History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 118

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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On the 20th of November, 1889, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Bertha M. Schreckendgust, a native of Iowa and a daugliter of Riley and Caroline Schreckendgust, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Iowa. They came to South Dakota about 1885, settling in Fall River county after having previously been residents of Kansas. They are now living in the Bitter Root valley of Montana and Mr. Schreckendgust is still in active life as a fruit grower. He served in the Civil war as a member of an Iowa regi- ment and has always been loyal in matters of citizenship. He left home when a lad to earn his own way in the world and since that time has been dependent entirely upon his labors for a living. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born five children: Verner I., resid- ing at home; Derrell, who is attending the Grand Island (Neb.) Business College; Howard, who was killed at the age of twelve years by a horse throwing him, his foot catching in the stirrup and dragging him on the ground; John, attending school; and Norma, aged four years.

Mr. Clark is an Odd Fellow and has taken all of the degrees of the order, passing through all of the chairs in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He has also filled all of the offices in the Modern Woodmen camp and is identified with the Elks. His life his- tory if written in detail would present a clear picture of pioneer conditions in the west when the plains were utilized only by the cowboy, who ranged his cattle over the district, or by the Indians, who hunted throughout this entire region. He has lived to see remark- able changes as the work of development has been carried forward and it is but meet that his life record should find a place in the history of his adopted state.

WILLIAM SIBSON.

William Sibson is actively and successfully engaged in business as a real-estate broker of Sioux Falls, dealing extensively in Texas land. His birth occurred in Allegany county, Mary- land, on the 25th of March, 1870, his parents being Richard and Elizabeth (Robertson) Sibson, the former born in Gins Cumberland, White Haven, England, May 31, 1840, and the latter at Rose Hall, near Glasgow, Scotland, November 30, 1840. In 1872 they took up their abode near Des Moines, in Polk county, Iowa, and eight years later removed to Audubon county, Iowa, where our subject remained on the home farm until he had attained his majority. He then left the parental roof and for one year attended school at Highland Park, Des Moines, Iowa, while subsequently he worked for a short time in a Des Moines store. On the 12th of June, 1893, in association with his older brother, W. W. Sibson, he purchased the stock and building of the Farmers' Alliance store. The stock was valued at five thousand dollars and this they later increased to the value of twenty thousand dollars, also building a business block at a cost of ten thousand dollars. They likewise carried in addition to this a branch stock at Viola Center and met with well merited success in their undertakings. After disposing of their mercantile interests the two brothers were engaged in the banking business for five years. William Sibson was married in 1894 and resided with his wife at Dedham, lowa, for fifteen years, on the expiration of which period, in 1909, he removed with his family to Sioux Falls. South Dakota, purchasing property at No. 721 South Duluth avenue, where he has since made his home. He is now engaged in business as a real-estate broker, dealing extensively in Texas land as president of the Western Land Security Company, which in February, 1902, was incorporated with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. They act as general agents for the La Feria Land Company, handling Texas irrigated farm lands, and also deal in South Dakota farm and grazing lands.

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On the 25th of December, 1894, Mr. Sibson was united in marriage to Miss Edith Fenton, who lived with her parents in Dedham, Iowa. She was born at Viola Center. lowa, on the 17th of October, 1877, a daughter of Philo Coville and Melissa Cynthia (Bruce) Fenton, who were married in Camden, New York, December 26, 1867. The father's birth occurred in Camden, Oneida county, New York, Jnne 14. 1844, while the mother was born at that place on the 29th of Jannary, 1845. In 1880 they established their home in Dedham, lowa, and at the age of five years their daughter Edith became a public-school student there. At the age of eiglit she took up the study of music and continued this in Dedham until fifteen years old, when she went to Highland Park, Des Moines, where music was made a special study. After two terms she returned to her home in Dedham, lowa, where she taught music to a large class. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, four sons and one daugh- ter, as follows: Glenn Robertson, who was born March 13, 1896, and is now engaged in clerking; Isabel Frances, whose birth occurred August 11, 1898, and who is a high-school student; Gordon Gifford, born March 3, 1902; Kenneth Lowell, whose natal day was June 29, 1907; and Kermit William, born January 6, 1910. The three last named are attending the grade school.

G. C. LANDMANN, M. D.

Dr. G. C. Landmann is a thoroughly trained and very successful physician of Scotland, South Dakota, where in a few years he has built up a large and representative practice. He was born in Scotland on the 14th of July, 1880, and is but a few months younger than the first white child born in that city. His grandfather, Anton Landmann, was a native of Prussia, born in the village of Duesen, Brandenburg, near the city of Berlin. At the age of twenty-one, however, he migrated to Russia, joining the German colony that had previously been established there, and there he married and reared a family, consisting of a daughter and two sons. His son Paul Landmann, the father of the Doctor, was born in Russia on the 22d of February, 1855, and accompanied his father to Yankton when the latter immigrated to South Dakota in the early territorial days. Both the father and son had been teachers in the old country and Anton Landmann became sufficiently proficient in English to teach in this country for a time.

