FRED OLSON, residing on section 20, in Dwight township, is one of the early settlers of Richland county, and since locating in North Dakota has improved his farm, making a comfortable home and gaining a competence for future years.

Our subject was born in Norway in October, 1858, and emigrated to America in 1870. He landed at Quebec and from thence proceeded to Minnesota, where he was employed at farm work and also worked on the railroad. He resided in Olmsted county for several years and went from there to North Dakota in 1879. He entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 20, in Dwight township, and has made his home on that tract since. He owns one half-section of land and has placed such improvements on the estate as are found on the model farm.

Mr. Olson was married, in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1878, to Carrie Hanson. Mr. and Mrs. Olson have been the parents of ten children, named as follows: Ole, Henry A., Oscar M., Fred O., Albert M., Laura F., Elmer R., Eda, Mabel C, and an infant, Clarence Elmer.

Our subject is a man of the strictest integrity, careful in his business habits and carries these characteristics into the details of his daily life. At whatever line of business he has been engaged he has made many friends by his push and energy and throughout his career has worked with persistent efforts to advance the interests of those for whom he labored as well as for his personal gain and he has been rewarded in a financial as well as social sense. The calling in which he is at present engaged is one of the honorable vocations which in its social aspect develops the virtue of hospitality, charity and kindness in a degree scarcely equaled by any other calling.

MAGNUS OLSON, a widely and favorably known citizen of Dwight township, Richland county, is a gentleman who has devoted his time and attention to his adopted country's best interests. He is a potent factor in the prosperity enjoyed by Richland county, and has been of great assistance in developing and extending its agriculture. He is a man of upright character, and is an influence for good in his community, with whose highest interests his name is associated. His public spirit has never been called in question, and since taking up his residence in Dwight township he has gained an assured position among his fellow men. His home is located on section 4, and he has added such improvements as make a model country home.

Our subject was born in Norway, December 26, 1849, and was the second in a family of six children born to Engbright and Mary Olson. His parents went to Richland county about 1878 and settled in Dwight township, where the mother died about 1887. Notice of their lives will be found in the sketch of Olaus E. Olson.

Our subject resided in his native country until in 1867, when he came to America and located in Houghton county, Michigan, where he lived with his parents, and moved with them to Macon county, Missouri. He remained there about two years, and then returned to Michigan and spent four years in that state, and later returned to Macon county, Missouri, where he remained until he went to Dakota, in 1881. In March of that year he settled in Dwight township, where he has since been a resident. He has made section 4 his base of operations, and has improved his farm with substantial buildings and other modern conveniences and appliances. He now possesses three hundred and sixty acres of land, and has made a success of his vocation.

Mr. Olson was married, in Macon county, Missouri, February 13, 1871, to Miss Bertha Hogensen, who was born in Norway , February 19, 1851. Mrs. Olson came to America with her parents in 1869. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Olson T Lena M. Peter M, Andrew M, May M., John M, Sophia M and Ole M. The last three named are deceased. Mr. Olson and family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. They are well known in their community, and their home is one of social comfort and refinement. Our subject is a well-informed man and keeps abreast of the times and in all public matters will be found standing on the side of equity and right. He has been associated with the public interests of Richland county for nearly twenty years and has experienced the difficulties of a pioneer life, and his present well-improved farm is but the result of earnest effort and judicious management, and the success which has resulted is certainly his due.

THOMAS D. PARSONS. "Fairview Farm," in Mooreton township, Richland County, is one the largest estates in that region, and is under the management of one of the progressive, intelligent gentlemen of the vicinity, the subject of this review. He is making a success of his work and has been entrusted with the entire management for several years past. He is yet a young man, but has shown marked ability for business, and is enterprising and careful in detail.

Mr. Parsons was born on a farm in Steele County, Minnesota, December 23, 1860, and was the son of George and Mary (Paul) Parsons, both of whom were natives of Somersetshire, England. Our subject was one of nine children, as follows: Henry, Anna, Mary, William, Louisa, Thomas D., Charles H., Sarah F. and George F.

