THOMAS J. CLIFFORD, cashier of the Rolette County Bank of St. John, thoroughly understands all the complex and intricate problems involved in modern banking and by reason of his knowledge and ability is capably directing the affairs and interests of the institution in which he is now one of the officers. A native of Ireland, he was born on the 18th of February 1885, of the marriage of Captain James and Mary A. (Maginn) Clifford. The father was well known in military circles of England and became a captain of the famous Coldstream Guards, holding that rank for years. He died in Ireland in 1914 and his widow is still residing on the Emerald isle.

Thomas J. Clifford was reared in his native country and acquired his education in the Dublin University, from which he was graduated on the completion of a law course in the class of 1904. He was not only a thorough student but a well known figure in athletic circles, playing on the university football team, with which he toured the British Isles in 1903, during which tour the team defeated all their opponents.  In 1905 Mr. Clifford came to the United States, making his way to New York city, where he remained for about a year. In the spring of 1906 he arrived at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was given a position in connection with railroading interests by R. I. Farrington, second vice president of the Great Northern Railroad, who was a particular friend of his father’s.  For sometime Mr. Clifford worked as relief agent at various points along the road and while thus engaged was sent to Cando to relieve the agent. When the agent failed to return Mr. Clifford continued to act as agent at that point and while there residing was married in 1907 to Miss May E. Blackorby, by whom he has two children, James Harold and Frances Catherine.

Mr. Clifford left Cando in 1907, following his marriage, for a trip to the western coast and there spent two months. In the spring of 1908 he purchased an interest in the Hansboro State Bank, which he entered as assistant cashier. In 1911 he removed to St. John and in connection with A. 0. Graham of Rolla purchased the controlling interest in the Rolette State Bank, Mr. Clifford taking charge of the institution as cashier, in which capacity he has since served. In 1914 he was appointed deputy state bank examiner by Governor Hanna but after a year in that position resigned in order to give his undivided attention to his private banking interests. His labors in this connection are being attended with a substantial measure of success. He is a heavy holder of farm lands, owning eight hundred acres in Rolette county and seven hundred and fifty acres in Towner county. From his property he derives a very substantial annual income and his business interests and connection make him one of the representative citizens of the northwestern part of the state.

Mr. Clifford belongs to Devils Lake Lodge, No. 1216, B. P. 0. E., and also to the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. He was a candidate at the spring primaries for nomination for the state senate and polled a heavy vote, receiving fifty-nine to one in St. John and eighty-nine to ten in Rolla, but was defeated through the country vote.  His has been an active, well spent and useful life and the circle of his friends is constantly growing as the circle of his acquaintance widens.

L. D. COOLER, The profession of law is one which confers its favors and rewards only in recognition of marked individual ability and merit, and that L. D. Cooler is now ranked with the leading attorneys of Rolette county, practicing in Rolla, is an indication that he has displayed marked capability in analyzing, presenting and handling his cases. He was born in Portage City, Wisconsin, October 27, 1869, and is a son of Antoine and Mary (Digneau) Cooler, of French extraction, both of whom were natives of Canada. In childhood days, however, they came with their respective parents to the United States and after attaining man’s estate the father took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for some time in Wisconsin. He afterward removed to Lamberton, Minnesota, about 1872, and there resided up to the time of his death. When the Civil war was in progress he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the country’s call for troops, going to the front with a Wisconsin regiment.

