History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 2

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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Reared in his native town, John Stedronsky completed the eighth grade work in the public schools and afterward attended Yankton College for a short time. He engaged in teaching in the district schools of Yankton, Bon Homme and Charles Mix counties and when not devoting his energies to educational work gave his attention to farming. In 1907 he homesteaded on the Yankton Indian reservation. His identification with commercial pur- suits, however, dates from 1901, in which year he established a hardware and implement business at Wagner. When that undertaking was placed upon a substantial basis, enjoying a growing trade, he organized the Stedronsky Brothers Company for the conduct not only of the Wagner enterprise but also for the establishment and conduct of a similar business

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

at Lake Andes, South Dakota. The trade of the company has grown along substantial lines and the success of the business is gratifying.

Mr. Stedronsky has been married twice. On the 30th of October, 1895, he wedded Miss Emanuela Cernik and following her demise married Miss Emily Teply, the wedding ceremony taking place on the 17th of April, 1900. He has the following children: Charles, Edward, Rose, Henry Patrick, Ella Irene, Helen and Grace.

Mr. Stedronsky was horn and baptized a Catholic but has joined the Congregational church at Wagner. His military record covers service as a private of Company C, of the South Dakota National Guard, at Yankton. In politics he is a democrat and has always manifested deep and intelligent interest in political questions, state and national. Popular suffrage called him to the office of mayor of Wagner in 1911 and he filled that position for four consecutive years, bringing to bear practical and progressive business methods in the management of municipal affairs. He was then elected to represent his district in the state legislature and became one of the leaders in debate on the floor of the honse during the session of 1915. He also did important committee work and was connected with much constructive legislation. He studies political questions with thoroughness and his support of any measure is based upon his firm belief in its efficiency as a factor in good govern- ment. His interest in community affairs is indicated in the fact that he is an active member and one of the directors of the Wagner Commercial Club. He has become well known through fraternal relations, belonging to Alpha Lodge, No. 159, F. & A. M., of Wagner, of which he was master in 1911-12, while in Yankton Consistory he attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a Noble of El Riad Temple of the Mystic Shrine and he has membership in Wagner Lodge, I. O. O. F. The various interests of his life are well balanced, all given due consideration with regard to the rights and privileges of the individual and the opportunities and obligations of citizenship.

FRANK BURGESS.

Frank Burgess owns a farm of four hundred and eighty acres situated on sections 20 and 28, Prairie Center township, his residence being on the latter section. His wife owns three hundred and twenty acres of land and, as their farms are well developed and carefully culti- vated, they receive therefrom a handsome annual income. Mr. Burgess was born in Beaver Dam, Dodge county, Wisconsin, February 23, 1853, a son of A. F. and Rebecca (Beckus) Bur- gess. The father was a pioneer of Wisconsin, settling there in 1844 upon a farm, where his death occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. His wife survives and makes her home in Beaver Dam, Dodge county, at the remarkable age of ninety-five years. Mr. Burgess was buried in the Clason Prairie cemetery. The family trace their ancestry back to one Thomas Burgess, who came to the new world from England on the Mayflower, and Asa Burgess, grandfather of the subject of this review, fought in the War of 1812.

Frank Burgess was educated in Wisconsin, and after laying aside his books devoted his time to helping with the farm work. He came to South Dakota in 1881 and secured a pre- emption claim, his wife taking up a homestead at the same time. She inherited a quarter section and now owns three hundred and twenty acres, while Mr. Burgess has purchased an additional three linndred and twenty acres, making a total of eight hundred acres in their possession. Mr. Burgess and his sons cultivate the land, carrying on general farming, which they find more profitable than devoting their land exclusively to raising grain. They keep one hundred head of cattle, thirty-five head of horses and forty hogs and are quite successful as stock-raisers. As they understand the principles of agriculture and as they are energetic men of sound judgment, doing the right thing at the right time, their land returns to them large profits.

