History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 10

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1262

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Adam J. Bleser attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and in his early manhood taught for three years. He was then clerk in a dry-goods store at Appleton, Wisconsin, after which he hecame connected with the sewing-machine and musical instrument business. Later he was state agent for the Minneapolis Harvester Machine Company, with office at Milwaukee, and remained in that connection for two years. In October, 1878, he emigrated to Big Stone lake, South Dakota, and proved up on a homestead

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

in that locality. He retained that property for a number of years and for eight years held the office of clerk of the courts, being appointed to that position by Judge L. P. Kidder. Later he served as postmaster of Milbank for four years. Upon leaving that office he be- came a commercial traveler for H. J. Hinze and remained in huis employ for four years, his territory extending to the Pacific coast. Upon severing his connection with Mr. Hinze our subject located in Milbank, where he is now engaged in the insurance and real-estate busi- Dèss. He has gained a large and profitable elientage and is recognized as an expert in those fields. He was one of the organizers and is at present a director of the Milbank Cement Construction Company, which makes a specialty of silos and also manufactures many other things of Portland cement.

Mr. Bleser was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Sullivan, who was born in Manmee, Ohio, but who resided in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, for a number of years previous to her marriage. To this union were born five children: Eugene J., who is engaged in the drug business in San Francisco; Arthur, a railroad man living in Oakland, California; Ella, who is teaching in California; Natalia, who is also teaching in that state; and Chauncey, likewise residing in the Golden state.

Mr. Bleser is a republican in polities and has been an active worker in the party ranks. For twenty-four years he has served as justice of the peace, his long continuance in the office being the best proof of the acceptability of his services in that connection. He is well known fraternally, belonging to the Masonie blue lodge, of which he is a past master; the Royal Areh chapter, of which he is past high priest; and the Knights Templar commandery. He was master of the blue lodge at the time of the dedication of the Masonic Temple at Mil- bank and served as a member of the building committee. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He was reared in the Catholic church and still attends the services of that church although not now a communicant thereof. Since coming to Milbank he has accumulated more than a competence and has gained the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. His business ability is recognized, as is his integrity and publie spirit.

WILLIAM HENRY ROUNDS.

For a period of over twenty years William Henry Rounds has been regarded as the lead- ing clothier and merchant tailor in Sioux Falls and he still occupies this enviable position, his success coming as a natural result of his knowledge of merchandising, his aggressive business spirit and the style, quality and workmanship of his goods. He was born in St. Johns, Canada, November 26, 1865, and is a son of Albert and Betsy (Chamberlain) Rounds, natives of Vermont. His parents moved to Malone, New York, in 1866, and there the father died in 1888, at the age of sixty-two years. The mother survives him and still makes her home in Malone at the age of eighty-eight years.

William Henry Rounds acquired his early education in the public schools of Malone, New York, and later attended Malone Academy. At the age of seventeen he laid aside his textbooks and turned his attention to the elothing business as salesman in a retail house in his native eity. In 1883 he came to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and here, after elerking in various elothing stores until 1894, established himself in business as a elothier and mer- chant tailor. He oceupies today a eonspienous place among the merchants of the northwest. For over twenty years his advertisements have been in the Sioux Falls papers and during that time his patronage has increased rapidly to its present proportions. Mr. Rounds has always prided himself upon the style, quality and workmanship of his clothes and his name has come to be regarded as a synonym for quality, a fact which has had much to do with his continued success. Like other Sioux Falls merchants, he has recognized the certainty of a great future for the city and in 1910 secured one of its most beautiful storerooms, on the corner of Eleventh street and Phillips avenue, in the Boyce-Greely building. Searcely any- where in the northwest can be found a store which will surpass his establishment, it being completely equipped in every detail. There are two entrances, one on Phillips avenue and the other on the Eleventh street side. Great electric signs direet the way of the people to both entrances. He employs a large number of tailors, the manufacturing department being under the direction of August Reichard, who for more than thirteen years has been Mr.

