History of New Rockford: May 2, 2022

The Dec. 30, 1904, “Transcript” stated that the following had been elected as officers at the last meeting of the New Rockford Camp #2214, Modern Woodmen of America: Venerable Counsel—W.E. Radtke; Worthy Advisor—Peter Prader; Excellent Banker—G.M. Pike; Clerk—Marcus Medved; Escort—Gus Lauch; Watchman—Charles Logan; Sentry—John Olson; Manager—W.C. Dresser; Physicians—Dr. G.D. Murphy, Dr. Charles MacLachlan; installation would be on the evening of Jan. 5, 1905.

Peter Dodds had taken up at his farm ten miles southeast of New Rockford a three-year old gray cow with the shell knocked off the right horn. Owner could reclaim her by paying costs.

Ben Fay and Mrs. M.R. Fritz were working at Prader & Goss during their big sale.

Mrs. J.C. Shoop had holiday visitors: her sister Mrs. David Reeves of Hunter, N.D., and her niece Mrs. J.N. Nixon and her son of Winnipeg.

On Dec. 30, Hans Tuffli was in on business from southwest of town. Mrs. A.C. Buck went to Barlow for a few days. Mrs. W.T. Buck went to Barlow to help furnish music for a dance that night. Mrs. H.J. Mitchell traveled to Jamestown. Miss Norah O’Connell departed for Minneapolis after spending the fall in the area; Master Paul Kunkel accompanied her to visit the specialist treating his hip disease. Miss Ruth Reutenik accompanied a patient from the Carrington hospital to Fargo. State Senator, J.D. Carroll, left for the legislative session in Bismarck, which convened Jan. 3. Peter Fried and his sister returned to their Jamestown home after visiting friends during the Christmas holidays. That evening, there was a dance at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Wren southeast of town. Also that evening, Miss Stella Pike entertained her young friends at her Villard Avenue East home with music, games, and light refreshments.

On Dec. 31, Sidney Hewes of Tiffany came in on business. Miss Catherine Robinson returned from a visit with relatives in Brinsmade. Mrs. Norman Treffry and children returned from their visit with relatives in Marshalltown, Iowa; they were delayed almost a week because a blizzard stopped railroad traffic. Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Davidson and family made short visits in Carrington and Jamestown. John Seckinger left for a visit to his old home in New York State and other eastern points.

On New Year’s Day 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pake, who had returned the previous week from Denbigh where they had been since the fall, celebrated with friends.

On the morning of Jan. 2, a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Knudt Bymoen on their farm northwest of town. Phillips Academy opened in its new building with 65 students after 10 days off for the holidays. The building was complete with steam heat, modern furniture, library, dining halls, kitchen, laundry, hot and cold water. Recent donations were an eight-day clock, “The Regular,” by jeweler J.N. Kunkel; an eight-day clock with a “fine metallic case” for Prof. Aldrich’s office; and ten books from H.M. Clark. A Boarding Club had been organized with Donald Forbes, president; Harry Burt, vice president; S.W. Engberg, secretary; Emma Larson, treasurer; and Rolla Hill, general manager. That evening, A.W. Johnson, Hugh Carr, Frank Parker, and Robert O’Neill received the 1st Degree at the Blue Lodge (Masons) meeting.

That day, Mr. and Mrs. William Cornish returned from their eastern trip. Orrin Foster came home from his trip to the Twin Cities and other Minnesota points. N.D. Representative, Ole Rue, left for the legislative session in Bismarck. Albert Fairbanks went to Enderlin for the annual Trainmen’s Ball the next evening; he returned on Jan. 5. That afternoon, the farm home of Hector Courtemanche northwest of town burned down. Courtemanche was going to take the afternoon train on the first leg of a trip to his old home, Ohio, and his farm assistant, Rene Davidson, had driven him to town. About a half hour after the two men had left the farmyard, Charles Hutchinson drove by the house and saw the interior was on fire. Seeing he had no chance of stopping the flames, Hutchinson drove to town and informed Courtemanche of his loss. The apparent cause was a defective chimney. Courtemanche’s entire winter supply of food and all his clothing, except for what he had packed, were all destroyed.

The following New Rockford merchants agreed to close at 6 p.m. from Jan. 2 to March 15: Rodenberg & Schwoebel, H. Peoples & Co., Prader & Goss, D.H. Fowler, J.E. Cady & Co., J.W. Rager, George F. Fahrer, Thomas Ose, Elias Saad, E.G. Fitch, and J.M. Mulvey.

On the morning of Jan. 3, the new 400-capacity telephone switchboard arrived; it was installed on Jan. 9. D.Y. Stanton, Peter Crain [Crane], and K.K. Moe shipped three carloads of cattle to the South St. Paul market; the three men accompanied their stock. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schuster and family returned from a holiday visit to Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. P.H. West returned from Cooperstown, where they spent the holidays with their daughter, Mrs. Carl Johnson and family. Mrs. R.M. Kennedy left for a two months’ visit at her old home in New York State. Christine Mattson returned from two weeks in the Twin Cities. William Erdelbrock was in on business and for a visit. Mrs. George Clark returned from the Twin Cities. Mrs. Edward P. Cosgrove returned from a holiday visit with relatives in Minnesota. Miss Carolyn Trainer came back from her Velva homestead, where she had made some necessary improvements.

The Eddy County Commission met on Jan. 3 to 7 and 9 to 12. On Jan. 3, Nils C. Gunvaldson took the oath of office as the County Commissioner from District 2.

On Jan. 4, J.H. Lahart was in on business. Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Clark left on their first vacation in years; they went to their old home, Jamestown, N.Y., where they planned on spending the winter; they returned on Feb. 22. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Carr left for Waddington, N.Y., to see his parents; his mother was in poor health; during Carr’s absence Hugh T. Kennedy had charge of the creamery. The Carrs returned on Jan. 18. Joseph Maxwell began a journey to his old home in Ontario, Canada, and a visit to New York State; he returned on Jan. 30. John Collins left on his first visit in twenty years to his old home in New York State.

On the morning of Jan. 5, John Guler and Lizzie Roffler were married in the parsonage of the German Reformed Church by Rev. N. Reutenik; the wedding party left immediately for the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Roffler, the bride’s parents, southwest of town for a wedding dinner. Miss Olive Saunders came down from Oberon to visit Mrs. James E. Hyde; the next day she went to Sheldon, N.D., to resume her position as a teacher. That evening, the new officers of the New Rockford Camp #2214, Modern Woodmen of America were installed. Also that evening, Christine Mattson hosted a dancing party in the dining room of her hotel in honor of Miss Eleanor VanDuzer; about thirty couples enjoyed the dance and at midnight coffee, sandwiches, cake, and sherbet.