JOHN ALM, one of the leading farmers of Richland County, is an early resident of that region, he makes his home on section 36, of Eagle township, and is the owner of one of the best farms of the locality. He has accumulated his property single-handed and is enjoying the fruits of his labors.

Our subject was born in Sweden September 14, 1848. He was employed several years in a sawmill in his native country, and in the spring of 1880 came to America. He went direct to Richland County, North Dakota, and settled on the farm where he has since made his home. He has erected a complete set of substantial farm buildings and made other improvements on the place, looking to the comfort of the family and stock. He now owns six hundred acres of land and has made a success of general farming.

Our subject was married, in Sweden, October 5. 1872. to Miss Mary Nelson. Ten children have been horn to Mr. and Mrs. Alm. named as follows: Albert. Charles. Hilda. Freda. Helma. Selma. Emma, Axel. Anna and Frank. Mr. Alm has passed through the experiences of pioneer life and surmounted the difficulties which beset the early settler, and aside from gaining a comfortable competence has acquired an enviable reputation in Richland County. He is industrious and systematic in his work and deserves his success.

JOHN ANDREWS, editor and proprietor of the "Lidgerwood Broadaxe," is one of the able editors of Richland county. He is yet a young man, but has taken a high position among the newspaper men of the state of North Dakota and is well known as a gentleman of true worth. He was born in Portadown, Armagh county, Ireland, July 22, 1874.

Mr. Andrews came to America with his parents in 1888, and spent the greater part of the first year in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He went to Jamestown, North Dakota, in 1889. and attended the college in that city one year and later went to Hot Springs, South Dakota, and entered the office of Benedict & Hanford, of the "Hot Springs Star," where he remained until February, 1892, when he assumed the management of the "Hermosa Pilot," a paper published in Custer county. South Dakota. He remained there until the fall of 1893, when he took a trip to England, visiting London six months. On his return he entered the employ of Potter & Potter, of the "Casselton Casseltonian," where he remained until 1895, when he purchased the "Lidgerwood Broadaxe." He is now the sole owner and editor of this paper and since taking up the paper its circulation has steadily increased and it is now one of the best newspapers in the community.

Mr. Andrews was married, at Montrose, Wisconsin , February 28, 1898, to Miss Mary Fritz, a native of Montrose. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, whom they have named Jean.

FREDERICK A. BAGG, a popular and highly esteemed citizen of Mooreton township, Richland county, is the efficient manager of the Downing farm, which comprises over five thousand acres of land in Mooreton and Garfield townships, and  is one of the most valuable estates in the county.  Mr. Bagg is a native of Massachusetts, born in  South Hadley, July 1, 1858, and is a son of Hiram A. and Harriet (Cleveland) Bagg. also natives of the old Bay state. The father was born in Worthington and died in South Hadley at the age of fifty-two years, but the mother is still living. In their family were four children, namely: Frederick A., Lucy H., Harriet C. and Earl H. A.

Our subject was reared in South Hadley and obtained a good practical education in the public schools of that place. He remained there until the spring of 1887, when he came to North Dakota and entered the employ of J. F. Downing, of Richland county, as a carpenter. A year later he assumed the management of the Downing farm, and in its operation has displayed remarkable business ability, sound judgment and keen foresight. During harvest time he often has one hundred men working under his supervision, and his long retention in his responsible position testifies to his efficiency and trustworthiness. He has prospered during his residence in this state and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land.

In Richland county, Mr. Bagg was married, January 1, 1890, to Miss Sophia Larson, who was born in Norway and brought to America when two years old. To them were born five children, namely : Edna, who died at the age of one year; Urbin, who died in infancy; Harriet, Florence and Hiram A., residing at home.

ANDREW A. BARBO. In whatever vocation engaged the successful man is the industrious man.  Among those who have added to their possessions and have gained a goodly competence by the exercise of that characteristic the gentleman above named is entitled to mention. He is now the owner of one of the best farms in Eagle township, Richland County, and has acquired his estate through honest industry. He is well-known as a man of good character, and is highly esteemed.

Our subject was born in Norway, December 28, 1845, and was the only child born to Andrew O. and Randi Barbo. His father died in Norway in the winter of 1897, aged eighty-three years, and his mother died in 1896, aged ninety-six years. 

