Another very early pioneer that should be mentioned is Jacob Rall, born in South Russia, on March 18, 1857.

In the year 1884 Mr. Rall emigrated to the United States, making his first stop at Menno, S. D., where he arrived in September, 1884. After spending the fall and winter in Menno, Mr. and Mrs. Rall loaded the ox team and what little farm machinery and household goods they had in an emigrant car and went by train to Ipswich, S. D., and from there by covered wagon to McIntosh County. In May, 1885, they settled on land in Section 29, Township 129, Range 68, about twelve miles southeast of Ashley.

Being accustomed, as they were in the old country, to having neighbors, relatives and friends living close by, the Rall family counted among their early hardships the lack of nearby neighbors, no relatives and only a few scattered families living in that neighborhood. Getting to a town was tiresome and tedious, most of these trips were made on foot because traveling by ox team was too slow.

With plenty of hard work, assisted by the team of oxen and a breaker plow, the sod was cut to furnish material for their house and barn which was built shortly after their arrival.

Mr. Rall was united in marriage to Magdalina Arnold, who was born in South Russia, on March 31, 1862, and to this union were born eight children, the oldest of whom is Mrs. Mathias Kempf, born January 5, 1889, now living in Ashley, N. D.; Jacob J. Rall, born March 1, 1891; John Rall, born February 14, 1893; Christ Rall, born June 13, 1895; Fred Rall, born September 28, 1897; Otto Rall, born June 12, 1900, all farming near Ashley, N. D.; Wilhelm Rall, born February 22, 1902, and Gottlieb Rall, born May 22, 1904, living in Ashley, N. D., of the boys, Christ Rall served in the World War.

After thirty years of successful farming, during which time Mr. Rall acquired considerable land, he retired and with his wife moved to Ashley for a well earned rest. Here he lived enjoying his declining years and attending the Lutheran Church of which he was a member until May 3, 1926, when he passed to the Great Beyond at the age of 69 years, 1 month and 15 days. He was laid to rest in the Lutheran Cemetery at Ashley. Mrs. Rall still makes her home in Ashley.

Another of the pioneer couples who settled in McIntosh county in the eighties, was Mr. and Mrs. Peter Reidlinger. Mr. Reidlinger was born on November 2 nd , 1865, in Neisatz, South Russia, and was twenty-three years old when he and his wife, Rosina, born Feil, came to this country.

Dakota Territory was being settled quite rapidly and where most of the German-Russian people were locating. The Reidlingers, too, came to Dakota Territory and as far as Eureka by rail. There they purchased a team of horses and a wagon, and with their few belongings they started across the country, arriving at Ashley on November 5 th , 1888. Here they decided to make their home, so Mr. Reidlinger filed on a homestead six and a half miles west of Ashley. They had fifty dollars in cash and it surely was not much to face the winter and purchase seed for the spring planting. It was late in the fall when they came and they did not get as much done as they would have liked, before winter set in. Their house and barn were of sod, farm implements very meager, being a hand plow and a drag. Two oxen and a cow were used for plowing. The Reidlingers first years here, were ones never to be forgotten. There were no crops, either being destroyed by drouth or hail and it was hard to make ends meet. Other settlers were having the same experience as they, so they were not discouraged. In a few years more land was cultivated and seeded and one could see fields of waving grain.

In 1921 Mr. Reidlinger sold his homestead to Karl Bauman and bought land twenty-one miles northeast of Ashley. He moved his family and belongings there. This land, he farmed until his death in 1931. In the early winter of 1931, Mrs. Reidlinger disposed of her farm machinery and moved to Ashley, where she made her home with her son, Peter. Later she built a home in the city of Ashley, where she now lives.

Mr. and Mrs. Reidlinger raised eleven children, eight of whom are living and are: Katharina, now Mrs. Gottlieb Delzer, Ashley, N. D.; Albertina, now Mrs. Fred Hinz, Ashley, N. D.; John, in Canada; Peter, in Ashley, N. D.; Christina, now Mrs. Jacob Bollinger, Ashley, N. D.; Carolina, now Mrs. Sam Knoblich, Ashley, N. D.; Sophia, now Mrs. Henry Krueger, Kulm, N. D., and Adolph, Ashley, N. D. One son, Mathais, died in 1936, and two daughters, Rosina and Marie died in early womanhood.

