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

ANDREW G. ANDERSON, The home farm of Andrew G. Anderson on section 21, South Bend Township, McHenry county, about a mile west of Velva, is known as the Pioneer Farm and is one of the splendidly improved and productive farm properties of the state and its attractive appearance is due to the enterprising efforts and progressive methods of the owner. A native of Sweden, born in March 1862, Andrew G. Anderson is a son of Andrew and Sophia (Peterson) Anderson, who were likewise natives of that country. The father followed the occupation of farming in Sweden throughout his entire life and passed away in October 1915, having for about a year and a half survived his wife, who died in April 1914.

Andrew G. Anderson was reared and educated in Sweden, where he remained to the age of nineteen years, when he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Minnesota. For two years he worked on the section at Northern Pacific Junction and then removed to McHenry county, North Dakota, where he filed on a homestead that has since been his place of residence.  It is pleasantly and conveniently situated a mile west of Velva, so that the advantages of town life are easily secured, while those of rural life are always to be enjoyed.  With characteristic energy he set about the arduous task of developing and improving his tract of wild prairie. He first built a log cabin which is still upon the farm although long since abandoned as a residence. He worked diligently and untiringly to develop the fields and as his labors brought forth good crops and thereby added to his financial resources he purchased more land from time to time until he now owns six hundred acres, constituting one of the finest and best improved farms in the northwestern part of the state, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. He has lived upon this farm since 1882, or for a period of more than a third of a century, and it bears every evidence of his progressive spirit. He makes a specialty of handling shorthorn cattle, keeping one hundred head. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Velva.

On the 15th of February 1895, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Mary Roulier and to them were born four children, of whom Clarence and George are yet living, while Ruth has passed away and one died in infancy. The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Anderson is also an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party and he served as county commissioner from 1908 to 1912, while for twenty years he has been a member of the school board and has been its president several terms, doing everything in his power to promote the interests of education. He is one of the pioneer settlers of McHenry county and with the work of improvement and development has been closely associated for several decades, while throughout the entire period he has occupied a position as one of the leading agriculturists of this part of the state.

CHARLES R. ANDERSON, At a period when McHenry county was just being reclaimed for the purposes of civilization Charles R. Anderson took up his abode within its borders and has since been identified with its progress and improvement. He was born in Sweden, May 31, 1858, a son of Andrew and Christina Anderson, who spent their entire lives in that country.

Charles R. Anderson was reared under the parental roof and acquired a public school education, remaining in Sweden until 1880, when at the age of twenty-two years he came alone to the United States. He first settled in St. Louis county, Minnesota, where he was employed with a Scandinavian-American school teacher, who was temporarily working on the railroad and who gave Mr. Anderson and other newly arrived emigrants special instruction in the English language, which he had thoroughly mastered. In 1882 Mr. Anderson came with others to McHenry county, North Dakota, there being twenty-one families in the party.  He cast in his lot with the early settlers, for at that time the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun. He was accompanied by his brother, A. G. Anderson, and his uncle, Charles Peterson. He filed on a preemption, which he later turned into a homestead.  His brother filed on a homestead, while Mr. Peterson preempted but died before he won his title to the property. His brother August then came on and filed on the land, eventually becoming the acknowledged owner. Upon a part of these three claims the town of Velva was later built. Charles K. Anderson’s farm is located on the southwest quarter of section 23, South Bend township, and adding to his original tract he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres upon which he still resides and which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.

In 1896 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Elfie A. Druze, a native of Athens county, Ohio, who came to North Dakota on a visit and remained to teach school. She passed away on the 6^th of August 1916, leaving a daughter, Grace E., who is at home.  Politically Mr. Anderson is a republican but has never been an office seeker. Fraternally he is connected with Velva Lodge, No. 76, F. & A. M., and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the fraternity. He is also a member and a trustee of the Methodist church.

