From: A History of Ambrose, by
Delroy J. Gorecki, State Teachers College, Minot, ND
The Ambrose Fire Department: On December 3, 1909 H. S. I. Vig, marshal of the village, issued a call to all who were interested to meet in the town hall on Monday night, December 6th for the purpose of organizing a volunteer fire department. The meeting was called to order by Marshal Vig. Charles Bowles was elected temporary chairman and Carl Hovland was made temporary secretary. Marshal Vig was made the first fire chief with Nels Johnson as assistant. N.E. Brady was elected treasurer. There were thirty-two charter members, thirty of whom are named here:
The equipment consisted of two new W.S. Nott and Company chemical engines of forty and sixty gallons capacity and a hook and ladder truck. On December 13th the second meeting of the fire department was held, at which time the organization was completed. Al Johnson was elected captain of Engine Company No. 1 and M. E. Brady was elected captain of No. 2. George Mills was elected captain of the Hook and Ladder Company. At this meeting they decided to hold the first masquerade ball on December 31, 1909. The new fire company received its first tryout on January 17, 1911 when it was called to extinguish a blaze in the Dickman house located in the southeast part of town. They put out the fire in record time, but the contents of the house were destroyed before they arrived. On August 14, 1914 a fire of incinerating nature broke out in block 11 and gained such headway before it was discovered that the chemical engines were useless and the entire block was destroyed. This opened the eyes of the citizens to the inadequacy of the equipment. The following year the people voted to sell bonds and purchase new equipment. In December of 1915 the new equipment was installed, consisting of a gasoline engine driven compound pump and about 1,500 feet of hose. A 45,000 gallon cistern was dug and concreted under the city hall for water supply. In May of 1915 the firemen decided the fire bell needed a better location and purchased a forty foot tower which was erected behind the city hall. In the spring of 1927 the Northland Elevator burned to the ground. While fighting the fire the engine broke down. The city later purchased a second engine from the city of Crosby. In August of 1927 the city paid for digging the well at the hospital, with the understanding that the hospital cisterns could be used for fire protection when needed. The city also had a pond in block 15 enlarged and deepened. It was kept full of water by the overflow from an artesian well. This gave the fire department an available water supply of several hundred thousand gallons. During recent years the artesian well began to decrease its flow, thought to be due to a plugging up of pipes and lack of care of the well. Another artesian well was dug which is the present source of water for the city. There is no city sewage or water system. By 1940 the fire equipment consisted of the two original chemical engines, two gasoline driven water pumps on wheels, about 1800 feet of hose and the hook and ladder truck. The hose was sufficient to reach most areas within the main part of the city. At that time the Ambrose Fire Department was rated one of the best volunteer fire departments on foot west of Minot. The fire department again showed its inadequacy during a large fire in the 1940’s which destroyed two adjacent liquor stores and a barber shop. This fire was an inferno in itself. It occurred about 3 a.m. during the early fall. The flames towered high above the trees and buildings of Ambrose and appeared to many as a flaming orange sunset. Again disaster hit and these buildings burned completely to the ground. There was much speculation as to the origin of the fire. Many have said it was purposely started but no concrete evidence was ever established to back up these theories. After this fire a very talented man named Axel Palm completely rebuilt the fire equipment. This man, with little formal education, had a very large store of information on the mechanics of machines. There was very little along this line that could stump him. To rebuild the fire equipment he converted a couple of old seismography trucks and the old fire equipment into practical, useful fire trucks. With the exception of one old truck had been around since 1927, all of the fire equipment up to this time was horse-drawn. The rebuilt equipment was given a try out during the fire which destroyed two grocery stores and a locker plant in 1959. Although the equipment was adequate, the water supply was woefully inadequate and since the stores were old wooden structures, they were quickly and completely destroyed. There have been no additions to the equipment since this time. Notification of fire is given to the volunteer fire fighters by the use of a siren purchased within the last ten years. Until just recently an old hand operated bell was used to alert the citizens but many times this proved inadequate. When the fire department was first formed it held two social functions yearly. They had a Fireman's Ball on Thanksgiving and a New Year’s Eve Masquerade. These events were attended by a large number of the citizens and almost all took part in the masquerading. However, those events have not been held since before the hard times of the thirties. This is partially due to the hard years but perhaps mostly due to an inactive fire department in recent years.
