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

D J. O’CONNELL, a member of the McHenry county bar practicing at Towner, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in December 1862, a son of J. G. and Julia O’Connell, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Massachusetts. The father came to the new world with his parents in early boyhood and here learned and followed the carpenter’s trade, becoming a contractor of Cincinnati and afterward of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he passed away in 1863. His wife survived for only two years and died in 1865.

D J. O’Connell spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Iowa and Illinois and was graduated from the State University of Iowa as a member of the class of 1896. Prior to this time, however, he had spent several years in the newspaper business in Iowa and Minnesota, but desiring to enter upon a professional career, he took up the study of law.  Following his graduation he located at Burlington, Iowa, where he engaged in active practice until 1902, and during the period of his residence there he became a candidate for congress on the democratic ticket on two occasions but met with defeat. In 1902 he removed to Towner, North Dakota, where he opened an office and has since continued in the active practice of his profession. He is the possessor of one of the largest law libraries of the state, with the contents of which he is very familiar. He displays marked ability in his profession, carefully and systematically preparing his cases, while his clear and cogent reasoning in the presentation of his cause never fails to impress court or jury and seldom fails to win the verdict desired for his client. While his devotion to his clients’ interests is proverbial, he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. For six years he has served as special assistant attorney general and he has filled the office of states attorney, while on one occasion he was defeated for the office of attorney general of North Dakota on the democratic ticket. While a resident of O’Brien county, Iowa, he held the office of county superintendent of schools. He has also been a member of the town council and his official duties have been discharged in a most prompt and capable manner.

In August 1885, in Sheldon, Iowa, Mr. O’Connell was united in marriage to Miss Mary E.  Burns and they have one child, Anna, who was born in November 1903. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Catholic church and in fraternal relations Mr. O’Connell is connected with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He votes the democratic ticket and his close study of the questions and issues of the day enables him to give strong reason for his political faith. Naturally his interest chiefly concentrates upon his profession and in his chosen calling he is making substantial progress.

WILLIAM R. PITTS, an honored early settler of McHenry county and one of the highly esteemed citizens of Towner, was born in Reedsburg, Sauk county, Wisconsin, on the 9^th of October 1851. His parents, William and Ann (Fischer) Pitts, were both natives of New York, the former born in Saratoga county and the latter in Tompkins county. The father who was a farmer by occupation, removed to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, about 1839 and there purchased land, which he operated until 1862. In that year he went to Sibley county, Minnesota, and settled northwest of Henderson but remained there only a short time, however. The country was then engaged in civil war and, returning to Wisconsin, he enlisted in Company A, Nineteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until hostilities ceased. He also had two sons in the Union army, one of whom died in a southern prison, while the other was killed in battle. After the war the father made his home In Monroe county, Wisconsin, until 1870, when he removed to Barron county, that state, where he took up a homestead. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, as he died in 1871. His wife survived him for several years, passing away in 1888.

In the public schools of Wisconsin William R. Pitts acquired his education and he remained with his parents until his father’s death. In 1871 he was employed by Moll & Avery in running a trading post in Monroe county, Wisconsin, and so continued until January 1872, when he was employed by the government as interpreter, acting in that capacity during the removal of the Winnebago Indians from the State of Wisconsin to Nebraska. At length he purchased a tract of railroad land adjoining the home farm, which he operated for his mother as well as his own farm. In 1877 he came to Dakota territory and located on Big Salt river, now Forest river, in Grand Forks county, where he preempted land and improved the same, following farming there until 1881. The following year he settled on Mouse river in McHenry county but subsequently removed to Ramsey county, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. To the improvement and cultivation of that place he devoted his energies for some time and then returned to McHenry county and engaged in farming and stock raising there until 1904, when he deeded his land to his son. In 1896 he had removed to Towner, where he still makes his home and is engaged in practice as a veterinarian. In fact he has devoted the greater part of his time to that profession for the past thirty years and has met with good success.

On the 31st of October 1873, Mr. Pitts married Miss Marissa Blyton, by whom he has seven children: Thomas William, Nellie G., Ann E., Charles N., George M., Marissa T. and De Forrest F. Mr. Pitts is a member of the Masonic order and by his ballot supports the men and measures of the republican party. In 1886 he was elected sheriff of McHenry county and so capably did he fill that office that he was reelected, serving in all for twelve years with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He also served as city assessor of Towner for the same length of time and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.

ANDREW RAWUKA, manager and one of the proprietors of the Simbalenko & Rawuka Elevator Company at Kief, was born in Russia, May 15, 1888, and in the year 1893 was brought to America by his parents, John and Lizzie (Danalenko) Rawuka, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After three months they removed to the suburb of Clifton Heights.  The father was a mill carpenter and worked at his trade until 1896, when he went to Virginia, where he engaged in peanut farming for eight months. He then returned to Clifton Heights and in 1899 came to North Dakota, taking up a homestead two and a half miles northeast of Kief, where he passed away on the 3d of March 1903. His widow survives and is now living with her son in Kief.

