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

EDWARD CALDWELL. Not alone to the men who have taken prominent place in public matters is credit due for the prosperity and rapid development of the great Northwest. More than to any other class credit is due to the agriculturist, working steadily and asking no favors at the hands of political parties, but creating the natural wealth upon which the greatness and enduring prosperity of any country must rely. Among those deserving special mention in this connection is Edward Caldwell, whose home is in Harvey township, Grand Forks county.

Mr. Caldwell was born in Canada October 26, 1862. His parents, Henry and Sarah (McKeon) Caldwell, both of Irish birth, emigrated to America in 1858 and still reside in Canada. They have four sons and six daughters living, three of the sons residing in North Dakota. Our subject was reared to manhood in Canada and was employed for two years in the Grand Trunk Railway shops. In the spring of 1882 he came to Dakota, first settling near Langdon and taking up land there. He soon after returned to Grand Forks county and has since resided in that county. He has met with good success and has a nice home and a valuable farm, well improved and stocked.

Mr. Caldwell was married, in 1897, to Miss Hattie Bushaw. Mrs. Caldwell is a native of Canada . To this union two children have been born, namely: Delmar J. and Minerva S. Mr. Caldwell has taken little part in political affairs, but has been content to make for himself and family a comfortable home and to do what he could in a material way for the better development and prosperity of his community and he has been rewarded not only by the acquisition of a valuable property, but by the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

DR. ROBERT D. CAMPBELL, physician and surgeon of Grand Forks, North Dakota, is one of the rising men of his profession in the Northwest. He is intelligent, practical and earnest in his work and has built up a lucrative and extensive practice in Grand Forks and vicinity and is a man of the highest honor and respected by all with whom he has to do.

Our subject was born in Wellington, Ontario, Canada, January 8, 1867. His parents, Alexander and Margaret (McKinven) Campbell, were natives of Scotland and came to America about 1864 and still reside in Canada, where the father followed general merchandising. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom, with the exception of our subject, reside in Winnipeg.

Mr. Campbell was educated in Manitoba University, graduating from that institution in 1888 with the degree of A. B. and he at once began the study of medicine in the same university and graduated in 1893 and the same year moved to Brainard, Minnesota, where he was in the Northern Pacific Railroad Hospital and remained one year and in 1894 came to Grand Forks and at once formed a partnership with Dr. Wheeler, which partnership still exists. Dr. Campbell took a post-graduate course in the Chicago Post-Graduate College in 1896 and has followed general practice and surgery. He is a member of the North Dakota State Medical Society and has been secretary of the same for three years.

Our subject was married, in 1896, to Miss Josephine Swaine, a native of Wisconsin. Dr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a skilled and conscientious practitioner and is deservedly popular with the people among whom he resides and labors.

JUDGE ROBERT M. CAROTHERS, county judge of Grand Forks county. North Dakota, is a learned and influential member of the legal fraternity of the state. He was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1859, and is a son of Rev. Robert and Emeline E. (Milligan) Carothers.

The parents of our subject were natives of Pennsylvania, and the father was a Presbyterian minister. He was educated in Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, and in Western Theological Seminary, of Allegheny City, and his first charge was in Cedar county, Iowa. He remained there six years, and in 1866 returned to Pennsylvania, and in 1877 assumed charge of the Iowa College for the Blind, at Vinton, Iowa, and died there in 1882. The grandfather of our subject, Hon. Robert Carothers, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and at one time a member of the legislature of that state. Our subject has one brother, now assistant secretary of the Northwestern Fire & Marine Company at Grand Forks, who was a member of the constitutional convention of North Dakota.

Mr. Carothers was educated in the Western University of Pennsylvania and in the schools of Vinton, Iowa, and in 1883 came to Dakota, locating in Mekinock township, Grand Forks county, and there taught school for some time. He located permanently in Grand Forks county in 1886, and in 1887 entered the University of Michigan and graduated from the law department of that institution in 1889. He began the practice of his profession the same year in Grand Forks, and continued his practice until 1890, when he was elected county judge, and is now ably and faithfully discharging the duties of that office, having held the same continuously since 1890.

Our subject was married, in 1895, to Helen R. Fulton, a native of Clinton county. New York . Mr. and Mrs. Carothers are the parents of one child, who bears the name of Ruth R. Mr. Carothers is prominent in secret society circles and holds membership in the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has filled the office of grand master of North Dakota, being elected to the office of grand master of North Dakota, being elected to that office six years after taking the degrees of the order. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters. Mr. Carothers has been a life-long Republican, and by voice and deeds has furthered the interests of his party and its principles.

