History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 11

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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LUCIEN W. STILWELL. ʻ

Lucien W. Stilwell is proprietor of an extensive curio establishment at Deadwood and in this connection is widely known throughout the country, having built up an extensive business which extends to every state of the Union. He was born at Manlius, New York, on the 24th of March, 1844. His father, Lonson Stilwell, was also a native of the Empire state and a farmer by occupation. He wedded Mary K. White, a daughter of Hamilton and Sarah J. White, and to Mr. and Mrs. Lonson Stilwell were born eight children, of whom Lucien W. is the eldest. On leaving New York the father removed westward to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he secured a claim of government land which he transformed into a productive farm, making his home thereon until his death in 1891. His widow survived him for a decade and passed away in North Dakota in 1901.

Lucien W. Stilwell attended the district schools near Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, later was a student in a select school and afterward entered Ripon College, where he pursued the literary course and also a course in mathematics. When he had passed the period of school life he assisted his father upon the home farm until nineteen years of age. He next went to Cairo, Illinois, where he was employed in connection with a market and produce business. In 1864 he began dealing in groceries on his own account as a partner in the firm of Bristol & Stilwell and remained in the grocery business for ten years. He then sold out to his partner, after which he entered the wholesale commission grain business as a member of the firm of Cun-

LUCIEN W. STILWELL

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

ningham & Stilwell. In 1878, when the yellow fever epidemic caused him to return to Wisconsin, he tarried there for but a brief period and then removed to Elgin, Illinois, where he became bookkeeper for the Elgin Watch Company. After three or. four months, however, he removed to Deadwood, Dakota territory, where he arrived in 1879 to take a position with the banking house of Stebbins, Post & Mund. This was later merged with the First National Bank and later Mr. Stilwell was for some years with the Merchants Bank of Deadwood as accountant. In the meantime he had hegun in a small way to deal in curios, but the business grew to such large proportions and brought such satisfactory financial returns that in 1890 he resigned his position at the bank to give his entire attention to the curio business in connection with the fire insurance business. His trade extends, hoth as to sale and purchase, to every civilized country of the world and is largely wholesale to dealers, museums, scientific laboratories, etc. His collection of Indian handiwork and relies, natural history, mineral, fossil and geological specimens, gems and elk teeth is among the most comprehensive and valuable in existence and he has furnished many consignments of specimens to the great British and European museums. He has made a deep study of his work and is a recognized authority, particularly on the geology of the northwest. An idea of the completeness of his collections may be gathered from the department devoted to American archaeology, which alone contains over ten thousand specimens. He has learned to identify many of these as to workmanship or to geological period upon sight with absolute accuracy.

In September, 1873, Mr. Stilwell was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Bristol, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, who removed to Connecticut. Her father, William Bontique Bristol, was engaged in the wholesale shoe business in New York city. Her brother, William M. Bristol, was one of the pioneer educators of South Dakota, serving for seven years as superintendent of the Yankton public schools. His later years were spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he passed away in 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Stilwell have been born four children, as follows: Mary Irene, the wife of Stephen C. Berry, of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, who holds the office of county surveyor of Butte county and by whom she has four children; Hugh Alvin, who died at the age of ten years; Donald Lonson, who wedded Miss Maude Kellerman and is a practicing physician and surgeon of Detroit, Michigan; and Nora Alice, who died in infancy. Mrs. Stilwell has taken a very active part in church and charitable work and in the work of the Epworth and Junior Leagues and the Sunday school. She has for years been a member of the Twentieth Century Club and her cooperation is a feature in the growth and development of many projects for the public good.

In politics Mr. Stilwell is a republican, versed in the significant political questions of the age yet not an office seeker. Both he and his wife have membership in the Methodist church. He is the present secretary and treasurer of the Deadwood Cemetery Association. He has always been an active worker in the cause of temperance and his cooperation may always be counted upon in any movement looking toward the moral betterment of the community. Deadwood bas reason to be proud of him as a citizen, for his life work has placed him high among those whose names are well known in connection with scientific research. Moreover, his sterling traits of manhood and citizenship entitle him to prominent and honorable mention in this volume.

