History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 119

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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In the public schools of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Frank G. Vessey was educated and when twenty years of age hecame a resident of Jerauld county, where for two years he assisted in the development of the home farm. In 1886 he left home to engage in the farm-machinery business at Wassington Springs, operating successfully along that line until 1892, when he entered the banking business as bookkeeper for the Bank of Wessington Springs. He was promoted to the position of cashier and in 1913 was elected president, so that as the chief executive head of the institution is carefully directing its interests. He is also vice president of the Farmers State Bank of Lane, South Dakota, and is largely interested in real estate, his holdings including fifteen hundred acres of valuable farm lands.

His home life had its inception September 7, 1892, when he married Susie J. Neff. a daughter of George and Mary (Ekas) Neff, of Guthrie county, Iowa. The Neff family came from Freeport, Pennsylvania, and were descended from early colonial Swiss settlers in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Vessey have become parents of four children: Leland N., who was educated in the Dakota Wesleyan University; F. Vernon, deputy county treasurer of Jerauld county and also a graduate of the Dakota Wesleyan University; and Aleta N. and Mary M., both attending high school.

Mr. Vessey turns for recreation to motoring and greatly enjoys touring in his car. He is a republican, giving unswerving loyalty to the party and has served on several occasions as a delegate to state conventions. While not in any sense a politician, he has for many years been a member of the town council and is a member and the treasurer of the Wessing-

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ton Springs school board. He affiliates with the Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of America and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is serving on its board of trustees and was a member of the building commit- tee during the construction of the new church, which is one of the finest church edifices in the state. He contributes most liberally to the support of the church and to its allied char- itable activities. He takes a progressive stand on all matters of public improvement and advancement, has always been a strong supporter of the temperance movement and has been one of the pioneer advocates of good roads. For many years he has been interested in the improvement of the live-stock industry of the state and has himself bred many prize-win- ning cattle. His success is due to his keen business instinct, which has led him to make fortunate investments, all founded on an implicit faith in the ultimate destiny and pros- perity of this growing state. He is indeed self-made in the highest and best sense of the term, looking not to outside aid or influence for his advancement but recognizing the fact that progress depends upon the individual. He has been willing to pay the price of success, which is concentrated effort that never permits the sacrifice of interests intrusted to him and which seeks to make of business not only a source of individual profit but an element in publie progress as well.

HERBERT M. HANSON.

Herbert M. Hanson is a native son of Minnehaha county, his birth having occurred in Benton township, on the 29th of January, 1875. His parents were Nils and Anna (Johnson) Hanson, both natives of Sweden. The maternal grandparents, Samuel and Neta Johnson, came to South Dakota in 1874 or 1875 from Wisconsin, where they had first located upon emigrating to the United States, and both are still living in Minnehaha county, the grand- father at the age of eighty-four years and the grandmother at the age of eighty-three. The mother of Herbert M. Hanson came to this country with her parents and the father came to the new world as a young man, first locating in Pennsylvania. After a short time he removed westward, his destination being Wisconsin. There his marriage occurred and in 1874 he removed to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Benton township, at the same time, with Lars Benson, taking up as a tree claim the northeast quarter of section 6. Nils Hanson resided upon the homestead until his death, which occurred on the 5th of October, 1895, and his widow, who survives, is still residing there.

Herbert M. Hanson was educated in the common schools and assisted in the work of the home farm until 1906, when he located upon his present farm, which is one hundred acres of the tree claim taken by his father and which came into his possession at the latter's death. However, he operates the full quarter section, renting the sixty acres from the estate. He is a successful farmer, understanding well the nature of the soil of his section of the state and knowing also the methods which will secure the best results. He is also connected with business interests as a stockholder in the Crooks Lumber Company and in the Farmers Elevator Company of Crooks.

