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Taken from the Ramsey County web site
City of Devils Lake
This busy, growing and important city , situated mostly on Sections 33 and 34, in Town 154, Range 64, at the head of Creel's bay, was first settled by Lieut. H. M. Creel, Colonel C. H. Uline, wm. C. Farrington and Gardner S Moore, who made claims of the land now occupied by the city some time in 1882. The Oswald brothers and a man named List were also interested at one time, but sold their interests to the parties first named. A house, the first on the town site, was erected by the syndicate in October, 1882, previous to the laying out of the town. The survey of the town, which was at first Creelsburg, was completed July 25, 1883, and certified to by John Farrington, one of the trustees and owners. The St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba railway Company owns a five-eights interest in the town site.
The town proprietors erected the second building in March, 1883, for a business office. The first regular passenger train on the railway reached the place July 14, 1883.
A United States Land District, with an office located at this place, was set apart in the summer of 1883. The office was opened for business August 1, 1883. the district embraces a region nearly 100 miles square, bounded as follows: "commencing at a point on the 12th standard parallel between Ranges 63 and 64 west, thence north to the international boundary line, thence west along said boundary line to the 11th guide meridian, thence south along said meridian to the 12the standard parallel, thence east to the place of the beginning."
The officers at the land office are H. W. Lord, register and A. O. Whipple, receiver. A very heavy business has been transacted by this office since its establishment. The district embraces an area of about 6,000,000 acres.
The majority of the land within a radius of seven miles around the City of Devils Lake was claimed by squatters previous to its being surveyed.
The first lot sold in Creel City, as it was at first named, was lot 14 in block 24 for $750, by the railroad company on the 21st of May, 1883, to T. T. Lee, for a general store.
The town has had many additions and in the fall of 1883 the original plat and additions covered 1,137 acres. The lots then numbered 3,503, of which 400 had been sold for an aggregate sum of $200,000. the sales of a single day reached in some instances $20,000. the highest price paid for a lot to the time mentioned was $3,250.
The town is laid out on a liberal scale, with wide streets, and a boulevard 100 feet in width fronting the bay.
A range of low hills or high rolling prairie, technically known in local parlance as the "Devil's Back Bone," sweeps across the country east and west at a distance of about five miles north from the city. The land on this swell or ridge is all excellent for cultivation.
The first religious services were held in the town site company's office by Rev. Smith, a Presbyterian Minister, May 20, 1883.
There are several organizations in the place, including Presbyterians and Episcopalians, and some of them have erected houses of worship.
A private school was taught in the summer of 1883 by Mrs. Brainard. Steps have been taken to establish public schools, and probably by the time this work reaches the place, a school will be in successful operation, for the people of this region are in no degree behind the other wide awake citizens of the Territory.
There are two important banking institutions. The Bank of Devils Lake, the oldest in the county, organized under the laws of the Territory with a capital of $25,000, does a general business, including the sale of domestic and foreign exchange, money loans and collections. A. M Ferris, president; H. G. Stone, vice-president; O. B. Corsett, cashier.
The North Shore Bank of H. L. Prescott and J. A. Burnett, does a general banking business; loans money on real estate, deals in exchange and makes collections a specialty.
There is also a large number of real estate offices, about thirty attorneys, several physicians and resident clergymen, insurance agents, and every variety of business usually found in towns of like importance. A very large mercantile business is transacted with the surrounding country, including a considerable wholesale trade. Several firms have branch houses at St. John's, Bottineau, and Rolette or Willow Creek, at the foot of the Turtle Mountains. The Turtle Mountain and Mouse River country will no doubt contribute largely to the trade of Devils Lake in the near future.
Prof. Dwight F Bangs, superintendent of the School for the
Deaf, a state institution, located at Devils Lake, is too well known to the
people of North Dakota to need any introduction. His life has been devoted to
this line of work and he is favorably known wherever he has labored. Mr. Bangs
was born at Washington Heights, New York City, July 3, 1863. and one year later
removed with his parents to Flint. Michigan, where he was reared and educated.
His father. Prof. Egbert L. Bangs, was for many years superintendent of the
Michigan School for the Deaf, and there our subject received his knowledge of
the sign language. He graduated from the Flint high school and also attended St.
