PAUL ADAMS, On the list of leading financiers in the southeastern part of North Dakota appears the name of Paul Adams, a young and enterprising banker who is proving his worth and resourcefulness in the capable manner in which he aids in directing the interests of the First National Bank of La Moure, of which he is the cashier. He was born in Gowanda, New York, August 28, 1876, a son of Isaac M. and Emaline (Twitchell) Adams, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts. The ancestral line in New England can be traced back to about the year 1640 and representatives of both the Adams and Twitchell families served in the Revolutionary war. The paternal great-great-grandfather of Paul Adams had seven sons who defended the interests of the colonists in the struggle for independence, and of that number two were killed at Lexington and one at Bunker Hill, theirs being among the first blood shed in the revolution which by seven years of warfare established the American republic. Isaac M. Adams was for years a commercial salesman and in 1882 came west to North Dakota, settling at Grand Rapids in Lamoure county. He continued his work upon the road, representing the Winona Wagon Company of Winona, Minnesota.  Upon his arrival in this state he filed on a homestead on which he resided while here. Not only did he maintain his home in Lamoure county but also had a residence in Fargo as well for several years, the mother there spending the winter months with her children in order that they might have the benefit of the educational opportunities afforded in that city.  In 1896 Mr. Adams removed with his family to Minneapolis, where he has made his home for the past twenty years. He was one of the influential residents of Lamoure county and was a very prominent factor in securing prohibition for North Dakota. During the past decade he has lived retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

Paul Adams mastered the course in the Fargo high school and afterward attended the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900, earned the Bachelor of Science degree. The following year he organized the First State Bank of Gold Spring, Minnesota, of which he was made cashier, also becoming a member of the board of directors. He was identified with that institution for four years and in the spring of 1906 came to La Moure as cashier of the First National Bank, in which capacity he has now been active for the past ten years. He is familiar with every phase of the banking business and the success of this institution is attributable in no small measure to his spirit of enterprise and progressiveness, which, however, is tempered by a safe conservatism.  He is also secretary and treasurer of the Lloyd Mortgage Company of La Moure. In addition to his banking interests he is the owner of several tracts of farm land in Lamoure county, having seven hundred acres adjoining the town site of Grand Rapids.

In 1904 Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Olive Marshall, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, by whom he has four children, namely: Milton, Charles M., Jane P., and Paul, Jr.

Politically an earnest republican, Mr. Adams has served as a member of the city board of aldermen and in fact is acting in that capacity at the present time. He has been city treasurer of La Moure and his work has been a helpful element in promoting the progress and upbuilding of this locality. Fraternally he is connected with Mackay Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M., and with the Sons of the American Revolution. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and they endorse and follow those principles which make for genuine worth in the individual and for progressive citizenship. Mr. Adams has made wise use of his time, talents and opportunities and his record is creditable, being in harmony with that of an honored ancestry—an ancestry on whose record appear various names on the honor roll.

CONRAD A. ARDUSER, cashier of the First State Bank at Adrian, is a native son of Lamoure county, his birth having occurred February 5, 1888, on the old homestead farm of his parents, John C. and Margaret (Christ) Arduser, who were natives of Wisconsin but in 1886 arrived in North Dakota and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres in Saratoga township, Lamoure county, on which they took up their abode. That was during the pioneer epoch in the history of the county and they shared in the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. They still reside upon that farm and, having added to his holdings as his financial resources have permitted, Mr. Arduser is now the owner of three sections of land, of which he has rented nine hundred and sixty acres to tenants, while the remainder he operates, and upon his home place he breeds and raises Red Polled cattle. His business affairs have been carefully managed and today he is one of the men of affluence in Lamoure county.

Conrad A. Arduser was educated in the public schools and the high school at Arcadia, Wisconsin, supplemented by a commercial course in the Globe Business College at St. Paul, Minnesota. When his studies in the latter institution were completed he returned to Lamoure county and entered the Dickey State Bank, his service there giving him his initial training and experience in the banking business. For three or four months he served in the capacity of bookkeeper and was then made assistant cashier, in which connection he continued with the institution for three years. In January 1912, he removed to Adrian to accept the position of cashier of the First State Bank and is yet occupying that office.

On the 21st of October 1913, Mr. Arduser wedded Miss Amanda Larson, a daughter of C. E. Larson, a prominent grain buyer of Dickey, and they have become the parents of one child, Virginia. Mr. Arduser belongs to Dickey Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M., and to Lincoln Lodge, No. 57, I. 0. 0. F., of Dickey. In politics he is a republican and his religious faith is indicated in his connection with the Evangelical church, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church. She is also identified with the Order of the Eastern Star and they are both well known in Adrian, their hospitable home being ever open for the reception of their many friends.

CHRISTIAN BAERTSCH, farmer, banker and business man who is connected with farming interests in Sheridan township, Lamoure county, and who was the founder and promoter of the village of Marion, where he makes his home, was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, December 30, 1853, a son of Andrew and Mary (Perry) Baertsch, both of whom were natives of Switzerland, although the latter was of French descent. They were married in the land of the Alps and immediately afterward came to the United States, spending three years in Galena, Illinois, after which they removed to Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where they resided until called to their final rest. In early life the father devoted his attention to merchandising but afterward became a farmer.

Christian Baertsch was educated in the public schools of his native state and spent his youthful days there in the usual manner of farm lads, work and play dividing his time.  In 1878 he wedded Miss Eliza Dell, of Buffalo county, Wisconsin, and after their marriage he operated a portion of his father’s farm until 1882, when he came to North Dakota and took up a preemption on section 2, Sheridan township, Lamoure county. He proved up on that claim and occupied it for six years, after which he homesteaded his present farm, to which he removed on the 1st of October 1889. On this farm he platted the town of Marion when the railroad was built to that point in 1900 and has since been prominently identified with the upbuilding of the village. He now owns the west half of section 11 and the west half of section 21, Sheridan township, Lamoure county, together with what remains of the old homestead, his holdings embracing altogether seven hundred acres, making him one of the substantial citizens of his part of the county. He is also a stockholder and one of the directors of the First National Bank of Marion and he was one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Farmers Elevator Company of Marion, of which he is now a director.  While a firm believer in democratic principles, Mr. Baertsch would never consent to hold public office. He belongs to Dickey Lodge, No. 63, F. & A. M., has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Dakota Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., and also has membership in Lincoln Lodge, No. 57, I. 0. 0. F.

