Go To Main Page: Pendroy Surname History
Fannie (Pendroy) Peters: History of the Pendroy families settlement
of the pioneer town of Pendroy, N.D. in McHenry
County, N.D.
Internet Source: Frank Bryant Masteller (Birth
7 Oct 1866 in Mt Vernon, Knox, Oh. - Death
11 Dec 1937 in Wolf Creek, Montana) Page
on Ancestry.com on May 20, 2011.
Publication Source(s): Pendroy/Masteller
Arrival in Dakota Territory from McHenry
county: Its History and Its People, Midwest
Printing, Towner, ND by McHenry Board of
Commissioners, pg 17. "The Ranching
Period" from the private collection
of Jonathan C. Eston, Minot, ND.
Main Author source: Fannie (Pendroy) Peters:
"Pendroy Settlement" by Fannie
(Pendroy) Peters: [typed manuscript, c. 1976].
(((Comment by Don Pendroy May 20, 2011: I
was aware that a Fannie (Pendroy) Peters's
manuscript entitled "Pendroy Settlement"
about Pendroy, North Dakota in McHenry County
existed. I had tried unsuccessfully for over
a decade to find or obtain the full version
of it. I wanted to include the detailed historical
narrative within the full version of "Pendroy
Settlement" into http://www.pendroysurnamehistory.com
- along with links to images and bigraphical
genealogy and history already on the Pendroy
Surname History site.
Several small and misc. excerpts from the
Fannie (Pendroy) Peters' History of the Pendroy,
ND Pendroy Settlement already were in my
possession, and already on my website, and
in my and other peoples' Pendroy family genealogy.
It appears from her written comments that
Fannie (Pendroy) Peters may have typed the
manuscript for intended publication in the
bicentennial year 1976. Fannie (Pendroy) Peters: "Pendroy Settlement"
by Fannie (Pendroy) Peters: [typed manuscript,
c. 1976 - is certainly an extremely valuable source
of the pioneer history of the McHenry Co.
North Dakota area.)))
The first settlers to come into McHenry County
were primarily cattlemen from the eastern
states who knew of the excellent grazing
lands here and came to build cattle ranches
and a way of life that would last some twenty
years. From his private collection, Jonathan
C. Eston of Minot has contributed a series
of interviews conducted in the 1940's with
early day ranchers that give much insight
into that period of the county's development.
After staking their claims in the Mouse River
valley in 1882, James and Andrew Pendroy
returned to Casey, Iowa to conclude their
affairs and prepare to the move to Dakota
Territory. On May 30, 1883 Andrew Pendroy
with his wife, family (probably including
the Masteller family), and a number of other
relatives and friends who planned to settle
in McHenry County made the overland drive
with 300 head of Shorthorn high-grade beef
cattle, a number of purebred Hereford bulls
and a few registered cows.
The trip took 62 days and covered nearly
1,000 miles. They arrived at the Pendroy
ranch on August 2, 1883 with the cattle in
good shape except for a few very young calves,
which were footsore.
In an article published in the March, 1950 issue of the magazine, "Bits
and Spurs", it states about the drive, "For 62
days the little caravan journeyed westward.
The cattle grew footsore. It was hot and
water was hard to find. They passed through
Indian Territory but were not molested.
At times the trip was very discouraging.
It was particularly disheartening when from
their night's camp they could plainly see
where they had spent the previous night.
The days wore on and finally they reached
the Mouse River valley where they found plenty
of hay for their hungry animals." According
to the interviewer, this was the first herd
of cattle brought into McHenry County, N.D.
Pg. 19; Frank Masteller ranched south of
here about 10 miles, near the Buzzard Roost
section. He came in around 1887-8 8 [see
information for A.J. Masteller for alternate
date of arrival], a year or two before I
got here. His herd got to be about 100 head
of cattle. Off and on he ran a few head of
sheep, too, though cattle was the main enterprise.
For a home place he had two or three quarters
of land. He pastured the herd nearby on the
free open prairie.
Pendroy Settlement: Frank B. Masteller, his
family, and several siblings were early ranchers
in the Mouse River Valley of North Dakota.
They shared the operation with the Pendroy
Family.
