ANDREW J. ALLEN. Among the very early settlers of Eddy county, this gentleman may be mentioned. He has prospered in the pursuit of agriculture, and is now living retired from active labors in a comfortable home in New Rockford, and enjoys the fruit of his well-spent career. He experienced many hardships during pioneer times, but never wavered from his purpose of gaining a comfortable competence in North Dakota, and his labors have been rewarded by the acquisition of a fine farm near the town of New Rockford, in township 149, range 66.

Our subject was born on a farm in Oakland, Michigan, October 1, 1841, and was the eleventh in a family of twelve children, born to Alva and Mary (McRoberts) Allen. His father was born in Ireland and settled in Ontario, Canada, and later came to the United States, where his marriage occurred to the mother of our subject, who was of Scotch descent.

Our subject was reared on a farm and attended the country school and assisted on the home farm during his boyhood days, and assisted in clearing three farms in Michigan. He spent a short time attending college at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and then was engaged in the lumber wood of Michigan thirteen years, and was familiar with the work of a lumber camp from cooking to hauling and rafting, and the business afforded him an opportunity to travel over the state of Michigan. He enlisted in Company K, Ninth Michigan Infantry, October 17, 1861, and immediately went with his regiment to join Thomas in Kentucky, and his service was in that state and Tennessee. He was discharged in August, 1862, on account of disability, and January 12, 1864, re-enlisted in Company C, Fifth Michigan Infantry, and went with his regiment to Virginia. He participated in the battle of the Wilderness, and spent fifty-two days and nights under fire. He was in thirty-six battles and skirmishes from the Wilderness till the close of the war, and when in front of Petersburg was wounded in the left leg and confined to the invalid ranks six weeks. He was on the skirmish line the day of Lee's surrender, and was discharged from the service July 17, 1865, after a long and brave service, which he can review with just pride. He returned to his home in Michigan and engaged in farming, and later brought grain for the Detroit Elevator Company five and a half years. He then spent one year in the lumber wood's, and two years in farming, and in 1882 went to North Dakota and located on section 17. township 149, range 66, in Eddy county, and he and Mr. A. D. Tomlinson farmed together. He removed to his homestead on the southwest quarter of section 17, in the same township and range in 1883, and erected farm buildings, and has since made a well-improved estate there. His first crop was a complete loss on account of hail, and the following year hail destroyed a portion of the crop, but he persevered, and is now the owner of a farm which yields a good average crop. He removed to New Rockford in the fall of 1897, and during the following summer built his present comfortable residence.

Mr. Allen was married in 1866. Mrs. Allen died in 1876, leaving two children, Cornelia and Mary. The last named is now deceased. Mr. Allen was married to Miss Martha J. Ford, in 1883. Mrs. Allen is a native of China, Maine, and her ancestors have been in America many generations. Her father, Daniel Ford, was of English descent, and was a mechanic by trade, and her mother was of Scotch ancestry. Mr. Allen is a striking example of what can be accomplished by strict attention to business and industrious habits. He entered Dakota with four dollars, and is now among the substantial men of his locality, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his associates.

PETER B. ANDERSON. In whatever vocation engaged the successful man is always the persistent man. The subject of this review was a pioneer settler of Eddy county, North Dakota, and after having passed through pioneer experiences for seven years there without meeting with the desired result he became a pioneer of Wells county and has worked earnestly to gain his present holdings, and he is now one of the well-to-do agriculturists of township 149, range 71, his home being located on section 20.

Our subject was born in Norway, December 12, 1859. His father, Anders Hanson, was a native of Norway and a farmer by occupation and passed his life in his native land. Our subject was the eldest of a family of three sons and was raised on the home farm and given good educational advantages. He attended the country schools and later graduated from two high schools, and at the age of twenty years emigrated to America, landing in Quebec, Canada. He went at once to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, where he remained with relatives one year. He made his first trip to North Dakota in 1882 and worked during the summers in Traill county and spent the winter months in the lumber woods of Wisconsin. He worked two years in Wisconsin constructing railroads and in 1885 took a pre-emption and tree claim in Eddy county, North Dakota, on which he erected a claim shanty and with three oxen, a wagon and a plow began the improvement of his farm. Crops were poor and his farm was thirty miles from a market and after seven years there he returned to Wisconsin and spent tile years of 1890-1891 and in 1892 filed claim to his present homestead farm. He built a claim shanty and hauled lumber from Cathay, twenty-two miles distant, but has met with good success in his operations on that tract. He now has a substantial and commodious residence, good barns, granary and other outbuildings, and all necessary machinery and follows grain raising mostly, but is interested to some extent in stock raising. His farm is well improved and under cultivation and he is one of the substantial men of his community.

