Sereno N. Putnam, register of deeds of Eddy County, is one of the early settlers of that region, and has been identified with the development and advancement of Eddy county. He is a gentleman of broad mind and well educated, and is entitled to a foremost place among the promoters of business matters. He has varied financial interests in agricultural lines, and is one of the substantial men of his community.
Our subject was born in Sherburne County, Minnesota, in March, 1861. His father, Henry T. Putnam, was a farmer and merchant in Minnesota. Our subject is a descendant of a brother or Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Caroline Newton, was of English descent, and the family settled in America in colonial times.
Our subject was the second in a family of five children, and was raised on a farm in his native state. He attended the country schools and also the Normal School at St. Cloud, Minnesota, and graduated from that institution in 1880. He began teaching school at the age of sixteen years, and followed that vocation most of the time for about five years, and in 1883 cause to Eddy County, North Dakota. He entered claim to government land near Tiffany and began farming. He erected a 6x8 feet shanty and lived alone and followed farming with oxen. He continued farming until 1886, when he was elected county superintendent of schools, and was re-elected at the expiration of his term. He had his office on his farm, and served in that capacity two terms. He attended the department of law at the State University of Minnesota during the winter of 1890-91 after which he followed teaching a short time, and in the fall of 1894 was elected county register of deeds of Eddy County. He was re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898, and is busy serving his third term in that position. He is an efficient officer, and enjoys popularity.
Our subject was married in 1883 to Miss Grace Frown, a native of New York. Mrs. Putnam is a lady of good education, and is a graduate of the Mayville Normal School of North Dakota. She taught school in North Dakota several terms, and her father was one of the early settlers of that state and was a farmer by occupation. Mr. Putnam is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and of the Masonic fraternity. He is a man who keeps abreast of the times on all important issues, and takes an active interest in the welfare of his community, and is deservedly held in high esteem by his fellowmen. In political faith he is a Republican, and stands firmly for the principles of his party.
Source: Compendium and History of North Dakota 1900 Page 195