The following is a history of the Pendroy settlement
given to my grandmother, Ferol Bernice (Masteller) Anderson, by her cousin Fannie (Pendroy) Peters.
Start of: Fannie (Pendroy) Peters' History
of the Pendroy Settlement of McHenry County
North Dakota:
"Pendroy Settlement" by Fannie
(Pendroy) Peters: [typed manuscript, c. 1976].
I was born in the Pendroy Settlement on the Christmas Day, 1889:
I was born in the Pendroy Settlement on the
Christmas Day, 1889. My father was John B. Pendroy and my mother, Belle Honnold
Pendroy from Knoxville, Iowa. The Pendroy settlement
consisted of about thirty families, all relatives and all holding claims….
… In 1882, Dakota Territory was opening up
for settlement. There were two brothers in
one Pendroy family in Iowa, J. Andrew (dp
May 2011 note: Jacob Andrew Pendroy born 1832, who was called "Andrew" and also
"Uncle Andrew" and "Uncle
Andy" in this manuscript), and James M. (dp May 2011 note: James Martin Pendroy born 1834 also called "James", "J.M.
Pendroy" and "Uncle Jim" and
also "James M") in this manuscript) who each had boys. They had four widowed
sisters who had children so they decided
to locate where they could form a settlement.
On June 15, 1882, they and a nephew, Tom Berry started from Guthrie County, Iowa equipped
with the usual covered wagons, tents and supplies,
drawn by mules. James was a Civil War veteran. They had been brought up on pioneer stories
so they knew what to expect. On July 25th
they reached Bismarck where they looked over
more land but did no find what they were
looking for.
On August 11th they came back to the Bismarck
camp deciding to go back to some good locations
they had seen on the way. Johnnie, James's
oldest son, joined them there, coming from
Iowa by rail.
In the camp they had met a man and wife from
the Mouse River Valley who were there for
supplies. He had been a hunter and trapper
for The Hudson Bay Company but now had a
claim near Villard, which had just started.
He was known as Yankee Robinson. When the
Pendroys described what they were looking
for, Robinson said, "You are describing
the Mouse River Valley where I live. We are
going home in the morning. It's a hundred
mile trip but follow my tracks and look it
over."
On August 13 they started out and on the
18th reached Robinson's claim. He took them
around to see the land and they didn't look
long before they knew they had found exactly
what they were looking for and proceeded
to stake out their claims, cut logs and build
cabins.
James was a good carpenter so with the help
of Ole Hovind who had settled across the
river earlier, all went well until their
campfire traveled and set fire to their tent
and they lost most of their supplies. Robinson
supplied some blankets and a Mrs. Wilson
up river sold them some flour and they started
for Bismarck from where the brothers went
home by train to sell out and prepare to
come back in the spring.
Johnnie and Thomas kept the teams in Bismarck
and worked there until spring. Andrew Pendroy
had two daughters and two sons, James M.
(dp May 2011 note: James Martin Pendroy born 1862) and Charles (dp May 2011 note: Charles William Pendroy - Born 10-05-1874 ). One daughter was Mrs. Frank Marlenee; the other daughter didn't come to Dakota. James M. Pendroy had
four sons, Johnnie, Levi, James and Perry. Their sisters were Mrs. Rachel Berry and Mrs. Nancy Young.
Two of James' sisters did not come to Dakota
but their sons did. Mrs. Young had two boys, Wm. and Milton, and two daughters, Mrs. Heavilin and Mrs.
Allen. Mrs. Berry had a son, Thomas, a daughter,
Sarah, who never married, another daughter,
Mrs. Mary Stickles and her son, William, and daughters Mrs. Eliza Masteller and Mrs. Margaret Donnel; Jacob and Noah Byers, Marion Pace and Osa Mosier were nephews.
Andrew and James became the patriarchs of
the colony:
These were the foundation of the Pendroy
Settlement. Andrew and James became the patriarchs
of the colony and were known by everyone as Uncle
Andrew and Uncle Jim. In the spring of '83,
James and family shipped the household goods,
machinery and some stock by emigrant train
to Bismarck, then by wagon to Mouse River.
Andrew and family trailed the Hereford cattle
and some horses, with covered wagons and
buggies arriving at Pendroy, August 2. This
is thought to be the first Hereford cattle
east of the Missouri River.