Johnsbury Academy at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, graduating in the class of 1886. In
the fall of that year he entered Amherst College, where he was in attendance one
year, and in 1888 went to Farribault, Minnesota, and accepted a position in the
Minnesota School for the Deaf, where he remained as teacher seven years. In
July, 1895, he was appointed superintendent of the School for the Deaf at Devils
Lake. This is a state institution and under the able management of the present
superintendent the attendance is constantly increasing
Our subject was married, at Faribault, Minnesota, June 5, 1890, to Miss
Cora Van Dorin, a native of Fairfield, Iowa, and a daughter of the late
Richard Van Dorin, who was a veteran of the Mexican as well as the Civil war.
Mrs. Bangs was educated in the public schools at Fairfield, Iowa, and also
attended a private school in that city, known as Axline University, six years.
She was engaged in teaching at Council Bluffs in the school for the deaf and at
Faribault, Minnesota, in a like institution three years. Since residing in
Devils Lake Mrs. Bangs has been matron of the institution of which her husband
is superintendent. The buildings are kept in first class order and neatness
rules throughout and Mrs. Bangs is the right woman in the right place. Mr. and
Mrs. Bangs have one daughter, named Gertrude. Mr. Bangs is
devoted to his work and the discipline of the school is of a high order and the
teachers are thoroughly trained and efficient.
[Source: "Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota", Publ. 1900.
Transcribed by Dena Whitesell]
Richard Daeley,
the efficient and popular postmaster of Devils Lake, is well known in that
locality and has done much to promote the growth of the city and Ramsey county.
He was born in Wellington county, Ontario, Canada. August 16, 1858.
Mr. Daeley spent the early years of his life until sixteen years of age in his
native place and then came to the United States and followed the blacksmith
trade in different places until January, 1881, when he went to Grand Forks
county. North Dakota. He followed his trade there and erected the first building
in Larimore and resided in that city until May, 1882, when he first appeared in
Ramsey county and has since been a resident of the county. He engaged in farming
until the spring of 1892 and then engaged in the grain business until the spring
of 1898. He was then appointed postmaster of Devils Lake by President McKinley
and is the present incumbent of the office, and faithfully discharging the
duties of his position.
Our subject was married, in Larimore, North Dakota, in the fall of 1882 to Miss
Anna Welch, a native of Ontario. Mrs. Daeley died in Ramsey
county. North Dakota, October 9, 1889. Three children were born to ]Mr. and Mrs.
Daeley, who are named as follows: John A., Mabel
and Bertha. Mr. Daeley was married to Minnie E. Kilday,
widow of William Kilday, February 22, 1898, at St. Paul,
Minnesota. Mrs. Daeley was a daughter of Colonel A. S. Pattee,
a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Daeley has one son by her
former marriage, named Albert. Our subject has always acted
with the Republican party politically and is a man of broad ideas and keeps pace
with the times. He is one of the leading citizens of Devils Lake and well
deserves the high station which he occupies in the minds of all with whom he is
acquainted.
[Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900.
Transcribed by B.Z.]
Lucius B Fancher,
county superintendent of schools in Ramsey County, whose home is in Devils Lake,
is making an enviable record as one of the foremost educators of the state. He
is thorough, systematic, and well educated, and is an earnest worker for the
advancement of the public school system of North Dakota.
Our subject was born in Du Page County, Illinois, August 3, 1860, and was reared
on a farm, and removed with his parents to Martin county, Minnesota, when he was
four years of age, and when ten years of age settled in Fairmont, where the
father moved owing to his election as clerk of the district court of Martin
County. There our subject grew to manhood and received a liberal education and
attended the Mankato State Normal, where he took the advanced course and
graduated in 1879, and also took special courses in different lines and a
business course in Minneapolis. After graduating from the State Normal he was
employed as deputy auditor of Martin County, and was thus engaged about a year
and a half, and then followed various vocations until he engaged in teaching as
a profession. He was principal of the schools at Jackson and at Sherburn,
Minnesota, and went to Mayville, North Dakota, in the fall of 1885 and assumed
charge of the city schools and remained three years in that capacity, and in the
fall of 1888 was elected superintendent of the city schools at Devils Lake, and
was also principal of the high school. He held the position until the close of
the school year in 1894, when he resigned and was elected county superintendent
of schools in Ramsey county. He did very efficient work and was re-elected in
1896 and again in 1898 and is now serving his third term in that office.
Our subject was married near Mankato, Minnesota, to Miss Amelia A.
