.
EDWARD C.
BAUMGARDNER. The calling to which this gentleman has
devoted his career is one which calls for the exercise of good
judgment, close observation and persistent efforts to insure
success. Mr. Baumgardner is one of the well-to-do farmers of Cass
county, and his home in Rochester township is among the pleasantest
places in the county. He has gained his possessions single-handed,
and is highly respected for his excellent characteristics.
Our subject is a native of Carbon county,
Pennsylvania, and was born July 24, 1856. His parents, Mathais and
Fredericka (Fritz) Baumgardner, were natives of Germany, and his
father was a miller by trade, and also followed farming. He
emigrated to America in 1854. and located in Carbon county,
Pennsylvania, and later moved to Erie county, that state, where he
died in 1889. The mother survives and makes her home in
Pennsylvania. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters,
and our subject is the only member of the family to locate in North
Dakota.
Mr. Baumgardner was reared in Pennsylvania and
received his education there, and remained in that state engaged in
farming until 1875, when he removed to Ohio and resided there until
1882. He then went to Cass county, North Dakota, and entered a
homestead claim to land in section 22. of Rochester township, and
was among the first settlers of that locality. He has held
continuous residence there, and is now the owner of one section of
choice land. He has added valuable improvements, including a
complete set of substantial farm buildings, and is one of the solid
men of the county.
Our subject was married in Fargo, North Dakota,
December 5, 1883, to Elizabeth Kimball. Mrs. Baumgardner was born
near Syracuse, New York, and was a daughter of Addison and Anna
(Bailey) Kimball, who were pioneer settlers of the state of New
York. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baumgardner, as
follows: Iva A., Carl A. and Fredericka, all of whom are living. Mr.
Baumgardner assisted in the organization of his township, and has
served as assessor for the past nine years, and has also served on
the township and school boards. He is a member of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen, and in political sentiment is a
Republican.
SYLVAN E.
BAYLEYbelongs to that large class of intelligent and
enterprising farmers whose work as a developer of the country is a
credit to themselves and the community. His estate is located in
Cornell township, Cass county, and he enjoys the comforts of a model
country home.
Our subject was born in Dodge county,
Wisconsin. September 23, 1847, and was a son of Benjamin and Hannah
(Horr) Bayley, both of whom were natives of Vermont. His father was a
shoemaker by trade, and later in life followed farming. He moved to
Dodge county, Wisconsin, about 1840, and the father died there in
1876. and the mother also passed away in that state. Seven sons and
three daughters were born to them, our subject being the only one in
North
Dakota.
Mr. Bayley was reared in Wisconsin, and received his
education there, and continued his residence in Dodge county until
he went to Cass county. North
Dakota, locating his land there in 1879. and
his residence thereon dates from the following spring. He entered
claim to land in section 24 of Cornell township, as a homestead, and
was the first settler in that part of the township. He now operates
about one section of land, and is among the substantial men of his
township.
Our subject was married in Dodge county,
Wisconsin, February 22, 1870, to Melissa A. Sanford, a native of
that state. To Mr. and Mrs. Bayley have been born five children,
named as follows: Frank W.. Arthur L., Edith I., Cora S. and Ray E.,
all of whom are living. Mr. Bayley was active in the organization of
his township, and has served as assessor continuously since that
time. Politically he is a Republican, and is a man who keeps pace
with the times.
JOSEPH
BAYLISS, widely known as the first settler of
Clifton,
township, Cass county, is passing his declining years amid pleasant
surroundings, and enjoys a comfortable competence as the result of a
well spent career. He has devoted his mature years to farming, and
has met with unbounded success, and is now proprietor of a fine farm
the improvements of which he has placed thereon by his own efforts,
and has gained the highest esteem of those among whom he labors.
Our subject is a native of Staffordshire,
England, and was born July 22, 1837. His parents, John and Jane
(Bond) Bayliss, were natives of the same shire and spent their lives
in their native place. His father was an iron worker. Our subject
has one sister living.
Mr. Bayliss was reared and educated in England,
and there learned the trade of puddler and steel maker, and followed
it there until 1869, when he emigrated to America and located in
Cleveland, and from there removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and
later to Youngstown, Ohio. He resided in the last named place until
1879, and then went to Cass county. North Dakota, and entered a
claim as a homestead to land in section 10 of Clifton township and
has resided there since that date. He now has four hundred acres of
good land, and is one of the substantial men of his locality.
Our subject was married, in 1859. to Miss
Sarah Bowen, a native of the same shire in England as Mr. Bayliss.
Eight children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Bayliss, as follows: William B., Mattie, now Mrs. George Phillips,
of Chicago;
Benjamin C, James H., Annie A., now Mrs. E. Lloyd, of East Chicago;
Minnie M., George A. and Edith F. The family were members of the
Presbyterian church, and are highly respected in the community in
which they reside. Mr. Bayliss takes an active interest in the
welfare of his community, and has served in various local offices,
including justice of the peace, school offices and member of the
township board. He is independent in political sentiment and is a
man well versed on the topics of the day and wields an influence for
good in his locality. He went to North Dakota without means and is now one of
the prosperous men of Clifton township, and well merits
his success.
