Compendium of History and Biography
of North Dakota
Published by George A. Ogle & CO. in 1900

GEORGE M. ACKERMAN. A striking example of what can be accomplished by persistent industry and strict attention to business is afforded in the life of this gentleman, who is one of the leading and well-to-do farmers of Foster county. He owns an extensive tract of land in township 145, range 66, and has spared no pains or means in making it one of the model farms of the locality.

Mr. Ackerman was born on a farm in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1862. His father, William H. Ackerman, was of German descent, and was a shoemaker by trade, but later in life followed farming. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Angilina Weaver, and was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Her ancestors in America date to Colonial times.

Our subject was the eldest in a family of eleven children and received a limited education, and at the age of seventeen years left the home farm and learned the miller's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years at Latrobe, Pennsylvania, followed by two years at Cadiz. Ohio, and Canal Winchester, Ohio. He then followed his trade in northern Pennsylvania until 1885. when he went to North Dakota, and settled in the northern part of Stutsman county. He and his brother farmed together and for the first three years rented land. Our subject had no means and bought horses and machinery on time, and the first season his crop was a failure, not even yielding enough to replace the seed sown. Hail struck the crop and partially destroyed it in 1887, and the following year frost took most of the crop. A poor crop again in 1889 caused him to give up grain farming and devote his attention to sheep raising. They moved their stock to the hills west of Melville, and he and his brother engaged in stock raising four years with success. The brother took charge of the ranch, and our subject assumed charge of the North Dakota Elevator Company's business at Melville and remained with the company until 1898. He engaged in the machine business and continued thus eight years, and also dealt in coal and timber. He bought land in 1893 and began farming in 1895 and purchased one section of land in Stutsman county, and in June, 1896, he bought three quarter-sections of land in section 32, township 145, range 66, which land now comprises his present farm. He erected a commodious barn in 1896, and his residence, erected in August. 1897. is one of the largest and best in the southeastern part of the county. He erected another large barn in 1899, and the entire tract is fully improved and equipped with the most modern machinery and conveniences. He sold his business interests in the fall of 1898, since which time he has devoted his entire attention to his farm. He now has a farm of two thousand and eighty acres, and engages principally in sheep and cattle raising. He is one of the earliest settlers of that region, and has experienced pioneer life. and was lost for several hours in one of the severe blizzards, finally reaching his own house and not knowing where he had wandered to. He lost part of his crops in 1887, and suffered a total loss of crops in 1899. but amid these circumstances he has attained a prominent position among the farming community wherein he resides.

Our subject was married, in the fall of 1890, to Miss Ceceila Lipowski, a native of Austria, who came to America when thirteen years of age. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and Mrs. Ackerman was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman, as follows: Oscar William and Marie Manilla. Mr. Ackerman takes an active interest in the welfare of his community and is highly esteemed. He is a Republican in political sentiment and has been a delegate to numerous conventions of his party in the county.

HON. FREDERICK G. BARLOW, a prominent citizen of the village which bears his name, is a pioneer of Foster county, and is widely known as an able business man and public-spirited citizen who has aided materially in the growth of that region.

Our subject was born in Coos, Coos county, New Hampshire, on a farm in 1839. He was of English descent, and his father was a farmer by occupation. The family settled in Connecticut in 1646. The parents of our subject removed to lower Canada, Quebec, and there he was reared and attended the country schools, and finished his education in Cookshire Academy. He began teaching school when twenty-two years of age, and followed this two years, and then worked on the home farm until 1867, when he went to Wisconsin, and settled on a farm near Eau Claire. He also followed lumbering, logging and other mill work in Wisconsin. In 1883 he came to Dakota and settled on section 6, in township 147, range 66. The first season he spent in the land locating business, and lived at Carrington, and on his farm erected a 12x16-foot shanty. He began his farming in 1884, and his first crop was a good yield of excellent grade of wheat. The railroad was built through that locality in 1885, and the station of Barlow was named for our subject, as was also the post office at that place. Mr. Barlow began business operations in that town and dealt in fuel and also the wheat business, handling large quantities of wheat for others. He operated a general store in Barlow from 1833 to 1839, and met with good patronage.