Mr. and Mrs. Baertsch have become parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters: Edmund, an agriculturist of Lamoure county; Estella, the wife of Alden Angevine, who follows farming in Barnes county; Lena, the wife of W. K. Bishop, of Leola, South Dakota; Lewis, who is the cashier of the First National Bank of Marion; William, a merchant of Lead, South Dakota; Earl, who is engaged in the banking business at Conde, South Dakota; Dell, an agriculturist of Lamoure county; and Dudley, at home. The family is one of prominence in the community and Mr. Baertsch has so directed his efforts and activities that he is recognized today as one of the most successful as well as one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Lamoure county.

K. A. BAKKE, senior member of the firm of Bakke & Trapp, dealers in farm implements at Marion, was born in Norway on the 5th of December 1868, but almost his entire life has been passed on this side of the Atlantic, for he was but five years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, Amund and Margaret (Ulsaker) Bakke, who were likewise natives of the land of the midnight sun, whence they crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1873, making their way to Goodhue county, Minnesota. Mr. Bakke rented land there and cultivated a farm until 1876 when he removed to North Dakota, which was thirteen years before the admission of the state into the Union. He settled on a homestead twenty-five miles southwest of Fargo, near Kindred, and at once began the arduous task of converting the wild prairie into productive fields. He persevered in the undertaking and improved and operated his land for fourteen years, at the end of which time he sold out to his sons, K. A.  and Thore Bakke, although he continued to make his home on the farm throughout his remaining days. He passed away January 30, 1914, having for more than forty years survived his wife, who died in 1873, just a month after their arrival in America.

K. A. Bakke was reared and educated in Minnesota and North Dakota, remaining with his father until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. Not long afterward he and his brother purchased the old home place of the father and devoted about three years to its further development and improvement. K. A. Bakke then sold his interest to his brother and took up the profession of teaching, which he successfully followed for two years in Cass county and for five years in Richland county. In 1903 he arrived in Marion, where he engaged in the hardware business in partnership with O. T. Holtgard, that relation being maintained until 1906, when Mr. Holtgard disposed of his interest to B. Tobiason. After a time Mr.  Bakke bought out his partner and later disposed of his store to a St. Paul man, but after three years he bought it back and in 1915 admitted John R. Trapp to a partnership under the present firm style of Bakke & Trapp. They have a well appointed store and their sales reach gratifying proportions, for their stock includes a full line of shelf and heavy hardware and their business methods commend them to the confidence and respect of the public. In 1909 Mr. Bakke bought a half section of land three miles from Marion which he improved.

In November 1906, Mr. Bakke was united in marriage to Mrs. Ellie Root and they have become the parents of five sons, Arthur, Irvin, Oswald, Woodrow and Morris. In religious faith Mr. Bakke is a Lutheran, while his wife belongs to the Congregational church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, being a member of Dickey Lodge, No. 63, A. F.  & A. M., of Dickey, North Dakota, and he is most loyal to the teachings of the craft.  Politically he is a republican and has served as town clerk of Marion, while for six years he has been a member of the school board. He is deeply interested in matters pertaining to the welfare of the community and is never remiss in the duties of citizenship.

FRED P. BENNETT, cashier of the La Moure State Bank, was born in Green Point, Long Island, September 10, 1872, his parents being George M. D. and Emma (Buckelew) Bennett, both representatives of old American families. On the paternal side were several who fought in the Revolutionary war and in the War of 1812, while George M. D. Bennett was a veteran of the Civil war. enlisting in 1861 and serving until 1865 as an engineer on one of the blockading boats. Subsequently he was for many years chief engineer at the Grand Central depot in New York city and there passed away about 1885. His wife died during the infancy of their son Fred.

In the city schools of Westfield, New Jersey, Fred P. Bennett pursued his early education and afterward continued his studies in the Fargo high school, to which city he went with an aunt and uncle in 1885. In 1887, soon after completing his studies, he entered the First National Bank of Fargo as office boy and remained with that institution for eighteen years, serving in the capacity of teller for eight years prior to severing his connection with the bank. In 1905 he came to La Moure and organized the Farmers State Bank, which has since been nationalized as the Farmers National Bank. He was made cashier of this institution on its organization and after so continuing for two years he sold his interest therein and organized the La Moure State Bank, of which he has since been cashier. His broad experience in the banking business and his spirit of enterprise and progressiveness have been the dominant factors in the development of the bank’s business. He is ever a courteous and obliging official, extending every possible favor to the patrons of the bank to a point that does not interfere with its safety. In the intervening years lie has also been quite extensively engaged in the buying and selling of North Dakota farm lands and in this connection has done not a little to develop business interests.

Since his arrival in La Moure Mr. Bennett has always been in the vanguard in those movements launched for the purpose of advancing his city’s interests and converting it into a modern and progressive municipality. He was a leading spirit in the establishment of the water works and also the establishment of the electric lighting plant of La Moure and in the laying of the concrete sidewalks throughout the city. In fact he has been identified with every step for the progress and development of La Moure, in all playing a leading and helpful part.

In 1892 Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Lillian E. Jordan, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. Both the sons died in infancy. The daughters are Ethel Charlotte, who is attending the State Normal School at Valley City; and Louise Annette, who is her father’s private stenographer.  Mr. Bennett and his family are members of the Episcopal church and take active part in the moral welfare of the community as well as its material interests. Mr. Bennett has ever been quick to recognize possibilities not only for the advancement of individual interests but for the public good as well and has wrought along lines of far-reaching effect and benefit.  His political allegiance is given to the republican party, while fraternally he is identified with Mackay Lodge, No. 18, A. F. & A. M., of La Moure, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen at La Moure.

HANS C. BJONE, a farmer residing on section 14 Black Loam township, Lamoure county, was born in Norway, September 29, 1873, his parents being Crist and Kjariste Bjone, who were also natives of the same country, the father there following the occupation of farming throughout his entire life. He died February 7, 1888, but his widow is still living in Norway.

Hans C. Bjone was a lad of but fourteen years at the time of his father’s death. He acquired his education in the schools of his native country and in 1893 came to America, settling in North Dakota, where he worked for his brother for several years, carefully saving his earnings throughout that period until he was able to purchase his present place of six hundred and forty acres. In 1908 he erected a modern nine room house with all modern conveniences which is one of the best homes in Lamoure county. His land was wild and undeveloped when it came into his possession but he at once set about improving it and has since operated the farm, his labors bringing about a marked transformation in its appearance, as it is today one of the highly cultivated and productive farm properties of Lamoure county. Capable management and indefatigable energy have led to his success and he is now one of the substantial citizens of his district. He became one of the organizers of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank at Verona, of which he is the vice president, with his brother Gilbert as president and Hans Bjone, a nephew, as cashier. The bank is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars, is housed in a fine modern bank building and was opened to business on Saturday, August 19, 1916.

