History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 122

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 11th of January, 1898, Mr. Freelove was married at Manning, lowa, to Miss Alma D. Franke, a daughter of Gustav and Dorothy Franke. To this union two children have been born, Arthur Franke and Dorothy Louisa. Mrs. Freelove is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active part in the work of the church and of the Ladies Aid Society.

Mr. Freelove also attends the Methodist Episcopal church and contributes liberally to

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its support. In his political belief he is a stalwart republican and while living in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, took a leading part in politics and served for one term as mayor. He has always greatly enjoyed outdoor life and sports and while in college was class representative on the running track and also played on the class baseball team. He is characterized by untiring energy and his enterprise and resourcefulness have enabled him to accomplish much for his town and county at the same time that he has achieved individual success. He is quick to recognize opportunities, uses sound judgment in formulating his plans and is prompt in carrying them ont. It is to such men as he that the prosperity and development of the county are due.

RT. REV. HENRY MENSING.

Rt. Rev. Henry Mensing, of Webster, one of the best known representatives of the Catholic priesthood in his part of the state, was born in Germany, June 19, 1850, a son of John and Agnes (Duvell) Mensing, who in the year 1881 left their native country and with their family sailed for the new world. They settled on a homestead claim at Pierre, South Dakota, and for many years thereafter the father was identified with agricultural interests. His wife died in 1884 but he survived until 1897. In their family were four children but only two are now living, the younger, William, being now a resident of North Dakota.

The older, Rt. Rev. Henry Mensing, acquired a classical education in Germany and pur- sued bis theological course in preparation for the priesthood at the University of St. Francis in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, entering that institution of learning in 1881. He was ordained in 1884 and was assigned to duty at Webster, where he bas since remained. There was but a small congregation at that place when he was given charge of the parish and for the first seventeen years he had charge of the Catholic churches'at Webster, Bristol, Andover, Groton, Waubay, Grenville, Frank, Eaton, Sisseton, Britton, Langford and a country charge thirty- eight miles from Webster. He drove over the country looking after the spiritual interests of his parishioners and largely stimulating the growth of Catholicism in his part of the state. There was no church edifice at Webster when he took up his abode there but in 1888 he succeeded in erecting a comfortable house of worship, which has since been enlarged three different times. He also built a big parochial school in 1906 and there are now seven Sisters who are acting as teachers and one hundred and twenty-five children in attendance. Branches up to and including the eighth grade are taught. The school was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars and constitutes an important feature of the church property.

Father Mensing is a leading member of the Foresters and spiritual director of the order. He was appointed domestic prelate by the Pope with the title of monsignore in 1907 and for a year and a half, beginning in 1895, be acted for the bishop when this diocese lacked a bishopric appointment. Becoming connected with the church here in pioneer times, he has contributed in very large measure to Catholicism and is a most earnest and conscientious worker for the church.

WILLIAM HENRY GAMMON.

William Henry Gammon, a well known merchant of Oacoma, South Dakota, was born in Leon, Decatur county, Iowa, on the 20th of January, 1854, a son of Hugh and Evaline (Jenkins) Gammon, both natives of Indiana. The paternal grandfather, Dozier 'B. Gam- mon, was a native of Tennessee, but removed to Indiana in his early manhood, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that state. The Jenkins family is of Kentucky stock. Hugh Gammon removed to Iowa in 1850, when that state was still largely a frontier region, and there followed agricultural pursuits until his death in 1894, when he had reached the age of sixty-six years. His wife had passed away many years previously, her demise occur- ring in 1864. To them were born four children, of whom our subject is the eldest, and to the second marriage of Mr. Gammon there were also born four children.

