North Dakota History and People
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Chicago, Ill. 1917

ARTHUR B. ATKINS, attorney at law practicing at Napoleon, was born in Columbia, South Dakota, July 6, 1884, a son of Charles W. and Emma (Burgess) Atkins, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Streator, Illinois, in which city they were married in the year 1878. They lived in that state until 1881, when they went to South Dakota, settling first at Columbia. The father is an attorney at law and for many years was a prominent figure at the South Dakota state bar but is now living retired, enjoying a well earned rest at Columbia after long connection with professional interests.

Arthur B. Atkins was educated in the public schools of his native city and in the University of Minnesota, where he was graduated on the completion of a course in the department of agriculture with the class of 1905. He then pursued a two year course in law in the university and in 1907 he came to Napoleon. He passed the required examination before the supreme court in June 1907, and was formally admitted to the North Dakota state bar.  He then located in Esmond, Benson county, where he continued to practice until the spring of 1909, and the following fall he located in Napoleon, where in the intervening seven years he has built up an extensive practice that has connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district and made his name a familiar one as that of an able and learned lawyer in his part of the state.

On the fifth of December 1913, Mr. Atkins was married to Miss Anna Nelson, of Ashley, North Dakota, and they have become parents of two children, Lucille and Charles W. Mrs.  Atkins is a member of the Episcopal church and the family is prominent in the social circles of the city. Politically Mr. Atkins is a republican and is regarded as a man of influence in his community, for his keen insight enables him to quickly understand a situation and to correctly value opportunities. He works diligently to promote public progress as well as to win individual success and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon personal merit he has worked his way steadily upward.

JUDGE GEORGE A. BRYANT, presiding over the county court of Logan county, was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, April 13, 1850, a son of Henry 0. and Mary E. (Boling) Bryant, who were natives of Kentucky but were married in Indiana, to which state they had removed with their respective parents in childhood. The father and his brother, Thomas J., for years conducted Bryant’s Business College in Indianapolis, which was the foundation of the famous Bryant & Stratton Business College, having branches in various cities. Mr. Stratton afterward purchased the business. Henry and Thomas Bryant were among the most widely known educators of the United States and they were pioneers in the development of education along the lines of business training. In 1860 Henry 0. Bryant severed his connection with the Indianapolis college and removed to Bethany, Missouri, where he was engaged in the drug business for two years. He was then elected county clerk of Harrison county, in which office he continued for four years. Later he retired from business and located on a farm where he resided until the time of his demise.

Judge Bryant was educated in the public schools of Indianapolis and in the high school at Bethany, Missouri, and in 1864, while still a boy, entered upon an apprenticeship at the printer’s trade in the capacity of printer’s devil. With thoroughness he mastered every phase of the work and four years later, or in 1868, he founded the Grant City Star, a weekly publication issued at Grant City, Worth county, which is still being published under the same name. Judge Bryant, however, sold the paper after a year and a half and went to work as a journeyman printer, in which connection he was employed throughout the succeeding five years in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. In 1874 he purchased the Union County Independent, published at Creston, Iowa, but when a year had passed he disposed of the plant and again worked as a journeyman in Nebraska and Missouri until 1879, when he began the publication of the Craig Gazette at Craig, Missouri. In 1881 he removed his plant to Waterloo, Nebraska, where he published the Waterloo Gazette until 1886, when he took his equipment to Napoleon, North Dakota, and began the publication of the Napoleon Homestead, which paper is now being published by his son, Otis F. Judge Bryant severed his connection with that paper in December 1894. On coming to North Dakota in 1886 lie had homesteaded a quarter section of land adjoining the corporation limits of Napoleon and upon that tract he now makes his home.  In his political views Judge Bryant is a stalwart republican and has been a prominent figure in the public life of his community, having been the organizer of the republican party in Logan county. He served as county register of deeds for nine years and for the past fourteen years has continuously occupied the position of county judge. His work has been of the utmost value in upholding the political and legal status of the community and in advancing intellectual and moral progress. There were but twenty-six voters in Logan county upon his arrival here and from the time when the district was a most sparsely settled region he has taken a most active and helpful part in advancing its interests along all the lines leading to permanent good.

In 1872 Judge Bryant was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Peacock, of Harrison county, Missouri, by whom he has three children, namely: Otis F., who is editor of the Napoleon Homestead and is also engaged in business as an automobile dealer; Mary E., the wife of W. H. Jacobson, a contractor and builder of Waterloo, Nebraska; and Roy H., at home. Mrs. Bryant is a member of the Presbyterian church, while Judge Bryant is connected with the Christian church. He also has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. The record of no public man of Logan county has extended over a longer period and none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation.

