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JOHN F. MAGER. This gentleman is the pioneer miller of Pembina county, and in reviewing his life it will be seen that his dominant characteristics commend him to the people of North Dakota as a loyal citizen and business man of strict integrity of word and deed. He has practically developed the country around Walhalla, by his thrift and enterprise in his business, and his name is intimately connected with the history of that region.
Our subject was born in Alsace Lorraine, Germany, December 27, 1850, and was the fifth of a family of six children, born to John and Mary L. Mager, both of whom are deceased. The father emigrated to America in 1855 and the family joined him here one year later and located at St. Paul, and about 1858 the father went to the Red River Valley in Canada and settled at Fort Gary, and in 1859 the family removed there via the Pembina mountains, the valley being too wet for travel, and while en route passed through Walhalla, then settled by half-breed Indians, and it was noted as a remarkably beautiful spot.
When eighteen years of age our subject went to St. Paul to learn the machinist's trade, but could not find employment at that work and began engineering, and in the spring of 1871 visited his brother-in-law. Mr. Emmerling, who was located on a farm at Walhalla, then known as St. Jo. Provisions were scarce in St. Jo and flour was five dollars per sack, and the supply uncertain at any money. Our subject and Mr. Emerling decided to start a flouring mill and to this end a dam was built across the Pembina river near where the railroad bridge now stands, and a pony saw-mill was put in. The dam washed out and in the fall of that year our subject went to Fort Garry and secured an old threshing engine and with this power and a set of two-feet French burr stones wheat was ground, and New Year's day, 1872, biscuits were served. This saw was connected with the engine and timbers sawed and a new dam constructed, giving both water and steam power, and in the fall of 1874. nine hundred bushels of wheat, all that was raised in the country surrounding, was ground. Trouble with the dam continued and in 1876 the mill was reconstructed and removed to its present location, and an engine of greater capacity secured, and another run of stone, and a saw-mill was put in. and then the reward of many years of patient labor became apparent. Mr. Emerling died of small-pox in 1881, and our subject succeeded to the milling business. The mill was remodeled to rolls in 1883, and burned in 1887, and was again rebuilt, assuming its present dimensions. A fine stone engine room has recently been constructed, and the mill continues operations by combined water and steam power. Mr. Emmerling had secured land in the town limits and by government rights our subject secured an adjoining quarter-section, now included in the town limits, and Mr. Mager is conceded to be the chief promoter for the up building of Walhalla. In this connection may be mentioned the Walhalla, Bathgate & Eastern Railroad corporation, of which our subject was vice-president. A line was contemplated from Drayton to Walhalla and work was begun, thus forcing the Great Northern Railroad to push their line into the town, thus giving Walhalla the necessary transportation facilities for its growth and the development of that locality. Our subject has also graciously thrown open a park to the public and Mager's Park is a pleasant resort.
Our subject was married .in 1874, to Miss Christine Hermann, a native of Germany . Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mager, named in order of birth as follows: Aimee, Hortense, Marie Louise, deceased; Robert, deceased: Joseph G., deceased, and Albert. Mr. Mager is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and was a charter member of the following secret societies of Walhalla: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Foresters and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a Republican.
PETER H. McMILLEN, a well-known and public-spirited citizen of Pembina county, resides on his farm in section 4, Hamilton township.
Mr. McMillen was born in Ontario, Canada, February 18, 1843, the third in a family of eight children born to Hugh and Bessie (Sinclair) McMillen, the former of Scotch and the latter of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and both natives of Canada. Our subject was reared in Canada and spent about eighteen years working in the lumber camps. In 1874 he began farming and met with fair success. In 1882 he sold his lands and chattels and came to Dakota, and filed pre-emption, homestead and tree claims to lands in Pembina county. He soon after established his permanent home on his tree claim, where he still resides. He now owns two hundred and forty acres of valuable land and has a pleasant and comfortable home.
Mr. McMillen was married, in 1874, to Miss Jane Elliott, and to this union five children have been born, namely: George F. (deceased), Hugh, Lizzie and Henrietta and Priscilla, twins. Mr. McMillen is a member of the Baptist church and is a valued member of the community. Although for eight years a Populist and prominent in the councils of that party, and also a leading Alliance man, upon the consummation of the fusion with the Democratic party, he returned to the Republican ranks and is now a supporter of that party. As a Populist he assisted in organizing the party in the county and was chairman of the county central committee and was also widely known in state politics. He contributed many effective articles to the columns of the newspapers. He has been justice of the peace for the past fourteen years, ending in 1900.
ROBERT MENZIES, proprietor of a fine farm in section 26. of South Carlisle township, Pembina county, is a man of progressive ideas and energetic spirit, and has accumulated his handsome estate by dint of his own efforts.