Mr. Hanson was united in marriage in 1905 to Miss Anna Arvidson, a native of Sweden, and they are parents of two children, Arnold Neville and Harry Adolphus. The parents are members of the Swedish Lutheran church and take an active interest in its welfare. Mr. Hanson is a republican in politics and has served for a term of three years as school clerk of his district. Fraternally be belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and is pop- ular with his fellow members. His sterling traits of character and his capacity for friend- ship have won him the affectionate regard as well as the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.

FRANK EMERSON.

Frank Emerson, of Yankton, is one of the owners of a modern, up-to-date and complete dairy plant and is conducting a growing and profitable business. A native of Pennsylvania, he was horn at Uniontown, March 25, 1880, a son of Aquilla and Ellen (Springer) Emerson, who were also natives of the Keystone state. In the year 1884 the parents brought their family

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to Dakota territory settling at Freeman, but after a year removed to Yankton. In their family were eight children, those besides the subject of this review being: Amanda Jane, now the wife of Rasmus Peterson, of Yankton county; Springer, who is engaged in the dray and transfer business at Calexico, California; John, a horse dealer at White Owl, South Dakota; Milton R., a farmer of Moscow, Idaho; Joseph, engaged in the dairy business with his brother Frank; Steve, who is connected with the Guernsey Seed Company of Yankton; and Mrs. Ellery Dunn, of Yankton.

Frank Emerson acquired his education in the public schools of Yankton and after his textbooks were put aside worked upon a farm for seven years, becoming familiar with all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1903 he and his brother Joseph began dealing in milk, establishing a dairy business on a very limited capital. Their interests and activities have constantly enlarged and developed and they today own one hundred and eighty acres of land near Yankton. They have a large number of horses and all kinds of modern machinery to facilitate their work. They have one of the most modern concrete barns in the state, its dimensions being thirty-six by ninety feet, and they use the Hinman milking machines in milking from thirty-five to sixty cows. The most sanitary conditions are observed in the care of the milk and of the stock and as they keep high grade cows the milk which they handle is of excellent quality and they have no difficulty in winning patronage.

In 1907 Frank Emerson was united in marriage to Miss Grace Otis, of Yankton, and they have two daughters, Ruth Viola and Rheta Mae. In his fraternal relations Mr. Emerson is a Modern Woodman, having joined the camp at Mission Hill, South Dakota. He and his family are members of the Methodist church and are in sympathy with movements for the moral progress of the community. In business circles Mr. Emerson has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man, for on starting out in life he had to spend seven years in the employ of others, receiving but meager wages, yet from that sum he managed to save enough to enable him to start in business. Since then his progress has been continnous and his record is most creditable.

OLE J. STORDAHL.

Ole J. Stordahl has long been numbered among the substantial citizens and representa- tive agriculturists of Minnehaha county, South Dakota, owning valuable farming land on section 14, Lyons township, where he has made his home for more than four decades. His birth occurred in Norway on the 23d of December, 1843, bis parents being Jens Ansson and Bertha Larson, who came to the United States subsequent to the emigration of our subject. They took up their abode in Goodhue county, Minnesota, but died in Polk county, that state.

Ole J. Stordahl was reared to manhood in his native land and obtained his education in the public schools. He was married in Norway, in 1867, to Miss Brynhil Christenson, and in 1870, in company with his wife and one son, crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Goodhue county, Minnesota. Three years later, in 1873, he came to South Dakota and entered the homestead on section 14, Lyons township, Minnehaha county, on which he still resides. Subsequently he also took up a tree claim, and this is likewise still in his possession. His wife owns a tract of one hundred and sixty acres two miles south of the home farm. In the cultivation of his land he has met with well merited success, annually gathering rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.

In 1874, one year after coming to this state, Mr. Stordahl lost his wife. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are deceased. In 1876 Mr. Stordahl was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Blasterwod, also a native of Norway, who emigrated to America in 1870, settling in Goodhue county, Minnesota. The year 1875 wit- nessed her arrival in South Dakota. By her marriage to Mr. Stordahl she became the mother of ten children, seven of whom still survive, as follows: Brynhil, who is the wife of Joseph Dokken and resides in the state of Washington; Lars, at home; Olena, who is a nurse in a Sioux Falls hospital; Ole, at home; Brent, a practicing attorney of Sioux Falls; Gustav, at home; and Tina, a student in the Madison State Normal School.

