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

JOHN ROSS MacKENZIE, M. D. The profession which this gentleman has chosen is well represented in Foster county, and a foremost place among the number is accorded Mr. MacKenzie. He is a young man of culture and excellent education, and a thorough knowledge of his calling, and is highly esteemed by his fellow men. He has resided in Carrington for the past seven years, and is the oldest resident physician of the town, and enjoys a lucrative and ever-increasing practice.

Our subject was born in Drumbo. Oxford county, Ontario, Canada, in October. 1869. His father, James MacKenzie, was born in Scotland. The family is an old one in the highlands of Scotland. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Giles, was born in Yorkshire, England, and came to America with her parents.

Mr. MacKenzie was the fifth in order of birth in a family of six children, and when an infant moved with his parents to Mt. Forest, where the father engaged in railroad construction. Here our subject received his early education in the public schools, and at the age of fourteen years removed with his parents to Toronto, Canada, where the father is an accountant in the employ of the city. Dr. MacKenzie attended the Toronto Collegiate Institute, and graduated from the same, later entering the medical department of the University of Toronto, and graduated with the degree of M D. in 1893. He went to Carrington, North Dakota, in the fall of the same year, and established his present practice. He has become well-known as a skilled practitioner, and his practice extends over a large territory. He has served as coroner two terms, and is superintendent of the county board of health, which office he has held since taking up his residence in North Dakota. He became a member of the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons soon after completing the studies at Toronto, and a matriculate of the New York Post-Graduate College and Hospital of the year 1900. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. In political sentiment he is a Republican, and is an earnest worker for the principles of his party.

JAMES D. McKECHNIE. An honorable position as a worthy citizen and public official of Foster County is due the gentleman above named. He is the present sheriff of that County and is a young man in whom the people repose confidence.

Our subject was born in Bristol. Quebec. Canada, March 29, 1864. His father, Archibald A. McKechnie. was born in Scotland and was a farmer throughout his career. He came to America when eighteen years of age with his parents. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Walker, was born in Ireland.

Mr. McKechnie was the fourteenth in order of birth in a family of sixteen children, and is now the smallest of the eleven sons, and he weighs over two hundred pounds.   He was reared on a farm in Pontiac County and received educational advantages, and at the age of eighteen years began working for others and followed railroad clerking five years. He went to Carrington, North Dakota, in 1884, and hired out at different employments, and conducted a dray line in Carrington from 1893 to 1898. He also conducted farming for nearly nine years, but did not meet with success and gave up the project in 1893.  He clerked in a general store in 1898, and in the fall of that year was elected to his present position.

Our subject was married November 29, 1887, to Miss Agnes Williams, who was born and raised in Kentucky. Mrs. McKechnie's father, William Williams, was of American and Canadian descent, and was a farmer by occupation. One daughter has been born to Mr. and Mrs. McKechnie, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Clara B. Mr. McKechnie holds membership in the Knights of Pythias. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Woodmen of the World. He takes great interest in affairs generally and is deservedly popular with the people.  Politically he supports the principles of the Republican party.

PETER D. McKENZIE, a prominent citizen of Carrington, is the owner of one of the best farms in Foster county. He was one of the early settlers of that region, and has aided in up building his community. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in May, 1838.

The father of our subject, Dugald McKenzie. was of Scotch birth, and was born on the Island Arron. and came from Scotland to America in 1828. He was a fisherman in his native land, and after taking up his residence in Canada was a farmer during the balance of his career. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Isabelle McKillop, was born and raised in the same place as the father of our subject, and the parents were married in Scotland.