Andrew Rawuka is indebted to the public school system of America for the educational opportunities which he received and he started to earn his own livelihood in 1899 by working at herding cattle for three dollars per week. In 1902 he entered the employ of the firm of Vail & Tifft, implement dealers of Balfour. He acted as interpreter for that firm and also as errand boy and for his services received seven dollars per week. Subsequently he was employed by another implement firm in Balfour, his task being to set up machinery which they had sold. In 1903 he worked with a threshing outfit at a dollar per day and in 1904 he was fireman with a threshing engine, which work brought him a wage of two dollars and a half per day. Seven days later he was made engineer at a salary of five dollars per day and in 1905 he ran the same engine at six dollars per day. Later in the same year he was employed in connection with another threshing outfit at eight dollars per day and in 1906 he was paid eight dollars per day for his services as engineer. Between threshing seasons he was employed at farm labor and in 1907 he was given the management of a threshing rig at a salary of twelve dollars per day and had an assistant furnished him. The steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible. He gradually worked his way upward, proving his ability and fidelity, and in 1908 he became Identified with the grain trade as buyer for the Minnekota Elevator Company at Ruso. North Dakota. In 1909 he became buyer at Kief for the Homestead Elevator Company, with which he was identified until 1912, when he was made assistant cashier of the First State Bank at Kief, in which position he served for a little more than a year. In 1914 he was employed by Edward Simbalenko in the implement business and in February 1915, in connection with his employer, he bought the Atlantic elevator at Kief and assumed the management of the business.  He is now engaged along that line and his previous experience well qualified him for the duties which now devolve upon him. Not only has he made steady progress in business circles but has also acquired property and now owns a town residence and other real estate in Kief. He is justly accounted one of the representative business men of his community, his life record showing what can be accomplished when there is the will to dare and to do.  He has never regarded any task as too hard to be accomplished but has endeavored to make his powers adequate to the task and he has found that activity does not tire—that it hardens and gives resisting force, and today he is a resourceful, forceful, energetic business man—one of the builders of the northwest. He also acceptably filled the office of township clerk for four years.

C K. RITCHIE M. D., a physician of marked ability practicing at Velva, was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on the 8th of September 1858, a son of Peter F. and Margaret (Kidd) Ritchie, who crossed the border into the United States in the fall following the birth of the Doctor and established their home in Minnesota. Subsequently they made several removals, at length returning to Canada, but still later they again came to this country and spent their last days in the state of Washington.

Dr. Ritchie acquired a public school education and then in preparation for a professional career entered the Barnes Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1901. He located for practice in Minneapolis but a severe case of asthma developed and forced him to leave that city. Accordingly in 1903 he sought a change of climate by removing to Velva, where he has since remained, and his ability has brought to him an extensive and growing practice. He has all the sterling characteristics of the capable physician and is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases, while his judgment is seldom, if ever, at fault in foreseeing the outcome of disease.

In 1888 Dr. Ritchie was married to Miss Scintilla Sexta Pond, of Minneapolis, and they have become the parents of three children, namely: Lindsay K., a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Agnes M. and Cyrus H., both at home. Fraternally Dr. Ritchie is a Mason, belonging to Velva Lodge, No. 76, and he is also identified with Velva Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., the Rebeccas and the Modern Woodmen. In politics he maintains an independent course nor does he have desire for the honors or emoluments of office. It is his purpose to give undivided attention to his professional duties and colleagues and contemporaries recognize his ability, while the public endorses his course by a liberal patronage.

J J. SCHMIDT, Every community numbers as its leading citizens men of enterprise, determination and strong character who recognize and utilize advantages that lead to progress, improvement and success. Such a man is J. J. Schmidt, the president of the Anamoose National Bank and a member of the firm of Schmidt, Gulack & Heitman, hardware dealers, and also one of the proprietors of the Schmidt-Gulack elevator. In a word, he is one of the foremost business men of McHenry county and his record indicates what may be accomplished when the individual is not afraid to venture where favoring opportunity points out the way.  He was born in Russia, March 10, 1870, a son of John and Mary (Huber) Schmidt, who came to the United States in 1891, establishing their home in Mcintosh county, North Dakota, where the father took up a homestead sixteen miles north of Eureka. There he resided for eight years and in 1900 removed to Anamoose. where he became identified with his son in the implement business, but after two years his death occurred. His widow survives and is yet living in Anamoose.

The district schools of Russia provided J. J. Schmidt with his educational privileges and in 1891, when twenty-one years of age, he came with his parents to the new world.  For two years he worked upon the farm with his father and in 1894 he secured a position as clerk in a general store in Eureka, where he was employed for five years. He next removed northward to Harvey, Wells county, where for eight months he was engaged in the grain business on his own account. He became a pioneer resident of Anamoose and there established himself in the implement, flour and feed business and the building which he erected was the first business block built on the main street. He was joined by T. O. Gulack in 1901, the latter purchasing the interest of Mr. Schmidt’s father. Not only did they successfully continue in the hardware and implement business but also extended their efforts to the grain trade, building an elevator in Anamoose. This was but the first of the forward steps which have been taken by the firm. In 1904 they built an elevator at Kief and one at Ruso and in 1905 a fourth elevator was built at Dogden, all of which are still operated by the firm except the Dogden elevator, which was burned down in 1914. In 1909 Mr.  Schmidt became one of the founders of the Schmidt-Samels Lumber Company at Martin, North Dakota, which company was reorganized and incorporated the same year under the name of the Samels Brothers Company, of which Mr. Schmidt is the president and one of the heavy stockholders. This company now deals in lumber, machinery and general merchandise at Martin. In 1907 Mr. Schmidt purchased the Anamoose State Bank, which in 1909 he converted into the Anamoose National Bank and which institution does probably the largest business of any bank in McHenry county, amounting to more than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. Mr. Schmidt is also a director of the Martin State Bank. At a recent date he has erected a hotel building in Anamoose at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars and in many other ways he has contributed to the upbuilding, development and progress of the town.

