Trails to the Past-ND-Ramsey Co-Biographies Pg 3

 

Trails to the Past

Ramsey County North Dakota Biographies

 

 

HENRY LAKE. The fine farms of Ramsey county place it among the thriving agricultural districts of North Dakota. One of these well regulated tracts is owned and operated by Henry Lake, who resides in section 24 of Dry Lake township, and is known as a progressive and intelligent member of his community. He has beautified his home farm, and has added to its value as well by planting fourteen acres of trees around his residence, and the landscape in that vicinity is thereby enhanced in beauty. Other valuable improvements have been added from time to time, and the family enjoys a pleasant and comfortable home.

Our subject was born on a farm in York county. Ontario, Canada, June 11. 1856. He was reared and educated in his native county, and remained in Ontario until the spring of 1882, when he came to Ramsey county. North Dakota. He was engaged in teaching six years in Canada, and after taking up his residence in North Dakota devoted his entire attention to the development of his farm. He now owns four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, and follows general farming with good results and is well-to-do.

Our subject was married in Ontario county, Ontario, Canada , to Miss Mary Jane Scott, a native of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Lake are the parents of five living children, named as follows: Leila L., Ruddy C, Elmer L, Olive and Charlotte M. Arksey, the second child of the family, was drowned in a tub of water at the age of twenty months. Mr. Lake is a man of active public spirit, and was the first township clerk of Dry Lake township. He has also been township treasurer and a member of the township board of supervisors, and has held the office of assessor for several years. He and wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and are active in church affairs of that denomination, having been members since 1888. Mr. Lake is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.


THEODORE A. LUROS, president of the Farmers Bank of Crary, North Dakota, is a gentleman of excellent characteristics and is widely and favorably known as a citizen and business man. He was born near Decorah, Winneshiek county, Iowa, December 4, 1864. He was reared on his father's farm in that county and remained there until 1890, engaged in farming and stock raising.

Mr. Luros was elected register of deeds in Winneshiek county, in the fall of 1890. and served one term. In the early summer of 1893 he went to Crary, North Dakota, and, in company with Edgar Anderson, established the Farmers' Bank of that town, opened for business June 26, and Mr. Luros has since acted as president of the institution. He is also engaged in buying and shipping horses from the eastern market for North Dakota.

Mr. Luros was married, in Winneshiek county, Iowa , to Miss Hannah Anderson, a native of Winneshiek county, and a daughter of Anon Anderson, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Winneshiek county. Mr. and Mrs. Luros are the parents of one child, named Floyd T. Mr. Luros is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of the Maccabees and Modern Woodmen of America.


JOHN W. MAHER. This gentleman is one of the leading attorneys of Devils Lake, North Dakota, and stands at the head of the Ramsey county bar. He was born on a farm near Streator, Illinois, December 18, 1856.

Mr. Maher was reared in his native place and received a high-school education at Streator and then entered the University of Michigan, where he took a special literary course and graduated from the law department of that institution in the class of 1880. After spending one year in the law office of Duncan & O'Conor, at La Salle, Illinois, he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, in the spring of 1881, and entered into partnership with Hon. George H. Walsh. They continued their practice together until September, 1893, when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Maher went to Devils Lake, where he has since been located in the practice of his profession. From 1884 to 1886 he was district attorney for Towner county. He was treasurer of Ramsey county two years and is largely interested in Ramsey county and adjoining counties.

Our subject was married, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 29, 1884, to Miss Sadie Coleman, a native of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Maher are the parents of six children, who are named as follows: Mary M., Josephine E., Kathleen, Howard, Wallace and Evangeline. Mr. Maher takes an active part in all matters of interest in the development of the county in which he lives and for many years he has been president of the Business Men's Union of Devils Lake. He takes an active interest in the Chautauqua Association and has been one of the directors of the association since its organization. He enjoys an extensive practice and has attained his high standing as a lawyer and citizen by his honest and faithful efforts for the advancement of his community and the manner in which he deals with the cases entrusted to his care. He avoids litigated cases and recently his law business is mostly as counselor. He is courteous, pleasant spoken and takes a prominent position in the social affairs of his locality and is an all around worthy and prominent citizen of Ramsey county. Since he has resided at Devils Lake Mr. Maher has placed a large amount of money in farm loans in this vicinity for eastern parties and is one of the few loan agents in North Dakota who can say that no client has ever lost a dollar of principal or interest on a loan placed in his hands.