He was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, April 15. 1859. The parents of our subject, Duncan and Annie (Mclntyre) Menzies, were born in Scotland, and the Menzies family is Highland Scotch and one of the old Scotch clans. Both parents are now deceased.
Our subject was the third in a family of eleven children, and was raised to a life of farming and woodcraft, and in the fall of 1880 the father settled in Dakota, where our subject went in the spring of 1881 and filed a homestead claim to land adjoining his father's farm, and also took land as a pre-emption. He lived at home and worked with his father in common until 1886, when he erected a small house and began life on his own farm, and has continued there since with good success. He engages in diversified farming, and since 1897 has devoted some attention to the raising of full blood Short Horns. Surface water is not plentiful on the place, hut a good flow is obtained by an artesian well sunk to a depth of one hundred and forty feet, which throws the supply within four feet of the surface. Mr. Menzies has erected a comfortable and commodious dwelling, and has furnished it with all modern improvements, and the appointments of the home bespeak culture and refinement in every particular.
Our subject was married, in 1886, to Miss Rachel McConnell. a native of Canada. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Menzies, as follows: Roy P., Myrtle, Duncan A., Roberta D. and Harold B. The children are given the best educational advantages, and Mr. Menzies provides every advantage for mental improvement in his power and has a home of refinement and good cheer. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious faith is a Baptist and a member of the church of that denomination. He served as assessor of his township for several years, and is earnest in his endeavors toward the up building of his community, and his success and good name are well merited.
JOHN L. PARISEAN, dealer in farm machinery in the village of Joliette, Pembina county, is one of the substantial citizens of that district. He owns and operates four hundred and eighty acres of land near the town, and also buys grain during the season for the Victoria Elevator Company, and is stationed at Joliette. He is a striking example of our self-made man, and has attained a high station as a man of good principles and excellent business tact.
Our subject was born near the town of St. Gabriel de Brandon, Quebec, Canada, January 5, 1860, and was the third in a family of seven children born to Louis and Julie (Melancon ) Parisean, both of whom were of French descent. The father is deceased and the mother makes her home in Joliette township, Pembina county, North Dakota. The father located on land in Pembina county in the spring of 1879 and in the fall of that year the family joined him in the new home. Our subject assisted on the home farm during his boyhood and until about seventeen years of age, and was educated in the French language. He knew no language but his own when the family went to North Dakota, and had many experiences while in search of work. He finally obtained work on the railroad in Manitoba, and later began working on the Dalrymple farm in Cass county, North Dakota, and while employed there made a home study of English and learned to read and write the language. When he attained his majority he entered a homestead claim to land adjoining the village of Joliette, and began farming in a modest way. He prospered in his work and his farm has now reached the extent of four hundred and eighty acres, and while the first property was valued at less than three hundred dollars it is now valued at over seven thousand dollars, due to the improvements of the farm, and the excellent drainage system of the city of Joliette, the site of which in early days was covered with water. Mr. Parisean began buying grain in 1895 and in 1898 established in the machinery business. He enjoys a good patronage and carries a complete line of implements and is one of the leading business men of the town.
Our subject was married, in 1888, to Mary Henry. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Parisean: Annie, Henry, John L., Ida, James and Thomas. Mr. Parisean is chairman of the village board and is active in public affairs and an . earnest worker for the better interests of those among whom he lives.
HON. ERNEST H. RESTEMAYER resides on a valuable farm about one mile east of the city of Cavalier, and has all the advantages of a country home and the social advantages of the city. He is one of the representative farmers of Pembina county, and owns and operates eight hundred acres of land and devotes his entire attention to agricultural pursuits.
Our subject was born in Huron county, Ontario, Canada, January 24, 1856. He is of German descent, and his parents, Ernest and Elizabeth (Mueller) Restemayer, were both natives of Germany and came to Canada in early life and were pioneers of that part of Huron county where our subject was born. They reared a family of four children, of whom our subject was third in order of birth. The father died November 6, 1899, and the mother survives and makes her home in Canada.
Our subject remained on the pioneer Canadian farm until twenty-six years of age, when he heard of the Dakota free lands, and in 1880 went to North Dakota to view the country. He went again in 1882 with his family and purchased land in Cavalier township, a few miles east of his present home. He purchased the land for cash and then had no means with which to improve the farm, and his present comfortable financial condition is the result of his industry and honest efforts. He invested eight thousand dollars in the half-section of land on which is located his present home, and he has a fine property and gives his children the best educational advantages.
Our subject was married, in 1878, to Miss Martha Geiger. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Restemayer, named as follows: Edmund W., Alvin J., Venetta J., Mahlon J., Harvey G., Mary E., Norman E., Clara S. and Milton H. Mr. Restemayer was elected state representative in 1898 and served one term, and was on the following committees: Agricultural, state affairs and apportionment. He introduced several measures and was an efficient member of the legislature. He served six years as chairman of the township board and is prominent in local affairs. He holds membership in the Evangelical church, and politically is a Republican.