In 1894 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Schmidt and Miss Rosina Hirsch, of Eureka, North Dakota, who was born in Russia. To them have been born eight children, as follows: Waldemar E., who is employed in his father’s bank; Melita A.; Berthold J.; Ernest W.; F. Theophiel; Julius G.; Richard 0.; and Alvira R. All the children are still under the parental roof. The family has a most attractive home in Anamoose and in addition to that property Mr. Schmidt is the owner of thirteen hundred and sixty acres of farm lands situated in three North Dakota counties.

His political support is given the republican party and for several years he has served as a member of the town board. He and his family are members of the German Baptist church and their influence is always on the side of right, truth and progress. In the vocabulary of Mr. Schmidt there is no such word as fail.  When one avenue of opportunity seems closed to him, he seeks out other paths that will lead to the desired goal and he never stops short of successful attainment in carrying out his plans. Moreover, his activities and interests have ever been of a nature that have contributed to public progress as well as to individual prosperity and there are few citizens of McHenry county who have done as much to further its material and moral development.

W F. SENECHAL, Activity in farm lands, loans and insurance at Drake, McHenry county, constitutes the line of business to which W. F. Senechal is directing his efforts and his energies. He was born in Atwater, Minnesota, July 27, 1875, a son of John and Louisa (Meyer) Senechal, the former a native of Stettin, Germany, and the latter of Bethlehem, New York. When a youth of eighteen years the father came to the United States with his parents, who settled at St.  Paul, Minnesota. Soon afterward the grandfather purchased eighty acres of land near that city but five years later disposed of that property and bought one hundred and sixty acres of railroad land a half mile from Atwater, on which he and his wife spent their remaining days. John Senechal was married in Atwater, to which city the Meyer family had formerly removed. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm near Atwater which he had previously purchased and there he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1890, when he removed to Todd county, Minnesota, where he filed on a homestead which he occupied and improved for seven years. He then sold that property and bought a farm in Swift county, Minnesota. Six years later, or in 1902, he came to North Dakota and made purchase of three hundred and twenty acres of land in McHenry county ten miles north of Drake, whereon he has since resided.

W. F. Senechal was reared under the parental roof and acquired a common school education.  In 1899 he arrived in North Dakota and filed on a homestead in McHenry county, seven and one-half miles northwest of Anamoose. He lived upon the homestead there for six years and in 1905 went to Drake, where he became identified with the farm implement business, which he successfully managed until 1908. He then spent two years with his family in traveling through Washington, Oregon and California and in 1910 he returned to Drake, where he opened a real estate and insurance office and has since conducted a profitable business in farm lands, loans and insurance. He personally owns three hundred and twenty acres of farm land south of Drake and a number of town properties.

In 1905 Mr. Senechal was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Strege, of Drake. She is a native of Bellingham, Minnesota, while her parents were of German birth. Mr. and Mrs.  Senechal have five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: Harold, Waldo, Howard, Viola and William.

Politically Mr. Senechal is a republican and has served as justice of the peace and as a member of the town council for several years. He was also a member of the school board in Roosevelt township. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Congregational church.  He is one of the representative citizens of Drake and his enterprise and progressiveness are manifest in the continued growth of his business, while the integrity and reliability of his methods have gained for him the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

ALFRED E. SEVAREID, cashier of the Merchants State Bank at Velva, was born in Kenyon, Minnesota, October 20, 1882, his parents being Erick and Caroline (Krogstron) Sevareid, the former a native of Norway and the latter of Sweden. The father came to America in 1853, settling in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he took up a homestead and devoted his remaining days to the cultivation and improvement of a farm, being ranked with the most enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the district. He died March 5, 1892, while his widow survived until May 15, 1913.

Alfred E. Sevareid began his education in the common schools of Goodhue county and later entered Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1906. While in college he won distinction in athletics, especially in baseball, making an excellent record as a pitcher. He took up the profession of teaching in North Dakota and after six months removed to Ruso, where he was employed in a bank for three years. In January 1910, he accepted the cashier ship of the Merchants State Bank at Velva and has held that position continuously since, his thorough knowledge of the banking business, his close application, unremitting energy and unvarying courtesy contributing in substantial measure to the success of the institution. The other officers are: C. M. Anderson, president; and A. 0. Anderson, vice president. The bank is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars and the deposits amount to two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, the bank having the largest home deposits of any bank in the county. The institution was organized in 1900 and entered upon a substantial growth which makes it one of the strong and reliable moneyed concerns of McHenry county. In addition to his connection with the bank Mr. Sevareid is a stockholder and one of the directors of the Velva Supply Company and is the secretary and treasurer of the Velva Land & Loan Company. He also has farming interests here and in 1908 homesteaded in McHenry county.

On the 14th of October 1909, Mr. Sevareid was married to Miss Clara Hougen, a daughter of the Rev. John 0. and Agnes Hougen, natives of Norway and Iowa, respectively.  The father has devoted his life to the work of the ministry and is now preaching in Tacoma, Washington, but his wife has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Sevareid have three children, Paul A., Arnold E. and John W.

The religious faith of Mr. and Mrs. Sevareid is that of the Lutheran church. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has served as a member of the city council in Velva. In 1912 he ran for state senator on the democratic ticket and only lost by a few votes in a strong republican district. He is now a trustee of Northwestern College.  At the outset of his career he recognized the fact that industry is the basis of success and his continuous progress in the business world is due to the fact that he has made industry the beacon light of his life. While naturally the greater part of his time and attention is given to his business activities, he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and gives loyal support to plans and measures for promoting public progress.