 


 

PHILIP A. MANSEAU, the genial proprietor of the Cottonwood Grove farm, located on section 25, Grand Harbor township, is one of the most widely known men in the county. He has done much to advance the prosperity of Ramsey county by his example of fine stock raising and there is no man in North Dakota who is a better judge of fine stock or a more thorough stock man.

Mr. Manseau was born in Nicolet, province of Quebec, Canada, January 1, 1861. He was reared and educated there and resided there until 1883. In the spring of that year he came to Ramsey county and took up a tree claim and pre-emption claim (three hundred and twenty acres). He has made this his home and has witnessed the rapid development of his adopted county, and has been a part of its growth and history. He is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres and has made many valuable improvements on his property. by far the most important department of his business is that of fine stock breeding. His Percheron horses are the pride of the community and he has made a marked success in the line of cattle raising, his choice being the Short Horn variety. He also raises Berkshire hogs and Plymouth Rock chickens and all his choice varieties are the purest blood.

Mr. Manseau was married, in Quebec, to Miss Marie A. Courtchesne, who was born January 18, 1865, in La Bale, in the province of Quebec, where she was reared to womanhood. To this congenial union five children have been born, namely: Marie Gabrielle A., Marie Sylvia, Marie Camille, Marie Beatrice and F. P. Horace E. Their home is one of refinement, where the visitor always meets with a cordial welcome. Mr. Manseau has taken an active interest in public matters and has been en-trusted with some of the more important local offices. He has become thoroughly identified with the interests of his adopted county and is a valued member of the community where he makes his home.

 


JAMES O. MARK, residing on section 2 in Grand Harbor township, enjoys the comforts of a country home, and conducts a model farm. He has resided in North Dakota since the early days of its settlement, and is thoroughly identified with its development, and has aided in the extension of the agricultural resources in Ramsey county in a remarkable degree.

Our subject was born on a farm in Victoria county, Ontario, Canada, March 12. 1833. He was reared in his native place and received a common school education and continued his residence there until .March, 1882. In August of that year he went to Ramsey county, North Dakota, and at once located on the land on which he now resides and where lie has followed agricultural pursuits continuously since. He has placed valuable improvements on his place in the way of residence, barns, and other buildings, and has made a success of farming in North Dakota. He owns six hundred and forty acres of land, and is one of the solid men of his community.

Our subject was married, in Victoria county, Ontario, Canada, to Miss Mary Jane Hoover, who was born and raised in Victoria county, Ontario. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mark, upon whom they have bestowed the names: Ethel M., Alice and Ada. Mr. Mark has taken a hearty interest in all matters tending to promote the general welfare and to develop the business or society interests of his community, and has aided in various ways in the up-building and strengthening of good local government. He has served as a member of township board of supervisors, and also as a member of the school board three years and county commissioner of Ramsey county. As a man and citizen he is highly respected, and as an agriculturist he has made a success in his adopted state. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Knights of the Maccabees.

 


 

 

HON. PETER J. McCLORY, state's attorney for Ramsey county, is a practicing attorney of Devils Lake, where he has a fine home and prospers in his profession. He is associated in his work with Hon. J. F. Cowan, attorney-general of North Dakota.

He was born in the city of Quebec, Canada, September 15, 1859. When quite young he left his native place and resided in Erie, Pennsylvania, Chicago, and other places until he came to Devils Lake, North Dakota, in May, 1882, and took up a claim near Grand Harbor. He was appointed first justice of the peace when the county was organized in January, 1883, and held that office continuously until 1892. He began the study of law in 1883 and was admitted to the bar in Devils Lake, Ramsey county, in 1886. In 1884 he was elected clerk of the district court of Ramsey county and in 1886 was elected county judge and re-elected in 1888, holding the office two terms. From 1892-95 he was in the Indian service at Fort Totten, as chief clerk of the agency. He was elected state's attorney in 1894 and was re-elected in 1896 and again in 1898. He served as assistant secretary of the senate in 1889 and 1890 during the first state legislature.

