History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 22

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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GEORGE B. SAMMONS

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At that time there were only two others in business in the city, these being Charles Howard and William Van Epps. In 1880 he moved his stock to Brandon, where he conducted a gen- eral store for a time. At length, however, he returned to Sioux Falls and engaged in the grocery business with Samuel Cochran, which association was continued with mutual pleas- ure and profit until 1908, when the partnership was dissolved. The firm was widely known and enjoyed a reputation for commercial honor and integrity that was unassailable. They carried a large stock of goods and their customers could always be sure that groceries hought from them were fresh. After disposing of his interest in the business Mr. Sammons was for two years in the county auditor's office. He was active until failing health caused him to retire and at the time of his death he was residing with his daughter.

In 1856 Mr. Sammons was united in marriage to Miss Ada A. Robinson, a daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth (Jefferson) Robinson. Her paternal ancestors were of Scotch extrac- tion and early settlers of Vermont. The Jefferson family was also of early origin and among those who came to America on the Mayflower was one Jepson, which name was after- ward changed to Jefferson. Mrs. Robinson, the mother of Mrs. Sammons, was a poetess of ability and was associated with Susan B. Anthony in her great work. To Mr. and Mrs. Sam- mons were born two children: William H., who is now residing in Ely, Nevada; and Jennie R., the wife of J. D. Russell, of Sioux Falls, who is connected with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. They have a daughter, Winifred C. Mrs. Sammons passed away October 28, 1911, three years before the demise of her husband.

Mr. Sammons was a republican in politics and was the first treasurer of Sioux Falls, holding that office for one year at that time and later for five years, and discharging his duties with conscientiousness and ability. His religious adherence was given to the Baptist church. He was one of the charter members of the first Masonic lodge in Sioux Falls and was always enthusiastic in his allegiance to that order, embodying in his life its principle of human brotherhood. He last attended lodge on the occasion of the installation of officers, at which time he was taken ill and brought home, never being able to go out again. He broke down completely but was in no pain, merely the surrender of nature to old age. He was one of the real pioneers of his city and manifested those sturdy virtues that enabled the early settler to endure the hardships of a new country and to lay broad and deep the foundation for a great commonwealth. He was well known and those who knew him most intimately had for him the highest regard.

GEORGE PHILIP.

George Philip, member of the South Dakota bar, practicing at Fort Pierre since June, 1906, is one of the younger representatives of the profession, yet his comparatively young manhood seems no bar to his progress, which is based upon comprehensive knowledge of the law, the result of close and discriminating study. He was born at Fort Augustus, Scotland, July 16, 1880, and is a son of Robert and Catherine Philip. Both parents passed away in his early years, the father dying in April, 1884, and the mother in October, 1887. The usual public school advantages were enjoyed by the son, and then, ambitious to enter upon a professional career, he afterward took up the study of law in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in June, 1906. Before beginning practice he had business experience along several lines. He was at different times a lumberjack, cowboy and farmer, and manifested industry and diligence along all those lines just as he has since entering upon the practice of law. He prepares his cases with thoroughness, presents his cause skillfully and logically, and the successes which he has already won are bringing to him an ever increasing clientage. He was formerly one of the directors of the Fort Pierre National Bank. On the 1st of January, 1908, the law firm of Philip & Waggoner was formed and has a large clientele in the general practice of law.

On the 30th of May, 1911, at Fort Pierre, Mr. Philip was united in marriage to Miss Isle Waldron, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Waldron. The father came to the terri- tory of Dakota with his family in the early '60s, settling at Yankton. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane E. Van Metre, was born near Vermillion, South Dakota, and was one of the first pupils in the "Old Log Schoolhouse" in that locality. Mr. and Mrs.

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Philip have two children, a son and a daughter: George, Jr., born April 14, 1912; and Jean, born January 14, 1914.

