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MARION F. NASH, among the first settlers to locate permanently in Eddy county, is successfully pursuing stock and grain raising in township 150 north, range 64 west, and is manifesting the true spirit of American progress in his business affairs, and has a host of friends who hold him in the highest esteem.
Our subject was born in Clymer, Chautauqua county. New York, January 27, 1855, and was a son of George O. and Eliza (Edwards) Nash. His father's family has been in America many generations and is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the father of our subject was a farmer during his career, and was a son of Jacob Nash. The mother, of our subject was a daughter of Sereno Edwards, who was also a farmer by occupation.
Mr. Nash was the second in a family of six children, and was raised on his father's farm and assisted with the work thereon and received a common-school education. After attaining his majority he began for himself and worked at farm labor and also lumbering for a few winter seasons, and in the spring of 1881 went to Dakota territory, now North Dakota, in company with his brother, Oscar E. Nash, and four other companions. He stopped at Casselton and worked on the Dalrymple farm about three months and then went to what is now Eddy county, and selected land in section 19, township 150 north, range 64, the land being un-surveyed at the time. He located his claim on the west bank of the Sheyenne river and built a shanty 10x12 feet of logs. He had a dugout for a barn and did his first farming with oxen, and bought a wagon, plow and harrow. He and his brother worked for others by the month during the first year, and in 1882 they rented the Brenner farm and operated it one year, and his brother was deputy postmaster at Brenner Farm. The first crop of wheat raised for the market in what is now Eddy county was raised on this farm by our subject and his brother in 1882, and the following year our subject removed to his own land and began operating the same. His first crop was fair, and he has since met with success despite losses by prairie fire, hail and other causes, and he is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres. Seven hundred acres of his land is under cultivation, and the balance is meadow, pasture and timber land, leaving no waste land on the place. He has a fine set of buildings, including commodious residence, two barns, hog pen, granary and smaller buildings, aside from other buildings on different parts of the farm, and he has all machinery, including a steam threshing rig. for the economical conduct of the place. He engages in grain and stock raising, and now has eighty-three head of cattle and twenty-eight head of horses. In 1899 he raised 3.726 bushels of wheat, 1,115 bushels of flax, 528 bushels of rye, and 883 bushels of barley. He has the first sulky plow, fanning mill, and four-horse harrow that were ever taken into and used in the county, and he also put up and operated the second self-binder used in the county.
Mr. Nash has aided in making that district a thriving agricultural section, and is entitled to much credit for his work. He is a man of practical nature and industrious habits, and in public affairs is independent of party lines.
SIMON NELSON, one of the earliest pioneer settlers of Eddy County, is a man of intelligence and active public spirit, and has made a success of his career in Dakota as a farmer and business man. He is now living in retirement in his comfortable home in Sheyenne, and is widely known and highly esteemed.
Our subject was born in Telemarken, Norway, in 1854. and was a son of Nels Nelson. who was a farmer and merchant in Norway, and died in his native land, while our subject was still at home. The mother and children came to America when our subject was about sixteen years of age. after he had completed a common school education, and the family settled in Dakota County, Minnesota. The mother purchased land and our subject and brother operated the farm, and he remained at home until 1878, when in the spring of that year lie went to Dakota and was employed at farm work twelve miles west of Fargo about three years, and in 1881 went to Nelson County, and there took land as a pre-emption, and built thereon a shanty and lived there alone one winter. He went to Eddy County in the fall of 1883 and took land as a tree-claim in town-ship 150, range 67, and built a sod shanty and followed farming there and lived alone several years. He made his start at farm work with a yoke of oxen, a wagon and plow, and engaged in wheat raising and prospered in that line. He remained on the farm till the spring of 1893, when he purchased a stock of general merchandise from J. W.. Rickter, and conducted the store six years. He built a store building in the best business location in Sheyenne, in 1897, and conducted business therein two years afterward, and in the spring of 1899 disposed of his mercantile interests, since which time he has lived retired from active labors in the city of Sheyenne, where he 1899 he erected a comfortable and modern residence. He also owns his business property in Sheyenne, and also his farm of two hundred and forty acres. He has rented his farm since 1893, and the entire tract is under cultivation and well improved. When Mr. Nelson located in Dakota, Sheyenne had not been started, and the railroad through his section of Eddy County was in course of construction.