The town of Pendroy in McHenry County, North Dakota in 1895.
The Norwegian settlements and the Yankee
settlements:
No one writing a history of early Mouse River
settlements can write a complete history
for it is divided into two parts. The Norwegian
settlements and the Yankee settlements (as
the Norwegians called us) were entirely different
and although they were friends and good neighbors
the language barrier prevented much social
or political association for several years.
I can tell you only of the Yankee life with
the exception of the Gjellstad and Hovind
families who lived just across the river.
Mrs. Gjellstad was a midwife and practical
nurse trained in Norway, and a most wonderful
lady who was always ready to help with births
or sickness although she spoke no English.
Mrs. Donnel usually accompanied her when
among the English and it was said they could
understand each other perfectly
although not speaking the same language.
Ole Hovind was a very good violinist, spoke
English and was often called on to furnish
music for dances and parties. Andrew was
a very successful bone setter and tooth puller.
James had some experience with homeopathic
medicine and supplied the colony.
There was very little sickness partly because
the air was pure. There was an abundance
of game and fish for food, plenty of hay
and pasture for cattle, trees for fuel and
building, many good springs, the river with
timber for protection of stock and fertile
land for farming.
It was 100 miles to Bismarck and 125 miles
to Devils Lake for Supplies. Mail came from
Villard - about 10 miles down river - the
post office was opened in '82. At this time
each were allowed three claims, homestead,
preemption and tree claim.
The Pendroys were good hunters and had plenty
of guns:
The Pendroys were good hunters and had plenty
of guns so food was no problem. The first
summer produced a few vegetables, especially
root crops for which every family had a root
cellar for winter. Blizzards are bad wherever
you find them; some years were dry but none
ever went hungry or ran out of fuel.
Prairie fires were very bad but they knew
how to plow and burn fire guards. Ranchers
were always ready
with barrels of water, mops, a wagon and
always a team in the barn ready for any need
- any smoke sent help. A Norwegian friend
told me that when they first came they worried
about fires but they soon found that any
smoke would bring the Yankees with help so
they quit worrying.
In the winter the men took wagon loads of
frozen fish to Bismarck and brought back
supplies. Cash was very scarce. We had an
advantage of bringing horses and oxen, chickens,
and pigs from Iowa by rail. Also machinery
and equipment, and later furniture - that
had been left with relatives in Iowa.
It was hardest for the women because they
left families and friends and here they didn't
get away from home much but they seemed happy
to give their children a chance for homes.
Every house or barn built was a community
affair. The men "raised" the building;
the women brought dinners and the children
and usually the evening ended in a dance.
A day of wood sawing, butchering or any work
would bring a big dinner, a quilting party
or a mending, embroidery, crocheting or knitting
party for the women.
1888 picture at Pendroy, North Dakota, of Pendroy (and some neighboring) pioneer women quilting.
 |
|
This photo dates from 1888 and is part of
the photographic collection of the North
Dakota State Historical Society. Book Source: Page 133 Never Done: A History
of American Housework. By Susan Strasser.
Henry Holt & Company Publishers, New
York City.
Pendroy, North Dakota pioneer women and children
at a quilting party around 1888. Left to right: Myrtle Robinson, Liza Histness,
Gertrude(daughter of Susie Pendroy)Pendroy,
Susie (Messinger) Pendroy, Lizzie(daughter of Susie Pendroy)Pendroy, Mrs. McKay, Alzie(directly under the deer)Allan,
Jessie Robinson Pendroy who was Mrs. Levi Pendroy , Sarah Pendroy(the
oldest woman is Sarah (Baldwin) Pendroy)
who is Mrs. James Martin Pendroy and she is the only adult on the right side
of the table), Lulu(LuLu or Luella is the
daughter of Jessie (Robinson) Pendroy)Pendroy:
and is the small child in lower RH corner,
and under the quilt: Beatrice(daughter of
Susie Pendroy)Pendroy (this child apparently
is in the white blanket on the floor under
the quilt.
