History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 16

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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Mr. Mckeever was a strong supporter of the republican party until the Chicago con- vention of 1912, when he became a progressive of the Roosevelt type. He is liberal and broad-minded in his attitude upon important questions of the day, believing in giving woman the full right of franchise and favoring the initiative, referendum and recall. He is also unalterably opposed to the saloon and to all that it represents, and does everything in his power to secure the abolishment of the liquor traffic. The principles and ideals which govern his life are found in the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member since he was thirteen years of age. For years he has been an active worker in the church and Sunday-school and he is seeking constantly to advance the interests of religion. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, being a charter member of Abraham Lincoln Camp, at Moline, Illinois, and he is also a charter member of R. H. Graham Post, No. 312, G. A. R., of Moline, in which he has filled the offices of quartermaster, chaplain, adjutant, junior vice commander, senior vice com- mander and commander. All who have been brought in contact with him acknowledge the

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genuine worth of his character and hold him in unqualified respeet, and he has made and retained many warm personal friends.

Mr. Mckeever was married on the 23d of December, 1873, at Conotton, Ohio, to Miss Laura Holmes, a daughter of John M. and Emily S. Holmes, of that place. Her father was an active anti-slavery republican and an intimate friend and supporter of John A. Bingham. His wife, who was a Quaker and as strongly opposed to slavery as he, was a cousin of Edwin M. Stanton, secretary of war. A man of initiative and sound judgment, Mr. Holmes was one of the first to introduce Merino sheep into eastern Ohio, proving that they could be profitably raised in that section. To Mr. and Mrs. McKeever were born three children: John Herbert, who married Miss Mande Bradfield, of Barnesville, Ohio, and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Blanche, the wife of Dr. William Lewis Judkins, of Barnesville; and Emily R., who married William C. Bartlett, of Peoria, Illinois. The wife and mother passed away March 18, 1909, and on the 13th of September, 1913, at Rochelle, Illinois, Mr. Mckeever married Miss Florence Stratford, of that place.

SILAS ELLSWORTH MORRIS.

Honored and respected by all, there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in financial and business circles in Mitchell and Sonth Dakota than does Silas Ellsworth Morris, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved, but also because of the straightforward business policy and progressive methods which he has followed. He was born in Mount Car- roll, Illinois, November 27, 1861, and is a son of Joseph P. and Jemina (Barrett) Morris, both of whom were natives of Dayton, Ohio. The mother resided in that state to the time of her marriage but in his boyhood days Joseph P. Morris accompanied his parents on their removal to Wisconsin, where he was reared. In early married life he left that state and removed to a farm near Mount Carroll, Illinois, where both he and his wife spent their remaining days.

Silas Ellsworth Morris is the eldest son and third in order of birth in a family of six children. He spent his youthful days npon the home farm, during which period he hecame familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, for his time was divided between the labors of the fields and the duties of the schoolroom. He was educated in the Northern Illinois College at Fulton, Illinois, and was graduated in 1882. He taught school until 1884 and then turned from professional to commercial pursuits, entering the clothing business at Darlington, Wisconsin. In June, 1886, he became identified with bank- ing interests at Doland, South Dakota, where he was made cashier of the First National Bank. Since that time he has been an important factor in financial circles of this state and has made continnous progress, his efforts reaching out along constantly broadening lines of thought and of usefulness. In 1895 he accepted the presidency of the Merchants' Bank at Redfield, South Dakota, and in February, 1906, purchased a controlling interest in the stock of the Western National Bank of Mitchell of which he hecame president. He has heen actively identified with the banking business for twenty-nine years, is now president of four different banks and a director in twelve others. It seems that every phase of the business is thoroughly familiar to him and his understanding of the rules and laws that govern hanking is comprehensive and exact, enabling him to readily solve intricate and involved financial problems. He is also greatly interested in farm lands and in stoek raising and feeding. He is an officer in many corporations and is greatly interested in the Dakota Improved Seed Company of Mitchell which furnishes seeds of excellent quality to farmers, employing an expert to test the seeds which they send out.

While the business success of Mr. Morris would alone entitle him to mention as one of the representative citizens of South Dakota, there are other lines of activity which make him equally entitled to prominence and distinction. He stands for all that is progressive in the public life of the community and indorses every measure that promises to promote civic virtue and civic pride. He is a stalwart champion of the cause of education and an earnest worker in behalf of moral progress. For the last six years he has been a member of the board of education of Mitchell, and he is now president of the board of trustees of the Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell. For many years he was chairman of the

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official board of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mitchell, which is the largest in the state, three times he was sent to the general conference from the state and he was the first sec- retary of the Layman Association of the Dakota Conference. He is likewise a member of the national committee of the layman's mission movement and his work in behalf of the church has been far-reaching and effective. He has made liberal donations of time and money in the interests of the university at Mitchell and has been a generous contributor to the endowment fund.