Mr. McKenzie was the sixth in a family of seven children, and was raised on a farm in Canada, and attended the country schools and the high school for one year. After attaining his majority he began for himself in the mercantile business, and he and his older brother conducted a store for three years, and were successful. Our subject then spent another year in the high school, paying his way as he went, and at the age of twenty-five years he established himself in the mercantile business at Cotswold, Ontario. He disposed of his business in 1866 and entered a partnership with Archibald McKillop in the sawmill business, which they followed four years. He then spent one year clerking in Iverness, Quebec, and then removed to Lowell, Massachusetts, and entered the employment of the Merimac Print Works as timekeeper, which position he filled two years, and then became manager of one of the departments of the business, which office he held seven years. He purchased a farm in Floyd county, Iowa, in 1880, and began farming, and after three years disposed of the property at a good advance of purchasing price and bought two carloads of horses, which he shipped to Carrington, North Dakota. He traded some of the horses for a half-section of land four miles west of Carrington, and in 1885 removed to the farm. He erected good buildings, and later purchased another half-section of land near his original farm, and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land, most of which is under cultivation. He disposed of his personal effects in 1892 and rented the land, and after paying a visit to Wells county and renting his daughter's farm, the family moved to Charles City, Iowa, and resided there until the year 1896, since which time they have resided in Carrington.

Our subject was married, in 1865, to Margaret Shield. Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie, named Lizzie A. and Belle. Mrs. McKenzie was of Scotch-Irish descent. She died in 1896, in Iowa. Mr. McKenzie married Mrs. Lucy J. Studson, a native of Jefferson county. New York, in 1896. Mrs. McKenzie was of French descent, and was a daughter of Luke Lacore, a divine of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mrs. McKenzie removed to Illinois when five years of age and was raised there. Our subject is a member of the Good Templars. He is an exemplary citizen, and during the past few years has taken an active part in local affairs, and has served as justice of the peace. He is a Silver Republican politically, and stands stanchly for his party principles.

LEWIS MORTENSEN. The life and labors of this gentleman since taking up his residence in Dakota have been devoted to the pursuit of farming, in which he has met with unusual success. He is now the owner of a fine farm in township 148, range 66, and it is to his own efforts that his success is due, and socially he has gained an enviable reputation.

Our subject was born on a farm near Horsen, Denmark, in 1869, and was a son of Christopher and Christina (Sorrenson) Martensen, both of whom were of Danish descent. His parents came to America when he was eleven years of age and settled in Scott county. Minnesota, where he grew to manhood. After attaining the age of eighteen years he left home and went to North Dakota, in 1887, and worked at farm labor three years near Carrington and in different parts of Foster and Eddy counties, after which he rented land near Barlow and began farming for himself. He rented land until the spring of 1893, when he took government land in the southeast quarter of section 34, township 148, range 66, as a homestead, and built upon it a house, barn and other outbuildings. He entered Dakota with two dollars and a half, and when he began farming had about two hundred dollars, which represented his savings from his wages, and with this he made his start at farming. He is now the owner of nine hundred and sixty acres of land, about eight hundred of which is under cultivation, and on his home farm he has erected a complete set of good farm buildings and has otherwise improved the estate, which is now entitled to rank among the foremost farms of the township. He has followed grain raising almost exclusively and in 1898 raised twelve thousand bushels of grain, and also raises a few horses and cattle, and he also owns a half interest in a threshing outfit. In 1889 an extensive prairie fire swept that locality, and burned the property of the man for whom our subject was working, and he fought the fire twenty-four hours, and during the time one man was severely burned while assisting with the work of subduing the flames. Mr. Mortensen has had no serious loss since beginning his farming except in the year 1891, when he failed to get his grain threshed early enough and then suffered considerable loss on account of the delay.

Our subject was married, in the fall of 1896, to Miss Johanna Ugelstad, who was born in Norway. Her father died in Norway, and Mrs. Mortensen and her mother came to America in 1892. Mr. Mortensen is a man of industrious habits and practical nature, and devotes little time to public affairs, but is interested in the welfare of his community and lends his influence for good local government. He is independent in political faith, and is an occasional attendant at conventions of his party.

JOHN W. MURPHY, one of the leading farmers of Foster county, is a large land owner of that region. His real estate amounts to six hundred and forty-acres, the home farm being in township 165, range 45, which is well improved in every particular and forms a home of great comfort and even luxury. Mr. Murphy has accumulated this fine estate by honest industry and is highly esteemed as a worthy citizen throughout the county.

