In 1909, Fargo’s commercial landscape was bustling with diverse businesses contributing to the city’s economic vitality. Walker Bros. & Hardy, specializing in high-quality printing and bookbinding, had rebuilt after a 1906 fire. Hubert Harrington’s hardware store, established in 1881, offered a wide range of goods. Luger Furniture Company, founded by Ferdinand Luger Sr. in 1878, had grown significantly. The Fargo Bridge and Iron Company, led by F. E. Dibley, focused on bridge construction and structural work. The Fargo Cornice and Ornament Company, established in 1886, specialized in copper cornices and roofing. O. J. de Lendrecie’s department store, the largest in Fargo, was founded in 1879. Fowt & Porterfield, a leading drug house, and Christiansen Drug Company, established in 1881, were prominent in the pharmaceutical sector. T. M. Swem’s photography studio, North Dakota Metal Culvert Co., Bristol & Sweet Harness Company, and W. H. White Lumber Company also played significant roles. Real estate and mortgage companies like Wheelock & Wheelock, William J. Lane, W. D. Hodgson, Northwestern Mortgage Security Company, John B. Falsom, and Red River Valley Mortgage Co. were pivotal in Fargo’s real estate market. Hotels like the Gardner Hotel, Sherman House, Headquarter Hotel, Martin House, Continental Hotel, Elliott Hotel, Fargo House, Columbia Hotel, Waldorf Hotel, Metropole Hotel, Prescott Hotel, and the luxurious Gardner Hotel, designed by Hancock Bros., provided accommodations and contributed to the city’s hospitality industry.
Walker Bros. & Hardy, printers and bookbinders, established several years ago. The plant includes printing presses, modern and artistic type, and stitching machinery, etc. In 1906 the plant was damaged by fire, which necessitated the remodeling of the plant and building. The firm executes a high class of work, job printing, lithographing, and engraving. They manufacture blank books, stationery, and office supplies. C. P. Walker, president; E. P. Walker, vice president; J. F. Walker, treasurer; and J. P. Hardy, secretary.
Hubert Harrington, engaged in the hardware business since 1881, has a spacious and well-arranged store and carries a large stock, consisting of heavy hardware, mechanic’s tools, stoves, house furnishing goods, etc.
Luger Furniture Company. The founder of this large establishment is Ferdinand Luger, Sr., who began business in a small way in 1878. The other members of the company are Peter, F. F., and J. D. Luger.
Fargo Bridge and Iron Company. This concern has all the accessories and appliances for the building of steel, combination, and wooden bridges, and all kinds of structural work. F. E. Dibley is president and treasurer.
Fargo Cornice and Ornament Company. This company was established in 1886. They are manufacturers of copper cornices, gutters, and skylights, and make a specialty of roofing. They do the major part of this kind of work in Fargo. The business is managed by George Rusk.
O. J. de Lendrecie, Department Store. This store is the largest of its kind in Fargo, of which Mr. de Lendrecie is the proprietor and owner. He came to Fargo in 1879 and established his present business.
Fowt & Porterfield is one of the leading drug houses in Fargo. Mr. Porterfield is the sole proprietor and owner. They carry the largest stock of drugs in the state, and while not claiming to be a wholesaler, he fills orders to other druggists to the amount of many thousands of dollars per annum.
Christiansen Drug Company. On November 15, 1881, Mr. Christiansen purchased a drug store in Fargo located at what was then known as No. 27 Front Street. He left it in charge of Mr. Ole Moe and returned to Fountain, Minnesota, and resigned his position as manager for Mr. Tibbetts of that place; returning to Fargo, December 3, 1881, to take charge of his own store. The store became too small, and he leased the building, corner of Fourth Street and Front, remaining there until December 1, 1899, when he removed to his present location, No. 10 Broadway, which building he erected. Mr. Lars Christiansen was born in Ringsaker, Aasmarken’s Annex, November 22, 1855; was confirmed at the age of fifteen; worked as a clerk for two years in a country store; started for America in 1873, arriving in Lanesboro, Minn., September 13 the same year; worked on a farm a little over a year, when he entered the service of J. P. Tibbetts, druggist at Preston, Minn., and remained with him until 1881.
T. M. Swem, Photographer. Mr. Swem’s studio is located on Broadway, and is a handsome and attractive gallery, and although he has only been in Fargo eight years, his reputation for beautiful work is unexcelled and he is widely known throughout the state.
North Dakota Metal Culvert Co. The factory of this company is located on Northern Pacific Avenue. They manufacture galvanized corrugated metal culverts, and in addition make water conduits, well curbing, and sewers. The officers of the company are W. H. Ristine, president; E. H. O’Neall, vice president; H. H. Jenkins, secretary and treasurer.
Bristol & Sweet Harness Company. This concern is the largest of its kind in Fargo, who are exclusive jobbers and manufacturers of harness, horse collars, and saddlery. The business was started in 1881, and has grown extensively in the past twenty-eight years, its trade extending throughout the northwest. Its officers are F. A. Bristol and Colonel W. D. Sweet.