Bradley, a native of Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Fancher are the parents of
three children, named as follows: Harlan R., Hazel
and Carroll E. For several years Mr. Fancher was secretary of
the Young Alen's Christian Association, at Devils Lake, and he was one of the
incorporators of the Devils Lake Chautauqua Association, and served as its first
corresponding secretary, and was a member of the committee that selected the
beautiful grounds of that now famous summer resort. He is prominent in state
educational work and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the people among whom
he labors.
[Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900.
Transcribed by B.Z.]
Prof. John A Haig.
As an efficient and popular educational worker this gentleman stands in a
foremost rank. He is superintendent of the city schools of Devils Lake, North
Dakota, and has devoted his entire life to this line of work and has met with
remarkable success, the schools of which he now has charge being noted for their
efficient management. Mr. Haig is progressive, enlightened and a tireless worker
and well merits his high standing and success.
Our subject was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county. New York. October 20,
1849. He spent the early years of his life in Potsdam and vicinity and was
educated in the common schools of the town and at St. Lawrence Academy, of
Potsdam. He graduated from Middlebury College at Middlebury, Vermont, in 1873,
and in the fall of that year was elected principal of the Madrid Union Free
School of Madrid, St. Lawrence county, which position he held two years, and
then went to Messena, New York, and served as principal of the Union Free School
and Academy five years. He then spent another year with his former school at
Madrid and was then elected county superintendent of schools of the second
commissioner's district of St. Lawrence county and held the position nine years.
Then for three years he held the office of justice of the peace in Madrid, New
York, and was representative of the town of Madrid on the board of county
supervisors three years. In the summer of 1894 he was elected principal of the
city schools of Devils Lake, where he has since remained.
Our subject was married, at Madrid, New York. July 13, 1876, to Miss -Mary
A. Hawley, a native of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Haig are the parents of
four children, as follows: Ernest H., now a junior in Carleton
College, of Northfield, Minnesota; Alan V., cashier and
bookkeeper for E. J. Chamberlain, of Devils Lake; Myron J., a
student of the Devils Lake high school ; and Helen E.,
attending the city schools of that city. Mr. Haig has striven to promote the
educational standard in North Dakota and his services while principal of the
city schools of Devils Lake commend him to all as a man of true citizenship and
honest principles.
[Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900.
Transcribed by B.Z.]
Honorable Henry C Hansbrough,
United States senator from North Dakota, and one of the most prominent figures
on the stage of national politics of the present day, is a resident of Devils
Lake, North Dakota, and was born in Randolph county, Illinois, January 30, 1848.
His father, Eliab Hansbrough, and his mother, Sarah Hansbrough (nee Hagen), were
both natives of Kentucky; his forefathers, on his father's side, were
Virginians. Eliab Hansbrough was a firm friend and supporter of Henry Clay, and
received from the great Kentuckian many tokens of appreciation of his
friendship. Like many another man who is now prominent in the affairs of the
nation, Henry C. Hansbrough's early education was limited to that which the
public schools could offer. He learned the art of printing in San Jose,
California, and leaving that place for San Francisco entered the employment of
the "Chronicle." ultimately becoming assistant managing editor of that paper.
His health failing him, he moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin, still continuing in
journalistic work. Becoming infected with the Dakota fever, he moved to Grand
Forks in 1881, and established the "News" in that city. In 1883 he sold the
"News" and removed to Devils Lake and founded the "Inter-Ocean." which he still
owns. A stanch Republican and naturally of an aggressive temperament, he
interested himself from the first actively in politics, both local and state:
was appointed postmaster and twice elected mayor of his town. The question of
statehood for the Territory was being agitated, and about 1885 the campaign for
its division and admission as two states was actively inaugurated. There were
three men in the northern part of the territory especially active in the
advocacy of division Waldo M. Potter, of the "LaMoure County Chronicle ;" George
B. Winship, of the "Grand Forks Herald," and H. C. Hansbrough. The campaign
culminated in the territorial convention which was called in Jamestown June 1.
1888. to select a delegation to the national convention held in Chicago, which
nominated Benjamin Harrison. It was generally understood that congress would
pass the enabling act during the winter of 1888-9, and plans were laid with that
end in view. At that convention the south end of the territory, which was
unanimous for division, came up with full delegations in a special train from
Sioux Falls. Caucuses were held on the train and it was unanimously resolved en
route to support Mr. Hansbrough as one of the delegates to the national
convention from the northern part of the state, so that when the southern
representatives arrived he was practically elected. Mr. Hansbrough had his own
county and the territory west of him supporting his candidacy ; a combination
was made with Cass county, the delegation from which was headed by N. K.