John Reiger and his wife Barbara were among the early pioneers that came to McIntosh County in 1885. Mr. Reiger was dissatisfied with the prospects in Russia. He had been bought into Military Service by a wealthy man. This man had paid the Government $800.00 for his son's exemption with the understanding that John Reiger serve in his son's place. This agreement and arrangement was satisfactory as far as the Government and the wealthy man were concerned but Mr. Reiger felt differently about it. A friend told him to go to America to evade serving. Keeping everything to themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Reiger worked out a plan that would enable them to get to the border and the port. It was not an easy task and they encountered many difficulties but in time they reached the port and were on the ship. They were not at ease until they were on the high seas and felt that they were out of danger of this unjust act.

They did not bring anything with them but the clothes they had on their backs and they were without funds. They stopped at Tyndal and earned enough money to come on to McIntosh County which was in the month of May in 1885. First they lived north of Zeeland, and then moved to their farm 12 miles west of Danzig. They picked buffalo bones and sold them for $15.00 per ton, using the money for lumber for the roof and door of their sod house. Being late in the spring they were unable to break much land or plant much of a crop. Consequently there was not much harvested but with the money they got from their crop and from the sale of the buffalo bones that they had gathered all summer, they were able to buy the necessities of life and save for the long winter months that were ahead of them. Their equipment consisted of a team of oxen, cow, wagon and a plow but as conditions improved, more equipment was purchased and more land tilled.

Mrs. Reiger says that their first crop sold for forty five cents per bushel. Commodities were very cheap and she remembers one piece of yardage that she purchased that cost three cents per yard.

Mr. and Mrs. Reiger were the parents of sixteen children, six of whom survive and are: Barbara, now Mrs. Christian Dockter, Wishek, N. D.; Christina, now Mrs. John Walth, living west of Wishek, N. D.; Katharina, now Mrs. Henry Klautt, Ashley. N. D.; Frederich, living on a farm west of Danzig, N. D.; Emma, now Mrs. Edward G. Herr, Wishek, N. D.; and Emanuel, living on the home farm west of Danzig.

The Reigers had their share of hardships as did their neighbors but they did not complain or become discouraged. They worked diligently and unceasingly and were satisfied with the place they had chosen as their permanent home. They were members of the Lutheran Church and took an active part in church work.

Mr. Reiger passed away in August, 1917, and since his death Mrs. Reiger has made her home with her son Frederich.

George Rempfer played a very important part in the early history of McIntosh County. He was the son of Johann George Rempfer and was born December 31, 1856, in Bessarabia, South Russia. His wife, Friedericka Breitling, to whom he was married in 1878, was born in Beresina, South Russia, on January 1, 1860.

They left their native land emigrating to North America, arriving at Scotland, Dakota Territory, in December 1884. The next spring he went by rail to Ipswich and from there with others started by team northwest over the prairie looking for a location. After finding what suited him he returned to Scotland for his family. Household goods and other belongings were loaded in box cars and taken as far as Ipswich, then the end of the railroad. From there belongings were transferred overland to McIntosh county, where they arrived in May 1885. In the company were Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich Stroebel (a sister of George Rempfer), and their three children, Katherina, Friedrich, Jr., and Carolina. A sister of Mr. Rempfer, Miss Katherina Rempfer, also his father, Johann George Rempfer, and George Rempfer with his wife, and their two children Christian and Paulina.

After arriving at their location sod was broke for material with which to build sod shacks for shelter, and a little flax was seeded. Farm equipment was quite meager, consisting of a pair of oxen, breaker plow, wagon and some small tools, they also had a cow and a few chickens. Later in the summer Mr. Rempfer purchased a team of horses, as he had a lot of traveling to do for others, as well as far himself, locating and measuring land for new settlers in the community.

When trying to make his filing on his homestead, preemption and timber-claim he went to Hoskins, then the local land office and was told that the land he intended filing on was already taken and that he should file on other land. Mr. Rempfer not to be outsmarted and believing that the land he wanted, being of very fine quality, was being held for someone else, immediately went to Aberdeen and made his filing there for himself and others in his company. He filed on land in Section 3, Township 129, Range 71.

The crop of 1885 was very small, only about 35 or 40 bushels of flax for which the price was very low, so the family would pick buffalo bones, haul them to Ipswich and sell them with which to purchase necessities. Trips were also made to the Missouri River hauling wood to be used as roofs on buildings, home-made farm implements and fuel. Storms and prairie fires were common and dangerous and in 1889, a big prairie fire destroyed everything owned by the Rempfers and they had to go over fifteen miles to get feed for their livestock.

By 1893 conditions had improved and in that year Mr. Rempfer erected a two story house, 30 by 32, the first story being of dirt and clay, the second story of lumber. A frame shed was also erected.

About this time Mr. Rempfer, being of a progressive nature and leader in his neighborhood, started a general merchandise store, he also handled farm machinery and implements. In 1895 he was appointed postmaster at Kassel, a rural postoffice about 15 miles west of Ashley. He took an active interest in public and civil affairs and was one of the leading representatives of the German-Russian families that settled in McIntosh County, they would come to him for information whenever they had difficult problems to solve. He also helped them in locating and filing on their land.