GEORGE ELHARD, Logan county probably has no more progressive or public-spirited citizen than George Elhard—the founder of the town of Gackle, where he now makes his home. His early home, however, was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Russia, July 7, 1867, and is a son of Phillip and Elizabeth (Gackle) Elhard, who were likewise natives of that country but were of German descent. The father continued to farm in Russia until 1897, when he came to America and on reaching this country proceeded at once to North Dakota. He filed on a homestead south of Alfred and engaged in the cultivation of his land for some time but at length removed to Gackle, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying on the 28th of June 1914. His wife had passed away in May 1908.

In his native land George Elhard was reared and educated and after leaving school engaged in farming there until 1894, which year witnessed his arrival in the new world.  Coming direct to North Dakota, he filed on a homestead in Logan county where the town of Gackle now stands and to the improvement and cultivation of his land he devoted his energies for some time. He was also employed in a general store at Kulm until 1903 and thus gained a practical knowledge of business affairs which has been of great benefit to him. On resigning his position in 1903 he and his cousin George Gackle, opened a general store seven miles south of the present site of Gackle but the following year moved their stock of goods to where the village now stands. Mr. Elhard may be called the father of the town, which was established upon his land and he has twice moved the town site. He served as its postmaster for four years and has done everything within his power to promote its interests.  In 1907 he was elected to the state legislature and acceptably filled that position for one term.  He continued to conduct his store until 1908, when he sold out and organized the State Bank of Gackle, of which he was president for five years. He then disposed of his interest in that establishment and for the following year was again engaged in the general mercantile business.  At the present time, however, he is devoting his attention principally to the real estate, fire and life insurance business and also handles flour and feed. His home is the finest residence in Gackle and besides the property already mentioned be owns three hundred acres of oil land in Texas and is a stockholder in an oil company in that state and also In the Home Life Insurance Company of Bismarck, North Dakota.

On the 22d of April 1904, Mr. Elhard was united in marriage to Miss Emma Ammon, a daughter of John and Caroline (Von Wolmersdorf) Ammon, also natives of Russia, where the father died. The mother afterward came to America and now makes her home in Gackle, North Dakota. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Elhard, three—Anna, Bertha and Flora—all died of scarlet fever in one week, between the 11th and 21st of May 1911, Those living are Henry George, born October 29, 1911; and Robert Bernhard, born April 29, 1913.  In religious faith Mr. Elhard is a Congregationalist and in politics he is a republican.  He is a man of prominence in his community, and has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs. He possesses good business and executive ability and has not only promoted ills own interests but has been an influential factor in advancing the public welfare.

HARRY H. FRANCE, One of the most prominent business men and influential citizens of Logan county is Harry H. France, president of the State Bank of Gackle and a dealer in lumber and grain.  He was born on the 6th of March 1861, in Summit county, Ohio, of which state his parents, Isaac W. and Mary A. (Wise) France, were also natives. In early life the father learned the harness maker’s trade, which he followed for some years, and then purchased land in Summit county and turned his attention to farming. He made many improvements upon his farm and engaged in its cultivation for many years but is now living retired in Greensburg, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, honored and respected by all who know him.  His wife is also living as are all of their seven children, the youngest being now forty-five years of age.

Harry H. France grew to manhood, in his native state and was educated in the schools of Greensburg. After putting aside his books he learned the carpenter’s and millwright’s trades, at which he continued to work in Ohio and Minnesota for about ten years. He was next employed as manager of lumberyards for different firms, and in that capacity came to Gackle, North Dakota, in 1905, being placed in charge of the lumberyard of Salzer & Company.  On coming to Logan county he took up a homestead and has since devoted a portion of his time to its improvement and operation. After serving as manager of the lumberyard in Gackle for six years he purchased an interest in the business and is still a partner in the firm and is manager of the enterprise. As previously stated he is also president of the State Bank of Gackle and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of the same place.

