History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 123

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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Captain Benjamin F. Teets was a lad of ten years at the time of the removal of the family from New York to the middle west and during the remainder of his minority he assisted his father in the various occupations in which the latter engaged. About the time of the outbreak of the Civil war Benjamin F. Teets removed to Centralia, Illinois, and there responded to President Lincoln's call for men. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when, on the 15th of April, 1861, he offered his services to the govern- ment, enlisting as a member of the Eleventh Illinois Regiment under W. H. L. Wallace. The command went into camp on the 25th of April and was in service for three months at Cairo, Illinois, and at Birds Point. The troops there began to think the war would be fought in Virginia and they would see no actual fighting. Accordingly Captain Teets came to the north, intending to enlist in some company which was going to Virginia. While on his way north, however, he fell in with Mr. Kennecut and assisted him in raising a company which joined the regiment under Colonel Julius White. Captain Teets did not remain with that company but continued on his northward way, where he fell in with the First Wis- consin Infantry just back from service in Virginia. By members of that command he was induced to join the First Wisconsin. He went from Kenosha, Wisconsin, as a private and

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later was appointed corporal. When drill tactics were changed he was made drill master, for he was the only member of the regiment acquainted with the light infantry tactics.

.On the 8th of October, 1861, the regiment went to Jeffersonville, Indiana, crossed the river and proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, and under command of General Nagley marched through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, from which state the regiment followed Bragg northward and fought at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. At that place Captain Teets took command of the color company of the regiment. He was highly complimented by Gen- eral Roseau and General McCook on the service rendered by his men and the company was presented with a flag by the Fourth Indiana Battery which bore the inscription: "Presented to the First Wisconsin Infantry for gallant conduct at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862." The flag that the company carried during that battle had been cut to pieces. It was sent home to Madison, Wisconsin, where it was received with speech making and ceremonies, and afterward sent to Chicago, where it was placed on exhibition at the great sanitary fair held for the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers of the northwest. This flag is now in the state capitol at Madison, Wisconsin. The First Wisconsin Infantry is numbered with the three hundred fighting regiments of the Civil war. Captain Teets was given a fine sword in recognition of the bravery which he had displayed and a sash was sent to him from Washington. At the battle of Chickamauga Captain Teets was wounded. He lay where he fell on the field for some time, the troops tramping all around him, but later he was carried to the rear. Three days, however, passed before his wounds were dressed. Finally, after having been transferred several times, he was taken to the hospital at Nashville and later was sent home. On crutches he returned for duty and was present at the siege at Chattanooga, the famous battles of Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge and at all the battles of the Atlanta campaign. Following the battle of Jonesboro, his three years' term having almost expired, while his health had become greatly impaired owing to the ravages and hardships of war, he went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was honorably discharged on the 13th of October, 1864.

Captain Teets then returned to Centralia, Illinois, where he established and conducted a hardware business, continuing his residence and his business there until his removal to South Dakota. He was married at Centralia, in 1865, to Miss Martha E. Cunningham, a second cousin of Mrs. John A. Logan. They became the parents of five children: Harry C., who was a member of the legislature of South Dakota during its last session; Mary, the wife of Don G. Medbury, mayor of Huron; Maud, the wife of J. C. Milne; Grace, the wife of Leroy Flower; and Arthur F., who wedded Miss Frances Dougherty and is now living in Sioux City, Iowa.

While living in Centralia Captain Teets organized W. H. L. Wallace Post, No. 55, G. A. R., and was commander for three terms. He has also been commander of Kilpatrick Post of Huron, South Dakota, for one term. He also organized a militia company and was its captain until it was mustered out of service. He continued his residence in Centralia until 1882, when he came to South Dakota. He arrived in Sioux City, Iowa, on the 4th of July of that year and from that point made his way to Mitchell, South Dakota. Looking about him, he decided to go to Huron and soon afterward located about eighteen miles northeast of that city. He was pleased with the district and going to Mitchell filed his claim. He returned to Centralia for the winter but in the spring of 1883, with his family, again came to this state and took up his abode upon his claim. He at once began to break the sod and improve the fields and for eighteen years he lived upon that place. The conditions of life were very hard at first. He bore all of the trials and privations of pioneer life, performed all the difficult tasks of developing a new farm amidst undesirable surroundings, but in the course of years his industry triumphed over all obstacles and difficulties and success rewarded his labors. In time he felt that his prosperity would enable him to live retired and he removed to Huron, where he now makes his home. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to his nature and he has there established an insurance agency, doing business along that line.