L. D. Cooler was but three years of age when the family went to Minnesota and in the common schools of Redwood county he pursued his education until he reached the age of eighteen years. He then began teaching and followed that profession for three years, during which period he devoted the hours that are usually termed leisure to the reading of law. Subsequently he began studying law in the office of E. M. Matthews of Lamberton, Minnesota, and in 1896 he removed to Milnor, North Dakota, where he continued his studies, also studying for a time in Forman in the office of S. M. Lockerby. In 1897 he was admitted to practice at the North Dakota bar and the following year was elected county judge of Sargent county, serving upon the bench for two years. In 1900 he removed to Devils Lake, where he successfully engaged in practice for six years and then became a resident of Dunseith, where he remained until the 1^st of January 1916, when he went to Rolla. In addition to his professional interests he is a member of the Dunseith Land & Loan Company and he is also senior member of the general merchandise firm of Cooler & Hosmer at Dunseith. He is likewise the president of the Dunseith Farmers Hardware Company, which has been recently incorporated, and he is connected with another incorporated company, owning the Kelvin Store of Kelvin, North Dakota. His business interests are thus varied and important and indicate him to be a man of resourceful business ability and marked enterprise.

In 1899 Mr. Cooler was united in marriage to Miss Rose Hosmer, of Lamberton, Minnesota, by whom he has three children, Max H., Faith and Darrel N. Mr. Cooler belongs to Dunseith Lodge, No. 99, F. & A. M., and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His professional and commercial interests are both extensive and important and he is a man whose constantly expanding powers, combined with even paced energy, have carried him into important relations.

MARION EDWARDS, postmaster at Rolette, has been identified with that town since its organization, was a pioneer banker there and has been active in the field of real estate operation. He belongs to that alert and progressive type of men who are contributing in large measure to the upbuilding of that section of the state. His birth occurred at Knoxville, Iowa, December 10, 1871, his parents being William H. and Elizabeth (Gibson) Edwards, who were natives of Bureau county, Illinois. The father followed farming in Iowa throughout his entire active business career, but is now living retired, he and his wife making their home in Winterset, Iowa.

Marion Edwards was reared in Madison county, Iowa, and supplemented his public school education there acquired by study in Des Moines. He early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and for several years engaged in farming in Madison county, but in the spring of 1903 removed to Rolla, Rolette county, North Dakota, where he established the State Bank of Rolla, which he conducted for two years. He afterward became proprietor of a country store at Fisher, where he remained for a year, and with the establishment of the town of Rolette he took up his abode there in August 1905, and helped to organize the First National Bank. He became cashier of the institution and was cashier and president for some time. He is still one of its stockholders, but is not now active in its management. He has been engaged in the real estate business since retiring from his bank position and is the owner of fifteen hundred acres of land in Rolette county. On the 5^th of October 1915, he was appointed postmaster of Rolette and is now filling that position.

In November 1904, Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Mildred Whitaker, by whom he has a daughter, Doris C, who was born May 9, 1908. Politically Mr. Edwards has always been a democrat and for years has been an active worker in party circles, serving for a long period as a member of the democratic state central committee. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies, also of the Mystic Shrine, and is likewise connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

ROBERT FRASER, cashier of the First National Bank of Rolla, was born in Scotland on the 9th of March 1863, his parents being James and Janet (Fraser) Fraser, who spent their entire lives in that land of hills and heather, of mountain, crag and glen—the land which was the home of Scott and Burns and which has sent so many substantial citizens to the new world. The father there engaged in the practice of law as a life work.

After attending the high school of Forres, Scotland, Robert Fraser continued his education in the University of Edinburgh, where he pursued a course in law, but did not finish it. When his textbooks were put aside he went to Australia, where he received his initial training in the banking business as a bookkeeper in the London Chartered Bank of Melbourne, with which institution he was identified for five years. In 1890 he returned home on a visit and subsequently crossed the Atlantic to Canada, after which he took up the occupation of farming in the province of Manitoba, devoting four years there to the cultivation of the soil.

In 1894 Mr. Fraser crossed the border into the United States and took up his abode in Rolla, Rolette county, North Dakota, where for eight years he occupied the position of deputy in the office of county register of deeds. In 1902 he entered the First National Bank of Rolla as assistant cashier, and about 1906 was advanced to the position of cashier of that institution, in which capacity he has now served for ten years. He has done much to promote the growth and insure the success of the bank, his methods being practical and resultant, while his labors are at all times the expression of sound judgment and business enterprise.

