Richland County North Dakota Biographies

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

A. H. MERRILL, manager of the White Lumber Company’s branch at Mooreton, has been engaged in the lumber business for many years and understands it thoroughly. A native of Maine, he was born November 4, 1853, and is a son of Adolphus and Susan P. (Perkins) Merrill, also natives of the Pine Tree state, the former born in 1830 and the latter in 1827.  The paternal grandfather was A. H. Merrill. who owned the state quarries in Brownville, Maine, and who was a man of wealth, his estate being valued at three hundred thousand dollars. In his early life he resided in Massachusetts but was for many years a resident of Maine. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Perkins a representative of a well known New England family. Adolphus Merrill worked in the quarries all of his life and passed away in Maine in 1908. He was a republican in politics and was a member of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belonged. They were married in Maine on the 26th of June 1851, and became the parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest and of whom ten are living.

A. H. Merrill received his general education in the common and high schools and subsequently attended the Bangor Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1886.  He then went to Utah, where he did missionary work for the Congregational church for a time, but on the 5th of December 1887, he removed to North Dakota and for ten years engaged in teaching school. In 1899 he took charge of a lumberyard, which he conducted until 1909, and during that time also published a newspaper. He is now manager of the White Lumber Company’s branch at Mooreton and is recognized as one of the most able representatives of that concern, with which he has been connected for a number of years.

In 1876 Mr. Merrill was married to, Miss Augusta Sampson, also a native of Maine. Both belong to the Congregational church, in the work of which they take an active interest. Mr.  Merrill casts his ballot in support of the prohibition party as he believes that many of the problems which confront the country will be solved when the liquor traffic is done away with.  He has served as clerk of the school board and is deeply interested in everything that promotes the mora! and intellectual advancement of his community. He devotes practically his entire time to his business and the responsible duties devolving upon him are discharged to the satisfaction of all concerned.

EMIL A. MOVIUS, That North Dakota offers excellent opportunities to the young man of ambition and energy but without capital has been proven by the record of Emil A. Movius, who was one of the leading capitalists of Lidgerwood and Richland county. He was president of the First National Bank of Lidgerwood and of the Movius Land & Loan Company, which is capitalized for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. A native of Germany, he was born on the 5^th of May 1858, and was a son of John W. and Henriette (Bratz) Movius, also natives of that country, the former born in Burow. On emigrating to the United States the father settled at Glenwood, Minnesota, where he purchased land and also took up a homestead. He was a physician and practiced his profession successfully in Minnesota for a number of years. He passed away at New Ulm, that state. A more extended genealogy of the Movius family appears in the sketch of John H. Movius on another page of this volume.

Emil A. Movius accompanied his parents to this country, in 1867 and completed his education, which had been begun in Germany, in the schools of Ortonville, Minnesota, and Big Stone City, South Dakota. During his boyhood he gained valuable knowledge of farming through assisting with the work of the home place and after completing his education he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, subsequently he engaged in the implement business at Big Stone City for three years but in 1887 came to North Dakota and took up his residence in Lidgerwood, where he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life. For a considerable period he was engaged in the implement, furniture, livery and real estate business in connection with his brother, John H. Movius but later established a general mercantile business, to the conduct of which he devoted his time until he was burned out. He then concentrated his energies upon his real estate and banking interests, in which business he operated on a large scale. A number of years previously, or in 1888, he organized the Movius State Bank and in 1901 he established the First National Bank, which has larger deposits than any other bank in Richland county. In 1913 the institution erected a beautiful building, which it occupies, and its business is steadily growing. It is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of over twenty-five thousand dollars and its deposits total over five hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars.  In addition to its regular banking business the First National writes fire, hail and tornado insurance and does considerable business in those lines. Mr. Movius was also president of the German State Bank of Mott, North Dakota, and the Farmers State Bank of Great Bend, North Dakota.

Although he gave careful attention to the management of the banks of which he was president, he devoted much of his time to the direction of the affairs of the Movius Land & Loan Company, of which he was the president and which is capitalized for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The concern buys and sells land and makes loans on land and is one of the largest companies of the kind in North Dakota. It has a surplus of fifty thousand dollars and pays excellent dividends to its stockholders, all of whom are members of the Movius family.