Mr. McClory was married in Devils Lake, North Dakota, in 1886, to Anna M. Adamson, of Kenosha, Wisconsin . Mr. and Mrs. McClory are the parents of two children, named as follows: Sherman and Margaret. It is needless to comment on the public life of our subject as he is one of the well known men of North Dakota , and is held in the highest respect and esteem by all.


HON. JAMES McCORMICK. This gentleman is one of the most prominent citizens of Coulee township, Ramsey county, having resided there since 1883, and has always been associated with  every good enterprise or public project which had  for its purpose the up building of business or social  interests in his community. He is a man of the highest integrity of character, intelligent and well educated, and well merits his high social standing.  His home is in section 12, of Coulee township, where he conducts a good farm and enjoys rural  life.

Our subject was born in Queens county. Ireland, April 21, 1847, and when he was about six  years of age came with his parents to America.  He resided in LaSalle county, Illinois, for many years, and was there reared to manhood, and from there enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in February, 1865. He was in the service eight months, and then returned to LaSalle county, Illinois, and engaged in railroad contract work, grading, for some twelve years. In April, 1883, he went to North Dakota, and at once located on the farm where he now resides, and where he has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has made valuable improvements and erected good buildings, and cultivates and owns two sections of land.

Our subject was married, in Wayne county, Iowa, in the town of Allerton , June 22, 1876, to Miss Cynthia A. Carmony, a native of LaSalle county. Illinois . Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, and are named as follows: Jessie M., Mabel, Ada C. and James L. A daughter, Margaret, died at the age of fourteen months. Mr. McCormick was elected to the first state legislature in 1889, and his efficient work and popularity while a member of that body is best evidenced by the fact that he was returned to the senate in 1890. He was president of the board of trustees of the North Dakota School for the Deaf four years., being appointed by Governor Shortridge, and he has been county commissioner for Ramsey county from 1885 to 1889, and was again elected' in the fall of 1898, and is now serving. He has always been identified with the Republican party politically, and is an earnest politically, and is an earnest worker for party principles.


GEORGE McDEVITT, a prosperous merchant ofGrand Harbor, North Dakota, is a gentleman of wide business experience and has made a success of his life work. He is an old settler of Ramsey county, and has aided materially in its advancement and his name is associated with many of the public enterprises which make that country well known.

Our subject was born in Olmstead county, Minnesota, October 13, 1862, and was reared in the city of Rochester, Minnesota, and educated in the public schools and high school at Grand Meadow in Mower county and also took a course at Curtis Business College in Minneapolis. He then dealt in horses in Minneapolis from 1879 until 1881, and in November of that year went to Fort Totten and after a short stay there returned to Minnesota. In the following spring he again went to Fort Totten and entered the employ of Peck & School, who were the post traders there and remained in their employ five months, after which he returned to Minnesota. In the spring of 1883 he again located in North Dakota, and soon afterward engaged in farming in the vicinity of Devils Lake. He followed that occupation until the spring of 1889, when he engaged in the mercantile business at York, Benson county, and continued there until the fall of 1891. He then went to Grand Harbor, Ramsey county, and erected the building in which he now conducts the business and has since followed mercantile pursuits there. Mr. McDevitt was appointed postmaster of Grand Harbor in June, 1894, under President Cleveland, and held the office until June, 1899, proving himself an efficient officer and gaining the confidence of the people of Ramsey county.

Our subject was married in York, Benson county. North Dakota, to Miss Frances Roney Buckley, a native of Rochester, Minnesota. Mrs. McDevitt died in Grand Harbor, North Dakota, June 7. 1900. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McDevitt, two of whom are living, and bear the names of Lucile F. and George L. Esther died at the age of about three years. Mr. McDevitt is prominent in local affairs, and has served as chairman of the board of supervisors of Grand Harbor township and has filled other minor offices in his township. He is a man of ability and energetic effort and is deservedly hold in high esteem by all.

