JUDGE JOSEPH M. BARTHOLOMEW. In the last half of the present century the lawyer has been a pre-eminent factor in all affairs of private concern and national importance. He has been depended upon to conserve the best and permanent interests of the whole people and is a recognized power in all the avenues of life. He stands as the protector of the rights and liberties of his fellowmen, and is the representative of a profession whose followers, if they would gain honor, fame and success, must be men of merit and ability. Such a one is Judge Bartholomew, who occupies the supreme bench of North Dakota, winning high commendation by his fair and impartial administration of justice He was born in the village of Clarksville, McLean county, Illinois, June 17, 1843, a son of George M. and Catherine (Heffner) Bartholomew, natives of Indiana and Virginia, respectively. The maternal grandfather, Michael Heffner, was a planter of the Old Dominion. Major-General Joseph Bartholomew, the paternal grandfather, was born in New Jersey, March 15, 1766, but was only two years old when with the family he removed to Laurel Hill, Pennsylvania, where his father soon died. His mother afterward married again, and as his step-father was unkind to the children, he soon left home to make his own way in the world. As soon as he was able to carry a rifle he enlisted in the Revolutionary army and assisted in driving back the marauding Indians and breaking up Tory camps. After the close of the war he joined General Wayne's forces in his campaign against the northwest Indians. In 1790 he married Christiana Pickenpaugh, by whom he had ten children. He became a pioneer of McLean county, Illinois, and was in many engagements with the Indians in early days. He died in Money Creek township, McLean county, November 2. 1840.  The father of Judge Bartholomew was educated for a civil engineer, but on account of failing health took up the occupation of farming. In 1830 he removed from Indiana to Illinois, and in 1845 became a resident of Lodi. Columbia county, Wisconsin. There he died in 1884, and his wife in 1890. honored and respected by all who knew him. In their family were eight children, three sons and five daughters, but our subject is the only one of the family now living in North Dakota.

Judge Bartholomew obtained his early education in the common schools of Wisconsin, and later at-tended the State University. During the Civil war he enlisted in August, 1862. in Company H, Twenty-third Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and in March, 1865, was transferred to Company I, Forty-ninth Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers. He participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou and Arkansas Post; the engagements around Vicksburg and the siege of that city, and the siege of Jackson. Mississippi. Subsequently his command was transferred to the department of the Gulf and he was under General Banks in the Red river campaign, where the regiment suffered badly. He aided in capturing the forts at the mouth of Mobile bay, and from that time until mustered out was on duty in Missouri and St.  Louis. Fortunately the Judge was never wounded nor taken prisoner and only lost ten days from illness during his entire service. He was mustered out as first lieutenant of his company, November 14, 1865.

Returning to his home in Wisconsin, Judge Bartholomew commenced the study of law under Senator Allison, of Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1869, after which he engaged in practice at Lodi, Wisconsin, for four years. From there he went to Red Oak, Iowa, where he resided for eight years, and in 1883, came to Dakota territory, locating in LaMoure, LaMoure county, where he was successfully engaged in the practice of law until elected chief justice in 1889, being one of the first three members elected. He also served as state's attorney in LaMoure county in 1887.

In 1878 Judge Bartholomew was united in marriage with Miss Mary S. Harrington, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, and a daughter of Samuel C. and Laura (Phelps) Harrington, and by this union one daughter has been born, Fredonia. Socially the Judge is a thirty-second-degree Mason, and a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has always affiliated with the Republican party and has taken a most influential and active part in public affairs. He assisted in organizing the state, and has become one of its leading and distinguished men. holding a high position in the hearts of the people. He is widely known and has been very successful. With a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental principles of law, he combines a familiarity with statutory law and a sober, clear judgment, which makes him not only a formidable adversary in legal combat, hut has given him the distinction of being one of the ablest jurists of the state.