ROBERT F. JACOB.

Among the prosperous farmers of Yankton precinct, Yankton county, is Robert F. Jacob, a son of Frederick and Magdalena (Kuepfer) Jacob. His birth occurred in Berne, Switzerland, November 6, 1867, and he resided there until 1884, when he accompanied his parents to Amer- ica. The family left Switzerland on the 24th of February and two days later sailed from Havre, France, on the steamer Labrador for New York, reaching that port after a voyage of thirteen days. In Switzerland the family had known relatives of the Burgi family of Yankton, this state, and upon reaching the new world made their way thither. The first summer in South Dakota the father worked at his trade of a stonemason and several of his boys worked as farm hands, Robert F. being employed by August Braunschreuther. The younger boys herded cattle for small wages. The following year Mr. Jacob rented the farm of Felix Von Ins at Rudolph's Hill and operated that place for nine years. Some of the

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

trees on the place were planted by him and his sons. Their residence at that time was at log cabin, as were most of the pioneer homes. Mr. Jacob subsequently purchased land on section 3, where he has since lived, and on section 10, Yankton precinct, his half section heing one of the best farms of his locality. His sons are all located near him and are prospering as farmers.

Robert F. Jacob remained with his parents until after reaching his majority and theu worked for two years as a farm hand for John Arndt. At the end of that time he was married and rented a farm from John Coulson for a year. As the drought killed his erops he began selling the milk from his two cows in order to make a living and found the business so protitable that he increased the number of cows gradually and in time had quite a large herd. In 1884 he purchased his present farm in Yankton precinct and engaged in the dairy busi- ness on quite a large scale. He subsequently sold out but again entered the business, in which he successfully continued until 1914, when he sold his dairy- interests, since confining his attention to farming. He first purchased forty acres of brush land which he cleared and improved and later added an eighty acie tract, all of which is also cleared. He erected a fine residence, which is attractively furnished, and the work of the farm is expedited by excellent equipment, including a large barn, good granaries and a silo, while the farm ma- chinery used is of the most approved models.

On the 25th of March, 1891, Mr. Jacob married Miss Bertha Iseli, a native of Switzer- land and a daughter of John Alfred Iseli. She emigrated to America in 1882, two years after her parents, who settled in Bon Homme county. They afterward lived in Nebraska and now are living retired in Yankton, South Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob have been born three children: Dora, at home; Bertha, the wife of Albert Bade, of Yankton; and Robert E., at home.

Mr. Jacob is a stanch republican and can be counted upon to vote the ticket as he firmly believes that the principles of that party are most conducive to good government. He was reared in the faith of the German Reformed church and has never seen reason for departing therefrom. As a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fraternal Order of Eagles he is well known in fraternal circles, where he has many warm friends. He has gained an enviable success as a dairyman and farmer and in so doing has adhered strictly to honorable business methods, thus winning the respect of all who have been connected with him in any way.

ADELBERT P. JOHNSON.

Adelbert P. Johnson, of Yankton, was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1863. His father, H. H. Johnson, was likewise a native of that locality and came of Ger- man ancestry although the family has long been represented on American soil. The great grandfather was a native of Virginia and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The same patriotie spirit was manifested by H. H. Johnson when at the time of the ont- break of the Civil war he joined the army, giving valiant aid to the Union cause. He made farming his life work and at different times was called to public office-offices of honor and trust in his county, the duties of which he discharged ably, conscientiously and capably. He was born and reared in Bradford county and throughout that section of the state where he was widely known was most highly esteemed. He died in 1909, having for five years sur- vived his wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Delilah Smith. She, too, was a native of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, where she was reared and educated, and there she passed away in 1904. Her parents were also natives of Bradford county but her great-grandmother was born in Germany.

