Grant Trenbeath Papers

ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

GRANT TRENBEATH PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL#1186

DATES: 1897 - 1988

SIZE: 1.25 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Grant Trenbeath Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection by Marjorie Trenbeath, Cavalier, North Dakota on April 20, 1989 (Acc.#89-1650), and November 15, 1989 (Acc.#89-1684).

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Grant Trenbeath was born in Neche, North Dakota, August 31, 1916, the son of William and Ona Trenbeath. He attended school in Neche and graduated from the North Dakota State School of Science, Wahpeton in 1937. He married Marjorie Elias of St. Thomas, North Dakota, October 20, 1939. They had five children, William, Gerald, Julie, Linda, and Jeannie. Trenbeath farmed near Neche. In 1946, Trenbeath was stricken with three types of Polio and was hospitalized in Grand Forks for nineteen months.

Following his release from the hospital, he was confined to a wheelchair, but continued to farm with the help of his family and specially adapted vehicles. Trenbeath ran for the North Dakota State Senate, as an Independent Republican, in 1957, defeating the endorsed Republican candidate in the primary and the Democratic candidate in the general election. He served in the State Senate from 1957 until his retirement in 1970. Trenbeath was an active member of the State Senate, especially in the areas of taxes and water resources. He served as Chairman, Pembina River Basin Association and his main goal was the construction of the Pembilier Dam near Walhalla, North Dakota. This federal project was finally canceled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after forty years of study. Even after his retirement, Trenbeath stayed active in water resource matters in the Pembina Basin. Trenbeath studied the history of Pembina County and became somewhat of a local historian.

Grant Trenbeath died in Mesa, Arizona, on January 27, 1989.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Grant Trenbeath Papers date from 1897-1988. The material was received in an unorganized condition and has been reorganized into two series.

Series I consists of material related to Trenbeath's political career and water resources in North Dakota. The series includes detailed information regarding the efforts to secure a flood control project for the Pembina River Basin of North Dakota and the Province of Manitoba, Canada. Trenbeath was involved at the local, state, and national level in the matter of water resources. Reports, charts, maps, and newspaper clippings give an in depth view of the efforts to control flooding and use the water resources of the Pembina River Basin. Flood control and water resource issues were the concern of both North Dakota and Manitoba, and material in the series shows both the cooperation and conflicts that arose over the issue. There is also a small section dealing with Marjorie Trenbeath and her role in Trenbeath's career in the State Senate. Box 1, Folder 1 - Box 1, Folder 31

Series II consists of historical material related to Pembina County. One of Grant Trenbeath's interests outside of politics was the history of Pembina County. The series contains accounts by early settlers, copies of government documents and personal journals, and written histories of the communities of Neche, Pembina, and Pembina County. Early settlers such as Charles and Pierre Bottineau and Charles Grant are discussed in depth. Copies of early plat maps show the expansion of Pembina County in the late 19th century. The material gives a clear picture of the early settlement and later expansion of Pembina County between the 1840s and 1900. Box 1, Folder 32 - Box 1, Folder 41

218 photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. The photographs primarily deal with flooding in the Pembina River Basin, and document the damages caused by uncontrolled flooding in Pembina County. Other photographs deal with Trenbeath's terms in the State Senate.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1
Folder
Series I: Political Career/Water Resources in North Dakota