In December 1900, Mr. Fraser was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Taylor, of Rolla, who passed away on the 1st of April 1916. Politically Mr. Fraser is a republican and is a Presbyterian in his church affiliations. Those who are brought in contact with him speedily recognize his substantial traits of character, and his qualities have made him one of the well known and highly respected bankers in the northwestern part of the state.

HON. ARTHUR O. GRAHAM, vice president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Rolla, was born near Toronto, Canada, in November 1858, a son of Ephraim and Jeannette (Duff) Graham, the former a native of Canada and the latter of Scotland. The father followed the occupation of farming in his native country throughout his entire life and passed away in December 1903, while his wife survived only until May 1903.

Arthur 0. Graham spent the period of his minority in Canada under the parental roof and there acquired a public school education. In 1881 he removed to Brandon, Manitoba, where he engaged in farming until the spring of 1886 and then crossed the border, becoming a resident of Rolette county, North Dakota, where he filed on land and began its development and improvement. He continued the cultivation of that place until December 1890, when he was elected county auditor and removed to Rolla, the county seat. There he has resided continuously since and by reelection was continued in the office of county auditor for fourteen years or until March 1905. In the fall of 1907, in company with others, he organized the Farmers & Merchants Bank, of which he was made the cashier and so continued until 1914, when he was elected vice president. The other officers are Leonard Howson, president, and C. I. F. Wagner, cashier. The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars, has a surplus of five thousand dollars and deposits amounting to one hundred and forty-five thousand dollars. The business of the bank has steadily grown and the enterprise of the owners is manifest in its success. Mr. Graham is also president of the Rolette County Bank at St. John, North Dakota. He still owns his homestead property and is likewise the owner of one thousand acres of land which he rents, securing therefrom a very gratifying annual income.

In June 1892, Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Robina E. Shanks, who passed away in July 1913, after a short illness, her death being deeply regretted by many friends as well as by her relatives.

Mr. Graham gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is an active worker in its ranks. He has served as a member of the city council of Rolla, also as mayor and in the fall of 1906 was elected a member of the state legislature, in which he served for one term. He was also United States commissioner for four years, and was county judge for one year. He is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and his religious belief is in accord with the teachings of the Presbyterian church. He stands at all times for those things which promote material, intellectual, social, political and moral progress and his aid and influence have been a substantial force in bringing about the development of town and county.

HALLDOR HALLDORSON, United States customs officer at St. John, was born in Iceland, April 15, 1873, a son of Halldor and Sigridur (Thorlakson) Halldorson, who were natives of Iceland. The father was a farmer in that country, where he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Pembina county. North Dakota. There he filed on a homestead and developed and improved land, continuing its cultivation throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife passed away in December 1889.

Halldor Halldorson spent the first nine years of his life in his native country and then came with his parents to the new world, so that he was largely reared in Pembina county.  He is indebted to its public school system for the educational opportunities which he received supplemented by a term’s study in the University of North Dakota. He next entered the Mayville Normal and was graduated therefrom in 1901. He took up the profession of teaching in Pembina, Walsh and Grand Forks counties, devoting his attention to the professional work until 1907, his efforts being a contributing force in advancing and upholding the educational standards of the state. In 1899 he filed on land in Pierce county, North Dakota, twelve miles south of Rolette, and owned and operated his farm there until 1910. In 1907, however, he took the civil service examination for railway mail service and a little later also took the examination for inspector and deputy collector of customs. He received appointment to the railway mail service, in which he continued until appointed in December 1907, to the customs service and on the 4^th of January 1908, he was assigned to the Pembina office, where he remained for eight months, when he was transferred to Portal, North Dakota, where he remained for two years. On the 1^st of August 1910, he was assigned to duty at St. John, where he has since remained, promptly and capably discharging the duties of this position.

