Home<Isabel

Benson County North Dakota Genealogy

Isabel Township North Dakota
Township 153 Range 70 West

1916-17 School Souvenir Book        Photos      Atlas of Benson County, 1910 Plat Map

Towns

Isabel is a ghost town located in the township of Isabel. See current condition of the town. The school was a consolidation of the smaller township schools. The school building was torn down in the 1970′s. Across the county road to the west was the Isabel store, which was a small store run by P.O. Stenhjem. That building was burned down by vandals in the 1980′s.

Information taken from the Fargo Forum "Neighbors" column July 31, 2013

Neighbors' email contains a note from Gene Reierson, of Esmond, N.D., west of Devils Lake. Gene mentions a couple of columns about a business known as the Isabel store, and a farmer who roade horseback to the store to pick up groceries when roads were blocked during the winters of the 1940s and 1950s. That farmer was Ernest Toso, the father of Gene's wife Janice.

The Isabel store was so-named because it was in Isabel Township, across from the Isabel rural school on North Dakota Highway 19, which runs from Minnewaukan through Esmond. "The Isabel store had two old-time gas pupmps, the type where you pumped the gas up into a glass globe." Gene writes. "One was Pure Oil, and the other was Farmers Union Co-op (now called Cenex). The last operator of the store was Elmer Toso," who was a second cousin to Ernest. At the time, Gene and Janice owned the Standard Oil business in Esmond, seven miles from the Isabel store.

One day in abut 1959, Elmer ran out of gas so he called the Reiersons for help. They promptly sent some gas to Elmer. "Those were the days," Gene says, "when our motto was "You expect more from Standard and you get it." And the Reiersons carried that motto out, even though it helped a competitor. Gene and Janice retired in 1998 after being with the Standard (later renamed Amoco) for 39 years.

District #23 Schools

The following list of teachers and students comes from the Teacher's Final Report required by the State of North Dakota each year. From 1900 through 1904 all students in attendance are listed each year. After 1904 only new students were listed. Any errors or corrections should sent to Colleen.

District #23 School #1

Jan 29-Apr 20, 1900
Teacher: Margaret Duffey

Michael Gearey
Isabell Duffey
Bernard Duffey
Johny Duffey
Darwin Gearey
George McDevitt
Rosanna McCarten
Susey Gearey

Sep 19-Nov 12, 1900
Teacher: Margaret Duffey

Johny Duffy
Darwin Gearey
Hjalmar Sundby
Amanda Sundby
George McDevitt

Apr 15- Jul 5, 1901
Teacher: Margaret Duffey

Bernard Duffey
Isabel Duffey
Johny Duffey
Jennie Egan
Susey Gearey
Darwin Gearey
Violet Gearey
Rosanna McCarten
George McDevitt
Johnie Rhictor
Martin Rhictor
Hjalmer Sundy
Selma Sundby

Nov 6, 1901-Jan 31, 1902
Teacher: Marion Cochrune

Darwin Gearey
Violet Gearey
George Devitt
Bernard Duffey
Johnie Duffey
Johnie Rector
Martin Rector
Selma Sundby
Amanda Sundby
Hjalmer Sundby
Isabel Duffey
Mary Skurdahl
Emil Engen
Robbie Rector

May 19-Jun 28, 1902
Teacher: Mary Brenneman

Darwin Geary
Violet Geary
John Richter
Martin Richter
Esther Hanson
Margaret Hanson
Lawrence Hanson
Rosanna McCarten
Lucena McCarten
Robert Groff
Manda Sundby
Selma Sundby
Hjalmer Sundby
John Duffey

Jul 1-Aug 1, 1902
Teacher: Mary Brenneman

Same students as previous school term

Oct 1-Dec 20, 1902
Teacher: Margaret Duffey

Johny Duffey
Darwin Gearey
Violet Gearey
Esther Hansen
Margaret Hansen
Lawrence Hansen
George McDevitt
Lucena McCarten
Anna McCarten
Ursel McCarten
Robert Richter
Martin Richter
Johny Richter
Arthur Sundby
Selma Sundby
Hjalmar Sundby
Amanda Sundby

 

Oct 19-Dec 11 1903
Teacher:  Margaret Duffey

Johny Duffy
Peter Ricson
Irma Fry
Darwin Gearey
Violet Gearey
Delia Loken
Lewis Loken
Elmer Loken
Rosanna McCarten
Lucena McCarten
Herman Smith
Eric Smith
Arthur Sundby
Amanda Sundby
Hjalmer Sundby
Arthur Toso
May Minehan
Adeline Minehan
Anna Ellingson

