History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 112

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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William H. MeMaster, the youngest in a family of six children, pursued his education in the public schools of Sioux City, Iowa. passing through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1895. He entered Beloit College of Wisconsin and was graduated in 1899 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1901 he became connected with the banking business at Gayville, establishing the Security State Bank, of which he is the present cashier. He is also interested in several other South Dakota banks and has made extensive investments in farm lands, from which he derives a substantial annual income. His judgment in business matters is sound, his discrimination keen and his enterprise unfaltering.

On the 16th of April, 1902, Mr. MeMaster was united in marriage to Miss Harriet R. Russell, a daughter of Frederick J. and Harriet (Eggleston) Russell, of Cooperstown, New

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York. They have two children, William Henry, Jr., and Dorothy. Mr. McMaster belongs to Beta Theta Psi and the T. N. E., both college fraternities. He also has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in Masonry has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. In politics he is a republican-progressive and has long been a recognized leader in political circles in South Dakota. He served for a term in the house of representatives and later was elected to rep- resent his district in the state senate. He was urged to become a candidate for governor on the progressive ticket in the campaign of 1914 but declined. He is frequently heard upon the campaign platform and in fact his services as a political speaker are often sought. In the midst of his many activities he does not neglect his moral obligations and is a member of the Congregational church. He finds recreation in motoring, tennis and all out-of-door sports, and in his college days was a member of the college baseball and football teams. Residing in Yankton, he is by the consensus of public opinion one of its most prosperous and prominent citizens, of widely recognized business ability and of marked force of character. Although difficulties and obstacles bave at times seemed to bar his path, he has overcome these hy determined effort, and tireless energy, keen perception and the ability to plan and devise the right thing at the right time have been salient features in his life work.

HON. DONALD McLEAN.

Hon. Donald McLean, senator from Day county and a well known ranchman making his home at Webster, was born in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada, February 19, 1869. His father, William McLean, was a teacher and farmer who, after attending school in his native coun- try, Scotland, began imparting to others the knowledge that he had acquired, making an excellent record as an educator. In 1835 he crossed the Atlantic to Canada, settling on a farm near Morrisburg, Ontario, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occur- ring January 28, 1904, when he had reached the age of eighty-two years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Reddick, was a native of New England, descended from early colonial settlers, and her mother was an own cousin of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Donald McLean was but eleven years of age at the time of his mother's demise and soon afterward he started out to make his own way in the world. He attended the public schools until he reached his fifteenth year, working between terms to pay his way and after- ward entering college in order to pursue theological studies. In 1888 he arrived in Dakota territory, settling at Watertown, where he became a licensed Methodist preacher. He was appointed to the Waverly circuit and the following year was given a regular pastorate at Wilmot, Roberts county. In 1891 he returned to the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, to complete his theological studies and his academie and college work, and when he again came to South Dakota he was assigned by his conference to the pastorate at Webster and this was followed by appointments to churches in Centerville and in Vermillion. In 1901 he returned to Webster, Day county, and he now divides his time between the work of the pulpit and the lecture platform and the operation of a ranch of eleven hundred acres. He has studied agriculture with the same thoroughness that he has given to other lines of in- vestigation and research and therefore wisely directs the cultivation and development of his ranch. He is an earnest and fluent speaker and a logical thinker, and his presentation of any subject awakens interest and consideration. He has also taken an active part in political affairs and is a stalwart republican. In 1912 he was elected to represent his district in the state senate and at the close of a two years' term was reelected in 1914. He has proven one of the most able members of the upper house, taking a most active and intelligent part in the discussion of all measures of vital interest to the commonwealth. He has also done good work on important committees, including the appropriations, highways, public institutions, legislative expenses and agriculture committees. He has been especially active in the discussion of legislation relating to textbooks, to bridge construction, to taxation and to banking and his utterances along those subjects have elicited earnest thought and have won for the cause which be has championed hearty support.