Adelbert P. Johnson was the third in order of birth in a family of eleven children and. like the others of the household. had the usual experiences of those who spend their youth upon a farm. There is something in the free outdoor life which splendidly qualifies the individual for later duties. The common schools afforded him his educational opportunities and he worked with his father in the fields until he reached the age of eighteen years, when he became an employe of a cousin in the dairy business. He devoted two years to that work and in 1883 came to the west, settling in Yankton, South Dakota, where he obtained similar

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

employment, spending four years at dairy work. He then took up a homestead, proved up on the same and thus became the owner of a good farm property in the northern part of Yankton county. After establishing his claim he returned to Yankton in 1887 and resumed work at the dairy business. He carefully saved his earnings through the succeeding year and in 1888 embarked in business on his own account as the proprietor of a dairy. Although he began on a small scale his trade grew rapidly and his business became a large and prof- itable enterprise, which he conducted until 1895, when he sold out in order to engage in the business of sinking artesian wells. In this he continued for two years, sinking a great many wells in Yankton county and winning a gratifying measure of profit from his efforts in that direction. In 1898 he established a factory and began the manufacture of soft drinks in Yankton, conducting that business for seven years. It seems that all that he undertakes meets with gratifying returns, but the secret of his success is not hard to find as he is persistent, energetic and resolute. He disposed of that business in 1905 and through the succeeding three years was engaged in farming on his tract of one hundred and sixty aeres of land adjoining Yankton. In 1908 he was made a member of the city police force and served through the succeeding three years, He was then chosen deputy county sheriff and proved efficient in that capacity. He is now first police of Yankton.

In 1891 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Nettie L. Cram, a native of New York, and they have one child, Eunice D. Mr. Johnson is a member of Dakota Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F., and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 1486. He has always been a republican in his political views and has taken an active part in the work of the party.

CLARENCE CAREY CALDWELL.

Clarence Carey Caldwell, called to the position of attorney general of South Dakota in the election of 1914 and ranking with the ablest members of the bar, makes his home in Howard. He is a native son of the state, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Minne- haha county, February 2, 1877. His father, George Caldwell, was a native of Posey county, Indiana, and in the year 1875 arrived in Dakota territory, settling on a farm near Sioux Falls, where he resided for twelve years or until his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Draper, is a native of Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, and since the death of her first husband has become the wife of J. R. Wilder of Hartford. South Dakota. The three sons of the mother's first marriage are all graduates of the South Dakota State University and have become well known in professional cireles. Clarence C. Caldwell is the eldest, his brother, Charles V., is state's attorney of Minnehaha county and resides at Sioux Falls, while the youngest brother. H. Lee. is a civil engineer of Jacksonville, Illinois. The Caldwell family is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, the family having been established in Vermont at an early period in the development of the new world. There representatives of the name remained until the grandparents of Clarence C. Caldwell be- came residents of Indiana.

After attending the district schools of Minnehaha county, C. C. Caldwell continued his education in the high school of Sioux Falls and in Sioux Falls College. He then entered the State University, in which he completed a classical course by graduation in 1902, at which time the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. During the succeeding three years he served as principal of the high school of Vermillion, South Dakota, and also began the study of law. He pursued his preparation for the bar for a time in the University of Chicago but afterward returned to the University of South Dakota, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1906, winning the LL. B. degree. The same year he removed to Howard and entered upon the practice of his profession, continuing his resi- dence there to the present time. No dreary novitiate awaited him. Almost immediately his ability won him recognition and he has advanced steadily in his profession, the court records giving evidence of his power and resourcefulness. He served for three terms as state's attorney of Miner county, having been elected in 1906, in 1910 and again in 1912, remaining in that position until elected attorney general of South Dakota. He was secretary of the Howard school board for six years but resigned when elected attorney general of state. He was also city attorney of Howard and in the November election of 1914 he was chosen

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

attorney general of the state on the republican ticket. He proved a very satisfactory official as state's attorney, displayed much initiative as well as absolute fearlessness and he had a high percentage of convictions to his credit. He possesses a thorough knowledge of statutory law and of precedent and prepares his cases with the utmost care.

