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Compendium of History and Biography
of North Dakota
Published by George A. Ogle & CO. in 1900
EDWARD O'CONNOR, deceased. In the death of Mr. O'Connor, Grand Forks county and the state of North
Dakota lost a most exemplary citizen, a man of public spirit, and a gentleman in whose public and private life are found those evidences of the highest traits of man's character.
Mr. O'Connor came to Grand Forks county from Canada in 1883. For a time he was engaged in the saloon business in the city, but in 1889 purchased a farm in Americus township, where he made his home and engaged in farming until the time of his death. He was an enterprising and successful agriculturist, and added to his holdings until his landed estates comprised eight hundred acres. He also owned a brick block in the city of Grand
Forks, erected by him in 1885. His farm property was equipped with all modern facilities for conducting agriculture on modern lines, and his home was surrounded by all the comforts of country life.
Mr. O'Connor took an active interest in all matters of a public nature, and at the time of his death was serving his second term as county commissioner. He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all. regardless of political lines, and his integrity, sense of justice, and upright life won to him the respect and regard of all men of worth in the county.
Mr. O'Connor was married in Ontario, Canada, to Miss Nora
Lane. Mrs. O'Connor was born in County
Limerick, Ireland, and was reared to womanhood in Canada. To this union were born the following children, now living: Mary, Michael M.. William V., Thomas J., Stephen L., Charles A. and James F. Of the deceased children, Edward T died in Grand Forks, February 4, 1894, aged twenty-five years. At the time of his death, and for some years prior to that time, he held the position of teller in the Union National Bank, of Grand Forks. Raymond P, died at the age of five months. Mr. O'Connor's family joined him in Grand Forks in 1884, coming from Canada the year following his arrival in the county.
Few men have been so universally esteemed and held in high regard, and few men have left so deep an impression upon the public policy of a county as did Mr. O'Connor. His death occurred January 30, 1894.
MICHAEL J. O'CONNOR, ex-sheriff and public-spirited citizen of Grand
Forks county, is a resident of the city of Grand
Forks, where he has given much of his time in the service of the county.
Mr. O'Connor was born in county Mayo. Ireland, April 21, 1855. His parents were James and Ellen (Flynn) O'Connor, both natives of Ireland, where the father was a merchant, and both spent their entire lives. They were the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom our subject and his of three sons and one daughter, of whom our subject and his sister are the only members residing in the United
States.
Michael J. O'Connor was reared and educated in Ireland. He came to the United
States in 1874 and located in Chicago, where he resided six years. In 1880 he went to Eau
Claire, Wisconsin, and was employed in a dry-goods house. In 1882 he came to Grand Forks and obtained employment as a clerk, which he followed two years. In 1885 he was appointed deputy sheriff under James A. Jenks and continued to serve in that capacity for ten years. In the fall of 1894 he was elected sheriff of Grand Forks county, and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected to the same office, serving a second term. Since the expiration of his second term he has been successfully engaged in agriculture in Rye township.
Mr. O'Connor was married, in 1895. to Minnie McGory, who is a native of Canada . Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Catholic order of Foresters and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In political views he is a Republican, and has been an active member of that party since coming to North Dakota . He has been successful in a financial way since coming to Grand Forks county, is now well to do. and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all worthy citizens throughout the county
CHARLES H. OLMSTEAD, the proprietor and manager of a department notion store at Larimore, Grand Forks county, is making a place for himself among the solid business men of North
Dakota.