His residence in McHenry county now covers more than thirty-four years, during which period he has witnessed notable changes in this section of the state. His own labors have contributed to the general improvement and as the years have passed he has won a place among the substantial agriculturists of the district and is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator of Velva. His residence stands within the limits of the town. His land, rich and productive, now returns to him a substantial annual income and the excellent appearance of his place is attributable entirely to his persistent, earnest and intelligently directed efforts.

M. C. ANDERSON, manager of the Osborne-McMillan Elevator at Voltaire, was born in Hutchinson, Minnesota, on the 17th of April 1886, a son of Andrew and Anna (Christenson) Anderson, who are natives of Denmark but who in childhood came with their respective parents to the United States, the two families locating in Minnesota. Both were reared in McCloud county, Minnesota, and there they were married and still make their home, being now residents of Hutchinson. After long connection with agricultural pursuits Mr. Anderson is enjoying well earned rest in honorable retirement from business.

M. C. Anderson attended the public schools, the Hutchinson high school and the Metropolitan Commercial College at Minneapolis and was graduated from the last named institution in the spring of 1906. Immediately afterward he came to North Dakota, settling at Flaxton, Burke county, which was then a part of Ward county. There he secured a position in a general store, working as clerk and bookkeeper. In the fall of 1907 he filed on a homestead in what was then Williams county but is now Divide county. He lived upon and improved that place for eight months, when, having complied with all the laws relative thereto, he was given title to the property. He then returned to his Flaxton position, which he held until 1910, when he removed to the farm and for three years was engaged in its cultivation. In the spring of 1914 he went to Voltaire as manager for the Osborne-McMillan Elevator Company, controlling its business at this point to the present time. The interests under his management here constitute an important feature in the community, as they furnish a market for the grain producers. Personally Mr. Anderson owns three hundred and twenty acres of farm land in Divide county and secures from the property a gratifying annual income.

In the spring of 1910 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Louise Amundson, of Northwood, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children, Merton, Arthur and Lucille.  Mr. Anderson votes independently, casting his ballot not according to party ties but according to the dictates of his political wisdom and judgment.

ALBERT ALBRECHT, senior partner in the firm of Albrecht Brothers, general merchants of Anamoose, claims Germany as the land of his birth, his natal day being June 4, 1864.  His parents, Frederick and Dorothea (Dietrich) Albrecht. are mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of their son, Hon. L. C. Albrecht.

At the usual age Albert Albrecht became a pupil in the schools of Germany and when still quite young began serving an apprenticeship at the miller’s trade. He remained a resident of his native country until he reached the age of twenty-seven years and in July 1891, crossed the Atlantic to America. He landed in New York city but made his way at once to Chicago, where he spent three months with an uncle. He then removed westward to Bigstone, South Dakota, where he devoted his attention to farming. In the summer of 1897 he came to McHenry county, North Dakota, and filed on a homestead three miles south of the present town of Anamoose. In the spring of 1898 he took up his abode upon his farm and in that summer the store building was erected and the firm of Albrecht Brothers began merchandising. The business has since been continued and the steady growth of their trade has made theirs one of the most important commercial concerns of the county.  They carry a large and well selected line of general merchandise, being most careful in making their purchases, while the business policy of the house is such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. In October of the same year in which the store was opened Albert Albrecht was appointed the first postmaster of Anamoose in which official position he served for ten years.

In 1907 occurred the marriage of Mr. Albrecht and Miss Augusta Seehafer, of McHenry county, who was born in Wisconsin. They had one child Carl W. The wife and mother passed away in December 1908, and in 1913 Mr. Albrecht was again married, his second union being with Miss Sophia Schweicker, of Hamburg, Minnesota. They are now parents of a daughter, Eleanor.

Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht hold membership in the Lutheran church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He ranks with the leading business men of McHenry county and has given his attention untiringly to the conduct of the store. The firm of Albrecht Brothers has been one of the prime factors in the wonderful development of this section of the country and they have very extensive land holdings not only in North Dakota but in four other states, while Albert Albrecht owns independently three hundred and twenty acres of farm land three miles south of Anamoose. It was a fortunate day for him and his brothers when they determined to seek a home in the new world, for in this country, where effort is unhampered by caste or class, they have found the opportunities which have led to success. Realizing that industry is the basis of all honorable business advancement, Albert Albrecht has applied himself most closely to his commercial interests and no one questions the honesty of his acts or the integrity of his motives.