Mr. Philip gives stalwart support to the democratic party and was a delegate to the democratic national convention in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1912, when Woodrow Wilson was nominated. From the United States attorney general he received the appointment of assistant United States district attorney for the district of South Dakota, taking office January 1, 1914. He is one of the best known representatives of Masonry in the state and has been honored with varions offices in the fraternity. He helongs to Hiram Lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M., of Fort Pierre, of which he is past master. He also belongs to Pierre Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M., of which he was high priest for one year. He became a Knight Templar in Brule Commandery, No. 19, of Chamberlain, South Dakota, but after- ward demitted to Capital City Commandery, No. 21, at Pierre, of which he was the first eminent commander. He likewise belongs to Oriental Consistory, No. 1, S. P. R. S., of Yankton, which he joined in March, 1903, and since 1910 he has been wise master of Mackey Chapter, No. 1, Rose Croix. In 1911 he was made knight commander of the Court of Honor, and he has been junior grand warden of the Grand Lodge, to which office lie was elected in June, 1911, while in June, 1912, he hecame senior grand warden. In June. 1913, he was made deputy grand master, and in June, 1914, was elected grand master, retiring in June, 1915. His administration is regarded as a most important and progressive era in the history of Masonry in South Dakota. He is a Mystic Shriner, belonging to Naja Temple at Deadwood, South Dakota. He also belongs to Huron Lodge, No. 444, B. P. O. E., while in the strict path of his profession his membership connections are with the South Dakota State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. His life, well spent, has gained him high regard and has brought him to a prominent position in social and pro- fessional circles.

JAMES KIRK.

James Kirk has had quite an eventful life, as for a number of years he was a mission- ary in Africa, for a time was in business there, and is now engaged in farming in Bon Homme county, this state, where he is one of the best known and wealthiest men. He was born on a farm known as Crary Hill, parish of Duris Deer, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, November 9, 1854, a son of John and Margaret (MeKeen) Kirk, both of whom died in their native land. In 1869, when a youth of about fifteen years, James Kirk emigrated to America, sail- ing from Liverpool and joining his brother Robert, who was a farmer in Gallatin county, Missouri. The two worked all winter on the construction of a railroad bridge at St. Charles, Missouri, and then James Kirk went to Minnesota, where he was employed on farms for two years.

In the meantime his brother became a student in the Union Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. James Kirk visited him in that city in October, 1871, shortly after the great fire. He then went south and ran a sawmill and later a cotton gin in Tennessee and in Mississippi. His next removal was to Colorado, where he bought sheep for ahont six months. Upon returning east he worked in Chicago for a year and while there made arrangements for going to Africa in 1873 under the control of the American Missionary Association. He visted his parents in Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, for six months, and then went to the Sherbro Island, on the west coast of Africa, where he labored for three years and three months as a missionary. At the end of that time he was forced to return to a more temperate climate, as his health was becoming impaired. He returned to Scotland and there married, but after a few months returned to Africa, this time being sent by the Church Missionary Society and stationed in the Niger river region, in Soudan. After remaining there for three years and three months he again returned home to recu- perate, and npon going back to Africa for a third time entered into partnership with John Dulzel Fairly at Lagos, on the west coast. They kept a trading store there, dealing in general supplies, but after one year Mr. Kirk found his health was again failing and went home. He returned to Africa a fourth time but became convinced that he could not endure the climate any longer and sold his interest in the store to Mr. Fairly after six

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or eight months. He again visited his relatives in Scotland and then emigrated with his family to America and settled upon the farm where he now lives. Before bringing his family he made a trip to America and purchased the south half of section 26, Hancock precinct, Bon Homme county. Mr. Kirk now has abont one thousand acres of some of the finest land in the state. In the summer of 1914 he helped to organize the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at Springfield, this state, and is still one of that institution's largest stockholders. His brother Robert became a farmer and minister of Bon Homme county after completing his course in the Union Park Seminary of Chicago, and owns a great deal of land in South Dakota, although a few years ago he removed to Virginia, where he now lives.