GUDMUNDUR P. SEVERTSON, Laudable ambition has characterized Gudmundur P. Severtson at every point in his career and through the steps of an orderly progression he has reached the position of cashier of the First State Bank at Velva, McHenry county. He was born in Keflavik, Iceland, August 23, 1859, a son of Hans Anton and Carolina Severtson, who were also natives of that country.  The ancestral line can be traced back to the year 878, the family being descended from King Fairhead, of Iceland. The genealogical line is given in a history prepared by Hans A.  Severtson, a man of liberal education, who largely pursued his studies in Copenhagen, Denmark.  He became a merchant of Reykjavik, Iceland, and later was French consul in Iceland, remaining for many years in the service of the French government in Iceland. Both he and his wife passed away in that country.

G. P. Severtson obtained his education in the city of Reykjavik, Iceland, and in Copenhagen, Denmark, and in the latter city entered mercantile life. In 1883 he came to America, settling first at Laporte, Minnesota, where he made his initial step in connection with banking as an employee of the Bank of Laporte. There he continued until 1891, when he removed to Kenyon, Minnesota, where he was assistant cashier of the Bank of Kenyon until 1896.  Through the succeeding six years he was a bank cashier at Hanska, Minnesota, and in 1903 removed to Velva to accept the cashier ship of the First State Bank, in which position he still continues. He is a courteous and obliging official and his activities have contributed to the success of the institution which he represents.

Mr. Severtson was united in marriage to Miss Emaline Hamre, of Kenyon, Minnesota, a native of that state, and they have become the parents of three children, Ruth, Elma and Leona, all born in Kenyon, Minnesota. Mr. Severtson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Wood men of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Velva. A resident of this town for fourteen years, he has become widely and favorably known in McHenry county, his many substantial qualities gaining for him high regard.

T E. SLEIGHT, During a period of sixteen years, covering his residence in North Dakota, T. E. Sleight has gained a substantial and enviable position in business circles at Drake, where he is connected with various enterprises that have to do with the development, progress and upbuilding of town and county. He now operates an elevator at that place and is also the owner of the electric light plant and an ice cream factory. Moreover, he is one of the most prominent farmers of McHenry county and his section of the state, owning and cultivating eighteen hundred and forty acres of land. The story of his progress should serve to inspire and stimulate others who must depend upon their own resources, as Mr. Sleight has done from the age of thirteen years. He was born in Iowa county, Iowa, May 21, 1864, and is a son of Thomas E. and Laura A. (Predmore) Sleight, who were natives of England. The father came to America at the age of twenty-one years and settled in Hagerstown, Indiana, where he worked at the machinist’s trade for some time. He then removed to Iowa county, Iowa, where he entered land, after which his time and energies were devoted to general farming until his death, which occurred April 14, 1898, when he had attained a venerable age. His wife survived him until June 19, 1903.

T. E. Sleight remained upon the home farm until thirteen years of age, when he started out to earn his own living, and since that time has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He went to Des Moines, where lie learned the machinists trade, and then took up railroading, becoming a passenger conductor on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, in which position he continued for a number of years. In 1900 he arrived in North Dakota and filed on a homestead in McHenry county, which he began to develop and improve.  At the same time he continued to run his train on the Soo Railroad and remained active in railroad work until 1904. He has never ceased his operations along agricultural lines, however, and from time to time has added to his property as his financial resources have increased until his holdings now embrace eighteen hundred and forty acres, all of which he farms, and from this extensive tract he derives a gratifying annual income. His farm work is carried on along practical and progressive lines productive of good results. When he abandoned railroading in 1904 he established a grain and elevator business and also conducted a general store and lumberyard. He still remains active in the grain trade, being the owner of an elevator at Drake, and in addition he has the electric light plant there and also engages in the manufacture of ice cream. His business interests have thus become extensive and important, ranking him with the alert and enterprising men of McHenry county whose efforts have been a most potent element in promoting the material progress and upbuilding of the district. In addition to his other holdings he owns eleven dwelling houses in Drake. His property holdings also include city realty in Cedar Rapids. Iowa, and in addition he is a stockholder in the Providence Life Insurance Company of Bismarck and the Underwriters of Duluth, Minnesota.

In July 1905, Mr. Sleight was married to Miss Anna Schaefer. They hold membership in the Congregational church and Mr. Sleight is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politically he is an earnest republican and does everything in his power to promote the growth and ensure the success of his party because of his earnest belief in its principles. He was the first mayor of Drake and aided substantially in organizing and developing the city and establishing its policy. He has also served on the city council and for sixteen years has been the efficient and valued president of the school board. He organized the school districts, incorporated the town, organized the township and named it. It will thus be seen that his time and energies have been by no means concentrated upon the attainment of individual success. He is never remiss in any duty of citizenship but on the contrary has been a leading spirit in promoting public progress and enterprise.

CARL L. SMETTE, a merchant at Upham, McHenry county, was born in Traill county, North Dakota, December 3, 1878, a son of H. C. and R. (Finneseth) Smette the former a native of Norway and the latter of Minnesota. It was in 1866 that H. C. Smette came to the United States and established his home in Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he was employed at farm labor and also taught school for a time. He afterward engaged in merchandising for two years and in 1878 he removed to Traill county, North Dakota, where he secured a preemption claim, upon which he has since engaged in general farming, being numbered among the representative agriculturists of that district.

