C. Albrecht spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land to the time when his parents brought the family to the new world. He was then a youth of fifteen. When the family home was established in Emmons county he, too, took up a homestead claim which he farmed for six years, and at the end of that time he sold the property and embarked in merchandising in Temvik, purchasing a general stock of goods to which he has since added. He now carries a large and complete line of general merchandise and has a gratifying patronage, drawing his trade from a wide territory. He is ever an obliging merchant, courteous to all and reliable in his methods and his enterprise is winning for him growing success.
In August 1907, Mr. Albrecht was married to Miss Barbara Riedling and to them have been born five children: Reginald, Esther, Lydia, Manuel and Arthur. Politically Mr. Albrecht is a republican, but while well versed on the questions and issues of the day, he does not hold nor desire public office. His life is guided by religious teaching and he is a faithful member of the Baptist church.
HON. HARMON W. ALLEN, member of the state senate and cashier of the Emmons County State Bank at Braddock, North Dakota, was born in Monroe county, Michigan, June 6, 1861, his parents being Carlos and Maria (Winslow) Allen, the former a native of Milan, Michigan, and the latter of Lockport, New York. The father spent his entire life on a farm in his native state and passed away in May 1895, being still survived by his widow, who is now eighty-four years of age and who resides with a daughter in Milan, Michigan.
Harmon W. Allen is largely indebted to the district school system of his native state for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and to the high school at Ann Arbor, in which he studied for a year. In 1883 he came to the west to begin his career as a business man and for two summers was employed on a farm near Steele, North Dakota, at a wage of twenty dollars per month. In the spring of 1884 he filed on a homestead in Emmons county and in the following winter engaged in selling nursery stock in South Dakota. While in that state he purchased a yoke of cattle which in the spring of 1885 he drove to his homestead in North Dakota. He then actively began farming on his own account, devoting the summer season to the arduous task of developing new land. In the winter of 1885-6 he returned to Michigan, where he taught a district school, but in the spring again took up his abode on his North Dakota homestead, accompanied this time by his bride. He continued to cultivate his farm until 1897, when he put aside the active work of the fields for official service, having in the fall of 1896 been elected to the position of county treasurer, assuming the duties of the office on the 1st of January following. In 1898 he was reelected and continued acceptably in that position for two terms, retiring from the office as he had entered it—with the confidence and good will of all concerned. The succeeding year was spent upon the home farm and in 1902 he entered the Emmons County State Bank in the position of assistant cashier but served as acting cashier and in fact largely had the management of the bank’s business. Subsequently he purchased stock in the institution and was formally elected cashier. The bank had been organized by Bismarck capitalists and in 1914 Mr. Allen interested local capital, also purchased more stock himself and reorganized the bank as a home institution. It is the oldest bank in Emmons county, having been founded in 1898, upon the completion of the railroad into Braddock. It has had a prosperous existence, its success being due in large measure to the present cashier. Mr. Allen is also president of the Braddock Elevator Company, which owns elevators at both Braddock and Kintyre. He likewise has made extensive investments in farm lands in Emmons county, owning fourteen hundred acres together with several equities in other counties.
In 1886 Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Bertha J. Clark, of Milan, Michigan, and to them has been born a daughter, Lucile M. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and in 1910 he was elected to represent the twenty-sixth district of North Dakota in the state legislature, where he made so excellent a record through his earnest support of valuable legislation that in 1914 he was reelected and is now serving for the second term as a member of the upper house. No one questions the integrity of his opinions and his position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one.
DE WITT BAER, M. D., A well known representative of the medical profession in the southeastern part of the state is Dr. De Witt Baer, who is now enjoying a remunerative practice in Braddock, where he has been located for three years, after having previously spent several years in Steele, this state. He was born in Davis county, Iowa, December 19, 1882, a son of Ross and Alice (Womm) Baer, who were also natives of Davis county, their respective families having located there in pioneer times upon removal to the middle west from Virginia.