Our subject was married, in the spring of 1886, to Miss Anna D. Johnson. Mrs. Anderson is a native of Norway and came to America in 1869 at the age of six years. Her father, Nels Johnson, is a prosperous farmer of Wisconsin. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, as follows: Arthur, born April 21, 1887; Nennie, born September 19. 1889; Orren, born February 20, 1890; Cora, born May 27, 1893; Gertrude, born May 10, 1895; Esther, born Alay 10, 1895, and Perry, born September 28, 1899. Mr. Anderson takes an active part in local affairs and has served as school treasurer for three years. He is a member of the Populist party.

WILLIAM O. BAIRD, senior member of the firm of Baird & Dresser, of New Rockford, dealers in real estate, loans and collections, is one of the wide-awake business men of Eddy County, and has been closely identified with the financial interests of that region for the past ten years. He owns extensive farm lands in that vicinity and conducts general farming and stock raising with eminent success.

Our subject was born in Bloomington. Illinois, December 3, 1861, and is a son of William F. and Anna M. (Offutt) Baird, both of whom were Americans by birth, and the mother was a native of Kentucky. Our subject was the eldest of the living children, and was raised on a farm.. His father was an extensive farmer and also conducted the real estate business, and his son was given the advantage of a liberal education. He attended the common schools and later spent two years at Helmuth College, in London, Ontario, and in 1879 began work with the Bloomington Nursery Company, and was employed in their offices about three years.  He began farming in Illinois in 1882, and engaged in that pursuit five years, and in the spring of 1888 came to North Dakota. After two mouths spent at Devil's Lake he located at New Rock ford and established a real estate and loan office, and also followed farming. William C. Dresser became his partner in January, 1896, and the firm is known as Baird & Dresser. The business has prospered, and they now conduct a general real-estate, collection and loan business. The firm owns and operates a large farm near the town, and Mr. Baird also owns seventeen hundred and sixty acres of land, divided into two farms, eleven hundred and twenty acres being two and a half miles from New Rockford, and the other six hundred and forty acres two miles further from the town. He engages in grain, cattle and horse raising, and general farming. 

Our subject was married, in 1882, to Miss Mary Johnston, who was born and raised in Danvers, Illinois. Mrs. Baird's father, Levi Johnson, was a traveling salesman. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Baird: Charles E., born in Illinois; and William J., born in Dakota. Mr. Baird is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic fraternity, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modem Woodmen of America and Yeomen.

He is an earnest worker for the welfare of his community, and was elected clerk of courts in 1889 and served one term. He is an independent voter in political matters, and is a man who keeps abreast of the times and lends his influence for the best local government.

ALFRED C. BUCK, the popular druggist of New Rockford. has been identified with the business interests of Eddy county for many years and has aided in the development of that region. He enjoys an extensive trade and is a gentleman of broad views and deservedly successful in his pursuits.

Our subject was born in Steamburg. New York, May 18. 1861. His father. Alfred Buck, was a contractor and builder and died of disease in the United States army in 1861. when our subject was but six months of age. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Abigal Woodworth. was of English descent and her family settled in America in the seventeenth century. Our subject's maternal grandmother was of Holland Dutch descent and the grandfather was of German descent The family on the mother's side were in the Revolutionary war.

Mr. Buck was the only child in the family and attended the common schools and later the academy at Randolph, New York. He came to North Dakota in the spring of 1884 and settled on land west of New Rockford. on which he built a claim shanty 8x12 feet. He had a small amount with which to make his start and in 1885 he proved his claim and afterward went to New Rockford and served an apprenticeship in the drug store of Warren & Miller. He spent one year with this firm and in 1886 purchased Mr. Warren's interest and our subject and Dr. Miller continued in business together until 1891, when Mr. Buck bought the entire store and stock. The business was established in the fall of 1883 by Drs. Warren & Miller and was the first drug store in the county. The present building, 20x40 feet, with a storage room in the rear, was erected in 1886 by our subject. He now conducts the business alone and carries a complete stock of drugs, wines, liquors, cigars, etc., and enjoys a prosperous business.

