Richland County Township History: Abercrombie
Abercrombie City Taken from: Richland County History Book Pages 42-43
The city of Abercrombie, adjacent to Fort Abercrombie, derived its name from the fort, and therefore indirectly from Lieutenant Colonel Abercrombie, First commanding officer of the fort. The city is part of the military reservation and is located on section 4, 134-48. Abercrombie did not come into being until 1884, when the Fargo and Southern Railroad was built through the Red River Valley along the Red River. Then directly west of the old fort, the town of Abercrombie was started.
On the south street known as the "Husmoen Street" one would see a painted sign on a residence proclaiming the location of the Golden West Hotel owned by Mr. Erick Thompson who with his bride made his first home on the second floor of the P.K. Gunness residence. This was about at the turn of the century. For a few years, around 1903, it was not operating as a hotel so Mr. and Mrs. Lars Wold, pioneers of Abercrombie township, rented the place as a winter home so that the children could attend the town school. The building still stands and is now occupied only a few weeks during the summer months by its owner Mr. Robert Wahe, of Adair, Iowa. On the north side of main street where the present "Owens-Service" building is located the Merchants Hotel was in operation around 1891. Michael Wicklien was its popular landlord. Later on this hotel was operated by Henry Henderson. Other early business enterprises include a machine shop owned by C.T. Ness and a jewelry store, opened in 1894 by Gilbert Olson.
The first newspaper was the Fort Abercrombie Scout, the first issue appeared March 13, 1886. In 1888, this venture was sold and was then reissued called the Abercrombie Herald. It is claimed to be the only cartoon paper published in the state at that time.
The first settlers in the vicinity of Abercrombie had to haul their grain to either Fargo, or Elizabeth, Minnesota but it was not long before elevators were opened. The grain was elevated by the use of horses. At the turn of the century there were three elevators in the village along the railroad. The three managers were A.K. Tweto, Mr. Scoville, and Mr. Krogen. A disastrous fire swept through the village in 1902, destroying two elevators, the depot, hotel, machine house on the west side of the depot, and a general store. Rebuilding was started quickly, however, at the present time there is only one elevator which is under the ownership of Wesley Berg. He purchased the Abercrombie Grain Company from James Gallagher on July 1, 1973. It has a 140,000 bushel capacity, handles seeds, fertilizer, chemicals, feed and feed grinding.
The first bank in Abercrombie was organized by a group of farmers, and its offices were in the hotel building. This, however, did not prove to be a successful venture, and was soon abandoned. A.K. Tweto organized the Richland County Bank in 1890 and later changed the name to the First National. Around 1905, a new building was erected to house this bank. Some of the first officers were Ingvold Johnson--president, I.E. Hoel--vice-president, O.N. Hatlie--cashier, and Alma Tweto--assistant cashier. This is the only commercial building located south of main street that is still standing. The First State Bank was located north of main street which was in operation around the turn of the century. According to the Abercrombie Herald published Friday, June 20, 1902, the bank's officers were Daniel Patterson--president, Joseph Patterson--vice-president, H.J. Hagen--cashier, and T.E. Riley--assistant cashier. Around 1912 its officers were, H.J. Hagen--president, W.L. Carter--vice-president, C.T. Paulson--cashier and O.J. Strand--assistant cashier. Today there is not bank in Abercrombie.
The village of Abercrombie was not incorporated until 1904. It became a city in 1972.
On the second floor of the A.K. Tweto building Doctor H.C. Cooper had his office. He was Abercrombie's well known dentist. Patients came to him from a big area. Dr. Fred Wieble was a later dentist who had his office in the residence now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Nelson. His brother Earl Wieble, M.D. had offices here at the same time, also. His last office was housed in the Herman Oscarson residence.
There were not shortages of doctors in Abercrombie in the early days. Among the physicians who maintained practices here were Dr. Hoftoe in 1891, Dr. Herman O. Fjelde in 1902, Dr. Charles A. Durkee, Dr. W. Lancaster, Dr. Andrew Thompson, and the last one was Dr. Earl Wieble.