FREDERICK ALBRECHT, The name of Albrecht in McHenry county has become a synonym for commercial enterprise and integrity. The firm of Albrecht Brothers owns and conducts one of the leading business houses of this section of the state, located at Anamoose, and the policy pursued is indicative of the spirit of western enterprise and progress which has brought about the rapid development and upbuilding of the district, Mr. Albrecht was born in Germany, a son of Frederick and Dorothea (Dietrich) Albrecht, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of the Hon. E. C. Albrecht, who is a member of the state legislature.

Frederick Albrecht acquired his education in the public schools of his native country and on the 8th of March 1892, landed in New York city. From the eastern metropolis he made his way direct to Chicago, where he was employed in shoe factories, having previously served an apprenticeship at the bench in Germany. He worked at his trade in Chicago until 1898 when he came west and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of North Dakota. He and his brother Albert were the first to locate at Anamoose and erected the first business building in the town, wherein they established the first store. It was at the beginning a small concern but has been developed into one of the most important commercial enterprises in McHenry county. In 1899 they were joined by their brother, L. C.  Albrecht, and the three brothers now continue the business together, their establishment being widely known and commanding a large trade over a broad stretch of country. Their store is neat and tasteful in its arrangement and is attractive in the line of goods carried Moreover, the proprietors are always courteous and obliging in the treatment of their patrons and demand the same courtesy from employees to those who give them their trade.  Their interests are conducted in accordance with the modern idea of progressive commercialism and with the rapid development of this section of the state their patronage is continually growing. The Albrecht Brothers also have farm land holdings to the extent of thirty-five hundred acres in five states and Frederick Albrecht owns individually three hundred and twenty acres adjoining the town of Anamoose.

In 1901 occurred the marriage of Mr. Albrecht and Miss Amanda Seehafer, of McHenry county and a native of Wisconsin. Her father came to America in childhood from Germany, while her mother was born in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Albrecht have a family of four children, Waldemar, Erick, Dorothea and Harold.

Mr. Albrecht exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served almost continuously on the town board since the organization of Anamoose, while for four years he was chairman of the board. He occupied the position of school treasurer for fifteen years and he has been a delegate to the county and state conventions of the republican party, being made chairman of the McHenry county delegation to the last state republican convention, which was held in Minot. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran church, in which he is serving on the official board and as treasurer. His business affairs, although of steadily growing volume and importance, have never been allowed to so monopolize his time as to preclude his interest in those activities which have to do with man’s relations to his fellowmen and to the government at large. On the contrary he is a loyal and progressive American citizen and one who is ever willing to extend a helping hand where aid is needed.

HON. L. C. ALBRECHT, state senator and a leading business man of Anamoose, was born in Germany, October 13, 1867, a son of Fred and Dorothea (Dietrich) Albrecht, who came to the United States in 1892. The following year they settled in Bigstone City, South Dakota, and the father there engaged in farming. In 1898 he removed to McHenry county, North Dakota, and filed on a homestead adjoining the site of Anamoose, there developing an excellent farm, on which he still resides. He is now in his eightieth year and is still hale and hearty.