JOHN BEATTIE. The result of
well-directed labor is strikingly exemplified in the career of the
gentleman whose name heads this personal history. He went to Dakota
without means during the early days of the settlement of Cass county
and is now proprietor of a fine farm in Empire township, one on
which he is successfully conducting general farming.
Our subject was born in Rocksborough county,
Scotland, June 27, 1858, and was a son of Peter and Mary (Scott)
Beattie, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The father was a
shepherd by occupation and came to America in 1881 and settled in
Rich township, Cass county, where the father filed a pre-emption
claim to land, where he still resides. The mother died July 2, 1898.
Two sons and two daughters, all of whom reside in Cass county, were
born to this worthy couple. John Beattie was reared in his native
land and received his education there and then followed agricultural
pursuits until 1876, when he went to Ontario, Canada, and resided
there until 1880, when he removed to Cass county, North Dakota, and
took land in Rich township, where he resided about five years. He
entered claim to the land on which he now resides, in Empire
township, in 1885 and he now owns an entire section of land, all of
which is under cultivation and is entitled to rank as one of the
finest farms of that locality.
Our subject was married, in 1889, to Miss
Maggie Thompson, a native of Canada. Three children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Beattie, named as follows: Jane E., Mary E. and
Aggie. Mr. Beattie is a member of the Presbyterian church and is
held in high esteem by his fellows. He has served in various
township and school offices and his public spirit has never been
called in question. Politically, he is a Populist and advocates
reform principles.
 PETER
BEATTIE. This gentleman, in company with his son
James, owns and operates a fine farm in section 34, of Rich
township, and is one of the substantial men of Cass county. He is a
foreign-born citizen, but is devoted to the better interests of his
adopted land and as an early settler of North Dakota has been useful
in up building and sustaining the agricultural interests of that
state, and has gained an enviable name as a citizen and farmer.
Our subject was born in Roxburghshire,
Scotland, August I, 1834. His parents, John and Isabelle (Scott)
Beattie, were natives of Scotland, and his father was a shepherd and
followed the same in his native land throughout his career.
Our subject was one of thirteen children, seven
sons and six daughters, and is the only member of the family in the
United States. He was reared and educated in Scotland and worked as
a shepherd there until 1881, when he emigrated to America and went
direct to North Dakota, filing a claim to land on which he now
resides. He and his son now own one and a half sections of land, and
have met with success as farmers.
Our subject was married in Scotland, June 5,
1857, to Mary Scott, a native of the same place. Mr. and Mrs.
Beattie are the parents of two sons and two daughters, as follows:
Ellen, now Mrs. Martin, of Cass
county; John, residing in Empire township, a sketch of whose life
appears elsewhere; Isabelle, now Mrs. W. J. Thompson, of Page City;
and James, who is associated with his father. Mr. Beattie is a
Republican in political sentiment. He has filled various official
positions in his township including chairman of the township board,
and he is an exemplary member of the Presbyterian church.
James Beattie, the youngest son of our subject,
was born in Scotland, February 1, 1867, and assisted his father
there and emigrated with his parents to America and with them
located in North Dakota. He is prominent in public affairs and has
served as town clerk, and assessor for the past three years and
school treasurer eight years. He holds membership in the A. O. U.
W., and M. W. of
A.
MAXIM E
BELLEMARE, M. D. This gentleman is well known as a physician of
practical skill and theoretical knowledge, and he occupies a
prominent position among the people. He has followed farming and the
practice of his profession in Cass County for many years, and makes
his home in section 27, in Stanley township.
Our subject was born in Su Maurice County,
Quebec, January 24, 1847, and was reared in his native place and
attended the Nicolet College. When eighteen years of age he began
the study of medicine, attending the University of Victoria, from
which institution he graduated in 1871. He followed his profession
in Canada until the spring of 1882, when he went to North Dakota and
located in Stanley township, Cass County, and has since engaged in
farming, and also practiced medicine. He has built up a lucrative
practice and is widely known. His farm consists of two hundred and
forty acres of land, on which he has completed good improvements,
and has gathered about him the comforts of a model country home.
Our subject was married in Canada to Miss
Albertine Gerin Lajoie, a native of Canada. Mr. and
Mrs. Bellemare are the parents or ten children, as follows: Emma,
Corrine, Anna, Marie, Caroline, Joseph, Aurora, Francis, Aurelie and
Maxim.
Dr. Bellemare has been active in public affairs since taking
up his residence in North Dakota, and has held the office of
township assessor four years, and clerk of the school district, and
has been a member of the board of supervisors of Stanley
township.
As a man and citizen he is highly respected and as a
physician he has built up an extensive practice.
FRANKLIN
BENDER. An honorable position among the farmers of
Harwood township, Cass county, is willingly accorded to this
gentleman by his associates. He occupies a well-developed farm in
section 23 and is greatly respected in the community where he has
spent over fifteen years of his life. His mature years have been
devoted to the pursuit of agriculture, and he has acquired a wide
knowledge of his calling, and is an individual aid in the
advancement and development of that region.