Hubbard, and with the delegates from the southern part of the territory, the
agreement being that Hubbard and Hansbrough were to be on the delegation, and in
case of the division of the territory Hansbrough was to be national committeeman
from North Dakota. The agreement was carried out, and Mr. Hansbrough served
eight years on the national committee. After the convention was over it was the
frequent boast of the anti-divisionists. in the northern part of the state, that
Hansbrough would never be heard from again. When division became an accomplished
fact they undertook to punish him for his work in its behalf. At that time he
had no idea of running for any office, as he was doing a fairly good business
with his several papers and other enterprises that he was interested in, and
desired to devote his entire attention thereto, but some of his opponents seemed
to fear that he would be a factor in the first state convention and commenced a
campaign of antagonism to him personally. This aroused his friends, who had
stood with him in the division of the territory ; and it can well be understood
that there were many ardent divisionists after the admission of the territory as
two states, and before the first state convention' met Mr. Hansbrough had
practically been forced into a position where he was obliged to be a candidate
for congress. After a memorable struggle in that convention he received the
nomination and was elected by the largest majority ever received by any party
candidate in the state. He carried the same energy and vim into his public
career that he had shown in his private life. During his term in congress there
were many perplexing questions to settle and necessary legislation to be passed
incident to the admission of a new state into the union. In the adjustment of
these questions and the securing of the enactment into the law of the needed
measures he was very successful. During his first session the question of
curtailing the powers of the Louisiana Lottery, which had endeavored to
transplant itself in the state of North Dakota, came up, and Mr. Hansbrough, as
the author of the anti-lottery bill, can claim more than any other one
individual the credit of stamping out that institution. Cut notwithstanding the
large majority he received, and his successful work in the house, the convention
in August, 1890, defeated him for renomination by a narrow majority. A defeat at
that particular epoch in his career would have crushed many men, but before even
the vote was declared he announced himself as a candidate for the United States
senate at the election to be determined by the legislature to be elected that
same fall. He excited the admiration of even his opponents by the manly way in
which he took his defeat for congress. He placed his services at the command of
the state committee and worked strenuously for the success of the ticket. When
the legislature convened in 1891 his claims to a seat in the United States
senate were urged by his friends, and after a hard and exciting fight he was
elected to that coveted position. In 1897 he was re-elected to succeed himself,
receiving the unanimous support of all the Republican voters in the first formal
ballot in caucus.
During his senatorial career Senator Hansbrough has maintained his established
reputation as a worker in the interests of his state. No legislation of a nature
likely to redound to the advantage of North Dakota has been neglected. Of a
pleasing personality and address, he has made many firm friends among the
leaders in his party both in congress and elsewhere, and this popularity has
stood him in good stead in his efforts in behalf of his constituency. His
committee assignments have been such as would enable him to accomplish the best
results for a northwestern state. He is chairman of the committee on public
lands, where are passed upon all questions affecting lands belonging to the
United States, questions vital in their importance to the western states, and a
member of the committee on agriculture and foresty. During that most important
epoch in the history of the Congressional Library its reorganization, when the
volumes were moved into their present magnificent abode he was chairman of the
joint committee of the library, which had jurisdiction of that matter. At the
reorganization of the senate in December, 1899. he was selected as one of the
committee on committees, and in recognition of his ability and services during
his senatorial career received the much coveted appointment as a member of the
committee on finance the most important committee in the senate, membership on
which is so eagerly sought after. His other assignments are the committee on the
District of Columbia and the committee on international expositions.
He was married, in 1879, to Josephine E. Orr, of Newburg, New
York, who died on January 14, 1895. In 1897 he married his present wife. Miss
Mary Berri Chapman, of Washington, D. C, a lady of high
literary and artistic abilities. Senator Hansbrough's father died in 1884. His
mother is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. [Source:
Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900. Transcribed by
B.Z.]]
Capt. Edward E Heerman is
one of the well-known pioneers of North Dakota, having settled in Devils Lake,
Ramsey county, in 1882, and he has been associated with the financial interests
in the line of navigation since that date. He has built several well-known
steamers, and his long service on the Mississippi river and Devils Lake entitle
him to rank among the best versed men of his calling in the northwest.
