PETER HULM, manager at Hague for the Reliance Elevator Company, was born in Russia, December 14, 1880, a son of Joseph and Frances Hulm, who were natives of that country, where the father passed away and the mother is still living. Peter Hulm acquired his education in German schools of Russia and continued in that country until 1905, when, having reached the age of nineteen years, he determined to come to the new world, where already many of his countrymen were living. There was at the time a large Russian settlement in Emmons county and to that district Mr. Hulm made his way, locating in Hague. Soon afterward he secured work on a farm near the town and was thus employed for two years. He afterward worked on a dray line in Hague until 1912, when he entered the employ of the Crown Elevator Company and two years later was made manager of the Reliance Elevator Company at Hague, which position of responsibility he is now filling.
In 1909 Mr. Hulm was married to Miss Catherine Jeager and to them has been born one child, Franciska. The parents are members of the Catholic church and Mr. Hulm belongs to the German Roman Catholic Society. He votes with the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a fortune in the new world, for here he has found good business opportunities and has gradually worked his way upward, having already reached a place that wins him classification with the enterprising business men of Emmons county.
MICHAEL A. KLEIN, in many of North Dakota’s towns are found general merchandise establishments which would be a credit to cities of much larger size. They, however, draw their trade from a wide surrounding territory and in their equipment meet every need of town and country life. Of such an establishment at Strasburg is Michael A. Klein proprietor, and since establishing the business in 1905 he has met with continuous success. He was born in South Russia, December 15, 1808, a son of Andrew and Rosa Klein, who were also Natives of that country. The father followed farming in Russia throughout his entire life and there passed away in 1885, while the mother, surviving him for more than two decades, died in 1907.
Michael A. Klein was reared and educated in Russia and there took up the profession of school teaching, which he followed until 1892, when he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the new world. Reaching American shores, he made his way across the continent to Eureka, South Dakota, where he engaged in clerking in a general store for seven years. He then removed to Wishek, where he engaged in general merchandising on his own account for six years, having a partner during three years of that time. In 1905 he went to Strasburg and there erected a fine building on Main street. At that date there was only one other store in the town. He put in a large stock of general merchandise and has since conducted his store, its growing success being due to the fact that he meets every demand of the purchasing public and is thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising in his business methods. He has contributed much to the growth and development of his locality and is now the president of the German State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, is the vice president of the Strasburg Lumber Company and is a stockholder in the Provident Insurance Company of Bismarck. His intense business activity has contributed much to the gradual growth and improvement of the district in which he lives.
On the 4th of November 1890, Mr. Klein was united in marriage to Miss Rosena Welk and they have become parents of seven children: Julia, who was born while her father and mother were en route to America; John; Regina; Eugene; Mary; Annie; and Leo. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Klein belongs to the German Catholic Society.
In politics he is a democrat and is now serving as county commissioner of Emmons county, which position he has filled for four years. He has also been president of the town board and for six years was a trustee of the Catholic church. His aid and influence can at all times be counted upon to further measures for the general good and he does not hesitate to give of his time, his means or his effort toward advancing the general welfare.
CONRAD KRAFT, manager for the Strasburg Lumber Company, which he aided in organizing and which is one of the foremost business concerns of Strasburg, Emmons county, was born on the 20th of May 1885, in Strasburg, in South Russia, his parents being Conrad and Mary Kraft, who are also natives of that country. The father was a carpenter by trade and in March 1898, came to America, settling at Eureka, South Dakota, where he secured a homestead claim which he occupied and cultivated for six years. He then removed to Zeeland, North Dakota, where he has since resided. He has now reached the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife is seventy-six years of age.
Conrad Kraft, Jr., was a youth of thirteen when with his parents he came to the United States and his education, begun in the schools of Russia, was continued at Eureka and at Bowdle, South Dakota. He remained with his parents until he reached mature years and after removing to Zeeland, North Dakota, was employed in a lumberyard there until 1904. In that year he settled at Strasburg and entered the service of the North Star Lumber Company, with which he continued until 1909, when in association with several others he bought out the North Star Lumber Company, reorganizing the business under the name of the Strasburg Lumber Company. Mr. Kraft has since been the manager, with Michael Baumgartner as the president and M. A. Klein as vice president. In the years in which they have been in control the business has been characterized by steady and substantial growth and returns to the stockholders a good income on their investment.
In November 1906, Mr. Kraft was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Baumgartner, a daughter of John and Margaret Baumgartner, who were pioneers of Strasburg, arriving there in 1889 on coming from Russia. Mrs. Kraft was there born on the 12th of June of that year. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, as follows: Martha, who was born February 9, 1909; Leo, whose birth occurred in December 1910; Catherine, born in December 1913; and Eugene, who was born in August 1915. The parents are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Kraft is a member of the German Catholic Society. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he served as town trustee for a number of years. He has also been town clerk for two terms and assessor for three years and his public duties have ever been discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents.