Our subject was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1844, and
was a son of George Bender, who was a tailor by trade. He was reared
in the town of Waynesboro,
and attended the schools of that place, and later learned the
cabinetmaker's trade and also carpentering, both of which he
followed in the factories of that city till 1883. In the spring of
that year he decided to try his fortunes in the Northwest, and
accordingly settled in Harwood township, Cass county. North Dakota, where he has since
resided. He has devoted his attention to farm work entirely and is
now the owner of one hundred and ninety-five acres of land. He has
placed good improvements on the farm and otherwise has provided for
the lessening of labor and the comforts of the occupants of the
place, meeting with success in his chosen calling.
Our subject was married, in Waynesboro, December 29, 1869, to
Miss Eliza J. Welsh. Mrs. Bender was born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1847, and
was a daughter of J. R. Welsh, a merchant of that city. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bender, three of whom are
living, and bear the following names: Margaret J., George W. and
Frank Rudisel. One daughter died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bender are
active workers and members of the Congregational church. Mr. Bender
is a man of intelligence and true worth, and keeps pace with the
times in all public matters, and casts his influence for good
government and right and justice, and his success as an
agriculturist is well merited.
JOHN M.
BENDER, an ex-soldier, and prominent farmer of
Harwood township. Cass county, was an early settler of that region,
and is now the possessor of a fine farm, on which he enjoys all the
comforts of country life. He is a man of strict integrity, careful
and methodical in his business, and has made many friends by his
push and energy and gained an assured position among the substantial
men of his calling. His residence is in section 33, of Harwood
township.
Our subject was born in Waynesboro, Franklin county,
Pennsylvania,
April 3, 1842, and was a son of George and Jane (McConnell) Bender.
His father was a tailor by trade, and was fifty-eight years of age
at the time of his death. The mother of our subject died at the age
of sixty-two years. Both parents were natives of Franklin county,
Pennsylvania,
and spent their lives there.
John M. Bender was the third in order of birth
in a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, and was
reared in his native town. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade,
which he followed till 1869, and then followed the carpenter's trade
till 1880. He enlisted in Company E. One Hundred and Twenty-sixth
Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, August 3, 1862. and served nine months, when he
was discharged for disability, and returned to Waynesboro. He remained in
Pennsylvania
till May, 1871. and then went to Dakota and located a soldier's
claim in Reed township, and devoted himself to his trade and did not
engage in farming till1880, since which time he has given his entire
attention to the pursuit of agriculture and has met with unbounded
success, he settled in Harwood township in 1871, and on his farm has
erected a complete set of commodious and substantial buildings, and
supplied every convenience of modern farming. He is the owner of six
hundred acres of land, and follows general farming.
Our subject was married, in Moorehead, Minnesota, in March, 1882, to Miss
Mary E. Bradley. Mrs. Bender was born in Delta, Ohio, in 1847, and was a daughter
of Alonzo and Mary Bradley. Mrs. Bender died in Harwood township,
Cass county, North Dakota,
June 11, 1897. Mr. Bender is active in all matters of a public
nature in his community and lends his influence for good local
government, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his fellow
men.
COLONEL JOHN D.
BENTON, a prominent attorney-at-law and extensive
land owner and general farmer, of Fargo, North Dakota, is one of the
pioneer settlers of the state and his name is readily recognized as
a member of the well-known firm of Benton, Lovell & Bradley. He
is connected as director with the Merchants' State Bank and is a man
of rare ability and force of character.
Our subject was born in Courtland county. New
York, April 2, 1842, and was a son of Dublev and Mary (Spencer)
Benton, both of whom were natives of New York. His father was a
farmer, as was also the grandfather, Stephen Benton, and both died
in New York. John D. Benton received a liberal education in his
native state, attending the Cortland Academy and Albany Law School.
He was engaged in various occupations and entered the Albany Law
School in i^74> graduating from that institution two years later.
He was admitted to the bar in New York, and went to Fargo, North
Dakota, in 1878, where he at once began the practice of his
profession. He was associated with Judge Thomas, and also
established an office at Deadwood, North Dakota, which he
discontinued in 1883. He was elected sheriff of the county, with
office for two years, in 1886, and then the partnership with Judge
Thomas was dissolved, Thomas being appointed United States district
judge, and after the expiration of his office as sheriff, he formed
a partnership with C. F. Amidon, which continued until 1896, who was
upon the death of Judge Thomas, appointed to succeed him. Then the
firm of Benton & Bradley was established, and in 1898, V. R.
Lovell entered the partnership, the firm taking the name of Benton,
Lovell & Bradley. Mr. Benton was president of the Merchants"
State Bank for six years from 1892, and for the past twenty years
has conducted fanning on a large scale. Every enterprise to which he
has turned his attention has met with the most pleasing results.
Our subject was married, in 1879, to Arlone A.
Babcock, a native of New York. Two children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Benton, as follows: Mary L. and Dudley C. Mr. Benton is a
prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, having passed the
thirty-second degree and the Mystic Shrine. He was a candidate for
the United States senate in 1892 and has always taken an active part
in the affairs of his county and state and on many occasions his
voice has been heard in support of the principles which he
advocates. He is a forcible speaker and able attorney and stands
high in his profession. Politically, he is a
Democrat.
 ROBERT B.
