Trails to the Past

Pierce County North Dakota Biographies

Biographie Index  

DR. O. N. BEGTRUP, a practicing physician and surgeon of Rugby, is a representative of that large class of substantial citizens that Norway has furnished to North Dakota and he possesses the sterling characteristics of the people who inhabit the land of the midnight sun. He was born June 4, 1875, a son of 0. N. and Magdalene Susanna Begtrup, also natives of Norway. The father is a civil engineer and has spent his entire life in his native country, where he now makes his home, but his wife passed away in 1878.

Dr. Begtrup was reared and educated in Norway and there took up the study of medicine, being graduated from Christiania University with the class of 1902. He then entered upon the practice of his chosen profession, which he followed in Norway until 1905, when he came to the United States and located for practice at Spring Grove, Minnesota.  After eight months, however, he removed to Souris, North Dakota, where he continued for three years and then opened an office in Rugby, where he has practiced since 1909. His ability has brought him prominently to the front. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought, progress and investigation along professional lines and he has membership in the Devils Lake District Medical Society, the North Dakota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, while he never fails to manifest the deepest interest in anything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life.

In October 1915, Dr. Begtrup was married to Miss Sophia Thune, a daughter of Lars and Carrie Thune, natives of Norway, whence they came to the United States, now making their home at Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Dr. Begtrup belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic fraternity and is also identified with the sons of Norway, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Those who know him, and he has a constantly increasing acquaintance, entertain for him warm regard and his professional colleagues and contemporaries speak of him in terms of high esteem because of his fidelity to the ethical standards of the profession.

JUDGE JOHN T. BERDAHL, of Rugby, who is judge of the probate court of Pierce county, was born on the 28th of April 1872, in Norway. a son of Torkel L. and Kari (Helleland) Berdal. The spelling of the family name has been changed from the Norwegian to the American form. The father was a farmer by occupation and he and his wife spent their entire lives in their native country, the former passing away in 1910, at the age of seventy-three years, while the latter reached the age of but forty-four years, her death occurring in 1886.

Judge Berdahl attended the common schools and also the Amtskole (Folkehoiskole) of Norway, an institution similar to the state colleges of this country. After arriving in the new world he also studied in the public schools and in the Bruflat Academy at Portland, North Dakota, completing his education with a commercial post graduate course in a Minneapolis college. It was in 1891, when a youth of nineteen years, that he crossed the Atlantic and for one month was located at De Forest, Dane county, Wisconsin, from which point he made his way westward to Milton, North Dakota, where he was employed at farm work. He also taught in a Norwegian parochial school through the following two years and later he worked as a clerk in mercantile establishments in various towns while completing his studies, earning the money that enabled him to advance his education. In 1901 he arrived in Pierce county and filed on a homestead covering what is now the southwest quarter of section 15, Jefferson township. Thereon he took up his abode and also secured a position in the store of Nels Jacobson in Rugby, serving as bookkeeper and clerk. He worked there through the summer and in the following winter occupied the position of deputy in the office of the county treasurer under Karl Julsrud. In the summer of 1902 he was appointed deputy county auditor under John Kellesvig and so served until January 1, 1905. In the November election of 1904 he was a candidate for the office of county judge and popular franchise called him to the position, the duties of which he assumed on the 1st of January following. He has continuously sat upon the bench, having been elected for six consecutive terms, and at the primary of 1916 he was again nominated without opposition, so that he will be continued upon the bench for the seventh term—a record of which he has every reason to be proud, for it indicates his personal popularity, the confidence reposed in him and the ability, fidelity and impartiality which he has displayed in the discharge of his judicial duties. He still retains the ownership of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable farm land in Pierce county and has also made judicious investment in city property.

In 1905 Judge Berdahl was married to Miss Britha Aafedt, of Pierce county, but a native of Norway. He and his wife attend the Lutheran church and in politics he is a stanch republican, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. The record of perhaps no resident of Pierce county more clearly indicates the American spirit and no native son of this land is more true and loyal to the principles of our democratic government. The record of scarcely an official of Pierce county has extended over so long a period and none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation.

E. G. BORGEN, register of deeds in Pierce county, was born in Norway in August 1873, a son of G. E. and Ingeborg Borgen, who were also natives of that country, where the father followed farming until 1882, when he brought his family to the new world. He settled first in Traill county, North Dakota, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for many years, but is now living retired, residing in Northwood, this state.

E. G. Borgen began his education in the schools of Norway and completed his studies in North Dakota. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and afterward purchased land in Polk county, Minnesota, where he developed and improved a farm, devoting a number of years to its cultivation. In 1906 he became a resident of Pierce county, where he purchased land which he tilled for nine years. Since elected to office he has rented his farm, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich prairie soil five and a half miles from Knox. In 1914 he was elected register of deeds and is making an excellent record in office by the promptness and systematic manner in which he discharges his duties.