In 1898 Mr. Rempfer was elected County Commissioner from his district and held office until his death in February 1900, by which time he had acquired 960 acres of land, nice large farm buildings, a complete line of farm machinery, a good number of horses and cattle. He also owned his general merchandise store.

Mr. and Mrs. Rempfer were the parents of thirteen children, 3 of whom died in infancy, those who reached maturity were: Christian, now living at Trail City, S. D.; George, Jacob and Fred all living at Zeeland, N. D.; Christiana (now Mrs. John Roth) living near Venturia, N. D.; Benjamin living at Isabel, S. D.; Lydia (now Mrs. Ben Geiszler) living at Ashley, N. D.; and Emma (now Mrs. John J. Mehlhaff) living at Tyndall, S. D.; Pauline (wife of Gottfried Dobler of Venturia, N. D.) died at the age of 26. Gottlieb who lived at Zeeland, N. D., died in March 1936 at the age of 47.

Three of the sons, Jacob, Benjamin and Fred were in military service during the World War.

After the death of Mr. Rempfer, his widow with the help of the family, took over the burden of farming. She disposed of the store business and shortly after the post office was discontinued. Being naturally saving and economical and careful in her business dealings Mrs. Rempfer was able to add 480 acres of land to that already owned.

In 1910 Mrs. Rempfer retired from farming and was married to Jacob Kaul of Ashley who died eleven years later. In about 1922, Mrs. Rempfer Kaul was married to Gottlieb Eisemann of Eureka, S. D., where she lived until her death on July 14, 1929 at the age of 69 years, 7 months and 13 days. She was buried beside her first husband, George Rempfer at the Kassel Baptist cemetery.

In the early nineties another family, that of Carl Retzer, came from the fatherland to cast their lot with McIntosh County settlers. Mr. Retzer was born September 27, 1858, in South Russia and grew to manhood there. He married Katharina Steinwandt and they established a home in Russia. Hearing stories of the great new land across the sea they decided to emigrate to America, hoping for better things for themselves and their children than their homeland could provide.

The new home, reached after a tedious journey, was east of Ashley. They had a little money, a few oxen and a hand plow as their resources for making a living from the virgin soil. Their first buildings were of sod, later of stone and finally some frame buildings were constructed. Many hard days of toil were spent by both Mr. and Mrs. Retzer to keep their family of small children fed and clothed so that they did not suffer. One advantage they had was that Ashley was established at this time and they did not have to make the long journey overland to Ellendale for provisions.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Retzer, namely: Katharina Spitzer, born February 6, 1890, living at Forbes, N. D.; Magdalena Haux, born April 5, 1891, living at Forbes, N. D.; Carl born October 1, 1893, now farming at Cleveland, N. D.; John, born August Z7, 1896, now farming, his postoffice being Kulm, N. D.; Christian K., born May 5, 1897, now W. P. A. foreman at Ashley, N. D.; Christina Haux, born April 17, 1899, living at Forbes, N. D., and Carolina Bertsch, born March 16, 1901, living at Ashley, N. D.

The son John along with other young men served his country during the World War in 1917.

Mr. Retzer passed away November 1, 1902, leaving his widow to carry on and make a living for herself and children. All worked and they got along fairly well but no longer have the farm where the first settlement was made. John Merkel now resides there.

Mrs. Retzer passed away June 30, 1922.

Among the pioneers who came as a child to McIntosh County with his parents is Christian Retzer, Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian Retzer, Sr., of Ashley, N. D.

Mr. Retzer was born April 20, 1885, in Gluecksthal, South Russia, and at the age of four years accompanied his parents to America, arriving in McIntosh County in April 1889.

Traveling by boat and train their first stop after leaving the old country was Eureka, South Dakota, where they were met by a friend named Daniel Opp who took them to his farm, where they stayed a few days until Mr. Opp took them on to the land selected by Mr. Retzer, Sr., being the southwest quarter of Section 35, Township 129, Range 70.

The Retzer family was not well provided with farm implements owning a pair of oxen, a cow, breaking plow, an old wagon, and a mower with which to begin farm life in Dakota. A few cooking utensils comprised about all the house furnishings owned by them. They had spent what little money they had for these necessities, and as there was no chance to earn more they were quite hard pressed, very little food they had brought with them remained, and many times they were unable to get all they wanted to eat. Sod buildings and some made with mud and stones were soon erected. Crops were planted, harvested with mower, then hand raked and hauled home where it was tramped out by the oxen. These are some of the early hardships of the Retzer family as remembered by Christian Retzer, Jr.