HON. ROBERT B. RICHARDSON, residing in Drayton, Pembina county, is retired from active labors, and enjoys the results of a well-spent career. For many years he successfully conducted farming near the city, and thoroughly improved his place and ranked among the foremost men of his calling. His active public spirit has never been called in question, and he has served his community in various capacities and always faithfully and well and is one of the honored men of North Dakota.
Mr. Richardson was born in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, April 20, 1840, and was of English extraction. He and an elder sister were the only children born to Robert and Ellis (Baker) Richardson. The father, after arriving from England, cleared a farm of one hundred acres in the Canadian woods and there our subject was reared to manhood. His education was limited to lessons in a log school house and he had no studies after the age of twelve years, and his boyhood and early manhood were passed quietly in the routine of farm labor. He assumed charge of the farm upon the death of his father in 1874, and later decided to seek a home in the west and in the spring of 1879 visited the country northwest of Winnipeg and then went to Pembina county. North Dakota, and in the southeastern corner of the county found a settlement of progressive Canadians and determined to join them. He filed claim to and in section 25. in Dayton township, and then returned to Canada and in the fall went again to Dakota and erected a house. A disastrous prairie fire swept through the settlement about that time and three persons met death, and many head of stock and much property was destroyed, and this disaster cast a deep gloom over the little settlement. The family joined our subject in the spring of 1880 and they were permanently located in Drayton township. It is noteworthy that the public move of this settlement was the establishment of a public school, and true to the early progressive spirit they have always led in public enterprises of merit. Mr. Richardson developed a farm of eight hundred acres, where he resided until 1899, when he retired to private life in the village of Drayton.
Our subject was married, in 1862, to Miss Ann Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have been the parents of eleven children, in order of birth as follows: Elizabeth E., now Mrs. William Halfpenny; Mary, now Mrs. Thomas McDonald; Ellis, now Mrs. T. F. Newans; Thomas, engaged in farming: Sarah E., deceased; Elmer, a law student: Robert, engaged in farming; William, also an agriculturist; Joseph, deceased; Anna B. and Harold, deceased. Mr. Richardson took a seat in the constitutional convention at Bismarck in 1889 and held the office of state representative in the first general assembly. He was an active Farmers' Alliance man and became a prominent leader of the new party in county and state, and in 1896 was placed at the head of the state ticket by his party, and in the race for governorship carried the full force of his party's ballot, but failed of election. He is now retired from active life and is non-partisan politically and a strict prohibitionist. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
GEORGE TAYLOR, proprietor of a fine farm in Bathgate township, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest resident settler of his township, and has a Handsome home in section 10, and follows diversified farming with unbounded success.
Our subject is a native of Puslinch township, Wellington county, Canada, and was born February 17, 1850. He was the eighth in a family of nine children born to Samuel and Margaret (Hutcheon) Taylor, who were of English and Scotch extraction, respectively, and are now deceased.
Mr. Taylor worked at home with his father most of the time until 1879, and also followed carpentering some, and in the spring of 1879 he gathered together his available resources, amounting to about two hundred and fifty dollars, and went to North Dakota, and filed a pre-emption claim on the land which he now owns. He erected a small log house for himself and wife on the banks of the Tongue river, and was fortunate in his choice of land, his home now being but about a half-mile from the town of Bathgate. He at once began to develop the farm, and his first crop was from nineteen acres of ground, and he lived by finding odd jobs at carpenter work and hunting wild game. There were two other settlers near his home, but they afterward left, and he was then the oldest settler of the township, after their departure. He built a small board addition to his log house and there resided twelve years, when he erected a modern and commodious residence, and now has a fine home, well finished and furnished with excellent taste. His residence and outbuildings are among the best in the county, and were all designed by himself and built with his own hands. He engages in stock raising to some extent, and deals in Poland China hogs, Clyde horses and graded Shorthorn cattle. He has made a success of his career, and now has one of the well improved farms of the township.
Our subject was married, in 1876, to Miss Isabella Thompson. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, as follows: Robert, deceased ; Winona, deceased; Grover Cleveland, deceased ; Adlai S., deceased; and John T. Mr. Taylor assisted in the organization of what was originally Hamilton township, comprising Hamilton and Bathgate townships, and became the first chairman of the township board. He became assessor of Bathgate township upon the organization of the township, and served eight years, and in 1896 was elected county commissioner for the third district for a term of three years, and was re-elected in 1899, in which capacity he still serves. He is a Master Mason, and member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a Democrat, and is firm in his convictions.
HERBERT C. THOMSON, a member of the firm of Thomson Brothers, dealers in hardware and lumber, in Bowesmont, Pembina county, is one of the rising young business men of that locality. He has been identified with tlie financial growth of the town and county and is widely and favorably known.