In December 1895, Mr. Borgen was united in marriage to Miss Ida Sanoden and to them have been born three children: Rimer, born in 1897; Clarence, born in 1898: and Grace born in 1900. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and Mr. Borgen is also identified with the Sons of Norway. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and while in Minnesota he filled the office of justice of the peace and was also assessor there. His fellow townsmen recognize in him one in whom to have trust and confidence, for it is well known that no trust reposed in him is ever betrayed in the slightest degree.

HON. LUTHER H. BRATTON, publisher of the Pierce County Tribune at Rugby and owner of one of the best equipped country printing offices in the state, has left the impress of his individuality upon public interests in a considerable measure through newspaper publication and legislative service. His life record had its beginning near the town of Palmyra, Missouri, on the 7th of October 1874, his parents being Robert R. and Margaret E. (Smith) Bratton, the former of Scotch lineage and the latter of English descent. The father was born in Washington county, Indiana, in 1841 and at the time of the Civil war responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting in the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for four years and three months. In 1881 he removed from Missouri to Minnesota, making the trip on one of the old packet steamers from Hannibal to St. Paul.  After spending about two years in Minnesota he became a resident of Ramsey county, North Dakota, where in the fall of 1882 he entered a claim from the government and built a “shack” three miles south of Crary and at that time twelve miles beyond the terminus of the railroad. He arrived in that locality in February and was taken to his claim in a sleigh by his neighbor, James Orchard. He suffered financial reverses in this state owing to the three total crop failures in the latter ‘80s. Since 1898 he has been a resident of Portland, Oregon.  His wife, who was born in Missouri in 1851, is also yet living.

Luther H. Bratton acquired a common school education in Missouri and Minnesota and started out in business life on his own account when a youth of fifteen as “devil” in the print shop of the old Dunseith Herald under C. I. F. Wagner. He continued to work at the printing trade in Devils Lake, Leeds and Rugby until April 1898, and in the meantime also spent two or three years in Minneapolis—from 1891 until 1894.  While at Devils Lake Mr. Bratton became a member of Company D of the National Guard and with the outbreak of the war with Spain, in April 1898, left Rugby to join the army. With his command he went to the Philippines and served with his regiment throughout the period of hostilities there. After returning to the United States he worked on the Leeds News for a short time and then began business on his own account at Knox, North Dakota, publishing the Knox Advocate, but, realizing the limitations of the town, he sought a broader field of labor and purchased the Rugby Optimist from A. M. Young in December 1904. He built up that paper, purchased the building in which his office is now located and in February 1916, bought a rival paper called the Pierce County Tribune, which was established in 1887. He then consolidated the two papers under the name of the Pierce County Tribune and now has one of the best equipped country printing offices in the state. His paper has secured a good circulation and has an excellent advertising patronage. Mr. Bratton is fearless in the expression of his honest convictions and through the columns of his paper seeks to promote public interests in every possible way.

At Devils Lake, in 1900, Mr. Bratton was united in marriage to M. Estella Ritzman.  eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Ritzman, of Juniata county, Pennsylvania. They emigrated to eastern Pierce county in 1899. but the father passed away soon after locating in this state, leaving a large family of children. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bratton are as follows: Marjorie, who is fifteen years of age; Robert, who was born in 1905 and passed away three years later; Catherine, whose birth occurred in 1910; and Walter, who was adopted at the age of six and is now ten years old.

In polities Mr. Bratton is independent with republican proclivities. In 1913 he became a member of the thirteenth legislative assembly and in 1915 was re-elected to the fifteenth assembly as representative from the forty-second district, comprising Pierce county, in which connection he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to vital questions which came up for settlement. No one questions the integrity of his position, for he is fearless in defense of his opinions, standing loyally at all times for what he believes to be right.

HENRY W. ELLINGSON, a hardware merchant of Rugby, was born in Adams county, Wisconsin, August 23, 1871, a son of Elling and Mina (Knudson) Ellingson, who were natives of Norway but prior to the Civil war came to the new world and settled in Wisconsin, where the father purchased land and carried on farming until 1883. In that year he became a resident of Traill county, North Dakota, where he engaged in farming for five years. He next removed to Pierce county and took up a homestead, devoting his energies to its development and cultivation throughout his remaining days. He passed away in 1896, while his wife died in January 1915.

