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 HENRY NEVERMAN, one of the pioneer settlers of the James river valley, has acquired a comfortable competence and considerable property since taking up his residence in the state of North Dakota. He has a well improved farm in Grand Rapids township, in La Moure County, and his home is on section 34. He also possesses land in other localities and is one of the substantial men of his community and a highly esteemed citizen.
Our subject was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, June 14, 1858. and came to America with his parents in 1860. They settled on a farm in Columbia County, Wisconsin. His parents were Fred and Sophia (Long) Neverman. His father continued farming in Columbia County until his death, which occurred in 1865, when our subject was still a child, and the mother later married John Long and is now a resident of Wisconsin.
Mr. Neverman left home when he was fourteen years of age and has engaged in farming continuously since. He went to La Moure County. North Dakota, in 1880, and filed on the southwest quarter of section 18, in Grand Rapids township, which he still owns, together with four quarter-sections acquired later by purchase, in La Moure County, and one quarter-section in the vicinity of Moorehead, Minnesota. He went to La Moure County when Dakota was but a territory and he had but limited means with which to advance his interests, but has steadily gained as regards financial strength and is in more than comfortable circumstances at the present. Jamestown was the nearest railroad town and he hauled provisions from there, taking three days to make the journey. He lived alone the first five years after taking up his residence there and experienced pioneer life.
Our subject was married, in 1885, near his old home in Wisconsin, to Augusta Seidschlag, who was born in Germany September 25, 1858. A portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Neverman appears on another page. Mrs. Neverman was a daughter of Carl and Caroline Seidschlag, and her father is now living in Grand Rapids, North Dakota. Her mother died in Germany and Mrs. Neverman came to America in 1882. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Neverman, as follows: Carl, Ida. Henry and Esther. Mr. Neverman is active in public affairs of local importance and has held numerous offices in his township.
CHARLES W. PORTER. This gentleman stands in a foremost place among the public officials of La Moure County, North Dakota. He has twice been called upon to serve as County treasurer, and is a man of practical business ability, and enjoys the confidence of the people among whom he has chosen to reside since the early days of the settlement of North Dakota.
Mr. Porter was born on a farm in McHenry County, Illinois. March 4. 1858, and was the second in a family of six children, three sons and two daughters, five of whom are now living. His father, Thomas W. Porter, was born in England, and was one of the early settlers of McHenry County, Illinois, where he was married to Miss Julia Roper, who was also a native of England.
Our subject was educated in the district school near his home and assisted on his father's farm until 1880, in which year he went to North Dakota, then a territory, and soon afterward returned to Illinois. He again went to Dakota in 1881 and settled in La Moure County and filed claim to the southeast quarter of section 18, township 136, range 63, since which time he has followed farming, and has met with eminent success. He is now the possessor of one and a half sections of land and he has added valuable improvements to his property.
Mr. Porter returned to his home in Illinois in 1883, and while there he was married to Miss Mary Tanner, a native of Illinois, who was born in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have been the parents of three children, as follows: Emma, Grace and Harvey. Mr. Porter was elected County treasurer in 1884, and served two years, and in September, 1898, he was appointed to the same position to fill an unexpired term, and in November of that year he was elected to that office, which he at present holds. He is An efficient officer and commands the respect and esteem of the people. During territorial times he was appointed by Governor Ordway as a member of the first board of County commissioners. Politically he is a Republican and is a man who keeps pace with the times. He holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modem Woodmen of America. He and family attend the Presbyterian church.
PAUL A. SCHMOKER. residing on section 34, in Saratoga township. La Moure county, is entitled to prominent mention as a representative farmer and worthy citizen. He is one of the rising young men of his community, and has made a model farm on which he has added such improvements as enhance its value and add to the comfort of the family. He. is progressive and energetic, and it is by dint of his own persistent efforts that he has accumulated a comfortable competence.
Our subject was born in Fountain City, Wisconsin, February 9, 1865, and was the sixth in a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. His father, Paul Schmoker, was born in Pennsylvania, and was married in his native state to Miss Rose Steele, a native of Germany. They are now living with, their daughter, Mrs. C. E. Larson, of Sheridan township.
Our subject attended school in his native place and then worked at farm labor in his vicinity and upon the Mississippi river, and in the spring of 1884 went to La Moure county. North Dakota. For the first three years he worked for his brother-in-law, Nick Schmid, and in 1887 he entered claim to land on which he still resides. He is now the owner of one half-section of land, and his dwelling is on an eminence overlooking the James river valley, altogether a pleasant homestead.
