History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 108

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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O. S. Basford acquired his education in the University of Vermont, which he attended from 1872 to 1875. He then entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he was connected for fifteen years. In 1880 he and his four brothers took up twenty- seven hundred acres of government land, which is today worth more than eighty dollars per acre. Turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he continued to engage in farming in South Dakota until 1895, and from 1891 to 1895 he was also postmaster at Redfield, South Dakota. In 1894 he became chairman of the republican state committee and continued in that connection until he went to Missouri to resume active work in the ministry. He was also interested in the national committee of his party and has worked intelligently and effectively to secure the adoption of its principles. To further the cause as well as to advance his individual interests along business lines, he purchased the Redfield Press, with which he is still connected as associate editor and as a director. He is a progressive repub- lican and in connection with newspaper publication was very active in advancing the progres-

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sive movement. A recognition of his ability led to his selection for the office of state commissioner of insurance and he served in that capacity from the 1st of February, 1907, until the 1st of September, 1913.

In Franklin county in 1871, Mr. Basford was united in marriage to Miss Minnie M. Blake, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Blake, representatives of a prominent Vermont family. 'Mr. and Mrs. Basford have become parents of four living children. William B. resides in Tacoma, Washington. Carrie A. Barr resigned the position of stenographer, August 15, 1915. Delta B., the widow of George Fox, who was buried at Chickasha, Okla- homa, was united in marriage to S. E. Crans in August, 1915, and now resides at Lead, South Dakota. Harry B. lives in Duluth, Minnesota.

Mr. Basford is a blue lodge Mason and a member of the Knights of Pythias, hut is most active in fraternal circles in connection with the Odd Fellows, having heen grand master of the state and also grand representative of South Dakota in the Sovereign Grand Lodge for two sessions. Nature has fitted him for leadership and whenever the cause elicits his interest and cooperation he is sure to become active therewith and a moving force in shaping its policy. He has clear insight and keen sagacity and his vision of life is no narrow or contracted one, for he studies every vital question and goes to the very root of the matter. Thus it is that he has attained prominence in business and fraternal circles and in the field of political, moral, intellectual and social development.

JUDGE HOWARD G. FULLER.

It is not difficult to write of the late Judge Howard G. Fuller, for his life and his character were as clear as the sunlight. No man came in contact with him but speedily appreciated him at his true worth and knew he was a man who not only cherished a high ideal of duty but also lived up to it. He was never an idle sentimentalist but a worker who consistently labored for the right, holding to high standards in his professional service and in every other relation. The judicial history of the state would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to Judge Fuller. who at the time of his death was serving upon the bench of the supreme court, for which office he had been unanimously renominated. He was born at Glens Falls, New York, January 5, 1850; a son of Garrett and Emily (Adams) Fuller, the former a native of New York and the latter of Braintree, Massachusetts, a descendant of the old and distinguished Adams family of that state. The father was born in 1809 and became a farmer by occupation. He removed with his family to Maquoketa. Iowa, when his son Howard was a lad of about six years and in that locality spent his remaining days, the last few years of his life being passed in retirement from business in the city. His wife died in Maquoketa at the age of seventy-nine, but Mr. Fuller passed away in Toledo, Iowa, about 1897, his remains, however, being interred at Maquoketa. While he was never a politician in the sense of office seeking, he was several times called to serve in positions of public honor and trust.