Our subject was married, in 1894, to Miss Nellie E. Malone, who was born and raised in Iowa. Mrs. Buck was a teacher before her marriage and is a daughter of Luther Malone, an attorney, who was of Irish descent. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Buck, as follows: Lawrence and Margaret. Mr. Buck was elected judge of the county in 1888 and served one term and he takes an active part in public affairs. Politically, he is a Democrat and was a delegate to the first state Democratic convention held in North Dakota. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America.

FRANKLIN S. DUNHAM. One of the extensive farms of township 149, range 67, in Eddy County, is owned and ably operated by the subject of this review. Mr. Dunham is one of the pioneer settlers of North Dakota, and has been identified with the farming interests of Eddy County since taking up his residence there, and is now the fortunate possessor of sixteen hundred acres of land, and is successfully conducting diversified farming thereon.

He is a man of honest purpose and true citizenship, and is highly esteemed throughout that locality where he is well known and has been associated with the people in various important public offices.

Our subject was born in Wyoming County, New York. March 23, 1854. The Dunham family came to America from England about 1808, and the mother's family was also of English descent. The father of our subject. George H. Dunham, was a farmer by occupation and also superintendent of schools of Wyoming county, New York for six years, and during the last twenty years of his life he was engaged in the insurance business, and has made his home at Johnsonsburgh, New York. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Louise Virgin, and was born and raised in eastern New York state. Our subjects brother. Fred Dunham, is an attorney at law in Batavia, New York.

Franklin S. Dunham was the second in a family of three children, and was reared on a farm and given a common school education, and later attended an academy. After attaining his majority he rented a farm in western New York State and followed farming thereon eight years, and in 1883 went to North Dakota and entered claim to government land in Eddy County, upon which he erected a claim shanty 16x16 feet. he had a limited start, and had only sod barns, and for the first two years farmed with oxen. His crops were fair but cut too soon, and his wheat shrunk and was almost worthless, but his crop of oats was good. He was elected county treasurer on the Republican ticket in 1892, and the following year removed to New Rockford, and was re-elected in 1894. and in 1896 was elected county auditor, making his public service as a county officer extend over a period of six years. He also conducted his farm while in the city, and in the spring of 1899 returned to the same to reside. he has about one thousand acres of his land under cultivation and has all necessary machinery, and a complete set of good farm buildings, and six acres of cottonwood trees, plenty of good water, and a finely developed farm in every particular, and is known as one of the substantial farmers of the community.

Our subject was married in 1876, to Miss Clara North, who was born and raised in Genesee County, New York. Mrs. Dunham is of English descent, and her father, Noah North, was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Dunham is a lady of excellent education, and was a teacher in her native state at the time of her marriage. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunham, as follows: George H.. Fred Harrison, and Clara Louise, all of whom were born in Dakota. Mr. Dunham is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican, and is a man who stands firm for his convictions.

ALLETT G. GARDNER. Among the younger members of the farming community of township 149, range 64, in Eddy county, who are successfully tilling the soil and gaining a comfortable income as the result of their labors, may be mentioned of this gentleman. He went to Dakota as a young man without means, and is now the possessor of a pleasant farm, on which he engages in grain and stock raising, and is widely known and highly respected as a man of good principles and industrious habits.

Our subject was born in Juneau county. Wisconsin, on a farm September 10. 1866. His father, C. P. Gardner, was of New England stock, and was a farmer and musician and an instructor as the latter. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Asenath Dickerman, was a native of Ohio, and her great-grandfather was of Irish birth.

Mr. Gardner was the fourth in a family of five children in his mother's family, and was raised on a farm until about ten years of age, when the family removed to Minnesota, in 1876, and settled in Sibley county, and the father established a drug business at New Auburn, Minnesota, in which he continued until his death in March, 1897. He was postmaster there ten or more years, and was a man of competent business methods.