Mr. Burgess was married at Watertown, March 18, 1882, to Miss Jennie Aldrich, a daugh- ter of Allen and Elizabeth (Parker) Aldrich, the former a pioneer farmer of Spink county. Both are now deceased and are buried in the Watertown cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Burgess had five children: Mabel, who died in infancy and is buried on the homestead, as there was then no cemetery; Alva, a farmer of Belle Plaine township; Allen F., who farms part of his father's land; Rhea S., assisting his father in the work of the farm; and Mildred, who is living at

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

home. Mr. Burgess is a republican, but reserves the right to vote independently. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He came to South Dakota with a capital of hut two hundred dollars. The greater part of his land has come into his possession as a result of his own labor and good management. He has followed the principle of attend- ing strictly to the matter at hand and of doing well everything that he has undertaken, so that his success is but natural.

OLIVER MUNSON.

Oliver Munson, one of the prominent and well known citizens of Minnehaha county, where he has resided for four decades, now makes his home on section 23, Sioux Falls town- ship, and is successfully engaged in business as a farmer and dairyman. His birth occurred in northern Sweden on the 29th of July, 1851, his parents being Peter and Julia A. (Jenson) Munson. They emigrated to the United States in 1867 and first located in Mckean county, Pennsylvania, while subsequently they took up their abode in Iowa. In 1872 or 1873 they came to South Dakota, taking up a homestead claim on sections 28 and 33, Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, where Peter Munson spent the remainder of his life. His wife survived him for one year. They had four children: Ella, deceased; Oliver; Hannah; and Magnus.

Oliver Munson was reared at home and acquired a limited education in the common schools of his native land. On coming to this country he found employment in the lumber woods in Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1875, when a young man of twenty-four years, he came to South Dakota and homesteaded a quarter section of land on section 19, Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, where he resided for twenty-six years. On the expiration of that period, in 1902, he purchased his present home place in Sioux Falls township, where he has remained continuously since. He devotes his attention to the pursuits of farming and dairying and in both branches of his business has met with success.

On the 21st of August, 1873, Mr. Munson was united in marriage to Miss Kate Blom, who was born in Sweden and in 1871 crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Kane, Pennsylvania. To our subject and his wife have been born three children, as follows: Edgar William, who is a resident of Watertown, South Dakota; Eleanora, de- ceased: and Anna, who gave her hand in marriage to Richard E. Brooks, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In his political views Mr. Munson is a stanch republican. He has served as a member of the town board and also on the school board in both Split Rock and Sioux Falls townships, ever discharging his public duties in a highly satisfactory and commendable manner. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. He has always shown great interest in all that pertains to the general welfare and has been known as a public-spirited man who has ever found time and inclina- tion to cooperate in movements for the general good. In all the relations of life he has been honorable and straightforward, and his example is well worthy of emulation.

MAURICE KELIHER.

The spirit of enterprise, faith in the future and self-reliance that we have come to think of as belonging first of all to the west and that have been in such a large measure responsible for the almost unparalleled development of the country west of the Mississippi in the last half century have been the chief characteristics of Maurice Keliher, who is now one of the largest stockmen of the country but who came west when a young man with no capital save his industry and ability. He arrived in the Black Hills in the early days of that section and, seeing something of the possibilities of the region, remained and prospered in spite of the difficulties and discouragements that arose.

He was born in Bangor, Maine, July 20, 1849, and is a son of Michael and Ellen (O'Con- nor) Keliher, the former a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and the latter also born on the

MAURICE KELIHER

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Emerald Isle. In childhood they emigrated to America with their respective parents and both families settled in Maine, where the father and mother of our subject grew up and were married. In the early '50s the family removed to Illinois and located upon a farm near Woodstock, MeHenry county. There were four sons and three daughters, the subject of this review being the oldest son,