Our subject was married in 1897 to Miss Christena Ofstedal, a native of Minnesota, and a daughter of Christian Ofstedal, a farmer by occupation. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Alma. Mr. Nelson takes an active part in public affairs, and is well known as a man of energetic spirit and good judgment. He is a Republican in political faith.
CARL NEUHAUSER, a well-known citizen of Sheyenne, Eddy county, is proprietor of a fine farm near that town, and has gained a comfortable competence since taking up his residence in that region. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Eddy county, and his fine farm is the result of his earnest efforts and painstaking care.
Our subject was born in Amrisweil. Switzerland, February 16, 1853. His father, A. Neuhauser, was a wealthy merchant in Switzerland, and owned extensive farms and conducted the building of railroads, and was engaged in general mercantile business and also manufacturing. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Anetta Chasp.
Mr. Neuhauser was the youngest in a family of five children, and was raised in his native town, and received a liberal education. He left home at the age of twenty years and traveled over Switzerland, France, Italy and Germany, and in 1875 came to the United States and worked at the tinsmith's trade in the state of New York about a year and a half, and in 1876 went to Canada, where he was foreman for James Brothers' galvanized cornice works. In 1876 lie went to St. Johns, New Brunswick, in the interests of the same firm, with six French-Canadian workmen and six car loads of iron goods, and was in the employ of the company there two years. He went to Boston and New York in 1878, and in New York city enlisted in the United States army and was assigned to the Seventeenth Infantry, and spent six months at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, with the Seventh Infantry, and was then sent to Fort Totten, North Dakota, to join his regiment. He spent five years in the army service, and three years at Fort Totten post as tinsmith for the government. He filed claim to land in Eddy county. North Dakota, in the spring of 1884, located one mile and a half from Sheyenne, and built a 12x20 house and a barn, and had one thousand dollars in money with which to start. His first team was a yoke of oxen, and he followed farming with them several years, and remained on the farm until 1899, when he removed to Sheyenne and established a candy shop and pool hall, which business he sold in January, 1900. He has a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, two hundred and eighty of which are under cultivation, and he has all necessary machinery, horses, hogs and a complete set of farm buildings, and all conveniences of modern farming.
Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Matilda Feldkamp, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America when a young girl. Her father was a farmer and an old settler of Dakota, locating there in 1883. Six daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Neuhauser, as follows: Marie, Emelia, Anetta, Frieda, Maud and Nellie. Mr. Neuhauser has served his community in various local offices, including county constable, and held the office of school director six years. He is a Democrat in political sentiment, and has attended numerous conventions of his party. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, and is deservedly popular with his fellow men.
DONALD NIVEN, one of the leading business men and general farmers of Eddy county. North Dakota, is a resident of New Rockford. He is an old settler of North Dakota and has prospered and is widely and favorably known. He was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1857.
The father of our subject, Donald Niven, was a merchant in Scotland and died in his native land. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Margaret McPhee, came to America after the death of the father and settled in Canada with her family in 1864. Our subject was early thrown upon his own resources, and at the age of ten years began working out and had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education. He came to the United States from Ontario at the age of twenty-two years and located at Duluth, Minnesota. He worked in a butcher shop there two years and learned the business and in 1882 went to Jamestown, North Dakota. He took charge of the market of Archie McKechnie, and was then sheriff of Stutsman county, and he was thus employed one year, when he was made deputy sheriff and served two years in that capacity, and about 1885, in company with Greagor Schmidt, he moved to Minnewaukon, North Dakota, and they started the first meat market in the town. Our subject and partner erected one of the first buildings of the town, and the lumber they hauled over ice twenty-five miles from Devil's Lake. After getting the business established there our subject drove a stage from Devil's Lake to Bottineau, nearly ninety miles, and made daily trips. He carried the United States mail one year and was once caught in a blizzard. The business in Minnewaukon prospered and in 1887 they established a branch market at New Rockford, the first established market in the town. The partnership was dissolved in 1888 and our subject took the New Rockford market, since which time he has conducted the business in that town and has met with success while others have attempted and failed. He took land as a homestead near New Rockford in 1892 and has since followed farming extensively. He is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land and follows general farming and the buying and selling of cattle.
Mr. Niven is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Brotherhood of American Yoemen. He takes an active part in social affairs and in political sentiment is a Republican.