Ambrose Schools: The concerns and interests that center in the home, the circumstances and influences that constitute a desirable environment for the home - these were the elements assiduously cared for by those who had the future growth of the city at heart. Certainly, adequate and varied provision for education was a price requisite from the point of view of the home. The home means children, and children demand schools. And a town which claimed to offer unique advantages to home lovers had to possess not average but superlative school facilities. Whatever else was stinted, Ambrose schools were well cared for in its beginning. Those who had charge of the school could not exactly see the form that would be assumed a quarter of a century hence, but they did have in their power to hasten or seriously impede the brilliant educational future. Those who began to direct the destinies of the schools of Ambrose were fully alive to the importance of the work ahead of them, and the earnest, conscientious manner in which they performed their duties rapidly brought the Ambrose schools to a high degree of excellence. The first school in Ambrose township was held during the summer of 1906 in a little sod shack on section 17 belonging to D. A. Heidman. Miss Heidman volunteered to teach this school and it is possible she never received any remuneration for her services. During the summer of 1907 Shallow Lake School district was organized from Stony Creek district number 3 of Williams County. Elstow McKoane, Martin Monson and Alfred Johnson were the first directors and Nels Nelson was treasurer. Gilles Bailard was appointed clerk. During the summer of 1908 two new school buildings were erected - one in the town of Ambrose and one in the southeast corner of Section 16. Miss Winifred Dougherty was first preceptress of the town school while Miss Mae Hennessy was in charge of the primary grades. Miss Rhoda Hanson was the first teacher in the school on Section 16. By 1912 the enrollment had outgrown the school houses and classes were being held in the basement of the Presbyterian Church and in the second story of city hall. This was the year in which the new school house was erected to take care of the growing class size. It was a modern brick building with two full stories and a basement. It cost approximately $16,000. Originally there were two classrooms and a large hall on the first floor. Later a room was built across the end of this main hall which was used for a library. The second floor consisted of a study hall, classroom, office and a typewriting room built over the stair wells. Originally the two basement rooms were used as playrooms but were later converted into a lunch room and a classroom. In fact, every possible space in the school was used to care for the enrollment. Classes have grown smaller in recent years and the school is no longer crowded. Classes were first called in the new building in the fall of 1913 and the old building was abandoned. In 1919 the old school building was sawed into two parts. One half was moved to section 33 in fractional part of the township and was converted into a one room school house. In 1927 the rest of the building was sold to Charles Nance whereupon he moved it onto Main Street and remodeled it into a hotel. The school district was divided on August 2, 1920. The western half of the township formed a new district known as Grant School District and the eastern half dropped the name Shallow Lake and became known as Ambrose School District. For several years, basketball was the dominant sport, with both a high school and independent city team. The small town theatre where basketball was played could no longer accommodate the crowd of spectators that supported these teams. In 1922, the people of the community decided to build a gymnasium that would be a credit to the teams. Subscriptions were solicited, with donations of work and materials being accepted as well as cash. The gymnasium was built below ground level, just north of the brick school house. During the summer months, people gathered on the school grounds to excavate the basement. Mr. T. O. Moen and Mr. James L. Miller comprised the committee in charge of construction. Forms were built by volunteers under the direction of a few carpenters. The walls were made of poured concrete. Except for the skilled labor required to direct construction, very little money was spent for labor, the work being donated. Cash was obtained through generous donations of the citizens, and the City of Ambrose donated $1,000 from the city treasury. After the building was completed, a big dance was held and chances on a new Ford car were sold. The proceeds were used to pay the outstanding bills in full. In 1927, disaster almost hit the school when fire broke out in the office, but only the school records up to 1927 were destroyed in the blaze. The rating of Ambrose School was raised from a consolidated school to a second class high school in 1931. The student population decreased rapidly during the hard times of the 1930's. The present high school enrollment is 15 while that of the grades is 35. People have moved elsewhere to find new jobs and with them the school age population has gone. The citizens of Ambrose have now voted to discontinue the high school, transporting the high school age group to Crosby for their education. So, as things now stand, high school will be discontinued in September of 1962 and elementary school through grade eight will continue operation.
