History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 131

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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probably read it to the leading settlers, and all were clamorons to see it in print, though all were informed of the incompleteness of the printing machinery; but anxious to gratify the urgent demand, the salutatory was put in type, placed on a galley, locked up, the inking fairly well done, and a readable proof taken and delivered to the editor. This printing was the first that was done in Kansas west of Topeka, and at that time Colorado, as Arrapahoe county, was part of Kansas. The Junction City Sentinel was finally issued. It was the first newspaper west of Topeka.

Mr. Kingsbury spent the winter of 1861-2 at Topeka, the capital, employed on the state printing- the state of Kansas having been admitted to the Union in 1861, and in March, 1862, he came to Dakota, as has been stated. He began the publication of the Weekly Dakotian in May, 1862, with Frank M. Ziebach as silent partner. Mr. Ziebach had established the paper in June, 1861, and continued it for several months during the election campaign-and retained a half interest in the property and business, when in 1862, the publication was resumed. As the first "Dakotian" had been a Douglas democratic newspaper, and the new Dakotian a republican journal, political party prudence suggested the formation of the partnership in the name of Mr. Kingsbury who was a republican.

Mr. Kingsbury continued in the printing and publishing business at Yankton for full forty years, during which time there were a number of new papers started which were consolidated subsequently with the Dakotian. In 1875 the Daily was started by M. S. Bowen & Company, Mr. Kingsbury representing the company, and in 1902 he disposed of the plant and good will, and retired from the publishing business.

On the 20th of September, 1864, George W. Kingsbury, of Yankton, and Lydia Maria Stone, daughter of Nathan and Laura Stone, of Lawrence, Kansas, were married at the home of the bride's mother, near Lawrence. They came directly to Yankton, traveling by steamboat from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Council Bluffs and the remainder of the journey by stage. Three sons were born to them in the course of the following twelve years- George Wellington, Theodore Horace, and Charles Stone-all of whom are living and reside in South Dakota, except the second boy who is in California. Lydia, the wife and mother, died February 1, 1898, and after a few years the little family was broken up,- the home practically abandoned. The History of Dakota Territory, to which the reader of this sketch was introduced at its beginning, was, however, entirely prepared under the old home roof -- erected in 1864-the only home and dwelling the family ever occupied.

CARL E. LANGE.

Although Carl E. Lange, the efficient cashier of the First State Bank of Murdo, is a young man, he has had wide experience in banking and is recognized as one of the ahle financiers of Lyman county. A native of Germany, his birth occurred on the 4th of August, 1884, and he is a son of Bernhardt and Elsie (Eiffert) Lange. On emigrating to America in 1891 the family made their way to Westside, Iowa, where they remained until 1905, in which year they removed to South Dakota and homesteaded in Lyman county. The par- ents are now residing on a ranch near Murdo.

Carl E. Lange, who is the second in order of birth in a family of ten children, attended the high school at Westside, Iowa, being a member of the class of 1900. When seventeen years old he became connected with a bank at McLean, Nebraska, and after removing to South Dakota was for a time with the First National Bank at Wessington Springs. In 1905 he went to Dazey, North Dakota, where he organized a bank, and he also established a bank at Rogers, that state, of which he served as cashier for two years. At the end of that time he homesteaded land in North Dakota and remained on his claim for two years, after which he became assistant cashier of the American National Bank of Valley City, North Dakota, remaining in that capacity for a year and a half. He next organized the Gray City Bank of Gray City, North Dakota, of which he was cashier, but in 1900 sold his interest in that institution and removed to Murdo, South Dakota, to accept the cashiership of the First State Bank of Murdo. He has since held that position and has wisely directed the affairs of the institution, which has the entire confidence of the general public. He is the

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principal stockholder in the bank and also owns one thousand acres of land, which he devotes to stock-raising, breeding Hereford cattle.