Our subject was married, in 1869, to Mrs. Harriet Beach, nee Stevens. Mrs. Barlow is of English descent. Mr. Barlow has ever been a man of prominence wherever he made his home, and in 1878 was elected to the Wisconsin legislature and served one term, and was elected to the first state legislature of North Dakota and served as a senator during 1889 and 1890, being placed in office on the Republican ticket. He was appointed county commissioner in 1885 and was later elected to the same office. He was appointed the first postmaster of Barlow. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and has attended as a delegate every state convention with the exception of one, and lends his influence for the principles of that party. He has held numerous minor offices in his township, and is deservedly popular with the people.

HENRY BLINSKY. The wealth of Foster county is formed in a large part by the income from her well-regulated farms, and one of these fine estates is owned by the subject of this review. Mr. Blinsky makes his home in section 28, in township 145, range 66, and has gathered around him all the conveniences and comforts of rural life.

Our subject was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, August 4, 1867, and was a son of John and Mary Blinsky, both of whom were natives of Germany. His father was an extensive farmer and land owner and came to America about 1849.

Mr. Blinsky was the youngest in a family of nine children, four of whom died in Germany. He was raised in Watertown and worked on his father's farm and attended the public schools. He left home at the age of seventeen years and went to Montana in 1883 and worked at odd jobs three summers at Great Falls, Montana, and spent a short time on a ranch. He went to Foster county. North Dakota, in 1886 and worked on a stock ranch for B. L. Russell two years, the ranch at that time being owned by Maccabee & Lentz. He spent two years in farming and lived on his claim alone in a shanty. He did his work with oxen, raised a fair crop of wheat and after the close of the two years he disposed of his effects. In the fall of 1890 went to Fair Haven, Washington, where he was employed in the Fair Haven machine shops eight months and then returned to Foster county and in the spring of 1892 he began farming again. He purchased land in section 28 and section 22, township 145, range 66, bought horses, machinery, etc., and has since prospered in his calling. He has experienced exciting times, fighting prairie fires and facing blizzards which have visited the country. He lost four hundred acres of crop in 1899 by hail, but despite every discouragement he has steadily moved forward to comfortable circumstances. He is now the proprietor of a farm of six hundred and forty acres and cultivates about six hundred acres annually and has all necessary machinery and horses and stock. Mr. Blinsky has always taken an active part in the advancement and development of his township and county. He is a stanch Republican and has attended as a delegate some of the conventions of his party.

 FRANK J. BURNHAM, one of the influential citizens of Carrington, Foster county, near where he conducts an extensive farm, is one of the enterprising and well-to-do citizens of that region. He was born in St. Albans. Vermont, December 18, 1851, and is a son of G. B. and Augusta (Trusell) Burnham. His father was of English descent and his ancestors came from England in colonial times. He was a mason during his career and the grandfather of our subject was a farmer in Vermont. The mother of our subject was born in New Hampshire and her father was a native of England.

Mr. Burnham is the oldest in a family of three children and was raised in his native place and at the age of twelve years removed with his parents to High Gate, Vermont, where he lived six years. He learned his father's trade and at the age of twenty years started for himself. He worked at his trade four years in Vermont, after which he did contract work for himself twelve years, part of the time in New Hampshire. He came to Dakota in March. 1883, and entered claim to government land, the southwest quarter of section 30, in township 145. range 66, as a pre-emption, but later turned his claim to a homestead and he also took land as a tree claim. He erected a 16x24 house, the first building of any size in the locality, and this was a familiar landmark and could be seen many miles. He is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land, about half of which is under cultivation, and he has ten acres of forest trees and a complete set of excellent farm buildings, among the best in the county, and keeps sixty head of cattle and twenty head of horses on the place. He manages the farm himself, but has a tenant on the place. He erected a substantial and commodious residence in Carrington in the summer of 1898. since which time he has made his home there. He has worked at his trade in Carrington and all of the largest and best constructed dwellings he has worked on.

Our subject was married, in Vermont, December 6, 1873, to Miss Emma Rorabaugh, who was born and raised in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Burnham's father, Daniel Rorabaugh, is of German descent and is a prosperous farmer of Iowa. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burnham, as follows: George, Chilo and Pluma. Mr. Burnham is active in local affairs of a public nature and has held various offices in his township. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is a Republican.