Correspondence: North Dakota water resources, 1970-1979.
Correspondence: North Dakota water resources, 1981-1983.
Correspondence: North Dakota water resources, 1984-1988, undated.
Correspondence concerning Trenbeath's selection as North Dakota's Outstanding Handicapped Citizen of 1968.
Correspondence concerning Trenbeath's decision not to run for re-election in 1970.
Certificates of Appointment and Recognition.
"History of Flooding in the Red River Valley, 1776-1970", author unknown.
U.S. Geological Survey's information on water discharge from the Pembina River, 1903-1979.
Boundary Waters Treaty, United States and Great Britain, 1908 and 1925. (copies)
"The International Joint Commission as a Judicial Body," author unknown.
A Review of Provincial Procedures and Plans for Flood Protection and Flood Fighting: Manitoba Water Commission, December 1974.
Phase 1 General Design Memorandum and Draft Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Flood Control, Main Report, Pembina River, North Dakota: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, May 1983.
Phase 1 General Design Memorandum and Final Supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Flood Control, Main Report, Pembina River, North Dakota: U.S.Army Corps of Engineers, September 1983.
Report of the International Joint Commission, Canada and the United States, on the Cooperative Development of the Pembina Basin: October 1967.
Report: "A Cultural Resources Assessment of the Pembilier Lake and Dam Flood Control Project", 1980.
Reports: Pembina River Basin flood control, 1969 and 1971.
Reports: Pembina River Basin flood control, 1974.
Reports: Pembina River Basin flood control, 1975-1979.
Reports: Pembina River Basin flood control, 1981-1988.
Maps, transparencies, and sketches: Pembina River Basin.
Maps: Pembina River Basin.
Pembina River Basin Association stationary.
Miscellaneous memorabilia.
Newspaper clippings: 1897, 1904, 1913, 1938, 1949-1950, 1956-1958.
Newspaper clippings, 1960-1967.
Newspaper clippings, 1968-1969.
Newspaper clippings, 1970-1976.
Newspaper clippings, 1981-1988, undated.
Newspaper clippings, Mrs. Grant Trenbeath, mostly undated.
Mrs. Grant Trenbeath material.
Tax Assessment: Pembina County assessments 1980s and related materials.

Series II:Pembina County History

Plat maps of Pembina County, 1870s-1890s.
Pierre Bottineau, Charles Bottineau, and Louis Riel.
Copies of Charles Bottineau's Trading Post ledgers, 1868-1870.
Articles about Charles Grant, partner of Charles Bottineau.
Reminiscences of Hyacinthe Villeneuve, Charles Bottineau's adopted son.
Neche and Pembina County histories.
Newspaper articles about early North Dakota.
Pembina and surrounding area history.
Applications for establishment of Post Offices at Neche and Walhalla, Dakota Territory, 1871-1879.
Early automobiles built in North Dakota.

SEPARATIONS RECORD

219 photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection.

