East Grand Forks Archives

Biography of William C. Nash of East Grand Forks Minnesota

William C. Nash, born on June 1, 1833, in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, was a pioneer of East Grand Forks, settling there in 1870. He was the first settler in the region and served as postmaster for four years. Nash’s early ventures included carrying mail by sled from Fort Abercrombie to Pembina and acting as a government agent, capturing Native American chiefs. In 1869, he married Ida V. Slaughter and had seven children. Nash, a respected Masonic Order member, was known for his liberal views and influence in the Red River Valley.

Biography of John F. Brandt of East Grand Forks, Minnesota

Polk County / History of the Red River Valley

East Grand Forks was successful in materializing their political ideas of municipal ownership in the campaign from 1901 to 1903, by the election of Captain John F. Brandt as their mayor. Municipal ownership had always been advocated by Captain Brandt, and his advancement to the mayoralty of the city at that time is what gave them the municipal ownership of the city light plant. In 1897, and again in 1898, Captain Brandt was elected city treasurer of East Grand Forks. In 1899, he was elected mayor of the city, and this election was followed by two others, one in 1901,

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