HON. HARRY A. NICHOLSON. As an all around prominent man of Ramsey county no one of its citizens more justly deserves the title than Mr. Nicholson. He resides in Crary and has extensive financial interests in the town and vicinity and has done his share in promoting the growth and development of that thriving place. He was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 6, 1858.
Our subject was reared on a farm in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and for two years prior to taking up his residence in North Dakota he was employed as clerk in a general store at Battle Ground. Indiana. In July, 1882. he went to Ramsey county. North Dakota, and settled on the north shore of Devils Lake in Minnewaukon township, near the town of Odessa, where he resided and proved his pre-emption claim. He spent most of his time there until 1891, when he located in the town of Crary and has engaged in the grain and machinery business there since that date. He erected an elevator at Crary in 1899, which has a capacity of twenty-five thousand bushels, and he has also been largely interested in real estate since taking up his residence in Ramsey county. The elevator is operated by Mr. Nicholson, under the name of "The Golden Grain Elevator." Our subject has prospered in each of the enterprises in which he has embarked and is now one of the substantial men of his community.
Mr. Nicholson was married at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, in 1890, to Miss Elizabeth Beebe, a native of Minnesota . Three sons have been born to this union, who are named as follows: Harry Raymond, Jesse, and Lawrence. Mr. Nicholson is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Maccabees, and Modern Woodmen of America. He is most prominent in public affairs of his locality, and has held the principal offices of Stevens township, and was appointed by Governor Francher, as a trustee of the school for the deaf at Devils Lake , and is president of the board of trustees. He is the popular choice of the people for state representative and is a man in whom all repose confidence.
AUGUST H. NOLTIMIER, president of the North Dakota Bank at Churchs Ferry, is one of the well-known and influential business men of Ramsey county. He is interested largely in various financial enterprises of the village and locality, and is a gentleman of excellent characteristics.
Our subject was born on a farm inWarren county, Missouri, September 18, 1855. At the age of five years he removed with his parents to Minnesota, and settled on a farm near St. Paul, which land is now included in the city of St. Paul. He was reared to manhood there and at Cottage Grove. Minnesota. He left home in the .spring of 1878 and went to North Dakota , and engaged in farming in Barnes county, where he remained until the fall of 1881. He went to Larimore in the spring of the following year and engaged in the mercantile business with his brother, Hon. H. A. Noltimier, and continued there until the winter of 1886, when he removed to the old Churchs Ferry and engaged in the mercantile business until July. He then disposed of the business and about two years later engaged in the stock business, and also farm machinery business in company with the late John Erie, and was thus engaged until the spring of 1891, when he purchased an interest in the North Dakota Bank, and the lumber business in which he has since been engaged. He was chosen president of the bank in the spring of 1900. He had formerly served as assistant cashier of the institution. He owns four hundred and eighty acres of land in that locality, and is one of the solid men of Ramsey county.
Our subject was married, at Churchs Ferry, North Dakota, to Miss Nellie C. Campbell, a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Noltimier are the parents of one child, who bears the name of Ruth A. Mr. Noltimier has served as a member of the board of supervisors of Coulee township, and takes a hearty interest in local public matters. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Modern Woodmen of America.
HON. HENRY A. NOLTIMIER, a prosperous farmer residing near Churchs Ferry, is active in sustaining the agricultural interests of his community. He gives special attention to stock raising, and has met with success in Ramsey county, and now enjoys a happy and pleasant home, and owns about eight hundred acres of land.
Our subject was born on a farm in Warren county, Missouri, October 13, 1853. When he was seven years of age he accompanied his parents to Minnesota, where they settled on a farm near St. Paul, which is now included in the city of St. Paul. After seven years they removed to Cottage Grove, Minnesota, where our subject was reared to manhood. He attended the public schools and also the Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, Missouri, and also took a commercial business course at La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1873. He taught school several years in Minnesota, and then engaged in the mercantile and machinery business at St. Paul for some years. He went to Larimore, North Dakota, in the spring of 1882 and engaged in mercantile pursuits there until July, 1886, in company with his brother, August H. Noltimier. In July of that year he went to Churchs Ferry and engaged in the mercantile business until September 1, 1887. He spent one year in California and upon his return engaged in farming and stock raising. He has erected a complete set of excellent buildings on his farm and owns about eight hundred acres of land, and has made a success in Ramsey county.
