History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 109

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. Hagen is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Florence, of which he is the president. In politics he is a republican and for a number of years has been a member of the township board, while for some time he has served as school treasurer. In religious faith he is a Lutheran, while his social relations are with the Masonic and Elk lodges. Ilis life has been actuated by high principles and characterized by manly conduct and in the community where he has now lived for a quarter of a century he enjoys that warm personal regard and esteem which are always given in recognition of genuine worth in the individual.

JOHN P. BIEHN.

John P. Bielin, the vice president of the Gregory National Bank of Gregory, was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 14, 1875, and is a son of Louis and Eva (Busch) Bichn, who were of German birth. The father always followed farming and both he and his wife have now passed away. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served for three years with the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry.

Reared in his native county, John P. Biehn pursued his education in the district schools and afterward assisted his father upon the home farm for some time. Later, however, he turned his attention to clerking in a country store and subsequently was identified with similar work in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Denver, Colorado, and in Bonesteel and Gregory, South Dakota, covering altogether about twenty years. He dates his arrival in this state from August, 1902, at which time he made his way to Boncsteel, where he secured a clerkship in a general store, and after clerking for a time at Gregory he secured a claim north of that place. . About the time he proved up his property he was elected register of deeds of Gregory county and at the close of his first term was reelected, serving for four years, when he retired from the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and goodwill of all concerned. Mr. Biehn then became one of the organizers of the Corn Belt Bank & Trust Company of Gregory, which opened its doors for business in 1910. He became vice president of the institution and an active officer in its management and control. In January, 1912. that institution consolidated with the Gregory National Bank and of the new organization Mr. Biehn remained as vice president and still acts in that capacity. The business is steadily increasing, the deposits amounting to three hundred thousand dollars, and the bank is recognized as the strongest in its section of the state. He thoroughly understands every phase of the banking business and most carefully safeguards the interests of depositors while promoting the success of the institution. He is also president of the Bank of Carlock.

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He is a landowner of the county and was one of the organizers and the first secretary of the Gregory County Fair Association, which was formed in 1905.

Mr. Biebn is a bachelor politician, devoting considerable attention to public affairs. and he figures prominently in fraternal and religious eireles. He belongs to the German Lutheran church, to which he is a generous contributor, and he holds membership with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise an Elk and an Odd Fellow and he belongs to the Commercial Club. In polities he has long been active and influential. He was for two terms chairman of the democratic central committee, was a Wilson elector in 1912 and at the present time, 1915, is a member of the state committee from Gregory county. He enlisted as a private in the Fourth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish-American war and was transferred to the hospital corps, in which service he made two trips to Porto Rico. He enjoys outdoor life, finding therein his recreation, and it is well known that Mr. Biehn is never too busy to be courteous nor too courteous to be busy.

LOUIS T. JARMUTH.

Among the able and popular young business men of St. Lawrence, Hand county, South Dakota, is Louis T. Jarmuth, cashier of the First State Bank of that city. He was born on the 21st of March, 1884, in Chicago, of the marriage of Henry and Lena (Reusch) Jarmuth, who subsequently became pioneers of Jackson, Minnesota, where they are still residing.

Louis T. Jarmuth received his education in Mankato, Minnesota, and was in school until twenty-one years of age. He then accepted his present position as cashier of the First State Bank of St. Lawrence. this state, arriving there on the 29th of August, 1906. He has done much to promote the growth of the institution in the nine years that he has been connected with it and his reputation in loeal banking circles is high. He owns stock in the First State Bank and also in the bank at Vayland, this state. In addition to these interests he deals in real estate to some extent, writes insurance and oversees the operation of a farm and engages in raising stock. His duties at the bank have required the greater part of his time and it is as cashier of the First State Bank that he is best known.

Mr. Jarmuth was married in Jackson, Minnesota, on the 25th of September, 1907, to Miss Ida W. Grabow, a daughter of Fred W. and Wilhelmina Grabow, the former of whom is still living at Peru, Illinois. The mother died in 1906 and is buried at Peru. To Mr. and Mrs. Jarmuth has been born a son, Alton. Mr. Jarmuth is a republican and defends his political belief by able argument. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he is much interested in the work of those organizations. Since locating at St. Lawrence he has won a high place for himself in the estimation of his fellow citizens and is considered a leading resident of that place.

MILTON WRIGHT.

Milton Wright, a prominent and influential citizen of Minnehaha county who has been identified with agricultural interests in this state for about a third of a century, now owns and operates a farm of three hundred and twenty acres comprising the south half of section 30, Valley Springs township. His birth occurred in Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 25th of April, 1845, his parents being John and Mary (Bridges) Wright, the former a native of New York and the latter of Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated in the Hawkeye state. It was in 1833 that John Wright settled in Iowa, purchasing land from the government in Des Moines county for two dollars and a quarter per acre. In that state he spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of sixty-four years, while his wife lived to be almost eighty-four years old.