DAMIAN LAUINGER, one of the three proprietors of the Strasburg Bazaar, the leading mercantile enterprise of Strasburg, Emmons county, was born in Russia, July 12, 1873, a son of Benhart and Stephana (Burgad) Lauinger. The father died in Russia and the mother came to the new world four years after the arrival of her son Damian, her death occurring in Emmons county in 1914.
Damian Lauinger was educated in the German schools of Russia and was a youth of twenty years when he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for the new world, for the favorable reports which he had heard concerning the business opportunities in this country led him to the determination to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. He at once made his way to Emmons county, North Dakota, and during the first three years of his residence there was employed as a farm hand. In 1898 he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres five miles northeast of Strasburg, on which he resided for five years, thereby securing title to the property. He afterward sold that place and bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres one mile northwest of Strasburg. Removing to that farm, he occupied it for two years, after which he became a resident of Strasburg in 1905 in order that he might give his attention to the management and control of the Strasburg Bazaar, of which he was one of the founders. This business was established in 1902 by Mr. Lauinger, John J. and Michael Baumgartner, E. Keller and Jacob Feist. For eleven years Mr. Lauinger has been active in the management and control of the business, which has been developed along satisfactory lines until they now have one of the leading mercantile establishments of Emmons county, carrying a large stock and enjoying a most liberal patronage. He is also a stockholder in the Security State Bank, in the German State Bank and in the Strasburg Lumber Company, all of which are strong elements in the business development of the town. He also owns individually five hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land in Emmons county and he is regarded as a most substantial citizen, alert and enterprising in business and quickly recognizing the opportunities surrounding him. What he undertakes he accomplishes and in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail.
In 1898 Mr. Lauinger was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Wolf, a native of Russia who came to the United States in 1880. To them have been born four children, namely: Jacob D., Stephana, Mary and Agnes. Mr. Lauinger and his family are adherents of the Catholic church and he belongs to the German Roman Catholic Society.
His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has served as a member of the town board and also as treasurer of the school board. Nothing that features in the public life of the community or has to do with the development of this section of the state fails to elicit his attention and he gives earnest support to every cause which he believes will promote public progress. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty handed, having no capital when he came to the United States. Work has been the basis of his success and upon that foundation he has built wisely and well.
GEORGE A. LENHART, was one of the founders and promoters of the Farmers State Bank at Hazelton, of which he has been cashier since its organization in 1909. North Dakota claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Davenport on the 28th of June 1882. His parents are Michael M. and Anna (Plath) Lenhart, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Jo Daviess county, Illinois. The father was but four years of age when he accompanied his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Fountain City, Wisconsin, where he was reared and educated. He afterward took up the occupation of farming in that state and later came to North Dakota, purchasing land in Red River valley, near Fargo. There he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1910, when he retired from active business life and now he and his wife make their home in Bismarck. His rest is well deserved, as it is the fitting reward of persistent and earnest labor in former years.
George A. Lenhart acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Cass county and afterward attended the State Normal School at Valley City. He then took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for two years, at the end of which time he engaged in the lumber business, to which he devoted five years, meeting with substantial success in that undertaking. In 1909 he removed to Hazelton, Emmons county, and organized the Farmers State Bank, of which he has since been cashier. The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars and its deposits amount to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It has a surplus of eight thousand dollars and the business from the beginning has proven a growing and profitable one. The other officers are: A. P. Lenhart, of Bismarck, president; and A. E. Klabunde, vice president. The last named is proprietor of the largest mercantile establishment in his section of the state and also the owner of large landed holdings, while A. P. Lenhart is sole owner of the business conducted under the name of the Lenhart Drug Company of Bismarck. This bank has grown more rapidly than any other in the county. Its treatment toward its customers has been most liberal and in return they have given to the institution loyal support. The bank has made a specialty of taking care of the farmers’ needs at all times of the year, regardless of money and crop conditions, and as a result has a large list of satisfied customers who have been doing business with the bank since its organization. The institution has been an important factor in the upbuilding of the territory that Hazelton serves. In addition to his Hazelton connections Mr. Lenhart is a director of the Security State Bank of Flasher and is its manager.
In April 1903, Mr. Lenhart was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Haynes and to them have been born two children: Rachel, born July 19, 1907; and Alton, September 12, 1908. Mr. Lenhart exercises his right to franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is one of the active party workers, serving at the present time as chairman of the central committee. He has filled the office of clerk of Hazelton township and is now president of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. He stands loyally for all those forces which are an element in the progress and upbuilding of the community and does everything in his power to bring about the further improvement of his section of the state.
