2025 Inductee North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame: Andrew Nohle

North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame

Andrew Nohle Inductee 2025 Pre- 1940’s Ranching

   October 1, 1858 – August 20, 1925

See also: Biography of Andrew Nohle: posted February 28, 2018

Arriving in North Dakota in 1881, Nohle first worked at a Grand Forks hotel. In 1882 Nohle began working for R.M. Prouty, L.B. Richardson and Charly Sprout. They sent him west with a small herd of cattle and the authority to make purchases along the way. He arrived at the Mouse River near the present day town of Towner, North Dakota with 260 head of cattle. Nohle operated the first cattle business in that area. Nohle also established a ranch of his own during his Mouse River days. In 1892 Nohle established a ranch on the Milk River near Saco Montana. He spent time in the Texas panhandle buying and selling cattle to be driven north. 

In 1897 Nohle left the Milk River and started a new ranch by Nohle Lake just within the state of North Dakota near Dore. Nohle’s stock ranged up the Missouri River and as far north as the Canadian border.  Nohle was often referred to as “The Cattle King” and “Stock King. Nohle formed a partnership, Nohle – Gilbertson Inc., with Simon Gilbertson after moving to the Dore. They had  extensive interests in land, cattle and horses, including registered Percheron and Shire horses. He was also president of Nohle Brothers Inc. which had with holdings in land, cattle and sheep.

Nohle also established a farm in the area, and eventually had 1600 acres in cultivation. This is when Nohle introduced the winter hardy Grimm Alfalfa to the region. He was called the “Father of Alfalfa” in the Yellowstone Valley.  At one point Nohle’s holdings comprised more than 6000 acres.

Nohle was a member of the First Board of Commissioners of McKenzie County, North Dakota; appointed by Governor Elmore Y. Sarles in 1905. Elected Chairman of the Board and reelected for 12 consecutive years, serving as chairman throughout. He declined to run again after his 12 year tenure. During his tenure the commission oversaw the courthouse and jail built at the county seat in Schafer, North Dakota, and was instrumental in getting roads and bridges built in the newly incorporated McKenzie County.

Nohle was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. At his own expense, Nohle made numerous trips to Washington D.C. for this project. This successful project by the Bureau of Reclamation is still operating today.

By his death in 1925 he had established an enduring legacy of ranching, farming and community service in western North Dakota. Nohle was so well known that when he was involved in a shootout in 1904, newspapers as far away as California reported the incident.   In 1960 Nohle’s contributions and influence were still highly regarded. Community members, including Andrew Johnston, honored him with a charter membership in the newly established National Cowboy Hall of Fame. 

• In Fifty Years in the Saddle; Another Look at the Trail, Volume II,  by Andrew Johnston, San Felipe Press, c.1965, it was written of Andrew Nohle:

“He would take all steps necessary to see that justice was meted out to stock rustlers and claim jumpers who harassed friends and neighbors. He also helped homesteaders obtain livestock and equipment with which to begin farming and stock raising. He was known for never having pressed a deserving person who needed credit and at the time if his death held a large pouch of unredeemed paper pledges”

• In 2022 The Pioneer Museum of McKenzie County, in a letter of recommendation said

 “….Mr. Nohle is the type of person who deserves to be remembered and recognized for his contributions to the way of life that we continue to enjoy on the plains.”

• In the North Dakota History and People: Outlines of American History volume III, by C. A. Lounsberry, published in 1917, this was said of Andrew Nohle:

“In a word, he has been one of the most active and potent factors in the development and upbuilding of his section of the state…. His investments have been most judiciously made in lands, in cattle and in commercial and financial interests. The steady development of his business affairs, guided at all times by sound judgment….Mr. Nohle has given his aid in support of many plans resulting to the benefit of his district in other ways.”

• In Montana: It’s Story and Biography Volume III , by Tom Stout, c. 1921 published by The American Historical Society, this was said of Andrew Nohle

“There are many who will recall the winter of 1886-7 and the killing frost of the latter year, which worked hardships upon the weary and worn settlers and in which suffering was intensified by seven years of drouth….Mr. Nohle and his company shipped in three cars of corn and oats and distributed the grain free among the settlers, another and strong exhibition of the coursing of the milk of human kindness through his veins”“As new settlers with little means came into the country they were often furnished work at hay harvest or other busy season by Andrew Nohle, and he thus contributed to their welfare in time of real need. This aid helped them to “hold fast” and to acquire a home…”

Nohle used his success to help others in the area and to help to develop the Mon-Dak region of North Dakota.  His many endeavors included:

• President of three grain elevators in McKenzie County.
• Organized the Buford Mercantile Co (Buford, North Dakota) in 1901 and acted as president of the company       

• Organized and served as President of the First Bank of Buford (North Dakota) in 1906, and capitalized and served as President of the first State Bank of Fairview.

• Early 1900’s he secured the contract to carry mail in the region
• In 1905 Nohle opened a new stage line in western North Dakota and Eastern  Montana.         

• In 1902 Nohle operated the first ferry at Sioux Crossing on the Missouri River
• Organized and served as President of the Dakota Trading Co. in Alexander, North Dakota,  which was the first  business in the community
• In 1909 Nohle won the state grain contest for Scotch Fife Wheat, Durum wheat, oats, barley and flax. In 1914 he won first prize for flax, second prize for wheat from the North Dakota Improved Seed Growers Association
• Helped organize the Yellowstone School Board and established consolidated schools in the eastern Montana area. Nohle served on the local school board.
• Appointed by Governor L. B. Hanna of North Dakota as a member of the original commission that was begun in 1904 for the Buford – Trenton Project in Williams County, North Dakota.