Trails to the Past
Ransom County North Dakota Biographies
|
|
|
|
|
ISAAC J. OLIVER. The mature years of this gentleman have been devoted almost exclusively lo the calling of a farmer ,and he has acquired a valuable knowledge of this occupation in performing the duties and labors incident to the management of one of the fine estates of Springer township, Ransom county. His career previous to engaging in the pursuit of agriculture was an eventful one, and the quiet of his rural life on a Dakota valley farm is valued because of its comforts and enjoyments. His home is on section 17, of township 135, range 57, and his farm consists of one half-section of valley and prairie land. Our subject was born in Cass county, Indiana, September 10, 1850, and was the seventh in a family of ten children born to John W and Rhoda (Watts) Oliver. The Oliver family is of English-Yankee descent, and the Watts family, also of English descent, were Virginia pioneers. Our subject lived in his native state on a farm until about fourteen years of age, when, in 1864, he ran away from home, and enlisted. May 6, 1864, .in Company F, Third Battalion, Fourteenth United States Infantry, and was stationed in Kentucky until the close of the war. He was sent to California in the spring of 1865, as a member of Company F, Thirty-second United States Infantry, and during the service experienced several skirmishes with the Indians. His term as a soldier expired in 1867, and he remained in Arizona and New Mexico, following the life of a cowboy. He left Arizona June 2, 1870, for Texas, in company with a prospector, one of the '49ers, and traveled through about eight hundred miles of country wherein hostile Indians were plentiful. The journey covered six weeks, and was replete with adventures. He then returned to Indiana, where he engaged in farming until 1876. when he engaged in the lumber business, and in the spring of 1879 went to Fargo, North Dakota, and in October of that year located his valley farm an the Military Reservation in Ransom county. Five families were living in the Sheyenne valley at that point, and in December one of the most severe blizzards known to northern Dakota visited that region. The storm drove thousands of antelope to the valley for shelter. The military reservation, where our subject's claim was located was surveyed and opened for settlement and he secured work with the surveying party and became thoroughly acquainted with the topography of the country. The old log house which was his pioneer home still stands, and is in striking contrast to the valuable improvements of that region. Mr. Oliver has made a success of farming in Dakota, and is one of the pioneers who can review his experiences and give authentic history of that country. Our subject was married, in 1872, to Miss Matilda McCombs, a native of Cass county, Indiana; Six children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, named as follows: lona A., Bertha, Ira L., Angus J., Ella M. and Fred L. Mr. Oliver is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a Republican and stands firmly for the principles of his party. New York, for a short time. He went to Lisbon North Dakota, in 1880, and in December of that year purchased a farm about twelve miles from the city. He located there permanently in 1881 and opened up a large wheat farm, which soon covered one thousand acres of land. The family joined him in 1882. In 1884 our subject became interested in stock raising and now has a general farm, operated by a tenant. Our subject was married, in 1879, to Miss Florence Waterhouse. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver, as follows: Fred and Harry. Mr. Oliver is a stanch Republican and is firm for the gold standard, and is one of the few men who stood firm for the principles of his party in 1895 and 1896, as regards that issue. He served as County assessor in 1882 and in 1884 was chairman of the County central committee and was re-elected in 1888. 1894 and 1896. He was a member of the territorial legislature in 1885 and 1886 and a member of the state legislature in the second and third sessions. He was the author of the "Open Wheat Market Bills" providing for the right of an individual to erect elevators. He was also chairman of the committee of County boundaries and Oliver County was named in his honor. In the special session of 1892 he introduced and secured the passage of the "platform bill." He was chairman of the committee on banks and banking in 1891 and in 1892 was chairman of the committee on grain grading and warehousing. He has attended all but one state and territorial convention since going to Dakota and numbers a large list of friends and acquaintances in all parts of the state. He is prominent in secret society circles and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Ancient Order of United Workmen. Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Arcanum, and is commander of the Knights Templar commandery. NEWTON OLSON, who is passing his declining years amid the pleasant surroundings of a country home, is one of the early settlers of Ransom county. He is the owner of one of the fine farms of Our subject was born near Bergen, Norway, in December, 1829. He lived in his native country until about sixteen years of age, when in company with his parents he came to America. The family located near Our subject was married, in 1855, to Miss Jane Syverson, who was born near Bergen, Norway. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson, twelve of whom are now living, and six reside with the parents. Our subject is a member of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican, and his firm in his convictions. He served as postmaster of Urness,
Our subject was born in Lake county,
Our subject was married, in 1889, to Miss Ida Carver, who died in 1896. Mr. Palmer married Miss Emma Oba in 1898. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a Republican and Prohibitionist, and stands firm for his convictions. He is a man who keeps pace with the times, and in all matters of a public nature will be found on the side of right and justice. Our subject was married, in 1874, to Miss Carrie Culbertson. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been the parents of thirteen children, as follows: Charles: Martin, deceased: Olaf; George; Martin: Clarence; Norman ; Clara, deceased ; Mabel; Annie ; Eleanor; Lloyd and Arthur. Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is a Republican and has served as delegate to numerous county conventions. He is a man of practical nature and earnest efforts and well merits his standing in his community.
