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

DR. JOHN D. TAYLOR. This gentleman is one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and he has gained an assured position as a practitioner and true citizen. He was born in Ontario, Canada, May 16, 1859.

The parents of our subject, Charles B. and Mary (Lockhart) Taylor, were natives of Scotland and went to Canada about 1850. The father was a merchant and remained in Canada until about 1866, when he removed to Detroit, Michigan, and still resides in that city.

Mr. Taylor was the only son and attended the public schools of Detroit and first engaged in the drug trade in that city and followed the same there four years. He came to Grandin, North Dakota, in 1879 and established a drug store there, which he conducted until 1889. He read medicine in the meantime and in 1886 moved to Church's Ferry and operated a store there until 1893. In 1889 entered the Medical College of Detroit, graduating from the same in 1891. He began the practice of his profession the same year and conducted the store and practice until 1893. He attended Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1892-1893, graduating from the institution in the latter year, and he attended the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital in 1899. He came to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 1893 and has devoted himself to the practice of his profession and followed a general line of practice and now enjoys a liberal patronage. He is a member of the North Dakota Medical Society and the American Medical Association and is a member of the United States pension board and is city health officer.

Dr. Taylor has met with continued success in his work and he has become prominent in medical and social circles. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Elks. He is interested in the welfare of his town and county and in every way possible aids in the advancement and up building of the government and social interests of his adopted city.

SEYMOUR S. TITUS, cashier of the First National Bank of Grand Forks, is one of the oldest bankers of North Dakota. He went there when the village contained but about one hundred people, and with his keen observation and good judgment decided to make permanent residence in Red river valley. Success has attended him financially and socially and he is now one of the most influential men of that region, while the institution with which he is connected is one of the leading banks of the Northwest.

Mr. Titus was born in Oak Grove, Minnesota, June 3, 1851, and was a son of Moses S. and Jane L. Titus, who were natives of Connecticut. His parents settled in Minnesota about 1844 and for many years his father was engaged in business in that state, where our subject was reared and educated.  He began life as a farmer and followed that calling in his native state until October, 1872, when he entered the First National Bank of Shakopee, Minnesota, as a general helper, working without wages until February, 1874. when he went to Sauk Center in the employ of Andrew J. Smith, banker, and remained with him at that place until 1879, acting as clerk and bookkeeper. He went to Grand Forks in June, 1879, going by stage by Fisher's Landing, and was the only passenger. He remained several days and traveled from the village through the surrounding country, the fertility of the soil and the possibilities of the country being forcibly impressed on his mind. He returned to Sauk Center for a short time and later located in Grand Forks. North Dakota, August 29, 1879. and in company with J.  Walker Smith opened a small bank under the name of the Bank of Grand Forks. This was the first bank on the lower Red river valley and the place they occupied was a small building situated on Third street, between Kittson and Bruce avenues, and was purchased by them from J. G. Hamilton for about four hundred dollars and was 18x26 feet. In the fall they erected a small addition in the rear, but were unable to obtain sufficient lumber that year to complete the building, which was only shiplapper.  That building now stands in the rear of the Reder & Stewart block and is used by that firm as a smoke house. The first deposit made in the Bank of Grand Forks was made by Thomas Collins and was for forty-six dollars and eighty-four cents, and the first draft issued was to W. G. Woodruff for seventy-five dollars. The first loan was made to Elias Rice and was for seventy-five dollars. On October 31, 1881, the day the Bank of Grand Forks, was superseded by the now First National Bank, the deposits amounted to $234,233.71. To give an idea of the volume of business done in early days, the total aggregate of business done by the Bank of Grand Forks from August 20, 1879, to and including October 31, 1881, amounted to the enormous sum of $14,203,096.94- The Bank of Grand Forks ceased to exist on October 31, 1881, and the First National Bank came into existence, with the following officers: J. S. Eshelman, president; J.  Walker Smith, vice-president, and Seymour S.  Titus, cashier. In the summer of 1881 Titus Smith erected the brick block now occupied by the Union National Bank, which was the first brick block in the valley north of Fargo and was occupied by the First National Bank for some years. This bank is one of the oldest and also one of the soundest financial institutions of that region, and Mr. Titus has ably discharged the duties of cashier since its organization.