Mr. Retzer remained on his father's farm until he was married. On November 15, 1906, he was united in marriage to Fredericka Hoffman by Rev. Wilhelm Landsiedel, Pastor of the Reform Church. To this union were born five children, namely: Mary Magdalena, born May 2, 1912, and at this writing working as a clerk in Spitzer's Store, Ashley, North Dakota; Julius Christian, born April 1, 1916, assisting his father on the farm; Anna Adelana, born July 10, 1918, living with her parents; Arthur Walter, born February 19, 1920, attending Ashley High Schaol; Esther Viola, born December 27, 1921, attending Ashley High School.

Mr. Retzer has been very successful in his farming and has acquired considerable land. In addition to looking after his farm he had devoted his time to public and civic affairs having served from 1910 to 1915 inclusive as Treasurer of Lowell School District and School Clerk at the same district from 1916 to 1933 inclusive.

Mr. Retzer is a member of the Lutheran Church and has held such church offices as Clerk, Treasurer, Sunday School teacher and Sermon Reader when the Pastor is not present. This last office he still holds.

Christian Retzer, Sr., was born in Glucksthal, South Russia, on the 23 rd day of November, 1863. When he was twenty-five years old, he left his native land and journeyed to America. It was on a lovely day in the month of April, 1889, that Christian Retzer and his wife, Rosina, born Opp, arrived in Ashley, driving from Eureka by ox team.

The location they chose for their future home was six miles southwest of Ashley. Trees and logs were hauled from the Missouri River, which were used as rafters an the sod house and barn. Having no stove, Mrs. Retzer dug a hole in the ground and gathered weeds and hay to use as fuel to cook their meals, until the completion of the house and the clay oven. Their farm equipment was very meager, consisting of a plow, wagon and mower and worth about seventy-five dollars.

The Retzers experienced many hardships, blizzards, Indian scares and other problems that all the pioneers endured. Mr. Retzer tells of an Indian scare they had. Some one spread the alarm that the Indians were on the war path and headed his way. He loaded their meat and belongings and family in the wagon and started for their mother's place about seven miles east of Ashley. It was a false alarm, so every one returned home and went back to work.

Mr. and Mrs. Retzer were the parents of three children. They are: Christian Jr. who resides on the homestead; Carolina, now Mrs. Hoffman, living on a farm near Ashley and Christina, now Mrs. Klipfel, living near Merricourt, N. D.

In 1916, Mr. Retzer retired and moved to Ashley where he and his wife reside at the present. They are members of the Lutheran Church.

First County Judge of McIntosh County. Appointed by Board of County Commissioners. Served from 1884 to 1889 inclusive.

"Not the good that comes to us, but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success." Judging the life of Charles Roehm from this standard, his was a most successful one. He was loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. Never did he seek that prominence which in a large measure brings the individual before the public eye. His neighborhood was the scene of his activities. There his kindly generous spirit was continually extending out with a full measure of sincere helpfulness toward all. Without invidious distinction it may well be said that no man in McIntosh county was better loved than Charles Roehm.

Charles Roehm was born at Zetel in the Grand Duchy at Oldenburg, Germany, November 1, 1852. He acquired his education in the graded schools of Germany. Here he grew to manhood doing blacksmith work in the ship yards for a livelihood. He left his native land and came to America in 1880 and located at Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, where he and his brother George became co-partners in the blacksmith trade. In 1882 he married Miss Rebecca Stageman of Parkers Prairie, Minn. She was of German ancestry having came to America with her parents at the age of fifteen. They remained at Parkers Prairie until April, 1886, when they packed their meager belongings and family, then consisting of two small children, namely John and Anna, into an ox-cart, and started far the west with Bismarck as their destination. After three long months of plodding along over roadless prairies their team of oxen became exhausted and with only $1.50 cash left, they were forced to cease their journey, having reached what is now the present Doyle State Park. They had traveled approximately four hundred miles. There they remained and filed on that homestead. Their first form of shelter consisted of a dugout on the south side of a hill with a sod front. Later a sod house was erected. For a living buffalo bones were gathered and hauled by oxen to Ellendale, that being their nearest town or trading post. As soon as finances would permit Charles Roehm opened the first blacksmith shop in McIntosh County, serving the sparsely settled farmers and cattlemen in a radius of twenty-five miles.

Charles Roehm differed from most of the early settlers in that he did not engage in farming and his spirit was deeply grieved in seeing countless acres of rolling prairie turned into sod. He advocated cattle and sheep as a great possibility in McIntosh County and devoted his attention thereto. His herds numbered four hundred and more.

