William E. Van Scoik came to Hannaford at the turn of the century from Friend, Nebraska. Two friends came with him, Albert "Riley" Rooth and Arthur Hughes. Al Rooth who was originally from Texas stayed on many years, whereas, Art Hughes left after 2 or 3 years.
Minnie Lee Reynolds and sister Laura came to Hannaford just before 1900 to cook in a "Cook Car" for their brother-in-law, Soren Berg, a threshing machine rig owner. Thus, my mother and dad met at Hannaford. They were married at Cooperstown on November 15, 1902 by Reverend Oscar D. Purinton who was the first minister in the Presbyterian Church in Hannaford. Minnie worked with the doctors, Dr. Benson and Dr. Wolverton of Hannaford and Dr. Westley of Cooperstown. in many homes she was the mid-wife when a baby was about to put in its appearance.
In 1901 William Van Scoik established a concrete building block manufacturing plant on a lot behind where the Hannaford Mercantile was built. He manufactured the blocks for that store building and also the house that was known as the R. L. Jones home and several other concrete buildings and homes. He made the blocks and built the house which was later the Walter Richardson home. That house was Mom and Dad's first home after they were married.
At that time they operated a hotel known as the West Side Hotel which stood beside a Meat Market (Butch Shop) owned by Walter Richardson and operated by Otto Hagen in the locale west of the telephone office on a lot later occupied by AFC Garage. The hotel burned down some years later.
My dad sold the concrete business to brothers by the name of Edlund. He then bought a building on the main street and established a pool hall and bowling alley. He ran that business until he sold out to Soren and Gile Berg in 1912 and moved to a farm one mile south and three miles west of Hannaford known as the William Margach farm. Mr. Margach lived with them until they returned to Hannaford in 1924. After moving back to town they operated a lunch room in the old Ole Almklov Drug Store Building. In 1928 they moved to Anaconda, Montana
William passed away April 28, 1937 and Minnie on May 27, 1968. I am their daughter Leah Wilma Van Scoik Holmgren. I graduated from Hannaford High School with the class of 1926.
Ed Van Scoik was a brother of William who married Carrie Larson and lived in Bartley Township. Carrie was a daughter of Rasmus Larson, one of Bartley's early settlers. They had three children who live in the St. Cloud, Minnesota area.
Another brother John was the contractor who built the Bartley Consolidated School. Later the Fred Knauss children attended the school that Grandpa built. All the brothers and their wives have passed away.
Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 page 160