Trails to the Past

Traill County North Dakota

Biographies

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

OLUF NELSON, is conducting a blacksmith and repair shop at Clifford and has been very successful in that connection, building up a large and profitable patronage. His birth occurred near Bergen, Norway, April 20, 1864, and he is a son of Nels and Helga (Oleson) Nelson, the former of whom is still living in Norway, while the latter passed away in that country.

Oluf Nelson, who is one of seven living children of a family of fifteen, was reared and educated in Norway, where he remained until he was about twenty-three years of age.  He emigrated to America in 18S7 and, making his way at once to the northwest, located in Traill county, North Dakota, he learned the blacksmith’s trade while in Norway and after arriving here established a shop in Clifford, he does all kinds of blacksmithing and his shop is well equipped for general repair work, he is a very skillful artisan and is well patronized by the people of Clifford and the surrounding country, he not only does general machine repairing but has specialized to some extent in automobile repairing. He owns stock in the Farmers Elevator Company and in the Traill County Telephone Company and is in very comfortable circumstances.

In 1902 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Erickson, also a native of Norway, by whom he had five children, Hilda, Norman, Otto, Mabel and Olga. The wife and mother passed away in 1911 and was laid to rest in the Norman cemetery.  Mr. Nelson endorses the principles of the republican party and is now serving as one of the supervisors of Norman township. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and its teachings guide his life. His success is doubly creditable in that it is due entirely to his own efforts and although he has given the greater part of his time and attention to the building up of his business interests he has found opportunity to cooperate with movements seeking the general welfare and is recognized as a man of public spirit.

JACOB OMDAHL, filling the position of postmaster at Galesburg, was born in Norway on the 18th of June 1860, a son of Anders and Karen (Alfson) Omdahl, both of whom spent their entire lives in Norway. No event of unusual importance occurred to vary the routine of life for Jacob Omdahl in his boyhood, his time largely being devoted to the acquirement of an education in the public schools. In 1879 he came to the United States, settling in Goodhue county, Minnesota, where be secured employment as a farm hand.  He afterward worked in the same capacity in various comities of that state until 1885, when he came, to North Dakota, recognizing the opportunities here offered. He took up a homestead in Steele county and proving up the property and securing title thereto he began adding to his land, purchasing another quarter section adjoining the home place. He then developed and cultivated a tract of three hundred and twenty acres until 1906, when he left the farm and removed to Galesburg where he has since resided, he still owns the property and derives therefrom a substantial annual income. In December, 1913, he was appointed postmaster of his town, in which capacity he is now serving, making an excellent record through the capable and reliable manner in which he administers the affairs of the office. He also conducts a confectionery store and is meeting with good success in that undertaking.

On the 6th of June, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Omdahl and Miss Ellen Wilson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a native of Norway. To this union six children have been born: Arthur W., who is identified with the Board of Trade in Minneapolis: Esther Nora, who is studying to be a trained nurse in the Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis; Mary E., who is teaching in the schools at Devils Lake. North Dakota; Clarence E., who is pursuing a course in Akers Business College at Fargo; Alfred M., who is a high school student; and Ruth J.. who is attending the graded schools.

In politics Mr. Omdahl is independent, voting according to the dictates of his judgment.  His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability have at various times called him to public office. He has served as a member of the town board and also as township assessor and as a member of the school board. He has long been regarded as one of the leading men of his township and in 1910 he was appointed to the office of census enumerator. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church and they display many sterling qualities which have gained them the warm regard of all with whom they have been associated. Mr. Omdahl has never regretted his determination to come to the new world. The opportunities which he here sought he found were to be secured and he learned that industry in this country wins its reward. Gradually he worked his way upward and his life record indicates what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.

