History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 14

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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B. H. Lubbers attended school at Freeport and as soon as old enough became his father's assistant in the blacksmith shop. Later he was for three years employed at farm work and then married and began farming on his own account. He rented land in Stephenson

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county for three years, but in 1884 removed farther west and purchased a farm in Grundy county, Iowa, which he cultivated and developed for ten years. In 1894 he sold that land and came to South Dakota, purchasing a farm on section 20, Cleveland precinct, Bon Homme county. He immediately began its improvement and still resides thereon, having in the meantime added to his holdings until he now owns three hundred and sixty acres. Capacious barns, granaries, the latest improved machinery and a garage are found upon his farm, which is further enhanced in value by groves and orchards. There is also a running stream through the place. His residence is well designed and is one of the most attractive country homes in Bon Homme.

Mr. Lubbers was married in Stephenson county, Illinois, to Miss Ella Zimmerman, a native of East Friesland, whence her parents, Fred and Gretge (Amilsberg) Zimmerman, emigrated to America in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Lubbers have been born eleven children, of whom eight survive. Henry has filed on a section homestead in western Nebraska under the Kincaid law. Fred cultivates part of his father's farm and married Jennie Johnson, of Bon Homme county, by whom he has two sons and one daughter. Gretge, or Grace, if the English form of the name is used, married George Sheffield, a farmer living north of Tyndall, and is the mother of three sons and one daughter. Anna is the wife of Fred Etherton, of Bou Homme county, and has two sons. The four younger children are: Bertha, Ella, George and Albert, all at home.

Mr. Lubbers is a republican, believing that the principles of that party are best adapted to secure the prosperity of the country. He and his family belong to the German Baptist church of which he has been a member since attaining his majority. He is a valued citizen of Bon Homme county and is doing his full share in the development of agricultural interests there and also aids in the progress of his community along moral, intellectual and spiritual lines.

FRANK W. DOUTHITT.

Frank W. Douthitt, secretary and manager of the Big Stone City Canning Company, has a wide acquaintance among the men in business along this particular line, for he has a broad knowledge of this work in which he has been engaged throughout almost his entire business career. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, January 19, 1875, a son of E. M. and Florence (Scribner) Douthitt, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of New England stock. In the maternal line he is related to the Scribners, publishers of the well known magazine. His father was born in Paris, Illinois, in 1835, and died in 1899, while the mother, who was a native of Indianapolis, horn in 1845, passed away in Seattle, Washington, in 1905. In their family were seven children, of whom six survive: A. G., who is connected with the Big Stone City Canning Company; Ada, the wife of John Oran, a car- penter of Indianapolis, Indiana; Frank W .; C. M., who is physical director in the university at Athens, Ohio; L. B., who is manager of the canning factory in Montevideo, Minnesota; and Ella, who is a stenographer in a bank at Seattle. The father of this family was a contractor and builder and for many years made his home in Indianapolis. He was a well- educated man and in politics was a democrat.

Frank W. Douthitt was reared in the city of his nativity and was educated in the schools there. He made his initial step in the business world by working in a ladder factory, beginning that work at the age of thirteen, ere he had completed his education. He then entered a canning factory in Indianapolis with the intention of learning the business. After he had gained a thorough knowledge thereof he took charge of a factory in Muncie. Indiana, but after a time spent there went to Cokato, Minnesota, where he managed a plant of similar character until 1906. He then purchased a third interest in the Big Stone Canning Company, of which he has since served as secretary and manager. This is one of the im- portant industrial concerns of that locality. The business is capitalized at fifty thousand dollars, while the output of the plant is seventy-five carloads of corn per year. The product of this plant is of the highest grade and therefore finds a ready sale on the market. Mr. Douthitt has a thorough knowledge of the canning business and he is now known as one of the best informed men in this line in the United States.

