Germany, Michigan, North Dakota, and Oregon figure in the life story of Theodore Castor. Born in Germany on November 16, 1836, the son of Mathias Joseph Castor and Margaretha Castor (nee Herberg), he with his father and two brothers, Peter and Jacob, migrated to America, leaving Germany in May, 1852, arriving in New York 47 days after leaving London. Day labor for the father and three brothers took up most of their time for a couple of years until the spring of 1854, when they settled in Allegan County, Michigan. Here the father took up land which was not very plentiful at that time and clearing land, working for others, occupied the family until May 13, 1861, when our subject enlisted in the army, expecting to be back in 60 or 90 days when he expected to be married, plans however did not materialize and it was not until 1863, home on a furlough, after being wounded, that he was married. Army life kept him busy until 1864, when he was wounded and taken prisoner by the Rebel Army, his wounds were such that his leg had to be amputated and after spending some time in army prisons he was paroled and reached his home in February, 1865, where he started a small store, was appointed postmaster, elected to various township and city offices. In 1879 he and his wife started on a trip to Germany to look after property willed to them by an uncle. Returning to Michigan he stayed a few years until on the 27 th day of April, 1885, he, his wife Barbara and children, Helen, then 21 years old, Louisa, 16 years old, Henry, 11 years old, Adam, 9 years old, and William, 4 years of age together with two other families and children started for North Dakota in covered wagons, including two teams of horses, 3 cows, two dozen chickens and two pigeons, (the pigeons flew away the first day). Their place of destination when leaving Michigan was Glen Ullin, N. D., stopping on their way at Ellendale they met a Mr. George Lawrence (already located at Hoskins) who urged them to stay at Hoskins as other Michigan people were located there. Land was taken up by Theodore Castor and by his oldest daughter Helen near Hoskins Lake. A few years later, on account of the health of his wife, Mr. Castor went west and finally located in the western central part of Oregon where he spent several years on a farm near Oakland, Oregon, where he passed away at the ripe old age of 85.

During the time he lived in Oregon he visited friends and relatives in Ashley many times and it is told that on one occasion, during a blizzard, he walked to the nearest neighbor to visit without telling anyone where he was going, after he had been gone some time the alarm went out that he must be lost in the blizzard and searchers began looking for him, not thinking to look in any homes they spent some time until more and more were told about it and then it was discovered where he was.

No history of McIntosh County would be complete without a few words relating to Mr. Clyde, an early settler and pioneer of Hoskins and Ashley.

Arthur W. Clyde was born at Onconta, N. Y., March 6, 1843. His ancestors on his father’s side were pioneer settlers of New Hampshire and New York and participated in the Intercolonial war, 1754-59, the Revolutionary War, and the war of 1812-15.

His parents Samual A. and Elizabeth Fern Clyde, became pioneer settlers of Wisconsin in 1844, and of Mitchell County, Iowa, in 1855. Mr. Clyde received his early education mostly from his mother in the absence of school opportunities, and in private schools, after which he graduated from the Cedar Valley Seminary, of Osage, Iowa. His studies were interrupted, however, by the War of the Rebellion. He enlisted for the war in August, 1862, in a Mitchell county company, and served with his regiment, the Twenty-seventh Iowa, in the Sixteenth Army Corps, thereafter until the regiment was mustered out, at Clinton, Iowa, August 8, 1865, participating in the Vicksburg campaigns, the capture of Little Rock, Ark., the Red River campaign, the Tupelo campaign, and resulting engagements.

Mr. Clyde was married in April, 1866 to Miss Rodella S. Pelton, of Mitchell County, Iowa. In 1875 he became a widower, and in 1877 married Miss Bessie Bjornson of Madison, Wisconsin. To this union one child was barn, E. T. Clyde, who served six years as County Superintendent of Schools of McIntosh County, was also engaged in newspaper business in Ashley and now located at Carson City, Nevada.

Mr. Clyde removed to western Iowa at the beginning of the year 1878, and immediately began the practice of law. He was compelled to relinquish his practice, however, in 1883, by reason of failing health. In 1886 he sought the invigorating climate of the Dakota frontier and located in McIntosh County on land southwest of Ashley, where he re-established himself in the practice of his profession.

