Biographie Index

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

ROY C. ADAMS, cashier of the First State Bank of Manfred, Wells county, belongs to that enterprising class of young men who are rapidly developing and building up the northwest.  He was born in Minnesota in 1883, a son of E. M. and Sara Adams. The father, who became a pioneer resident of Minnesota, engaged in general farming in support of his family throughout his entire life. Both he and his wife were for many years residents of Minnesota and there reared their family of four children, two of whom are now living. Both the father and mother have passed away.

Roy C. Adams, the youngest of their children, was educated in the public schools of Minnesota and Iowa and his youthful experiences were those of the farm bred boy, for at an early age he began to assist in the work of the fields and largely devoted the summer months to such tasks until after he had attained his majority. In 1905, when twenty-two years of age, he came to North Dakota and making his way to Fessenden, Wells county, he secured employment in the State Bank, with which he was connected for a period of about three years although he spent a short time in other work. In October 1907, he removed to Manfred and became cashier of the First State Bank, which had been organized by T. L. Beiseker, C.  A. Beiseker and E. F. Volkman in 1902. Mr. Adams centers his entire interest in the bank and it is successfully managed and conducted. He has been continuously connected with the banking business since 1905 and is thoroughly acquainted with every phase of the work, while Manfred’s citizens and other patrons of the bank find him ever a courteous and obliging official.

In 1907 Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Ella T. Anderson, a native of Decorah, Iowa, and a daughter of Jacob and Ellen Anderson, who were early residents of that state.  The father has now passed away but the mother is still living in Decorah. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have one child, Raymond, born in 1914.

In politics Mr. Adams is a republican but is not an aspirant for office although he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is never remiss in the duties of citizenship. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is loyal to the teachings of the craft.  His fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of warm regard and he enjoys the confidence and goodwill of his colleagues and contemporaries in business.

JAKE W. ALBUS, Although still a young man Jake W. Albus occupies an enviable position in the business circles of Wells county as a dealer in farm machinery and automobiles in Bremen. His entire life has been passed in that county, his birth occurring in Fessenden, November 8, 1889. His father, Frank Albus, is a native of Roumania and on his emigration to the new world first located in Jamestown, North Dakota, but after spending a year at that place removed to Wells county, taking up land three miles from Fessenden in 1881. To the improvement and cultivation of that property he devoted his energies until 1907, when he took up his residence in the town and turned his attention to the farm implement business, in which he is still engaged.

Jake W. Albus was educated in the public schools of Fessenden and after putting aside his textbooks operated an elevator at that place for two years. He then assisted his father in the implement business and under the latter’s instruction became thoroughly familiar with that line of trade. In 1912 he opened his present establishment in Bremen before the railroad had been constructed to that place. He now- carries a good line of farm implements of all kinds and also threshers and the Overland automobiles and has already secured a fine patronage which is constantly increasing.

Mr. Albus was married in 1916 to Miss Anna Kovar, who is also a native of North Dakota. Politically he is identified with the democratic party and he is now acceptably filling the office of justice of the peace. He is a member of the Moose lodge at New Rockford and is one of the representative young business men of Wells county.

CHRISTIAN T. ANDERSON, a well known merchant of Bowdon and one of the leading citizens of Wells county, was born on the 23d of July, 1869, in Freeborn county, Minnesota, and is a son of Tollif and Cecil Anderson, both natives of Norway. On their emigration to the United States about 1862 they settled in Wisconsin but later removed to Minnesota, the father becoming the owner of a good farm in Freeborn county, on which our subject was born. Tollif Anderson was very successful in his farming operations, which he continued to carry on until 1910, when he retired from active life and removed to Glenville, Minnesota, which is still his home. In his family were ten children, of whom Christian T.  is the oldest and all are still living with the exception of one daughter, the others being Rena, the wife of A. T. Tyrrell, a resident of Sacramento, California; Ingwald, living at Wildrose, North Dakota; Sina, the wife of 0. A. Perkins, of Silver Lake, Iowa; Theodore, who lives at Wildrose; Sophia, the wife of Jack La Binne, of Larimore, North Dakota; Mrs. Julia Palmer, of Wisconsin; Laura, the wife of Arnold Esse, of Albert Lea, Minnesota; and Alfred. The father manifested his loyalty to his adopted country during the Civil war by enlisting in 1861 as a member of Company K, Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years and three months.