HON. JOHN E. PAULSON, senator from Traill county and one of its foremost business men, has been connected with commercial interests in Hillsboro since 1880. His activities have been an element in the material development of the city and a factor in promoting public progress and prosperity. He was born in Carver county, Minnesota, March 3, 1850, a son of Henry and Johanna (Person) Paulson, the former a native of Grue, Norway, and the latter of Skane, Sweden. It was in the year 1850 that the father crossed the Atlantic and two years afterward the mother made the voyage. They were pioneer farming people of Minnesota. Mr. Paulson took up his abode at Carver when he arrived in the new world, but his wife became a resident of St. Paul. They were married in 1854 and settled on a farm in Carver county, where he resided for almost three decades or until 1882, when he came to North Dakota, establishing his home in Eldorado township, Traill county. There he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1899, and in the interim success attended his efforts in large measure and he became the owner of eight hundred acres of rich and valuable land. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in Minnesota in 1874.

John E. Paulson was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his public school education by study in the Gustavus Adolphus College, then located at Carver, Minnesota, but now at St. Peter, Minnesota. In 1877 he came to North Dakota, reaching Traill county on the 9th of August. He became a resident of Caledonia, then the only town of any consequence in the county, and secured a position in a mercantile and implement house as a clerk. A year later he embarked in merchandising on his own account at Caledonia and afterward extended the scope of his business to include implements. In the fall of 1880 he removed his stock to Hillsboro, where the business has been developed into one of the most important commercial enterprises of Traill county. In 1891 he erected one of the largest business blocks in the city and he carries a very extensive line of goods, so that he is able to meet the varied demands of the public. He has ever recognized that satisfied customers are the most advertisement and his energy, close application and reliable dealing have ever been recognized as salient features in his growing suceess. He has also become a stockholder and is one of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Hillsboro, with which he has been identified from its organization.

In January 1881 Mr. Paulson was united in marriage to Miss Mabel D. King, her father being James S. King, a retired farmer residing in Hillsboro. To them have been born three children, two of whom survive, namely: Agnes H., the wife of R. G. Grant, of Hillsboro; and Herbert H., who is employed in his father’s store.

Fraternally Mr. Paulson is connected with Hillsboro Lodge. No. 10, F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in Dakota Consistory, No. 1, S.  P. R. S., of Fargo. He is likewise a member of El Zagal Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and in October 1915, the honorary thirty-third degree was conferred upon him in Fargo. His wife is a member of the Congregational church and socially they are prominent, having an extensive circle of friends not only in Traill county, but also elsewhere in the state. In his political views Mr. Paulson has ever been a republican, has served as chairman of the republican central committee of Traill county for several years and is a member of the state central committee. He filled the office of city alderman for several terms and was for three terms mayor of Hillsboro, giving to the city a businesslike, progressive and public-spirited administration. Still higher political honors awaited him, however, for in 1914 he was chosen senator from his district and is now connected with the upper house of the legislative body of North Dakota, where he is serving on a number of important committees, he has been connected with considerable important legislation and his efforts are of value in furthering the best interests of the commonwealth.

ATLEY A. PETERSON, One of the leading business enterprises in Clifford is the general store owned by Peterson, Rygg & Company and the establishment and building up of this business has been due in large measure to Alley A. Peterson, the senior member of the firm. He is energetic and farsighted in the management of his affairs and has been one of the most important factors in promoting the commercial growth of Clifford. He was born in Wisconsin September 19, 1873, and is a son of Peter N. and Inga (Senesson) Peterson, who were born in Norway but emigrated to America in 1854. They located upon a farm in Wisconsin and the father concentrated his attention upon agricultural pursuits until the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He received a slight wound in the arm but was fortunate in escaping other injury. Both he and his wife still reside upon the homestead. To them were born fourteen children, of whom eleven are still living.

Atley A. Peterson was reared under the parental roof and at the usual age entered the public schools, to which he is indebted for his early education. After completing the course there offered he attended Valparaiso College in Indiana, thus still further preparing himself for the responsibilities of life. In 1894, when a young man of about twenty-two years, he came to Traill county, North Dakota, and began clerking in a store at Clifford. He worked in the employ of others for twelve years and during two years of that time was a traveling salesman, thus securing valuable information in regard to business conditions and methods in various places. In 1906 he went into business for himself, becoming a member of Peterson, Rygg & Company, which has since conducted a general store. During the ten years that the concern has been in existence its business has grown rapidly and has now reached gratifying proportions. Practically all lines of goods are carried and as the owners of the store are painstaking in their endeavor to meet the peculiar needs of their community they are able to turn over their capital rapidly and this insures them of increased profits. They use up-to-date merchandising methods and their progressiveness and reliability have gained them the patronage of the representative people of the community. Mr. Peterson gives the most careful attention to the management of the store and much of the success of the business has been due to his sound judgment and enterprise. The firm also holds stock in the Farmers Elevator at Clifford.