Thomas M. Paugh began the lumber yard business before 1881. When Abercrombie was started in 1884, Fargo and Southern Railway Company had charge. On December 28, 1900 it was turned over to William H. White Lumber Company. The Hennepin Lumber Company operated the lumber yard in 1902 with Oscar Sandvig as the manager and sold it to Nortz Lumber Company in 1909. Olaf Bjorke was the manager for many years. This company continued here until 1951, and sold out to Erickson-Helleckson-Vye Company. Henry Dimitch and Earl Zimmerman were two of the managers. Kenneth Lee, of Colfax, bought the lumber yard in July, 1972.
The Red River Telephone Association originated as a cooperative about 1953-1954. Its offices are in a remodeled building on main street that originally was a mortuary and drugstore.
"W.A. Hobson one of the most important courted personalities in a lively hustling town like Abercrombie, is the barber," this item was taken from a newspaper printed in 1941 from a list of news items entitled "Fifty years ago." Therefore Mr. Hobson was Abercrombie's barber in 1891. Ole Olson of McCauleyville, Minnesota, built a barber shop on the south side of main street in 1893. He built the third shop in 1906. The first and second shops were destroyed by fires. A shop has been in the present location since 1893. Mr. Olson operated the shop until 1932. The operators on record since 1932 are Sophius K. Holth, Elmer E. Dormanen, and Norris M. Johnson. Alvin Storbakken, the present barber, began operating the shop in 1949. There are living quarters in the rear of this building. for many years Mrs. Hazel Leiferman operated a Beauty Parlor in these quarters and made here home there, too.
The Haarstad brothers, Oscar and Selmer started a service station and repair shop in 1940 in a building on the west edge of the business section on the main street. They have the Ford dealership and the White Farm Equipment. A small building was constructed on the south side in 1949 and in 1957 another building on the same side was built where they are presently working. In 1965, a building was erected on the north side of main street as a show room for new cars. A small building was constructed on the south side in 1949 and in 1957 another building on the same side was built where they are presently working. In 1965, a building was erected on the north side of main street as a show room for new cars.
Mr. Arthur Bisek came to Abercrombie from Lidgerwood, in 1949. He worked in blacksmith shops in Lidgerwood. In 1949, he began to operate a blacksmith shop for the late Gunness Brothers. In 1954, he managed a shop in McCauleyville, Minnesota. He built his present shop in Abercrombie in 1957.
In 1962, the community fire department was created and a truck was purchased for the unit. A new fire hall-garage was erected five years ago and a second truck was purchased two years ago in 1973.
Cultural life in the community included a cornet band and a library. The band organized in 1888, by James Gallager and Don Clark, Gave regular concerts. The Abercrombie Public Library and Museum Board organized in 1901 wit the following officers: A.K. Tweto--president, Mrs. Herman O. Fjelde--vice president, Mrs. J.J. Hagen--treasurer, and J.G. Hagen--Secretary.
Earliest record of the Abercrombie Civic Club, a businessmen's organization, are from 1949. The club elected officers: Elmer Boudiett--president; James Gallagher--vice president; Milton Durkee--secretary, and Axel Moe--treasurer.
Helping the Legion sponsor an annual two or three day Old Settlers Celebration was an important project for many years. Kenneth Lee, current secretary-treasurer says the event was discontinued sixteen years ago. "That used to draw people from all over the country," says Lee, about the observance.
Appreciation Day, Turkey Day, and Christmas decorations have been sponsored by the group since 1949.
The new city hall was built in 1975, where the old American Legion hall stood until October, 1974 on main street.
The Abercrombie Senior Citizens Club was organized August 5, 1975, with a good crowd in attendance. There are currently 47 paid-up members. The officers are John Ingersoll--president, Elmer Boudiette--vice president, Mrs. Ada Ingersoll--secretary and treasurer.
Though many small towns in Richland County have diminished in population Abercrombie has been able to continue to flourish and to provide a good business center for the surrounding area.
By Mrs. Olaf J. Wold