Our subject was born in Goderich, Ontario, Canada, December 19, 1864, and was the fourth in a family of five children born to James and Elizabeth (Collins) Thomson. His father is well known in Pembina county as a gentleman of good business ability and much social influence. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in November, 1830, and is now traveling in quest of better health. The mother of our subject was a native of England, and the parents emigrated to, America while children, and were married in London, Ontario, where the father established himself in the wagon-maker's trade. To provide land and possessions for his children he went to Pembina county, North Dakota, in September, 1880, and entered claim to land in section 21, in Lincoln township, and the family joined him there in the spring of 1881. This was the beginning of a permanent settlement near Bowesmont, and through the influence of Mr. Thomson many Canadian families were induced to try their fortunes in Dakota. The father of our subject sold his farming interests in 1887 and removed to Neche, Pembina county, and became cashier of the Bank of Neche. He went to Bowesmont, in July, 1890, and established a hardware and lumber business, and in 1891 our subject became a partner of the business. A brother, Oscar W., bought a partnership in the business in 1895, and the father retired to private life, and now enjoys the fruit of his labors. He was always a stanch Republican and a man of broad ideas and good business qualifications.
Mr. Thomson has prospered in the mercantile business and the firm now has a liberal trade and is one of the well known business firms of that locality. Our subject has served as postmaster of the Bowesmont office since 1894 and is a popular and efficient officer.
Mr. Thomson was married, in 1888, to Miss Mary Spinning. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomson, named as follows: Edna, Roy, Ross, Lynn and Fred. Mr. Thomson is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Ancient Order of United Workmen. In political faith he is a Democrat and is firm in his convictions, but is popular with the people regardless of party affiliations.
HON. JOHN THORDARSON, one of the early settlers of Pembina county, is well known as a man of good business qualifications and I well known as a man of good business qualifications and is highly esteemed by the people among whom he lives. He resides in Hensel and is engaged in buying grain there, and for many years was identified with the farming interests in Pembina county.
Our subject is a native of Iceland and was born on the farm Svinarnes-on Eyafjord, Thingeyarsislu, August 20, 1846, and was the oldest of a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. His father, who still resides in Iceland, was a shipbuilder and pilot, when fourteen years of age our subject began fishing and at the age of eighteen years shipped on a vessel for a cruise of shark fishing. He took a course in navigation of an old sea captain when twenty-two years of age and was soon afterward made captain of a fishing vessel and for six seasons caught sharks among the icebergs. He experienced a ship wreck on the north coast of Iceland and death was escaped by running the ship into the rocky coast as an only means of escape. He embarked for America August 5, 1873. and arrived at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, November 6, where he obtained work in a ship yard and later in a furniture factory and worked two years in a linseed oil manufactory. In 1877 he went to Winnipeg and in October, 1878, removed with his family to Pembina county. North Dakota, and entered claim to land in Carlisle township, where he lived Carlisle township, where he lived three years and then sold his interests and purchased a farm in Gardar township and lived there until 1891, when he went to Hensel as manager of the lumber yards of the Robertson Lumber Company, which position he held until 1897, and then began buying grain for McCabe Brothers and has since been stationed in Hensel in that capacity. He has several times been a member of the township and school boards in Pembina county.
Our subject was married, in 1871, to Miss Rosa Jonson. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorardson, as follows: Emma, a native of Iceland, now Mrs. R. D. Swingel; John, operating an elevator at Nash, North Dakota; Olof, deceased; Franklin, a student at St. Peter, Minnesota ; Kristian, deceased; O. K. Lillian and Kristin. Mr. Thorardson was called upon by the people to serve as a state representative in 1898 and served one term and was an efficient and faithful member of the general assembly. He served as chairman of the committee on election and privileges and was a member of the following committees: Military, warehouse and grain grading, forestry, taxes and tax laws. He is a Republican politically. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and Masonic fraternity and Independent Order of Foresters.
 ELIS THORWALDSON, postmaster and merchant of Mountain, Pembina county, North Dakota, is the pioneer merchant of that village, and is well known as a progressive and energetic citizen. He was born in Iceland, September 22. 1867.
Our subject worked at home when a boy and was tutored in Iceland and in 1881 emigrated to America and located in Pembina county. North Dakota, and remained in Akra township one year and then went to his brother's farm in Cavalier county in the Pembina mountains, and there followed farming for about three years, after which he worked at farm labor for others about two years, and in the fall of 1887 went with his brother Horace to the Pacific coast. He worked in a furniture store in Seattle, and upon the introduction of the electric street railroad in that city worked as motorman for two years. He established a grocery business in Seattle in 1890, which he conducted two years, and then sold his business and went on a visit to his relatives in North Dakota. Upon his arrival there he stocked a country store in partnership with his brother, Stig, and in January, 1894, purchased a small stock and store building in Mountain, Pembina county, of P. Johnson & Company, and continued the business on a small scale for a time, but has increased his stock and now carries the most complete stock of general merchandise in the village, his stock being valued at $6,000. He also owns two hundred and fifty acres of land in Pembina county, and one hundred and sixty acres in Cavalier county, and has made a success of his career and earned a good competence by faithful efforts and good management.