GEORGE W. LYNN, a member of the Emmons county bar practicing at Linton, was born in Monticello, Green county, Wisconsin, May 12, 1863, a son of James and Nancy (Moore) Lynn, who were natives of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was a farmer and in early life came to the new world, after which he took up his abode upon a homestead farm in Green county, Wisconsin, his remaining days being devoted to the further development and improvement of that property. He was killed by a runaway team in 1866, while his widow survived until 1892.
George W. Lynn, was reared and educated in Wisconsin and in early manhood took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years. In 1885 he removed to Yankton, South Dakota, and for a year was a law student in the office and under the direction of Gamble Brothers, well known attorneys, while later he continued his reading in the office of Alexander Hughes at Bismarck. In 1889 he was admitted to the bar at Bismarck and entered upon active practice at Linton, where he had established his home in 1886. For more than a quarter of a century, therefore, he has practiced at this point and his ability has kept him prominently at the front in professional relations. He occupied the position of states attorney for fourteen years, being called to that office in 1891. He has one of the largest law libraries in the state and is regarded as a strong advocate and safe counselor. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care, is diligent in research and is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle, so that he has won many verdicts favorable to the interests of his clients. He owns the office building which he occupies.
In the spring of 1892 Mr. Lynn was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Fish and they have one child, Klonda M., at home, while a stepson, Harry C., is now states attorney and is practicing in partnership with Mr. Lynn. The latter is a republican in his political views and is thoroughly informed concerning the issues and questions of the day, but the honors and emollients of office have no attraction for him, as he regards the pursuits of private life as in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts and prefers to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties. He now has a large and distinctively representative clientage and his devotion to the interests of those whom he represents is proverbial.
S. A. MIKALSON, actively and successfully engaged in business at Hazelton under the name of the Hazelton Mercantile Company, is one of the substantial citizens that Wisconsin has furnished to North Dakota. He was born in the Badger state November 33, 1873, a son of Andrew and Annie (Hegna) Mikalson, who were natives of Norway and came to the new world in the ‘50s, settling in Columbia county, Wisconsin. The father was a farmer by occupation and homesteaded in that county, after which his children developed and operated the farm, while he sailed on the Great Lakes and also on the ocean. In 1883 he went to Brown county. South Dakota, where he again took up land, personally giving his attention to its development and improvement until his death in 1892. His widow survived until 1903 and passed away in North Dakota.
S. A. Mikalson was reared and educated in South Dakota, largely spending his youth at Aberdeen. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and in 1900 he removed to Emmons county, North Dakota, becoming an important factor in agricultural circles there. He operated a ranch of six hundred and forty acres in that county, his attention being largely given to the raising of cattle and horses. In 1905 he purchased a stock of general merchandise at Hazelton and conducted a store in connection with his brother for seven years, but in 1912 their business was destroyed by fire. The brother then removed to Montana but S. A. Mikalson resumed business in Hazelton, erecting a new building and putting in a new stock of goods. His interests are now conducted under the name of the Hazelton Mercantile Company, his partner being John Baker, a ranchman. The trade is now large and gratifying and Mr. Mikalson has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement.
In June 1913, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mikalson and Miss Marie Adolph and to them have been born two children: Albert, whose birth occurred February 10, 1915; and Elaine, who was born in March 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Mikalson hold membership in the Lutheran church and he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Politically he is an earnest republican and has filled a number of local offices. He served as deputy sheriff of Emmons county for four years and has been nominated for the office of sheriff on the republican ticket. He was also supervisor of Hazelton township for two terms and has been president of the school board for five years. He has thus ever recognized his duties of citizenship and to all such has given loyal support.
LEONARD P. MUENZ, of Hague, proprietor of a drug store and otherwise a representative business man of the town, was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, February 7, 1874, his parents being Theodore J. and Hannah (Brothers) Muenz, the former a native of Dover. Delaware, and the latter of West Virginia. The father was a blacksmith by trade and in April 1886, came to Dakota territory. He took up a homestead in what is now South Dakota and developed and improved that property, continuing its cultivation until 1903, when he retired and removed to Roscoe. There he conducted a hotel for ten years but at the present time is enjoying well earned rest. He has reached the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife is now seventy-six years of age.
Leonard P. Muenz attended school in both Ohio and South Dakota, being a lad of twelve years when his parents went to the latter state. On attaining his majority he also took up a homestead claim in Edmunds county, South Dakota, and began the arduous task of transforming wild prairie land into productive fields. He lived thereon and operated his farm until 1903, he and his father owning five quarter sections of land there. In that year he removed to Hosmer, South Dakota, where he remained for a year and then went to Roscoe, where he conducted a saloon for four years. He next removed to Hague but after a year he returned to Roscoe, where he conducted a general merchandise business for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and again went to Hague, where he has since been engaged in the drug business, in which he is very successful. He has accumulated considerable property and carefully manages his business affairs, so that he derives therefrom a substantial income.