Our subject was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 2. 1856. and is a son of Michael and Margaret (Houlihan) Murphy, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His father came to America about 1853 and shortly after the birth of our subject the family settled in Fayette county, Iowa, where the father followed farming. The grandparents of our subject were also farmers by occupation.

Mr. Murphy is the third in a family of eight children and was raised on a farm and attended the country schools. He resided with his parents until May ID. 1887, when he reached Fargo, North Dakota, one of a party of four (all relatives). He worked for the Walter Wood Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company and entered claim to land as a homestead about fifteen miles northwest of Fargo. He erected a shanty 10x12 feet on the land, but did not engage to any extent in farming the land and in 188^ sold the property for two thousand dollars. He went to Foster county, in 1882, and located on what later proved to be the southwest quarter of section 6, township 145, range 65. and built a small shanty and began farming in 1884. The Jamestown Northern Railroad was not built yet and he hauled supplies and lumber from Jamestown and he and his brother, James Murphy, lived together on the farm and were in partnership, this partnership lasting until 1891 Our subject now has a farm of six hundred and forty acres and operates about one thousand acres of land annually. He has erected one of the finest residences in the community, which supplies every convenience and comfort. He has a commodious horse barn 66x100 feet, and a cattle barn 50x200 feet, granary, windmill, plenty of good water for two hundred head of cattle, five wells on the place, fifteen acres of forest trees near the house and keeps about thirty horses. He has plenty of machinery for the lessening of labor and the economical conduct of the place and raises hogs, cattle and draft horses, aside from grain raising. He has met with eminent success and his farm in its present condition is in striking contrast to the land as he first began farming upon it.

Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Mary Fitzimmons. who was born in Fayette county, Iowa. Mrs. Murphy's father, Terrence Fitzimmons, was a miner in his early life and later followed farming. four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, as follows: Loretta, Raymond, Terrence and Arthur. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically, he is a Democrat and is a man who keeps pace with the times and is strong in his convictions. Mrs. Murphy's mother is Johanna Fitzimmons, whose maiden name was Malone. She now lives in Fayette county, Iowa, and is now about fifty-seven years of age. Mr. Murphy has made his own way in life and has been very successful.

DANIEL S. NEIMAN, is one of the representative general farmers of Foster County, and has been a conspicuous figure in the development and extension of the great agricultural interests of that region. He has passed through pioneer experiences and has gained a comfortable competence and a well-improved estate by dint of faithful and persistent efforts and is highly esteemed as a public-spirited citizen.

Our subject was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1850. His father, Martin Neiman, was of German, descent and was a hotelkeeper in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Indianapolis, Indiana. He served in the United States army as a scout. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Laha Stair and was a native of Pennsylvania.

Our subject was the fourth in a family of five children and was raised in Indianapolis, where his parents located when he was but one year old. When he was ten years of age the father died, and the children were early put to work. Mr. Neiman received a common-school education and also attended a business college and at the age of twenty years began railroad work as a fireman and later was promoted to engineer on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad and followed railroad work seven years. He went to North Dakota October 9, 1882, and settled in Fargo, where he worked as engineer and in the fall of 1883 entered claim to the northeast quarter of section 26, township 146, range 65, and moved his family to the farm. He remained in Fargo two years afterward and was employed in the electric light plant and his brother-in-law had charge of the farm work. A 12x12-foot shanty had been erected on the farm and their nearest neighbor was four miles distant and there were but three houses between the farm and Carrington. Our subject assumed the management of the farm in 1885, since which time he has devoted his attention to that alone. The first two years did not meet the expenses of the farm, but he has since engaged successfully in grain raising. He now operates eleven hundred acres of land and cultivates about seven hundred acres annually and he contemplates breaking the balance of the land for crops. He purchased a threshing outfit in the fall of 1891 and has operated the machine every season since with remarkable success and now has a twenty-horsepower engine. He has all the necessary machinery and a thoroughly improved farm. He and his family were among the earliest settlers of Rose Hill township and during the severe storms have burned twisted hay for fuel and ground wheat in a coffee-mill. The first church built in the neighborhood was the Congregational church, erected in 1895. Prior to that time services were held in different houses in the neighborhood and the first meeting was conducted by Rev. C. M. C. Burns, a Methodist divine, and was held in a sod shanty on section 26, township 146, range 65, the home of A. T. Railsback. Many of the pioneer settlers of that region have moved from their farms and Mr. Neiman is one of the few to remain. He was one of the first school officers in the township and all of the other officers of the board at that time have gone away.

