James Beattie was born in St. Mary’s Ontario, Canada, June 25, 1875.  He passed away March 15, 1943.

In that dry year of 1900, he came to North Dakota and was so unhappy with the looks of the state that he longed to go back but when he did go for a visit, he realized how much North Dakota meant to him.  No matter what she later handed out, he was her staunchest supporter.

He worked for Donald Campbell before renting land from Albert Retzlaff and later the home.

In 1905, he was united in marriage to Anna Furaas.  That was the year of the big snow.  The day before was a blizzard, so when they got to Hannaford, they found that the train couldn't get through.  They drove the railroad track to Cooperstown all the time fearing that the train might have gotten through.  After all, O. B. Westley and his wife, Karen Herigstad, had taught in Bartley so invited them to be married at their home.  They made the day very special! Many gifts sent from Viroqua, Wisconsin, which was Mrs. Beatties hometown.  The gifts included a sewing machine sent by her father, J. K. Fruaas, which got only as far as Valley City.  It arrived in Cooperstown the next spring.  The year of the big snow indeed!

In 1910, they returned to the Hannaford area moving to the Knute Furaas farm, a brother of Mrs. Beattie.

We can recall dad going to the International at Chicago with Donald Campbell's prize horses.  When he returned he had much to tell including a picture of the famous Clydesdale horses now seen on TV. Another recollection is that of going to Finley in the surrey with the fringe on top.  We went for Christmas.  We went to Cooperstown and then we went on.

The trip to Finley was a long one but it helped that we ate dinner in Cooperstown before we went on.  We kids did grow restless but after all, Christmas was the next day!

Dad did show horses at the State and County Fairs so those were big events in our lives.

In 1914, he bought the Donald Campbell farm.  Thus began a series of dire calamities one of which was the cyclone of 1916.  Nearly every building but the house was destroyed.  The house had burned the year before and a new house was just completed.  The Campbell School was completely destroyed - books all over the field.  How grateful the parents were that the storm came early in the morning!

In 1942, he and his son bought the Ole Fogderud farm.  Arthur is still on the farm.

Arthur married Joyce Klubben.  They, together with their son Curt, carry on in Bartley for the family.

Lillian and Florence live in Helena Township.

They are Mrs. Erwin Steffen and Mrs. Jake Jacobson.  Adeline Beattie Iverson lives in West Fargo or Florida.  Her husband, Lloyd Iverson, passed away in 1988.  Kenneth passed away in 1968, in Anaconda, Montana  Belle Beattie Glesner passed away in 1984; Wallace died in 1982.  Mrs. Beattie died in June 1952.

This history was taken from a book that Belle Glesner left.  She wrote the history for another book.

Source:  Hannaford Area History North Dakota Centennial 1889 - 1989 Page 88