Along the shores of Green Lake in this crude, simple, sod house brightened by the beautiful soul of a most loving and tender mother seven children were born. These children are: William Arthur, Druggist, Enderlin, N. D.; Ida Marion (Mrs. Zra Bastian) Easton, Ill.; Charlie Donald, stockman, Buffalo, Wyo.; George John, carpenter, Wishek, N. D.; Frank Waldron, farmer, Wishek, N. D.; Fred G., farmer, Wishek, N. D.; Luciele Marlys, nurse, Eugene, Oregon.

With educational facilities lacking in a thus new country the father and mother did not lose sight of the necessity of school for their children. Another wing was constructed on their sod shanty, a private tutor hired, and there, their and their neighbor's children received their first rudiments of an education.

Many were the hardships encountered by these sturdy pioneers but with their armor of courage and faith in a Higher Being they found their way ahead. Stories of Indians attacking a neighboring community bringing thoughts of fear and horror to them were not uncommon. Prairie fires were a constant threat. Coyotes howled around their shanty at night and the noises of the wild geese on the lake were responsible for many a sleepless night. There being no doctor in the county all forms of ailments and sickness were treated by a few simple home remedies. In the winter of 1898 came the first sadness to this pioneering family. They became the victims of a diphtheria epidemic. The father never failing his family, and turning his back to all dangers he might be encountering felt that alcohol was needed for medicine and he walked through snow up to his waist in below zero weather to Hoskins where the same was obtained, returning with it the same day. The lives of all the children were spared except Anna who died January 16, 1898.

Charles Roehm prospered financially and acquired considerable range land. In 1899 he purchased the present Frank Roehm farm for $1.50 per acre and moved his family there in 1902. Where the farm buildings now stand is a historical site in the county, in that before the days of the railroad, it was the townsite of Youngstown a little trading point and post office. where a Mr. Young was postmaster and O. F. Bryant of Napolean drove stage.

From this new location Charles Roehm extended his cattle and sheep business and built himself a fine set of buildings which have since been completely wiped out by prairie fires. In this new home another son, Richard Robert, was born July 27, 1904. He is now a chemist and resides at Anaheim, Calif.

In the fall of 1907 the health of Mrs. Roehm gave way to the severe strain of pioneering and on February 18, 1908 she died at the early age of forty seven. Her death marked the passing of one of McIntosh County's real pioneer mothers, who not only knew but endured its countless hardships. Her deeply religious nature, patient suffering, loyal devotion and untiring efforts for her family stand as an inspiration for good in the hearts of all who knew her. She was of Lutheran faith. Internment was made in the Wishek Cemetery.

In 1910 Charles Raehm broadened out his business enterprises and established himself in a meat market in Wishek. He acquired several other business establishments in Wishek which were later sold and his attentions centered on his ranch.

Mr. Roehm did not assume any active part in politics but he was always an advocate and a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic Party.

On March 26, 1915 the earthly record of Charles Roehm closed, rounding out an earthly life of 62 years, 4 months and 26 days. Burial was officiated from the Lutheran Church in Wishek with Rev. Willms pastor, and internment was made in the Wishek cemetery along side of his wife.

Georg Roth was born in Alexander, South Russia, on April 28, 1858. Was united in marriage to Katharina Heuther by Rev. Albert. Mr. Roth was in military duty in Russia before coming to the United States.

At the age of 28 Mr. Roth and wife left the old country and started for America. Their first stopping place in the United States was Scotland, S. D., where they remained two weeks before starting with ox team for McIntosh County, arriving here an June 7, 1886. Mr. Roth filed and settled on land about five miles northwest of Venturia, N. D.

Mr. Rath started his life in America with two oxen, one cow, a wagon, plow and scythe, after having borrowed the money with which to buy them. After getting settled in a sod house a little land was broken up and seeded to flax. Crops were poor and what little was harvested did not bring much money and a living was made by picking buffalo bones, which sold for $4.00 a wagon load full. Meat was a thing unknown, except for a rabbit, shot once in a while, and coffee and sugar were luxuries that could not be indulged in. Mr. Roth, however, was a hard worker and prospered as time went on until he had acquired considerable land and property.

To Mr. and Mrs. Rath were born five children, namely: Christiana (now Mrs. Jacob Rieb), born July 7, 1886, and living at Wishek, N. D.; John, born September 7, 1888 and married to Christina Rempfer, now living at Venturia, N. D.; Henry, born November 3, 1890, married to Lydia Breitling, and living at Ashley, N. D.; Wilhelmina (now Mrs. Christoph Geiszler), born August 1897, and living at Kramer, N. D.; Katie (now Mrs. Koepplin), born June 6, 1900, and living near Lehr, N. D.

