Richland County North Dakota Biographies

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

JOHN GREEN, Much of the progress of a community is due to its business men and John Green, who is engaged in the hardware business in Hankinson, has contributed to the development of that town as well as gained individual success. He was born in Carver county, Minnesota, on the 9th of November 1805, a son of John and Maggie Green, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. He came to the United States when a young man of twenty-eight years and she emigrated to this country in her girlhood. They were married in Baltimore and for a time lived in the east, where the father worked as a laborer. Subsequently they removed to Minnesota and at the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Green entered the Union army, with which he served for three years. At the close of hostilities, he returned to Minnesota and from that time until his death in 1895 concentrated his energies upon farming, in which he met with gratifying success. Politically he was an adherent of the democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church, he was a quiet, unassuming man and his genuine worth gained him the friendship of those who knew him intimately. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth.

John Green was educated in the common schools of his native county and subsequently learned the harness maker’s trade, which he followed from his seventeenth year until 1898, when he removed to Hankinson, this state. He engaged in the furniture business there on a small scale and also continued to work at his trade and as the years passed he gained prosperity. He now owns a large hardware store and as he keeps a well selected line of goods of high quality and follows a liberal business policy his patronage has grown steadily and is now of gratifying proportions. He also owns a store at New Ellington, South Dakota.  His business interests are conducted under the style of Green & Son and the firm is recognized as a factor in the commercial expansion of the town.

In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Green and Miss Sarah A. Poppler, also a native of Carver county, Minnesota, and they have ten children, seven sons and three daughters: E. L., a druggist of Hankinson; R. C.. who is in business with his father; F. W., a druggist of New Ellington, South Dakota; Evangeline, who is studying music and art; Edwin W., who is associated with his father in business; Katherine, a high school graduate; and Walden, Rowell, Everetta and Roswyn all of whom are at home.  Mr. Green votes the democratic ticket and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. For nine years be served on the school board and for twelve years has been a member of the city council. Fraternally he belongs to the Foresters, in which he has passed through all of the chairs and to The Knights of Columbus, while his religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church, he has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and there are many who hold him in warm personal regard.

CHARLES HANSON, of Wahpeton. who is malting an excellent record as superintendent of the schools of Richland county, was born in Green county, Wisconsin, on the 24th of May, 1866. His parents, N, T. and Mary Jane (Smith) Hanson, were born respectively in Maine in 1822 and in Pennsylvania in 1831. The maternal ancestors were members of the Friends’ church. The father came to Wisconsin as a young man and there his marriage occurred. He bought land and devoted a number of years to farming, after which he went east and at the time of his demise, in 1890, he was living in Connecticut. His wife preceded him in death, passing away in 1881. To him and his wife were born seven children: Emma, a resident of Monroe, Wisconsin; Pauline, who is living in North Dakota; John, a retired farmer residing in Monroe, Wisconsin; Charles; Ruth, deceased; George, a farmer of North Dakota; and Edward, a publisher living in Chicago.

Charles Hanson received his early education in the country schools of Wisconsin and entered the high school of Monroe, that state, from which he was graduated in 1889.  After teaching for a time he became a student in the State Normal School at Whitewater, Wisconsin, completing the course in 1895. He has since engaged in educational work with the exception of one year, which he spent in the University of Wisconsin, thus fitting himself for still more efficient work in his chosen profession. In 1903 he came to North Dakota and for a time he taught near Buffalo, this state, but in 1905 he removed to Richland county, having been elected principal of the Walcott school, which position he held until 1912. He proved so efficient in that capacity that in 1911 he was elected county superintendent of schools and since taking office he has succeeded in advancing the standards of school work throughout the county. His long experience as an instructor has made him thoroughly familiar with the problems that confront the teacher and this knowledge, together with his resourcefulness, enables him to in most eases find a way out of difficulties. He also has executive ability and the faculty of securing the cooperation of those under him.