Mr. Movius was married in 1881 to Miss Addie Waring, who was born in Virginia but reared in Missouri, and they became the parents of two children: John W., who is connected with the First National Bank of Lidgerwood; and George W., who is a graduate of Shattuck School at Faribault, Minnesota, and is now attending the State University of Minnesota at Minneapolis.

The republican party had in Mr. Movius a stanch adherent and he did much to secure its victory at the polls in his county. Recognition of his ability to think in terms of the general welfare and of his sound judgment led to his election to the state legislature. He not only served acceptably in the house of representatives but was also for four terms a member of the state senate, and whether in the lower or upper house he proved an able and discriminating lawmaker, supporting those measures calculated to promote the welfare of the state and opposing those which were ill advised. He was a loyal and consistent Mason and was identified with the blue lodge, the Royal Arch chapter, the Scottish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. His religious faith was indicated by the fact that he was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church, in which he took an active part. Although he was perhaps most intimately connected with the business and financial life of his community, he was at all times willing to support movements seeking its civic and moral advancement, and he was recognized as a broad-minded man of many interests and of unusual public spirit.  His death, which occurred July 6, 1916, removed from Lidgerwood one of its foremost and honored citizens, who commanded the love and respect of all who knew him.

JOHN H. MOVIUS, of Lidgerwood, president and manager of the Movius Land & Loan Company, devotes the greater part of his time to looking after the land business of the concern, which is one of the largest of its kind in the state, and he also has a number of other important interests in Richland county. A native of Germany, he was born on the 24th of June 1860, a son of John W. and Henriette (Bratz) Movius, who were born in that country on the 23d of July 1821, and the 30th of November 1822, respectively. The genealogy of the family is traced back to Rambau von der Movius, who is said to have owned a castle at Wartislaf, near Stettin, in Pommerania, in 1463. The grandfather of our subject, Johann Friedrich Movius, was born January 28, 1789, and became head forester for a nobleman at Golnow, Germany. He married Charlotte Zahl and lived to an advanced age, passing away on the 21st of February, 1873. The maternal grandparents were August and Wilhelmina (Erdmann) Bratz, born respectively on the 24th of July 1798, and on the 27th of April 1796. The grandfather died on the 10th of October 1863, and the grandmother passed away at Odessa, Minnesota, on the 30th of April 1870.  John W. Movius was educated for the medical profession in Germany and after removing to this country practiced in Glenwood, Sleepy Eye and New Ulm, Minnesota, gaining an enviable reputation as a physician. At that time he was quite well off but lost heavily by an investment in a mill and also from the grasshopper plague. He was well informed on all questions of general interest and was a public speaker of more than usual ability, making his points clearly and forcefully. He was appointed one of the first supervisors of Bigstone county, Minnesota, and was recognized as a leader in local republican circles.  He was a man of strong character and one of his salient traits was his loyalty and devotion to his friends. The motive force of his life was his Christian faith and for years he was a devout member of the Lutheran church, later becoming identified with the Evangelical Association. He was married on the 23d of October 1840, and passed away on the 21st of October 1877, at New Ulm, Minnesota. His widow survived for almost thirty years, dying in Lidgerwood, North Dakota, on the 22d of August 1907. To their union were born eleven children, five of whom are still living. A sketch of William R. appears elsewhere in this work. Ernest F. is a retired minister of the Evangelical Association, residing in Lidgerwood.  He was educated in Germany and was accounted one of the ablest ministers of his denomination in the Dakotas. He had charge of churches in both North and South Dakota and also served as presiding elder in both states. A sketch of E. A., deceased, appears elsewhere in this work. Anna married Emil Sellin, who is engaged in the machine and automobile business in Odessa, Minnesota, and who has large farm holdings. John H. is the next in order of birth. Mary O. is now president of the First National Bank of Lidgerwood.

John H. Movius received his education in the public schools of New Ulm, Minnesota, and in a private school conducted by Professor Campbell. After finishing his education he engaged in the machine business in Bigstone City, South Dakota, with his brother, E. A. Movius, remaining in that connection from 1883 until 1887. In the latter year they arrived in Lidgerwood and established a machine business there. Subsequently they began dealing in furniture, became the owners of livery and sales stables and also established a general store. They also turned their attention to banking and subsequently organized the Movius Land & Loan Company. They started in business in debt but the firm is now among the most important factors in the business life of that part of the state. In 1902 they suffered a fire loss of thirty thousand dollars on their store and after allowing for this loss their year’s profit totaled forty-two thousand dollars. The land company is capitalized for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and does an enormous business, buying and selling land outright and loaning money on land as security. Our subject concentrates his energies largely upon this phase of his business interests and is recognized as an authority on lands and farm loans. He is also vice president of the First National Bank of Lidgerwood and of the Farmers State Bank at Great Bend and president of the First National Bank of Veblen, South Dakota.