Judge Fuller was the second in a family of five children. He pursued his education at Maquoketa until graduated from the high school and afterward attended the academy at Eldora, Iowa. He took up the profession of teaching and proved a most capable educator, his ability gaining him prominence in that direction. He was elected superintendent of schools in Union, Iowa, filling that position for four years, and while filling the office of county superintendent of schools in Hardin county, Iowa, he devoted his leisure hours to reading law. He remained as county superintendent from 1880 until 1884 and was elected for a third term but resigned the position and came to South Dakota in 1885. He pursued his law reading under the direction of Hon. H. L. Huff and was admitted to the bar in Hardin county, Iowa, in 1883. After his removal to this state in 1885 he joined Mr. Bowdle and Mr. Newcomer, the former a banker of Mitchell and the latter a banker of Eldora, Iowa, in laying out the town of Bowdle, South Dakota, and established a bank at that place, of which Judge Fuller became cashier. He continued to act in that capacity until 1889, the year of the admission of the state into the Union, when he was elected to the circuit bench, having been nominated for the office at the convention in Miller. His district comprised eleven counties and he removed to Faulkton, which was located more nearly in the center of the

JUDGE HOWARD G. FULLER

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

district, there residing for four years. At the time of his removal he severed his connection with the bank at Bowdle.

Judge Fuller served on the circuit bench for one term and was reelected for a second term but soon afterward was appointed to the supreme bench by Governor Sheldon to fill out the unexpired term of Judge J. E. Bennett, deceased. Accordingly in 1894 he removed to Pierre and continued upon the bench for fourteen years or until his death in 1908. There were but three judges on the supreme court bench at that time and his duties were extensive and arduous. While he was well grounded in the principles of law when admitted to the bar, he continued through the whole of his professional life a diligent student of those elementary principles that constitute the basis of all legal science. He was recognized as a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly familiar with the law and practice, having also comprehensive general information and possessing an analytical mind and a self-control that enabled him to submerge his individuality, his personal feelings, his prejudices and his peculiarities of disposition in the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which life, property, right and liberty must look for protection. He justly merited the high honor which was conferred upon him by his elevation to the court of appeals and his decisions are recognized as monuments of judicial soundness. Judge Fuller also became a landowner of South Dakota, having a large ranch in Sully county and also owning farm lands in the castern part of the state. He was likewise the owner of two fine residences in Pierre, one of which he had but recently completed when death called him.

In October, 1875, Judge Fuller wedded Miss Maria E. Leonard, a native of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Nathan Alonzo and Amelia (Jenkins) Leonard. Her father was born in Rutland, Vermont, about 1817, and her mother in Bristol, England, in 1819. In carly life Mr. Leonard removed to Pennsylvania, where he conducted a pail and tub factory for some time but afterward became proprietor of a drug store. He also possessed superior musical talent and ocenpied a prominent position in musical circles there. He removed west- ward to Iowa in 1858, before the building of the railroads, and purchased a tract of land at Oskaloosa, where he engaged in the operation of a flour and sawmill. In 1861 he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in the Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, in which he became captain of Company A. Later he was transferred to another regiment and served for about a year. He was then taken ill and returned home, his death occurring in November, 1862. His widow survived him for more than two decades and after her husband's death returned to Cincinnati, Ohio, where her children were educated. A short time prior to her demise, how- ever, she again became a resident of Iowa and in that state passed away in 1883. Mr. Leonard was a very public-spirited as well as a patriotic citizen and was connected with progressive events of the state in an early day. Their family numbered four children, including Mrs. Fuller, who died in 1899, after a long illness. There had been four children born of that marriage. Thad L., now a practicing attorney of Milbank, South Dakota, wedded Miss Mary Howell, of Frederick, this state, and they have three sons: Howell, Francis and Harry, all at home. Arthur L., the second son of Judge Fuller, is a captain in the United States army, now stationed at Washington, D. C. He married Virginia Wise, daughter of Rear Admiral Wise of the United States navy, and they have three children: Virginia Wise, Arthur L. and William H. Harry L. died in 1901, while a student in the University of Minnesota. Howard G. Fuller, a Yale graduate and now a prominent attorney of Pierre, South Dakota, married Miss Ann Billinghurst, of the capital city, and they have one child, Ann Lucile, at home.

