History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 127

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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GUSTAVE ANDREW ULINE.

Through important business and official connections Gustave Andrew Uline became widely and favorably known in Dell Rapids and throughout the state, so that when death called him his passing bronght great regret and sorrow to the many friends whom he left behind. His life was varied in its activities, and its usefulness as a factor in the material, social, religious, political and intellectual progress of the community was recognized by all.

Mr. Uline was born in the province of Vermland, Sweden, on the 12th of October, 1849. He came from a highly gifted Swedish family. His father, Anders Uline, was a man of giant strength and intellect, an inventor and architect, who received medals of honor from three countries. Sweden, England and Austria. His mother, Charlotte Birath, was descended from a nohle German-French family. She was a woman noted for her beauty and culture. Mr. Uline finished a course at a technical school in Sweden at the age of eighteen, then came to the United States, landing in 1867. He made Michigan his destination, but after about five months spent in that state he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained for a half year. He then went to northwestern Minnesota and in the spring of 1870 he became a resi- dent of Cherokee, lowa. At this time his financial resources had become greatly reduced, and it was with difficulty that he obtained remunerative employment, hut a man of deter- mination and energy such as Mr. Uline possessed does not easily become discouraged. It is said that opportunity tauntingly plays before the dreamer but surrenders to the man of determined purpose, and such proved the case with Mr. Uline. He secured work in Cherokee at eight dollars per month and utilized his opportunity of securing a claim in that locality, taking up land where the city of Sheldon now stands. This he afterward sold for fifty dollars. At that time there had been only one other claim entered in that district.

On the 5th of July, 1871, Mr. Uline left Cherokee for Jackson, Minnesota, and for three years thereafter was an employee in the store of J. W. Cowing. On the 5th of March, 1874, he started for Dell City, Dakota, and with the seven hundred dollars which he had saved from his earnings and which represented the results of industry and the most careful expenditure, he resolved to engage in business on his own account. Even when receiving

GUSTAVE A. ULINE

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a wage of but eight dollars per month he had managed to save a little money, which he invested wisely, and thus it was that in 1874 he came to this state with a tidy sum. At the time of his arrival in Dell City there were only two buildings upon the present site of the city of Dell Rapids. On his pony he approached a man whom he saw sawing wood, saying that he was looking for Dell City. "You're right in it," came the answer. A store had been established in Dell City in 1872 by a man of the name of Cowing (a brother of his recent employer), but his mother had died and he grew melancholy and in sixty days after he had commenced business he shot himself. Mr. Uline was sent by the brother of the deceased to inspect the store and stock of goods and other holdings of the suicide and, believing the location a good one, was glad to avail himself of the opportunity of purchasing the business. Thus it was that he took up his permanent ahode in the town. His store was a little north of the old Van Eps mill and there Mr. Uline began business, his stock con- sisting of a thousand dollars worth of goods, on which he paid a dollar and a quarter per hundred to get them transported from Sioux City, Iowa, the nearest railroad station. Mr. Uline was the first merchant to open a general stock in Dell Rapids and from the beginning his trade steadily increased and continued to grow during the seventeen years of his connec- tion with the business. He carefully studied the market and the desires of his patrons, and by fair and honorable dealing and reasonable prices won very substantial success. After a time he abandoned his first location and erected a small two-story building on the corner just west of the First National Bank of today, living on the second floor and carrying on his business below. In 1892 he organized the Dell Rapids State Bank, of which he became the president, remaining as the chief executive officer of the institution until his death, which occurred on the 19th of December, 1914. He made the bank one of the strong and reliable financial institutions of his county and it proved a valuable factor in the business circles of the community. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Dell Rapids and the Minnehaha National Bank of Sioux Falls.