Our subject was married in Dickey, North Dakota. February 3, 1899, to Miss Viola Mack, a native of Michigan, who was born in 1878. They have one son. Russell Lowell, born November 21, 1899. Mrs. Schmoker is a daughter of C. H. and Rosella Mack, and her father is the present postmaster of Dickey. Mr. Schmoker is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He is active in public affairs, and although a young man has placed himself in an enviable position among his fellows. In political sentiment he is a Republican, and is strong in his convictions. He keeps pace with the times and stands for equity and right, and is a man in whom the people can repose confidence. His property has been acquired by the exercise of those characteristics which mark the intelligent man who enjoys the comforts of a country life.
CHARLES A. SEARLE, one of the representative men of Dickey, La Moure County. North Dakota, has been a resident of that locality many years, and is closely identified with its business and public interests. He conducts an extensive business in farm machinery, in company with N. Schmid, with whom he has been associated since 1893.
Mr. Searle was born in Keysville, New York, April 27, 1848, and was the second in a family of nine children, five sons and four daughters. His father, John T. Searle, was a native of Vermont, and was a shoemaker by trade, and died in Minnesota at the age of sixty-seven years. Our subject's mother bore the maiden name of Miller, and was born in Fairhaven, Vermont. She died in February, 1897.
Our subject lived in his native village until thirteen years of age, when his parents moved to Millersburg, Rice County, Minnesota, where he attended the district school and grew to manhood, his occupation for many years being that of a farmer. He went to Cass County. North Dakota, in the spring of 1883, and lived in the Red river valley three years, and in 1886 went to La Moure County and entered claim to a homestead near Dickey, on which he conducted farming for a number of years, and in the spring of i8yi established his business in Dickey. He has been successful in every enterprise and is one of the successful men of the community.
Our subject was married, in Owatonna, Minnesota, in September, 1876, to Miss Isabelle Whitson, a native of Canada, who was born in 1858, and was a daughter of William Whitson, who was a cooper by trade. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Searle, two of whom were born in Minnesota. They bear the following names : Guy, Earl, Mabel and Clara. Mr. Searle is a loyal citizen, and during the Civil war enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Minnesota Infantry, but because of his youth was not permitted to go to the front as a soldier, but went as a captain's boy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in political sentiment is a Republican. . He is a justice of the peace, and is prominent in public affairs in his town and county.
NICK SCHMID, of the firm of Searle & Schmid, dealers in farm machinery, grain, fuel, etc., is one of the popular and successful business men of Dickey, La Moure county. He has been a resident of that locality many years and is also proprietor of a farm one half mile from the village, on which he conducts general farming and makes his home. He has thoroughly improved his home farm and is surrounded by the comforts of a country life.
Our subject was born on a farm in Switzerland, January 27, 1853. His father, John Schmid, was also a native of Switzerland, and died in Cass county. North Dakota, in 1895, aged seventy-eight years. The mother of our subject who bore the maiden name of Mary Rath, died when he was about twelve years of age.
Mr. Schmid received his first schooling in his native land and at the age of fourteen years came to America with his father and settled on a farm in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1884. He located land in La Moure county, North Dakota, in 1883, and the following year filed claim to the same, the southeast quarter of section 28, township 136, range 62. He devoted his entire attention to farming until 1893, when be became associated with C. A. Searle, in the machine business. He has made a success in this enterprise and enjoys an extensive patronage.
Our subject was married, in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, in 1881, to Miss Mary E. Schmoker, a native of that county, who was born in 1860 and was a daughter of Paul and Rose Schmoker. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schmid, the eldest daughter being born in Wisconsin. They are named as follows: Mollie D., Pearl R., Annie D., Alfred J. and George J. Mr. Schmid is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America. He is prominent in public affairs and has held numerous township offices of trust and was also county commissioner for three years. Every enterprise for the better interests of his community meets with his hearty approval and support and he is deservedly held in the highest esteem.
BYRON N. STONE. president of the Bank of La Moure, is a man of active business capacity and a substantial citizen. He is connected with many business enterprises and in every instance his efforts are crowned with success. He is one of the influential men of La Moure county, and is deservedly popular with the people.
Our subject was born in Hartford, Washington county, Wisconsin, November 20, 1857, and was the younger of two sons born to Aurilius and Sarah (Shepherd) Stone. His father was a native of Iowa, and was a farmer by occupation, and died during the Civil war, having enlisted for his country's cause in a Wisconsin regiment. The mother of our subject now resides in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
Mr. Stone lived in his native county and vicinity until eighteen years of age, and attended the high school, and after completing his education began farming with his brother, Fred, on land which was left them by their father. When our subject was twenty-five years of age he and his brother went to Dickey county, North Dakota, and located near the village of Fullerton. They also engaged in the hardware business, and the following year, in June, 1883, removed their stock to La Moure, from which time until 1890 they were engaged in mercantile pursuits, first in hardware, then the livery business, and for a time conducted the Leland Hotel. Our subject was also manager for the Wisconsin Lumber Company for three years, and in 1890 became manager for the Downing farm, which position he still holds.