THOMAS CARR, a prosperous and successful agriculturist of Grand Forks county, whose pleasant home is located on section 29 of Walle township is counted among the pioneers of Dakota

Mr. Carr was born in Wayne county Pennsylvania, November 25, 1833.  He was reared on a farm in his native state until he was eighteen years old, receiving such education as could be gleaned from the public schools of the day. He then went to New London, Connecticut, and there shipped on board a whaling vessel, and went to New Zealand, and thence to the Arctic ocean. They returned to the Sandwich Islands for supplies and then visited the coast of California. From there they proceeded down the coast to Chili, and he was there discharged from the ship. Shortly after he found employment on an English steamer engaged in the coasting trade among the South American states, and visited Chili, Bolivia, Peru and other countries along the coast. He then shipped on board a merchantman from Callao to Valencia, Spain. Thence he went to the West Indies, to Liverpool and finally to New Orleans. After a short time there he came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, thence to Chicago, and then for two years followed the lakes, a portion of the time as common sailor and a portion of the time as mate On leaving the lakes he went to Pierce county, Wisconsin. He purchased land there and engaged in farming until 1863. In March of that year he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was at the siege of Petersburg and in numerous skirmishes and fights. At the close of the war he returned to his farm in Pierce county, Wisconsin, and remained there until 1878. It was in the spring of 1878 that he came to Grand Forks county, and located on the farm where he now resides, and which has since been his home. He is now the owner of eight hundred acres of the best land in the state, and has enhanced his estate with many improvements and conveniences. He has been engaged in agriculture continuously since coming to Dakota, and has been successful.

Mr. Carr was married in Pierce county to Miss Helen Pike, who was born in Ohio . To that union six children were born, named as follows: Frank; Belle, now Mrs. Charles Taulby; Angle, now Mrs. Parmenter; Thomas E.; Edna ; and Helen. Mrs. Helen Carr died in Grand Forks county May 16, 1885. Mr. Carr's second marriage took place in Grand Forks county. Miss Edna Woodward becoming his wife. Mrs. Carr is a native of Wisconsin , and is an accomplished lady. Mr. Carr takes a deep interest in all matters of a public nature affecting his county and community, and has been chosen to various township offices. His integrity, good fellowship and public spirit have won him a host of friends.

EDWIN C. CARRUTH. one of the leading newspaper men of Grand Forks. North Dakota, is interested in the "Plaindealer," and has been instrumental in bringing success to this paper after many others had failed in the work. He was born at Mount Pleasant, Minnesota, May 7, 1866.

Mr. Carruth resided at Pepin, Wisconsin, and Reeds Landing, Minnesota, until eleven years of age, when he removed with his father to Crookston in 1878, where he lived until 1893, occupying positions in the Fontaine & Anglim mercantile establishment. He was with the "Crookston Times" several years and also served three years as city clerk of the city of Crookston. He removed to Grand Forks in 1893, and in company with W. E. McKenzie, became owner of the "Plaindealer." This is the oldest paper of the state, with one exception, and since 1892 has been the only Democratic daily in the state. Since taken by Mr. Carruth and Mr. McKenzie the "Plaindealer" has gained in circulation and prominence and is now one of the leading newspapers of the Northwest.

Our subject was married, in the fall of 1888, to Miss Emily A. McKenzie, of Crookston, Minnesota . Mr. Carruth is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Elks, Sons of Veterans and is past master workman of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. and also holds membership in the Knights of Malta. He is a young man of practical experience in newspaper work and has gained a host of friends and made a success in North Dakota , and by his editorship and management of the "Plaindealer" has evidenced excellent business capacity. Connected with the Democratic party he has become well known. He was elected secretary of the state Democratic central committee in 1894, serving continuously up to the present time, and was re-elected in 1900 to serve until 1902. He was also elected as secretary of the state executive committee and with Chairman Kleinogel managed the campaigns of 1896. 1898 and 1900.

MELVIN D. CHAPPELL, an honored pioneer settler of Turtle River township, lives in a comfortable home that is the result of faithful efforts and strictest integrity. He was the first settler of his township and endured the hardships of pioneer life and remained to witness a most wonderful transformation in that region.

Our subject was born in Ontario county. New York, April 23, 1843. His parents, James and Eliza ( Butts) Chapell, were natives of New York. The father is a farmer by occupation and resides in Lenawee county, Michigan. He removed from New York to Ohio, and from there in 1864 to the northwestern part of the same state and soon afterward took up his residence in Michigan. The mother of our subject died there in 1896. This worthy couple were the parents of five sons and one daughter. Four sons were in the Union army, all serving in Ohio regiments. The great grandfather of our subject was in the Revolutionary war and the grandfather served in the war of 1812.