Christian T. Anderson began his education in the district schools of Freeman township, Freeborn county, Minnesota. He also pursued a commercial course at Brullat Academy in Portland, North Dakota. He remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age and on leaving home in 1888 went to Blanchard, North Dakota, where he worked on a large farm for four years, and in 1892 began clerking in a store in Portland, where he spent two years. At the end of that time he embarked in the confectionery business at Cummings but at the end of one year sold out and rented a farm near Hillsboro, on which he spent the succeeding three years. He next purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Traill county but after operating it for two years returned to Hillsboro and entered the employ of P. S. Peterson. In 1903 he took up a homestead near Lansford in Bottineau county, on which he lived off and on for several years. In the meantime, however, he became interested in merchandising, as he became an employee in P. S. Peterson’s store in Bowdon in the fall of 1903 and removed to that village in the spring of 1904. In January 1907, he became a partner of J. C. Little, which connection lasted until 1912, since which time Mr. Anderson has been alone in business. He carries a complete line of general merchandise except hardware and his store is neat and attractive in appearance, in fact is one of the best establishments of the kind in Wells county. Mr. Anderson was one of the incorporators of the Bowdon Telephone Company, of which he is still a stockholder, and is also actively interested in agricultural pursuits, owning and operating a good farm near the village.

In 1894 Mr. Anderson married Miss Mollie Kaldor, a native of Minnesota, born near her husband’s birthplace. They are faithful members of the Lutheran church and he is also connected with the local order of the Sons of Norway of which he is now financial secretary. He is also serving his ninth year as school director and takes a very active and influential part in the public affairs of the village in which he lives. His political support is given the republican party. He is regarded as one of the most prominent men of the community and is preeminently public-spirited and enterprising.

CHARLES S. ATKINSON, who is now successfully engaged in the banking business in Sykeston.  North Dakota, was born in Davenport, Iowa, on the 28th of January 1875, his parents being J. A. and Sophia Atkinson, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Toronto, Canada. In early life they became residents of Iowa, where their marriage occurred, and they made their home in Davenport until 1880, which year witnessed their arrival in Jamestown, Stutsman county, North Dakota. The father purchased a tract of land just south of the town but lived in Jamestown and was engaged in the real estate business there for several years.

Charles S. Atkinson was a child of five years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this state and he is indebted to the grammar and high schools of Jamestown for the education he acquired during his youth. He remained at home and assisted his father in the operation of the farm in Stutsman county until 1896, when the family removed to Sykeston, Wells county, where another farm was purchased. The son also aided in its cultivation for a few years but in 1899 located in the village, where his parents are also living at the present time. He opened a real estate office and engaged in that business until 1902, when he organized the Sykeston State Bank, which received its charter in July of that year. Its first officers were A. Beuthien, president; J. C. Morse, vice president; and C. S. Atkinson, cashier; but later G. C. Jameson became president and E.  A. Morey, vice president, while Mr. Atkinson remained as cashier. Another change was subsequently made when Mr. Atkinson accepted the presidency and K. J. Atkinson became vice president and M. B. Malley cashier. The last named has since been succeeded by Oscar Olafson. The capital stock is five thousand dollars and the earnings and surplus are the same amount. The bank is now one of the strong institutions of the county and in connection with a general banking business handles a large amount of real estate.  Personally the president has landholdings near the village and is today one of the substantial citizens of the community.

In 1902 Mr. Atkinson was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Jones, a native of Dewitt, Iowa, and to them have been born three daughters, two of whom are living, namely: Eveleth and Laura. Mr. Atkinson is a member of the blue lodge and chapter of the Masonic fraternity at Carrington, North Dakota, and is also connected with the Knights of the Maccabees at Sykeston and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Jamestown.  In politics he is an independent republican, taking a commendable interest in public affairs and doing all in his power to promote the welfare of his community. For four years he has been a member of the village board and is now serving his third term on the school board. He is a most progressive and enterprising citizen, who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he comes in contact.

ARTHUR BACKEN, has spent almost his entire life in Wells county and is now efficiently serving as postmaster of Heimdal, where he is also engaged in the hardware business. He was born near Nord Finnskoga, Sweden, on the 9th of December 1890, but during his infancy was brought to the United States by his parents, Ole and Hannah Backen, who located upon a farm near Heimdal, North Dakota, and are still residing in Wells county.