BLAKEMORE, one of Fargo's most energetic and progressive
citizens, who is now successfully engaged in the insurance and real
estate business, is a native of Kentucky, born in Christian
county, on the 14th of September, 1866. His parents, George B .and
Clara (Gist) Blakemore, were natives of Virginia and Maryland,
respectively. The father was a captain in the Confederate army
during the Civil war and was in General Johnston's command. He
participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge,
Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and the engagements of the Atlanta
campaign. In early life the father engaged in merchandising and
later was interested in the tobacco and cotton trade in New Orleans.
He died in Louisiana in 1868, and his wife departed this life two
years later, leaving our subject, their only child, all alone in the
world at the age of four years.
Mr. Blakemore was educated in the schools of
Kentucky and Maryland, attending first the military school at
Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and later St. John's College, of Annapolis.
Maryland. In 1883 he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and was employed
as bookkeeper by a hardware firm for two years. He became interested
in the real estate and insurance business with E. H. Dickon in 1885,
and three years later succeeded to the business, which he has since
carried on, meeting with marked success in the undertaking. He has
also engaged in farming to a considerable extent.
In 1888 Mr. Blakemore was united in marriage
with Miss Clara C. Taylor, a native of Maryland, who now resides
with gracious dignity over their pleasant home in Fargo. Mr.
Blakemore takes no active part in political affairs and has never
filled public office, desiring rather to give his entire time and.
attention to his business interests. He is a Jeffersonian Democrat
and is all that title implies. He is, however, very popular among
his follow citizens and is an honored member of the Masonic
fraternity, the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and B. P. O. E.
AUGUST
BOLMEIER, one of the prosperous and widely known
citizens of Hunter township, Cass county, is pursuing farming, and
is one of the pioneer settlers of that locality. He has a thorough
knowledge of his calling and has placed himself in comfortable
circumstances by his push and energy.
Our subject was born near Lenigo, Germany,
October 9, 1857, and was a son of Frederick and Fredericka
(Bokemeier) Bolmeier, natives of Germany. His parents were farmers
and lived and died in their native land. They were the parents of
ten children, five sons and five daughters. The father died in 1892
and the mother in 1899.
Mr. Bolmeier was reared and educated in Germany
until nineteen years of age, when he came to America and located in
Monroe county, Wisconsin. Later he located in Illinois and in 1879
went to Cass county, North Dakota, where he took land as a
homestead, and has resided thereon continuously since that date. He
has broken all the land for cultivation and is now the owner of a
half-section of well improved land. He is also farming an additional
eight hundred acres, and is a successful agriculturist.
Our subject was married in Wisconsin, in 1883,
to Caroline Albert, a native of Germany. Eight children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Bolmeier, as follows: Amma, Fred, William,
Reuben, Esther, Roy, Edward and Haven. Mr. Bolmeier keeps pace with
the times in local affairs and is a Republican in political faith,
but does not seek public preferment, devoting himself wholly to his
farming, and well merits his
success.
JOSEPH J.
BONDwas born in Middlesex County, Massachusetts,
February 12, 1862. His parents, Thomas Davis and Olive (Thompson)
Bond, were natives of Massachusetts, and the father operated the
Bond cracker factory of Boston, Massachusetts, for many years. This
factory was founded by Captain Joseph Bond, the grandfather of our
subject, and was conducted by the father of our. subject until his
death in 1889. The grandfather was also a native of Massachusetts
and operated the cracker factory throughout his career. The
great-grandfather served with the Massachusetts troops in the
Revolutionary war. Our subject has one brother and two sisters, all
of Massachusetts.
Our subject was reared and educated in
Massachusetts and began life as a clerk in a wholesale dry-goods
business, which he followed one year, and then followed other lines
of business and in 1882 went to Cass County. North Dakota, as
bookkeeper for the Cass & Cheney farm, and filled that position
one year. He was appointed financial agent for this estate and
continued such for about five years, when he purchased nearly
twenty-four hundred acres of the farm which he has since conducted
and on which he has a pleasant and comfortable home.
Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss
Margaret M. Cole, a native of England, who came to America with her
parents in 1874. Three children have been born to bless the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Bond, named as follows: Thomas D., Marjorie and
Dorothy. Mr. Bond is a Republican in politics.
ARNE P.
BORDERUD. A prominent position as a prosperous merchant
and energetic farmer of Cass county is accorded this gentleman. He
engages in the mercantile business in Davenport and also owns and
operates four hundred acres of land. He has acted as postmaster of
Davenport for
the past three years and is an efficient and well known officer.
Our subject was born in the southern part of
Norway, June 25, 1831.
and was a son of Peter A. and Johanna Borderud. both of whom were
natives of Norway. The family
emigrated to America in 1870 and lived in
Iowa one year
and then went to Cass county. North
Dakota, the following spring and settled on
section 24, in Norman township. The father entered claim to land
there and resided thereon until his death in 1894. Six children,
three sons and three daughters, constituted the family, of which our
subject was a member, and all reside in America with the
exception of one who is now deceased.
Mr. Borderud was educated in
Norway and followed
farming exclusively until 1883. when he established a general store
in Davenport,
Cass county, and now has an extensive trade. His farm is carefully
cultivated and well improved and evidences good management and
painstaking care in its operation.
Our subject was married, in 1880, to Bolette
Myhra, a native of Norway. Three children,
all of whom are living, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Borderud, and
are named as follows: Julia, William, and Geneva. The family are members of
the Lutheran church and are highly respected in the community in
which they reside. Mr. Borderud has filled various minor offices and
is held in high position as a gentleman of genuine worth and public
spirit. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and politically he
is a Republican and is a stanch advocate of party
principles.