Mr. Chappell was reared in Ohio and spent his early youth there. He enlisted in 1861 in Company G, Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and served three years. He was with the Army of the Potomac, and was at Gettysburg and participated in forty-two engagements and battles. He was mustered out of the service in 1864 and again enlisted in 1865 in Company G, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The war closed before the regiment went into active service and he was mustered out in May of the same year. He remained in Michigan and Ohio until 1873. when he went to Crookston, Minnesota, and the same fall came to North Dakota and spent the first winter cutting wood at the mouth of the Turtle River for a steamboat company. The next year he entered claim to the land on which he has since resided, and he has followed farming thereon since that time.

Our subject was married, in 1868, in Michigan , to Adelia Bulkley. a native of Michigan . Mrs. Chappell died April 29, 1899. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chappell, five of whom are living, named in order of birth as follows: Frank R., Carrie. James, Mary and Agnes. Mr. Chappell assisted in the organization of his township and was the first postmaster of Turtle River office. He has been justice of the peace twelve years and has also served as county coroner and township clerk and is now severing on his thirteenth year as assessor. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is highly respected and esteemed in the community in which he makes his home. Politically he is a Republican and stands staunchly for party principles.

SIDNEY CLARKE, cashier of the Union National Bank, of Grand Forks, is one of the foremost business men of the Northwest, and was one of the founders of the institution with which he is now connected.

Mr. Clarke was born in Brooklyn, New York, May 31, 1854, and is a son of Henry and Ruth Clarke, who were both natives of England. They came to the United States in an early day, and the father died in Brooklyn. Our subject was educated in his native state, graduating from Colgate University in 1882. The same year he came to Crookston, Minnesota, and entered the employ of the First National Bank, rising step by step to the position of assistant cashier. He continued there until 1885, when, in company with Mr. Beecher, he organized the First National Bank of Park River, North Dakota, acting as cashier of the institution. He organized the state bank of Milton in 1887, being vice-president of the same. He came to Grand Forks in 1890, and became cashier of the Union National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. He is one of the oldest bankers in this region and one of the most successful, passing through the panic of 1893, when many other banks were wrecked.

For some years Mr. Clarke has been a member of the State Bankers' Association, of which he is the secretary. He is a prominent member of the Baptist church, and was president of the state convention at one time, and is the present state treasurer of that denomination. He is active in literary circles and is a man of excellent education and enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the state. Politically he is a Republican and is an earnest worker for the party principles, but does not seek public preferment.

JOHN M. COCHRANE. In compiling a list of the prominent attorneys of a state as large as North Dakota it is difficult to determine who stands in the foremost place, but it is a well-known fact that the gentleman above named is among those who have done efficient and faithful service for that state, and he is entitled to mention as a public-spirited and progressive member of the bar. He is practicing law at Grand Forks, and has been called upon to serve in many other ways since taking up his residence in North Dakota.

Mr. Cochrane was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1859, and is the son of James and Caroline A. (McDowell) Cochrane. They were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, and his father was president of the Erie Academy of Erie, Pennsylvania. He went to Faribault, Minnesota, in 1862, and there entered the ministry of the Presbyterian church, and followed that calling many years. He was a tutor in Queen's College, Belfast, Ireland, and on coming to America in 1850 took a course in Princeton College, during which time he made his home in Erie. He now resides in Minneapolis, and is the father of three sons and one daughter, our subject and his sister the only ones now living. The mother died in 1895. She was the daughter of a well-known physician of Pennsylvania.

John M Cochrane was reared and educated in Minneapolis, where he attended the public schools, and in 1875 entered the State University, remaining there until 1879, when he entered the University of Michigan, and soon afterward entered the law department and graduated from that institution in 1881. In that year he was admitted to practice law in Minnesota, and established himself at Le Seuer, Minnesota, where he remained but a short time, going from thence to Madelia, Minnesota, where he formed a partnership with Frank James, which continued until March, 1883. when our subject came to Grand Forks. North Dakota, and soon became associated with Woodruff & Bangs. Later Mr. Cochrane and Mr. Bangs formed a partnership, and remained in company until 1884, when our subject was elected probate judge, and served three years in this capacity. He then resigned and was appointed district attorney in 1887 to fill an unexpired term, after which he was elected to that office for one term, keeping up his practice in the meantime.

Our subject was married, in 1884, to Miss Francis Merrill, a native of Indiana . Mr. Cochrane is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has served on the board of regents of the State University , and also as trustee of the Normal School at Mayville. to which office he was appointed by Governor Miller. Politically he has adhered to the principles of the Republican party since his majority, and was chairman of the first state convention of that party, and has taken an active interest in Republican politics in North Dakota for many years.