Mr. Pierce was born in Huron county, Ontario, Canada, July 6, 1863, and was a son of Patrick and Mary (Cronan) Pierce, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They were laboring people and reared a family of eight children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and of necessity he was early thrown upon his own resources. The family moved to Marquette county, Michigan, when he was but two years of age, where the father worked in the mines, and when our subject reached the age of twelve years they located in Glyndon, Minnesota, where he began work with a construction gang on the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba, now the Great Northern Railroad, and he followed that work four years, so that his boyhood was spent without opportunity to acquire an education. He was injured during the summer of 1880, and while recovering obtained light work in a general store in Buffalo, and later in Jenksville, Dakota. He assisted in platting the town of Sheldon in 1881, and soon afterward began the study of law in the office of S. N. Sanford, at Sheldon. He was admitted to the bar in 1888, and immediately established himself in his profession, in which he has met with unbounded success. He organized the State Bank of Sheldon in 1890, and was vice-president of the institution one year, when he became its president. He purchased the town site of Enderlin in 1892, and in company with the Soo Railroad established that flourishing little city. The Enderlin State Bank was established in 1892, and Mr. Pierce became president of the same, and still retains that position, and is the principal owner of the bank. In 1899 he organized the Ransom County Immigration Association, and in less than one year succeeded in bringing over two hundred well-to-do farmers into the state from southern Minnesota and Iowa, locating them on lands in Ransom, Sargent and southern Cass and Barnes counties. Our subject is well known in the fraternal world, and holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of the Maccabees and the Elks. He is a member and prominent supporter of the Catholic church. In political sentiment he is a Republican, takes an active interest in and is well known in the councils of the Republican party of the state, although he has never been a candidate for nor held aught but honorary official positions. Mr. Rourke was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1854. His parents were William and Mary (Maxwell) Rourke, the former a native of Ireland, and now deceased, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and now living in Lincoln, Illinois. In 1856 the family moved to Illinois, and there Mr. Rourke grew to manhood. As he was among the older children in a family of thirteen, his assistance was needed by the family, and for this reason his education in boyhood was not as thorough as it should have been, as he had to pick up his learning at odd times when opportunity offered. He finally succeeded in completing the common branches, however, and then took a one-year course at Valparaiso, Indiana. He then worked for a time at farm work and then for the Chicago & Alton Railroad. It was not until he had reached his twenty-fifth year that he was able to gratify his desire to take up the study of the law. In that year he entered the law office of R. N. Stevens at Petersburg, and in 1882 was admitted to the bar in Chicago. He at once formed a partnership with R. N. Stevens, and in May of the same year located at Lisbon, North Dakota, where for four years, under the firm name of Stevens & Rourke, he did an extensive law and collection business. In 1883 Mr. Rourke was elected city attorney, and the following year became state's attorney. In 1891 he was appointed by the governor to be one of a committee of three to compile the laws of the state of North Dakota, and was thus occupied three years. He was elected to the state senate in 1894, and was made a member of the joint committee on revision of the state laws, and thus became one of the best informed men upon local law in the state. In 1896 Mr. Rourke was elected mayor of the city of Lisbon, and during his administration many important public improvements were made, including the system of water works. He served in this capacity two terms. Mr. Rourke was married, in 1883, to Miss Mary Hartin, who died, without issue, in 1890. He was married, in 1892, to Miss Rose Gardner, and to this union two children have been born, namely, Curran and Grattan. Mr. Rourke is a Republican in political faith, and enjoys to a high degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. It is worthy of mention that since thirty days before he was of legal age he has continuously held office of some kind, evidencing his public spirit and his natural ability as a leader among men. Mr. Rourke has one of the finest, best selected and most extensive law libraries in the state, consisting of about thirteen hundred volumes. He is a great student, a skillful practitioner and a powerful advocate. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. HON. ANDREW SANDAGER, is one of the most extensive business men of Lisbon, Ransom County, and is widely known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen. He has aided materially in the up building of the city, and its present name as a beautiful residence and business place is due largely to his labors and influence. Mr. Sandager is president of the State Bank of Lisbon, senior partner of the general merchandise firm of Sandager & Hangan, and is also connected with the Enterprise Milling Company. He was born in Winneshiek County, Iowa. August 31, 1862, and was the fourth in a family of eight children, born to Endre P. and Ragnil (Hause) Sandager, both of whom were natives of Norway. His mother is still living and resides on the old homestead in Iowa, where the family settled in 1850. At the age of sixteen years our subject entered a drug store in Decorah, Iowa, and became a registered pharmacist. The first business of which he took charge was a drug store in Madison, South Dakota, where he stayed about two years, and in the fall of 1881 went to Grafton, North Dakota, where, with a brother, he engaged in general merchandise business until 1884, in which year he purchased an interest in a general merchandise business in Lisbon, which he still retains. The State Bank of Lisbon was organized in 1890, with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, and our subject was a shareholder and director in the same, and is now its president. The Enterprise Milling Company was formed in 1893, and the Enterprise Mill was erected and is now in active operation. The capacity of this mill is two hundred barrels, and it is operated by water power and equipped with the latest improved machinery. It is surrounded by a country unsurpassed for the quality of its wheat, and with cheap power the mill competes successfully with the markets of the world. Mr. Sandager has attained prominence in the political world. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1889. and took a seat in the senate in the first session of the legislature, and as a delegate to state conventions he has become thoroughly identified with the political interests of the state. He has exerted much effort in beautifying and making attractive the city of Lisbon. He owns a tract of twenty-five acres of land close to the main street, ten acres of which he has opened to the public as a city park, and Sandager Park is one of the most pleasant little retreats in the state. Our subject is prominent in secret society circles, and is a member of the Masonic Lodge, A. O. L. W., the I.O.O. F. and the Modern Woodmen of America. CHARLES S. SHANK, residing on section 17, in Sydna township. Ransom county, was the first settler of that township, and has witnessed the growth and development of that region, passing through the pioneer experiences, and gaining a comfortable competence for himself. He was a well-improved estate, and his labors have been earnest and honest and have given him an enviable reputation throughout that locality. Our subject was born in Wabasha county, Our subject was married, in 1887, to Miss Eliza Montgomery. Mr. and Mrs. Shank are the parents of seven children, as follows: Louise, Clara, George, Allen and Alice, twins; Lilian and Marjorie. Mr. Shank is prominent in public affairs, and in 1890 was elected county commissioner for the fifth district. He has been a member of the township board since the organization of the township, and is the present chairman of that body. Politically he is a Republican, and has served his party as a member of the county central committee. He is a man who keeps abreast of the times and is strong in his convictions. "THE SHELDON PROGRESS," issued under the management and editorship of Michael B. De la Bere, is a bright, newsy. Republican paper. It was established in May, 1897, by W. C. B. Harrison and is now the sole property of Mr. De la Bere. From the organization of the paper he was employed in the office, and although entirely new to the work, he was given much of the business management within a few months and in October, 1897, purchased the plant. The paper is not radical on political issues, but works for the general advancement of the locality and is peculiarly charming in its newsy local columns. Michael De la Bere was born in Gloucestershire, England, October 17, 1874, and was educated at Brighton College. He left England when eighteen years of age and came to America, locating in North Dakota, changing from the college life to that of a western plainsman. He at once began work at farming and passed one winter in Fargo and then accepted a position as clerk of the Sheldon State Bank. From there he entered upon his present work and is rapidly winning recognition among the newspaper men of North Dakota. He is a young man of exceptional ability and works earnestly for progression. While a resident of that locality comparatively few years he has already placed himself among the upright and trusty citizens and is well known as a man of active public spirit, ever ready to further any enterprise which tends to the up building of his community. His future is assured in North Dakota and his success is well merited. Our subject was born in Goodhue County, Minnesota, January 29, 1866, and was the third in a family of six children born to Nels H. and Astrid (Olson) Shirley, both of whom now live in Minnesota. His parents were of Norwegian birth and came to America when young, and were married in this country and located on a farm in Wisconsin, from whence they removed to Minnesota. After attaining his majority our subject went to Dakota and applied himself for two years to farm labor, after which he took a commercial course at Red Wing Business College. He then purchased wheat in Sheldon and other towns, and in 1891 entered a drug store at Sheldon. With W. P. Hoff, he invested in a drug store at Enderlin, in 1898. This store, is known as one of the best stocked and most handsomely furnished establishments of its kind in the state. Mr. Shirley was elected register of deeds of Ransom County in 1894, and had the distinction of being the first candidate chosen from the east end of the County. His popularity is best evidenced by the fact that he is now serving his third term in the same capacity. He is a prominent member of the Masonic lodge, and has taken the degrees of the blue lodge, chapter. Knight Templar, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite, Mystic Shrine, and is at present master of the Lodge of Perfection. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a Republican. THEODORE P. SLATTUM, who enjoys the distinction of being the most extensive farmer and land owner in the Sheyenne valley, Preston township. Ransom county, has accumulated his fortune by honest industry and skillful management. His home is in section 30, township 136, range 57, and is one of comfort, and although a quaint log house serves as his dwelling it shelters hospitality and brotherly kindness. Mr. Slattum owns about one thousand acres of land and it is a praiseworthy fact that he has never placed a mortgage on any of his possessions, having steadily gone forward to fortune and prosperity. Our subject was born in Christiania, Norway, August 18, 1836, and was the eldest son in a family of five children. He spent eleven years of his life in the army, attaining the rank of sergeant, and also learned the trade of stove-maker. He came to America in 1870 and settled in Fillmore county, Minnesota, and in 1879 pushed his way westward .to Dakota with an ox-team and forty dollars in money. He was one of the first settlers of the valley and for the past twenty years has not been outside the state. He crops annually about five hundred acres of land. Our subject was married, in 1859, to Miss Jougine Slattum. Nine children have blessed this union, as follows: Carl, now married and living near his parents; Bertie Marie, deceased; Jens, farming near home; Alexandria, now married; Frand; John, married and living in Barnes county; Hans, leader of the Preston brass band; Ole F., deceased ; and Olaf. The family have much musical talent and their home is cheered by strains of music and every comfort afforded the occupants, while the stranger within their home is accorded a most hearty welcome.
Our subject was born near Beloit, Wisconsin, in Rock Prairie, July 14, 1858, and was the fifth in a family of six children who grew to maturity, born to Ole O. and Joren Storelee. His parents were natives of Norway, and are deceased. Our subject lived in Wisconsin until about six years of age, and then moved to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where he was reared to manhood, working at farm labor. He went to Valley City, Dakota, in 1881, arriving there with a team of horses and a breaking plow. He had but forty dollars in money, and entered claim to a tree claim, being one of the first to secure land in the township, going at once to Ransom county. He had not sufficient funds to meet the expense of proving up on the land, and so turned it to a homestead, and thereon erected his buildings. He camped out on the prairie the first summer, and broke thirty acres of land, returning to Minnesota for the winter. He again went to Dakota in the spring of 1882. and erected a 14x16 shanty, sodded on the outside, which was his home for about eight years. He worked some for others, and improved his farm, and good crops followed, bringing prosperity. He erected a house and barn in 1891 at a cost of two thousand five hundred dollars. The barn was destroyed by lightning in 1896, but the residence is one of comfort and convenient arrangement. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of land, and winters about thirty head of stock. Our subject was married in 1882 to Miss Jennie Slitvol. Mr. and Mrs. Storelee are the parents of nine children, as follows: Jennie, Oscar, John Edvik, deceased: Ledea. deceased; Olga K., deceased: Molvina, Olaf, Henry and Edvik. A group portrait will be found on another page. Mr. Storelee is a member of the Lutheran church. Politically he is a Republican. He is progressive and industrious and well merits his success. A family portrait is shown above. JAMES H. SUMMERS, who is gaining a good support by tilling the soil of township 134, range 56, in Ransom county, and incidentally laying aside a competence for future years, is a representative citizen of his community. He has gained his possessions unaided and it is to his industry and honesty that his success is due. He makes his home on section 22, and is surrounded by all the comforts of country life. Our subject was born in Green Bay. Wisconsin, December 25, 1858, and was a son of James and Margaret (Hughes) Summers, the former a native of Limerick, Ireland, and the latter of Dublin. When eighteen years of age our subject left home and went to the lumber camps of Michigan. He went to Lisbon, North Dakota, in March, 1882, and as a carpenter worked at building in that city for some time. He then began farming and has met with success in that line of work. He is interested in raising horses and his stallion, "Champion," is known throughout the county. Mr. Summers has thoroughly improved his farm and his buildings are of substantial construction and neat design. His barn is 40x60 feet, and his well, which furnishes excellent water, is fitted with a windmill and facilitates the work of the place. Our subject was married, in 1885, to Miss Ellen Glasheen. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are the parents of six children, as follows: James C, William W., John .A., Leo A., Francis and Joseph. Mr. Summers favors the principles of the Republican party, but supports the men which in his opinion will best serve his community. He is firm in his convictions of right and is a man of progressive ideas and public spirit. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
The information on Trails to the Past © Copyright may be used in personal family history research, with source citation. The pages in entirety may not be duplicated for publication in any fashion without the permission of the owner. Commercial use of any material on this site is not permitted. Please respect the wishes of those who have contributed their time and efforts to make this free site possible.~Thank you! |
