Trails to the Past

Cavalier County North Dakota Biographies

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HERMAN D. ALLERT. Probably no citizen of Cavalier county is more widely known or highly respected than Mr. Allert, of the firm of Allert & Winter, real estate dealers of Langdon. He has been intimately connected with the public affairs of that locality since the early days, and has proven himself a worthy citizen in whom the people may repose every confidence, and in his business affairs he is. a man of good executive ability and strict integrity.

Our subject was born in Elbing, Prussia, December 7, 1858, and was reared to the age of eleven years in his native land, when he removed with his parents to Ontario, Canada, and settled in Berlin, Waterloo county, where he was reared to manhood and resided until 1875. He then went to Winnipeg and engaged in the machine business and also stock raising and remained there until 1884, when he came to Langdon, Cavalier county, North Dakota. In the fall of that year he was elected county superintendent of schools and served in that capacity four years, and in the fall of 1888 he was elected auditor of Cavalier county and served continuously in that office until March 1, 1897. He has extensive real estate interests in the vicinity of Langdon, and is also interested in the drug business in that city. He has been successful in his business and is one of the solid financial men of the county.

Our subject was married in Manitoba. Canada, to Miss Lottie McWilliams, a native of Canada. Four daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allert, named as follows: Vera, now attending St. Joseph's Academy at St. Paul, Minnesota; Leonore, Vivian and Daisy. Mr. Allert is actively interested in county and state affairs, and was one of the organizers of Cavalier county, and in 1896 was a candidate for state treasurer, but was defeated by the Republican candidate. In the various public capacities in which he has served he has discharged the duties of his position with rare fidelity and faithfulness and is popular with the people regardless of party affiliations. He is prominent in secret society circles, and holds membership in the Masonic fraternity in all its branches, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of Lebanon Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M., Corinthian Chapter, No. 4, Grand Forks Commandery, No. 3, El Zagel Temple, Fargo, N. M. S., and in 1894 was appointed grand keeper R. S. Grand Lodge, K. P., at Jamestown, North Dakota, and has held this position continuously since that date. Mr. Ellert is also a member of the B. P. O. E., Grand Forks Lodge, No. 255. He was one of the six North Dakota delegates to the national democratic convention in 1900 and was further honored by being placed upon the committee of notification to notify Mr. Bryan of his nomination. The committee met for this purpose at Indianapolis, Indiana, August 8, 1900.


HON. JOSEPH B. BOYD occupies a prominent place as a well-to-do and progressive merchant and citizen of Langdon, Cavalier county. He was born in Peterborough county, Canada, near the town of Peterborough, October 7, 1852.

Mr. Boyd was reared in his native place and educated in the public schools and the schools of the neighboring town and after completing his education was employed as a clerk in a mercantile establishment for some five years after which he followed farming four years, assuming charge of his father's farm, his father having died while our subject was engaged in clerking. He went to Michigan and settled at Scottsville, east of Ludington, and remained there two years, and then removed to North Dakota in the spring of 1887 and was employed in mercantile establishment at Devils Lake and remained in that capacity about six months. He came to Langdon in August, 1887, and engaged in the mercantile business with Robert Cairns, of Devils Lake, under the firm name of Boyd & Cairns, and they continued together about five years, when Mr. Cairns was killed in an accident near Bartlett, on the Great Northern Railroad. Mr. Boyd then assumed control of the entire business, and has continued sole proprietor. He enjoys a liberal trade and carries a complete line, and also owns a general store in Hannah, which he successfully operates. He also owns a farm of five hundred and sixty acres adjoining the city of Langdon and owns and operates a cheese factory at Langdon, and is one of the substantial business men of the county.

Our subject was married in Campbellford, Ontario, to Miss Emma Kelly. Mrs. Boyd died in Peterborough county, Ontario. One child was born to this union, named John J. Mr. Boyd was married to Miss Gertrude S. Gogin, a native of Berlin, Wisconsin, in the town of Berlin. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd, named Richard D. Our subject has taken an active interest in the welfare of his community since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and was elected to the state legislature in the fall of 1896 on the Fusion ticket and served one term. He was mayor of Langdon four years, and was the first city treasurer, and in each capacity served faithfully and well.


WILLIAM B. DICKSON, state's attorney in Cavalier county. North Dakota, is one of the able lawyers of the state, and is actively engaged in the practice of law in Langdon in partnership with his brother. Robert M. He is greatly respected in the community where he resides, and has gained an assured position in his profession.