Being now over 80 years of age, Mr. Rath has retired and makes his home in Ashley, N. D.

Most of the immigrants who came to America from South Russia to seek and establish new homes in this section of the country were young men and their wives, but in 1889 came Andreas Rothfusz, then 59 years old. He was born in Borodino, South Russia on February 7 th , 1830. With him were his wife and two sons.

McIntosh County was their destination and the place they planned to make their new home. On June 16 th , 1889, the Rothfusz family arrived at Ashley, weary and worn from their long trip. They had come to Eureka by rail and overland from there. Mr. Rothfusz filed on land in Section 21, Township 130, Range 68 and began to make accommodations for his family. Kindly neighbors helped him build their house, which was made of sod. Ellendale and Eureka were the nearest towns and it was from one of these places that lumber was hauled to make window frames and a door for the house. Benches, table and beds were also made as they only brought their clothing and bedding with them from the old country. They invested in a hand plow, four oxen and a wagon and had but $100.00 left which would have to tide them over the winter months. The winters were longer and much more severe than now. Snow fell in October and covered the ground until March. Blizzards were a common occurrence during the winter months, many times the buildings on a farm would be covered after a bad storm. The farmers were fortunate not to be enroute to town for supplies or on their way home when a blizzard was raging.

Crops were not very good the first two years Mr. Rothfusz was in this country but conditions improved and though products were low in price, they managed to save and acquire more land and equipment. Wheat sold from fifty to eighty cents per bushel, flax being about eighty cents. The first year they were here, eggs sold for 3 cents per dozen and butter for five to eight cents per pound.

Mr. Rothfusz was united in marriage to Fredericka Hildenbrand. To them three sons were born. They are: Christian, living at Ashley, N. D.; Jacob, in Russia; and John living on a farm east of Ashley.

The Rothfusz family were members of the Lutheran Church. When they came to America and this locality, churches were not established but these people would gather at the home of a neighbor on Sunday and hold their worship. Family worship was held in their homes every day.

Mr. and Mrs. Rothfusz have passed to the Great Beyond.

Christian Rothfusz come to America in 1889 from Borodena, South Russia, where he was born on January 3 rd , 1860. Accompanying him, were his wife, Christina, born Hager, and their small daughter and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andreas Rothfusz.

Coming directly to Eureka by rail and from there overland to Ashley, McIntosh County, Christian and his father filed on land in the same section and township. They helped each other build their sod houses and barns and get established in this new land. Neighbors and friends lent a helping hand in assisting these newcomers in every possible way.

Christian and his father bought four oxen and a hand plow and two cows and with these, they began their farming. The winter of 1889 was severe and long with heavy snowfall. Many times their houses and buildings were completely covered with snow and obscure from vision but for the chimney. The abundance of snow made planting conditions in the spring ideal. However, the crop yield was very poor, none of it was taken to market, but kept for seed the next year.

Ellendale, a distance of forty-five miles, was their nearest town and where their farm produce was sold and their supplies purchased. Many times, a load of buffalo bones were exchanged for groceries and flour. It would take three or four days to make these trips but usually a couple of neighbors would go at the same time, making it a little easier.

Wheat sold for seventy-five and eighty cents per bushel in those days. Milk products were not salable, often times the farmers would have to take them back home with them. If they were sold, they only got three cents a dozen for eggs and about five cents a pound for butter.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rothfusz, they are: Emilia, now Mrs. John Wahl, living east of Ashley, N. D.; Pauline, now Mrs. Fred Iszler, living north of Ashley, N. D.; Lydia, now Mrs. Gottlieb Kempf, living southeast of Ashley, N. D.; Emma, now Mrs. Ludwig Thurn, living southeast of Ashley, N. D.;

Anneta, now Mrs. Schubert, living at Plaza, N. D.; and Otto at home.

Twenty some years ago, Mr. Rothfusz retired from actual farming and moved to Ashley. He purchased a home in the northeast part of town where they and their son Otto have since resided.

Mr. and Mrs. Rothfusz are of the Lutheran faith and are members of the Zion Lutheran Church at Ashley, N. D.

On October 30 th , 1884, George Rott and his wife Rosina, born Hoffman, left their native land and embarked on the ship "Vera" for America. They were on the water eight days. The sixth day they encountered a terrible storm, waves lashed high and was an experience not to be forgotten. They landed in New York and started out, on what they thought was the last lap of their journey, to Dakota Territory.