While spending his youthful days under the parental roof Carl L. Smette acquired his education in the schools of Traill county and in periods of vacation worked in the fields, so that he early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  Thinking to find other pursuits more congenial, he began clerking in stores, spending four years in that employment. He next secured a homestead in McHenry county and spent four years in developing and improving the property, since which time he has rented it. In 1905 he was joined by his brother, Louis C. Smette, and they embarked in general merchandising at Upham. For eleven years they have now conducted their store and throughout the entire period have enjoyed a large and growing trade. They erected a fine two story double store building and carry an extensive stock, their interests being conducted under the name of the Upham Mercantile Company. The brothers are also proprietors of a general store at Newburg and were the owners of a store at Bantry until 1916, when they sold out at that place. Carl L. Smette is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Upham.

In November 1904, Mr. Smette was united in marriage to Miss Lina Lund and they have become the parents of four children, George, Robert, Lillian and Adeline. Mr. and Mrs.  Smette hold membership in the Lutheran church and his membership relations also extend to the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Sons of Norway. His study of the political questions and issues of the day has led to his support of the republican party.  His chief interest, however, is his business and along the lines of steady progression he has developed his commercial activities, which are now important, while the capable management of his business affairs has brought to him a well deserved and constantly growing measure of success.

HENRY J. SORLIEN, a well known representative of the business interests of Bergen, being vice president of the First State Bank and one of the partners in the Bergen Auto Company, was born in Bode, Humboldt county, Iowa, December 16, 1882, a son of John H. and Bertha (Knudslien) Sorlien, who were natives of Norway. The father, a stockman and farmer, came to America in early life, settling in Humboldt county, Iowa, where he purchased land and carried on farming throughout his remaining days. He passed away August 5, 1907, and is still survived by his widow.

Henry J. Sorlien spent his youthful days upon the old homestead farm in Iowa and after attending the public schools entered upon an academic course at Albert Lea, Minnesota, while later he attended Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. For one winter he taught school in North Dakota and then entered the employ of the Ross-Davidson Banking Company, with which he remained for four months.  In January 1907, he accepted the cashier ship of the First State Bank of Bergen, in which he became a stockholder. He continued to serve as cashier for seven and a half years and was then made vice president, with Martin Apland as president and J. B. Palm cashier.  The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars and has a surplus and undivided profits of forty-five hundred dollars, while the deposits amount to one hundred thousand dollars.  The bank was organized in November 1905, and entered upon a period of progressive and prosperous existence.

In addition to his connection with the bank Mr. Sorlien is one of three partners in the Bergen Auto Company, which handles Ford, Dodge and Paige cars and does general repair work on automobiles. The company sold four hundred and seventy-five Fords in the summer of 1916. Mr. Sorlien is also interested with Martin Apland in farming and stock raising, handling thoroughbred stock. They make a specialty of shorthorn cattle and have at the head of the herd a bull valued at nine hundred dollars which has taken premiums at many fairs. They also have a number of cows which cost as high as five hundred dollars. They are farming fourteen hundred acres of land and own about three thousand acres. Mr. Sorlien has thus gradually extended his business connections and interests and today occupies a leading position among the most progressive and enterprising citizens of McHenry county, contributing in large measure to its substantial development and improvement.

Active in community affairs, Mr. Sorlien has served as town, treasurer, as justice of the peace and as school treasurer and co-operates heartily in all plans and measures which are for the public good and tend to promote civic virtue and civic pride. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church.  Bergen regards him as a valuable asset to its business circles and it was also a fortunate day for Mr. Sorlien when he allied his interests with those of McHenry county, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has gradually won substantial success.

ARTHUR G. SMITH, a hardware merchant at Velva, has advanced from a clerkship to his present position as a representative merchant of McHenry county. He was born in St. Paul.  Minnesota, in November 1880, a son of S. G. and Marie A. (Barnard) Smith, the former a native of Birmingham, England, and the latter of New York. The father came to America with his parents in the ‘40s. He was educated for the ministry and for forty years engaged in preaching the gospel in St. Paul, being identified with the Peoples church for thirty years.  On a Sunday morning in March 1915, he delivered the usual Sunday morning sermon, but ere the day closed he was called to his final rest. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in July 1888.

Arthur G. Smith was reared in St. Paul and pursued his early education in that city, while his studies were completed in Switzerland. On returning from abroad he again went to St. Paul and accepted the position of traveling salesman with a hardware firm, continuing upon the road for five years. For a time he was employed in a hardware store at Willow City, whence he removed to Velva in 1907 and purchased a hardware stock and building He has since carried on business at that place and has an extensive line of both shelf and heavy hardware. He enjoys a liberal patronage and he has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. His business policy is both progressive and honorable and the integrity of his methods, combined with his energy, has brought to him substantial success.

On the 24th of June 1915, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Alpha Holler, a daughter of W. 0. Holler. He is identified with the Peoples church, an undenominational Christian organization, feeling that the deficiencies which have separated the Protestant world into denominations are unessential. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Yeomen. His political views accord with the teachings of the republican party, and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he is now serving as water commissioner of Velva and he is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the town.

EARL B. TALMADGE, a representative business man and enterprising citizen of Towner, was born on the 2d of October 1870, in New York, of which state his parents, Carlton H. and Mary E. (Lockwood)) Talmadge, were likewise natives, the former born in 1838 and the latter in 1841. The father was engaged in the dairy business in New York until 1883 when he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and took up a homestead in Grand Forks county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted five years. In the meantime, in 1884, he secured a claim in that part of Bottineau county which is now McHenry county and for sixteen years he operated the place as a cattle ranch, keeping from four to six hundred head. He also purchased additional land until he owned three quarter sections, but in 1900 he sold his farm to our subject and is now living retired in Towner at the age of seventy-eight years, honored and respected by all who know him. His wife died in 1908.

