History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 114

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

USA > South Dakota > History of Dakota Territory, volume V > Part 114

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Fred Dickson Jewett was reared in Sioux Falls and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of the city. He later attended the University of Wisconsin at Madi- son and was graduated from that institution with a degree in law in 1903. He returned to Sioux Falls following the completion of his studies and joined his father and his uncle, Charles A. Jewett, in the wholesale grocery business now conducted under the name of Jewett Brothers & Jewett. The original firm came to Sioux Falls in May, 1889, opening their wholesale grocery in the Peck building on Main avenue, where the enterprise was located for about one year. During this time the company employed only four traveling salesmen, but the business was steadily growing so that within the year it was clearly shown that larger quarters were necessary and arrangements were made with Silas Blauvelt to construct the Blauvelt building on the corner of Fifth and Main for their use. To this building they moved as soon as completed and occupied it until larger quarters were again necessary in 1898, at which time their present modern home was built, a sixty-six by one hundred and thirty foot building, with four stories and basement. In 1910 their steadily growing business necessitated more floor space and an addition, twenty-two by one hun- dred and thirty feet in size, was erected on the south wall of the main building, giving them nearly sixty thousand square feet of floor space in a building modern and complete in every particular, with their own track and unloading platform on their own property in the rear of the plant. Their territory now covers southwestern Minnesota, nine counties in northwestern Iowa and South Dakota from the eastern line of the state to the Black Hills, south of the "St. Paul to Aberdeen" line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.

In addition to their successful and growing grocery business in Sioux Falls the Jewetts own and operate a large wholesale grocery house and a wholesale drug house in Aberdeen and are heavily interested in the Manchester Biscuit Company of Sioux Falls and the Man- chester Biscuit Company of Fargo, North Dakota. To the efforts of the Jewett Brothers in a great measure are due the advantageous freight rates and service which Sioux Falls enjoys and which years ago put Sioux Falls on the map as a jobbing center.

On the 8th of February, 1909, Mr. Jewett was united in marriage to Miss Julia M. Fish, and they have become the parents of a daughter, Helen Olive, and a son, David G., who was born January 30, 1914. Mr. Jewett is a member of the Episcopal church, belongs to the Dacotah and the Country Clubs and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a young man of resource and capacity and his record is a credit to an hon- ored and worthy name.

CLAUS F. EGGERS.

Claus F. Eggers, who resides on section 11, Mapleton township, owns a valuable and modernly improved farm of four hundred acres and is widely recognized as one of the pro- gressive, up-to-date and enterprising agriculturists of Minnehaha county. His birth occurred in Germany on the 16th of February, 1879, his parents being C. F. and Kate (Rochel) Eggers. In 1880 the father emigrated to the United States. locating first at Davenport, Iowa, where he spent two years and subsequently residing in Tama county, that state. for seven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he made his home for twenty years and then came to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Here he passed away in June, 1913, but is survived by his widow.

Claus F. Eggers acquired a public-school education and after putting aside his text- books assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In March, 1907, he came to South

983

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Dakota and first purchased and located on a tract comprising two hundred and forty aeres of land in Mapleton township, Minnehaha county. Later he extended the boundaries of the place by an additional purchase of eighty acres and two years ago hought another tract of similar size, so that his holdings now embrace four hundred acres. He likewise has seventy head of cattle, thirteen horses and twenty-two brood sows. His farm is highly improved in every particular, and modern machinery and implements facilitate the work of the fields. His methods are practical and therefore productive of excellent results, and in the conduct of his agricultural interests he has won a gratifying and richly merited measure of prosperity.

On the 15th of February, 1901, Mr. Eggers was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Riechers, a daughter of John and Margaret Riechers. They have the following children: Alfred; Elmer; Aletta and Leona, twins; Delbert; and Myrtle. Mr. Eggers gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and is identified fraternally with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Lodge No. 62 at Sioux Falls. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He is a man of domestic tastes, a lover of home and fireside, and is fond of fishing and hunting as a means of recreation. Mr. Eggers is well known throughout the community for his many excellent traits of character and has commanded the respeet and confidence of his neighbors and friends.

C. C. WRIGHT.

C. C. Wright has now reached the venerable age of eiglity-five years and is living retired at the home of his daughter, Mrs. S. Q. Payne, in Sanhorn county, but for many years was an active factor in the agricultural development of this part of the state. He was born in Talmadge, Ohio, May 10, 1834, his parents being Sidney H. and Mahel (Fern) Wright. The father died in the year 1864. C. C. Wright spent his youthful days under the parental roof and is indebted to the public-school system of Ohio for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. After his textbooks were put aside he learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed in Illinois, and in 1854 he turned his attention to farming, in which he was engaged in Illinois until 1882. In that year he arrived in Dakota territory, settling in Sanborn county, where he took up a homestead claim, and he is still the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. He at once began to till the soil and improve his place and contributed in no small measure to the agricultural progress of the community. After long connection with farming interests he retired from active business and now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. S. Q. Payne.