Mr. Stordahl is a republican in politics and has served as township treasurer for the

MR. AND MRS. OLE J. STORDMIL

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past twenty years, making a highly creditable and commendable record in that connection. For a period of fonrteen years he also held the office of postmaster at West Point. He is a stockholder in Lyons Bank of which he is vice president. He is a member of the Lutheran synod and exempbfies its teachings in his daily life. Mr. Stordahl has never regretted his determination to seek a home in the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he songht and in their wise utilization has won prosperity and an honored name.

JOHN J. HOFFMAN.

John J. Hoffman is filling the position of county treasurer in Gregory county and is a faithful custodian of the public funds. He was born in Germany, September 27, 1887, his parents being John F. and Eva Hoffman. The father was a miller by trade, but turned his attention to farming, and in the year 1887 came with his family to the United States, making his way to Iowa, where he resided for a short time. He then removed to South Dakota and homesteaded in Gregory county, becoming one of its first settlers. He still owns the old homestead and gives careful supervision to its further development and improvement. His wife also survives.

John J. Hoffman, who was one of a family of eleven children, acquired his early education in the country schools and afterward continued his studies at Wilton, Iowa, at Redfield, South Dakota, in Fremont county, Nebraska, and in Boyle's Business College of Omaha. He left college at the request of John P. Behin, for whom he worked for eleven months in the office of the register of deeds. He then accepted a position in the Merchants & Farmers Bank at Dallas, continuing his connection with the bank, of which he is still a stockholder, until elected to the office of county treasurer in the fall of 1912. He at once entered upon the duties of the position and has displayed the same thoroughness and fidelity which character- ized him in the conduct of his private business affairs. He made such an excellent record in office that he was reelected in the fall of 1914 and is now serving for the second term.

On the 26th of November, 1912, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miss Ruth E. Zimmerle, a daughter of John Zimmerle, and their children are Margaret M. and Phyllis C. Mr. Hoffman is a Protestant in religious faith, a Mason in his fraternal relations and a republican in his political views. He is much interested in South Dakota and its development and has ever displayed sterling traits of citizenship. His course in every relation of life has been such as to win for him respect and he is justly accounted one of the substantial citizens of his part of the state.

WILLIAM S. D. ADAMS.

The name of William S. D. Adams is well known in newspaper circles throughout the northwest, for he is editor and owner of the Reporter and Farmer, published at Webster. He was born in Clinton, Illinois, March 26, 1862, and is a son of James C. and Elizabetlı (Denton) Adams. The father, who was born in Virginia in 1841, died in November, 1903, having for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away in 1885. She was born in Ireland in 1844 and they were married in Clinton, Illinois. James C. Adams had accom- panied his parents to Clinton when he was a small child. His father was William W. Adams, who became a resident of Clinton at a very early day and there spent the remainder of his life, practicing medicine at that place for many years. The maternal grandfather, William S. Denton, was born in England, became a civil engineer and worked for the English govern- ment, being noted as a bridgebuilder, operating under the name of Denton & Childs. He made the first survey of the Chicago river.

James C. Adams was educated in a Kentucky college and left school in order to enter the army at the time of the Civil war. He served in an Illinois regiment, being on active duty for three and a half years and after being wounded at the battle of Shiloh was in the hospital for some time. He was on duty with the ram fleet and was on the Queen of the West when it sank in front of Vicksburg but was among the number who escaped. When