Captain Teets is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is recognized as a broad-minded man who has been and is a useful and valuable citizen. He has long been recognized as one of the political leaders of the state. He served in the second session of the state legislature and was known all over South Dakota for the firm stand he took in support of measures in which he believed, many speeches which he made during that time

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having become a part of the legislative history of the state. He supported the resubmission bill and was speaker pro tem of the house at that time, and other important measures are due to his statesmanship and to his efforts. He was tendered the nomination for governor by the leaders of the party but refused, and thus throughout his entire life he has made personal ambition subservient to the public good, ever placing the general welfare before self-aggrandizement. He remained an ardent republican until 1895, when he took up the study of the silver question and he is today probably the best posted man upon the monetary problem in the state. He has ever been a wide reader, a deep thinker and logical reasoner. He has attended as delegate almost every political convention of his party and has done much to mold public thought and action. No one questions his loyalty to the gen- eral good and even though men may differ from him in opinion, they respect him for the honesty of bis convictions.

OTTO E. A. THORSON.

Otto E. A. Thorson, cashier of the Citizens State Bank of Oacoma, was born in Decorah, Iowa, October 16, 1873, a son of Ole C. and Elizabeth (Skartvedt) Thorson, who were natives of Norway. In young manhood the father came to America, settling in Iowa, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, but following the outbreak of the Civil war he dis- played a spirit of patriotism by going to the defense of his adopted country, serving at the front with an Iowa regiment. His death occurred in 1873 and some time afterward his widow became the wife of Gabriel Anderson and is now a resident of Platte, South Dakota. By her first marriage she became the mother of four children, of whom Otto E. A. is the youngest, and by her second marriage she had five children.

After attending public school in Iowa, Otto E. A. Thorson became a student in the high school at Canton, South Dakota, and later attended Augustana College at that place. He began his business career in the office of the register of deeds at Canton, Lincoln county, where he remained for three or four years, and subsequently was with the Union Banking Company, now the Security State Bank of Beresford, entering the institution as a clerk and so continuing for two years. He was afterward for a short time with a bank at Alcester, South Dakota, and spent several years as a representative of the Fullerton Lumber Company and of the Floete Lumber Company but returned to the banking business as an employe of the Armour State Bank. At the founding of the town of Corsica he became connected with the State Bank of Corsica, with which he remained for a year. In 1906 he went to Oacoma as assistant cashier of the Citizens State Bank and in January, 1914, was appointed cashier and active manager of that institution, in which connections he still continues, its growth and success being attributable in large measure to his enterprising efforts, keen business discernment and marked ability.

On the 12th of May, 1906, Mr. Thorson was united in marriage to Miss Jessie M. Fiscus, a daughter of Joseph W. and Belle (Simpson) Fiscus, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In politics Mr. Thorson is a republican and fraternally is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at Armour. He finds recreation in outdoor life, greatly enjoying camping, hunting and fishing, but he makes his business his chief interest and is regarded as one of the rising young bankers of western South Dakota as well as one of the highly honored citizens of his community.

GEORGE J. AND M. A. CRILLY.

A history of the state of South Dakota would be incomplete without mention of George J. and M. A. Crilly of Gregory county. The former was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1880, moving with his parents James P. and Ella M. (Maher) Crilly, to Dakota when he was one year old. They resided near Castalia, where M. A. Crilly was born in 1889.

