The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-05-16
|PETER BFRTELSON CRUSHED
TO DEATH BY GAS TRACTOR

man Went 10 him in vain He was
most energetic He owned stores at
Kenmare, Edison, Mckinney and
Greene. He owned large farm and
was planning on having in 1900 acres
Of crop this year. He was optimistic,
Chewing that North Dakota was des-
tined one day to become the greatest
state in the Union. He preached The
gospel of North Dakota everywhere.
Had Many Reverses.
During his comparatively short ca
reer, Mr.. Bertelson had many bust
ness reverses, altho he had prospered
nightly during the past ten years.
When but young man, he engaged
in business at Ortonville, Mimi. He
built up a fine business, when one
day fire passed his way and took
his all. His insurance had just
lapsed. Pete just smiled, took a
hitch in his belt and prepared to &C.
at it again. He came to Ward coun-
ty and started a store at Mckinney.
He lost much property in a food and
narrowly escaped with his life. Then
fire swept away his fortune sec.
ond time. Nothing daunted, he en-
gagged in business at Kenmare ana
built up one Of the largest mercantile
businesses in the sta e. While the
poor crops Of the past two years prov
ed to be severe blow to him, he
smiled thru it all, realizing that ev-
erything would turn out we'll In the
end At the time OF his death, Mr..
Bertelson was rated at about Se0,0OO.
He carried $4,000 life insurance.
Facts About His Life.
Peter Bertelson was born In Den
mark forty-three years ago and when
but lad of thirteen, drifted for him
self, coming to America. He locat-
ed at Ortonville, Mimi, where he
lived for a good many years, working
first in store in that city, later going
into business for himself. Twelve
years ago he came to Ward county,
and made arrangements to 60 into
the Mercantile business in Mfnot.
He paid sum on the Peter Ehr stock
in the old Mercantile building, but
the deal finally fell through and Minot
lost a good booster. He then locareo
at Mckinney where he livened thfnss
up. He once financed Fourth Of
July celebration in that new country,
getting for his speaker, none other
than Eugene V. Debs.
Mr.. Bertelson was united in mar
riaie to Anna r. Clark of Ortonville,
sister of David and P. NJ Clark OF
Kennare, O. J. Clark of Sherwood
and c.. J.. Clark of Crosby TO the
union six children were born, FIVE
boys, the eldest of whom is seventeen
and the Youngest boy of four and
one daughter, seven years old.
Mr. Bertelson had been a devout
member of the Methodist church from
the time he was eighteen years OF
age and he was the mainstay of the
Kenmare Methodist church A telc-
gram concerning his untimely end
was sent to the NJ. E. conference
which was in session in Minneapolis,
and which Mr.. Bertelson had fire.
quently attended himself.
He was Knight Templar, being a
member Of DeMolay Comma ndery Of
this city. He was also an Odd Fsl-
low and a Woodman.
His aged mother and one sister
reside at Seattle, one sister lives in
Spokane, and one in Butte. Two
brothers survive one being Bert Bor-
telson of Kenmare.
The estate will be handled by
Atty P. NJ. Clark and David Clark
of Kenmare.
Killed Shortly Before Journey.
At the time that Mr.. Berteison met
his tragic death, Mrs. Bertelson was
busily engaged in packing his grip,
as both himself and his wife intend
ed leaving on the ID O'Clock train that
night for. Minneapolis to attend the
Methodist conference.
Projected Many Enterprises.
Peter Bertelson would have pro-
jected many enterprises at Kenmare
during the present year had death not
overtaken him. He recently bought
lots adjoining his big store and IN
tending erecting large bufldine.
where he was to conduct his main
business, and intended to convert the
old store into a mammoth furnishing
department.
: He had secured right Of way a1on&
! the 500 and was preparing to build .
y A. - - ~