Paul Landmann had learned the tinner's trade and soon found employment in Yankton, working for a number of years for Winn & Buckwalter, who conducted a tinshop in addition to their hardware store. In 1879 he purchased the firm's branch store at Scotland and remained in business there for about seventeen years. Upon disposing of his store he engaged in the real-estate business and also in banking until his death, which occurred on the 30th of October, 1908. At the time of his demise he was receiver for the defunct First National Bank of Scotland. He was an excellent manager and business man and was also the owner of many acres of fine farming land and of much valuable property. He was active iu public affairs in the early days, having served for one term as county treasurer and having repre- sented his district for one term in the state legislature. He was also a member of the board of regents. He was married in Yankton to Miss Carolina Serr, a native of Russia and a daughter of Philip Serr, who was of German descent. Her paternal grandfather was but nine years of age when he accompanied his father to Wurms, Russia, in 1808. Philip Serr died in Russia before the removal of the German colony to America, but his widow, who was in her maidenhood Anna Maria Herrmann, brought her family of six sons and two daughters to Dakota, reaching the territory August 6, 1873. Mrs. Landmann was the second of the children born to her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Landmann had six children, namely: Theodore, who is in business in Milwaukee; Dr. G. C., of this review; Clara, the wife of Gustav Bender, of Sutton, Nebraska; Frieda, a student in the State University at Vermillion; Eugenia, who graduated from the Scotland high school with the class of 1914; and Paul, Jr., still in school.

Dr. G. C. Landmann was given liberal educational advantages by his parents and after graduating from the Scotland Academy took a three years' course at Lake Forest University at Lake Forest, Illinois. He then matriculated in the medical department of the University of Illinois, located at Chicago, and after completing his four years' course was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. He began the practice of his profession in Parkston,

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South Dakota, the same year and remained there for four years. In 1907, however, he was offered the chair in bacteriology in Marquette University at Milwaukee, the leading Jesuit school in the west, and remained there until 1912, when he resigned and returned to Scotland to take charge of his mother's business as she did not wish the responsibility of managing her large landed and financial interests. Since his return to his native city he has built up a fine practice and is considered one of the most progressive and successful practitioners in Bon Homme county. He keeps fully abreast of the latest discoveries in the medical field and finds his membership in various medical associations a great aid in acquainting him with the work done by his brother physicians and surgeons. He belongs to the Yankton Distriet Medical Society, the South Dakota State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Brainard Medical Association of Milwaukee.

Dr. Landmann was married in Milwaukee on the 18th, of May, 1905, to Miss Belinda Rosenheimer, a native of that city and a daughter of Adolph Rosenheimer, who is prominent in the grain and malt business. Dr. and Mrs. Landmann bave two children, Paul and Ruth.

The Doctor is a member of the German Reformed church, in which he was reared, and of the Masonic order, affiliating with the blue lodge and the chapter at Scotland. He has only practiced in Scotland for a few years but in that time has gained an enviable reputation as a physician as he has a natural gift for the profession and is devoted in his study of the science of medicine. His office is splendidly equipped and he has an excellent professional library, but he does not confine his reading to medical books as he is a great lover of literature and his general library is one of the best in Scotland. He has won unusual individual success and he has likewise contributed largely to the welfare of his community and manifests in his life those sterling traits of character which are associated with the German race.

W. FOREST JONES.

Faulk county lost a worthy and valued citizen when W. Forest Jones was called to his final rest. He was but a young man and it seemed that many more years of activity and usefulness should have been allotted to him. His birth occurred in New York, near Syracuse, March 10, 1878, his parents being D. Ray and Elizabeth (Humphrey) Jones, who were natives of New York and Wisconsin respectively. The father was a farmer and followed that occupa- tion throughout his entire life. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Dakota territory, taking up his abode in 1882, near Cresbard, whenee he afterward removed to Faulkton, where he passed away on the 6th of November, 1912. His widow survives and still resides in that city.

W. Forest Jones had a twin sister and they were the first born in the parents' family. The father was an invalid and therefore at the age of fourteen years W. Forest Jones left school and began working for other people in order to provide for his own support. After a few years he began learning the carpenter's trade and developed expert skill along that line. He then engaged in contracting and building on his own account and gained an extensive patronage, continuing in the business until his death, which occurred September 10, 1906. Many evidences of his skill and handiwork are still to be seen in Faulkton and the surrounding country. As he prospered in his undertakings he made judicious investment in property and became one of the landowners of the county, a part of his land being still in possession of Mrs. Jones, who derives a good rental therefrom.