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the war was over he went to Mississippi and published one of the three newspapers then issued in the state. In connection with John B. Raymond and General H. R. Rees he stumped the state for the republican nominee for governor but the Ku Klux clan became antagonistic and took his printing outfit, which they sank in the Mississippi river. In 1871 Mr. Adams went to Iowa and established a paper at Avoca which he called the Delta, conducting it with success until 1883, when be removed with his family to Webster, South Dakota, and purchased the Reporter and Farmer. He also established the Day County Daylight, which he issued on his claim, which was situated eighteen miles from a postoffice and thirty miles from a railroad, while it was a mile and a half to the home of his nearest neighbor. He and his son, William S. D. Adams, both took claims of one hundred and sixty acres and the son proved up his claim, after which he went to Britton and was the first postmaster of that place. James C. Adams sold bis interest in the Farmer and Reporter in 1891 and purchased the Howard County Times at Cresco, Iowa, continuing its publication until his death in 1902. By his first marriage he had seven children, of whom three are living: Maude, the wife of George H. Baker, a miller of Deer Park, Washington; Josiah J., a printer in his brother's office; and William S. D. After losing his first wife James C. Adams was mar- ried in 1887 to Mrs. Jessie G. White, who is now living at Lake Helen, Florida. For two years after her husband's death she conducted the paper which he had been issuing at Cresco, Iowa. She has been very prominent in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and in the equal franchise work and directed the last campaign for woman's suffrage in Florida. She is well known as a writer upon topics of vital interest and is a lady of broad and liberal education and culture. Mr. Adams was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while the mother of William S. D. Adams belonged to the Episcopal church. The father was connected with the blue lodge and the chapter in Masonry and with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and passed through all the chairs in those organizations. His political allegiance was ever given to the republican party from its formation and at one time he served as state senator. He became a charter member and was also the president of the State Press Association for a number of years.

William S. D. Adams pursued his education in the public schools of Avoca, Iowa, and in his youth took up newspaper work, which he has followed throughout his entire life. He engaged in business with his father in Iowa in 1881 and afterward came with him to South Dakota, since which time he has continued in newspaper publication in this state. He sold the Daylight in 1885, at which time the name of that paper was changed to the Marshall County Journal, under which title it has since been published. Mr. Adams still owns and publishes the Reporter and Farmer, which has a circulation of twelve hundred, and in addition he does a large job printing and book binding business. His office is well equipped and the work which he turns out is first class. He thoroughly understands the printing trade in every particular and is thus able to direct the labors of those whom he employs.

Fraternally Mr. Adams is connected with the Masons, has passed through all of the chairs of the blue lodge and is connected with the Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party, but he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to devote his entire attention to his newspaper interests.

PHILIP L. LARSON.

Philip L. Larson, a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen of Benton town- ship, Minnehaha county, owns and operates a farm of two hundred acres on section 3, where he has resided continuously from his birth to the present time. He was born on the 19th of November. 1876, his parents being Olaus and Petronella (Johnson) Larson, who emigrated to the United States as young man and young woman. They were married in Wilcox. Penn- sylvania, where the father worked in a tannery. In 1874 or 1875 they came to South Dakota, locating in Benton township, Minnehaha county, where Olaus Larson homesteaded the north- west quarter of section 3. Soon afterward he took up a forty-acre timber claim adjoining his homestead and here continued to reside until 1907, when he removed to Crooks, where his demise occurred in June, 1910. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covered more than a third of a century and he was long numbered among its prosperous agriculturists

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and esteemed citizens. He was twice married, his first wife passing away in 1882, while his second wife survived him for about three years.

Philip L. Larson attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and after attaining his majority continued on the home farm, assisting his father in its opera- tion. In 1907 the latter put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Crooks, leaving our subject in charge of the property. In the fall of 1913 he purchased the farm, which has since remained in his possession and which he operates in a manner that insures him a gratifying annual income. He is likewise a stockholder in the Crooks Lumber Company and is widely recognized as an enterprising and progressive citizen of his native county.

In 1908 Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Johnson, her father being Andrew Johnson, a prominent agriculturist of Grand Meadow township, Minnehaha county. They have two daughters, Olga and Emma. Mr. Larson is a republican in politics and has served as road overseer of his district. His religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Benton Lutheran church, of which he is a trustee and to which his wife also belongs. The salient qualities of his life have ever commended him to the confidence, goodwill and friendship of those with whom he comes in contact, and he has always enjoyed the warm regard of a host of friends.