On the 9th of December, 1888. Mr. France was united in marriage to Miss Emily M Richard, a daughter of David and Anna (Hoover) Richard, who were natives of Ohio. Her parents were still residing in that state when the Civil war broke out and the father enlisted in an Ohio regiment, serving until hostilities ceased. Subsequently he removed to Minnesota and purchased land sixteen miles from Minneapolis, where he engaged in farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in December 1913. His widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. France are the parents of four children, namely: Oscar, who is now assistant cashier of the Logan County Bank at Gackle; Abbie, at home; Myrtle, the wife of Henry Brooks, a farmer living near Nortonville, North Dakota; and Isaac W., a carpenter of Cackle.

In religious faith Mr. France is a Methodist and his political support is given the men and measures of the republican party. He has been honored with official positions of prominence, having served as a representative in the general assembly during the sessions of 1911 and 1913. He has also served as school clerk continuously since attaining his majority, the cause of education having always found in him a warm friend. He is worthy of the high esteem in which he is uniformly held for his life has been above reproach. In his business dealings he has always been found upright and honorable and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.

O. T. HOUSE, the well known and popular postmaster of Napoleon, North Dakota, and one of the pioneers of Logan county, was born in West Union, Iowa, on the 6th of November 1852, his parents being Alexander and Sarah (Sturgis) House. The father was a native of New York state and the mother of Pennsylvania, but they were married in Iowa, whither they had removed in early life. Mr. House secured a homestead in Fayette county, that state, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in the town of Fayette in 1913. The mother of our subject had died in 1859 and the father had subsequently married Miss Augusta Lovell, who passed away one month prior to her husband’s death.

In the state of his nativity 0. T. House grew to manhood, pursuing his education in the public schools and graduating from the Ainsworth high school in the class of 1871. After putting aside his textbooks he worked on his father’s farm for about a year and then started out in life for himself. He spent two years in traveling throughout the western states, during which time he was variously employed, and then returned home. In 1883 he came to North Dakota and first located in Steele, Kidder county, but the following year removed to Logan county and filed on a homestead, on which he proved up, making that place his home for ten years. Since that time he has been a resident of Napoleon and has followed various occupations, being identified with the hotel and livery business for some time. He has also dealt in land and has engaged in the stock business to some extent. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of good land in Logan county, two hundred acres of which he is farming at the present time with excellent results.

Mr. House was married in 1893 to Miss Mary Helmer, of Napoleon, and they have become the parents of four children, namely: Olive Frances, now the wife of 0. K. Winjum, a farmer of Logan county; and Alexine, Marion and Anna, all three at home.  It was in March, 1914, that Mr. House was appointed postmaster of Napoleon and he has since served in that capacity with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the general public. As a democrat he takes an influential part in political affairs in his community and has been called upon to serve in several official positions of honor and trust.  He was appointed the first sheriff of Logan county and was subsequently elected to that office, serving in all four years. He has always been found true to every trust reposed in him and is justly regarded as one of the prominent and representative citizens of his part of the state.

CARL F. KAZ, Among the young men of Logan county who have already displayed marked business ability is Carl F. Kaz, who is now serving so acceptably as assistant cashier of the State Bank of Gackle. His entire life has been spent in North Dakota and he takes a just pride in its development and prosperity. He was born in Logan county on the 12th of December, 1894, and is a son of Carl and Louisa (Fercho) Kaz, who came to this country from Germany in early life and first located in Michigan. From that state they removed to Lamoure county, North Dakota, where the father was employed as a ranch hand for a time, but on coming to Logan county he purchased land. He improved his property and as time has passed he has prospered in his farming operations, steadily adding to his possessions until he is now the owner of seven quarter sections of land besides some city lots in Bismarck.  He has not only gained financial success but has also become prominent in public affairs and is now serving as county auditor of Logan county. He has efficiently filled that position since 1906 and now makes his home in Napoleon, the county seat. His wife is also living and both are held in high esteem.

Carl F. Kaz grew to manhood in Logan county and is indebted to its public schools for his early education. Later he attended the Bismarck Business College and the Dakota Business College at Fargo, thus obtaining a good practical knowledge, which has been of great benefit to him since starting out in life for himself. At intervals he was employed as clerk in the auditor’s office under his father during vacations while still in school, and in 1913 accepted a position as stenographer in the Medina State Bank at Medina, North Dakota, where he remained three months. The following seven months he was clerk in the state treasurer’s office at Bismarck and for ten months was in the office of the register of deeds at Napoleon. In August 1915, he went to Gackle and accepted the position of assistant cashier in the State Bank of Gackle, which important position he is still filling to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The bank has a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars and deposits amounting to eighty-five thousand dollars. It was organized in 1909 and its present officers are H. H. France, president; A. Zimmerman, vice president; R. S. Metler, cashier; and O. F. Kaz, assistant cashier.