The father died when the Doctor was only a year old and he was a lad of but seven years when his mother passed away, so that he was reared to manhood by his uncle, Hon. T. H. Smith, a prominent lawyer of Harlan, Iowa, and a member of the state senate. He was educated in the public schools of Harlan and then, determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he became a student in the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, where he was graduated on completing the work of the curriculum of the medical department as a member of the class of 1908, winning his professional degree.
The following fall Dr. Baer opened an office in Steele, North Dakota, where he remained in successful practice until 1913, when he removed to Braddock, and in the intervening period of three years he has built up a business of gratifying proportions, his practice being now large and of an important character. He is a close and discriminating student and broad reading and investigation keeps him informed concerning the latest scientific discoveries and researches which tend to throw light on the complex mystery which we call life.
In 1913 Dr. Baer was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Swoverland, of Hersey, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Robert. They occupy an attractive home in Braddock and in addition Dr. Baer owns three hundred and twenty acres of land in Burleigh county, six miles north of the town. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and he is serving as the present county health officer and is also clerk of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Chancellor Walworth Lodge, No. 103, F. & A. M., of Steele and Castle Lodge, No. 3, K. P., of Steele, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, their many estimable traits of character winning for them high regard.
H. O. BATZER, cashier of the Bank of Hazelton at Hazelton, Emmons county, was born in Royalton, Minnesota, November 1, 1882, a son of Rudolph J. and Susan W. (Winch) Batzer, natives of Germany and of Canada respectively. The father, who was graduated on the completion of a course in civil engineering in Germany, came to America in young manhood and later had charge of construction work on railroads which were being built in Pennsylvania. He was thus engaged for some years and during that period lost his voice. About 1881 he removed westward to Minnesota, settling on a farm, on which he reared his family. While he terms himself a farmer he has also done much local work in civil engineering, having marked ability in that line. He now makes his home in Royalton, Minnesota.
H. 0. Batzer completed his education in the high school of Royalton and at twenty years of age began his training in the banking business, entering the First National Bank of Royalton in the capacity of bookkeeper. He was subsequently made assistant cashier of that institution and remained with the bank until May 1906, when he came to Hazelton and in company with George H. Niles and A. H. Turriton, now bank superintendent of Minnesota, bought the Bank of Hazelton, of which he became cashier, since acting in that capacity. This bank was established in the spring of 1903 by C. B. Little, Joseph Hare, S. M. Pye and others but was a small concern, occupying a little corner in the Matthews & McCrory store. Its capital stock was but five thousand dollars and a bank statement issued November 17, 1903, showed its deposits to be nine thousand, one hundred and ninety-eight dollars. The comparison of this with the last statement of the bank, issued September 12, 1916, shows the steady and substantial growth of the institution, which is now capitalized for ten thousand dollars, has a surplus of equal amount, deposits of two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars and loans and discounts amounting to one hundred and sixteen thousand dollars. In 1903 the bank began the erection of a building and a year or two later the business was sold to Matthews & Healy, who in turn sold out to H. 0. Batzer and George Niles. In 1907 the personnel of the bank again changed, when S. E. Kurtz and H. W. Batzer purchased the interests of Mr. Niles, at which time Mr. Kurtz was elected president. About the same time the bank purchased and moved into more commodious quarters across the street. The present officers are: S. E. Kurtz, president; John McCrory, vice president; H. 0. Batzer, cashier, with H. W. Batzer and S. E. Brindle also as stockholders. In every direction the business has grown steadily and they have erected a new bank building which would be a credit to a city of much larger size. This they have occupied since September 27, 1915. It is a structure twenty-five by sixty feet built of dark colored rock faced brick and trimmed with white Bedford stone, erected at a cost of ten thousand dollars. It is fireproof and modern in all its appointments. There Is a tile floor with marble base boards and the fixtures and furniture are all of modern style. There are three large vaults, one containing safety deposit boxes, and the lesser fittings of the bank, such as steel filing cabinets, etc., are thoroughly modern. The management of the bank is practically under the control of the cashier, who is alert and enterprising, possessing keen sagacity and business integrity which is above question. Under his direction the deposits of the bank have increased from twenty-eight thousand to two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars. The capital stock was increased to ten thousand dollars from the earnings of the bank. He has become quite extensively interested in buying and selling farm lands and now owns an entire section in Emmons county.