Maurice Keliher attended the district schools and thus acquired a knowledge of the fundamental branches of learning, later supplementing the education thus gained by study in the high school of Woodstock. At the age of seventeen years he became a blacksmith's apprentice but in 1867 concluded to try his fortune in the west and went to Colorado, where lie engaged in freighting, continuing in that occupation for several years in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. In 1873 he made his way to the Black Hills district and was engaged in freighting from the railroad to the Black Hills, Fort Robinson and various places. In 1879 he arrived in Pennington county and entered the cattle business. He prospered in that from the beginning and soon became one of the largest ranchers in that section of the state. Some years ago, when most of the men engaged in raising cattle gave up in despair because it seemed that conditions were so changed that the business was no longer profitable, Mr. Keliber continued therein, believing that the time was coming when the demand for cattle would exceed the supply and when increased prices would make the busi- ness even more lucrative than at first. His judgment has been more than vindicated and for many years he has been one of the cattle kings of the west. His friends will tell you that he is a millionaire, but he himself merely says modestly that he has made a good living. His confidence in the stock business has only been equalled by his faith in the value of South Dakota lands and he holds title to many thousands of aeres, his home ranch alone com- prising about nine thousand acres.

Mr. Kelihier was united in marriage on the 25th of November, 1878, to Miss Eleanor Walsh, a daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Walsh) Walsh. Mr. and Mrs. Keliher have five children: John Francis; Maurice, Jr .; Eleanor, the wife of Grover Bedford, of Omaha, Nebraska; Marguerite, the wife of Phillip Randall, of Rapid City; and Marion, who married John Crowley, of Cheyenne, Wyoming. There are also three grandehildren. Mr. and Mrs. Keliher are communieants of the Roman Catholic church and she takes a most active and helpful interest in the charitable activities of the church.

Mr. Keliher is a republican and firm in his advocacy of the principles of that party. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic blue lodge and chapter. He has profited by the opportunities offered by South Dakota and has in turn contributed largely to the welfare of the state, especially along the line of stock-raising, and the success that has rewarded his faith in the west is fully merited. He is one of the honored pioneers of the Black Hills country, and the respeet and goodwill accorded him by his fellow citizens prove that he has been successful in life in more ways than in the accumulation of wealth.

W. R. RONALD.

W. R. Ronald, who, since 1909, has been at the head of the business now conducted under the name of the Mitchell Publishing Company at Mitchell, South Dakota, is elosely asso- ciated with journalism and is also an active factor in the book-binding business and other similar enterprises. He was born in Grandview, Iowa, in 1879. His grandfather was one of the pioneers of that state and assisted in locating the capital at Iowa City. W. R. Ronald was Imt three years of age when left an orphan and was given a home and educa- tion by his aunts. He supplemented his early educational privileges by a course of study in Monmouth College at Monmouth, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the elass of 1898. He has since been identified with newspaper work and his progress in the field of journalism has been continuous. He has at all times kept in touch with the trend of modern thought and of progressiveness along the line of newspaper publication. He has heen city editor of dailies published at Marion, Indiana. was on the Sioux City Tribune for eight years, holding positions ranging from that of Cub-reporter to managing editor. He be- came editor of the Sioux Falls (S. D.) Press in 1908 and so continned for two years.

In November, 1909. Mr. Ronald bought out the Mitchell Printing Company and reor-

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

ganized the business under the name of the Mitchell Publishing Company, in which con- nection he not only publishes the Mitchell Daily Republican, one of the leading journals in this part of the state, but also conducts a general printing, book-binding and office supply business. The Daily Republican is one of the popular papers in its section of the state and because of its extensive patronage is an excellent advertising medium. It has been said that the newspaper is both the mirror and the molder of public opinion, which fact finds exemplification in the Republican which has been an influential factor in support of many worthy public projects, while at the same time it is an excellent medium of disseminating local and general news.

Mr. Ronald was married in 1901 to Miss Ethel Bowman, of Marion, Indiana, and they have a son and daughter. The parents are widely and favorably known in Mitchell where they have gained an extensive circle of friends and Mr. Ronald is in close touch with all that pertains to the city's welfare and an earnest champion of everything that promotes substantial advancement for the community.

