Thomas Nichols Putnam was born at Seneca Falls, New York, on December 3, 1855. The family later moved to Iowa. Mr. Putnam became interested in the lumber business, working in a local lumberyard. He later went to work in a lumber company at Brainerd, Minnesota. In 1886, he came to Carrington to start a lumberyard. His slogan in later years was "Quality lumber since 1886".
In June 1886 he married Clara Belle Rood at Clear Lake, Iowa. Clara was born near Fort Dodge, Iowa, in November 1861.
The Putnams were very active in social, religious, fraternal and political life. They were active in the Masonic and Easter Star Lodges. Mrs. Putnam was a member of the D.A.R. Mr. Putnam was a county commissioner, County Treasurer, City alderman, representative of the State Legislature, and a State Senator.
They were members of the Congregational church. They were parents of three sons: Leslie, Hugh and Frank Lewis. Also a daughter who died in infancy.
Mr. Putnam died November 11, 1919. Mrs. Putnam died July 8, 1937. They are buried at. Carrington.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 36B