In March 1904, Mr. Bjone was united in marriage to Miss Betsey Anderson and they became the parents of a son and daughter, Crist G. and Helen B. The wife and mother passed away in 1908, after a month’s illness, and in November 1911 Mr. Bjone wedded Mary Blaken, by whom he has one child, Christena.

Mr. Bjone is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He gives his political endorsement to the men and measures of the republican party but does not seek nor desire office, feeling that the pursuits of private life are in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. He came to America when a young man of twenty years and throughout the intervening period of twenty-three years has lived in North Dakota, where he found the business opportunities which he sought, and in their utilization he has demonstrated the fact that America offers excellent advantages to the man who is willing to work and utilize her natural resources.

HON. J. A. T. BJORNSON, is the vice president of the First National Bank of La Moure and is accounted one of the most prominent citizens not alone by reason of the extent and importance of his business connections but also owing to the active part which he has taken in shaping public thought and action. He has been a close student of the significant and vital political problems and issues of the day and three times has been chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the laws which in those sessions found their way to the statute books of the state. Mr. Bjornson is a native of Perry, Dane county. Wisconsin. He was born January 1, 1861, a son of Gabriel and Gunhild (Torgerson) Bjornson, both of whom were natives of Norway, whence they came to the new world in young manhood and womanhood, the father arriving about 1843, while the mother came five or six years later. They were married in Wisconsin and for many years continued their residence in that state. After coming to the new world Mr. Bjornson took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar, after which he practiced for many years in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In 1851 he was elected a member of the legislature of the former state, being one of the first, if not the first, Norwegian ever chosen to a state office in the United States. About 1880 he removed to Ada, Minnesota, where he subsequently served for several years as county judge, boing an incumbent of the office at the time of his death, which occurred in 1889. His widow survives and is still living in Ada in her eighty-seventh year.

Hon. J. A. T. Bjornson was educated in the high school of Madison, Wisconsin, and in the State University in that city, being graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1883, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. Later he turned his attention to the drug business, becoming proprietor of a store in Ada, Minnesota, where he remained until 1SS6, when he removed to Mcintosh county, North Dakota.  He opened a drug store in the old town of Hoskins; which was then the county seat, but in 1888 the county seat and practically the town of Hoskins were removed to Ashley, whither Mr. Bjornson took his business, continuing as proprietor of a drug store there until 1893, when he sold out. He then removed to Kulm, Lamoure county, when the Soo Railroad was built through that town and there continued in the drug business until 19] 1, when he established his home in the city of La Moure and purchased an interest in the First National Bank there. At that time he was made a director of the institution and soon afterward was elected vice president, in which position he still continues.

In 1894 Mr. Bjornson was united in marriage to Miss Anna F. Milne, of Ellendale, Dickey county, North Dakota, by whom he has six children, four daughters and two sons, as follows: Marvell M. and Gunhild K., who are attending the University of Wisconsin; Marion L., Perry M., Anna E.; and J. A. T., Jr.  The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Bjornson is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Maple River Lodge, No. 41, A. F. & A. M., of Edgeley, North Dakota; Edgeley Chapter, No. 33, R. A. M.; Dakota Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R., of Fargo; and El Zagal Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Fargo. He is likewise connected with Golden Glen Lodge, No. 80, I. 0. 0. F., of Edgeley.

In his political views Mr. Bjornson has always been an earnest democrat and was first elected to the state legislature in 1900. After an interval of ten years he was again chosen for the same office and in 1913 was returned to the general assembly, being elected in a strong republican district—a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the trust reposed in him as a loyal and patriotic citizen. He has never been afraid to make his opinion known. His position upon any vital question has never been an equivocal one, for he stands firmly in support of the principles in which he believes, nor is his judgment ever hasty or ill advised, for he closely studies the questions which come up for settlement and votes for what he considers the best interests of the commonwealth.  He has also proven himself a wideawake and progressive business man, his efforts being a factor in the material development of the districts in which he has lived.

MANUEL F. BLANCO, vice president of the First State Bank of Jud, was born in New York city on the 1st of July 1887, his parents being Joseph L. and Jessie (Koch) Blanco, the former a native of Spain and the latter of Brooklyn, New York. When a young man the father came to the United States, arriving about 1875, his journey being made for the purpose of managing the New York properties of his uncle, who lived in Spain. He continued in charge of those interests in the eastern metropolis for fifteen years but in 1890 left the Atlantic coast for the west, making his way to Lamoure county, North Dakota.  He settled eight miles southwest of Edgeley, where he purchased a relinquishment on a tree claim of one hundred and sixty acres. Taking up his abode thereon, he engaged in the sheep business, with which he was identified for twelve or thirteen years, after which he sold his sheep and gave his undivided attention to general farming, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He died upon his farm March 31, 1914, and is still survived by his widow, who yet resides in Edgeley.

Manuel F. Blanco supplemented his district school training by a term’s study in the agricultural college at Fargo and after his textbooks were put aside he was employed for about a year and a half by the Pomona Valley Telephone Company, after which he made his initial step in connection with the banking business on the 1st of April 1910, entering the First National Bank of Edgeley in the capacity of bookkeeper. On the 1st of September 1911, he removed to Jud to accept a similar position in the First State Bank and on the 1st of May 1912, he was appointed assistant cashier of the institution, while on the 1st of January 1914, he was made vice president of the bank and so continues, in which connection he is bending his energies and efforts to administrative direction and executive control.

On the 25th of June, 1913, Mr. Blanco was married to Miss Olive Gunthorp, a daughter of the Hon. Charles Gunthorp, a prominent business man and the present state representative of Edgeley, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Blanco have become parents of a daughter, Elizabeth. Fraternally he is connected with Maple River Lodge, No. 41, F. & A. M., of Edgeley, and he also belongs to Golden Glen Lodge, No. 80, I. 0. 0. F., at that place.  Politically he is a republican and has served as president of the town board of Jud, being actuated in his public connections as well as in his business relations by a spirit of undaunted enterprise and progress.

