Fred Stalley, register of deeds, has a rich family history tracing back to Huguenot ancestors. He settled in Minnesota in 1873, engaged in farming, and was involved in various civic roles. Appointed as deputy register of deeds in 1907, he later won the election for the office with a record-breaking majority. Fred is a member of several fraternal organizations and has two children with his second wife, Nellie H. Axtell.
Fred Stalley, register of deeds, is descended from Huguenot ancestors who sought refuge in England after “Black Friday,” the most dreadful day in French history. He first saw Minnesota in 1873 and located near Muskoda, Clay County. He returned to England in 1876 and came to Clay County a second time in 1882, engaging in farming and sheep raising.
For a number of years, he was interested in the Muskoda flour mill. He was a member of the town board of supervisors of Hawley Township for five years, served thirteen consecutive years as justice of the peace, and was for many years a member of the Muskoda school board. In 1877, he moved to Moorhead and later served three terms as city auditor during the stirring times of charter revision and consequent reduction of the huge city debt. In 1899, he commenced abstracting land titles in the office of the register of deeds, and for more than six years last past, he has had the entire charge of the abstract work. Since January 1903, he was deputy register of deeds with the late B. B. Hetland, at whose death, in December 1907, Mr. Stalley was appointed to fill the unexpired term, and in November 1908, he was duly elected to the office on the Republican ticket with the largest majority in the history of Clay County for that office. He takes a commendable interest in public and political affairs and is in sympathy with whatever relates to the best interests of his town and county.
Mr. Stalley is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Pythias Order, and the Modern Brotherhood of America.
He was married in 1878 in England to Miss Elizabeth Butcher, who died three years later in 1881. On January 11, 1890, Mr. Stalley was married to Miss Nellie H. Axtell of Troy, PA. Mr. and Mrs. Stalley have two children, Frances C. and Harold A.
Source
C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past And Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns And Villages of the Valley From the Time of Their First Settlement And Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.