Andrew Nohle

Pre-1940s Ranching

Inducted 2025

Andrew Nohle, born in 1858 to German immigrants, was raised on the family farm in upper state New York. He grew up to be the quintessential “renaissance man”; a pioneer rancher who became instrumental in the development of western North Dakota.

Going west to North Dakota in 1881, Nohle first worked at a Grand Forks hotel. Hired as a ranch hand for a cattle outfit, he was soon foreman and drove a herd of cattle to the Mouse River area where he established a ranch in 1882. He was the first white settler in an area. In 1892 he founded another ranch near Saco, Montana. During those years he drove two herds of cattle up from the Texas Panhandle. By 1897 he was ranching in the Yellowstone Valley near Dore, where his holdings eventually comprised over 6,000 acres, with 1,600 more in cultivation. He became known as the “Cattle King” and “Father of Alfalfa for his introduction of Grimm Alfalfa to the area.

Nohle became “one of the most active and potent factors in the development and upbuilding of his section of the state.” His long list of accomplishments included: organizing and serving as president for three banks, establishing two mercantile companies, and operating the first ferry across the Missouri at Sioux Crossing. He was instrumental in the Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Project. Nohle was appointed to the first McKenzie Board of Commissioners in 1905, serving twelve years, all as chairman. He oversaw the building of roads, bridges, the jail, and courthouse. Nohle won several grain contests, served on numerous advisory boards, was president of three grain elevators, and established consolidated schools in the area. He was president of two companies with interests in horses, cattle, and land.

Known for generosity and “always ready to help anyone in need,” Nohle “saw that justice was meted out to stock rustlers and claim jumpers…” So widely known, when he was in a shootout in 1904, papers as far away as California reported the incident. In 1917 Nohle married Charlotte Freeman. He died August 20, 1925. In 1960 Nohle was honored as a charter member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.