History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 136

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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J. G. Brende acquired his early education in the public schools and was subsequently graduated from the Lutheran Normal School of Sioux Falls in 1900. He then turned his attention to the profession of teaching and was thus engaged for a period of seven years, proving an able instructor who imparted clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He taught three years in Pope county, Minnesota, and four years in Minnehaha county, South Dakota, teaching in both public and parochial schools. At the present time he is engaged in business at Baltic as a dealer in hardware and automobiles and in both con- nections is enjoying a gratifying patronage that has come as the result of his enterprise, reliability and progressive methods.

On the 13th of May, 1906, Mr. Brende was united in marriage to Miss Karen J. Brendsel, a daughter of Andrew I. and Bertha Brendsel, by whom he has three children, namely: Godtfred Ingemann, Lisabeth Ingeborg and K. Adelsten.

Mr. Brende is a republican in politics and has served in the position of town trustee for two years. He is a devoted and consistent member of the Lutheran church and has spent considerable time instructing church choirs. He does not belong to any clubs or societies, being a lover of home and family. Outdoor sports afford him recreation and pleasure. With the exception of three years in Minnesota his entire life has been spent in this state, so that he has many friends here, and his record is a highly creditable and commendable one.

GRAYDON B. JACKSON.

Graydon B. Jackson, of the firm of Jackson Brothers and manager of the farm-loan department, is a representative business man, far-sighted, alert, energetic, and belongs to that class of representative business men, who, while advancing individual interests, con- tribute largely to public prosperity. A native of Buchanan county, Iowa, he was born at Independence, May 11, 1879, a son of Hon. Frank D. and Anna F. (Brock) Jackson. The father, now president of the Royal Union Mutual Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, was governor of lowa from 1893 to 1895 and in various ways has left the impress of his individuality upon the history of that state, where he and his wife still reside.

After attending the public schools Graydon B. Jackson continued his education in the Des Moines Preparatory College and in the Culver Military Academy of Culver, Indiana,

MR. AND MRS. GUDMUND BRENDE

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completing the course in 1898. He then entered his father's office in Des Moines, at which time he became connected with the mortgage and loan department, gaining broad experi- ence in this his initial undertaking in the business world. In 1900 he arrived in South Dakota, but previously was located for a time at Stuart, Nebraska, where he was interested with F. Barclay in the cattle and loan business. When he arrived on the present site of Dallas there was nothing but a tract of wild land, no collection of buildings giving evidence of a growing town. In fact, there were only a few buildings in Gregory county. His brothers soon afterward came and all filed on homesteads five miles south of Gregory. The town of Dallas was then located southeast of the present site of Dallas on Ponca creek, but when the railroad was built the town was left to one side and on the 1st of January, 1907, all of the buildings were removed from the old to the present town site of Dallas, drawn by teams. Jackson Brothers had purchased the town site in 1906 and from that moment have been most active in the development of the town. It was a bitterly cold winter when they moved the buildings. The snow was deep, rendering the task a difficult one, but they placed the buildings on steel cables and thus drew them over the frozen snow. Throughout the intervening period to the present the company has dealt extensively in farm lands and made many loans. They own forty thousand acres in Gregory, Tripp and Mellette counties and are the owners of several town sites, including Dallas, Winner, Jordan, Carter, Chilton, Berkley and White River. Jackson Brothers have carefully sys- tematized their work and are following out carefully defined plans and methods in developing the towns in which they are interested, looking ever beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities and opportunities of the future. In addition to his other interests Graydon B. Jackson is the vice president of the Bank of Dallas.

