History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 105

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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Mr. Waterbury has been twice married. In Mellette in 1887 he wedded Miss Nellie Rigley, who died in September of the following year, leaving a son, Glenn, who is now an electrician for the Rumley Company in the Argentine. Mrs. Waterbury was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Rigley, who reside at Mobridge, South Dakota. Mr. Waterbury was again married in 1896, his second union being with Mrs. Florence Barnes, a daughter of William Stockwell, of Owatonna, Minnesota.

Mr. Waterbury is a blue lodge Mason and in polities is a republican. His high stand- ing in the regard of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he has been elected and served for seven years as mayor of Mellette, giving to the town a businesslike and pro- gressive administration which has resulted in bringing about necessary reforms and improve- ments. He manages public affairs with the same care and precision that marks his con- trol of his private business interests and those who are opposed to him politically never question the integrity of his motives or fail to recognize the beneficial results which he obtains. There are in America, where effort is unhampered by caste or class, many self- made men. To this class belongs E. Waterbury-diligent and determined in business, enter- prising and reliable in public affairs and ever loyal and true to his friends.

JOHN HALL.

John Hall, of Keystone, Pennington county, is giving his entire time to the performance of his duties as trustee in charge of the business of the Keystone Trading Company. His birth occurred on a farm fifty miles from Montreal, Canada, on the 24th of December, 1848, and he is a son of John and Ann (Elwin) Hall, natives of England, who, however, were married in Canada. The father devoted his entire active life to farming and both he and his wife passed away upon the homestead, his demise occurring in 1879 and that of his wife in 1869.

John Hall, who was the youngest in a family of six children, entered the public schools

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at the usual age and subsequently studied in Ulverton Academy and in St. Francis Col- lege at Richmond, Canada. He also took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College at Montreal. When twenty years of age he entered the general store of G. K. Foster at Richmond, Canada, and after remaining there for a year worked in a store at Ulverton for a similar period of time. He then removed to Minneapolis, where he entered the store of O. T. Swett, remaining there for about two years, after which he went to California and later to Oregon. He was employed in a store at Scottsburg, Oregon, during one winter and was also deputy postmaster of that town. Subsequently he was employed at Port Madison, Washington, as bookkeeper for J. J. Meggs. However, as he was not satisfied there he returned to San Francisco and was employed at clerical work in the office of Corbett & McClay for about two months. after which he worked in a dry-goods store on Third street for some time. While there his employer, Mr. Sweet, of Minneapolis, wrote him, offering him indnce- ments to return to Minneapolis, which he did. He remained with Mr. Swett until April, 1878, when he removed to South Dakota, arriving in Deadwood on the 7th of that month. He was employed by a Mr. Valentine, who conducted a general store at old Crook City until January 1, 1880, when he closed ont the business. Mr. Hall then went to Galena and kept books for the Florence Mining Company until spring, when the mines closed down. On the 10th of April of that year he located in Rapid City and became bookkeeper for Evans & Loveland, filling that position until midsummer, when he became associated with Friese & Gregory, the proprietors of a hardware store at Rapid City. In the spring of 1881 he sold his interest in that business and with Mr. Friese and Mr. Gregory purchased the grocery store of Evans & Loveland. In 1890 he disposed of his interest in that business and entered the employ of the Bailey Loan Company, remaining in that connection for two years. He then went to Ohio and was in charge of a grading outfit on the Ohio Southern Railroad until October, 1893, when he returned to Rapid City by way of Chicago, where he visited the World's Columbian Exposition. In the spring of the following year he took a number of horses to North Dakota for the Bailey Commission Company and sold them there to good advantage.