On the 25th of October, 1898, Mr. McLean was united in marriage to Miss Lyle Olive

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Harris, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Harris, of Webster, South Dakota. To them have been boru five children, namely: Donald, Jr., John L., Malcolm, Marian and Wallace.

Fraternally Mr. McLean is connected with the Masons. He enjoys hunting and various phases of outdoor life but also finds recreation in the study of literature, philosophy, political and civil history and government. He is a broad-minded man whom nature endowed with mental force and who has wisely used his time, talent and opportunities. He owes his educational training to his own lahors, which provided him the means necessary to con- tinue his studies and meet his expenses during his student days. All through his life he has been a student, reading broadly, thinking deeply and arriving at deductions which mature public opinion has indorsed. He enjoys perhaps more than all else the mental stimulus which comes through the discussion of important topics and questions of interest vital to the political situation or which affect the sociological and economic conditions of the country.

LAWSON E. SNYDER.

Lawson E. Snyder, of Onida, is vice president of the Farmers Bank, owns the Onida Telephone Company, holds title to a section of excellent land in this state and is also vice president of the First National Life Insurance Company of Pierre. The prominence which he has gained is due solely to his energy, astuteness and unswerving integrity. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, on the 1st of October, 1861, of the marriage of Abraham and Mary B. (Chamberlain) Snyder. An uncle on the maternal side, D. S. Chamberlain, is now connected with the Belgian Relief Society of Iowa. The father of our subject was born on the present site of Columbus, Ohio, January 27, 1836. He served throughout the Civil war as a private in Company A, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Regiment, but for some time acted as captain of his company while the captain was under court-martial. He was in Logan's Corps and went with Sherman to the sea. After being mustered out at Louisville he returned to Iowa and engaged in farming near Center Point, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred May 29, 1901. He served for twenty years as justice of the peace but never desired to hold other office. His wife was the second white child born in Linn county, Iowa, her birth occurring March 18, 1841. She is still living and resides within four miles of her birthplace.

Lawson E. Snyder, the second in a family of nine children, was born upon the same farm as was his mother. After attending the public schools he entered the high school at Marion, where he remained for a year, and subsequently took a course in a business college at Des Moines. When twenty years of age he began farming but after following that occupation for a time sold a horse which his father had given him for one hundred dollars and with this capital went to Des Moines. There he entered the employ of the Chamberlain Medicine Com- pany, which was owned by relatives on the maternal side, and during the daytime worked for them while at night he attended school. He completed his course with twenty-five dollars more than he had when he began it. He next engaged in teaching school, following that occupation during the winter seasons from 1882 to 1892, while the summers were devoted to farm work.

He came to South Dakota, arriving in Sully county on the 5th of April, 1883. He settled upon a claim but gave part of his time to section work on a railroad, and later taught school in Iowa for three winters, while he improved and developed his farm during the sum- mers. After that he gave his entire attention to the work of cultivating his homestead and was so engaged until 1892, when he was elected register of deeds of Sully county, which office he held for four years. In order to discharge the duties of his position he removed to Onida, where he has since resided. After the expiration of his term he assisted in organizing the first abstract company in the county and continued his connection with that business until January, 1915, when he sold his stock in the corporation. He has been a director of the First National Life Insurance Company of Pierre since its organization and since 1910 has served as vice president thereof. He owns and manages the Onida Telephone Company, an incorporated concern, and the excellent service which that company gives its subscribers and the satisfactory condition of its finances attests his business sagacity. He is also vice presi- dent of the Farmers Bank of Onida and for a number of years served as president of that institution. He has never ceased to have great faith in the value of land as an investment

. Ur. and . Un. Larsen'E. Snyder

William &. Snyder

Marian . Snyder

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and owns a section of fine farming land in Sully county and he also holds title to real estate in Onida. His determination and energy have enabled him to carry out his plans and every enterprise with which he has been connected has proved a success.