Mr. Titus was married, April 5, 1880, to Miss Annie L. Stabler, a native of Maine. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Titus, one of whom is now living, viz., Marion E.

JAMES TWAMLEY. This gentleman needs no introduction to the people of Grand Forks county and vicinity. He is well known as one of the pioneers of that region and for many years was associated with the commercial interests of Grand Forks, and is now engaged in farming in connection with other financial interests. He has a well-improved estate in Falconer township and has made a success of his work in North Dakota.

Our subject was born in Ireland, November 5, 1843. His parents, Peter and Eliza (Abbott) Twamley, were natives of Ireland, and they emigrated to the United States about 1840 or 1847 and settled in the state of New York, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Three sons and three daughters were born to them, of whom our subject is the only one who located in North Dakota.

Mr. Twamley was reared and educated in New York and attended the University of New York City, and then engaged as a salesman in a wholesale dry goods house, in 1860, and in 1865 went to Chicago as a buyer for J. V. Farrell & Company, and after one year there engaged in business for himself in Chicago. He remained there until 1871, when fire destroyed his stock, and he then returned to New York and soon went to St. Paul. He became a partner in the firm of Anerbach, Finch & Schefter, as buyer, and in 1876 he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota. He soon afterward purchased land in sections 28 and 33, in Falconer township, and later engaged in general merchandise business in Grand Forks in company with Frank Viets, and later the company moved into Minto, where they engaged in business and remained five years. Mr. Twamley then rented the Twamley block, now known as the Ontario Store, to R. B. Griffith, and subsequently sold it to him and he now occupies it. Mr. Twamley returned to Grand Forks and has since followed farming in Falconer township, and devotes some attention to other financial interests.

Our subject was married in New York, in 1866, to Mary E. Hawkins, of Orange county. New York. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Twamley, named as follows: J. Frederick and Mary E. Mr. Twamley was regent of the North Dakota University ten years and has also served on the local school board and as chairman of the township board, which office he now holds. He is prominent in secret society circles and is a thirty-third-degree Mason and is the oldest Scottish Rite Mason in North Dakota. He is also a member of the Order of Foresters and is first high chief of the state. He is president of the Old Settlers" Association of North Dakota.

ANDREW VEITCH, whose pleasant and attractive home is on section 11, Mekinock township, Grand Forks county, is one of the older settlers of North Dakota, and has done not a little in the way of improvement and progress for his adopted state.

He was born on a farm in St. Lawrence county, New York, November 13, 1852, and received his early education and his preparation for the cares and responsibilities of life in that community. He remained on the parental homestead until 1875, when he went to California and had his first engagement in that state weighing wheat during the summer on an extensive farm. He remained in the employment of the man who first gave him work for four years, and then returned to his parents' home in St. Lawrence county, New York. His stay in the east was brief, and in 1880 he came to North Dakota, and took up a homestead on section 4, Mekinock township, which was his home until 1890. That year he settled on the farm, where he now resides.  For twenty years Mr. Veitch has been a resident of the Dakota country. During that time he has worked hard, practiced economy, and is now the owner of nearly one thousand acres of land, which is becoming more and more valuable with every passing year.

He was married in Grand Forks, North Dakota , June 22, 1887, to Miss Bell Nelson. She was born in Ontario , and is a lady of many attractions. They have two children, Mildred and Edith. Mr. Veitch has been treasurer of Mekinock township for sixteen years. In 1898 he was a candidate in the Republican convention. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belongs to the Presbyterian church, and is one of the trustees of that order. He is an able and honorable man, and has many friends throughout the county.

THOMAS WALSH. This gentleman is one of the pioneer settlers of Grand Forks county, and is one of the widely known and most highly-respected citizens of North Dakota. He was born in county Lauth, Ireland, November 14, 1822, and is now living retired from active labors in the city of Grand Forks.