He was born in Orleans county. New York, December 28. 1842, and was the youngest of three sons born to Norman and his first wife, Maria (Hughes) Olmstead. Of half brothers and sisters there were seven. When our subject was three years old, and just before his mother died, the family went by wagon to Michigan, and settled in Marshall, and a little later on a farm near Bellevue, in that state. There he remained until he was sixteen years old. At that age he left home and found work on a farm a few miles away, and presently became a soldier in the Union army. He was twice enlisted, the first time in 1861. in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteers, but for some informality he did not join the regiment. December 27, 1861, he again enlisted, and was mustered into the service as a member of Company E. Fifty-fourth Ohio Zouaves. He was in the first engagement at Shiloh, and was there severely wounded. He was sent to the hospital, and was mustered out September 3, 1862. as unable to endure further service. He was not willing to leave the service in the midst of such a struggle, and after a time he re-enlisted. This was on October 27, 1863, and he became a member of Company H, Second Michigan Cavalry, and joined his regiment to take a hand in some of the hardest fighting of the war. He was with General Sherman in the great battles around .Atlanta, at Kenesaw Mountain, at Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Columbus and other places. He had the misfortune to be taken captive at Franklin, Tennessee, and was incarcerated at Columbia. When he was in the prison five days he escaped with two companions, and for three days was trying to make his way to the Union lines. It was without avail, however, as they were all recaptured. Mr. Olmstead was then consigned to the prison at Meridian, Mississippi, and from there was taken to Selma, Alabama. He again escaped, but was once more recaptured. His captivity, however, was drawing to a close. He was exchanged at Vicksburg and was placed on the ill-fated Sultana with a multitude of others bound north. When near Memphis the boat blew up, and only five hundred soldiers were saved out of more than twenty-two hundred on board. He was finally mustered out of the government service June 28, 1865, having made a record of which any man might well be proud.
The war-worn veterans found their way to peaceful life, and the next we hear of Mr. Olmstead he is engaged in the tobacco business in Hastings, Michigan. He remained there until 1881, when he sold out and came to North Dakota on account of his wife's health. He filed claim to a very desirable piece of land, and his family soon joined him. He resided on this farm, which was a half-mile north of Larimore, Grand Forks county, for a year or more after their advent, and, in 1883 he came to Larimore. entering into business with a stock of drugs and notions. He has the mercantile sense in a high degree, and the enterprise has steadily grown on his hands until it is now one of the most important in this end of the county.
Mr. Olmstead is a Republican, and as might be expected an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is widely known as a genial and popular gentleman. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Marion Searles. She died in 1881, leaving two children, Lena, who is Mrs. O. H. Philipps, and Ola O., now deceased. In 1884 he was again married. Miss Loie Lane becoming his wife. She died in 1885, leaving no child. Mr. Olmstead was married, in 1890, to Nellie Hinds, by whom he has three sons, Charles L., Hiram E. and Norman V. They are bright and interesting boys, and the family circle is a charming one.
 BERNT OMANG. Among the foreign-horn residents who have aided in the establishment of the new commonwealth of North Dakota, must be mentioned the gentleman whose name introduces this article. Mr. Omang is the fortunate possessor of one of the most valuable estates in the county of Grand Forks, and his home is situated on section 34. of Gilby township.
Mr. Omang was born in Norway on the 8th day of March, 1849. His parents. Ole Borresen and Annie (Christiansen) Borresen, were natives of Norway, and emigrated to the United States in 1879, and both died in this country, the mother at Duluth, Minnesota, and the father at the home of our subject in Gilby township. They had five children, our subject being the only son, and the only one of the children now residing in North Dakota.
Mr. Omang grew to manhood in his native land, and on coming to this country, adopted the name of the old farm in Norway, Omang, which he has since sustained. He learned the trade of blacksmith in Norway, and in 1874 came to the United States, first locating in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he resided six years. In 1880 he came to Grand Forks county and located on the farm that is now his home in Gilby township, making his settlement on that land in April, 1880. He was among the first settlers in the township, helped to organize the civil township, and has served as assessor and justice of the peace. He is now the owner of three quarter-sections of excellent land, and has added many valuable improvements, and his home is surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of modern country life.
Mr. Omang was married in Fillmore county, Minnesota, in 1874, to Caroline Evenson. Mrs. Omang is also a native of Norway, and came to America in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Omang have a family of five children, namely: Anna M, Oscar G., Carl A., Emmel B. and Minnie E. A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Omang is above.
Mr. Omang enjoys to a high degree the esteem and confidence of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout the county. In political views he is independent, and has always given his voice and vote in the interests of what he believed to be better methods and means of government.
KRIST J. OVIND, a well-known agriculturist of Pleasant View township, has many friends in the southwestern part of Grand
Forks county, and has won his present very comfortable position by mingled thrift and industry. Around him are many prosperous and well-kept farms, and success is seen on every hand. The transformation of the wild prairies into happy homes and scenes of domestic bliss has not been effected without much privation, hard labor and genuine courage. And in all this our subject has borne his full share.