In his political views Mr. Jones was a republican, but while he always exercised his right of franchise in support of the principles in which he believed, he never sought nor held public office. He guided his life according to the teachings of the Christian religion, being a member of the Congregational church. On the 15th of December, 1900, he married Miss Octavia Nanney, who was born in Perry county, Missouri, a daughter of T. R. and Hannah E. (Robert- son) Nanney, who were of eastern birth. In early life the father began farming and they became pioneer settlers of Missouri, where they lived until 1898, when they came to South Dakota, settling in Faulkton, where they still make their home. The father is now practically retired from business. Mrs. Jones is the youngest of their three children and the only one now living. She was educated in the schools of St. Marys, Missouri, completing a high-school course. Prior to her marriage she acquainted herself with the newspaper business in Faulkton

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and in 1913 she purchased the office and equipment of the Faulkton Advocate and has since conducted this paper, which she publishes weekly. She possesses excellent business ability, unfaltering enterprise and keen sagacity and has made the Advocate a popular journal.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born two children: Harry Robert, horn October 21, 1902; and Olive Evelyn, born January 2, 1905. Mr. Jones belonged to the Masonic lodge of Faulkton and his widow is connected with the Eastern Star. He was also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mrs. Jones is identified with the Rebekah lodge, of which she is now conductor, with the Degree of Honor, in which she is chief, and with the Modern Brotherhood of America, of which she is marshal. She is also identified with the Ladies of the Maccabees. Her business and social connections have brought her a wide acquaintance and she has an extensive circle of warm friends throughout Faulk county.

DANIEL E. COFFEY.

The ability of Daniel E. Coffey finds demonstration in the increasing business of the State Bank of Fairfax, of which he is one of the principal stockholders and the cashier. During his connection with the bank as an officer he has contributed in substantial measure to its upbuilding. There are no unusual factors in his success, for he has hased his advancement upon close application, firm determination and unfaltering perseverance. A native of Holt county, Nebraska, he was born September 12, 1881, of the marriage of John and Johanna (Murphy) Coffey. The father, who was a pioneer of that state, devoted much of his life to farming but lived retired for twelve years prior to his death, which occurred in August, 1914. His widow survives.

Daniel E. Coffey was educated in the public schools and in a normal school, after which he entered a bank in Nebraska, where he was employed for four years. On the expiration of this period he came to South Dakota and purchased the State Bank of Fairfax, holding a large majority of the stock. He then bent his energies toward the extension of its business relations and has secured a large clientele. In addition to his bank stock he has important real-estate interests, owning seven hundred and twenty acres of land in South Dakota.

On the 26th of May, 1909. Mr. Coffey was united in marriage to Miss Bernice Van Gordon, a daughter of Albert L. Van Gordon. He is a devout communicant of the Catholic church and also belongs to Gregory Council of the Knights of Columbus. While living in Spencer, Nebraska, he filled the office of city treasurer, but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him, as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. However, he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship and gives his support wherever a plan or project is put forth that tends to promote the welfare of the community.

HENRY HELVIG.

Henry Helvig is the efficient cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Sisseton, the largest banking institution in Roberts county. He is a young man, possessing marked enter- prise, laudable ambition and unfaltering determination, and the success which he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own efforts. He was born in Norway on the 25th of April, 1881, and is a son of Charles and Hannah (Twedt) Overland, who spent their entire lives in Norway.

Their son Henry was left an orphan when an infant and was reared by a family of the name of Helvig and hence has always been known by that name. He went to Story City, Iowa, with his foster father, A. S. Helvig, in the year 1884 and remained with him until 1903, when he came to South Dakota. He attended the public schools of Story City, and was gradu- ated from the high school at Roland, Iowa, with the class of 1897. He afterward attended Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, for three years and thus liberal educational training well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. His initial step in the business world was made as a clerk in a general store at Roland, Iowa, where he remained for five years, and on the expiration of that period he went to Sisseton, South Dakota, where he accepted a

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position as clerk in a bank. In 1902 the Citizens Bank was organized and in January, 1910, he was made its cashier, in which connection he is contributing in no small measure to its success and continued growth. His fellow officers in the institution are: S. O. Hegland, president; J. W. Barrington, vice president; and Leo J. Lukanitsch, assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, has a surplus and profits of fifteen thousand dollars, has in circulation forty thousand dollars and its deposits amount to over six hundred and ten thousand dollars. The bank has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth and has eclipsed every other hanking institution of the county. Mr. Helvig is also president of the Eden State Bank at Eden, South Dakota, and of the Claire City Bank at Claire City. Both of these banks have been but recently organized and are having a wonderful growth. He is also a director of the First State Bank of Peever.