Our subject's parents. George and Bridget (McGurry) Walsh, were natives of Ireland and they emigrated to America in 1824, and followed farming in Canada during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, all of whom are now deceased, except our subject.

Mr. Walsh was reared and educated in Canada until eighteen years of age and in 1840 went to Burlington. Vermont, and there found work at his trade, that of tailor, which he learned in Canada. He remained in Vermont about two years and then spent two years in Canada again, after which he went to New York. Sibley county, Minnesota, became his home in 1856 and he resided there eight years, and in 1862 enlisted in Company I, Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the war. He participated in the battles of Oldtown Creek. Nashville, Tennessee. Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and at Nashville was shot through both shoulders, injuring the spine. He was mustered out of the service as first sergeant and returned to Minnesota and remained there until 1871. when he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and in company with Captain Griggs, established a sawmill and general store and operated them four years and then disposed of the business to the Hudson's Bay Company. He purchased land in the valley during the early days and still retains his real estate interests.

Our subject was married, in Canada, in 1844, to Ellenor L. Ranson, a native of Canada, of English descent.  Three sons and one daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, named as follows: George H., Caroline, deceased, Charles, deceased, and Edmund. Mrs. Walsh died in November. 1896. Mr. Walsh is a member of the Masonic fraternity and G. A. R. He assisted in the organization of the county and was a member of the first board of county commissioners and was appointed county treasurer and also probate judge, and at the same meeting was chosen as one of two to act as justice of the peace for the county. He was later elected register of deeds and filled the office six years, and has also served as county clerk. Politically, he is a Democrat and has served his party many years.

DR. HENRY M. WHEELER, one of the best known physicians and surgeons of the Northwest enjoys an extensive general practice in Grand Forks,.  North Dakota. He was born in Sullivan county New Hampshire, June 23, 1853.

The parents of our subject, Mason and Huldah (Wheeler) Wheeler, were natives of Vermont and New Hampshire, respectively, and the father was a drover and stock raiser, and went to Northfield, Minnesota, in 1856, and spent his remaining years there. Two sons composed the family of children born to this worthy couple, the brother of our subject now residing in New York.

Mr. Wheeler was reared and educated in Minnesota, and attended Carlton College of Northfield, and then began the study of medicine under Dr. C. M.  Thompson. He entered the University of Michigan in 1875, and graduated in 1877. and during the same year began the practice of his profession at Northfield, Minnesota, and in 1879 entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City, and graduated from there in 1881. He then located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and has continued his practice there since that date. He is secretary of the state examining board, serving since 1894. and is local surgeon for the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads, which position he has held for many years. He has also served on the United States pension examining board, and is a member of the State Medical Society of Minnesota, and was president of the North Dakota State Medical Society.

Our subject was married in October. 1878, to Miss Adaline Murry. a native of Minnesota. Mrs.  Wheeler died in 1881.   Mr. Wheeler was married to Miss Josephine E. Council, a native of Minnesota, in 1883. Our subject is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias, and was grand master of the Masonic order in North Dakota in 1888. He is a Republican politically and is firm in his convictions, but takes little part in political affairs, and has never sought public preferment.