Earl B. Talmadge began his education in the schools of New York and later attended school in Towner after the removal of the family to this state. In early life he gave his father the benefit of his labor on the home farm and subsequently engaged in ranching with his father and brother until 1900, when he purchased the former’s interest in the business. For some years he made a specialty of raising shorthorn Hereford cattle, but in 1900 discontinued that and raised only registered Galloways for sixteen years, retiring from the cattle business at the end of that time. In 1907 he became interested in the baled hay and feed business, which he still carries on, shipping hay all over this state and in Montana. He now owns a ranch in Valley county, Montana, and expects to operate the same.

On the 18th of January 1912, Mr. Talmadge was united in marriage to Mrs. Myrta (Read) Herneman, Mr. Talmadge adopting her daughter Ruth B., who was born August 31, 1900. Mrs. Talmadge is a daughter of Nelson A. and Jennie L. (Hancock) Read, natives of Illinois and Wisconsin, respectively. The mother died in 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Talmadge are members of the Presbyterian church and he is also identified with Mouse River Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 1089, B. P. O. E., of Minot. His political support is given the republican party. He is widely and favorably known both in business and social circles and is regarded as one of the loading citizens of Towner.

JOHN C. THORPE, a member of the law firm of Bagley & Thorpe at Towner, and the present states attorney of McHenry county, has in his professional career displayed all the sterling traits of the able and distinguished lawyer. He was born in Ada, Minnesota, May 30, 1886.  His parents, O. S. and Johanna (Grimsrud) Thorpe, were both natives of Norway but came to the United States in young manhood and womanhood and were married at Faribault, Minnesota. There they established their home and for several years the father was identified with railroading. Subsequently he removed to Minneapolis, where he engaged in the lumber business, and in 1879 he became a resident of Norman county, Minnesota, taking up a homestead claim near Ada. He at once began to develop and improve that property, which he converted into a productive farm, thereon residing to the time of his death, which occurred December 18, 1915. His widow is still a resident of Ada.

John C. Thorpe was accorded liberal educational opportunities. He attended Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota, and also the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Law upon graduation with the class of 1910. He then entered into partnership with Joseph G. Forbes, the former partner of Hon. P. J.  McCumber, the present United States senator from North Dakota, and for two years their practice was carried on under the firm style of Forbes & Thorpe at Wahpeton. In December 1912, Mr. Thorpe removed to Towner and entered into his present professional relationship as a member of the firm of Bagley & Thorpe, the senior partner being former county judge Bagley. In 1914 Mr. Thorpe was elected states attorney of McHenry county, in which position he is now ably serving. He is also a stockholder and a director of the First National Bank of Towner. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer—a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a ready capacity for hard work, he brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts—eloquence of language and a strong personality.  He has always displayed a thorough grasp of the law, and ability to accurately apply its principles is another factor in his electiveness as an advocate.

On the 4th of June 1913, Mr. Thorpe was married to Miss Marcia Mcintosh Mitchell, of Crystal, North Dakota, and they have a daughter, Marcia Rosalie. Mr. Thorpe votes with the republican party and is a firm believer in the effectiveness of its principles as factors in good government. He is identified with various fraternal organizations, including Mouse River Lodge, No. 43, A. F. & A. M.; Mystic Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M.; and Lebanon Council, R. & S. M. He is also connected with the American Yeomen and he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star. He belongs to the United Lutheran church, while his wife is connected with the Baptist church, and they have many sterling traits of character which have gained them high regard in the social circles in which they move.

HAROLD THORSON, A superficial view of the life record of Harold Thorson makes one feel that his career is almost magical, but careful analysis of the course that he has followed shows that his splendid success is but the direct, logical and merited reward of persistent, earnest labor, keen discernment, judicious investment and unabating energy—qualities which in time have made him one of the foremost bankers in the two states of North Dakota and Minnesota, while he pays the largest income tax in the former state.

Back of this is an interesting story —the story of a youth of foreign birth who sought the opportunities of the new world and started out in business circles on this side the Atlantic with a capital of good health, vigor, determination and ambition. He was born on the Dovre farm in Nordre Aurdal Prestegjeld, Valdres, Norway, November 16, 1841, and when a youth of sixteen he bade adieu to friends and native land and started for the new world, believing that he might have better business opportunities on this side the Atlantic. On his way to this country he was temporarily struck snowblind while crossing Filefjeld to Laerdal. As a passenger on the sailing vessel Gange Rolv, which weighed anchor at Bergen, he spent five weeks before landing at Quebec.  From that point he made his way to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and in a land unhampered by cast or class he put forth his initial effort toward attaining success. Realizing the value of education as a business asset, he spent three years as a high school pupil in Manitowoc and for four years he was employed as a clerk, thus gaining mercantile experience and at the same time adding largely to his knowledge of the English language and of American methods and customs. During that period he practiced the strictest economy until his savings amounted to a sum sufficient to enable him to embark in business on his own account.  Mr. Thorson chose Minnesota as the field of his labors and in 1865 opened a store at Northfield. All through the period of his connection with trade interests there he was studying business conditions and opportunities in this state, watching the trend of development and progress, and in 1889 he gave demonstration of his notable prescience and foresight in the purchase of a large tract of land at Elbow Lake. It was this that caused him to transfer his business activities to northwestern Minnesota and North Dakota. Dr. I. Paul Goode of the University of Chicago, economist, whose study of the resources of the country has perhaps been as comprehensive as that of any other man, says that the best possible investment is farm land, and so it proved in the case of Mr. Thorson, who began cultivating his land on an extensive scale, bringing the tract to a high state of improvement and thus greatly enhancing its market value. It was also a logical step to real estate dealing and furthermore he became a factor in financial circles by identifying himself with banking. From point to point in that field he has extended his efforts until he is now president of a large number of banks throughout the northwest. He pays the largest income tax in North Dakota.  After residing at Elbow Lake for a long period Mr. Thorson went to St. Paul, where he lived retired for three or four years, but idleness is utterly foreign to his nature and this life of inactivity did not please him. In 1906, therefore, he removed to Drake, North Dakota, where he purchased the Merchants State Bank. He today controls twenty-five different banks in North Dakota and Minnesota, of most of which he is the president, and he is regarded as one of the foremost representatives of banking interests in the two states.  He is a stockholder in the American National Bank and the Northern Savings Bank, both of St. Paul, being a director in the former and vice president of the latter. His holdings of farm lands are also extensive and he likewise has large investments in city property in St. Paul and elsewhere.