 


 

 

 

JUDGE LUTHER D. McGAHAN, editor and publisher of the "Free Press," of Devils Lake, is one of the widely-known newspaper men of North Dakota. He is a gentleman of intelligence, good education, systematic and public spirited, and commands respect wherever he is known. He was born in Ravenna, Ohio, September 25, 1865.

Mr. McGahan was reared to manhood and educated in his native place and resided there until April, 1885, when he went to North Dakota and was engaged in editing a paper at Winona. In the spring of 1887 he went to Williston, North Dakota, in advance of the railroad, and established "The Williston Beacon," and published that paper until 1889, when he sold his interests and removed to Minto, North Dakota, and in company with George W. Wilson established "The Minto journal." He remained there until 1891, and then disposed of his interests in Minot and located in Devils Lake, where he has since resided. In 1892 he established the "Free Press" in company with Siver Serumgard, and they operated the plant together until the spring of 1895, when Mr. Serumgard retired and Mr. McGahan became sole owner. The paper is Republican in politics and boasts a circulation of eleven hundred copies each issue. Mr. McGahan has devoted his career to newspaper work and has met with unbounded success.

Our subject was married, in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 4, 1889, to Miss Jennie H. Spelman, a native of Stark county. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McGahan are the parents of two children, named as  follows: Luther S. and Aileen S. Four children born to Mr. and Mrs. McGahan died in infancy.  Our subject served, one term as chief of the enrolling and engrossing force in the state senate and as bill clerk in the senate one term. He has been city justice at Devils Lake for six years and is actively interested in local affairs of a public nature and works earnestly for the up building of his town and county. He established the lodge of the Knights of Pythias at Devils Lake and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Knights of the Maccabees and is prominent in each of the orders.


JOHN McKAY. Among the farmers of Grand Harbor township, Ramsey county, who have been potent factors in the up building of that locality, there is no better representative than Mr. McKay. He has a pleasant home in section 12 and is proprietor of the well-known Grand View Farm. This is one of the estates of that region on which a remunerative business may be done by strict attention to details, and the subject of this review has chosen well and made a success of his work there.

Mr. McKay was born in Ontario county, Canada. May 14, 1858. He was reared on a farm in his native county and remained there until 1884. In the spring of that year he went to North Dakota and settled on a farm where he now resides. He has held continuous residence thereon and has erected substantial and commodious buildings and otherwise improved the place and made it a fit habitation in every particular. The land is made to yield abundantly and modern methods and machinery are used in the garnering and disposing of the products of the place. The estate covers five hundred and twenty acres, and is one of the finest farms of Ramsey county.

Our subject was married at Devils Lake, North Dakota, to Miss Cora Conner, a native of Iowa . Mr. and Mrs. McKay are the parents of three children, who are named as follows: Robert C, Iva M. and Gladys. Mr. McKay is a man of excellent character, enterprising and hearty in his support of public enterprises which tend to the development or advancement of his community. He has been called upon by the people to serve in various local offices, and is always found ready to perform his duties faithfully and with a oneness of purpose that is commendable, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellows.


PETER McKONE. The farming interests of Dry Lake township, Ramsey county, have a worthy exponent in the person of the gentleman above named, who operates a farm in section 8. The entire tract is improved and tillable, and altogether makes up an estate whereon a remunerative business may be done by intelligent and earnest industry. In the way of buildings every arrangement has been made for the economical conduct of the farm, and for the comfort of the family a nice residence has been constructed.

Our subject was born in county Armah, Ireland, in 1835. He left his native isle in 1847 and came to the United States, and from 1847 to 1854 lived in the city of New York. He then went to Lee county, Illinois, and remained there two years and then removed to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he followed farming. He resided there, engaged in that occupation, until 1883, and in the summer of that year removed to North Dakota. He settled on the farm where he now resides and at once began the improvement of the place, and now owns four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, and follows general farming with pronounced success.