His political allegiance has been given in turn to the republican, alliance and democratic parties and he served as a member of the South Dakota senate in the session of 1895. He has always been actively interested in state and national politics and has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. A lifelong member of the Baptist church, his religious faith has guided him in all of his relations with his fellowmen, and throughout the entire course of his life he has endeavored to follow the golden rule.

JOHN J. DALTON.

At a comparatively early age John J. Dalton has reached a position in the financial world that entitles him to consideration. He was president of the Sully County State Bank at Onida, South Dakota, and by his efforts and ability has largely made possible the success of the bank. He has always taken an interest in public affairs and has not only served as alderman of Pierre since 1909 but has also twice represented his district in the state senate. He was born in Mauston, Wisconsin, July 9, 1879, and is a son of John W. and Mary E. (Comer) Dalton. The father was a prosperous farmer of Juneau county, Wisconsin, and for several years served as chairman of the county board of supervisors. He lost his life in the cyclone of June, 1908.

John J. Dalton attended the country schools in Juneau county, Wisconsin, and received

984

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

instruction in the Mauston high school for two winter terms. When old enough he engaged in school teaching, after which he turned his attention to newspaper work, being connected with the advertising department of the Milwaukee Sentinel. In succession he was engaged in business college promotion and for four years was a commercial traveler. After that period he turned to the real-estate, banking and insurance business and later became presi- dent of the Sully County State Bank of Onida, South Dakota, his varied experience well fitting him for this important position. Mr. Dalton is recognized as a conservative and progressive man. The State Bank of Onida is one of the strong institutions in its district and its financial standing is largely due to the farseeing policy inaugurated by Mr. Dalton.

On June 21, 1905, Mr. Dalton was united in marriage, at Maquoketa, Iowa, to Miss Olga N. Hodoval, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hodoval, of Maquoketa. Mr. Dalton is a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic church, of Pierre, South Dakota. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

He has always taken an interests in the government of his state and district and has ability as a politician and the character to follow his honest convictions. He sat in the senate for two terms, representing the twenty-fourth district, and while a member of that body not only ably represented the interests of his constituents but aided in passing a number of laws, which have proven of great benefit to the state as a whole. In 1909 Mr. Dalton was elected alderman of Pierre, representing the second ward in the council. He is progressive and has done valuable work in promoting the interests of the city. Thor- oughly publie-spirited, he stands high in the estimation of his fellow citizens and has gained the confidence of all who know him.

GEORGE S. RIX.

George S. Rix has been engaged in the practice of law in Milbank since 1893 and occupies a position in the front rank of the attorneys of Grant county. He is serving his fourth term as states attorney, has been city attorney for many years and was for one term county judge. In all of his official capacities he has manifested a single-minded devotion to the publie good.

His birth occurred in Spring Valley, Minnesota, on the 26th of January, 1869, and he is a son of Porter N. and Emma (Winters) Rix. His grandfather, John Rix, was born in Canada but became a resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mercantile business. Subsequently he removed to Washington county, Wisconsin, and there gained a modest fortune hy trading in land. The materna] grandfather of our subject. John Winters, was born in England but as a young man emigrated to the United States and located in Milwaukee, where he passed away.

Porter N. Rix was horn in Stanstead, Canada, in 1840 and removed to Minnesota when that state was still a pioneer region. For a number of years he concentrated his atten- tion largely upon general farming and later devoted his energies mostly to buying and selling horses and cattle, which proved a very profitable occupation. He was a democrat in politics and fraternally was identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His demise occurred September 15. 1904. He was married in Preston, Minnesota, in 1865, to Miss Emma Winters, who was born in Southampton, England, in 1840. She passed away in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal church. To their union were born two children : George S .; and B. C., who conducts a pool and billiard hall in Milbank.

George S. Rix was graduated from the high school of Spring Valley, Minnesota, in 1889 and subsequently entered the law school of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, from which he received his professional degree in 1891. Two years later he located for practice in Milbank, where he has since remained. As the years have passed his clientage has grown in extent and importance and he has appeared as counsel on one side or the other in a great deal of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district. For many years he has been city attorney, is now serving his fourth term as states attorney and for one term sat upon the county bench.

Mr. Rix was married on Christmas Day, 1895, to Maud C. Nash, a daughter of L. H. Nash, who is a resident of Spring Valley, Minnesota. For many years he followed agri-

987

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

cultural pursuits but is now living retired. To this union has been born one child, Doris C., who graduated from the local high school with the elass of 1915.