L. C. Albrecht was educated in the public and military schools of the fatherland and for three years and nine months served in the German navy. In the spring of 1891 he came to the United States, making his way to Chicago, where he was employed in a blacksmith shop, having previously served an apprenticeship to the trade in the fatherland. In July 1893, he removed westward to Bigstone City, South Dakota, where he opened a blacksmith shop and conducted business for two years. He also spent a year in Milbank, South Dakota, and in August 1896, went west to Oregon, opening a shop in the town of Bake Oven, that state. There he spent three years and in August 1899, joined his brothers, Albert and Fred, at Anamoose.  They had previously established a general merchandise business at that point in 1898 and L. C. Albrecht became a member of the firm of Albrecht Brothers. They built up one of the largest and most important mercantile establishments of McHenry county, being the pioneer business house at Anamoose. They carry a full line of dry goods, notions, groceries and hardware and their store is now large and well appointed, while the business methods of the house ensure a continuance of the trade. Their policy has ever measured up to the highest commercial ethics and it is known that the word of the firm can be depended upon at all times. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr.  Albrecht is a partner in the ownership of several thousand acres of farm lands in various states and he owns independently nine hundred and sixty acres in McHenry county. His investments in property have been most judiciously made and are steadily increasing in value.

In 1895 Mr. Albrecht was married to Miss Anna Schmidt, of Bigstone City, South Dakota, but a native of Minnesota, and to them have been born two sons and two daughters, Agnes, Louis, Edward and Fern.

Mr. Albrecht votes with the republican party, which he has supported since becoming a naturalized American citizen. He has been an active spirit in the upbuilding of the school system of Anamoose and is a friend to the cause of higher education. For eight years he served as a member of the school board, during which period the schools were brought to their present standard of high efficiency, ranking among the best in the state.  Mr. Albrecht also served on the board of county commissioners from 1910 until his election to represent his district in the state legislature in 1913, when he resigned the former position to take up the more arduous duties of framing the laws of the state. He is proving himself an able member of the upper house and has been connected with constructive legislation and with those wholesome and purifying reforms which have been growing up in the political life of the country. Some of the more important committees on which he served were, during the first session, those on education and on highways, bridges and ferries, and during the last session, those on appropriations, education, highways and corporations, of which last he was chairman. He was also a member of the Lathrop committee appointed to investigate the state educational and penal institutions and the conduct of the state offices. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and his entire life has been guided by high principles. Investigation into his career serves but to heighten his fame and throughout McHenry county, where he is best known, he is spoken of in terms of regard and respect.

MARTIN APLAND. president of the First State Bank of Bergen and well known as a breeder of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, was born in Cambridge, Iowa, December 4, 1879, his parents being Ole and Anna (Ersland) Apland, who took out the first marriage license ever issued in Story county, Iowa. They were natives of Norway and prior to their marriage they arrived in the United States, the father coming in 1853 and the mother in 1854. Both settled in Story county, Iowa, and Mr. Apland purchased government land prior to the passage of the homestead law, paying a dollar and a quarter per acre for the property.  With characteristic energy he began to transform the tract of wild prairie into productive fields and year after year he carefully tilled the place, but his death occurred a short time before the birth of his son Martin.

The latter was educated in the public schools and afterward became a student in Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1903. He later became a student in the State Agricultural College at Ames, where he pursued a course in civil engineering, and afterward spent one year in the University of Idaho. On the 1st of June 1907, he arrived in Bergen, North Dakota, where he purchased stock in the First State Bank. Not long afterward he was elected president of the institution and has so continued, his efforts being a potent element in promoting the continued growth and success of this institution, which is today one of the strong moneyed concerns in McHenry county. In 1912 he with Mr. Sorlien engaged extensively in the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, meeting with excellent success in the undertaking. He has built up an enviable reputation in this line within the short period of four years and he now has forty-six head of pure bred animals on his place, with a bull at the head of his herd for which he paid nine hundred dollars when it was fourteen months old. He also has several heifers which cost four or five hundred dollars each. Mr. Apland also has extensive property interests, having made judicious investments in farm lands until his holdings now embrace two thousand acres.