Mr. Ovind was born March 24, 1853, and was the fourth of nine children born in the family of John and Mary Ovind. The first twenty years of his life were spent in Norway, and it was only after much deliberation and profound thought that he determined to seek a home in the New World. Taking passage for this country in 1873, he landed on the American shore in due time and settled in Lee county. Illinois. He remained in Illinois until 1882, when he came to Dakota and took up the land that now constitutes the home of the family. He put up a shanty 13x16 feet and occupied it for several years, preferring to endure its discomforts for a time rather than incur an expense his circumstances did not warrant. On October 29, 1891, he occupied his present comfortable and commodious home in Pleasant View township, and is as nicely housed as almost any farmer in the county. Here he conducts a farm that consists of a section of land, and which has yielded large returns for his careful and intelligent labor. with the exception of one year, when destructive hail storms prevailed, he has never had a wheat yield of less than fifteen bushels to the acre. On his farm he has twenty acres of trees, and the timber is growing finely. He has a good farm, and it is making money for him.
Mr. Ovind and Miss Bertha Hallagan were married in 1882, and results of their union are nine children: Herman, Alfred, Louis, Ida, Anna, Mabel, Walter, Clarence and Clara. They constitute a very interesting family, and are bright-eyed and intelligent young American. Mr. Ovind is associated with the Prohibition party and is a member of the Lutheran church. In 1898 he was elected a representative to the general assembly, where he did considerable work for his principles and showed himself a man of affairs.
HARRY D. QUARRY M. D., C. M., specialist of diseases of the eye, ear and throat, superintendent of health of the state of North Dakota, and a successful general physician and surgeon, has been a resident of Grand Forks during tlie past ten years, and has proven himself a valuable citizen and a worthy member of the community where he has chosen his home.
Dr. Quarry is a native of Sandwich, Ontario, Canada, where he was born in 1867. His parents, William B. and Ellen Quarry, were natives of Ireland and Ontario, Canada, respectively. The father came to America in 1842 or 1843, when a child, and was reared and educated in Canada. He graduated from the Victoria Medical College and practiced his profession in Canada for many years. He is still living in Canada, the mother having died several years ago.
Our subject was reared and educated in Canada, attending the public schools, and afterward the Trinity University, at Toronto , from which institution he was graduated in 1889, with the degree of M. D., C. M. lie came to Dakota the same year, and for two years practiced his profession at Ardoch. He then came to Grand Forks , and since 1892 has made a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear and throat, and has been very successful. He has built up a valuable practice, both as a specialist and as a general physician. He is a member of the North Dakota Medical Society, and of the American Public Health Association. He has been secretary of the state medical examining board, and is the superintendent of public health of the state of North Dakota , to which position he was appointed in 1899. He has attended the following post-graduate lecture schools: Ann Arbor, Michigan : New York Polyclinic and Philadelphia Polyclinic, and Wells' Eye Hospital of Philadelphia, besides other special lecture courses. For the past five years he has been a member of the United States pension examining board.
DR. HUBERT S. RAMSEY, D. D.S. Among the leading professions that of dentistry has recently taken rapid strides toward the front ranks. The profession is graced by many able and skillful practitioners, and no one is more deserving of mention for the high plane to which he has ever sought to hold his calling than the gentleman whose name introduces this article. He has been a resident of Grand Forks for the past eight years, and has established upon a permanent basis a valuable and extensive practice.
Dr. Ramsey is a native of Canada, having been born in Ontario, August 7, 1864. His parents, James and Mary (Scott) Ramsey, are natives of Canada, and still reside in the land of their birth. They are the parents of two sons. Dr. W. R. Ramsey, of St.
Paul, Minnesota, and our subject.
Robert S. Ramsey was reared and educated in Canada, and attended the College of St. Catherines, Ontario, from which institution he graduated in 1885. He took up the study of dentistry at St. Catherines in 1886, and in 1887 entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, from which he graduated in 1889. He started for Dakota the same year, and for two and a half years he practiced his profession at St. Thomas, North
Dakota. He then came to Grand Forks, and has been engaged in practice at this point since. In 1893 he took a course in Land's Post-Graduate College, at Detroit, Michigan. He is a member of the State Dental Society.