On the 10th of October, 1916, Mr. Halldorson was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Ellen Louise Richardson, a daughter of Alfred W. Richardson, now of Howard Lake, Minnesota. Her father is a native of Australia and her mother of Canada, and both are of English descent. They became pioneer residents of South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs.  Halldorson occupy a pleasant home in St. John and he is the owner of one hundred and seventy-seven acres of land four miles west of the town. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, belonging to Rolla Lodge, No. 66, A. F. & A. M. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and his political belief that of the republican party. Much of his life has been spent in this section of the state and he has ever been keenly interested in all those forces that work for the development and progress of the community in which he makes his home.

W. J. HUXLEY, United States immigrant inspector at St. John, was born at Lowell, Michigan, December 4, 1881. His parents, Edward R. and Emma (Mann) Huxley, were natives of Lockport, New York, and Hamilton county, Ohio, respectively. The father is still living and resides in Springfield, Missouri, where he took up his abode in 1896, but the mother passed away in 1905.

At the usual age, W. J. Huxley became a pupil in the public schools of his native town and passed through consecutive grades to the high school, after which he became a student in the high school at Springfield, Missouri. When twenty years of age he became connected with railroad service and was employed in various capacities for five or six years.  In November 1906, he entered the employ of the government, his first position being in the bureau of animal industry of the department of agriculture. He continued in that department for three years and eight months and in July 1910, was appointed immigrant inspector at Brownsville, Texas. After six or seven months there passed he was transferred to the station at Hidalgo, where he was located until the 1st of August following, when he was sent to the office in Winnipeg, Canada. Three weeks later or on the 14th of September 1911, he was given the position at St. John which he has since occupied.

On the 10th of April 1903, Mr. Huxley was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Ellis, of Springfield, Missouri, by whom he has a daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Huxley have become well known in St. John, where they are enjoying the goodwill and high regard of a constantly increasing circle of friends and acquaintances.

I. M. INGEBRETSON, county treasurer of Rolette county and now engaged in the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, resides on a farm on section 34, Leonard precinct, two miles south of the town of Rolette. He was born in Norway on the 30th of July 1864, and is a son of Ingebret and Melinda (Hetland) Ingebretson, who came to the United States in 1870. After spending two years in Chicago, during which period he worked at the trade of coopering, which he had previously learned in his native country, the father removed to Ottertail county, Minnesota, where he purchased a farm and thereon resided for two years.  He next took up a homestead claim across the line in Clay county, Minnesota, and there resided for thirteen years. In 1888 he arrived in Rolette county, North Dakota, where he filed on a preemption and tree claim, devoting his remaining days to the further development and improvement of that property. He died in 1903, while his wife passed away in 1914.

I M. Ingebretson was but six years of age on coming to the United States and the common schools of Chicago and Minnesota afforded him his educational opportunities. In 1886 he came to North Dakota to begin business life on his own account and filed on a tree claim and a preemption, making his home on the latter. In 1891 he homesteaded and located upon that tract, on which he has since lived. He has more recently purchased another quarter section, so that he owns an entire section or six hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land which responds readily to the care and cultivation he bestows upon it. In 1903 he began the breeding of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and has built up an enviable reputation in that line. At the present writing he has forty-two registered animals and has bred some of the best cattle in the state. He thoroughly understands every phase of scientific stock raising and has done much to improve the grade of stock raised in Rolette county and throughout North Dakota. He is seldom, if ever, mistaken in the value of an animal and he has thus been able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. He is also connected with commercial interests as president of the Farmers elevator at Rolette.  In 1891 Mr. Ingebretson was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Selveg. of Rolette county, who was born in Norway and by whom he has ten children, as follows: Dora, who is the wife of Edward Roen, a Montana ranchman: and Mary, Julia, Ingvall, Anna, John, Stella, Marvin, Herbert and Stanley, all at home.