Our subject was reared on his father's farm, and was educated in his native land. He continued his residence there until April, 1871, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York, in May of that year. He went at once to Menomonie, Wisconsin, where he was employed nine years by the Knopp-Stout Lumber Company. He went to Richland County, North Dakota, in June, 1880, and entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land as a homestead. He is now in possession of this farm, on which he has erected a complete set of substantial and commodious farm buildings, and added every convenience of modern farming. He is the fortunate possessor of four hundred and eighty acres of land and engages in general farming. 

Our subject was married in Norway, in the fall of 1870, to Engar A. Oium, a native of Norway.  Mr. and Mrs. Barbo have one daughter and one son, as follows: Mary A. and Albert R. Mr. Barbo takes much interest in local affairs and has served as one of the board of supervisors of Eagle township, chairman of the board, and in various school offices, and is an earnest worker for the development and advancement of his community.

JAMES D. BEATTIE, an energetic and successful agriculturist residing on section 112, Mooreton township, Richland county, North Dakota, is a veteran of the Civil war, and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and in the paths of peace he has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen.

Mr. Beattie was born in Picton, Nova Scotia, December 13, 1845, but when six years old was taken to New York by his parents, Thomas and Jeanette (Holliday) Beattie, who settled in Cortland county, where both died, the former in 1891, at the ripe old age of eighty years, the latter in 1870, at the age of fifty-seven years. In their family were twelve children, of whom our subject is the seventh in order of birth.

He was reared in much the usual manner of farmer lads, spending his boyhood and youth in Cortland county. New York, responding to his country's call for aid during the trying days of the Rebellion, he enlisted in August, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service for three years. At the battle of Gettysburg he was slightly wounded in the head. He was always found at his post of duty, valiantly defending the old flag and the cause it represented. When the war was over he returned to his home in Cortland county. New York, and afterward resided in Tompkins county, that state, for three years. On leaving there in 1880 he came to Dakota, and the following year located on the farm in Mooreton township, where he now resides. To the cultivation and improvement of his farm he has since devoted his attention with most gratifying results, and now has a half-section of land under a high state of cultivation.

In Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, December 31, 1873, Mr. Beattie led to the marriage altar Miss Matilda A. Boynton, a native of that place. Fraternally Mr. Beattie is now a member of Sumner Post, No. 7, G. A. R. He is highly respected and esteemed and has a host of friends in his adopted county.

JOHN E. BEATTIE, a well-known farmer residing on section 1, Mooreton township, Richland county. North Dakota, was born in Cortland county, New York, November 13, 1859, and there spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm, assisting in its operation and attending the schools of the neighborhood. On leaving his native county, in 1879, he came to Dakota, where for two years he worked at farm labor, while for the following ten years he was employed as clerk in a general store in Breckinridge, Minnesota. He also served as the first marshal of that town and filled that office for three years, at the same time acting as deputy sheriff of Wilkin county. Returning to Dakota in 1892, he located upon his present farm in Richland county, and has since turned his attention to agricultural pursuits with good results. He is a thorough and skillful farmer and a business man of more than ordinary ability. He is quite popular in the community where he resides and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

In December, 1879, in Cortland county, New York, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Beattie and Miss Ellen Boynton, a native of Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, and to them has been born one child. Pearl.

THORE BENDIKSEN, a prominent merchant of Walcott, near where he resides on a well-improved estate, is an early settler of North Dakota. He has extensive business interests in the town of Walcott and is an influential and enterprising citizen of Richland county.

Our subject was born in Norway, October 30, 1848. He was reared on a farm in his native land, where he lived until 1870, when he came to America, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel in July of that year. He landed at Quebec and at once proceeded to Crawford County, Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm and attended school till the following spring, and then engaged as clerk in a general store at Mt. Sterling, Wisconsin. He was employed there about six months and then spent some months in Iowa, going from thence to Minnesota.  He followed different occupations for two and a half years, and then returned to his native country, remaining there until 1881, He then came again to America, and at once proceeded to North Dakota.