Our subject was married, at the age of twenty-one, to Miss Eliza J. Railsback, who was born and raised in Iowa. Mrs. Neiman's father, Enoc Railsback, was of German descent and was a farmer in Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Neiman are the parents of one child, Clieve R.. born in 1883, and also have an adopted daughter. Louisa, who was born July 4. 1891. Mr. Neiman is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is a Republican and is firm in his convictions. He takes an active part in local affairs and has held numerous school offices in his township.

NORMAN NICOLSON. The mature years of this gentleman have been devoted almost entirely to the Tabor pertaining to the calling of a farmer, and he has acquired a knowledge of his vocation which enables him to make the best of his opportunities and gather round him the comforts of life and a competence to tide him through his declining years. He owns and occupies a pleasant and remunerative tract of land in township 146, range 66, in Foster county, and is one of the pioneer settlers of that region.

Our subject was born in the Highlands of Scotland, in 1851, and was a son of Donald and Annie (McCloud) Nicholson, both of whom were natives of Scotland. The mother died when he was a child, and at the age of eleven years he came to America with his father and family, and the father engaged m farming in Ontario, Canada. Our subject was given a limited education and was reared on the farm in Canada, and soon after taking up his residence there worked to gain his own livelihood. He began lumbering at the age of twenty-one years and followed that work and tie-making for the railroad for some time in Canada. He had fifteen hundred dollars when eighteen years of age, and lost his means in contract work for which he received no pay, and in 1872 came to the United States. He sailed on the great lakes, and followed railroading and lumbering in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, and in the meantime went to North Dakota and entered claim to land in Foster county, before the town of Carrington was begun. There was but one shanty in the county at the time, and he returned to the woods in Michigan, and again went to Dakota in 1882. He had previously erected a shanty on his claim, and he broke and cultivated twenty acres of land, and worked in the woods winters until 1892, when he gave his entire attention to his farm work. He now owns a farm of four hundred and eighty acres, and cultivates about four hundred acres and engages in general farming with much success. He has a good set of farm buildings, and contemplated erecting a new residence and other modern buildings, when, in 1896, he lost his complete crop by hail, amounting to about three thousand dollars' worth.

Our subject was married, in 1892, to Miss Annie Ferguson, who was born and raised in Canada , and was a daughter of a farmer of Scotch descent. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nicolson, as follows: Daniel, Mary, Norman and Samuel. Mr. Nicolson is a member of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a Democrat, and has attended numerous county conventions, and stands stanchly for the principles of the party. He is one of the oldest settlers of Foster county, and is highly respected and esteemed throughout that vicinity.

CHARLES J. PAGE. This gentleman is well known as a prosperous farmer of township 146, range 67, in Foster county, and as a pioneer settler whose acquisitions have been gained by his own efforts. He is highly esteemed throughout that region.

Mr. Page is a native of Illinois and was born in Jerseyville, Jersey county. His father, T. M. Page, is a Yankee, and is one of the old settlers of Dakota, where he is engaged in farming. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Julia Adams, was born and raised in New Hampshire.

