Hon. Dennis W. Driscoll. Success is determined by one's ability to recognize opportunity, and to pursue this wills a resolute and unflagging energy. It results from continued labor, and the man who thus accomplishes his purpose usually becomes an important factor in business circles and in public life. Through such means Mr. Driscoll, state treasurer, has attained a leading place among the representative men of North Dakota, and his well-spent and honorable life commands the respect of all who know hint. A portrait of Mr. Driscoll will be found in this volume.
He was born in Canada, September 22, 1849, and is a son of John J. and Julia (Dennison) Driscoll, natives of Canada. The parents were married in Canada, where the father died during the infancy of our subject, and in 1856 the mother removed to Detroit, Michigan. There our subject was reared and educated and also learned the potter's trade, which he followed until 1873. In 1870 he removed to Boone County, Iowa, where he worked at his trade for a time, and in 1875 became a resident of La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he was first engaged in selling farm implements and later traveled for the Deering Company.
Coming to North Dakota in 1879, Mr. Driscoll located in Pembina, Pembina County, where he became a member of the firm of Johnson, Hohner Company, agricultural implement dealers. When Walsh County was formed, in 1881, he went to Acton in the interest of the same company. In 1881 he took up his residence at Grafton, continuing in the employ of the same company until 1887. He was next engaged in farming and stock raising for eight years and then returned to Grafton, where he still makes his home. He is now engaged in the real estate business, is vice-president of the Grafton National Bank, and president of the Bates Carbon Book Company of that place. In business affairs be is prompt and notably reliable, and has met with most excellent success.
In 1882 Mr. Driscoll led to the marriage altar Miss Clara K. Hogg, a native of Nova Scotia, and to them have been born four children, namely: William J., Charles H., Nellie H. and Clara K., all living. Since attaining his majority Mr. Driscoll has always cast his ballot with the Republican Party, and although he has never been an office seeker. He was elected, in 1898, to the office of state treasurer, carrying every county in the commonwealth. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. The farm of Mr. Driscoll, which consists of fourteen hundred acres, is located in Acton Township, Walsh County, and is devoted to grain and stock interests.
Source: Compendium and History of North Dakota 1900 Page 180