EARL J. BOISE, who for six years has been actively and successfully engaged in the hardware business at Grand Rapids, Lamoure county, was born in Nashville, Michigan, June 21, 1877. His father, LeRoy 0. Boise, was a native of Ohio and devoted his life to farming and carpentering but at the time of the Civil war put aside all business and personal considerations to respond to the country’s call for troops, serving for two and one-half years as captain of Company G, Twentieth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, having in the meantime removed westward to the Wolverine state. After the close of his military experience he returned to Michigan and for several years worked at the carpenter’s trade. In 1880 he came to North Dakota, settling in Lamoure county, where he secured a homestead two and one-half miles northwest of Grand Rapids. This place he improved and in the early days he also was identified with building operations as well as with farming, leading a most active, busy and useful life. His fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth, called him to the office of county commissioner on three occasions and his long service was characterized by marked devotion to the general good. He continued his farming operations until 1894, when he removed to Minneapolis, where he engaged in the real estate business, residing in that city throughout his remaining days. He passed away July 18, 1898, at the age of seventy-eight years, while his widow, who bore the maiden name of Helen M. Towl and is a native of Vermont, is still living at the age of seventy-five years.

Earl J. Boise was a little lad of but four summers when brought by his parents to North Dakota and remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he began work as a farm hand, but ambitious to own land and engage in business for himself, he homesteaded four miles southwest of Dickey, in 1900 and bent every energy to the development and improvement of his farm, which he cultivated for seven years and which he still owns. In 1908 he went to Minneapolis and was in the employ of the city for two years but in 1910 he returned to Lamoure county and has since engaged in the hardware business at Grand Rapids, conducting an excellent store. He erected a business house in 1910 and through the intervening years has concentrated his efforts upon the conduct of his commercial interests, his trade steadily growing, his well satisfied patrons being his best advertisement.

In June 1904, Mr. Boise wedded Miss Grace L. Harrington and they have become parents of five children: Ethel, who was born on the 13th of April 1905: Charles, whose birth occurred March 14, 1907; Francis, whose natal day was December 30, 1909; Edward, born December 20, 1911: and Phillip, who was born April 26, 1914.

The parents are members of the Methodist church, while Mr. Boise belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he does not seek nor desire public office. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and plans for the public good always receive his endorsement and support.

C. W. BURGES, cashier of the First State Bank at Jud, was born In Lincolnshire, England, on the 13th of November 1886, a son of George and Elizabeth (Pearson) Burges. The latter died during the early boyhood of C. W. Burges and the father afterward married Bessie Baggaley, his home being still in Lincolnshire.

C. W. Burges was educated in the Holbeach public schools and in the Holbeach grammar school of Holbeach, England. On attaining his majority he came to the United States in 1907, making his way to Edgeley, North Dakota, where for three years he occupied the position of assistant postmaster. Subsequently he was employed in the hardware store of Erickson & Gunthorp for one year. In the fall of 1911 he went to Jud and was assistant cashier in the First State Bank until January 28, 1915, when he was advanced to the position of cashier, in which capacity he is now serving, ably and efficiently discharging his duties and proving a courteous and obliging official of the bank.

On the 7th of September 1914, Mr. Burges was married to Miss Laura Wold, of Casselton, North Dakota, and they are now parents of a son, Richard George. In politics Mr.  Burges is a republican, and while he has held no political offices, he has served as treasurer of the school board. He belongs to Maple River Lodge, No. 41, F. & A. M., of Edgeley, and Edgeley Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M. His religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Episcopal church, while his wife is identified with the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a progressive man, alert to the possibilities of a business situation and to the opportunities for the upbuilding of the town, and he attacks any project of the latter class with the same enthusiasm that he does any plan to advance business affairs.

CHARLES A. CLARK, a general merchant and the postmaster of Alfred, was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, March 19, 1869, his parents being Andrew and Margaret (Thomas) Clark, the former a native of New York and the latter of Wales. Mrs. Clark came with her parents to the United States when a little maiden of seven summers and it was in Wisconsin that she gave her hand in marriage to Andrew Clark, after which they continued their residence in Grant county, that state, until 1878, when a removal was made to Martin county, Minnesota, where for a considerable period the father was actively engaged in farming. At length he retired from business life and removed to Cass county, where he resided in the enjoyment of well-earned rest to the time of his death seven years later.

Charles A. Clark is indebted to the district school system of Minnesota for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He remained upon his father’s farm until he reached his twenty-first year and then turned his attention to the livery business in Winnebago City, there remaining active for two years. He next engaged in farming in Martin county, Minnesota, and afterward removed to Cass county, where he lived for two years.  In 1903 he came to North Dakota, filing on a homestead in Lamour county, three miles southeast of Alfred, on which he resided for five years and which he still owns. In 1908 he removed to Alfred and opened a general merchandise store, since which time he has built up the leading mercantile business of the town. On the 10th of July 1913, he was appointed postmaster of Alfred, which position he filled until 1915, when his wife was appointed to succeed him, although he is still acting as postmaster.

In 1892 occurred the marriage of Mr. Clark and Miss Stella Doolittle, of Martin county, Minnesota, and to them have been born five children: Erma, the wife of John A. Nelson, of Alfred; Laura, the wife of Ole Braaten, a grain buyer of Holliday, North Dakota; Harold, who assists his father in the store; and Eva and Francis, at home.  Mr. Clark votes with the republican party and has continuously served on the town board since the organization of the township. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and their social qualities have won them personal popularity throughout the district in which they reside.

R. M. CRICHTON, cashier of the State Bank of Verona, has always lived west of the Mississippi and the spirit of western enterprise and progress finds expression in his life record.  He was born in Newton, Kansas, May 2, 1879, a son of William M. and Anna J. (Seaman) Crichton. The former, a native of Scotland, was born near Dundee in 1842 and the mother’s birth occurred in Bond county, Illinois. When but two years of age William M. Crichton was brought by his parents to the United States, the family home being established in Laporte, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood. He completed his education in the Presbyterian College at Monmouth, Illinois, and has devoted his life to educational work, having been prominently identified with teaching for a half century. He is now living on a homestead in Colorado and is teaching in the Padroni school.

R. M. Crichton attended the public schools and the high school at Auburn, Nebraska, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He afterward taught one term of school but in 1898 made his initial step in the field of banking, securing a position in the Carson National Bank at Auburn, where he remained for nine and one-half years, resigning the position of assistant cashier on the 1st of January 1908, to accept the secretary ship of the Auburn Music & Jewelry Company, with which firm he was identified for two years, he afterward spent a year in the office of the Cudahy Packing Company in South Omaha and on the 1^st of January 1911, he was offered and accepted the position of cashier of the State Bank of Verona, in which responsible connection he has since continued. The bank was incorporated in 1904 with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars and entered upon a prosperous existence. At the time Mr. Crichton came to Verona there was another bank in the town—the Farmers & Merchants Bank. In 1913 he effected the consolidation of the two institutions, merging the latter into the former. The bank is a safe and reliable financial center, its progressiveness being tempered by conservatism, its first policy being to carefully safeguard the interests of depositors. Mr. Crichton though long experience is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the banking business, and his ability is manifest in the increasing success of this institution.

