History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 120

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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Benjamin N. Oliver was the second in order of birth in a family of five children but only one is now living. He attended school in Vermont to the age of twelve years and after the removal of the family to Wisconsin he continued his studies there, yet his educational advantages altogether were quite limited. He was seventeen years of age when he began working for others and since that time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. At the age of eighteen he engaged in the lumber business in Wisconsin on Wolf river and continued in connection with that business for about five years. He afterward established a blacksmith and wagon shop at Winneconne, Wisconsin, but at a still later date sold out and there built a shingle mill, which he operated with a fair measure of success until 1868. In 1870 he arrived in Vermillion, South Dakota, and located on a ranch, where he. engaged in the live-stock business, handling both cattle and horses. There he resided until 1884, when he took up his abode in Meade county, settling ten miles north of Under- wood. He became the owner of one thousand acres of ranch and farm land which he operated as a stock ranch and he also conducted a store. He was likewise postmaster at Viewfield, which is situated on his ranch. He has recently sold five hundred acres of his land. In the year 1907 he built the first house in the town of Underwood and also a livery and feed barn, continuing in the livery business for about two years. He then disposed of his interest in that business but is still engaged in dealing in live stock on the Meade county ranch, keep- ing on hand a large number of horses and cattle, with his son acting as superintendent and living upon a near-by ranch. For about twenty-seven years Mr. Oliver has been engaged in growing alfalfa, being one of the first to undertake the production of that crop in South Dakota. For a number of years he occupied the position of cashier at the bank in Unde! - wood. He is a resourceful business man, ready to meet any emergency and his strength of purpose and indefatigable energy have wrought for success all along the way.

On the 29th of November, 1861, Mr. Oliver was united in marriage to Miss Deboralı Hickman, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, a daughter of John and Hannah (Gilson) Hick- man both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the latter born in 1801, while the former was a number of years older. The father always followed farming as a life work and he died when Mrs. Oliver was but ten years of age, passing away in Ohio. The mother went west to Wisconsin about 1853 or 1854, settling in Oshkosh, and later she removed to Fre-

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

mont, taking up her abode on a ranch, where she passed away in the year 1880. Mrs. Oliver was the sixth born in a family of seven children and was educated in Oshkosh and in other towns of that locality.

To Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have been born eight children: John B., who is engaged in ranching on the Belle Fourche river; Lois, the wife of Arilla Judson, a ranch- man and alfalfa grower living on a ranch near Viewfield on Elk creek; Albert, a ranchman living on Elk creek, near Viewfield, where he is extensively engaged in raising stock; Harlow, who owns and conducts a stock ranch and grows alfalfa near the Belle Fourche river; William, deceased; Arthur H., who is a ranchman living on the Belle Fourche river; Bert, who is engaged in raising and feeding live stock on the Belle Fourche; and Clarence, a ranchman, stock-raiser and farmer living on Elk creek.

Mr. Oliver is a member of the Elks lodge of Rapid City and was master of the Grange in Clay county for a number of years, doing all in his power to further the interests of those engaged in developing the agricultural possibilities of the state. His political allegiance is given the democratic party and he has held a number of local offices but still higher honors awaited him in his election to the office of state legislator, in which position he served for two terms in 1895 and 1897. He thus left the impress of his individuality upon the laws of the commonwealth and at all times stands for those things which are of service in com- munity life and which contribute to the advancement of the commonwealth.

FREDERICK E. WALKER, M. D.

Dr. Frederick E. Walker, of Hot Springs, is a prominent member of his profession in the Black Hills district and in November, 1914, was elected a member of the state senate, his fellow citizens believing that his energy and knowledge of the trend of public events would be of value in the state legislature. He is a native of Grinnell, Iowa, born Janu- ary 5, 1872, of the marriage of Carter C. and Mary M. (Davis) Walker, born respectively in Zone, Canada, February 22, 1828, and in Geneseo, New York, March 31, 1834. Carter C. Walker, who was a farmer and brick manufacturer, came to the States at the age of nine; teen and in 1863 removed to Iowa, taking up his residence in Grinnell. He is living retired there, enjoying the fruits of his labor in former years, and his wife is also living. In 1909 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and received the congratulations of their many friends.