Dr. Ramsey was married, in 1889, to Miss Annie V. Brown, a native of Canada . To them one son has been born, namely, Roscoe. Dr. Ramsey is a valued member of society and is esteemed in the community in which he resides. He is a member of the Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He has been successful in his business, and has gathered together considerable property. He is the owner of a half-section of valuable land in Grand Forks county, besides other property, and has a practice well established and growing rapidly.
ANDREW REDWING, a prosperous farmer and merchant of Grand Forks county, whose home is in Gilby township, is one of the pioneers of the township in which he resides and one of the best-known men in the county.
Mr. Redwing was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, July 18, 1857. His parents, Alfred and Betsey (Haugen) Redwing, are natives of Norway and came to the United States in 1848 and settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa. From there they went to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where they now reside. They had eight sons and live daughters, but Andrew is the only one of the children residing in North Dakota. Andrew Redwing was born in Iowa and reared chiefly in Minnesota, and received his education in the public schools. In 1879 he came to North Dakota and found employment at Fargo for two years. He then came to Grand Forks county and took a homestead claim on section 20, in Gilby township. In 1888 he purchased the land where he now makes his home. He is at present the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of excellent lands, well improved with good buildings and conveniences.
Mr. Redwing was married, in 1885, to Miss Bertha J. Knudson, who was born in Wisconsin. Three children were born to this union, named as follows: Alfred D., Dora .B. and Elmer C. The wife and mother died August 19, 1895. Mr. Redwing was married, in 1897, to Miss Ida T. Knudson, a sister of his first wife, and to them two children have been born, namely: Bertena J. and Edgar A. The members of the family are all communicants of the Lutheran church. Mr. Redwing is a Republican in political sentiment and is at present school treasurer. He has a pleasant and attractive home and is well known and enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
THOMAS REGAN, is a merchant of Larimore whose goods are genuine and whose word is as good as gold in Larimore and throughout Grand Forks county. He is mayor of the city, and is a genial and popular gentleman. He was born in county Limerick, Ireland, November 4, 1851, and was the fourth in a family of five children given to Thomas and Elizabeth (Curtin) Regan, both of whom are deceased. He came to the United
States when a child of two years of age, and spent his early boyhood in Michigan, attending school at St. Clair. When he was seventeen he entered business life as a bookkeeper, and when twenty-one began business for himself as a merchant at LaMotte, Iowa. He was in company with a Mr. Kieffer, and the firm was known as Kieflfer & Regan. In March, 1882, Mr. Regan made a visit to the Red river valley and was so pleased with the outlook that the firm of Kieffer & Regan transferred itself to Larimore that spring. A store building was just completed and the goods installed when the town was swept by fire and everything they had brought with them destroyed. Nothing daunted, they erected the front part of the building Mr. Regan now occupies, and business was resumed within twelve days after the fire. In 1895 the partnership, though friendly and highly successful, was dissolved, and since that time Mr. Regan has been alone in his business enterprises. He has developed all extensive commercial enterprise, and it has increased greatly in his hands. His stock now invoices from twenty-five thousand to thirty thousand dollars, and covers every line of general merchandise and clothing. As a tradesman he is progressive and popular tradesman he is progressive and popular. Without doubt he occupies the finest residence in the city, and he has furnished it in the most elegant manner.
He is a Democrat and a man of high character. Mr. Regan was elected mayor of the city of Larimore in 1899, and is the present incumbent. He belongs to the Roman Catholic church, and is a member of the order of Elks. He was a delegate to the Kansas City convention. He was married, in 1893, to Miss Frances DeRoche, and they are the parents of one daughter, Frances C.
J. P. REITON, the pioneer hardware merchant of Gilby, North Dakota, is one of the highly esteemed business men of Grand Forks county. He is a native of St. Croix county, Wisconsin, and was born September 19, 1864.
The parents of our subject, Peter O. and Mary (Lee) Reiton, were natives of Norway and emigrated to the United States in 1848. They were married in this country and settled in Wisconsin, near Baldwin, St. Croix county, where they still reside. They are the parents of three sons and one daughter, of whom one brother of our subject resides in Inkster.