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Mr. Douthitt was married in 1897, to Miss Orpha Powell, of Indianapolis, a daughter of George Powell, a wagonmaker of that city but formerly of Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Douthitt has a thorough knowledge of the canning business and he is now known as one of sixteen and six years, and both in school.

in polities Mr. Douthitt is a republican and it was on that ticket that he was elected mayor of Big Stone City, having filled this executive position to the satisfaction of the general public for the past six years, and during his incumbency in office he has insti- tuted many needed reforms and improvements. He is a Mason, belonging to both the lodge and the chapter. He is likewise a member of the National Canners Association, serving on the executive board; and of the Minnesota Canners Association and is now secretary and treasurer of the latter organization. It is said that the man with a purpose wins and this is verified in the life of Mr. Douthitt, for when starting out in the business world in early youth he put forward every endeavor to make today find him further advanced in his desires than yesterday and he looked forward to tomorrow to add to his attainments. With him it has been a constant progression toward the desired end until today he stands among the successful few in industrial circles in the state.

FREDERICK FISCHBACH.

One of the extensive landowners of South Dakota is Frederick Fischbach, whose holdings comprise twelve hundred and eighty acres in Mellette township, Spink county, and in Rondell township, Brown county. Recognizing the fact that real estate is the safest of all invest- ments, he has kept adding to his property and is today one of the prosperous agriculturists whose life work should serve to inspire and encourage others. He is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred near Trier, in the Rhine Province, on the 20th of October, 1850, his parents being Nicholas and Gertrude Fischbach, both of whom spent their entire lives in their native land and now lie buried at Seffern, near Trier.

The educational opportunities which Fred Fischbach enjoyed were those accorded by the public schools of his native country, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he bade adieu to the fatherland and sailed for the new world. This was in 1868. He brought with him very limited capital and faced the necessity of finding immediate employment in order to provide for his own support. He began working as a farm hand in Wisconsin, near La Crosse, and there remained for some time, after which he removed to Colorado, where he lived until he came to South Dakota in 1886. Twenty-nine years have since come and gone -years which have brought many changes for the state and for Mr. Fischbach, who within that period bas advanced steadily until he today is recognized as one of the men of affluence in his locality. He took up a preemption in Edmunds county, which he sold after two years, and then rented land which he today owns. When it was possible he purchased the place and, adding thereto, he is today one of the large property holders of Spink county. Carefully and diligently he has continued his work until he now has extensive fields under cultivation. from which he annually harvests good crops. He also has upon his place thirty head of cattle. eighteen head of horses and a large number of hogs. He has erected a fine residence, in the rear of which stand good barns and other outbuildings, and these in turn are surrounded by well tilled fields, the farm presenting a most neat and thrifty appearance.

On the 25th of October, 1881, in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Fischbach was united in mar- riage to Miss Frances Breidenbach, a daughter of Bernard and Edigna (Koler) Breidenbach. Her father was a farmer by occupation and an early settler of Wisconsin. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for active service at the front and did valiant duty in defense of the I'nion. He became one of the pioneer residents of McPherson county, South Dakota, and con- tributed to its early material development, continuing his residence in this state until his death, which occurred July 14, 1896, when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife fol- lowed him to the grave in 1906, when she was seventy-nine years of age, and both lie buried in the Sacred Heart cemetery at Aberdeen, South Dakota. They were members of the Catho- lic church and both were of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Fischbach have been born eight children: Frank, who died in infancy and was buried in Denver, Colorado; Mary, who has been a teacher hut is now at home; Gertrude, who has been superintendent and is now

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deputy superintendent of schools at Redfield, South Dakota; Fred, who follows farming near the old home place, and who married Barbara Von Ruden, of Westby, Wisconsin, June 6, 1911, and has three children, Catherine Frances, Frederick Conrad and Paul Henry; Joseph B. and Bernard, who are assisting their father; Edwin, who died in infancy and was interred in the Sacred Heart cemetery at Aberdeen; and John, who is a graduate of the Redfield high school and now at home.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Fischbach's political belief is that of the democratic party. He has filled the offices of clerk and assessor and has served in various other township offices, the duties of which he has ever discharged promptly, capably and loyally. If one were to analyze his life record it would certainly be found that hard work, sobriety and perseverance have been salient features in his success and he also attributes his advancement to the loyalty and encouragement of his wife, who has, indeed, heen a faithful helpmate and companion to him.