On the 11th of April 1906, Mr. Muenz was married to Miss Helen Stark, a daughter of Andrew and Helen Stark, who are natives of Sweden, where they are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Muenz belong to the Catholic church and his political endorsement is given to the republican party, but he has never taken active part in politics, feeling that his business affairs have always made full claim upon his time and energies.
DR. JACOB J. POORT, a physician and surgeon practicing in Strasburg, was born at Amersfoort, in the Utrecht province of the Netherlands, on the 10th of October 1861, a son of J. B. and Gertrude (Van Thiel) Poort, who arrived in the United States in 1888 and established their home in Joubert, South Dakota. They later made several removals and spent their last days in Delmont, South Dakota, where the father passed away October 9, 1904, at the age of seventy-eight years, while the mother survived until July 14, 1905, reaching the age of seventy-two years.
Dr. Poort, after attending the common schools and the gymnasium at Amersfoort, continued his education in the Utrecht University, which conferred upon him the M. D. S. degree upon his graduation with the class of 1889. He then entered upon the practice of his profession in his native country but in 1904 was attracted to the new world by the glowing reports which had reached him concerning America and its opportunities. Accordingly he crossed the Atlantic and then entered the medical college at Sioux City, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1907. For a few months thereafter, he resided at West Point, Nebraska, but on the 13th of January 1908, made his way to Strasburg, North Dakota, where he has since followed his profession, building up a large and remunerative practice.
Dr. Poort has been married twice. In Holland, in 1889, he wedded D. C. Van Honstede and to them was born a son, Jacob J., now living at Elbow Lake, Minnesota. The wife and mother passed away in Holland and on the 6th of April 1905, Dr. Poort was again married, his second union being with Miss Jacoba C. Verheys, of Delmont, South Dakota, who was born, however, in Holland. They have many friends in Strasburg and throughout the surrounding country and their own home is a hospitable one. The Doctor has had the benefit of thorough professional instruction both in his native land and in America, and reading and study keep him in close touch with the trend of modern thought and scientific investigation.
FRANK SAHLI, a dealer in flour and feed at Hague and also a grain and cream buyer, was born in Russia, August 15, 1866, a son of Ignatz and Catherine (Ossenbrenner) Sahli. The mother died in Russia, after which the father followed his son Frank to the United States but remained in this country, however, for only six years, when he returned to his native land, where he passed away six months later.
Frank Sahli was educated in the German schools of Russia and in his youthful days entered upon an apprenticeship to the carpenter’s trade, which he followed while in that country. Ere emigrating to the new world he was married in 1890 to Miss Elizabeth Brossart and in 1893 they came to the United States, spending the first winter with a brother in-law on a farm in Emmons county, North Dakota. The following spring Mr. Sahli went to work on the railroad as a section hand at Roscoe, South Dakota, and was there employed for a year, while two years were spent in similar work at Aberdeen. He then removed to Eureka, South Dakota, where he was second man in a grain warehouse and subsequently was promoted to the position of manager of the business, remaining there for four years. He then went to Kulm as manager of his employer’s elevator at that point but after a year returned to Eureka and was in the employ of another grain merchant for two years. In 1903 he arrived in Hague as one of the pioneers of the town, which was then a little hamlet containing a single store building and two elevators. He was placed in charge of the one belonging to the Spencer Grain Company and managed it for two years. In connection with others he then purchased the John Ell elevator and did business under the name of the Sahli Elevator Company, having charge of the interests of the firm for three years. Later he purchased his partners shares in the business and became sole proprietor. He has since operated alone and is conducting a growing and profitable grain trade. He is also a heavy buyer and shipper of cream and he deals in flour and feed, so that his extensive and important interests have made him one of the leading business men of Hague.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sahli have been born nine children, of whom seven are yet living, as follows: Catherine, the wife of Eugene Wolf, who is an agriculturist of Emmons county and by whom she has a daughter, Hildegard; Frank, who works for his father and who married Miss Julia Schmidt and has one daughter, Elma; John, who also assists his father in the conduct of his business interests; Mary, Barbara, Joseph and Agatha, all at home In his political views Mr. Sahli is a democrat, and while he has never sought political office, he has served for some years as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus and the German Roman Catholic Society. A spirit of enterprise actuates him in all his business relations and from a humble position he has worked his way steadily upward, his life record showing what may be accomplished through energy and determination in a land where effort is not hampered by caste or class.
EDWARD F. SAVAGE, has been extensively engaged in farming in North Dakota, where he arrived in pioneer times and secured a homestead near Bismarck. In 1912 he retired from agricultural life, but indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and in order to be occupied he is now clerking in a drug store in Braddock. He was born in New York city, June 8, 1865, a son of William and Mary (Josephs) Savage, who were also natives of the Empire state. The father was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade and followed those pursuits throughout the entire period of his residence in New York or until 1889, when he removed to North Dakota, establishing his home at Braddock. There he resided with his son Edward until his death, which occurred in April 1906, when he was eighty-two years of age. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1869. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country’s call for aid, and although he did not do active duty on the firing line, his service as a member of the bridge corps was of an equally important and responsible character.