On the 31st of March, 1903, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Jackson and Miss Leila Stewart, a daughter of Rush M. Stewart, of Fremont, Nebraska. They are Episcopalians in religious faith and Mr. Jackson is a Mason of high degree, holding membership in Oriental Consistory, No. 1, S. P. R. S. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his business affairs and he is a member of what, by the consensus of public opinion, is regarded as the most progressive firm of Gregory county. Their interests are most extensive, they having been the largest investors in the county, and in conducting their business they have contributed in superlative measure to the upbuilding and improvement of this section of the state. Mr. Jackson is in every way a fine man, for while business ability has brought him to the forefront in that connection, his admirable social qualities and manly principles have given him firm hold upon the regard and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

LEROY M. GIBBS.

Leroy M. Gibhs, secretary of the Commercial Club of Sioux Falls, was born in Troy, Michigan, November 8, 1879. He attended the common schools at Groveland and later became a high-school student at Clarkston, where he was graduated. He afterward attended Albion College for a year and next entered the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, Michigan. When his textbooks were put aside be made his initial step in the business world, accepting a position in 1898 with the Grand Trunk Railroad, in the transportation department, which position he filled for two and a half years. In 1901 he entered the United States postal service, remaining until 1903, when he became connected with Frederic B. Stevens, manu- facturer of foundry facings and polishing and plating supplies. While with that house he acted as salesman upon the road and was also in their advertising department. Later he went with the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, during which time he was industrial commis- sioner and at different times handled the wholesale bureau, the retail bureau and the export bureau. He afterward became assistant secretary, remaining with the Detroit Chamber from March, 1911, until April, 1914, at which time he came to Sioux Falls to accept the position of secretary of the Commercial Club, in which position he has since continued. His previous experience well qualified him for the important work which devolves upon him in this connection.

It was in Detroit that Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss Idah M. Etcher, a

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daughter of A. J. Etcher, of East Jordan, Michigan, and they have three children, Harriet and Leroy M., both born in Detroit; and Estelle Virginia, born in Sioux Falls.

Mr. Gibbs is a prominent Mason, having taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and heing a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is genial, approachable and popular and in addition he is systematic, capable and resourceful, these qualities making him an ideal officer for the position which he fills.

HARRY FRANKLIN BROWNELL.

The automobile industry has attracted to it many men of marked enterprise, of strong purpose and of capability, who have found either in the manufacture or sale of motor cars and accessories a profitable field of business. This number includes Harry Franklin Brownell, now president of the H. F. Brownell Company, conducting a wholesale accessory business.

He was born at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, November 22, 1882, a son of Edwin and Henrietta (Randall) Brownell. His education was acquired largely at Merrill, Wisconsin. He was graduated from the high school there with the class of 1902 and afterward spent two years in Chicago. The succeeding two years were passed in teaching school in the Badger state and in 1906 he arrived in South Dakota, settling at Sioux Falls, where he became agent for the Burroughs Adding Machine Company of Detroit, Michigan. In 1909 he entered upon his present relations with the Sioux Falls Auto & Supply Company, now known as the H. F. Brownell Company. In this connection the Sioux Falls Daily Press said:

"In 1910 H. F. Brownell and Knapp Brown purchased the motor car business of Clyde Gates, who had built it up to a point where it was known as one of the best in the state. Brown and Brownell are both young men and are very well known and highly respected in Sioux Falls. They added several additional makes of cars to their line and their highly .desir- able class of stock, their clean cut, reputable sales methods and the confidence inspiring per- sonality of the two men have contributed to the successful growth of the company. Mr. Brown devotes his entire attention to the active superintendency of the retail sales, repair and machine department and the garage business. Mr. Brownell assumes the management of the wholesale supply department.

"Mr. Brownell's department is the one that has made the company known so well throughout so wide a territory. Brown and Brownell quickly realized the importance of Sioux Falls as a distributing point and immediately prepared to take advantage of it for a wholesale branch of the business. In a country like South Dakota where there are so many motor cars in use and where the great majority of people are financially able to own and use a car, the possibilities of a wholesale automobile accessory and supply business are enormous. Brown and Brownell have built their wholesale interests up to the point where all of South Dakota and adjoining territory in Minnesota and Iowa are covered. Their success has been phenomenal and, although the firm is now but a year old, extensive additions to the garage equipment and wholesale warerooms are contemplated for next season and with the com- pletion of the project, the Sioux Falls Auto & Supply Company will easily rank as one of the greatest wholesale motor car supply companies in this northwestern territory. The advantages to the dealers in small towns in having a source of supply so near at hand is very obvious and there is nothing to prevent a continuation of the company's present record of growth.