In 1903 Mr. Crichton was united in marriage to Miss Sadie C. Scott, of Auburn. Nebraska, by whom he has three children, namely: Isabelle, Anna and Robert S. Politically Mr.  Crichton is a republican but has no ambition for office holding. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, however, and has served as president of the school board. Fraternally he is connected with Auburn Lodge. No. 124, A. F. & A. M., of Auburn, Nebraska; Dakota Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., of Fargo: and El Zagal Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Fargo.  His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and both are widely and favorably known, while in banking circles Mr. Crichton has a very extensive acquaintance, enjoying the confidence, goodwill and high regard of his colleagues in the business.

HON. ALEXANDER W. CUNNINGHAM, engaged in farming on section 9, Grand Rapids township, Lamoure county, is a native of New York. He was born May 23, 1853, of the marriage of Alexander and Adeline (Davis) Cunningham, the former a native of the Empire state, and the latter of Massachusetts. On the father’s side the family comes of Scotch-Irish ancestry and on the mother’s side is of English extraction. Alexander Cunningham, Sr., was a farmer of New York until 1867, when he removed to Calhoun county, Michigan, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until the time of his death.

Alexander W. Cunningham was a youth of fourteen years at the time of the removal of the family to the west and he attained his majority in Calhoun county. He attended the public schools of New York and Michigan and at the age of twenty-two years started out in business life independently as a farmer, devoting five or six years to the cultivation of a farm in Calhoun county. In March, 188I, attracted by the opportunities of the growing west, he came to North Dakota, settling in Stutsman county, where he purchased a relinquishment on a homestead seven miles northwest of Jamestown. There he resided for twelve years, devoting his energies to the development and improvement of his property, after which he removed to Lamoure county, leasing the Cold Springs farm of two thousand and eighty acres, which he operated for eighteen years. In the meantime, however, in 1905 he purchased six hundred and forty-six acres on sections 5 and 6, Grand Rapids township, and still owns that property, while in 1910 he bought his present home farm a half mile east of the village of Grand Rapids, comprising three hundred and eighty acres. To this he removed in 1911 and is now concentrating his energies upon its further cultivation and improvement, all of his farm work being conducted along most progressive methods.

In 1875 Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Jennie Perry, of Concord, Michigan, and they have become the parents of three sons and three daughters: Durward, deceased; George, who is operating the home farm; Arthur, deceased; Eva, the wife of E. H. Griffin, of Fairmont, Minnesota; Lina, the wife of John Crist, a farmer of Lamoure county; and Marion, the wife of Mark Stienchfield, of Grand Rapids.

Mr. Cunningham is a republican in his political views and his worth as a citizen is indicated in the fact that in 1907 his fellow townsmen chose him to represent his district in the state legislature, where he made so excellent a record that in 1909 he was re-elected and again in 1911, serving for a third term. He was connected with much important constructive legislation and left his impress upon various laws that found their way to the statute books of the state. He served for years on the school board and has taken a most active and helpful part in educational matters, while to his children he has given excellent advantages in that direction. He is a member of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, while he and his wife hold membership in the Catholic church. As a business man and political leader he has won prominence and is recognized in the community as one who has been influential in molding public thought and action.

JUDGE CLARENCE W. DAVIS, who has served as probate judge of Lamoure county, is now engaged in the private practice of law in the city of La Moure and for eleven years has been senior partner in the firm of Davis & Warren. He is not only recognized as one of the foremost attorneys of this part of the state but is also accounted one of the pioneer settlers. Of New England birth, his native place was Lamoille county, Vermont, and his natal day April 7, 1854. His parents, John M. and Charlotte C. (Field) Davis, were also natives of the Green Mountain state, where they were reared and married, and in the fall of 1865 they removed to Carroll county, Illinois, settling on a farm which the father continued to cultivate until his death, which occurred in May 1902, when he was seventy-five years of age. The mother afterward removed to La Moure and during the last three years of her life made her home with her son, Judge Davis, passing away in May 1908, at the age of eighty-two years.

Clarence W. Davis was reared under the parental roof and attended the district schools of Carroll county, Illinois, and the high school at Thompson, that state. He afterward became a student in the law department of the Northwestern University at Chicago and was graduated with the class of 1879. He passed the required examinations for admission to the bar and the same spring removed westward to Moorhead, Minnesota, where he was admitted to practice in the district court of Polk county. The following fall he took the law examination at Fargo and was admitted to practice in the courts of North Dakota. He spent two years as an attorney at Moorhead and at Fargo and in 1881 went to Lamoure county, settling at Grand Rapids, which was then the county seat. In the fall of 1883 he removed to the city of La Moure, where he has since been prominently identified with the bar. When the county was organized in 1881 he was appointed by the commissioners to the office of judge of the probate court and in the following fall, at the regular election, was returned to that position by popular suffrage and served for two years. In subsequent years he has given his entire attention to his private practice and in 1905 admitted E. M.  Warren to a partnership under the firm style of Davis & Warren, which relation still exists, the firm occupying an enviable position at the bar of southeastern North Dakota.

In October 1888, Judge Davis was united in marriage to Mrs. Lydia M. Cronan, formerly a Miss Wolfer, who was born in Michigan and became a resident of La Moure, North Dakota, where she became the wife of Judge Davis. By her first marriage she had one daughter, Olive M. Cronan, who is now the wife of B. W. Loppnow, of La Moure, North Dakota.  While Judge Davis indorses republican principles, he is nevertheless liberal in his views and often casts an independent ballot. He belongs to La Moure Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are highly esteemed in the community where they lived and Judge Davis is regarded as a leading barrister, his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases combining to make him a strong and able advocate and wise counselor.

HON. CHRISTIAN STARK DEISEM, North Dakota has every reason to honor her pioneers—the men who, leaving behind them the comforts and advantages of civilization, planted lonely homes upon the frontier, becoming the vanguard in that work of development which has resulted in the establishment of a great commonwealth on the prairies of the northwest. Among this number was Christian Stark Deisem, a pioneer hotel proprietor of Bismarck and of Fort Buford and the first merchant of Lamoure county. He now makes his home in the city of La Moure, where for many years he has been closely associated with its commercial activity. A native of Pennsylvania, Christian S. Deisem was born at Honey Brook, Chester county, November 4, 1848, a son of C. S. and Catherine (Stark) Deisem, who were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. In the year 1836 the father came to the new world, settling in Pennsylvania, where he worked at the carpenter’s trade for a few years. He then removed to Ohio and purchased land which he improved and cultivated throughout his remaining days, becoming one of the respected and valued citizens of that community. In 1890 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in February of that year at the age of seventy-nine, and he survived only until March, 1891, his death occurring when he had passed the eightieth milestone.