OGL#1186-1	Charles Grant
OGL#1186-2	Louis Riel
OGL#1186-3	3rd Walton Auto Buggy
OGL#1186-4	2nd Walton Auto Buggy
OGL#1186-5	3rd Walton Auto Buggy
OGL#1186-6	William Walton in the first Walton Auto Buggy, built in 1902 at Neche
OGL#1186-7	Charles Bottineau, 1896
OGL#1186-8	Charles Bottineau
OGL#1186-9	Trenbeath arriving to speak at a pro-Vietnam War rally at UND, November 23, 1965
OGL#1186-10	Trenbeath arriving to speak at a pro-Vietnam War rally at UND, November 23, 1965
OGL#1186-11	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-12	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-13	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-14	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-15	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-16	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-17	Trenbeath receiving Meritorious Service Certificate from Governor Bill Guy, 1961
OGL#1186-18	Dedication of the Sugarbeet Research Center, Fargo, 1971
OGL#1186-19	Dedication of the Sugarbeet Research Center, Fargo, 1971
OGL#1186-20	Dedication of the Sugarbeet Research Center, Fargo, 1971
OGL#1186-21	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-22	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-23	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-24	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-25	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-26	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-27	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-28	Constitutional Convention, Finance and Tax Committee, 1972
OGL#1186-29	Constitutional Convention, Finance and Tax Committee, 1972
OGL#1186-30	Albert Christopher, Grant Trenbeath, Mark Andrews
OGL#1186-31	Grant Trenbeath, Floyd E. Henderson, Henry Haraldson, 1958
OGL#1186-32	Gov. Davis and Grant Trenbeath, no date
OGL#1186-33	Grant Trenbeath-Pres. Protem, North Dakota State Senate, Dec. 1968
OGL#1186-34	Grant Trenbeath-Pres. Protem, North Dakota State Senate, Dec. 1968
OGL#1186-35	Grant Trenbeath-Pres. Protem, North Dakota State Senate, Dec. 1968
OGL#1186-36	Grant Trenbeath-Pres. Protem, North Dakota State Senate, Dec. 1968
OGL#1186-37	Grant Trenbeath with visitors in Senate Chambers, no date
OGL#1186-38	Cliff(?), Don, Freeman, Grant, no date
OGL#1186-39	1973 tax appeal board
OGL#1186-40	1973 tax appeal board
OGL#1186-41	Grant Trenbeath, Jan. 1965
OGL#1186-42	Gov. John E. Davis, Sen. Bud Sinner, Sen. Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-43	Beaurstead (Cando), Stan Saugstad (Minot), Grant Trenbeath (Neche)
OGL#1186-44	Grant Trenbeath, Gov. Bill Guy
OGL#1186-45	Grant Trenbeath at North Dakota constitutional Convention, 1972
OGL#1186-46	Candidates sponsored by Al Thompson for Grand Forks Elks Lodge- Grant Trenbeath in front of group, no date
OGL#1186-47	Grant and Marge Trenbeath, no date
OGL#1186-48	Mass Choir-Neche School Auditorium-Gene Gaffney, director, 1960
OGL#1186-49	Trenbeath Farm-Neche, North Dakota (no date)
OGL#1186-50	Florence’s at Barnesville, June 1965
OGL#1186-51	Julie T. Kesler, Marjorie, Jean Trenbeath
OGL#1186-52	Julie Trenbeath
OGL#1186-53	Mrs. Grant Trenbeath, 1940
OGL#1186-54	Elias family, 1935
OGL#1186-55	Marjorie Elias family, 1930's
OGL#1186-56	Marjorie Elias, 1940's
OGL#1186-57	Jerry’s birthday (?) no date
OGL#1186-58	unidentified
OGL#1186-59	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-60	Grant Trenbeath
OGL#1186-61	Vern and Dutch’s visit to Barnesville-fall, 1907
OGL#1186-62	Vern and Dutch’s visit to Barnesville-fall, 1907
OGL#1186-63	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-64	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-65	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-66	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-67	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-68	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-69	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-70	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-71	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-72	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-73	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-74	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-75	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-76	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-77	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-78	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-79	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-80	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-81	Pembina Valley-North Dakota, no date
OGL#1186-82	Pembina Valley golf course
OGL#1186-83	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-84	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-85	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-86	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-87	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-88	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-89	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-90	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-91	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-92	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-93	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-94	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-95	Soil erosion caused by spring flooding-Pembina Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-96	March snowstorm-Neche, 1966
OGL#1186-97	March snowstorm-Neche, 1966
OGL#1186-98	March snowstorm-Neche, 1966
OGL#1186-99	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1962
OGL#1186-100	Flood erosion, Neche, 1949
OGL#1186-101	Flood damage, Highway 18, Neche, 1950
OGL#1186-102	Flood damage, Highway 55, undated
OGL#1186-103	Silting following flooding in the Pembina River Valley, undated
OGL#1186-104	Dike, Pembina River Valley, 1974
OGL#1186-105	Dike, Pembina River, 1974
OGL#1186-106	Farmland flood damage, Pembina River Valley, 1970
OGL#1186-107	Dike, Marais River, 1974
OGL#1186-108	Washed out dike, Johnson farm, 1974
OGL#1186-109	Dike, Johnson farm, 1974
OGL#1186-110	Marais River dike, 1974