Mr. Clyde’s public service comprises a term of two years as county auditor of Mitchell County, Iowa, and a continuous term of fourteen years (1890-1904) as state’s attorney of McIntosh County. He was also engaged for upwards of a year as one of the experts in compiling the Revised Codes of North Dakota. Mr. Clyde also qualified himself as a surveyor and a number of his works are on file in the county Court House, at Ashley, North Dakota.

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde have both passed to the Great Beyond.

Coming to McIntosh County in the nineties, were Mr. and Mrs. Sid Collins and family. Mr. Collins was born on November 22 nd , 1856, in Racine, Wisconsin. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Marie Wright.

In 1882, the Collins came to Dakota Territory and settled near Sanborn. They were not satisfied there, so moved to a farm six miles east of Ellendale, where they lived for three years. Having been given the contract as mail carrier between Ellendale and Ashley, they moved to Ellendale, being nearer his work. The trips on this route were long and could not be made in one day. The Basye Ranch at Coldwater was the stopping place for every one going to or coming from Ashley and here Mr. Collins spent many a night. The Collins moved to Coldwater later and when the Basye family moved away, they moved to that place. There possibly was no other pioneer, who could tell more about weather conditions in the early days, than Sid Collins. He loved the out of doors and with the coming of spring, the birds, flowers and fields of waving grain, one can picture Mr. Collins driving through the hills, whistling and singing and enjoying the wonders of Mother Nature. With the coming of winter, snow and blizzards, it was not so pleasant, but Mr. Collins was not one to complain and always had a smile and a word of cheer for every one he met. Mr. Collins drove this mail route for nearly fifteen years.

Coming to Ashley in 1907, he and his son Virgil engaged in the livery business which in later years was taken over by Virgil. Many people in and around Ashley do not know who Virgil Collins is, as he is known to old and young ever since he came to Ashley as just "Dude." With the coming of automobiles and seeing the possibilities of the future, Dude disposed of the Livery Business and purchased the Ford Agency, which he is at the present time operating.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins were blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Earl, in Washington; Florence, now Mrs. James Luce, Ashley; Virgil, Ashley; and Fay, now Mrs. William Maercklein, Minot, N. D.

Mrs. Collins died when they lived at Coldwater and is buried in the Cemetery at Ellendale.

In 1907 Mr. Collins married Edna Clayson. They lived in Ashley until his death in 1913. He was buried at Ellendale.

Coming to America in 1874, Christ G. Delzer located near Menno, Dakota Territory. He was born in Johannesthal, South Russia, on the 27 th day of February, 1865. He filed on a homestead near Menno and later was united in marriage to Miss Friedericka Lange, who lived with her parents in the same community.

In 1889, again answering the call of the pioneer, he sold his homestead and came northward. They came to Eureka by rail and from there to Ashley, by wagon and team.

He filed on a tree claim and a preemption, this land being about ten miles west of Ashley and about one mile from the present site of the town of Venturia. After building a sod and frame "shanty", as they speak of it, and a shelter for the cattle, the next thing to build was an oven. Up to now they had been doing their cooking out in the open, having dug a hole in the ground and the fire built in it. The oven was made of clay and stones; hay, weeds or anything that would burn, was used as fuel. Lumber was hauled from Eureka, from which benches and tables were made, and occasionally a trunk or dresser. The first dresser that Christ Delzer made, is still in use and in the possession of his son, Gottlieb. Plowing was done with a hand plow, drawn by oxen and horses, seed was sown by hand and the grain cut with a hand scythe. When it was ready to thresh, it was spread on the ground and the oxen driven over it, The chaff was either blown out by the wind or separated by hand.

Eureka was their nearest town and it took at least two days to make a trip. This family, as nearly all the early pioneers, gathered buffalo bones. These were hauled to town and were sold for 8 to 10 dollars per load and the necessities of life purchased. Bran was used by this family for bread, flour was a luxury, and when it was bought, it was the third or fourth grade.

They experienced an Indian scare in the early nineties. When the report came that the Indians were on the war path, the Delzers decided to pack all their belongings and go back to Menno. Everything was loaded in the wagon and Mrs. Delzer, the children and an Aunt, were to drive to Eureka and wait there for the father and the Uncle, who were to follow with the cattle and a few sheep they had. The women and children spent the night at Eureka and were very much alarmed in the morning because their men folks had not arrived. Not realizing the time it would take to drive cattle and sheep that distance, they started back to see what had happened. They met the men about half way, telling them it was a false alarm about the Indians, so they decided to go back to McIntosh County and their little home.