Our subject was married, in 1894, to Miss Hattie Snowfield. Mrs. Thorwaldson was born in Iceland September 14, 1862, and emigrated to America in 1879 with her father, her mother having died in her native land. Mrs. Thorwaldson went to Duluth, and remained there three years and in 1882 joined her father in Thingvalla township, Pembina county. She attended the Grand Forks University when it was established, and in 1885 taught school at Mountain and followed the work six years in that vicinity, and is one of the oldest instructors in western Pembina county. She was appointed postmistress of Mountain, in 1891. and held the position until her marriage to our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Thorwaldson are the parents of six children, named as follows: Willmar H., Octavia S. and Elizabeth T. (twin girls), Sidney T.. Alfred S. and Elfreda M. (twin boys). Our subject takes an active interest in all matters of a public nature and is serving his second term as chairman of the township board and fourth year as school director. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious belief is identified with the Lutheran church. Until 1896 he supported the Democratic party in politics, but owing to the money question became a Republican and is a man who keeps pace with the times and wields an influence for good local government, and his success socially and financially is well merited.
 STIGUR THORWALDSON. the efficient and popular postmaster of Akra, and general merchant of that place, is of foreign birth, but brought to this country the thrift and industry of his native land, and has prospered amid the discouragements under which many others would have given up the struggle, and he is now one of the substantial men of that region. He owns extensive farming lands near the town, which he devotes to diversified farming with marked success, and has a prosperous mercantile business in the town. In the accumulation of the estate, Mrs. Thorwaldson has borne a fair share of the good management which has resulted so well.
Our subject was born in Iceland, December 17, 1853, and was the eldest of a family of twelve children born to Thorwald Stigson and Wilborg Johnsdatter, both of whom are deceased. He was born on a farm, and engaged in stock raising and fishing with his father until he reached the age of twenty-five years, when the father died, and our subject assumed sole charge of the farm. After three years of work thereon, he decided to emigrate to a larger field of labor, and with a fair knowledge of English and hearing much of the Red river valley, he decided to try his fortune in the Northwest in America, and in the fall of 1881 left the old country, and September 8 arrived at Pembina with the mother and ten brothers and sisters. He rented a house for the family in Akra township, and then went to Cavalier county in search of a location, but finding none to suit returned to Pembina and soon afterward married. Mrs. Thorwaldson has homesteaded land in Joliette township, and that was sold and the quarter where they now reside was purchased, and they took up their permanent residence on the banks of the Tongue river. They had a log cabin for a home, and began the development of the farm, and until 1888 met with success at farm work. They made permanent improvements, and in the fall of that year, with a capital of four hundred dollars, which he had accumulated, started a small country store in a frame shanty connected with their dwelling house. Fire destroyed the house and store in 1890 and caused a total loss. They soon afterward rebuilt and stocked again with a small supply, and in 1892 his brother Elis and our subject formed a new firm and built a good building which the store now occupies, and increased the stock. Our subject and wife assumed sole charge of the business in 1895, and still conduct the same. They now carry a stock valued at five thousand dollars, and enjoy a good trade. Mr. Thorwaldson was appointed postmaster of Akra post office when the same was established in 1891, and has held the office since that date. He and his wife own four hundred and eighty acres of good land, and in 1898 a pleasant and comfortable residence was erected.
Mr. Thorwaldson was married in North Dakota to Miss Thorunn Bjornsdotter, to whom he was engaged in his native country. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorwaldson, named as follows : Thorwald ; Bjorn ; Wilmur P., deceased ; Olafer K.; Wilmer P.; Aleph S.; Paulina: Thorbjorg G.; Jennie E. and Thoren S., deceased. Our subject was the first treasurer of Akra township, and has since served in that capacity. He was the Republican candidate for the state legislature in 1896. but the ticket was defeated. He is a delegate to county and state conventions, and is active in public affairs. He holds membership in the Lutheran church and Modern Woodmen of America.
SWAIN THORWALDSON, who enjoys the distinction of being the youngest officer in the court house in Pembina county, is rapidly rising to prominence and carries a remarkable influence for one of his years. He is a gentleman of integrity and persistent efforts, and is serving in the capacity of deputy auditor of Pembina county.
