Second Son Hoffman

Notes:

[WinnieLesan.FTW]

Merritt was born in Redding, Iowa, and moved with his parents to Courtney, ND in the early 1900's. He recieved his education in the Courtney school system.
After graduating from High School he attended the North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University), in Fargo, ND. He majored in architecture. During his college career he took a year off and taught math in the Courtney High School, to earn enough money to complete his education. While attending college he resided at the YMCA, and worked various jobs to meet expences.
He was a member of the Army ROTC, and was called to active duty. Prior to induction , they were allowed to go home for a visit, and while at home the WW I ended, and the call to active duty was cancelled.
After graduation he took a job with an Architectual Firm in Detroit, MI. Apparently the big city life was not what a country boy wanted so he soon moved back to North Dakota and was employed by North Dakota State Highway Department.
.
In 1941 he started work for the U S Soil Conservation Service, Department of Agriculture, and worked for them in various capacities in Bismarck, Fessenden, Wahpeton, Fargo, North Dakota , and Terry Montana.
In 1949 he started employment for the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Interior, in Minot, ND.
He retired from Bureau of Reclamation, and later went to work for the U S Army Corps of Engineers. While working with the Corps of Engineers, he worked as an engineer on the construction of missle sites and on the Minot Air Force Base.
He also did private consulting engineering work, from 1953 untill his death. This work consisted of all engineering work required on numerous housing subdivisions, in Minot, and one in Tioga, ND.

He was a Registered Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor in North Dakota, and had registration Number 43.

Merritt married Esther Helene Juliane Loose on 5 Jan 1928 in Jamestown, Stutsman, North Dakota, United States. Esther was born on 20 Mar 1902 in Morgan, Redwood, Minnesota, United States; died on 26 Oct 1978 in Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina, United States; was buried in Rosehill Cemetery, Minot, Ward, North Dakota, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[WinnieLesan.FTW]

Esther lived her early years in Morgan, MN, where she started her education. In 1916, her parents moved to Woodworth, ND, where they purchased the S. T. Ferguson farm one mile south of woodworth. She attended college at the Valley City Teachers College.

She started her teaching career in a one room rural school near Woodworth. While teaching there she had to arrive early during the winter months, to start a fire in the stove to warm the school before the students arrived. On some of the cold and snowy days , no students would make it to school. She later taught school in Wishek, ND, untill she married Merritt.
After marriage she lived in the following cities in North Dakota, Devils Lake, Minot, Bismarck, Fessenden, Wahpeton, and Fargo. She also lived in Terry MT from 1947 to 1949, before moving back to Minot, ND.
After the death of her husband Esther remained in her home in Minot, until 1975, when she took up residence in a nursing home in Jamestown, ND. She later moved to a nursing home near Clemson, SC. While in the nursing home she fell an broke her hip, and was transfered toa hospital in Greenville, SC, where she passed away.

Notes:

[WinnieLesan.FTW]

Farmer in Courtenay, N.D.
Absolem went to Big Sandy, MT to Homestead abt 1901. He left his wife and son behind with his brother William. He did not stay long enough to complete the homestead requirements and returned to North Dakota. He and his Brother continued farming south of Courtenay, ND, untill his death.

Absolem married Winnie Esther Lesan on 18 Jan 1896. Winnie (daughter of Josiah Pratt Lesan and Mary Ennis Beard) was born on 15 Nov 1872 in Ringgold, Iowa, United States; died on 18 Jun 1950. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[WinnieLesan.FTW]

After the death of her husband Winnie remained in Courtney, ND, and lived by herself. In the winter months she lived
with her son, Merritt Elthan and his family.
Winnie was a school teacher in Mt. Ayre, Iowa in her early years. She was active in Social and civic groups in Courtney.

Josiah married Mary Ennis Beard on 7 Aug 1870 in Ringgold, Iowa, United States. Mary was born on 9 Sep 1853 in Marion, Iowa, United States; died on 14 Oct 1939 in Courtenay, Stutsman, North Dakota, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]