During his boyhood days Edward F. Savage became a resident of Taylor county, Iowa, where he was reared and educated, there remaining until 1884, when he made his way to Bismarck, North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim. With characteristic energy he began the development and improvement of that property and eventually bought more land until he was the owner of a valuable farm of six hundred acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation and to which he added many improvements. He continued to till the soil until 1912, when he sold that property and removed to Braddock, where, as previously stated, he accepted a clerkship in a drug store because he could not content himself to sit down and have no occupation.
On the 6th of October 1887, Mr. Savage was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ida Roop, a daughter of Joseph M. and Julia (Meyers) Roop, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ashland, Ohio. The father became a farmer of the Buckeye state and there continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he came to North Dakota, settling in Emmons county, where he entered a homestead and also bought railroad land, devoting his remaining days to the further development and improvement of his property. He died in 1906 and his widow is now living in Bismarck. Their daughter, Mrs. Savage, passed away in October 1902, and in January 1909, Mr. Savage was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Maddock, who were natives of England and Scotland respectively. They early became residents of Canada, settling in Ontario. Mrs. Savage had four children by her former marriage, Gordon, Edna, John and Archlene.
Mrs. Savage was appointed postmistress of Braddock on the 19th of January 1914, and Mr. Savage became deputy postmaster. For fourteen years he filled the office of treasurer in Logan township and his public duties have ever been discharged with a most conscientious sense of obligation. Politically he is an earnest republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. Much of his life has been spent west of the Mississippi and the spirit of western enterprise and progress has been manifest throughout his entire career. In this way he has won his success and has gained a place among the representative citizens of Emmons county.
JACOB SCHALL, a farm implement dealer and one of the representative and progressive business men of Hague, was born in South Russia, near Odessa, on the 25th of October 1867, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Fahn) Schall, both of whom were natives of that country. The father was descended from ancestors from Wurtemberg, Germany, while the mother’s people came from Alsace-Lorraine. In 1888 Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Schall crossed the Atlantic to the United States and established their home in McIntosh county, North Dakota, where he purchased a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits until his death.
Jacob Schall began his education in the German schools near his birthplace in Russia and afterward attended the Russian high school. In 1885 he came to the United States and through the following five years he was drifting through the middle west, working at various occupations which would yield him an honest living. In 1890 he went to Eureka, South Dakota, where he engaged in the hardware business, and later he added a stock of farm implements and also began buying grain. His activities and interests increased in volume and importance and for twenty-one years he was prominently identified with the business life of Eureka. He also became an active factor in its public affairs and served for a time as a member of the town council. He was likewise a member of the school board of Eureka for several years and took a most active and helpful part in the upbuilding of the town. In 1911 Mr. Schall removed to Hague, where he opened an agricultural implement store, and in the intervening period of five years to the present he has won a place among the foremost business men of Emmons county.
In 1894 Mr. Schall was married to Miss Catherine Mitzel then a resident of Eureka, South Dakota, but a native of South Russia. They now have five children, namely: Martin F., August J., Jacob J., Raymond A. and Mary A., all at home. In politics Mr. Schall is a democrat and has served as a member of the town council. He is a Catholic in religious faith and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the German Roman Catholic Society. His life has been indeed an active and useful one during the period of his residence in the Dakotas and success has crowned his earnest and persistent efforts. He is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Mclntosh county, North Dakota, and one hundred and sixty acres in McPherson county, South Dakota, and his agricultural interests as well as his mercantile enterprise are thus contributing to his growing prosperity.
GUS G. SCHEELER, engaged in general merchandising in Kintyre, was born in Boxbutte county, Nebraska, in November 1887, a son of Lewis and Jennie (Richardson) Scheeler, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Pennsylvania. At an early day the father went to Nebraska, where he took up a homestead claim which he owned and cultivated for five years. He then removed to Dakota territory, where he operated a ranch for nine years and on the expiration of that period became a resident of Logan county, North Dakota, where he bought land and engaged in ranching until 1906. In that year he established his home in Napoleon, where he began dealing in land and in grain, but in 1915 he discontinued his operations in connection with the grain trade, confining his attention to his real estate dealing.
Gus G. Scheeler was reared and educated in South Dakota and in Napoleon, North Dakota, and after his textbooks were put aside he was employed by a creamery company for four years. He next began buying grain for his father, with whom he was associated in business for five seasons, and for one season he bought grain for the Farmers Elevator Company at Brittin, North Dakota. On the 18th of April 1916, he purchased the general merchandise stock of M. R. Farrell, the founder of Kintyre and the oldest merchant in the town but now a resident of Washington. Mr. Scheeler carries a large stock and enjoys an extensive patronage, his business methods commending him to the support of the public. He has ever realized that satisfied customers are the best advertisement and he has therefore put forth every effort to please and oblige his patrons, while the integrity and honor of his business methods are recognized by all. In addition to his mercantile interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers’ Elevator Company of Kintyre.