Mr. Rix is a stalwart republican and his advice is often sought in local party councils. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, and fraternally he belongs to the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and to Watertown Lodge, No. 838, B. P. O. E. He has a keen and well trained mind and is thoroughly versed in tlie law but his success is not due to those qualifications alone but also in part to his enviable reputation for integrity and fair dealing. During the twenty-two years that he has resided in Milbank he has manifested a commendable interest in the public welfare and has gained a high place in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

JAMES DE LANEY.

James De Laney, an enterprising and representative agriculturist of Minnehaha county, owns and operates a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Mapleton township. His birth occurred in Minnesota on the 12th of September, 1861, his parents heing Sylvester and Margaret De Laney. The father came to South Dakota in 1866 as one of the early pioneers of this section, homesteading and preempting land. He was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career and passed away in 1894, the community thus losing one of its honored early settlers and respected citizens. His wife is also deceased.

James De Laney, who was a little lad of five years when he came to this state with his parents, attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education and suhse- quently assisted his father in the operation of the home place. When the latter disposed of his property, our subject began the cultivation of rented land. In 1906 he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Mapleton township, and has devoted his time and energies to its operation continuously since. He owns thirty-six head of cattle and has a well improved and productive property which brings him a gratifying annual income.

On the 13th of June, 1894, Mr. De Laney was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Ellen Myrick, a daughter of Lucius Myrick. He is a republican in politics and has held a num- ber of township offices, ever discharging his duties in a prompt and capable manner. His religious faith is that of the Christian church, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The period of his residence in South Dakota covers nearly a half century. and he has not only witnessed its growth but has been a participant in its development along agricultural lines. He is widely known in his community, and his substantial qualities of manhood and of character have gained for him an enviable posi- tion in the regard of those with whom he has come in contact.

GUSTAF JOHNSON.

Gustaf Johnson, one of the well known and highly respected citizens of Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county, where he has made his home for the past thirty-eight years, is the owner of three hundred and twenty-four and three-fourths acres of land on section 6, comprising one of the finest farms in South Dakota. He was long and actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits, but for the past fifteen years has lived retired and has rented his land. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 2d of October. 1839, his father being Johanes Magnuson, who died in that country.

Gustaf Johnson was reared at home and acquired but a limited education in the com- mon schools. for his parents were in straitened financial circumstances and he was obliged to begin providing for his own livelihood in boyhood. He secured employment as a farm hand and received as remuneration one hundred and fifty dollars per year. In 1872, when a young man of about thirty-three, he emigrated to the United States and located in New York city, where he found employment in a sugar factory and worked for two years.

988

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

On the expiration of that period he went into the country and subsequently worked as a farm hand for about three years. He then returned to his native land, spending a winter in Sweden for the benefit of his health. In April, 1877, he again came to the United States and for some months remained in New York. In October of that year he made his way to South Dakota, locating in Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county, where he pur- chased a relinquishment on a homestead comprising the northeast quarter of section 6. Sub- sequently he acquired the northwest quarter of the same section and another small piece of land which he purchased, making his farm one of three hundred and twenty-four, and three-fourths acres. It is located in the Beaver valley and is one of the finest farms in the entire state. Mr. Johnson still resides on the old homestead and for many years was actively and successfully engaged in its operation, but during the past fifteen years has enjoyed retirements and has rented his land.

On the 27th of April, 1873, in New York city, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Mathilda Caroline Larson, a native of Sweden, who came to the United States in 1870. In his political views Mr. Johnson is a republican, exercising his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church, of which he served as a deacon for many years and to which his wife also belongs. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won both prosperity and an honored name. He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.

FRANK W. HALBKAT.

Modern business enterprise finds expression in the activity of Frank W. Halbkat, a druggist of Webster. He was born in Hamilton, Minnesota, November 15, 1875, a son of John C. and Helen (Tessin) Halbkat, both of whom are still living. The paternal grandfather, Fred Halbkat, was a native of Germany, and after living for some years in the United States returned to that country, where his remaining days were passed.

John C. Halbkat, the father of our subject, was born in New York in 1850. The mother's birth occurred in Germany in the same year and they are now residents of Spring Valley, Min- uesota, where they were married in 1869. Mrs. Halbkat was a young lady of seventeen years when she crossed the Atlantic and Mr. Halbkat was a child of but five years when he accom- panied his parents to Minnesota, the family home being established on a farm near Brown Valley, that state. He acquired his education in the common schools and took up the occupa- tion of farming, which he followed until 1880, when he removed to Spring Valley and embarked in merchandising, in which husiness he has won a gratifying measure of success. His religious belief is that of the Methodist Episcopal church and his fraternal relations connect him with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and other fraternal organizations. In politics he is an earnest republican. He has ever been active in support of the principles in which he believes. To him and his wife have been born five children: Charles F., who is engaged in the jewelry business at Watertown, South Dakota; Emma, the wife of Calvin Young, of Mapleton, Minnesota; Frank W .; Alice, the wife of John Hoffman, a real-estate dealer and banker of Spring Valley, Minnesota; and John H., who is associated with his father in general merchandising.