HENRY G. C. ROSE, M. D., OPT. G.

In the practice of medicine in Rapid City Dr. Henry G. C. Rose has become well estab- lished as an able and successful physician, concentrating his energies upon a general office practice and specializing in the treatment of diseases of the eye. He is widely known to the profession in the state and enjoys the high regard of his fellow practitioners by reason of his personal worth and his close conformity to the highest standard of professional ethics.

Dr. Rose was born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, January 10. 1841, a son of Marcus H. Rose. The ancestry is traced back to 1740, when representatives of the name located in Long Island, while at a later date others of the family settled in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. That was about the year 1803. The family is of English origin but with the desire to have greater religious freedom they left England and went to Holland. Andrew Rose, Jr., the great- grandfather of Dr. Rose, took an active and helpful part in the war of the Revolution. He was a mechanic and operated what was known as the Rose furnace. where many of the guns and much of the ammunition for the Revolutionary soldiers were made. He was also the maternal great-grandfather of President William Mckinley, who was a second cousin of Dr. Rose. Marcus H. Rose devoted his early manhood to the profession of teaching and after- ward engaged in the real-estate business. Later he lived in Cleveland, Ohio, where his death occurred. His wife bore the maiden name of Henrietta Wooschard Moore and was a daugh- ter of Henry Moore, of Baltimore, and afterward of Sandusky, Ohio, where he passed away.

Dr. Rose was the oldest of a family of seven children and two of his sisters and two of his brothers are yet living. He was educated in Mercer Academy at Mercer. Pennsylvania, where he was studying at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He was among the first volunteers, enlisting in April, 1861. In July he went upon active duty and saw serv- ice continuously through the three succeeding years. In 1863 he was detailed as a clerk in the war department hy Secretary Stanton and there continued until he left the service. He participated in the second battle of Bull Run, at the battle of Mechanicsville, in the seven days' battle before Richmond, and in many other lesser engagements and he was mustered out in June, 1864, after which he returned home.

In the same year the family removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and a short time afterward he entered the Charity Hospital Medical College, now the College of Physicians & Surgeons of that city, from which he was graduated with the class of 1867. He pursued a course in optical science in the Philadelphia Optical College and he began the practice of his profession in Cleveland but later removed to Conneant, Ohio. Subsequently he practiced for a time in Chicago and afterward'in Milbank, Dakota territory, where he remained from 1881 until 1904, or for a period of twenty-three years. He then went to San Jose, California. and afterward to Santa Cruz. In 1906 he located at Golden. Colorado, leaving California imme- diately after the earthquake of that year. In 1907 he returned to Dakota, settling at Rapid City, where he still continues in practice, specializing in the treatment of the eye and in general office practice. He was the organizer of the South Dakota State Medical Association and served as its secretary and he ranks high among the representatives of the profession.

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

On the 7th of December, 1876, Dr. Rose was married to Miss Phehe Taber, a daughter of Captain Stephen and Charity (Nye) Taber, of Palmyra, New York. The family were formerly residents of New Bedford, Massachusetts, and during his active lifetime Captain Taber was commander of trading ships which sailed to all sections of the globe. Dr. and Mrs. Rose became the parents of two children: Pearl, now deceased; and Harry Taber, who is connected with the Rapid City postoffice.

Dr. Rose is a republican where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot. He served as the first mayor of Milbank, South Dakota, and for many years he filled the office of United States examining surgeon. He was also for nineteen or twenty years surgeon for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Fraternally he is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has always been devoted to his profession and has been a constant student of the science of medicine, keeping thoroughly abreast of the times. For an extended period he has been a representative of the medical fraternity of his state and his ability has gained him widespread prominence.

DANIEL NEWCOMB HUNT.