Mr. Snyder was married on the 5th of April, 1891, to Miss Cynthia Helen Green, who was born in Union City, Tennessee, but was taken by her parents to Illinois when still an infant. Her father, John J. Green, was born in Orange county, North Carolina, April 5, 1836. During the Civil war he served in the Union army as he believed its cause to be right. He had some difficulty in leaving the south but succeeded in getting north and enlisted in Company B, Second Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. However, he was with his command but a small part of tite time that he served in the army, as he did much valuable work as a seout, guide and sharpshooter while his command was in the vicinity of his old home in Tennessee. During the campaign in that region he was compelled to fight against his own relatives, who were serving in the Confederate army. Later he went on the Red River expedition and in all he served for four years. He was wounded a number of times and on one occasion was shot through the leg with a rifle ball. Another time he was shot with buckshot which he carried to his grave, while on still another occasion his horse was killed by a shell and in falling Mr. Green dislocated his hip. In 1863 he was taken prisoner in the rear of Vicksburg and was confined in Lihby prison for seven months and twenty-one days. He was discharged on the 22d of June, 1865, and then returned to Tennessee, where he married Miss Mary Curhn, who was born in Union City, that state, January 16, 1845. In 1867 they removed to Lincoln, Illinois, which remained the family home until 1883, in which year they came to South Dakota, arriving in Sully county in April. The father engaged in farming and also did some freighting in the early days. He passed away on the 4th of January, 1911, and his wife died on the 23d of August, 1903. Mrs. Snyder, who was the oldest in a family of twelve children, was born May 30, 1868, the first established Memorial Day.

Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are the parents of two sons. William Ellsworth, who was born February 7. 1892, attended the School of Mines at Rapid City and is a civil engineer by profession. He is a talented musician and is especially proficient as a 'eello player. He was bugler in the militia at Pierre and is now sergeant in Company A, Fourth Regiment of the South Dakota National Guard. He is much interested in the work of the militia and is recognized as one of the best marksmen in the state, being the second best expert rifleman in South Dakota. Marion Abraham, who was born November 15, 1895, is a graduate of the Cedar Rapids Business College and is assisting his father in his various lines of business. He is an amateur artist of more than usual ability and has done a number of drawings which show marked talent. He is a sharpshooter and like his brother, belongs to Company A, Fourth Regiment of the South Dakota National Guard, and both were members of the five- man team which won the regiment championship of the state at Camp Hagman, July 16, 1915.

Mr. Snyder is a republican and was the first mayor of Onida after it was organized as a city. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic hlue lodge at Onida, of which he is treasurer, and the Royal Arch chapter at Pierre. He possesses in a large degree the qualities of enterprise, initiative and sound judgment, which are so highly esteemed in this country, and the success which he has achieved financially is solely the result of his own energy and wise management of his affairs. He also recognizes, however, the value of other factors in life and all movements for the moral, intellectual and eivic progress of his community receive his hearty cooperation and substantial support.

WILLIAM N. HUNTER.

Since 1902 William N. Hunter has been continuously connected with commercial inter- ests at Hot Springs and in the intervening period has developed his business from small proportions until he is now at the head of one of the largest general mercantile enterprises to be found in Fall River county. An analyzation of his life record shows that close applica- tion, unfaltering energy and sound judgment have been the strong points in placing him where he is today, among the foremost business men of the county. He was born at Florence, Douglas county, Nebraska, December 4, 1862, a son of Alexander and Jennie MI. (Eekford) Hunter, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They were. married, however, Vol. V-41

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in Nebraska. In early life the father engaged in the contracting building business. He came to America with a brother when but sixteen years of age, settling first in Canada, where he learned his trade. He then went to New York city, where he lived for a time, after which he worked as a journeyman for a number of years. He then settled in Nebraska, where he remained for a number of years, and at the end of that time because of impaired health withdrew from the contracting business and turned his attention to merchandising, in which he continued for a number of years. He is now living retired in Superior, Nebraska, where he took up his abode in 1875. At different times he has engaged in other business enterprises and has always been actuated by an enterprising and progressive spirit. His wife passed away in the year 1910 and of their family of four children two are yet living.