The death of Judge Fuller occurred November 11, 1908, and was the occasion of deep regret throughout the state. He was a chapter Mason, having membership in Pierre, and he belonged also to the Modern Woodmen camp. At the time of his death he was serving upon the supreme court bench and would have continued a member of the court of last resort until 1913. The press throughout the state hore testimony to the fact that Judge Fuller was honored and respected by all who knew him. The public recognized in him a most able lawyer and a competent, conscientious judge, his decisions indicating strong mentality, careful analysis, a thorough knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and an unbiased judgment. He was, moreover, regarded as a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and splendid intellectual attainments, manifest not only in his professional connections but in every relation of life. He was connected with the history of the state from the organization of its courts and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the judicial history of South Dakota. Judge Fuller had the faculty of winning the warm friendship and high regard

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

of all with whom he came in contact and he ever held friendship inviolable. His neighbors and social acquaintances throughout the state and his professional colleagues found him a genial companion and it was well known that his devotion to his family was paramount to all else. The interest and welfare of his sons were closer to his heart than perhaps all else and he was a most devoted husband and father. His attitude toward the public was ever one of helpfulness, whether in relation to a cause of charity or an enterprise for civie progress and improvement. His life record finds embodiment in the words of Pope:

"Statesmen, yet friend to truth; of soul sincere, In action faithful and in honor clear; Who broke no promise, served no private end,

Who gained no title and who lost no friend."

OTTO E. FORD.

Otto E. Ford, of Gregory, filling the position of states attorney and recognized as among the abler younger representatives of the bar of Gregory county, was born in Indiana, Feb- ruary 25, 1883, a son of Silas W. and Helen (Carver) Ford. The father has always followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family and both he and his wife are still living and make their home at Kanawha, lowa.

Otto E. Ford supplemented his public-school training with a year's study in the high school at Rockwell City, Iowa, and three years' attendance at the Sac City Institute at Sac City, Iowa, where he displayed such aptitude that he won a scholarship. He next entered Des Moines College, in which he spent three years, and in the fall of 1907 he matricu- lated in the University of Missouri as a law student, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1910. The same year he came to South Dakota, settling at Gregory, September 10, 1910, where he has since practiced, winning a good clientage. In 1912 he was appointed to the office of city attorney for a term of two years and in the fall of 1914 was elected states attorney of Gregory county, in which capacity he is now ably serving.

On the 2d of September. 1908, Mr. Ford was married to Miss Mabel E. Larson, of Aurelia, Iowa, a daughter of John and Sarah (Taylor) Larson. To this union have been born three children, Thora Aileen, Cleone N. and Silas E. In religions faith Mr. and Mrs. Ford are Methodists and are loyal to the teachings of the church. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He well merits publie confidence and regard, for his has been an upright, honorable life, and the industry, integrity and perseverance which he displays in his professional con- nections commends him to a liberal public clientage.

A. A. McDONALD.

A well known figure in educational circles is Professor A. A. McDonald, superintendent of schools of Sioux Falls. He was born upon a farm in O'Brien county, Iowa, February 11, 1876, a son of Archibald and Mary (Wallace) MeDonald. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, became one of the early residents of O'Brien county, lowa, where he settled in 1869. He was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting for service as one of the "boys in blue" of Company D, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry. Following the cessation of hostilities he devoted his life to agricultural pursuits until his labors were ended in death in 1907. His wife passed away the same year.

A. A. McDonald was educated in the country schools of Iowa, in the Hartley high school and in the Oberlin (Ohio) College, from which he was graduated in 1900. He afterward took post-graduate work in Columbia University and all through his life he has remained a student, embracing every opportunity to broaden his knowledge and make his life a more effective force in advancing .educational interests. He took up the profession of teaching in the country schools of lowa, with which he was thus connected for two years, after which

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he entered Oberlin College. Later he taught in the high school of Yankton as assistant prin- cipal, and in the fall of 1901 came to Sioux Falls, where he has served as instructor in the high schools, as principal of the high school and, since 1907, as superintendent of schools. Under his direction substantial progress has been made along educational lines as not only has he proved an able instructor hut he was also the most potent factor in securing the building of the new high school, together with three ward school buildings, and the introduc- tion of free textbooks into the schools. He has likewise heen instrumental in improving the methods of instruction and rendering of greater value the school work done. He introduced the semi-annual promotions and manual training and was active in securing an advance in the teachers' wages. In fact, his work has continuously been of benefit to the schools, for he adheres to the highest standards and is constantly reaching out along broadening lines.