In 1877, at Sioux City, Iowa, Mr. Uline was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Wil- helmina Friborg, a Swedish lady of New York city, who is a woman of education and ability. He brought his bride to Dell Rapids to share his home and she proved indeed a faithful and able helpmate. They became the parents of six children, as follows: Alfred G., who died in early childhood; Alma C., at home; Mary D., who is now a missionary in Bitlis, Turkey- in-Asia; Grace B., who is engaged in teaching at Sandpoint, Idaho; Minnie F., at home; and Augusta D., who is a senior at the University of Montana. The mother and daughters sur- vive the husband and father, who was ever most devoted to his family and enjoyed more than all else the companionship of those of his own household. He found the greatest hap- piness of his success in the fact that it enabled him to provide liberally for his wife and children, and to them he left practically the entire fortune which he had accumulated.

Aside from his business connections Mr. Uline was a prominent factor in the public life of Dell Rapids, serving in many official positions during the days of villagehood and after the town had become a city. Governor Pierce appointed him a member of the board of directors of the Dakota penitentiary at Sioux Falls, in which capacity he served for several years, and in 1889 he received an appointment to the same position from Governor Mellette, continuing for one year. He was a member of the commission sent from Dakota territory to Washington, petitioning congress that Dakota be admitted as a state. After South Dakota came into the Union he was appointed a member of the state board of charities and corrections and was its first president. He also served as colonel on the staff of Governor Mellette. He studied closely the significant problems and issues of the day hearing upon sociological, economic and political conditions of the world. He was a well read man and from life's experience he learned many practical lessons. One of the local papers said of him: "Gust Uline had an army of friends throughout Minnehaha county and the southern part of Moody county. He had grown up among those people and he was known by all as a warm- hearted friend and an upright business man." Mr. Uline was one of the most earnest mem- bers of the Baptist church of Dell Rapids, and he lived for his religion as well as for his general business. His pastor spoke of him as of a "consistent, faithful member." For eighteen years he was superintendent of the Baptist Sunday school, and at the time of his death was a deacon of the church. He was a great help to the ranchers throughout his section of the state, for it was his custom to advance them loans when crops were slow or bad, and he never foreclosed a mortgage. He was always a friend to the "square" man who

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wanted assistance. Mr. U'line was one of the leaders in the organization and promotion of the Minnehaha County Early Settlers Association, and in that and other organizations with which he was connected he had many stanch and loyal friends. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and when he passed away that organization conducted the funeral services, which were largely attended by members of lodges from other towns, while Dell Rapids paid its last tribute of respect to one who had long been known and honored there. His salient characteristics were such as everywhere command confidence and regard. He was always approachable, was genial in manner, kindly in spirit and was most loyal to the principles which he indorsed and to the causes which he espoused.

LOUIS S. HETLAND.

The banking interests of South Dakota find a worthy and substantial representative in Louis S. Hetland, the president of the Minnehaha County Bank of Valley Springs. The city owes much to her Norwegian citizenship, for from the land of the Midnight Sun have come many who have taken active and helpful part in establishing her material pros- perity and in promoting her intellectual and moral development. Among the sons of Norway now living in Minnehaha county is Mr. Hetland of this review. He was born April 21, 1858, and is a son of Steen S. and Margaret (Larson) Hetland, both of whom were natives of Norway and came to the United States in 1873. They settled at Morris, Grundy county, Illinois, where the father engaged in farming, residing there for ten years. On the expira- tion of that decade they came to what was then Dakota territory, in 1883, establishing their home upon a farm north of Garretson, in Minnehaha county, where the father remained to the time of his death, which occurred in 1911, when he was eighty years of age. The previous year his wife had passed away at the age of eighty-three years.