Our subject was married in Washington county, Minnesota, to Miss Susie M. Heil, who died in St. Paul. Mr. Noltimier was married afterwards to Hattie E. Schofield, who died in Churchs Ferry. Two children were born to this union, who are as follows : Zoa E. and Warren H. Miss Clara L. Schofield afterward became the wife of Mr. Noltimier. Mr. and Mrs. Noltimier are the parents of five children, who are named as follows: Roy A., Mark O., Lillian M.. Alice I. and Bertha M. Our subject is an attendant and supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Knights of the Maccabees, and Good Templars. Our subject has always been prominent in his community and while residing in Larimore was one of the alderman appointed by the city of Larimore which was organized by special act of the legislature and took a leading part in its organization, and that of the schools. He is prominent in public affairs of Churchs Ferry. In the fall of 1890 he was elected to the legislature on the Republican ticket. He was elected county commissioner while residing in Larimore, but did not qualify for the office. He is interested in the up building of his community and county and aids every public enterprise.
FRANKLIN P. OLDS. In compiling a list of the early settlers of Ramsey county who have added to the fame of that locality as an agricultural district, a foremost place must be given the subject of this review. He entered Stevens township when the land was yet uncultivated and he has acquired a valuable estate therein, and has transformed a tract of four hundred and eighty acres into a well-improved farm and is now prepared to enjoy the comforts of country life. He has erected a good residence in section 33 and every appointment of the place evidences painstaking care and good taste.
Our subject was born in Van Buren county. Michigan. January 20. 1853. When he was seven years of age he removed with his parents to Fulton county, Ohio, and settled on a farm near Wauseon, where he was reared to manhood and received a common-school education. He resided there until 1882 and in the spring of that year went to Ramsey county. North Dakota, and at once entered claim to land in sections 28 and 33, in Stevens township. He has since held continuous residence there and has added to his claim from time to time as opportunity presented and is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land. He has erected a complete set of good buildings on the place and with modern machinery and other arrangements conducts the place in the best and most economic manner. He has followed agricultural pursuits exclusively and has met with unbounded success in his vocation.
Our subject was married in Fulton county, Ohio , to Miss Ida McArthur. a native of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Olds are the parents of four children, who are named as follows: Edwin R., Earl M., Ronald B. and Franklin R. Mr. Olds is well known as an old settler and well-to-do citizen and commands the highest esteem of his associates.
WILLIAM ORR. Among the gentlemen who are engaged in agriculture in Stevens township, Ramsey county, none are more useful in sustaining and extending its farming interests than Mr. Orr. He is one of the substantial and successful agriculturists and a man well versed in the most approved methods of operating a farm, and he has a pleasant home in section 28 of Stevens township.
Our subject was born in Egremont, county of Cumberland, England, August 21, 1843, and resided in his native place until June, 1854, when he left the old home and came to the United States with his parents. He first lived in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about one year, and then went to Henry county, Illinois, where his parents removed, and he resided there until February, 1857, and then took up his residence in Peoria county, Illinois. He continued his residence there until August, 1872, and then removed to Springfield, Illinois, in which city he resided for over ten years. He came to North Dakota in the spring of 1883 and has since resided in North Dakota in the spring of 1883 and has since resided in Ramsey county. He settled on a claim in Stevens township and at once began the improvement of the land, and now has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. He has devoted his entire attention to agriculture since taking up his residence in North Dakota, and has made a success of his work and now has a valuable estate from which he obtains a good income and is providing for his declining years.
Our subject was married, in Peoria, Illinois, April 25, 1869, to Miss Catherine Tracy, who was born in county Galway. Ireland, in 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Orr are the parents of three children, as follows: Mary E., who is now the wife of Henry Medelman, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work: William F.; and Elizabeth R., now Mrs. T. P. Walsh. Mr. Orr and family are members of the Catholic church and are held in high esteem in the community in which they have resided for so many years. Our subject is a man of active public spirit and is deservedly popular with the people. He has been called upon to serve in various local offices and has performed his duties faithfully and well.
ALBERT S. PATTEE, well known as Colonel Pattee, is a prominent business man of Devils Lake, North Dakota. He was born in Blissfield, Lenawee county, Michigan, May 4, 1845, and when he was five years of age removed with his parents to Ypsilanti, Michigan, where the mother died and two years later the father and children returned to Lenawee county and settled in Adrian, where they remained two years, after which they made their home in Lafayette, Indiana. There our subject was reared until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted, September 20, 1861, in Company A, Fortieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war and the last two years of his service he was on detached duty, serving in the post office department. At the last battle of Nashville his horse fell, breaking Mr. Pattee's left leg. After the war he returned to Indiana and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Seafield, where he was appointed postmaster and continued there for several years. He then removed to Monticello, Indiana, and continued in the mercantile business until 1882. He came to North Dakota in 1883 and settled on a claim in Minnewaukan township, Ramsey county, where he lived about two years. He then went to Devils Lake and purchased the hotel known as the Tower House, which he operated until April 20, 1900, when the hotel was destroyed by fire and Mr. Pattee and his wife barely escaped.
Our subject was married, at Seafield, Indiana, to Miss Maria Templeton, a native of Indiana and a daughter of the late Hon. James Templeton, who was a judge in Indiana several years. Mr. and Mrs. Pattee are the parents of four children now living, named as follows: Minnie E., Walter J., Jessie and Caius C. Mrs. Pattee is ex-president of the W. R. C. of Devils Lake.