(Thanks to the Duncan family in Oregon - Mary E. (Berry) Stickels's GG Grand daughter - for these bios. and other information. Mary E. Berry was a daughter of William and Rachel (Pendroy) Berry. Rachel Pendroy was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Boots) Pendroy.)
Every birthday was an excuse for a big party.
These parties were potluck and bring dishes
and silverware for many of these brought
from fifty to a hundred people. Distance
was no excuse for not attending.
The first school was taught by Laura Donnel
in her home. Sunday school was at homes.
The first English language church service
was preached by Reverend Royce in the Pendroy,
ND post office. The post office was established
in June 1884, and James M. Pendroy was Postmaster.
It was the second office in McHenry County.
Sometimes mail came from Villard, sometimes
from Washburn by dog team. A literary society
was
started. There, books and magazines were
exchanged, debates were held, and dialogues
and recitations were given. Anytime anyone
had news from Iowa, it was read or told.
There was lots of singing. This was attended
by old and young and always ended with a
big lunch.
These people pioneered for a purpose and
they knew what they would find in building
a new community. There are always problems
but they were well prepared to meet hardships
and they felt well repaid.
In 1884 more families came and also more
English-speaking people homesteaded in the
valley from Burlington to Newport. The social
life included people from the entire distance.
Newport became Towner when the railroad came
in 1886. New Years '85 started with 30 of
the family eating dinner at Marion Paces.
Jim and I followed his back trail, found
the mail and brought it in:
St. Patrick's Day they all went to Ole Hovind's
for a dance. "There was a house full
and we all had a good time," says the
diary. "February 11th, -28 degrees below
at sunrise. The mail carrier from Washburn
with the dog team came in today. He was snow-blind
and lost his way last night. He dug a hole
in the snow and laid down. This morning when
he got up his dogs were gone. He left the
sled and mail out about six miles and came
in on foot. Jim (James Andrew Pendroy) and
I (John Baldwin Pendroy) followed his back
trail, found the mail and brought it in."
March 26-Wild geese have commenced flying
today."
"March 27-Started building Johnnie's
house today." His was the wintering
place for the cattle, open springs all winter
and plenty of feed and shelter. There was
open range for summer growing. They celebrated
the 4th of July that year by going out to
Fish Lake about five miles away. They took
plenty of food and utensils and caught about
85 fish for dinner. Old and young attended
and as always had a splendid time.
An action was approved by the Legislative
Assembly of the Territory of Dakota proving
a special election in McHenry County for
the election of county officers and the temporary
location of the county seat.
On June 12, 1885, A. L. Hanscom, Ole Gilbertson
and J. M. Pendroy holding certificates of
election as Commissioners of McHenry County
met at Scripptown and took oath of office.
On motion, J. M. Pendroy was made chairman
for the ensuing year.
I just researched the minutes of proceedings
and was surprised to find this work that
organizing a county gave the three Commissioners
and the Auditor who was Olaf Bergh.
The Commissioners had to check tax lists,
establish school districts, road districts,
accept petitions
for roads and bridges; then go and "view"
them and decide on the building. Order school
houses to be built and where, and then to
get equipment for them and the Courthouse.
Get someone to plow a furrow from "Villard
to Antelope Lake (that must have been for
fire guard as open range was there); act
on all bills and settle some disputes. J.M.
Pendroy (Uncle Jim) served for several terms,
usually as chairman.
The Courthouse was a Scriptown, Lot 1-2-3,
Sec. 30, Lot 4, Sec. 19, Township 153, Range
79, 3 miles east of Velva on the prairie.
A small log house with sod roof. The land
had been claimed and house built by a Mr.
Nicholaus when they expected a railroad to
be built through there. There were two or
three other buildings there, one was a store
but no post office at that time.
March 7. Johnnie's house was finished and
about 40 of the family went down and surprised
him. Hot coffee and lunch at 12 and all seemed
to enjoy themselves. December 25th: Uncle
Jim's had a dinner and entertained a number
of our relatives and neighbors. Fifty-four
sat down for dinner besides ten babies. Almost
all of them stayed for the evening and enjoyed
themselves keeping step to good music by
Osa Mosier, E. Marlenee and Ole Hovind. These
are just a few of the gatherings the diary
tells of. (dp May 2011 note: Misc diary excerpts in
this manuscript reflect writing in Johnnie
and Belle (Honnold) Pendroy's diary (John
Baldwin Pendroy)).