On the 24th of November 1908, Mr. Batzer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane McManus, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, and to them have been born two children, Herman O. and John C. Mr. Batzer belongs to the Episcopal church, while his wife adheres to the Catholic faith. In politics he is a republican and while not an office seeker is much interested in the welfare and progress of the community and cooperates heartily in plans and measures for the general good. He is now serving as treasurer of the school board. His fraternal relations connect him with Hazelton Lodge, No. 64, K. P. with the Modern Woodmen camp and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Hazelton acknowledges its indebtedness to his progressive spirit and his life record indicates what may be accomplished when ambition points out the way and energy and determination characterize one’s course.
HON. R. K. BATZER, member of the house of representatives and a successful agricultural implement dealer of Hazelton, belongs to that class of citizens who are active in the development of the state through the promotion of its material and political interests. He has always resided in the west and the spirit of western enterprise finds expression in his career.
He was born in Morrison county, Minnesota, October 14, 1887, and in his youthful days passed through consecutive grades in the public schools to his graduation from the high school at Royalton, Minnesota, with the class of 1905. He then entered the State University and on the completion of the law course won the Bachelor of Laws degree as a member of the class of 1908. Immediately following his graduation he went to Hazelton and during the first two years of his residence there was variously employed working on farms or at any labor that would enable him to earn an honest living. In 1911 he was appointed United States commissioner by Judge Charles F. Amidon, of Fargo and at the November election of 1912 was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature. He then resigned his position as commissioner to enter upon his legislative duties and made such an excellent record during his first term that he was re-elected in 1914. His position upon any vital question is always clearly defined. He does not hesitate to announce or support his honest convictions and he has been connected with much important constructive legislation, serving on a number of important committees. In private life he is also active, having in 1910 established his present implement business. The first year, however, was one of disappointment and hardship, for there were probably not ten thousand bushels of grain harvested in Emmons county and as a consequence there was no sale for farm implements. In 1911 there was a slight improvement in crops and in 1912 the harvest came in abundance. Since that time Mr. Batzer has prospered, his business growing in magnitude until it is today one of the important commercial enterprises of the county.
On the 17th of December 1914, Mr. Batzer was united in marriage to Miss Edna McLachlan of Braddock, North Dakota, and they have become the parents of a son, Reinhold K. Mr. and Mrs. Batzer are members of the Episcopal church and he is recognized not only as one of the most prominent republicans but also as one of the leading business men and popular citizens of his county. At all points in his career he has been actuated by laudable ambition that has led him forward along the steps of an orderly progression.
MICHAEL BAUMGARTNER, banker, lumberman and one of the leading business men of Strasburg, is prominently identified with the financial and commercial interests of Emmons county as vice president of the Security State Bank, vice president of the German State Bank, president of the Strasburg Lumber Company and president of the Northwestern Motor Company. He was born in Strasburg, Russia, on the 15th of September 1874, a son of Johannes and Margaretha (Braunagel) Baumgartner, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in the sketch of John J. Baumgartner.
Michael Baumgartner was a youth of fifteen years when he left his native country and accompanied his parents to the new world. His education was largely acquired in German schools of Russia, for the school system of North Dakota had been developed to only a slight degree when the family home was established in this state. He continued to assist in the arduous task of developing and improving a new farm up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated on the 29th of April 1892, the lady of his choice being Miss Odilia Wolf, a native of Russia, who came to America about a week later than her future husband.
