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Introduction Book Three

INTRODUCTION I am frequently asked, “How did you decide to write stories about interesting people who have lived in North Dakota?”  This project grew out of necessity because it helped me keep a promise I made over 20 years ago.  When I was teaching a class of “North Dakota Studies” in 1988, I had a student ask me, “Why are we learning about North Dakota when nobody who ever did anything lived in North Dakota?”  I explained to the student that countless great people lived in this state.  It included noted scientists, inventors, sports figures, actors, musicians, teachers, politicians, and even a U.S. President.  I later realized that the student I had talked to represented many other young people across North Dakota.  I knew I needed to do something to remedy the dearth of knowledge about the people who have lived in this state and made significant contributions to North Dakota, the nation, and the world.  This opportunity came 16 years later when a number of newspapers across North Dakota agreed to run weekly articles about people who have lived here. I consider the articles and books I have written as only a first step.  I envision the day when schools and local newspapers will work together on a project where students will research and write articles about significant people who have lived in their community.  These articles will be coordinated and supervised by history, English, and/or journalism instructors and will be made available to the local newspapers. Volume 3 includes over 50 people who either: were born here, started their careers here, moved here after achieving greatness in other geographic areas, or spent almost their entire lives in North Dakota.  Seventeen of the people covered were active adults during the territorial days of Dakota.  All but three lived to see North Dakota become a state, and most of them were active in North Dakota.  Of the people in this book, about one-third was involved in farming or ranching at some point in their lives.  There were also seven lawyers, one doctor, three bankers, eight involved in the newspaper business, six associated with the railroad, two involved in other forms of early transportation, six founded profitable businesses or were the CEOs of large corporations,  and nine were active in education as teachers,  professors, or administrators.  Eighteen individuals were involved in this country’s wars - from the Civil War to the Korean conflict.  There were two U.S. Congressmen, two governors, eight legislators, two mayors, and a U.S. ambassador.  Many of the individuals published books, plays, articles, and musical compositions.  Three men were awarded the Medal of Honor by Congress, one is a Theodore Roosevelt Hall of Fame recipient, and nine are enshrined in various halls of fame.  One county, two cities, and five buildings or other structures are named after individuals profiled in this volume. The following section entitled “Themes” is included for people who like to see continuity in presentations.  It should also be a valuable resource for teachers who like to include biographical material in their lessons.