Upon the home farm Arthur Backen grew to manhood and by assisting his father in the work early became familiar with agricultural pursuits He attended the graded schools of Heimdal and also took a commercial course in the Minneapolis Business College, from which he was graduated. In 1911, he and his father started a hardware store in Heimdal, which they are still conducting under the firm name of 0. H. Backen & Son. They carry a good stock of shelf and heavy hardware and by reasonable prices and fair dealing have built up an excellent trade, which is constantly increasing. In 1915 the son was appointed postmaster and he is now filling that position in a creditable manner.

In 1914 Mr. Backen was married to Miss Regina Mellum, a native of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, and to them has been born a daughter Eunice. They hold membership in the Lutheran church and Mr. Backen affiliates with the republican party. He takes an active interest in public affairs and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will promote the general welfare.

T. L. BEISEKER, In North Dakota, the name of T. L. Beiseker is widely known, and in banking circles, the record which he has made shows what may be accomplished when determination and energy are the moving forces. The steps in his orderly progress are easily discernible, and enterprise and even paced energy have carried him into many important relations and connections. He is the head of Beiseker & Company, of Fessenden, which has banking and other interests at various points in this and other states. His business methods have ever been straightforward and well defined, and his career has evidenced his ability to discriminate between the essential and the non-important.

Mr. Beiseker was born in 1866 at Muncie, Indiana, a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. N.  Beiseker now of Austin, Minnesota. They were pioneers of that state, having settled there in 1869 and there they have since made their home. Their son, T. L. Beiseker, obtained a common and high school training, however in the school of experience he has received the major portion of his education.

His first venture in the business world on his own account gained for him the munificent salary of ten dollars per month and board; today, he stands one of the most prominent figures in the banking field of the northwest. He has organized numerous banks and other financial companies, and among others, in North Dakota, is connected with the First State Bank of Cathay, the Chaseley State Bank of Chaseley, the First State Bank of Denhoff, the Wells County State Bank, Farmers Trust Company and Farm Home Credit Company of Fessenden. the Hamberg; State Bank of Hamberg, the German State Bank of Harvey, the Heaton State Bank of Heaton, the Hurdsfield State Bank of Hurdsfield, the Mountrail County State Bank of Lostwood, the First State Bank of Manfred, the First State Bank of Martin, the Mercer State Bank of Mercer, the Sheridan County State Bank of McClusky, the First National Bank of New Rockford, the First National Bank of Stanley, the First National Bank of Towner, the Washburn State Bank of Washburn and the Farmers & Merchants Bank of White Earth. In Minnesota, among others he is interested in the Farmers & Merchants National Bank of Cannon Falls and in the Randolph State Bank at Randolph, while in Montana he is connected with the American National Bank at Forsyth, the Sheridan County State Bank at Plentywood and the Roundup National Bank at Roundup. At each point, a general banking business is carried on and in every instance, the institution occupies an important position in its community, drawing patronage from a large surrounding territory.

In April 1893, Mr. Beiseker organized the Wells County State Bank, at Sykeston, his first banking institution and the first bank in Wells county. In November 1894, when the county seat of Wells county was removed to Fessenden, the bank was also moved to that city, where it is now located. Mr. Beiseker still resides in Fessenden and from that point directs his manifold and growing interests.

In his political views Mr. Beiseker is a republican but has never been desirous of holding office. He has always preferred to direct his energies toward the advancement of his business interests and to any movement which has had for its goal a more prosperous and better northwest. He has always been a firm believer that diversified farming, in its broadest sense, would be of the greatest benefit to the state, and has financed and inaugurated many experiments and much propaganda in this field. There is no man who occupies a more enviable position in financial circles, not only by reason of the success he has achieved, but also because of the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed, giving to him the respect and esteem of all. Truly, his career proves that success is not a matter of genius alone, as is held by some, but is rather the result of dear judgment, tireless energy and honest endeavor.

GUSTAVUS F. BRAEGER, is one of the prominent farmers and stock raisers of Wells county, residing on section 20, township 147, range 71. He is a native of Germany, born May 23, 1864, and is a son of David and Marie Braeger, who came to this country from Prussia in May 1873, and located near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where they continued to make their home until called to their final rest.