The partnership, Crilly Brothers, was formed early in life and is still in existence. It began when the brothers were small boys and acquired title to one heifer calf, which they

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received for six months' service rendered a neighboring ranchman. Today they are rated among the large live-stock owners of their state, having handled many thousand head of cattle since then. At the present time they are operating the Dixon Cattle Company, a hundred thousand dollar corporation whose main business is the purchasing each spring of Mexican cattle, which are shipped north to be matured on their northern ranches, which are under the personal supervision of M. A. Crilly.

These gentlemen are true Dakota pioneers, having come here when their only neigh- bors were the Sioux Indians. They received little education early in life owing to the fact that there were no schools in this unorganized territory, but after reaching manhood they each took a course in a business college, which equipped them for the various branches of business in which they later engaged. They are practical stockmen, having gained their valuable knowledge of the stock business by actual experience on the Montana and Wyo- ming ranges.

At the present time M. A. Crilly is president and George J. Crilly cashier of the Bone- steel State Bank, an institution purchased by them in 1910. The bank's footings, which at that time were twenty-eight thousand dollars, have increased to sixty-five thousand dollars under the present management.

In 1910 M. A. Crilly was married to Anna L. Mathews, a daughter of early pioneers of Nebraska. In 1911 George J. Crilly was united in marriage to Josephine G. Creagh, a teacher in the Detroit public schools. They have two sons, James M. and Francis W.

George J. and M. A. Crilly are devout members of the Catholic church and belong to the Gregory Council of the Knights of Columbus. In politics they are democrats. They have traveled extensively, learning the lessons that experience teaches. Today they are among the representative, progressive and valued citizens of South Dakota.

FRANK MOHS.

A history of Webster would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to Frank Mohs, now mayor of the city and also well known in connection with the furniture and undertaking business. He was born in Stearns county, Minnesota, October 8, 1869, a son of Nicholas and Rose (Kolb) Mohs. The father was born in Germany in 1842 and the mother's birth occurred in Ohio in 1844. Mr. Mohs came to the United States with his parents when ten years of age, the family home being established in Ohio. He was a son of Mathias Mohs, who in 1852 severed the ties that bound him to his native land and sought a home in the new world. For a considerable period he engaged in business in Ohio as a contractor and builder but eventually removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, where his last days were passed. The maternal grandfather of Frank Mohs was Joseph Kolb, who was horn in Alsace-Lorraine and came to the United States in his boyhood. He, too, settled in Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming, and it was in that state that Nicholas Mohs and Rose Kolb were reared. The early education of Nicholas Mohs, which was begun in Germany, was continued in the public schools of the Buckeye state. He became a well educated man and one who exerted considerable influence in the com- munities in which he lived. In Cleveland, Ohio, in 1868, he wedded Rose Kolb and after his marriage removed to Stearns county, Minnesota, becoming one of the early settlers of that locality. He had learned the carpenter's trade in early life and had taken up the work of contracting, but for many years he had devoted his attention to farming, being closely associated with the agricultural interests of Stearns county, where he owned a valuable farm property. At length, however, he divided his land among his children and is now living retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. His wife died in 1911.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Mohs numbered eleven children, of whom nine are yet living: Frank; Valentine, a resident farmer of Stearns county, Minnesota; Mathias, who also follows farming in that county; Peter, a resident farmer of the same county; Michael, who is manager for a lumber company at Eden, South Dakota; Anna, also living in Eden; George, a farmer of Stearns county; Mary, the wife of Nick Garding, who culti-

FRANK MOHS

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vates a farm in Stearns county; and N. L., manager of a book and music store at St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Frank Mohs was educated in the public schools of his native county and in St. John's College at Collegeville, Minnesota, from which institution he was graduated, completing a commercial course in 1890. He then entered upon a business career as bookkeeper in the Bank of Melrose at Melrose, Minnesota, where he remained for three years. In 1893 he and a young companion managed to secure a capital of one hundred dollars and embarked in the drug business at Melrose but after conducting a store there for two years Mr. Mohs sold out. He then engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with H. J. Haskamp, of Melrose, with whom he was connected for five years, at the end of which time he purchased Mr. Haskamp's interest and remained alone in the business. On the 27th of July, 1903, he arrived in Webster, where he purchased the furniture and undertaking establishment of Benjamin & Foster and in November of the same year he bought the store of Albert Forsen. He has since conducted the business under his own name and enjoys an extensive trade as a furniture dealer, carrying a large stoek and putting forth every effort to meet the wants of his patrons. In 1896 he aided in organizing the undertakers of Minnesota, which was the first year in which undertakers were required to pass an examination, his number being 24. He believes that there should be striet requirements for those who engage in that line of business, hence his efforts in that direction.