Our subject was married, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Miss Margaret Kelley. Mrs. McKone was born in lower Canada, and removed with her parents to Wisconsin when she was but a year and a half old and was reared and educated in Waushara county, that state. She is a lady of high accomplishments and with her husband enjoys the respect and esteem of many friends. Mr. and Mrs. McKone are the parents of eight children, who are named as follows: named as follows: Thomas, .Mary E., Edward P., Owen F., Peter J., James R., Margaret C. and Anna G. Mr. McKone is a gentleman who keeps pace with the times and wields an influence for good in his community and supports good local government.


DUNCAN C. McLEOD is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of Crary, North Dakota. He has a fine estate in Stevens township, Ramsey county. and is also largely interested in other financial enterprises of that locality. He is the present efficient and popular postmaster of Crary and has made a success in his work in North Dakota.

Our subject was born near North Sidney, Nova Scotia, February 15, 1858, where he was reared and resided until 1878. After attaining his majority he went to Michigan and was employed at carpenter work on the Detroit, Saginaw & Ray City Railroad (now the Michigan Central) between two and three years and then went to South Dakota. He followed the same line of work there until the summer of 1883. when he went to Ramsey county, North Dakota, and located near the village of Crary and has been a resident of Stevens township since that date. He owns nine hundred and twenty acres of land and since 1890, in addition to his farming, he has been employed by the Minneapolis & Northern Elevator Company in buying grain. He is also a member of the firm of McLeod & Kavanaugh, who conduct an extensive hardware business in the town of Crary. Mr. McLcod was appointed postmaster of Crary in 1898 and is ably discharging the duties of that office.

Our subject was married, in Niagara, North Dakota, to Miss Mary R. Nason, a native of Maine . Mr. and Mrs. McLeod are the parents of three children, who are named as follows: Duncan C, Jr., Lucile and Eva S. Our subject is prominent in secret society circles and is a member of the Masonic fraternity in the Scottish Rite, being a thirty-second-degree Mason, a Royal Arch and a Mystic Shriner, and also is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Modern Woodmen of America. He takes a hearty interest in all public affairs of local importance and is deservedly popular with the people among whom he has passed so many years and is held in high esteem by all.


HENRY MEDELMAN ranks among the foremost agriculturists of Stevens township, Ramsey county. He has a pleasant home in section 34, and is a young man in whom the people find active public spirit and progressiveness.

Our subject was born in Homewood, Cook comity, Illinois. January 12, 1857. His father, Frederick Medelman, died in Homewood, Illinois, and when our subject was about fourteen years of age the family, consisting of mother, step-father and children, removed to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on a farm, where our subject resided until 1881. In April, of that year, he went to North Dakota and lived in Grand Forks county about two years, and in the spring settled on his claim in Stevens township, Ramsey county, which he had taken the fall previous. He has since resided thereon and has added valuable improvements to the place, and it is one of the best farms of the township and furnishes a home of more than usual comfort. The most approved methods and modern machinery are used in its cultivation and Mr. Medelman has made a success of his work in North Dakota. He now owns eight hundred and eighty acres of land and has gained his possessions by his push and energy.

Our subject was married, in Devils Lake, North Dakota . December 29, 1892, to Miss Mary E. Orr, a daughter of William Orr, of Stevens township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Medelman was born in Peoria, Illinois , February 3. 1870, and was reared in Springfield, Illinois . Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Medelman. three of whom are now living and are named as follows: Mary C, Francis H. and Emily E. A son, William F., died in infancy. Mr. Medelman is actively interested in the general welfare of his community and has served in various local offices, including member of the township board of Stevens township. His calling is one of the honorable vocations of man and in the pursuit of farming he has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growth of that section of the country and is deservedly held in high esteem by his fellows.