Louis S. Hetland was a youth of fifteen years at the time of the emigration to the new world. The greater part of his education was acquired in the schools of his native land, but he also attended the public schools of Grundy county, Illinois, for a brief period, there learning the English language. After his text-books were put aside he continued to live at home with his parents, but was employed as a farm hand through the summer months until 1880. He then came to South Dakota and with a sister settled upon a farm near Garretson, where he remained for a year cultivating the land. In 1881 he took up his abode at Valley Springs and secured a clerkship in the general store of Larson & Zimmerman, continuing with that firm for two years, during a part of which time he conducted a branch store for them at Larchwood, Iowa. Subsequently he engaged in clerking for A. L. Whaley, a general merchant at Valley Springs, in whose employ he continued for two years. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and in 1885 he found it possible to do this, owing to his previons industry and economy. He formed a partnership with John A. Bowman and organized the firm of Bowman & Hetland. This partnership was continued for seven years, when Mr. Hetland became sole proprietor of the business, carrying it on independently until 1908, when he disposed of his stock of merchandise in order to concentrate his entire attention upon his banking business. In the meantime he had established the Minnchaha County Bank, opening its doors for business in 1898. This was a private bank, owned entirely by Mr. Hetland, but in the spring 1915 it was incorporated as a state bank under the same name, and it does an extensive business, drawing its patrons from Valley Springs and the surrounding country. The institution is of marked worth to the community, giving the citizens of the district a medium of exchange. Mr. Hetland also owned and operated the Valley Springs Roller Mills for a number of years and in connection conducted a grain elevator and coal business. In fact, he has been very actively and prominently identified with the com- mercial and industrial development and activity of the village for the past thirty-five years and his labors have been a substantial element in promoting its progress.

Mr. Hetland sustains many other important relations to the public and at all times is actuated by a spirit of devotion to the best interests of the community. For several years he has been a director of the Children's Home of Sioux Falls and has contributed generously to its support. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Sioux Falls College

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and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion. In fraternal circles, too, Mr. Hetland is well known, heing a thirty-second degree Mason, with membership in Unity Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the consistory at Sioux Falls. He is also a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 29, K. T., and Valley Springs Lodge, No. 143, I. O. O. F., in which he has taken a most active interest.

On the 13th of September, 1883, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hetland and Miss Neva E. Bunn, of Cooksville, McLean connty, Illinois. They have become the parents of three children: Lawrence Clark, who was formerly cashier of the Sherman State Bank of Sherman, South Dakota, but is now assistant cashier in his father's bank; Elmer J., who is cashier in the same bank; and Hazel Fern, at home. The family is prominent socially and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the county is cordially extended to them.

Mr. Hetland is a republican in his political views, but has never been an aspirant for office. He came to South Dakota in 1880, when a young man without capital but possessing determination and energy. Though obstacles and difficulties have arisen in his path, he has overcome these by persistent, carnest effort and through his own exertions has reached a place among the substantial and influential men of Minnehaha county. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail and when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he seeks out other paths whereby he may reach the desired goal.

CHARLES A. DOTSON.

The name of Dotson has long been connected with the history of Sionx Falls and although Charles A. Dotson was never a continuous resident there, he had a wide acquaintance among the citizens of the connty seat of Minnehaha county through his many visits there and his last days were passed in Sioux Falls, where his death occurred August 16, 1913. He was a remarkable figure, for while he was in the ninety-third year of his age, he remained almost to the last, a strong, vigorous, active man, seeming in appearance and in interest almost in his prime.

He was born January 26, 1821, in Randolph county, Tennessee, where his youth was passed. In the early '40s, when he was a young man, he married Miss Miriam York of North Carolina and in 1848 they became residents of the central section of the Mississippi valley, settling in Iowa, when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun there. They secured a homestead claim near Des Moines, where is now seen the mineral springs resort of Colfax. All the usual experiences of pioneer life were theirs. They reared their family upon the home farm and lived to see a remarkable change in the district as the work of improvement and civilization was carried forward. At length Mr. Dotson retired from active business life and established his home in Colfax, where Mrs. Dotson passed away about 1898. He afterward lived with his daughter, Mrs. Sadie Hurst in Colfax until 1910, when he accompanied her on her removal to Reno, Nevada. After that, however, he spent much time in travel, visiting his sons and daughters and their families in various sections of the country, being everywhere eagerly welcomed, for he had few of those foibles and eccentricities which many are prone to believe are common to old age. In fact, "he was the 'grand old man' to the Dotson family and its several branches and all of his twenty-six grandchildren, his dozen or more great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild were his 'children!' He loved them as his own; they idolized him." Six children survive the father, namely : E. E., of Colfax, Iowa; Mrs. Sadie Hurst, of Reno, Nevada; Mrs. William Reese, of Rock Island, Illinois; Mrs. L. A. McFarlane, of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. John Rhodes of Boise, Idaho; and C. L., of Sioux Falls, widely known as the editor and publisher of the Sioux Falls Daily Press.