On the 28th of May, 1903, Mr. Helvig was united in marriage to Miss Mary O. Hegland, who was born in Roland, Iowa, and they have three children, Hazel, Esther and Sarah. The parents are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod and Mr. Helvig is a republican in politics, but he does not seek nor wish for public office, preferring to devote his entire atten- tion to his banking interests. He is a very busy man and has succeeded even beyond his expectations. In addition to his bank stock he owns fourteen hundred acres of land in Roberts county and ranks among the foremost business men of the town.

ROBERT J. TRUAX.

Robert J. Truax, a pioneer of Hill City, is one of the leading residents of that place and is connected with many lines of activity. He owns considerable real estate, is heavily interested in mining, owns a factory for the manufacture of brick and is engaged in the auto- mobile business. Born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 26th of August, 1838, he is a son of Daniel V. and Sarah (Wright) Truax, the former born in Holland and the latter in Canada. In early manhood the father was a steamboat captain on the St. Lawrence river but in 1852 removed with his family to Hastings, Minnesota, where lie resided for the remainder of his days. After removing to that state he confined his attention largely to farming.

Robert J. Truax received a somewhat limited education and when twelve years of age began working in the lath mills and machine shops. He was employed in various capacities until 1861, but in April of that year joined Company F, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and when the ninety days for which he had enlisted were up reenlisted in the Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and after three years again reenlisted, remaining with that command until September, 1865. For four and a half years he was at the front and during all that time was never wounded. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted successively to corporal and sergeant. He fought in the battle of Stone River, Little Rock and Sabine River, in the siege of Vicksburg, and in many other engagements of lesser importance. Upon returning to civil life he found employment on the Mississippi river, running a boat for a large company. He operated freight boats, etc., until about 1875, when he went to Minneapolis, where he was in business for two or three years. His next removal was to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and for about three years he conducted a hotel there. He then went to Minnesota, as he had a contract on railroad work. After about two years he went to Mandan, North Dakota, on railroad construction work and was engaged in railroad contracting for about four years. He then mined in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, for about two years and thence went to Butte, Montana.

In the fall of 1885 Mr. Truax located in the Black Hills, South Dakota, settling first at Buffalo Gap. After spending the winter there he went to Spring Creek and there engaged in mining. About 1890, realizing the need of building brick, he opened a brick yard at Hill City and is still engaged in the manufacture of brick. He has retained his mining interests, how- ever, and operates three or four mines, including the Mercedes gold mines at Rockford, from which he derives a considerable profit. He also promoted the two Tungsten mills at Hill City and for many years has been actively connected with the development of his locality. Besides' his mining properties in this state he owns farm lands in Minnesota, a tobacco and fruit plantation in Cuba and also business and residence properties in Hill City. His energies are seemingly exhaustless and in addition to his other activities he operates a garage which is fully prepared to meet the demands of the automobile owning public. He was the founder

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of Mandan, North Dakota, and of Moorhead, Minnesota, and was one of the first to strike a tent in Fargo, North Dakota. When he settled in Hill City there was but one small log store there and many times other residents of the place had to go to him to secure supplies, which he always gave them freely. He has always manifested that hospitality and great- heartedness which is characteristic of the west and has been a true pioneer, finding much satisfaction in helping to open up new districts to civilization. In so doing he has also found opportunity for many good business investments and is now a man of independent means. He frequently spends his winters in Cuba, but a number of times his mining interests have compelled him to remain in South Dakota.

Mr. Truax has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Mary Elnora Berry, of Hastings, Minnesota, who became his wife in 1863. She passed away in September, 1909, and her demise was sincerely mourned by all who knew her. To that union were born the following children: Robert A., deceased; George A., who is mining property belonging to his father in Rockford, this state; and John E., a resident of Nemo, South Dakota, who is in the employ of the Homestake Mining Company and who married Miss Josephine Hebart and has three children living, while three died in childhood. On the 4th of March, 1913, Mr. Truax wedded Miss Josephine Aaron, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Truax is a republican hut has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, as his extensive business activities have demanded his entire time. He belongs to Phil Sheridan Post, G. A. R., and also holds membership in the Owls. During the many years that he has resided in Hill City he has always assisted in enterprises which he believed to be calculated to benefit his community and state and as he is energetie and is also sound in judgment his cooperation has been a factor of no little importance in the development of liis locality.

FRANK G. VESSEY. .

Frank G. Vessey, president of the Wessington Springs State Bank of Wessington Springs and a member of one of the most prominent pioneer families of Jeranld county, was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, June 26, 1864. His father, the Rev. Charles Vessey, was a native of England and came to America in 1840, settling in Ashland, Wisconsin, where he served as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1883 he removed with has family to Jerauld county, Dakota territory, where he entered a homestead and in addition to developing his property served for many years as lay preacher, his influence being a potent force in the moral progress of the community. His death occurred on the homstead farm in 1894, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Miss Margaret Barker, was a native of England and of Scotch-Irish parentage. In her girlhood she went to Wisconsin, where she was married.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 118

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