Mr. Caldwell was united in marriage June 16. 1908, to Miss Marie Bryant, a danghter of W. C. and Priscilla (Brown) Bryant, of Vermillion, the former a retired merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are the parents of a daughter, Marion Priscilla, whose birth occurred Octo- ber 28, 1912. Mr. Caldwell is a member of the Baptist church, his wife of the Congregational, but there being no Baptist or Congregational church in Howard, they are attendants of the Methodist church. Fraternally Mr. Caldwell is connected with the Masons and is a popular representative of the craft. He obtains literary recreation in the study of sociology, political science and governmental affairs and has comprehensive knowledge of the significant problems which are engaging the attention of thoughtful men of the age. He has taken a most prominent part in politics and is known as an eloquent, logical and convincing speaker concerning the issues of the day. He finds recreation in out-of-door sports, of which he is a devotee. He was prominent in athletic circles during his college days and played on the university football team. He is advancing steadily in professional ranks and is one of the leaders of the state's younger generation of lawyers.

GEORGE C. LOHR.

George C. Lohr is the efficient postmaster of Estelline, where he is also conducting a jewelry and drug business. He was born in Osage, Iowa, August 2, 1856, a son of Peter and Eva Lohr. The father, who was in the furniture and undertaking business in Osage, came to South Dakota in May, 1878, and preempted land where the town of Estelline now stands. He secured a tree claim covering the southeast quarter of section 24, Estelline township. On account of his business interests in Osage, Iowa, he could not remain upon his land, however, so surrendered his preemption to Thomas B. Elston, who proved up on it. Immediately after the father's return to Osage George C. Lohr and his brother, W. F., came to South Dakota and filed on a half section of land on section 23, which property is still in possession of our subject and includes twenty acres of timber land. The winter following their arrival in this state the brothers purchased from Mr. Elston the original claim of their father. When they settled in this locality there were no other white inhabitants here and the prairies were covered with long grass on which hundreds of antelope fed. The father died in 1905 and the mother passed away in 1907.

George C. Lohr was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, five sons and one daughter. Spending his youthful days at the family home in Osage, Iowa, he there entered the public schools and passed through consecutive grades until he became a high-school student. Still later he pursued a course in the Cedar Valley Seminary at Osage. The father was in business in that city and George C. Lohr assisted him until his removal to South Dakota in 1878. He afterward gave his attention to farming in Hamlin county and when it was planned to found a town the family gave one hundred and sixty acres to be used as a townsite. Since that period George C. Lohr has heen closely, prominently and helpfully associated with the upbuilding and development of this section.

In 1881 he was appointed postmaster of Estelline and has occupied that position for a quarter of a century, faithfully, capably and promptly discharging the duties of his office. He has held the position continuously except during the two democratie administrations of Grover Cleveland. For a time he was in partnership with his brother in the implement busi- ness and later he purchased the interests of Clark & Weygant in the drug store in 1883. In 1886 he removed to his present location. The building was destroyed by fire in 1895, hut he rebuilt the following year. In addition to selling drugs he carries an attractive line of jewelry, meeting the demands of the public in this regard. During much of this time Mr. Lohr was also interested with his brother in cultivating two sections of land but at length sold most of his property, although he still retains ownership of the old homestead. He has become a most important factor in the establishment and development of the various prominent business interests of Estelline and this section of the state. He is one of the three

GEORGE C. LOHR

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

owners of the Estelline Electric Company, owning the electric light plant and the telephone system. He is president of the Bank of Estelline, is treasurer of the Druggist's Mutual Fire Insurance Company of South Dakota, is vice president of the Dempster State Bank, is secretary-treasurer of the Farmers Elevator Company of Estelline, and it was practically through his labors that the Masonic Temple was built. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. His plans are carefully formed but once completed are promptly executed. He seems to readily recognize the possibilities of any situation and in his work he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the opportunities of the future.