On the 6th of September 1897, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Oswald, who was born in Wisconsin and is a daughter of Christian and Elena Oswald, the former of whom is deceased, while the latter survives. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have five children, namely: Viola, who was born June 26, 1899, and is now attending normal school at Mayville, North Dakota; Isadora, who was born September 29, 1901; Clifford, whose birth occurred on the 20th of July 1904; Atley, born April 11, 1909; and Carl, born October 10, 1915.

Mr. Peterson supports the democratic party at the polls and has taken quite an active part in public affairs. For eight years he served as treasurer of his township and proved capable and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith is indicated by the fact that he is a member of the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. He is enthusiastic over the opportunities offered by North Dakota and has great faith in its future. When he removed here he had no capital but he was not afraid of work and was quick to recognize and utilize chances for advancement and is now financially independent.

LARS RYGG, who is a member of the well-known firm of Peterson, Rygg & Company, general merchants of Clifford, is resourceful and enterprising in the management of his business interests. A native of Norway, he was born on the 19th of June 1871, a son of Absalom and Kristi Rygg, both also natives of that country, where they passed their entire lives. Of their fifteen children thirteen survive.

Lars Rygg was reared at home and attended the public schools of Norway in the acquirement of his education. When fifteen years old he put aside his text books and began clerking in a general store, where he remained for fifteen years, gaining during that time a thorough knowledge of retail merchandising. In 1902 he emigrated to America and came to Traill county, North Dakota. After a few months he secured a position as a clerk in a store in Clifford and in 1906 he joined Atley A. Peterson, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, in the formation of the firm of Peterson, Rygg & Company. They carry a large and well selected line of general merchandise and are accorded a liberal and representative patronage.  Their store is conducted along the most up-to-date lines and they follow a liberal business policy, seeking always to improve their service to their customers.  Mr. Rygg was married on the 1^st of February 1906, to Miss Carrie Flolo, who was born in Norway and by whom he has four children: Minnie, whose birth occurred on the 13th of November, 1906; Alice, who was born April 16, 1908; and Alfred and Jennie, twins, born March 14, 1909.

Mr. Rygg is an advocate of republican principles and supports the policies and candidates of that party at the polls. Both he and his wife are identified with the Lutheran church and their lives are guided by high standards of ethics. He has never regretted having come to this country, for he has gained a large measure of prosperity and is now one of the leading merchants of his town although when he emigrated here he was practically empty-handed.  He owns a fine residence in Clifford and the firm is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator.  He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his town and county and is always ready to cooperate with others in securing the general advancement. He is widely known and has many personal friends.

HON. ELMORE YOCUM SARLES, was the ninth governor of North Dakota and has long been recognized as a leader of public thought and action in this state. Moreover, he belongs to the little group of distinctively representative business men who have been the pioneers in inaugurating and building up the chief industries of this section of the country, he early had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and arrowing country and, acting in accordance with the dictates of his judgment, he has garnered in the fullness of time the generous harvest which is the just recompense of indomitable industry, spotless integrity and marvelous enterprise.  He comes of an ancestry distinctly American in both the lineal and collateral lines, being represented in the new world from early colonial days. His father, the Rev, Jesse D.  Sarles, was born in Dutchess county, New York, and became a distinguished representative of the Methodist ministry, devoting his entire life to that holy calling. In 1842 he became a resident of Racine, Wisconsin, and in that state reared his family, two of his sons having since become prominent in connection with the history of North Dakota.