In the spring of 1895 he went to Los Angeles, California, and purchased a bakery, which he conducted for about two months, after which he entered the office of R. S. Cronby, a wholesale flour dealer. He remained there for only two months and then found employment in the general store of John S. Newberry, with whom he remained until 1896. At the end of that time he returned to Rapid City and in July he entered the employ of the Price & Baker Company, becoming the manager of their store at Black Hawk. He remained with them until 1903 and then became manager of a store at Tinton which was owned by the Tinton Mercantile Company. In August, 1905, he became connected with a hardware com- pany of Rapid City but after a short time accepted a position as bookkeeper for McGee Brothers. He next entered the employ of G. P. Billups. the proprietor of a general store at Rochford. Four years later he went to Omaha and spent one winter with a son, after which he returned to Rapid City. During the summer of 1913 he engaged in the dairy business and in September of that year was appointed trustee to take charge of the business of the Keystone Trading Company and is still filling that position. There has never been any question as to his integrity and probity and his long experience with various lines of busi- ness has well qualified him for the discharge of his present duties.

Mr. Hall was married on the 21st of November, 1881, in Omaha, to Mrs. Flora C. (Gridley) Loveland, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, a daughter of James B. and Mary B. (Baldwin) Gridley, both natives of New York state, who became residents of Omaha in the '60s. At one time Mr. Gridley had charge of the Sailors' Home in Cleveland but while living in Omaha he engaged in the real-estate and the live-stock business. He returned to Cleve- land and passed away there in 1882. Subsequently his widow removed with her sons to Rapid City, where she is now living at the age of eighty-six. Mrs. Hall is the oldest in a family of six children and has been twice married. her first union being with Albert E. Loveland, of Cleveland, Ohio. They became the parents of three children, but one of whom survives, namely, Charles F., a rancher living near Rapid City. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have two children. Arthur Elwin resides in Omaha and has an important position with the American Smelting Company. He married Miss Cora Price, of Rapid City. Millicent is a graduate of . the Spearfish State Normal school and is now teaching in the Lincoln school at Rapid City. Mr. Hall is a republican and for a number of years has served on the board of educa-

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tion of Rapid City, doing all in his power to further the interests of the public schools, He has the energy and faith in the future that is typical of the western man and is at all times ready to cooperate with movements seeking the progress and advancement of his community and state.

IVER I. OYEN.

Iver I. Oyen, who has long been numbered among the well known and successful agri- enturists of Minnehaha county, is the proprietor of the New Hope Stock Farm on section 34, Lyons township, but for the past couple of years has lived retired, leaving the care of his property to his two sons. In the spring of 1915 he purchased a fine modern residence in Crooks and moved to that place, where he and his wife expect to spend the sunset years of their lives. His birth occurred in Norway on the 11th of September, 1855, his parents being Ingebrigt and Molly Iverson, who emigrated to the United States in 1875 and took up their abode in Benton township, Minnehaha county, South Dakota, where the father homesteaded one hundred and sixty aeres of land. On that property he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1900 at the age of seventy-six years. The demise of his wife occurred about 1904, when she had attained the age of eighty-five years.

Iver 1. Oyen acquired his education in the common schools of his native land and was a young man of twenty when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world. He assisted his father in the work of the fields until the time of his marriage in 1879, wedding Miss Anne Martha Nelson, a daughter of Nels Nelson, who spent his entire life in Norway. Miss Nelson erossed the Atlantic to America in 1874. Following his mar- riage Mr. Oyen located on a homestead which he had entered in 1876, the property adjoining what is now his home farm. He sold his homestead in 1880 and bought one hundred and sixty acres of his present place on seetion 34, Lyons township, subsequently purchasing an adjoining eighty-acre tract and making his farm one of two hundred and forty acres. He likewise owns two hundred and forty aeres on sections 23 and 14, Lyons township, so that his holdings in Minnehaha county embrace four hundred and eighty aeres. During the last two years he has not been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, however, renting his land to his two sons. For years past he has been one of the well known and most successful stockmen of Minnehaha county, raising shorthorn cattle and Duroe Jersey hogs.

Mr. and Mrs. Oyen have no children of their own but adopted two sons: William H., who operates our subject's farm on section 23, Lyons township and Sivert A., who cultivates the home place.

