Hon. John E. Haggart. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Fargo and North Dakota than John E. Haggart, United States marshal for North Dakota. He has been an important factor in public affairs and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of all unbending integrity, unabated energy and industry that never flags. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his city, county or state.
Mr. Haggart was born in St. Lawrence County, New York, April 19, 1846, a son of John and Mabel (Northrop) Haggart, also natives of the Empire state. The grandfather, Gilbert Haggart, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and on his emigration to the United States located ill New York, where he followed farming throughout life. The father was also an agriculturist, was major in the state militia, and was quite a prominent man in New York. He was twice married and had three sons.
Reared on the home farm in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day, John E. Haggart was educated in the country schools. In t803 he entered the employ of the government in the coast construction corps and spent about a year and a half with the Army of the Potomac, after which he returned to New York. In 1867 he came west and crossed the plains, starting from Leavenworth, Kansas. The following winter was spent in southern Colorado and New Mexico, and he then came to what is now Wyoming, where he conducted a lumber yard for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1870. In 1871 he landed four miles below the present city of Fargo, North Dakota, and in August of that year took up a claim on the Sheyenne River, which he improved and still owns. He is one of the most extensive land owners in the state, having nineteen hundred and sixty acres in all in the home farm.-He raises from thirty-five to forty thousand bushels of wheat annually, and in 1898 harvested thirty-seven thousand seven hundred fifty bushels. He was one of the thirteen to organize and put in operation the Fargo Southern Railroad, of which he was a director, and is always willing to support any enterprise for the good of the community.
In 1875 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Haggart and Miss Betsy J. Hertsgaard, and to them have been born nine children, as follows: Gilbert NV., Mabel E., Maggie I., John C., Estella NI., Alexander Al., George E., William H. R. and Daniel.
Mr. Haggart was the first man to be made a Mason in this state, being initiated into the order in 1873, since which time he has been made a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight Templar, a thirty-second-degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the A. A. 0. of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Since attaining his majority he has been a stanch supporter of the Republican Party and has served on the county and state central committees. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Cass County and filled that office for twelve consecutive years in a most capable manner. He was elected the first city marshal of Fargo, and in 1889 was elected to the state senate, of which he was a prominent and influential member until 1898, when he resigned to accept his present office, that of United States marshal for North Dakota. He was well qualified to fill that office, as he had previously served as deputy for eight years. He has been called upon to fill a number of other public positions of honor and trust, being a member of the state prison board and other important boards. He also assisted in locating the Agricultural College at Fargo and has done much to help that institution, introducing in the senate all the bills in its behalf, including the One to secure the land on which the college has been erected. The part which he has taken in the development of the county and in advancing, the interests of the state has impressed his name indelibly upon its records, and he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers and representative citizens.
Source: Compendium and History of North Dakota 1900 Page 185