Our subject was the fourth in a family of five children, and was raised in Jerseyville until about ten or twelve years of age, when He went to Montgomery county, Illinois, with his parents who followed farming there. He attended the country schools and grew to manhood there, and in 1882 went to Dakota, and later returned to Illinois, and in 1885 the family removed to North Dakota. Our subject and his father followed farming in company, and remained thus engaged until 1893. Our subject filed claim to the southwest quarter of section four, in township 146, range 67, in 1892, and built a claim shanty, and broke the land for cultivation. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, most of which is under cultivation, and he has erected a complete set of substantial farm buildings, and has made every arrangement for the economical conduct of the place and the comfort of the family. His farm is well improved and he has forest and fruit trees, fences, buildings, and machinery for a model farm. He suffered tlie loss of one hundred tons of hay by prairie tire in 1895, but despite that and other losses he has prospered in his calling, and is now one of the substantial men of that locality.

Our subject was married, in 1893, to Miss N. A. Speer, who was born and raised in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of James Speer, a blacksmith by trade. Mr. Page is a man of active public spirit and has held numerous school offices in his community, and is an earnest worker for educational advancement. Politically he is a Republican.

GEORGE F. PEABODY. The agricultural interests of township 147, range 66, in Foster county, have an excellent representative in the gentleman above named. His fine estate consists of four hundred and eighty acres, is well situated and thoroughly improved and has been under careful tillage for several years. The buildings upon it include a substantial residence, barn, sheds, windmill and every other structure that will add to the convenience of those engaged in the work on the place.

Our subject was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1862. His father, Samuel Peabody, was a merchant in Mansonville, Canada, and the family was of English descent. He was one of the pioneers of North Dakota in his later life and his death occurred there in 1898. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Laura Stone, was born and raised in Vermont.

Mr. Peabody was the eldest in a family of four children, three of whom were daughters, and was raised in Mansonville, Canada, and worked in his father's store. He went to North Dakota, in 1884, and located in Stutsman county, but soon afterward entered claim to land in Foster county. He spent the first two years in Pingree, employed at farm labor, and in 1886 began farming in Foster county, on section 4, in township 147, range 66. He built a claim shanty 6x10 feet and had no means with which to further his work and his two teams were three oxen and one horse, with which he farmed for three years, and had a sod barn for shelter of his stock. He entered claim to land as a pre-emption in 1886, and as a homestead in 1892 and has engaged principally in grain raising. His best crop was in 1891, but he could not get it threshed until the following spring and the profit of the crop was lost. He keeps eleven horses and about thirty-six head of cattle and has met with success as a general farmer. He and his father were associated together in their farming and together passed through pioneer experiences and the partnership was continued until the father's death in 1898.

Our subject was married, in 1897, to Miss Nellie Gilman, who was born and raised in Belvidere, Illinois. Mrs. Peabody is a lady of rare attainments and was a teacher in the primary department of the public schools of Belvidere for nine years. Her father, Colonel Gilman, was deputy marshal in Chicago and later was one of the pioneer settlers of North Dakota. He and our subject's father were cousins. Mr. Peabody is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees and Woodmen of the World. He is a man of progressive ideas and takes an active interest in the welfare of his community and is deservedly held in high esteem. Politically, he is a Democrat.

OLOF P. PETERSON. The stock-raising and agricultural interests of township 147, range 64, of Foster county, have a worthy representative in the person of Mr. Peterson. He has a comfortable home in section 25 and has gained an enviable reputation in that locality as a farmer and citizen.

Our subject was born on a farm in the southern part of Sweden April 6, 1859, and is a son of Peter and Kama (Jepson) Peterson, who lived in Sweden throughout their lives.