Thomas D. Parsons was reared in his native County and educated in the common schools, and later attended Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna.  After leaving the school room he was employed by the Walter A. Wood Harvester Company as traveling salesman, and was in their employ as such for about ten years. He entered the employ of W. P.  Adams in 1889, and after two years assumed the management of the entire farm, which comprises nine sections of land. During the harvest and threshing season one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five men are at work, and during the fall and spring forty to fifty men are under his employ.  The farm is owned by W. P. Adams, of Chicago, and Mr. Adams entrusts every branch of the work to the management of Mr. Parsons. He has so well conducted the farm that he has made of it one of the best in the County, and his labors have been satisfactory in every way.

Our subject was married, at Milford. Massachusetts, November 24. 1892, to Miss Jennie L.  Phipps, daughter of Waldo and Margaret (Claflin) Phipps, the father a native of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and the mother of Holliston, Massachusetts. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs.  Phipps, namely: Jennie L. and Maggie I. Jennie L., now Mrs. Parsons, was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, October 21, 1864. She is a lady of refinement and has inherited the housewifely instincts of the New England home. Two children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs.  Parsons, upon whom they have bestowed the names of Robert Adams and Mary Margaret. Both our subject and wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and Mr. Parsons affiliates with the Masonic fraternity. He is a gentleman who is entitled to much credit for the labors he has put forth for the advancement of his community, and is held in the highest esteem by a large circle of acquaintances.  It is indeed no easy task for one to conduct as large an estate as has been placed in his care and bring pleasing results in every instance, and in the handling of those under his employ during the busy seasons he has shown great ability in a business way, and at the same time displayed a spirit of kindliness which has gained him many friends and assured him success.

The W. P. Adams farm is widely known and deserves the highest praise for its high state of cultivation, good crops and its neatness in every detail, and is one of the very best in the state, being almost entirely under cultivation.

ELLIS R. PETERSON. Industry and natural ability are the leading powers in the agricultural as well as the commercial world, and in a new country the display of these talents is more manifest than in a more developed region. Richland County, North Dakota, has many who have made a success of the pursuit of agriculture by dint of their well-directed labor, and a prominent place among that class is accorded the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs. He makes his home on section 12 in Garfield township, and although a young man is the possessor of a fine estate.

Mr. Peterson was born in Sweden January 5, 1869, and was the fifth in a family of twelve children born to Andrew and Anna S. Peterson. The mother died in Garfield township in 1894. Our subject came to America with his parents in 1881 and the family settled in Richland County, where Mr. Peterson has made his home since. He is the possessor of one half-section of land in Garfield township, on which he has placed modern improvements and is surrounded by all the comforts of rural life.

Mr. Peterson is a member of the Lutheran church, being secretary and organist of the local congregation, and is a man who is respected wherever he is known. He has filled various local offices of trust and gained the confidence of the people among whom he resides. He is chairman of the township board of supervisors and as an interested worker for education is clerk of the school board. He has a prosperous future in North Dakota and his oneness of purpose in all public affairs has already gained him an enviable place in the minds of all.

FRANK PHILLIPS, a public-spirited and enterprising member of the farming community of Moran township, Richland county, has devoted the greater part of his life to the pursuit of agriculture. He has been exceptionally fortunate and is proprietor of as good a farm as can be found in Moran township, his homestead being located there on section 12.

Our subject was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, October 15, 1859. He was reared on his father's farm and resided there and in the adjoining county of Howard till the spring of 1884, when he went to North Dakota. He entered a homestead and also a tree claim on section 12, of Moran township, where he has made his home with the exception of two years, while he was engaged in business in Lidgerwood. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land and on his home farm has erected a complete set of modern buildings and surrounded himself with the comforts of rural life. He engages in general farming and is one of the substantial men of Moran township.

Our subject was married, in Howard county, Iowa, to Miss Mary Polda, a native of Bohemia. Mrs. Phillips came to America with her parents when she was but five years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are the parents of five children. named as follows: Anna, Thomas, Rosa, Mary and Paul. Mr. Phillips is an active worker for educational advancement and has held numerous school offices in Moran township and other of the township offices of trust. He has gained an enviable reputation in his community and well merits his success.

HON. JAMES PURDON. This name is borne by a prominent business man of Wahpeton, whose life and labors in North Dakota extend over a period of nearly twenty years. During this time he has manifested the true spirit of American progress in his business affairs, and his connection with the advance of civilization.