JOHN PAUL NOACK. The farming community of township 148 range 66, Eddy county, has a worthy representative in the person of Mr. Noack. He has gathered about him a well-improved property and has gained his possessions single-handed and is one of the highly-respected men of his community.
Our subject was born in Brandenberg, Germany, in 1863, and was the youngest in a family of four children born to Alfred and Annie Noack. His father was a teacher throughout his career. When thirteen years of age our subject left home and attended school in Dresden and later worked as an apprentice at the mechanic's trade, and in 1883 came to America. He went direct from New York to North Dakota and worked in Cooperstown, and in the fall of that year went to Minneapolis and later went to Montana, where he was employed some time, returning to North Dakota. He worked at Cooperstown and in 1885 located in Eddy county and took government land as a pre-emption, on which he built a claim shanty and lived therein alone till 1893. He began his farm work with a yoke of cattle and followed farming with oxen till 1888, when he took a tree claim and removed there and resided until 1895, and then removed to his homestead on sections 3 and 2, in township 148, range 66. He has erected a comfortable residence and other farm buildings on his homestead farm and now owns four hundred and eighty acres of land, about two hundred sixty acres of which he cultivates. He has made a success of farming and despite losses of crops by hail and stock by disease, he has surrounded himself with the comforts of a country home and is doing an extensive grain raising business.
Our subject was married, in 1893, to Miss Maggie La Piere, a native of Michigan. Mrs. Noack's father, Joseph La Piere, is of Canadian French descent, and was born in Canada. He was a miner and farmer and Mrs. Noack was raised in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Noack, as follows : Willie, born December 16, 1893 : Andy, born August 27, 1896, and Elsie, born August 7, 1898. Mr. Noack is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is an independent voter, and is a man who keeps pace with the times in all public matters and casts his influence for good local government and is deservedly held in high esteem by his associates.
JOHN NUETZEL. Honest industry is not without its reward. This gentleman began farming in township 148, range 66, without means, and is now among the substantial men of his community, and his present comfortable circumstances have been reached by his persistent efforts and undaunted courage, amid business losses, and his career has been one of unusual business activity.
Our subject was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1883. His early ancestors, in the seventeenth century, Burnhart Nuetzel and Kuno Von Nuetzel, were prominent knights in the province of Prussia in the early part of the thirty years' war, from 1618-48. These forefathers risked their fortunes and estates with the Swedish king, Gustavus Adolphus, and united with the Duke Bageslaw Von Pommern, to free north Germany of the Austrian army under General Wallenstein. At the battle of Lutzen, Saxony, Gustaf Adolph and Bernhart Von Nuetzel were killed and the battle lost. Kunon Von Nuetzel was forced to leave the country and lost his title, castle and estates, and settled in Gold Cronach, province of Ovorfranken, Bavaria, where he entered civil life. The father of our subject, Henry Nuetzel, went to the village of Wirsberg, Germany, in 1824, and there accumulated a fortune. He owned a brewery, malthouse, hotel, stables, meat market, land and other valuable property. The mother of our subject was of German birth, and her father was a wealthy farmer and owned about ten thousand sheep.
Our subject and one sister were the only children born to this worthy couple, and he was raised in the village, and during his boyhood days was taught to work. He received a good education in German and French, and worked with his father until about 1859. He traveled over Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Prussia, Holland and France for a pleasure trip, and then returned home, and when he was about twenty-four years of age he assumed charge of his father's vast business, and the father retired from active business.
Our subject sold his interests in 1862 for twelve thousand dollars, and after settling all accounts and giving his sister her share of the property he had but two thousand dollars with which he came to America. He located at Indianapolis, Indiana, and worked at the meat business one year, and in 1863 established a market and packing house for himself, and did an extensive business in wholesale sausage manufacturing. He went security for a man, and during the panic of 1873 lost his business, saving but four thousand five hundred dollars. He went to Jamestown, North Dakota, in 1877, and purchased the meat business of ex-Sheriff McKechnie, and followed the business there five years, and prospered, but his entire plant was destroyed by fire in 1881, at a loss of three thousand dollars, with no insurance, and in the same year he settled in Eddy county on a farm. He had but two horses, and no other means or help to start farming, and he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which is under cultivation, good buildings, trees, machinery, nine horses, fifteen head of cattle, hogs, and all without any encumbrance.