On the 20th of June 1916, Mr. Scheeler was married to Miss Jeanette Cornie, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude W. Cornie, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wales. Coming to America in early life, they settled in Illinois and since 1903 have been residents of Napoleon, North Dakota. In his political views Mr. Scheeler maintains an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment without regard to party ties. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his honorable and useful life has made him a valued and representative citizen of the community in which he makes his home.
FRANK SIMON, Orderly progression throughout his entire business career has brought Frank Simon to a creditable position in the business circles of Emmons county, as president of the Kintyre State Bank and his record is one of which he has every reason to be proud for in the face of difficulties which would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute spirit and determination he has persevered until he is today at the head of an institution which has been declared by a member of the present state banking board to be “one of the best and cleanest operated banking concerns in North Dakota.”
Mr. Simon was born in Linn county, Iowa, June 30, 1879, a son of Joseph and Anna (Shorne) Simon, who were natives of Bohemia and came to the United States immediately after their marriage, settling in Iowa. They were in very limited financial circumstances but made every effort to gain a start. The father contracted to buy a farm on which he made a small payment but while moving to the farm he was killed, leaving his widow with six small children to support, Frank being but six years of age at the time. It was indeed a struggle for existence. The strictest economy was practiced and the members of the family worked extremely hard in order to make the payments upon the property. The farm was a tract of wild land and the mother bought a small house which she removed from another farm to her place. As the children grew and were able to work they helped to pay for the farm and the mother used every possible means to provide her children with an education. All had the opportunity of attending school and each one became a credit to the self-sacrificing mother and to their adopted country. Their labors at length made the farm a valuable and productive property upon which the mother lived until 1902, when she passed away at the age of fifty-five years.
Frank Simon remained at home until his seventeenth year although three years previous to that time his mother assisted him in buying some farm machinery and he engaged in farming for himself. This was during the period of the hard times in the early ‘90s, yet in the three years he made three hundred dollars, which he used in securing an education. In 1897 he entered Highland Park College, at Des Moines, Iowa, taking up a special course in electrical and mechanical engineering. The Spanish-American war broke out while he was thus engaged in his studies and he enlisted for service as a member of Company K, Fifty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in June 1898, and in the following May he was transferred to the Fifth Iowa Volunteer Light Artillery with which command he remained until the close of the war. After the cessation of hostilities, he returned home and resumed his studies at the Highland Park College, from which he was graduated in 1899 as an electrical and mechanical engineer. He then went to work in the electrical power house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but because of impaired health he sought a change of climate and secured a position in the government navy yard at Port Orchard, near Seattle, Washington, where he had charge of the electrical and compressed air machinery. He was later employed on the construction of the battle cruiser Nebraska and remained in the west for two years but his health did not improve and he spent six years drifting from place to place, hoping to be benefitted thereby, and was variously employed in many states. For a time he was a guard in the state prison at Hondo, Texas, and when there occurred an insurrection and break for liberty he was alone with nine convicts out in the mesquite but subdued them, although in the face of grave personal danger.
In 1904, on the death of a sister, he returned home to Iowa and soon afterward took a course in pharmacy in the Highland Park College from which he was graduated as gold medalist of his class in 1905. He then entered the drug business in Walker, Iowa, but in the fall of 1906 turned his attention to the banking business, becoming identified with the Walker Savings Bank as cashier and manager on its organization, succeeding in building up the business to profitable proportions. In 1910 he arrived in Kintyre and organized the Kintyre State Bank at which time there was only a store in the town and the outlook was rather discouraging but somehow Mr. Simon believed that the country would progress, that its lands must become settled and he persevered with the result that the Kintyre Bank is now a profitable and growing institution which would be a credit to any town and its business methods have received the highest endorsement of the state banking board. He has never had a piece of paper charged to profit and loss since he engaged in the banking business and his policy has ever been a liberal one toward the bank’s patrons, extending assistance to a point that does not endanger the business of the bank or risk the interest of depositors.
In 1908 Mr. Simon was united in marriage to Miss Fandetta B. Lake of Walker, Iowa, and they have one child, Vernon Gilmore. Mr. Simon is a thirty-third degree Mason, a fact which indicates his prominence and worth in the order as that degree is only conferred in recognition of marked service to the order. Throughout his entire life Mr. Simon has been actuated by high ideals and a strong sense of duty and fortunate in possessing character and ability that awaken confidence in others, the simple weight of his character and ability have carried him into important relations.