W. H. White Lumber Company. This company was established in 1873 and incorporated in 1899. Mr. White is the oldest continuous lumber merchant in North Dakota and is entitled to the distinction as one of the most progressive. For thirty-seven years he has been identified with the business interests of Fargo. He owns and operates twenty-three lumber yards in the Red River Valley. The officers of the company are William H. White, president; A. A. White, vice president; Robert McCulloch, secretary and treasurer.
Hancock Bros. This firm have been engaged in active business in Fargo for the past twenty-five years, and during that time have planned many of the finest residences, blocks, and public buildings of this city. The Gardner Hotel, the finest hotel this side of Chicago, was planned by this firm.
James A. Chesley was born at Mancton, New Brunswick, Canada, January 24, 1851, and is the son of Robert A. and Elizabeth (Albee) Chesley. His father was a Methodist minister and spent his entire life in Canada. Our subject attended the common schools, and finally attended the Mount Allison College. In 1869 he became the bookkeeper of the lumber concern, Farnham & Lovejoy, and in 1879 he came to Fargo and opened a yard of his own. By his honorable methods, he has built up a large business. In 1876 was celebrated in Minneapolis the marriage of Mr. Chesley and Miss Emma F. Jones. Four children have been born to them, Mary E., Eva J., Julia A., and Samuel L.
Real Estate, Loans and Mortgage Companies
Wheelock & Wheelock is an incorporated company whose business was established about twelve years ago. The firm are extensive dealers in North Dakota real estate exclusively, and they have been directly responsible for many hundreds of actual settlers in the state.
William J. Lane, Real Estate and Loans. Mr. Lane does a large business in real estate and loans; coming to Fargo in 1886, he was connected with the First National Bank for eleven years. He then identified himself with Fargo Loan Agency. In 1902 he commenced business for himself, making a specialty of Fargo City property and first mortgage loans.
W. D. Hodgson, Real Estate. Mr. Hodgson has been one of the leading real estate dealers in Fargo for twelve years.
Northwestern Mortgage Security Company. This company was incorporated about seven years ago, as a successor to Jacobson & Co., which firm established the business twelve years ago. The officers of this company are T. Jacobson, president; Charles E. Miller, vice president; E. A. Engebretson, secretary and treasurer.
John B. Falsom, who deals extensively in real estate, his sketch will be found elsewhere in this work.
Red River Valley Mortgage Co. This company was established some twenty-two years ago. They make a specialty of loaning money on improved farms throughout the state, and own and control some of the finest improved farms in the valley. W. H. Wright, president; W. E. Gates, vice president; D. B. Holt, treasurer; J. D. Wooledge, secretary.
Hotels of Fargo
The first hotel was built in the fall of 1871 by Moore & Mann. It was a log structure and was operated by A. H. Moore. It has been clapboarded since and is now the home of Henry Hector.
Sherman House. This hotel was built by Clarence Martin and Frank Pinkham. It is now called the Merchants. J. E. Burreson is the proprietor.
Headquarter Hotel. The Headquarter Hotel was built in 1871 by the Northern Pacific Railroad, and most of the material used in its construction was hauled on sleds from Oak Lake, the terminus of the railroad at that time. It was occupied entirely by the employees of the railroad for a time, when Mr. J. B. Chapin became proprietor. It was burned in 1875, and immediately a new house was built and run by N. K. Hubbard and E. S. Tyler. This house was known far and wide, and was largely patronized.
Martin House was built by Clarence Martin, on the ground now occupied by the Waldorf Hotel. Mr. Martin ran it for years. It finally burned.
Continental Hotel was owned and operated by J. B. Chapin. It was located at Second Avenue and Broadway. This house was destroyed by fire.
Elliott Hotel. The Stanton House was located on Northern Pacific Avenue, and when Mr. Elliott took it, he changed that name to Elliott Hotel. The present Elliott Hotel is on Broadway, and Mayor Elliott is the proprietor.
Fargo House. This hotel was built in the eighties and rebuilt and newly furnished throughout recently. The property is owned by the Hon. James Kenedy.
Columbia Hotel was built by a syndicate and was located at the corner of Second Avenue and Roberts Street. Its first landlord was G. J. Kissner, and it burned in the great fire of 1893. Samuel Mathews was then the proprietor.
The Waldorf Hotel was built by Mr. Wise. This house has been a profitable investment for its owner, and with the exception of one instance, it has been profitable to the proprietor. It is a well-managed house, and has a large patronage. Keller and Boyd are the proprietors.
Metropole Hotel was built by Edward E. Cole soon after the fire of 1893. This house enjoys a large patronage and is first-class in every particular. E. E. Cole, Esq., is the proprietor.
The Prescott Hotel was built by Major Edwards and Charles Roberts for a printing plant, and the Fargo “Argus” was published here for ten years. It was then made into a hotel and named the “Martin,” and was run by Clarence Martin for four years. The Prescott is named for its present proprietor, William Prescott. It is a good, comfortable, homelike hotel, and enjoys a large patronage.
Gardner Hotel. This magnificent structure, recently erected, is the most elegant hostelry in the Northwest. It was designed by home talent, the Hancock Bros., of Fargo, and was built by a syndicate. Under its present management, its success is assured. George H. Habner, manager.