EMIL MELLOM.

Emil Mellom has made a creditable and commendable record as assistant cashier of the Colton State Bank, which position he has held continuously since January 1, 1905. His birth occurred in Deuel county, South Dakota, on the 9th of April, 1881, his parents being Julius and Dorothea Mellom, who had a family of twelve children. The father, who survives, makes his home in Alberta, Canada, but the mother has passed away.

Emil Mellom acquired his earlier education in the public schools and later attended the Madison State Normal School and the Lutheran Normal School of Sioux Falls. Subsequently he worked in the office of his father, who had been elected to the position of county treasurer. On the 1st of January, 1905, he came to Colton as assistant cashier of the Colton State Bank, in which capacity he has served continuously since with great efficiency and credit.

Mr. Mellom wedded Miss Clara Sando, whose father, Rev. O. Sando, was the first Luth- eran minister of South Dakota. They have four children: Lorenz, Valborg, Clare and Kath- ryn. In politics Mr. Mellom is a republican and for five years he ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in the position of school treasurer. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always remained in this state and is well known as one of its worthy native sons.

DONALD R. GUSTAFSON.

Donald R. Gustafson, a well known citizen of Lead, efficiently served as auditor of Law- rence county, but was not a candidate for reelection to that office in the spring of 1915. He was born in Colman, Moody county, this state, in 1882, a son of John Alfred and Anna (Danielson) Gustafson, natives of Sweden and Norway respectively. The father was but a boy of twelve years when he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to Michigan. In 1875 he removed to Moody county, this state, and there secured a homestead. In 1878 he made his way to Lead, in the Black Hills, and followed mining for a number of years. In April, 1910, he removed to California, where he died the following year. The mother is still a resident of that state. Of their four children Hjelmar is now in Alaska; Agnes is living with her mother; and George is in Montana.

Donald R. Gustafson was the third in the family and was educated in the public and high schools of Lead. Following his graduation from high school he took a business course in the Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, after which he returned to Lead and entered the employ of the Homestake Mining Company, with which he remained for a few years. In 1905 he was appointed deputy auditor of Lawrence county and served for three years under Captain Mclaughlin, or until 1908. In that year he was elected auditor on the republican ticket and reelected in 1910, serving until March, 1913. In February, 1914, he was appointed to the office by the county commissioners to fill the unexpired term of John L.

DONALD R. GUSTAFSON

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Baker, which expired in March, 1915. His long service in the office is the best proof of the ability with which he discharged the duties devolving upon him as auditor. He is methodical, prompt and accurate and his books were always in fine condition. He has devoted practically all of his time and attention to his official work and his record is a most ereditable one.

Mr. Gustafson was married in February, 1911, to Miss Inez M. Moses, of Bixby, Perkins county, South Dakota. She is an Episcopalian in religious faith, while Mr. Gustafson is a member of the Lutheran church of Lead and is always willing to give of his time and means to the furtherance of all worthy enterprises. He has voted for the candidates of the repub- lican party since aged conferred upon him the right of franchise and has for years been quite active in political affairs. Fraternally he belongs to Golden Star Lodge, No. 9, A. F. & A. M., of Lead; Golden Belt Chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., of Lead; Black Hills Council, No. 3, R. & S. M., of Lead; Black Hills Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. R. of Deadwood; and Naja Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Deadwood. He also holds membership in Lead Lodge, No. 747, B. P. O. E., of Lead He is widely known not only in Lead but throughout Lawrence county, and the circle of his friends is large as his character is one that commands respect and inspires goodwill.

CHARLES S. O'TOOLE, M. D.