He spent about nine months in Walcott, and then took up a homestead claim in Walcott township and engaged in farming for three years on that land, and then removed to the farm where he now resides.  His buildings are substantial and the estate is furnished with all of the conveniences of farming, and he is now the owner of five hundred and fifty acres of land. For three years he was employed by the Minnesota & Dakota Elevator Company at Walcott as wheat buyer, and during that time engaged in the hardware business in that town, and after operating the business one and a half years he disposed of his interests, and was wheat buyer for the Farmers' Grain Association, at Kindred, Cass county, North Dakota. On his return to Walcott in 1896 he purchased a stock of general merchandise, and conducts the business in connection with his farming.

Our subject was married in Christiania, Norway.  January 10, 1875, to Miss Martha Thue, a sister of O. R. Thue, of Walcott. Mrs. Bendiksen was born in Norway, September 24, 1849. Mr. and Mrs.  Bendiksen have been the parents of eleven children, as follows: Benhard; Rika; Julia; Maren; Rongvald; Pedcr died at the age of fifteen months; Peder; Oluf: Theodor; Martin and Daniel. Mr. Bendiksen takes an active part in local affairs, and has held all of the township offices in Colfax township, with the exception of justice of the peace. Politically he is a Populist. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

ALBERT BERNDT. The wonderful resources of America, and the opportunity afforded honest industry to gain a footing in business and society, has called to this land many of the sons of the German empire. They are found in almost every pursuit, and are among the prosperous members of the community where they have chosen their homes, and among the farmers of Richland county the gentleman whose name heads this article occupies a prominent place. He is one of the early settlers of Brandenburg township. Richland county, and is now a resident of section 7.

Our subject was born in Germany, January 18, 1855, and remained in his native land until 1872. when he decided to seek his fortune in America. He located in Wisconsin, but after a short stay removed from there to Dakota territory in 1873. He was employed as a section hand on the Northern Pacific Railroad for some four years, and then began farming. He entered a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land in Brandenburg township, and for over twenty years has resided on that estate. He owns one and a half sections of land, and on his home farm has erected a set of substantial and commodious buildings, of modern architecture and design, and has thoroughly improved the property.

Our subject was married in Brandenburg township, Richland county, July 7, 1876, to Miss Emily Popp, who was born in Germany , August 17, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Berndt are the parents of two children, named Glory M. and Paul W. The family are attendants of the Evangelical church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Berndt are members. They are highly respected in Richland county.

MILO M. CLOUGH, editor and proprietor of the Abercrombie "Herald," is a gentleman of true worth and wide influence for good. He is intelligent, progressive, and has a knowledge of men and the world which makes him a man who holds the confidence of the people among whom he labors.  His life has been devoted to the higher pursuits of man. and he has spent many years as an instructor in public schools.

Our subject was born in Carlisle. Iowa, July 13, 1862. He was reared on his father's farm, three miles west of that place, and was educated in the common schools until eleven years of age. and then attended the University of Des Moines, Iowa, for nine years, completing the classical and scientific courses. He graduated from that institution in June, 1881, and from a class of twenty-one was chosen as valedictorian. He was then engaged in teaching three years and was principal of the Carlisle schools, and then elected principal of the East Des Moines high school where he remained until 1891. He went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in March, of that year, and spent six months with the Johns Publishing Company, when he was chosen principal of the Hankinson, North Dakota, school and remained there two years. He established the Hankinson "News"' in March, 1892, under the firm name of Falley & Clough. and they operated the paper two years, when they sold the same. While a resident of Hankinson our subject taught school in Fairmount, where he was principal. He had previously been elected chairman of the Richland County Teachers' Association, and served one year.  He continued his residence in Hankinson until June, 1894, when he went to Abercrombie and established the Abercrombie "Herald." The first issue was dated June 21, 1894. and the paper has steadily increased in circulation since that time and is now one of the first sheets of that region. Mr. Clough was elected principal of the Abercrombie high school in 1894. and held that position one year. Since living in Abercrombie he has taken an interest in bee culture, and now has an apiary of fifty-four colonies.  Mr. Clough is a man of inventive mind, and when fourteen years of age began working on a check rower, on which he obtained a patent in 1883. which five years later he disposed of at a good figure. 