JAMES O. PERKINS, residing on section 27, in South Minnewaukon township, Ramsey county, may be truly classed as one of the leading farmers of that region. He has for some time been numbered among the agriculturists of Ramsey county, and in prosecuting his farm work is very industrious, progressive in his ideas, and ready to make the best of his opportunities, and enjoys a comfortable and happy home.
Our subject was born in Stow, Massachusetts, June 25, 1852, and was reared in his native state and educated in the common schools. When he was eighteen years of age he started for the west and went to North Dakota in 1872, and followed carpenter work in Fargo and vicinity about ten years, until 1882. While a resident of that city he was interested in a flouring-mill with Charles A. Roberts, the firm being Roberts & Perkins, and in May, 1882, he went to Ramsey county. North Dakota. He entered a homestead claim to land in southern Minnewaukon township, and has continued his residence thereon since that date. He followed the grocery business in Devils Lake two years, and has since devoted his entire attention to farming, and has met with the best results. He has erected a complete set of comfortable and substantial buildings on his farm, and made other valuable improvements thereon and owns and operates a tract of eight hundred acres, most of which is tillable and furnishes a good yearly income.
Our subject was married in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, to Miss Ida Moran, who was a native of that town. Mrs. Perkins died on the farm in South Minnewaukon township, Ramsey county, November 23, 1889. Three children were born to this union, named as follows: Cora A., Laura M. and Hattie M. Mr. Perkins was married at Devils Lake, North Dakota, November 10, 1891, to Miss Mary A. Wheeler, a native of Illinois. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, who are named Urni W. and Marian Gladdis. Mr. Perkins is a gentleman of broad mind and is actively interested in the welfare of his community, and takes a leading part in all public affairs, and is one of the citizens of Ramsey county of whom his fellow men may well be proud.
CHARLES PETERSON belongs to that large class of intelligent and enterprising farmers whose homes are places of social refinement and culture, and whose work as developers of the country is a credit alike to themselves and the community. His estate is located in section 6 ofLake township, Ramsey county, and is one of the well-developed tracts of that region. Mr. Peterson is of foreign birth, but is thoroughly identified with the better interests of his adopted land, and is one of the worthy citizens of his township.
Our subject was born in Sweden, February 7, 1866. His parents came to America when he was about three years of age, and he has continued his residence in this country since that time. They reside in St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where our subject was reared and resided until 1885. In March of that year he went to Ramsey county. North Dakota, and was employed at different occupations and then spent one year in Montana, after which he returned to Ramsey county and has since resided there. He owns five hundred and thirty acres of land, which he has placed under high cultivation and engages in diversified farming" with good results.
Our subject was married in Devils Lake, North Dakota. December 25, 1895, to Miss Rosa Ambuhl. Two children have been born to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peterson, who are named as follows : Joseph J. and Blanche T. Mrs. Peterson was born in Austria, Germany, and at the age of twelve years came to America with her parents, Leo and Theresa (Weis) Ambuhl. The family located in
Ramsey county, where they now reside, in Newberry township. Mr. Peterson is a gentleman of broad mind and active public spirit and has served as a member of the board of supervisors of Lake township and taken much interest in local affairs.
FRANK PITCHER, proprietor of "Pitcher's Grove Farm," is a man of honest industry and has gained an assured position among his fellow men. He has made a success of farming and has aided in sustaining and extending the great agricultural interests of that region. His home is in section 3, in Lake township, and he conducts one of the large farms of Ramsey county.
Our subject was born in Chautauqua county. New York, January 3, 1846, and was reared and educated in Cattaraugus county, and resided there until about 1867. He then went to Iowa, and resided in Butler and Buena Vista counties and was engaged in farming and other occupations ten years. He then returned to Cattaraugus county and six months later again took up his residence in the west, settling in Barron county, Wisconsin, and there engaged in the livery business and contracting and lumbering until August, 1882, when he removed to North Dakota. He settled on his farm one mile south of Devils Lake, where he has since been a resident. He has added valuable improvements to his place and the farm affords a home of great comfort. He owns and operates nine hundred acres of land in Ramsey county, and is one of the solid men of Lake township.
Our subject was married in Chicago. Illinois, to Miss Susie Knowlton, who is a native of De Kalb county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher are the parents of two children, named as follows: Grace K. and Ida. Two sons are now deceased, as follows: George C, died July 6, 1899, aged nearly sixteen years, and Gordon, who died in infancy. Mr. Pitcher is a man of broad mind and his interests are centered in his community, and he wields an influence for good wherever he makes his home. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Lodge of Perfection, Scottish Rite, and Chapter.