Our subject was married, in 1859, to Miss Margarette Hoffman. Mrs. Nuetzel was born and raised in Germany, and was a daughter of John Hoffman, a brewer and farmer of Germany. Mr. Nuetzel is a member of the Lutheran church and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he has associated himself with the Republican party since 1898.
MORRIS O'CONNOR. Comparatively few of the first settlers of Eddy county have remained on their original farms to enjoy the results of well-directed labor, but this gentleman has made his home in township 148, range 66, since the early days of the settlement of that region, and has gathered about him a good estate, and a competence to tide him through his declining years. He is a man of energetic spirit and keen observation, and has made a success of his vocation in Dakota, and is highly esteemed by his fellow men.
Our subject was born on a farm in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1843, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (McCam) O'Connor. His parents were natives of Ireland, and his father came to America when a boy, and was a farmer by occupation, and the mother came to this country about 1830. Our subject was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, three sons and three daughters, and he was reared on a farm in his native state, and received his education at the country school. He resided in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and naturally drifted into the oil well business, and after attaining his majority did contracting several years digging wells. He enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, September 9, 1862, and served till June 17, 1865. He was in Sheridan's cavalry, and participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Chancellorsville, Petersburg and Gettysburg, and was wounded July 16, 1863, and was disabled a short time. His horse was killed during the engagement. After his return from the war he continued in the oil well business, and in 1873 went to Wisconsin, where he also followed well digging, and several artesian wells, two of them located at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, are his work. He soon drifted into farming, and continued his residence there until 1883, when he went to Eddy county, and "squatted" on land which when surveyed was found to be the northeast quarter of section 7, in township 148, range 66. He erected a claim shanty and did his first farming with ox teams, and he was an engineer by trade and followed it in the early days. He added to his acreage from time to time, and now is the owner of five or six quarter-sections of land at various times. On his home farm he has a complete set of good farm buildings, and has all machinery for the economical conduct of the place. He has watched the growth of that country, and has aided materially in its development.
Our subject was married, in 1868, to Miss Susan Rhoads, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. Mrs. O'Connor's people were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and her grandfather was one of the prisoner's of the Indians in the Wyoming valley massacre in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor are the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. C. Schwoebel; George, clerking in a general store in New Rockford; Frank, a machinist in Oil City, Pennsylvania; and Henry, in Pennsylvania. Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of practical ideas, and in political sentiment is independent.
TIMOTHY O'CONNER. Among the successful and prosperous farmers of Eddy county none deserves more complimentary mention than does the gentleman whose name heads this article. His home is in township 149, range 67.
Mr. O'Conncr was born in Ireland on a farm in 1858. He was the fourth child in a family of twelve children born to Hugh and Margaret (Murphy) O'Conner, both natives of Ireland. Our subject worked on the farm and attended the national school in his native country, and at the age of twenty-one years came to America, landing in New York City in 1880, his sister and the lady who is now his wife accompanying- him. His first work in America was on the Erie Railroad in Jersey City. He then went to Addison county, New York, and worked during the summer on the farm. He then came to western Minnesota and did farm work, and afterward went to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and worked in the Canadian Pacific shops, after about two years there, he came to Eddy county. North Dakota, in 1884, and filed a claim to government land near New Rockford. He, with three companions, Jerry Carroll, James Sheehan and E. B. Beaton, built a shanty which they placed so as to stand on each of their claims, and in this they lived together and farmed about one year, when, in the fall of 1885, all his partners abandoned him. and he continued to live in the shanty alone till 1886. He met with many discouragements and drawbacks, but has overcome them, and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, four hundred acres being under annual cultivation. He has .1 complete set of good farm buildings, and his farm is well stocked and well improved, and supplied with all modern farm machinery.
Mr. O'Conner was married in Minnesota, in 1886, to Miss Mary O'Keefe. Mrs. O'Conner was born in Ireland, and was the daughter of John O'Keefe, a farmer in Ireland, where she spent her early girlhood. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Conner six children have been born, as follows: Daniel. Agnes, Hugh. Margaretta, John J. and Florence G. After their marriage Mrs. O'Conner accompanied her husband to their claim, and endured the hardships of pioneer life, sharing with her husband cheerfully the fortunes that came to them in their new home. They are both members of the Catholic church. Mr. O'Conner is a Republican in political views, and has taken an active interest in public affairs of a local nature. He attends nearly all conventions of his party, and has held school offices for the past ten years. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and has won, by his straightforward course and genial good-fellowship, the confidence and esteem of all.