FRANZ TEMPEL, for a number of years proprietor of the Temvik lumberyard at Temvik, Emmons county, was born in Austria on the 3d of April 1865, a son of Philipp and Katharina (Schmidt) Tempel, who removed to Russia during the infancy of their son Franz. The father died in that country and the mother afterward became the wife of Ludwig Schwind. In 1889 they removed with the family to the United States, settling in Marion, Turner county, South Dakota.
Franz Tempel was reared to manhood in Russia, obtaining his education in the common schools there, and in 1887 he married Miss Katharina Schatz. Two years afterward they came with his mother and stepfather to the new world and also established their home in Marion, Turner county, South Dakota. During the first summer Mr. Tempel worked as a section hand on a railroad and the following winter was employed as second man in the yard of the St. Croix Lumber Company at Marion, South Dakota. He closely applied himself to his work, thoroughly mastered the business and after four years was made manager of the yard, which in 1898 was sold to the J. H. Queel Lumber Company, with whom Mr. Tempel continued as manager for ten years, his position being one of large responsibility. In 1908, in connection with his brother, Balthaser Tempel, he removed to Emmons county and purchased the town site of Temvik, then known as Brofy. At that time Larvick Brothers, merchants of the town, had secured a post office under the name of Larvick. Mr. Tempel and his brother contended for the name of Templeton and after a three years’ fight a compromise was made by joining the first syllable of one name to the second syllable of the other and so the name of Temvik came into existence. The Tempel brothers arrived on the 19th of March 1908, but had previously shipped lumber, which was on the track on their arrival, so that they immediately opened a lumberyard and from that point forward they have steadily contributed to the upbuilding, development and progress of the town. Their second enterprise was the building of a hotel and the place gradually took on the appearance of a town. In August 1909, they erected a bank building and established the Templeton State Bank at Temvik. In 1911 they divided their banking and lumber interests, Franz Tempel taking over the lumberyard, while his brother assumed control of the bank. Their real estate interests are still held in common, however, under the firm style of Tempel Brothers and include eight hundred acres of farm lands and the town site. Franz Tempel also owns independently seven hundred and sixty-seven acres of farm land, of which four hundred and twenty-seven acres lies across the boundary line in Campbell county, South Dakota. The brothers still operate extensively in real estate and their business activity along that line has contributed much to the settlement and development of their section of the state. On the 1st of August 1910, Franz Tempel sold the lumberyard to the Thomson Yards, Inc., and after settling his business affairs he and his wife went to California, where they intend to spend the winter of 1916-17. He expects to continue active in the real estate field, however, and to establish a lumber business at some point in the west in partnership with his son Reinhold.
To Mr. and Mrs. Tempel have been born eight children, seven of whom are living: Reinhold, who is homesteading in Idaho; Philipp, the proprietor of a garage in Temvik; Edward, who is assistant cashier of the Farmers State Bank of Hazelton; Johannes, who is pursuing a musical education in the Valparaiso (Ind.) University; and Ernest, Elma and Otto H., all at home. The parents are giving their children the advantages of higher education and thus qualifying them for life’s responsibilities and duties. Both Mr. and Mrs. Tempel are members of the German Reformed church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now township treasurer and for six years served as a member of the school board at Marion, South Dakota, while since 1911 he has been notary public. Recognition of opportunity has led to his well directed efforts in town building and he has made valuable contribution to the development and progress of Emmons county. Opportunity has ever been to him a call to action and he never comes short of the successful completion of any project which he undertakes.
WILLIAM H. UHLENKOTT, cashier of the German State Bank and one of its stockholders and directors, has thus been identified with the business interests of Strasburg since the 1st of June 1914. For several years before he had been a resident of North Dakota and he has always lived west of the Mississippi. He was born in Stearns county, Minnesota, November 21, 1887, and is a son of George and Mary (Metzger) Uhlenkott, the former a native of Westphalia, Germany, and the latter of Bavaria. The father came to America with his parents when a lad of but six years and after attaining his majority engaged in farming on his own account in Stearns county, Minnesota, where he was busily engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1913, when he retired from active life. He and his wife are now residents of Freeport, Minnesota.
Through the period of his boyhood and youth William H. Uhlenkott remained a resident of Stearns county and his time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields upon the old homestead. He continued under the parental roof until he reached adult age and then began working in a bank as bookkeeper and assistant cashier, occupying that position for three years. He afterward removed to Randolph, Nebraska, where he was employed as second assistant cashier in the Security National Bank for four years. He next went to New Leipzig, North Dakota, where he remained as assistant cashier for nine months. On the 1st of June 1914, he arrived in Strasburg and accepted the position of cashier of the German State Bank, of which he is a stockholder and director, with F. A. Lahr as the president. This bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of fifteen hundred dollars and its deposits amount to forty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Uhlenkott was one of the organizers of this bank and his experience, close application and energy have been strong elements in its growing success. In addition to a regular banking business the firm deals in real estate, makes farm loans and writes insurance and their business in these connections is also substantial.