HON. ROBERT B.
BOYD, one of the well-to-do farmers of Wheatland
township, is yet in the prime of vigorous manhood, and is attaining
a prominent position as a citizen and farmer. Fie resides on section
6 and is extensively-engaged in grain raising, and operates three
sections of land. He is a pioneer settler of North Dakota, and is widely known
for his labors for the public good.
Our subject was born at Kinsordine, Bruce
county, Ontario,
Canada, September 25, 1862, and was a
son of Andrew K. and Margaret (Newcomb) Boyd, the former a native of
Scotland, and the latter of
Preston,
Canada. His father was
born at Ayrshire,
Scotland, in 1826, and
was reared and educated in his native isle, and there learned the
shoemaker's trade. He emigrated to America in 1840
and engaged in the shoe trade at Paris, Canada, and later in the hotel
business, then afterward followed general merchandising in
Canada. He went to
North Dakota
March 16, 1879, and entered claim to the southeast quarter of
section 6 in Wheatland township as a homestead, and the same year
erected a small frame house which still serves as the home of the
family. He operated the farm and resided there until his death in
1880. He was married in Canada, and three sons and six
daughters were born of the union, as follows: Hiram, residing in
Cass county; Robert B.; John, now residing in Washington; Jane, now
Mrs. John Hay; Elizabeth, who married Thomas Lockett and is now
deceased; Maggie, now Mrs. A. Campbell, of Canada; Nellie. now Mrs.
A. S. Bilton, of Oregon; Emma, now Mrs. W. T. York, of Oregon, and
Anna, now Mrs. F. W. Powlinson, of Cass county. Mr. Boyd is a member
of the Presbyterian church and is an exemplary citizen. He assisted
in the organization of the township in which he lived, but did not
accept any public office during his career.
Robert B. Boyd was reared and educated in
Canada and went with his parents to
North Dakota.
He entered claim to the southeast quarter of section 6 in Wheatland
township as a homestead, and now owns the land and has added
valuable improvements thereon. He owns one section and a quarter of
land and operates three sections, and averages a yield of fifteen to
twenty thousand bushels of grain annually.
Mr. Boyd was elected to the state legislature
in 1896, and his efficient work and popularity are best evidenced by
the fact that he was returned to that office in 1898 and is now
representing the eleventh district. He has filled various township
offices, and is widely and favorably known. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United
Workmen. Politically he is a Republican, and adheres to the
principles of his party.
CORNELIUS BOYLE, deceased. In the
death of Mr. Boyle Cass county lost a worthy citizen and a
representative member of the farming community of Highland township.
He was a pioneer settler of Ransom county. North Dakota, and
followed agricultural pursuits throughout his career, and at the
time of his demise owned a fine farm consisting of one section of
land, all of which was well improved.
Our subject was a native of Ireland, and was
born in 1843. His parents, Patrick and Rose (Boyle) Boyle, were
natives of Ireland, and the father died there, and in 1845 the
widowed mother and family, consisting of five sons, emigrated to
Canada and settled in Ontario, where the mother spent the remainder
of her life.
Mr. Boyle was reared and educated in Canada and
followed farming there until 1881, and then went to North Dakota and
settled in Ransom county, remaining there until 1888, and then
taking up his residence in Cass county, and became a citizen of
Highland township. He engaged successfully in farming and followed
the same in Cass county during the balance of his career.
Our subject was married in Canada in May 6,
1863, to Ellen Doyle, a native of Ireland. Nine children were born
to Mr. and Mrs. Boyle, as follows : Owen J., deceased; Patrick, John
; Cornelius, Peter, Henry T., Francis, Mary and Martin. Mr. Boyle
died "in North Dakota September 21, 1895. He was a member of the
Catholic church, and was highly esteemed in the community in which
he spent his
life.
LOUIS L.
BRAKKE. Among the foreign-born residents of Cass
County. North Dakota, who are thoroughly identified with American
civilization and progress, may be noted Mr. Brakke.
He is the owner of a fine farm in section 30, in Stanley
township, on which he has placed good improvements, and is
surrounded by all which goes to make country life pleasant. He has
spent nearly a quarter of a century in North Dakota, and is known
throughout Cass County as a progressive, enlightened farmer, who is
an earnest supporter of every good cause, and enterprise which tends
to the general welfare of his community.
Our subject was born in Bergen Stift, Norway,
May 20, 1842, and was reared in his native land and received a good
education. He was raised on a farm till seventeen years of age, when
he started to earn his own livelihood, and he followed sea coasting
for several years till he emigrated to America in the spring of
1871. He settled in Goodhue County, Minnesota, and worked at farming
and carpentry in that County about seven years, and in 1878 went to
Cass County, North Dakota, and purchased two hundred and forty acres
of land, in section 30. in Stanley township, where he has since
resided. He is now the owner of two hundred and thirty-three acres
of choice land in North Dakota, and four hundred in Minnesota, and
follows general farming, and has met with eminent success.