Dr. Walker is the youngest in a family of five children and attended the Grinnell (Ia.) schools. He prepared for his professional career in the medical department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, being graduated with the degree of M. D. with the class of 1898. He has since taken a number of post-graduate courses in different cities and remains a careful student of his profession. Before beginning practice, however, he had to a large extent provided for his own support for many years, as when but nine years of age he left home and entered the employ of a farmer. He did farm work, at the same time attending school, until sixteen years of age and was then employed as a clerk in a general store at Brooklyn, Iowa. He was connected with merchandising for two years and then taught school and at the same time read medicine. When about twenty-two years of age he entered medical school. After his graduation therefrom he located for practice at Bigelow, Minne- sota, but after a year removed to Worthington, that state, where he was engaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery until 1901. In that year he began to specialize in surgery and established the first hospital in southern Minnesota. He conducted that insti- tution for four years and was then appointed chief surgeon of the Sisters Hospital of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and removed to that city. For ten years he has filled that important position and the hospital's splendid record of successful operations during that time is largely due to his professional skill, his executive ability and his conscientious devotion to duty. In the November election of 1914 he was elected to the state senate on the repub- lican ticket from the forty-second district, embracing Custer and Fall River counties. Although that was the first time that he has been a candidate for office, he has, since reach- ing mature years, followed carefully the events that affect the public welfare and has studied social and economic conditions.

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Dr. Walker has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Daisy M. Barclay, a native of Brooklyn, Iowa, and their marriage was solemnized July 5, 1898, at Des Moines. She passed away November 25, 1902, at Minneapolis. On the 30th of August, 1906, Dr. Walker was again married, Miss Minnie L. Eckland becoming his wife. She was born in Sweden but has passed almost her entire life in this country, as she was but four years of age when she accompanied her parents to the United States. Two children have been born to the Doctor's second marriage: Mary Ellen, who died when three years of age; and Fred- eriek Thomas, whose birth occurred in 1911.

Dr. Walker is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He has found his connection with professional societies of great value to him in his work as a surgeon and is a loyal member of the Black Hills District Medical Society, the Sioux Valley Medical Society, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His life has been one of activity and of use- fulness and he has the supreme satisfaction of knowing that he has accomplished much that is worth while and that his developing powers give promise of still greater achievement in the years to come.

KRAUTH H. CRESSMAN.

Holding to high ideals of education, Krauth H. Cressman, of Fairfax, as county super- intendent of schools in Gregory county, is putting forth earnest effort to advance the stand- ard of the schools and increase their efficiency as factors in the preparation of the young for the responsible duties of life. He takes deep interest in his chosen profession and is regarded as one of the able educators of his part of the state. Professor Cressman is a native of South Easton, Pennsylvania, born August 12, 1868, his parents being the Rev. J. J. and Emma C. M. (Walters) Cressman. The father, who was a minister of the German Lutheran church, died in 1913, but the mother is still living.

After attending the public schools of Pennsylvania, Krauth H. Cressman entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Pennsylvania, from which in due time he was graduated, and later he attended Muhlenberg College at Allentown, Pennsylvania. He then took up the profession of teaching in his native state, after which he entered the government service as principal teacher of the Indian Industrial School, located at Pierre, South Dakota. Subsequently he was transferred to Leech Lake Boarding School at Leech Lake, Minnesota, as superintendent, there remaining from 1893 until 1900. He was next assigned to Rose- bud as teacher in the Redleaf day school, where he continued from 1900 until 1902, when he was made teacher in charge of the Ponca district, where he continued until 1908. In the latter year he withdrew from active connection with educational interests and through the succeeding two years devoted his attention to farming. He next removed to California to take charge of his fruit farm in that state and in 1912 he returned to South Dakota, settling at St. Charles, where he accepted the position of high school teacher, acting in that capac- ity until the 1st of January, 1915. In the previous fall he was elected superintendent of the schools of Gregory county and in January entered upon the duties of that position. He had made an excellent record as a teacher in the Indian schools of the state. Ready dis- crimination enabled him to know how to handle the schools and secure the cooperation and awaken the interest of the government charges. Already in his work as county super- intendent there has been evidenced a notable development in the educational system. He has instituted a spelling contest, has promoted industrial features of education and in fact there is a marked general elevation in all lines of school work. He is zealous and attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm. Greatly interested in agriculture, he does much to stimulate the interest of the children in that occupation, knowing how important it is to the young in this great prairie state, the wealth of which comes from its fields. He is the owner of a farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land in Gregory county and to its development and cultivation gives his personal supervision.

On the 22d of February, 1889, Mr. Cressman was united in marriage to Miss Jane E. Lilby, a daughter of Edward Lilby. To them have been born eleven children, namely: Walter L., Edward J., Krauth H., Jr., Esther .J., C. Luther, Robert E., Hattie E., Stella P.,

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Theo A., Catherine A. and Leslie I. In his political views Professor Cressman has always heen a republican since age conferred upon him the right of citizenship. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian and he is identified with several fraternal organizations, heing a Royal Arch Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and a Modern Woodman. He lives up to the teachings of these different fraternities, which recognize the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby imposed. In a word, he is interested in all that figures in the work of uplift for the individual and for the community.

HARTWELL CADY.