JOSEPH BLATCHFORD, superintendent of schools of La Moure County, and proprietor of one of the fine farms of Henrietta township, is a gentleman of excellent characteristics and broadminded, and commands the highest esteem of the. people.  He has labored with an indomitable will, and his efforts have resulted successfully, and his land interests now extend over an area of over nine hundred and sixty acres.

Mr. Blatchford was born on a farm in Huron County, Ontario, Canada, June 1, 1855, and was a son of John and Francis ( White ) Blatchford. His father was born in England, where he lived until 1853, when he emigrated to Canada. He was a farmer by occupation and was married in his native country. Thirteen children were born to this worthy couple, ten sons and three daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of one son, James, who was drowned near the old home in a mill race, when twenty-one years of age. Of the other children, Thomas is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is now located at London, Ontario; George is a physician and is located at Clinton, Michigan; Benjamin is studying dentistry at the Chicago College of Dental Surgery ; Arthur and Richard are farming in La Moure County. North Dakota; John. Frank, William and three sisters, Mary, Martha and Fanny, are living in Canada.

Joseph Blatchford attended school and assisted with the farm work until twenty years of age, when he entered the high school at Clinton, Ontario, and from which he was graduated in the class of 1876.  from then until 1879 he taught school in Huron County, and in the fall of that year he entered the Toronto Normal School, graduating the following year. He followed clerking in Cranbrook, Huron County, two years, and in September, 1882, went to La Moure County, North Dakota, after spending a short time in Grand Forks. He filed claim on land in Henrietta township and has been a resident thereon since. His duties as superintendent of schools take a great share of his time, but he personally supervises the improvement and cultivation of his farm, and has made a decided success of that line.

Our subject was married, in Seaforth, Huron County, Canada, January 2, 1877, to Miss Caroline Pollard, who was born in that County October 23, 1854, and was a daughter of John and Grace Pollard, who were farmers of that County. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blatchford, as follows: Addison, Arley M., Wilbur M., Cora M., Milton M. and Erma V. The eldest three were born in Canada and the youngest three in La Moure County, North Dakota. Mr. Blatchford has a niece, Francis L., a daughter of Mr. Blatchford's brother, who makes her home with them, owing to the death of her mother during her infancy. Our subject was elected superintendent of schools in 1896, which office he has since held, and is an efficient and popular officer. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Masonic fraternity, and he and family are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church at La Moure.

RUSSELL W. S. BLACKWELL, residing in LaMoure, LaMoure county, is one of the leading attorneys of North Dakota. He is the present state's attorney of LaMoure county, and is a man whose qualifications and character are befitting one of his station. He is affable, intelligent and possessed of an active public spirit and casts his influence for the better interests of those around him, and is highly esteemed in turn by the people. He was born in the village of Pocasset, on the east side of Buzzard's bay, in the town of Sandwich. Barnstable county, Massachusetts, August 20, 1853.

The father of our subject, Russell Blackwell. was born in Monument, Massachusetts, and was of English-Puritan descent. He was a sea captain in the American merchant marine service, and his fore-fathers followed the seas for two and a half centuries. He died at Bourne, November 17, 1898, aged seventy-five years.   He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was one of the prominent men in his native town. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Lydia B. Phinney, was also a native of Monument, Massachusetts, and survives her husband, and is living in the old home.  Five children were born to this worthy couple, as follows: Elisha B., now engaged in the Alaskan trade at Seattle, Washington; Ada, now Mrs. Dr. Robert Newman, of New York City, Lillie, now Mrs. E. S.  Ellis, residing with her mother; Lydia A., who died at the age of twenty months; and Russell W. S.  our subject.