Our subject was born in the county of Lanark, Ontario, April 21, 1840. He was reared in that county, and received a common school education, and assisted his father, on the farm until about seventeen years of age, when he served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and joiner, and also learned the carriage maker's trade. He followed that line of work as an apprentice and also in business for himself until the spring of 1868. He also conducted a mercantile business and served as postmaster of Watson's Corners, in Lanark county, which office he resigned in the spring of 1868. He then went to Alexandria, Minnesota, and settled in the township of Hudson, adjoining Alexandria, in Douglas county, where he engaged in farming two years, and then removed to Alexandria and followed carriage making for several years, and also engaged in other occupations from time to time, including the mercantile business. After twelve years, in the spring of 1880, he removed to Wahpeton, where he has since engaged in the mercantile business. He carries an extensive stock of goods, and enjoys his share of the patronage.

Our subject was married in Lanark county, Ontario, to Miss Lucretia G. Walker, a native of Scotland, who was reared in Lanark county. Mrs. Purdon was born September 17. 1839, and died October 16, 1875. leaving three children, as follows: Sarah G., William R. and Isabella C. Mr. Purdon was married in Alexandria. Minnesota, to Miss Annetta Anderson, a native of Norway, who was reared in Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Purdon are the parents of six children, as follows: Myrtle G., Cleveland A., Frank R., Clara, Florence and Edith. His son, William R., was captain of Company I, First North Dakota Regiment. He served in the Philippines, and was accounted a brave and efficient officer. Mr. Purdon has always held a prominent position wherever he has resided, taking an active interest in the welfare of his community. While a resident of Alexandria, Minnesota, he held all of the important offices of the village, and was elected clerk of the district court for Douglas county, which position he held four years. Since residing in Wahpeton he has served as county commissioner, mayor of the city, alderman of the city, and numerous minor offices, and in the fall of 1894 was elected on the Republican ticket to the North Dakota legislature, serving one term. He is a public-spirited citizen in the broadest sense of the term, and lends his influence for advancement. He is liberal in his religious belief.

ANDREW QUAMME. a prosperous and influential farmer residing on section 12, in Ibsen township, is one of the early settlers of that region, and is a gentleman who is entitled to much credit for the part he has taken in the advancement of Richland county. He is well versed in his calling, having been reared a farmer, and his knowledge is of that practical nature which is necessary to insure success. His calling is one of the honorable pursuits of man, and he has, by the close application to business, and the exercise of honesty, placed himself among the substantial members of the community of Ibsen township.

Mt. Quamme was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, on a farm in Bristol township, January l0, 1856, and was the son of Hans and Rachel (Hermonson) Ouamme, both of whom were natives of Norway. Our subject was the third in a family of fourteen children, and was reared on his father's farm in Dane county. He received a common school education and remained at home until about twenty-three years of age, and in May, 1879, went to Dakota, and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres on section 12 in what is now Ibsen township, then a part of Dwight township. He settled upon the land, and has since been a resident there, and has erected good, substantial buildings, and made such improvements as make a model country home. He did not let the discouragements which met him on every hand turn him from the course which he had taken, and is today one of the foremost men of his calling in his community. It is a pleasure to meet with a gentleman who has braved the struggles of a pioneer life, and has shown so much active spirit and followed such industrious habits.

Our subject was married in Dane county, Wisconsin, March 31, 1881, to Miss Betsey Burnson, who was born in Dane county. Wisconsin, September 18, 1857, and was the daughter of the late Hans Burnson, and Orsa (Enckson) Burnson who were natives of Norway. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quamme, as follows: Henry A. B., Rudolph H.. Alma H., Melvin B.. Ella A.. James A. and Mary.

Mr. Quamme held the office of supervisor prior to the division of Dwight township, and in Ibsen township he has served as constable, and as an interested educational worker has served as school director. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Although a native born citizen his parents were by birth Norwegians, and of that thrifty, industrious nation he has partaken of those characteristics, and has employed only honest labor and dealings to gain his end. The community has in him a faithful worker for its advancement, and he has gained an enviable reputation in his community. Both he and his brother, Henry Quamme, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume, are valued and respected citizens of Richland county, where they have made their home for many years.