In 1909 Mr. Apland was united in marriage to Miss Maud Anderson, of Bergen, North Dakota, by whom he has two daughters, Naomi and Anna. In his political views Mr. Apland is a democrat, while fraternally he is connected with Dogden Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he was one of the organizers, and with Minot Lodge, No. 1089, B. P. 0. E. He and his wife are consistent and devoted members of the Lutheran church and its teachings guide them in all life’s relations. Fantastic theorizing may present seemingly plausible reasons for the attainment of success, but careful analysis shows that business progress is always based upon earnest, continued effort. It has been through untiring diligence, persistency of purpose and commendable ambition that Martin Apland has worked his way upward and his life record proves that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

JUDGE HORACE BAGLEY, who without invidious distinction may be termed one of the foremost citizens of McHenry county, his home being at Towner, was born in Melbourne, Iowa, May 28, 1873, his parents being James H. and Harriett (Easton) Bagley, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. In early manhood the father removed to Delavan, Wisconsin, and there he wedded Miss Easton, who had become a resident of that place in her childhood days. He devoted his life to farming and in 1865 went to Marshall county, Iowa, where he purchased land and thereon engaged in general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1904. His widow survives and now resides with a sister at Pipestone, Minnesota.

Judge Bagley spent his youthful days in his parents home and completed his public school education by study in the Owatonna (Minn.) high school. He afterward attended the University of Minnesota and was graduated from the academic department with the class of 1894, winning the Bachelor of Literature degree. He then took up educational work and was superintendent of schools at Mapleton, Minnesota, for four years but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for at the end of that period he entered the law department of the University of Minnesota in 1898 and was graduated with the class of 1900. Removing to Adrian, Minnesota, he spent but a brief period at that place and then located at Thief River Falls. In the autumn of 1901 he came to North Dakota and in February 1902, established his home in Towner, where he purchased an interest in the Mouse River Bank, of which he was chosen president. In 1908 that institution was merged into the First National Bank and Judge Bagley became vice president of the latter institution but at the present time he is serving only as a member of the board of directors.  In 1908 he was elected county judge of McHenry county with increased jurisdiction and served for six years upon the bench, his course being characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial, based upon the law, the evidence and the equity in the case. In December 1912, he entered into a law partnership with John Thorpe under the firm name of Bagley & Thorpe and they rank high as legal practitioners at the bar of McHenry county. During the period of his residence in this state Judge Bagley has embraced his opportunity for investment in land and now has extensive holdings.

In 1902 Judge Bagley was married to Miss Belle Cornell, of Mapleton, Minnesota, and they have become parents of two children, Jeannette and Mary. Fraternally Judge Bagley is connected with Granville Lodge, I. 0. O. F., and Grand Forks Lodge, No. 255, B. P. 0. E., while he and his wife are members of the Episcopal church. In politics he is a progressive republican and at all times he has placed the public welfare before partisanship. His business and professional interests and his judicial service have given him high rank among the leading citizens of McHenry county.

ANDREW C. BERG, now serving as county superintendent of schools in McHenry county, with office in Towner, where he makes his home, was born on the 11th of June 1876, in Pope county, Minnesota. His parents, Cornelius A. and Jorand (Brevig) Berg, are both natives of Norway, whence they emigrated to America in 1867 and located in Pope county, Minnesota, being among its first settlers. There the father took up a homestead, which he improved and, meeting with success in his farming operations, he was able to add to his original tract until he now owns one whole section of land and is still engaged in its cultivation. He has reached the age of seventy-one years and his wife is sixty-eight years old.

On the home farm Andrew C. Berg passed the days of his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner. He began his education in the public schools of Starbuck, Pope county, Minnesota, and for two years attended the seminary at Willmar. He was next a student in the normal school at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he completed a five year course, and has since spent two years in the North Dakota State University. In 1892 he taught his first term of school, although at that time he was but sixteen years of age, and he has since taught in Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota. His experience has been varied as he has had charge of many schools, including the small country school and the large city school, of which he has been principal. In 1906 he took up a homestead in Bowman county, North Dakota, which he improved and is still operating, though he does not give his personal attention to its cultivation. He is now the owner of a half section of land and has met with success in farming. In the fall of 1908 Mr. Berg removed to Granville, McHenry county, where for four years he served as superintendent of the city schools, and was then elected county superintendent, being the present incumbent in that office. As a teacher he has met with most excellent success and the schools under his management have been greatly benefited. In the office of county superintendent, he has made the schools of McHenry county far more efficient and the people have the utmost confidence in his ability.