Ambrose Parent-Teachers Association: The organizational meeting of the Ambrose Parent Teachers Association was held on October 14, 1936. Mr. McManus acted as temporary chairman of the meeting and O. A. Grina was temporary secretary. About forty-five people attended this meeting. Mrs. Minnie Miller was elected president of the association, Miss Cora Miller, vice-president, F. W. Grina, secretary and Mrs. A. O. Grina, treasurer. The members voted to affiliate with the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. Although the Ambrose PTA was fairly small, they made their influence felt in the community. They sponsored many programs and money making projects whereby they could purchase needed equipment for the school. They were active during the winter of 1937-1938 in sponsoring a WPA hot lunch program for the benefit of those children who had to eat their dinner at the school. As the years passed the population decreased, as did interest in the PTA. By 1950 there was no longer a PTA and today no one seems interested in reorganizing this association.
Ambrose Community Hospital: In 1926 Dr. G. J. Budd located in Ambrose and opened a small hospital in the E. A. Tannas residence to care for his patients. It soon became evident that this house was not adequate to care for the ever increasing number of patients and public sentiment was aroused in favor of building a modern hospital in the city. Accordingly, on April 8, 1926 a public mass meeting was held in the theatre to sound out the people and discuss ways and means for providing for such a building. R. D. Hand, the druggist of the city, presided and C. P. Grytness, cashier of the Citizens State Bank, was appointed secretary of the meeting. A vote was taken and everyone voted to go ahead with plans to build a hospital. A subscription was taken at the meeting and about $1,400 was raised that evening. A finance committee was chosen with R. D. Hand as chairman and A. O. Grina, Anton Thomte, J. L. Miller, Sam Knutson, Knute Ouse and G. Bailard as members. C. P. Grytness was selected to act as secretary of the committee. The committee met on April 11, 1926 and chose the name Divide County Hospital Association. They made plans to start a drive for funds. On May 24, 1926 a mass meeting was held in the Presbyterian Church, at which time the articles of incorporation were drawn up and signed. This made the association a reality. Thirty-three persons signed the articles of incorporation:
Article seven of the articles of incorporation stated: “This corporation is not organized for profit and shall have no capital stock." A temporary board of seven directors was elected: A. O. Grina, Knute M Ouse, Anton Thomte, J. L. Miller, G. J. Budd, O. F. Anderson and C. P. Grytness. A. O. Grina was elected president of the board; O. F. Anderson, vice president; and C. P. Grytness, secretary and treasurer. J. L. Miller, G. J. Budd, A. O. Grina and C. P. Grytness were made a committee on constitution and by-laws. Much discussion took place over the location of the proposed hospital. Three sites were discussed but it was Finally decided to locate the building in block nine although the architect pointed out that the site lacked drainage facilities. The hospital opened in the summer of 1927. Dr. Budd had complete charge and installed his own equipment. On May 24, 1929 a large entertainment was held at the school gymnasium. The feature of the evening was home talent. At midnight a new model Ford was raffled - M. D. McKinnon of Minneapolis was the winner. This event made a net profit of $1172.70 which was used to lower the indebtedness of the hospital. In the spring of 1930 Dr. Budd notified the board that when his contract expired In April he would be leaving the community. At that time no one had been secured to take his place and the hospital was closed. The board then arranged to have Dr. Knapp and his wife come to Ambrose, and in July the hospital reopened with Mrs. Knapp in charge. The association equipped the hospital with beds and other essentials and leased it to the Knapps. Dr. and Mrs. Knapp stayed only about two months and when they left the hospital was again forced to close. The board then decided to contact the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Hospital Association. A meeting of the shareholders was called and they empowered the board to make a contract with the association. Accordingly the hospital was turned over to the Good Samaritan Association in the fall of 1930. They successfully operated it as a hospital for about ten years with Dr. S. A. Weeks as resident physician. Then Dr. Weeks left the community for Baker, Montana, where he now resides. At this time the hospital was again closed. During the middle 1940's the Good Samaritan Association reopened the institution as a home for the aged. This was under the direction of Mr. A. H. Ibme. Although the institution has changed directors several times, the home for the aged is in operation and has a capacity for about 35-40 residents.