Our subject was born in Huron county, Ontario, November 26, 1853, and was reared in his native county, and there received his education and attended the Georgetown Academy, located near Toronto. He engaged in teaching for three years, and then began the study of law in the office of Garrow & Proudfoot, where he remained five years, and was admitted to the bar about 1885. He began the practice of his profession at Brussels, Ontario, and after some time went to Colorado, and was engaged in the ranch business during 1892-93. He came to Langdon, Cavalier county, North Dakota, in the spring of 1894, and here resumed the practice of his profession. He was appointed state's attorney for Cavalier county by the county commissioners to fill a vacancy caused by the death of W. F. Kessler, and in the fall of 1896 was elected to that office. His efficient service is best evidenced by the fact that he received a second election to that office in the fall of 1898. He formed a partnership with his brother, James G., in the spring of 1894, and they conduct an extensive real-estate business. The present law firm, composed of our subject and his brother, Robert M., was formed in the spring of 1899, and they enjoy a liberal patronage.

William B. Dickson was married at Brussels. Ontario, to Miss Jennie H. Cormack, a native of Ontario. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickson, named in the order of birth as follows : Alice R., Robert M., Agnes and James S. In politics he is a Democrat.


EDWARD I. DONOVAN, M. D., president of the Citizens State Bank of Langdon, is one of the best known physicians and business men in Cavalier county.

Dr. Donovan was born in Northumberland county, Ontario, December 25, 1858. He was reared and educated in the high schools at Campbellford, Ontario. He then taught school for four years. He then took up the study of medicine, and graduated from Queens College, Kingston, Ontario. In 1886 he came to North Dakota and practiced with his brother. Dr. P. C. Donovan, at Neche, for one year. He then came to Langdon, where he has since been in continuous practice.

The Citizens State Bank of Langdon was established in 1893, and Dr. Donovan became its president. In 1887 he engaged in the drug business and erected the block in which his business is now conducted. He has proven himself a valuable citizen and useful member of the community, and has always been found ready to offer encouragement and support to every worthy enterprise.

Dr. Donovan was married in Kingston, Ontario, in 1890, to Miss Mary McKenty, a native of Kingston. They have one son, Edward John.


HON. HYPOLITE EDWARD DORVAL, county judge of Cavalier county, North Dakota, is one of the leading members of the legal fraternity of the state. He has been intimately associated with the development and growth of the city of Langdon and vicinity and is one of the well known and public-spirited citizens of his community and is held in the highest esteem by all. He has a modern and commodious residence in Langdon and has extensive real estate interests in that locality.

Our subject was born in Mendota, Minnesota, January 24, 1857, and is a son of Benjamin and Charlotte (Burrell) Dorval. When about two years of age he removed with his parents to Montreal, Canada, where he was reared and educated at St. Theresa College in the province of Quebec, and also attended Montreal College and St. Mary's for five years. He returned to Montreal and soon after his return his father died. The mother died when our subject was but twelve years of age. When he reached the age of eighteen years he left Montreal and went to Winnipeg, where he was engaged in teaching school and also began the study of law. He remained in Manitoba for some six years and in 1882 came to what is now Cavalier county. North Dakota, and located at Olga, where he taught school for a short time and then engaged in the land business at that place, where he resided until 1887. He then removed to Langdon, where he has since been a resident. He was appointed deputy register of deeds in 1885 and filled that position one year and was then elected county judge of Cavalier county. He was deputy register of deeds, deputy treasurer and deputy county clerk and filled the several positions one year, when he received the election to the judgeship and he has continued as county judge since 1886. He was admitted to the bar June 12, 1889, and is one of the well known attorneys of the state. His real estate amounts to about one thousand acres and in 1898 he laid out what is known as Dorval addition to Langdon, comprising some twenty acres.

Mr. Dorval was married, at Bale St. Paul, Manitoba, September 6,1879 to Miss Georgiana Arbour, who was born and raised in Montreal. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dorval, nine of whom are living, and are named as follows: Hercules. George, Alberta, Oscar, Charlotte. Benjamin, Joseph, Maria and Edward. Two children, Thomas and Agnes, died in infancy. Mr. Dorval is a man of firm convictions and in political sentiment is Democratic. He is a member of the Knights of Pytliias, Foresters, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Yeomen and Knights of the Maccabees.

In the death of Mrs. Dorval, February 26, 1899, the city of Langdon lost one of her most kindly known women and mothers. She was a woman prominent in the social circles; a leader in Christian work: well and favorably known for her domestic virtues; a natural musician and sweet singer. Pleasant memories remain of this beloved and pure woman, wife and mother. Portraits of the subject of this sketch and his lamented wife appear in this publication and her face lends a melancholy interest to this life story.