William N. Hunter began his education in the public schools of his native town and afterward attended school at Superior and still later was a student in an academy in Canada. At the age of nineteen years he assumed the management of his father's business in Supe- rior, having previously assisted him for some time, so that his knowledge and experience well qualified him for the responsibilities which he then assumed. He continued therein for a number of years and afterward established a grocery store in Superior, which he conducted with fair success for a number of years. In 1902 he arrived in Hot Springs and established a business under the name of the Hunter Company, beginning with a small stock of general merchandise. He soon gained a good patronage, which steadily grew, and as he has always met the demands of his trade he now has one of the largest stocks to he found in Fall River county. He carries dry goods. men's furnishings, and in fact almost every line save clothing and hardware. His store is neat and attractive in arrangement and his enterprising and thoroughly reliable business methods are elements in his growing suc- cess. He is also a landowner in South Dakota but devotes the greater part of his attention to the management of his commercial interests.

In 1894 Mr. Hunter was united in marriage to Miss May D. Schultz, who was born in Cook county, Illinois, a daughter of Carl and Mary (Knaack) Schultz, both of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have one child, Carl A., who was born in August, 1907, and is attending school. By a previous marriage Mr. Hunter had two children: Mabel, now the wife of a grocer and baker residing at Superior, Nebraska; and William D., who is a noncommissioned officer in the coast artillery and is at San Diego, California.

Mr. Hunter holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Workmen. In politics he is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. For a number of years he served as mayor of Superior but he has never been an active politician in the sense of office seeking. Wherever he is known he is recognized as an excep- tionally capable business man and he has extensive interests in other states besides his investments at Hot Springs. His plans are carefully formed and are carried forward to suc- cessful completion, for he allows no obstacles or difficulties to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort.

A. D. BOYD.

A. D. Boyd, a real-estate and insurance agent of Kimball, is a well known business man of that city. He is a native of Iowa, born in Iowa City on the 12th of September, 1865, a son of W. A. and H. V. Boyd. The year 1882 witnessed the arrival of the family in South Dakota and two years later the father bought land in Brule county and also took up a preemption claim in Douglas county. He farmed during the spring and summer and taught school in the winter, continuing to follow that occupation until he was seventy-six years of age. He taught in all sixty-two years, as he began when but fourteen years old, a record which has been seldom equalled. He died on the 12th of January, 1913, rich in years and honor, and is survived by his widow.

A. D. Boyd acquired much of his education at home under the tuition of his father, but also attended the district schools. When not busy with his textbooks the greater part of his time was given to assisting with the work of the farm and after reaching years of maturity he began operating land on his own account. He owned a homestead and also a tree claim and a preemption claim, his holdings totaling six hundred acres. In April, 1909,

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however, he abandoned agricultural pursuits and took up his residence in Kimball, where he entered the real-estate and insurance field, in which he has prospered. He lias sound business judgment and as he is energetic it is but natural that he should succeed.

On the 21st of March, 1894, Mr. Boyd married Miss Bessie Dickey. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have four children, Pearl, Leslie, Bernice and Dorothy. Mr. Boyd is a republican and in addition to holding a number of township offices while living in the country he is now serv- ing as alderman of Kimball. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a member. He owns considerable land both in South Dakota and in Iowa and is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator of Kimball. He has gained a competence and is respected hy his fellow citizens as an able business man and also as a gentleman whose word is his bond and whose courtesy is unfailing.

HORACE G. CLASON.

Horace G. Clason is operating a stock ranch of one thousand acres in Custer county and is also the vice president of the Ranchmen's Bank at Fairburn. He was born near Rochester, Minnesota, November 22, 1857, and has always been a western man, possessed of the inde- pendent spirit, the alertness and the enterprise common to this section of the country. His parents, H. H. and Kate (Swarthout) Clason, were both natives of Steuben county, New York. and the father devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming. About 1855 he removed westward with his family to Minnesota, settling near Rochester, where he resided for about twelve years. He then went to Freeborn county, where he remained until 1876, when he removed to Furnas county, Nebraska, there engaging in farming and the live-stock business. He resided at that place until about 1904, when he removed to Bridgeport, Oklahoma, where he is now living retired. His wife, however, passed away in Septem- ber. 1913.