Mrs. Eliza Masteller and Miss Janey Strong
were the first public school teachers:
In 1886 two log schoolhouses were built in
the Oak Valley District by Levi Pendroy.
Mrs. Eliza Masteller and Miss Janey Strong
were the first public school teachers in
McHenry County - Mrs. Masteller taught the
first term in Johnnie Pendroy's house as
the schoolhouse was not yet finished. It
was in Sec. 20, Township 154, Range 78 on
land donated by Johnnie. This building also
served as a church, Sunday school, school
and church suppers, especially basket socials
- oyster stews - Christmas trees and programs,
literary society, and anything else that
was needed. The school socials bought us
a bookcase full of good reading.
The first county printing was done by Perry
Pendroy in June, 1885. The bill for his work
and stationary was $19.00. Uncle Andrew and
sons devoted themselves to ranching and were
very successful. Uncle Jim's four boys gave
him some time to devote to other things;
he was also younger. His was a very outgoing
family. The house was always filled with
company, neighbors and travelers. All the
boys seemed to inherit the same spirit. All
their homes were the same as long as they
lived in the state.
Aunt Sarah had a little buggy and pony of
her own always ready to take her anywhere
in the neighborhood. With travelers, guests,
hired men and family she needed help which
was usually some girl wanting to learn English
and American ways. Since she had lots of
patience it worked very well. The girls got
the regular wages of the time.
In 1886 the railroad came in to Towner and
from the commissioner's minutes, "After
the 18th of December, 1886 the County Seat
of McHenry Co., will be changed and located
in Towner, that place having received a majority
of the votes at the last general election
held Nov. 9, 1886 and that all books, documents,
records, safe and other County property whereon
and after the date before mentioned all County
business will be transferred and J. B. Sewelll
and Ole Gilbertson will be appointed a committee
to supervise the removal."
As Towner grew a G.A.R. post was started
for Civil War veterans, also a Sons of Veterans.
A Masonic Lodge and Chapter started, Uncle
Jim belonged to them and was still being
elected Commissioner. The young people of
Towner, Burlington and Pendroy had been drawn
together for parties, dances and visits so
occasionally the Towner young people would
get up a party and drive to Pendroy where
a party would be held. Then they would join
in and on to Burlington for a day or two
visit, back to Pendroy for another day then
home to Towner. The next time would be Burlington
to Pendroy to Towner and back.
There was no time for boredom, women filled
spare time with reading, writing, fancywork
and quilting. The men had races, turkey shoots,
hunting parties or perhaps calling on some
beautiful girls. The sad story of pioneers
was just not heard among the Yankees; at
least if it was they never repeated it at
any Old Settlers' picnics or whenever they
told of the early days.
As the Norwegians learned the language and
customs of the country, they joined in and
soon it was all one. They became county officers,
school board members, school teachers, all
things to be of benefit to what was now their
country too and they were being excellent
ranchers and farmers.
All of the Pendroy boys married school-day
sweethearts from Iowa:
In 1888 my mother, Belle Honnold came from
Iowa to teach the Pendroy School. She and
my father had been school mates as it wasn't
very long before they were married. All of
the Pendroy boys married school day sweethearts
from Iowa. Belle sent for her organ and since
she was a good musician she and Ole Hovind
enjoyed many evenings of entertaining.
In 1894 Levi and family moved to Towner so
his children could go to school. Perry and
Alice moved to their Wintering River Ranch
where Pendroy was starting a sheep ranch.
McKay and Ross had left Wallace and started
in business. Vaughn had closed his store
and gone back East, so Wallace was again
just prairie.
At this time the RR was building west. Several
of the men from the settlement were working
on it.
Levi started a general store in Towner and
Jim started a blacksmith shop and he and
Silda moved there. Later Jim was deputy sheriff
for Bob Gorman.
The settlement was growing smaller but followed
their usual customs of dances, parties, church
in the schoolhouse and school as usual. Wood
cutting, butchering and house raising were
still needed and still brought parties. Taffy
pulls, oyster stews, parties kept the young
people entertained.