Mr. and Mrs. Delzer were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are living, namely: Gottlieb, farmer, Ashley; Rosina now Mrs. Engel, Venturia, N. D.; Barbara, now Mrs. Sayler, Underwood, N. D.; Carl, farmer, Venturia, Recka, now Mrs. Buchholz, Wyndmere, N. D.; Emma, now Mrs. Dohn, Venturia, N. D.; Christian C., Andrew, Henry, Theodore, Gust and Emil, all of Venturia, N. D.

Mr. Delzer died on November 29 th , 1931, and was laid to rest in the Baptist Cemetery at Venturia, N. D.
Mrs. Delzer passed away on September 15, 1935, and was buried beside her husband.

Gottlieb Delzer, son of Christ G. and Friedericka Delzer, was born near Freeman, Dakota Territory, and came to McIntosh County with his parents in 1889. Christ Delzer filed an a homestead near Freeman and lived there about twelve years. Being attracted by the lands being opened for filing entry in the north, he sold his homestead and decided to locate in the new territory. He received $800.00 for his land and immediately purchased three horses, two oxen, a cow, walking plow and a drag. These and their other belongings were shipped to Eureka, then the end of the railroad. The trip from there was made overland by oxen team.

Like the homes of all other pioneers of this part of the country, the house and barn were made of sod. The furniture was made of lumber and Gottlieb has in his possession, the first dresser or chest of drawers that his father made. The stove or oven was a home-made one of clay and stones. Slough and prairie hay, weeds and chips were gathered every day to use as fuel, the surplus being stacked for winter use. Buffalo bones and horns were gathered and hauled to Eureka to be sold. They received from 8 to 10 dollars per load for them and for the first year or so, this was their only means of existence. Later crop conditions improved, more land was cultivated and the returns of their labor more gratifying. Wheat sold for fifty to sixty cents per bushel and flax for about seventy cents. Butter brought from 4 to 6 cents per pound and eggs, 3 to 5 cents per dozen but many times the farmers were forced to take these products back home with them because of no market.

Church was held in the different homes on Sunday, neighbors gathering for the service and conducting it themselves. Schools were being established, having a two months term the summer.

In 1910, Mr. Delzer was united in marriage to Katharina Reidlinger, the nuptials being performed by Rev. J. B. Hople of the Evangelical Church of which they were members. In 1911, Mr. Delzer filed on a homestead in Hoskins Township.

There were ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Delzer and are, namely: Ida, Mrs. Gottlieb Mertz, Ashley; Anna, Mrs. Richard Speidel, Ashley; Christ, Rose, Henry, Emma, Wilbur Helen, Bob and Andrew at home.

Mr. and Mrs. Delzer live an a farm about three miles southwest of Ashley.

Worthy of mention as a pioneer of Ashley territory is the name of Jacob Dewald.

He was born on January 15, 1855 at Neudorfer, South Russia.

A desire to own his own land and home caused Mr. Dewald to cast his lot with others in the migration to the United States.

His first stop after arriving in America was Menno, S. D., and from there by ox team he traveled to McIntosh County, N. D., arriving here in the year 1885, where he settled on land about fourteen miles southeast of Ashley, N. D.

He had very little money and no equipment except a team of oxen, a wagon and plow. His early buildings were the then common sod house and barn.

In the early eighties he was married to Margareta Leicht to whom fourteen children were born, five of whom died quite early in life. Those now living are Christina, now 55 years old, the wife of Christ Wolf, living on a farm near Arena, N. D.; Jacob, now 53 years of age and living in Lodi, Cal.; Cary, now 47 years of age, the wife of Thomas Merts, farming near Danzig, N. D.; Paulina, now 41 years of age, the wife of John 47 years of age, the wife of Thomas Martz, farming near Ashley; John, born about 1896 who farmed near Ashley until his death in the fall of 1936; Martha, 36 years of age, the wife of Enoch Wahl, Rural Mail Carrier, Ashley, N. D.; Arthur. now about 33 years of age, living in Los Angeles, Calif.; Louise, wife of Jacob Klipfel, farming near Ashley, N. D.

Mr. Dewald’s son Fred served in the World War for one year, 9 months of which time was spent over seas in France, and he was 30 days in front battle line.