Mr. Blackwell, when about one year of age went with his parents to Monument, Massachusetts, where he attended school for some time, and in the fall of 1868 removed to New York City, where he entered the grammar school and continued .his studies in that city until 1873, when he accepted a position as principal of the public school at Foxboro, Massachusetts. After one year he engaged in the job printing business, and conducted the same from November, 1874, to 1881, when he disposed of the plant.  During that time he continued the study of law which had been commenced in New York City in 1870, and October 6, 1881, was admitted to the bar at Dedham, Massachusetts, and in 1882 he returned to New York City. He had thoroughly familiarized himself with the practice of his profession by handling many cases prior to his admission to the bar, and his success was assured. He, however, engaged in the mercantile business in New York until 1892, when he went to North Dakota. He visited Jamestown, North Dakota, in April of that year, and began farming near there, conducting the farm during three summers and returning to New York, where he taught the grammar school No. 16, during the winter terms. He removed to the town of LaMoure, November 8, 1894, and engaged in the practice of law, in connection with which he conducts a real estate and general brokerage business, and during the year 1894 he was elected to the office of state's attorney.

Mr. Blackwell was married at Foxboro, Massachusetts, in 1874. to Mrs. Fannie Thomas, a native of that state. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell. as follows: Waldo R.. now practicing law in New York City, having graduated from the University of New York in the class of 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Law: and Grace W., who died in infancy. Mr. Blackwell has always labored earnestly for the better interests of his community, and while a resident of Foxboro. Massachusetts, was appointed justice of the peace by the governor of that state, which office he held seven years, after which he was reappointed. He was elected a member of the school committee in 1878. and was re-elected in the same capacity in 1881, and chairman of the board, serving until his resignation in 1882. Since taking up his residence in Dakota he has been chosen a member of the board of insanity commissioners and is the treasurer of the North Dakota Bar Association.   He was nominated for state's attorney on the Republican ticket and endorsed by the Populist party. He is a man who is popular with the people as a public officer regardless of party affiliations, and is deserving of much credit for his labors for the public good. He is a member of Crystal Wave lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Brooklyn, Corneau Consistory of New York City, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Knights of Maccabees.

HON. JOSEPH M. DEVINE, lieutenant-governor of North Dakota, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, March 15, 1861, a son of Hugh E. and Jane (McMurray) Devine, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Virginia. His father was educated in Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and became a professor of botany. In 1830 he came to the United States with his parents and settled in Virginia.  His death occurred at Wheeling in 1885. In his family were five sons, two of whom are now residents of North Dakota.

In West Virginia Joseph M. Devine grew to manhood, and was educated in the common and high schools of the city of Wheeling and afterward graduated in the classical course at the State University. The following year he came to North Dakota and located in La Moure county, where he followed farming for one year and still owns land, to the cultivation and improvement of which he yet devotes a part of his time and attention.

In 1886 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and most acceptably filled that office for ten years. He was made state lecturer for the schools of North Dakota in 1890 and still fills that position.   He was made chief clerk of the fourth session of the legislature; in 1896 was elected Lieutenant-governor and re-elected in 1898. He filled the office of governor from April, 1898, to January 1, 1899 after the death of Governor Briggs.  His various official duties have been discharged in a most commendable and satisfactory manner and have gained for him the confidence and respect of all.

In 1896 he was elected one of the delegates to the republican national convention held at St.  Louis, and was made one of the vice-presidents of that convention; also appointed one of the committee to notify the president of the action of the committee.

In 1897 he was made vice-president of the National Sound-Money League, which position is still held. In this capacity he has written several articles upon finance, which were published and copied extensively in eastern papers.

His work in behalf of education in North Dakota has been potent and far reaching. Much of the state's general system of education is due to his untiring efforts. In his capacity of state lecturer he has delivered many addresses on educational, literary and historical subjects, which have been received everywhere with popular approval and have been extensively commented upon, both in this state and others.

Since casting his first presidential ballot he has been an ardent supporter of the men and measures of the Republican party. At the age of twenty-two he left North Dakota and, at the special request of the Republican state executive committee, stumped his native state in the interests of the presidential campaign of that year. As a campaign speaker he is among the best in the west; his style been unusually clear, forceful and eloquent; his arguments always comprehensive and yet compact. Truth, passion, conviction and good judgment are the qualities that have made his public utterances powerful and effective. He believes what he says and his heart is always in his words.  As a lecturer on literary and historical subjects he is always in demand, and, perhaps, in this field appears at his best. Instructive, interesting and entertaining, with a richness of illustration unsurpassed, and with a knowledge of the subject matter always full and complete and that evidences the hard student that he is.