The Ambrose Lutheran Church: In January 1905 a group of men met for the purpose of organizing a church. This meeting was apparently held in a farm home southeast of the present city of Ambrose. Rev. R. O. Hjelmeland was secured as pastor and on September 3, 1905 he organized the congregation. Oscar Storheim, Hans Hougland, Halvor Rue, Andreas Ryan, Ole Sims, Sven Susag, Carl Ebbeson, Andreas Elefson, Ole Henning, and Olius Ryan were the charter members. The church was known as the Crosby Lutheran Church. With the establishment of Ambrose in 1906 the church was situated there. The first services in the town were held in the Soo Depot. Meetings were also held in the old school house and later in Miller’s Hall. This was prior to constructing the church. Rev. Hjelmeland was pastor for this congregation until October 1907 when he resigned. Rev. O. B. Sanders succeeded him in the same month and continued as pastor of the congregation until August of 1913. In January 1914 Rev. Cornelius Sumstad took charge of the work and it was during his term that the church building was erected. L. M. Gubrud, C. I. Rollefson and Martin Siverson were trustees of the church and had charge of the construction. The Ladies Aid played a very large part in the building of the church. They purchased one lot from the townsite company and a second lot was donated to them. They also purchased the plans for the building of the church. They turned over large sums of money to the trustees to help defray expenses. The work of building and furnishing the church was accomplished over a period of several years, with work progressing as financing permitted. At first services were held in the basement. Later, when the upper room was partially furnished, chairs were used in place of pews. The Ladies Aid furnished pews, pulpit and altar. Down through the years many pastors have worked devotedly with the Ambrose congregation, not only serving this town church, but also serving the congregations of Trinity Church and Twin Butte Church located south of Ambrose and the First Lutheran Church of Fortuna. The church also maintained a church school and a parochial school for a period of two weeks or a month every year. The first child to be baptized at the church was Einar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hellich Hougland on January 20, 1905 by Rev. Hjelmeland. Dr. C. J. Rollefson and Miss Marie Thompson were the first couple to be united in marriage in this church. Rev. O. B. Sanders preformed the wedding ceremony in January 1907. The first funeral services were held over the remains of Andreas Knudson who died in February 1913. The cornerstone of the church was laid by Dr. J. N. Kildahl and the dedication services were held by Rev. Cornelius Sumstad, who had been empowered to officiate by the district president. The ceremony took place on July 13, 1924. The church also maintained a parsonage that was erected at the same time as the church building. In February 1919 the Young Peoples Society was organized by Rev. Stoeve and later became a member of the Crosby Circuit of Young Peoples Luther League. The organization was active for several years and then became quite inactive. It has again been revived in recent years.
The Ambrose Lutheran Ladies Aid: The Ladies Aid held its first meeting at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ryan, four miles southeast of Ambrose. The following ladies organized the aid: Mrs. Anna Bartness, Mrs. Swen Susag, Mrs. O. E. Sims, Mrs. Hellick Hougland and Miss Julia Ryan. Mrs. Anna Bartness was chosen president and Mrs. Hellick Hougland treasurer. Rev. Hjelmeland was present and services were conducted by him. They decided that meetings would be held every three weeks and Rev. Hjelmeland would come and join them. At these meetings a lunch was served and a fee of ten cents charged. With the establishment of the church in Ambrose they decided to take in more members. So in the fall of 1907 twenty-two member names appeared on the charter:
The aim of this Ladies Aid was to work toward the building of a church to be known as the Norwegian Lutheran Church of Ambrose. Meetings were held every two weeks on Wednesday afternoons. The ladies decided to work at these meetings making various garments that could be sold later. Mrs. Nels Nelson was elected president of the organization. On December 19, 1907 a basket social was held in the National Hotel in Ambrose and $47.70 was taken in. This was later used to help buy materials to build the church. When the church was built, the Ladies Aid had a big part in the work as they turned in a considerable sum of cash to help with the building. Until about 1940 the Ladies Aid had an auction sale each fall in addition to an annual supper. These sales were mostly of a needlework variety. The big event in recent years has been a fall lutefisk supper. Cash receipts from this supper have been used for church improvements. The Ladies Aid just recently had a large part in erecting an addition to the church and improving the basement. This is the most active organization in the city today.