Mr. Dewald, a devout christian and a member of the Lutheran church, after 34 years of farming gave up the hardships of farm life and in 1919 retired to Ashley for a well earned rest, living in Ashley until July 1926, when he answered the call of his Maker.

Fred Dobler is worthy of mention as a pioneer of McIntosh County. In 1886 many of the people of the vicinity of Beresina were leaving far America and Fred was in one of the groups that came that year. He accompanied his parents, Gottlieb and Anna Marie Dobler to this country and settled in McIntosh County. Fred was born on January 29 th , 1864 in Beresina, South Russia.

Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Dobler came to McIntosh County and located about fifteen miles northeast of Ashley. Fred and the other children helped their parents build their sod house and get established and then the sons set out to seek their own fortune.

On January 30 th , 1888, Fred Dobler was united in marriage to Sophia Henneberg. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Loevin. They lived with Mrs. Dobler’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henneberg, the first year of their married life. Fred found employment during the spring work and being a good worker, he was in demand during the haying and harvesting season. With his earnings, he purchased a team of oxen, wagon and other implements needed in farming. The land he picked out for his homestead was fifteen miles northeast of Ashley, and he was fortunate to find that this land was open for entry when he went to the Land office to file on it. It joined the homestead of his parents.

He and his good wife, Sophia, built their house of sod and also an oven, a combination heater and cooking stove. The oven or stove was mode of clay and stones. It was fired twice a day, hay and chips being used for fuel. This produced enough heat for cooking and warmth. Their furniture was home-made and consisted of benches, table and a bed. Mrs. Dobler brought bedding, a few dishes and cooking utensils from her home.

The first years on their homestead were lean ones but every year brought some progress and through their careful living, they were able to save and in time acquire more land. The winters were long and severe and trips to town were few. Ashley was in its infancy and most of their trading was done there. Flour, coffee and sugar were the staple groceries that were purchased. Occasionally a gallon of syrup was brought home. Meat was a real treat, sometimes they would get a rabbit. The meals consisted mostly of bread and coffee.

Mr. and Mrs. Dobler raised nine children, all of whom are living. Their names and addresses are: Mathilda, now Mrs. Jacob Rattei, Wishek, N. D.; Otto, Napoleon, N. D.; Emelia, now Mrs. Gust Blessing, Ashley, N. D.; John, farmer, Ashley, N. D.; Gottfried, farmer, Fullerton, N. D.; Martha, now Mrs. Ed. Neis, Ashley, N. D.; Ben, farmer, Ashley, N. D.; Bertha, now Mrs. Gottlieb Dobler, Ashley, N. D., and Lydia, now Mrs. Otto Walz, Ashley, N. D.

Mr. and Mrs. Dobler had their share of toil and hardships as did all the other pioneers of this county but with their steadfast courage and determination, they accumulated enough that they might retire and enjoy the later years of their life. In 1920, Mr. Dobler purchased a home in Ashley and they moved to town. Mr. and Mrs. Dobler attended the Evangelical Church of which they were members.

Mr. Dobler suffered a paralytic stroke and passed away on July 22 nd , 1937. He was laid to rest in the Ashley Cemetery. A son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Walz, live with Mrs. Dobler in Ashley.

Coming to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Dockter, Sr., was Jacob J. Dockter. They left their native land on March 6 th , 1886, and arrived in this country on April 5 th , 1886. His parents came to Menno, S. D., and stayed there until the spring of 1889. Land to the north of Menno, about the central part of the Territory was being settled fast and it was there Jacob J. Dockter, Sr., and his family came, in the month of May 1889. His father filed an a homestead about 14 miles west of Ashley.

The first thing they did, was to erect a house and barn, these being of sod. Though only a lad of 7 years, Jacob recalls that the walls were of sod and the roofs of lumber that was hauled from the Missouri river. Oxen were used for plowing and Jacob was the one to lead them. He remembers the "old-fashioned" yoke across their necks and to this day, he says he can not understand how they could pull the plow. However the plowing was done this way for three years, until Mr. Dockter was able to buy horses.

When asked, what in his opinion, was the outstanding hardship of the early days, Mr. Dockter said, he thought the lack of water. They could not get water on their homestead and were compelled to drive the cattle two miles each day to water them. Jacob and his brother did not like walking that distance, so rode the cattle. Sometimes they could not get on them, so would have to wait until they lowered their heads and then jump on their necks and crawl on their backs. They thought that great sport and that they were riding in great style. Going back and forth with the cattle every day, they saw many antelope and buffaloes.