Hartwell Cady has been president of the Farmers State Bank at Mellette since its organization on the 1st of July, 1905. A distinguished financier has said: "If you would win success you must be willing to pay the price the price of earnest, indefatigable effort, sacrificing other interests to this end." Hartwell Cady of this review early came to a recognition of the truth of this admonition and since starting out in the business world he has closely confined his attention to the work that he has undertaken. Gradually, therefore, he has advanced and he is today not only one of the leading financiers but also one of the most prosperous citizens of Spink county. Thirty-three years have come and gone since he arrived in South Dakota, years which cover practically the history of the state's develop- ment and upbuilding.

Mr. Cady was born near Malone, New York, on the 30th of October, 1858, and there he remained until his removal to the northwest. He is a representative of one of the Old American families and his paternal grandfather, Reuben Cady, was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war, aiding valiantly in establishing American independence. His parents were William R. and Eliza A. (Roach) Cady. The former devoted his life to farming, continuing to till the soil until called to his final rest on the 3d of January, 1898. His wife, surviving him for three years, passed away in March, 1901, and her remains were interred by his side at North Bangor, New York. She was of Irish descent. In their family were five sons: C. W., who is engaged in the fire and life insurance business at Malone, New York; Orlen, a resident farmer of Moira, New York; Amos, who follows farming near Mellette, South Dakota; Hartwell of this review; and W. N., who carries on general agricultural pursuits near Malone.

Hartwell Cady had reached the age of twenty-four years before he left his native district. He acquired his education in the public schools of that locality, attending until he reached the age of sixteen years, after which he devoted his entire time to assisting his father until he attained his majority. At that time he took charge of the farm belonging to his uncle, Edwin Cady, and managed it successfully for about three years, but, wishing to own property, he resolved to come to the northwest, thinking that because of the sparsely set- tled condition land could be purchased at a very reasonable figure. He made his way to South Dakota in 1882 and a year later purchased a farm, also managing a farm belonging to his wife's uncle, George W. Prentice, who was a lumberman of Withee, Wisconsin.

In order to own land Mr. Cady filed on a tree claim and later a homestead, which he traded for property in the vicinity of his present farm. At length he disposed of his hold- ings and in 1890 and in 1891 purchased farm lands until he was the owner of thirteen hun- dred acres. Later he again traded and became the possessor of about eight hundred acres near Mellette in Spink county. He also has about fourteen hundred and eighty acres in Faulk county, of which he broke one hundred and twenty acres, continuing the cultivation of the place until he had eight hundred acres under the plow. He successfully carries on general farming and annually harvests good crops, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. He is also extensively engaged in raising cattle, horses and hogs, his live stock constituting an important branch of his business. In addition to his South Dakota property he owns about one thousand acres of land in Texas. He also erected the bank building at Mellette and is today president of the Farmers State Bank of that place, having been called to the position on the organization of the bank on the 1st of July, 1905. For seventeen years he was owner and proprietor of a store and his is one of the finest residences in his county. All of the improvements upon his farm have been made by him and include the building of sub-

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

stantial barns and outbuildings which furnish ample shelter to grain and stock. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to carry on the work of the fields, which are well fenced and are of convenient size. There is no feature of modern scientific farming that does not find expression on his place and his theories have found demonstration in practice that has brought splendid results.

On the 25th of February, 1880, Mr. Cady was united in marriage to Miss Ida L. Easton. Her father, George Easton, is now deceased, but her mother, Mrs. Minerva (Prentice) Easton, lives at Dickinson Center, New York, at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Cady have three children: Noel W., who is a fire insurance agent at Aberdeen; George P., eashier of the Farmers State Bank at Mellette; and Esther, who is a graduate of the high school at Mellette and is now a student in the Downer College, Milwaukee.

Mr. Cady is a blue lodge Mason and also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. He is a republican and vital questions receive his earnest consideration. For one term he has served as county commissioner and he is interested in all that pertains to eivic better- ment. Of the Old Settlers Association he is a valued member and now its vice president. The various phases of development and upbuilding in Spink county and that part of the state are familiar to him, for he has long been a witness of its progress and has taken his part in many events which have left their impress upon the history of the region. His aid and influence are always on the side of advancement and he holds to high standards both for the individual and for the community. In a review of his life there is found much that may serve to encourage and inspire others. He started out empty handed but there came to him opportunities that he eagerly grasped-opportunities that many another might have passed heedlessly by. He knows what it is to work hard, for he early recognized that industry is always a winning force and that when intelligently directed the results are certain and sure.

DOUGLAS F. CARLIN.

Douglas F. Carlin has resided upon his present fine ranch on the Cheyenne river since 1890 and is one of the best known and most highly esteemed residents of Stanley county. He was born in Greene county, Illinois, August 20, 1855, of the marriage of Thomas J. and Mary J. (Kelly) Carlin. The brother of his paternal grandfather was at one time governor of Illi- nois and his father, Thomas J. Carlin, was quite prominent in polities. He also owned land and won a substantial measure of financial success.

