Tarje as County Commissioner

Tarje was elected to the County Commission in the election of 1880.

He was sworn in on January 4, 1881.

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Board met pursuant to law; present -- P. O. Fiskom and W. H. Davy. T. A. Grover, commissioner-elect from second district appeared and having taken the oath required by law, took his seat as a member of the Board.

Tarje is present at every meeting of the commissioners during his tenure.  He served on the Board of Equalization (which most notably set property tax rates) and assisted in developing the county's yearly budget.  According to the minutes of the board,  Tarje received a total of $225.60 for his work as a  commissioner.  Additionally, he received approximately $50 for various services to paupers (designated as provisions, nursing care, services).  Tarje's home was designated as the location in Moland for payment of personal property taxes.

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During Tarje's tenure as a commissioner, the main task facing the board was the building of the county courthouse and jail. According to oral tradition, Tarje campaigned hard for the North Moorhead site that was eventually chosen.  Board minutes do not mention discussions regarding the details of bid letting, bond authorization, etc. However, Tarje was apparently actively involved, as he made or seconded formal motions related to financing the project.

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Moved by T A Grover and seconded by Wm. Lloyd that court house bonds in the amount of 6000 dollars of the denomination of $1000 each bearing date April 16th 1883 running twenty years, drawing interest at the rate of six percent per annum, interest and principal payable at the third National Bank, New York City, be issued against the county for completing the court house and Jail. Carried.

On motion the auditor was instructed to sell above bonds at the best figures to be obtained for them.

In the early days of the county, placement of roads and bridges was often hotly debated, as their locations usually had a significant impact on economic development.  Most of the time, the commissioner from a district would suggest major road designation or bridge location to the board and it would be accepted by the other commissioners.   For reasons unknown, despite the support of a significant number of its residents, Tarje was overruled in the matter of the placement of a bridge in Moland township.

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The petition of G. B. Gunderson and sixteen others for the building of  bridge over Buffalo river in town of Moland between sections 17 and 20 was refused.

On motion made by Costain seconded by Wm. Lloyd the county bridge over Buffalo river, in town of Moland, was located between section 28 and 33. The vote stood: for: Davy, Costain and Lloyd; against locating it at that place:  T. A. Grover.

You can take a look at the two locations considered for the Buffalo river bridge

on a 1909 Moland county plat map (140 KB pdf  file opens in a new window)

On January 2, 1884, Nels Erickson was sworn in as Tarje's successor.