Milton Wright attended the common sehools in the acquirement of an education and when a young man of twenty-two years wedded Miss Mary I. Lefforge. It was in March,

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1882, that he came from Iowa to South Dakota, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm in Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county. He operated that tract successfully for a number of years and in 1908 extended its boundaries by purchasing an adjoining quarter section, so that his holdings now comprise the south half of section 30. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying measure of success and he has long been numbered among the substantial, representative and respected citizens of his community.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born seven children, four of whom survive, as follows: Frank, who follows farming in Valley Springs township; John, who is a resident of Larch- wood, Lyon county, Iowa: Nellie, who is the wife of Albert Stoughton, an agriculturist of Split Rock township, Minnehaha county; and Emma C., at home.

Mr. Wright is a stanch democrat and has been a factor in local politics for years. He served on the school board for more than thirty years, held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years and has also served on the town board, of which he is a member at the present time. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, which he joined in 1875, now belonging to Unity Lodge, No. 130, of Sioux Falls. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Baptist church. The long period of his residence here has made him widely and favorably known, for he has always followed the most straightforward business methods and the highest and most honorable standards in public and private life.

MYRON J. SMILEY.

Myron J. Smiley, of Belle Fourche, is identified with several different enterprises. He is connected in an official capacity with the Butte County Bank, owns a hardware store and is also extensively engaged in the raising of sheep. He was born at Ithaca, New York, Decem- ber 17, 1872, a son of John G. and Addie (Weed) Smiley, hoth of whom were born at that place. The father in early life followed general agricultural pursuits but after his removal from New York to Wyoming he engaged in the stock business. He subsequently removed to Omaha, Nebraska, where he entered the mercantile field but several years later went to the southern part of that state and again became a stock-raiser. He died in Aurora, Nebraska, in 1894, having survived his wife since 1886, her death occurring in Omaha.

Myron J. Smiley was educated in the public schools of New York state, the schools of Omaha and a business college at Stromsburg, Nebraska. Upon attaining his majority he started in the sheep business in Wyoming, whither he had gone in 1893, being in the employ of others for about a year. He continued to raise sheep in Wyoming until 1904, in which year he removed to Belle Fourche, South Dakota, and is still interested in that business, conducting his operations on a more extensive seale than ever before, and his income from that source is gratifying. He is also connected with the leading hardware establisliment in Belle Fourche and is interested in a number of banks, being vice president of the Butte County Bank of Belle Fourche, of the Reclamation State Bank of Newell and the Irrigators State Bank at Nisland. He owns a large ranch east of Belle Fourche, on which he is engaged in general stock-raising and leased a large tract of land in the same locality which is also devoted to the same business. A third ranch somewhat farther east and near Nisland is also given over to stock. Mr. Smiley is interested in a number of local enterprises and is an important factor in the business and commercial life of Belle Fourche and that locality. He is at present erecting in the city a fine residence in which he expects to make liis home.

Mr. Smiley was married in August, 1898, to Miss Katie Ling, a native of Aurora, Nebraska. Her parents, Christian and Margaret (Baker) Ling, were natives of Illinois and Pennsylvania respectively. Her father devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and was one of the pioneer settlers of Hamilton eounty, Nebraska, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1901. His widow survives and still resides in that county. He proved his patriotism in the troublous days of the '60s, as he served in the Union army. Mr. and Mrs. Smiley have three children, Florence A., Jolin C. and Robert A., all of whom are attending school.

Mr. Smiley is independent in polities and has never felt inelined to bold public office.

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Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter, consistory and Shrine. He is also affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is a man of seemingly inexhaustible energy and as he has a commendable public spirit his enterprise makes for the good of his community as well as for his own material prosperity.

WALTER M. QUINN, M. D.

Dr. Walter M. Quinn, engaged in medical practice at Bonesteel, has been a lifelong resi- dent of South Dakota, his birth having occurred in Springfield. November 4, 1879. He is a son of Michael F. and Ellen Elizabeth (Ragen) Quinn, formerly residents of Illinois. They came to South Dakota in 1875, settling here during territorial days when the work of pioneer development seemed scarcely begun. They established their home at Springfield and Mr. Quinn seenred a claim, using his three rights. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the land when it came into his possession, but with character- istic energy he hegan to break the sod and till the fields and continued the work of develop- ment and cultivation with growing success for twenty-three years. In 1898, however, he put aside the plow and retired from active connection with agricultural interests, spending his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He died in April, 1912, but his wife survives.