Socially Mr. Devine is a thirty-second-degree Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM GRIBBLE. the leading merchant of Dickey, La Moure county, is a man of much ability and an influential citizen. He has been a resident of Dickey but a short time, but has attained a prominent place as a man of true worth in his community by his energetic efforts and active public spirit.

Mr. Gribble was born at Hazel Green, Grant county, Wisconsin, August 15, 1859. and was the third in a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters. His father, John Gribble, was born in England and came to Wisconsin in the late '30s, and was a merchant by occupation. He died in Sterling in 1893, aged eighty-one years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of May Middleton, and was also a native of England, and was married in Wisconsin.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native place, and after completing his education became a clerk in his father's store, and later secured a position as traveling salesman with Gunther & Hanson, fur hat and cap manufacturers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in whose employ he continued about eighteen months, and then returned home to take charge of his father's business. He went to Burley county. North Dakota, in 1882, in which place he filed claim to land and engaged in farming thereon for about seven years, at the end of which time he engaged in the mercantile business in Sterling, that county, continuously therein until 1893, when he engaged in the hardware and machine business and conducted the same for five years. He went to Dickey, La Moure county, in March, 1898, and purchased a stock of general merchandise, in which business he has prospered to a remarkable degree and now carries the largest and most complete stock in the northern part of the county.

Our subject was married, in 1891, at Sterling, North Dakota, to Miss Elizabeth Mayer, a native of Ohio, who was born in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Gribble are the parents of three children, as follows: John, William T. and Gladys. Mr. Gribble is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a Republican.

CHARLES J. HUTCHINSON, proprietor of one of the finest farms in La Moure county, resides on section 4, in Grand View township, and is widely known as a successful business man and worthy citizen.  Mr. Hutchinson was born in Stoughton, Wisconsin, December 26, 1857, and was the eldest in a family of seven children, five sons and two daughters.

The father of our subject, William H. Hutchinson, was a native of Vermont, and during his active business career was a grain merchant. He is now living at Alexandria, Minnesota, retired from business pursuits. He was a soldier in the Civil war and was a member of Company T. Third Iowa Infantry, and served four years and six months. He was a prisoner in Andersonville prison six months and suffered as did others in that most inhuman prison. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Betsey Westcot and was a native of Vermont.

When a child of four years our subject removed with his parents to McGregor, Iowa, where he lived a short time and then removed to Cato, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and there he received his education, with the exception of one term in the state normal at Oshkosh. He then taught school for a number of years in his native state and in 1881 removed to Alexandria. Minnesota, where he was a salesman in a dry-goods store and was also engaged with his father in the grain and produce business. He remained in Minnesota about four years and in 1885 went to La Moure county. North Dakota, and soon afterward filed claim to the northwest quarter of section 4. in Grand View township. He still resides on that farm, on which he has added modern improvements and from time to time has added to his acreage and is now the possessor of four hundred and eighty acres. His farm is fully equipped with machinery of the most approved style and every convenience of farming is supplied and his home is one of the pleasant places of La Moure county.

Our subject was married, in Cato, Wisconsin, in 1877, to Miss Sarah G. Classon, a native of Reedville, Wisconsin, who was born in 1859. Mrs. Hutchinson was a daughter of George F. and Margaret (Forbes) Classon and her father was a miner by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson have been the parents of nine children, as follows: Frank died at the age of thirteen years; Fred V., William H., Eva, Charles J., Richard. Ella,  Margarette and Dorothy. Mr. Hutchinson is a member of tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a man of sterling character and possessed of more than ordinary ability as a business man, as is evidenced by his prosperity. He went to Dakota without means and is now one of the substantial men of his locality. He has held numerous offices of trust in his county and enjoys an enviable reputation.