HENRY QUAMME. Ibsen township is not without its share of well-regulated farms, the incomes from which form so large a part of the wealth of Richland county. One of these carefully tilled tracts of land belongs to the gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs. It is located in section four, and on the estate buildings of substantial construction have been erected. A visitor to the farm will find that modern methods are in carrying on the work, and that various arrangements have been made by which the soil can be more easily tilled and the products more perfectly garnered and disposed of.

Our subject was born in Dane county. Wisconsin, August 20. 1854, and was the son of Hans H. and Rignald (Hermunson) Quamme. Of fourteen children Henry was the second in order of birth. He received a common school education and remained in Dane county, Wisconsin, until 1881, when he went to Richland county, North Dakota, and at once settled in Ibsen township, then known as Dwight township, where he has since resided. He preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land on section four, which he has improved, and is now the fortunate possessor of an entire section of land, all in Ibsen township. He has a model farm, and has erected substantial buildings, and otherwise transformed the place into one from which he gains a comfortable income.

Mr. Quamme was married in Dane county, Wisconsin. December 18, 1877, to Miss Dora Burnson, who is a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, and the daughter of Hans and Esther Eurnson. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Quamme, as follows: Rhoda H., Harvey Aimer, Minnie H., Theodore H., Herbert C, Arthur B.. and Myrtle N. Our subject is a gentleman who takes an active interest in the affairs of his community, and is at present chairman of the board of supervisors of his township, and is interested in educational matters, serving as school treasurer. He has performed his public duties faithfully and well, and has gained the confidence of his associates, and is justly entitled to credit for the part he has taken in the development and advancement of that vicinity. He was a pioneer settler of Richland county, who put his shoulder to the wheel and started it in motion toward the success which awaits every progressive, earnest community. He has aided in giving Ibsen township its present station among the townships of the county, and it is a pleasure to the associates of the early days in North Dakota to recount the many hard experiences, and the surmounted difficulties, and feel that every man who was possessed of energy and public spirit has done his part toward placing that region on its present solid basis. The people among whom our subject has made his home for so many years are ever willing to accord him the highest words of praise, and he may feel justly proud of his labors in the behalf of his country.

HON. ANDREW SLOTTEN, a resident farmer of section 35, in Dwight township, is one of the influential men of Richland county. He has been associated with the public affairs of the vicinity since his earliest residence here, and has worked zealously for the development of his community.  He has acquired a comfortable fortune and a good reputation by the exercise of honest efforts, and his home is one of the bright places in the township.

Mr. Slotten was born in Norway, September 16, 1840, and was the second in a family of five children born to There and Elizabeth Slotten. He was reared and educated in his native country and was engaged in farming there until 1867, when in the latter part of June he came to America, and for about one year remained in Wisconsin. From thence he went to Minnesota, and for two years attended the Normal School at Winona. He readily acquired a  knowledge of the American ways and customs and became a valuable worker. For seven years he was engaged in various occupations, and then entered the post office at Minneapolis as clerk, remaining in that position seven years. On leaving Minneapolis he went to Dakota and purchased a half section of land where he now resides. He is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land, and has erected a complete set of good farm buildings, and engages extensively in farming, meeting with marked success.

Our subject was married in Minneapolis, Minnesota, February 5, 1870, to Miss Lizzie Dye, the daughter of Taale and Goner Dye, natives of Norway, who died in their own country. Mrs. Slotten was born in Norway, December 5, 1843, and emigrated to America in 1869. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Slotten, as follows: Thorwal and Gunda L. Both our subject and wife are active and prominent members of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Mr. Slotten has identified himself with public affairs in whatever locality he has made his residence, and in Minnesota he was chosen sergeant-at-arms of the house of representatives in 1878, and served during that session. After taking up his residence in North Dakota he early became well known, and was elected to the state constitutional convention, and the following fall was elected to the state senate, serving in the first legislature after Dakota was admitted into the union. He was later elected one of the railroad commissioners of the state, and in the fall of 1898 he was again elected to the North Dakota state senate, for two years, evidencing his popularity.   He is associated with the Republican party politically, and takes a very active interest in the affairs of his party. He is a man of careful, systematic habits and of a conservative turn of mind, and all matters with which he is connected are materially benefited when the management of the same is left to his care. He is intelligent and progressive, and any project that has for its tendency the development of the financial interests of the county or township meets with his sanction and hearty approval. He is a man of the highest integrity of character and has built for himself an enviable reputation as regards business ability and true worth. He is a gentleman of pleasing personality and has many friends wherever he chooses to reside.