Following his marriage Michael Baumgartner filed on a homestead on section 10, Strasburg township, Emmons county, four miles north of the town of Strasburg, and thereon took up his abode, continuing his residence there until 1909, when he removed to the town in order to look after his business interests there. He had become one of the founders of the Strasburg Bazaar, in which enterprise he was connected with his brother John and with Jacob Feist and E. Keller. They founded the business in 1903, it becoming the first mercantile enterprise of Strasburg. In 1913, in connection with his brother and others he bought out the North Star Lumber Company and reorganized and incorporated the business under the name of the Strasburg Lumber Company, of which he became the president. In 1914, associated with others, he purchased the German State Bank, of which he was elected vice president, and in 1906 he became one of the large stockholders of the Security State Bank, of which he was chosen cashier, acting in that capacity until 1912, when he was elected vice president of the institution, being succeeded in the cashier ship by J. P. Henn. In 1913 the Northwestern Motor Company was organized and Mr. Baumgarten was elected its president. This company is doing a flourishing business, handling the Ford, Overland and Dodge cars, their annual sales having now reached a most substantial and gratifying figure. Mr. Baumgartner is likewise prominently identified with the cattle business and with real estate dealing, buying and selling farm lands, of which his present holdings now amount to fourteen hundred and eighty acres in Emmons county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner have been born ten children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. These are: Eva, the wife of Anton Wichenheiser, who cultivates the homestead of his father-in-law; Michael, assistant cashier of the Security State Bank at Strasburg; and Barbara, Margaret, Frank, John, Mary, Phillipina, Agnes and Odilia, all at home.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Baumgartner is also a member of the German Roman Catholic Association of Minnesota. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and in 1908 he was its nominee for the office of county treasurer. While at that time the normal republican vote was three to one, such was the personal popularity of Mr. Baumgartner and the confidence reposed in him that he was defeated by only eighty votes, receiving every vote cast in his precinct, which indicates the high regard entertained for him by those who know him best. His career is one which should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished through individual effort. Notably prompt, energetic and reliable, he seems to have a genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time joined to everyday common sense, and he has never allowed obstacles nor difficulties to brook his path if they could be overcome by persistent, earnest and indefatigable effort.
WILLIAM BAXTER, vice president of the Emmons County State Bank at Braddock, was formerly actively identified with farming and stock raising interests, which he conducted on an extensive scale. He came to the northwest from Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in that state on the 8th of October 1864. His parents, John and Esther (McCreary) Baxter, were also natives of the Keystone state and the father there followed farming throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife passed away in the year 1870.
William Baxter was reared in Pennsylvania and was also educated there. He worked out as a farm hand in the Keystone state until 1884, when he went to Ohio and was employed as engineer in a planing mill until 1886. In March of the latter year he arrived in Emmons county, North Dakota, where he took up a homestead which he improved, and after winning title to that property he bought more land from time to time as his financial resources increased until he is now the owner of over fifteen hundred acres, constituting a very valuable property. He was busily and successfully engaged in farming until 1913, when he removed to Braddock, where he also owns property. He is now in considerable measure living retired from the active conduct of business yet is the vice president of the Emmons County State Bank, in which he owns an interest.
Mr. Baxter has three children, Nellie, John Bernard and William Wayne. Mr. Baxter holds membership in the Presbyterian church, while his wife is of the Catholic faith. In politics he is a republican and for eight and one-half years he served as county commissioner of Emmons county, discharging his duties most promptly and faithfully, his efforts contributing much to the welfare of the county. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. For three decades he has lived in Emmons county and throughout the entire period of his residence here has so conducted his interests and directed his life that he enjoys in the fullest measure the confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
C. J. BIEBER, an implement dealer and manager of the Farmers elevator at Temvik, was born in Russia on the 26th of November 1881, a son of Jacob and Christiana (Ritter) Bieber, who were also natives of that country, whence they came to the United States in 1884, settling in McPherson county, South Dakota. There the father secured a homestead claim and with characteristic energy began the arduous task of developing a new farm, continuing his residence thereon for many years, during which time his labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place. In 1910 he retired from active business life and removed to Eureka, where he and his wife now make their home.