The Presbyterian Church of Ambrose: The first church services of the strictly English speaking element were held in Blevins Pool hall in the fall of 1906. Rev. Moore, presiding elder of the Methodist church, conducted the services and it is reported that a fast poker game was being run in the ante room all during the service. The Methodists were the first to organize and in the summer of 1907 Rev. Ben Babbcock was engaged as pastor for a year. Services were held in the Depot and various business places until the school house was erected, and then meetings were held there. A Ladies Aid was organized and was active in raising funds to further the work. The Ladies Aid purchased an organ which was kept in the school house. On October 30, 1907 a group of people who were followers of the Congregational Church held a meeting in Miller’s Opera House and decided to organize. Accordingly, a meeting was held on November 10, 1907 under the leadership of Rev. E. S. Shaw and the church was then organized. The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. V. L. Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Todd, Mrs. W. H. Blevins, Mr. D. Miller, Mr. Todd Sr., Mrs. Hugh Miller, and Mrs. C. A. Laycroft. The church was known as the Congregational Church of Ambrose and was united with the Mouse River Association. On May 4, 1908 the trustees hired Rev. Rothwell as pastor for a term of six months. The rate of pay was $700 per year of which $400 was to be raised by the congregation and $300 was to come from the Mission. The story is told that Rev. Rothwell had considerable difficulty in collecting any pay and at one time he approached one of the trustees with a request for money. Upon ascertaining that there were no funds in the treasury, the trustee remarked that if everyone would all do as he did there would be funds in the treasury as every Sunday he put a dollar in the collection box. Rev. Rothwell replied that he didn't know about that but he did know that there had been Sundays when the total amount of the collection did not come out to a dollar. The Congregational church drew most of its members from the Methodist congregation and the Methodists soon disbanded. The ladies of the Congregational church organized a Ladies Aid and decided that inasmuch as they had worked to buy the organ while they were with the Methodists they really had as much right to it. So one day they went to the schoolhouse and took the organ. This incident caused considerable friction between the two elements and in the summer of 1908 the people held a joint meeting and attempted to settle their differences. The outcome of this meeting was that both churches voted to disband and invite the Presbyterian Church into the field. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1909 with Mr. and Mrs. A. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Shaw and Mr. and Mrs. G. Bailard as charter members. Mr. D. S. Miller was the first deacon of the church and Mr. Frank DeWitt is reported to be the first Elder. On November 28, 1909 Rev. Joseph Goehring preached a trial sermon in Miller’s Hall and was rendered a call on the following day by the committee. Rev. Goehring occupied the pulpit until May 1910 and was succeeded by Rev. John Hodgson on July 19, 1910. During Rev. Hodgson's tenure the church building was erected. Funds were raised by subscription. Several wholesale houses from the Twin-Cities donated goods such as stoves and furniture which were liquidated in a sale. The raising of funds was left in the care of the Ladies Aid. The dedication was set for the first Sunday in May 1912 but was postponed because of excessive rains. The dedication finally took place in July. Dr. Kearns, synod representative, preached at both the afternoon and evening services. Mr. P. E. Carlson was the first superintendent of the Sunday School. He was followed by Mr. Will Miller who kept the Sunday School alive for many years. Rev. Hodgson resigned on Oct. 1, 1914 to take up residence on his homestead northwest of Westby, Montana. Lyle Orell Joice, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Monson, was the first baby baptized in the church. The ceremony took place on December 15, 1911. In June of 1913 Mr. H. S. I Vig and Miss Delcie Pringle were united in marriage by Rev. John Hodgson. The ceremony was a regular church wedding and unique in that it was the only wedding ever held in the church. Rev. James P. Schell took up the work of the pastorate on December 6, 1914 and remained until 1919. Down through the years the church had many pastors, all staying only a short time. The congregation remained fairly active until about 1946 or 1947. At that time the Presbyterian Church was completely disbanded. The church building was finally sold in the 1950's and moved to another community.