Our subject was married at Abercrombie, Richland County, August 4, 1894. to Miss Tilda Sime, who was born near Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Mrs. Clough was a teacher in the schools of Abercrombie for seven years. She died in that village March 27, 1896, leaving two daughters, twins, named Matilda Mary and Tillie Marie. The daughters died in September, 1896. Mr. Clough married Lou Johnson, in Abercrombie. April 5, 1897. Mrs.  Clough was born in St. Croix County, Wisconsin.  Mr. Clough is a man of genial nature and has a host of friends.

ALFRED COPPIN. An honorable position-among the farmers of Dwight township, Richland county, is willingly accorded to this gentleman by his associates. He occupies one of the well-developed farms of the county and is greatly respected in the community where he has spent nearly twenty years.

Our subject was born in Cornwall, England, November 1, 1849, and was a son of Thomas and Mary (Spurr) Coppin, both of whom were natives of England. They came to America and made their home in Perth county, Ontario, where the father died. They were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, of whom our subject was the eldest.

Alfred Coppin. at the age of twelve years, came with his parents to Canada and grew to manhood in Perth county. He resided there until 1879. when he went to Richland county. North Dakota, and has been a continuous resident of that county since. He entered a homestead claim to land near Hankinson and placed good improvements on the place, disposing of the property later. He settled on the farm which he now occupies in Dwight township, in March, 1882. His home is on section 24. and he is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of tillable land. He has placed such improvements on the place as are usually put on a model farm and his good management and careful work are evidenced by the general appearance of the entire estate.

Out subject was married, in Richland county, North Dakota, March 17, 1882, to Miss Ella J. Gudger, daughter of David Gudger, who served nearly three years in the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Coppin was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, and is a lady of refinement and good education. She was one of the first teachers in Richland county and was engaged in that profession in Wahpeton. Two children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Coppin, named as follows: Archie T. and Mary E. Mr. Coppin is a man of prominence in his community and has been called upon to serve in various official capacities. He has held important township offices, including school offices, and was a member of the board of supervisors. He is always found standing on the side of right and justice and his work for his community is willingly and faithfully performed.

EDWARD K. CRAFTS, a pioneer settler of Fairmount township, Richland county, is one of the successful farmers of that region. He is a native of Middleton, Addison county, Vermont, and was born May 22, 1823. He moved with his parents to Washtenaw county, Michigan, when eight years of age and there grew to manhood. He was engaged in farming and resided in Washtenaw county until twenty-four years of age and then settled in Jackson county, Michigan, where he purchased land and engaged in farming many years, later moving to Van Buren county and located near Hartford. He, continued to reside there until the fall of 1879, when he disposed of his interests in Michigan and went to North Dakota. He located on section 18, in Fairmount township, Richland county, and has since been a resident of the farm where he originally located. He has erected substantial farm buildings and otherwise improved the estate and is now the owner of one half-section of land.

Our subject was married in Washtenaw county, Michigan, to Miss Lucina Spaulding, a native of Shoreham, Vermont. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Crafts, named as follows: Wilbur L. Eva A., Frank E., a sketch of whose life appears, and Walter A. Mr. and Mrs. Crafts are members of the Baptist church and are highly esteemed throughout Richland county.

FRANK E. CRAFTS. A prominent position as a citizen and a member of the farming community of Fairmount township, Richland county, is held by the gentleman above named. He is one of the pioneer settlers of North Dakota and is successfully engaged in farming on section 8, of Fairmount township.

Our subject was born in Grass Lake, Jackson county, Michigan. April 18, 1857, and was the third in a family of four children born to Edward K. and Lucina (Spaulding) Crafts, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared on his father's farm and received a common-school education and also attended the Agricultural College, at Lansing, Michigan. When ten years of age he moved with his parents to Hartford, Van Buren county, Michigan, where he grew to manhood and resided until 1879, when he went to Richland county, North Dakota, with his father. He entered a homestead claim to one hundred and sixty acres in Fairmount township, and on that estate has erected a complete set of good farm buildings and is surrounded by all the adjuncts of modern farming. He has added to his possessions and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land.

Our subject was married in Jackson county, Michigan, January 1, 1884, to Miss Arrah Bella Griffin, a daughter of Joshua and Julia Griffin. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crafts, as follows: Clarence G., Harold E., Julia B. and Lucina L. Mr. Crafts takes an active interest in local affairs and has served as a member of the board of supervisors, township clerk and a member of the school board. He is a prominent member of the Baptist church and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for many years. He also holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America.

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