Henry W. Ellingson spent the first twelve years of his life in his native state and then accompanied his parents to North Dakota, after which he assisted in the work of the home farm until 1894. In that year he established his home in Rugby and was elected register of deeds, which office he continuously and acceptably filled for six years. Upon retiring from the position he embarked in the hardware business and has since managed his store, which is now accorded a liberal patronage. He carries a large and well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware and his business methods and enterprise have brought to him a good trade. He is also interested in a general merchandise establishment in Barton, North Dakota.

On the 6th of December 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ellingson and Miss Annie Melhouse and to them were born five children, Nettie, Hattie, Minnie, Arthur and Alice. Fraternally Mr. Ellingson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Sons of Norway and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have called him to fill several local offices. He has served as a member of the town council and for eight years was postmaster of Rugby as well as register of deeds, his duties in every connection having been promptly and faithfully discharged.  He is ever loyal to the trusts reposed in him and his life exemplifies high standards of manhood and citizenship.

GEORGE E. GILLMORE, is a member of the firm of Gillmore & Tyvand, dealers in agricultural implements, lumber and coal at Barton. He is also the vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Barton and is extensively engaged in farming. The variety and importance of his business connections thus render him a leading factor in the material development of the district in which he lives. He was born in Norwood, St. Lawrence county, New York, September 16, 1865, and is a son of Alfred and Margaret (Woster) Gillmore, the former a native of Norwood, New York, and the latter of Crown Point, New York. The father became a farmer of St. Lawrence county, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1895, his widow surviving him until 1913.

George E. Gillmore was educated in the district schools and in the Norwood high school and through the summer months aided in the work of the home farm. He continued under the parental roof until 1888, when he came to Dakota territory, settling first at Devils Lake, where he worked for two years as a farm hand. Subsequently he entered the employ of the St. Anthony & Dakota Elevator Company as a grain buyer at Barton, in which capacity he served for about fourteen years, and later he spent a year as traveling auditor with the firm. In 1903 he went to California, where he remained for a year, returning to Barton in June 1904. In the fall of 1905 he became associated with James A. Tyvand in the establishment of a lumberyard at Barton, which was the beginning of a fight to the death with the old line yards; but after Mr. Gillmore and Mr. Tyvand had carried the fight into other territory, establishing a yard at Rugby, the opponents were more than glad to make peace on Mr. Gillmore’s terms. As a consequence the firm of Gillmore & Tyvand absorbed one of the old line yards and some years later acquired the St. Anthony & Dakota elevator at Barton, which they have since operated. In 1903 they opened the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Barton, of which Mr. Gillmore became and still remains the vice president. He is a man of resourceful business ability, enterprising and alert and constantly watchful of opportunities. As the years have gone on he has used his time and talents wisely and well and, accomplishing what he has undertaken, has made for himself a most creditable position in commercial and financial circles.

In 1893 Mr. Gillmore was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Olson, a native of Sweden, by whom he has seven children, namely: Alfred, Esther, Bertha, Pearl, Harvey, Myrtle and Cal. Fraternally Mr. Gillmore is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. In politics he is a stalwart republican but has always refused public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his individual interests.  Forceful and resourceful, he is ever ready to meet any emergency, and when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he marks out another path whereby he may reach the desired goal. His determination is unfaltering and his persistency of purpose has ever been coupled with the most honorable business dealings.

SARA C. GUSS, who is making an excellent record as county superintendent of schools in Pierce county, her efforts being a resultant element in raising the standard of education there, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, her parents being George W. and Anna B. (McNeen) Guss, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. Her father was descended from ancestors who came from Germany to America in 1750, while her mother was of Scotch and Irish lineage.

She devoted several years to teaching in the country schools of Pierce county and in the fall of 1913 was appointed deputy county superintendent, which position she filled until 1914, when she was elected county superintendent, in which capacity she is now serving.

N. P. LINDBERG, proprietor of the Rugby Greenhouses, which were established in 1903, is an alert and progressive business man who is constantly studying the best methods for enlarging his interests and today has one of the finest and most extensive enterprises of the kind west of the twin cities. He was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September 1864, a son of I. and Mary Lindberg, who were also natives of that country, where they remained until 1866 and then came to the new world, establishing their home in Faribault, Minnesota.  The father was a miller by trade and after becoming a resident of Faribault he there engaged in the milling business for several years. He next turned his attention to the hotel business, conducting a hotel until 1891, when he retired from active life and has since enjoyed a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He is now eighty-two years of age, while his wife has reached the age of eighty-four.