Gustavus F. Braeger was only nine years of age when brought to the United States by his parents and he remained with them until be attained the age of sixteen years, when he started out in life for himself empty handed. He was employed on railroads and farms until he reached his majority but in 1885 came to North Dakota and took up a preemption on section 28, township 147, range 71. He proved up on the same but after residing there for a time bought a relinquishment on section 20 of the same township, where he has since made his home. After buying that place he began raising small grain and in his farming operations has met with most excellent success. In 1897 he purchased three quarter sections near his home place on sections 22 and 28 and in 1904 bought another quarter on section 22, in 1905 bought the northeast quarter of section 20, and in 1907 the southwest quarter of section 14, the same township. Later he traded three quarter sections on section 22 and the quarter on section 14 for a half section of land south of Chaseley, which he now rents.  He is now the owner of twelve hundred and eighty acres of very valuable land—the result of his own industry, enterprise and good management. In 1902 he started in the stock business with two cows and two calves and is today one of the extensive stock raisers of Wells county. For a time he raised only pure blooded shorthorns but now keeps graded stock and has about ninety head of cattle and one hundred and forty Shropshire sheep upon his place. He also raises thoroughbred Percheron horses and has shipped more horses than anyone else in his township. His farm is well improved with commodious and substantial buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and he is now erecting two Champion silos and one Thompson silo.

On the 18th of June 1902, Mr. Braeger was united in marriage to Miss Ella Swayne, a daughter of George W. and Cynthia A. (Grazier) Swayne, who were natives of Pennsylvania, where the mother spent her entire life. The father is now living retired in California. Mrs. Braeger was born in Mount Junior, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1809, and came west in 1900, teaching school in Wells county, North Dakota, until her marriage. She has become the mother of seven children, one of whom died in infancy. The others are Leona, Harold David, Clarence Willard, G. Falley, Gladys Bernice and Floyd Swayne.

In politics Mr. Braeger is an independent republican and on that ticket was elected county commissioner against his wishes. His fellow citizens, however, recognized his capability and he was retained in that position for eight years. He has also served as school clerk and township clerk and filled other township offices. His career has been that of a self-made man who has performed every duty assigned to him in an efficient manner and who has made his own way in the world unaided by capital or influential friends. He is today one of the prosperous farmers of Wells county and is held in the highest esteem.

CLARENCE L. COVELL, who is now engaged in the publication of the Sykeston News, has been identified with the interests of Sykeston throughout life, for he was born in that village on the 8th of March 1890, and has always resided there. His parents, Alton G.  and Esther C. (Butts) Covell, continue to make their home in Sykeston and are numbered among its prominent citizens. The father came to North Dakota from Corry, Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1883, and after spending about a year in Carrington located on a farm near Sykeston, having homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres. He also purchased one hundred and sixty acres on the same section. During his residence there he has engaged in merchandising and also practiced law, being an attorney by profession. He has filled the office of United States commissioner and is now serving as justice of the peace.

During his boyhood Clarence L. Covell attended the graded schools of Sykeston and later pursued his studies at Phillips Academy at New Rockford, now known as New Rockford Collegiate Institute. He subsequently entered Fargo College, from which he was graduated with the A. B. degree. For about two years after completing his education he engaged in clerking in his father’s store and was later a member of an electric light construction crew. In 1916 he purchased the Sykeston News, which he is now editing in a most capable manner, giving to the public a bright, newsy sheet. In politics he is an independent republican and in religious faith is a Congregationalist.

WALTER A. DENISON, cashier of the First State Bank of Cathay, North Dakota, is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth occurring in Dayton, Ohio, on the 20th of September 1869.  He was only nine years of age when he came west in 1878 and became a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he was reared and educated, pursuing a high school course in that city.

In 1893 he came to Cathay, North Dakota, as station agent when the railroad was built and put in operation. He filled that position in a most satisfactory manner for fourteen years but in 1907 became identified with the banking business as a stockholder and cashier of the First State Bank of Cathay, in which capacity he is still serving. The bank was organized in 1904, by T. L. Beiseker, who became its first president and is still in control, while C. L. Bishop is acting as vice president. Its capital is ten thousand dollars, with undivided profits of five thousand dollars and a surplus of ten thousand dollars. The affairs of the bank are in a most flourishing condition and its officers are men of known reliability and trustworthiness. In addition to banking Mr. Denison is also interested in farming and is successfully operating two sections of land in Wells county but makes his home in Cathay.