On New Year’s day, 1895, Mr. Movius was united in marriage to Miss Margaret W. Wagner, a daughter of Charles Wagner, and to this union have been born five children.  Eva graduated from the high school and later took a preparatory course at Poughkeepsie, New York. She is now studying in a school of expression and music at Los Angeles, California.  Carl E. has completed the regular course in the Galahad School for Boys at Hudson, Wisconsin, and is now a student at Princeton College in Princeton, New Jersey. H. Gretchen was the youngest student graduated from the Lidgerwood high school, completing the course there when not yet fourteen years of age. She subsequently took further preparatory work at Poughkeepsie, New York, and then entered Vassar College. Although she was one of the youngest students to enter that famous school she has made an excellent record, especially in mathematics. Virginia and Gilbert Hurst are both attending high school at Lidgerwood.

Mr. Movius is a republican in politics and has been president of the local school board and trustee of the State Science School at Wahpeton. He holds membership in the Evangelical Association, and his wife is a communicant of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed through the chairs; with the Rebekahs, in which he has served as noble grand; and with the Masonic blue lodge, of which he has been master; the Royal Arch Chapter; the consistory; and the Shrine. Although he has given the strictest attention to his business affairs and has become one of the wealthy men of his county, he has never forgotten that there are other interests in life than the material ones and has given freely of his time and energy to the promotion of the educational, civic and moral advancement of his community.

WILLIAM R. MOVIUS, the chief stockholder in the Lidgerwood Mill Company, one of the important industrial concerns of Richland county, was born in Germany on the 1st of November 1850, and received an excellent education in his native land, attending high school and college. Following his removal to this country he engaged in merchandising in Big Stone City, South Dakota, where he remained for three years, after which he devoted a similar period of time to agricultural pursuits. He then returned to Big Stone City and for three years dealt in real estate. He continued to reside there until 1890 and was recognized as one of its leading citizens. He served as the first postmaster for twelve years, proving very efficient in that capacity.

Soon after his arrival in Lidgerwood, North Dakota, in 1890, Mr. Movius built a large flour mill, which, however, burned four years later. He at once rebuilt and has continued in business to the present time. The mill, which is conducted under the name of the Lidgerwood Mill Company, has a capacity of two hundred and fifty barrels per day and ships flour all over the United States. As it is in the heart of one of the best wheat producing regions in the world and is thoroughly equipped with the most improved machinery, while the utmost care is taken in the manufacture of the flour, it is but natural that the flour should be of an unusually high quality and should find a ready sale. Mr. Movius is president and general manager of the company and to him is due the greatest credit for the success of the business. He is also interested in the First National Bank and in the Movius Land & Loan Company.

Mr. Movius was married in 1870 to Miss Marcella Murray, a native of Fillmore county, Minnesota, and a daughter of Duncan Murray. Her father, who was of Highland Scotch descent, removed from Nova Scotia to Fillmore county, Minnesota, in the early days of the history of that state. Subsequently he came to Dakota, where he was frozen to death in a blizzard. Mr. and Mrs. Movius have eight children: Arthur J., a physician located at Billings, Montana; Winfred D., who is associated with his father in the mill; Marcella, the wife of Dr. N. J. Shields, of Wahpeton, this state; Pearl, who married A. W. Rosenkranz, bookkeeper and electrician in the mill; Rex Murray, who is engaged in the real estate business in Plentywood, Montana; Walter R., who is employed in a real estate office in Billings; Harold E., who is ranching in Montana, and Margaret, the wife of H. E. Warren, of Jackson, Tennessee, who is superintendent of the dining car service on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad.

Mr. Movius casts his ballot in support of the measures and candidates of the democratic party and has served acceptably as a member of the city council and as a member of the school board. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he contributes, and he strives to conform his life to the teachings of Christianity.  He has contributed in no small measure to the industrial and business development of his section and has also done his part in promoting the advancement of his community along moral and civic lines.