Apr 25-Jun 30 1904
Teacher: I.M. Duffy

Darwin Gearey
Violet Gearey
Delia Loken
Lewis Loken
Elmer Loken
Adeline Minehan
May Minehan
Thomas Minehan
Arthur Toso
Axel Tollefson
Julia Watterud
Josina Watterud

Jul 1-Jul 15, 1904
Teacher: Isabel Duffy

Same students as the previous school term

Sep 12, 1904-Apr 7, 1905
Teacher: Maude Patterson

Anna Ellingson
Royal Ellingson
Hartvig Hanson
Ida Peterson
Erick Smith
Earl Stuart
Minnie Tetterude

Oct 10, 1906-May 24, 1907
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Mina Brosins
Minnie Bruce
Robert Bruce
Martin Exe
Clara Ericson
Andrew Ericson
Adrian Karlsbrotten
Angie Karlsbrotton
May Olson
Maggie Olson
Adolph Tetterude
Ernest Olson
Inga Olson
Eric Olson
Herman Smith
Eric Smith
Gerard Svingen
Clara Toso
Mable Toso
Elmer Toso
Mina Tetterude
Oct 28, 1907-May 1, 1908
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Ella Exe
Edwin Karlsbratten
Aasie Karlsbratten
Harwick Toso
Hanna Toso
Oct 8, 1908-Apr 2, 1909
Teacher: Marion Askew

Jorgen Dihel
Hans Nygaard
Ruth Swingen
Ella Toso

Oct 4, 1909-Apr 1, 1910
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Gessina Toso
Arnold Toso
Darwin Olson

Oct 4, 1910-Mar 31,1911
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Laura Bergsrud
Alfred Dihle
Arthur Erickson
Einar Erickson
Freda Smith
Albin Smith

1911-1912
Teacher: Hazel Sloman

Gilma Dihle
Elvira Erickson
Alma Heed
Ralph Toso
Sep 12, 1912-Mar 28, 1913
Teacher: Mrs. D.E. Tuneberg

Alice Erickson
Edward Erickson
Audrey Halvorson
Victor Smith
Dorothy Shaughnessy
1913-1914
Teacher Mabel E. Bliesner

Vivian Shaughnessy
1914-1915
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Sigfred Dihle
Elinor Bloomster
Edna Johnson
Gladys Johnson
Edith Kjall
Leonard Toso
Julian Toso
1915-1916
Teacher: Hilda Anderson

Lillie Erickson
Elmer Francisco
Edna Johnson
Vivian Hjall
Lloyd Stadig
Allyn Rowe
Margaret Rowe
Esther Toso
1916-1917
Teacher: Elizabeth B. Dickey

Alice Erickson
Clara Erickson
Helen Johnson
Oscar Smith
Clarence Toso
1917-1918
Teacher: Elizabeth B. Dickey

Alice Bloomster
Olaf Dihle
1918-1919
Teacher: Olga M. Olson

Gladys Toso
Arvid Kjall
Doris Blomster
Alma Dihle
Robert Erickson
Albert Erickson
Palmer Toso
Edwin Hoberg
Ida Hoberg
Gustav Erickson
Mildred Engen

 

District #23 School #2

May 7- June 29 1900
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Johny Duffey
Roy Knudsen
Florence Slater
Rosanna McCarten
Lucena McCarten
George McDevitt
Isabel Duffey
Johny Anderson
Melvin Anderson
Fredrica Aanderson
Bernard Duffey
Annie Waite

Jul 23-Aug 10 1900
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Isabel Duffey
Bernard Duffey
Johnie Duffey
Roy Knudson
George McDevitt
Rosanna McCarten
Florence Slater
Lucenna McCarten

Sep, 1904-Apr 14, 1905
Teacher: Margaret Duffy

Ellen Carlson
Zelda Richter
Emma Bond
Joseph Bond
John Bond
Frank Bond
Angeline Kelts
Harvey Kelts
Minnie Kelts
Ethel Kelts
Marion Kelts
William Bond

Oct 16-Dec 22, 1905
Teacher: Dorothy Ellund

Ruth Bonde

Feb 19-Jun 22, 1906
Teacher: Mrs. Ernestine Cross

Marie Groff
Hannah Nelson

 

Oct 22, 1906-Apr 7, 1907
Teacher Marion Urlaub

Carrie Erickson
Fred Jameson
Nellie Jameson
Bessie Jameson
Robert Richter
Paulina Richter
Henry Sentnam
Martin
Sentnam

Jun 8-Jun30, 1908
Jul 1-Jul 31, 1908
Teacher: Ida Barquist

Beatrice Chester
Edward Chester
William Chester
Joy Groff
Elisa Johnson
Stuart Johnson
Andrew Olson
Lee Slater
Josephine Titterude
Hilda Titterude
Burney Veum
Ada Richter