Horace G. Clason, who is the eldest of nine children, attended school at Oronoco and at Freeborn, Minnesota, and at nineteen years of age began earning his own living in the employ of others. He spent one or two years in that way in Minnesota and then engaged in farming on his own account. About the time he attained his majority he removed to Nebraska, where he resided for a year and a half, and then returned to his native state, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for three years. In 1883 he once more went to Nebraska, where be engaged in the live-stock business, feeding and raising cattle. There he remained until 1890, when he removed to Custer county, South Dakota, settling on a farm about seven miles from Fairburn. In addition to his agricultural interests he conducted a sawmill busi- ness for a number of years, but now devotes his attention exclusively to his stock business and is operating one thousand aeres as a stock ranch. He is one of the foremost stockmen of his part of the state, his business having reached large and important proportions. He is also the vice president of the Ranchmen's Bank at Fairburn and is a stockholder in the Hermosa Bank. In addition he owns property in Arkansas, including both farms and timber land.

On the 1st of January, 1880, Mr. Clason was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Fay, who was born in Wisconsin near Fox Lake, a daughter of Albert and Cynthia (Wilson) Fay, who were natives of Canada, born near Montreal. Her father, who was a farmer and rancher, came to Custer county in 1886, settling near Fairburn, where he engaged in the live-stock business until his death, which occurred July 4, 1898. His widow survived him for about nine years and passed away in Fairburn in 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Clason have been born eight children. Elisha B., residing fifteen miles northwest of Fairburn, where he is engaged in the sawmill business, married Miss Julia Springer. Kate is the wife of Jess Vanourkirk, an engineer living near her father's home. John, who married Nettie Westover, is a con- tractor of Montana. Ollie is the wife of Earl Brown, a ranehman residing near Custer. William is upon his father's ranch. Raymond, who married Miss Josie Hazen, operates a ranch near Alberta, Canada. Earl and Harold are both at home.

In politics Mr. Clason is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. He has served as county commissioner of Custer county for two terms and has filled various offices in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodge, of which he is a member, while twice

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he has represented the local organization in the grand lodge. He is also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. A self-made man, he started out in the business world unaided and whatever success he has achieved is the direct reward of his own lahor. He has worked persistently and energetically as the years have gone en, making good use of his time and opportunities, and is now the owner of valuable property interests.

SALOMON WENZLAFF.

His activity in the field of journalism brought Salomon Wenzlaff a wide acquaintance and his efforts proved a potent force in molding publie thought and shaping public action. For fifteen years he was publisher and editor of the Dakota Freie Presse and became a power among the German speaking people of the northwest. His present identification with business interests is that of a banker of Yankton. His activities have been an element in advancing the material prosperity and upbuilding of his county as well as in advancing his individual success. Few, if any, of the sturdy families that have emigrated to the new world have exerted a wider influence for the good and uplift of the people among whom they have cast their lot than that of which his father, John C. Wenzlaff, was the head. He and his family were connected with the German colony that had, at the invitation of the czar, made settlement in southern Russia, near Odessa and along the coast of the Black Sea. In the early '70s the reigning ezar revoked the charter given the German colonists and offered them the alternative of becoming Russian citizens in the fullest sense of the term or removing beyond the boundaries of his domain. None elected to remain under the conditions, which would have obliged them to give up their German language, courts, schools, church and institutions, and committees were formed to seek locations in other lands. On one of these committees Mr. Wenzlaff was appointed and sought a location in the Caneasia, Russia, and elsewhere but finally decided to come to America, whither many of the Germans in Russia had migrated the winter before. John C. Wenzlail had mar- ried Johanna Christina Heinzelmann, whose parents also came from Germany.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 112

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