In 1894 Mr. Denison was united in marriage to Miss Emily Sims, who is a native of England and was about seven years of age when she came to the United States and became a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she made her home until she became the wife of Mr. Denison. Four children have been born to them, of whom three are living, namely: Alice, Phyllis and Clinton. The family is one of prominence in the community where they reside.

A W. EYNON, president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank of Bowdon, North Dakota, is one of the representative business men of Wells county. He is a native of the neighboring state of Minnesota, his birth occurring in Stewart, March 22, 1879, and he is a son of Andrew and Luella Eynon, who were descended from a long line of American ancestry.

He began his education in the public schools of Stewart and after graduating from the high school attended the Minnesota School of Business at Minneapolis.  Having thus secured a good practical education, Mr. Eynon began his business career and at once became connected with banking, being employed for about a year in the Hector State Bank of Hector, Minnesota. He then went to Carrington, North Dakota, where he was in the service of the First National Bank for a short time, and from there removed to Courtenay, being first assistant cashier and later cashier of the First National Bank of that place, with which he was connected for three years.

It was in 1905 that Mr. Eynon became a resident of Bowdon and the same year organized the Farmers & Merchants Bank, with a capital of ten thousand dollars, its first officers being: G. E. Schlechter, president; Frank Sugen, vice president; and A. W. Eynon, cashier.  A change was made in 1910, when A. W. Eynon became president; L. B. Eynon, vice president; and T. H. McEntee. cashier; and five years later E. G. Brundide became cashier and Tutman Fortney, assistant, the other officers remaining the same up to the present time. The bank now has a surplus equal to its capital of ten thousand dollars and is in a flourishing condition, its officers being wide-awake business men, sagacious and farsighted. Mr. Eynon is heavily interested in farm land in Wells county, and is a stockholder and treasurer of the Bowdon Telephone Company and a stockholder of the Farmers elevator of Bowdon. He has met with well merited success in business affairs and occupies an enviable position in financial circles of his part of the state. In politics he is a republican.

AMBROSE H. HARDY, engaged in general merchandising at Cathay, Wells county, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred at Perry, Pike county, January 26, 1862. His father, John P. Hardy, a native of Indiana, spent the greater part of his life in Illinois, where he carried on general farming and raised and dealt in livestock. He wedded Mary Allen, a native of New York and they had a family of four children, two of whom are now living, Ambrose H. having been the second in order of birth. The father died in 1890, while the mother survived until 1897.

Through the period of his boyhood and youth Ambrose H. Hardy largely devoted his attention to the acquirement of an education in the schools of Missouri and when his textbooks were put aside he concentrated his efforts upon the work of assisting his father on the home place and thus continued until his death. He remained in Missouri for a period of about twelve years and was there engaged in farming and in raising and selling cattle.  In 1893 he arrived in North Dakota and homesteaded a quarter section about five miles north of Sykeston, remaining thereon until November 1897. He also possessed a ranch about thirty miles southwest of Cathay, on which he made a specialty of raising cattle in addition to raising grain. He developed and managed that property until November 1897. Leaving the farm, he removed to Cathay, where he established a general store, carrying a good line and having the assistance of two clerks in the conduct and care of the business. He started his store with a capital of about two thousand dollars but has gradually increased his investment until the store represents an outlay of about ten thousand dollars, the business thus growing steadily and becoming one of the extensive and profitable commercial enterprises of Wells county. He is also a stockholder in a timber company of British Columbia, known as the International Timber Company, Limited, and he also has a timber claim in Minnesota of one hundred and twenty acres.

Mr. Hardy exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and from 1897 to 1909 was postmaster of Cathay. He has also served as village treasurer, as school treasurer and as school clerk. He holds membership in the Knights of Pythias lodge at Cathay, in which he has passed through all the chairs. His fellow townsmen speak of him in terms of warm regard, while his business success indicates the strength of his character, his keen sagacity and his unfaltering enterprise.

HAROLD INGVALDSON, who occupies a foremost position among the progressive business men of Wells county, is now serving as cashier of the First National Bank of Fessenden and is also identified with several other banks in that section of the state. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born at Hamar, Norway, October 25, 1886, and there he was reared, his early education being acquired in the schools of that country. After his graduation from Hamar College, he came to the United States in 1907 and first located at Elbow Lake, Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for one year. He then attended the Park Region Lutheran College at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, for one term.