Educated in the common schools of Ohio, Christian S. Deisem was not quite sixteen years of age when in October 1864, he responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company D. One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On account of his youth he was transferred to the quartermaster’s department and he was mustered out on the 5th of July 1865, after the war had been brought to a successful termination. He then went to Chicago and secured a position as brakeman on the Illinois Central Railroad, being thus employed for four years. In 1871 he arrived in North Dakota, then Dakota territory, for it was not until eighteen years had passed that the division of the state occurred.  He took charge of the Northern Pacific Hotel at Bismarck on the day the rails were laid into the city but in November 1873, returned to Ohio, where he spent the winter. He came again to North Dakota in 1874, and made the first trip with the mail from Fort Hancock to Buford. He took charge of a hotel at Fort Buford, at which period the Indians were rather dangerous, for at that time they were ”lifting scalps.” He conducted the hotel for a year and then returned to Ohio in 1875, after which he engaged in merchandising until 1880, when he sold out and again came to the northwest, establishing a store at Grand Rapids, Lamoure county, where he also took up land. He bears the distinction of being the first merchant and of erecting the first store building in Lamoure county. He made his home at Grand Rapids until 1898, when he opened another store in La Moure and changed his residence to that point. There he has since remained and throughout all the intervening period he has been a most prominent and influential citizen, dominating many movements which have resulted in public progress, improvement and prosperity.

In public life he has rendered distinguished service to the people. He was a member of the first state senate and took active part in shaping the legislature which formed the policy of the state and placed the new commonwealth upon a broad and substantial basis.  His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as a member of the state central committee for six years and for sixteen years was chairman of the county central committee. He was a member of the sixth legislative assembly in 1898 and 1899 and was instrumental in securing the passage of much important legislation, including the act establishing the binding twine plant at the penitentiary. In further recognition of his worth and devotion to the best interests of the county the voters of his party on the 28th of June 1916, gave him the nomination, which is equivalent to the election, as county treasurer over three former county officials. From 1904 until 1906 he was a member of the state railway commission and then was re-elected and served until 1908, acting as president of the board during both terms.  In this connection he closely studies the questions affecting the railroads of the state, seeking to protect the interests of the people and of the corporations in an equitable manner which would further all legitimate interests.

On the 27th of November 1907, Mr. Deisem suffered a severe loss in the destruction by fire of his department store at La Moure, which establishment was the finest in that part of the state. His loss was estimated at forty-live thousand dollars but with unfaltering courage he rebuilt and again established the enterprise. He had been identified with Lamoure county as one of its progressive merchants continuously since 1880, developing his business to meet the demands of a growing population. In the spring of 1916 he sold out, however, and now devotes most of his time to the management of a European hotel. He still owns a considerable amount of real estate in La Moure but has disposed of his agricultural holdings.  Throughout all the years he has occupied a position of leadership in business circles, his enterprising spirit prompting him to take an advanced stand in the work of developing town and county along the lines of substantial and material progress.

On the 25th of December 1870, Mr. Deisem was married to Miss Alice E. Franks, of Doylestown, Ohio, where the marriage was celebrated. Mrs. Deisem passed away August 27, 1891, at Grand Rapids, and on the 21st of June 1893, Mr. Deisem wedded Miss Anna Maisel, of Jamestown, North Dakota, Again Mr. Deisem was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in the Mayo Brothers Hospital at Rochester, Minnesota, August 16, 1915. His children are eight in number. Louise K., who was graduated from the Minnesota State University, afterward became instructor in science at Berkeley University of California but her brilliant career was cut short by death at Healdsburg, California. Nina is the wife of Arthur E. May, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Florence is the wife of Frank L. Bowen, station agent at La Moure, North Dakota. Ray F. is living in Spokane. Lucy P. Lynch resides at Vananda, Montana. Albert is at home. Sydney is deceased. Dorothy completes the family.

Mr. Deisem is prominent in fraternal circles as a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Royal Arcanum and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and his influence has always been a potent force for good, contributing in substantial measure to the material, intellectual, social, political and moral progress of city, county and state. Almost continuously for forty-five years he has lived in North Dakota, a typical pioneer settler, popular throughout the state which he has seen develop from a few scattered frontier settlements into a great and populous commonwealth.  He has had much to do with shaping its destiny and promoting its progress from the time when Indians constituted the major portion of its population and rendered life on the frontier somewhat hazardous. He has lived to see the great broad prairies claimed by the white man for the purposes of civilization and converted into rich and productive farms, while here and there towns and villages have sprung up and all of the advantages of the older east have been introduced until it rivals in its school system and public service all the older states. Mr. Deisem has worked persistently to bring about this condition and his fellow townsmen appreciate the worth of his service and honor him as one of North Dakota’s outstanding citizens.

THOMAS DEWITT, Since 1912 Thomas Dewitt has made his home in Alfred, where he is now practically living retired from business, although he still controls a farm of six hundred and forty acres and is the vice president of the First State Bank of Alfred. In former years he carried on agricultural pursuits on a very extensive scale and the wise judgment and unfaltering energy which he displayed in the management of his farming interests brought him substantial success. He was born in Amsterdam, Holland, June 18, 1878, a son of Bernard and Mary (Schafer) Dewitt, who are also natives of that country, where the father worked in the coal mines and also operated a dairy. In 1880 he decided to try the business opportunities offered in the new world and with his family crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Wisconsin, where he carried on farming for a brief period. He then removed to North Dakota and located on a preemption near Jamestown, giving the succeeding five years to the development and improvement of that place. He then sold out and removed to Lamoure county, where he engaged in farming for ten years and on the expiration of that period he established his home in Logan county, where he engaged in ranching for six years. His next removal took him to the northwestern part of the state, where he purchased eleven hundred and twenty acres upon which he still resides, although he has now reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His wife is also living and is seventy-four years of age.