He remembers the winter of 1891 as one of the worse they experienced. They had not realized much from their crops and were in financial difficulty. During the winter, they were out of flour, so his father, having no money to purchase it with, thought he would go to Eureka and see if he could get it on credit. Upon arriving there, he went to the Postoffice first and to his surprise, received a letter from a friend of his from Menno, this man being a bachelor by the name of Mr. Breheim. Upon opening the letter, imagine his surprise to find a check for $25.00. Mr. Breheim wrote, he had heard of the conditions in this part of the country, so sold his cow and enclosed the check, being sure the Dockters could make use of it. He purchased the flour and other necessities and hurried home. Jacob says he can remember his father telling of this and how happy and grateful they all were to have such a friend, so happy, that they all cried.

In 1907, Mr. Dockter was united in marriage to Elizabeth Schwindt. To them, nine children were born, three of them dying in infancy.

The Dockters filed on a homestead about 3 miles from the town of Venturia and lived there for 12 years. In 1919, they moved to another farm that was closer to Venturia, and in 1928, he traded this farm for a store in Venturia. This business he managed until 1936, when he retired. Mr. and Mrs. Dockter still reside in Venturia, N. D.

Jacob Dockter was the oldest son of Gottlieb and Magdalena Dockter. He was born on July 1 st , 1860, in Neudorf, South Russia.

He and his family embarked for America an March 6 th , 1886, and arrived in the New York Harbor on April 5 th , 1886. They went directly to an Uncle, Phillip Bender, by name, who lived near Menno, and stayed there until fall. His finances were low and it was necessary he look for employment. Working all summer and using the money he earned to buy the traditional equipment necessary to travel and farming, they decided to go to McPherson or McIntosh County. However, in the meantime they had an opportunity to rent a farm belonging to Fred Goehring, near Menno, so they stayed there for two years.

On May 10 th , 1889, they left Menno, heading north, where many of the newcomers were going. They arrived in McIntosh County on May 25 th , 1889, and took up a homestead near the present site of the village of Venturia. Here they lived until 1923, when they moved into Venturia to occupy the home that their children had built for them.

On January 26 th , 1882, Mr. Dockter was united in marriage to Margaretha Krein. To them, seven children were born, those living are: Jacob, Gottlieb, Mrs. Eva Stroh and Mrs. Christine Dockter. The wife and mother passed away in 1895.

Realizing that he could not get along without a mate and a mother for his children, he married Mrs. Margaretha Stroh, nee Stoecker. They lived together nineteen years, Mrs. Dockter dying on June 18 th , 1914. They had seven children, two of whom survive and are: Mrs. Magdalena Schwindt and Mrs. Martha Lehr.

On August 29 th , 1914, Mr. Dockter married Mrs. Elizabeth Dockter Schlepp.

Mr. Dockter took an active part in the development of the community, serving on the school board of his township and as commissioner of his District.

He was an active church worker and was of the Reform Faith, serving as an Elder of the Church for twenty-five years. Also for twenty-five years, he was Secretary of the General Church Council of the Ashley Parish of the Reformed Church.

Mr. Dockter passed away on November 1 st , 1934. At the time of his death, he had 72 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

McIntosh County citizens in the vicinity of Lehr will well remember Gottlieb Doerr and his wife Christina. They were both born in South Russia, the former July 19, 1847, in Kassel, and the latter at Friedenstal on December 23, 1850.

They were married in the early seventies, and were the parents of five children, namely: Christina Doerr George, born March 11, 1874, living at Lehr, N. D.; Jacob Doerr, born December 23, 1876, living in Ashley, N. D.; August Doerr, born November 15, 1878, deceased; Eva Doerr Heupel, born October 9, 1880, deceased; and John Doerr. The son Jacob Doerr served as McIntosh County Judge for several years following his election in 1912.

The Doerr family left Russia at the time when many were seeking their fortune in America, the land of Promise. Their first stop was in Scotland, South Dakota. This did not seem to be the place they desired so in 1889 they took their household belongings and drove up into McIntosh County with a team of oxen arriving here March 14 th . The country around Lehr looked promising and they located about four miles south of where that town is now located. Neither house nor barn was on the place, just barren prairie. The first task therefore was to find a place with good tough sod which could be cut in strips and pile first crosswise and then lengthwise thus building up a shelter. The first building served as both barn and house. One end was partitioned off for use as a barn for the yoke of oxen and one milk cow. The room at the other end was used by the family as kitchen, dining room and bed room.