When eighteen years of age our subject spent six weeks traveling through the west, visiting San Francisco, Portland and other Pacific coast points, and then returned to Wisconsin, and then began farming in Minnesota, where he continued two years, and in the spring of 1887 went to New Rockford. North Dakota, and the first year there worked for others. He entered claim to government land in township 149, range 64, on which he built an 8x10 foot shanty, and lived alone, and with a team and wagon began farming. His first crop was frosted, but his second was fair, and also the third year was a good yield, and he has steadily pushed forward to success. He is interested to some extent in stock raising, and since 1897 has devoted more attention to this line of the farm work. He now has a farm of four hundred and eighty acres of land, three hundred and fifty acres of which are cultivated, and he operates about four hundred acres of tillable land annually. He has a small grove of trees around his residence, and with the improvements of the place, including good buildings, it presents a pleasing appearance. He has all necessary machinery, and about thirteen head of horses, and twenty-eight head of cattle.

Our subject was married, in 1892, to Pearl May Wood, who was born and raised in the state of New York. Mrs. Gardner's father, Charles Wood, was born in England and came to America in 1842, at the age of fourteen years, and died in 1893. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, as follows: Clifford B., born January 6. 1893; Alberta F., born February 18, 1895 ; and Kenneth C., born April 25. 1897. M. Gardner is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was elected assessor in 1894, and again in 1896, and is man of active public spirit. Politically he is a Republican and is strong in his convictions. He is the Republican nominee for register of deeds, and his friends are enthusiastic in his behalf.

OLE C. GRONVOLD. Among the better class of agriculturalists of Eddy county. North Dakota, whose homes are places of refinement and social comfort, the gentleman above named stands in a foremost rank. He is well educated, enterprising and progressive, and in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of his fellowmen is always ready to support a just cause. He has met with unbounded success in his work in Dakota, and is among the substantial farmers of township 149, range 67, where lie has resided for many years, and is surrounded by every comfort of rural life, and many of the luxuries.

,Our subject was born in the eastern part of Norway, about fifty miles west of Christiania, May 19, 1855. His father, Ole O. Gronvold, a son of Ole Stoveren, was born in Norway, and spent his entire life in his native land, where he followed farming. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Christine Heem, was born and raised in Norway, and of her family of six children our subject was the youngest. He has two half-brothers and two half-sisters.

Mr. Gronvold was raised on a farm in his native land, and attended the Lutheran schools, and at the age of seventeen years left home and w-as engaged for one year clerking in a country store in the lumber woods of Norway. He came to America in 1873, landing at New York, and going from thence to Iowa, where he learned the carpenter's trade at Calmer, and followed his trade three years. He entered the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa, in the fall of 1876, and pursued his studies in that institution five years, theological studies and the languages comprising his chief work. He went to Springfield, Illinois, in 1881, where he attended Concordia Seminary one year, and then studied two years at the Lutheran Seminary at Madison, Wisconsin, where he was graduated as a minister of the Lutheran denomination. He went to North Dakota in 1884 and located at Cooperstown, where he followed preaching two years, and in the spring of 1886 went to Eddy county and entered claim to government land northwest of New Rockford. He erected a shanty and a barn and began farming with oxen. He now has a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, all of which is under cultivation, and has placed upon his place modern improvements looking to the comfort of the family and the economical conduct of the farm. His residence and outbuildings are of the best and he has met with unbounded success in Dakota. He also follows the carpenter's trade, and is a skilled workman. He also manufactures a hay stove or flax straw burner, which is an invention of his own.

Our subject was married at Madison, Wisconsin, in 1883, to Miss Mary Thompson, who was born and raised in Norway, and came to America at the age of six years. Mrs. Gronvold was a daughter of Thorgrim Fetcher, who was a farmer by occupation. She died in January, 1895, leaving six children, as follows: Ruth, Cora, Olger, Anna, Elmer and Maria. Mr. Gronvold is a member of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican, and stands stanchly for the principles of his party. He is a great lover of music, has a fair bass voice, and is and has been an instructor in music to some extent. 

The information on Trails to the Past © Copyright    may be used in personal family history research, with source citation. The pages in entirety may not be duplicated for publication in any fashion without the permission of the owner. Commercial use of any material on this site is not permitted.  Please respect the wishes of those who have contributed their time and efforts to make this free site possible.~Thank you!