William H. Gammon received his education in the common schools of Iowa and was

RT. REV. HENRY MENSING

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also early trained in farm work. He remained upon the homestead until he was twenty years of age and then began farming on his own account, so continuing for three years, after which he engaged in the horse and livery business at Farragut, Iowa, for two years. At the end of that time he went to Colorado and for four years mined there, but in 1884 returned to Iowa and was married. He resumed farming, following that pursuit in Iowa until 1901, when he came to South Dakota and located on a homestead in Lyman county, where he remained for two years. He then removed to Oacoma and engaged in the real- estate business, but later turned his attention to merchandising, with which he is still connected. He has been successful and is recognized as one of the up-to-date and efficient business men of his town.

Mr. Gammon was married on the 29th of October, 1884, to Miss Cordelia Lorena Jones, a daughter of Robert and Olive (Dodge) Jones, of Mills county, lowa, although the Jones family came originally from Kentucky, whence they removed first to Indiana and later to lowa, being pioneers in both states. Mr. and Mrs. Gammon have five children, namely : Carl, who married Lydia Schatz, by whom he has a daughter, Ruth; Ethel; Florence, the wife of L. E. Collins and the mother of two children, Hazel and Robert; Mabel; and Edith.

Mr. Gammon is a democrat and has served ahly upon the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America. He greatly enjoys linnt- ing and fishing and indulges in those sports when he has the leisure to do so. He takes a great interest in everything affecting the general welfare, but has been especially active as an advocate of good roads.

ALBERT M. FREEMAN.

Albert M. Freeman is one of the native sons of Sioux Falls and since 1911 has there been engaged in the practice of law. He was born on what is now Main avenue, North, April 22, 1883, and in the public schools pursued his education. He was a young man of twenty-two years when, in 1905, he went to Washington, D. C., with the late Sena- tor A. B. Kittredge, and while in the capital he attended the Georgetown University, pur- suing a law course and graduating with the degree of LL. B.

Mr. Freeman was married in Washington in 1907 to Miss Mary L. Lauxman, and after residing for four years more in the capital he returned with his wife to Sioux Falls in 1911 and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession, in which he is associated with Messrs. Kittredge and Doyle, the law firm ranking with the most promi- nent and capable of the state. Mr. Freeman knows the necessity of thorough preparation and enters the court well qualified to present his case in the clearest possible light, while in the application of legal principles he is seldom if ever in error. He has always been active in politics and is a stalwart advocate of republican principles.

JOHN M. JOHNSON.

John M. Johnson, county treasurer of Lyman county and a resident of Oacoma, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 6, 1871, a son of Gunerins and Grethe (Vibe) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father came to America in young manhood, settling in Grant county, Wisconsin, where for many years he was a worthy citizen, there passing away in June, 1912, at the age of seventy-three years. His widow survives him.

John M. Johnson, the eldest of their seven children, was educated in the district schools of Grant county, Wisconsin, and in a business college at Decorah, Iowa, after which he worked upon the home farm until he attained his twenty-third year. In 1894 he arrived in South Dakota and took up a homestead in Lyman county which he still owns, and to his possessions he has added as opportunity has offered until his landed interests aggregate eight hundred acres, devoted to general farming and horse breeding. He has done much

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to demonstrate the fact that the lands of the western part of the state can be profitably farmed under intelligent management and has reaped the substantial reward of his labor.

In politics Mr. Johnson is a republican and he has taken an active part in political activities of both county and state. In 1912 he was elected treasurer of Lyman county and most carefully safeguarded the interests of the office, so that his ereditable record led to his reelection in 1914. His administration has been highly efficient and has received complimentary notice from the executive accountant of the state. He also served from March, 1907, until March, 1911, as anditor of Lyman county and for a number of years he has been a member of the school board putting forth earnest effort to advance the interests of public education and also promoting municipal affairs, standing at all times in support of those interests which are a matter of civie virtue and eivie pride. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and bis religious belief is evidenced by his membership in the Lutheran church.

LEWIS W. BELL.