Mr. Reiton was reared and educated in Wisconsin and in 1879 the father went to Grand Forks county. North Dakota, where he entered a homestead claim to land and also a tree claim adjoining the town of Gilby, and there our subject assisted on the farm. The father improved the land some and in 1885 returned to Wisconsin, and the same year our subject assumed charge of the land and later bought the tract. In company with his brother, Herman Reiton, he opened a hardware store in 1887, under the firm name of Reiton Brothers, which partnership existed until January, 1893, when Herman retired from the business, since which date our subject has conducted the business alone. The brother died of smallpox in the city of Mexico, February 6, 1900. leaving a large estate there. Mr. Reiton also handles farm machinery in connection with his hardware store. He enjoys a good patronage and is one of the well-to-do men of his community.
Our subject was married, in 1888, to Emma Douglas, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Reiton are the parents of three children, who are named as follows: Clarence F., Clifford D. and Ruby. Mr. Reiton is prominent in secret society circles and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Order of Foresters and Modern Woodmen of America. He has served as town clerk since 1887 and is an earnest worker for good government. Politically, he is a Republican.
LUTHER B. RICHARDSON. This gentleman is one of the most influential citizens of Grand Forks and has aided materially in its up building. He was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts , March 22, 1836.
The parents of our subject, Joel and Caroline S. (Mason) Richardson, were natives of Massachusetts, and the father was a cotton manufacturer, and in 1841 moved to Plattsburg, New York, and later moved to Lowville, Lewis county, New York, where he died at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother died there in 1893. Three daughters and four sons were born to them, all of whom remain in the East with the exception of our subject.
Mr. Richardson was educated in New York, attending the Lowville Academy, and taught school for some time beginning at the age of seventeen years. He began work as a traveling salesman and was occupied thus and also in other capacities five years, and then engaged in the drug trade at Lowville, and continued there four years.. He then followed general merchandising and manufacturing of clothing and remained in New York until 1882. He then went to Minneapolis, and the same year went to Grand Forks, North
Dakota, and engaged in the real estate and loan business and has continued there since that date, and has met with prosperity. He also engaged in the cattle business on the Mouse river for some years in the early days. He was one of the organizers of the Union National Bank, and was its first president, and also assisted in organizing the Grand Forks National, and was vice-president of the same for a short time.
Our subject was married, in 1855, to Miss Sarah O' Don nell, a sister of Senator O' Don nell, of New York . Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard son, named as follows: Luther B. and Mabel K. Mr. Richard son was elected mayor of Grand Forks in 1890, and again in 1892. He was appointed secretary of Dakota territory by President Harrison, and served as such from March, 1889, until the admission of North Dakota as a state. He is a stanch Republican and has been identified with that party since its organization in Dakota.
MARTIN ROOD. A prominent place as a well-to-do and progressive member of the farming community of Ferry township, Grand Forks county, is accorded the gentleman above named. He has a fine farm and has added valuable improvements to the place, being one of the pioneers of that locality, and now enjoys a good competence and a comfortable home. In his farming he has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growth of that section of the country, and is one of the widely-known men of Ferry township.
Our subject was born in Norway in October, 1853. His parents, Martin. and Johanna (Johonson) Rood, came to America in 1868 and settled in Mitchell county, Iowa, and from there went to North Dakota, about 1878. The father entered claim to land in Ferry township and resided there until his death. The mother survives him. Four sons and five daughters were born to this worthy couple, and all are now residents of North Dakota with the exception of two sons and one daughter.
Mr. Rood was reared to the age of sixteen years in Norway and in 1870 came to the United States and settled in Iowa. He remained there until 1882 when he went to Grand Forks county. North Dakota, and at once entered claim to land and later moved to the city of Grand Forks and afterward to his pioneer farm, the same being located in Ferry township. He has continued his residence there, and now owns and operates a half-section of choice and well-improved land.
Our subject was married in Minnesota at Austin, in 1875 to Margaret Kettleson, a native of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Rood are the parents of eight children, who are named as follows: Josephine, Cora, Clarence, Mabel, James, Hobert, Belmar and Belle D. Mr. Rood is one of the public-spirited men of his community and has served in various local offices, including a member of the township board of Ferry township. He is a Republican in political sentiment and is a leader of ins party in that region and is an earnest worker for party principles.
