History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 13

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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pendent parish was established, it having previously been a mission. The parish house was built in that year and in 1904 the old church, proving too small, was replaced by a new edifice. In 1910 the present parochial school was built and there are now over one hundred children in attendance, the Sisters of St. Francis, who are from Milwaukee, acting as teaclı- ers. There are now about eighty-five families in the parish and the work is steadily develop- ing under the direction of Father Hoffmann.

EINER JOHNSON.

Einer Johnson, a bank cashier at Volin and recognized as a wide-awake, alert and enter- prising business man, has been a resident of Dakota territory since 1882, in which year he reached Yankton, having come direct from Norway. He was born near Trondhjem June 27, 1862. With five young companions and an older man who had been in America for several years he sailed from his native city for Hull, England, on a small vessel, and they proceeded by rail to Glasgow, where they arrived at two o'clock in the morning. They knew no hotel to which to go and a Scotchman offered to help them. He found a place for them in the slum part of the city and routed the old landlady out of her own bed, which was so large that the seven found room in it without severe crowding. They remained there several days, fearing to mix with the tongh crowd outside. At length they sailed on the State of Nebraska, the largest ship on the State line, and were eleven days in reachinig New York, from which point they made their way direct to Yankton, arriving on the 12th of June, 1882. The parents of our subject, who were Jonas and Oline Johnson, came to America four years later and settled in Yankton county, this state.

In a few days Einer Johnson found work as a carrier in the brickyard of E. M. Coates, who was making the brick with which to build his drug store. Mr. Johnson afterward worked on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad between Yankton and Scotland, finishing his labors by bolting all of the north line of rails between the two towns, while a friend bolted all of the plates of the other rail. He spent the following winter in farm work, for which he received only his board and the opportunity to attend school. There were five young men in the class and the now venerable teacher, B. A. E. Bagstad, took particular pains to help them in the mastery of a text-book written in their native tongue, the title of which, translated into our language, would be called "One Hundred Hours in English." Mr. Johnson afterward entered the employ of Louis Sampson, then in the implement business in Yankton, and still later was in the Gross Hardware establishment of that city, where he remained for twelve and a half years. During these years he made friends throughout all parts of the county and in the fall of 1900 they elected him county treasurer, which office he filled creditably for four years. On his retirement he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Yankton National Bank, in which he continued for a year, and was then offered the entire management of the Citizens State Bank in Irene with the official title of cashier. At the end of the first year the officials of the Volin State Bank offered him the position of cashier and manager of their establishment and he has since continued there, giving his entire attention to the control of the bank.

Mr. Johnson married Miss Helen Grandberg, a native of Christiania, Norway. She came with her mother, Mrs. Carrie Grandberg, and the family of boys and girls to the new world, and they lived first at Parker, South Dakota, but later removed to Yankton, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Johnson, who sought her hand in marriage. They have become the parents of three children: Edna, who completed the work of the kindergarten department of the normal course in Yankton College and is now employed in the schools of Pierre; Clara. a graduate of the Volin high school of the class of 1915; and Richard, who completes the family

Mr. Johnson well remembers the blizzard of January, 1888. He was working in a store and he weathered the storm for a distance of eight blocks which he traversed in order to take the team to the barn and care for them. He returned in safety, while others were lost in going a half block. That night there was to have been a banquet and entertainment by the ladies of the church at Turner hall and their provisions were all there. Mr. Johnson, with two or three others, remained up during the night, keeping the fires burning that the supplies might not freeze. In the early days the settlers had to resort to many expedients in order

EINER JOHNSON

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to meet the conditions that existed, and various ways were utilized to earn a living that would create surprise now. One of the expedients to which Mr. Johnson resorted in order to keep himself in funds was the gathering of cottonwood seedlings, which he sold at a dollar and a quarter per thousand to the stores, where they were as staple an article of trade as ammuni- tion or flour. Such conditions have long since passed and South Dakota has taken her place among the great and growing commonwealths of the country, already enjoying a substantial measure of prosperity, while the promises for the future are bright. Mr. Johnson is well known not only as the enterprising cashier of the Bank of Volin, but in various relations is widely known throughout his part of the state and is a popular and highly esteemed citizen. He holds membership with the Lutheran church of Volin and he belongs to Dakota Lodge, No. 1, I. O. O. F .; the Elks Lodge No. 994; and the lodge cf United Workmen, No. 101, all of Yankton, in which organizations he is popular, numbering his friends by the score.