In 1889 Mr. Lohr was united in marriage to Miss Letha M. Abbott, who died in 1893, leaving two children : A. Louise, now Mrs. L. B. Gibbs; and Mabel E. On the 28th of Novem- her, 1912, Mr. Lohr was again married, his second union being with Anna L. Clark, a daughter of Amasa and Julia Clark. They were among the old-time settlers of the state and both have passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Lohr are adherents of the Congregational church and their many sterling traits of character have won for them high regard. In politics Mr. Lohr is a republican and for a number of years was mayor of his city. He is a very prominent Mason, belonging to Denver Chapter, R. A. M., at Arlington; the Knight Templar Commandery at Brookings and Sioux Falls Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Elks at Watertown and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. His life activities branch out along ramifying lines and make his work one of constantly broadening usefulness and value. What he has accomplished hoth for himself and for the community places him among the valued citizens of the state. Estelline largely stands as a monument to his efforts and enterprise, for he has been instrumental in founding and promoting many of its leading business interests and in upholding as well its moral, political and legal status.

PATRICK McDONALD.

Patrick McDonald is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Bon Homme county and justly so, for he came to this state in the '60s and for many years endured hardships that seem almost unbelievable in this day when pioneer conditions no longer exist. He is now living in honorable retirement on the site of the old village of Bon Homme and the number of his friends is only limited by the number of his acquaintances.

Mr. MeDonald was born at Castle Barr, County Mayo, Ireland, about 1831 and in 1853 emigrated to America, first making his home in Ohio. During the Civil war he served in the Confederate army under General Fessenden of Holly Springs, Mississippi, and after the close of hostilities returned to Troy, Ohio, where his marriage occurred in 1864. Five years later he removed to Yankton, South Dakota, and was in the employ of Tom Pierce and other early contractors, helping to ereet a number of buildings in the capital of the territory, in- cluding the first large hotel building of Yankton. Mr. MeDonald subsequently filed on a quarter section of land three miles northeast of Bon Homme but returned to Yankton and worked there for two years before taking up his residence upon his land. He built a small honse and then established his family there. He, however, was absent from home the greater part of the time, as he freighted from Yankton to Fort Randall, supplying the officers at the Fort with butter, eggs, chickens and other provisions purchased at farms on the way or bought at Yankton to fill an order. At one time Mr. McDonald drove to Sioux City for something that he was unable to procure at Yankton. He made the trips from Yankton to the fort during the winter months as well as during the summer and slept under the wagon, waking up many mornings covered with snow. On such occasions the harness was sure to be buried in the snow and it had to be dug out before he could begin his journey for that day.

On one trip to the fort Mr. McDonald encountered a heavy three days' snow storm and, being certain that the horses could not pull the loaded wagon through the drifted snow, he left his goods in the barn of a settler and started home with the empty wagon. He found the gulch at Choteau creek so badly drifted that he left the wagon there and continued on Vol. V-5

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

his way with the horses. Still later he left one horse at Emanuel creek and endeavored to reach home riding the other horse. Near Bon Homme he left that horse as well and crawled up the hill to the village on his hands and knees. When he reached the hotel there he was packed in snow, as it seemed that he was frozen. As soon as possible he continued his way home and upon his arrival there fonnd his family safe. The Indians caused him no trouble, as they were friendly and had confidence in him. They frequently sold goods issued to them by the government and on one occasion Mr. McDonald purchased from them a suit of clothes for three dollars. After several years the danger of losing crops from the plague of grass- hoppers lessened and Mr. McDonald abandoned freighting and began the cultivation of his land, so continuing until he retired from active life a few years ago. He now lives in Bon Homme, where he is widely and favorably known.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 11

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