James Kirk was married in 1875 to Miss Mary Mair, a native of Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland, and a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Yonng) Mair. The mother died in Scotland, but the father subsequently came to America and passed away in South Dakota. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk five children have been born. John, who is now managing the home farm, is proving unusually successful as an agriculturist. He spent four years as a student in Yankton College, graduated from the State Agricultural College at Brookings, and took a post-graduate course at the State University of Wisconsin at Madison, that state. There he met Miss Edna Murray Keteham, whom he married and who is a graduate of the State University of Wisconsin. Margaret was for three years a student in Yankton College, and is now a nurse in the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Hospital at Mobridge, this state. Mary, James, Jr., and Louise have all graduated from the State Normal School at Springfield, and Mary was graduated from Vermillion. James, Jr., graduated from the Springfield Normal, after which he took the course in the State University at Vermillion and then completed his legal education at Seattle, Washington. He entered an office at Wagner, Charles Mix county, this state, and is proving an able attorney. Louise is now teaching at Lake Andes.

Mr. Kirk is a republican and is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Fra- ternally he is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree. His has been a life in which intense moral fervor and an unusual business ability have been combined, and he has been a moving force in both the material and spiritual interests of the communities in which he has resided. He is not only one of the substantial men of Bon Homme county but he is also one of the most respected, because of his personal worth and close adherence to the standards of Christianity.

JONATHAN NILES DUNHAM.

Jonathan Niles Dunham, lawyer and journalist of Mitchell, was born at Orland, Indiana. October 18, 1854. His father, Daniel Dunham, removed to the vicinity of Orland with his parents in 1836. His ancestors had settled amid the Catskill mountains in New York long prior to the Revolutionary war. The mother of J. N. Dunham bore the maiden name of Mary A. Niles and was born in Lorain county, Ohio. Her ancestors were early settlers of Massachusetts, and one of them was at Deerfield, Massachusetts, at the time of the memorable Indian massacre there. Her grandfather, Jonathan Niles, participated in the battle of Bunker Hill. About the year 1845 her parents removed with their family from Ohio to Indiana, settling near Orland, and it was in that locality that she formed the acquaintance of Daniel Dunham, who sought her hand in marriage.

J. N. Dunham, whose name introduces this review, attended the common schools of Lagrange county, Indiana, and also the collegiate institute at Ontario, Indiana. He pur- sned the study of law in DeWitt, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar in 1877. He was a young man of nineteen years when he went to Iowa, remaining a resident of Clinton and Delaware counties from 1873 until 1883. In October of the latter year he removed to Jerauld county, Dakota territory, where he has since made his home. Throughout the intervening period he has been active at the bar and in journalism and is an able lawyer, well versed in the principles of jurisprudence. In 1889, when the state was admitted to the Union, he was serving by appointment as clerk of the courts of Jerauld county.

At Wheatland, lowa, on the 18th of September, 1877, Mr. Dunham was united in mar-

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riage to Miss Clara A. Rogers, a daughter of S. H. Rogers. Her ancestors were among the early Puritans of New England, and later were among the prominent families of the state of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham have two children. Grace E. gave her hand in mar- riage to Professor A. H. Avery, at Woonsocket, South Dakota, her husband being now superintendent of the city schools of Spencer, Iowa. Fred N. Dunham, who wedded Miss Rachel Allison, of White, South Dakota, is now serving as postmaster at Wessington Springs, this state.

Mr. Dunham has always been a republican in his political views since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, but has never sought the honors and emoluments of office as a reward for party fealty. His long residence in the state, covering a period of almost a third of a century, has made him largely familiar with the events which figure most prominently in its annals. Moreover, he is the author of a history of Jerauld county, which was published in 1910, and now has in preparation a history of Davison county, South Dakota .. Always interested in matters of historical research, there are few so well prepared to speak of the early days and of the later period of development and progress.

WALTER H. CARR.

Walter H. Carr is one of the prominent pioneer merchants of South Dakota, in which connection he has become widely and favorably known. He is also prominent in Grand Army circles, being numbered among the honored veterans of the Civil war to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. He was born in England on the 27th of February, 1848, a son of William and Ann (Kinder) Carr, the former a practicing physician. The family came to the United States about 1851 and settled near Utica, New York. The father died in 1873 at Bloomington, Indiana, while the mother later passed away at Utica, New York.