Our subject was born in Salem, Orleans county, Vermont, April 19, 1834. He went
west with his parents in 1840, and after living some years in Tioga county,
Pennsylvania, he went to Iowa and lived on his father's farm near Burlington,
Iowa, until he was sixteen years of age, when he began boating on the
Mississippi river. He had full charge of a side-wheel steamer at the age of
nineteen years, and followed his calling on the Mississippi until he went to
North Dakota, during which time he built several boats and did extensive
business. Soon after locating Devils Lake in 1882 he began building the steamer
Minnie H., which was built to ply on the lake, and he has continued his business
there since that time. He also built the Rock Island, a vessel of thirty tons
burden, and the Minnie H., a boat of one hundred and sixty tons. He also built a
smaller boat, the Maria Teresa, of about six tons burden. In this work Capt.
Heerman has done more to build up the country tributary to Devils Lake than has
any other enterprise unless it be the railroads which pass through that region.
In the early days he bought a "squatter's" right for one thousand dollars to
land where the Chautauqua grounds are now located.
Our subject was married at Hastings, Minnesota, in 1856, to Miss Halicia
Hanna, a native of Rensselaer Falls, New York. Mrs. Heerman died at
Hastings, Minnesota, in 1866. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Heerman,
of whom but one daughter now lives, named Minnie E. Our subject
is a genial, broad-minded man, devoted to his life work, and takes just pride in
his labors, and is actively interested in the general welfare of his town and
county. He has been mayor of Devils Lake, and one of the city alderman for
several years, and occupies a high station in the minds of those with whom he
has to do. [Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ.
1900 - Tr. By Debbie Gibson]
Frank H Hyland,
of the twenty-first legislative district, was born at Jefferson. Greene county,
Iowa, September 14, 1880, and after completing his school work in the high
school and at the Iowa Agricultural college, came to North Dakota in 1900,
locating at Devils Lake. He is an auctioneer by profession. He is married. Was
elected to the house in 1910 and to the senate in 1912, as a republican.
[Source: North Dakota Blue Book, 1913 Legislative Manual, Published under the
direction of Thomas Hall, Secretary of State, 1913. Submitted by Linda R.]
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. [Source:
Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900. Transcribed by
B.Z.]
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 postoffice 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,
Indiana, 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. [Source: Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota,
Publ. 1900. Transcribed by B.Z.]
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
preempted. 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. Click,
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. Jr. 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. [Source:
Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900. Transcribed by
B.Z.]
Ole Serumgard,
register in the United States land office at Devils Lake, North Dakota, is one
of the public spirited and enterprising citizens of his locality, and enjoys the
highest esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. He is engaged in the farm
machinery business in Devils Lake in company with Mr. Prosser, and has met with
success in his business and is one of the substantial men of Ramsey county.
Our subject was born in the Parish of Lesje Norway, December 22, 1856, and came
to America with his parents in 1868. They settled on a farm in Watonwan county,
Minnesota, where our subject grew to manhood and continued his residence there
until 1881. His education was received in the common schools and at the State
Normal at Mankato, where he graduated in 1879. He was engaged in teaching and
farming in Wantonwan county until 1881, when he went to North Dakota and taught
school one year in Cass county, afterward going to Griggs county, where he took
a homestead claim. He engaged in the land and loan business at Coopers, town and
remained there till the spring of 1884, when he went to Devils Lake, following
the same business there several years. He formed a partnership with Hon. F. H.
Prosser in 1891, under the firm name of Prosser & Serumgard, and they have since
engaged in the farm machinery business and have made a success of that line.
Mr. Serumgard was married at Mankato, Minnesota, to Miss Karen Throdahl,
who was a native of Norway also. Mr. and Mrs. Serumgard are the parents of four
children, named as follows: Pauline, Olga, Inez and
Harold. Mr. Serumgard taught the first school in Griggs county, and is
a gentleman of excellent mind and systematic nature. He was elected treasurer of
Ramsey county in 1886, and served two terms. He was appointed a trustee of the
State Normal School by Governor Andrew H. Burke, and resigned after serving one
year. He has been a member of the city council of Devils Lake for several years,
and in July, 1898, was appointed by President McKinley as register of the United
States land office at Devils Lake, assuming the duties of that office in
September of that year. At the time of his appointment he was serving as mayor
of Devils Lake, to which office he was elected in the spring of 1898.
[Source: "Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota", Publ. 1900.
Transcribed by Dena Whitesell]
Siver Serumgard,
a prominent attorney of Devils Lake, is the senior partner of the well-known
real estate firm of Serumgard & Moen, of Devils Lake. He was born in Lesje
parish, Norway, December 11, 1859.