FRANK NOONAN.

Frank Noonan, of Lead, is the retiring sheriff of Lawrence county and in the two terms that he has held office has made a most commendable record. He was born in Yankton, this state, on the 14th of January, 1879, a son of James and Catherine (Morgan) Noonan. The father still resides in Yankton.

Frank Noonan was the seventh child in the family and was reared and educated in the public schools of his home locality. He was reared on his father's farm, which was situated nine miles northeast of Yankton, and assisted his father in the cultivation of the land until he was nineteen years of age. Although his school days were limited he learned lessons of great importance while familiarizing himself with agricultural methods as he came to realize the value of thoroughness and promptness and to take pride in doing well the task at hand. When nineteen years of age he became an employe of the South Dakota Hospital for the Insane at Yankton and remained in that connection for two and one-half years. In 1902 he removed to Deadwood and for a little more than a year worked for the Homestake Min- ing Company. In 1903 he became a member of the police force of Lead and after serving for two years and three months was made chief of police in May, 1905. He was reappointed under four different mayors, which indicates his efficiency, and in November, 1910, was elected sheriff of the county upon the republican ticket. His splendid record in that office led to his reelection in 1912. He will retire on the 1st of January, 1915, after four years' service as sheriff and his record in that capacity is one upon which he may look back with pride. He intends to operate his ranch of one hundred and sixty acres situated twenty miles south of Deadwood upon his return to private life.

On the 3d of July, 1912, Mr. Noonan was married to Miss Angela Rochefort, of Lead. He is a memehr of Lead Lodge, No. 747, B. P. O. E. His fearlessness as an officer of the law has gained for him the respect of all good citizens and he is a valued resident of Law- rence county.

JAMES W. MATTES.

James W. Mattes is the proprietor of the Delmonico Cafe at Redfield and has continued in this business since the 1st of January, 1910. He was born in Hnron, South Dakota, on the 1st of July, 1884, and is a son of Christopher and Mary Jane (Wood) Mattes, who are now residents of Redfield. The former came to South Dakota in 1879 as a section hand and assisted in building the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He continued in the service of the company and gradually worked his way upward until he is one of the oldest engineers on the road, having been in the employ of that company for about thirty-eight years. Both he and his wife are now fifty-five years of age and they are numbered among the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Redfield. The father holds the record of not having missed a pay check in thirty-seven years. To him and his wife have been born eight children, as fol- lows: James W., of this review; Frank H., at home; Christopher A., Jr., registry clerk in

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the postoffice at Helena, Arkansas; Ben E. and Ralph, both of whom are in the service of their brother James; Earl, who died in infancy; and another son and daughter who also passed away in infancy.

James W. Mattes pursued his education in the Redfield high school and the college of that place, continuing his studies to the age of twenty years, when he accepted a position as telegraph operator on the Northwestern Railroad, being employed in that way for about five years. He afterward worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company at Dickinson, North Dakota, for five months and subsequently spent a year in the employ of the Wood Commis- sion Company at St. Paul. He next bought a popcorn stand at Redfield, which be managed for a year, at the end of which time he became proprietor of the Delmonico Cafe of Redfield and now has the largest business of the kind in the town.

Mr. Mattes is independent in politics. Fraternally, however, he is well known as a Mason and a Red Man. He resides with his parents at No. 107 South Bryant street, where the family have a good home. His youth was largely a period of earnest and unremitting toil and in the habits of industry and determination which he then formed he laid the foun- dation for his present success.

HON. THOMAS JAMES LAW.