In 1884 Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Estella May Hall of Fulton, Whiteside county, Illinois, who is prominent in the church work and in several ladies' organizations. Mr and Mrs. Morris have four children: Florence, who is the wife of Howard Kingsbury of Hartford, South Dakota; Le Roy Hall, who is married and is assistant cashier of the Western National Bank of Mitchell; Stanley E., who is married and is assist- ant cashier of the State Bank at Fulton, South Dakota; and Whitney, who is a student in the military college at Faribault, Minnesota.

Mr. Morris always gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His fraternal relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Progress and patriotism might well he termed the keynote of his character, having been the guiding forces in his life. He has never hesitated to take a forward step where the way has seemed open and his enterprise and even-paced energy have carried him into important relations. At the same time he has never neglected the higher and holier duties of life, thus maintaining an even balance with his business activities.

DENNIS CLIFFORD.

South Dakota has proven a splendid agricultural state. Its undulating lands are rich and productive, responding readily to the care and lahor bestowed upon them by the agricul- turist. Among those who are winning success in the tilling of the soil in Spink county is Dennis Clifford, who owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Three Rivers township, which he is now improving. Upon this place he has lived since 1880, in which year he came to South Dakota from Watertown, Wisconsin. It was in the Badger state that he was horn, his birth occurring at Neenah, Wisconsin, on the 9th of October, 1857, his parents being Patrick and Julia (Fleming) Clifford. While the name seems to be English the family on both sides is of Irish ancestry. The father, who was born in Ireland but came to the United States as a young man, died while serving his adopted country in the Civil war. ITis wife, who was born in County Kerry, Ireland, near the Lakes of Killarney but came to the new world when sixteen years old, long survived him, passing away July 2, 1910, and lies buried in Redfield, South Dakota.

Dennis Clifford was a public-school pupil during that period which he devoted to mas- tering the branches of learning that are regarded as essential to advancement and success in later life. He worked for others through the summer months, beginning as soon as he was large enough to be of valne around a farm and after completing his schooling he con- tinned to engage in farm work. On coming to South Dakota he took up a tree claim and later a homestead, on which he is living today. Not a furrow had been turned or an im- provement made when the place came into his possession, but he was not afraid of hard work and did not hesitate to undertake the task of breaking the sod and converting the wild prairie into productive fields. The work of plowing, harrowing and planting was at once undertaken and in due course of time he gathered good harvests. Year by year he brought still more of the farm under cultivation and he now employs the most modern methods in the production of splendid crops of wheat and corn and also in the raising of stock of all kinds. He lias made a study of his business and so conducts his work that splendid results obtain.

At Sioux Falls, on January 2, 1908, Mr. Clifford was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Brennan, a daughter of John and Mary A. (Burns) Brennan, of Janesville, Wisconsin, both now deceased, their remains being interred in a cemetery at Janesville. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford have two children, Margaret F. and Mary Josephine. Theirs is a pleasant home, which was erected by Mr. Clifford, and in fact all of the improvements upon the property

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have been made by him. He adheres to the Catholic faith and in politics votes independently, supporting men and measures rather than party. A residence of thirty-five years in Spink county has made him largely familiar with its history, for when he took up his abode there the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun. He has since borne his part in bringing about the changes which have made it one of the progressive and highly devel- oped counties of the state.

JOEL MARSH.

Joel Marsh, a Sanborn county pioneer and the owner of the Standard Stock Farm, was born in Grundy county, Illinois, November 6, 1850, a son of William B. and Hannah Marsh. The parents were natives of Ohio and about 1840 removed westward to Illinois. In their family were five children.

Joel Marsh was the third in order of birth and was educated in the district schools and remained upon the home farm until he reached bis twenty-first year, when he engaged in farming on his own account in his native state. There he remained in active business for about a decade, and in 1882 came to Dakota territory, where he took up a homestead and later acquired an additional quarter section. His three hundred and twenty aere farm is devoted to the production of diversified erops and annually he gathers golden harvests as the reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He is also well known as a breeder of Percheron horses and shorthorn cattle, and from this branch of bis business derives a gratifying annual income.

On the 17th of January, 1878, Mr. Marsh was united in marriage to Miss Oral Louise Cragg, who died in 1893, leaving two children: Louis B., who has the active management of the homestead farm; and William Arthur, who is now a ranchman of Meade county, South Dakota. The former married Emma R. West and has two children, George A. and Milton N.