Dr. Charles S. O'Toole, of Watertown, is well known in professional circles throughout northeastern South Dakota and is generally recognized as a progressive and able physician and surgeon. He was born in Humboldt county, Iowa, on the 5th of May, 1870, a son of Patrick and Catherine (Toole) O'Toole, both natives of Ireland. They grew to maturity in the Emerald Isle and, convinced that better opportunities for advancement were to be found in this country. they crossed the Atlantic and located in Pennsylvania. Their marriage occurred in the Keystone state and the father was for many years employed in the rolling mills of Pittsburg and, as wages were unusually high at that time and as he was a skilled workman, he earned from eight to ten dollars per day. In 1860 he removed to Iowa with his family and there followed farming. Both he and his wife passed away in that state, he surviving to the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was very successful as a farmer and became a large landowner.

Dr. Charles S. O'Toole remained at home during his boyhood and youth and a great deal of his time was taken up in acquiring an education. He also aided his father in the work of the farm and thus received valuable training in manual labor which supplemented admir- ably the knowledge of books gained in the schools. He attended the public and high schools of Estherville and Charles City, Iowa, and while a high school student in the latter place worked in a drug store, thus paying a considerable part of his expenses. He subsequently entered a pharmaceutical college in Des Moines, from which he was graduated in 1893, For a time he taught school and worked as a pharmacist, but in 1895 he began the study of medicine, entering the Illinois Medical College in Chicago. He took a three years' course there and completed a two years' course at the Barnes Medical College at St. Louis, from which he was graduated with the class of 1900. He first opened an office for practice iu Wessington Springs, South Dakota, but two or three months after his arrival here the town burned down and he then removed to Vienna, where he resided until 1914 and where he built up an extensive and remunerative practice. In October of that year he left Vienna and, after two months devoted to post-graduate work, located in Watertown where, by invitation of the board of directors of the new Luther Hospital, he became one of the surgeons on the staff of that institution. He is a member of the Watertown District Medical Society, of the Sioux Valley Medical Society, the South Dakota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association and finds these connections invaluable as a means of keeping abreast of the discoveries that are being made in the field of medical research and of acquainting him- self with the improved methods devised by the capable practitioners of the country.

Dr. O'Toole was married in 1902 to Miss Blanche F. Parks, daughter of R. M. Parks, of Sioux City, Iowa. They have become the parents of two children: Charles, aged eleven and Lovenia, aged six. The family are devout communicants of the Catholic church. He is a member of several fraternal organizations, but is not active in their work. He finds' his greatest interest in his professional labor and concentrates his energies upon the broaden- Vol. V-6

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ing of his professional knowledge and the increasing of his efficiency as a physician and sur- geon. His constant study and professional zeal have made him one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the northeastern part of the state and have gained him a steadily increas- ing practice. He adheres closely to high standards of professional ethics and his life as a man and citizen is also above reproach.

J. P. ALEXANDER.

J. P. Alexander is a member of the law firm of Hall, Alexander & Purdy of Brookings and as such has engaged in practice since 1912. He was admitted to the bar, however, in 1880 and has had continued experience in the field of his chosen profession since that time. He was born in Northfield, Minnesota, on the 9th of March, 1857, and is a son of John J. and Ann (Tollefson) Alexander, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Norway. Removing westward, the father established his home in Rock county, Wisconsin, and in 1854 left that district to become a resident of Rice county, Minnesota, where he secured a homestead, upon which he lived until the time of his death, his labors being evidenced in the excellent appearance of the place, which he converted from a tract of wild land into richly productive fields. He was also a prominent factor in democratic circles in his part of the state and represented his district for two terms in the Minnesota legislature, aiding in shap- ing the policy of the state during that period. He died in 1891, at the age of fifty-eight years, while his wife survives at the age of seventy-nine years and resides in Northfield.

There were no unusual or spectacular phases to change the routine of home life for J. P. Alexander during the days of his boyhood and youth. He supplemented public-school studies by a course in Carleton College of Northfield, Minnesota, from which he was graduated with the class of 1877, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. At the age of twenty years he took up the study of law in the office of Morris Lamprey of St. Paul, and was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1880. Soon afterward he entered upon practice and has since con- tinued active in the profession, making steady progress as the years have gone by. The same year in which he was admitted he was married and then opened a law office in North- field, where he remained until 1885, when he removed to Groton, Dakota territory, now Brown county, South Dakota. There he remained for two years and then went to Elkton, where he was in active practice until 1912, when he came to Brookings and formed his present law partnership, being now a member of the firm of Hall, Alexander & Purdy. This firm enjoys a liberal share of the public patronage and its clientage is of a character that connects it with the most important litigation heard in the courts of the district.

Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Chamberlin, of High Forest, Minnesota, and to them have been born two children: John C., who is assistant freight auditor of the Soo lines at Minneapolis; and James G., cashier of the First State Bank of St. Peter, Minnesota.

Mr. Alexander has always given his political allegiance to the democratic party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and in 1890 he was elected county judge of Brookings county, serving upon the bench for two years. He belongs to Elkton Lodge, No. 57, F. & A. M., and to the Brookings Commercial Club. His wife is a member of the Presby- terian church and with Judge Alexander attends its services. They are well known citizens of Brookings and in a profession where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit Judge Alexander has made a creditable name and place for himself.

DAVID DUNWOODY.

Most of the families who settled in or near the town of Scotland, South Dakota, were of Scotch birth and they and their descendants have proved among the most valued citizens of Bon Homme county. David Dunwoody is a well-to-do farmer of that county. His father, James Dunwoody, was a resident of County Down, Ireland, where he was married to Miss Mary Johnston, who was also of Scotch descent. In the early '60s they emigrated to America

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and settled in Wisconsin, where they lived for ten years. They then removed to Bon Homme county, and Mr. Dunwoody filed on the south half of section 35 under the homestead and timber laws. He developed his land into a fine, productive farm and further increased its value by planting many acres of trees, which, in the forty years that have since intervened, have grown into almost a forest. The family obtains all of the fuel needed from the large growth and that without noticeably affecting the size or denseness of the woods. After having filed upon his land Mr. Dunwoody went to Yankton and for two years rented a farm on the Jim river east of that town. At the end of that time he returned to his claim and erected a frame house, in which he and his wife resided until their deaths, which occurred when they had reached an advanced age.

David Dunwoody was reared upon the home farm and after attending the country schools was for several terms a student at the Scotland Academy. He remained with his parents until they passed away and is still cultivating the home farm, his sisters, Mary and Margaret, keeping house for him.

Mr. Dunwoody gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Tyndall. He possesses the sterling traits of character usually associated with his nationality and has gained a high place in the estimation of those who know him.

JOSEPH KUBLER.

Joseph Kubler, the founder and editor of the Custer Chronicle, a paper which is well known in the Black Hills district and which is in its thirty-sixth volume, was born in Alsace, Germany, on the 23d of August, 1854, a son of Joseph and Lonise (Weyer) Kubler, both also natives of that province.

Mr. Kubler of this review was left an orphan when but fifteen years of age, his mother passing away at that time while his father died when the son was but an infant. His educa- tion was acquired in his native country and when he was about seventeen years of age he left the fatherland and emigrated to America, locating first in Jackson, Mississippi, where he found employment with a street car company as a conductor. After working in that capacity for three years he went to Denver, Colorado, where he was engaged in the confectionery business for about eighteen months. Upon selling out he entered the office of a printing firm and there learned the printer's trade. In 1876 he arrived in the Black Hills, reaching Custer on the 4th of April, 1876. He with others intended to start a newspaper there but finding the conditions unfavorable, removed to Deadwood and Mr. Kubler worked upon the first issue of The Pioneer, which name was given to the new paper started there. He continued to reside in that city until 1880 and then returned to Custer and in connection with A. D. Clark estab- lished the Custer Chronicle, which has had a continuous existence since that time. In 1885 Mr. Kubler bought out his partner's interest and for the intervening thirty years has been sole owner of the paper. As Custer and the district surrounding it have grown in population and in wealth the circulation of the paper has increased and its conduct has proved a profitable as well as a congenial business. Mr. Kubler is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Custer and owns both residence and business property in that city, where lie is recognized as a substantial citizen.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 14

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