The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota

Some years ago I was fortunate enough to run across a hardback copy of The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota, by William C. Sherman, Paul L. Whitney, and John Guerrero, c. 2002.

It  has always been one of my most treasured books and sits in an prominent place on my living room bookshelves.

I have always enjoyed it.

But now, returning to the book this past week (before the Egyptian protests broke out), I have found a new pleasure going through this book: looking for the names in the book associated with the names of oil wells in the Bakken.

The authors included the names of those who donated money to assist in the publication of this book.

One of the names was "Dan Kalil - Kalil Farms." The Kalil family lived across the street from us in Williston; all those years I never knew their heritage. They were great friends, and every so often we would see a huge grain truck in front of their house.

Two other donors were "Vernon Owan - Owan Family Members" and Charles and Rose Owan - Owan Family Members." You will find several wells northwest of Williston with the Owan name. Through serendipity, I happened to have a nice long discussion with Charles Owan (at least, if I remember correctly, it was Charles) when I last visited Williston (at the local McDonald's). He spoke very highly of his brother; it was a very long conversation. I wish it could have been longer.

Another donor was Darlain Atol, in memory of Raymond Atol, her husband. Raymond Atol, for as long as I remember was the Chief of Police of Williston. I don't recall ever meeting him in person, but I certainly had great respect for him. I remember him best as a motorcycle cop and riding huge motorcycles. Most teenagers probably tried to stay "below the radar" with regard to the police and highway patrol.

In a law enforcement career spanning over 50 years in North Dakota, Ray Atol didn't take a lot of guff. But he always said there were two sides to an  argument ... Dan Kalil, himself of Lebanese ancestry, said that Ray 'made things go and got things done.'

The book includes several appendices including:

• The names of all Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota at the time of the 1900-, 1910- and 1920-census. 
• Naturalization records of the Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota.
• The land acquisition (homesteading) records of the Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota.
• North Dakota Syrian-Lebanese veterans of North Dakota.
• Name changes and patterns among the Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota.
• A list of WPA Interviewees, as part of the Federal Writers Project established by President Roosevelt during the depression.

It is absolutely fascinating to see the names of my school friends, teachers, Williston businessmen, and farmers who I knew while growing up in Williston.

My wife visited Williston numerous times back in the late 70's and early 80's, and she has very fond memories of visiting Joseph's Department store on Main Street, and yes, Mr Joseph is listed many times in the book. 

I have very fond memories of my years in Williston, and to see the names of those I knew at that time in print is truly priceless.

I know I am going out on a limb, but I am convinced the grain farming skills these folks brought from their home country probably accounted for the leadership position North Dakota has in such areas as wheat farming, particularly "durum" wheat farming. It should be remembered that hard spring wheat had its origin in that part of the world that is now known as Lebanon.

I bought my copy of The Syrian-Lebanese in North Dakota from Books on Broadway, Williston, ND, some years ago, as previously noted. It is not in stock at Amazon, and something tells me the book is now "priceless" in more ways than one.