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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of Samuel G. Roberts, of Fargo, North Dakota

Cass County /

Samuel G. Roberts, born March 10, 1843, in Brooks, Maine, was a key figure in the development of Fargo, North Dakota. A Civil War veteran, he served in both the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and Hancock’s Corps, achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. After the war, Roberts studied law in Minneapolis, being admitted to the bar in 1870. He moved to Fargo in 1872, contributing significantly to its growth, including helping to establish the First National Bank. A dedicated Republican, Roberts held various public offices, including State’s Attorney and City Attorney. He married Jennie Baldwin in 1872, and they had a daughter, Ruth.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of William H. White of Fargo North Dakota

Cass County /

William H. White, born on July 31, 1851, in Whiting, Vermont, is the proprietor of North Dakota’s oldest established lumber business. The son of Lyman P. White, he grew up in Vermont and completed his education at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. White began his lumber business in North Dakota on April 20, 1872, supplying timber for the first railroad bridge over the Red River at Moorhead. He expanded his operations to include lumber yards in Fargo, Pembina, and Bismarck. Over 36 years, he developed a network of 23 lumber yards across the Red River Valley, making him one of the most enduring and progressive businessmen in the state.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of William J. Price, of Fargo, North Dakota

Cass County /

William J. Price, born on August 16, 1868, in Stockton-on-Tees, England, was the president of Fargo Plumbing & Heating Company, which he established in 1890 in Fargo, North Dakota. After learning the trade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Fargo in 1889. Price married Alice M. Purcell of Faulkton, South Dakota, on January 10, 1895, and they had three sons. A dedicated Republican, he served on the Fargo Board of Education and the board of trustees for the school for the feeble-minded in Grafton. Price was an active Mason and past president of the North Dakota Firemen’s Association.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of John Henry Worst of Fargo North Dakota

Cass County /

John Henry Worst, born December 23, 1850, in Ashland County, Ohio, served as president of the North Dakota Agricultural College. A descendant of Dutch ancestry, he was educated at Smithville Academy and Ashland University in Ohio. Initially a farmer and merchant, Worst moved to Emmons County, North Dakota, in 1883, where he became superintendent of public schools. He served in the state senate from 1889 to 1894 and as lieutenant governor in 1895-1896. Married to Susan Wohlgamuth in 1876, they had three children: Olive Jeanette, Clayton Le Roy, and Lloyd Warner. The family were members of the German Baptist church.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of James Holes, of Fargo, North Dakota

Cass County /

James Holes, a pioneering farmer in Cass County, North Dakota, was born on January 29, 1845, in Warren, Pennsylvania. His parents, James and Mary Holes, were English immigrants. Educated initially on his father’s farm and later in Owego, New York, Holes worked as a government freighter before settling in Cass County on July 18, 1871. He proved the profitability of farming in North Dakota and became a respected agricultural authority. On July 20, 1887, he married Rhoda Harrison, with whom he had three children: James Harrison, Bernard Rupert, and Marguerite Virginia. Holes served as president of the American Society of Equity and as a county commissioner for nine years.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of James Kennedy of Fargo North Dakota

Cass County /

James Kennedy, a prominent contractor in Fargo, North Dakota, was born in Ireland on December 11, 1857. He immigrated to America with his parents and was educated in Medina County, New York. Arriving in Fargo in 1880, Kennedy quickly became influential in civic and political circles. Known for his charitable contributions, he managed significant contracts nationwide and operated a 3,000-acre farm in Cass and Ransom counties. As a state senator for the Ninth district and national chairman for the Republican party, he led the campaign supporting President Taft. Kennedy and his wife lived on North Broadway with their eight children.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of James Conkey McKendry, of Fargo, North Dakota

Cass County /

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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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of Hon. Louis Benjamin Hanna of Fargo North Dakota

Cass County /

Hon. Louis Benjamin Hanna, born on August 9, 1860, in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, has established a successful political career through primary elections. He is the choice of his party’s voters to represent his state in Washington during the next congress. Coming from a lineage of diverse backgrounds, including Scotch, Irish, English, and French descent, Mr. Hanna received his education in various cities and settled in North Dakota in 1881. Engaged in farming and finance, he founded a bank and held positions in several financial institutions. His dedication to public service led to his election as a member of the state legislature and later as a state senator. Championing the people’s interests, especially advocating for good pure food laws, Mr. Hanna is highly regarded within his party and holds a prominent position in the state.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of H. H. Grover of Lisbon, North Dakota

Ransom County /

H. H. Grover, born in 1839, overcame early hardships and built a successful life for himself. He worked as a teacher and farmer before entering the mercantile business. Eventually, he settled in Ransom County, engaged in real estate, and later transitioned into property management and public service. Grover constructed a notable block in 1903 and now enjoys a peaceful retirement.

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Red River Valley title page vol 2

Biography of C. R. Stone of Fargo North Dakota

Cass County /

C. R. Stone, born in 1865, emerged as a self-made man despite challenging circumstances. Growing up in an era of financial struggle, he displayed remarkable determination and energy from a young age. Showing a talent for music, he organized and led a successful band at the age of thirteen. After years of study and teaching music in Minneapolis, he entered the music industry in Fargo, establishing his own business that rapidly grew in size and success. Stone’s unwavering willpower, tireless work ethic, and integrity propelled him forward. His contributions to North Dakota’s growth and cultural development, particularly in bringing music to isolated homes, earned him deep appreciation. Beyond business, Stone is described as big-hearted, generous, and a devoted family man.

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