In 1870 Mr. Dotson became a member of the Masonic lodge at Newton, Iowa, and for many years was a member of Riverside lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Colfax. A contemporary biographer has written of him: "Mr. Dotson never in his long career lost touch with the affairs of the world. He followed politics closely all his life, spoke his convictions and strong principles forcefully to his friends and voted them, but never engaged in political activities in any other form. His first vote was cast in 1840. before the young Tennesseean

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had reached his majority, but it was never questioned. He stepped up to a small window of a log cabin which was designated as the polling place and spoke to the official inside the name of William Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, as his choice for president. Mr. Dotson has never missed an election since. He voted for Theodore Roosevelt at Reno, Nevada, last year. He lived within the lifetime of every president of the United States save George Washington. The world was interesting to him and he studied it carefully. Within a few hours of his death, he discussed with his son and family the latest dispatches from Mexico."

His life was largely passed in the open air and nature was kind to him because he abused not her laws. He greatly enjoyed hunting and hunted game throughout almost his entire life, hunting bear in the mountains of Nevada when ninety-two years of age. His physical power seemed but slightly impaired, although he had passed the milestone on life's journey which marked him a nonagenarian and his mind was clear and alert to the last. His memory remains as a cherished possession and as a blessed benediction to all who knew him.

JAMES WEBSTER PARKER.

In Sioux Falls the name of Parker has ever been a synonym for business enterprise, honor and integrity, for public spirit and citizenship, upright manhood and high Christian principles, a reputation which was won by an elder generation and firmly established and continued by James Webster Parker, whose name introduces this review. He figured prominently as a lumberman, being well known in lumber circles throughout the state, but there were other phases of his career as pronounced as was his business activity. His name is enrolled among the friends and champions of education, while in the Congregational church, of which he was a most active member, he has been sorely missed.

Illinois claimed him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Warren, Jo Daviess county, that state, November 24, 1855, his parents being Joel W. and Rebecca (Colburn) Parker, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools of Warren, where he remained until thirteen years of age. His parents then removed with the family to Wisconsin, where he continued his education,. completing his studies in Hillsdale College at Hillsdale, Michigan. His father was then proprietor of a general store at Millston, Wisconsin, and James Webster Parker entered his father's employ, becoming active in the management and conduct of the store. In 1881 he formed a partnership with his father for the conduct of a retail lumber business in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the firm being known as J. W. Parker & Son. The enterprise prospered from the beginning and with the admission of J. W. Leverett to a partnership the firm style was changed to the Sioux Falls Lumber Company. A few years later Joel W. Parker and Mr. Leverett retired, James Webster Parker then becoming sole proprietor. He afterward conducted the business alone, enjoying a high and well merited reputation for integrity, ability and business enterprise. The Sioux Falls Lumber Company was incorporated with James W. Parker as owner of the greater part of the stock. The rapid development of the business made it one of the strong commercial centers of Sioux Falls and Mr. Parker was recognized as one of the leading lumbermen of the state. Careful in management, watchful of all details and never for an instant underrating the more important features of his business, he so controlled and directed his interests that substantial returns came in a growing patronage and increasing profits.