C. J. Bieber acquired his education in the district schools of McPherson county and in 1902 engaged in teaching for one term. Prior to this, however, he had taken up the occupation of farming in McPherson county, where he lived until 1905, when he removed to Emmons county, North Dakota, devoting the succeeding five years to general agricultural pursuits. In 1910 he became a resident of Temvik, where he engaged in the grain business, purchasing the William Gross elevator. In 1911 he incorporated the Farmers’ Friend Milling Company, of which he was president during the year following its incorporation. In 1912 he sold his elevator but continued to manage it for his successors until the summer of 1915, when he accepted the management of the Farmers elevator at Temvik. The statement of the business in June 1916, showed a profit of thirteen thousand seven hundred and eighteen dollars to the stockholders since he assumed control, a fact which indicates the marked business ability, close application and enterprising methods of Mr. Bieber. In the spring of 1913 he engaged in the implement business and has developed his store until it is one of the important commercial undertakings of Emmons county. He also has the agency for the Saxon automobile and in all that he undertakes displays a spirit of undaunted enterprise and sound business judgment.
In 1902 Mr. Bieber was married to Miss Margaretta Huber, of Hosmer, South Dakota, and they became the parents of four children, of whom three are living, Julius G., Agnes H. and Ewald A. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Bieber is a democrat in his political views, doing all in his power to promote the growth and ensure the success of his party, of which he is now the candidate for the office of county treasurer. He has never been very ambitious in the way of office holding, however, feeling that the pursuits of private life are in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts, and as the years have gone on he has won success in substantial measure, his holdings including not only his commercial interests but also one hundred and sixty acres of Emmons county land.
GEORGE H. DEXTER, engaged in the real estate business in Braddock, was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in August 1862, a son of Peabody and Jeanette (Hall) Dexter, the former a native of Nova Scotia and the latter of New York. The father was a stone mason by trade and when but seven years of age went to Wisconsin with his parents. He afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed in that state until he removed to Minnesota, where he bought land which he cultivated for six years. He next went to Bigstone county, that state, where he operated a farm throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in December, 1910, while his wife survived until October, 1911.
George H. Dexter was a lad of twelve years when his parents went to Minnesota and there he completed his education, remaining upon the home farm until eighteen years of age. He then began earning his living as a farm hand and was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when he went to Wausau, Wisconsin, where he spent one winter working in a planing mill. He was next at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he engaged in the real estate business for four years and later removed to the state of New York, where he took charge of a building and loan association for a year. He afterward turned his attention to railroading, accepting the position of brakeman on the New York Central, by which corporation he was employed for about eight years, the last year being spent as a conductor. He left the road in order to enlist for service in the Spanish-American war and went with the Two Hundred and Second New York Volunteer Infantry to Cuba, seizing with that command for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Des Moines, Iowa, where he operated a milk route for a year and then, again taking up his abode in Minnesota, he engaged in carpentering and painting for a year and a half. In 1902 he arrived in Emmons county, North Dakota, and filed on a homestead which he improved and developed for twelve years and which he still owns, deriving therefrom a substantial rental. He also owns another half section which he rents, but for the past eight years he has been concentrating his efforts on the real estate business and in the spring of 1916 opened an office in Braddock, at which point he is now engaged in the sale of farm lands and town property as well. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Temvik.
In June 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dexter and Miss Elzada Surring and they have become parents of three children, Virgil, Violet and Leonard. Mr. Dexter gives his political support to the republican party and for two years served as justice of the peace of Highland township, Emmons county, but has always preferred to concentrate his efforts upon his business affairs rather than occupy public office. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Those who know him esteem him for his sterling worth and substantial traits of character, and those who have had business connections with him have found him thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising.