Hon. Thomas James Law, city attorney of Clear Lake and one of the prominent attor- neys of Deuel county, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 17th of January, 1870, a son of Thomas J. and Josephine M. (Stanley) Law, the former a native of Canada and the latter of New York state. Becoming a resident of the Badger state in his boyhood days, Thomas J. Law, Sr., was graduated from the normal school at Platteville, Wisconsin, and subsequently took up the study of law, under Judge Higbee, one of the prominent barristers of that state. After his admission to the bar he opened an office at Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where his active professional life was passed. He was one of the successful attorneys of the state and served for several years as county judge in Lafayette county, his course on the bench being in harmony with his record as a man and as a lawyer-characterized by the highest sense of personal and professional honor and distinguished by a masterful grasp of every problem pre- sented for solution. He died April 1, 1910, at the age of seventy-three years, but the mother survives and yet makes her home in Shullsburg.

Thomas James Law, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Shullsburg and educated in its public schools, passing through consecutive grades until graduated from the high school with the class of 1887. He then took up the study of law in his father's office and in the fall of 1889 entered the law department of the University of Wisconsin at Madi- son, from which he was graduated on the 1st of July, 1891. In October of the same year he went to Clear Lake, South Dakota, where he opened an office and has continued in successful practice since that time, rising to a high rank in his profession as he has developed his powers and promoted his talents through wide reading, research and experience. He was elected states attorney in 1896, serving until 1900, and was again called to that office in 1902, serving until 1906. In 1912 he was elected to represent the district composed of Deuel and Hamlin counties in the state legislature, in which official capacity be made a most satisfactory record, giving due and careful attention to all the significant problems which came up for settlement. He is the present city attorney of Clear Lake and he has enjoyed a large practice throughout the period of his residence there-a practice that has connected him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district.

In 1894 Mr. Law was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Roberts, a daughter of William and Mary Roberts, of Clear Lake, and a native of Canada. Four children were born to this marriage, Elsie, Stanley, Dolores and Thomas. The wife and mother passed away in 1908 and in 1912 Mr. Law was again married, his second union being with Miss Anna Kluekman, a daughter of Frederick and Augusta Kluckman, of Clear Lake. By this mar- riage he has two children, Frederick and Carroll.

Mr. Law holds membership in Phoenix Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., of Clear Lake; in Watertown Chapter, R. A. M .; and in the Watertown lodge of Elks. He is likewise a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Modern Woodmen and he has member-

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ship in the Clear Lake Commercial Club. He is today one of the best known men of the eastern part of the state and has made an excellent record in office and also in practice, while in private life he has gained the confidence and warm regard of a circle of friends that is almost eoextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.

ALBERT MATSON.

Albert Matson, states attorney at Brookings, who since his admission to the bar has made continuous progress until he stands today among the able lawyers of his section of the state, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 16th of December, 1871, a son of Andrew and Ellen (Johnson) Matson, both of whom were natives of Sweden, where they were reared and married. They came to the United States in 1865, settling in Chicago, and the father, who was a carpenter and cabinetmaker by trade, worked in the car shops of Chicago, doing fine work on the building of passenger coaches. In 1881 he came to South Dakota, taking up a homestead in Clark county, and subsequently he acquired two other quarter sections, thus becoming the owner of valuable property ere his death, which occurred in 1910. His widow still resides on the homestead claim.

Albert Matson was a little lad of ten summers when the family came to this state and upon the home farm spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He acquired his educa- tion in the public schools and in the South Dakota State College at Brookings. Completing his education, he was soon after appointed court reporter at Brookings, in which capacity he continued for eight years, and while thus engaged his deep interest in law practice was aroused, leading him to the study of law, to which he devoted his leisure hours. From 1899 until 1906 he was engaged in the real-estate business in Brookings and during that period continued to read law, being admitted to the bar in the latter year. In the fall of that year he was elected county judge of Brookings county and served continuously upon the bencli until January, 1911, at which time he was elected to his present office of states attorney. He is an able lawyer, one who holds to high professional standards and whose ability is more and more widely recognized.