Our subject was married in Cass County, North
Dakota, in June, 1878, to Miss Agnetta Paulson, who was born in
Norway, December 23, 1857. Three children have been born to
Mr. and Mrs. Brakke, as follows: Albert C,
Leonard O., and Emma O. The family are members of the Norwegian
Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Brakke and two children spent the
summer of 1899 in Norway, and Mr. Brakke previously paid a visit to
his native land. He is a gentleman of wide experience and practical
nature, and highly esteemed by his fellowmen. He has served as a
member of the board of supervisors of Stanley township, and lends
his influence for good local government.
NELS O.
BRAKKE For nearly thirty years the
gentleman above named has tilled the soil of Norman township, Cass
county. North Dakota,
and he is well known as an old settler of that locality and a man of
energetic spirit and practical nature. He is the owner of a
well-developed farm of three quarter-sections and is surrounded by
all the comforts of country life and enjoys a good competence and
the respect and esteem of his many friends.
Our subject was born in Norway, September 12,
1845, he was a son of Ole N. and Berget (Swanson) Brakke, both of
whom were natives of Norway. The mother is
deceased, but the father still survives. Our subject was one of a
family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom one
brother and our subject are the only ones in the United States.
Mr. Brakke was reared and educated in
Norway, and in 1869 came to
America and located in Houston county, Minnesota, where he remained three
years. He went to Cass county, June 17, 1872, and entered a
homestead claim to the southeast quarter of section 26. in
Norman
township, on where he still resides. He erected a log house and
began breaking the prairie land, and has held continuous residence
there. He has increased his possessions to three quarter-sections,
all of which is well improved, and he is now one of the well-to-do
men of Norman township.
Our subject was married, in 1869, in Minnesota,
to Liv Oleson, a native of Norway. Eight children have been born to
bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brakke, named as follows: Birgit,
Olaf, Olina, Oscar, Carrie, Nels, Ingebrecht and Selma. The family are members of
the Lutheran church and Mr. Brakke assisted in building the church
of that locality and has served as an officer of the same. He has
served his community as a member of the school board, and is one of
the public-spirited men of Norman township and well merits his high
standing and financial success. Politically he is a Republican, and
is firm in his convictions.
JOHN
BRANDENBURG, the pioneer merchant of Arthur, Cass county,
is a gentleman of ability and true citizenship. He has been useful
in promoting the financial and social growth of that section of the
country, and is enjoying an extensive patronage and the confidence
of the people among whom he resides.
Our subject was born in Warren county. Ohio,
December 22, 1846, and was a son of Joseph and Nancy (Hines)
Brandenburg. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of
Maryland. The father was a farmer and lived in Ohio from his
childhood days, and died there in 1888. The mother died about 1870.
Four sons and three daughters composed the family of children, and
one son and one daughter are now deceased.
Mr. Brandenburg was reared and educated in
Clinton county, Ohio, and November 18, 1863, enlisted in Company L,
Ninth Ohio Cavalry, and served until August, 1865, under Generals
McCook and Kilpatrick, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea.
He was in a portion of the Atlanta campaign and was engaged in
Georgia and North Carolina. After his discharge from the service Mr.
Brandenberg returned to Ohio and made his home there until 1881,
when he engaged in the produce business, and the same year went to
Cass county. North Dakota, stopping a short time at Wheatland and
soon taking up his residence in Arthur, and erected the first
business building in the town. He established a general merchandise
and lumber business and has continued in the former since that time,
and also is interested in farm lands in that locality.
He has
been successful since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and
is well to do.
Our subject was married, in 1868, to Miss Susan
J. Little, a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg are the
parents of one child, named Lottie, and they adopted a son, named
Harlie G. Mr. Brandenburg was the first postmaster of Arthur, and
has served in nearly all the local offices, including the first
township treasurer and school treasurer. He is a member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, and politically is a Republican and stands
firmly for his party principles. He has served several terms as
justice of the peace, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his
fellowmen. He is intelligent and progressive and well merits his
success.
CHRISTIAN O.
BRINK, the popular and efficient postmaster at
Horace, Cass County, owns and operates a fine farm in Stanley
township, and resides on section 18. His farm is well improved, and
he is well known as an agriculturist who is doing an extensive
business. His career affords a striking example of what can be
accomplished by persistent efforts and honest industry. He is a
foreign-born citizen who came to America when a young man and had no
means on which to depend aside from those traits of character
inherited from thrifty and industrious ancestors. He is now in
possession of a fine estate and enjoys a comfortable competence and
is highly respected by his fellowmen.
Our subject was born in Norway. July 10, 1845,
and lived in Christiana till 1867, when he emigrated to America and
located in Houston County, Minnesota, where he worked at farm labor
five years, and in the summer of 1872 went to Cass County, North
Dakota, where he entered claim to eighty acres of land in Stanley
township, which constitutes part of his present farm. The buildings
upon his farm are modern structures of neat design and finish, and
furnish commodious accommodations for the family, stock and
products, and modern methods are used in the work of carrying on the
place.
Our subject was married in Norway, June 18,
1867, to Miss Carrie Hanson, a native of Norway. Four
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brink, as follows: Caroline.
Ole, John and Mary. Mr. Brink was appointed
postmaster at Horace, North Dakota, in January, 1898, by
Postmaster-General Gary. He has served as chairman of the board of
supervisors for the past twelve years, and takes an active and
leading part in all matters pertaining to the local government, and
is known as public-spirited citizen. He is a member of the Norwegian
Lutheran church.