GEORGE LANEY, living at Napoleon, occupies the position of sheriff of Logan county and his sterling qualities of manhood and citizenship have gained him high regard. He was born in Ontario, Canada, January 20, 1873, a son of William and Anna (Brennan) Laney, who were also natives of Canada, where they were reared and married. In 1880 they crossed the border into the United States, making their way to North Dakota. The father secured a homestead claim in Pembina county and afterward removed to California, where he resided for thirteen years. In 1908, however, he returned to North Dakota and established his home in Napoleon, where he has since lived.

George Laney was reared and educated in the public schools of Pembina county and in early manhood entered the employ of Judge N. G. Young of Fargo, by whom he was employed for six years. In 1899 he removed to Logan county, where he engaged in ranching, but after two years he took up his abode in Napoleon, where he dealt in livestock. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to public office and for six years, from 1902 until 1908, he served as sheriff of Logan county. He then retired from the office but in 1914 was reelected, so that he is now serving his eighth year in that position, and at the last primary he was again nominated without opposition.  His is indeed a creditable record, for the public recognizes that his service constituted a splendid safeguard of law and order. Mr. Laney also filled the position of postmaster of Napoleon for ten and one-half years, being first appointed to the office in October 1903.

In 1890 occurred the marriage of Mr. Laney and Miss Delma Perrault, of Bathgate, North Dakota, who died December 29, 1907, leaving a daughter, Lorna, who is now a high school pupil. In 1910 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Shorten, of Logan county.

In his political views Mr. Laney has always been a stalwart republican and is recognized as one of the leading workers of the party in his section of the state. Fraternally he is connected with Bismarck Lodge, No. 1199, B. P. O. E., and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, while he and his wife hold membership in the Catholic church. His is a notable career of a successful business man who also finds time and opportunity to advance the general good. He has become a heavy holder of farm lands in Logan county owning fifteen hundred acres, and this and other interests make him one of the most substantial citizens of his section of the state. All who know him speak of him in terms of high regard and to the law-abiding citizen his name is a bulwark of defense and protection.

A. F. LEHR, It has been wisely said that banking institutions are the heart of the commercial body, indicating the healthfulness of trade, and it is well known that the bank which follows a safe, conservative policy does more to establish financial credit and confidence in times of widespread financial depression than any other agency. A. F. Lehr, of Gackle, is connected with one of the substantial country banks of North Dakota, being president of the Logan County Bank, which is an important feature in the business development of that community.  Mr. Lehr was born in Tripp, South Dakota, September 23, 1879, a son of Andreas and Clara (Goehring) Lehr, both of whom were natives of Germany but were reared in Russia, where they were taken by their respective parents when children. They were married in the latter country and five children were born to them ere their emigration to the new world, and four thereafter. They crossed the Atlantic in June 1879, and made their way to Hutchinson county, South Dakota, where the father secured a homestead claim and actively engaged in farming until 1902, when he retired from business life and removed to Tripp, where he now resides. He was quite successful in his farming enterprises and acquired nine hundred and sixty acres of land but has now disposed of his entire holdings, dividing some of it among his children and selling the remainder. He never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the United States, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and in their utilization worked his way steadily upward to success.

A. F. Lehr was educated in the public schools of his native state and in January 1903, removed to Kulm, North Dakota, where he secured employment as a clerk in a general store at a salary of ten dollars per month. In April 1904, he went to Gackle and embarked in the real estate business on his own account. In that undertaking he prospered and it led to his business advancement along other lines. In 1905 he became one of the principal factors in the organization of the Logan County Bank but continued to give his time and attention to his extensive real estate transactions until 1909. In the interval, or in 1907, he had been elected president of the bank and in 1909 he assumed active management of its interests, since which time he has largely promoted the business. In 1912, however, although still continuing in the position of president, he withdrew from the active control of the bank in order to give his attention to his other extensive interests and for two years took no special part in the management of the bank’s affairs but in 1914 he resumed active connection there with and is now the controlling spirit. Under his guidance the business has grown steadily and the policy of the bank is such as wins popular confidence and support. He has been a very extensive dealer in farm lands and at the present time his holdings aggregate nineteen hundred and twenty acres. His investments have been most wisely and judiciously made and have brought to him very gratifying success.