FRANK NEWTON CHAFFEE, one of the prominent merchants of Carrington. North Dakota, is also extensively engaged in farming in Foster county. He is a native of Troy. Orleans county. Vermont, and was born September 26. 1861.

Mr. Chaffee is a son of L. S. and Emma F. (Hitchcock) Chaffee, who were natives of Vermont. The Chaffee family was one of the early families of Vermont, and the father of our subject is a farmer by occupation, and makes his home in Troy, Vermont.

Mr. Chaffee was reared in the town of Troy, and received a common school education, and later attended the Derby Academy for some time. He went to Foster county. North Dakota, April 2, 1883, on the first passenger train which went into Foster county. He entered claim to land northwest of the present town of Carrington, and remained there until the fall of 1884, when he returned for a short time to his old home in Vermont. He has since been a resident of Foster county, and now has a farm of 800 acres, most of which is under cultivation. The land is located northwest of Carrington. In 1892 Mr. Chaffee began the fire insurance business, which he still conducts, and represents about six different companies, and has met with success in that line. He embarked in the general merchandise business in August, 1898. in Carrington, under the firm name of F. N. Chaffee & Company, and in April, 1899, the firm established a store at Barlow, Foster county. Two brothers, C. C. and P. S. Chaffee, are associated with Mr. Chaffee in the merchandise business. Our subject completed a handsome residence in Carrington, in 1899, and this is one of the finest pieces of property in the town, and was built at a cost of $4,000, and is supplied with all modern conveniences and perfect in appointment throughout.

Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Emogene A. Perkins, of Masonville, Canada. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee, who are named as follows: Mollie F., Clemma E. and Harry P. Mr. Chaffee is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Woodmen of the World. He settled in Foster county before its organization, and has always been actively interested in public affairs and is deservedly popular.

DANIEL CLANCY, one of the early settlers of township 145, range 63, is proprietor of one of the fine farms of that region, and has accumulated a fortune by honest industry and good management and is well and favorably known.

Our subject was born in a farm in Winnebago county, Wisconsin, December 23, 1863. His father, Daniel Clancy, was born in Ireland and came to America in 1851 and settled in New York state, where he married and afterward moved to Wisconsin, and followed farming there throughout his life. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Morarty, was born in Ireland, and came to America with relatives in the '50s and settled in Orleans county. New York.

Mr. Clancy was the fifth in a family of ten children and was raised on the Wisconsin farm and received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen years left home and followed farming in Wisconsin about three years, and spent two winters in the lumber woods of northern Wisconsin. He went to North Dakota in the spring of 1885 and located in township 145, range 63, in Foster county. He built a sod shanty and hired a small acreage broken and during the seasons of 1885 and 1886 worked for others, and in 1887 began farming for himself with two horses, wagon, plow and pulverizer, and cultivated forty acres of wheat and twenty acres of oats. The crop was frosted in 1888 and the following year was light, and in 1890 our subject rented his farm and worked for others, and received nothing from his family for the year. He and his brother worked together in 1891 and they harvested one thousand two hundred bushels from seventy acres. The largest crop raised was eight thousand bushels in 1898. Mr. Clancy now has a farm of eight hundred acres, with about six hundred acres cultivated and the balance in grass and prairie land. He has a handsome and commodious residence, good barn, four granaries on different parts of the farm, and all machinery necessary for the conduct of a model farm, including a half interest in a twenty-horse-power steam threshing outfit. He has two good wells on the place, and works twelve horses during the busy season, and has twenty head of cattle and raises stock to some extent. He has made a success of general farming and is one of the substantial men of his township.

Our subject was married, in 1893, to Miss Sarah Hoggarth. Mrs. Clancy was born in Canada and is of English descent. Her father, Joseph Hoggarth, came to America about 1845, and died at the age of seventy years. He located in Foster county, North Dakota, in 1886, and was one of the well-known settlers of that locality. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clancy, as follows: Daniel, born April 5, 1894; Grace, born June 24, 1895, and James, born June 11, 1898. Mr. Clancy passed through pioneer experiences in North Dakota and in the early days hauled supplies from Melville, twenty-two miles, or Cooperstown, thirty miles; and making a trip to the latter place was overtaken on his return trip by a blizzard, and forced to turn back to Cooperstown, and six days were consumed before they finally reached home. He has witnessed the growth of that country and assisted in bringing it into notice as an agricultural district.