Mr. Wheeler has a handsome gold watch which was presented to him by the First National Bank of Northfield. Minnesota, in remembrance of his services in assisting in repelling the attack on that bank in 1876 by the James and Younger brothers.   A history of that famous raid was written by Professor Huntington, and he tells of the bravery and quick action of Dr. Wheeler at the time. He was visiting his home during a vacation at college in Michigan, and was one of the first to suspect an attempt was being made to rob the bank. Mr. Allen was the first to give the alarm, and at the same moment Mr. Wheeler stepped into the street from in front of his father's store where he had been sitting, and he shouted "robbery," and then turned to get his gun, but remembered he had left it at home, and then went to the Dompier hotel, where an old army carbine with three cartridges were secured, and he was soon at a second-story window. His first shot was at Jim Younger, but the gun carried high, and Younger looked for the gunner and rode on, and Mr. Wheeler then shot at Clel Miller, the bullet passing through the body, severing the great artery and death ensued instantly. The third and last cartridge had fallen to the floor and had burst the paper and a fresh supply was then brought him by a friend and immediately followed several shots at Bob Younger by Mr. Manning, and the former dodged behind a stairway and returned the fire, and this was repeated several times, when Mr. Wheeler shot at Younger and the ball struck the robber's elbow, shattering the bone. Younger coolly changed his pistol to his left hand and continued to shoot at Manning, and while Manning was endeavoring to get to the back of the store and Wheeler was reloading his gun, Younger made his escape, and mounted a horse behind his brother, Cole.  The outlaws were pursued and captured, and sentenced to life imprisonment at Stillwater, Minnesota, and the watch presented to Mr. Wheeler in appreciation of his services is shown with due pride, but the affair is seldom mentioned by Mr. Wheeler unless he is urged to do so by his many friends.

EZRA H. WILDER, the well known grain buyer for the Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Company at Arvilla, Grand F Northern Elevator Company at Arvilla, Grand Forks county, was born in Erie county, New York, February 16, 1850. He was the first in a family of eight children bestowed upon John and Jane (Clark) Wilder. The father is dead, but the mother yet survives. Young Ezra was brought up on the farm, and was educated in the local schools. In 1860 the family moved west to Green Lake county, Wisconsin, and six years later to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, our subject accompanying them in their western migrations. In the spring of 1882 he came to Fargo, North Dakota, and assumed the management of the Woodruff farm, and two years later entered upon his present avocation of grain buying. In the spring of 1887 he was superintendent of several farms belonging to Charles A. Pillsbury, of Minneapolis, comprising in all about eight thousand acres. He was in his employment nine years. He had a store in Arvilla, which he conducted for three years. While he was in the store he organized the Arvilla Grain Company, taking charge of the elevator. In 1900 he entered upon the work noted above. He is a capable, energetic business man, and makes a success of whatever he lays his hand to. He is a Republican and holds to the principle of strict prohibition as the only policy for the state to pursue. In 1896 he was elected a member of the county board, and served as chairman in 1899, and is still a member of the board, which position he has filled with much credit.

He was married, in 1874, to Miss Mary E. Aiken, and one daughter has been born to them, who is now dead. They occupy their own home in Arvilla, a neat and attractive building put up in 1899.

HON. GEORGE B. WINSHIP, founder and publisher of "The Herald" the leading daily paper west of the Twin cities. is one of the prominent men of North Dakota. He has devoted his attention to the growth and success of the "Herald," and after over twenty years of earnest labor has met with the success he so well deserves, and may well be proud of the results of his effort. Aside from his work in connection with the "Herald," he has found time to labor for the advancement and development of the social and financial resources of North Dakota, and is one of the well-known public-spirited men in the state. A portrait of Mr. Winship will be found in connection with this sketch.

Our subject was born in Saco. Maine, September 28, 1847, and emigrated to La Crosse, Wisconsin, with his parents in 1851, and to La Crescent, Houston county, Minnesota, six years later. He attended the district school until thirteen years of age.  and then spent three years sanding brick molds, and setting type in the local printing office. He offered himself as a soldier for the Civil war in 1862, and was rejected on account of his youth, but in 1863 he was accepted and became a member of the Second Minnesota Cavalry, in which he served till the close of the war. He was then engaged at various employments, and in 1867 started to the Idaho gold fields with Captain Davy's expedition, but part of the outfit failed to arrive at Fort Abercrombie, and our subject, with others, declined to go on account of danger from hostile Indians, and he then spent a year driving a freight team from the end of the railroad at St. Cloud to the various posts for the government, and in the spring of 1868 he engaged with Dr. Schultz, of Winnipeg, (who later became lieutenant-governor of the province), and the work of our subject was on the "Norwester," then the only paper published north of St. Cloud. He remained there about two years and then went to Pembina and spent a year in the employ of A. W. Stiles, post trader. There he met William Budge, and in 1871, when the Blakeley & Carpenter line of stages from Breckenridge to Winnipeg was started, the two men formed a partnership, and established a stage station at Turtle river, fourteen miles north of Grand Forks, where Manvel is now located. They built rough stables for the accommodation of stage and other horses, and a rough log house furnished shelter for guests, and thus business prospered at Turtle river station. In 1873 Mr. Winship sold his interests to Budge and Eshelman, and went to St. Paul, where he stayed three years, setting type on all the prominent papers then established in the city. He moved to Caledonia, Minnesota, in the spring of 1877, and established the weekly "Courier," which he operated two years with success, and in 1879 he moved his plant to Grand, Forks, North Dakota, and established the "Herald," and has remained here continuously since that date.