 


HENRY DUNFORD, a progressive farmer and influential citizen of Cavalier county, has a fine estate in Harvey township, and his home is on section 32.

Mr. Dunford was born in Wiltshire, England, August 26, 1854. His parents brought him to America when he was three years old, and the family settled in Huron county, Canada. There our subject was reared and educated in the country schools. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade in Huron, and followed that calling for eleven years in Huron county. In 1882 he came west to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and for a few months worked at carpentering. In the spring of 1883 he came to Cavalier county, Dakota, and took up a claim in Harvey township, where he has since resided. He now owns five hundred and sixty acres, forming one of the most valuable estates in the county, and he has placed upon it many modern improvements and conveniences adapted to modern farming.

Mr. Dunford was married in Huron county, Ontario, to Elizabeth Work, a native of Huron county, and to this union nine children have been born, as follows: Laura E., now the wife of Alexander McEarlane; Caroline, Nellie, Henry S., Margaret, Lillian, James, Grace and Robert McKiniey. Mr. Dunford has been prominent in public affairs in the county, has served as county commissioner since the fail of 1894, and has held local offices in Harvey township for many years. He is a Republican and an active worker in the cause of good government. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Independent Order of Foresters and of the A. O. U. W.


PROF. EDWARD J. FOX. the efficient county superintendent of schools of Cavalier county, has the distinction of being one of the original, if not the only original, settler in the city of Langdon.

Mr. Fox was born in the county of Leeds, Ontario, Canada, July 31, 1858. His boyhood days were spent on the farm up to the age of eighteen years, and having in the meantime obtained a good education, he engaged in teaching school in Leeds county. In 1884, however, he emigrated to Dakota and settled in Walsh county, arriving there during the winter of 1884-5. He took up a claim west of Park river, where he lived for one season, and then came to Langdon, Cavalier county, and since that time has continued to make that city his home. During tlie winter of 1885-6 Mr. Fox was the only man actually residing in Langdon. One or two other parties had located there, but did not remain during the winter, so that Mr. Fox was the sole resident of the city during that winter.

Mr. Fox was elected county superintendent of schools in Cavalier county in June, 1888, and so ably and conscientiously has he discharged the duties of that most difficult position, he has been successively re-elected and still holds the office. He has labored incessantly for the good of the schools of the county and has been very successful in his work. He is a graduate of the Perth Collegiate Institute, of Ontario, Canada.

In 1889 Mr. Fox was married to Miss Mary Joyce, of Frontenac county, Ontario . They are the parents of one daughter, Kathleen M.


SAMUEL G. GIBSON, M. D. In the learned professions there are always many grades of ability, and in most communities there are a few who are justly entitled to a leading place among their brethren. No member of the medical fraternity of Cavalier county deserves prominent mention in a historical work more justly than the gentleman whose name heads this article. He has won the confidence and esteem of the people of his county, and particularly of the city of Langdon, where he has been a resident for many years.

Dr. Gibson was born in Arbroth, Scotland, in 1850. His father, Capt. Samuel Gibson, commanded a transport in the Crimean war, and when our subject was quite young he accompanied his father to America. They located in Canada, and the boy grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools and at the Collegiate Institute of Gait, Ontario.

He then engaged in teaching in various places, and was for five years head master of the public schools of London, Ontario. It was during this latter period that he took up the study of medicine in the Western University Medical School, from which institution he graduated with the class of '93.

In the spring of 1893 he came to Langdon, Cavalier county. North Dakota, where he has since practiced his profession He has met with great success, and has been chosen to important positions, in recognition of his skill and ability in his department of learning. He has served two terms as coroner, and is at the present time county superintendent of health. His popularity is largely due to his conscientious practice and his honesty with his patients, added to his skill and thoroughness in the technicalities and details of his profession.

 

 


HON. HENRY T. HELGESEN. Perhaps no citizen in Milton is interested equally in a financial sense, in the improvement and development of the village as the gentleman above named. He is also one of the public-spirited men of his community and his labors for the advancement of the social and moral influences of his adopted town and county commend him to a high position in the minds of all. He is a man of strict integrity, careful and methodical in his business habits and carries these characteristics into every detail of his life and has made many friends by his push and energy. He is widely known as a prominent merchant of Milton and extensive owner of Cavalier county land. He conducts the hardware business and also deals in lumber and furniture and carries a complete stock in each line and has met with unbounded success in every enterprise which he has undertaken.

