Lake Lithia

Photo courtesy of Elaine Anderson; Information from Forman’s Century of Progress Centennial Book

Lake Lithia has been a focal point in Forman since the town was founded.  It has provided recreation and occasional hazards.  It is the only thing that has always been a part of Forman is Lake Lithia, before there was a town until now.  True, it was much bigger before so much fill took place, but it remains much as always.  No true Formanite would ever allow it to be called a “slough.”

We have not been able to find how Lake Lithia got its name.  Perhaps it was named for a town or lake back East, or a fondly remembered friend or relative of a pioneer.  In an old 1887 newspaper, there was an advertisement for a Lithia water product supposed to be great medicine.  This was made in New York.  Lithia is an element; maybe we can stretch our imaginations and conclude it was named for its mineral content and benefits.  We will probably never know for sure.

“In 1899, Joe Lewis built a wharf and boathouse on the east bank of Lake Lithia, where fishermen in years to come would launch their boats.”  This is according to an old newspaper item from September 1899.

When the old schoolhouse stood across the lake, school children had a shortcut in the winter when the ice became thick enough to hold their weight.  In the early days, there were few buildings or trees to break the wind and it was a bitterly cold walk to school.  Thus, the shortcut was most welcome.

In the spring, after the ice went out, the south winds sent high waves over the bank and sidewalk on the north side.  Pedestrians were forced to walk down the street.  Waves, also, brought up ugly creatures that we called “slough puppies”. They looked like a cross between a bullhead and a lizard.

Recess and noon hour found most of the kids on the ice skating or sliding.  “Kick the can” was also a popular game.  After school and evenings found skaters again for more fun and for all around the bonfire.

Lake Lithia…long may she continue to be a constant reminder of the way it was.

Reprinted from the Sargent County Scoop, June 27, 2009

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June 4, 2009

Dear Friends:

With its location on the shore of Lake Lithia and its well-groomed appearance, Forman is among the most handsome of North Dakota’s small towns.

And this anniversary of its 235 years marks a proud history.  But you had your silly moments.  Back during World War II, when there were fears of enemy sabotage, Forman posted an around-the-clock guard.  On duty after dark were Snorri Thorfinnson, brandishing an 1872 rifle with a rusted out barrel, and Pete Nelson, armed with a World War I cavalry saber.  I’m sure the Germans and the Japanese are relieved they never attacked Forman.

Your residents have a long history of good humor, strong faith, ambition and drive, and extraordinary decency.  I’m proud to salute them.

Sincerely,
Byron L. Dorgan
U.S. Senator

“Best wishes!”

From Mayor Neil and Elaine Anderson

In reference to the above letter from Senator Dorgan:

We thank Senator Dorgan for his letter of best wishes for Forman’s 125th celebration as a city and community. Senator Dorgan most likely did not know Snorri or Pete, but somehow heard of their very distinct personalities and activities!  These two men, ironically, touched our lives in different ways as young residents of Forman.

S. M. Thorfinnson, a.k.a. Snorri, wrote the “Sargent County History” book as a part of the Bicentennial observance in the county in 1976. Born on a prairie homestead in Cavalier County, ND, he spent almost all his life with people who made their homes on the plains.  He graduated from ND Agricultural College in 1924 with a B. A., and four years later got his Masters.  He was active in track, debate, and represented the college in 14 intercollegiate debates. In 1922 he was a member of the first debate team from west of the Mississippi River to debate in colleges in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

He taught Vocational Agriculture for nine years and taught on-farm-training for WWII for five years vets. He was Extension Agent in Sargent County for 14 years with a couple of leaves of absences.  He also spent 11 years in research and public relations for the Farmers Union Grain Terminal Association of St. Paul. His writings included two booklets written for the Farmers Union.  He and Olive had five children: Roger (who taught and lived here in Forman); Vaughn, Hugh, Bruce, and Karen.