E. H. MYHRA, cashier of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Wahpeton, is a native of Richland county and was born on the 9th of December, 1873. His parents, H. C. N, and Elise (Erickson) Myhra, were both born in Kongsberg, Norway, the former in 1843 and the latter in 1846. They were married in their native land, where they resided until they emigrated to the United States, making their way to Rushford, Minnesota. In 1871, however, they removed to Richland county, North Dakota, where the father homesteaded land, which he has since improved until it is now one of the well developed farms of the locality. H. C. N. Myhra has added to his holding and now owns four hundred acres, on which he does general farming. His wife is also still living. He is a republican in politics and for three terms served efficiently as clerk of the court. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs and keeps well informed on all of the questions and issues of the day. He is highly educated and speaks and writes German, Norwegian and English. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, to the support of which he contributes. To him and his wife were born eight children, seven of whom are living, namely: Mrs. R. Hansken, whose husband is engaged in the clothing business in Wahpeton; Mrs. Ed Wilson, of Moorhead, Minnesota, whose husband is now living retired; E. H; Nellie; George, who is assisting in the operation of the home farm; Mrs. F. A. Magnusson, whose husband is clerk in a store in Moorhead. Minnesota; and Agnes, at home.

E. H. Myhra attended the public schools of Richland county and continued his studies at Moorhead, Minnesota, thus securing a good education. During the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm and became familiar with the value of energy and of concentration upon the task at hand. On leaving school he entered a drug store, where he learned pharmacy, and for fourteen years he engaged in the drug business in Wahpeton.  In 1904, however, he was appointed postmaster and received two re-appointments, serving in that capacity until March 1916. In 1914 he became cashier of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, which was established in December 1914, with a capital of twenty thousand dollars and which has already built up a good business, the average deposits being eighty thousand dollars.

Mr. Myhra was married in 1898 to Miss May Dahl, who was born in Sweden but was brought to this country by her parents when but three years of age. To them have been born two children: Lucile, born in 1903; and Harold, born in 1904.

Mr. Myhra is a republican in politics and for eight years served as chairman of the county committee, doing much during that time to strengthen the party throughout the county. His wife belongs to the Christian Science church and he is identified with the Masonic blue lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Knights Templar Commandery and the Mystic Shrine, and likewise with the Workmen, the Yeomen and the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor. His life has been one of well directed activity and his labors have contributed not only to his individual prosperity but also to the development of his community. The high esteem in which he is generally held is well deserved and there are many who are his warm personal friends.

MARTIN G. MYHRE, cashier of the First State Bank of Walcott, is an important factor in financial circles in that town and under his direction the business of the bank has grown steadily. He has also represented his district in the state legislature. His birth occurred in Winona county, Minnesota, January 30, 1874, and he is a son of Gilbert and Malena (Torgerson) Myhre, both of whom were born in Norway, the former in 1840 and the latter in 1849. Both the paternal and maternal grandfathers Christian Hanson and Hans Torgerson, died in Norway. The parents were married in that, country but in 1869 emigrated to America and settled in Winona county, Minnesota, where the father purchased land. He cultivated his farm there until 1878, when he removed to Dakota territory and took up a homestead in what is now Richland county, North Dakota. He became the owner of a section of land and also held title to other property. He passed away upon the homestead in 1910 and his wife died there in 1915. They were Lutherans in religious faith and the father was one of the organizers of the local church of that denomination.  He took a very active part in church work and his influence was always on the side of right and justice. he cast his ballot in support of the candidates of the republican party and was honored by election to a number of local offices. To him and his wife were born eleven children, of whom eight are living and of whom our subject is the sixth in order of birth.

Martin G. Myhre attended the country schools in the acquirement of his early education and later attended the University of Minnesota, there pursuing a law course. He completed his legal study at Columbian University, now George Washington University, in Washington, D. C. and in 1900 was admitted to the bar. He took the law course at Columbian University at night as he was employed in the civil service at Washington during the day.  He practiced law for a few years but in 1907 returned to Walcott and engaged in banking, entering the First State Bank as cashier, a position which he has since held. The institution is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of five thousand dollars and its deposits average one hundred and eighty thousand dollars.  Mr. Myhre has a detailed knowledge of banking and as he adds to this an understanding of the principles of finance which underlie all banking practice, he is a very efficient cashier, so directing the policy of the bank that it holds the confidence of the public and at the same time returns good dividends to its stockholders. He has prospered financially and owns a large farm and also has other real estate interests. He began his independent career without capital and the prosperity which he now enjoys is the direct result of his enterprise and business ability.