Lewis W. Bell, who is engaged in general farming on section 29, Clare township. Moody county, is a native of the state of Maine. He was born August 17, 1852, his parents being Eben and Jane (Willard) Bell, who were natives of the Pine Tree state, in which they spent their entire lives, the father there following the occupation of farming.

After attending the public schools Lewis W. Bell learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for five years in Maine. He then came to South Dakota in 1877, settling on a homestead claim on the northwest quarter of section 29, Clare township. He like- wise obtained a tree elaim covering the southeast quarter of section 26 and a preemption on section 32, Flandreau township. He has added to his possessions from time to time as his financial resources have increased, making judicious investments in property until he now owns nine hundred and twenty acres in Moody county. There were very few settlers in his section of the state when he removed to the west. At Luverne he reached the western terminus of the railroad and from that point walked to Sioux Falls and then proceeded on foot to Moody county in order to locate his land. He has made all of the improvements upon the property, which he has converted into valuable farms, deriving therefrom a grati- fying annual income. Success has attended his efforts because his work has been char- acterized by diligence, determination and unfailing enterprise. Upon bis place he has all the modern farm implements and machinery. He cultivates his home place with the aid of a nephew and rents the remainder of his land. He makes a specialty of raising blooded cattle, of which he has seventy-five head, and he likewise has twenty-five head of hogs and twelve horses upon his place. In addition to his other business interests be is a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Egan.

While Mr. Bell has led a very busy and useful life in the conduet of his individual business affairs, he has also found time to aid in measures relating to the public good. He realizes the value and worth of improved highways and is a champion of the wide-spread movement for good roads. He travels for recreation, finding great enjoyment in visiting other sections and learning of the progress that is being made in other parts of the country.

COLONEL THOMAS HENDERSON BROWN.

Among all the citizens of Sioux Falls there are not more than half a dozen perhaps who were in the city at the time of the arrival of Thomas H. Brown, who since 1872 has continuously made his home in the city which is still his place of residence, and throughout the entire period he has remained at the same location. Throughout all the intervening years to the present he has taken a most active part in the development and upbuilding of his section, actuated at all times by a public-spirited devotion to the community that has found tangible evidence in many practical and resultant efforts for the public good. In fact, he has left the deep impress of his individuality upon the material, intellectual, politi-

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cal and moral progress of the community, his influence ever being on the side of right, justice, truth and improvement. A native of England, he was born in Portabello, Dur- ham county, on the 17th of August, 1837, and was a youth of eleven years, when, in 1848, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling in Wisconsin. As his years and strength increased he became more and more active in business affairs, being identified with both farming and mining in the Badger state until 1861, when he responded to President Lincoln's call for troops and enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company I, Third Wisconsin Infantry. With his regiment he proceeded to the front and partici- pated in a number of hotly contested engagements which led to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. He remained with his command for three years and was honor- ably discharged in Angust, 1865, returning to his home with a most ereditable military record.

Following the close of the war Mr. Brown went to Montana where he spent a year and a half in mining. He then returned to Wisconsin and for some time was engaged in the hardware business at Brodhead. It was about that time, or in 1867, that he married and in 1872 he removed with his wife to Sioux Falls, which was then a tiny hamlet upon the western frontier, the old fort being then in use, although a year later it was demolished. They occupied the first frame dwelling in Sioux Falls. It stood at the corner of Phillips avenue and Twelfth street, where the fine Brown apartments, in one of which Colonel Brown now resides, are to be seen. In the spring following his arrival Colonel Brown entered into partnership with B. F. Rodrick in the lumber business but after a year with- drew from that association and purchased a half interest in the business of Nye Phillips, a dealer in hardware, leather and drugs. This connection continued for five years and in the meantime Mr. Brown became recognized as one of the progressive, enterprising and reliable business men of the city. When the Northwestern Railroad Company was seeking to secure the right of way it employed Mr. Brown to purchase property and locate town sites, in which work he displayed marked skill and diplomacy. That he was farsighted and sagacious is indicated in the later development of the country following the building of the railroad and the development of the towns. In 1888 he purchased a job printing and book- binding plant from Sam T. Clover and afterward purchased a printing outfit from the receiver of the Insurance Company of the Dakotas. On the 1st of May, 1889, he admitted Eugene Saenger to a partnership and thus the firm of Brown & Saenger came into existence. The development of the business since that time has been continnous and the firm today has the largest and most complete book-binding establishment in the state. Their plant is splendidly equipped and their trade has grown year by year, bringing a gratifying return to the owners, who have ever been recognized as most progressive and substantial business men. Colonel Brown has ever displayed marked ability in judging the value of a business situation or circumstance and, moreover, he has the power to coordinate seemingly diverse elements into a unified and harmonious whole.