ALBERT M. POWELL, who conducts an extensive real estate, loan and insurance business in Devils Lake. North Dakota, is one of the pioneer business men of Ramsey county. He has made a success of his work and enjoys a good competence.
Our subject was born in Dayton, Ohio, December 23. 1855, where he was reared and educated, graduating from the high school in that city, and he then engaged in the mercantile business in Dayton for some time. He went to Fargo, North Dakota, in the spring of 1882 and after a short stay returned to Dayton, Ohio, and in the spring of 1883 again went to Fargo, but soon returned to Ramsey county. He remained there some months and then went to Towner county, where, upon the organization of the county, he was appointed by Judge S. A. Hudson, clerk of the district court of that county, and had jurisdiction over the adjoining counties of Bottineau and Rolette, which were not then organized, and he filled the office several years. He took up land near the city of Cando, which he pre-empted. He went to Devils Lake later and was employed as bookkeeper for the mercantile firm of C. & L. Budde, where he remained about two years and then established himself in the real estate, loans and insurance business, which he has since conducted with good success. He is largely interested in real estate in the vicinity of Devils Lake.
Our subject was married at Crary, Ramsey county, North Dakota, to Miss Elsie M. Mooers, a daughter of Calvin Mooers, who was one of the pioneers of Ramsey county. Mrs. Powell is a native of Minnesota. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Powell, who are named as follows: Albert W., Arthur A. and Reginald C. Mr. Powell takes an active interest in all public affairs, educational and otherwise, and has served as president of the board of education of Devils Lake. He is an active worker in the Church of the Advent and is a prominent member of the Y. M. C. A. of North Dakota, and an earnest worker in that organization. He has always acted with the Republican party and is a man of broad ideas and firm convictions. He well merits his success and enviable reputation.
HON. FRANK H. PROSSER. senior member of the firm of Prosser & Serumgard, dealers in farm machinery in Devils Lake, is one of the well-known and influential citizens of Ramsey county. He was born on a farm in Delaware county, Ohio, July 25, 1858.
When our subject was two years of age his parents moved to Warren county, Indiana, and settled on a farm near Williamsport, where Mr. Prosser was reared to manhood. He was educated in the common schools and at Oberlin, Ohio, where he spent three years, and then engaged in farming two years in Warren county. He then began the study of law in LaFayette, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in 1880, and in the fall of 1882 went to Dakota and located a claim about seven miles southeast of Devils Lake. He resided thereon until 1884, and then removed to the city, where he has since been a resident. He was elected probate judge in 1884 and filled the office one year. He engaged in his present business in 1891, in company with Ole Serumgard, and is largely interested in real estate in Ramsey county.
Our subject was married in LaFayette, Indiana, to Miss Sally M. Glick, daughter of the late Dr. E. B. Glick, of LaFayette, Indiana . Mr. and Mrs. Prosser are the parents of two children, named as follows: Frank H., Jr., and John B. Mr. Prosser was elected to the state legislature in 1894, on the Republican ticket, and served one term, and did very efficient work for the development and advancement of the better interests of his community. He has served on the board of education in Devils Lake , and has held other minor offices in his township, and has always taken an active part in public affairs. He has prospered in his business ventures and enjoys an enviable reputation as a worthy citizen. reputation as a worthy citizen.
HALVOR C. RASMUSSEN. a public-spirited citizen and leading man of Ramsey county, is now residing upon his farm on section 13, Odessa township.
Mr. Rasmussen was born in Christiania, Norway, October 30, 1837. He was reared and educated in his native land and learned the trade of a printer in Christiania. He followed this occupation there until 1866, When he came to America. He landed in Quebec and proceeded to Chicago, Illinois. He lived in that city a number of years, spent one year in Milwaukee and six years in southern Kansas, returning to Chicago in 1874. While in Kansas he was engaged in farming. In 1877 he left Chicago and went to Decorah, Iowa, where he spent the following four years and then went to St. Paul, Minnesota. He lived there until 1887. During all this time from 1874 to 1887 he followed printers' business, and in the spring of that year came to Devils Lake, and was appointed postmaster at that place by President Cleveland. He had previously made a trip to Ramsey county in 1883, and had located a claim, which is now his home farm in Odessa township, and where his family resided until 1877, when they removed to Devils Lake. He held the position of postmaster for three years, and in 1890 returned to his farm in Odessa township, where he has since resided. He owns six hundred and forty acres, and has prospered in his finances.
Mr. Rasmussen was married in Christiania, Norway, to Miss Helle Trulsen, also a native of Norway, and to this union six children have been born, four of whom are now living, named as follows: Anton, Reinhard, Ingvald and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Rasmussen lost two children by death. Mr. Rasmussen has taken an active interest in public matters of a local nature, and has been chosen to some of the more important local offices. He has been a member of the board of supervisors and also school treasurer. He is a model citizen and a valued member of the community in which he lives.
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