In his political views Mr. Oyen is a socialist. He has served as treasurer of the town- ship board and as a member of the school board, ever discharging his official duties in a prompt and able manner. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county and South Dakota covers four decades, and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous and respected citizens of the state.

ALBERT JOHNSON.

Albert Johnson, senior partner of the firm of Albert Johnson & Company, general mer- chants, is one of the leading representatives of commercial activity in Minnehaha county, conducting a large and well appointed store in Crooks, where he established the business in 1904. He is a young man, alert, energetie, wide-awake and persistent, and has attained a measure of success that many a man of twiee his years might well envy. He was born December 6, 1884, in the county in which he still resides, a son of Ben and Hanna Johnson, pioneer settlers of South Dakota, the family having been represented here since 1872, in which year the father located at his present place of residence, securing both a homestead and preemption claim. He has since been identified with the agricultural development of his seetion of the state and has borne an active and helpful part in the work of general progress.

MR. AND MRS. IVER I. OYEN

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The early life of Albert Johnson was spent in the usual manner of farm lads. As soon as old enough he began assisting his father in the work of the fields, alternating that labor with attendance at the public schools. Lessons of industry and integrity were early impressed upon his mind and have borne rich fruit in later years. He entered his present place of business in 1904, when a young man of twenty years, and has since conducted the store, each year bringing to him greater success. He carries a stock valued at about seventy- five hundred dollars and he has the largest trade in Crooks. His patronage is well deserved because of his carefully selected line of goods, his reasonable prices and his earnest efforts to please his patrons. He is also a stockholder in the Crooks Farmers Cooperative Lumber Company and is recognized as a young man of sound business judgment and unfaltering enterprise.

On the 14th of July, 1910, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Johnson, a daughter of Andrew and Nettie Johnson, also early residents of Minnehaha county. Her mother survives, but her father has passed away. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson, Allan and Vivian. The religious faith of the parents is that of the Lutheran church and Mr. Johnson also holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, but does not seek nor desire office, concentrating his energies upon his business affairs. He enjoys hunting and fishing when leisure gives him opportunity to indulge in those lines of recreation. He is a true son of South Dakota, loyal to her best interests and active in furthering measures and movements which he believes will prove of benefit to the community and state. He is thor- oughly progressive in both public and private connections and is justly accounted one of the energetie young business men of the district in which his entire life has been passed.

WILLIAM F. KELLY.

William F. Kelly is a public-spirited citizen of Minnehaha county, making his home in Lyons township, where he is now living retired. While he has put aside the more active work of the fields, he is fond of working in the garden and enjoys seeing things grow about him. Born in Quebec, Canada, in July, 1850, he is a son of Lawrence and Marcella Kelly, who were of Welsh and Irish extraction. The father was a farmer by occupation and on removing from Canada to the United States settled first in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and afterward made his home in Columbia county, near Madison. Both he and his wife have now passed away.

William F. Kelly was a pupil in the public schools of Wisconsin through the period of his boyhood and after leaving school aided his father for two years in the work of the home farm. He was married in 1874 to Miss Lucy Ann Sisson, a danghter of Frank C. and Z. (Lyman) Sisson, both of whom have passed away. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly: Louis. who is proprietor of the Dakota Laundry at Sioux Falls; Willie F., living on the old home place; and Marcella, deceased. The wife and mother passed away in 1892 and her death was deeply regretted by the many warm friends whom she had won through the period of her residence in Minnehaha county. In 1912 Mr. Kelly was married to Mrs. Minnie Clarke, of Brookings, a native of Iowa. By her former marriage she has one son, Bruce E. Clarke, who graduated in chemistry from the Brookings Agricultural Col- lege and who has the degree of B. A. from that institution.