LEWIS M. DOERSCHLAG, who since 1903 has been engaged in general merchandising in Braddock and is now senior partner in the L. M. Doerschlag Company, which controls an extensive business, has throughout his entire life displayed a spirit of marked enterprise and progress. He has readily recognized and utilized business opportunities and has extended his efforts into the field of banking and of farming, all of which interests are conducted with equal success. He was born May 2, 1861, in Germany, while his parents were on a visit in that country. He is a son of Alfred P. and Caroline (Hendricks) Doerschlag, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father became a wholesale liquor dealer in Madison, Wisconsin, having crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1852, after which he continued to make his home in the Wisconsin capital. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country’s call for troops, becoming a lieutenant in a Wisconsin regiment, with which he served until killed in battle. His widow survives and is now a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Lewis M. Doerschlag was but an infant at the time his father was killed. He afterward was taken to Beloit, Iowa, where his youthful days were passed and his education was acquired. He later engaged in railroading for a time and at length removed to South Dakota, where he made his home until December 25, 1884, when he arrived in Emmons county, North Dakota, and took up a homestead which he improved and developed. He only followed farming for four years, however, and then turned his attention to the cattle business, in which he has engaged at intervals since 1888. He has been interested in merchandising since 1903, at which date he established a general store in Braddock which he is now conducting under the firm style of the L. M. Doerschlag Company, for James McCusker and S. J. Hoen have been admitted to partnership. They carry a large and carefully selected stock of goods and enjoy an extensive and well merited patronage. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Doerschlag is active in financial circles, being now president of the Emmons County State Bank at Braddock, which is capitalized for ten thousand dollars and which has deposits amounting to about one hundred thousand dollars. The other officers of the bank are J. William Baxter, vice president; H. W. Allen, cashier; and John Allensworth, assistant cashier, Mr. Doerschlag is also a stockholder and director in the Braddock Elevator Company and he has valuable and extensive farming interests, owning thirty-two hundred acres of land.
In April 1897, Mr. Doerschlag was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Robinson and they have become the parents of five children: Fay, Ray, Gladys, Nellie and Maxine. The family attend the Union church and Mr. Doerschlag gives his political support to the republican party, but while interested in the vital questions and issues of the day and well informed concerning the political situation, he does not seek nor desire office, having always preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, which have been continually growing in volume and importance. His commercial and financial connections are now extensive and he ranks among the prosperous and prominent citizens of Emmons county.
CONRAD ERCK, is a dealer in farm implements and automobiles at Hague and also buys and sells live stock. His business affairs are carefully managed and he never encounters difficulties or obstacles that determination, energy and honorable effort will not overcome. He belongs to that class of citizens in Emmons county that have come from South Russia and have been the builders and promoters of this section of the state. He was born in Russia, October 4, 1869, and his parents, Ludwig and Catherine Erck, were also natives of the same locality. The father followed farming in Russia until 1886, when he came to the new world and secured a preemption and tree claim and also a homestead in Emmons county, North Dakota. He at once began the arduous task of developing wild land and meeting the government requirements as to occupancy and improvement upon his place. Thereafter he was closely associated with the agricultural interests of the district until his death, which occurred on the 2d of August 1909. His widow yet survives.
Conrad Erck began his education in the schools of Russia and was sixteen years of age when he severed the ties that bound him to that land and came with his parents to the new world. He continued to assist his father in the cultivation and improvement of the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-six, when he removed to Pierce county, North Dakota, and there acquired a homestead claim which he developed and improved, giving his undivided attention to its cultivation for sixteen years. He still owns two hundred and forty acres of land there but has disposed of part of the farm. On the 14th of August 1915, he arrived in Hague, where he opened an implement store, carrying a large stock of all kinds of farm implements and machinery. The large patronage which is now accorded him makes his business a profitable one. He is also is vice presidents of the First State Bank, which he aided in organizing, and he is a stockholder in the Provident Life Insurance Company of Bismarck.
On the 5th of November 1894, Mr. Erck was married to Miss Christina Bichler and they became parents of nine children, namely: Martin, Ludwig, Amelia, John, Katie, Helen, Carl, Christina and Conrad. The wife and mother passed away February 15, 1913, and Mr. Erck was again married December 28, 1914, when Catherine Hulm became his wife.
Mr. Erck has membership in the Catholic church and in the Knights of Columbus and also with the German Roman Catholic Society. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has held the office of school treasurer of Pierce county for twelve years. He has worked diligently and persistently at the attainment of success, early recognizing the fact that earnest labor is the basis of all honorable advancement, and today he is a worthy representative of that class of men of Russian birth who have recognized the opportunities afforded in the new world and have come to take their part not only in utilizing the natural resources but in upbuilding the districts in which they live along the lines of substantial improvement and good government.