Mr. Lange was married on the 6th of September, 1911, to Miss Edna Toullinger, a daughter of James and Sarah (Shell) Toullinger, of Maryville, Missouri. His religious faith is that of the Evangelical church and fraternally he is a Mason, which associations indicate the rules which govern his conduct. The republican party finds in him a stanch supporter and he is now serving as mayor of Murdo, giving the town a businesslike administration. He finds needed recreation in various sports and is locally well known as an amateur base- ball player. The good roads movement has his hearty indorsement and he is always willing to aid in any way possible in the advancement and development of his county and state. He is justly held in high esteem and personally he is popular.

HAMPTON R. KENASTON, M. D.

Dr. Hampton R. Kenaston is a pioneer physician of Bonesteel and throughout the years of his active practice has kept in touch with the trend of progress of the medical profession, so that his efforts have been of far-reaching benefit and value. He was born in Elmwood, Cass county, Nebraska, March 24. 1870, a son of Dr. James A. and Caroline E. (Scanland) Kenaston. The father, who was born April 2, 1826, was a practicing physi- cian and pioneer settler of Nebraska and took np his abode there in 1868. He was descended from Scotch ancestry, although the family was founded in America in colonial days. He had an uncle who was a member of the famous "Boston tea party." Dr. James A. Kenaston was one of seven sons and at the age of fifteen years with three young companions made his way westward through Illinois and Wisconsin to upper Iowa. In Warren county, that state, he studied medicine and during the years 1863 and 1864 was an active representative of the ministry. In the latter year, however. he put aside all other interests to espouse the cause of his country, enlisting as a member of Company H. Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry. In 1870 he secured a homestead near Weeping Water Falls, Nebraska. His life was ever one of great benefit to the community in which he lived and the spirit of helpfulness actuated him in all that he did. That his fellow citizens were appreciative of his worth and ability is indicated in the fact that in 1871 he was elected a delegate to the constitu- tional convention. He died June 30, 1911, honored and respected by all who knew him.

Dr. H. R. Kenaston pursued a public-school education in his native state and in 1890, when a young man of twenty years, settled upon a homestead in Boyd county, Nebraska. Before proving up on his claim he had begun the study of medicine under private instruc- tion and later attended the Sioux City College of Medicine for a year and subsequently the U. S. Grant University of Chattanooga, Tennessee, where his father was practicing at the time. He was graduated from that institution in 1898 and made his way direct to Bonesteel, South Dakota, although at that time it was but a small village of about one hundred population. In his practice he had to take very long and tiresome drives. Dr. Kenaston is the pioneer physician of Bonesteel and for some years was the only member of the medical profession in Gregory county. In the early days to make his visits he would ride horseback, while later, when the roads were somewhat improved, he used a huggy to visit his patients, traveling through all kinds of weather-summer's heat and winter's storms-in order to respond to the call of those who needed a physician's assist- ance. This was then a wild cattle country, hut he has seen the county develop into a pros- perous and populous district, in which there are now eighteen practicing physicians. As there was no drug store in the county he compounded and dispensed his own medicines and thus gradually became engaged in the drug business, opening his store in 1902. He is a registered pharmacist and a member of the South Dakota State Pharmaceutical Asso- ciation and has a well appointed and liberally patronized drug store but still continues very active in practice. He has ever made it his purpose to keep in close touch with the advanced work of the profession and takes post-graduate courses in the leading cities of the country in order to keep abreast with scientific discoveries. He has a splendidly equipped office containing all of the modern instruments used in surgical practice and a most complete and up-to-date library. He has his own electrical plant and makes a wise

DR. HAMPTON R. KENASTON

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and effective use of electricity as a healing agent. In a word, medical progress finds in him a strong exponent and his efforts have been of increasing value and usefulness.

In 1912 he was appointed to the board of health by Governor Vessey for a term of five years. When the two boards of health and medical examiners were voted out of existence one year later and the board of health and medical examiners was instituted he was appointed by Governor Byrne to this board and on the 1st of July, 1915, was elected its president and has heen reappointed hy the governor for a second term. He was also super- intendent of the county board of health from the time the county was organized until appointed to the state board in 1912. He served as coroner of Gregory county for seven years from its organization and has been surgeon for the Northwestern Railroad Company from 1902 until the present time. Aside from his extensive practice and his mercantile interests he has been the vice president of the Citizens Bank of Bonesteel since its estah- lishment in 1902.