 HON. HUGH PEOPLES. As a leading citizen and representative man, there is no one in this section of North Dakota more deserving of notice in a work of this character than Hon. Hugh Peoples, banker and general business man of New Rockford, Eddy county. Progressive and enterprising, he is one of the well-to-do and solid financial men of the great Northwest, and his active public spirit and genuine integrity have gained for him an enviable position among the honored men of the state.
Mr. Peoples was born in Londonderry, Ireland, December 28, 1857. His father, Hugh Peoples, and his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Woods, were of Scotch-Irish descent. Our subject is the second child in a family of seven children. He received in his native country an academic and technical education, and then entered the service of the Belfast Bank, of Ireland, with which institution he remained six years. He came to the United States for a three months visit in 1880 and was so pleased with the country that he returned in 1881 and located in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed as draughtsman for some time in the civil engineering department of the Boston & Maine Railroad.
In the spring of 1882 Mr. Peoples came to Eddy county, North Dakota, and located on land adjoining the town site of New Rockford. In the fall of 1882 he established a small general store on his farm, which business he later removed to New Rockford. The establishment of this mercantile business was prior to the building of the railroad through the town in the fall of 1883.
Mr. Peoples was the first settler in Eddy county south of the James river. He is now the owner of the largest store in the county and enjoys an extensive trade in general merchandise and his farm machinery business is one of the most extensive in the state. In 1894 Mr. Peoples established a branch store at Sheyenne. He also engages extensively in grain and stock raising and owns about eight thousand acres of improved farm lands in Eddy and Wells counties.
Mr. Peoples is president of the Bank of New Rockford and of the Bank of Sheyenne. The former began business in 1883 and is now the leading financial institution of Eddy county. He is a man who labors earnestly for the best interests of his community and county.
Politically, Mr. Peoples is an ardent Republican and as such was elected to the general assembly of North Dakota, in 1896, and refused a second nomination to the same position in 1898. Before leaving his native land, Mr. Peoples was made a master Mason in Ireland in 1879. In the United States he has attained the other degrees up to and including the thirty-second degree and is a member of the Shrine, the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen. He is one of the leading men of the state.
JULIUS PONTO, a wealthy and influential farmer of Eddy county, has acquired his fortune since taking up his residence in Dakota, and has gained many friends in that region by his honest industry and careful methods. He is the possessor of a fine farm of six hundred and forty acres, and his estate is valued at $13,000, while he has valuable horses and other stock on the farm, and modern and substantial buildings, and enjoys rural life.
Our subject was born in Prussia, Germany, July 7, 1855, and was a son of Godfrey and Louisa Ponto. His father was a farmer by occupation and came to America with the family in 1863, and settled near New London, Wisconsin, on a farm, and in 1882 became one of the early settlers of Dakota.
Our subject was the oldest in a family of ten children, and was raised on a farm and attended country school in Wisconsin. He remained at home almost continuously until 1882, when he went to North Dakota and settled in Eddy county. He took government land east of what is now the town of Sheyenne, and put up a sod shanty 8x10 feet, and had a dug-out for a barn, and lived alone on his land, and began farming with oxen which he used seven years. He removed to his present homestead in section 17, in township 150, range 66, in 1883. and built a dugout for a dwelling and constructed a barn of boards. He lost all of his hay, seventy-five tons, by prairie fire in 1882, and in 1896 his residence was destroyed by fire, and he has had numerous experiences fighting prairie fires. He has engaged in grain raising, an fighting prairie fires. He has engaged in grain raising, and also raises a few cattle, and now has fourteen head of horses, eight head of cattle, and twenty-two hogs, and his machinery on the place is valued at $1,400. Ten acres of forest trees add to the value as well as the beauty of the place and his entire farm lends beauty to the country. Mr. Ponto was the third settler of that part of Eddy county, and his nearest market was Jamestown, seventy miles distant, and he hauled all supplies and lumber from there, taking five days for the trip, at a cost of ten dollars.
Our subject was married, October 19, 1899, to Jane Abrahamson, who was born and raised in Michigan. Mrs. Ponto's father, George Sias, was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother was of Norwegian birth, and her parents reside in Minnesota. Mr. Ponto has shown an active public spirit since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and is well and favorably known throughout Eddy county. He is a Democrat in political sentiment, and is strong in his convictions.