JACOB FISCHER, was one of the early settlers of Emmons county and for eleven years a member of its board of county commissioners. In fact he played a conspicuous part in the early history of the county in relation to its development and upbuilding and he assisted most of the settlers in obtaining their homesteads upon their arrival there. He is now living retired in Strasburg, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. Russia claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in that land on the 16th of September 1852, his parents being Frank K. and Margaret (Kraft) Fischer, both of whom were natives of Russia, while their parents were of German birth.
In 1884 they sailed for the United States, landing at New York on the 2d of November, and the following winter was spent in Yankton, South Dakota, but in the spring Frank K. Fischer, three of his sons, including Jacob, and a son-in-law each took up a preemption of one hundred and sixty acres in Foulk county, South Dakota. In the fall of 1886, however, Jacob Fischer left the preemption on which he had proved up and removed to Emmons county, North Dakota, while his father, brothers and brother-in-law followed him in the succeeding spring. Upon his arrival in Emmons county Jacob Fischer filed on a tree claim and a homestead thirteen miles east of Strasburg and occupied the homestead for twenty-two years converting a tract of wild and undeveloped land into a highly cultivated and well improved farm, his agricultural interests being carefully, systematically and successfully conducted. On the expiration of that period he removed to Strasburg in 1908 and has since lived retired, enjoying well earned rest after long years devoted to arduous business. He is a stockholder in the Strasburg Lumber Company and has other investments which return to him a substantial and gratifying income.
Mr. Fischer was married in Russia, in 1872, to Miss Helena Kipplinger and to them was born a son, Matthias J., a leading business man of Strasburg who is a director of the Security State Bank and a stockholder in the German State Bank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Fischer are members of the Catholic church and his political allegiance has been given to the democratic party since he became a naturalized American citizen. In 1897 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and served continuously for eleven years, being once appointed and twice elected to the office. At the close of his last term he was importuned to again become a candidate but refused the nomination, feeling that he had given adequate service to the county. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and helpfully supports all plans and measures which he believes will prove beneficial to his section of the state.
JOSEPH S. FISCHER, It is a noticeable fact that young men are the dominant factors in the upbuilding of the west. They have carried with them into that section of the country a spirit of progress and enterprise combined with youthful enthusiasm, and their efforts have been most effective and resultant. Active among the leading young business men of Strasburg is Joseph S. Fischer, who is assistant cashier in a bank there. He was born in Eureka, South Dakota, April 12, 1895, a son of Stephen and Cecelia (Keonig) Fischer, who are natives of Russia. In early life the father made his way from that country to the new world, settling in South Dakota, where he engaged in farming with his father for several years.
In 1900 he removed to Wishek, North Dakota, where he engaged in general merchandising and in the grain business, continuing active along those lines at that place for several years. He then disposed of his interests there and removed to Strasburg, where he became one of the organizers of the First State Bank, of which he has continuously been the president, with M. Van Soest and Joe Dillman as vice presidents. This bank is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars and their deposits amount to about ninety thousand dollars. The bank was organized in 1914 and the company erected a modern bank building on the main street of the town. Mr. Fischer is thus closely associated with the business interests of Strasburg, where he and his wife are pleasantly located in an attractive home.
Their son, Joseph S. Fischer was reared and educated in Wishek, attended the common schools, and later pursued a course in St. John’s University at Collegeville, Minnesota, and in St. Thomas College at St. Paul. He then entered his father’s bank as assistant cashier but performs virtually the duties of cashier and is thus active in the careful and conservative conduct and management of the bank. He was reared in the Catholic faith, to which he still adheres, and his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. His life is characterized by the spirit of western enterprise and progress and his advancement seems assured.
M. J. FISCHER, banker, merchant and lumberman, whose business enterprise constitutes a chief element in the development of Strasburg and his section of Emmons county, is a representative of that progressive element in the citizenship of the county that has been furnished by Russia. He was born in Selz, Russia, January 10, 1875 a son of Jacob Fischer, mentioned elsewhere in this work.