Mr. Ingebretson belongs to Doric Lodge, No. 100, F. & A. M. and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He is recognized as one of the local leaders of the republican party and in 1900 was elected county treasurer, which position he filled for two years. In 1910 he was chosen county commissioner and served in that capacity for four years, at the end of which time, or in 1914, he was again elected county treasurer and is now the incumbent in that office, making a most creditable record as a capable custodian of the public funds.  His devotion to public interests is pronounced and he cooperates in all plans and measures to promote the general welfare.

J. P. LEGLER, actively connected with commercial interests in Rolla, is now senior partner in the firm of Legler & Mangan, handling the Oakland, Dodge and Jackson automobiles and conducting a well equipped garage. He was born at Eagle Grove, Wright county, Iowa, September 2, 1883, a son of P. J. and Matilda (Long) Legler, who were natives of the Keystone state. The father went to Iowa early in the year 1879 and engaged in railroading at Eagle Grove for many years but is now living retired, making his home at Oskaloosa, Iowa. His wife also survives.

J. P. Legler was reared and educated at Eagle Grove and in early manhood learned the barber’s trade in Sioux City, Iowa. He has worked along that line almost continuously since. In 1905 he removed to Berwick, North Dakota, where he engaged in barbering for a year, and afterward spent a similar period at Rolette. He then removed to Rolla, the county seat of Rolette county, and here he conducted a barber shop for a time. Later he removed to Bisbee, where he carried on business for eighteen months, after which he returned to Rolla and bought a shop, which he conducted for six years. He then sold out and purchased a pool hall and at the same time he conducted a lunch room and sold soft drinks and did barbering. In the spring of 1916 he turned his attention to the automobile business, entering into partnership with M. J. Mangan under the firm style of Legler & Mangan. They handle the Oakland, Dodge and Jackson cars and have developed a business of gratifying proportions.

On the 28th of October 1905, Mr. Legler was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Golden and to them have been born three children, Melburn D., Blanche M. and Phillip W.  The parents are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Legler is also identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Yeomen. Politically he is a republican but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him as he prefers to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs, hoping there by to win a substantial competence, which is the ultimate goal of all business endeavor.

F. W. LEWIS, senior partner of the firm of Lewis & Wright, hardware dealers and leading business men of St. John, was born in Oxford county, Ontario, November 18, 1876, a son of Irwin and Ellen (Galloway) Lewis, both of whom were natives of Ontario, where they were reared and married. In 1886 they came to the United States and established their home in Rolette county two and a half miles from the present town site of Rolla.  This section of the state was then largely undeveloped, unclaimed and unimproved. The father preempted one hundred and sixty acres and thereon the family took up their abode, making it their place of residence until 1904, his labors having in the meantime converted the wild prairie into richly cultivated fields. Again the father became a frontier settler, going west to Williams county, where he filed on a homestead. He proved up on that property and afterward sold it, subsequent to which time he returned to Rolla, where he is now living retired.

F. W. Lewis was educated in the public schools of Rolla and on reaching manhood began cooperating with his father in the cultivation of the home farm. His life has been one of unremitting industry and his earnest toil has brought him the success which he now enjoys. In 1905 he became identified with the grain business as buyer for the Imperial Elevator Company, being placed in charge of its elevator at Perth. There he remained as manager for seven years and developed a good trade for the company. Desirous, however, of engaging in business on his own account, in 1912 he established an agricultural implement store at Perth, but in the fall of the same year disposed of that business and went to St. John, where he opened a hardware store. In the intervening period he has developed one of the leading business houses of the town, having now an extensive and gratifying patronage which returns to him a good profit. He is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of farm land in the Turtle mountains.

In 1904 Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Melita McLaughlin, of Rolla. They are members of the Presbyterian church and in social circles occupy an enviable position.  Politically Mr. Lewis is a republican and fraternally he is connected with the American Yeomen. For thirty years he has lived in Rolette county and this section of the state and has been closely associated with movements resulting in its upbuilding and development.