N. P. Lindberg was reared and educated in Faribault, Minnesota, and at the age of thirteen years started out to earn his own living. He was employed at different jobs and in 1886 he made his way to Philadelphia, where he learned the florist’s business as an employee at Fairmount Park. He afterward worked at the florist’s trade in various cities and also as a cigar maker and in 1900 he located at Leeds, North Dakota, where he established a cigar factory which he conducted for a year. At the end of that time he removed to Rugby, where he established greenhouses and has since conducted business as a florist. In the intervening period his patronage has steadily increased and he today has one of the best equipped greenhouses west of the twin cities. His plant is very large and includes altogether fourteen greenhouses, while in the fall of 1916 he expects to erect two more. His shipments cover five different states and he handles every kind of ornamental shrub and blossoming plant. His greenhouses represent an investment of thirty thousand dollars, in addition to which he owns residence and business property in Grand Forks.

In December 1888, Mr. Lindberg was united in marriage to Miss Julia Fossum and they have two children: Venus, the wife of J. S. Simpkins, of Portland, Oregon; and Myrtle J., a court stenographer living at home.

The parents are members of the Episcopal church and in his political views Mr. Lindberg is a socialist. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Modern Woodmen of America and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of those organizations.  He is highly esteemed as a man of genuine worth and as a most enterprising and progressive business man. Starting out in life empty handed at the age of thirteen, he has worked his way steadily upward and by reason of the force of his character, his ability and laudable ambition has become one of the most substantial citizens of Rugby, while his interests are of a character that contribute to public progress and prosperity as well as to individual success.

FRANK RETTINGER, sheriff of Pierce county and a resident of Rugby, was born in Lansing, Iowa, in July 1878, a son of Crist and Catherine (Repberger) Rettinger, both of whom were natives of Germany. In early life they crossed the Atlantic and settled in Rockford, Illinois, where the father rented land and engaged in farming for four or five years. He afterward removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, and invested in laud near Lansing before that town was laid out and before the railroad was built through the district.  He at once began the task of transforming his tract of wild prairie into productive fields and continued to further develop, improve and operate his farm for many years, but eventually retired from active life and took up his abode in Lansing, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in December 1906. His widow survived until October 1915, when she, too, was called to her final rest.

In the schools of Lansing, Frank Rettinger acquired his education and remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty years, having in the meantime long aided his father in the work of the fields. He afterward worked as a farm hand for others for five years, but at length removed to North Dakota, settling in Benson county, where he was employed for a time, but later filed on a homestead in Rolette county, which he improved. This property now adjoins the town site of Mylo. Thereon he continued to engage in farming for five years, after which he sold that property and bought land in Pierce county which he farmed until 1914. He was then elected sheriff of the county, which office he has since filled. He has rented his farm, upon which he left his stock, and from his property he derives a good annual income. His place comprises two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land four miles west of Wolford. He is also a stockholder in the Rugby Realty Company and a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Wolford. While upon the farm he made a specialty of raising Duroc-Jersey hogs.

In November 1904, Mr. Rettinger was united in marriage to Miss Beulah Wharton, a daughter of William W. and Sadie E. Wharton, mentioned in connection with the sketch of W. C. Wharton on another page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Rettinger were born two children, but both died in infancy, Roland and one who had not yet been named.  Mr. Rettinger gives his political endorsement to the democratic party and has served as road overseer. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. He has lived to witness many changes in the county, which has rapidly developed during the period of his residence here. When he began farming in Pierce county he used oxen entirely, but today the tractor plow is seen and all of the other modern accessories of farm life are to be found here. Mr. Rettinger has kept pace with modern progress and improvement and is an alert and enterprising citizen.

B. L. SHUMAN, attorney at law practicing at Rugby, was born on the 24th of October 1860, in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Eliza (Wolf) Shuman, who were both natives of that county. There the father spent his entire life, his death occurring in 1863. The mother came to North Dakota in April 1898, and has since made her home with her son, B. L. Shuman, who during his boyhood days was a pupil in the public schools of his native state and in the Airy View Academy at Port Royal, Pennsylvania. He took up the profession of teaching in connection with the common schools of Juniata county and later became a teacher in the high school of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor and when opportunity offered began reading law in 1889 under the direction of Congressman L. E. Atkinson, of Mifflintown.  In 1893 he was admitted to practice at the Pennsylvania state bar and for a year was an active representative of the profession in Mifflintown. During the succeeding four years he gave his attention largely to farming and in April 1898, he removed to Rugby, North Dakota, and was admitted to practice at the state bar. He has since followed his profession in Rugby and is now accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage.  During the intervening period he has argued many cases and lost but few. His handling of his case is always full, comprehensive and accurate and his analysis of the facts clear and exhaustive. He sees without effort the relation and interdependence of the facts and so groups them as to enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to prove.