On the 19th of May, 1892, Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Thompson, who was born in Carver, Minnesota, April 27, 1866, a daughter of Peter and Christine Thompson. They had three children: James Thompson, Natalie and Marjorie. Mr. Parker held membership in the First Congregational church, to which his widow still belongs. In its work he was most active and helpful and his influence was a prominent element in moral progress, while his course constituted an example well worthy of emulation. He aided greatly in the work of forming the plans and financing the construction of the new Congregational church. He had a beautiful voice of unusual range, was a member of the choir and sang at various gatherings. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and in these was active. For

JAMES W. PARKER

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about ten years he served as president of the board of education and during his incumbency in the office the high-school building of the city was erected. He was a prominent member of the Southeastern South Dakota Lumbermen's Association and following his death, which occurred on the 2d of March, 1910, an order was issued by the secretary of the association saying that the convention and banquet which were to be held in Sioux Falls on Friday and Saturday of the same week would be postponed indefinitely out of respect to Mr. Parker. He was a member of the Noonday Club which passed resolutions of respect and the flag hung at half mast on the high-school building until after the funeral. He belonged also to the Sioux Falls Commercial Club and in fact he cooperated in every movement that he deemed beneficial to the city. His life was strong, purposeful and resultant. To him life meant opportunity and he used his opportunities to the fullest advantage, not merely for the benefit of himself or even of his family, but for the entire community.

The Daily Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls wrote of him: "Mr. Parker has so ordered his conduct before the world as to win the respect of all and the deep love of those with whom he was thrown into closer contact. His adjustment towards life was that of the perfect Christian gentleman. With splendid courage he faced the responsibilities which come to every man and with high hope he looked forward into the future. He was fair- fair in business, fair in discussion, fair in his point of view. He bore a man's part throughout life.

"His delicate sense of humor has enlivened many a company, his fine poise has steadied many a wanderer, his generous hand has clasped many who needed it in hearty and sympathetic aid, his public spirit has answered every draft made upon it and his high- minded life has been an inspiration to the comrades who were dear to him. He was one of those who took his religion with him to the business desk as well as to church and in all of his great list of friends there was not one who failed to realize his splendid qualities and who does not bow his head in sorrow because of the blow which has fallen."

To know Mr. Parker was to be glad to call him friend and his friendship could always be won by genuine worth. Thus it was that there was almost universal mourning in Sioux Falls when he passed from this life but his memory remains as an inspiration to all who knew him.

CHARLES BADGER CLARK, D. D.

A life devoted to effort for the betterment of mankind, in which his lahors have been fraught with results that are far-reaching and beneficial, has made Dr. Charles Badger Clark a widely known and honored resident of South Dakota. He now makes his home in Hot Springs, where his labors have been a most potent element in advancing moral development. He has given more than fifty years of his life to the ministry. His birth occurred at Sauquoit, New York, December 29, 1839, his parents being Henry and Harriet (Badger) Clark. The father was born in Vermont, and they were married in Oneida county, New York, March 22, 1838. In early life the father became a contractor and builder and also operated a sash and blind factory while in the east. About the year 1857 the family removed westward to Iowa, where the father engaged in the same line of business until about the beginning of the Civil war, when he went with his family to Missouri, settling near Jefferson City. After the outbreak of hostilities, however, the family returned to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where he continued in business as a contractor and builder, remaining there until 1883. In that year he came to South Dakota, settling on a claim near Plankinton, where he passed away June 2, 1884, being then about sixty-nine years of age, his hirth having occurred September 27, 1815. His first wife was born at Middletown, Connecticut, May 5, 1817, and died at Sauquoit, New York, April 28, 1840. For many years Mr. Clark was a most active, earnest and faith- ful worker in the church, teaching the Bible class in the Sunday school for an extended period. In early life he affiliated with the Presbyterian church but afterward joined the Methodist Episcopal church. His family numbered three children: Charles B. Clark, D. D., of this review; Frank, who died in Los Angeles, California, in 1909; and Hattie, the wife of Orr Willetts, of Sheridan, Wyoming.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 127

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