In the year 1867 Colonel Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mary Morse, who has indeed been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. They have become parents of three sons. Marshall Brown, now residing in Sioux Falls, is a representative of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company. He married Miss Eloise Ashley, of Lincoln county. He is a very prominent Mason, was the first master of Unity Lodge, and has been deputy grand master. Osear A. Brown, the second son, living in Sionx Falls, married Miss Hattie Kincade and is the auditor of the Mckenna Hospital, of which his father is the president. Harry T. Brown, the youngest son, married Katie Ganser, of Owatonna, Minne- sota, where they now reside.

While he has made for himself a most creditable and enviable position in business circles, Colonel Brown ranks equally high in other connections. He has been and still is one of the most prominent Masons of the state. He organized the first lodge in his county and served as its master for six years. Moreover, he was the first grand master of the Grand Lodge of Dakota territory and a few years later was again chosen to that position of high honor while away from home. His entire life has been an exposition of the beneficent spirit and purpose of the craft. He has likewise taken an active interest in educational matters. He was the first chairman of the school board and the first president of the board of education and in office ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of progressive measures.

Colonel Brown took an active part in securing for Sioux Falls the Burlington, Cedar

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Rapids & Northern Railroad and has since served as one of its directors. His efforts for the material benefit and improvement of Sioux Falls have been far-reaching and beneficial. It was he who was instrumental in instituting the paving of the city and also establishing the new lighting system. Previous to that time Sioux Falls had poor roads and was badly lighted, but it is now illuminated with an arc-light system that is thoroughly adequate. He was not only the strong active force in bringing about those improvements but also organ- ized the Property Owners Association for the purpose of improving Phillips avenue. A meeting was called and a committee on paving was appointed, of which Colonel Brown was made chairman. He made examinations all over the country before beginning the work and selected the kind of paving which he regarded as most desirable. This was the initial step in continued work of that character. Each avenue of the city followed the lead of Phillips avenue and organized for paving and other improvements, the work being carried on accord- ing to the theory that "those who pay should be the ones to say," the kind of paving to be used. Many other interests have profited hy the efforts, business enterprise and public spirit of Colonel Brown, whose worth to the city is widely acknowledged. His prominence as a citizen of the state is indicated in the fact that he was one of the commissioners of South Dakota at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and served as executive officer of the commission, while Mrs. Brown acted as hostess at the South Dakota building during the progress of the fair.

Mrs. Brown, like her husband, has been a leader in many public activities. She is prominently known throughout South Dakota for her active work in the Eastern Star and in the Woman's Relief Corps, in both of which she has held high official positions. For fourteen years she was president of the Relief Corps and has taken great interest in the work of that organization; in fact, has been the most active woman in that line of work in the state. The corps of which she is a member is the largest in South Dakota and is the auxiliary to the largest post. She has been department president and grand matron and is now past grand matron and past department president. She has ever been a most gracious hostess, combining taet with kindliness and good cheer, and thus she has the faculty of placing all at ease in her presence. Both Colonel and Mrs. Brown have been most active citizens of South Dakota and there are no residents of Sioux Falls who are more widely or favorably known. They arrived in the city when it contained but a few white families. All around them stretched a broad and largely unsettled prairie and the most farsighted could not have dreamed of the changes which were soon to be wrought. With every movement that has had a beneficial effect upon the community and the upbuilding of their section of the state Colonel and Mrs. Brown have been identified and their reward has come to them in the high regard and esteem in which they are universally held, for there is no citizen of Sioux Falls or of that section of the state who is not proud to call them friends.