In winter, sleighing parties, coasting, skating
was always popular.
Uncle Jim was busy using his carpenter tools.
All the boys needed something built, when
they didn't he made doll trunks and carpenter
chests for the grandchildren.
Johnnie and Belle celebrated their wooden
wedding with an evening of music, singing
and dancing followed by a bountiful supper.
Some friends came from Towner as they had
been in the wedding party. Marion Pace performed
an unusual wedding ceremony. The guests presented
them with a beautiful writing desk which
is still in use.
Velva soon started so that by 1895 the 4th
of July was celebrated there. They had among
other things a tub race in a small lake there
and one young man nearly drowned so that
wasn't tried again.
The 1890s brought many changes to the settlement.
No more long trips for supplies. Minot, Velva
and Towner furnished almost everything needed
and of course catalog houses had always supplied
many things, even groceries from St. Paula,
after the railroad came.
Berry's had moved to Velva and started a
good hotel, the Berry House. Stickles had
started a general store there to which Mary
Stickles added a millinery department. Rachel
Berry and her daughter, Sarah, had moved
to Velva and Sarah was a dressmaker there.
The Pendroy M.E. Church became the Velva
M.E. Church:
The Pendroy M.E. Church became the Velva
M.E. Church and Rev. Runyun was resident
minister. The summer of 1895 my mother was
not well and my father thought a week at
the Devils Lake Chautaqua would help her.
We rode in a covered wagon equipped with
bed and supplies much like a camper now,
took plenty of time to enjoy the trip of
125 miles, stayed a day and night in Knox
visiting with an old friend of my mother's.
The Chautaqua was on the lake shore; we rented
a tent with floor and screens. There was
a hotel, some
stores and restaurants as well as the large
auditorium.
We had several trips around the lake on the
famous "Minnie H." steamer, visited
Fort Tauten which had been turned into an
Indian boarding school, the troops had been
moved. The Chautaqua was very interesting.
Very well attended, it started early in the
morning with a religious service, different
speakers and entertainers all-day and ended
late at night with concerts or plays. The
high point for me was that my father bought
a lovely Welsh pony for me which I rode or
drove to a cart for a long time.
Uncle Jim was elected County Probate Judge
in 1898 but became ill and could not serve.
He died June 30, 1899 and was buried in Towner
cemetery with Masonic and G.A.R. rites.
Aunt Sarah came to live with us as my mother
had passed away in 1897. The Pendroy P.O.
was turned over to Thomas Donnel who held
it until 1903 when they moved to Washington.
The office was then closed
and mail sent to Velva. That summer the log
schoolhouse was replaced with a frame building.
In 1899 and 1900 boom towns were starting.
The railroads needed more business and advertised
in the East for homesteaders and gave land
seekers excursions at very low rates. Many
young people and a few older ones responded
and the boom was on. Business places were
needed for the homesteaders so town sites
were sold eight or ten miles apart and soon
every quarter of land blossomed with a shack,
usually tar paper covered, and new buildings
were going up all at once in towns. The people
looking for free lands are usually happy
and carefree.
They are usually strong, and healthy, middle
class, intelligent and ready to help each
other. Others may come but few remain to
prove up.
Remodeled the Towner Hotel and changed it
to Pendroy Hotel:
Levi had just lost his store and home by
fire so got the appointment of U.S. Land
Commissioner in 1902 and again in 1906. After
this he was elected County Treasurer and
later bought and remodeled the Towner Hotel
and changed it to Pendroy Hotel, and for
several years ran a very popular hotel.
Jim (dp May 2011 note: James Andrew Pendroy
was born 04/01/1863 in Marion Co. IA. He
married Silda Masteller) had a claim where Denbigh started so he
moved there, the townsite was on his land.
He was Denbigh's first postmaster in 1900,
later ran a newspaper too, then he and Johnnie
opened a lumberyard. Johnnie was a
silent partner. Jim later started the Denbigh
brick plant. Jim was "father" of
the town always ready to help any one. Later
he built a lovely home on the lakeshore in
the north end of town.
Balfour town site was sold in late 1899.
