Mason

Biography of James Conkey McKendry, of Fargo, North Dakota

Cass County / History of the Red River Valley

James Conkey McKendry (1854-unknown) was a Scottish-born Fargo resident who made significant contributions to education and public service. After farming in North Dakota, he entered the grain business in Fargo and served on the Board of Education, improving school infrastructure. Additionally, he held a position on Governor Roger Allen’s staff and was an active member of various Masonic bodies. He married Jennie R., the daughter of Senator A. Hutchinson, in Gaines, New York.

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Biography of James Henry Mathews of Larimore North Dakota

Grand Forks County / History of the Red River Valley

James Henry Mathews was born in Ireland, later immigrating to New York. He had a diverse career, serving in the Civil War and engaging in various businesses, from retail to real estate. Mathews settled in North Dakota, where he established a bonanza farm and actively participated in politics. He married and had five children, although two tragically passed away. Involved in numerous fraternal organizations, he also held positions in several banks, insurance companies, and land businesses, making him a prominent figure in the region’s business community. Today, Mathews remains heavily engaged in real estate, livestock, and land investments.

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Charles Arthur Gram of Sheldon North Dakota

Ransom County / History of the Red River Valley

Charles Arthur Gram, born in 1869 in Toronto, Canada, is the president of the Gram & Hull Company in Sheldon. He received his education in North Dakota and served as a judge in Ransom County from 1901 to 1907. Gram is a member of the Masons and previously held the position of grand patron of the Order of Eastern Star. He married Clara A. Roesler in 1897, and they currently live in Sheldon.

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Burleigh Folsom Spaulding of Fargo North Dakota

Cass County / History of the Red River Valley

Burleigh Folsom Spaulding, born in 1853, overcame significant challenges on his path to becoming an associate justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court. He worked tirelessly from a young age, supporting himself through various jobs while pursuing an education. After being admitted to the bar, he arrived in Fargo in 1880, where he embarked on his legal career. Active in the Republican party, Spaulding served as a congressman and played a key role in various committees and legislative initiatives. In 1907, he was appointed as a judge on the North Dakota Supreme Court, a position he fulfilled with distinction. Alongside his professional accomplishments, he enjoyed a loving family life with his wife, Alida Baker, and their five children.

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Biography of Frank Squier Talcott of Buffalo Township ND

Cass County / History of the Red River Valley

Frank Squire Talcott, a successful farmer in Buffalo Township, Cass County, North Dakota, has been actively involved in the community since his arrival in 1881. Born in New York City in 1863, Talcott came from English ancestry with connections to revolutionary figures and the development of Massachusetts. He received education from prestigious institutions and later engaged in various public roles, including chairman of the Board of Supervisors, member of the School Board, and State Senator. Talcott’s work focused on education, and he actively participated in numerous fraternal organizations. He married Agnes W. Thompson, and together they have four children. Talcott’s strong Republican beliefs align with his family heritage and personal convictions.

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Biography of E. Y. Sarles of Hillsboro ND

Traill County / History of the Red River Valley

E. Y. Sarles, the ninth governor of North Dakota, was born in Wonewoc, Wisconsin, on January 15, 1859. He received his education in Wisconsin and worked in the banking and lumber business with his brother. Sarles organized several banks and currently serves as vice president and director of the First National Bank of Northwood, North Dakota. He has a prominent role in various organizations and is a Mason, an Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, and a Knight of Pythias. His family includes his wife Anna York Sarles and their children Earle R., Duane York, Doris York Sarles, and Eleanor.

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Biography of Aurelius Lansing Wall of Fargo ND

Cass County / History of the Red River Valley

Aurelius Lansing Wall, a prominent lumber dealer from Fargo, North Dakota, was born in New York in 1848. After relocating to North Dakota in 1882, he established himself in the lumber business and later served as an alderman, state representative, and mayor. He was married to Ida V. Stebbins, who passed away in 1901, leaving behind their daughter Lottie E. Wall.

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Biography of Andrew Sandager, of Lisbon, ND

Ransom County, Walsh County / History of the Red River Valley

Andrew Sandager, a prominent figure in Lisbon, North Dakota, has played a vital role in the growth and development of the region. As the president of the State Bank of Lisbon and a senior partner in Sandager & Hangan, a general merchandise firm, he has made significant contributions to the area’s economy. Born in Iowa in 1862, Sandager began his career as a registered pharmacist before venturing into the general merchandise business. He became involved in the State Bank of Lisbon and the Enterprise Milling Company, which thrived due to the region’s excellent wheat quality and well-equipped facilities. Sandager’s active engagement in politics and membership in various secret societies further exemplify his influence. Additionally, his donation of land for Sandager Park has enhanced the city’s beauty and reputation as a desirable residential and business area.

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Biography of Onesine Joassin de Landrecie of Fargo, North Dakota

Cass County / History of the Red River Valley

Onesine Joassin de Landrecie, one of the leading merchants of Fargo, North Dakota, was born December 11, 1845, at Cedars, province of Quebec, son of Benjamin Joassin and Esther Sequin de Landrecie. The family is an old one and emigrated from their ancestral home at Landrecie in the north of France. He was located in Chicago until the great fire in 1871, when he went to Jason City, Miss., and engaged in general merchandising till 1879, when he sold his interests, and came to Fargo, erected a store building, which he opened for business in October of the same year.

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Biography of George B. Clifford of Grand Forks, North Dakota

Grand Forks County / History of the Red River Valley

George B. Clifford, born March 10, 1858, in Concord, New Hampshire, was a prominent lawyer and businessman in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Educated in New England, he moved to Grand Forks in 1881, forming a law partnership before transitioning to the mortgage and investment business. Clifford was instrumental in the city’s development, including its first paving projects and park system. He served on the city council and as president of the Park Commission. Clifford married Minnie E. Cooley in 1888, and they had two children, Ralph E. Clifford and George Barnard Clifford.

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