Our subject has taken an active interest in public affairs, and has served as state senator, to which position he was elected in 1889, being the first state senator from the seventh district, and gave his best energies for the interests of his community. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and the policy of the "Herald" has always been for the advancement of the principles of that party. Mr. Winship was married, in 1874, to Miss Mary J. Minshall, of La Crescent. Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs.  Winship have one daughter now, Mrs. F. W. Weego, of Grand Forks. He is a member of the G. A. R.  and Masonic fraternity.

ALBERT P. WINSLOW, a successful farmer who has a home on section 26, Grand Forks county, has made his way to a very comfortable position in North Dakota agriculture, and offers in his own career a living illustration of the success that attends persistent work and wise economy in this great state.

He was born in Aroostook county, Maine, June 25, 1850, and was the eighth in a family of ten children born to John N. and Ann (Coombs) Winslow. They were of English and Welsh descent, and were of high character and more than the usual ability. Our subject grew to manhood on his parents' farm, though when a boy he was carried away by patriotic devotion and when only thirteen years of age enlisted in Company K, First District of Columbia Cavalry. This was October 1, 1863, and the next year the regiment was almost destroyed in a fierce battle, and our subject escaped probable death or wounds by being engaged on distant duty in the military expedition known as the Wilson raid, and it has always been his regret that he did not share that exciting trip even with all the danger that went with it. He served until the end of the war, and was discharged in 1865 with a good record as a soldier and a young man.

During the war the parents of our subject had removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, and our subject sought them and applied himself as assiduously to farm work as if he had never been a dashing cavalryman. In 1881 he came to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, without money enough to pay for filing his land claim. But he worked and earned money so that when his wife and children joined him a little later he had about fifty dollars. Erecting a 12x16-foot shanty he made room for the family, and began business as a farmer on the Dakota prairies. He worked out for some months, and in the spring of 1882 was able to buy a team and prosecute the development of his farm more vigorously. While he does not claim to have grown rich from his farming, he has certainly been greatly prospered. He has a good home, a fine farm, well stocked and equipped, and has the right to take life somewhat easy the rest of his life.

He is a Republican and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masons and the Independent Order of Foresters. He was married, in 1870, to Miss Mary Uran, and six children are the result of this union: George H., Ida M., Numan S., Maggie E., Walter P. and Roy C.

HON. WARREN  B. WOOD, one of the proprietors of the Hotel Dacotah, at Grand Forks, and one of the well known and popular men of North Dakota, was born in Portage county, Wisconsin, November 26, 1858, son of Charles and Julia (Robertson) Wood. The father of Mr. Wood was born in New York state, was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and was killed in 1862, while fighting for the preservation of the union. The mother of Mr. Wood died in her native state. New York, in 1863. The subject of this sketch was returned to Wisconsin at six years of age and placed in care of a guardian, by whom he was reared to manhood. He received a common-school education in the state of Wisconsin, though for the most part, his knowledge has been acquired in the practical school of experience. His life in his native state was spent on the farm.

In 1880 Mr. Wood came to Grand Forks and this city and vicinity has been his home since that time. For some years he was engaged in the business of farm real estate and loans for the  Corbin Banking Company, of New York. Mr. Wood, as representative of that financial institution, handled a very extensive business in the Northwest.