"In the motor car sales department, over which Mr. Brown presides, there are equally important extensions to be made. Mr. Brown is an experienced and very thorough automo- bile man and it is his belief that the territory fully warrants the contemplated improvements. He has already doubled the business of the old company and he expects to have more room in the garage to more thoroughly care for the big increase in business he books for next season. Brown and Brownell state that when their plans are realized there will be no garage facilities in the state so complete. The repair and machine shops will be increased both as to room and as to equipment. Such a healthy growth as this company has enjoyed would not have been possible had not the territory been so rich in opportunity, nor would Sioux Falls have had such a company but for enterprising men such as Brown and Brownell."

In January, 1915, The H. F. Brownell Company, having outgrown their smaller quar-

HARRY F. BROWNELL

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ters, moved into the splendid new building they now occupy, on West Ninth street. This is one of the finest and most complete buildings for automobile accessories in the northwest and their distribution of merchandise now covers portions of eight states.

On the 1st of November, 1911, in the city where they still reside, Harry F. Brownell and Miss Elizabeth Jewett Woodford, a niece of Charles A. Jewett, were united in mar- riage. They attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Brownell is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has attained the Scottish Rite and Mystic Shrine degrees. His political indorsement is given the republican party and his social activities are largely with the Coun- try Club, the Dacotah Club and similar organizations. He has gained many friends during bis residence here through his business connections, through his social relations and by reason of the true worth of his character.

CAPTAIN JOHN W. KENNEDY.

Captain John W. Kennedy has lived practically retired in Gettysburg since 1903 but still looks after the residence property which he owns and engages in the loan business to some extent. He was born in New York city on the 18th of April, 1838, of the marriage of Alexander and Agnes (Finney) Kennedy, both natives of Scotland, where they grew to mature years and were married. About 1830 they emigrated to America and located in the city of New York, where the father was engaged in mercantile pursuits until about 1839. In that year they removed to Delaware county, New York, and there the father followed merchandising for a number of years. Both passed away in that county.

Captain John W. Kennedy attended a private school in Roxbury, New York, was for a time a student in the public schools and completed his education in Roxbury Academy. He took his first lesson in penmanship from a sister of Jay Gould and John Burris and Jay Gould were both schoolmates of his. When eighteen years of age he put aside his text- books and with an older brother, Dr. David Kennedy, made the long trip to California. He engaged in mining for a short time but subsequently found employment as a clerk in a general store in Nevada City, north of Sacramento. After spending two and a half years in the west he returned to the Empire state and for about five years assisted in the opera- tion of a farm which his father had purchased. At the end of that time he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York Regiment, and was soon promoted to sergeant. Later he rose to the rank of captain and proved at all times a brave and loyal soldier. He was in the service for three years and was fortunate in that he was never wounded nor confined to a hospital from sickness. He participated in the battles of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville and a number of skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, was for nine months confined in Libby prison and was also for nine months in other prisons, eighteen months in all being spent in Confederate prisons. He escaped from Columbia, South Carolina, and rejoining his regiment at Savannah, marched thence with Sherman from "Atlanta to the sea."

At the close of the war Captain Kennedy was honorably discharged and returned to his father's farm in New York. At length he once more made his way westward and settling in Chicago, engaged in the mercantile business there for about nine years. In 1883, however, he came to South Dakota and built the first frame house in the town of Gettysburg. In fact, it was he who suggested the name of Gettysburg for the settlement. He entered land from the government four miles from Gettysburg and there engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1903, when he sold his land and took up his residence in Gettysburg, where he is now living practically retired. He still owns residence property, however, and loans money at interest and he personally manages all of his business affairs.