LEONARD MOELLER.

Leonard Moeller is a resident farmer of Lake county, his home being on section 34, Chester township. His residence in the state covers a comparatively brief period, but in the five years in which he has made his home within the borders of South Dakota he has become well established as a representative agriculturist and reliable business man. He was born on the 22d of April, 1861, in Dixon, Illinois, a son of Augustus and Johanna Moeller. The father was a farmer and devoted his entire attention to that occupation until about four years prior to his death, which occurred on the 12th of July, 1903. His wife has also passed away.

Leonard Moeller was educaed in the public schools and to his father gave the benefit of his services in the work of the fields upon the home place until he reached the age of twenty- two years, when he started out in life independently. For one year he engaged in farming in Illinois and then removed to Benton county, Iowa, where he carried on farming from 1887 until 1890. At the latter date he removed to Larchwood, Iowa, and still later went to Lyon county, Iowa, whence he came to South Dakota in 1910. He then purchased his place of six hundred and thirty acres, which he now cultivates with the aid of his sons, and his farm is one of the attractive and valuable properties of the county. The work is systematically

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carried on in tilling the fields and in cultivating the crops and he also engages in raising fancy stock, having now on hand one hundred and twenty head of high grade cattle and one hundred and twenty hogs. The annual sale of his stock adds not a little to his income. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the elevator at Larchwood and he owns land in Montana, Texas, Illinois and Indiana.

In February, 1886, Mr. Moeller was married to Miss Margaret Coughlin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Coughlin of Illinois, both now deceased. The children of this marriage are: Frances, now the wife of B. Tracy, a farmer; Elizabeth, the wife of B. Conley, who also follows farming; Florence, the wife of M. Huntimer; John, at home; Mary and Mahel, twins; Josie; Alvin; August; Clifford, Wilbur and Katy. The last named is now attending normal school.

In his political views Mr. Moeller is a democrat and while living in Lyon county, Iowa, served as township clerk but has never been ambitious for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his well directed business affairs. Though deeply interested in other states, his home is in South Dakota and here his activities center, so that he puts forth earnest effort to advance the welfare and progress of his community. He is a descendant of a very old Lutheran family and he has in his home pictures of his ancestors back through three hundred years. He possesses many of the sterling characteristics of the ancestral line from which he springs. His success in business has brought him to a position among the substantial residents of the county and his record proves what can be accomplished when energy and determination point out the way.

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN F. TEETS.

Captain Benjamin F. Teets is now living largely retired in Huron but for many years was an active factor in commercial and agricultural pursuits. He is today recognized as one of the political leaders of the state and his name is enrolled among those who have served South Dakota as a legislator. His birth occurred in binghamton, New York, Septem- ber 27, 1842, his parents being Benjamin and Sarah Ann (Van Patten) Teets. His father, Benjamin Teets, conducted a hardware and tinware store in New York city and was intimately acquainted with James Gordon Bennett, editor and publisher of the Herald, A. T. Stewart, a millionaire merchant of that city, Commodore Vanderbilt and others. Ben- jamin Teets continued a resident of the eastern metropolis until about 1852, when he removed with his family to Chicago and there opened a hardware store. Later, however, he purchased a farm forty-five miles north of Chicago, upon which he lived for three years. At the end of that time he went to southeast Missouri, where he purchased a large tract of land, upon which he made his home. Benjamin Teets made the first telegraph instrument used by Professor Morse and also did work for Captain John Ericsson, who invented the Monitor.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 122

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