CASS DeBOLT. Among the men who are gaining a good support by tilling the soil of township 146, range 65, in Foster county, and incidentally laying aside a competence for future years, there is no better representative than the gentleman whose name introduces this brief review.

Mr. DeBolt was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, October 28, 1848. His father, Michel DeBolt, was of Pennsylvania Dutch descent and was a farmer by occupation. The grandfather of our subject, Frasier DeBolt, was a farmer and trader and wealthy land owner. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Martha Martin, was of Welch descent and her parents were farmers.

Our subject was the ninth in a family of twelve children and was raised on a farm near Cincinnati. He received a liberal education, graduating from two colleges and later traveled for his health through the West from 1871-1874. He returned home and engaged in farming several years and then removed to Indiana, where he engaged in the grocery business five years and met with success in that line. He went to North Dakota in 1886 and settled on government land, entering claim to the southeast quarter of section 34, township 146, range 65, on which he erected a 10 x 14 foot sod shanty. He raised his first crop in 1887 and it averaged eighteen bushels per acre. He has acquired three hundred and twenty acres of land and engages in wheat raising principally. He has a complete set of farm buildings and all new machinery and every convenience of modern farming. He has never had a failure of crops in Dakota and has met with success in his calling.

Our subject was married, in 1894, to Miss Mary E. Wait, who was born and reared in Ohio, where her father, Frank Wait, was a farmer. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt, as follows: Elmer E., Martha E. and Velma E. Mr. DeBolt has held various local offices and was elected by the Democrats and Populists as clerk of courts of Foster county, in 1890, and served two years. He is popular with the people, regardless of party affiliations, and is highly esteemed.

FRANK P. DeBOLT, is successfully pursuing farming and stock raising on one of the pleasant farms of township 146, range 65, in Foster county, and makes his home in section 30. His skillful management of his affairs, and his practical nature have been potent factors in his success and in assisting to produce the present solid prosperity of that locality, and it is with pleasure that a review of his career is presented in this volume.

Our subject was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, January 27, 1855. His father, Mikel DeBolt, was a farmer and store keeper in Newtown, Ohio, east of Cincinnati, and was of German descent. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Martha Martin, and was of Welsh descent.

Mr. DeBolt is the youngest in a family of twelve children, and was raised in the village of Newtown, and attended the public schools there, after which he took a course in St. Averies College in Cincinnati, and then attended the normal school at Lebanon. His eyes failed as he began the study of the languages, and he was forced to give up his studies after four years spent in college life. He began clerking in his father's store, and at the age of twenty-one left home and clerked a few years in Indianapolis, Indiana, when he and two brothers established a grocery and feed business in that city. After eighteen months our subject disposed of his interest and went to Chicago, Illinois, and there clerked in a furniture store, then went to St. Joe, Michigan, and bought and sold fruit as a speculation. He returned later to Newtown, and then went again to Indianapolis in 1882, and was in the commission business in that city three years, handling vegetables, fruit and farm products. He came to Foster county. North Dakota, in 1885, and entered claim to the northeast quarter of section 34, in township 146, range 65, as a homestead, and erected a claim sod shanty 12x12 feet, and moved his family to the new home. He dug a well, but had no other improvements and no teams for farming the land, and the first summer only filled the requirements of the law as regards improvements. In the fall of that year he worked in the harvest field, the first farm labor he ever did. He had gone to Dakota from the city and an active business life, and the first summer in his new home was filled with pleasures of outdoor life. He engaged in clerking in Fargo during the winter of 1885-86, and the following spring bought a team, wagon and cow, and the first season cropped seven acres of oats which were never threshed. His team died and he then farmed with oxen two years, and in 1889 purchased three horses for $625. He removed to his tree claim in the northeast quarter of section 30, township 146, range 65, in 1894, and erected a set of substantial and commodious buildings thereon, and in 1896 sold his homestead farm and purchased land adjoining his tree claim. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, and engages in grain and stock raising, and the past few years has devoted the greater share of his attention to the raising of sheep and cattle. His farm is nicely located and one of the pleasant spots of the neighborhood in the summer months.