ALEXANDER SPRINGER, a prominent and influential citizen of Danton township, Richland county, has been a resident of that locality for over fifteen years. He is an extensive land owner and aside from improving his farms has followed the occupation of a carpenter more or less, and many of the public buildings of that region are his handiwork. In Richland county alone he has erected the Methodist and Episcopal churches, many residences and fifteen school houses and is well known as a systematic and thorough workman.

Our subject was born in Alexandria, Jefferson county. New York, November 4, 1849. At the age of twenty years he went to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he resided until the spring of 1882. He then went to Dakota and located on section 27, in Danton township, residing there until 1892, when he removed to section 19 of the same township, residing there at the present time. He has erected a set of good buildings on his farm and is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of land, most of which is in Danton township.

Our subject was married, in Evans Mills, Jefferson county, New York, June 26, 1869, to Miss Emma A. Russell, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, July 21, 1847. Mrs. Springer died in Danton township May 23, 1897. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Springer, as follows: Ernest O.; Rosa L., now Mrs. Herbert Helmer; Anna M., now Mrs. George Strong: and George R. Mr. Springer takes an active part in church affairs and is an earnest worker. He has been called upon to fill numerous local offices and has served as school clerk for ten successive years, chairman of the board of supervisors three terms, justice of the peace three terms, constable two terms and school director. He was appointed postmaster of Moselle by President McKinley in July, 1896, which office he still holds.

 CORNELIUS SPRINGER. A prominent position as a citizen and a member of the farming community of Danton township, Richland county, is held by the gentleman above named. He is proprietor of a fine farm of four hundred and twenty acres on section 27, and has gained a competence which affords him the comforts of life in his declining years.

Mr. Springer was born in Herkimer county. New York, near the town of Herkimer, October 9, 1830. He was but two and a half years of age when the family moved to Jefferson county. New York, where he grew to manhood, assisting with the farm work. At the age of twenty-three he went to the lower part of Upper Canada, where he spent three years engaged in farming, after which he returned to Jefferson county. New York, in 1855. In the spring of the following year he went to Whiteside county, Illinois, and settled within seven miles of Fulton, where he continued to reside until he went to North Dakota in the spring of 1890. He at once located on section 27, in Danton township, and has thoroughly improved his farm, which now covers four hundred and twenty acres. He has erected a complete set of good farm buildings and provided modern means for the care of his products and stock. He is also engaged to some extent in the carpenter's trade, and despite his advanced age is active in his labors.

Our subject was married in Jefferson county, New York, to Mary Ann Stratten, a native of Vermont, who was born October 23, 1831. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Springer, as follows: Hiram A.; Martin J.; Alonzo: Eleanor; Grant; Herbert; J. D., who was killed in Breckenridge, in July, 1894; and Ethel, who died in infancy. Mr. Springer takes an active part in church affairs and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

HIRAM A. SPRINGER. This gentleman is well known as an agriculturist of Richland county. North Dakota, and is the fortunate owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Danton township. He resides on section 27, and his farm buildings are of substantial construction and convenient arrangement.

Mr. Springer was born in Jefferson county. New York, January 7, 1854. When two and a half years of age he went with his parents to Illinois and the family settled in Whiteside county, where our subject resided until twenty-two years of age. He then went to Franklin county, Iowa, and engaged in farming there seven years. In March. 1884. he went to Dakota and made settlement in Danton township, where he has since been a resident. He is a successful farmer and has successfully run a threshing machine for many years and has gathered about him a comfortable competence.

Our subject was married, at Fulton, Illinois, January 12, 1876, to Miss Mary S. Finch, who was also a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have been the parents of eight children, three of whom died in infancy. Letha died at the age of fourteen years and the four surviving children bear the following names: Lulu, now Mrs. James Twohig; Cornelius, Herbert and Myrtle. Mr. Springer takes an active interest in local affairs and has been called upon to serve in various township offices, including supervisor and school director. He is an earnest worker in religious affairs and with Mrs. Springer belongs to the Evangelical church. He is one of the substantial citizens of Danton township and highly esteemed.