In 1912 Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Lium, a native of Wisconsin.  She is a communicant of the Lutheran church and he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Woodmen. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and his election to the office of county superintendent is a tribute to his personal popularity and ability as the county is republican by a large majority.  At a previous election lie was a candidate for the office, but was defeated by only forty-four votes. He has no outside interests, devoting his entire time and attention to the duties of his office, and the excellent record which he is making is no doubt due in part to this concentration of his energies.

CHARLES HEIN, is intimately connected with many business enterprises of Hankinson, Richland county, and is especially active as vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank and as president and treasurer of the Hankinson Nursery Company, which sells nursery stock throughout North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. He has also made an excellent record as an official, having served in a number of public offices.  Mr. Hein was born in Germany on the 15th of March 1856, and there continued to live until he was twelve years of age, when he accompanied his parents, Gottlieb and Amalie (Bethke) Hein, to America. The family landed in New York city in June 1868, and at once proceeded westward to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where they lived for three years. They then returned to New York city but after residing there for a year came to Dakota territory and settled in what is now Belford township, Richland county, North Dakota. There the father engaged in agricultural pursuits until his demise, which occurred in February 1895.

Charles Hein accompanied the family on their various removals and after reaching mature years engaged in farming in Richland county until 1890. He then removed to Hankinson and engaged in the mercantile business and in buying and selling live stock until the fall of 1899, when he disposed of those interests and turned his attention to real estate and banking. He bought and sold land in this state and in South Dakota outright and his operations netted him a good profit. He still owns four hundred acres of land near Hankinson and is still interested in the real estate business to some extent. He finds, however, that his duties as vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Hankinson demand much of his time and attention and he has made an enviable reputation as a financier.  The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, has a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars and its average deposits are one hundred thousand dollars. The institution was organized in 1899 by Mr. Hein and John H. Jones, the latter being still the president thereof.  Mr. Hein is likewise connected with banks at Rutland and Ellendale, North Dakota, and at Chelsea, South Dakota, and is a stockholder and director of the United Grain Commission Company of Duluth, Minnesota, and a stockholder in the United States Life Insurance Company of Chicago, the Hankinson -Auto Company, which has the agency for the Studebaker car, and the Wipperman Mercantile Company of Hankinson. He is also president and manager of the Farmers Elevator Company of Hankinson. He finds time to take an important part in the management of the affairs of the Hankinson Nursery Company, of which he is president and treasurer and which was established in 1904. It is a large nursery concern and its territory covers not only the Dakotas but also Minnesota and Montana.  He is very much interested in this company and, in fact, gives more attention to it than to any other of his business interests. His wide experience, his sound judgment and financial acumen are important factors in the growth of all of the companies with which he is connected and his advice is often sought on business matters.

Mr. Hein was married in Richland county on the 10th of November 1882, to Miss Fredricka Schroder, who was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, on the 27th of March 1860.  To their union have been born eight children, as follows: Louisa E., the wife of Paul Kim, who is engaged in the automobile business in Hankinson; Emma, who is clerking in a store in Hankinson; Louis C, a merchant of Plentywood, Montana; Charles G., a resident of Duluth, Minnesota; Richard H., at home; Alfred, a druggist; Lora, who is a teacher by profession; and Wilhelmina, at home.

Mr. Hein is recognized as one of the leaders of the democratic party in Richland county and beginning with 1897 held the office of county commissioner for five years, during two years of which time he was chairman of the board. He was then for some time school director and did all in his power to advance the educational interests of the county. He was also the first mayor of Hankinson and in that as in all other offices which he has held proved efficient and conscientious, giving the municipality a businesslike and public-spirited administration. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge, the commandery and the Shrine at Fargo. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he has been a member for twenty years, and has served as state delegate to the conventions of that order at Peoria and Buffalo. His religious faith is that of the German Evangelical church and at all times his influence is on the side of righteousness and justice. When he came to this state he had but twelve dollars, but he possessed assets more valuable than capital, namely, ambition, energy and sound judgment, and through the exercise of those qualities he has become one of the foremost citizens and one of the leading business men of his section of the state.

