Bruce William LaPlant, son of William and Ross LaPlant was born in Romness Township, Griggs County on June 1, 1900. Later the family moved to Tyrol Township, where Bruce attended rural school, later farming with his Dad and Brother.
He married Edna Lewis, daughter of Fred and Belle Lewis of Binford. To this union two daughters were born, Shirley, who now lives in Mesa, Arizona and Lois of Cooperstown. There are six grandchildren and two great -grandchildren.
Until her marriage to Bruce, Edna taught rural school in the Binford area. Binford was her life-long home. She attended the local school and graduated from high school in 1924. After she and Bruce were married they made their home in Binford. Bruce continued farming with his dad east of Jessie and Edna taught for the next two years in Bryan school No. 1, west of Binford.
In 1929 Bruce went to Montana where he was employed with Montana Power Company. Due to serious illness in his family, he was called home in June of that year, returning to Montana accompanied by his family where they made their home in Butte, Montana. The following year they moved to Polson, being employed by the same company.
After returning to North Dakota they farmed on the Dave Wilcox farm, north of Cooperstown, then moved to the Cowan farm, east of Red Willow Lake, which Bruce later purchased. From 1939 to 1945 Bruce was employed by Arneson-Loder Implement Company at Cooperstown, where they were making their home.
During World War II the LaPlants went out to Tacoma, Washington where both Bruce and Edna worked in defense plants - he in the shipyards and she at Boeings.
Edna's mother died in June 1946 and that same fall Bruce and Edna moved into Binford to be with her father but continuing to farm until Bruce's death December 18, 1967.
Although Bruce worked at various projects, his life's work was farming and this he did most successfully and with true enjoyment. He was very interested and took an active part in politics. he was a member of the Democratic Party. Bruce was also a member of the Farmer's Union.
As a young man he enjoyed playing baseball and hunting in both North Dakota and Montana.
Edna now lives in Cooperstown, close to her daughter and family.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 26