Mr. Berg was married in August 1905, to Miss Alma Hanson, and they now have two children: Madeline J., born January 3, 1907; and Homer C, born June 2, 1910. Mr. Berg is a stockholder in the Towner Garage, which handles the Ford cars. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, and politically he affiliates with the republican party. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is a man highly honored and esteemed wherever known. He is secretary and manager of the North Dakota Pupils Reading Circle Board, secretary of the North Dakota Educational Association’s committee on legislation and president of the Northwestern Educational Association, embracing thirteen counties in the northwestern part of the state.

A. M. BERGET, deputy county auditor of McHenry county and a resident of Towner, was born in Boyd, Minnesota, May 23, 1892, a son of Anton P. and Mary I. (Teigen) Berget, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father is one of the well known and leading grain buyers of Towner, being manager of the Towner elevator, owned by the Andrews Grain Company.

Brought to Towner in his boyhood days, A. M. Berget completed a high school course by graduation with the class of 1910 and soon afterward he entered the county auditor’s office as clerk, in which capacity he served until 1913, when he was appointed to the position of deputy county auditor, in which connection he has since served, loyally and capably performing the duties that devolve upon him in this connection.

In 1915 Mr. Berget wedded Miss Marissa J. Pitts, a daughter of William R. Pitts, of Towner, one of the earliest of the pioneers in this section of the state. Mr. Berget exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has been city auditor of Towner since 1913. Fraternally, he is connected with Mouse River Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., of Towner. Mystic Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M. of Towner and Lebanon Council, No. 2, R. & S. M., of Rugby. He is likewise identified with Towner Camp, No. 3777, M. W. A. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while his wife belongs to the Episcopal church, and in the social circles of their city they occupy an enviable position. Mr. Berget is a prominent representative of the younger generation of Towner’s citizens and his worth is acknowledged by all, for he has proven himself loyal to his public duties and faithful to the trust reposed in him.

ANTON P. BERGET, For twenty years Anton P. Berget has been prominently identified with the business interests of Towner and is now devoting his attention to the grain trade as manager in charge of the elevator of the Andrews Grain Company. He was born August 14, 1867, in Norway, of which country his parents, Peter and Annie (Berget) Berget, were lifelong residents. By occupation the father was a farmer. The mother died on the 14th of August 1867, when our subject was only three hours old. He then made his home with his grandparents and was reared and educated in his native land.

At the age of seventeen years Mr. Berget crossed the Atlantic to the United States and located in Montevideo, Minnesota, where he learned the harness maker’s trade, at which he worked in that city for seven years. On the 4th of July 1894, he came to Towner, North Dakota, and has since been a resident of McHenry county. He took up a homestead about forty miles northwest of Towner and was engaged in its improvement and operation for two years, after which he removed to Towner and again turned his attention to harness making. He followed that business until 1903, when he sold out, and for the following ten years engaged in general merchandising. In 1914 he accepted the position of general manager for the Andrews Grain Company and has since had charge of their elevator.

Mr. Berget was married November 10, 1888, to Miss Mary Teigen, and they have become the parents of eleven children, namely: Alma, now the wife of A. R. Ellis, of Mendon, North Dakota; Melvin, a resident of Towner; Inga, a teacher, residing at home; Lena, Jalmer, Hazel, Minnie, Viola and Burton, all at home; and Inga and Alice, both deceased.

At the primaries of 1910 Mr. Berget was nominated as register of deeds on the republican ticket and as his party is about four to one in the majority a nomination is equivalent to an election. He has been a member of the city council of Towner and has served as school director for six years, his official duties always being most faithfully and conscientiously performed. His religious belief is that of the Lutheran church, and fraternally he is an honored member of the Masonic order.