On the 8th of November, 1899, Dr. Kenaston was married to Miss Jean May Mckee, of Butler, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Thomas V. McKee and a graduate of the State Normal School at Clarion, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kenaston, who like her husband, is a regis- tered pharmacist and is also a registered optometrist, belongs to the women's section of the American Pharmaceutical Association and also to the South Dakota State Pharma- ceutical Association. She had the unusual distinction for a woman of being appointed to the committee on botany and medical plants and she is also a member of the outlook com- mittee of the national association. She is a brilliant, cultured woman who occupies a prominent position in social circles and at the same time has marked business and executive ability. She is a member of the Eastern Star and is now writing a history of that organiza- tion. To Dr. and Mrs. Kenaston has been born a son, Hampton Ray, now in school.

The Doctor and his family attend the Congregational church. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being connected with the commandery as a Knight Templar and with the consistory as a thirty-second degree Mason, and he is a member of the National Masonic Research Society. He also has membership with the Mystic Shrine at Sionx Falls. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. The only public office that he has filled outside the strict path of his profession is that of president of the local board of education, for the cause of the schools finds in him a stalwart champion. Along strictly professional lines his connection is with the Rosehud Medical Society and the South Dakota Medical Society. He is also a fellow of the American Medical Association and a member of the American Association of Railway Surgeons, in which he is serving on the judiciary committee, and is a member of the American Public Health Association and the North- western Surgical Association. He keeps step with those who are marching steadily for- ward in the profession and to whom research, study and investigation are continually bringing new truths concerning the laws of nature and the treatment of disease. The work that he has accomplished places him among the eminent representatives of the profession in the state.

JOHN H. WILLIAMSON.

John H. Williamson, one of the substantial agriculturists and leading citizens of Burk township, Minnehaha county, has there resided continuously for the past thirty-nine years and is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Norway on the 15th of July, 1847, his parents being William Alness and Beret (Olsen) Alness, both of whom passed away in that country.

In the acquirement of an education John H. Williamson attended the common schools of his native land, where he spent the first twenty-one years of his life. In 1868 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, arriving here in Angust of that year and locating in Allamakee county, Iowa. He secured employment as a farm hand, being in limited financial circumstances, and spent about seven years in the Hawkeye state. In the spring of 1876 he came to South Dakota and at once homesteaded a quarter of section 35 in Burk township, Minnehaha county, where he has remained continuously since. He also took up a timber claim of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Burk township. For about eight years

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he lived in a sod house of his construction and then built a frame dwelling fourteen by six- teen feet, while in 1898 he erected his present modern home. As the years have passed he has augmented his landed holdings by purchase until he now owns four hundred and eighty acres in Burk township. His homestead is named the Tordenskjold Farm. He has met with gratifying success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is also a stockholder in the Baltic Cooperative Lumber Company, the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company of Baltic and the Cooperative Creamery Company of Baltic. For the past five years he has been a member of the board of directors of the Sioux Falls Lutheran Hospital.

In 1868, in Iowa, Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to a widow, Mrs. Inger Anna (Rolson) Oien, who sailed from Norway to the United States on the same vessel which brought him. They have three children: John, Wilhelm and Julia, all at home, the sons operating the farm.

Mr. Williamson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has made a highly commendable record as school treasurer, in which capacity he has served for thirty- three years. He has also served as a member of the township board at different times for several years and is its chairman at the present time. His religious faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. Mr. Williamson is another of the many sturdy sons of Norway who have come to America and, despite the obstacles and handicaps always encountered by the foreigner, have succeeded by sheer force of their own determination and persistent efforts. In Minnehaha county and South Dakota, where he has now resided for nearly four decades, his acquaintance is very wide and the circle of his friends extensive.

