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Family History - Andrew & Helga
Tompte Almos, Early Settlers
Ambrose was named for Ambrose Olson, a friend of mine from Canby, Minnesota. He bought the right- away for the Soo Line from Flaxton to Ambrose. I came to Ambrose in 1906, just a few days after the lots were sold, as manager of the Langworthy Lumber Company. I rode on the work train as far as the rails were laid. I got off the train, took my suitcase in one hand, my cot in the other, and walked on the rail grade to Ambrose. I managed a lumber yard for 37 years. I met my wife, the former Helga Tompte of Sacred Heart, Minnesota at the Ambrose Hotel where she and her sister Anna worked. They also homesteaded southwest of town. We were married in 1908. My family consists of four children: Gertrude, Norma, Helen, and Andrew Jr. All of the children are married and altogether I have 10 grandchildren. My wife Helga passed away December 22, 1957. Community affairs always held a great interest for me. I have held all the city offices from Assessor to Mayor. I have served on the School Board in various capacities and was Treasurer of the Board for more than forty years.
Above photo and family history from
At the age of 90, Andrew made his last airplane trip all alone from California to Minneapolis. I think it is something for a man of that age to be so active and traveling alone. Dad was born in Norway. He came to this country at the age of four. In 1960, at the age of 84, he made a trip to the Scandinavian countries to visit his old homeland. He kept a diary of every day which, to us, is priceless. Dad not only served on the School Board for many years, but was active in many community affairs, serving as mayor and as councilman. Mother, also, was a very community minded person. Dad spent a good share of his last years with us. I took him to Ambrose every summer for his yearly visit as, in his mind, he just had to go "home". How he would have loved to spend many months, each year, there. Our only brother died in California in 1967. The picture was taken on mother and dad's honeymoon in Minneapolis. They were married in Ambrose in 1908.
Above photo and family history taken from page 2 of the
Almos Remembers
* Important note: After much discussion with Shirlee Anderson Lee, Helen Almos Biorn and Ruth Thomte Hansen at the Ambrose Centennial on July 8, 2006 it was concluded that the gentleman identified as Omer Stenson in this 1943 photo was most likely Anton Thomte, father of Ruth Thomte Hansen. The Soo Railroad built out west from Flaxton, N. D., as far as Ambrose in 1906. The train made a few trips before the big snow storm came, November 5, 1906. So much snow fell that no trains could get through until spring of 1907. Many homesteaders were out on claims when the storm hit and were caught short of fuel and food. Among these were the Tompte sisters, Helga and Anna, who were shut in for three days. Their claims were five miles southwest of Ambrose. There were always two “Rigs”, teams and driver, and equipment, ready and reserved for Dr. White at Kelly & Black livery stable so the doctor could make sick calls. Almos remembers one occasion when a storm became so bad the doctor and driver could not see the road. They found a knoll where the snow couldn’t pile up and drove round and round on the knoll till daylight when they were able to find their way again. Sick calls often took two or three days at that time. The Soo railroad built on west about 1913 to Whitetail, Montana. About 1910, Divide County separated from Williams County. The contest between Ambrose and Crosby for the County Seat was really something to remember, a bitter fight and bad feeling for many years. McGowan Hotel, owned and managed by Mrs. McGowan and daughters: Margaret (later Mrs. Best), Celia and Martha; operated a dinning room too. Dave Sutherland, ‘The only Dave”, operated a dray line and was expert on the drums. Mr. Scott, a lawyer, had lost both hands in an accident when quite young but managed to do very well in all things even driving his own car at a later date. Joe E. Winters was agent for the Soo railroad. His family lived over the depot. Mr. and Mrs. Elstow McKoane had the first general store, dry goods and groceries. They also had the post office. Mrs. Mary Flock (sister of Mrs. McKoane) was chief helper for many years. Charlie Bowles (nephew of Mrs. McKoane) was assistant Postmaster and took care of the Post Office for a long time. The enclosed copy of an old picture was taken in 1909 or 1910. The background “Home” was two homestead shacks moved in and combined to make a very comfortable living quarters used by Miss Hennessy and Miss Daugherty, teachers, as a home