 The below is from "The North Dakota History and People," Volume 3, 1917:
"N. J. Bothne, a prominent attorney of New Rockford, whose thorough understanding of the principles of jurisprudence is manifest in his capable handling of important litigated interests, was born in Norway, October 15, 1871, a son of John O. and Anna G. (Skaar) Bothne. The mother passed away in that country in 1895 but the father is still [1917] living there at the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Bothne's father was a member of parliament, as was
one of his brothers, and a third brother was head of the Lutheran church of that country,
being the first man to translate the New Testament into the Finnish language. He was made bishop of the church and exerted a most widely felt influence over the moral development of his communitv.
N. J. Bothne spent his youthful days in his native land and acquired his education in the public schools. In 1892, before attaining majority, he came to the United States, making his way to Fort Abercrombie, Richland county. North Dakota, where he was employed on a farm during the summer months and in the winter seasons attended school. His time was thus passed for four years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he attended school for two years. On the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he returned to Fort Abercrombie and there enlisted as a member of Company I, First North Dakota Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. He was one of the first members of the expedition sent to the Philippines and took part in the battle of Manila
and aided in quelling the Philippine insurrection. He was with General Lawton on three expeditions and saw much active service in the orient. Although he enlisted as a private he was promoted to a noncommissioned office and he never lost a day in all of his eighteen months' service. In October, 1899, ho was mustered out and resumed his studies in the Minneapolis Normal School, from which he was graduated with valedictorian honors in the spring of 1900. He came to this country totally unacquainted with the English language and he deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He not only mastered the tongue but displayed high scholarship and was unanimously elected valedictorian of his class.
Following his graduation Mr. Bothne returned to Norway and through the succeeding three months lectured in the principal cities on his experiences in the Philippines and also concerning the social and political conditions of that country. He came again to the
United States in 1900 and entered the law department of the University of Minnesota, in which he won his LL. B. degree in 1903. On the 5th of June, the day following his graduation, he was admitted to practice at the Minnesota bar and four days later he opened a law office in Herman, Minnesota. There he remained in successful practice until August, 1907, when he went to Elbow Lake, Minnesota, and in 1908 was elected states attorney as an independent candidate in a strongly republican county with the entire political machine against him. He capably and efficiently served for four years and then received the nomination on the nonpartisan ticket for the office of district judge but later withdrew from the campaign and concentrated his attention upon the private practice of his profession.
In February, 1913, he removed to New Rockford, where he has built up an extensive law practice which he conducts with notable success. His ability is pronounced. He carefully and systematically prepares his cases before entering the courts; his reasoning is sound, his deductions logical and his arguments are clear and concise.
On the 25th of June, 1905, Mr. Bothne was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Jacobs, who is descended on both the paternal and maternal sides from old colonial families. Madam Nordica, the famous opera singer, was her second cousin. Mrs. Bothne was prominent in newspaper circles, owning and editing the Herman Enterprise, and was the vice president of the Minnesota Editorial Association but disposed of her newspaper after her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Bothne have been born two children, James Ellis and Edwin Eugene.
Mr. Bothne belongs to Century Lodge, No. 60, F. & A. M. He joined the Masonic order in the Philippines as a member of the military organization of the lodge. He has since taken the degrees in Carrington Chapter, No. 15, R. A. M., and belongs as well to New Rockford Lodge, K. P. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. They are highly esteemed in New Rockford and throughout the section of the state in which they reside and in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability. Mr. Bothne has worked his way steadily upward to a point of prominence and distinction.
Nellie's Burial, Tombstone Photo, Links to Some Other Family Members |