Pete Nelson, a.k.a. “Rattlesnake Pete”, was a brother of Neil’s grandmother, Gurina Lee, who lived on the farm where Richie and Stella Bell now reside. Pete ran a blacksmith shop at the east end of Forman where Greg Ennis now lives.  Neil and Elaine visited him when he was living with Albert and Elsie Wellman (formerly of Havana) in the Black Hills. They had taken him in as “family” when he was a resident at the Fort Meade home for veterans, and is buried at that cemetery.  The Wellman’s gave Neil a fancy cane that Pete had carved and used (which hangs as decor in their home), and also his helmet from World War I.

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Posted in: History, News | Forman 125th Celebration, From the Mayor

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Bowen Township borders Forman to the north and west.  The township was named after the parents of E.W. Bowen, who moved here from St. Cloud, MN.  Other early settlers were Albert Stevens, Andrew Wahlund, Frank A. Anderson and Albert Orth.  The first school in the township was built in 1883, with three more schools constructed later.

The Albert Stevens farm is over 125 years old and is still being farmed by Albert’s grandsons, Robert and Bruce, and great-grandsons, Blaine and Todd.

Olaf Melroe came to Bowen Township as a young man in 1882.  He married Kari Alelson and they had six children: Tillie, Gina, Ed (who started Melroe Manufacturing), Oscar, Sig and Ted.  Stan Melroe and his wife, Betty, still live on the homestead and farm with sons, Scott and Steven.

Frank Anderson’s homestead was farmed by his son, Arthur, and then passed down to the grandson, Charles, and then to great-grandson, Joel.  The Anderson Seed Elevator is now located on this farm.

The Joe Westra farm was two miles west and one mile north of Forman and is presently farmed by Joe’s great-nephews, David and Danny Jacobson.

If you liked to dance, the Smith’s Barn was the place to go!  The barn was owned by Red Smith.  There were four Smith children: Virginia (Even), Harry, Kirk and Dennis.  Dennis and Gloria moved onto this farm site and farmed with Harry and Betty who lived down the road.  Harry and Betty lived all their lives in Bowen Township until Betty later moved to Forman.

Leonard A. and Ethel (Randall) Bopp moved to the farm that Ethel’s father, J.D. Randall, built in 1914.  Leonard served on many boards and committees and was a State Senator for many years.   His son, Leonard R. and wife, Cleo, moved to the Sweetman Farm in 1952.  Leonard lived his entire life in Bowen Township.  He and Cleo had six children: Mark, Laurie (Mallberg), Jeff, Lyle, Mike and Karen (Nelson).  Lyle and his family now live on the farm.

Claus and Alice (Torkelson) Westra came in 1930 to the farm one mile west of Forman.  They had four daughters: Mabel, LaVonne, Clarice and Phyllis.  The land is now farmed by grandsons, David and Danny Jacobson.

Ray and Agnes Westra also came to Bowen Township in 1930, where they raised eight children.  After Ray’s death, Agnes moved into Forman and their land is now farmed by great-nephews, David and Danny Jacobson.

Walt and Myrtle (Olson) Orth were the third generation to have lived on the Alvin Orth Farm, which was established in 1892.  They raised five children: James, Mary, Susan (Fust), Thomas and Paul.  Tom now lives on this farm.

Louie and Gurina Lee were married in 1903 and lived on what is now the Richy Bell Farm.  They had 10 children, two of whom lived their lives in Bowen Township:  Bertha (Axel) Anderson and Nora (Erling) Samuelson.  Both women moved into Forman after the deaths of their spouses.  Bertha and Axel were parents of our current mayor, Neil Anderson, who was born at the Ray Westra farm.

Clifford and Delores (Turner) Beaver were married in 1954 and moved to a farm three miles west and one mile north of Forman, known as the Nels Dyste Farm, which was started in the early 1900s.  They have retired and their son,
Bill, has taken over the farming.   He and his wife, Janelle (Miller), have three children.