Walter H. Carr was a little lad of but three summers when the family came to the United States. He was educated in the public schools of New York and was about twelve years of age at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Two years later, or in 1863, he enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a member of Company D, Second New York Heavy Artillery, enlisting in that command at Utica. He was just past fifteen years of age at the time, being one of the youngest to enter the army from New York. One of his two brothers joined the same company and with other recruits was sent on to Washington to join the regiment, which was then stationed at Fort C. F. Smith, Virginia, on the Potomac river, near Washington, D. C. There the recruits were taught all the arts of war in both artillery and infantry practice and prepared for the hard military service that was soon to follow. About the 17th of May, 1864, the regiment was ordered to the front and was attached to the famous Second Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, under the leadership of that gallant commander, General W. S. Hancock. The army had just participated in the great battle of the Wilderness near Richmond, Virginia. His regiment joined the Second Corps just in time to be ordered into the battle of Spottsylvania, Virginia, where they lost a large number of men in killed, captured and wounded. Mr. Carr was afterward in the engage- ments at North Ann, Virginia, May 22; Totopotomoy, May 31st; Cold Harbor, June 3d; Petersburg, June 16th to 18th; Strawberry Plain, July 28th; Deep Bottom, August 14-16; and Reams Station, August 25, 1864. At the last named place he and his brother, Henry Carr, were taken prisoners on the skirmish line. His brother, Henry, died many years afterward at Utica, New York, passing away in 1911, but the other brother, Charles, who had joined the army, was killed at Petersburg, Virginia, at the battle of the Mine, July 30, 1864.

After Walter H. and Henry Carr were captured at Reams Station they were sent to Petersburg, thence to Richmond and were confined in Libby prison two weeks, after which they were transferred to Belle Isle, near Richmond, Virginia, where they remained for about two weeks. In the latter part of September he and his brother were transferred from Belle Isle prison pen to Salisbury (N. C.) prison pen, being confined there until February 22, 1865, when they were sent to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where they were paroled. They then marched to Wilmington, North Carolina, and remained in camp about one week, after which they went to Annapolis, Maryland, by steamer, there entering a parole camp, where

WALTER H. CARR

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they remained until discharged on the 10th of June, 1865, on account of the close of the war. Walter H. Carr suffered all of the horrors of the various prisons, where no comforts were supplied and where the scanty provisions were of such a nature that they were unfit to eat had not absolute hunger and starvation driven the men to it. While there incarcerated he saw hundreds about him die of exposure and starvation. When the war closed he was dis- charged and returned home, but he was greatly broken down in health owing to the hard- ships of his prison life. His strength was so greatly exhausted that he was unable to walk and was carried into the house. His military record is one of which he has every reason to be proud, for he rendered nearly two years' faithful service to his country and yet was scarcely more than seventeen years of age when the war ended.

When Mr. Carr had sufficiently recovered his health he was employed in various ways until May, 1867, when he left Utica, New York, for Yankton, Dakota Territory. He made his way to Omaha, Nebraska, and by steamer proceeded up the Missouri river to Yankton, where he arrived on the 10th of June, 1867. There was no railroad in those days and pioneer conditions were everywhere prevalent. Judge W. W. Brookings of Yankton was a friend of Mr. Carr and it was through his influence that the latter came to Dakota Terri- tory. His first work in this territory was in hauling corn from Yankton to Sioux Falls with ox teams, the corn being used by the soldiers at the fort. Soon after his arrival here he took a preemption claim on Smutty Bear Bottom and lived there for two years. On the 6th of March, 1876, he engaged in business on Third street in Yankton and continued there until 1900, when he removed to Hurley, South Dakota, and established the grocery store of which he has now been proprietor for over fifteen years. His success has been due to his enterprising and thoroughly reliable methods.