WILLIAM D. HENRY, president of The Peoples State Bank of Wahpeton, Richland county, is recognized as one of the most able bankers of the state and is a leader in the financial circles of his town and county. A native of Ohio, he was born at Wooster, a son of William and Mary A. (Dwire) Henry, both of whom were natives of that place. The father was a well-to-do merchant, manufacturer and coal operator and was widely known and highly esteemed in his locality. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, fraternally he was a Mason and both he and his wife attended the Episcopal church. They were the parents of three children, two of whom are now living, the brother of our subject being Charles D. Henry, who is engaged in the banking business in Monterey, California. The paternal grandfather, William Henry, removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in an early day in the history of the latter state and in 1808 located in the town of Wooster, where he resided during the remainder of his life, he was a man of independent means and engaged in banking and in the land business. The maternal grandfather, Shafet Dwire, was born in Maryland, but was an early settler of Ohio.

William D. Henry received his education in the public schools of Wooster and after putting aside his textbooks in 1871 went to Waterloo, Iowa, where he became a clerk in a bank. In 1880 he arrived in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and accepted a position as book-keeper and assistant cashier in the Peoples Bank there, of which he became cashier in 1887, a position which he held for fourteen years. His business acumen and executive ability were still further recognized in 1901, when he was made president of the institution, in which capacity he is still serving. The bank was established by F. L. French, a prominent business man and banker of Wahpeton, who remained as its chief executive until his demise in 1900. The bank was then reorganized as the Peoples State Bank, by which name it is still known. It is capitalized for twenty thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of twenty thousand dollars and average deposits of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The stock is held by a small number of people and its value as an investment is indicated by the fact that not a single share has been transferred since its organization. It has prospered from its organization and the wise policy instituted by its founders has been carried on by Mr. Henry, who is not only thoroughly familiar with the routine of banking practice, but also understands the principles of finance underlying all banking procedure and keeps in touch with local business conditions.

Mr. Henry casts his ballot in support of the republican party, but has never had time to take an active part in politics as his business interests have required his entire attention. He is identified with the Masonic blue lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Knights Templar commandery, the Scottish Rite bodies and the Mystic Shrine and seeks to exemplify in his life the beneficent teachings of the craft. He is at present serving as captain general of the Grand Commandery of North Dakota. His enterprise and business ability have enabled him to gain financial independence and his public spirit and integrity have won for him the esteem of those who have been associated with him.

RUDOLPH HERDINA, who has gained a gratifying success, as a farmer, is residing on section 29, Dwight township, Richland county. A native of Bohemia, he was born on the 31st of March, 1873, of the marriage of Frank and Philomena (Schubert) Herdina, both of whom were born in Austria, the former in 1852 and the latter in 1850. In 1875 they crossed the ocean to the United States and. making their way westward, settled in Minnesota, where the father turned his attention to farming. Subsequently he removed to North Dakota, where he resided for fourteen years, after which he returned to Minnesota and he and his wife are now living at Blooming Prairie, that state. He is a democrat in politics and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. When he came to this country he was a poor man but through industry and good management he has now acquired a competence.  To him and his wife were born twelve children, all of whom are now living and of whom our subject is the eldest. The paternal grandfather, Frank Herdina also emigrated to the United States and made his way to North Dakota, where he homesteaded land, although he passed away in South Dakota at the home of a son.

Rudolph Herdina received his education in the public schools of North Dakota and remained here when his parents returned to Minnesota. He was early trained in practical farming and has followed the occupation to which he was reared. When twenty-two years of age he began his independent career and that he has been successful is indicated in the fact that lie now owns three hundred acres of fertile and well improved land on section 29, Dwight township, Richland county. He follows general farming and is enterprising and progressive in his work, cultivating his crops carefully and using the latest machinery. He is a director in the Farmers & Merchants Bank at Wahpeton.

