The Lanterman Home
301 3rd Ave NW
William A. and Albert Lanterman built this home in 1900. It is also known as the Biggs house and was later owned by Leo Eckroth.
William was the first of the Lantermans to come to the Dakotas. He was originally born in Blairstown, New Jersey in 1854 and was a son of Jane and Abraham Lanterman, also natives of New Jersey. William arrived in Grand Forks in 1875 prior to arriving in Mandan in 1883. One year later his brother Albert joined him. They were both very prominent in the banking business and in real estate circles in Mandan. At one time they purchased the Hager Lumber Yard and for a time were also associated with W.B. Haight in the lumber and machinery business.
The Lanterman brothers, with Dr. Porter of Bismarck, were instrumental in establishing the State Bank of Morton County in 1882. They later sold their interest and became stockholders in the Farmer’s State Bank. In 1900 they went into the sheep business and had car loads of the animals brought in from Oregon, shipping them to Mandan for placement on Morton County farms on shares.
They also had considerable real estate investments and constructed several of the larger homes in the city. The “Lanterman’s Corner” was a group of houses they built, including this home at this location, the Gallagher home at 303 3rd Avenue NW, and the Sommerfeld house next door. Albert’s son, Evert, was said to have built one of the homes on the “Lanterman Corner.” Albert also built and owned the Flakker Apartments, which he managed with his son.
In all the information researched, it never states where exactly the Lantermans themselves resided. William married Harriet Shaw in 1886 in Racine, Wisconsin. Together they raised their three children, Bessie, Eunice, and Horace. Although Albert also had a son, there was never any mention of his wife. William also held municipal offices in Mandan, supported the Democratic party, and was a Master Mason. His public and private spirit was manifested by his faithfulness to duty.
William and Albert retired to California in the 1920s. William passed away in 1925 in Mandan, where he maintained a part-time home. Albert passed away in 1937 in California.
Reviewed transcription from the photographed sign.