Mr. Serumgard came to America with his parents in 1868 and settled on a farm in
Watonwan county, Minnesota, where he was reared to manhood and where he lived
until 1882. He was educated in the high school in Mankato and at the State
University at Minneapolis, where he graduated in the literary class of 1890 and
from the law department the same year. He was admitted to the bar at Devils Lake
in July, 1890. and began the practice of his profession at Cooperstown, North
Dakota, where he remained one year and then located in Devils Lake in the spring
of 1891. He has since followed practice there and is largely interested in real
estate in Ramsey county. He came to North Dakota in 1882 and taught school for
some time in Fargo and also taught in Cooperstown until he was admitted to the
bar. In August, 1892, in company with Mr. L. D. McGohen, he established the
paper published in Devils Lake, known as "The Free Press." This was a Democratic
paper and had a wide circulation.
Our subject was married, in Covington, Kentucky, February 12, 1894, to Miss
Grace E. Kirker, a native of Manchester, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs.
Serumgard are the parents of three children, named as follows: Arthur
K.. Grace B. and Dorothy D. Our subject was appointed
by Governor Shortridge, in 1893, as regent of the North Dakota State University
for four years. He has been city attorney for Devils Lake three terms and has
also been alderman in the city and is one of the public-spirited men of that
locality. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and in political sentiment
is Democratic, with which party he has been identified since 1888. Mr. Serumgard
formed a partnership with Egild T. Moen, October 1,1898, and this well-known
firm conducts an extensive real estate, loan and collection business. [Source:
Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota, Publ. 1900. Transcribed by
B.Z.]
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 the locality, where he has spent over seventeen years of his life. He has gradually built up 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 Spring Green Academy in Sauk county, Wisconsin, and at Plattville 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 Judge 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 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.(Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota)
Clark W. Kelley is an honored resident of Devils Lake, Ramsey county, where he resides, retired from active business pursuits, in a comfortable home that affords true hospitality. He is owner of extensive farm land in that locality and until recently was one of the prominent merchants of the city. He spends the summer months on his farm about fours miles southeast of Devils Lake, on which he has erected a complete set of fine farm buildings and completed every arrangement of the comfort of his family. Our subject was born in Theresa, Jefferson county, New York, July 6 1855. When he was a child his parents moved to Coumbia county, Wisconsin, where he made his home for several years, and was educated in the common schools and at Ripon College in Wisconsin, After completing his studies he was employed as clerk in a hardware store at Jackson, Minnesota three years, and afterward spent ten years as traveling salesman for a wholesale hardware house until the spring of1884, although in the spring of 1883 he established a hardware store at Devils Lake and removed to that city in 1884. He continued in that business until January 1, 1900, and also operated his farm in Ramsey county. He owns about one thousand acres of land and has made valuable improvements on his home farm. He has retired from business life and is one of the solid men of Devils Lake. Our subject was married at Jackson Minnesota to Miss Loretta M. Drugan, a native of Wisconsin. Mrs. Kelley died in Devils Lake, North Dakota June 21, 1893. One daughter was born to this union named Loretta M. Mr. Kelley was married to Joanna Randoph, April 27, 1897. Mrs. Keley is a native of Emporia, Kansas. She is an accomplished and cultured lady and was one of the organizers of the Nineteenth Century Club of Devils Lake and was its first president and also organized the Coteric Club of Devils Lake and served as first president of same. She is the state chairman or correspondence of the National Federation of Women's Clubs of the United States and is a lady highly esteemed in the community in which she makes her home. She, with r. Kelley takes an active part in church matters of the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Kelley is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is Grand commander of the Knights Templar of North Dakota. Mr. Kelley has served as mayor of Devils Lake four years and has taken a most hearty interest in local affairs of importance. He was one of the organizers of the Chautauqua Association and is a member of the Association, He is a genial gentleman cordial and courteous and has a wide acquaintance and is most highly esteemed by all. (Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota)
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 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 interest 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 interest in Minot and located in Devils Lake where he has since resided. In 1892 he established the "Free Press" in company with Siver Scrumgard, and they operated tha plant together until the spring of 1895 when Mr. Serumgard retired and Mr. McGahn became the sold 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 me with unbounded success. Our subject was married in St. Paul, Minnesota June 4, 1889 to Miss Jennie H. Selman 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. McGahn died in infancy. Our subject served one term as chief of the controlling 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 country. He established the lodge of the Knight of Pythias at Devils Lake and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Knight of the Maccabees and is prominent in each of the orders.(Compendium of History and Biography of North Dakota)
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