3/22/2008:
While the Tyler family was building one of the grandest homes in Fargo in 1882, tragedy was about to strike.
Evan S. Tyler was born in Pennsylvania this day, March 22, 1843. A veteran of the Civil War, he moved to Fargo in 1873 where he co-owned the Headquarters Hotel, served as mayor and was elected to the ND State Legislature.
His wife, Clara Estella Barnes was the daughter of A. H. Barnes, the District Judge for Dakota Territory and namesake of Barnes County.
In 1882 the couple began construction of a mansion on the banks of the Red River. But before they moved into the house, on February 13, 1883, while shopping in Minneapolis for furnishings, Mrs. Tyler unexpectedly died. In grief Evan Tyler sold the house. Nearly 25 years later, the house, purchased by the Lutheran Free Church of America, became Oak Grove Seminary.
Written by Christina Sunwall
Sources:
North Dakota State University Institute for Regional Studies: Photographs- http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndirs/collections/photography/Photofindingaids/LABarnes.htm
Fargo, ND: History and Images- http://www.fargo-history.com/index.htm