Eagle Township (N.D.) Community Records

Collection

Identifier: Mss 3140

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection is comprised of three separated series; The Johnsgard Store Series, The Eagle School District Series, and the Eagle Telephone Company Series.

The Johnsgard General Store records series consist of three ledgers dating from 1891, and 1901 to 1905. These ledgers list the customer, and dates and amount of purchase. The Inventory Books date from 1895-1896 and 1906-1907. They document the amount and price of various s found in the store. The Day Books date from 1898 to 1900, and 1902-1904. They list the daily sales showing the name of the customer, what they purchased, and how much they money spent. The records provide a nice glimpse into the business transactions of a small-town general store. The ledgers also provide interesting information on what individuals purchased at the store.

Eagle School District Treasurers Record: these records contain spending information of the school district like, teachers’ salary, for purchasing books, state aid or miscellaneous purposes From 1911 to 1929.

Eagle Telephone Company Ledgers: The ledger entitled Eagle Corporation Record contains information about meeting minutes, By-Laws, Stockholders, and number of shares. The Financial Journal contains information including date, name of shareholder and amount. The Telephone Message Record books were likely a kept by the telephone operator listing the date of the call, name of the sender and receiver, the number of minutes used and the cost of the call.

Dates

1895-1924

Creator

Benson and Johnsgard General Store (Christine, N.D.) (Organization)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The Institute for Regional Studies owns the copyrights.

History

Benson and Johnsgard General Store: Austin Johnsgard and Aslag Benson purchased the Benson and Johnsgard General Store, formerly the Olaf Monger General Store, in Christine, N.D. in 1891. They managed the store together for seven years, until Johnsgard bought Benson out. According to a brief history of the Johnsgard family, the store was “much like all general stores, the sales area of the first floor carried an extensive line of merchandise, including furniture.” Johnsgard continued to manage the store for sixty years until 1954 when he sold it to his son Ortley. Ortley promptly sold it to a non-relation, and it continued to exist until 1977. Austin Johnsgard was born December 11, 1864 in Lansing, Iowa to Norwegian immigrants. He came to Dakota Territory in 1885 and lived near Walcott, N.D. for a time. In 1889 he went into partnership with Aslag Benson. Austin married Sophie Monson in 1895 and they raised eight children. Sophie died August 5, 1946 and Austin on August 15, 1951. Aslag Benson was born January 16, 1855 in Norway and came to America in 1865. He was an early resident of Christine, N.D. and went into partnership with Austin Johnsgard in operating a store in Christine. After the partnership with Johnsgard was dissolved Mr. Benson farmed in the area. He also served in the North Dakota Senate from 1903 to 1906. He married wife Guri circa 1883 and they raised four children. He died July 19, 1937 and wife Guri died in 1951.

Eagle Telephone Company: Johnsgard General Store were supplied with phones. When E.K. Sherley was Postmaster (1906-1926) his wife, assisted by their sons, operated a telephone switch-board in this building (the original Christian Otteson store). The name of this telephone company was the Eagle Telephone Company. The first meeting of the Stockholders convened on the July 13, 1903. Jacob M. Johnson was elected chairman and G. M. Hanson, Secretary. Apparently, the lines and telephones were owned by the farmers.

Eagle School District Treasurers Record: In September 1883, a meeting of the Richland County Commissioners fixed the boundaries of Eagle School Districts. At the time there were eight schools in the district. They were mostly one-room schools.

Extent

9.5 Linear Feet (9.5 inear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Eagle Township (N.D.) Community Records is comprised of three different entities which are Benson and Johnsgard General Store which was located in the village of Christine, the Eagle Telephone Company, a co-operative farmers telephone company, and the Eagle School District.