Arriving at Menno, they were pleased to meet an old friend from their homeland, John Geiszler, who had come to this country a short while before them. Another friend, Christoph Heckenleible, met them at the train and took them to his house. Here they stayed for some time, working for their board and room, until George could find work. He got work on a farm near Menno and received the sum of 25 cents per day for his labor.

At Christmas time, they went to Mrs. Rott's father, Mr. Hoffman, where they spent the remainder of the winter. The Hoffmans had planned on going north in the spring to find a good place to make their home and it did not take much persuasive power to induce them to accompany them.

In the spring of 1885, these two families in company with Jacob and Christ Maier, Frederick Neis and others drove to Aberdeen. Here they loaded their things in a freight car and boarded the train for Ipswich. They had received letters from a friend by the name of John Bittner at Long Lake, telling them of the good land in that community. When they got to the Bittner home, they were told that the best land was gone but that in McIntosh County, John Wishek would help them locate and find a place to make their permanent home. So it was, that George Rott and his family came to McIntosh County. Mr. Wishek assisted them in every way possible to establish themselves in this new country. Mr. Rott filed on land about eighteen miles northeast of Ashley, in Antelope Valley.

They brought everything that they possessed with them which consisted of 2 horses, 2 oxen, 2 cows, wagon, plow, their clothing and bedding. A temporary house was constructed for them to live in until the spring work was done. They broke five acres and planted flax, and about half an acre of potatoes. With these in the ground, they started work on the house. It and the barn were built of sod. An oven was made of stones and clay, which served the purpose for heating, cooking and baking. Meat was almost an unknown quantity in the early days; flour, sugar and coffee were the groceries used the most. The first winter the Rotts were in the county, they were very fortunate to get a pig's head. This lasted them all winter and was a delicacy.

The first summer the Rotts were here was probably their busiest one. They did not have any money and could not get work near home, but Mr. Rott was very fortunate in procuring work near Frederick. While he was away working, the family gathered hay, weeds and chips. These were stacked and used as fuel in the winter. Buffalo bones were gathered and later when the father returned home, they were hauled to Ellendale and exchanged for flour and groceries.

Prairie fires and blizzards were the two greatest hazards these pioneers experienced and Mr. Rott recalls the severe blizzards and winters of his first years in this county and the terrible prairie fire, that left many homeless people.

Mr. Rott takes an active part in church and civic work. He served as Sheriff of McIntosh County in 1909, and has been more or less interested in the affairs of the county. He was one of the organizers of the Berlin Baptist Church and has always taken an active part in the organization.

Mr. and Mrs. Rott are the parents of thirteen children, all of whom are living and are: Fred, Selfridge, N. D.; Jacob, Washington; John, Bismarck; Henry, Fargo; Lydia, Mrs. Carl Goehring, Ashley; Katie, Mrs. Fred Erian, Fredonia; Maggie, Mrs. George Freind, Selfridge; Eva, Mrs. John Rott, Fredonia; Adam, Ashley; Sam, Ashley; Gottlieb, Ashley; and Bennie, farmer, Fredonia, N. D.

Mr. and Mrs. Rott reside on their farm about eighteen miles northeast of Ashley, N. D.

Arriving in McIntosh County in the spring of 1886 was John Rott and his family. He was born in 1849 in Glueckstal, South Russia, where he spent the early part of his life. He attended school there, receiving an average education. Later he was united in marriage to Friedricka Knodel.

Many of the people from Glueckstal had come to America, and on to Dakota Territory where land was open for tree, pre-emption and homestead entry. Letters to the folks in the homeland told of the opportunities offered here and through these missives, the Rotts embarked for America.

They spent some time around Tyndall but decided to go further north where the majority of their people were locating. It was in the spring of 1886 that the Rotts came to McIntosh County. They filed on land about twenty miles northeast of Ashley. The trip from Tyndall was made overland, bringing with them their few belongings and the stock and equipment he had purchased at Tyndall. He had four horses, 2 cows, wagon, harrow and a breaking plow and this was considered quite a layout for farming. Their house and barn were built of sod, and were under the same roof. There were no wood floors in the houses of those days. On special occasions, sand was sprinkled an the floor, making a better appearance. The furniture was made of lumber and consisted of benches, table and beds. Some families did not have beds of wood, Mother Earth was their bed, with the straw tick filled to capacity and placed in any corner, these people could have a good rest after their long hours of toil.

The first years were a struggle, they did not have the equipment to prepare the land as they should and consequently the acreage each year was small, as was the yield. Conditions improved and these people were justified for their labor and hardships.

Ellendale was the nearest town, a distance of forty-five miles and where their products were sold and the bare necessities of life were purchased. It took three days to make the round trip in the open season and often a week during the winter. Trips were not made in the winter unless an absolute necessity, as there was the danger of becoming lost or being caught in a blizzard.