The farm equipment consisted of a plow, a wagon and a mower. This mower was also used in place of a binder to cut wheat and flax. This was raked together with pitchforks. The total value of the implements was about $30.00. After plowing, planting and harvesting with this crude machinery supplemented with good hard work by hand they received but 35 to 40 cents a bushel for wheat and 25 cents for barley.

Those days were happy days for the Doerr family in spite of the hard work. The family belonged to the Baptist Church and enjoyed seeing friends and neighbors when they met on Sunday to worship.

Mrs. Doerr preceded her husband in death which claimed her June 10, 1910. Mr. Doerr passed away April 14, 1926.

When he was twelve years old, Jacob G. Doerr accompanied his parents, Gottlieb and Christina Doerr, nee Becker, to America from Pausthal, South Russia, where he was born on December 23 rd , 1876.

His family settled in the southern part of Dakota Territory, near Scotland. They lived there three or four years and then having decided that McIntosh County was the place they wanted to make their permanent home, they came north. Their family and few belongings were packed in a wagon, drawn by oxen and they were on their way. It was a long and slow trip, but it meant a new home in a new land and they were glad to reach their destination. They arrived here in May 1889 and Mr. Doerr’s father immediately filed on a homestead. All hands helped build a house; it was made of sod and was quite large. One end of it was used as a barn and the other end was divided into two rooms, a parlor and a kitchen. They did not have beds or much in the line of furniture but they were warm and comfortable. Mr. Doerr recalls sleeping on hay in the summer and on seed grain, that was kept in the house, in the winter. They attended church and visited with their neighbors, these trips being made on a stone boat or on foot.

The nearest town was Ellendale, which meant that not many trips were made there as it took a week to make the round trip. All provisions were purchased there and they were not many. A dollar’s worth of sugar and 5 gallons of kerosene were sufficient for the winter.

When Jacob was twenty one years old, he filed on land one half mile south of where his parents had homesteaded. In the same year, 1898, he was united in Holy Matrimony with Christina George at the home of her parents, Rev. Reichert officiating. They lived on their homestead until 1912, when they moved to Ashley. Mr. Doerr had been elected to the office of County Judge, which office he held until 1921.

Seven sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Doerr, all of whom are living. They are:

August, States Attorney, Napoleon, N. D.; Edward, Supt. of Schools, McIntosh County, Ashley; Albert, Druggist, Napoleon, N. D.; John, at home; Henry, barber, Ashley; Walter, operating a Filling Station, Ashley; and William, Book Keeper for North American Creamery Co., Valley City, North Dakota.

Mr. Doerr was engaged in the grain business for a few years but retired. He and his wife reside in Ashley.

Albert William Farley, oldest son of Mark and Mary Farley was born in Lapeer County, Michigan, in the year 1842, and died in the year 1887, on a farm near Ellendale in Dakota Territory.

He married Anna E. Mellen of Romeo, Michigan, in the year 1886, and to this union was born, five children, namely: Arthur M., Nina Mary, Albert A., Karl C., and Ella Marion.

After he had ended college at Ann Arbor, Michigan, he took a position as professor and planned to make teaching his life’s occupation. But his father was taken ill and died, so he gave up his chosen profession and went back to take up the work on the farm. For nearly twenty years he operated the farm, but contracted asthma and became incapacitated for such work. After having been treated by physicians, he went to specialists in Detroit, who were unable to do much for him, and advised a change of climate.

In 1886, he joined the trek to the west and eventually came from Ellendale, Dickey County, into the new county of McIntosh. Here he took up a homestead, pre-emption and tree claim about one mile north of Ashley. He spent the summer here and found relief from asthma and in the fall he returned to his home in Michigan during the winter. He closed up his business, held a sale in the spring and left in the month of March with three freight cars loaded with stock and household goods. During the month of April, his wife and family followed him into Dakota Territory.