In 1900 Mr. Lehr was married to Miss Magdalena Hieb, of Kulm. and they have become parents of five children, of whom three are living: Clara M., Ella A. and Calvin C.  Mr. Lehr votes with the republican party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has been a prominent figure in republican circles for a number of years, his opinions carrying weight in its local councils, while his efforts for better and cleaner politics have been widely resultant. He is now serving as a member of the central committee of Logan county and he has been closely associated with those wholesome and purifying reforms which have been growing up in the political life of the country.  Fraternally he is connected with the American Yeomen and his position is that of one of the foremost citizens of Logan county, his fellow townsmen recognizing his marked ability and resourcefulness—qualities that have made him a leader in shaping public thought and action.

C. J. MAEREKLEIN, M. D., a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Gackle, North Dakota, was born in Newburg, Wisconsin, June 30, 1876. His parents, Charles and Alvina (Thrun) Maereklein, were both natives of Pomerania, Germany, and came to the United States with their respective parents, locating in Wisconsin, where they were reared and married.  They made their home on a farm in that state and the father continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1903. The mother is still living and now makes her home with a daughter in Rhame, North Dakota.

During his boyhood and youth Dr. Maereklein pursued his studies in the public schools of his native state and attended the high school of West Bend, Wisconsin. He then entered the Milwaukee Medical College, which he attended for one year, and was next a student at the Wisconsin College of Physicians and Surgeons, now the medical department of Marquette University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1903, on the 30th of April. His father had died about six weeks prior to this, on the 13th of March 1902 and after his graduation he was compelled to return home and take charge of the farm of two hundred acres, which he operated the following summer. During that time it was sold and in December, 1902, the Doctor began the practice of his profession with Dr. A. E. Henslin, of Le Roy, Minnesota. He passed the medical examination before the Minnesota state board in April 1903, and immediately opened an office in Le Roy, where he practiced independently for three years. In casting about for a more suitable location, he came to North Dakota, in the fall of 1906, and located in Wyndemere, where he remained until the spring of 1909. At that time he purchased a half interest in the practice of Dr. N. J. Shields at Lidgerwood and was associated with him until the fall of 1911, when he sold out to his partner and removed to Jud. He practiced there until December 1914, when he took up his residence in Gackle and has since built up a large and remunerative practice, which is steadily increasing. His ability in his profession is widely recognized and he has met with good success in his chosen calling.

On the 24th of May 1904, Dr. Maereklein was united in marriage to Miss Martha M.  Every, of Le Roy, Minnesota, and to them have been born four children, those now living being Olive A., Charles E. and Richard C. Mrs. Maereklein is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a most estimable lady.

In politics the Doctor is a democrat and he is now acceptably serving as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board of Gackle. He holds membership in Harmony Lodge, No. 53, A. F. & A. M., of Lidgerwood; Unity Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M.; Wihaha Commandery, No. 4, K. T., of Jamestown; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the line of his profession he is also connected with the Southern District Medical Society of North Dakota; the North Dakota State Medical Society; and the American Medical Association.  He is one of the foremost practitioners in the southern district and is a man highly honored and esteemed wherever known.

GEORGE M. MCKENNA, states attorney of Napoleon, was born in Laporte, Indiana, on the 10th of February 1879, and pursued his education in the public schools of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, after which he attended the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.  He was graduated from the Southern Minnesota Normal School at Austin, Minnesota, in 1900 and afterward completed a course in the University of Minnesota as a member of the class of 1903, there winning the LL. B. degree. In the same spring he came to Napoleon and the following year was elected state’s attorney, in which official capacity he has served continuously since. He is an able lawyer, strong in argument, forceful in his reasoning, logical in his deductions.

In 1904 Mr. McKenna was married to Miss Edith Grace Weber, of Austin, Minnesota, and to them has been born a daughter, Marcella Grace. In politics Mr. McKenna has ever been a stalwart republican, supporting the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with Bismarck Council, No. 1604, Knights of Columbus, and is now its chancellor and one of the state lecturers of that organization. He and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. His interests and activities are thus broad and varied, but while he has done much to further political and moral progress, he has also wisely promoted his business interests and is now the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres of valuable farm land in Logan county from which he derives a substantial annual income. His investments have been judiciously made and he displays keen discernment in the management of his business affairs.

J. H. MEYERS, cashier of the Logan County Bank of Gackle, was born in Russia, September 15, 1876, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Hertz) Meyers, both of whom were natives of Russia but of German parentage. In 1889 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, establishing their home at Tyndall, South Dakota, where the father engaged in farming upon rented land. In 1900 he removed to North Dakota and filed on a homestead in Stutsman county. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred the same year. His widow afterward became the wife of John Pfau and they now make their home at Upham, North Dakota.