On the 18th of September, 1894, Mr. Mohs was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Grundman, a daughter of Ernest H. Grundman, who was born in Holland about 1830 and came to the United States with his sister when eleven years of age. He was a millwright in the Washburn-Crosby mills of Minneapolis and was killed in the hig mill explosion there. Mr. and Mrs. Mohs have become the parents of five children: Cecilia, who was graduated from the Webster high school on the 29th of May, 1915; and Gertrude, Bernadine, Frank and Irene, all yet in school.

The family are communicants of the Catholic church and Mr. Mohs is at the head of the Catholic Order of Foresters in South Dakota, having been elected for a second time in June, 1915. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He was an active factor in political circles in Minnesota and held all of the city offices there. In April, 1911, he was elected mayor of Webster and has twice been reelected, receiving the entire vote of the people without opposition. What higher testimony of publie confidence could be given than this or what better proof that his administration has been progressive and beneficial. Mr. Mohs is truly a self-made man and deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He has always applied himself earnestly to the conduct of his business and prosperity has attended his efforts. He now not only owns a large stock of furniture and undertakers' supplies but also owns the building in which he conduets his business and has one of the large stores of this part of the state. The same thoroughness and system which characterize the management of his irdividual affairs is manifest in his conduct of municipal interests. He avoids public extravagance and needless retrenchment and has followed the sane, even path that leads to steady progress and improvement.

WILLIAM J. BAXTER, V. S.

Dr. William J. Baxter, of Grant county, is a successful veterinarian and also owns an excellent farm. He was born in Leeds Village, Canada, on the 19th of December, 1855, a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Leadbetter) Baxter. The paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland and the maternal grandfather was born in England. Hiram Baxter was born in Canada in 1832 and passed away in 1907, while his wife, who was born in the Dominion in 1832, died in 1901. Both grew to maturity in their native land and were there married. In 1859 they went to southern Minnesota, settling upon a farm in Fillmore county, and sub- sequently the father purchased land north of Minneapolis, but in 1878 the family removed to Grant county, South Dakota, where the father took up a homestead. He was success- ful in his business affairs and was one of the wealthy men of his locality. He passed away in Milbank. He was a member of the Freewill Baptist church, but his wife was a Seventh Day Adventist. To them were born eight children, six of whom are living, those besides Vol. V-45

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our subject being: Mrs. William Ede, of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Hester Thorpe, a widow residing in Spearfish, South Dakota; Sherman, who is a fireman on the Northern Pacific Railway in Canada; Minnie, the wife of H. Schrader, a farmer residing near Erie, North Dakota; and Elmer, who is engaged in the mining business in the state of Washington.

William J. Baxter received his general education in the common schools and later attended a college of veterinary surgery. Since leaving that institution he has practiced his profession continuously. For three years he was located in Minnesota hut for the last thirty-seven years he has resided in this state, as it was in 1878 that he entered a preemption claim on the town site of Milbank. He subsequently sold that place to a railroad company and then purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres near Milbank, which he rents to others, devoting his entire attention to his veterinary practice. He has gained an excel- lent reputation in his profession and has built up a large and lucrative practice.

In 1885 Dr. Baxter was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Merritt. He is a demo- erat in politics and although he has never desired office for himself he has worked effectively for the election of his friends. Fraternally he belongs to Sylvan Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F., at Milbank, in which he has passed through all of the chairs, and he is a charter member of Milbank Lodge, No. 143, F. O. E. He is energetic and capable and has gained a gratifying measure of success in his chosen work.