 JOHN POTTNER, and his sons, Frank J. and Charlie J., conducting an extensive grain farm in township 148, range 67, in Eddy county, were among the first settlers of that locality, and their present farm bears evidence of careful management and tillage. They have worked together to build up their estate and are now the fortunate owners of a well improved tract. The sons have the management of the place at present and the father is passing his declining years in the enjoyment of the comforts of a pleasant country home.
John Pottner was born in Germany October 1, 1825, and came to America in 1848. He was a butcher by trade and followed that business during the greater part of his career. He located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 1883 came to Eddy county. North Dakota, with his family. He was married, in 1848, to Miss Sabina Frank, and the following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pottner: John P., one of the early settlers of North Dakota, and now residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Joseph P., a resident also of Minneapolis; George J, residing in Pendleton, Oregon; A. J., engaged in farming in Wells county, North Dakota: Frank J., on the home farm in Eddy county; Charlie J., also on the home farm in Eddy county; Sabina. at home; Thresia, now Mrs. Dave Mattison, of Seattle, Washington; Minnie, now Mrs. Steinbeck; and Mae, at home. The family was among the first settlers of Eddy county to locate in township 148, range 67, and there they erected a claim shanty, 14x24 feet, on government land, to which they had entered claim. After about three weeks a wind and rain storm visited that section and the roof of the shanty was torn off, and after the family had taken refuge in the cellar the entire shanty was blown to pieces. The first crop raised was in 1884, and the following year the crop and ox team, sixty tons of hay, some machinery and the sod stable were destroyed by, prairie fire. Drought killed the crop in 1886 and they lacked one hundred and eight dollars of returning their seed, and also worked for others to pay the threshing. 1887 was a good year and they raised seventeen bushels per acre on three hundred acres; frost destroyed the next year's crop, and frost and drought affected the yield in 1889. 1890 and 1891 were excellent years for grain raising and 1897 was almost a complete failure year. Such discouragements were met and bravely battled with and Mr. Pottner and sons now have a farm of eleven hundred and twenty acres, with five hundred acres under cultivation. They have a complete set of farm buildings and machinery necessary to the conduct of a model farm. They followed cattle raising extensively from 1886 to 1891 and during the winter of 1891-92 lost seventy head of stock by disease and blizzards. They have lost fifteen head of horses in Dakota, some valued at two hundred dollars. The management of the place is now in the hands of the sons, Frank and Charlie, and they have successfully conducted the farm and carefully look after every interest, while the father does not now have the care and responsibility attached to the work.
The mother, Mrs. Sabina Pottner, died July 17, 1895, at Minneapolis, Minnesota. The family are members of the Catholic church. They are men of strong political views and are identified with all political parties, each in his own belief, and are highly respected throughout that region.
JOHN LUCIUS PRADER, a prominent and successful farmer of township 148, range 66, resides on his fine farm near the town of New Rockford and also conducts the machine business in that place in company with Dr. J. C. Whiteman. He and .Mr. Whiteman also operate a steam threshing outfit, and Mr. Prader has successfully operated a threshing machine since he started to farming. He is a man of energetic spirit and has gained many friends by his push and industry and is one of the rising young men of his community.
Mr. Prader was born in Switzerland, in 1873, on a farm. His father, John L. Prader, came to America when our subject was six years old, and he is at present engaged in farming in North Dakota. Most of the forefathers of our subject have served in the Swiss army.
Mr. Prader was raised on a farm in Wisconsin and attended the country schools and assisted with the work of the farm. He removed with his parents to Dakota when he was sixteen years of age, and the family located on land which the father had taken of the government several years previously and they were among the first settlers of Eddy county. After attaining his majority our subject started for himself and in the spring of 1884 purchased the northwest quarter of section 8, in township 148, range 66, and lived thereon alone and followed farming several years. He now has a fine farm of six hundred and forty acres, about five hundred of which is under cultivation, and on his home farm has a few forest trees, plenty of small fruits, an abundance of good water and a complete set of farm buildings, and is supplied with all necessary machinery of modern pattern for the lessening of labor. He engages principally in wheat raising and his best crops averaged thirty-five bushels per acre. He keeps about fifteen head of horses and twelve head of cattle, and his estate is well kept in every respect and is a short drive from the town of New Rockford. He and Mr. J. C. Whiteman established the machine business in 1898, since which time they have built up a good patronage.