On the 24th of June, 1903, Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Dorothy W. Connors, a daughter of John Connors, of Parker, and they have become the parents of four children, Jean W., Robert R., Dorothy C. and Archibald A.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church and in his fra- ternal relations Mr. McDonald is a Mason. He has taken the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rites. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft, which recognizes the brotherhood of mankind and the obliga- tions of the individual to his fellows. In politics he is a republican, greatly interested in vital questions of citizenship, while as a member of the Commercial Club of Sioux Falls he takes an active and helpful part in promoting municipal progress and bringing about those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. His attention, however, is chiefly directed in educational paths and his work in this direction cannot be overestimated, for he has done much to raise the standard and improve the methods of instruction and to secure more competent teachers. He studies the individual needs of the pupil and he has the ability to inspire pupil and teacher with much of his own zeal and interest in the work. His constant aim has heen to render education more effective, for he believes the purpose of teaching is to develop capacity and holds with Kant that "the object of education is to train each individual to reach the highest perfection possible for him."

HON. JOHN C. STONER.

Hon. John C. Stoner, state senator, register of the United States land office and editor of the Lemmon Herald, was born February 6, 1881, in Bethany. Missouri. His father, John C. Stoner, was a Civil war veteran who served with the Fifth Missouri Cavalry from 1861 until 1865. In the spring of 1883 he left Missouri and made his way to Hyde county, South Dakota, settling at Highmore. He became a prominent and influential citizen of that locality, serving for eight years as clerk of the circuit court and as county auditor for two years. He also engaged in newspaper publication for twenty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret E. Bush, was a niece of Amanda Bush, stepmother of Abraham Lincoln, and was a native of Illinois.

John C. Stoner was only two years of age when his parents removed with their family to Hyde county, South Dakota, and there he pursued his education in the common and high schools of Highmore until 1896. He afterward took a short course at Purdue University of Indiana in 1905. From early youth he has been familiar with newspaper publication, to which he has devoted his entire life save for about five years, which he spent in the real- estate business at Highmore and in Indiana under the firm name of Cummings, Stoner & Wolley. He served as deputy auditor of Hyde county from 1900 until 1902 and both before and after that time was connected with the Highmore Herald, gaining broad experience in newspaper publication in that way. In the spring of 1909 he removed to Perkins county, South Dakota, and in the spring of the following year established the Edson Press. In the spring of 1913 he purchased the Lemmon Herald, which he has since owned and published, giving to his patrons a weekly paper that is thoroughly modern in its methods of publication and treatment of news.

Mr. Stoner was married, in Lemmon, South Dakota. on the 30th of April, 1910, to Miss Pauline Rodenbur, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Rodenbur, of Browns Valley, Minnesota.

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Mr. and Mrs. Stoner have two children: John Carlton, aged two and a half years; and Maurice Edward, eight months old.

In religious faith Mr. Stoner is a Catholic. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and was senior warden of Ree Valley Lodge, No. 70, F. & A. M., at Highmore in 1906-07. He was captain of the host of Lemmon Chapter. R. A. M., in 1914 and seribe in 1915. He also has membership with the Knights of Pythias at Highmore and with the Elks Lodge, No. 444, at Huron. His military service covers connection with the South Dakota National Guard from 1900 until 1904. In politics he is a progressive democrat and has been called upon to fill a number of important public positions. Aside from serving as deputy auditor of Hyde county he was elected state senator from the district comprising Perkins and Harding counties in 1914 and in 1915 was appointed register of the land office at Lemmon. He is thus leaving the impress of his individuality upon the political history of the state and he makes his paper an organ for furthering the success of the party and of the principles in which he believes.