HENRY H. BERGH, cashier for the First National Bank at Towner, was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, April 1, 1878, a son of Hans and Annie (Olson) Bergh, who are natives of Norway. In the year 1872 the father came to America, establishing his home in Allamakee county, Iowa, where he purchased land and has since carried on farming, he and his wife having long been respected and valued residents of that locality.

Henry H. Bergh spent his youthful days on the old homestead farm and completed his education by a course in the Valder Business College at Decorah, Iowa. On attaining his majority he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for three years in his native state, and in 1902 he came to North Dakota, settling at Fessenden, where he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Wells County State Bank. There he remained until 1903, when he was transferred to the German State Bank at Harvey as assistant cashier so remaining until 1905. In that year he became identified with the business interests of Anamoose, opening a real estate and loan office. He was active along that line until 1906, when he entered politics and was elected register of deeds of McHenry county. So excellent was the record that he made that he was five times elected to the office, which he continued to acceptably fill until January 1, 1916, when he resigned and entered the First National Bank of Towner as cashier, also becoming one of the stockholders and directors of this institution, of which T. L. Beiseker is the president, Robert Gorman vice president and P. A. Hanson assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and has deposits amounting to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It is a state depositary and is the oldest national bank in McHenry county as well as one of the most substantial, having ever followed a policy in which conservatism and progressiveness are evenly balanced. It is recognized as a very strong institution and its officers are among the leading business men of their part of the state. Mr. Bergh is also a member of the Towner Motor Company, which handles Dodge and Paige cars.

On the 21st of June 1905, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bergh and Miss Lillian Nelson, by whom he has two children: Marguerite, born June 26, 1906; and Eileen, born November 20, 1908. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Bergh is a well known representative of the Masonic fraternity and of the Yeomen. His political endorsement is unfalteringly given to the republican party and aside from his long service in the position of recorder of deeds he has for two terms been mayor of Towner, giving to the city a businesslike administration characterized by reform, progress and high civic standards.

FRED J. BOHNET, A most progressive business enterprise is that conducted by Bohnet Brothers at Kief.  Their large store with its well selected stock would be a credit to a city of much greater size and the business methods of the house measure up to the highest standards of modern commercialism. Fred J. Bohnet, a partner in the undertaking, was born in Roumania, January 2, 1887, a son of Martin and Katherine Bohnet, who were natives of Prussia. The father followed farming and milling in his native country until 1887 and then crossed the Atlantic with his family, establishing his home in Wells county, North Dakota, where he entered a claim. This he at once began to develop and improve and thereon engaged in general farming until 1902, when he retired from active business life and removed to Fessenden, North Dakota, where he and his wife are now making their home.

Fred J. Bohnet, brought to the new world in his infancy, was reared on the old homestead in Wells county with the usual experiences of the farm bred boy, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He supplemented his public school training by study in a business college in Fargo and thus well trained for commercial pursuits he and his brothers engaged in general merchandising at Fessenden from 1903 until 1909. In the latter year he and his brother, Emil W. Bohnet, removed to Kief, McHenry county, and established another store. They erected a double store building and carry a mammoth stock of goods for a town of that size. They are accorded a very liberal patronage and their trade is constantly growing as the population increases, for their reliable business methods commend them to the continued patronage of the public. In addition to his mercantile interests Fred J. Bohnet is a stockholder in the First State Bank of Kief.

On the 4th of June 1908, Mr. Bohnet was united in marriage to Miss Pauline Orlowski and they become the parents of two children: Harold, born March 6, 1909, and Herbert, born in September 1911.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, and in his political views Mr. Bohnet is a republican, giving stalwart support to party principles. He has served as township clerk for two years and as township treasurer for a year and is now filling the position of township supervisor. He makes a capable officer, for he is always loyal to any trust reposed in him, and his deep interest in the welfare of the community is indicated by his hearty cooperation in all movements for the public good. In business circles he is alert and enterprising, carrying forward to successful completion what he undertakes, for in his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He realizes that when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he can carve out another path which will bring him to the desired goal.