It was in 1874 that William F. Kelly brought his family to South Dakota, where he secured a homestead claim and a timber claim in Minnehaha county. With the passing years he developed a splendid property and in addition to the old homestead farm he has other holdings. His business affairs have been capably managed and his investments have been judiciously made. He is now the possessor of several business interests in the town- ship of Lyons, is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank at Lyons and in the Farmers Lumber Company. He readily recognizes the possibilities of a business situation and his judgment and efforts have been potent factors in directing various interests to a successful termination.

While active in managing business affairs, Mr. Kelly has also found time to cooperate in movements for the general good and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and

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ability, have several times called him to public office. In 1891 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and received indorsement of his service in reelection in 1893, thus becoming a member of the second and third general assemblies. During his four years in office he gave most careful consideration to the questions which came up for settle- ment and strongly indorsed every movement and measure which he believed would prove of public benefit, or as strongly opposed any which he thonght would work to the detriment of the state. He has held a number of local political offices, has several times been a member of the board of township supervisors and for ten or twelve years has been school treasurer. In politics he has ever been a republican, giving unfaltering allegiance to his party and its principles. In religions belief Mr. Kelly is an Episcopalian and his fraternal connections are with the Workmen, the Modern Brotherhood of America and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has recently given his old home to his second son and has built for him- self a comfortable cottage of five rooms, supplied with a lighting plant and running water. He is now situated to enjoy life and its comforts as the result of his former intelligently directed activity and wise investments. What he has accomplished for the county places him among its representative citizens and it is well known that his cooperation can be counted upon to further any plan or measure looking to the material, intellectual, political, social and moral welfare of the community.

ANDREW S. BOGUE.

Andrew S. Bogue is a partner in the firm of Bogue & Bogne, well known lawyers of Turner county living at Centerville. He was born at Arlington, Wisconsin, on the 9th of April. 1877, and is a son of Alan and Ellen Bogue. He attended the public schools, which he entered at the usual age, passing through consecutive grades until he had completed a high-school course in his native town. Later he attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison and was graduated with the class of. 1906. He then came to Centerville and entered into partnership with his brother Alan on the 1st of October of that year. The firm of Bogne & Bogue now does all of the important law work in this locality. Although one of the younger members of the bar, Andrew S. Bogue is resourceful, is studious and is a deep and logical thinker. In the preparation of his cases he formulates his canse with the precision of a military commander and seems to lose sight of no detail that will have hearing upon the case. He prepares for defense as well as for attack, which many regard as the strength of every law suit, and the logical presentation of his canse never fails to carry weight with judge and jury. In 1910 he was elected states attorney and is now serving for the second term of two years each.

On the 30th of June, 1910, Mr. Bogue was united in marriage to Miss Genevieve E. Cooke, a daughter of Dr. L. W. Cooke, of Parker, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Bogue have one daughter, Glenellen. The religious belief of the parents is that of the Congregational church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful part, contributing generously to its support. Mr. Bogue votes with the republican party and studies the questions and issues of the day with the same thoroughness which he gives to matters of law. Citizenship is not to him a mere idle term but means well defined obligations which he faithfully meets.

JOHN PERSON.

John Person, who has been actively and successfully identified with agricultural inter- ests in Minnehaha county for more than three decades, is now the owner of three quarter sections of land in Benton township, one hundred and sixty acres in Hartford township and forty acres in Grand Meadow township. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 28th of July, 1857, his parents being Per and Annie Benson, both of whom died in Sweden. The father followed farming throughout his active business career.

John Person acquired his education in the common schools of his native land and after putting aside his textbooks assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1876,

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when a young man of nineteen years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Wisconsin, where he remained until 1882. In that year he removed to Dakota territory and purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, Benton township, Minne- haha county, whereon he has resided continuously since. With the passing of years and increasing prosperity he has augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at the present time they embrace three quarter sections in Benton township, one hundred and sixty acres in Hartford township and forty acres in Grand Meadow township. Mr. Person erected all the buildings on his property and made all the improvements. He uses the most modern machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and in addition to the production of cereals feeds fifty head of cattle and one hundred and fifty head of hogs. His record again stands in proof of the fact that in this country "labor is king," for he came to the United States with only a small capital and hy dint of industry, energy and perseverance has worked his way steadily upward to a position among the substantial and prosperous citizens of his community.

