FARGO (AP) - The grandson of a member of President Abraham Lincoln's personal bodyguard returned here to pay respects to the late Smith Stimmel.

Stimmel, who died in 1935, is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Fargo. Grandson LeRoy Fladseth, a native of Fargo who now lives in Lansing, Mich., visited the grave on Friday.

Stimmel later in life moved to Fargo in what was then the Dakota Territory, and served as the territory's Senate president, according to the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Fladseth has helped to keep Stimmel's memory alive by republishing his memoirs, "Personal Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln."

Fladseth said his grandfather had a great respect for Lincoln and that the president "had a profound impact on him." Themes such as patriotism, faith and respect for fellow man that ran through Lincoln's work also were present in Stimmel's writings and speeches, Fladseth said.

The nation and the state of North Dakota are preparing for the bicentennial commemoration of Lincoln's birth. The bicentennial will be Feb. 12, 2008, to Feb. 8, 2010.

The State Historical Society of North Dakota is working on a number of bicentennial events and commemorations, including featuring Lincoln on Cass-Clay milk cartons, creating an exhibit at the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck on the Homestead Act, and developing a Lincoln curriculum for schools.

The Feb. 12, 2009, North Dakota legislative session also is to feature a program honoring Lincoln.