JAMES K. GORMAN.

James K. Gorman is senior partner in the firm of J. K. Gorman & Sons, hardware and implement merchants, at Hayti, but he maintains his residence in Castlewood. He is num- bered among the pioneer settlers of that section of the state, having witnessed practically its entire development, for at the time of his arrival there was not a house within thirty- five miles of his location in Florence township, Hamlin county. His aid and influence have been a potent factor in the development and progress which have resulted in present day conditions.

Mr. Gorman is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in the province of Ontario, June 4, 1850, his parents being John and Ann (MIeGinley) Gorman, both of whom are deceased. He pursued his education in the public schools and after his textbooks were put aside left home at the age of sixteen years and began work in the lumber woods of Wis- consin. For an extended period his activities were directed along that line and in 1878 he came to South Dakota, purchasing a quarter section and taking a tree claim in Deuel county, near Goodwin, and also a tree claim in Hamlin county. After securing title to his property he traded it. For twenty-six years he was foreman on the ranch of D. J. Spaulding, having supervision of about ten thousand acres of land, a fact which indicates his ability and efficiency. The interests intrusted to him were of a most important character and at all times he proved equal to the task. He had previously been employed in the lumber woods of Wisconsin by Mr. Spaulding, who, therefore, knew the quality and character of the man whom he made his foreman. In March, 1904, when the town of Hayti was founded, Mr. Gorman established his present place of business, with a full line of hardware and agricul- tural implements, and, admitting his sons to a partnership, the business is now carried on under the style of J. K. Gorman & Sons. Their trade has increased year by year as their part of the state has become more thickly settled. Their business methods commend them to the confidence and support of the public and their patronage has now reached proportions that make the business a gratifying and profitable one. In fact, they do the bulk of the business in their line in their section and in addition to his commercial interests Mr. Gorman owns a farm of six hundred and forty acres in Florence township.

On the 9th of October, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gorman and Miss Margaret Bennett, a danghter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bennett, both deceased. The children of this marriage are: Josie, the wife of William Michaels, of Willow Lake; May, the wife of M. J. Russell, of Hayti; Edward B. and James B., who are associated with their father in busi- ness; and Sadie and Grace, both at home.

The family residence is maintained at Castlewood and is a most hospitable one, its good cheer being greatly enjoyed by the many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Gorman. Their

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religious faith is that of the Catholic church and his political support is given the demo- cratic party. That he ranks high in the regard of his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he has been elected county commissioner for six different terms. He has also filled township offices and for a number of years has been officially connected with the schools. He certainly deserves mention among the pioneer residents of the section in which he located. He did not dread the loneliness nor shrink from the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but with resolute spirit met the conditions that existed at the time of his arrival, when his place of abode was thirty-five miles from another habitation. He has lived to see remark- able changes and there have been almost equally remarkable changes in his own fortunes, for he started out in life empty handed and through persistent purpose has steadily worked his way upward, his ability and capable management winning for him a creditable measure of success.

BENJAMIN N. OLIVER.

Benjamin N. Oliver, founder of the town of New Underwood and engaged in the live- stock business in Meade county, where he has an extensive ranch property, was born on the 16th of June, 1840, in Berkshire, Franklin county, Vermont, a son of Benjamin and Mehitable (Wallace) Oliver. The father was born in Lower Eastern Canada in 1801, and the mother's birth occurred in the state of New York, February 17, 1809, while their marriage was cele- brated January 16, 1826. Benjamin Oliver made farming his life work and in the year 1870 he removed westward to Clay county, South Dakota, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1874. His wife survived him for about eight years and passed away in the same county in 1882. While Mr. Oliver never aspired to political honors and emolu- ments he nevertheless held some local offices, to which he was called by the vote of his fellow townsmen who recognized his worth and ability.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 119

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