Their life together in their new home on the prairie, with hopes and plans for a happy and prosperous future were rudely shattered by an unforeseen tragedy. On the 5 th day of June, 1887, before they had built a permanent home or become established, Mr. Farley died suddenly from accidental poisoning. His wife and five children were left here in a strange place to cope with the hard life of pioneering.

In his death, Macintosh county lost a man of sterling character and fine integrity. Being well educated, and a great lover of books, broad minded and philanthropic, he would have figured largely and constructively in the developing of McIntosh County, had he lived.

George H. Fay was known to the early pioneers as "Cap" Fay or "Judge" Fay.

He was one of the early settlers of McIntosh County, coming here in 1886, as a solicitor for right of way for the railroad grade to be built from Aberdeen to Bismarck.

A home was built in Hoskins where he was joined by his wife; later they along with the balance of the town moved to Ashley in 1888.

Mr. Fay as remembered by those who knew him was a tall, thin scholarly man, with a grey pointed beard and mustache and while usually quiet and serious still had a humorous side when socially inclined.

While practicing law on an independent basis he was also closely associated in a friendly and business way with the firm of Wishek and Lilly and had his office in the old Land Office building.

Mr. Fay was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention at Grand Forks in 1889.

He was the first States Attorney of McIntosh County, having been appointed by the County Commissioners in 1887, and held office until January, 1891. He also held the office of County Judge (1893-95).

A short time after the expiration of his term of office he moved to Ellendale where he practiced his profession as Attorney at law, later moving to Oakes, N. D., where he lived until his death.

One of our informants tells us an amusing incident in connection with Mr. Fay. It seems that our informant when he left Ashley in 1893, had quite a few outstanding accounts due him and left them with Judge Fay for collection. Some months after reaching Ohio he received a letter from the Judge enclosing a bank draft for collections made and ended his letter by saying, "If you don’t get this, let me know."

One of the young men to cast his lot with early pioneers in McIntosh County was August Fischer.

Born in Tarutina, now Roumania, July 24, 1868, and as a youth left his native land with his parents. Scotland was their home for a year prior to their coming to McIntosh County in the fall of 1886. Mr. Fischer worked at home with his parents for a few years, and in 1890 he was married to Katherina Beglau, the service being read by Rev. Tzapff a pastor of the Lutheran Church.

For a short time after his marriage Mr. Fischer lived with his parents, then filed on land in Antelope Valley. A sod house was the first home. Lack of fuel, blizzards and shortage of water were among the hardships suffered. No money was on hand to buy anything except the real necessary food and clothing. Their early farm equipment was a plow and a very early type reaper. Trips were made to Ellendale for food and other supplies. Their early stove was a hole in the side of a steep hill and after the baking was done the pigs would sleep in the warm ashes. Fuel was rushes cut from around the lakes. Beds were constructed of cheap lumber and had a solid bottom upon which was placed a straw tick. Schools were not available and church was held in various homes, the neighbors coming from 10 to 12 miles to attend.

After living on his land for about two years, Mr. Fischer moved to a farm about a mile east of Kulm and lived there for about three years, later moving to Kulm where he now lives with his daughter, Mrs. Albert Jenner.

Mr. and Mrs. Fischer were the parents of eight children, namely: Mrs. G. E. Fischer, Elgin, N. D.; Mrs. F. L. Guthmuller, Lodi, Calif.; Reinhold, Baltimore, Md.; Mrs. Albert Jenner, Kulm, N. D.; Mrs. John Beglau, Lodi, Calif.; Mrs. Charles KaDell, Edgeley, N. D.; Edward, Baltimore, Md., and William, Kulm, N. D. The son Reinhold was born August 10, 1892, and answered the call to the colors and was inducted at LaMoure, N. D., on April 29, 1918. He served in Battery F 238 Field Artillery until May 16, 1918, then was in Company M 357 th Infantry until discharged at Fort McHenry, Md., on April 10, 1920, as a first class private.

Mr. Fischer tells of an amusing experience in connection with the Indian scare. It seems that several young fellows would gather at the home of a certain neighbor night after night and the topic of conversation would always be about Indians, this kept up until the host becoming bored decided to put on end to Indian stories. He arranged with a couple of fellows to disguise themselves as Indians and come to his house some evening when the crowd would be there. When they came and knocked on the door he opened it up and here were the two boys dressed as Indians, they fired a shot and the host let out a yell and dropped to the floor apparently shot, the visitors lost no time in getting out of the house taking the windows as they went, fences were no handicap in their mad flight, one fellow finding a hole in the hay stack crawled in and hid himself. Two of the visitors started for town with their horse and buggy. The two, who had disguised themselves as Indians arrived in town before the others and had told about the joke, so when the others arrived and began to tell about the experience with the Indians they were laughed at. Result no more nightly visits and a broken friendship.