HON. ERIK STAFNE, the efficient postmaster of Galclutt, Richland County, North Dakota, and one of the leading merchants of that village, has been a resident of North Dakota since the early days of its settlement. For many years he engaged in farming in Abercrombie township and is now the owner of extensive farm lands in that vicinity. 

Mr. Stafne was born in Norway, September 30, 1848. he was reared on a farm in his native place and educated in that land. He resided with his parents until coming to America in the spring of 1871, when he located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and soon afterward engaged in the hotel business, in which he continued until he went to Dakota in the fall of 1877. He located one hundred and sixty acres of land in 1874 on Wild Rice river, in Abercrombie township, and settled on the land in 1877, continuing his residence there until 1895. During that time aside from his farming he engaged in the mercantile business in Abercrombie about four years, and in the fall of 1896 engaged in the mercantile business in Galchutt. He carries a general stock of merchandise and enjoys his share of the patronage. He owns five hundred and sixty-five acres of land and is one of the substantial men of Richland County.

Our subject was married, in Abercrombie township, March 22, 1882, to Miss Christina Hagen, a native of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Stafne are the parents of eight children, as follows: Albert, John, Theodore, Gilbert, Edward, Gunhild, Esther and Anna. Mr. Stafne was appointed postmaster of Galchutt in the summer of 1896, which office he still holds. He was elected to the legislature of North Dakota in the fall of 1895 and served one term. He has held the office of supervisor of Abercrombie township and was County commissioner four years.  He takes an active interest in public affairs and every enterprise which tends to the advancement of his community is ably supported by him. Politically he is a Republican.

HON. SAMUEL E. STEBBINS, who is well known for his intelligence and active public spirit, is successfully pursuing the vocation of an agriculturist on section 13. of Devillo township, Richland county. He was born in Brookline, Vermont, April 30, 1830.

The father of our subject, Samuel Stebbins, Sr., was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts, and made his residence in Vermont from the age of four years until his death at the age of eighty-five years. The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Blandin, was born in Brookline, Vermont, and died at the age of eighty-three years. This worthy couple had five children who grew to maturity, as follows: Eli; Sarah E.; John B.; Samuel E., our subject; and Charles O. Jonathan Stebbins, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 12, 1761, at Brimfield, Massachusetts, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died at the age of eighty-nine years.

Samuel E. Stebbins was reared on a farm in Brookline, Vermont, and was educated in the common schools and the academy of that state. He resided there until he attained his majority and then traveled quite extensively and engaged in various occupations in different states, and in the fall of 1850 went to Winona county, Minnesota, and purchased a farm near Winona, where he resided for some months and then removed to Winona and was employed in the office of the "Winona Republican" until April, 1861. He then enlisted in Company K, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served one year and a half, as corporal and sergeant. He was wounded in the left foot at the first battle of Bull Run,, and was discharged at Fort Monroe, for disability. Returning from the service, he remained in Winona for a short time and then removed to Blue Earth county. Minnesota, and followed surveying. He was county surveyor of that county for six years, and was then engaged in the same capacity for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company nine years, after which he spent two years on the government survey, spending in all seventeen years in that line of work. He went to Dakota territory in 1880 and purchased one section of land in what is now Mooreton township, where he settled and resided until 1886, when he removed to Devillo township, locating on section 13, where he has since resided. He now owns one half-section of land, and has erected a complete set of substantial buildings and made such improvements as make it a fit habitation.

Our subject was .married, at Winona, Minnesota, in January, 1853, to Margaret King, a native of Scotland. Mrs. Stebbins died in Mooreton township, in November, 1882, leaving seven children, as follows: Minnie L., Walter K., Agnes S., Roland A., Ralph S., Winsted J. and Ethel A. Mr. Stebbins was married, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, July 29, 1886, to Mrs. Margaret F. Myers, who was born in New York City, September 3, 1838. Mr. Stebbins takes an active part in all matters or moves calculated to benefit his township or county, and has held numerous offices in his township, and was elected to serve in the territorial legislature of 1884, which office he ably filled one term.