Abram L. Beggs

Abram L. Beggs, register of deeds of Dickey County, is deservedly popular throughout that region. He was one of the pioneers of that county, and his career in Dakota has been a successful one and marked with persistent efforts to advance the civilization of that locality. Until recently he was actively engaged in farming, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty- acres of land, comprising one of the finest farms of the county.

Mr. Beggs was born on a farm in Dundas County, Ontario, Canada, July 10, 1861, and was the eighth in a family of ten children, born to Hugh and Mary (Robinson) Beggs. His father was born in Ireland and came to Canada when a young man. He followed the pursuit of agriculture and is now enjoying a retired life in Canada.

Our subject attended the schools near his home until sixteen years of age, when he went to California and worked on a dairy farm for a short time, after which he returned home and remained until the fall of 1882, when he went to Ellendale, North Dakota. He at once filed claim to land in the eastern part of the county on the James River, where he lived fourteen years, and which comprises his present farm land. He was one of the first men to settle in that part of the county and his estate is now a valuable one. Ile was elected to fill the office of register of deeds of Dickey County in the fall of 1896, when he removed to Ellendale. His popularity is best evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected in the fall of 1898 by the largest majority given any candidate on the ticket, excepting one instance where there was no opposition, a testimonial of his worth as a citizen and public-spirited man.

Our subject was married near his home in Canada, in 1881, to Miss Manda Bush, a native of Canada. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beggs, four of whom are now living, as follows: Oscar C., Ethel, Mabel and Ruth. Mr. Beggs is a member of the Baptist church and the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges. He is a Republican in political sentiment and strong in his convictions. Since taking up his residence in Dakota he has rapidly risen in prominence, and is one of the trusted men of Dickey County, and merits his high name.

Source: Compendium and History of North Dakota 1900 Page 207