Other families currently living in the township are:  Eugene Hajek, Dick Olson, Miles Johnson, Fred Lacina, Dan Johnson, Mark Murphy, Shirley Waloch, Jeff Tyler, Evelyn Kraig, Joe Malheim, Colin Sundquist, Robert and Agnes Olafson, Travis Hosford, Bill Mahrer, Samuel Fandrich, John Thompson, Glen Hill, Rudy Rathert and Ken Forster.

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Forman Township was first named Center Township because of its central location in the county.  In a school record there is mention of a Groverville School in Center Township.  It was located west of Bishop’s Grove, near the Hohaus farm.  This was before school districts were clearly defined.  The name of the township was later changed to Forman Township in honor of Colonel C.H. Forman.

The first known settler in this township was L.L. Newman from New York, a graduate of Cornell University.  He came here for adventure in June 1882.  Soon after his claim became legal, he decided that he was not meant to be a farmer, sold his farm and went back East.  This was the Southwest Quarter of Section 7.

The next settler was probably Archibald Fish.  His claim was the Northwest Quarter of Section 2.  He farmed there until his death; he was buried on the farm.  He was a veteran of the Civil War, so the American Legion moved his body to the Forman Cemetery and gave him proper burial.  Mrs. Fish had a homestead farther west in the township.  Fish’s farm became Harry Forman’s and was known for years as the “Forman Place”.  Veila Chevalier owned it for more than 30 years and he sold it to Arlen Hanson.

John Baird, in 1886, was on the first emigrant train that came into Old Sargent.  Baird and his sons all farmed in the township at one time.  John was a well driller who, with his son, George, and son-in-law, Fred Dyke, dug most of the artesian wells in Forman, Sargent, and Taylor Townships.

In 1887, the railroad came through and two stations were established: Belle Plain and Brookland.  The latter was named for Gilbert Brooks, who lived close by.  Although Brookland did not become a thriving village, it does deserve recognition.  As late as 1918 it still had an elevator, post office, small grocery and a lumberyard, as well as several houses.

In the early years, each township had four schools.  In Forman Township, the town school, built in 1884, took care of the northeastern district.  There was a school near the station of Belle Plain to serve the southeastern district.  In the northwestern part of the district was the “Nelson School”, near Swen Nelson’s.  The Brookland School later became the township hall where township meetings and elections were held.

Descendants of early families who are still farming in Forman Township are:  David & Brian Fiala (their grandmother, Blanche, was from the Charles Rehak family), Tim Anderson has a home nearby and Kenneth Anderson’s family still farm the land owned by Ed Anderson.  Other families who live on  farms in the area around Forman are:  Jim Wucherpfennig, Cyril Kudelka, John Mlnarik, Bernard  Planteen, Ivien Larson, John Schreiner, Ethyl Klinkhammer, Jerry Bohnenkamp, David Braaten,  Steve McLaen and Corrine Hansen and her sons Mark, Arlen, Loren and Josh.

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Forman’s Gun Club, taken in September of 1908, the club's members, families, and dogs

This picture was borrowed from the Museum.  It is a picture of Forman’s Gun Club, taken in September of 1908, showing the catch of game birds along with the families and dogs all related to the club.  The First National Bank building is in the background, which was located where the current Sargent County Bank now stands.  Note the building to the far right; it is the Methodist Church, which was located where the Laundromat now stands.

Thousands of items pertaining to Sargent County can be seen at the Sargent County Museum located here in Forman.

Reprinted from the Sargent County Scoop, August 27, 2008

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Forman, ND in 1949 taken looking southwest, from the Levi Elevator

The photo of Forman we are featuring this week was submitted by Leslie Johnson of Texas. Leslie is a son of Mr. & Mrs. Chester Johnson of Forman and the photo was taken looking southwest, from up in the Levi Elevator.  Chester was the manager of this business for years.  The photo is dated 1949 and note that Forman still had the depot located at the right side of the photo.

Thank you, Les, for sending this picture.

Reprinted from the Sargent County Scoop, September 17, 2008

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