Frieda, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Becker, came from South Russia with her parents in the year of 1885, to Parkston, Dakota Territory. The next year the Becker family came to McIntosh County and located in Jewell Township. The forefathers of the Beckers had lived in Germany for generations before they went to Russia. Czar Nicholas had offered free land to any Germans who would settle in his country, so many emigrated there. All went well until he forced them to speak the Russian language and serve in his army. It was then, the Becker family decided to come to America, the country offering them religious freedom, land and home. It took them twenty-one days to cross the ocean. All they brought with them was their clothing and bedding.

In 1903, on the 27 th day of May, William Forest was united in marriage to Frieda Becker. To them, five children were born, three sons and two daughters.

They moved to Ashley and rented a hotel which was known and is still known as "The Ashley Hotel." Mr. Forest deserted his wife and children. Hard though it was to raise and provide a living for five children, she managed to save enough to buy the hotel and operated it for fifteen years. Besides paying all the family obligations and educating her children, she built a large home in the south part of the city of Ashley and bought a farm six miles north of Ashley. She disposed of her hotel interest, selling it about ten years ago. She lived on her farm about ten years and in the fall of 1937, sold her belongings and went to Minneapolis, to make her home with her daughter, Myrtle.

Four of her children are living and are: Eugene, in Minneapolis, Minn.; Ivan, in California; Howard, at Ashley, N. D., and Myrtle, now Mrs. V. Scott, Minneapolis, Minn.; Hazel, who was the oldest of the two daughters passed away in Missoula, Montana, in 1928, at the age of twenty-three years.

It was on the 30 th day of April, 1888, that Christoph Fregien came to McIntosh County. He was born on December 26 th , 1871, in Bessarabia, South Russia, and was sixteen years old when he left his native land and came to America. He landed in New York and came by rail to Ellendale, Dakota Territory. There he purchased a team of oxen and a wagon and started westward for McIntosh County. He filed on a homestead about fifteen miles northeast of Ashley.

In 1890, he was married to Lydia Schaerer, Rev. Laux officiating. Mrs. Fregien come to McIntosh County in the month of April, 1890, and could not have gone farther if she had wanted to, as she had just twenty-six cents in her purse. They built a small sod house, 12 x 18, and lived in it two months. Then they built one considerably larger, being 18 x 36 in size. They did not possess any dishes or furniture. Tin cans that they had picked up at Ellendale were used as cups and two big store boxes were used as a table and a kitchen cabinet. Smaller boxes were used as chairs. There was no floor in their house, save the ground, and it also served as their bed. They built an oven of clay and stones and used hay and weeds as fuel. Bread and coffee were about all they had to eat. Until they dug a well, they got the water for drinking and cooking out of a small lake near the house. Mr. Fregien says that the well they dug the first years on their homestead is still in use. Mosquitoes and flies were in abundance, especially the first year.

Mr. Fregien picked buffalo bones and hauled them to Ellendale where he sold them for eight to ten dollars per ton. Sometimes they were exchanged for flour and coffee. Ellendale was a distance of thirty-two miles and trips were not made there unless they were necessary.

Farm equipment consisted of a breaking plow, two oxen and a wagon. They were not able to put in much of a crop the first year, but as conditions improved, they bought more and better farm implements and had more acres under cultivation. Farm products brought better prices and with a good yield from their crops, they were able to pay the debt on their farm.

Deer and antelope were often seen in the early days. The lakes and sloughs were full of water and there were wild ducks and geese.

There were twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fregien, seven of whom are living. They are: Christoph, Milwaukee, Wis.; Gottlieb, farmer, Ashley; Emanuel and Helena at Jamestown, N. D.; Otto and Frederich at Ostanna, Oregon; and Alexander at Fargo, N. D. One son, John, served in the World War and died in service.

After living on their homestead for forty-seven years, Mr. and Mrs. Fregien retired and moved to Ashley. They purchased a comfortable home in the West central part of the town, where they reside. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

© Tim Stowell 2001-2017