A native of Wisconsin, Elmore Y. Sarles was born at Wonewoe, on the 15th of January, 1859, and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the public schools, attended the Galesville University. The year 1881 witnessed his arrival in North Dakota, at which time he made his way to Traill county, then an undeveloped and unimproved district. His keen business sagacity has found justification in the later progress of that part of the state, he believed there was a bright future before it and, acting in accordance with the dictates of his faith and judgment, he became identified with business interests there, and entered upon a notably successful career, he recognized the fact the great need of the country was money with which to develop its resources and accordingly he organized the Traill County Bank at Hillsboro, undertaking to furnish money to the settlers and thus aid in the improvement of the district, in 1885 that institution was converted into the First National Bank.  Success attended the venture from the beginning, its patronage steadily growing, he followed a liberal policy, doing everything in his power lo aid early settlers that did not jeopardize the interests of depositors or stockholders. From time to time he extended the scope of his activities and became interested in enterprises which had much to do with the progress and development of the country, he had been one of the organizers of the Valley Lumber Company, which soon built up a large business in the rapidly developing country, its sales extending all over Traill and adjoining counties. The name of E. Y. and 0. C. Sarles became most widely known in connection with the business of upbuilding North Dakota and in all their activities they anticipated the needs of a growing country. More than two million dollars were brought in and devoted to the needs of the bank and it is indicative of the character of Mr. Sarles. of his lenient policy and his keen sagacity ill judging human nature that he never had to foreclose a first mortgage. He was a leader in all those activities which led to the substantial growth and improvement of the state. He looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and became a most conspicuous figure in financial circles. Banks were established or acquired at Caledonia and Grandin, North Dakota, and at Shelly, Minnesota, and The First National Bank of Northwood was purchased in after years, also the First State Bank of Blanchard, and Mr. Sarles became one of the organizers and vice president of the Northwestern Trust Company of Grand Forks. He was ever one of the foremost figures in the development of the Red river valley and his extensive and important business affairs brought him such a wide acquaintance and gained him such a recognition of his business ability that he was brought into public life an effort on the part of his friends who desired him to become a candidate for governor.  While appreciative of the honor they would have conferred upon him, he had no special ambition to become prominent in public affairs and took no active part in securing the nomination, which went to Governor White. He was at that time, as he had been for years, engrossed in business affairs of moment, and he considered the pursuits of private life abundantly worthy his best efforts. He had, however, been an ardent republican from the time that age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he had served as mayor of Hillsboro and as a member of the state normal school board. His public service as well as his private business interests made him widely known far beyond the borders of his state as a typical resident of Dakota. People came to recognize in him one who was capable of handling extensive and important interests, who brought to the solution of vital problems sound judgment, clear discrimination and public spirit and when in 1904 the republicans of the state sought a candidate for the office of governor the choice of the party fell upon him and at the ensuing election he was chosen for office by the largest majority any governor of North Dakota ever received before or since. In the discharge of his onerous and responsible duties he brought to bear the same keen judgment that he had displayed in the management of his private business interests. He was indeed an executive and he studied every question from the standpoint of public utility and merit. In spite of the fact that during his administration there was expended a quarter million dollars made necessary by law there was left a surplus of two hundred thousand dollars in the treasury. In retiring from the office of chief executive he carried with him the love and confidence and the high esteem of the people throughout the state.

On the 10th of January 1886, Governor Sarles was married to Miss Anna York, of Prescott, Wisconsin. To them have been born four children: Earle, who is cashier of the First National Bank of Hillsboro, North Dakota; Duane and Doris, twins; and Eleanor.

Governor Sarles is a very prominent Mason, having received the honorary thirty-third degree and having served as potentate of El Zagal Temple, A. A. O. U. M. S., of Fargo. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and was formerly exalted ruler of the Grand Forks lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man’s modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the perpetual record establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout North Dakota Mr. Sarles is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied in its activities, so honorable in its purposes, so far-reaching and beneficial in its effects that it has become an integral part of the history of the state.

IVAR SEIM, who is part owner of and conducts the Blanchard Mercantile Company at Blanchard, Traill county, was born in Norway, on the 3d of March 1870, a son of Eric and Elizabeth (Hamre) Seim, both natives of that country, where they still make their home.  To them have been born twelve children, all of whom are living, four residing in America and eight in Norway.