Since that time Mr. Ingvaldson has been a resident of North Dakota and has been actively identified with the banking business. He was first connected with the Citizens State Bank of Enderlin, Ransom county, as bookkeeper and later as assistant cashier, remaining with that institution for one year. He then accepted the position of cashier of the Merchants State Bank of Drake, where he also remained a year, and in January 1911, became cashier of the First National Bank of Fessenden, in which capacity he is still serving.  He is also a stockholder and director of that bank, which was organized as the Fessenden State Bank in 1896 but was reorganized in 1903 under its present name. The capital stock was originally ten thousand dollars but when it became a national bank its capital was raised to twenty-five thousand dollars and it now has a surplus of fifteen thousand dollars and undivided profits of seven thousand dollars. Its present officers are H. Thorson, of Drake, North Dakota, president; Otto Bremmer, of St. Paul, Minnesota, vice president; Harold Ingvaldson, cashier: and S. P. Long, assistant cashier. The first two have held the same offices since 1908. Mr. Ingvaldson is also serving as president of the Farmers State Bank of Cathay, North Dakota, and vice president of the State Bank of Heimdal, and is interested in other financial institutions in the same section of the state. He occupies a prominent position in banking circles and in the conduct of his affairs has displayed excellent business and executive ability.

On the 2d of February 1914, Mr. Ingvaldson was united in marriage to Miss Magda Skogmo, of Manfred, North Dakota, who is a graduate of the Valley City Normal School, and they have become the parents of two children; Helen Sigrid and Harold Arnold. They are earnest and consistent members of the Lutheran church of Fessenden and Mr. Ingvaldson affiliates with the republican party, now serving as secretary of the county central republican committee. He is one of the representative citizens of his community, having the confidence and high regard of all with whom he is brought in contact either in business or social affairs.

ALVA U. JACKSON, of Hurdsfield, is well known in newspaper circles as the publisher of the Hurdsfield Herald, which was established on the 26th of June 1916. He was born at Dalton, Wayne county, Indiana, in 1879, a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Deardorff) Jackson, both of whom are natives of the Hoosier state, where the father conducted business as a general farmer and mechanic, he and his wife still residing there. Their family numbers five children, of whom Alva U. Jackson is the eldest, and the circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.

In the public schools of his native state Alva U. Jackson pursued his education and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He then went to Matthews, Indiana, where he spent ten months and on the 26th of March 1900, he arrived in North Dakota, settling at Cando, where he remained for three years, his time being given to farming pursuits. Later he engaged in the threshing business, running an outfit for two years. He and his wife homesteaded on the 1st of November 1903, securing a quarter section of land in what is now Sheridan county. For a period of nine years they remained upon that farm and each fall Mr. Jackson engaged in threshing, while through it the year he carried on general farming and stock raising. In 1909 he took up the work of well drilling and followed that business for a period of seven years. In 1912 he erected a residence in Hurdsfield, where he has since made his home, and on the 17th of July 1916, he bought the Hurdsfield Herald, which had been established on the 26th of June. His printing experience has been very limited but the editions published have been successful, and moreover, Mr. Jackson possesses energy, determination and intelligence—qualities which are always most valuable factors in the attainment of success in any undertaking. He is now concentrating his entire attention upon the publication of the paper, which is given to the dissemination of local and general news. It is independent in politics and during the period in which he has had charge its circulation has been more than doubled.

On the 22d of April 1903, Mr. Jackson was united in marriage to Miss Estella Forney, who was born in Iowa in 1878, a daughter of Uriah and Laura Forney, early residents of Nebraska but natives of Iowa. The father died July 2, 1915, while the mother is living in Egeland, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have become parents of three children: Laura Enid, born in 1906; Benjamin I., in 1908; and Walter L., in 1914.

Mr. Jackson votes with the republican party and keeps well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day but has not made his paper a partisan sheet. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons as a member of the lodge at McClusky and also with the Eastern Star. He has never been an office seeker but for seven years, while residing in Sheridan county, was chairman of the board of education in the district in which he lived.  He has never been neglectful of the duties of citizenship but cooperates in many plans and measures for the general good and his worth is widely acknowledged by his fellow townsmen.

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