Our subject was born in Kyelduskogum, Iceland, May 25, 1875, and was a son of Thorwaldur and Vilborg (Jonsdotter) Stigson. He was the youngest of fifteen children, and his father died while our subject was an infant. In 1881, the mother and eight children, piloted by the eldest son, crossed the water, and in September, located at St. Vincent, Minnesota, and soon afterward came to Akra township, and there purchased land, and our subject was reared to farm life. He was deprived of school advantages until his fourteenth year, and he then finished the common schools and clerked in his brother's store at Akra. He entered the Globe Business College at St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1896, and after completing the business course returned as clerk in his brother's store, and in August, 1898, purchased land in Avon township. He was appointed deputy auditor of Pembina county in March, 1899, and took up his residence in the city of Pembina, and is now serving in that capacity and is gaining popularity as a public official.
Our subject was married, in 1898, to Miss Kristbjorg Johnson, also a native of Iceland. One son has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thorwaldson, upon whom they have bestowed the name of Waldimar Stigur. Mr. Thorwaldson is a Republican in political sentiment, and is a man who keeps pace with the times and lends his influence for good government and the up building of the community in which he makes his home, and well merits his high standing.
VIDALIN CONGREGATION OF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, of Akra, Pembina county, was established in 1886 by Rev. P. J. Bergmann, and was the pioneer congregation of central Pembina county. Rev. Jonas A. Sigurdsson is the present pastor, and the church is now in a flourishing condition financially and steadily increases in membership.
Vidalin congregation was divided and subdivided and finally almost ceased existence until 1893, when Rev. Sigurdsson was sent there as pastor, and under his guidance the interest has continually increased and the congregation now consists of about one hundred families.
Jonas A. Sigurdsson was born in Iceland, May 6, 1865, and was the oldest in a family of four children born to Sigurden and Gudrun (Jonasson) Sigurdsson. The family is from an old Norse family and the father of our subject was a farmer by occupation. Our subject was given a good education with private tutors for three years and graduated from the Agricultural College and remained at home until about twenty-two years of age. He then emigrated to America to further his education, and went to Hamilton, Pembina county. North Dakota, in 1887, and there began at farm work and attended the English schools. He entered the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary at Chicago in 1890, and graduated with the class of 1893, and a portion of the last year was spent in practical work in Pembina county. He was ordained a minister June 25, 1893, and at once assumed charge of Vidalin church and congregation at Pembina. Five congregations are now under his charge, including Vadalin congregation, with a church building; Pembina congregation, consisting of fifty families, and a church building erected under the management of our subject; Hallson congregation, established by our subject in 1894, and has thirty-five families and a church building erected in 1899; Peter's congregation in Akra township, Pembina county, organized in 1893, and has about sixty families and a church building; and Grafton congregation at Grafton, North Dakota. From fifteen to sixteen hundred communicants are in church and all the various congregations are on a firm financial standing, and the work is progressing most satisfactorily. Mr. Siguardsson is interested heartily in his work and is beloved by his people.
Our subject was married, in 1890, to Miss Oddrun Frimann. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sigurdson. named as follows: Torfi, Jonas and Haraldur. Mr. Siggurdsson is a strong temperance worker, and is a leader of reform in that line.
"THE SEMI-WEEKLY WALHALLA MOUNTAINEER," the only semi-weekly paper published in North Dakota, is a newsy, eight-page sheet, and is owned and edited by Charles H. Lee, in Walhalla, Pembina county.. The paper was established March 1, 1897, as a weekly, but within a few months assumed its present form, and now enjoys a widespread circulation. It is a non-partisan sheet, devoted to an unprejudiced review of current topics, and a careful presentation of local events. The office of the "Mountaineer" is roomy and well-fitted for press and job work of all kinds.
Charles H. Lee, editor and publisher of the above named paper, is a man of good education and progressive nature, and is steadily rising to prominence in newspaper circles, and also as a business man and citizen. He was born in the Empire state, May 13, 1859, and was the elder of two children born to Henry S. and Laura A. (DeLong) Lee. He remained in New York state until he was about nine years of age. when he removed with his parents to Joliet, Illinois, and there attended the public schools and the university. The family moved to Webster City, Iowa, in 1873, and there our subject learned the printer's trade and then led a roaming life, working at different places in Iowa, and also in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in November, 1882, arrived at Devils Lake, then known as Creelsburg, and worked on the "Inter-Ocean" two years. He went to Bathgate in 1886 and worked on the "Pembina County Democrat," and in 1892 established the "Neche Oak Leaf." His plant was destroyed by fire in 1895, and he returned to Bathgate and joined the Pink Paper force and then established himself at Walhalla, as before mentioned. Success has attended his work and he now enjoys a good business.
Our subject was married, in 1890, to Miss Catherine Naomi Campbell. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lee, named Wilson C. and Ivanhoe D. L. Mr. Lee has devoted much time and attention to the preservation and gathering together of the history of Pembina county and Walhalla in particular, and his pamphlet entitled, "The Long Ago," contains matter of interest to all old settlers of North Dakota, and comprises historical sketches of the Red river valley from 1799 to the present time. Mr. Lee is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Independent Order of Foresters and Modern Woodmen of America.