In August, 1896, Mr. Matson was married to Miss Mary Sinjen, of Brookings, and they have become parents of six sons, Charles G., Arthur B., Wilfred F., Lyle F., Walter A. and Robert N. Mr. Matson belongs to Brookings Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., and to the Modern Woodmen camp. He also has membership with the Brookings Commercial Club and is one of the representative men of the city-alert and enterprising, watchful of every opportunity pointing the way for the benefit and upbuilding of the city.

JAMES W. ROSS, D. D. S.

Although Dr. James W. Ross has given the greater part of his attention to the practice of his profession, in which he bas met with gratifying success, he bas also participated in public affairs and has ably served as mayor of Milbank. He was born in Brandon, Vermont, December 11, 1866, a son of Wallace A. and Hattie E. (Bush) Ross. The maternal grand- father, Seymour Bush, who was a lifelong resident of Vermont, conducted a prosperous wholesale and retail harness establishment. Wallace A. Ross was born in the Green Moun - tain state in 1845 and upon removing westward took up his residence in Northfield, Minne- sota, where he passed away the year after his arrival in that city. He was a merchant by occupation. His political belief was that of the republican party and his religious faith that of the Protestant Episcopal church. He served in the Civil war with a Vermont regiment of volunteer infantry and held the rank of first lieutenant when but eighteen years of age. While at the front he contraeted a disease that caused his death in 1874. His widow was also born in Vermont, her natal year being 1847, and she is still living. To their union were born two children but one is now deceased.

James W. Ross was educated in the public schools of Brandon, Vermont, Northfield, Minnesota, and in Carleton College, Penn College of Dental Surgery and the Jefferson Medi-

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cal College of Philadelphia. A thorough general and technical education thus prepared him for bis life work and has been a large factor in his subsequent success. He practiced dentis- try in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota and on the 20th of June, 1886, arrived in Milbank, where he has since resided. He has gained an enviable reputation in his profession and has built up a large and lucrative practice.

In May, 1892, Dr. Ross married Miss Florence V. Owen, who was born in Massachusetts. The Doctor is a republican and has always kept well informed on the questions and issues .before the public. In local affairs he has been quite influential and has taken a leading part in various movements seeking publie advancement. Aside from holding a number of minor offices he has served on the Milbank council for a number of years and was for two years mayor of the city, giving the municipality an administration characterized by efficiency and integrity. Fraternally he helongs to the Masonic lodge, in which he is serving as senior warden; to the Royal Arcb Chapter; the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor commander; and the Watertown Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. During the many years that he has resided in Milbank he has gained a host of warm friends and the sincere respect of all who have come in contact with him, as in the various relations of life he has measured up to the highest standards of manhood.

SAMUEL JACOBSON.

Samuel Jacobson, a well known banker and business man of Wakonda, was born in Racine, Wisconsin, February 16, 1878, a son of Chris and Annie L. Jacobson, natives of Den- mark and Texas respectively. The father emigrated to the United States in early manhood and made his way to Racine, Wisconsin, where he was married in 1877. Two years later he removed to Nebraska, whence in 1888 he came to South Dakota, settling in Clay county. He established a mercantile business in Wakonda and conducted the same until his retirement in 1910. He also dealt in real estate and was the owner of a large amount of land but is now living retired at Wakonda. His wife also survives. His political allegianee is given the republican party and fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. To him and his wife have been born four sons: Samuel, of this review; Lauris, of Racine, Wisconsin, who is a bookkeeper in the employ of J. I. Case; Albert, who is in business at Sand Point, Idaho; and Clarence, a merchant of Dover, Idaho.