J. H. Meyers was a youth of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents on the long voyage across the Atlantic to the new world and upon the homestead farm in South Dakota, amid the conditions and environment of pioneer life, he was reared, remaining there until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when he started out in business life independently.  He spent a year on the range as a cowboy and sheep herder and later secured a situation as clerk in the general store of A. A. Clothier & Son of Windsor, North Dakota, with whom he remained for about four years. In the fall of 1905 he became identified with the grain trade as a buyer for the Powers Elevator Company for their Gackle station. He represented that business for two years, when he formed a partnership with A. F. Lehr and C. and M. Hieb. They built an independent elevator, which they operated under the name of the North Dakota Elevator Company, with Mr. Meyers as manager. That business was continued until January 1913, when the elevator was sold, but in 1914 Mr. Meyers and Mr. Lehr repurchased it and now own and operate the elevator, conducting a profitable grain business. In 1907 Mr. Meyers further extended his efforts along business lines by becoming a stockholder in the Logan County Bank and on the 1st of January 1913, he entered the bank as its vice president, while in 1914 he succeeded the outgoing cashier and has since acted in that important position.

On the 3d of September 1907, Mr. Meyers was married to Miss Gertie Hieb. He is a democrat in his political views and is the present town clerk of Gackle. He has also served as a member of the school board for the past six years and is interested in all plans and measures for the benefit and welfare of town, county and state. Public opinion classes him as one of the prominent bankers and leading business men of Logan county.

THOMAS K. MORK, For nine years Thomas K. Mork has been prominently identified with the business interests of Napoleon and is today president of the Merchants Bank of that city. He was born in Norway on the 10th of September 1858, a son of Kolben T. and Ingeborg Mork, who came to the United States in 1882 and located in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota.  Three years later they removed to Day county, South Dakota, where the father homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he resided until called to his final rest in 1908. The mother is still living and now makes her home with a daughter in Alberta, Canada.

Thomas K. Mork passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country, where he attended the public schools. Later he entered the University of Christiania, Norway, from which he was graduated with the class of 1879, the degree of pharmacy being conferred upon him. In the fall after his graduation, Mr. Mork crossed the Atlantic and for two years made his home in Montevideo, Minnesota. At the end of that time he removed to Cyrus, the same state, where he conducted a drug store for three years, and then opened the first drug store in Wheaton, Minnesota, which was also one of the first business enterprises of that then new village. He became prominently identified with the development of the place and continued in business there for twenty-four years.  In 1907 Mr. Mork removed from Wheaton, Minnesota, to Napoleon, North Dakota, where he established himself in the drug and general merchandise business, and in March 1908, became one of the organizers of the Merchants Bank of Napoleon. Three years later, having acquired the majority of the stock, he was made president of the bank, which he has since served in that capacity. It is one of the substantial moneyed institutions of that part of the state and is a credit to the men in control of its affairs. In 1913 Mr. Mork sold his mercantile interests and now gives his entire attention to the banking business.  Besides his town property he owns sixteen hundred and twenty acres of farm land in Logan county and twelve hundred and eighty acres in Montana. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, who usually carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.

Mr. Mork was married in Cyrus, Minnesota, in 1884, to Miss Margaret Sulve, a native of Wisconsin, and to them have been born three children, those still living being: Alma, the wife of G. V. Holset, cashier of the Merchants Bank of Napoleon; and Margaret, at home.

Mr. Mork is a democrat in politics and has served as county coroner for several years both in Minnesota and North Dakota. He has also filled the office of city clerk and is never remiss in duties of citizenship. He is a Knights Templar Mason and belongs to Travers Lodge. No. 189, A. F. & A. M., of Wheaton. Minnesota, of which he was the organizer, being the first Mason to locate in that place. He had previously belonged to Sunset Lodge, No. 109, of Montevideo. He is a member of Kodiah Chapter, R. A. M., of Browns Valley, Minnesota: of Bismarck Lodge, No. 1199, B. P. 0. E.; of the Modern Woodmen of America; and of the American Yeomen. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church and are people of prominence in the community where they reside. Mr. Mork is a very progressive and public-spirited citizen, taking a commendable interest in public affairs and never withholding his support from any enterprise which he believes will advance the general welfare.

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