ERNEST MASON SEDGWICK.

Ernest Mason Sedgwick, a well known resident of Presho and Lyman county, is not only cashier of the Presho State Bank, which is one of the most important hanks of that section of South Dakota, but is also the owner of a great deal of valuable land in this state. His birth occurred in West Liberty. Iowa, on the 29th of October, 1865, and he is a son of Lieutenant Samuel W. and Christina (Givans) Sedgwick, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio. The father was a pioneer lumberman of Iowa but is now living retired at the age of eighty years at Pukwana, South Dakota. He has resided in this state since 1883, in which year he located in Kimball, where he engaged in the lumber business until he went to Pukwana. He fought in the Civil war, remaining in the military service for five years. during which period he was for some time a member of the Eleventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry and for some time was in an Iowa battery of artillery. He left the service with the rank of lieutenant and his military record is one of which he has cause to be proud. His wife is also living and they are the parents of five children, of whom Ernest M. is the eldest.

The last named attended school in Davenport, Iowa, but when fifteen years of age went to Wyoming, where he remained with a big cattle company for four years. During this time he also helped to make the first survey of the Big Horn country and had many interesting experiences typical of life on the frontier. In 1884 he removed to Kimhall, South Dakota, and was associated with his father in the lumher business there for one year but in 1885 located in Chamberlain, where he engaged in the cattle business. Five years later he took up his residence in Lyman county and engaged in the cattle business on his own account, owning at times herds numbering fifteen hundred head. In 1905 he founded the Presho State Bank, of which he has been cashier since its organization and of which he is the majority stockholder. He directs the policy of the institution, which is the most important bank between Chamberlain and Rapid City on the Milwaukee road, and the rapid and steady growth of its business has been due to the wise policy of progressiveness tempered with conservatism which Mr. Sedgwick has followed. It is recognized that he possesses excellent judgment and his advice is often sought on matters of investment. He still owns his orig- inal ranch of four thousand, four hundred acres and also holds title to several smaller tracts of land. On his home ranch he has three thousand sheep and three hundred and fifty cattle and his stock-raising interests return him a handsome income.

Mr. Sedgwick was married in 1889 to Miss Harriet E. Minar, of Chamberlain, and to them were born three children: Vera, the wife of Albert Henneman, of Meriden, Idaho; Edna M., who married M. C. Hight, of Presho; and Kenneth O., of Meriden, Idaho. In July, 1914, Mr. Sedgwick was again married, his second union heing with Miss Alys B. Callanan,

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a daughter of James and Catherine (McNichols) Callanan, of Chamberlain. A son, James Ernest, has been born to this union.

Mr. Sedgwick is a republican and has served on the school board but has refused to accept any other office. He is a Knight Templar Mason and an Elk and is well known in local fraternal circles. Outdoor life has always afforded him great pleasure and he spends considerable time on his ranch, while his favorite forms of recreation are hunting and fisli- ing. He is a great lover of blooded dogs and owns a number of fine ones. He has achieved an unusual measure of success but none begrudges him his prosperity as it is the direct reward of his sound judgment, enterprise and determination. He has been quick to recognize and take advantage of the opportunities offered by this rapidly developing state and his activities have not only led to his individual success but have also promoted the advance- ment of his section.

ELMO W. DUNN.

Elmo W. Dunn, a resident farmer of Moody county, living in Flandreau township, was born in Galesville, Wisconsin, on the 30th of May, 1876, a son of William and Mary A. (Barlow) Dunn. The father, who was both a farmer and blacksmith, removed from Canada to Michigan and afterward to Wisconsin, where he married. In the fall of 1876 he brought his family to Dakota territory, settling five and a half miles northeast of Flandreau, where he homesteaded and also secured a tree claim, following farming throughout his remaining days in South Dakota. He died July 8, 1893, and was laid to rest in Flandreau. He was a pioneer settler of the district in which he took up his abode and experienced all of the hardships and privations of frontier life.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 123

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