DON H. FOSTER.

The development of Gregory county is being promoted in large measure through the efforts of Don H. Foster, vice president and manager of the Western Townsite Company. He was born in Northwood, Iowa, on the 17th of July, 1879, a son of Sidney A. and Clara (Hill) Foster, the former the vice president and manager of the Royal Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, where hoth he and his wife still make their home.

Don H. Foster supplemented a public-school education by study in Grinnell College of lowa and then went to Chicago, where he was connected with the general agency of the Royal Union Mutual Life Insurance Company for three years. On the expiration of that period he made his way to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and later was transferred to Des Moines, where he occupied the position of agency supervisor for a number of years. In 1907 he came to South Dakota and assisted in establishing the present town of Dallas. From that moment to the present his labors have heen an effective force in promoting the upbuilding and progress of this part of the state. He takes cognizance of every opportunity and has the ability to separate the essential features of a situation from its incidental and accidental circumstances. His correct valuation of each advantage as it arises has been one of the strong forces in his growing success. On coming to Dallas he embarked in the general land and farm loan business. He also became active in other connections, organizing the Dallas Drug Company, which owned a string of drug stores. He organized the Dallas Milling Com- pany and was extensively engaged in the ranch and cattle business. In 1909 be was one of the organizers of the Western Townsite Company and assumed his present position as vice president and manager. In 1914 he became associated with Charles A. Bates in the purchase of Indian lands in the Pine Ridge country.

On the 25th of June, 1901, Mr. Foster was united in marriage to Miss Geraldine Jones, a daughter of Edward H. and Josephine (Westfield) Jones, of Des Moines, Iowa. They have two children, namely: Virginia J., who was selected by Judge Witten to draw the first twenty-five numbers at the drawing for Mellette county lands in the Rosebud reservation; and Elizabeth J.

Mr. Foster exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and for four years was mayor of Dallas, using his official prerogatives to advance the interests of the town along substantial and permanent lines. He also served for a term of two years as president of the Greater Dallas Committee and is now on the board

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of managers, and the effects of his efforts in that connection have already been far-reaching and beneficial. Mr. Foster is a York Rite Mason and was worshipful master of Gateway Lodge, No. 150, A. F. & A. M., for three years. He also belongs to the Elks lodge of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and he finds recreation in hunting and motoring. He takes interest in all clean, manly sports and at one time played professional football covering a period of seven years, which included two years during his collegiate days. He was also captain of the track team at Grinnell for two years and under his direction that college won the state championship. One of his salient characteristics is his interest in education, which he values at its true worth. He has been active in assisting deserving boys through college, already furnishing the means that has enabled two boys to complete a college course, while recently he has started two more in college. He stands as a splendid example of American manhood and chivalry, imbued at all times with the belief that every individual should be given oppor- tunity for progress and willing at all times to lend a helping hand. His interest centers in the welfare of South Dakota and particularly of the Rosebud, and his work and influence are reaching out in constantly broadening circles for the benefit and upbuilding of the district.

HENRY MCGRATH.

Henry MeGrath, a successful ranchman residing at Oacoma, is also a factor in public life as incumbent in the office of register of deeds of Lyman county. His birth occurred in Liverpool, England, on the 31st of October, 1882, his parents being Henry and Rosa (Burns) McGrath, both natives of Ireland. For many years the father has been engaged in ship- building.

Henry McGrath, the eldest in a family of eight children, was seven years of age when sent to Ballygowan, County Down, Ireland, and there attended the public schools until entering Maynooth Seminary, from which institution he was graduated in 1901. It had been his parents' wish that he study for the priesthood, but he felt better qualified for a husi- ness career and accordingly, in 1902, sailed for the United States and came direct to South Dakota, having an uncle in this state. Locating in western Lyman county, he there took up land and embarked in the business of horse raising, in which he is still largely interested and in which he has met with unqualified success, now operating a ranch of ten hundred and twenty acres.