LAUREAT L. MARTINEAU, attorney at law, general merchant and dealer in farm lands at St. John, was born July 12, 1883, in the town in which he still makes his home, his parents being Fortunate and Cedulie (Plante) Martineau, the father a native of the city of Quebec, while the mother, a daughter of Capitan Plante, M. C, was born on the Isle of Orleans, in the St. Lawrence river. They were married in Quebec and in 1880 came to North Dakota, establishing their home in Rolette county. This was nine years before the division of the territory. At that time there was a trading post at St. John, to which point the father made his way and homesteaded a mile east of the post. His was one of the first families to settle in that locality. He embarked in business there and for a number of years traded with the Indians while for thirty-six years he has been a prominent factor in the business life of St. John, his interests and activities contributing in substantial measure to the upbuilding and prosperity of the village and surrounding country. Laureat L. Martineau is the oldest of a family of twelve children, ten of whom are now living.  Six have finished their university education, one having received the M. D. degree from the University of Chicago, on the completion of the medical course, two being graduate dentists from the same school, one having completed the pharmacy course at the North Dakota Agricultural College and another being a graduate of the Mayville Normal School.

Laureat L. Martineau was educated in the public schools of Rolette county and in the University of North Dakota, in which he took up the study of law, winning the LL. B.  degree upon graduation with the class of 1905. He then successfully passed the required state bar examination and was admitted to practice. He opened a law office in St. John, where he devoted about three years to professional work, but in 1907 he became a partner of his father in the mercantile business and also engaged in the land business. Gradually he withdrew from law practice in order to give his entire time to his land and mercantile interests, which are extensive and of an important character, while in the conduct of his affairs he displays sound judgment and marked enterprise. He and his father have heavy land holdings, owning eighteen or twenty quarter sections in this state and in Canada.

In 1909 Mr. Martineau was united in marriage to Miss Martha Alice Jones, a daughter of Henry B. Jones, now in the real estate and banking business in San Diego, California, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Casselton, North Dakota. Mrs. Martineau is a graduate of the Valley City Normal School of North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Martineau have become the parents of two children, Laureat H. and Grace Lorraine.  In politics Mr. Martineau is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church. They are both well known in Rolette county, where they have a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.

D. J. MCLENNAN, attorney at law practicing in Rolette, was born in Cottonwood, Minnesota, November 30, 1879, a son of John F. and Jessie (McKinley) McLennan. The father was an architect and followed that profession for a number of years in Duluth but subsequently engaged in farming in Lyon county, Minnesota, where he resided up to the time of his death in 1905. His widow is still living and now makes her home in Marshall, Minnesota.

D. J. McLennan became a pupil in the Marshall high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He afterward attended the University of Minnesota for two years and later spent a year in the North Dakota State University, in which he completed his law course, being graduated with the LL. B. degree in the class of 1903. Following his graduation he located for practice at Lidgerwood, where he became the associate and partner of C. M. Parsons, forming the law firm of Parsons & McLennan. A year later he removed to Rolette, where he has since practiced independently and now has an extensive clientage, connecting him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district. He is thorough and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and his ability is evidenced in the success which attends his efforts in the presentation of a cause before the courts. He is also the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Blaine county, Montana, which is improved and stocked with horses.

In 1908 Mr. McLennan was united in marriage to Miss Maude McCutcheon, of Bottineau, North Dakota, by whom he has two children, lone V. and Maxine E. Politically Mr.  McLennan is a democrat and in 1910 and 1911 served as prosecuting attorney of Rolette county. He has also been city attorney and clerk of the school board and has taken an active part in civic affairs. Fraternally he is connected with Doric Lodge, F. & A. M., of Rolette; Rugby Chapter, R. A. M. the Modern Woodmen of America; and the Modern Brotherhood of America, while he and his wife attend the Presbyterian church. During the period of his residence in Rolette county he has gained a wide acquaintance and wherever known is held in high regard by reason of both his professional and personal worth.