Ivar Seim was reared in his native land and attended the public schools in the acquirement of his education but in 1888, when a youth of eighteen years, emigrated to America and, making his way to North Dakota, located in Traill county. He worked as a farm hand for some time, but in 1896 came to Blanchard and established what is known as the Blanchard Mercantile Company, of which he is part owner and which he manages. He understands the business thoroughly and has built up a large and profitable patronage. The excellence of the goods carried and the reasonableness of his prices have commended him to the public and his business is one of the prosperous concerns of the town. He also owns two hundred acres of land on section 13, Blanchard township, which is well improved and which yields him a good return.

JOSEPH SIM, who holds title to seventeen hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Kelso township and is president of the Farmers Elevator at Grandin, is one of the leaders in business and agricultural circles of Traill county. He was born in Oxford county, Ontario province, Canada, on the 2d of May 1853, of the marriage of Francis and Elizabeth (Cousins) Sim, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. Both removed to Canada in their youth and there the mother passed away. The father died in Traill county, North Dakota, while visiting his son. Ten of their fourteen children are still living.

Joseph Sim was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the public schools of Canada, where he remained until 1878. In that year he came to North Dakota, having heard much concerning the advantages offered the agriculturist here, and located on section 26, Kelso township, Traill county. He has erected excellent buildings upon his farm, where he still resides, and has purchased additional land from time to time until he now holds title to seventeen hundred and sixty acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He raises an immense amount of grain each year, but has not confined his attention exclusively to grain farming as he recognizes the value of stock-raising, and he derives a gratifying addition to his income from that branch of his business. He is also a large stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Grandin, of which he is the president.

Mr. Sim was married in 1884 to Miss Maria Lockhart, also a native of the Dominion, where her parents, James and Margaret Lockhart, both passed away. To Mr. and Mrs.  Sim have been born six children: Blanche; Gertrude; Lida; Gordon, deceased; Milton, who is attending the Fargo College, and Frances.

Mr. Sim has given his political allegiance to the republican party since becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States, and for thirty years has been a member of the board of county supervisors and chairman for over twenty years, a record which indicates the high esteem in which he is held. He has also served on the school board for a long period of time. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is also identified with the Foresters.  He has given strict attention to the management of his affairs, and his energy, foresight and good judgment have been richly rewarded, as he is now one of the well-to-do men of his section. He has also found time to cooperate with others in the promotion of the interests of his community, and has always had the greatest faith in the future of the county and state. He is widely known and his ability and integrity are universally acknowledged.

PETER G. SWENSON, Among the prominent citizens of Hillsboro, North Dakota, is Peter G. Swenson, who has been engaged in the practice of law there since 1893 and served as state’s attorney of Traill county for four years. His birth occurred at Trondhjem, Norway, on the 23d of December, 1866, but he was brought to this country by his parents in boyhood and received his education in the Decorah Institute at Decorah, lowa, and in the law department of the University of Minnesota, from which he was graduated with his professional degree in 1902.  The following year Mr. Swenson located for the practice of his profession in Hillsboro, North Dakota, where he has since remained and during the intervening period of twenty-three years has built up a large and representative clientage, he studies his cases carefully, taking into account every point that might possibly have a bearing upon the outcome of the trial. In his arguments before the court he is lucid and convincing, and the records show that he has won a large portion of the cases in which he has appeared as counsel. In 1894 he was elected to the office of states attorney of Traill county and filled that position for four years, making a highly creditable record, he is a director of the Hillsboro National Bank.

In 1893 Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Sofie Olson, and they have four children, a son and three daughters. He takes the interest of a good citizen in political affairs, but has held no important office outside of the strict path of his profession, preferring to concentrate his energies upon the practice of law. He has, however, served as a member of the board of education, he not only occupies a high position at the bar of Traill county but is also popular personally. Fraternally Mr. Swenson belongs to Hillsboro Lodge, No. 10. A. F. & A. M; Fargo Consistory; and El Zagal Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Hillsboro Lodge, No. 30, K. P.