ENSIGN P. MERRICK. The subject of this sketch may be truly classed as one of the leading farmers of Dry Lake township, Ramsey county. He has been numbered among the agriculturists of that county many years, and in prosecuting his farm work is very industrious, progressive in his ideas, and makes the best of his opportunities. He has built a good home in section 10, where cheerfulness and hospitality reign.

Our subject was born on a farm in Jefferson county. New York, in the town of Antwerp, March 31, 1834. He was reared in his native county, and resided there until 1873, where he was engaged chiefly there until 1873, where he was engaged chiefly in farming, but spent four years in lumbering. He went to Big Rapids, Michigan, in the summer of 1873, and engaged in buying and shipping produce until March, 1879, and then removed to Edmore, Michigan, and followed the same business there four years. He was also street commissioner, and had charge of the water works of that place. He went to North Dakota in April, 1883, and settled on the farm on which he has since been a resident. He has followed agricultural pursuits exclusively, and has erected good buildings on his home farm, and completed a comfortable home. He now owns and operates four Hundred and eighty acres of land, and is one of the substantial farmers of his community.

Our subject was married in Champion, Jefferson county, New York, to Miss Maria P. Peck, a native of that county. Mrs. Merrick died at Big Rapids. Michigan, August 13, 1873. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Merrick, of whom three are now living and are named as follows: William R.. Fred E. and Stella M. Mr. Merrick was married, July 3, 1878, to Miss Amelia Pool in Theresa, Jefferson county, New York. Mrs. Merrick is a native of Jefferson county, and is a lady of refinement and good education. Mr. Merrick was a member of the first board of supervisors of Dry Lake township, and has also served as a member of the school board. He was chairman of the board of supervisors of Dry Lake township for upwards of twelve years, and has always taken a good degree of interest in public affairs, and lends his influence for good local government.

 


 

 

WILLIAM D. MILLAR. The mercantile interests of Grand Harbor, North Dakota, have a worthy exponent in the person of Mr. Millar. He is engaged in the hardware and lumber business and has acquired a comfortable competence and a wide reputation as a worthy citizen.

Our subject was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, September 27, 1865. He was reared in his native place and educated in the Woodward College of Cincinnati, and resided there until the spring of 1884, when he came to Ramsey county. North Dakota, and engaged in farming in Grand Harbor township. He followed this occupation about one year there and then was engaged two years in carrying mail from Devils Lake to Great Falls, Montana. Soon afterward he engaged with A. M. Powell in the real estate and loan business at Devils Lake, and after two years embarked in the same business in Devils Lake for himself, which he continued until 1896, and then removed to Grand Harbor, where he has since followed mercantile pursuits. He enjoys a liberal patronage in the hardware and lumber business and has made a success of that line.

Our subject was married in Osnabrock. Cavalier county. North Dakota, to Miss Anna Cairns, a native of Canada. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Millar, three of whom are living, and are named as follows Helen C, Anna C. and Andrew. A daughter, Bessie D., died March 23, 1900. aged nine years. Mr. Millar is a gentleman of broad mind and his public spirit has never been called in question. He is the present treasurer of Grand Harbor township and school clerk, and is active in all matters pertaining to the up building or development of his township and county. He holds membership in the Knights of Pythias Lodge.

 


 

LOUIS H. MILLER, a substantial and influential business man of Grand Harbor, has been a resident of Ramsey county since its early settlement, and has much to do with the political history and business development of his section of the state of North Dakota.

Mr. Miller is a native of Norway, where he was born January 2, 1858. He was reared and educated in the land of his birth, and grew to maturity there. In 1880 he came to America, landing in New York in October of that year. He first went to Chicago, where he remained two years, and then, in April, 1882, came to Ramsey county, and took up land near Graham's Island. He remained there only about one year, when he went to Norway township, in 1883, and took up land and began permanent improvements. He put his farm in a good state of cultivation and followed farming successfully about nine years. He then came to Grand Harbor, in 1893. in the early spring, and opened a hotel, and also engaged in the lumber business. The hotel he conducted about one year, then sold it, and put in a line of farm machinery in connection with his lumber business, and has since handled these two lines of business together with, great success. He has an extensive trade, and is constantly increasing his business. He also operates his farm and stock business. He is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Norway township, and he has, by careful and judicious management and hard work, secured for himself and family a comfortable home and ample competence for after years.