On November 22, 1864, Mr. Thorson was united in marriage to Miss Karen Lajord, by whom he had eight children, four of whom still survive, as follows: Thor D., bank examiner for his father; Clara J., who is the wife of L. H. Ickler, vice president of the American National Bank of St. Paul; Cecil Lenor, at home; and Henry Lewis, who is employed in the Merchants State Bank of Drake. The wife and mother passed away in 1913.

Mr. Thorson has been a generous contributor to church and charitable work and he was one of the incorporators and one of the largest contributors to the support of St. Olaf College at Northfield, Minnesota, during the days when it was struggling for existence. To secure the location of the school at Northfield he made a personal contribution of two thousand dollars and assisted in raising six thousand more among the influential men of the city. He procured the old public school buildings and lots in the town for twenty-five hundred dollars and he picked out the present beautiful site on Manitou Heights as a place for the permanent home of the institution. He was the principal member of the building committee at the time of the erection of the main building and he bore the expense of tearing down the old buildings on the original site and removing the materials and putting them into what is known as the old Ladies’ Hall on the hill. He contributed ten thousand dollars toward the erection of Mohn Hall and has never ceased his active interest in the school. He has been equally generous in support of various other beneficent projects. His friends regard him as a commercial genius. He himself modestly disclaims this, but it is a self-evident fact that his ability has brought him to a position far in advance of the great majority of his fellowmen.  One of the secrets of his success is that he has noted and utilized opportunities that others have passed heedlessly by. Another element in his progress has been his untiring diligence guided by sound judgment and expressed in honorable business methods. He is a great man not because he has attained wealth but because he has maintained that even balance which enables him while conducting mammoth business interests to recognize and meet his duties and obligations in other connections, judging life from a sane, practical standpoint and making the most of his opportunities not only for the benefit of himself but also for the benefit of the northwest.

ALBERT WEBER, who is successfully engaged in the practice of law in Towner, North Dakota, and is regarded as one of the leading attorneys of McHenry county, claims Iowa as his native state, his birth occurring in Dubuque, September 15, 1875. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Weber) Weber, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Illinois. The father came to America late in the ‘60s and first located in California, where he engaged in prospecting for a short time. He next made his home in Dubuque, Iowa, and while there engaged in the livery business, but his last days were spent in the Black Hills, where his death occurred. The mother of our subject died in 1877.

Albert Weber was less than two years of age when his mother passed away and he was reared and educated in Minneapolis. His literary education was supplemented by a law course in the State University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated in 1899.  For a year and a half thereafter he engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in Minneapolis but in December 1901, located in Rugby, North Dakota, remaining there only a short time, however. In February 1903, he located in Towner, McHenry county, where he has since made his home. His practice has gradually increased in size and importance as his skill and ability have become recognized and he now ranks as one of the foremost lawyers of that part of the state.

In January 1908, Mr. Weber married Miss Catherine Boon and they have become the parents of five children, namely: Neal, born in December 1908; Catherine Elizabeth, born in August 1910; Amy Louise, born in November 1913; Ruth Edith, born in August 1914, and Karl Hansel, born in 1916, Mr. Weber is an Episcopalian in religious faith and in politics is a republican. He is a Mason of high standing, having taken all of the degrees in the York Kite. From 1905 until 1908 he served as states attorney and is now filling the office of city attorney of Towner and is a member of the Towner school board. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen and is a man in whom the community places the utmost confidence.

HON. TOBIAS WELO, a prominent pioneer figure in the upbuilding of the state and actively and helpfully connected with the various stages of later development and progress in North Dakota, is widely known as a successful merchant and leading business man of Velva and as a legislator connected with the work of framing the laws of the state in both house and senate. He was born in Norway on the 14th of January 1858, a son of John and Martha (Hage) Welo, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun, where they resided until 1894 and then followed their children to the United States, all having come to the new world save one son, who is living in Christiania, Norway. After reaching this country the parents made their home with their son Tobias.