In politics Mr. McGrath is a stanch republican and he has ably served on various town- ship boards. In 1910 he was chosen register of deeds of Lyman county and made such a ered- itable record that he was reelected in 1912, so that he is still serving in the office. In 1914 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature and during the session of 1915 took an active part in transacting the business coming before that hody. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and acts as secretary of Oacoma Lodge, No. 164. Coming to this country without capital, but with good health and a determination to succeed, Mr. McGrath has made an enviable record both as a business man and public official. He is fond of outdoor sports and played on the class football team during his college days. In business and public life he has already won a position that many a man of twice his years might well envy and in social circles he is popular and esteemed.

HERMAN L. BODE.

Herman L. Bode, of Murdo, who is serving for the second term as states attorney of Lyman county, has gained recognition as one of the leading members of the bar of that locality although he is only in his thirtieth year. He was born in Chamberlain, this state, on the 16th of February, 1886, and is a son of Louis C. and Wilhelmina (Lighthoff) Bode, natives of Germany. Both came to this country as children and the father resided with his parents in New York city for a time. In the early 'SOs he removed to Chamberlain, Dakota territory, and there took up a homestead. Subsequently he removed to Murdo, where he is

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engaged in the mercantile business. To him and his wife have been born six children, of whom the subject of this review is the fourth in order of birth.

Herman L. Bode attended school in Chamberlain but when seventeen years of age put aside his textbooks and removed to Lyman county, where he entered the newspaper business in connection with E. L. Senn. In 1907 he established the Okaton Journal at Okaton, which he published for two years. In the meantime he had decided to prepare for the bar and accordingly entered the State University of South Dakota, where he pursued a legal course, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912. While still in college he was nominated for state's attorney of Lyman county, an honor which has probably been accorded to no other lawyer in the state. He was elected in November, 1912, and proved so capable in the discharge of his official duties that in 1914 he was reelected by a large majority, running ahead of his ticket. He is vigilant in safeguarding the interests intrusted to him and in the preparation of his cases spares neither time nor labor and has made a most creditable record as state's attorney.

Mr. Bode is a stanch republican and takes a keen interest in everything relating to the general welfare. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and in its teachings are found the principles which guide his life. He is identified with the Masonic order and is also a member of Phi Delta Theta, a leading college fraternity. He took a leading part in a number of college activities, editing the Volante, a college paper, and serving as president of the Law Students Association for one year. He has always been fond of outdoor life and his favorite forms of recreation are hunting and tennis. He is widely known in the county and those who are most intimately associated with him hold him in the highest esteem, which is proof of his genuine worth.

E. R. KENEFICK.

E. R. Kenefick, of Dell Rapids, who passed away on the 30th of January, 1914, was well known and highly esteemed in Minnehaha county. He was cashier of the Home National Bank, which he organized, and was recognized as one of the able business men of his com- munity. His birth occurred at Ripon. Wisconsin, September 29, 1866, and two years later he was taken by his parents to Ackley, lowa. They resided upon a farm near that place until 1882, when removal was made to Dakota territory, the family home being established on a farm in Moody county, south of Colman.

After completing his education in Madison, this state, E. R. Kenefick entered the First National Bank of Dell Rapids, of which his brother, the late M. R. Kenefick, was cashier. He also worked in Chicago for a time and for about a year resided in Tacoma, Washington. and was at one time employed in a bank at Sioux City, Iowa. He gained a wide experience in banking and in 1899 with others organized the First National Bank of Colman, of which he was cashier. He continued to manage the affairs of that institution until 1909, when he sold his interest therein. Subsequently he spent almost a year traveling over the west in search of a new location but finally returned to Dell Rapids and with others organized the Home National Bank early in 1910. He was cashier of that institution from its establishment until his demise and the rapid growth in the business transacted by the bank was due largely to his ability, enterprise and unquestioned integrity. His advice was often sought on matters of investment and finance and he held high rank in local banking circles.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 131

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