Mr. Miller was married at Devils Lake to Miss Anna H. Larson. Mrs. Miller was born in Wisconsin. To this union six children have been born, five of whom are living, named as follows: Alfred S., George L, Thomas, Clarine W. and Louise. They lost one son, Leander, when he was two years old. Mr. Miller has taken an active interest in public affairs and has always been interested in matters of an educational nature. He was one of the organizers of Norway township, and is thoroughly acquainted with the history of Ramsey county, and is entitled to mention among those who have developed its resources and prosperity.

 


 

 

 

 

EGILD T. MOEN, of the firm of Serumgard & Moen, is one of the well-known real estate men of Devils Lake, North Dakota, as well as a pioneer of the state. He was born on a farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, October 5, 1858.

Our subject was reared in his native place until seventeen years of age and attended school in La Crosse two years and then went to Wilmar, Minnesota, where he attended school two years. He sought the far Northwest in 1879, and that year located in Fargo, North Dakota, and engaged in buying wheat two years, after which he was employed in the real estate and law office of Hazen & Clement and after spending two years there went to Devils Lake. North Dakota, in September, 1883, and engaged in the real estate and loan business, which business has since claimed his attention. He is largely interested in real estate and is one of the well-to-do men of his community.

Our subject was married, in Fargo, North Dakota, October 15, 1884, to Miss Reca Steele, a native of Germany. One son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Moen, who died January 22, 1894, when he was seven years of age. Mr. Moen is a courteous, genial man and has hosts of friends in Devils Lake.


HON. DAVID E. MORGAN, district judge of second judicial district residing in Devils Lake is one of the prominent men of Ramsey county, North Dakota.  He is a man of good education, intelligent and honest in his efforts and has a host of friends in that locality, where he has spent over seventeen years of his life.  He has gradually built u an extensive law practice and has long stood at the head of the Ramsey county bar.  He is loyal and determined and his success is well merited.

Our subject was born in Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio, November 8, 1849.  He removed with his parents to Sauk county, Wisconsin, when he was a child and there he was reared on a farm.  He was educated in the common schools and at Platteville Normal School, where he graduated in 1873, and then took a special course at the Wisconsin University one year.  In the meantime he taught school one year at Ironton, Wisconsin, and was also principal of the Chilton high school one year.  He was elected clerk of the circuit court of Sauk county, Wisconsin, and was re-elected to the same office and studied law with Judges Remington and Barker of Baraboo, Wisconsin, during the five years that he held such office, and resigned from the position in 1881.  He was admitted to practice in 1880, and first commenced the practice of law at Grand Forks, North Dakota.  He went there with Hon. A. H. Noyes, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, now a judge in Alaska, and he and Mr. Noyes formed a partnership for the practice of their  profession, which existed one year, when Mr. Morgan, in 1883, went to Devils Lake and established his office there and in September, 1883, entered into partnership with Judge McGee, now of Minneapolis, and has continued his practice there since that date. He was elected state's attorney of Ramsey county in 1884 and re-elected in 1886, serving in that capacity two terms. He was elected district judge in October, 1889, and has held the office continuously since that date. He has performed his duties faithfully and well and is widely and favorably known for his equity and judgment.

Mr. Morgan is a genial, popular gentleman and was recently nominated by the Republicans for judge of the supreme court and the Democratic convention endorsed by such nomination. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has passed the thirty-second degree of the order.


WILLIAM J. MORGRIDGE, the genial and efficient postmaster of Grand Harbor, is one of the prominent and substantial business men of Ramsey county, and one who has done much to promote the welfare of his community.

Mr. Morgridge was born in Franklin county, Maine, in the town of Chesterville, August 25, 1844. He spent a portion of his boyhood there, and attended the public schools. At the age of thirteen years he went to Manchester, Maine, and lived there on a farm, working and attending the common-schools until 1873, when he went to Hallowell, Maine. He was engaged in the shoe business at that place for the five years following, and then, in the latter part of the '60s, he went to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he opened up a mercantile business. In 1897 he came to Dakota, taking up his residence at Valley City, and there engaged in farming, and was for two years deputy register of deeds.