Having attended the public schools near his father's home, Dr. Walter M. Quinn con- tinued his education in the State Normal School at Springfield, and when he had decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work he matriculated in the Creighton Medical Col- lege at Omaha, Nebraska, from which he was graduated with the class of 1905. He then located for practice at Zeeland, North Dakota, where he remained for seven years, after which he removed to Bonesteel, where he has since continued, enjoying a practice that has constantly increased until it has now assumed extensive and gratifying proportions. He is very careful in diagnosing his cases and remains a constant student of his profession, keeping in touch with modern theories and discoveries concerning disease, its origin, its prevention and its cure.

On the 19th of July, 1907, Dr. Quinn was united in marriage to Miss Deborah Biggins, a daughter of Matthew Biggins, of Bonesteel. They have a son, Walter Matthew. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. In politics Dr. Quinn is a democrat and in the fall of 1914 was elected county coroner. He helongs to the Rosehud Medical Society and the South Dakota State Medical Society, and while he makes his profession his chief interest, he yet finds time to devote to the public welfare, cooperating heartily in plans and projects which tend to advance the interests of the community.

OLE H. TOFTE.

With the history of pioneer development in Minnehaha county the name of Ole H. Tofte is associated. for he came to South Dakota in territorial days and traveled with ox teams from Vermillion, a distance of eighty miles, until he filed upon the claim which thereafter remained his place of residence. He was born in Melhus parish, near Trondhjem, Norway, on the 22d of September, 1822. a son of Hendrik and Jaada Tofte. He attended the common schools of his native country and there learned the blacksmith's and carpenter's trades. He also owned a farm near Trondhjem. In the spring of 1866, however, he left the land of the midnight sun and crossed the Atlantic, making his way to Chicago, where he entered the employ of H. A. Pitts' Sons, manufacturers of threshing machines. A few days before the great Chicago fire of October, 1871, he returned to Norway, but in May, 1872. again came to the United States, bringing his family with him. Following the fire H. A. Pitts' Sons removed to Marseilles, Illinois, and thither Mr. Tofte made his way, remaining with his old employers until March, 1874, when he removed to Dakota territory. At that time there was only one railroad in the territory, the Sionx City & Yankton line. and for over eighty miles he journeyed with oxen, thus covering the distance from Vermillion to

MR. AND MRS. OLE H. TOFTE

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Minnehaha county. He filed on the northwest quarter of section 19, Highland township, in April, 1874, and there resided until his demise. He was also the owner of the north half of the northeast quarter of section 19, having in all two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, which responded readily to the care and labor which he bestowed upon it and was thus converted into a valuable farm.

On the 19th of April, 1855, in Melhus parish, near Trondhjem, Norway, Mr. Tofte was married to Miss Sigrid A. Krogmoe, a daughter of Arent Krogmoe. She was born June 30, 1821, and is now quite active and well preserved at the age of ninety-four years. Her father was the owner of the Krogmoe farm, in Melhus parish. Mr. and Mrs. Tofte became the parents of three children, of whom Ingeborg died in infancy. Another daughter was named Ingeborg and her natal day was March 5, 1861. She is now the wife of G. A. Grant. The other member of the family, Ole, was born April 27, 1856. On the 19th of April, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Tofte celebrated their golden wedding, Rev. O. A. Anderson, pastor of the Lutheran church at Dell Rapids, officiating. They received many valuable presents and the congratu- lations of a host of friends.

Mr. Tofte had military training in Norway but never participated in any wars. He was a republican in his political views, after becoming a naturalized American citizen and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, to which he always loyally adhered. He lived a quiet life, free from ostentation or display, but his sterling traits of character were recognized by all and his industry and business ability brought him a substantial measure of success.

CHARLES M. ROHDE.

Prominent among the energetic, farsighted and successful business men of Sioux Falls is Charles M. Rohde, president of the Bee Hive Company, which owns and controls the largest and most progressive department store of the city. No matter in how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge as to the cause of success, careful consideration of the lives of the prosperous men of the country will show that their advancement has been gained through close application, indefatigable energy and firm purpose. This is manifest in the career of Mr. Rohde, who has eagerly embraced every opportunity leading to honorable success and is now one of the foremost merchants in his part of the state. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, August 17, 1868, his parents being Charles and Caroline (Miller) Rohde. His father, a native of Germany, was born in 1843 and was a young man of about nineteen years when, in 1862, he came to the new world, settling in Chicago, where he engaged in business as a carpenter and contractor. He died in that city in 1907, after forty-five years' residence there, and his wife survived him until 1909. Charles M. Rohde was an only son but had four sisters, two of whom are yet living.

In the western metropolis Charles M. Rohde spent the days of his boyhood, youth and early manhood. It was in 1890 that he left his native city and removed to Paw Paw, Michigan, where he opened a general store in connection with H. C. Freese under the firm style of Freese & Rohde. They closed out their business in 1893 and removed to Sioux Falls, where in the month of April they opened a store, which they called the Bee Hive. From the beginning the enterprise proved profitable and the business steadily grew. In 1905 it was incorporated under the name of The Bee Hive Company, with Mr. Rohde as president. He and his partner are men of enterprise, diligence and determination and the progressive business methods which they have followed have brought to them a gratifying measure of prosperity. At all times they have conformed their interests to the highest standards of commercial ethics and thus they enjoy the unlimited confidence of the general public.