In April, 1891, Mr. Person was united in marriage in Sioux Falls to Miss Augusta Eklond, a daughter of Ole and Anna Eklond, both whom died in Sweden. Mrs. Person eame to Dakota territory in 1889 when twenty-two years old. By her marriage she has become the mother of the following children: Otto P., Alfred B. and Harry B., all at home; and twins who died in infancy. All were born in this state.

In his political views Mr. Person is a republican and throughout the entire period of his residence in Benton township has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. He is well known in the community where he has made his home since pioneer times and talks entertainingly of his experiences in the early days, still having a vivid remembrance of the terrible blizzard of 1888, when he was away from home and was able to return to his family only with the utmost difficulty. His life has been one of continuous activity, characterized by high and honorable principles, and he not only ranks among the leading agriculturists of Minnehaha county, but also among its most respected and desirable citizens.

ISAIAH S. COOMES.

Isaiah S. Coomes. county judge of Day county, has in his professional connections won a most creditable and prominent position and his ability as a fair and impartial judge is indicated in the fact that he has been reelected to the office in which he is now serving. He was born in Cass county, Iowa, July 12, 1878, and is a son of Oll and Addie (Kellogg) Coomes. The former was a son of Isaiah Coomes, who for a number of years resided in Ohio and removed thence to Iowa, where his remaining days were passed. His life was devoted to the occupation of farming. Oll Coomes was born in Ohio in 1858 and after coming to Iowa was married in Colfax to Miss Addie Kellogg, who was born in 1857 in Vermont and died in 1907. Mr. Coomes turned his attention to agricultural pursuits after reaching Iowa and in the conduct of his business affairs met with a substantial measure of success. He is also well known as the author of several novels which have been well received and is a notahle figure in the literary circles of his state. In politics, too, he has figured prominently and after filling some local offices was elected to represent his district in the state legislature for a term covering the years 1878-1879. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He helongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the family of Oll and Addie (Kellogg) Coomes were three children, but one of the number, Roy, is now deceased. The second son, Arthur, is a farmer of Iowa. Mr. Coomes was married in 1913 to Miss Addie Jolinson.

The third son is Judge Coomes of this review, who pursued his education in the schools of Iowa, being graduated from the high school at Wiota, that state. Later he continued his education at Atlantic, Iowa, and also pursued a course in a business college at Des Moines. He next entered upon the study of law and completed a course in the law department of the State University of South Dakota with the class of 1907. In July of the same year he located in Webster and for four years continued in the practice of his profession with John Lund,

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since which time he has been alone. He is an able lawyer and while in active practice was always most conscientious and careful in the preparation of his cases, while his presentation of a cause was marked by force and clearness. In 1912, his fellow citizens, appreciative of his worth and his ability as a member of the bar, elected him to the office of county judge and gave their indorsement of his first term's service in a reelection in 1914. He is a repub- lican in politics and had previously held some local offices, serving as township clerk in lowa and as justice of the peace in Webster.

In 1906 Judge Coomes was united in marriage to Miss Grace E. Love, who was born in Cass county, lowa, a daughter of D. R. Love, a stock buyer of that state. Judge and Mrs. Coomes are prominent socially and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes of Webster and of the county. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the Judge is promi- nent and active in the Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges. He has attained to the Royal Arch Chapter in Masonry and for two years was worshipful master of his lodge, while for three years he was noble grand of the Odd Fellows lodge, serving as a representative from the subordinate lodge to the grand lodge for two years. His ideals of life are high and he lives up to his standards. The opportunities which have come to him he has improved not only for the benefit of his own interests but also for the welfare and npbuilding of the community in which he lives.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 105

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