It was in June, 1882, when he entered Ramsey county. He located in Grand Haven township and engaged in farming, in which he made fair money at the business until 1889, when he came to the village of Grand Harbor and entered the mercantile business, in which he has since been engaged with great success. He has steadily increased his trade, and enjoys a substantial patronage from all the surrounding country. He was appointed postmaster of Grand Harbor in April, 1899. Mr. Morgridge has always been active in the interests of good government, and has held the office of township clerk, and also that of school treasurer, and has always used his influence and has labored for the good of his community. He has a host of friends, and the confidence of all with whom he has had dealings. He is a member of the Masonic fraternities.

 


 

 

NORMAN MORRISON, one of the most extensive and influential farmers of Freshwater township, went to Ramsey county in early days and has remained to witness its growth and development and aid materially in the same. He resides in section II, where every appointment of the farm and house bespeak intelligence and good taste.

Our subject was born on a farm in Glengary county, Ontario, Canada, March 1, 1859. He was reared and educated in that county and resided there until 1886. In July of that year he went to Ramsey county. North Dakota, and there joined his brothers. Duncan and Finley J. The three brothers farmed in partnership and operated the farm under the firm name of Morrison Brothers. Duncan Morrison died in October, 1890. The brothers erected good buildings and made valuable improvements and they owned and operated fourteen hundred acres of land. The land is fertile and well located and furnishes a good annual income.

Norman Morrison was married, in Glengarry county, Ontario, Canada, to Miss Jennie McLeod, a native of that county. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Morrison, of whom two sons died in infancy, and a daughter, Sarah B., is the only surviving child. Mrs. Morrison died in Freshwater township, Ramsey county, in January, 1895. Our subject was subsequently married in Ramsey county, North Dakota, to Mrs. Christena Maggie (McNaughton) McMaster, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are active members of the Presbyterian church, Webster Chapel, and Mr. Morrison is a trustee of that denomination. He is a man of good judgment and earnest convictions and has served as chairman of the township board of supervisors since 1890 and is also a member of the school board, acting as treasurer of the same.

 


 

JOHN MUNIG, residing on section 17. of Freshwater township, Ramsey county, is one of the intelligent and enterprising farmers of his community. He is of foreign birth, but brought to this country the thrift and economy characteristic of the children of the German fatherland, and he is highly esteemed in his locality for these characteristics and the position he has gained as a prosperous farmer.

Our subject was born in Germany, in January, 1846. He spent the early years of his life until sixteen years of age in his native land, and about 1862 came to America. He resided in the city of New York for some time, and then enlisted in Company C, Sixty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry in Company C, and served eighteen months. He was engaged at the battle of the Wilderness, and was severely injured, his left hip being broken. After his discharge from the service he returned to New York, and after a short time went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and resided in the state of Wisconsin until the spring of 1883. That spring for the first time he set foot in Ramsey county. North Dakota, and at once located on the farm on which he has since resided. He owns nine hundred and forty acres of land, and his home farm is well improved, and the entire tract is tillable and furnishes a good competence. In the way of buildings the place compares favorably with any farm of that locality, and Mr. Munig gives the place his personal supervision.

Our subject was married in Brown county, Wisconsin , to Miss Anna Seidenklantz. Mrs. Munig died in Freshwater township, Ramsey county, in September, 1891. One child was born to this union, who bears the name of Louis. Mr. Munig was married in Freshwater township to Mrs. Emma (Leet) Bradley, a native of Norway . Mr. and Mrs. Munig are the parents of three children, named as follows: Flora B., George W. and Frank. Mrs. Munig was the mother of one child by her former marriage, a daughter, named Grace E. Our subject has taken a good degree of interest in township and county affairs of a public nature, and is one of the esteemed and influential citizens of his locality.

 

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