52 Ancestors: Week 19 "There's a Way": Theodore Jorgen Boe

Theodore Jorgen "Ted" Boe was born in  Hagen, Chippewa County, Minnesota on 16 July 1883. He was the son of my great-great-grandparents Jorgen Jorgensen Boe and Aaste Halvorsdatter Otterholt. The family lived in Lac qui Parle, Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota in 1885. By 1895, the family was living in West Bank, Swift County, Minnesota. In 1908, he moved to Williston, Williams, North Dakota. He worked with his brothers John (my great-grandfather) and Hans Adolph "Duff" in their farm machinery business, Boe Brothers. On 19 September 1912, he married Anna Marie Braaten. They had three children: Arlene Hildred (born 4 May 1913), Theodore (born 24 April 1915), and Marjorie (born 20 January 1918).

In 1913, Theodore opened a farm machinery and implements business in Arnegard, McKenzie County, North Dakota.

Williston Graphic, 10 July 1913, page 1. Available from Chronicling America.

Farm Implements, vol. 27 no. 6- (31 July 1913), page 54. Available from Google Books.

Harness, vol. 27 no. 6 (August 1913), page 147. Available from Google Books.

On 20 August 1915, Theodore, Robert Byrne, and Bert Jenner filed for a charter for the Farmers Telephone Company of Arnegard.

Bismarck Daily Tribune, 18 September 1915, page 4

In 1918, Theodore was living in Watford City, McKenzie County, North Dakota. He was an implement dealer and a farmer.

World War I draft registration card, Theodore J. Boe. United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm. Available from Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.  

In 1920, Theodore was living in Rugby, Pierce County, North Dakota. According to the 1920 United States census, he was a traveling salesman. He was probably selling farm implements. By 1925, he and his family had moved back to Arnegard.

In 1931, Theodore and his family moved to Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. Theodore worked for J. I. Case Co.

Polk's Fargo (North Dakota) and Moorhead (Minnesota) City Directory 1932. Including West Fargo. St. Paul, MN: R. L. Polk & Co. Page 131. Available from Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Two years later, he and his family moved back to Arnegard, where he worked as a farmer. He was elected McKenzie County Treasurer in 1948. A county treasurer was only allowed to serve two consecutive two-year terms. However, Theodore found a way around that restriction! He was influential in getting legislation passed which eliminated this law. He served as County Treasurer until 1959. When he retired, the North Dakota County Treasurer's Association (which he had helped to create) gave him an Honorary Member Award.

In August 1967, Theodore and his wife Marie moved to the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City. He died in Watford City on 25 November 1967. He was buried in Schafer Cemetery in Watford City.

References
Boe (Bø) and Halvorson-Otterholt: Shared Roots in Telemark. Compiled by Melvin and Alpha M. (Boe) Brodshaug, 1984. Published by Arlene (Boe) Christensen and Marjorie (Boe) Bergee. Printed by Anundsen Publishing Co., Decorah, Iowa.