On the 20th of February, 1878, Mr. Carr was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Allen, a daughter of Joseph Allen. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Melanethon Hoyt at Swan Lake, Dakota Territory, which town was then the county seat of Turner county but is no longer in existence. They have three children, namely: Allen Charles, a veteran of the Spanish-American war, serving one year in the Philippines, who is now residing in Hurley, South Dakota; Louis Edward, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Emma Grace. There are also two grandchildren, Walter Mills and Carroll Beulah, children of Allen C. Carr.

In his political views Mr. Carr has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a Mason, belonging to St. John's Lodge, No. 1, at Yankton, South Dakota. Since joining the Grand Army of the Republic he has heen most active in its work. He served as commander of Phil Kearney Post at Yankton, South Dakota, in 1883, and has been commander of E. S. McCook Post of Hurley for the past eight years. He has also been senior vice commander of the State Department of the G. A. R. of South Dakota and has served as a delegate to many national encampments. He proudly wears the little bronze button of the order and he is one of its most popular and best known representatives in South Dakota. He is also one of the oldest living pioneers in South Dakota and has been an active factor in the upbuilding and development of the territory and state, sharing the hardships of pioneer life and taking part in the later work of improvement. He is well known not only in Yankton and Turner counties but throughout southeastern Dakota, where he is honored and respected as a citizen who has cheerfully and wisely per- formed his full share in building up, from the foundation, one of the famous sovereign states of the Union.

CORNELIUS W. AND HENRY A. MARTENS.

Cornelius W. and Henry A. Martens are successfully engaged in the general real-estate business in Milbank. They are the sons of John and Theodora (Tillemans) Martens, both natives of Holland, born respectively in 1829 and 1832. The paternal grandfather, Martin Martens, who was a painter hy trade and also followed agricultural pursuits, died in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The maternal grandfather passed away in Holland. In 1850 John Mar- tens came to the United States and settled in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming and still later entered the hotel business. In 1878 he came Vol. V-9

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to South Dakota and took up a homestead, on which he is still living. His political belief is that of the democratic party and he is active in public affairs. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. His wife passed away in 1913. They were married in 1857 and became the parents of nine children, seven of whom survive: M. P., who resides in Colgan, North Dakota, and is employed in a store; Cornelius W. and Henry A .; Joseph A., who is living in Seattle, Washington; Frank J., who is residing on land belonging to his father; Albert W., on the home farm; and Mary G., the wife of A. Vanstralen, likewise residing upon the homestead.

Cornelius W. Martens was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the 21st of January, 1860, and received his general education in the school conducted by the Sisters of Notre Dame in Green Bay and also took a course in the Green Bay Business College, from which he grad- uated in 1879. For three years he worked at the printer's trade and then removed to South Dakota and assisted his father with the work of developing his claim. In 1888 he was elected register of deeds, an office which he held for four years. At the end of that time he purchased a farm, which he operated until 1897, when he entered the Farmers Bank at Milbank. He remained with that institution for eight years. In 1904, in partnership with his brother Henry A., he embarked in the real-estate business in Milbank and they have been accorded a liberal patronage and have gained an enviable reputation in local business cireles. They buy and sell outright and also on commission. They own personally much city real estate and in connection with his brother lie holds title to many aeres of land in Grant and Roberts counties.

Cornelius W. Martens was married on the 8th of February, 1888, at Big Stone, South Dakota, to Mary J. Walsh, a native of Minnesota. They have become the parents of eleven children, namely: William J., who is in the lumber business in Webster, South Dakota; Winnie T., at home; Francis M., who is connected with a garage at Webster; Margaret M., who completed the nurses' training course at the Mercy Hospital in Chicago this year; Irene H., who is a student in the Aberdeen State Normal College; Agnes E., Catherine and John E., all attending high school; Alice and Grace M., both of whom are students; and Mary P.

Henry A. Martens was born in Green Bay on the 3d of February, 1863, and was educated in the schools of his native city. On starting out on his independent business career he followed the printer's trade but later engaged in the abstract business. He was also at one time deputy register of deeds. Since 1904 he has been engaged in the real-estate business in partnership with his brother Cornelius W.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 22

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