Douglas F. Carlin received his early education in the country schools and later attended Christian Brothers' College at St. Louis, remaining in that institution until 1874. He then assisted his father until 1876, but in November of that year, when twenty-one years of age, was elected chief deputy sheriff, serving in that office for a year. Subsequently he went to Fort Yates to visit an unele, Brigadier General Carlin, and liked the west so well that he accepted a position at the fort, in the quartermaster's department. He remained there until 1881, when he was transferred to Pierre and given charge of the shipping to Fort Meade. continuing in that connection until 1884. In that year he was appointed chief clerk to Dr. McChesney, United States Indian agent, and held that position until 1890, when he removed to his present ranch on the Cheyenne river. He holds title to six hundred and forty acres of land, the greater part of which he devotes to growing alfalfa, and he is also interested in stock-raising, generally having from five to eight hundred head of cattle and horses on his ranch. He has managed his business affairs well and has gained a handsome competence.

In 1887 Mr. Carlin was united in marriage to Miss Marcella Dupree, a daughter of Fred Dupree, one of the best known ranchmen of the west. Mr. Carlin was instrumental in arranging for the sale of his father-in-law's famous herd of buffaloes to D. Scotty Phillip, whose son now owns six hundred head.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlin have nine living children, namely: Lilly, whose birth occurred in 1888; Thomas, born in 1890; Walter, in 1892; Laura, 1896; Bessie, 1898; Ruth, 1901; Douglas, 1906; Edward, 1912; and Frances. 1915. Three died in infancy and Catherine, whose birth occurred in 1903, died on the 22d of June, 1915, from the effects of an accident with a horse.

In 1902 Mr. Carlin was honored by election to the state senate and proved a very capable legislator. He is at present county commissioner and no trust reposed in him is ever betrayed.

DOUGLAS F. CARLIN

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His religious faith is that of the Congregational church and the teachings of that organization guide his life. He has been a resident of South Dakota since the early days in its history and his accounts of his experiences on the frontier are very interesting, emphasizing the great change that has taken place in the state within a comparatively few years.

JAMES E. TEMMEY.

One of the distinguished members of the Sully county bar is James E. Temmey, now serving upon the bench of the county court, to which office he has been reelected by a constit- uency who recognize his superior qualifications for the position. He is one of the county's native sons, his birth having occurred within its borders on the 26th of October, 1886. His father, L. A. Temmey, well known as a prominent real-estate dealer of Sully county, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

James E. Temmey had liberal educational privileges and after attending the public schools spent one year as a student in the University of Minnesota. Later he entered the law department of the University of South Dakota and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1909. Upon his return to his native county he made his way to Onida and purchased a newspaper known as the Onida Watchman in 1910. Later he established the Argus at Agar, South Dakota. He is also connected with his father in the real-estate busi- ness, their operations along that line being most extensive and successful. His fellow towns- men, however, appreciative of his worth and ability, called him to public office in 1912, electing him to the position of county judge of Sully county. His service upon the bench was so creditable that he was reelected in 1914 and is now serving for a second term of two years. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial and are characterized by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution.

Judge Temmey is well known in fraternal circles. He is an exemplary representative of the Masonic lodge and of the Woodman camp he has been consul for several years. He also has membership with the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the Moose and in these connections has won many friends. That his life has ever been an honorable and upright one is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.

VERNE E. WINSTON, M. D.

Dr. Verne E. Winston, a successful physician and surgeon of Keystone, South Dakota, was born at Evansville, Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 4th of October, 1881. His parents, Frederick H. and Etta (Bartholomew) Winston, were natives respectively of Rock county, Wisconsin, and Waukesha county, that state. The father conducted a jewelry store in Evansville for a number of years and is still residing in that city although he is now living practically retired. The mother died there about 1895. They were the parents of two chil- dren, of whom Dr. Winston is the elder, the younger being Ruth L., a graduate of Beloit College and a teacher in the public schools of Burlington, Wisconsin.

Dr. Winston received his elementary and secondary education at Evansville and later attended the University of Wisconsin for a year, after which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago, from which he was graduated with the M. D. degree in 1903. For one year he was in a free dispensary in Chicago and thus gained practical knowl- edge concerning a great variety of diseases. At the end of that time he located for prac- tice at Friendship, Wisconsin, and after remaining there for four years removed to Hermosa, South Dakota. He practiced there for three years and was then for a year located in Keystone, after which he was for two years physician in charge of the Hill Institute at Rapid City. At the expiration of that period of time he returned to Keystone and has since actively engaged in the practice of his profession there. He keeps in touch with the advance of medical science and has gained a large and lucrative practice. He also owns land in South Dakota but practically his entire time is given to his work as a physician and surgeon. Vol. V-44

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 120

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