DR. ALBERT P. ROUNSEVELL, who sustains a high reputation both as a man and a physician, is one of the oldest members of his profession in North Dakota.. He was born in Tompkins county. New York, August 16, 1845, and was the third of five sons in the family of Nelson and Betsy (Patch) Rounsevell. The history of this old colonial family has been thoroughly written up. Its forbearers are first found in England during the reign of the Norman kings. About 1700 Philip Rounsevell came from Devonshire, England, and settled in Freetown, Bristol county, Massachusetts. He is known in the genealogical study referred to as "Philip I."
Dr. Rounsevell was reared on a farm, and grew up with all the advantages his rural life could give him. He was strong, clear-eyed and active, and when the tocsin of civil war called the sons of the north to arms, he was at once interested, and as soon as his age permitted enlisted. He did this August 16, 1864, and was assigned to Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry. He joined his regiment in front of Petersburg in time to have a hand in some of the hottest fighting of the entire war, and the veteran of such battles at Hatcher's Run, Weldon Road, Quaker Farm, Five Forks, even though his stay in the army was brief, surely knows what war is. Through these bloody struggles our subject passed unharmed, and was present in the surrender of General Lee. He was mustered out May 31, 1865, and returning home he thought it was wise to broaden his education. The next winter he attended Homer Academy, and later completed the course of the academy at Courtlandville, New York. academy at Courtlandville, New York. He then began reading medicine at Slaterville, New York, and entering the Pennsylvania State University of Medicine and Surgery, graduated in the class of 1871. He practiced seven years, and then entered Rush Medical College at Chicago for additional training. He graduated from that school in the class of 1878, and spent four years in practice at Delano, Minnesota. In the summer of 1882 he arrived at Larimore, and at once entered upon a professional career in this country that has been very successful.
He is a Republican, and holds to prohibition as the proper and only policy for the state and government to pursue. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and organized the lodge in Larimore. He also organized Appomattox Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been its commander, and is past department commander of the state organization. He holds membership in several beneficiary associations such as the Independent Order of Foresters, the National Union and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He is a charter member of the State Medical Association, and is ex-president and former treasurer. He was elected county commissioner in 1884 and has held the office continuously since.
He was married, in 1873, to Miss Flora F. York, and three sons are the result of that union: Arthur H., a fruit broker in San Francisco; and two younger sons, Fred L. and Guy K., both at home.
CHRIST C. RUTHERFORD. Among the financial institutions which contribute largely to the welfare of Grand Forks county, North Dakota, the Bank of Gilby, of which Mr. Rutherford is president, is entitled to a prominent place. This is one of the thoroughly established banks of the locality, and the gentleman who is at the head of the institution enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people among whom he makes his home.
Our subject is a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and was born March 21, 1857. He was a son of James and Cornelia (Randell) Rutherford, who were natives of New York. The father was a drover and farmer, and spent his life in his native state. He died when our subject was thirteen years of age, and the mother died some years later, they were the parents of three sons and two daughters, of whom one son aside from our subject now survives. One brother died from disease contracted in the service in Virginia. He was a member of the One Hundred and Forty-second New York Volunteer Infantry. The family originally came from Scotland and Ireland. Ireland.
Mr. Rutherford was reared in New York and educated in the public schools, and began his business career as a farmer and later engaged in buying farm products and afterward followed general merchandise business. He went to Grand Forks. North Dakota, in March, 1882, and soon afterward settled on government land in section 18 of Gilby township, and experienced pioneer life there. He engaged m farming and also handled real estate and stock and sold farm machinery, and also handled insurance. He now owns and controls a large tract of land. Mr. Rutherford accepted the presidency of the Bank of Gilby in 1898, and still serves in that capacity. He went to Dakota without means and is now one of the solid men of the state.
Our subject was married, in November, 1886, to Maggie Braithwait, a native of Wisconsin, whose parents were born in New York. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford, who are as follows: Lydia I., Hazel D. and Nellie M. Mr. Rutherford is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has passed the higher degrees of the order. He is interested in the welfare of his community, but has never sought public preferment.
SAMUEL W. RUTLEDGE. M. D. For twenty years this gentleman has been known to the people of North
Dakota as a prosperous and well versed physician, and he enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer homeopathic practitioner of Grand
Forks. He was born in Hardin county, Ohio, December 31, 1852.