Captain Kennedy was married on the 10th of November, 1872, to Miss Eliza M. Chamber- lain, who was born in Massachusetts, a daughter of Jason Dexter and Elsie Grace (Kruger) Chamberlain, both also natives of the Bay state. The father, who followed agricultural pursuits for many years, at length removed to Chicago, where he lived retired for some time. Both he and his wife spent their last years with our subject and both died in this state. To Captain and Mrs. Kennedy three children have been born, namely: Jessie, the wife of Clarence Taber, of Evanston, Illinois, who is general agent for the publishers of Webster's

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Dictionary; Horace D., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Chicago; and Alice, the wife of William A. Ronald, of Boston, who is engaged in the theatrical business, Alice being well known on the stage as Alice Kennedy.

The Captain is a republican and is at present serving his eighth year as justice of the peace, his continuance in the office indicating the confidence which his fellow citizens repose in his ability and integrity. He was the first city auditor and was at one time a member of the state central committee and assistant sergeant at arms of the legislature in 1911. He was also the first secretary of the Commercial Club and has always taken a great in- terest in the efforts of that organization to promote the business expansion of Gettysburg. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Hobart, New York, and he is the oldest Mason in point of years of connection with the order in Potter county. In his daily life he exemplifies the spirit of brotherhood which is at the basis of the fraternity and thus proves himself a Mason in deed as well as in name. Through his association with Meade Post, No. 32, G. A. R., of Gettysburg, of which he is adjutant, he keeps in touch with others who fought for the Union when it was assailed. In times of peace as well as in war he has proven ready to subordinate personal interests to the general good and his public spirit has added to the esteem in which he is generally held. He has reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years and his long life has been so spent that he enjoys the confidence and the respect of all who have come into contact with him.

JOHN THOMPSON.

The names of those who performed the arduous work of the pioneer in agricultural development, in government, or in any of life's activities, are justly held in veneration by those who follow after and enjoy the results of their efforts. John Thompson was not only the pioneer farmer of Sverdrup township, Minnehaha county, but was also prominently identified with public affairs, being a member of the territorial assembly.

His birth occurred in Norway, June 29, 1841, and he came to this country in 1854 when a youth of abont thirteen years. He was a resident of Wisconsin at the outbreak of the Civil war and enlisted in Company I, Seventh Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command until April, 1862. During the summer of that year he enlisted in Company H, Thirtieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served until hostilities ceased, being mustered out in October, 1865. His bravery won him promotion and he became a noncommissioned officer. Although he served throughout the entire war, he had the good fortune to never receive a wound or be taken prisoner. Upon leaving the army Mr. Thompson went to Goodhue county, Minnesota, where he soon afterward married Miss Christine Haugen. On the 4th of June, 1866, he and his wife, together with Mr. and Mrs. John Nelson, started for Dakota, both couples having a team of oxen, a cow and a wagon as their sole equipment. On the 29th of June, which was the twenty-fifth anniversary of his birth, Mr. Thompson and his party arrived in Sioux Falls and camped on the east side of the Sioux river. Within two or three days he located on section 29, Sverdrup township, Minnehaha county, and filed a homestead claim. It was necessary to build a shelter immediately and as material was scarce, his first house was of a very rude character. Four crotches were set up, which formed the frame work of the house, which was built of poles and hay. In the fall of that year a better residence was built to protect them from the storms of winter. The second dwelling was a log house, twelve by sixteen feet, covered with soft maple shingles, and was the first one built in the township. Mr. Thompson continued to reside there until his death, making his home longer in that township than any other citizen within its borders. He applied himself strictly to cultivating the soil and systematically saved his money, purchasing additional land from time to time until he became the owner of five hundred and ninety-seven acres of land on section 29, and two hundred and forty acres on sections 20, 30, 32 and 33, his acreage totaling ten hundred and seventy-three acres. He erected attractive and commodious farm buildings, his barn being one of the largest if not the largest in the county, its dimensions being eighty by one hundred feet. He also acquired a large amount of personal property and was known as one of the most successful and prosperons farmers of his section.