Our subject was married in Indianapolis, Indiana, in January, 1883, to Miss Nanie Roberts, who was born and raised in Virginia. Her parents were of Irish descent, and her father, James Roberts, was a plantation owner. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DeBolt, as follows: Lorena, Mattie Pearl and Edna R. Mr. DeBolt holds membership in the Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Maccabees. He takes an active part in affairs of a public nature, and has held numerous local offices of trust. Politically he is a Democrat.

ZERLINA S. EAKIN, superintendent of schools of Foster county, is one of the leading educators of North Dakota, and one of the early settlers of Foster county. She is a native of Galilee, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of William and Maria (Martin) Eakin. The Eakin family were early settlers of western Pennsylvania. The parents of Miss Eakin died before she was five years of age, and she was reared in western Illinois. She attended the common schools and Carthage College at Carthage, Illinois. After having taught school in Illinois. Iowa and Missouri, she came to North Dakota in 1882 and located a claim in Foster county, and since March, 1883, she has been a resident of Foster county. She taught in Stutsman and Foster counties for quite a number of years. In 1898 she was elected county superintendent of schools. She has under her supervision forty-three schools, having an enrollment of seven hundred and eighty-nine pupils. As a teacher Miss Eakin was very successful, and as superintendent of the schools of Foster county she is doing good work, and her services are being appreciated. She is also interested in farming, and has a good farm about five miles from Carrington. The consensus of opinion in Foster county is that in her hands the schools of the county are safe and bound to succeed.

JOHN D. FAXON, county auditor of Foster County, is one of the well-known citizens and business men of that region, and his name is connected with the history of Foster county. He is a man of intelligence and enterprise and at all times has shown an active public spirit.

Our subject was born at Fort Ann, Washington County. New York, July 15, 1846. His father, Horace Faxon, was born in America, and was a contractor and builder. The family settled in America in colonial days, two brothers, Thomas and Richard Faxon, coming from England and locating at Braintree. Massachusetts, about 1600, and they and their families took part in the early wars in the United States. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Jane White, was of Irish-Welsh descent, although her parents were also born in New York State.

Mr. Faxon was the second in a family of four children, and was given a common school education.  His father died when our subject was but seven years of age. and at the age of fifteen he began working for others during the summer months and attending school in the winter. He engaged at farming and clerking, and at the age of nineteen years learned the carpenter's trade, after which he went to Buffalo. New York, where he worked in the car shops of the Buffalo & Erie Railway for two years. He then took a position in the car shops at Salem. New York, where he remained ten years, and in 1879 went to Albany and spent one year there, going from thence to Virginia City. Nevada. thinking to benefit his health, he spent some time during the same year at the carpenter's trade in Minnesota, and built the Dalton hotel and other buildings at Dalton, Minnesota. This was then a new town and he remained there four years, working at his trade as much as his health would permit. He went to Cass County. North Dakota, in the fall of 1884 and after spending the winter there took land in Eddy County, North Dakota, on which he erected a house, barn and other farm buildings, and began the cultivation of his land. He put in crops four seasons, and one only was a profitable yield, and in 1887 fire destroyed his house, granary, together with grain, and his household goods, entailing a loss o£ two thousand dollars. He then moved to New Rockford. and accepted a position with the Duluth & Dakota Elevator Company, and in 1889 gave up his farming interests. He went to St. Paul in the fall of 1889, and in August of the following year went to Carrington, North Dakota, and accepted a position with the North Dakota Elevator Company.  He spent six years with them, and in the meantime established the farm implement business. He left the employ of the elevator company in 1896, since which time he has purchased grain for his own business. He has a building 24x60 feet erected near the Northern Pacific tracks, and has been successful in that business. He also owns farm land in Eddy county, North Dakota. He was elected county auditor on the Democratic ticket in the fall of 1898, and has been discharging the duties of that position since March 6, 1899, for the term.

Our subject was married at Salem, New York, to Miss Sarah Snowden, who was born and raised at Albany, New York, and is a daughter of John Snowden. Her father was of English birth, and was a machinist by trade. Mrs. Faxon is a lady of good education, and a graduate of the high school of New York City. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Faxon, as follows: Helen and Marillo. Mr. Faxon has always taken an active interest in public affairs wherever he has chosen his home, and while a resident of New York was collector of taxes in Salem. He was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for representative to the state legislature from the twenty-second district of North Dakota. He is a member of the state central committee of the Democratic party, and has been chairman of the county central committee for a number of years.