LAWRENCE C. HETLAND.

Lawrence C. Hetland, one of the representative young citizens and worthy native sons of Minnehaha county, South Dakota, is a factor in financial circles. He was formerly cashier of the Sherman State Bank of Sherman, of which he assumed the business management in August, 1913, but is now vice president of the Minnehaha County Bank of Valley Springs. His birth occurred in Valley Springs on the 20th of July, 1886, his father being L. S. Hetland, president of the Minnehaha County Bank, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this work.

Lawrence C. Hetland was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the graded and high schools of Valley Springs. Already as a boy he gained a knowledge of the banking business under the tutorship of his father, and after putting aside his textbooks he served as assistant cashier in his father's institution until August, 1913. At that time he was offered and accepted the position of cashier of the Sherman State Bank, but as previously stated he is now vice president of the Minnehaha County Bank of Valley Springs. In this connection he has proven his ability and worth and has won a reputation as an efficient, courteous and obliging official of the institution.

On the 18th of October, 1908, Mr. Hetland was united in marriage to Miss Grace DeLap, of Valley Springs, her father being George DeLap, one of the old-time residents of that place. They now have four children: Donald L., Everett R., Clark L., and Dorothy F.

Mr. Hetland gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is fraternally a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of Unity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Sioux Falls, and of the Shrine. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias, helonging to Sherman Lodge, No. 98, of which he acts as chancellor commander. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Pythian Sisters. His entire life has been spent in Minnehaha county and he is popular in both business and social circles of his community.

THOMAS N. HAGEN.

Thomas N. Hagen, a prosperous and progressive farmer, owns four hundred acres of land on section 22, Dexter township, Codington county, which constitutes one of the most attractive farm properties in that section of South Dakota. He is a native of Norway, his birth having there occurred on the 7th of February, 1869. His parents were Hans and Gena Hagen. The mother is deceased, but the father, who formerly followed cabinet making, is now living retired in New York.

Thomas N. Hagen was but a lad when he emigrated to this country and had only a limited opportunity to acquire an education in the schools of New York. He remained in that city for several years working as newsboy, cash boy and in various other ways. In 1883 he left the east and made his way to Owatonna, Minnesota, where he spent a

THOMAS N. HAGEN

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brief period, after which he passed a short time in Goodhue county, that state. On the 10th of June, 1884, he arrived in Webster, South Dakota, where for a time he herded cattle. He was also employed in various other capacities, working at anything that promised a means of livelihood. During these years he saved his carnings in the hope of some day being able to venture upon an independent career and to this end in 1890 he began farming on his own account, having purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 22, Dexter township, Codington county. As the years passed he worked hard and his labors were crowned with success for he has added to his landed pos- sessions until now his property comprises four hundred acres, all of which is well improved and under a good state of cultivation. He has all the farm implements necessary for carrying on his business, and his buildings are modern and substantial, his being one of the attractive places of his section of the county.

It was in December, 1892, that Mr. Hagen was married to Miss Caroline Bale, a daughter of Amund and Carrie Bale, one of the old time families of Codington county. Her father died a number of years ago, and her mother passed away in November, 1914, bothı being laid to rest in St. Paul cemetery, Codington county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hagen have been born thirteen children: Hans Arthur, a farmer of Codington county, who is married and has one son, Norman Arthur; Clara Jordina; Agnes Gorina; Albert Theodore; Carl S .: Nora Bertina ; Tilda C., who died at the age of eight years; Stella Helena; Herman Clifford, who died when seven weeks of age; Clifford Julius; Herman Oscar; Elmen Clarence; and Emily Tilda. All were born on the home farm.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 108

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