In 1886 Mr. Shuman was united in marriage to Miss Margaret M. Perkins, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children, two of whom survive, namely: George A., who was graduated from the University of Colorado with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and is now employed by the Bemis Manufacturing Company of Minneapolis; and Esther A., a senior in Macalester College of St. Paul, Minnesota.  In his political views Mr. Shuman is a republican and for six years tilled the office of states attorney of Pierce county, making a most creditable record in that position.  He belongs to Rugby Lodge, No. 65, F. &, A. M., and to the Woodmen of the World. He and his wife are consistent and active members of the Presbyterian church, in which Mr.  Shuman has been an elder for nine years, and he never fails to do his part in the work of the church or in support of any movement that tends to advance the moral development or raise the ethical standards of his city. His interests have always been centered and directed in those channels through which flow the greatest good to the greatest number and his influence perhaps has been all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political.

O. A. SPILLUM, of Rugby, who is filling the position of county auditor of Pierce county, was born at North Cape, Wisconsin, April 7, 1871. His father, George Spillum, was a native of Spillum township, near Namsos, north of Trondhjem, Norway, and with his parents came to the United States in 1859 when a youth of eighteen years. In this country he wedded Betsy Emmonson, whose birth occurred on the shores of the North sea and who in 1849 came with her parents to America. She had four brothers who served in the Civil war, Albert and Thomas being members of the Fifteenth Wisconsin Infantry, while Charles belonged to the Thirty-eighth Iowa and Ole to the Forty-third Wisconsin Regiments.  Only one lived to return from the front—Albert, who re-enlisted on the expiration of his first term of service of three years and at the close of hostilities returned as a brevet captain.  George Spillum settled in Wisconsin and became an early pharmacist of that state. For many years he engaged in general merchandising and in the drug business at North Cape, where he located when the work of development and progress had scarcely been begun there. He remained thereafter a respected and valued resident of that district until his death, which occurred February 2, 1908. He lost his first wife when their son, 0. A. Spillum, was but two years of age and the father afterward married Miss Anna Seterlund. a native of Sweden, who survived him and is now living in North Cape.

0. A. Spillum pursued his education in the public schools of his native town, in the Rochester Seminary of Rochester, Wisconsin, and in the Belle City Business College of Racine, Wisconsin, being graduated from the last named institution in 1889. He then started out in the business world, securing a position as bookkeeper with A. Dahlman & Company, wholesale grocers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He worked for this firm for three and one-half years and then removed to Racine, where he was employed in various ways until 1902. That year witnessed his arrival in North Dakota, at which time he filed on a homestead in Juniata township. Pierce county, eighteen miles northeast of Rugby. After proving up on this property he removed to Rugby in 1904 and secured a clerkship in the general store of 0. T. Tofsrud. Later he acted as clerk and bookkeeper for Nels Jacobson and after leaving that employ spent three years as bookkeeper for T. P. Scotland, a dealer in machinery and merchandise. Still later he became bookkeeper for Seldon Crockett, land agent, but after a brief period was made deputy auditor under Henry Albertson, in which capacity he served for six years, while at the November election of 1911 he was elected to the office of county auditor and is again the candidate for the position without opposition.  He owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres adjoining Rugby—a tract of rich and well improved land.

On the 13th of July 1892, Mr. Spillum was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Isaacson, a native of Dodge county, Wisconsin, whose parents emigrated from Norway to the new world and took up their abode among the pioneer settlers of Dodge county. To Mr. and Mrs. Spillum have been born eight children, as follows: Irving, who served in the United States navy for four years and on the expiration of that time was gunner’s mate, third class, and who is now a homesteader in Montana; Stanley, who is also a Montana homesteader, owning three hundred and twenty acres of land adjoining the half section of his brother Irving; Earl, who is in the service of the Great Northern Railway at Minot Station; Gladys, who is employed as clerk in the office of the county auditor; Leroy. a freshman in the high school; Glen, who is still in the grade schools; Theodore, deceased; and Wesley.

Mr. Spillum votes with the republican party and is chairman of the republican central committee of Pierce county, taking active and helpful part in promoting republican successes.  That he has no military record is not his fault, for in 1898 he recruited a company of thirty-three men in North Cape, Wisconsin, and joined the company formed at Burlington, Wisconsin, for service in the Spanish-American war. They expected to become a part of the Fifth Wisconsin Regiment but it was organized without accepting the company, which, however, received the promise that they would be attached to the next regiment.  They were not called to the colors, however. At the formation of the Milton Horlick Garrison Army and Navy Union of Racine, Wisconsin, in 1916, Mr. Spillum was made an honorary member. Fraternally he is connected with Rugby Lodge, No. 65, F. & A. M., of which he is junior warden; Damascus Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M., of which he is captain; and Lebanon Council, No. 3, R. & S. M. He likewise has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Sons of Norway at Rugby, of which he is treasurer.  He and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Spillum and their children are members. In social circles the family occupy an enviable position and Mr.  Spillum is making a most excellent record as a county official, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity.