The Equity Mercantile Company: The Company was organized January 7, 1910 by Alfred Johnson, Nels Johnson, Martin Monson and Charles H. Wood. The firm was incorporated for $25,000 with shares valued at $25 each. The new firm purchased the Johnson Brothers Hardware Store. Henry Reide was elected president of the company; Henry Russel, vice-president; and Martin Monson, secretary-treasurer. The stock was sold to farmers of the community. The firm continued in business until about 1916 when they went bankrupt. Mismanagement and over extended credit were reasons for failure of the company. There were many thousands of dollars of uncollectible bills on the accounts. An assessment of $100 each was called, but it was very little in comparison to what was needed. Those able to pay were forced to pay a thousand dollars each. An attempt was made to induce the Farmers elevator Company to purchase the corporation but the board realized the condition of the Mercantile firm and refused to consider the risk. No further attempts were made to revive the firm.
Ambrose Banks: The banks of Ambrose during those first years of development had a combined capital surpassing other towns in the county. They were ably officered, conservatively managed and added their full quota toward the development of every industry. The First National Bank advertised their capital as $25,000. Their general banking program included insurance, foreign exchange, farm loans and collections. Associated with the Ambrose First National Bank were the First National Banks of Tolley, Lidgerwood, Kermit, Paddington, North Dakota; and Plentywood, Montana. Six percent interest was paid on time deposits. The other bank of which there is some record is the Ambrose Citizens State Bank. The following statement appeared in a circular advertising this bank in January 1910:
The Citizens State Bank boasted associate banks in Hendrum and Georgetown, Minnesota; Crosby, Kloten, Hannaford, Larson and Stady, North Dakota.
The Farmers Cooperative Elevator and Trading Company: On July 13, 1909 a group of farmers from the vicinity of Ambrose met in the Shallow Lake school house under the auspices of the American Society, for the purpose of organizing a cooperative elevator company. C. W. Marsland of Clinton Township was elected president. The articles of incorporation were signed and the by-laws adopted on July 31, 1909. The name chosen for the organization was “The Farmers Cooperative Elevator and Trading Company." The company incorporated for $50,000.00. Shares were to have a par value of $25.00 and a limit of ten shares to a stockholder was placed on the issue. The company began to arrange for an elevator and on August 4, 1909 they accepted the offer of the Homestead Elevator Company for their elevator. The purchase was made for approximately $5,500.00. Otto Turbett was hired as elevator manager and the board decided to do their business with the Kinkel-Todd Commission Company. After a few years company management was induced to leave Kinkel-Todd and turn to the American Society of Equity. When the Society went bankrupt the firm changed to the Dalrymple Commission Company with whom they continued to do business for a number of years. In September of 1910 the firm erected an office and warehouse building northeast of the elevator. This building was enlarged and used as an office and warehouse until the elevator was finished in 1917. It became evident in the fall of 1926 that the two elevators could not handle another crop without extensive repair so they decided to rebuild. The contract was let to T. E. Ibberson and Company of Minneapolis. The new elevator, with a capacity of 51,000 bushels, was completed in the summer of 1927. A few years later elevator management was persuaded to join the Farmers Union Terminal Association. This business association continued for about a year when, due to financial reasons, the Union could no longer carry the accounts of the elevator and the firm of Atwood-Larsen took over the accounts. In 1937 the elevator company purchased the Ambrose Oil Company from O. M. Gubrud which they now operate in addition to the elevator.
From A History of Ambrose, by
Delroy J. Gorecki
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