It was in 1898 that Mr. Wood formed a partnership with Hon. J. D. Bacon, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume, and they erected the Hotel Dacotah and since that time he has been interested in and has devoted his attention to the business connected with the hotel. He also has large farming interests and owns six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, ten miles east of Grand Forks, in Minnesota.

In politics, Mr. Wood is an uncompromising Republican and for many years taken an active and leading part in the political affairs of Grand Forks county. He has represented the county for two terms in the general assembly of North Dakota. He introduced, and was instrumental in securing the enactment of the law to enforce the collection of delinquent taxes of the commonwealth. This law is regarded as a just one and has proven of great value to the state.

Mr. Wood was married, June 1, 1884, to Miss Dora Taber, of Wisconsin. They have one child, namely: Viola M., born December 18, 1891. Mr. Wood is a member of the Knights of Pvthias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Grand Forks Lodge, No. 255, of which he is treasurer, the Zodiac and the Grand Forks Gun Club. Mr. Wood has had no assistance in the struggle to attain his present enviable station in life and has made his own way by virtue of his courage, energy and capacity for business.

HOLMES WYMAN, a successful agriculturist of Grand Forks county, whose home is on section 22, Union township, was born in Syracuse, New York. September 18, 1834. When he was sixteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, and with them located on a farm in Winnebago county. Here he lived until 1857. when he went to Henry county, Illinois, and engaged in farming near Woodhull. There he remained from 1857 to 1881. In the spring of the latter year he came to Grand Forks county. North Dakota, and filed a homestead claim to the tract of land where he now lives in section 22, Union township. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of the best land in the county, and has it well improved and equipped with all modern conveniences for farm work.

Mr. Wyman was married in Woodhull. Illinois, to Miss Mary B. Clark, a native of Ohio , and to this union eight children have been born, as follows : Wilson L.: Clarence O.; Adelia E.. now the wife of Clark W. Holmes, of whom mention will be found on another page ; Charles L.; Alta M., now the wife of Robert Thompson; Eva L., now the wife of Otto Gaulke; Leonard H. and Walter E. Mr. Wyman has been active in public affairs of a local nature, and was the first township clerk of Union township.

HON. LORENZO D. WYMAN, pioneer and prominent farmer and public-spirited citizen ofGrand Forks county, has his home on section 18, Union township, of which township he is the first resident settler.

Mr. Wyman was born in Onondaga county. New York, on a farm near Syracuse, January 3, 1842. His parents were Pazzi L. and Susan P. (Woolsey) Wyman. the former a native of Wyman. the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, and the latter of Delaware county. New York. They were the parents of a family of eleven children, of whom our subject was the sixth in order of birth.

When Lorenzo D. Wyman was eight years of age he accompanied the family to Winnebago county, Illinois, where they located on a farm twelve miles north of Rockford. Here our subject was reared to manhood and educated in the common schools. When he was sixteen years of age he went to Sauk county, Wisconsin, and resided there until the spring of 1862, when he returned to Illinois, this time going to Henry county and engaging in farm work there until the spring of 1881. He then came to Grand Forks county, North Dakota, and filed a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land, and also a pre-emption claim to an additional one hundred and sixty acres, all in Union township,  He began at once to improve his farm and has resided there since. He raised the first crop of wheat grown in the township. He has added to his possessions, and now owns four hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, all improved and under a high state of cultivation, with good buildings and equipments for farm work.

Mr. Wyman has been prominent in public affairs of the county, and was elected on the Republican ticket to the state legislature in 1886. He has held many local offices,  among them being township treasurer, chairman of the board of supervisors and township assessor. He has always taken a commendable interest in all enterprises which he believed to be for the interest and welfare of his community and county.

Mr. Wyman was married in Henry county, Illinois, to Miss Sarah Clark, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Wilson T. and Deborah ( Butler ) Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Wyman are the parents of four children, named as follows: Lucy M., the wife of William S. Dean; Harry E., Clark I. and Henry D.

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