JUDGE GUY C. H. CORLISS, one of the most learned members of the legal profession in North Dakota, has gained his knowledge and high station by dint of his own efforts. He has studied always with the idea of strengthening his mind and character, and he now stands at the head of the North Dakota bar. Mr. Corliss has resided in Grand Forks since the fall of 1886, and counts every man as his friend who has ever known him.

Our subject was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, July 4, 1858. His father, Cyrus K. Corliss, was a lawyer, and was born at Ballston Springs, New York, and moved to Poughkeepsie about 1840.  Mr. Corliss was graduated from the Poughkeepsie high school at the age of fourteen years, and has attended no schools since that time. He then became clerk in a store, and began the study of law in June, 1876, in the office of J. S. Van Cleef, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1879, at Brooklyn, New York. He practiced his profession at his old home until the fall of 1886, when he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and entered into partnership with J. H. Bosard, of that city, which partnership continued until the fall of 1889. when our subject was elected judge of the supreme court and became first chief justice.  He served on the bench until August 15. 1898. when he resigned.   He was re-nominated for the supreme bench by all of the political parties in 1892, and had no opposition to his candidacy.

Mr. Corliss was married April 6, 1883, Miss Effie V. Edson, of Clifton Springs, New York, becoming his wife. Four children, three sons and one daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Corliss. Judge Corliss was made dean of the law school of the University of North Dakota in the summer of 1889. As a practitioner he is well read, and as a judge he has no superiors in the state.  He has a quick and comprehensive mind, is earnest in convictions and able in his assertions, and devotes himself to the interests entrusted to his care, and too much cannot be said of him as a practitioner and citizen.

HON. DUNCAN C. CUNNINGHAM, an early settler and leading agriculturist of Grand Forks county, may be mentioned among those who have had much to do with the course of public affairs in his county and state, and one whose influence has always been given in the interest of better conditions, not only in a financial way, but in moral and educational growth. His home is on section 18, Americus township.

Mr. Cunningham was born in Argylshire, Scotland, December 27, 1849. His parents emigrated to Canada when he was about four years old, and settled on a farm near Sarnia, in Lambton county. Here young Cunningham lived until he was seventeen years of age, when he purchased a half interest in a flour and grist-mill in Lambston county. He was engaged in the milling business there until 1880. In June of that year he came to Dakota, and filed a pre-emption claim to the tract of land, one hundred and sixty acres, where he has since made his home. He found little of civilization in his adopted county, but set to work courageously to assist in the development of the great state that he saw must eventually rise from the prairie wilderness, and in the space of twenty years his most extravagant anticipations have been realized. He erected substantial buildings, and has a farm thoroughly cultivated and improved with all the appurtenances that go to make modern farming successful. He is now the owner of eight hundred acres of excellent lands, and since his coming to Dakota he has continuously followed agricultural pursuits.

Mr. Cunningham is a Democrat in political belief, and has been an active participant in the local public affairs of his county. In 1890 he was elected to the state legislature, and he has been a school official a good share of the time since his settlement in the county. He has always taken an interest in educational maters, and is a strong supporter of the public school system.

Mr. Cunningham was married, in Reynolds, North Dakota, to Miss Dora Whiteman, who is a native of the state of Michigan . To this union two children have been born, namely: Duncan C. J. and Mary A.

H. DWIGHT CUTLER. As a pioneer settler and well-to-do agriculturist this gentleman is well known in Grand Forks county. He has a pleasant estate, comprising three hundred acres of land near the city of Grand Forks, and enjoys the comforts of life in his declining years.

Our subject was born in Hampshire county, Massachusetts. December 25, 1824, and was a son of Harvey and Lydia (Wheeler) Cutler, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The father was a carriage maker by trade and moved to Vermont in 1826 and in 1856 settled in Stillwater, Minnesota, where he died. The mother .died in Vermont. This worthy couple were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, all now deceased but our subject and one sister, residing in St. Paul.

Mr. Cutler was reared and educated at Phillips Academy, at Danville, Vermont, and then began clerking, which occupation he followed five years. He then engaged in general merchandising at Colebrook, New Hampshire, which he followed until 1858, and that year went to Stillwater, Minnesota. He remained there until 1879, and was postmaster of Stillwater sixteen years. He arrived in Grand Forks county November 13, 1879, and purchased land to which he soon afterward removed and has resided thereon continuously since that time. He also operated a lumber yard in Grand Forks two years, and has been identified with the business growth of that city.

Our subject was married, in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1864, to Maria L. Van Vorhes, a native of Ohio . Mrs. Cutler's father was register of the land office at Stillwater in 1869, during Andrew Johnson's administration. Mr. Cutler has always given a hearty support to the up building of his township and county, and has become closely identified with the history of that locality. He is chairman of the township board, which office he has held several years, and is a man of broad ideas and well merits his success and enviable reputation.