After attending the high school at Spring Valley, from which he was graduated with the class of 1892, Frank W. Halbkat entered the Northwestern University at Chicago, Illinois, and completed a course in pharmacy in 1895. He afterward engaged in clerking until 1903 and on the 1st of April of that year removed to Webster, where he bought out the business of the Ross Drug Company and has since conducted the store. He now has a well appointed estab- lishment, carrying a large and carefully selected line of drugs and druggists' sundries, while his reasonable prices and courteous treatment of his patrons have secured to him a growing and substantial trade.

989

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

In November, 1905, Mr. Halbkat wedded Miss Ethel M. Walker, a native of Nebraska and a daughter of Franklin Walker, who was one of the early settlers of Nebraska and afterward became a pioneer resident of South Dakota. He is now living retired at Clark, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Halbkat have two children, John F., and Frederick W., aged respectively seven and two years.

In the fall of 1913 Mr. Halbkat was appointed to the state board of pharmacy by Gov- ernor Frank M. Byrne and in October of the present year, 1915, hecame president of the state board of pharmacy.

ERNEST A. SCHENK.

Ernest A. Schenk, cashier of the Merchants State Bank of Presho, Lyman county, was born in Burlington, Iowa, May 11, 1885, and is the younger of the two children of George W. and Delia (Manz) Schenk. The father is now a druggist in Lyons, Iowa.

Ernest A. Schenk attended the grammer and high schools of Lyons, Iowa, and later entered the law department of the University of Iowa, graduating with the class of 1907. In 1908 he removed to Chamberlain, South Dakota, and entered upon the active practice of law, being so engaged until 1910, when he located in Presho and organized the Merchants State Bank, of which he is one of the principal stockholders. He has been the cashier of the institu- tion since it was founded and has the direction of its financial policy. Under his management the bank has gained the confidence of the public and the volume of its business has grown steadily. He also owns farm lands in Stanley county and although he is a young man has gained a measure of success that many of his seniors might well envy.

Mr. Schenk was married on the 11th of November, 1911, to Miss Hazel Ochsner, a daugh- ter of William H. and Lola K. (Shontz) Ochsner, of Chamberlain, South Dakota. Mrs. Schenk was educated in the State Normal School at Platteville, Wisconsin. By her marriage she has become the mother of two sons, George William and Albert Ochsner.

Mr. Schenk attends the Congregational church and is a member of the Masonic order. He also belongs to Sigma Chi, a well known college fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is now serving as chairman of the school board and in that capacity is doing much to further the interests of the schools. He greatly enjoys hunting and fishing and when his business permits devotes some time to those sports. He is a strong advocate of good roads, recognizing their close relation to the development of a section, and is a member of the Good Roads Congress. In all relations of life he has measured up to high standards and he is held in high esteem by all who have come in contact with him.

CHARLES H. McGILVRAY.

Charles H. McGilvray, one of the progressive and enterprising agrienlturists of Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, cultivates three hundred and twenty acres of the home place on section 12, devoting his attention to diversified farming. His birth occurred in Iroquois county, Illinois, on the 14th of March, 1883, his parents being Hugh and Mary M. (Haight) McGilvray, the former a native of Canada and the latter of New York. Their marriage was celebrated at Ashkum, Illinois, and Hugh MeGilvray followed farming in Iroquois county, that state, until 1882, when he removed to Virginia, taking up his- abode twelve miles from Richmond and purchasing over three hundred acres of land. At the end of three years, however, he disposed of the property and came to South Dakota in 1885, buying four hundred and eighty acres of land in Split Rock township, Minnehaha county. The' operation of that place claimed his time and energies until 1911, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Valley Springs. where he has since lived in honorable retirement. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covers three decades and he enjoys an extensive acquaintance as one of its prosperous and esteemed citizens.

Charles H. McGilvray, who was but two years old when brought to this state by his

990

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

parents, was reared at home and acquired his early education in the common schools. Sub- sequently he pursued a course of study in the Sioux Falls Business College and later attended Parker College of Winnebago, Minnesota. In 1908 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, remaining at home, however, and renting adjacent land. In 1911, at the time of his father's retirement, he took charge of three hundred and twenty acres of the home farm and has since operated the tract very successfully. He raises shorthorn cattle and Duroe-Jersey hogs, and this branch of his business also yields a gratifying annual income.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 114

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