HENRY W. WALLACE, widely known as a merchant and agriculturist, is a pioneer settler of Pembina county, and one of the first to establish a mercantile business in the town of Drayton. He conducts the harness business there and also deals in horses and has extensive farm land near there and also Minnesota lands in the Red river valley. He operates the farm near Drayton and leases the lands in Minnesota and is one of the progressive and energetic men of his community.
Our subject was born in Ontario, Canada, November 12, 1856, and was the fifth in a family of nine children born to Hugh and Margaret (Metcalf) Wallace, both of whom are deceased. The father was Scotch and the mother of English descent. At the age of sixteen years our subject began work as a harness maker, and in 1878 quit the bench and started for Manitoba and from there came to Pembina county. North Dakota, and filed on land in section 25, in Drayton township, and devoted himself to farming. He shipped a carload of horses from Mason City, Iowa, in 1888 and this was the beginning of a business which he has since conducted with remarkable success. He has brought into the country a class of farm horses well adapted to general work and his sales average over two hundred and fifty head per annum. He established the first harness shop in the town of Drayton and continues in that business. His farm near the city comprises one half-section and he is actively engaged in its improvement and cultivation and has made a success of that line of work.
Our subject was married, in 1882, to Miss Lottie Larter. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, named as follows: Edna H., Hattie M., Reginald L. and Earl H. Mr. Wallace is active in affairs of a public nature and has served as alderman of the first ward in the town of Drayton. In political faith he is a Republican and a delegate to county conventions of his party and an earnest worker for party principles.
HON. JOHN D. WALLACE one of the most prominent men of Drayton, Pembina county, is engaged in farming and also deals extensively in stock and has made a success of both enterprises. He is a man of persistent character and honest efforts and has reached his present high standing by his push and energy
Our subject was born in Ontario, Canada, February 24. 1845, and was a son of Donald and Harriet (Lasby ) Wallace. He was the eldest in a family of nine children, all of whom are living with the exception of the youngest son, who died from the effects of the campaign with Roosevelt's Rough Riders. The Wallace family belong to the old Highland Scotch clan Wallace. The grandfather of our subject left Scotland for South America in 1827 and from there went to Guelph, Canada, where he made a home.
Mr. Wallace grew up to farm work and February 20, 1881, joined a brother in Pembina county, North Dakota, and being favorably impressed with the prospects there filed claim to the southeast quarter of section 22, in Drayton township. He had signed papers of security for friendship's sake and was reduced in consequence from a position of financial ease to almost nothing and with his wife and a family of six small children went to Dakota in February, 1881, and took up his residence there without sufficient means to begin operations on his homestead and worked for others to earn a livelihood for himself and family. Within a few months the wife died and he then removed his children to Drayton, where they might be cared for, and amid these discouragements began working at his farm improvements. He started to deal in stock in 1882 and along that line his success has been marked. He now has a good property and a comfortable home and has gained his possessions single handed.
Our subject was married, in 1867, to Miss Hannah Patmore, who died in 1881. Six children were born to this union, as follows: Mary M., now Mrs. H. H. Healy, M. D., of Michigan City, North Dakota ; William H., cashier of a bank in Belview, Minnesota; Edward H., bookkeeper and cashier of Amenia & Sharon Land Company at Amenia, North Dakota: Ernest H.. now studying law; Lewis H., a graduate of Hamline University, and a member of Company H, Thirteenth Minnesota Regiment in the Spanish-American war, who was severely wounded at the battle of Manna; and Charles H., a member of Company H, Thirteenth Minnesota, now a student in Hamlin University.
Mr. Wallace was married to Miss Mary Larter in 1883. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, as follows: Ella L and Maxwell R. Mr. Wallace was elected to the state legislature m 1896 and the following election was returned in the same capacity. He served as chairman of the steering committee during both sessions and was an efficient member of the general assembly. He also served on the railroad committee. From 1884 to 1886 he was county commissioner and is a man of active public spirit and well merits success. He holds membership in the Masonic fraternity. Ancient Order of United Workmen, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Independent Order of Foresters and is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican and is a stanch member of his party.
BJORN F. WALTERS, deputy sheriff of Pembina county, stands among the rising young men of North Dakota. He has gained an assured position as a public-spirited citizen, and is a man of ability and practical nature, and has gained his reputation through honest industry and strict adherence to justice, and is a representative man of the community in which he makes his home.