FRANK J. MEUWISSEN, cashier of the State Bank of Rolla, was born in Cologne, Minnesota, on the 25th of October 1881, his parents being Jacob and Theresa (Wirtz) Meuwissen, who are natives of Germany and in childhood came with their respective parents to the United States, the latter at the age of nine years and the former when eighteen years of age. They were married in Carver county, Minnesota, and for many years thereafter the father was engaged in the hardware and implement business at Cologne, Minnesota, where he became one of the dominant factors in commercial circles, his establishment ranking for a long period with the leading business concerns of his city. At length he retired from business life and for the past twenty years has lived in Cologne in the enjoyment of well earned rest.

Frank J. Meuwissen was educated in the Catholic parochial school of Cologne and when about seventeen years of age secured the position of assistant postmaster, in which capacity he served for two years. About 1900 he removed to Morgan, Minnesota, where he was employed in a clerical capacity in a mercantile house. He afterward removed to Belle Plaine, Minnesota, where he occupied a clerkship, and on the 20^th of January 1903, he went to Rolla and received his initial training in banking in connection with the State Bank of Rolla. which he entered as assistant cashier. In June 1913, he was promoted to the position of cashier and so continues, the patrons of the bank finding in him a courteous and obliging official who is always ready to further their interests in a financial way if in so doing he does not jeopardize the stability of the bank. From time to time he has made judicious investments in farm lands, of which he is now the owner of six hundred acres, deriving therefrom a substantial income.

On the 24th of December 1913, Mr. Meuwissen was united in marriage to Miss Maud V. Shaver, of Rolla. Mr. Meuwissen belongs to the Catholic church, while his wife is a communicant of the Episcopal faith. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His entire life has been spent in the northwest and he possesses the spirit of indefatigable energy and progress which has led to the rapid and substantial development of the state.

HON. ALBERT L. NELSON, attorney at law in Rolette and member of the state senate, has been active along lines that have brought him into close connection with public interests and at all times he has been actuated by a devotion to the general good. He was born in Litchfield, Minnesota, May 24, 1874, a son of N. L. and Emily (Anderson) Nelson, who were natives of Sweden. In early life they came to the United States, settling in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where they lived for a short time. They then removed to Litchfield, Minnesota, and purchased land and throughout his remaining days the father devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He passed away in November 1897, while the mother is still living.

Albert L. Nelson was reared in his native city, where he pursued his education until graduated from the high school with the class of 1893. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for five years, and later engaged in the newspaper business at Dassel, Minnesota, for two years, learning the printer’s trade while thus engaged. He afterward went to Washington, D. C, and for two years was employed in the census bureau.  While thus engaged he studied law in Columbian University and upon his return to the middle west established his home in Minneapolis. He worked on the Minneapolis Tribune and the Minneapolis Times and later spent a year in a law office, after which he took the state bar examination in June 1905. Admitted to practice, he removed to Rolette in October of that year and on the 1st of September 1906, he bought out the Rolette County Examiner, which he published until July 7, 1916. He then sold his paper and has since concentrated his energies upon the practice of law, in which he has been engaged in Rolette since 1906. He is an able member of the bar and, moreover, is a practical business man whose long experience in the field of journalism has enabled him to form ready and correct judgment concerning individuals which is always a factor in successful law practice. His realty possessions include a quarter section of land in Williams county, North Dakota.

On the 10th of July 1905, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Nelson, of Minneapolis. Their religious faith is that of the Episcopal church and Mr. Nelson belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a republican and has served as a trustee on the village board, while in 1912 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate. While a member of the upper house he gave careful consideration to the questions which came up for settlement and he was recognized as a public-spirited citizen whose legislative work was ever for the benefit of his fellow citizens and the commonwealth.