In 1899 Mr. Herdina was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Chezik, a daughter of Joseph and Rose Chezik, early settlers of this state, the father taking a homestead claim in Richland county, which he farmed until he retired from active life. In his early manhood he followed blacksmithing and for some time was in the employ of the government. He was in this state during pioneer times and recounts many interesting frontier experiences.  Mr. and Mrs. Herdina have five children, all of whom are at home, namely: Viola, Phillip, Marwil, Chester and Valerian.

Mr. Herdina casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and in religious faith is a Roman Catholic. He began his career as a poor boy and has at all times depended solely upon his own resources and can truly be termed a self-made man. Although he has given the closest attention to his business affairs he has not neglected his duties as a citizen and has always been willing to cooperate in movements seeking the public welfare and advancement. During the thirty-three years that he has resided in this state he has witnessed a remarkable change and takes justifiable pride in the fact that he has had a part in bringing about the transformation.

EDWARD HUNGER, who was president of the Citizens National Bank of Hankinson was also a large landowner in Richland county and was recognized as one of its leading business men. He was born in Rosenan, Germany, on the 13th of March 1845, a son of Carl and Carolina Hunger, both of whom died when he was but a child, he received his education in the common schools and in his young manhood emigrated to the United States and made his way to Richland county, North Dakota, where he took up a homestead. At that time settlers were few and far between and the work of development had scarcely been begun.  He brought his land under cultivation and made a number of improvements upon his home-stead and subsequently took up a tree claim, which he held for nine years. In 1888 he removed to Hankinson and after spending a year in travel he engaged in merchandising, which occupied his time and attention for eighteen years. In 1906, he established the Citizens National Bank, of which he remained the head until his death. The institution is capitalized for thirty thousand dollars, has a surplus of ten thousand dollars and average deposits of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars. Its rapid and substantial growth was due in large measure to the sagacity and business acumen of its president, he was also one of the largest landowners in Richland county, owning many farms, comprising over fifteen hundred acres of excellent land.

Mr. Hunger was married in 1868 to Miss Anna Hochheusler, a native of Germany, who died in 1892, leaving a son, F. O., who is now postmaster at Hankinson. In 1895 Mr. Hunger was married a second time, Miss Anna Johnson becoming his wife. She was born in Norway, but came to this state from Fergus Falls, Minnesota.  Mr. Hunger was an adherent of the republican party and for fourteen years served on the city council, while for some time he was a member of the school board, proving in both capacities able and conscientious. His widow belongs to the Congregational church and takes an active interest in its work. The principles which governed his conduct may be gathered from the fact that he was a member of the Masonic order. He began to provide for his own support when still a boy and thereafter depended upon his own resources and the financial independence which he gained was proof of his energy and wise management. His honor and reputation were beyond reproach, and his word was as good as his bond. He was honored and respected by all who knew him and in his death, which occurred July 20, 1916, the community lost one of its most prominent and best-known citizens.

E. J. HURLEY, is engaged in the real estate business at Fairmount and also has important farming interests. He was born in Pierce county, Wisconsin, on the 8th of September 1838, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Welch) Hurley, both born in Ireland in 1830. The paternal grandfather, James Hurley, emigrated with his family to the United States in 1847 and passed away in Galena, Illinois. He was a cabinetmaker by trade. The maternal grand-father, Michael Welch, became a resident of El Paso, Wisconsin, many years ago and there his demise occurred. The parents of our subject were married in Janesville, Wisconsin, in June 1855. The mother came to the United States in 1843 and the father in 1847. The Hurley family first settled in Massachusetts, but removed successively to New Hampshire, New York, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Thomas Hurley, father of our subject, died in El Paso, Wisconsin, but the mother died in Ellsworth, that state. He was a communicant of the Catholic church and gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. He held a number of township offices and took an active part in public affairs, wielding a large influence in his community. He was not only a fine business man and a very successful farmer, but he was also an excellent mathematician. To him and his wife were born five children, four of whom are living, namely: James, who formerly engaged in farming, but is now working in a store in Ellsworth, Wisconsin; E. J.; Mrs. Mary Ann Hawkins, whose husband is farming near Hammond, Wisconsin; and Thomas, rural mail carrier of Wheaton, Minnesota.