Mr. Peterson was the eldest in a family of four children and was raised on a farm and attended the common schools. He left home when a young man and worked out at farm labor in Sweden five years and at the age of twenty-one years emigrated to America and at once went to Red Wing, Minnesota, and during the first fall worked at railroad work there. He remained in Minnesota until 1887 and worked for others, and then he and his brother bought a small place and followed grain raising principally for three years and met with good success. Our subject came to Foster county. North Dakota, in July. 1890, and worked at odd jobs in Carrington two years. He bought a sixteen-horse-power steam threshing outfit in 1892 and has followed threshing since that date. He purchased land in section 25. township 147, range 64, and built a set of farm buildings thereon in 1896 and began stock raising. He has a cattle barn 56x202 feet, and a horse barn 28 x 60 feet, with a lean-to, and a sheep shed 56 x 60 feet, and also has all machinery for conducting a good farm. He and his partner own two thousand four hundred acres of land, with five hundred under cultivation, and the James river runs through the land from north to south. He engages in stock raising principally and has one hundred and seventy-five head of cattle and one hundred and seventy-five head of sheep, and has been successful in this line.

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is well known in the locality in which he resides. He takes an active part in local affairs and politically is a Republican and has attended numerous county conventions and has been inspector in the last two elections in his township.

PETER C. PETERSON. This name is borne by a prominent citizen of township 146. range 65. of Foster county, whose career in North Dakota extends over a period of fifteen years. During this time he has been found standing on the side of right and justice, and has acquired a comfortable competence and an enviable reputation.

Out subject was born in Fayette county, Iowa, October 3, 1865. His father. Christian Peterson, came from Norway to America about 1853 and settled in Iowa, where he followed farming. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Enger Hanson, was also a native of Norway.

Mr. Peterson was the fifth in a family of seven children, and was raised on a farm. His schooling was limited, but he was raised in the strict Lutheran faith and was early put to work on the farm. He went to North Dakota at the age of eighteen years, and worked out in various places for about eight years. He worked out near Carrington three or four years, beginning about 1884, and in 1888 entered claim to the northeast quarter of section 28, township 140, range 65, and erected a 12x12 shanty in which he lived alone and followed farming two years on his land and also rented additional land. He disposed of his personal effects in 1889, and took charge of the violent ward at the North Dakota insane asylum, at which he was employed two years. He removed to the southeast quarter of section 30, in township 146, range 65, in 1892. and bought horses, machinery, and began farming. Two years later he purchased the same property, and added to his acreage from time to time, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, all of which he uses in the cultivation of grain or in stock raising. He is now one of the substantial men of his community, and has made every arrangement for the enjoyment of country life, and his farm is among the best in the vicinity.

Our subject was married, in the spring of 1892, to Miss Hannah Anderson, who was born and raised in Sweden , where her parents still reside. Mrs. Peterson came to America about 1884, and was employed at the North Dakota insane asylum. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, as follows: Harry, deceased ; Pearl , Harris and Carl. Mr. Peterson is well known throughout his locality, and is enterprising and progressive. Politically he is a Republican.

HON. EDWARD F. PORTER, one of the most prominent men in the state of North Dakota, and an enterprising business man of Melville, in Foster county, was born in Bath, New Hampshire, November 26, 1858.

Mr. Porter was the younger of two children born to James C. and Adala W. (Framan) Porter. The father was a tanner by trade, and was proprietor of a large tannery in Bath, New Hampshire. He is now living in retirement in West Superior, Minnesota. The mother was born and reared in Bangor, Elaine. The ancestors of both parents were Americans as far back as they can be traced.

Edward F. Porter was reared to the age of eight years in Bath, New Hampshire, when he accompanied his parents to Stowe, Vermont, where he grew to manhood, though the greater part of his time was spent in school. He attended the St. Johnsbury Academy and then went to Yale, where he took a five-years course, graduating from the scientific and from the law courses in 1882. He then came west, first going to Montana, and then to Ellendale, North Dakota, where he took up government land and put up a small claim shanty. He spent the winter of 1883-4 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the following spring came to Melville and purchased the interest of Mr. C. K. Wing, of the firm of Leavenworth & Wing, in a store which had been established in 1882, it being the first store in Foster county, established before the railroad was built through. At the time Mr. Porter entered the firm the store was conducted in a building 40 x 25 feet. It now occupies a building 40x40, with large storage rooms in the rear, and their business is the largest in the city. They carry a general line of merchandise, and their trade is being greatly extended. Mr. Porter also engaged in farming up to 1899, and owned four hundred and eighty acres of land.