JAMES G.
BROWN. The farming and stock raising interests of
Cass county have a worthy representative in the gentleman whose name
introduces this review. He is engaged extensively in agricultural
pursuits in Gill township and has a model farm, the direct result of
well-directed labor and economical methods. He is highly esteemed by
his fellow men and enjoys well-merited success.
Our subject was born in county Formaugh,
Ireland, January 7, 1857, and was a son of James and Alary
(Tichbourn) Brown, natives of the same county. His parents emigrated
to America in 1875 and settled in Bruce county, Canada, where tlie
father died in 1890, aged eighty-three years. He was a farmer and
stock raiser and prospered in his calling. The mother of our subject
resides with him in North Dakota. The maternal grandfather of our
subject, George Tichbourn, lived in Canada, to the advanced age of
ninety-three years.
Our subject was one of five children, three
sons and two daughters. His brothers are deceased and his sister
resides in Canada. Mr. Brown was educated in Ireland, receiving an
academic education until sixteen years of age and in 1873 left home
and started for the United States. He landed at Portland, Maine,
with fourteen cents in money and soon after was taken seriously ill
and in consequence was soon many dollars in debt. Within nine
months, however, he was able to land one hundred dollars from his
savings and he remained in Portland one year and then removed to
Port Hope, Canada, where he remained three years and engaged in the
manufacturing of brick and tile. He then went to Cass county. North
Dakota, in the spring of 1880 and purchased a relinquishment and
filed claim to the quarter-section of land on which he still
resides. He began the improvement of his farm at once and the
following year went to South Dakota and entered claim to land near
Aberdeen, where he lived two years, and then returned to Cass
county. North Dakota, where he has followed farming and stock
raising continuously since. He ships a large amount of stock
annually and operates a section of land, on which he has placed
improvements which entitle it to rank among the finest farms of the
county. Our subject was married, in Canada, in 1875, to Jane
Collins, a native of Canada, of Irish parentage. Eleven children,
four sons and seven daughters, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown.
Mr. Brown is active in public affairs of local importance and was
one of the organizers of Gill township and was the first treasurer
of the same and has served as chairman of the township board and
also assessor. He was elected county commissioner in 1898 and is now
serving as chairman of the board. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and assisted in the organization and erection of
the church edifice of the Gill church and was also instrumental in
the erection of the school building on the same corner of the
township. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
Politically, he is a stanch Republican and is a member of the county
central committee and has served as a delegate to all conventions of
his party and is a recognized leader.
DUNCAN
BROWNLEE. This gentleman represents various financial
interests in Cass county and is recognized as one of the leading
merchants of Mapleton. He also owns and operates sixteen hundred
acres of land and engages quite extensively in the raising of stock.
He is one of the pioneers of that region and is widely and favorably
known there.
Our subject was born in Linn county, Missouri,
April 16, 1858. His parents, David C. and Elizabeth (Stanley)
Brownlee. were natives, respectively, of Scotland and Missouri, and
the father was born in Scotland in 1815, and raised there to the age
of nineteen years, when he came to the United States and followed
the carpenter's trade for some time and then settled in Missouri,
where he followed farming until 1883 and then removed to North
Dakota. He now resides in Mapleton, Cass county. Six sons and three
daughters were born to this worthy couple, three of the sons now
residing in North Dakota.
Duncan Brownlee was reared and educated in
Missouri and there began his career as a farmer, where he remained
until 1879, and then went to Cass county. North Dakota, and rented
land north of Mapleton. In 1888, in company with his brother, Andrew
J., he engaged in the general merchandise business at Mapleton and
they still conduct the business with increasing patronage, his
brother acting as manager of the business there, and he is also
postmaster of Mapleton. Mr. Brownlee operates sixteen hundred acres
of land, which he has improved fully and stock raising forms a basis
of a good yearly income from the estate.
Our subject was married, in 1880, to Clara
McClaren, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee are the parents
of four children, named as follows: Olive, William, Hazel and Glenn.
Our subject is a man of active public spirit and has filled various
offices in his township. He is a member of the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he
affiliates with the Republican party and is a stanch advocate of
party principles. He has met with success in every enterprise in
which he has engaged and is deservedly
popular.
"BUFFALO EXPRESS," of Buffalo, Cass county. North Dakota, was founded in 1888
by B. S. Griffith, and was conducted by this gentleman for .some
years as a Democratic paper. It is now independent in political
sentiment, and enjoys a wide circulation. Mr. Griffith was succeeded
by W. H. Hassing, who conducted the sheet until 1897, when George L.
Townes, its present manager and owner, came into possession.
George L. Townes was born in Huntsville, Alabama, August 2, 1865,
and was reared and educated in Illinois. He began in the
newspaper business in February, 1882, as editor of "The New South,"
of Huntsville,
Alabama, the
only Republican paper published in the state, and he conducted the
same two years, and published a paper at Athens, Alabama, two years. He went to
Fargo, North Dakota,
in 1886, and became manager of the wood and coal business at that
place for Morton & Company, where he continued for seven years.