On the 20th of January, 1893, at Paw Paw, Michigan, Mr. Rohde was united in mar- riage to Miss Lizzie Parker, and they have a son, Harold Parker. They attend the Presby- terian church and are well known in social circles. Mr. Rohde's military history covers service as private and corporal in Company B, Second Regiment State Guard, for several years. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is prominent in Masonry, in which he has taken the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine and belongs to the Knights of Pythias, to the Benevolent Pro- Vol. V-40

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tective Order of Elks and to the Country and Dacotah Clubs. Added to his business ability and keen discernment are the attractive social qualities which everywhere win friends The sterling traits of his character are many and genuine worth has gained for him the high position which he occupies in the regard of those who know him.

FRANK R. WRIGHT.

The present day farmer is as often as not a man of hberal education who realizes that thorough mental training is as valuable to an agriculturist as to a man of any other occu- pation. Such a farmer is Frank R. Wright, who resides on section 30, Valley Springs town- ship, where he is successfully engaged in the cultivation of the fields. He is a man of college training and taught for several years in the school for the deaf located at Sioux Falls. A native of Iowa, he was born in Des Moines county, on the 17th of November, 1868, a son of Milton Wright. He was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools, where his elementary and grammar-school education was acquired. Later he attended Sioux Falls College, taking the full classical course and being graduated in 1888, after which he secured a position as teacher in the South Dakota State School for Deaf Mutes at Sioux Falls, where he taught for three years, making a very creditable record. In 1892 he gave up teaching and engaged in the mercantile business at Rowena, remaining in that connection until 1895. At that time he disposed of his business and began farming, which occupation he followed for three years, but in 1898 he again accepted a position on the faculty of the school for the deaf and taught for another three years. In 1901 he returned to the farm and has since devoted his time and energies to agriculture. For the past two years he has oper- ated all but forty acres of his father's farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of land. He follows diversified farming and employs the most scientific methods in his work, thus securing most satisfactory results.

Mr. Wright was married in 1893 to Miss Emma Von Behren, who was for a number of years a teacher in the state school for the deaf at Sioux Falls. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, three of whom survive, Frances Caroline, George Richard and Warren, all at home. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and support all movements for the moral betterment of the community. Mr. Wright is a democrat in his political allegiance and has held a number of local offices, serving as township clerk and as justice of the peace in Split Rock township, holding the latter office for ten years. He is one of the representative men of Valley Springs township and his locality is the gainer because of his residence therein.

HENRY C. MUSSMAN.

Henry C. Mussman is a well known resident of Brule county, where he settled as a pioneer and where he has gained wide acquaintance as the host of the Hotel Mussman at Chamberlain. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, April 25, 1853, his parents being William and Sophia (Hortsick) Mussman. The mother died during his early childhood and in 1857 the father removed with his family to Houston county, Minnesota, settling upon a farm. William Mussman was a native of Germany and had come to America in 1848. For a long period he was identified with agricultural interests in Minnesota, where he passed away in 1901, at the advanced age of eighty-three years.

Henry C. Mussman, the eldest of a family of four children, was but five years of age when the family went to Houston county, where he pursued his education in the district schools. When his school days were ended he engaged in the log and lumber business as a raftsman on the Mississippi river, spending about seven years in that way, after which he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for a cigar firm of La Crosse, Wisconsin. Later he took up his abode at Decorah. Iowa, and for three years traveled for the Green Valley Brewing Company. He afterward went to Palmer, Iowa, where he engaged in the wholesale liquor and supply business for four years. On his arrival in Dakota territory in

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1879 he settled at Running Water, where he conducted a wholesale liquor and supply business until 1881, when he removed to Chamberlain, becoming one of its earliest settlers. In 1898 he took charge of the present Mussman Hotel as manager and a year later purchased the property, which he has since conducted, making it one of the state's most deservedly popular hotels. He is likewise the owner of valuable farm and ranch lands and live stock, and the careful management of his business interests has placed him among the substantial citizens of his community.

On the 24th of April, 1878, Mr. Mussman was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Cakal, of Winneshiek county, Iowa, a daughter of Wenzel Cakal. To them have been born five children, namely: Henry, Gertrude, Fannie, Charlotte and William E. In his political views Mr. Mussman is a republican and in 1903 represented his distriet in the state legis- lature but at the following election declined to become a candidate for the state senate owing to business reasons. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Elks and he finds his recreation in hunting, fishing and motoring.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 109

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