Samuel Jacobson attended the public schools of Clay county and after completing the course there entered the State University of South Dakota at Vermillion, where he prepared for a business career by taking a commercial course, from which he was graduated in 1895. In August of that year he became bookkeeper for the Bank of Wakonda and held that position until he won promotion to assistant cashier. In 1904 he was made cashier and is still serving in that capacity. The institution is conducted on a conservative basis, insuring its depositors of ample security, but it is also up-to-date and progressive, serving the community in the many ways possible to a modern bank. Much of the prosperity of the institution is due to the business acumen and personal care of Mr. Jacobson, who is one of the leaders in the financial circles of Clay county. He is also one of the main stockholders of the hank, which was organized in 1893 as the Bank of Wakonda. Its capital stock is twenty-four thousand dollars, its surplus six thousand dollars, its undivided profits over four thousand dollars and its deposits more than four hundred thousand dollars. The present officers are: M. J. Chaney, president; F. A. Swezey, vice president; Samuel Jacobson, cashier; and Charles Londahl, assistant cashier.

Mr. Jacobson is secretary of and a stockholder in the Wakonda Telephone Company, which was organized in 1903 and with which he has since been identified. He is a stockholder of the Wakonda Electric Light Plant and is secretary of the company, and is also interested in farming and stock raising. He deals in land to some extent and finds that business a profitable one. He owns a fine residence in Wakonda and is one of the well-to-do citizens of that town.

Mr. Jacobson was married in 1896 to Miss Mary J. Mellvena, who was born in Clay county, of the marriage of Joseph and Catherine Mellvena. Her parents came to this state

SAMUEL JACOBSON

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at an early day and the father took up a homestead in Clay county, near Wakonda, which he operated until his death. To him and his wife were born four danghters: Agnes, who died in 1908; Lucy, the wife of Samuel Artz, who is residing upon the old homestead; Margaret, the wife of A. H. Hohf, of Worthing, South Dakota; and Mrs. Jacobson.

Mr. Jacobson is a republican but is liberal in his views, voting independently when he deems that such a course would best further the public welfare. He has served as chairman of the county central committee, but has had no ambition for office himself. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and contribute to its support. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, being a member of El Riad Temple of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.

AMOS M. RICHARDSON.

Amos M. Richardson is the vice president of the State Bank of Spencer and a well known and progressive business man of that town. lowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Polk county on the 30th of June, 1879. his parents being Mose and Carrie (Landy) Richardson. The father was a farmer by occupation and for many years engaged in the tilling of the soil, but is now living retired at Sioux Falls.

At the usual age Amos M. Richardson became a public-school pupil and when he had mastered the branches of learning taught through public instruction he pursued a business course in the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines. He made his initial step in the business world as an employe of a lumber firm at Inwood, Iowa, with which he was con- nected for three and a half years. He then located in Ireton, Iowa, where he engaged in the same line of business for five years. In January, 1914, he arrived in Speneer and purchased an interest in the State Bank, being elected to the position of vice president, in which con- nection he has since continued, thus becoming an active factor in the financial circles of McCook county. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Farmers Elevator and is con- nected with the electric light plant. In a word, he is interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of his town along business lines and his activity in other fields has also been of worth to the community. In politics he is a republican and, while he does not seek nor desire public oflice, he cooperates in all the movements which are instituted for furthering the civie welfare. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and his fraternal relations are with the Masonic and the Odd Fellows lodges at Spencer. He is deeply interested in South Dakota and its welfare, intending to make his future bome here, and he is displaying characteristic energy in advancing the interests of town and county.

BRUNKE H. LUBBERS.

Brunke H. Lubbers, a well known farmer of Bon Homme county, was born in the village of Varsing-Fehn, in East Friesland, kingdom of Hanover, Germany, on the 27th of February, 1857. His parents were Henry and Anna (Garrelts) Lubbers. The father, a blacksmith by trade, became convinced that better opportunities awaited him in the new world and in the fall of 1866 he and his wife and all but two of their children emigrated to America, settling in Freeport, Illinois, where he established a blacksmith shop and purchased a few aeres of land, upon which there was a small house. Our subject and his eldest sister were left behind when the rest of the family crossed the Atlantic to the western continent. but a year and a half later. in April, 1868, they sailed from Bremerhaven on the steamer Bremen, landing in New York in May after a stormy voyage. As soon as possible they journeyed to Freeport, Illinois, and there joined the family. The father continued to work at his trade there until his death and his wife also passed away in that city.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 13

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