In October 1909, Mr. Uhlenkott was married to Miss Cliristina Micklish and to them were born three children: one who died in infancy; Eva M., born in April 1912; and Flora, who was born in September 1915, and passed away in the same month. Mr. Uhlenkott holds membership in the Catholic church and is also identified with the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is a democrat and is now filling the position of town clerk. His friends recognize in him a progressive business man, alert and enterprising, to whom opportunity is ever a call to action.
MAURITS VAN SOEST, vice president of the First State Bank at Strasburg and a retired farmer, was born in Holland, May 10, 1848, his parents being Martinis and Helen Van Soest, who were also natives of the Netherlands. The father was a laborer in that country and never came to America, his death there occurring in 1857, while his wife survived for a few years and passed away in 1866.
Maurits Van Soest was reared and educated in the land of the dikes and in 1883, hoping to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world, sailed for America. For two years he was a resident of Chicago, where he was employed in the building of Pullman cars, but attracted to the growing northwest, he made his way to Campbell county, South Dakota, in 1885, and there bought a preemption, after which he engaged in farming in that locality for two years. He next removed to Emmons county and took up a homestead which he developed and improved, turning the first furrows in his fields and converting the land into a richly productive tract. He continued the work until everything was in fine shape and he had one of the best improved farm properties of the county. To his original holdings he added from time to time until he is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres from which he derives a most gratifying annual income. He continued to cultivate that place until the spring of 1914, when he retired and removed to Strasburg, there purchasing a nice home. Not content to utterly put aside business cares, he became one of the organizers of the First State Bank, of which he is the vice president and as such has voice in its management and control. He is also a stockholder in the Strasburg Lumber Company and he has also dealt to some extent in real estate. While upon the farm he was engaged in the cattle business and met with substantial success as a stock raiser.
In May 1883, Mr. Van Soest wedded Miss Anna Radder and they have become parents of eight children, as follows: Peter M., who is an implement dealer of Strasburg; Jennie, the wife of Ed H. Nieuwsma, who cultivates the farm of his father-in-law; Cornelius, an agriculturist of Emmons county; Helen, who is the wife of James Borr, a farmer of Emmons county; Maurits, who is employed as a farm hand by James Borr; Grace, at home; Helen, who passed away in 1887; and Grace, whose demise occurred in 1891. Mr. Van Soest votes with the republican party, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He and his wife belong to the American Reformed church, and they are people of sterling worth, occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they move.
RAYMOND M. VOLK, vice president of the Hague State Bank at Hague, Emmons county, was born in South Russia in April 1863, and is a representative of that substantial and enterprising class of citizens from the land of the czar who have peopled Emmons county and promoted its development. His parents were Raymond and Johanna Volk, also natives of Russia, where the father followed farming and gardening throughout his entire life. He died in 1902, while the death of his wife occurred in 1891.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Raymond M. Volk attended the public schools of South Russia and afterward worked as a farm hand. He also served for five years in the army and in 1892 he came to the new world, settling first at Eureka, South Dakota, where he was employed by the St. Croix Lumber Company for eight years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Wishek, where he engaged in general merchandising in partnership with M. A. Klein, now of Strasburg, their business being conducted under the firm style of Volk & Klein That partnership was continued for four years, after which Mr. Volk sold out to Mr. Klein and removed to Hague, where he established a general merchandise store, handling dry goods, hardware, harness, furniture and other lines. He continued to carry on the business until December 1915. when he sold out, but he still owns the building which he occupied and in which he conducted his mercantile interests for twelve years. In April 1916, he turned his attention to the lumber business, erecting lumber sheds and office and putting in a new stock of lumber. In this connection he is doing a good business, having a trade that is large and growing. He was also one of the organizers of the Hague State Bank, of which he was the cashier for five years, and he is now the vice president. He is also a stockholder in the German Bank at Eureka, South Dakota, in the Dakota Wisconsin Land Company and in the Bankers & Merchants Fire Insurance Company of Minneapolis. His business interests are thus extensive and important. His plans are always well formulated and carefully executed and his ambition will allow him to brook no obstacle or difficulty that can be overcome by persistent, earnest effort. Step by step he has worked his way upward in business and he is now regarded as one of the representative financiers and merchants of Emmons county.
In October 1891, Mr. Volk was married to Miss Engele Fischer and they became the parents of ten children, as follows: Jacob, who is assistant cashier of the Hague State Bank; Joseph; Pions; Anton; Katie; Martha; Amelia; Barbara; Johanna; and Annie. The family hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Volk belongs to the German Catholic Society. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and he has been a member of the town board since Hague was organized. He has also served as county commissioner for the past twelve years and has done good work in that condition, putting forth every possible effort to uphold the standards and promote the interests of the county and build substantially for the future as well as for the present.