After attending the public schools of Norway, Tobias Welo continued his education in a military school and later served for three years as a noncommissioned officer in the Norwegian army. His brother John, now of Christiania, is a noncommissioned officer in the regular army. It was in the spring of 1882 that Tobias Welo came to the United States, first locating in Minnesota, where he had some distant relatives, but soon afterward he went to Canada and during the greater part of the succeeding four years he was employed on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad from Winnipeg to the coast. In the spring of 1887, after the building of the Great Northern Railroad into Minot, he made his way to that city and soon filed on a preemption of one hundred and sixty acres at Des Lacs, Ward county. He stocked his claim with cattle and while proving up on his property looked after his cattle interests and also was employed by James J. Hill, railroad magnate, having charge of the section and supervising the work of special construction gangs. He remained upon the ranch for ten years and was also employed on the railroad through practically the entire period. His ranch extended clear to the station, making it possible for him to continue in both lines of work. He was one of the first men to prove up on a claim in his section of the state and his cattle grazed over a vast stretch of country.  In the summer of 1897 Mr. Welo came to Velva, at which time there was upon the town site but a single store—the property of John Muns. Mr. Welo purchased a half interest in the business and thus became identified with merchandising there only two or three years after the railroad had been built through the Mouse river valley. His partnership relation continued for four years, at the end of which time he purchased the interest of Mr. Muns and four years later he erected his present substantial and commodious business block, while in the old building he established the Velva Implement Company, an incorporated company of which he was made the president and with which he was connected until 1913 when he sold his interest in that business. In the spring of 1916 he bought out the Gilbertson & Swanson Implement Company, incorporating the business as the Velva Supply Company, of which he is the president. He is also extensively interested in farming, owning three sections of land, one section of which he personally cultivates and which is said to be the finest section of farm land in that part of the state. He has put upon it many splendid improvements and the work is carried on along the most progressive methods of agriculture.

In 1885 Mr. Welo was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Matson, a native of Norway, who was brought to, America in her early girlhood and was reared in Fillmore county, Minnesota. To them were born twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: Nora, Dora, Arthur, Walter, Esther, Wanda and Victor. The wife and mother passed away in June 1913, and later Mr. Welo wedded Mrs. Maggie Anderson, nee Chelson.

Politically Mr. Welo is a republican and for the past thirty years has been prominent in local political circles. He served for a number of years as justice of the peace, rendering decisions which were strictly fair and impartial, and for several years he has been a member of the school board, serving at the present time as its president. In 1900 he was elected probate judge and prior to the expiration of his term of office in 1902 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, serving in 1903. In November 1905, he was again elected to the general assembly and in 1908 was chosen to represent his district In the state senate for a four-year term. During this time he was chairman of the committee on highways, bridges and ferries, and served on several other committees.

He is a member of the Lutheran church and high and honorable principles have actuated him at every point in his career. Viewed in any light, his record has been fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. He has ever loyally supported a cause or measure in which he believes and a laudable desire for advancement has actuated him in all his business career. His life proves conclusively what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the way.  Arriving in the new world empty handed, he sought employment that would yield him an honest living, and making it his rule of life to spend less than his income, he thereby gained the capital which eventually enabled him to embark in business for himself. Point by point he has progressed and he is recognized today as one of the foremost merchants and agriculturists of McHenry county.

JOSEPH A. WIK, On the roster of officials in McHenry county appears the name of Joseph A. Wik, who is now occupying the position of sheriff, and in the discharge of the duties of the office he is prompt, fearless and thoroughly reliable. He was born in Chippewa county, Minnesota, November 18, 1879, his parents being Tollef and Sophia (Bay) Wik, the former a native of Norway and the latter of Denmark. They came with their respective’ parents to America in their childhood days, the father when a little lad of but six summers and the mother when a maiden of fifteen years. Both families settled in Dodge county, Minnesota, where the father and mother were reared and married, after which they established their home in Chippewa county, where Mr. Wik filed on a homestead, on which he resided to the time of his death on the 26th of December 1911. He was then sixty-four years of age and for a little more than a year had survived his wife, who passed away August 28, 1910, at the age of fifty-six years.

Joseph A. Wik was educated in the public schools of Watson, Minnesota, but when only twelve years of age became a wage earner. For a time he was employed in a butcher shop and as clerk in a grocery store and in 1899 he became identified with the grain trade as second man in a grain elevator in Watson. In 1903 he removed to Granville, North Dakota, where he became buyer for George Lippman, and while serving in the capacity of manager of the elevator there he filed on a homestead near Deering, McHenry county. Complying with the laws regarding occupancy and improvement, he secured title to his property, which ultimately he sold. He then became manager of the Granville elevator and after two years spent in that connection he went to Denbigh as manager of the Imperial Elevator, which position he filled for two years. On the expiration of that period he bought an interest in an elevator at Riga and for a year engaged in buying grain on his own account. He next went to Upham as manager for the Imperial Elevator Company and a year later was elected manager of the Farmers Elevator Company at that place, in which capacity he continued for four years. In 1913 he was appointed deputy sheriff of McHenry county and removed to Towner. The following year he was elected to the office of sheriff, in which capacity he is now serving, and he has proven himself a most popular official, one in whom the law-abiding element has every confidence, while the criminals recognize that he will put forth every possible effort to apprehend those who are guilty of misdemeanor or crime. In the discharge of his duties he is prompt and fearless and his record is a creditable one.

On the 25th of September 1907, Mr. Wik was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary McNickel, of Granville, and they have three children, Florence E., Edna A. and Joseph A.  Mr. Wik is a republican voter and an active worker in the local ranks of the party. His fraternal relations are with Mouse River Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., Mystic Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., Lebanon Council, No. 2, R. & S. M., De Moley Commandery, No. 10, K. T., of Minot, and Kem Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., of Grand Forks. He also belongs to Minot Lodge.  No. 1089, B. P. 0. E., the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and the Sons of Norway. He is well known and popular in these various organizations and is loyal to their teachings and purposes. He still owns his farm of three hundred and twenty acres near Upham and he is regarded as one of the representative and valued citizens of McHenry county by reason of the enterprise which he has displayed in business and his thorough reliability in office.

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