Our subject was born in Iceland, October 7, 1869, and is the third in a family of four children born to Josafat and Gudny (Gudlogsdottir) Walters. The father farmed in Iceland, and our subject received a good education and studied English some in his native place. The family emigrated to the United States in 1885, and located in Dakota territory, where one of the daughters had resided two years. The father was aged, and the support of the family fell upon our subject, then fifteen years of age. He located the family at Pembina, and began working out at farm labor among the agriculturists of that locality. He never attended the English schools, but read books of all kinds, and well remembers reading twice the first book he attempted before he mastered the sense of what he read. He began work for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1888, as assistant agent, and in 1890 established a dray line in Pembina, and later again entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. He was appointed deputy sheriff of Pembina county in 1896, and served one year, and in 1897 went to Winnipeg, and founded an Icelandic paper, known as "Heimskringla," (The Globe). He became deputy sheriff' again in Pembina county in 1899, and is now serving in that position and is ably discharging the duties entrusted to him and gaining popularity with the people.
Our subject was married, in 1889, to Miss Sophia Halldorson. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walters, named as follows: Johannes. Svava, Halldora Asta, and Haraldur Oscar. Mr. Walters has mixed in public affairs since his early manhood and has a strong following in his community. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and Modern Woodmen of America, and politically is a Democrat, and is an earnest worker for party principles. He has made a success of his career in North Dakota and is deservedly popular.
HON. WILLIAM J. WATTS, residing on section 34, township 164, range 54, in St. Joseph township, is one of the well-to-do and energetic men of Pembina county. He owns and operates three hundred and twenty acres of land and has accumulated his fortune by dint of his own earnest efforts.
Our subject was born in London, England, March 31, 1849, and is the oldest in a family of five children born to William and Maria (Cole) Watts, natives, respectively, of Northampton and Devonshire, England, both of whom are deceased. The parents died each at the age of eighty-two years, and are laid to rest in Hyde Park cemetery.
When our subject was about ten years of age the father settled in Ontario, Canada, and there began farming, and as he has been employed as foreign sorter for fifteen years, farming was entirely new to him and was likewise a strange life to our subject. He assisted on the home farm, however, until nineteen years of age, when he entered the employ of Ludgate Lumber Company, of Peterboro, Ontario, and remained with them twelve years, and in 1878 went to California and in the spring of 1879 visited his brother-in-law in Pembina county, and while there entered claim to the land which he now owns, and was on of the earliest prairie settlers. He built a temporary log house and stable and worked in the lumber woods and at odd jobs, but was compelled to begin farming in debt for machinery. He erected a substantial and modern residence in 1897 and enjoys the comforts of rural life and has a good farm in every particular.
Mr. Watts was married, in 1880, to Mary J. Johnson. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watts, named as follows: Herbert E., Ward E. and Nora. Mr. Watts assisted in the organization of his township and has served in most of the important offices of the township, including clerk and notary public. He was eleven years on the township school board as clerk and chairman. As proof of the confidence placed in him he was elected a state representative in 1898 and while serving was chairman of the joint committee and also the committee on charitable institutions and served as a member of the engrossment, highway, bridges and ferries, six in all, and military committee and committee on municipal corporations. He is a stanch Republican and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Independent Order of Foresters.
PAUL WILLIAMS, county auditor of Pembina county, is one of the popular and efficient public officials of the county. He has resided in that locality for many years, and has an extensive farm in Liberty township, the homestead being in section is where he located in 1882. Mr. Williams has been identified with the educational affairs of that region almost continuously since taking up his residence there, and is a well known instructor, and a man of excellent education and character, and is deservedly held in high esteem.
Our subject was born in Prince Edward county, Province of Ontario, Canada, November 8, 1850, and is the fifth of a family of seven children who grew to maturity, born to Dr. Daniel Y. and Sarah (Trumpour) Williams. The father is of English extraction and resides in Canada at an advanced age, and the mother was of German descent. Our subject was reared on a farm and at the age of sixteen years entered Bellville University and continued there until the year of his graduation, when he discontinued his studies and began teaching school. Subsequently he entered Ontario Commercial College, and completed the course of study with the class of '75. He then taught one year, and later went to the Pacific coast in the fall of 1876, and worked in the quartz mines, later prospecting for himself. In the spring of 1882 on his return trip to his home he changed his course of travel and arrived in Pembina, June 12, and soon afterward began work on a farm in that vicinity and the following winter cut cord wood at Cavalier. In July of the first summer spent there he filed claim to land in section 18 in what is now Liberty township, and erected a frame shanty, and in the fall of that year was joined by his wife and children, and has followed farming to some extent since that time. He began teaching in the town of Cavalier and also taught thirteen terms of school in Akra. and was identified with the educational interests of Pembina county until 1898. He began the development of his farm about 1885, and now owns four hundred and eighty acres, all of which is well improved. and is now conducted by the eldest son of our subject.
Mr. Williams was married, in 1887, to Miss Martha Loonier. Two sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, as follows: Alvah, who now conducts the home farm, and LaFayette. Mr. Williams was elected county auditor of Pembina county in the fall of 1898, and has held the office since that date, and discharged the duties of his position with fidelity and increasing popularity. he is a strong temperance man, and a member of the Christian church, and politically is a Republican.
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