OGL#1186-111	Vollrath farm, 1974
OGL#1186-112	Vollrath farm, 1974
OGL#1186-113	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-114	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-115	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-116	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-117	Soil cracking following flood, 1971
OGL#1186-118	Flood damage, Highway 18, 1971
OGL#1186-119	Vollrath farm, 1974
OGL#1186-120	Hershey farm, 1971
OGL#1186-121	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-122	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-123	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-124	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-125	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-126	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-127	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-128	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-129	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-130	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-131	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-132	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-133	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-134	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-135	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1971
OGL#1186-136	Culverts along the Canadian border, Pembina River Valley, 1974
OGL#1186-137	Flood erosion, Pembina River Valley, 1962
OGL#1186-138	Flood erosion, Charles Morris farm, Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-139	Flood erosion, Charles Morris farm, Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-140	Flood erosion, Charles Morris farm, Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-141	Flood erosion, Charles Morris farm, Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-142	Washed out dike, 1974
OGL#1186-143	Washed out dike, 1974
OGL#1186-144	Washed out dike, 1974
OGL#1186-145	Washed out Canadian road dike, 1974
OGL#1186-146	Washed out Canadian road dike, 1974
OGL#1186-147	Melvin Leubke farm, 1974
OGL#1186-148	Godfrey Morris farm, 1974
OGL#1186-149	Flood erosion near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-150	Flood erosion near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-151	Flood erosion near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-152	Vollrath farm, 1974
OGL#1186-153	Washed out culverts on Tongen Dike, June 1974
OGL#1186-154	Flood erosion near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-155	Flood erosion near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-156	Marais Dike washed out, 1974
OGL#1186-157	After flood receded, May 1974
OGL#1186-158	Pembina River, September 1984
OGL#1186-159	Low water at Pembina River Dam near Neche, September 1984
OGL#1186-160	Low water at Pembina River Dam near Neche, September 1984
OGL#1186-161	Flooding of the Pembina River, 1974
OGL#1186-162	Flooding of the Pembina River on Harsley farm near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-163	Flooding of the Pembina River near Jim Winkler farm, 1974
OGL#1186-164	Bob Patton and man sand-bagging at Patton Bridge, undated
OGL#1186-165	Flood near Neche, 1970
OGL#1186-166	Flood between Drayton and Pembina, 1970
OGL#1186-167	Water on Kent Vasper’s farm, 1970
OGL#1186-168	Flooding of the Pembina River, 1969
OGL#1186-169	Sand-bagging on Stegman Road and Patton Bridge, 1974
OGL#1186-170	Highway 18 at Canadian border, undated
OGL#1186-171	Flood in Neche, 1962
OGL#1186-172	Grant Trenbeath farm in background, 1966
OGL#1186-173	Main Street in Neche, 1966
OGL#1186-174	Boating across road on west part of Neche, 1966
OGL#1186-175	Flood near Frank Kolm’s farm, undated
OGL#1186-176	West part of Neche, 1966
OGL#1186-177	West of elevators in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-178	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-179	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-180	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-181	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-182	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-183	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-184	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-185	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-186	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-187	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-188	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-189	Flooding in Neche, south part of town, 1969
OGL#1186-190	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-191	Flooding in Neche, 1969
OGL#1186-192	William Kollack walking Highway 18, 1971
OGL#1186-193	Water rushing through Highway 18 on Canadian border, 1974
OGL#1186-194	Highway 18 and Canadian border, 1974
OGL#1186-195	Water through Marais Basin Bridge, 1974
OGL#1186-196	James Symington farm at Patton Bridge, 1974
OGL#1186-197	East of Weiss farm, 1974
OGL#1186-198	James Symington farm at Patton Bridge, 1974
OGL#1186-199	Flooding in Pembina County near Neche, 1974
OGL#1186-200	After flood, 1974
OGL#1186-201	Area underwater in North Dakota, dry area in Manitoba, 1974
OGL#1186-202	Area underwater in North Dakota, dry area in Manitoba, 1974
OGL#1186-203	Northeast of Hoffman farm, 1974
OGL#1186-204	Tongue and Pembina Rivers, 1974
OGL#1186-205	Flood near Marais, 1974
OGL#1186-206	Washed out Pembina River Bridge at Eugene O’Keefe farm, 1974
OGL#1186-207	Washed out Pembina River Bridge at Eugene O’Keefe farm, 1974
OGL#1186-208	West side of flooded Neche, 1962
OGL#1186-209	Voting record panel at North Dakota Constitutional Convention, 1972
OGL#1186-210	Pembina River flooding near Neche, 1949
OGL#1186-211	Rolly Hughes tractor, 1950
OGL#1186-212	Rolly Hughes tractor, 1950
OGL#1186-213	Customs, 1950
OGL#1186-214	Cliff Glenn’s truck and Bert Huidstein’s cat in water, 1950
OGL#1186-215	Cliff Glenn’s truck and Bert Huidstein’s cat in water, 1950
OGL#1186-216	West of elevators, street in Neche, 1956
OGL#1186-217	Flood in Neche, undated
OGL#1186-218	Flood in Neche, 1962
OGL#1186-219	Pembina County, 1962

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