Mrs. Rott died and in the fall of 1889 Mr. Rott married the second time, his wife being Caroline Koenig. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Berthold Matske of the Baptist church.

Churches and schools were not established at this time, but it did not keep these people from having religious services. When Sunday came, they would gather at the different homes and conduct their own services. The Bible was read from every day in their homes and songs were sung.

Mr. Rott worked at the carpenter trade, having learned it in the old country. The sod house was the traditional house of the pioneers and after a few years was replaced by frame ones. While working on a house, Mr. Rott and Mr. P. J. Rassmussen got into an argument about some land that was being contested and in a fit of anger Mr. Rassmussen shot Mr. Rott in the left arm. The arm had to be amputated above the elbow. Mr. Rassmussen was sentenced to serve time for his act.

There were six children born to the Rotts and are, namely: John, Jr., Aberdeen S. D.; Fred, Lodi, Cal.; Magdalena, Wirch, N. D.; August, Forestburg, Canada; Jacob J., Lodi, Cal.; and Adam, Sioux city, Iowa.

Mr. Rott served as Clerk of Court and a member of the board of Commissioners of McIntosh County.

In 1896 to 1898 he was engaged in the Milling Business at Kulm, N. D., and later operated a General Store at Lehr, N. D. Mr. and Mrs. Rott have both passed to the Great Beyond.

An outstanding person in the development of Ashley and McIntosh County is a former resident of Ashley, Mr. Louis Rubin.

Mr. Rubin was born in Roumania, on April 1, 1872, a son of M. and Sarah Rubin. His boyhood was spent in his native country where he received his early education and training; after his arrival in America he attended night schools to round out his education.

In the early nineties Mr. Rubin emigrated to America, first settling at Eureka, S. D., where he clerked in a store for a year during which time he had saved enough to purchase a team of horses and set himself up as an itinerant merchant, covering a territory from Eureka, S. D., to Dawson, N. D., trading merchandise for butter and eggs, selling cream separators and trading horses. Being able to speak the language of many of his farmer customers, together with his trading instinct, was a great help to him. His energy and honesty rewarded him and in 1902 he was able to purchase the stock of merchandise in the Cash Bazaar, now Lipperts Store, from G. O. Gulack; fellow partners were John Lippert, John Geiszler, W. S. Rigler, Andrew Geiszler and Andrew Weber. In a short time Mr. Rubin purchased the interests of all the partners except that of John Lippert to whom he sold his share of the business in 1906. Mr. Rubin was also interested, together with Gottlieb Becker and Jakob Spitzer in the Golden Rule, now owned and operated by Jakob Spitzer, as Spitzers Store. In addition to these business activities Mr. Rubin has also been actively engaged in the grain business, owning various elevators in Ashley, was at one time proprietor of a sales stable, has built several residences and store buildings in Ashley, was interested in the Ashley Roller Mills Company as Vice-President of the corporation. He was at one time interested in the drug business being President of the Ashley Drug Company. He had an interest in and was President of the First National Bank, Ashley, N. D., and at present is President of the First National Investment Company of Ashley.

With all his business activities Mr. Rubin found time to act on the Town Board of Ashley and donated considerable time to civic organizations, being at one time President of the local Chapter of the Red Cross; he was very active in all Liberty Loan drives and acted as County Chairman of the Fifth Liberty Loan Drive. He was President of the Jewish Congregation from 1905 to 1923, was instrumental in building of the Synagogue in Ashley and donated the plot for the Jewish Cemetery north of Ashley, with the provision that no charge be made for lots, but that every grave must have a stone.

On March 22, 1905, Mr. Rubin was united in marriage with Miss Lena Rigler; to this union three children were born, namely: Sarah, now Mrs. Oscar G. Obern, whose husband is the Chief Counsel for the Home Owners Loan Corporation in North Dakota and lives at Fargo, N. D.; Ruth, now Mrs. George D. Weiss, whose husband is manager of the Komiss Department Store, Chicago, Ill., and Harry, who is assisting in the care of the extensive holdings now owned by Mr. Rubin, and in the management of the large farm being operated by them north of Ashley where they are breeding purebred shorthorn cattle and farming extensively.

During the Spanish-American war Mr. Rubin evinced his patriotic regard for the country of his adoption by volunteering for service and served until the termination of the struggle.

From this short history of Mr. Rubin, who, when he come to this country, had a total wealth of $3.00 now increased to many thousands, it can be seen that he was not only honest, energetic and a hard worker but that he was a self made man.

Mr. Rubin now makes his home with his family in Bismarck, N. D.. having moved there in 1923.

© Tim Stowell 2001-2017