J. FRANK TIBBS, postmaster of Rugby, was born in Decorah, Iowa, August 9, 1868, a son of Michael and Mary (Quenette) Tibbs, who were natives of New York and became pioneers of Winneshiek county, Iowa. The father was both a miller and millwright and for several years operated the old Addington mills of Decorah. He died in Egan, South Dakota, where he established his home about 1876, after which he built a mill on Rock river and operated it for a time but subsequently filed on a homestead and tree claim and engaged in farming up to the time of his demise.

After attending the public schools J. Frank Tibbs continued his education in the Breckenridge Normal School at Decorah, Iowa, and later he devoted two years to the profession of teaching in Hancock county, that state. In the fall of 1890 he removed to Minneapolis and was employed in the freight department of the Milwaukee Railroad. Subsequently he was with the wholesale dry goods house of Wyman & Partridge and afterward was connected with the William Donaldson Glass block. In 1895 he entered the service of the Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad Company at Mason City, Iowa, and his next change of position took him to the employ of the City Street Railway Company of Mason City, with which corporation he remained for three years. He then returned to Minneapolis and was employed by the Great Western Bicycle Works, now the C. W. Fauwkes Auto Company.  Later at Ceylon, Iowa, he engaged in the restaurant business for a year and a half and then, once more going to Minneapolis, he began representing the Grinnell-Collins Fruit Company on the road, his territory covering North Dakota. After spending a year and a half with that house he engaged in the restaurant business at Blue Earth, Minnesota, and in the spring of 1904 he went to California for the benefit of his wife’s health, returning in the fall of that year, at which time he went to Grand Forks, where he closed up some bankrupt stocks for a combination of wholesale houses. In 1906 he became a resident of Rugby, where he opened a confectionery store which he conducted until the fall of 1911.  He then turned his attention to the real estate business, in which he has since been engaged, and on the 29th of March 1914. he was appointed postmaster of Rugby and has since occupied that position.

In 1906 Mr. Tibbs was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Schow, of Ashby, Minnesota. By a former marriage he had four children: Leo E., Wayne D., Max E. and Clara H.  In politics Mr. Tibbs is a democrat and fraternally is connected with Blue Earth City Lodge, F. & A. M.; Dakota Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R.; and Kem Temple, A. A. 0. N.  M. S., of Grand Forks. His has been an active life in which there have been few leisure hours, and whatever success he has achieved in a business way is attributable entirely to his own enterprise and close application.

HON. OLE T. TOFSRUD, has been prominently identified with the interests of North Dakota.  Three times he has been a member of the general assembly, active in framing constructive legislation, and with commercial and financial interests he has also been prominently associated, being now president of the Security Bank of Rugby. The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of North Dakota without learning how valuable has been the contribution of Norwegian citizenship to the upbuilding of the commonwealth.  Mr. Tofsrud is among those who have had their nativity or trace their ancestry to the land of the midnight sun. He was born in Norway November 24, 1864, a son of Torgus and Barbro (Hagen) Tofsrud, who were also natives of that country, whence in the spring of 1882 they sailed for the new world, establishing their home in Portland, North Dakota.  After a year they removed to Church’s Ferry in Benson county, where the father filed on a homestead on which he still resides.

Ole T. Tofsrud pursued his education in the public schools of his native land and after coming to the United States he served as janitor of a school of Portland and also continued his studies at the same time. Ambitions to make progress along intellectual lines, he afterward matriculated in the seminary at Willmar. Minnesota, and also became a student at the Bruflat Academy at Portland. He was eighteen years of age when he came to the new world, his uncle, Toro Peterson, of Portland, sending him sixty-four dollars with which to pay his passage. This he repaid the first year, earning the money by work as a farm hand and as a thresher. In 1885, after attaining his majority, he filed on a preemption of one hundred and sixty acres in Pierce county, he and Torger Gronvold were the first men to file on land in what is now Barton township, that county, Mr. Tofsrud securing the southeast quarter of section 13. He lived upon his claim for three years and two years of that time there were crop failures. He then went west, securing the position of time-keeper on the construction of the Great Northern Railway. He was thus employed in connection with the building of the road from the western slope of the Rocky Mountains to the Columbia river. Later he returned to Pierce, North Dakota, having in the meantime saved from his earnings about a thousand dollars. He was next employed for a time as second man in an elevator at Barton and in 1893 the county, appreciative of his worth and ability, elected him to the office of county treasurer and he removed to Rugby to there discharge his duties. He had served for only one term when he was nominated and elected a member of the state legislature and he was re-elected in 1895. In 1907 he was once more chosen for the office, so that his service in the general assembly has covered three terms. While in that body he very carefully studied the questions which came up for consideration and gave his support to those bills which he believed would prove efficacious laws if put upon the statute books of the stale. In 1895 he opened a general merchandise store in Rugby, where he conducted business for eight years, and for the past twenty-five years he has also been engaged in farming. He owns seven hundred and twenty acres of land in Pierce county and from his property derives a substantial annual income. In 1909 he became one of the dominant factors in the organization of the Security Bank of Rugby and was made president of that institution, which position he now fills. He is also president of the Walhalla Building Association and he is connected with several organizations of a semi-public character.