In March, 1904, Mr. Myhre was married to Miss Julia Fossum, a daughter of Andrew Fossum who came to Dakota in 1871. He located upon a farm and is still engaged in its operation. He is also president of the First State Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Myhre have two children: Gladys, who is nine years of age; and Arnold, six years old.

Mr. Myhre is a republican and has taken an active part in politics, he has not only held a number of local offices but in 1914 and 1915 represented his district in the state legislature, proving an able working member of that body. He is identified with the Lutheran church and fraternally is connected with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen, he is widely known throughout Richland county and is highly esteemed and respected.

LARS OLSGARD, vice president of the Bank of Wyndmere, was born in Richland county, North Dakota, November 21, 1879, and is a son of Ola and Guri (Sorbel) Olsgard, both natives of Norway, the former born on the 13th of May 1845, and the latter in 1855. The father emigrated to the United States in young manhood and settled in Richland county, North Dakota, in 1871, being one of the early pioneers of the county. He took up land and now owns three hundred and eighty acres, from which he derives a substantial income.  When he came to this state he was in straitened circumstances, but lie was energetic and possessed good judgment and in time gained financial independence. He is an active member of the Lutheran church which he aided in organizing, and his political belief is that of the republican party. He is a well educated man and keeps informed on all questions of public interest. He was married in Richland county to Miss Guri Sorbel, who died on the 7th of April 1911. They were the parents of three children: Sophia, the wife of Gustav G. Mellem, a hardware merchant of Wyndmere; Nels, who is living on the old home farm; and Lars. Both of the grandfathers of our subject died in Norway.

Lars Olsgard received an excellent education, graduating from Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota, in 1897. In 1900 he engaged in the hardware business in Wyndmere and so continued for three years, after which he entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier. After being connected with that bank for four years he was made vice president of the Bank of Wyndmere, in which capacity he is still serving. The institution is capitalized at ten thousand dollars, has a surplus of five thousand dollars and its average deposits are two hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Olsgard devotes practically his entire time to his duties in connection with the bank and his detailed knowledge of the business and his good judgment are important factors in the success of the institution. He began his career without capital but has gained a gratifying measure of success and now owns considerable land in the county.

On the 9th of June, 1907, Mr. Olsgard was united in marriage to Miss Freda Franz, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they have three children, Pearl, Evelyn and Viola. He is a republican but does not take an active part in politics. Fraternally he is well known, belonging to the Masonic blue lodge, the commandery and Shrine and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He takes a commendable interest in the advancement of his community along moral, civic and commercial lines and is recognized as a valuable citizen.

O. J. OLSON, of Wahpeton, is now serving a third term as register of deeds of Richland county, and is very efficient in the discharge, of his duties in that capacity, and he is also president of the Commercial Club, he is a native son of the county and was born on September 24, 1885, of the marriage of Chris and Rena (Olson) Olson. The father was born in Denmark and the mother in Mower county, Minnesota, and their marriage occurred in Adams, that state. About 1882 they came to North Dakota and settled at Dwight, where the father was engaged in the grain, machinery and farm implement business for a number of years.  Having accumulated a competence, he is living retired in Galchutt. He is a republican in politics and fraternally is a Woodman, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. To him and his wife wore born seven children, namely: George, who is engaged in the lumber business in Canada: 0. J.; Mrs. Johnson, of Galchutt, whose husband is a general merchant there; Clara, at home; Mrs. Schultz, of Minot, this state, whose husband is manager of a hardware store; Cora, who is a teacher and resides at home; and Clarence, also at home. The paternal grandparents passed their entire lives in Denmark.

O. J. Olson received his education through attending the common schools and the Red River Valley University at Wahpeton, from which he was graduated in 1904. Thereafter he remained at home for a short time and then became a collector and salesman for the Hennepin Lumber Company, leaving their employ to accept a position as clerk in the office of register of deeds, ln 1907 he was appointed deputy and three years later was elected register of deeds. His previous experience in the office work qualified him for the position and he has made such an excellent record that he has been twice re-elected and is still serving in that capacity. He is systematic, prompt and accurate and there has never been the slightest question as to his integrity.

