History of New Rockford: Sept. 27, 2021

The June 10, 1904, “Transcript” said that recently a 9-lb. son—Frederick Emerson Hambrecht—was born to Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Hambrecht at LeRoy, Minn. [Hambrecht had been a lawyer in New Rockford, Aug. 1897-Jan. 7, 1901.]

A.N. Hegvold had for sale all of his household furnishings—one bedroom set, a cook stove, one air-tight wood heater, a combination bookcase, an eight-foot oak dining table, one oak buffet, chairs, etc.

B.C. Larkin was having a barn erected on the east side of his property.

See Charles Onstott for painting and paperhanging.

Former New Rockford banker P.J. Hester (1898-1902) had accepted a position with a land company and would be active in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, necessitating a move by him and his family from Carrington.

During the week, three Devils Lake businessmen—A.B. Kerlin, W.H. Brennan, and C.A. Dodge—were canvassing farmers in eastern Eddy County to determine if a railroad from Devils Lake, either to Kensal or Carrington, would be feasible; most of the farmers were receptive to the idea.

On June 10, Erwin Forbes was in town. There was a dance in the Opera House that evening with music by the New Rockford Orchestra.

On June 11, former New Rockford residents Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Hester came up from Carrington to visit before they left on June 14 for their new home in Lewiston, Idaho. George Couch of Bismarck arrived to visit his brother and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Orley Couch. Will Brown of Jamestown arrived to visit his brother, hotel owner George A. Brown, and his sister-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Peter Haas came up from Jamestown to visit his brother Anton Haas and his family, southeast of town. James Hobbs came in on business from his farm southeast of town. Harriet Davidson returned from Hamline, Minnesota, where she had attended the university the previous term. Mrs. G.D. Murphy returned from Minneapolis, where she had undergone medical treatment for a month; her health was greatly improved. Olof Lundquist went to Valley City to get his wife, who had gone there for the high school graduation of her brother; they returned on June 13.

The topic of the sermon at the Methodist Church on the morning of Sunday, June 12, was “The Dance.” There were Episcopal services in the Baptist Church, both morning and evening. Bertha Owens came up from Carrington to visit. William F. Steinweg was up from Carrington to visit his sister and some friends.

On June 13, Ellis Willoughby of McHenry, and editor C.C. Manning of Sheyenne, were in on business. Foster County State’s Attorney W.E. Hoopes, and attorney J.W. White of Hoopes and White, were up from Carrington on legal business. A.W. Healey came down from Churchs Ferry on business and to visit. Mr. and Mrs. Otho Lathrop and baby returned from Fargo and went out to their farm at Morris. R.R. Woodward went to Fargo on business. Attorney R.P. Allison went to Esmond on legal business. Mr. and Mrs. George M. Pike left for the St. Louis World’s Fair; they returned on June 27. That evening, George Lovell was in on business from eastern Eddy County. Also that evening, a dancing party in honor of Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Hester and Nell was held in the Opera House. A large number of friends danced to the music provided by A.W. Johnson, H.J. Radtke, and Mrs. W.T. Buck.

Dr. Gustav Andreen, president of Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, spoke in Sheyenne at 7 p.m., June 13, at Olsness Hall, and in New Rockford at 7 p.m., June 14, in the Congregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. S.G. Severtson, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Richter, Miss Floy Richter, and Fannie Bradley all came down from Sheyenne for the lecture.

On June 14, Stephen Walsh of eastern Eddy County and William Thorn were in on business. Mr. and Mrs. T.H. Bollingberg came in to shop from northwest of town. Gertrude Gilbert of Bismarck, May Challoner of Jamestown, and Edith Whipple of Wahpeton arrived to visit Mrs. O.E. Couch for a few days. James Graham left for St. Paul, where his daughter would undergo a serious operation. Merchant Peter Prader went to Sheyenne on business. Mrs. W.O. Baird went to Carrington for the firemen’s baseball tournament, in which New Rockford barber Granville Egbert played for the Carrington team; many other New Rockford residents also went down for the games. Mesdames W.E. Biggs, H.M. Clark, Harry Campbell, C.F. Sewrey, Misses Vera and Mildred Keime, and Mabel House, went to Jamestown for the Sunday School convention; the ladies returned on June 16. Mrs. Sarah Bacon left to visit relatives at Colon, Michigan; she returned on August 11. Susie Monahan went to St. Paul to be with her brother Eddie, who was still recovering from the surgery of May 25.

Bids would be received up to June 15 for the erection of a telephone line southwest of New Rockford for 13 or so miles, with 27 posts to the mile. Contracts for setting the poles and for stringing the wires were to be separate. See Jacob Allmaras.

On June 15, Jennie Van Horn and William Simpson were married at the bride’s home in London, Ontario. [She had visited in New Rockford, June 1903-January 1904, and had worked for a while at H. Peoples and Co. in the dry goods department the previous summer.]

Rev. C.F. Sewrey went to Velva for the annual Methodist Church Conference. William Brueske came up from Valley City to manage the local telephone exchange while Albert Fairbanks was in Valley City, called there by the illness of his mother; Fairbanks left the next day and returned on June 22.

On June 16, Daniel O’Connell arrived for a visit from Minneapolis, where he was a salesman for a wholesale glassware and crockery firm, McDonell Bros.; he returned on June 27. Mae Hennessy came up from Carrington to visit. John T. West came in from eastern Eddy County on business. C.O. Johnson of Cooperstown came up from Carrington to visit the family of his father-in-law P.H. West, between trains. Blanche and Irene Brownell came up from Jamestown, where they had attended St. John’s Academy the past term. Mr. and Mrs. B.W. Rantz left on a trip: he went to his boyhood home in Indiana, and she went to Bradford, Illinois; they returned on June 30. That evening, “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” was presented by the Powell-Portello Co. at the Opera House, with William O. Mong in the dual role. Admission: 25, 50, and 75 cents.

The June 17, 1904, “Transcript” contained a letter from former New Rockford businessman, J.H. Hohl [1886-1901] of Southern California, stating he was better after a recent illness.

John Monahan had taken up a bay mare colt, coming two years old, small white star in forehead, at his farm two miles south of New Rockford. W.G. Carter had a “well graded” Durham bull, coming two years, for sale or trade.

D.M. Stengenga, formerly of Fargo, had been hired as the business instructor at Phillips Academy; he had taught business at the Fargo College and some other educational institutions.