Grand Forks herald., 1917-02-03
East Side
WILLIAM NASH,
PIONEER, DIES
EARLY TODAY
Aged resident of East Grand
Forks Succurnbs to Heart
Trouble.

Trouble.
William c. Nash, aged "a, one Of
the oldest pioneers of Polk county.
and we'll known throughout the entire
Red river valley, died at his home on
Pleasant avenue. East Grand Forks
shortly before Z o'clock this morning
Of heart trouble.
Deceased has been in good health
until this morning, and last evening
did not complain Of feeling ill. Early
this morning he did not feel so we'll
and decided to remain in bed until
late. He died shortly after.
Camc Here in 1868.
Mr.. Nash settled on the homestead
half a mile east Of East Grand Forks
in 1863, coming to this country with
his wife from New York state, oi
which he was a native.
The death of Mr.. Nash marks the
passing of one Of the most respected
citizens in the valley-one who has
done more almost than any other
single person in the building up the
city and county to tts present stage OF
civilization.
Was First House.
The residence Of Mr.. Nash, on
Pleasant avenue was the first house
in East Grand Forks, the first church
service was held within it's walls, and
the first school, conducted by Miss
! Carrie Griggs in 1876 was held there
and was conducted until November
j1SS2, when q school building was
erected.
| In the early days settlers in the
valley found it hard to make ends
meet. No railroads had been bull
and trails were few. Nash, for sew.
erai years. acted in the capacity OF
mail carrier out Of Grand Forks, ant
travelled by dog team Of which h,
had thirty Of the best in the country
Back In the sixties, shortly after hi
had come to this country, Mr.. Nasl
followed a pack train through the
Dakota's before securing the mai
contract. In 1870 he secured tn.
contract for the mail carrying, ant
delivered to the posts between Aber
crombie and Pembina. The dogs Of
fered the only form of transportation
in those days.
Friend of jim Hill.
Deceased was A personal friend O.
the late James j. Hill. and the two
the teams Of "huskies"
| Mr.. Nash is survived by his widow
and seven children, four boys ant
three girls. Sons are Dudley L. Nasl
OF Minot, formerly prosecuting attor
ney of Ward county, W. c. Nash, Jr.
Of Wichita, Kan, Robert Nash of Ell
gin. Minn., and Fred Nash of Pasa
dena, Cal. Daughters are Mrs. w. K
Chandler of Winnipeg: Mrs. J. c. Col
son of Trinidad, Col, and Mrs. D. E
sassen Of North Batteford. Sask.
Funeral arrangements will not b,
completed until word can be received
from the relatives. Interment Will b,
made in Memorial Park cemetery
however, in Grand Forks.
Mr.. Nash's History.
Through the courtesy Of Judge Nc
Loughlin the following early biogra
ply Of w. c. Nash was furnished tn,
Herald: >,2 -, >..,,
William csiNash was a native o
Pennsylvania. born In Newcastle ol
June i. 1888. The son of Ephriam
and Louisa (Warner) Nash. natives o
New York state.
He spent his younger days attend
ing the common schools of his nativ
state and Michigan, where he attend
ed school for three years.
After completing his common
school education, he decided to pur
| QUO kAS cSuAy vi IllCulCANO t1llu Wd
planning to attend the medical de
partment Of Ann Arbor, Mich. Hi
eyes caused him so much trouble tha
he was obliged to give up his INTENDED
course and he then removed to Ken
lucky, where hesremained a few year
and was engaged in the mercantile
business, and in 1852 he moved to st
Paul, MINI.
| Came to Dakota.
He remained In the state capital 70
one year. being there for his health
In 1863 he went to Penn bina, Dakots
territory. and from there to wha
then was Fort Gary, now Winnipeg
Man., and remained some time recup
Grating.
The following summer he spent II
Milwaukee, Wis, and Chicago, Ill.
and in the spring Of 1864 went t.
Fort Abercrombie. where he was en-
ployed as sutler and government con
tractor. He remained there five OIL
six years and during that time hat
the contract to furnish wood and ha,
for the fort. He also held the con
tract to supply the brick to build For
Pembina. and also the contract to car
ry the mails between Fort Aber.
crombie and Fort Gary (Winnipeg)
Attacked by Indians.
There was a trackless stretch OF
country to pass through and the In
dams in that region were a source O,
constant danger. and 1t was next tc
impossible to secure a driver. Mr.
Nash made the trip with dog teams
and many were the dangers which h<
encountered those early days. At one
time when there were but two making
the trip they were attacked by In.
dians. and barely escaped with thei,
NJ oeE>
cure no one to make the journey witt
him. except young stranger, ant
they made the trip in safety.
Indians were not the only cause OF
danger, many times the drivers would
be SO badly frozen that Mr. Nash
would have to make the trip alone.
In East Grand Forks.
He remained in this capacity until
1863. when he removed to what Is
now known as East Grand Forks
Polk county, Minnesota. and located,
on section one. East Grand Fork.
township. Through his influence with
Nashville was esta blished and also the
appointment Of the postmaster. He
also was the means Of the postal route
being established between Crookston
and East Grand Forks. When the
village Of East Grand Forks had at.
tanned a moderate size, through Mr..
Nash's influence. the name was chang
ed to East Grand Forks. and prin.
ctpally through him it received its first
city charter. He was one Of the sub
stantial and well-todo farmers of the
county, and without doubt one of
the most influential agriculturists in
Polk county. He was extensively en-
gagged, In general farming operations
and had q we'll cultivated farm of 7Oo
acres. lying upon the banks Of the