The parents of our subject, Thomas S. and Louisa (Williams) Rutledge, were natives of Ohio, and the father was a farmer and merchant and moved to Minnesota in 1850 and settled in Olmsted county, and later went to North Dakota, and now makes his home with his daughter at Cando.
Dr. Rutledge was one of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, and he was reared and educated in Minnesota, and taught five years, and then began the study of medicine. He entered the Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri, at St. Louis, and graduated from that institution the same year, and then began the practice in Iowa and remained in that state five years. He went to Grand Forks, North
Dakota, in 1881, and has continued his practice there since that date. In 1893 he look a post-graduate course at the Homeopathic Medical College and in 1896 took a course at the Chicago Post-Graduate School. He took a special course in Chicago in 1899 in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College of Chicago, and then took a short course in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School.
Doctor Rutledge was married, in 1877, to Miss Marian Fuller, a native of Iowa . Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rutledge. Dr. Rutledge is a member of the Homeopathic Institute of Minnesota, and the American Institute of Homeopathy. He was appointed a member of the state board of medical examiners in 1894, and reappointed in 1898. He enjoys a remunerative general practice, and as a citizen is deservedly popular with those among whom he has labored.
GEORGE L. RYERSON, clerk of the district court of Grand Forks county, is one of the rising young men of North Dakota. He is a gentleman of broad mind, is energetic and progressive and well merits his high standing as an officer and citizen.
Our subject was born in Waushara county, Wisconsin, January 8, 1869, and is a son of Gus and Emma (Anderson) Ryerson, natives respectively of Norway and Wisconsin. His father emigrated to the United States in company with his parents and settled in Chicago, and later moved to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming, and still resides in that state. Our subject is one of a family of five children.
Mr. Ryerson was reared and educated in Wisconsin and at the age of eighteen years entered a printing office at Stevens Point, "The Stevens Point Journal," and remained there four years and learned the printer's trade. He came to Grand Forks in 1890 and found employment on the "herald," and later on the "Plaindealer." and in the fall of 1891 founded the "Reynolds Enterprise,'' of Reynolds, North Dakota, and still publishes the same. He was elected clerk of the district court in 1898 and is now filling that office in a satisfactory manner.
Our subject was married, in 1892, to Miss Tena Brathovde, a native of Wisconsin. Two children were born to this union, named Glenn J. and Reuben A. Mrs. Ryerson died in 1895. Mr. Ryerson was married a second time, in 1897, Miss Julia Sargeant, of Minnesota, becoming his wife. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryerson, Thomas Lincoln. Mr. Ryerson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Foresters, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Masonic fraternity, Zodia and B. P. O. E. He has been a life-long Republican, and has for many years taken an active part in the Republican politics of Grand Forks county.
THOMAS RYDER. As a gentleman of true citizenship and progressive, enlightened views the subject of this review is best known to the people of Grand Forks county. He is an old settler of that locality, and has always been found standing on the side of right and justice, and is a representative man where he makes his home. He is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and has met with unbounded success in that line, and now has a pleasant estate in Ferry township.
Our subject is a native of county Galway, Ireland, and was born in 1832. His parents, Patrick and Sarah (Madden) Ryder, were natives also of Ireland, and passed their lives in their native land. Our subject had but one brother, who now resides in England. now resides in England.
Mr. Ryder was reared in Ireland, and also spent some time in England and Scotland until 1862, when he went to Canada. He worked there until 1879. and then went to North Dakota, and entered a homestead claim to land in Ferry township. Grand Forks county, where he still resides. He was among the first to locate in that region, and has witnessed its development into a thriving agricultural district. Mr. Ryder owns and operates a half-section of land, on which he has erected a complete set of substantial and commodious buildings, and otherwise provided the comforts of a country home, and is one of the well-to-do men of his community.
Our subject was married, in England, in 1861, to Catherine Kernan, a native of Ireland. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ryder, who are named in order of birth as follows: James.J., Mary, Thomas E. and Anie T. The family are members of the Catholic church, and are well known in their community and highly esteemed. Mr. Ryder devotes his entire attention to his farm duties, and takes little heed of public affairs, aside from lending his influence for good local government and the up building of the financial and social interests of his locality, and does not seek public office.
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