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Rounds' cutter. Mr. Reichard attends the tailors' conventions in order that he may keep fully posted as to the very latest fashions in men's clothing and he has no superior in this partienlar line of work in the state. Mr. Rounds is himself a frequent visitor to New York, where he studies styles and general values. Upon entering the Eleventh street entrance to his store the visitor is confronted with a great showing of beautiful imported fabrics of such a variety of weave that it is an easy matter for even the most fastidious to find something to his liking. To accommodate the merchant tailoring department where the workers are engaged in the manufacturing of clothes another store is maintained where today there is a group of twenty tailors busily turning out men's attire to order.

On the 31st of January, 1891, at Janesville, Wisconsin, Mr. Rounds was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie June Collier, and they have become the parents of four children: Har- riet, Elizabeth, Ruth and Janet.

Mr. Rounds is a member of the Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He was a charter member of Company B, Second Regiment Dakota Na- tional Guards, serving as a private and as a member of the regiment band. He holds mem- bership in the Elks, the Country, the Dacotah and the Commercial Clubs and belongs to the Masonic Shrine and the Knights of Pythias. He is, however, preeminently a business man, energetic, alert and enterprising, and has founded success upon a thorough knowledge of his business, upon intelligent management of his interests and upon thorough efficiency in every department.

GUSTAVUS NORGREN.

Gustavus Norgren, who has represented his district in the state legislature from Turner county, is today a well known and progressive farmer of Clay county. He was born in Sweden in 1850, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Shoberg) Norgren, who were also born in that coun- try but in 1868 emigrated with their family to America. The father took up a homestead in Clay county, South Dakota, and resided upon his quarter section of land until his demise in June, 1911. He had survived his wife for ten years. They were the parents of seven children: Angusta, who died in Sweden in childhood; Sophia, the widow of Peter Bystrom, of Centerville, this state; Gustavus; William, a fruit grower of Vancouver, Washington; Wilhelmina, the wife of Hans Quarnberg, of Belle Fourche, South Dakota; August, who resides upon the old homestead; and Johannah, who died when a young woman of nineteen years.

Mr. Norgren grew to maturity in his native land, assisting his father with the work of the home farm and attending the public schools. When he was eighteen years of age his father emigrated to America and five months later the family followed him to this country. Mr. Norgren of this review attended school for a part of two sessions after coming to the United States but devoted the greater part of his time to farm work in the employ of others, being thus engaged for three years. He then came to South Dakota and took up a home- stead of one hundred and sixty acres in Clay county-the farm upon which he still resides. He immediately began improving his land and has continued its development throughout the intervening years, so that it is now one of the best farm properties of Clay county. From time to time he has purchased other land and now holds title to one thousand and ten acres, all of which is under cultivation. His home farm comprises three hundred and seventy acres and is well provided with trees and has an excellent set of buildings. Mr. Norgren has planted all of the trees and erected all of the buildings upon his land, his residence heing one of the finest in the county. When Clay county was still sparsely settled Mr. Norgren. in connection with another man, built and operated a flour mill at Centerville, but after twelve years sold out. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Center- ville and for a time was a director therein. His chief interest, however, has always been his farming and his land has yielded him large returns. He does general farming, although his chief crop is corn, and he feeds a large number of cattle for the market each year. He also raises Chester White hogs.

Mr. Norgren was married in 1876 to Miss Caroline Anderson, a native of Sweden and a daughter of Carl and Maria (Elberg) Anderson, both of whom were born in that country.

GUSTAVUS NORGREN

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Mr. and Mrs. Norgren have become the parents of the following children: Francis, who is engaged in farming in MeCook county, this state, is married and has three children. Etta is the wife of John Finley, of Centerville, and they have five children. Ida married Robert Quarnberg, a fruit raiser of Vancouver, Washington, by whom she has one child. Phillip is residing in Montana. Carl is a mechanical engineer residing in Omaha, Nebraska. Ade- laide is now Mrs. Olaf Polson, of Clay county, this state. Anna married Dr. John Struble, of Centerville.

