Lifetime Leaders of Rodeo & Ranching Rodeo Ranching Great Westerner Western Entertaiment & Arts Rodeo Producers & Livestock Special Achievement Cowboy Long Rider Legacy Award

Ranching

Theodore "Ted" Henry Albers
2003 Hall of Fame Ranching Inductee

 Theodore "Ted" Henry Albers was born Dec. 31, 1881, in Illinois, the sixth of seven children born to Johann and Margaretha (Wagoner) Albers. They homesteaded in Oliver County, North Dakota, in 1884, where Ted was raised. He raised, sold and traded horses, served as Pinto Postmaster and was the proprietor of three stage lines carrying mail, passengers and freight. Ted also served as stock contractor and judge for early rodeos. He married Helena Schmeling in 1909 at Churchtown, and they had three children. They farmed and raised some of the finest registered Hereford cattle in the area. Ted served three four-year terms as Oliver County sheriff between 1916 and 1936, during which time he investigated one of the largest livestock rustling cases in the area. During his years as sheriff, Ted was also involved in Albers Hereford Ranch, Hannover, with his son Martin. In 1929, Californian Bert Gaines of the Gaines Land Company hired Ted as foreman. In five years, he had built an operation that ran up to 500 award-winning cows. In 1934, Ted and his family returned to their own operation with 40 purebred heifers from Gaines. The Albers ranch has earned national awards for its Hereford cattle. Martin’s son, Lyle, is a fourth-generation operator. Ted was a people person whose home was always open to those in need, and he often hired people in need. He died Sept. 16, 1946, and is buried in the Hannover Cemetery.