In 1898 Mr. Tofsrud was united in marriage to Miss Rodna Hiller of Pierce county, who is a native of Norway. To them have been born four children, namely: Bertha, Tilda, Rachael and Lillian. Mr. Tofsrud and his family are members of the Lutheran Free church and his political allegiance has always been unfalteringly given to the republican party, for he believes that its principles contain the best elements of good government, he is now serving as president of the school board of Rugby and as president of the Pierce County Agricultural Association. He is a member of the Sons of Norway and has always been willing to do everything in his power to aid his fellow countrymen. He possesses the characteristic industry, reliability and progressiveness which have ever marked the sons of Norway and through his determination and force of character he has worked his way upward from a humble position in the business world to a place of affluence.

HON. LAWRENCE N. TORSON, actively engaged in the practice of law at Rugby, was born in Scandinavia, Wisconsin, July 16, 1859, his parents being Byrnjolff and Maria (Nelson) Torson, who were natives of Norway. On coming to America in 1844 the father settled in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. He was a shoemaker and for a time followed his trade but later bought land in Wisconsin and engaged in farming throughout his remaining days. His death occurred in 1879, while his wife survived until January 13, 1903.

Lawrence N. Torson spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state, remaining under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Wisconsin until 1885 and then removed to Moorhead, Minnesota, where he began the study of law. The following year he was admitted to the bar and in 1887 he located for practice at Mayville, North Dakota. In 1888 he went to Towner, McHenry county, where he continued in law practice until 1896 and also filled the office of county superintendent of schools. Twenty years ago he located at Rugby, where he has since practiced, and his ability has gained him a prominent position at the Pierce county bar, for he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and care and presents his cause clearly and forcibly, never failing to win the attention of court and jury and seldom failing to gain a favorable verdict.

On the 12th of February 1882, Mr. Torson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Myhren and they have become the parents of five children: Maria, Thomas B., Joseph M. and Minnie L., all yet living; and Benjamin, who died on the 7th of April 1893.  The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Torson belongs also to the Sons of Norway and to the Masonic fraternity. The cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion and for ten years he did efficient service along that line as a member of the school board. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is an active worker in its ranks. He was state’s attorney from 1896 until 1900 and again from 1910 until 1914, therefore occupying the position altogether for eight years. In 1911 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and it was he who introduced the bill that became known as the Torson bill, abolishing capital punishment in the state. His official record has at all times been characterized by marked loyalty to duty and a keen recognition of the responsibilities and obligations of citizenship.

THOMAS B. TORSON, cashier of the Security Bank of Rugby, which is the youngest and strongest bank in Pierce county, possesses strong business qualifications, combining indefatigable energy with persistency of purpose and thorough reliability. North Dakota has reason to be proud to number him among her native sons since he was born in Mayville, June 26, 1888, a son of Lawrence N. and Mary (Myhren) Torson, who removed with their family to Rugby, where Thomas B. Torson obtained a part of his education in the public schools.

He afterward became a student in the State University and following his return home engaged in the abstract business for six years. On the expiration of that period he accepted the position of manager of the Rugby branch of the real estate and loan business of E. J. Lander & Company, with which he remained for three years. He next became cashier of the Security Bank of Rugby in 1915 and is also one of its stockholders and directors. The other officers are: 0. T. Tofsrud, president; and 0. B. Bergeson, vice president. The bank is capitalized for twenty thousand dollars, has a surplus of five thousand dollars and its deposits amount to two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.  Throughout the entire period of its existence the bank has made steady and substantial progress and the business policy pursued ensures its continued success. In addition to his banking business Mr. Torson is interested in cattle in Montana.

In September 1909, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Torson and Miss Fanny Athearn and they have become the parents of two children: T. Bradley, born June 8, 1913; and Lee M., born November 13, 1914.