Mr. Norgren is a republican and in 1899 represented his district in the state legislature. He was offered the nomination for a second term but refused, feeling that his private interests demand his entire attention. He has been a member of the school board of his township and during the ten years that he lived in Centerville was for six years a member of the city council. He has always been particularly interested in the welfare of the public schools and has done much to further educational advancement. His religious faith is that of the Free Mission church. His has been a life of useful activity and of strict adherence to high ethical standards and there is no more valued citizen in Clay county than Gustavus Norgren.

MATTHEW A. MOORE.

Matthew A. Moore is engaged in the insurance business in Howard and is meeting with well deserved success in that line. He is also a man of public affairs, having held among other offices that of county assessor. He was born March 16, 1856, in Hemmingford, Quebec, a son of Robert and Matilda (Ray) Moore, both natives of Belfast, Ireland, the birth of the former occurring in 1788. In 1816 he went to Quebec and in that province homesteaded a farm whereon he resided until his demise, which occurred in February, 1882, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. His widow survived but a few weeks, hier demise occurring in March of the same year. They reared a family of fourteen children.

Matthew A. Moore attended common schools of his native province and in 1877, when a young man of twenty-one. left home and made his way to Mankato, Minnesota, where he resided for two years. He then went to Beaver Creek, Minnesota, and farmed for a year. In 1880 he removed to Miner county, where be had filed on a timber claim the year previous. After taking up his residence in the county he filed on a preemption claim and devoted his time to the cultivation of his land. He also homesteaded a farm adjoining Howard. In 1883 he sold all of his land and purchased ten acres situated in Howard and there built a comfortable dwelling. He went into the insurance business, in which he is still engaged, as he has found it both congenial and lucrative.

Mr. Moore was united in marriage on the 13th of August, 1884, to Miss Emma Gilmore, a daughter of John and Eliza (Morrison) Gilmore, of Russelltown, Quebec. Mr. Moore is a member of the Episcopal church and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order. His political belief is that of the republican party and he has held a number of local offices. He was the first county assessor of Miner county and has been deputy sheriff of the county at times for nine years. Faithfulness to duty and public spirit are among his outstanding characteristics and his many friends hold him in the highest esteem for his manliness and integrity.

OLE H. WOLNER.

A splendid farm of four hundred and eighty acres on section 35, Frankfort township, Spink county, is the property of Ole H. Wolner and his energy and progressiveness are shown in its excellent condition. He was born in Christiania, Norway, November 10, 1862, a son of Hans and Elizabeth (Johanson) Wolner. When but a child be lost his mother, but his father survived until 1888. They were quite prominent farmers in their native land and both are buried there. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Syverine, the wife of John Jobanson, a carpenter of Norway; Maren, the wife of Christopher Olson, a grocer of

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Norway; John, who passed away in 1869 and is buried in Norway; Hans, who is farming in the land of the midnight sun; Caroline, who died in 1904 and is buried in Norway; Lauritz, a blacksmith living in Norway; Ole H., of this review ; and Hannah, living in St. Paul, Minne- sota, the widow of Vincent Strommen, who was killed in a railroad accident

Ole H. Wolner is indebted to the public schools of his native land for his education. At the age of fifteen he left school and hired out as a blacksmith's apprentice for a three years' term. He then came to the United States and for four years worked as a farm hand in Minnesota. He next removed to South Dakota in 1888 and for four years worked in the employ of others on farms. Later he purchased one hundred and sixty acres and began to cultivate his land. As he was thoroughly versed in agricultural work and directed his labors wisely, prosperity came to him and from time to time he bought additional land until he now owns four hundred and eighty acres. He raises the crops that are best adapted to soil and climate and also keeps about twenty horses, twenty cattle and fifty hogs, beside raising poultry on an extensive scale.

