Joseph R. Askew Photograph Collection

Collection

Identifier: Photo 493

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Joseph R. Askew Photograph Collection includes five photographs taken of Askew and life on his farm near Casselton, North Dakota. All family members are seen variously in these photographs, and a family friend Alex McKinnon. All the photographs portray farm life in rural Cass County in the early 20th century. The collection is organized into a single series by the year they were perceived or known to be taken. Two of the photographs were taken by Casselton photographer, George Tise. For the remaining three the photographer is unknown. The first image is of Joseph Askew on top of a horse drawn grain wagon in front of the Magill Co. seed house in Fargo, N.D. Attached to it is a copy of a personal check written to William H. Askew from the Magill Co. William H. Askew is Joseph R. Askew’s father. Image two shows Joseph Askew on a tractor near Casselton. The picture shows a tractor pulled and horse drawn chisel plows. Image three is of Otto Madson on a John Deere drill pulled by an International tractor, as well as Robert and William (Joseph’s sons). Joseph, Leah Askew and Alex McKinnon are on right side. The picture was taken near Durbin, N.D. Photograph four is a grain harvesting scene showing a 15-30 International Combine, D4 Caterpillar Tractor and a John Deere combine in center. The final image is also a harvesting scene, perhaps taken at the same time, of a John Deere combine, with Alex McKinnon on the combine and Joe, Leah and Clifford Askew on the left.

Dates

1917 - 1939

Creator

Askew, Joseph R., 1893-1962. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection remain with the creators.

Biography

Joseph R. Askew was born on February 7, 1893 near Wadena, Minnesota, the son of William and Lettie Askew. The family moved to Harmony Township, Cass County, N.D. in the early 1900s where they farmed. Joseph married Leah Bernath on October 15, 1923 in Wainright, Alberta. Leah was born January 17, 1903 at Yakima, Washington, daughter of Edward and Adeline A. (Helmich) Bernath. They proceeded to have three children: Robert, William, and Clifford. William preceded Joseph in death in 1953. Joseph Askew and his family farmed near Casselton, North Dakota until 1959 when he retired. Joseph and Leah moved to Fargo where he became a member of the Elks Club. Joseph died March 26, 1962 and Leah Askew died April 3, 1998.