Our subject was born in Decorah, Iowa, June 26, 1857. He was reared in his native place and received a good education there in the graded schools and the Normal Institute of Decorah and then engaged in the grocery business in Decorah some six or seven years, when he disposed of his interests and came to Milton, North Dakota, in 1887, and erected the first business house in the town and engaged in the hardware business, to which he afterward added lumber and furniture and now carries a large line of each, and he also is interested extensively in real estate in Cavalier county.

Our subject was married in Decorah. Iowa, to Miss Bessie Nelson, a native of Winneshiek county, Iowa. Seven children have blessed this union, named as follows-: T. Herbert, Elmer G., Rachel M., Lillian, Gladys L., Raymond McKinley and Frances. Mr. Helgesen at the first state election, in 1889, was elected commissioner of agriculture and labor and re-elected to a second term in that capacity, being the Republican candidate. He is at present a regent of the State University, to which office he was elected in the spring of 1898, and he is now acting in the capacity of mayor of Milton, and is an efficient and popular official.


HON. JAMES JENNINGS, ex-representative in the state legislature of North Dakota and a thorough and progressive farmer, resides on his estate in Harvey township, Cavalier county. township, Cavalier county.

Mr. Jennings was born in Yorkshire, England, August 22, 1852. When he was three years of age his parents brought him to America, and the family took up their residence in York county, Canada. There our subject was reared and received a common school education. He worked on the farm in York county until the spring of 1882, when he came to Dakota and took up land in Hope township, Cavalier county. He remained there four years and then established his home in Harvey township on section 1, where he has since resided. He has a fine property, consisting of four hundred and eighty acres of excellent farming lands; enhanced by the erection of good modern buildings and improvements consistent with up-to-date farming.

Mr. Jennings has been active in public affairs since coining to Cavalier county and gives his support to the principles of the Democratic party. He was elected to the state legislature in 1894 and served one term, with great credit to himself and to the benefit of Cavalier county and of the state. He is popular throughout the county and has many warm friends and admirers.

Mr. Jennings was married in York county, Ontario, to Miss Annie Hope. Mrs. Jennings is a native of Ontario and to this union six children have been born, namely: Elora, wife of George Welch; Ada, now Mrs. John Robinson; Gertrude, Henry, Olive and Albert.


MORRIS JOHNSON, of the firm of Johnson & Wroolie, hardware and lumber merchants of Milton, North Dakota, is well known to the people of that locality. He is of foreign birth, but is thoroughly identified with American progress, and holds a high position in the minds of his associates.

Mr. Johnson was born in Norway, October 25, 1858, and was reared and educated in his native land, and remained there until 1880. He emigrated to America in the spring of that year, and was employed as clerk in a general store in Crookston, Minnesota, until 1885, when he went to Park River and engaged in the mercantile business with Simon A. Wroolie, under the firm name of Johnson & Wroolie, and the firm moved to Milton, in 1888, and have since conducted business in that thriving town with pronounced success.

Mr. Johnson was married in Grafton, North Dakota, to Miss Louise Arneson, a native of Norway also. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, named as follows: Stella, Eivend E., and an infant, unnamed. Mr. Johnson served as village treasurer of Milton two years, and is deservedly popular with the people among whom he resides.


HOMER E. KINNEY, deputy collector of customs, is an influential citizen of Cavalier county. He is located at Hannah, and is a public-spirited and enterprising member of the community and an affable and genial gentleman.

Mr. Kinney was born in Richford,Franklin county, Vermont, April 24, 1860. He grew to manhood on the farm, and received his education in the common schools of Vermont, and later at St. Johnsburg Normal School. He was then employed as an express messenger on the Central Vermont Railroad between St. Albans and Montreal. In the summer of 1882 he accepted a position in the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad shops as time keeper at Wells, Faribault county, Minnesota. He remained there two years, and then, in 1884, he went to Park River, Dakota, and entered the employ of the Pillsbury & Hurlburt Elevator Company. Two years later he came to Cavalier county and entered the grain business, purchasing grain for the Memphis & Northern Elevator Company. In the employ of the same company he went to Fargo where he spent about three years. For the six years following he purchased grain at St. Thomas, making twelve consecutive years in the employ of the same company. From St. Thomas he came to Hannah, Cavalier county, July 1, 1898, and was appointed deputy collector of customs. He has proved an efficient official, discharging his duties with fidelity and a thoroughness that commands the confidence of all.

Mr. Kinney was married at Park River December 21, 1896, to Miss Nellie Thompson, a native of Ontario, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Kinney are the parents of four children, namely, Paul, Doris and Blaine and Duane. twins. They have a pleasant home and enjoys the friendship of all who know them.