Mr. Wolner was married at Frankfort, this state, on the 3d of November, 1893, to Miss Jennie Gill, a daughter of Ole and Sophia (Torson) Gill. The latter died in 1880 and is buried in Norway, but the father survives and makes his home near Hitchcock, this state, having come here from Norway 'in 1881. They were the parents of five children, namely : Mrs. Wolner; Anna, who died in infancy in 1875; Tora, who died in infancy in 1877; Anna, who passed away in 1879; and Loren, who died in 1880. The four deceased are buried in Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Wolner have been born seven sons: Harry, who died in infancy; Henry, Edwin, Oscar, Willard, Herbert and Arthur, all at home.

Mr. Wolmer is independent in politics, obeying the dictates of no party leaders, and since 1902 he has served acceptably as township supervisor. His religious belief is that of the Congregational church and his daily life is in harmony with his profession. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. None begrudges him the large measure of success that is his, for it is recognized that his prosperity is due entirely to his tireless energy and his business ability. His activities have not only resulted in his accumu- lating a competence, but have been productive of good to his community.

ANTON B. LORD.

Anton B. Lord, the popular and efficient cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Eagle Butte, Dewey county, is a native of Sweden, born in Linkoping, July 3, 1880. His parents, Peter J. and Christina (Peterson) Lord, were also natives of that place. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, emigrated with his family to the United States in 1887 and located at Garfield, Kansas, where he spent eighteen months. Subsequently he took up his residence in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he remained until 1891, when he became a resident of Chicago. He was there employed at cabinet work in the Pullman shops until 1904, when his death occurred. He served in the regular army in Sweden. His widow is still living in Chicago.

A. B. Lord, who is the youngest of a family of four children and the only one surviving. received the greater part of his education in the public schools of Chicago, from which he was graduated. When fifteen years of age he began learning the painter's trade and followed that line of work until he was twenty-three years old. when he entered the employ of the Roseland Bank in Chicago, where he remained for eighteen months. He then took charge of a paint store in that city owned by A. Nehring and remained in that connection for two years. He next came to South Dakota and entered a claim near Eagle Butte, residing upon his land for one year. At the end of that time he became assistant cashier of the Citizens State Bank and in 1912. after serving for a year in that position, was made cashier, his advancement coming in recognition of his ability and integrity. The confidence placed in him has been justified by his condnet of the bank. He gives the closest attention to all phases of its work and is recognized as one of the most capable bank officials of his county. He has other interests, as he owns considerable farming land in this state and is engaged in cattle raising.

Mr. Lord was married August 20, 1903, to Miss Marie De Bruin, who was born in South Holland, Illinois, a daughter of Henry and Helen (Van Drunen) De Bruin, both natives of

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Holland. They resided in Chicago, Illinois, for fifty years, and the father passed away in that city in 1900. The mother is now living in Chicago. To Mr. and Mrs. Lord have been born tour children: Marie A., whose birth occurred in 1906; Bernard J., born in 1909; Anthony H., in 1911; and Helen Anna, in 1914.

Mr. Lord is a republican and is stanch in his support of the principles of that party. He is at present serving as treasurer of Eagle Butte and is proving an excellent official. Fraternally he belongs to Eagle Butte Lodge, No. 172, A. F. & A. M., of which he is secretary. Although he is yet a young man, he has gained a measure of success which many a man much his senior might well envy. He takes justifiable pride in his material prosperity, hut values yet more highly the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens.

Z. A. CRAIN.

One of the progressive and growing cities of South Dakota is that of Redfield. Its advancement has been made along substantial lines dne to the sound judgment and intel- tigently directed efforts of its leading business men, to which elass belongs Z. A. Crain, the president of the Redfield National Bank, to which office he was called in 1902. He arrived in South Dakota when a young man of twenty-four years, recognizing the opportunities here offered, and in the intervening period he has so directed his efforts that while contributing to his individual snecess he has also promoted the public welfare. He was born February 17, 1863, in Angola, Indiana, and is a son of A. D. and Harriet (Perry) Crain, the latter a descendant of Commodore Perry, the famous hero of the naval battle on Lake Erie. The Crain family comes of English ancestry but has been represented in America sinee early colonial days. Members of the family served in the Revolutionary war and the spirit of patriotism has always been strong among their descendants. A. D. Crain was a native of New London, Connecticut, and removing westward, took up his abode in Angola, Indiana, where his remaining days were passed. He devoted his life to farming through many years but retired about ten years prior to his demise, which occurred in 1894. His wife preceded him to the home beyond, dying in 1892, and both are buried in the Angola cemetery.