for many years. Bankers in the early days were: P. G. Anderson, and his brother, Alfred “Fred” Anderson, Karl Hair, Freeman Johnson, Chris. Grytnes, Wm. Priess, Karl Hovland, son of the hardware merchant, Carson Eckman, I. O. Bakken (Loans), Clinton Goetz. Brady’s Bakery and Confectionery was operated by Matt Brady. His sisters, Blanche and Charlotte, served meals. It was a popular hangout for the young people. Anna Tompte opened a restaurant and later sold to Jim Hallaran. The Hugos brothers: Chris, John, Al and Harry, operated a meat market. Golden was a photographer. Cal Andrist and C. S. Nelson printed the newspapers. Harold Braatelien was County Attorney for Williams County in the early days. Other attorneys of the early days were: Baker & Broea; Olaf Braatelien, Fred Austinson, Fred Lyons. Early merchants were: Miller & Shaw (father of Archie Shaw), Dave, Jim, Harry, “Bill” (Rev. William), operated a hardware business. Tannas and Hovland, a Hardware. Johnson Bros., Nels and Ed, a Hardware. McKoane, General Merchandise and Grocery. Stivers, a Variety Store. Nelson N. Eftiand, a dry goods store. Bergen, dry goods. Ole Woxland, dry goods and groceries. Anna Henning, Millinery. Gronvold, Groceries. Darling Drug Store was operated by Lee Darling. Ben Romansen was a druggist and the first deputy sheriff of Divide County. Dr. Sandy was a Dentist. Tailors and Men’s wear were: Bob Huston, tailor; Andrew Grina, men’s store; Hanson and Son (Archie), men’s wear, later at Whitetail, Montana. Pete Jenson was the first barber. Others were: Harry Schultz, Walt Bye. Blacksmiths were: Dick Schultz, Tom Bakken. Jim Swindle operated HOMESTEADS LAND LOCATION. Early doctors were: White, Carl Rollefson, Pierson and Lenfest. Veterinary doctors were: Ford and Black. Early teachers were: Lottie Goffy, Leona Skjod, May Hennessy, Miss Doherty, Genevieve King, - Arnt H. Bredly, and later Mrs. Briek Pierce, Mrs. Tom Cahill. Early lumberyards: Kulas Lumber Company; Langworthy Lumber, A. N. Almos, Manager; Rogers Lumber Company, Tom Cahill, Manager, Orrin Coffey, assistant Manager. A livery barn was operated by Dave Kelly and Bob Block. Mr. Kelly was a dealer in horses (horse trader). Tom Cahill was the first Register of Deeds in Divide County. An early Customs Officer was W. J. Bruckman. Canadian “Mounties” (Police) in red coats and blue trousers were frequent visitors, always riding the finest horses. Grain Elevators were: Farmers Elevator, Martin Burreson, manager; Bill Gehrke, manager of Atlantic Elevator. In the early days there was a musical group that played for dances. However, the only names of players I can remember were: John Borg, violin; Stuart; Dave Sutherland, drums. 1915 was the best year for the Ball Team. I can’t recall all of the players but some were: Frank Emerson, Webster brothers, Red Peterson, Arnold Gorder, “Milwaukee”, who was comparable to Willie Mays of the present day. Can’t recall his real name but he was from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rose Gibson, a homesteader from Montana, spent the winters in Ambrose. She operated a Chili Parlor in a small shack back of the Langworthy Lumber yard. It was rumored that she dispensed other refreshments as well as Chili. Rush Lankton was a “man about town”, the object of many practical jokes. Ranchers across the line in Montana used to come to Ambrose for lumber and supplies and drove their cattle in for shipping in the fall. Among these were: Leland Brothers, Sig Nelson, and John Rice. Pete Marron, sheep rancher in Montana, shipped 15,000 sheep one fall. Other ranchers came in from as far west as where the towns of Outlook and Whitetail, Montana, now stand. The DeWitt ranch, about 15 miles west of Ambrose, was a place where settlers stopped for meals or over night on their trips to and from Ambrose. Mr. DeWitt was a Swiss and when lawmen or anyone would ask questions his stock answer was always “Might it vas, I could not say”. Gillis Bailard, who farmed one mile north of Ambrose, and his neighbor, Roy Arnold, also a farmer, worked together as Auctioneers. Two early day carpenters were: Eliason and George Bent. George Franklin operated a hotel. It was rumored George had refreshments in the back room, not meals. V. L. Gilbert was a farmer and dealer in horses (horse trader) and rather a “character”. Gus Restvedt was with the Nelson Mercantile Company then later bought the Hugos Meat Market. Rev. Sanders was an early Lutheran Minister. M. O. Thorson operated one of the early Hotels. C. A. Running had a Jewelry business.
Above history taken from pages 338-339 of the
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Following
is a supplement to the 1964 book by his daughter
Gertrude