He is a member of the German Reform church and is a man of good business qualifications and exemplary character and prominent in local affairs of a public nature. He has held numerous township offices and is the present county coroner. Politically he is a Democrat and stands firmly for the principles of his party.
PETER PRADER. This name will be readily recognized as that of one of the leading business men of New Rockford, Eddy county. North Dakota. He is a member of the firm of Prader & Litcher, general merchants of that place, and Mr. Prader also has a fine farm in that locality. He is a young man of good business capacity, and has been successful.
Our subject was born in Switzerland. March 10, 1868. His father, J. L. Prader, was a farmer, and came to America about 1879. and settled in Wisconsin. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Margaret Kindschey, was of Swiss birth, and her family were farmers for many generations back.
Mr. Prader is the fourth in order of birth in his mother's family, and he had four half brothers and sisters. He was reared in his native land and attended the common schools, and received a German education, and at the age of eleven years came to America with his parents. He grew to manhood in Wisconsin, and attended the country schools, and assisted on the farm, and in the fall of 1889 went to North Dakota, and the following spring returned to Wisconsin. His father rented the Wisconsin farm and sold the chattel property and the family moved to Eddy county, and he and his father took government land and began farming. Our subject erected a claim shanty 10x12 feet, and also a board barn, and purchased horses with which to further his farm work. He lived in his shanty alone the first two years during the summer season, and stayed at home during the winter months, and in 1893 he rented his farm and worked at the carpenter trade until 1895, when he accepted a position as clerk in the general store of Hugh Peoples, where he remained two or three years and learned the mercantile business. He purchased the buildings and general merchandise stock of B. F. Bennar, November 20, 1897, which business was established in 1886, and was the pioneer general store of New Rockford. Mr. Prader sold a half interest in the business to Mr. Henry L. Litcher, January 1, 1899, since which time the firm has been known as Prader & Litcher.
Our subject was married, September 30, 1896, to Miss Anna Lenschner, who was born and raised in Germany and came to America with her parents when eleven years of age. Mrs. Prader's father, August Lenschner, was engaged in farming many years with success, and is now living in Wisconsin, retired from active labors. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Prader, as follows: Ernest, and Lyle, both of whom were born in North Dakota. Mr. Prader is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Democrat and stands firmly for the principles of his party.
SERENO N. PUTNAM, register of deeds of Eddy County, is one of the early settlers of that region, and has been identified with the development and advancement of Eddy county. He is a gentleman of broad mind and well educated, and is entitled to a foremost place among the promoters of business matters. He has varied financial interests in agricultural lines, and is one of the substantial men of his community.
Our subject was born in Sherburne county, Minnesota, in March, l86l. His father, Henry F. Putnam, was a farmer and merchant in Minnesota. Our subject is a descendant of a brother of Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Caroline Newton, was of English descent, and the family settled in America in colonial times.
Our subject was the second in a family of five children, and was raised on a farm in his native state. He attended the country schools and also the Normal School at St. Cloud, Minnesota, and graduated from that institution in 1880. He began teaching school at the age of sixteen years, and followed that vocation most of the time for about five years, and in 1883 came to Eddy County. North Dakota. He entered claim to government land near Tiffany and began farming. He erected a 6x8 feet shanty and lived alone and followed farming with oxen. He continued farming until 1886, when he was elected county superintendent of schools, and was re-elected at the expiration of his term. He had his office on his farm, and served in that capacity two terms. He attended the department of law at the State University of Minnesota during the winter of 1890-9l, after which he followed teaching a short time, and in the fall of 1894 was elected county register of deeds of Eddy County. He was re-elected in 1896. and again in 1898, and is now serving his third term in that position. He is an efficient officer, and enjoys popularity.
Our subject was married in 1888 to Miss Grace Brown, a native of New York. Mrs. Putnam is a lady of good education, and is a graduate of the Mayville .Normal School of North Dakota. She taught school in North Dakota several terms, and her father was one of the early settlers of that state and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Putnam is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Masonic fraternity. He is a man who keeps abreast of the times on all important issues, and takes an active interest in the welfare of his community, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his fellowmen. In political faith he is a Republican, and stands firmly for the principles of his party.
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