Mr. Stone was married, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, November 12. 1879, to Clara A. Baggs, a native of Walworth county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Stone is a daughter of Horace and Laura A. Baggs. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been the parents of six children, as follows: Effie, now assistant cashier of the Bank of La Moure: Arthur: Francis L. died aged four years: Frank D.; Fred B. and Ruth L The oldest two children, together with Mr. and Mrs. Stone, are members of the Presbyterian church, and our subject is superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Stone is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Modern Woodmen of America. Ancient Order of United Workmen and Order Eastern Star. He is a gentleman of exemplary character and well known throughout that region. Aside from his financial interests in the West he is sole proprietor of a large grocery at West Superior. Wisconsin, and is a member of the firm of W. H. Carpenter & Company, commission merchants, of Duluth. Minnesota.
WALTER C. TAYLOR, of the firm of Warren & Taylor, publishers of the "La Moure County Chronicle," is a man of much ability as a business man and a highly esteemed citizen. He was born on a farm near Alexandria, Minnesota, February 18, 1870.
The father of our subject, Cyrus L. Taylor, was a native of Kentucky and was a merchant by occupation. He died at Devil's Lake, North Dakota, in 1888, aged sixty-eight years. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Lydia A. E. Bratton, was a native of Indiana. She is now living at Devil's Lake. Eight children were born to this worthy couple, two sons and six daughters, our subject being the sixth in order to birth.
When still a child our subject moved with his parents to Alexandria, Minnesota, and he resided there until seventeen years of age, and after completing his education entered the office of the "Alexandria Post," where he learned the printer's trade, and remained there until 1886. He then went to Devil's lake. North Dakota, where he became foreman of the "Devil's Lake News," edited by Jas. V. Brooke, and later was manager thereof. He removed to Towner, North Dakota, in January, 1891, and purchased the "Independent," which he published about three years, and then disposed of the paper to George W. Wilson, of Minot, and returned to Devil's Lake, where he remained until the fall of 1894, and then went to LaMoure and accepted the position of foreman of the "Chronicle," which position he held until April 1, 1897, when he bought a half interest in the plant with E. M. Warren. since which he has conducted the paper with Mr. Warren under the firm as before stated. The "Chronicle" is a Republican paper and is the official organ of the county.
Our subject was married in Grand Forks, North Dakota , in 1892, to Miss Ora M. Hunt. Mrs. Taylor died in LaMoure. North Dakota , in 1897, aged twenty-three years. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Knights of the Maccabees.
JOHN YOUNG, one of the earliest settlers of La Moure county, and a representative man of his locality, is successfully engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, and has vast tracts of land which he has fully improved and cultivates. He resides on section 33, in township 134. range 62, and his handsome residence is a substantial brick structure and the finest in the county, and one of the few brick dwellings in the state. He has experienced the privations of a pioneer settler, and can recount with unerring accuracy the early history of that region. He is highly esteemed as an energetic citizen who labors for the better interests of his community.
Our subject was born in the small village of Reed's Landing, Wabasha county, Minnesota, January 25, 1863, and was a son of Frederick Young. His father was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America when a young man, and for a number of years ran a keel boat on the Mississippi and Chippewa rivers, prior to the railroads making their appearance in that locality.
When a child about three years of age our subject went to Wisconsin with his parents, where they resided many years and where our subject grew to manhood. In the latter part of the '70s he returned to his native state and remained a short time, and in 1880 went to North Dakota, then a territory. He first lived in the vicinity of Grand Forks, and June 2, 1881, went to Grand Rapids, La Moure county, then the only town in the county: but it was not until 1883 that Mr. Young filed claim to the land on which he located, at Medbury Station. He has added to his possessions from time to time, and is now the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land, and he personally supervises the work of cultivating the same. He owns and operates a threshing machine, and has steadily progressed with the work, and is considered one of the best business men of the locality. His residence is near the station of Berlin, and he has every convenience of a model farm. There were but thirteen persons in the county when he located there, and wild game was plentiful. Great herds of antelope and deer were frequently seen, and an occasional buffalo.
Mr. Young returned to Minnesota in 1891, and was married to Miss Rachel Zimmerman, a native of that state. Mrs. Young's parents, Casper and Elspath Zimmerman, were natives of Switzerland, and were farmers by occupation. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Young, as follows: Irene R., who died aged eight months: George H., Charles F. and Milton R. Mr. Young takes an active part in public affairs, and has been township treasurer seven years, and has also acted as school director at different times.
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