Z. A. Crain acquired his education in the schools of Angola, passing through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1883. He afterward spent three years in Hillsdale College of Michigan and then accepted the position of principal of the Angola high school. To a young man of energy and ambition such as Mr. Crain the northwest offered an irresistible attraction and he came to South Dakota in 1887, when a young man of twenty-four years, settling at Doland, Spink connty. There he established and conducted a drug business for four years, at the end of which time he removed to Red- field, where he established and incorporated the Redfield National Bank, of which he is the president. This institution was founded upon a safe, conservative basis. He has ever recog- nized the fact that the bank which most carefully safeguards the interests of its depositors is the one the most worthy of patronage and therefore he has done everything in his power to make the institution perfectly sound and reliable. It has grown steadily until its deposits are now large. Upon his business he concentrates his energies and his wise direc- tion of the affairs of the bank has given him rank with the leading financiers of the city.

At Redfield, on the 13th of June, 1895, Mr. Crain was united in marriage to Miss Grace J. Jerome, a daughter of John and Amy Jerome. Her father was at one time an attorney at law in Minerva, Ohio, and resided there until his death about 1910. During the period of the Civil war he went to the front as an officer of the Union army, faithfully defending the stars and stripes throughout that sanguinary conflict. He came of English and French descent. Mrs. Jerome now makes her home with our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Crain have been born a son and a daughter: Ralph J., who was graduated from the Redfield high school with the class of 1912 and is now in college at Vermillion, South Dakota; and Vir- ginia, five years of age.

Mr. Crain is a democrat in his political views, but is not a politician in the usually accepted sense of office seeking. He has a deep interest in everything pertaining to the wel- fare and progress of the city, county and state, however, and cooperates in many movements for the public good. At present he is chairman of the board of education in Redfield and the

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

public schools find in him a stalwart champion. Fraternally he is a Mason of high rank, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery at Redfield. While engaged in the drug business he was honored with election to the presidency of the State Pharmaceutical Asso- ciation and at the present writing he is president of the Spink County Farm Improvement Association, which he instituted and organized in 1912. Aside from his banking interests he is a stockholder in various other concerns, all of which profit by the stimulus of his coopera- tion and keen business sagacity. Thoroughly reliable in all his dealings, he hears an unas- sailable reputation for business integrity and has indeed made for himself a creditable name and place in business circles and in public life.

HAROLD EUGENE JUDGE.

Harold Eugene Judge, a prominent and prosperous attorney of Sioux Falls, has here practiced his profession for the past two decades and since 1897 has been a member of the law firm of Aikens & Judge. His birth occurred in Floyd, Iowa, on the 7th of February, 1873, his parents heing Patrick Henry and Della Cemira (Sutton) Judge. The father, a native of County Mayo, Ireland, emigrated to the United States with his parents.

Harold E. Judge acquired his education in the public schools and an academy at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and subsequently entered the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, complet- ing the course in the law department with the class of 1894. He was admitted to the bar in the same year and located for practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1895 he hecame interested in the newly organized firm of Aikens, Bailey & Voorhees, though his name was not used. Two years later Messrs. Aikens and Judge withdrew and formed a partnership which has been maintained to the present time. An extensive and lucrative clientage has been accorded them. Mr. Judge is known for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. In no instance has his reading ever been confined to the limita- tions of the question at issue; it has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected, but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. His logical grasp of facts and of principles of the law applicable to them has heen another potent element in his success, and a remarkable clear- ness of expression, an adequate and precise diction, which enables him to make others under- stand not only the salient points of his argument, but his every fine gradation of meaning, may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplishments.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 10

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1262

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1262