Thomas Dewitt was still an infant when brought to America and was reared upon the home farm near Jamestown, while the public schools afforded him his educational privileges.  When not busy with his textbooks he assisted in the work of the fields and remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-two years, when he married and removed to his wife’s homestead in Logan county. He kept on buying land from time to time as favorable opportunity offered and his financial resources permitted, and ultimately he became the owner of eleven hundred and twenty acres, constituting a very valuable and productive farm property. He afterward sold a portion of this, but still retains the ownership of five and one-half quarter sections or eight hundred and eighty acres. He now cultivates part of his land, but rents the remainder and derives therefrom a very gratifying and substantial annual income. In 1912 he removed to Alfred and built a nice home which he has since occupied. He also built another residence in the town and in connection with R. A. Werner and others he organized the First State Bank of Alfred of which he has since been the vice president.

On the 10th of April 1899, Mr. Dewitt was married to Miss Barbara Kulndt, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kulndt, who were natives of Germany and in early life came to America. They settled in South Dakota and after a time removed to North Dakota, establishing their home in Logan county, where Mr. Kulndt bought land which he cultivated for a number of years. He is now retired and makes his home with his son, while his wife passed away in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt are the parents of three children, Harry, Alice and Alvin.

In politics he maintains an independent course, while his religious faith is that of the Baptist church. Reared amid the environment of the west, he early became imbued with its enterprising spirit, and opportunity has ever been to him a call to arms, finding him ready for that control and direction of business affairs which leads ultimately to prosperity.

SAM C. FELTIS, county commissioner in Lamoure county and well known as a prominent representative of Masonry, is now living retired in La Moure. He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, February 12, 1863, a son of William and Mary A. (McCarl) Feltis, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter of Vermont. They were married in the state of New York, where they resided for several years thereafter and then removed to Canada but in that country remained for only a comparatively brief period, after which they returned to the States. Removing westward, they settled in Winneshiek county, Iowa, where they made their home until called to their final rest. The father passed away, however, while on a visit to his son Sam, in North Dakota and his remains were interred in the cemetery at La Moure.

Sam C. Feltis is indebted to the public school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and in 1881, when a youth of eighteen years, he came to North Dakota, making his way to Fargo. Through the succeeding four years he was employed in that city and in Cass county as a farm hand, and in 1884 he filed on a homestead on section 6, Ovid township.  Lamoure county, on which he proved up. In 1886 he began farming for himself and continued to occupy his homestead property until 1903 or 1904, when he removed to his place on section 5, Ovid township. lie now owns five hundred and eighty acres of excellent and highly improved land, all of which is situated on sections 5 and 6, Ovid township. His farm is one of the most fertile and productive in the state and all of the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century are found thereon. In 1916 he established his home in La Moure, where he is now living retired.

In 1890 Mr. Feltis was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. De Long, of Lamoure county, and to them have been born eight children, namely: Glidden, who follows farming in Greenville township, Lamoure county; Ethel, the wife of Charles Peterson, of Greenville township, Lamoure county; Oscar, an agriculturist of Greenville township. Lamoure county; Ida, who gave her hand in marriage to Edward Tresmer, of Verona, Lamoure county; Frances, the wife of Elmer Nystul, who cultivates the farm of his father-in-law; Waldo, deceased; and Daisy and Alice, both at home.

Mr. Feltis’ study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to give his support to the republican party and he is now serving through the vote of his fellow townsmen as a member of the board of county commissioners. lie belongs to La Moure Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M.; has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Dakota Consistory, No. 1, S. P. R. S.; is a member of El Zagal Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S.; and belongs also to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Imbued by laudable ambition and prompted by strong purpose, he has made good use of his time and opportunities as the years have passed and has acquired property the value of which increases with the passing years, making him one of the well-to-do men of Lamoure county.

RALPH W. HALL, cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Edgeley, was born in Hudson, New York, February 24, 1884, a son of Reuben W. and Helen (Delamater) Hall, both natives of the state of New York, the former of Scotch descent, while the latter came of Holland lineage. The father was for many years in his earlier life engaged in shipbuilding, being employed in the yards at New York city, and in 1886 he came to North Dakota, settling in Lamoure county, where he purchased a farm three miles southwest of the present site of Edgeley, residing thereon for nine years, his labors resulting in a marked transformation of the appearance of the place. He then retired and removed to Edgeley, enjoying a good income from his investments. He has been very successful in the management of his business affairs and is now the owner of an entire section of the most valuable farm land of Lamoure county. He still has extensive interests in the cattle business, to which he gives his personal supervision.

Ralph W. Hall was but two years of age when brought by his father to Lamoure county, so that he has practically been a lifelong resident of North Dakota. After attending the Edgeley high school he continued his education in the Dakota Business College at Fargo.  His youthful days acquainted him thoroughly with all the departments of farm work and for some years after his textbooks were put aside he operated his father’s farm. In 1909, however, he disposed of his farming implements and his stock and turned his attention to the banking business, entering the Citizens State Bank of Edgeley as assistant cashier, in which capacity he continued until March 1915, when he was advanced to the position of cashier of the institution and has since so served. He is regarded as a wide-awake, energetic young business man to whom the avenue of success is never closed, for when his progress seems blocked in one direction he seeks out other paths that lead to the desired goal.  He owns an equity in a seven-hundred-and-seventy-acre ranch in Mclntosh county, this state, and the owners lease surrounding school lands, operating altogether thirty-five hundred acres which is under fence and on which they range seven hundred and fifty head of cattle. Thus is indicated something of the extent and importance of the business interests of Mr. Hall, to whom opportunity is ever a call to action.

In 1913 Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Sibyl V. Covington, of Dexter, Missouri, by whom he has two children, Ruth Elizabeth and Jean Louise. In his political views Mr. Hall is a stalwart republican and for two terms has been honored with the mayoralty of Edgeley, which has profited by his progressive and businesslike administration that has brought about various reforms and improvements in civic affairs. Fraternally he is connected with Pomona Valley Lodge, No. 65, K. P. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Hall is a graduate of the University of Missouri and for three years or more was successfully engaged in educational work, while at the present time she is active in the work of the Civic League. Both are much interested in the welfare and progress of their city and ably support plans and measures which are looking to the adoption of higher civic standards and achievements. Through his operations in business fields Mr. Hall has contributed to the material progress of his district, and Edgeley is in large measure the expression of the enterprising spirit of himself and his associates.

NICHOLAS N. HERMANN, owner and editor of the Marion Sentinel, published at Marion, Lamoure county, claims Wisconsin as his native state, for his birth occurred in the city of Jefferson in August 1879, his parents being Matt and Mary (Biewer) Hermann, who were natives of Germany. In early life they came to America and became residents of Chicago, in which city the father served as a member of the police force. He afterward removed to Jefferson, Wisconsin, where he also acted as a night watchman in a private plant, and in that town his remaining days were passed. He died in September 1913, and is survived by his wife.