Mr. Thompson was very active in political affairs and held a number of public offices. His first official appointment was received under quite unusual circumstances. It was during

MR. AND MRS. JOHN THOMPSON

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the incumbency of James S. Foster as territorial superintendent of schools, and that gentleman, while engaged in freighting to Sioux Falls, was assisted by Mr. Thompson in getting his goods across the Sioux river. He showed his appreciation of this service by paying Mr. Thompson one dollar and by appointing him superintendent of schools of Minnehaha county. The new official made good use of the dollar but made no attempt to act in bis capacity as county superintendent of schools. He was chairman of the town board of supervisors for about nine years, was the first township assessor of Sverdrup township, was justice of the peace, and was the first chairman of the board of county commissioners after its reorganization, serving as a member of the board for three years. His influence extended beyond the confines of the county, as he was a member of the territorial assembly from 1873 to 1877 and again in 1883. He did much to aid in securing enlightened laws for the state, thus earning the gratitude of the generation which is now profiting by his labors. He was one of the real pioneers of the county, there being but few white people here when he arrived, and he has left behind him a name esteemed and respected by all because of his honorable and kindly life.

JOSEPH C. THOMPSON.

Joseph C. Thompson, a son of John and Christine Thompson, was born on the 29th of January, 1871, and was reared under the parental roof. He acquired his education in the common schools and early became accustomed to the work of the farm. He now owns two hundred and sixty acres of good land and is a progressive and successful agriculturist. In 1892 he wedded Miss Emma Moan, a daughter of Ole N. and Bereth (Bertha) Moan, who are residing near Baltic, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have been born nine children, three of whom are deceased, the others being: Julius, Inez, Edna, Clara, Bertha and Gordon. Mr. Thompson is a republican but has never been an office seeker. He and his family are identified with the Lutheran church and their influence is on the side of moral progress.

A. P. KIMBALL, M. D.

Dr. A. P. Kimball, physician and surgeon successfully practicing at Colome, is well qualified to take care of oncrous professional duties, having in May, 1915, established a well equipped hospital. He was born in La Platte, Nebraska, March 14, 1885, a son of Levi and Emily (Wilkinson) Kimball. The father was a pioneer farmer of Nebraska, settling in that state in 1855 when the work of civilization and improvement seemed scarcely begun there. He operated a ferry across the Platte river before the building of the railroads and owned the first livery stable in Omaha. In fact he was closely connected with many of the early events which left their impress upon the early settlement and upbuilding of that state. Both he and his wife have passed away.

Dr. Kimball mastered the elementary branches of learning taught in the district schools and afterward attended the Nebraska City high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. He decided upon the practice of medicine as a life work and in preparation therefor entered the Creighton Medical College of Nebraska, in which he completed a course hy graduation with the class of 1908. He then located for practice in Wahoo, Nebraska, where he remained for a year, and also spent a year at Creston, that state, before removing to Colome, South Dakota, where he is now the only physician. He established his hospital in May, 1915, and has accommodations for twelve patients. The hospital is splendidly equipped with all modern medical and surgical appliances, including the latest improved surgical instruments, permitting him to perform all the major operations. He has marked skill in surgery and at the same time displays sound judgment in administering those remedial agencies which check the ravages of disease.

On the 26th of November, 1908, Dr. Kimball was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Boland, a daughter of Matthias and Johanna (Ahearn) Boland. To them have been born three children, namely: Albert, Mary and Robert. Dr. Kimball belongs to the Episcopal church, while the religious faith of his wife and children is that of the Catholic

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 136

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