After spending the first ten years of his life in his native country he accompanied his parents to the new world and continued his education in the common schools. After his textbooks were put aside he continued to assist his father in the further development and work of the old homestead farm until 1901, when he removed to Pierce county, North Dakota, and filed on a homestead near Harvey, occupying the property long enough to secure title thereto. He then sold that place and returned to Emmons county, where he purchased a quarter section of land which he engaged in farming until 1907. In that year he took up his abode in Strasburg and purchased a fourth interest in the Strasburg Bazaar, which was the pioneer mercantile establishment of the town and remains one of the foremost commercial interests of Emmons county. Later he and two of his partners purchased the interest of the fourth partner and the three remain proprietors at the present time. In the fall of 1913 Mr. Fischer became identified with the banking business, purchasing stock in the Security State Bank, of which he was elected a member of the board of directors. In 1914 he became a stockholder in the German State Bank and is thus closely associated with the financial interests of his town. In 1913 he became one of the purchasers of the North Star lumberyard and reorganized and incorporated the business under the name of the Strasburg Lumber Company, Mr. Fischer becoming one of its board of directors. He is likewise the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of farm land and also owns an equity in other lands. He possesses indefatigable energy and sound judgment and his business investments have been most judiciously made.
In 1898 Mr. Fischer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Eberle, of Hague, Emmons county, who was born in Russia. To them have been born eight children, namely: Alousia, Jacob, Rosa, Wendelin, Mary, Cecelia, John and Martha, all of whom are yet under the parental roof. The family are communicants of the Catholic faith and Mr. Fischer is a member of the German Roman Catholic Society. Politically he is a democrat yet of liberal views and does not consider himself bound b}’ party ties. He concentrates his efforts and attention upon his business, and well defined plans and untiring effort have constituted the basis upon which he has built his success.
JOSEPH E. FITZGIBBONS, No town of its size in North Dakota can boast a finer drug store than Braddock, where Joseph E. Fitzgibbons has a thoroughly up-to-date establishment. A spirit of enterprise pervades the place for the proprietor is wide-awake, alert and energetic, western progress finding in him a worthy exponent. He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, March 28, 1877, a son of James William Fitzgibbons. a native of Albany, New York, whence he accompanied his parents to Dubuque county, Iowa, in pioneer times, the grandfather there following the occupation of farming. James W. Fitzgibbons was there reared and in Iowa married Miss Catherine Phalen, a native of Lynn Haven, Pennsylvania. Her parents also went to Iowa at an early day, settling in Jackson county, where her father engaged in farming. J. W. Fitzgibbons took up the same pursuit as a life work and remained upon his farm in Dubuque county up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1904. His widow is still living at the age of seventy-six years and resides with a daughter in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Joseph E. Fitzgibbons began his education in the public schools, afterward attended Epworth Seminary at Epworth, Iowa, and later the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, in which he pursued a pharmaceutical course and was graduated with the class of 1906, winning the Ph. G. degree, thus becoming well qualified by thorough educational training for the business which he has taken up as a life work. In the fall of that year he came to North Dakota and for one year was in charge of the drug store of the Hardy-Shontz Drug Company at Driscol. He afterward went to Watertown, South Dakota, where he accepted a position with a patent medicine house—the Blue Bell Medicine Company—with which he continued for a year. In the early summer of 1908 he went to Bismarck and became associated with the Bismarck Drug Company, so continued until the spring of 1910, when he purchased the stock and fixtures of the company and removed the business to Braddock, where he has since conducted a modern drug store, which is one of the best and most attractively arranged stores of the kind to be found in the state in a town the size of Braddock. This naturally draws to him a large trade and by reason of his straightforward business methods and earnest desire to please, he has no difficulty in keeping his patrons and his business is steadily growing. He is also identified with Emmons county as one of its landowners, having an entire section of land there, together with one hundred and sixty acres in McLean county and a quarter section in Montana.
Mr. Fitzgibbons is a member of the Woodmen of the World and he has attractive social Qualities which render him popular, the circle of his friends increasing as the circle of his acquaintance widens. He is also regarded as a valuable addition to the business forces of Braddock and is a worthy representative of the modern, progressive commercial spirit, which is upbuilding North Dakota.