E. J. Hurley received his education in the common schools and early in life became familiar with agricultural work. Previous to coming to Dakota territory in 1880 he worked on a farm in Minnesota and after living in this state for a time returned to Minnesota, where he resided until the fall of 1901. He then removed to Fairmount, Richland county, this state, and opened a real estate office, he has since devoted a great deal of his time and attention to the real estate business, buying and selling outright and on commission, and his accurate knowledge of what constitutes a good farm has enabled him to deal in farm lands to a good advantage. He still owns land in Minnesota and his farming interests return to him a good income.

On the 14th of February, 1891, Mr. Hurley married Miss Susie J. Hopkins, who was born in Virginia, but became a resident of Graceville, Minnesota, in 1880. Her father, Stephen Hopkins, devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. To Mr. and Mrs. Hurley have been born five children: Stephen K., who is a young man of twenty-two years, is an attorney of unusual promise and has won considerable note as a lecturer and as a literary man.  he is a graduate of the law school of the Georgetown University and of the Catholic University of America, both at Washington, D. C. Catherine, Josephine, Marcella M. and Susie R. are all at home.

Mr. Hurley is a stanch adherent of the democratic party and has served ably as justice of the peace for a number of years. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, to the teachings of which he is most loyal. Fraternally he holds membership in the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He was one of the trustees of the School of Science at Wahpeton and is always ready to give of his time and thought to the promotion of the general welfare. His business interests are ably managed and he has met with a gratifying and well deserved measure of success.

J. M. HYNES, The limitless opportunities of the northwest have been to J. M. Hynes a call to action.  He has seen in this vast section of the country the chance for the establishment and conduct of important business interests and today he has extensive land holdings and is one of the prominent representatives of banking interests in the northern part of North Dakota, having large investments in this state, although he makes his home in St. Paul.  He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, July 11, 1868, a son of Michael and Mary (Speight) Hynes, who were natives of County Limerick, Ireland. The father crossed the Atlantic in 1847, establishing his home in Massachusetts, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. His death occurred in December 1896, while his wife passed away in December 1897.

The youthful days of J. M. Hynes were spent in the old Bay state, where he remained with his parents until he reached the age of eighteen years, after which he was employed in different factories in Massachusetts, but the interesting reports concerning the opportunities of the developing northwest led him to sever his connections with New England and come to North Dakota. He arrived in Wahpeton in 1880 and there took up the study of telegraphy, after which he was employed until 1901 as station agent and telegraph operator on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Great Northern and the Soo railroad lines. In 1901 he made his initial step in connection with the banking business by entering the Lidgerwood State Bank at Lidgerwood, North Dakota, in the capacity of assistant cashier. There he was employed until July 1905, when he went to Tolley and organized the First National Bank of that place, acting as its cashier for several years. The present officers are: J. L. Mathews, president; J. M. Hynes, vice president; and W. E. Hynes, cashier. The bank is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars and has deposits amounting to two hundred and ten thousand dollars. Mr. Hynes is also associated with numerous other financial institutions, owning banks at Kermit, Wildrose, Ambrose, Mantador and Lidgerwood. He also owns twenty-three quarter sections of land in Renville county and his farming interests are another important source of his income. In 1914 he removed to St. Paul, where he engaged in the land business and where he still resides, managing his business investments from that point.

On the 19th of May 1891, Mr. Hynes was married to Miss Julia Feeney and they have become the parents of six children: Agatha, Aileen and Bernice, all at home; and three who died in infancy.

While residing at Tolley Mr. Hynes served as a member of the town council. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to the Catholic church and in his political views is a stalwart democrat. His business career is an expression of notable enterprise, diligence, progressiveness and keen business judgment, and shows what can be accomplished when ambition points out the way. It is also a proof that prosperity and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

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