Oct 12-Nov 6, 1908
Teacher Cora Branum

No new students

Apr 19-Jul 10, 1909
Teacher: Mabel DeWolfe

No new students

Nov 29, 1909-Apr 29, 1910
Teacher: M. Isabel Duffy

Howard Slater

Oct 4, 1910-Mar 31, 1911
Teacher: M. Isabel Duffy

Arnold Hansen

1911-1912
Teacher: Alice Waite

Thelma Bonde
Fred Hansen
Loyd Slater
Ester Titterrud

Sep 2-Dec 20, 1912
Teacher: Alice Waite

Elna Hansen

 

Jan 6-Mar 28, 1913
Teacher: Katharyn Judge

No new students
1913-1914
Teacher Lucy M. Huyek

Rose Nelson
Earnest Nelson
1914-1915
Teacher: Mrs. Alice Bosshard

Thelma Bonde
Milo Bonde
Knute Hansen
Lawrence Olson
Vern Slater
Henry Titterud
1915-1916
Teacher: M. H. Mead

Esther Johnson
1916-1917
Teacher: Anna M. Kolsrud

Ralph Slater
1917-1918
Teacher: Leonard M. Elstad

Edith Johnson
Kenneth Hansen
Charlotte Hansen
Hotense Hensen
1918-1919
Teacher: Inga No?rum

Charles Umstead
John Hansen

 

District #23 School #3

Oct 5, 1908-Mar 26, 1909
Teacher: ? Melby

Olaf Modin
Arthur Modin
Ida Richter
Reinart Reierson
Baldwin Reierson
Odin Tollerud
Harry Tollerud
Hans Hansen (F.W. Hansen, father)

 

Nov 26, 1907-May 22, 1908
Teacher: Florence Adams

Christ Aserud
Arnold Guttormson

Nov 29,1909-Jun 3, 1910
Teacher: Sarah Randle

Hans Hansen
Hedvig Hansen
Caren Holl
Orris Severson
Alice Tollerud
Ethel Will
Hazel Will
Irvin Will

Oct 4, 1910-Mar 31, 1911
Teacher: Maude Major

Marie Hansen
Ole Peterson
Henry Reierson

1911-1912
Teacher: Clara Taverner

Johnes Holl
Carl Johnson
Agnes Johnson
Vera Johnson

 

Sep 12, 1912-Mar 28, 1913
Teacher Joseph Power

Luella Johnson
Herman Richter
Luella Tollerud
Wilfred Veum

1913-1914
Teacher: Mildred Nels

Olaug Holl

1914-1915
Teacher: Joseph A. Duckworth
More Info

Edith Guttromson
Olaf Mithun
Lillian Haga
Ethel Svalheim
Olga Stenhjem

1915-1916
Teacher: Joseph A. Duckworth
More Info

Elvira Johnson
Della Johnson
Norman Luidahl
Ellert Reierson
1916-1917
Teacher: Joseph A. Duckworth
More Info


Ole Holl
Odella Johnson
Everett Stenhjem
Orland Guttormson
Ove Luidahl

1917-1918
Teacher: Mrs. O'Brien

Emma Umstead
John Umstead
Warren Umstead
1918-1919
Teacher: Emma Ju?ud

Julius Clausen
Ruby Clausen
Elred Clausen
Nina Liudahl
Petra Holl
Hazel Clausen
?


District #23 School #4
May 1-Jun30, 1905
Teacher: Julia Trapp

Fred Barnes
Elmer Barnes
Harry Hartman
Clarence Hartman
Helga Jordhoy
Sverre Jordhoy
Alvhild Jordhoy
Marie Jordhoy
Ada Nelson
Earnest Stephens
Charity Stephens
Edith Williams
Dortha York
Sadie Randle

Feb 17-Jun5, 1908
Teacher Ida Barquist

Eldora Karlsbraaten
Nick Peterson
Gerda Swigen
Axel Tollefson
Helga Tollefson
Eddie Woyen

Oct 5, 1908-Mar 26, 1909
Teacher Ida Barquist

Martin Peterson
Inga Stadum
George Tollefson
Gilma Toso
Arthur Watterud

Oct 4-Nov 26, 1909
Teacher Sarah Randle

No new students

Jan 31-May 20 1910
Teacher: Dora Moen

Clarence Myhre
Ovand Swingen
Ole Tollefson
Julia Toso

 

