In May of 1900, John Link bid farewell to his native home in Bohemia and set sail for America. Like many immigrants before him, John settled temporarily in the east where he was able to find work in a textile factory in Massachusetts. After many years of working, John had saved enough money to send for his childhood sweetheart, Anna. In 1906, John and Anna Link traveled west where they homesteaded in McKenzie County, North Dakota near the town of Alexander. Who would have known that this hardworking Bohemian homesteader would raise a son who would go on to become a North Dakota governor?

On this date in 1973, John Link congratulated his only son on becoming North Dakota’s newest governor. Over 70 years after arriving in America, John Link was present as Arthur A. Link was inaugurated as governor.

Although unable to attend the inaugural ball, John Link was present at a dinner held by Governor Arthur A. Link at his new home. Upon seeing the Governor’s executive residence, the 94 year old North Dakota homesteader exclaimed, “Some homestead shack you’ve got here.” One can only imagine the difference between the governor’s mansion and John Link’s claim shanty.

Following this intimate family gathering, the Bismarck Civic Center was flooded with over 4,000 guests who wished to celebrate Governor Link’s inauguration. After a grand march, 80 gallons of punch, and much celebrating the ball ended and Governor Arthur A. Link assumed his role as North Dakota’s newest chief executive. While many were happy for Link’s success, none could be prouder than John Link, who had journeyed across an ocean, given his family a home in North Dakota, and raised a son to become a governor of this fair state.

Written by Ann Erling

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