He became associated with "The Argus" as city editor in 1893, and
acted in that capacity until 1895, when he purchased a half interest
in "The Record," and continued with that paper until 1896. During
the summer of that year he published "The Sunday Independent," and
in 1896 purchased "The Daily Commonwealth," publishing the same
until 1897. He then went to Buffalo, North Dakota, and has since been
interested in the "Buffalo Express," and has met with success as an
editor and able newspaper man.
ANTHONY T.
BURGUM. The agricultural interests of Webster
township. Cass county, find an excellent representative in the
gentleman above named. His fine estate covers one section and a
quarter of land, is thoroughly improved and under careful tillage.
The buildings upon it are substantial and the entire estate is one
of the best in that locality.
Our subject was born in Herfordshire. England,
October 21, 1834. His parents. William and Edith (Bowery) Burgum.
were natives of the same shire as our subject, and the father was a
farmer and passed his life in England, where he died in 1848. and
the mother survived until 1899.
Our subject was the only child, and was reared
and educated in England, and followed farming there until 1871. when
he came to the United States and settled in Montgomery county. Iowa,
where he purchased land and resided until 1882. In that year he went
to Cass county. North Dakota, and rented land the first season, and
then purchased section 31 in Webster township. The land was all wild
land and he has transformed it into one of the highly cultivated
tracts of the community.
Our subject was married in England to Miss Ann
Harper, who died in 1874, leaving six children, named as follows :
William H., Joseph A., Tom O., Ann, Edith and Clara J. They all
reside in the United States. Mr. Burgum was married to Elizabeth E.
Hall, a native of Illinois, in 1884. Three children have been born
to Mr. and Mrs. Burgum, named as follows: Zana, Elizabeth A. H. and
Francis. Mr. Burgum has filled most of the school and township
offices, and is actively interested in the general welfare of the
community in which he has resided so many years. He is a Republican
in political sentiment, and is held in high esteem by his many
friends.
ALECK
BURMAN. The foreign-born residents of Cass county
have been instrumental in a large degree in the present prosperity
attendant on that locality, and one who occupies a prominent
position among that class is the gentleman above named. He has the
welfare of his adopted land at heart, and labors earnestly and with
painstaking care for the development and upbuilding of its better
interests. He has acquired a comfortable home in Casselton township,
and was a pioneer settler, his home being on section 18.
Our subject was born in the northern part of
Sweden, March 3, 1844, and was a son of Nels and Bertha (Nelson)
Nelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, and passed their lives
there. Our subject had two brothers and two sisters, all of whom
remained in Sweden.
Alex Burman was reared and educated in his
native land and followed farming there until 1869, when he emigrated
to America and located at Stillwater, Minnesota. He worked in the
woods, driving teams and chopping timber, and in 1876 went to Cass
county and took land as a pre-emption in section 12, of Casselton
township, where he settled and at once began breaking the land and
adding improvements. This property he sold in 1882. He then
purchased a half-section on section 18, and of this tract he is now
the owner, and also farms another half-section. He has met with
success in his chosen calling, and is one of the substantial men of
his community.
Our subject was married, in North Dakota, in
1879, to Johanna Peterson, a native of the southern part of Sweden,
who came to America in 1877. Five children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Burman. Those living: are named as follows: Beda C, Henry and
Clara M. Allen F. and Fred B. are deceased. Mr. Burman is a man who
keeps pace with current events, and casts his influence for good
local government, but does not seek public office, and votes the
independent ticket.
HENRY H.
BUTTONis classed among the energetic and capable
farmers of Cass county, and he has acquired a comfortable competence
and an enviable reputation since taking up his residence in that
locality. He has devoted his entire career to agricultural pursuits,
and is well versed on the most approved methods of conducting an
estate, and carries into execution the better methods, discarding
the useless. He has always used persistent efforts to advance the
interests of those for whom he has labored as well as his own, and
the various farms of which he has had the management have prospered
under his care. He is thorough, practical and honest, and is held in
high esteem by his fellows. He was one of the first settlers of
Harmony township, and is a resident there near the town of Casselton.
Our subject was born at Panama, New York,
January 11, 1848, and was one of the three sons, one of whom is now
deceased, born to Alvin and Lodema (Doud) Button, natives of
Vermont. His father was a farmer by occupation and moved to New York
in an early day and was among the first setters of that section. He
passed his life in New York, and the grandfather of our subject.
Joseph Button, removed from Vermont to that state and spent
his declining years.
Our subject was reared and educated in New York
in the common schools, and remained on the home farm until he
attained his majority. He went to Dade county, in southwest
Missouri, in
1869, and followed farming there until 1873, when he returned to
New York and
remained until 1879, in which year, he went to Cass county. North
Dakota, as superintendent of the Cheeney farm, and continued thus
eight years, and later became superintendent of the Dalrymple farm.
He had previously purchased land, and has devoted himself entirely
to the pursuit of farming. He is now the owner of one and a half
sections of land, which he operates with marked success, and has
become one of the well-to-do men of his community.
Our subject was married, in 1879, to Martha S.
Stewart, a native of New York. Three daughters have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Button, as follows: Joanna L., Mary S. and Martha S. Mr.
Button has served as supervisor and assessor of his township, and
assisted in the organization of the township and named the same
after his home town in New York. He is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, and in political faith is a Republican and strong in his
convictions.
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