In his political views Mr. Marsh has always been a republican where national issues are involved, but casts an independent ballot at local elections. For more than twenty years he bas served as a member of the township board and his influence is always on the side of advancement and improvement. He belongs to the Methodist church and in various ways contributes to the county's advancement along material, intellectual, social and moral lines. He is a representative of the most progressive type of citizenship, belonging to that class of men who have been active in developing good roads, improving public schools and supporting all other progressive movements. He experienced the struggles and hardships of pioneer days, coming to the county before the building of railways, and, in fact, he was largely instrumental in seeuring the establishment of the railway through this point and helped to grade the road between Letcher and Woonsocket. At the time of his arrival his nearest market was at Letcher, twelve miles distant. He did not quail at the condi- tions which pioneer life imposes, however, but with resolute purpose set to work to estab- lish a home and win success, and his prosperity is due to good business management and the utilization of modern methods.

GEORGE L. HICKMAN, M. D.

Dr. George L. Hickman, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Bryant, was well qualified for his chosen calling by thorough collegiate training and keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought by further reading and study. He was born in Galena, Illinois, on the 7th of January, 1879, and is a son of George and Roxanna (Howe) Hickman, the former a native of Rothenburg, Germany, and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father came to the United States with his parents when a child of six years, the family home being estab- lished in Buffalo, New York, whence a removal was subsequently made to Illinois. In the meantime Roxanna Howe had become a resident of that state, accompanying her parents to the middle west, and in Illinois she became the wife of George Hickman. In 1881 they arrived

DR. GEORGE L. HICKMAN

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in South Dakota and since that time have been residents at varions periods of Brown, Marshall and MePherson counties, but for a quarter of a century have lived in the last named. Mr. Hickman's active life has been devoted almost entirely to edneational work and he was one of the first county superintendents of schools of Marshall county, where he also served as probate judge. For twelve years he has served at different times as county superintendent of schools of MePherson county, being now the incumbent in that office. In the fall of 1889 he was elected to represent his distriet in the state legislature, serving for one term. He is one of the foremost citizens of MePherson county, his influence has been a potent element for progress along materiał, political and educational lines, and his opinions bear the stamp of close reasoning and of honorable purpose. His wife passed away on the 16th of July, 1912, to the deep regret of many.

Dr. Hickman had excellent home training as a guide to character building. After master- ing the elementary branches of learning taught in the publie schools he attended the Bath high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. Subsequently he became a student in the Dakota University at Mitehell and also attended the Aberdeen State Normal. For some years he gave his attention to edneational work, teaching his first school in MePherson county in 1898. He abandoned that profession, however, in 1905 and entered upon the study of medicine. In the fall of that year he matriculated in the Keokuk Medieal College at Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained as a student for three years. He then completed his course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the medical department of the Uni- versity of Illinois, at Chicago, and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1909. In the following January he located at Wentworth, South Dakota, where he was in successful practice for three and a half years. In July, 1913, he came to Bryant and in the short spaee of one year has built up a lucrative practice, his ability enabling him to cope with many of the intricate and involved problems which continually confront the physician.

On the 30th of June, 1909, Dr. Hiekman was married to Miss Marie Dawson, of Farming- ton, Iowa, and to them have been born two children, a son and daughter, Elwood L. and Leona M. The parents are members of the Congregational church and Dr. Hickman belongs to Bryant Lodge, No. 105, I. O. O. F., to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen, while along strictly professional lines his connection is with the Watertown District Medical Society and the South Dakota Medieal Society. He has ever been cognizant of the fact that success depends upon the individual and that he who does not advance cannot even stand still but must retrograde. Accordingly he has improved his opportunities to keep informed concerning the progressive thought of the profession in its scientifie investigations and researches and has thus kept his ability up to par.

HENRY ALLEN PIKE.

The demise of Henry Allen Pike, of Tyndall, was not only an occasion of much sorrow to his family and personal friends, but was also a matter of deep regret in the journalistie eireles of the state, as he had been for years one of the prominent editors of South Dakota. He was a descendant of an old and well known New England family, his grandmother being a cousin of Ethan Allen of Ticonderoga fame. The subject of this review was born in the state of New York, but when he was but a lad his parents moved to Iowa and he early learned the printer's trade in that state. At the age of seventeen he became an editor, and from that time until his death, which occurred in 1912, he never vacated the editorial chair. In 1888 he came to Tyndall, Bon Homme county, Dakota terri- tory, and purchased the Register, from Bradford & Richmond. He made this paper an organ of the democratic party and it became one of the influential journals of this section of the state. His editorials were not only potent forces in advancing the cause of the demo- eratie party, but they were also important factors in the promotion of many movements for the community welfare of Tyndall. The news columns gave to subscribers of the paper reliable accounts of current happenings in the locality and also in the world at large, while the wide circulation of the Register made it an excellent advertising medium. In Cleve- land's second term Mr. Pike was appointed postmaster of Tyndall and held the office for four years. While still a resident of Iowa, in connection with his journalistie work he

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served as superintendent of schools for Palo Alto county and throughout his life manifested a deep interest in everything pertaining to educational advancement. He was also promi- nent in Iowa in the councils of the democratic party, and was for several terms chairman of the state central committee, in addition to serving as delegate to many county and state conventions. His fraternal allegiance was given to the Masonic order, his membership being in the lodge at Tyndall.