Politically Mr. Torson is a republican and is now serving as city auditor of Rugby, while at a former date he was deputy city treasurer and also deputy sheriff of the county.  Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge of Rugby, of which he is a past master, and with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He and his wife are held in high esteem in the community in which they reside and the warm-hearted hospitality of their home makes it a favorite resort with their many friends.

GEORGE WATSON, clerk of the district court of Pierce county and secretary and treasurer of the Pierce County Abstract Company, makes his home in Rugby and his recognition of the possibilities for development in this part of the state has led him to give earnest cooperation to many well devised plans for the public good. He has been a resident of Pierce county since the 4th of March 1898. Virginia claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Gordonsville on the 8th of February 1881, his parents being George W. and Carrie (Keisier) Watson, who were also natives of the Old Dominion. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, spent his entire life there, passing away in 1882, after which the mother removed to Girard, Illinois, where her death occurred in April 1899.

George Watson was largely reared in Illinois and pursued his education in the common schools of Macoupin county but at a very early age became a wage earner, working as chore boy or at whatever he could get to do on farms as early as his eighth year. He was employed at farm labor until his sixteenth year in Macoupin county, Illinois, and then removed to the northwest, arriving in Pierce county, North Dakota March 4, 1898. Being then the head of the family, his mother being a widow, he filed on a homestead in what is now Tofti precinct, securing the north half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of section 28. Even at this time he had been inured to hard labor, and although but a boy in his teens, he assumed the responsibility of developing and improving the farm, upon which he continued to make his home until 1906. On his arrival he bought five horses and farm machinery on time, giving notes in payment. He practiced the utmost economy as well as diligence in order to discharge his indebtedness and to continue the work of improving his property, and on leaving his farm in 1900 he was the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, of which he still has four hundred and forty acres. He is also the owner of an eighty-acre tract in McHenry county and his property interests are the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift.  It was following his election to the office of clerk of the district court that Mr. Watson removed to Rugby and in the fall of that year erected a residence. On the 1st of January 1907, he assumed the duties of the office to which he had been chosen and he has served in that position continuously since, having been elected live times, while at the primary held in June 1916, he became for the sixth time the nominee of the republican party, of which he has always been a loyal supporter, working untiringly and effectively to promote its interests. Aside from his duties as public official he is active as secretary and treasurer of the Pierce County Abstract Company, in which he owns a controlling interest.

In November 1914, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Lee, a former teacher in the Rugby schools. She is a native daughter of North Dakota, having been born in Valley City, and is a graduate of the Valley City Normal School. Mr. Watson has four sons by a former marriage, namely: Leonard B., Lester D., Lyle A. and Lawrence E.  Mr. Watson’s fraternal relations connect him with Devils Lake Lodge, No. 1216, B. P.  0. E., with the Modern Woodmen of America, with the United Order of Foresters and with the American Yeomen. His wife is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. They are numbered among the prominent residents of Pierce county and the life record of Mr.  Watson indicates what may be accomplished through determination and energy, through laudable ambition and intelligently directed effort. His work speaks for itself and his record should serve to inspire and encourage others, his example certainly being one worthy of emulation.

WILLIAM C. WHARTON, connected with commercial interests of Rugby and also filling the office of deputy sheriff of Pierce county, is numbered among the substantial citizens that Pennsylvania has furnished to North Dakota. He was born at Spruce Hill, in the Keystone state, September 29, 1890, a son of William and Sadie (Guss) Wharton, who were likewise born in that state. The father followed farming in Pennsylvania until 1897, when he met death in a tornado. His widow survived and is now living in Wolford, North Dakota.

William C. Wharton was reared and educated in Pennsylvania and in North Dakota, being a lad of nine years when brought by his mother to this state, at which time she purchased a half section of land which William C. Wharton afterward cultivated for five years. He then turned his attention to the motorcycle business at Wolford and after three years devoted to that work removed to Rugby, where he again opened a motorcycle shop, which he is now conducting. On the 1st of January 1915, he was appointed deputy sheriff of Pierce county and is also occupying that position. He is likewise a stockholder and the treasurer of the Rugby Realty Company.

On the 24th of October 1910, Mr. Wharton was united in marriage to Miss Ruth M.  Ritzman and to them have been born three children: William C, born in 1911; Dorothy, born in 1913; and Audrey, born in 1916.

Mr. Wharton votes with the democratic party and in religious belief is a Presbyterian.  Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and he is now treasurer of the Rugby Rifle Club, a semi-military organization. He is widely and favorably known and his salient characteristics are such as have won for him warm regard among his many friends.

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