On the 29th of April, 1914, Mr. Olson was married to Miss Susie Rettig, a native of Wahpeton. Both are members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they take to commendable interest. He is active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is now trustee of the home fund board of the state. His political beliefs are in accord with the principles of the republican party, which he supports loyally. He is president of the Commercial Club and under his leadership that organization has accomplished much for the civic and business expansion of the town and he hopes for still greater achievement.

BERNHARD OTTIS, the proprietor of a drug store in Wyndmere, is also postmaster of the town. He was born in Cass county on the 23d of June 1878, a son of Samuel and Carrie (Eikery) Ottis, the former of whom was born in Denmark in 1841 and the latter in Wisconsin in 1847. The father served in the Danish army in the war between Germany and Denmark but in 1864 he emigrated to the United States and made his way to Minnesota, where he farmed for a few years. In 1871, however, he came to Dakota territory and took up a homestead which he developed into a well improved farm. He has been very successful in business and still owns two sections after giving land to his children. He also owns his residence at Kindred, where he is living retired. His political belief is that of the republican party and he is a member of the Lutheran church. He was married in Fillmore county, Minnesota, to Miss Carrie Eikery, who died in 1891. Of their children four sons are living, namely: Louis, who is residing on the old homestead; George, a sketch, of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Bernhard; and John, cashier of the bank at Kindred.

Bernhard Ottis was educated in the common schools of Kindred, in Concordia College of Moorhead, Minnesota, in a business college of Minneapolis and in Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, graduating from the last named in pharmacy in 1900. The following year he removed to Wyndmere and established a drug store which he has since successfully conducted. He has built up a good business and has an enviable reputation for accuracy in filling prescriptions, for a high quality of goods and for honorable business methods. He also owns considerable real estate.

In 1904 Mr. Ottis was married to Miss Kate Kramer, who was born in Richland county, and they have two sons, Kenneth and La Verne Wilson. Mr. Ottis is a stalwart democrat and takes a commendable interest in public affairs. In March 1915, he was appointed postmaster of Wyndmere and is proving very efficient in the discharge of his duties. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and fraternally is identified with Lodge, No. 1093, B. P. O. E., at Fergus Falls; with the Masonic lodge, commandery and Shrine; and with the Modern Woodmen.

GEORGE C. OTTIS, the proprietor of the leading store in Wyndmere, also has a number of other important business connections and has been a leading factor in the development of his town and county. He was born in Cass county, North Dakota. September 17, 1875, a son of Samuel and Carrie (Eikery) Ottis, the former of whom was born in Denmark in 1841 and the latter in Wisconsin in 1847. The father served in the Danish army during the war between Germany and Denmark, but in 1864 he emigrated to the United States and made his way to Minnesota, where he farmed for a few years. In 1871 he came to Dakota territory and took up a homestead, which he developed into a well improved farm. He has been very successful in business and still owns two sections of land after giving land to his children.  He also owns his residence at Kindred, where he is living retired. His political support is given the republican party, and he is a member of the Lutheran church. He was married in Fillmore county, Minnesota, to Miss Carrie Eikery who died in 1891. Of their children four sons are living, namely: Louis, who is residing on the old homestead: George C; Bernhard, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work: and John, cashier of the bank at Kindred.

George C. Ottis attended the public schools and was later for two years a student in the Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota, where he completed the commercial course.  Subsequently he engaged in merchandising in Kindred for two years, after which, in 1900.  he removed to Wyndmere, where he has since remained. He began business on a small scale but his store is now the largest in the town and the volume of his trade is growing steadily.  He has prospered from the beginning as he has always adhered closely to the strictest commercial ethics and as he has spared no pains to supply the wants of his customers. In addition to his store he is financially interested in the Noonan Security Bank, the Davenport Bank and the First State Bank at Opheim, Montana, of which he is a director. He also owns stock in a number of enterprises, including an elevator and a creamery, and he holds title to a section of good land. He is one of the most successful men of Richland county, and his record is the more creditable in that he has always depended entirely upon his own efforts.

Mr. Ottis was married in 1903 to Miss Clara Hollingby a native of Osage, Iowa, by whom he has a daughter, Irene. He votes the republican ticket but is not otherwise active in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic blue lodge, commandery and Shrine, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and its teachings have guided his life. He is not only widely known and highly respected throughout the county but there are many who are his warm personal friends.

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