Oct 4, 1910-Mar 31, 1911
Teacher: Dora Moen

Joesph Watterud
1911-1912
Teacher: Oline Rydland

James Hagen
Olaf Halvorson
Meranda Liudahl
Audrey Moen
Anna Tollefson
Cora Woyen
Sep 12, 1912-Mar 28, 1913
Teacher: Elvena M. Olson

Belmine Haga
Manda Halvorson
Ernest Toso
1913-1914
Teacher: Christine Tandberg

Manda Hagen
Clarissa Karlsbraaten
Oaulus Swingen
1914-1915
Teacher: Cora Dahl

Beatrice Engel
Gertrude Toso
1915-1916
Teacher: Harold W. Johnson
More Info


Carl Swigen
Paul Swigen
Luella Toso
1916-1917
Teacher: Marvel Reitan

Grant Hagen
Palmer Woyen
Clara Stadig
1917-1918
Teacher: Nellie H. Erickson

Oscar Brorby
Mabel Brorby
Gladys Peterson
Vernon Stadig
1918-1919
Teacher: Nellie H. Erickson

No new students
1919-1920
Teacher: Adelia Dahlund

Alice Engel
1920-1921
Teacher: Vivian Morris

Arthur Woyen
Thinka Hagen
Gladys Brorby


Public School #3  1914-1917

County Superintendent: Peter Anderson

School Officers:

Clerk: Peter Stadum President: A.M. Johnson Treasurer: A.E. Woyen Directors: Julius Hagen & Anton Toso

Teacher: Joseph A. Duckworth
Biography:
In 1914 at the age of 19, Joseph Duckworth travelled from Mt. Vernon, Indiana to Esmond, North Dakota.  He taught school in Isabel Township in Benson County, North Dakota at School #3  in 1914-1915, 1915-16 and 1916-17.  The next year, 1917-1918, he taught school at the Flora school in Aurora Township. Joseph and his wife Agnes left North Dakota, apparently after the 1917-18 school year, and returned to Mt. Vernon, Indiana where both sets of parents were living. Joe enlisted in the Army on June 17, 1918 and Agnes taught school nearby. Joe served as a Corporal with the 309th Engineer, Company D in France until the wars end.

They returned to North Dakota after the war. Joseph was a principal and Agnes was a teacher in Aurora Township in 1920. They returned to Posey County, Indiana from Valley City, North Dakota to become athletic coach at Poseyville High School around 1926.

scroll1916-17 School Souvenir Booklet
Special thanks to Gail Prewitt, granddaughter of Joseph A. Duckworth

        

1916c0ver1916p2list1916p31916p41916p5

Click thumb nail to view larger photo.

  Pupils  
First Grade:
Odella Johnson
Ellert Reierson
Second Grade:
Olga Stenhjen
Manda Halvorson
Edith Guttromson
Third Grade:
Olaf Halvorson
Olaug Holl
Norman Lindahl

Fourth Grade:
Audrey Halvorson
Johannes Holl
Fifth Grade:
Elvira Johnson
Meranda Lindahl
Sixth Grade:
Caren Holl
Agnes Johnson
Carl Johnson
Henry Reierson
Reinart Reierson

This photo has been provided by Gail Prewitt, granddaughter of Joseph Duckworth, teacher/principal in Benson schools in the early 1900's. Thanks to Curt Hogenson for the following identification of the students.

Front Row: Olaug Holl, Odella Johnson
Second Row: Johanns Holl, Eilert Rierson, Olga Stenhjem, Edith Guttromson, Manda Halvorson
Third Row: Meranda Liudahl, Olaf Halvorson, Audrey Halvorson, Elvira Johnson, Karen Holl
Fourth Row: Agnes Johnson, Carl Johnson, Teacher Joseph Duckworth, Rhinehart Rierson, Norman Liudahl

 Click on the thumbnail for a larger photo.

Isabel Township School #3
Around 1914

 

Photos from 1916-17

These photos have been provided by Gail Prewitt, granddaughter of Joseph Duckworth. The photos are identified as written in the Duckworth photo album. If anyone can confirm identification or make corrections, please contact cgoltz@loretel.net . Click on the thumbnail for a larger photo.

 

Isabel photo
Agnes Johnson, Mr. Johnson
and others
Unidentified 7th Graders?
Possibly Agnes Johnson &?
Harold Johnson
Teacher at School #4
1915-16
Elvira Johnson,
Meranda Lindahl, Audrey Halvorson
     
Joseph Duckworth
at Jens Toso's
? Kennedy, Harold Johnson
(Teacher at School #4 1915-16)
& Joe Powers (Teacher at
School #3, 1912-13)
Nov 1916 
? Kennedy, Harold Johnson
& Joe Powers Oberon ND 
 

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