Mr. Pike was married June 4, 1895, to Miss Mary Cullen, a native of Cedar county, Nebraska, and a daughter of Martin and Catherine (Sullivan) Cullen, natives of County Wexford and County Waterford, Ireland, respectively. They were among the early settlers of Cedar county, but since the death of his wife Mr. Cullen has made his home with a son, W. V. Cullen, who resides in Lyman county, South Dakota. A son, Stillman, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Pike November 26, 1896. From the time of her marriage the latter has taken a lively interest in journalism and, as she learned all the details of the printer's art thor- oughly, she is well qualified to publish the Register. She has continued its publication since the demise of her husband in 1912 and edits the paper as well as oversees its printing. She has maintained the high standard set by Mr. Pike, and not only is the paper an excellent purveyor of news, but it is also a stanch and effective advocate of democratic principles. She is a Presbyterian in her religious belief and takes an active interest in the work of that church. After the blizzard of January 12, 1888, which left so much death and destruction in its wake, the remains of nineteen who had perished in the storm were laid out in the office of Mr. Pike. Over on the south side of the river Mr. Cullen, father of Mrs. Pike, made his way to the schoolhouse through the blinding and suffocating storm and took the teacher and four children home with him and kept them throughout the night. Mr. Pike did a great deal to advance the material and moral welfare of his county, and the results of his well spent life are increasingly apparent, even though he himself has passed to his reward. His memory is held in high honor by all who were privi- leged to call him friend.

EDWIN M. HARPER.

Grant county is fortunate in having as its auditor Edwin M. Harper, a man of unques- tioned ability and integrity and one who understood fully the details of the work of the office when elected to the position, as he had previously served as deputy auditor. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 17, 1855, a son of William and Desdemona (Mitchell) Harper. His paternal grandfather, Hugh Harper, was born in Ireland but emi- grated to the United States, settling in New York, where he lived until called by death. William Harper, who was born on the Emerald Isle in 1819, came to the United States when a youth of sixteen years and for some time resided in New York. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota, where he homesteaded land. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life and gained considerable success. He passed away in December, 1895, in the faith of the Seventh Day Adventist church, although he had belonged to the Baptist church in his early life. His political belief was that of the republican party and he was elected to a number of local offices. His wife, who was born in New York state in 1822, died in June, 1858. She was a member of the Baptist church.

Edwin M. Harper was educated in the schools of Spring Valley, Minnesota, and in 1876 was graduated from the high school. He taught for three years in Minnesota but in 1882 came to South Dakota and entered a claim in Brown county, continuing to reside thereon until 1892. That year witnessed his arrival in Grant county and he purchased a farmi which he still owns and the operation of which he supervises. From 1905 to 1911 he engaged in the grain business in Twin Brooks and later he was for four years deputy county auditor. In 1914 he was elected county auditor on the republican ticket and is now devoting his time to the discharge of his official duties. His previous service as deputy well qualified him to fill the office of auditor and he is prompt and accurate in the performance of the duties devolving upon him. His service is proving very satisfactory to his constituents and he is popular throughout the county.

In February, 1882, Mr. Harper married Miss Mary Sweet, a daughter of Dempster

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Sweet, of New York. She passed away in 1885, leaving a son, William, who is now farming in North Dakota. In 1887 Mr. Harper married Miss Mabel Tower, daughter of David Tower, a native of Canada. To this union have been born two children: Edwin M., who is in a bakery in Milbank; and Mary H., at home.

Mr. Harper is a stalwart republican in his political belief and does all in his power to further the success of his party. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge and Royal Arch chapter, and both he and his wife are identified with the Order of the Eastern Star. He is now serving as senior deacon in the lodge. His identification with Masonry and his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church indicate the high moral principles which govern his life and which have gained him the confidence and respect of all who have been brought into contact with him.

JOHN McGOWAN.

John McGowan is the efficient postmaster at Hartford, coming to this position after many years' service in connection with railroads. He was horn in Pennsylvania on the 5th of August, 1859, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine McGowan. The mother has passed away, but the father is still living at the age of eighty-nine years. He was formerly engaged in railroading and farming. The son pursued his education in the public schools of the Keystone state and made his initial step in the business world in connection with mining, which he followed for four years. He was engaged in railroading for thirty-three years, assisting in building the Omaha Railroad in 1888, after which he was continuously in the employ of the railroad until August, 1913. In that connection he was advanced in recognition of his faithfulness and capability and when he resigned he was track foreman. Mr. McGowan was appointed postmaster on the 1st of August, 1913, and left the railroad service to assume the duties of that position, in which he has since continued, carefully and systematically directing the work that falls to his lot.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 16

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