Mr. Porter is a Republican in political views, and has been active in all matters of a public nature. He was elected county treasurer in 1886, serving one term. In 1894 he was elected to the state legislature and was re-elected in 1896. In 1898 he was chosen as a member of the state senate, and is now serving in that capacity. He has won the confidence of all worthy citizens without distinction of party lines, and has well deserved the high esteem in which he is held.

STEPHEN MINOR POSY. Foster county owes its development and progress to the enterprise of its agriculturists more than to any other one class, and foremost among these is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this brief biography. His estate lies in township 145, range 62. and his many farm buildings clustered together resemble a small village. He is at present the owner of one thousand seven hundred and sixty acres of land, nearly twelve hundred of which is tilled annually, and the remainder is devoted to meadow and pasture.

Mr. Posy is a native of Illinois, and was born in Jo Daviess county, in that state, in 1851. His parents. K. H. and Eliza (McBackin) Posy, lived on a farm, and when our subject was five or six years old he accompanied them to Wisconsin. Three years later the father lost his farm in Wisconsin, and from that time our subject had to work to help support the family. He grew to manhood in Wisconsin, and what little schooling he got was picked up at odd times, but he made the most of his opportunities. On account of his parents' ill-health he remained at home with them until he was twenty-three years of age. He worked in the lumber camps fifteen seasons, and became inured to the hardest toil. He also farmed some in Crawford county. When he was twenty-one years old he had saved one hundred and thirty dollars, and with this he had intended going to school, and had actually started, when he was taken down with an attack of lung fever, which confined him to his bed for six weeks, and exhausted a good share of his earnings.

Our subject owned a farm of forty acres in Wisconsin, a portion of which was timber land, but being dissatisfied with it, he made a trip in 1882 to Montana, Idaho and Utah. The next year he shipped his goods to Aberdeen. Dakota Territory, and from that point drove over what is now South Dakota and parts of Nebraska in search of a suitable location, and finally, in July, 1883. he located in Foster county. He put up a claim shanty 12x12 feet, and a sod barn, and broke about thirty acres of land. After a trip to Wisconsin for the winter, he returned to Foster county in the spring, and raised a crop of one hundred and thirty acres, one hundred acres of it being on rented land. Although the crop was good, the prices were so low he hardly made expenses. In the fall of 1885 he lost by fire his building and household goods, clothing, etc., his children being left without shoes and stockings. For the next two years it was a hard struggle, but since that time he has been successful with his crops and stock, and has prospered. He owned at one time two thousand two hundred and forty acres of land: three hundred and twenty acres of this he gave to his eldest son, and sold one hundred and sixty acres. He is today the largest individual land owner in Foster county. His estate is equipped with modern farm buildings, his main barn being 60x100 feet, and of an original pattern designed wholly by Mr. Posy. On the farm are nine granaries, a machine shed, and other outbuildings. He employs three to six men the year round, and uses twenty to twenty-four horses. He engages in threshing each season, and since 1888 he has practically worn out two threshing machines. Upon all this vast property the debts aggregate about four hundred dollars.

Mr. Posy was married in Wisconsin, to Miss Jerusha Gardener, daughter of Stephen Gardener, a fanner of Wisconsin, of which state Mrs. Posy is a native. To Mr. and Mrs. Posy eight children have been born, named as follows: Hattie, Charles, Minnie, Elizabeth, Josie, John, Harry and Alice, all of whom are living, four being married and having families of their own.

Mr. Posy has taken an active interest in local political matters so far as the interests of good government is concerned. He has served as president of the school board for six years, and as school treasurer four years. In political faith he is a Republican. He is one of the earliest settlers of Foster county, and has witnessed the marvelous development of that region. Aside from his relatives, there was not a settler within twelve miles of his home when he took up his residence in the county, and many are the stories he could tell of the pioneer days of North Dakota.

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