The boyhood and youth of Nicholas N. Hermann were spent in Jefferson, where he attended the public schools and made his home until he reached the age of twenty-three years. He learned the printer’s trade in that city and afterward spent two years in working at his trade in Chicago. In 1905 he arrived in North Dakota, attracted by the developing opportunities of this section of the country. He filed on a claim in Adams county and improved and operated his farm for two years, after which he took up his abode in Marion and bought the newspaper plant and equipment of the Marion Sentinel. He has since published the paper, which is a weekly journal, winning therefor a liberal circulation.

In November 1908, Mr. Hermann was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn Auth and they have become the parents of three children: LeRoy, born in January 1910; Evelyn, in January 1913; and Paul, in February 1914.

Mr. Hermann has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and is a communicant of the Catholic church. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and in its support he publishes his paper. His time is not altogether given to his newspaper interests, however, for he conducts a real estate business and has negotiated many important realty transfers.

JACOB H. HERRMANN, agent at Alfred for the Maxwell motor car, was born in Russia, March 23, 1861, a son of Jacob and Christina (Lehr) Herrmann, who were also natives of that country, where the father followed farming throughout his entire life, his death resulting from the effects of a fall from a horse in 1874. His widow long survived him, passing away December 25, 1914.

Jacob H. Herrmann was a lad of but thirteen years at the time of his father’s death and he remained with his mother until he reached the age of twenty-three, when he came to America and took up his abode in Scotland, South Dakota. This was in the year 1884.  He afterward removed to Ransom county, North Dakota, where he purchased land on contract, but lost the property after investing sixteen hundred dollars in it. His next purchase made him the owner of a quarter section in Lamoure county, which he at once began to develop and improve, and with that as the nucleus he kept adding to his holdings until he is today the owner of seven quarters, or eleven hundred and twenty acres of valuable farm land. All through the years he persistently and energetically cultivated his fields, bringing his land to a high state of development, plowing, planting and harvesting and investing the proceeds from the sale of his crops in other land. Thus he carried on general farming until 1910, when he removed to Alfred and opened a general merchandise store which he conducted for eleven months. He then traded the property for another farm but has resided in Alfred since 1910, in which year he erected a commodious and attractive residence there. Recently he has established another mercantile enterprise for the sale of hardware and farm implements and he is also dealing in automobiles, handling the Maxwell car. In business affairs he displays sound judgment and keen discrimination and he never falls short of the accomplishment of any task to which he resolutely sets himself.

In March 1882, Mr. Herrmann was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Kurtz, a daughter of Johannes and Maggie (Harffner) Kurtz, who were natives of Prussia. The three children born of this marriage are: Walter, who follows farming near Alfred and who is also associated with his father in the mercantile business; Bertha, the wife of John Klundt, an implement dealer of Alfred; and Jacob P., who follows farming near Alfred.  In religious faith Mr. Herrmann is connected with the Evangelical denomination, while his political allegiance is given to the democratic party. Several times his fellow townsmen have called him to public office and he has ever discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. He served for eight years as town treasurer, as school treasurer for eleven years, as township assessor for three years and as road overseer for three years. He has never had occasion to regret his resolution to come to the new world, for he found here excellent opportunities open to young men of industry and perseverance. He worked hard to gain a start but in the course of years has reaped the reward of earnest labor and is now numbered among the men of influence of Lamoure county.

T. S. HUNT, Banking institutions are largely the heart of the commercial body, indicating the healthfulness of trade. It is certainly true that a safe, reliable banking concern will do more than any other business interest to establish public confidence in times of panic or financial depression, and the bank that is most worthy of credit is that which most carefully and surely safeguards the interests of its depositors. Such an institution is the Farmers National Bank of La Moure, of which T. S. Hunt is the cashier. He was born in Martinsville, Illinois, on the 30th of July 1866, and is a; son of Laurentio G. and Henrietta S. (Hill) Hunt. The father is a native of Vermont and represents an old New England family, his ancestors having come to the United States from England prior to the Revolutionary war.  In the maternal line T. S. Hunt comes from Holland Dutch stock, but the family was also founded in America during the colonial epoch in the history of this country by ancestors who settled in the Mohawk valley in New York. Both the Hunt and Hill families in 1837 removed westward to Michigan and Laurentio G. Hunt became one of the teachers on the frontier, the lady who afterward became his wife being one of his pupils. They were married in Michigan and two of their children were born in that state. Subsequently Mr. Hunt removed with his family to Illinois and there enlisted in the Union army, serving throughout the entire period of the Civil war. He then returned to his Illinois home but in 1869 again went to Michigan, where he engaged in farming. Both he and his wife are still living at an advanced age.

T. S. Hunt supplemented a public school education by study in the normal school at St. Cloud, Minnesota, where his parents resided for seven or eight years. In 1888 he left St.  Cloud and came to North Dakota, establishing his home in Sherbrooke, Steele county, where he took up educational work, teaching in the district schools for three years. At the end of that period he purchased the Steele County Tribune, a weekly paper published in Sherbrooke.  He edited the journal until 1895, when he sold that plant and bought the Fessenden Advertiser of Fessenden, Wells county, North Dakota, continuing to publish the latter paper for two and one-half years. In 1898 he returned to Steele county and the following fall was elected county auditor, in which capacity he was continued by re-election for two terms.  In 1902 he became one of the organizers of the Sharon State Bank and was tendered and accepted the position of cashier of the new institution, continuing in that important connection until 1908, when he was offered the cashier ship of the Farmers State Bank at La Moure. This institution was nationalized in 1910 as the Farmers National Bank, Mr. Hunt remaining as the cashier. He is a popular and obliging official, doing everything in his power to further the interests of the institution and at the same time assisting and favoring its patrons as much as possible without hazarding the stability of the bank.

In 1895 Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Eva Pope, of Hope, North Dakota, by whom he has a daughter, Ruth, who is now attending Jamestown College at Jamestown, North Dakota. In politics a progressive republican, Mr. Hunt has served for several years as a member of the city council of La Moure, exercising his official prerogatives in support of various well devised plans for promoting the city’s progress and upholding those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. Fraternally he is connected with Mackay Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M.; Lisbon Chapter, No. 30, R. A. M.; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Sons of Veterans.  Mr. Hunt is a typical representative of the spirit of upbuilding which has dominated the northwest. He has back of him a worthy ancestry and his hues of life have been cast in harmony therewith. As they aided in the settlement and development of New England, so is he furthering the upbuilding of a great empire in the north, neglecting no duty or opportunity that comes to him to advance public welfare.