Johnnie and Perry were there to get choice
lots and built a large livery, feed and sales
stable and a large office for feed and coal,
later over the office they built an Opera
House. Most towns had one to accommodate
traveling bands and shows, plays, lectures,
etc. but theirs also became headquarters
for dances or church services or plays, school
entertainment, some weddings, church socials,
card parties, church suppers, lodges held
their meetings there and they were many.
Only the Masons
and Odd Fellows had a hall of their own.
The first school was held in an empty feed
store. The first church services were held
in the hall, but soon the Norwegian Lutheran
Church was built there, the German Evangelical,
the Methodist and a small Catholic Church.
The Pendroys both built large homes and like
their parents the latchstring was always
out. They neither wanted a political office
but took part in anything that would help
the town. Especially Johnnie found it almost
impossible to not find he was on town board
or school board or some committee.
These boom towns were very good about seeing
that no one was hungry or cold. As an example
a woman was left a widow with several children
and no relatives there. She could only take
in washing to support herself and children.
Several of the businessmen would see that
a sack of flour or of sugar, or some meat
or some food was left on her back porch during
the night. The Pendroy dray delivered a load
of coal occasionally and no names were ever
attached to anything. It would take a book
to tell the history of any boomtown and we
are not likely to find any more like them.
In 1906 Dogden started; Perry, Johnnie and
a doctor - name forgotten - started a drugstore.
They hired a druggist. The Pendroy settlement
was small by that time but Johnnie had kept
his homestead and also owned his father's
property. Later the Old Settlers Picnic ground
was on his homestead and much later he had
a picnic ground and pavilion there. He and
Perry decided to divide the business partnership.
Perry sold his home to Dr. Stone and built
a nice home in Dogden where he ran the drug
store for some time.
Everything went splendidly until 1910:
Everything went splendidly until 1910 when
a hot wind destroyed a crop that had looked
very good. At this time Montana and Canada
were both advertising for homesteaders so
many, especially young people, helped start
more boom towns. Also at that time cars and
trucks were replacing horses and livery stables
were obsolete. The cars drew trade away from
small towns and into larger ones.
Two big fires on main street of Balfour took
at least half of the business section. Crop
failures closed the Balfour mill. There was
no reason to replace the buildings burned.
The lumberyards moved out to where lumber
was needed. In 1923 banks were closing all
over North Dakota. Crops were poor. In the
Balfour area they had seven straight years
of no crops. In 1929 the stock market was
the cause of more bank failures. Then came
the depression of the 30's so Balfour, Bergen,
Voltaire, Dogden (now Butte), Denbigh and
many other towns have either disappeared
or have very few business places.
Levi and Jim went to Montana....Pendroy,
Montana is named for them:
Many of the old settlers moved away to find
a more pleasant life. Levi, Jim and Perry
and families moved; Levi (Levi Boots Pendroy) and Jim (James Andrew Pendroy) went to Montana where they did ranching/farming.
Pendroy, Montana is named for them.
Before long Montana had crop failures and
they moved on to California where Perry joined
them. They all spent the last of their lives
there; all have descendants living there. Johnnie left Balfour, repaired the homestead
house and lived the last of his life where
there were so many happy memories. The only
remaining Pendroy home in McHenry County
is now property of my children, Fredrick
J. Peters in Seattle, Corabelle Brown with
whom I make my home is the County Superintendent
of Schools and finishing her 20th year in
the office, Marguerite Park who lives in
Balfour and is postmistress in Bergen; her
husband Charles is rural mail carrier at
Balfour.
He is a descendant of the Park family, an
1885 rancher in the Dogdens, and neighbors
of the Pendroys where they stopped on the
way from the river to Bismarck. I hold "squatters
rights" on the old cabin.
To show the difference with the people of
1882 and 1976 I want this left in the Bicentennial
records. My land patent signed by the President
tells me that I am given the land that my
father homesteaded and owned to continue
to my heirs forever, but recently Congress
ordered that the wildlife can take any of
the land in the valley to replace what they
lose if Burlington Dam is built and Congress
also has approved that dam without our consent
- so we of the entire Souris River Valley
are back 200 years in time and are fighting
to keep
our homes.
Go To Main Page: Pendroy Surname History
http://www.pendroysurnamehistory.com
E-Mail Don Pendroy
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