Compendium of history and biography of North Dakota: containing a history of North Dakota . also a compendium of biography of North Dakota

• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
• Subjects: Arctic; Bismarck; Canada; Gow; Grand Forks; Mercer; Perseverance; Riley; Smyth; Three Brothers; Westbrook
• Online Access: http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/ndsl-books/id/51633

500 COMPEXDIUM OF HISTORY AXD BIOGRAPHY county, Elaine, April 19, 1832, and was one of four chnaren born to \\ estDrook and Ulive (Xorton) Knight, wlio were natives of -Maine. The grana-lather of our subject, \\ estbrook Knight, was also a native of Mame, and the great-grandfather of our subject, who also bore the name of Westbrook Knight, was a native of -Massachusetts, and was one of tne pioneer settlers of Alaine. The family were farmers and spent their lives in that state. Uur subject was reared and educated in his native place, and remained there until seventeen years 01 age, when he followed the sea as a sailor four years and later was promoted to an officer. He later learned the carpenter's trade and followed it four years, and in 1656 went to California and spent three years at his trade and also mining to some extent. He returned to Maine in 1S59, and in the spring of 1861 went to Lake City, Aiinne-sota, where he followed his trade, and also engaged in farming until 1878. He then went to Cassel-ton, Aortn Dakota, and established a lumber yard, which he has conducted continuously since. His farming interests include three and a half sections of lanu in the vicinity of the city, and he is also a stockholder in the l^rst National Uank, and also conducts the harness business, and owns an interest in the general merchandise firm of Beiber & Knight, one of the first firms established in Casselton. i\ir. Knight has built some of the best business blocks in tne city, and has aided materially in the upbuild-ing of the financial and social interests of the com-munity. Our subject was married, in i860, to Miss Roanna 2kladdox, a native of Maine. Four chil-dren were born of this union, one son and three daughters. ^Ir. Knight was married to Abbie Stetson in 1882. Mrs. Knight was also a native of Maine. Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Airs. Knight. Our subject is widely and favor-ably known, and is a representative man of the com-munity in which he makes his home. He went to North Dakota with limited means, and now enjoys a fortune, the result of his earnest endeavors and good management. He is heartily interested in public affairs, and lends his influence for good gov-ernment, and is associated with the Reptibhcan party, but docs not seek public preferment. JAMES COLLINS, sheriff of Grand Forks county. North Dakota, is young man of integrity and high standing. He is a native of Ontario, Canada, and was born November 16, i860, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Blake) Collins, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father came to Canada when a young man, and in 1870 went to Sauk Center, Minnesota, and in 1882 located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he resided until his death, in 1897. Our subject had three brothers, one of whom now resides in Grand I'orks, where the mother also resides. Mr. Collins was reared and educated at Sauk Center. Minnesota, and in 1882 went to Nelson county. North Dakota and entered claim to land there and followed farming for some time. He was appointed county commissioner of Nelson county in 1884 and afterward elected to the office, and in 1888 came to Grand Forks and entered the employ of his brother in the machine business, and was thus engaged until 1895. when he received the appointment of deputy sheriff' under M. J. O'Con-or, and served as such four years. He was elected sheriff' of Grand Forks county in 1898, and began his official duties January i, 1899, and is ably and faithfully performing the same. Mr. Collins was married, January 5, 1899, to Miss May Riley, a native of i\linnesota. jNlr. Col-lins is a member of the Order of Elks, Ancient Or-der of UnitAl ^^'orkmen. ]\Iodern Woodmen of America and the Catholic Order of Foresters. He has been a life-long Republican, and is a man who keeps abreast of the times in all public matters, and is firm in his convictions. He is a gentleman of broad ideas, and possesses energy, perseverance and a good capacity for well-directed labor, and his services for his community and county have been given with a oneness of purpose highly commenda-ble, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. FRANCIS R. SMYTH, M. D., is a skillful physician and surgeon of Bismarck, North Dakota, whose knowledge of the science of medicine is broad and comprehensive, and whose ability in ap-plying its principles to the needs of suffering humanity has gained him an enviable prestige in professional circles. He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, June 8, 1852, a son of James and Euphe-mia (Robertson) Smyth, also natives of that coun-try. In his younger days the father was a member of the English army and assisted in conquering India, and later served as postmaster of Dalmel-lington, Scotland, for a quarter of a century. He died in 1880, his wife in 1875. To this worthy couple were born nine children, six sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the only one in America. Dr. Smyth was educated in his native laiul, at-itending the Free Church Training College, of Glas-gow, and Anderson's L'niversity, of the same city, the latter being a medical school, from which he was graduated in 1875. The same year he joined a whaling expedition to the Arctic regions as ship surgeon, and thus spent about one vear. He then engaged in the practice of his chosen profession in London, England, for nearly five years, at the end of which time he returned to Glasgow, Scotland, and practiced there until coming to America in 1885. He first located in Mercer county, Dakota territorv, and from there removed to McLean coun-ty. North Dakota. In 1890 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Chicago. Illinois, and was regularly graduated from that institution. He Internet Archive