Daniel Newcomb Hunt, who is conducting a growing and profitable business as the head of the Hunt Land Company with offices in the Anderson block at Redfield, has con- tinuonsly resided in Spink county since 1879. No feature of the history of Redfield and Spink county is unfamiliar to him and at all times he has cooperated in the plans and projects which have resulted in public benefit and improvement. He was born in Mans- field, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1843, and is a son of Daniel N. and Miranda B. (Allen) Hunt. The father died in 1884 and the mother passed away in 1863, her grave being made at Granger, Minnesota, while he was laid to rest at Redfield. He was a physician in early life and practiced at Reedsburg. Wisconsin, for a number of years, but after removing to Minnesota turned his attention to farming, which he continued for five years. He died at the advanced age of eighty-five. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Captain Charles Hunt, fought in the Revolutionary war, as did also the maternal grandfather, whose father was a nephew of Ethan Allen of Ticonderoga fame. Our subject is also a descendant of one of the Newcomb brothers, who settled in New England in the early days of the history of that section of the country.

Daniel N. Hunt devoted five years of his youth to attending school in Wisconsin, and after the removal of the family to Minnesota was under private instruction for two years. He then went to Decorah, Iowa, where he attended high school for two years, or until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he put aside his texthooks and all personal con- siderations in order to aid his country. On the 15th of March, 1862, he enlisted and remained with his command until September, 1865, when he was mustered out, having participated in a number of the important and hotly contested engagements of that long sanguinary conflict. Upon his return home he began farming with his father. Later he spent one winter in a commercial school in Chicago and was for two years in southwestern Missouri and Texas, after which he returned to Minnesota, where he resumed farming, which he followed until 1879. On the expiration of that period he came to South Dakota, and on the 17th of April, 1879, located a claim in Spink county, about seven miles north- east of where Redfield now stands. He and L. J. Bancroft, who arrived in Spink county with his family on the same day and settled across the James river from Mr. Hunt, were the first settlers in the county. Mr. Hunt also began locating claims for others and proving their titles and has since dealt in land, buying and selling property. In recent years he has organized his business under the name of the Hunt Land Company, which has many clients and is doing a growing and successful business. He has made his home in the city of Redfield since 1883.

At Granger, Minnesota, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Adalyn J. Ellis, who is a native of Vermont and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dyer Ellis. The father died in 1903 and was laid to rest in the Minneapolis cemetery. The mother now resides in that city at the remarkable old age of ninety-four years. Mr. Ellis was a native of Vermont and his wife of Ohio. When their daughter, Mrs. Hunt, was but a child the family removed

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

to Wisconsin and subsequently became pioneer settlers of Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have become the parents of three children: Arlington C., a painter residing at Redfield; May, the wife of W. W. Spain, of Sioux Falls; and Ray N., who is a clerk at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In his political views Mr. Hunt has ever been a stalwart republican and he comes of a family noted for patriotism and love of country. He has been called to several local offices. He served by appointment as register of deeds, was the first mayor of Redfield and for five years filled the office of deputy clerk of the district court. He was a member of the first territorial constitutional convention held at Sioux Falls and he called the first repub- Jiean convention in Spink county at his house. He organized the first school district of the county in 1880, the meeting being held at his own home. and the school was taught by Florence Hall, now Mrs. C. G. Bickford. His labors in behalf of the welfare and uphuild- ing of the county can scarcely be overestimated. While his ideals have been high, he has worked toward them along practical lines, and his labors have been attended with gratify- ing results. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Grand Army of the Republic and in days of peace he has ever been as true and loyal to the duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields.

NOAH NEWBANKS.

Noah Newbanks is one of the pioneers of South Dakota, who for many years was sue- cessfully engaged in the freighting and live-stock business, and he now lives in Pierre, looking after his various interests. In 1905 he was one of the founders of the American Exchange Bank, of which he was vice president for some years. He has ever interested himself in the progress and advancement of this state and by his activities has contributed toward making it the prosperous commonwealth which it now is.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 2

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