WILLIAM H. CHAPEK, Commercial enterprise in Anamoose finds a worthy representative in William H. Chapek, a general merchant who carries a large stock of goods and enjoy’s a liberal patronage. He was born in Wauzeka, Crawford county, Wisconsin, December 29, 1876, his parents being Frank and Mary (Stuckey) Chapek, the latter also a native of Wauzeka. The father, who was born in Bohemia, was a musician in the old country, depending upon his art for a livelihood, but after coming to America he took up the occupation of farming in Crawford county, Wisconsin, where he remained active in general agricultural pursuits until 1906.  He then disposed of his property there and removed to McHenry county, North Dakota, where he purchased land which he still cultivates, although he resides in the town of Anamoose, where he and his wife are widely and favorably known.

William H. Chapek was reared and educated in Wisconsin and remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he started out in the business world as an employee in a dry goods store owned by his cousin. He was thus employed for four years and then went to Anamoose in 1901 to take charge of a general merchandise store which his father had established. He remained in control of the business until July 1907, when the store was destroyed by fire. The following year he embarked in general merchandising on his own account and today owns a fine business block on which he is carrying a large and well selected stock of goods such as meets the general demand. His business methods are thoroughly reliable and his energy is enabling him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles that bar the path to success, so that already he is numbered among the substantial residents of his adopted town.

On the 10th of September 1904, Mr. Chapek was married to Miss Mary N. Hublow and they have become parents of four children: Margaret, who was born July 16, 1905; F. A. M.  Milton, whose birth occurred June 27, 1906; William Maurice, whose natal day was December 15, 1909; and Norman Richard, born September 21, 1912.  The family are adherents of the Catholic faith and Mr. Chapek belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp. Politically he is a republican and has served as a member of the town board. He is an active and helpful member of the Commercial Club, in which he was formerly vice president, and he is a stockholder in the Anamoose Road Drag. Persistency of purpose has ever been one of his marked characteristics and in the commercial field he has found the path which for him leads to success.

JAMES M. COLTER, postmaster of Voltaire and actively identified with farming interests in McHenry county since 1900, was born in Bruce county, Ontario, Canada, January 20, 1860, a son of James and Agnes (Hawthorne) Colter, who are natives of Ireland and Canada respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and was identified with agricultural interests in Canada until 1897, when he came to North Dakota, where he carried on a farm until 1906. lie then retired from active business life and returned to Canada, where lie now resides at the age of seventy-nine years, while his wife is seventy-six years of age. On the 11th of November, 1916, they celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding.

James M. Colter was reared and educated in Canada, remaining under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He afterward worked at the carpenter’s trade in Winnipeg for two years and then, thinking to find better business opportunities across the border, he came to North Dakota in 1884, settling in Pembina county. Through the succeeding sixteen years he devoted his time and energies to teaching school and for seven consecutive years was a successful teacher at Hensel, this state. In 1900 he removed to McHenry county and took up a homestead claim which he at once began to develop and cultivate. His time and energies have since been given to the improvement of his, place and from time to time he has bought more land, now owning four hundred acres which pays to him a substantial annual income owing to the care and labor which he bestows upon the farm. He now makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle and has an excellent herd upon his place. While thus actively engaged in farming and stock raising, he makes his home in Voltaire and in 1914 was appointed postmaster of the town, which position he is now filling.

On the 1st of January 1895, Mr. Colter was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Turner and to them was born a daughter. Myrtle T., whose natal day was October 10, 1913. On that day the mother passed away and later Mr. Colter wedded her sister, Mrs. May Pringle, who became his wife December 31, 1915. Fraternally Mr. Colter is connected with the Masons, the Yeomen and the Foresters. His religious belief is that of the Methodist church and his life is guided according to its teachings. Politically he is an earnest republican and for five years has filled the office of assessor of Voltaire township and has also been township clerk. He has likewise served on the school board since 1901 and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion who puts forth every possible effort to advance the interests and raise the standard of the schools of his community.

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