Mr. Kinney has always taken an active part in public matters, and life political views is a Republican. For six years he was a member of the state central committee of that party, and has wielded much influence in the state. He is a man of broad views and thoroughly posted on all current topics, and is well informed and an interesting conversationalist.


ANDREW I. KOEHMSTEDT, proprietor of the "Courier-Democrat." published in Langdon, Cavalier county, is one of the able newspaper men of that region. He has devoted his entire career to this business in various places and he has a bright and widely circulated sheet and enjoys prosperity.

Mr. Koehmstedt was born inWaterloo county, Ontario, Canada, July 3, 1860. He was reared and educated in Canada and there learned the printer's trade, and remained in Canada until 1881, employed at his trade. He then came to the United States and was engaged in his work in several places until 1887. when, in December, of that year, he came to Langdon, North Dakota, where he has since resided and since 1894 has been sole proprietor of the " Courier-Democrat."

The "Courier" was established in 1885 by C. B. C. Doherty and the "Democrat" was established in 1888 by A. I. Koehmstedt. These papers were consolidated in February, 1891, and in April, 1894, Mr. Koehmstedt became sole proprietor of the plant. The paper is Democratic politically and now has a circulation of about eleven hundred copies.

Our subject was married, in Cavalier county. North Dakota, to Miss Cecelia Fischer, a native of Ontario. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Koehmstedt, who bear the following names: Lorraine, Elenora, Frederick, George and Leo. Mr. Koehmstedt is a man of broad ideas and excellent capacity as a newspaper man and his success and high standing are well merited.


HON. WALTER A. LAIDLAW, cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Langdon, is one of the most influential men of Cavalier county, and is well known for his intelligence, active public spirit, and thorough appreciation of the wants of his locality. He came to North Dakota in an early day and has been identified with all matters which pertain to the improvement of the locality in which he makes his home. He is a gentleman of excellent business qualifications and a character of the highest order, and he has been called upon by his fellow-citizens to occupy various official positions, and in every instance has proven his efficiency and gained the confidence of the people. He has wide financial interests in North Dakota, including extensive farming tracts and one of the well-to-do and substantial men of Cavalier county.

Our subject is a native of Ontario, and was born in the village of Glen Williams, Halton county. September 28, 1862. He passed his boyhood days in his native place and was given a liberal education, and at the age of seventeen years went to Manitoba and engaged in the farming implement business and in 1884 came to North Dakota, and took up his permanent residence in Langdon, Cavalier county, in 1888. He engaged in the implement business here until 1895, when he disposed of the business. Since the organization of the Citizens State Bank in 1893 Mr. Laidlaw has been cashier of the institution and under his guidance the bank has become one of the solid financial concerns of the locality. Our subject owns one thousand, three hundred acres of land, and has gained a comfortable fortune in North Dakota.

Mr. Laidlaw was married in Davenport, Iowa, to Miss Ida Hewes. a native of that state. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw, named in order of birth as follows: Walter J., Charles S., William McKinley, and Marion. Our subject was elected to the state senate in 1898 on the Republican ticket and served one term, and did very effective work while a member of that body. He was elected treasurer of Cavalier county in 1892, and discharged the duties of his office faithfully and well.


ANTHONY E. LINDSTROM, editor and publisher of the "Cavalier County Republican," a bright and newsy sheet established in Langdon, is a gentleman of ability in newspaper work, and has been a resident of North Dakota since June, 1885, and has gained an assured position as a business man and citizen.

Our subject was born at Cannon Falls, Minnesota, January 10, 1865. He was reared and educated in Minnesota, and there learned the printer's trade, at which work he began as an apprentice at the age of fifteen years. He was employed in different newspaper offices in the state, and in 1884 went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and was there employed on the "Globe." and also in the office of the "Pioneer Press" until he went to North Dakota in 1895. He left St. Paul in June of that year and went to Oberon, Benson county. North Dakota, and entered claim to a tract of land there, and remained at Oberon until 1898, when he purchased the "Cavalier County Republican," and has since been editor and proprietor of the same. He has built up a good circulation for the paper in Cavalier and adjoining counties, and has prospered in his chosen calling. "The Cavalier County Republican" was established in September, 1889, by Mr. Dougherty, who died in Michigan City, North Dakota. Mr. Dougherty sold the paper to D. H. McMillan, who conducted it until December, 1898, when Mr. Lindstrom became editor and proprietor. The paper now has a circulation numbering one thousand one hundred, and is Republican in politics.

Mr. Lindstrom was married in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1892, to Miss Loretta Hobbins, a native of Wisconsin. Our subject is a firm supporter of all enterprises for the general welfare of the community in which he makes his home, and is one of the rising young men of Cavalier county. 

 

 

 

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