History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 27

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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WALTER E. FINK.

Walter E. Fink, the able young auditor of Custer county and one of the esteemed resi- dents of Custer, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 12th of January, 1880, the eldest. of three children, whose parents are Simon and Hannah (Tutkin) Fink, the former born in Milwaukee and the latter in Pennsylvania. The father engaged in the hardware business after emigrating to Milwaukee and has been connected with that business continuously for fifty-two years.

Walter E. Fink attended the ward and high schools of Milwaukee but when eighteen years of age he put aside his textbooks. He served in the United States Naval Hospital at Brooklyn for three and a half years and in 1899 arrived in the Black Hills and entered the employ of the Wabash Gold Mining Company. After continuing with them for a year he taught school at Four Mile for one year and then turned his attention to mining again. He also elerked in a general store at Custer until he was elected in 1914, as county auditor. In January, 1915, he took charge of the office and has already demonstrated his ability to handle its affairs satisfactorily.

Mr. Fink was married on the 31st of December, 1903, to Miss Ida Bostrom, who was born at Four Mile, Custer county, of the marriage of John and Fredricka (Lindstrom) Bostrum, both natives of Sweden. They emigrated to the United States many years ago and settled at Cheyenne, Wyoming, where the father was engaged in mechanical work. He removed to South Dakota in the early part of the history of this state and resided at Rapid City for about two years. For nine years the family home was on Hay Creek and at the end of that time a removal was made to Four Mile. The father engaged in ranching there nntil the fall of 1912, when he removed to San Diego, California, and is now following the car- penter's trade there. To him and his wife have been born two children, of whom Mrs. Fink is the younger. By her marriage she has three children: Carmencita Ethel, at school; Claudia Amelia; and Rosetta Lina.

Mr. Fink is a republican and is one of the loyal party workers in his county. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is still interested in a num- her of mining ventures but concentrates praetieally his entire time and attention upon the duties of the auditor's office, and his ability and conscientiousness make it certain that his record in that connection will be a ereditable one.

FERNANDO A. FORD.

Fernando A. Ford is the owner of a farm of five hundred acres situated principally on sections 28 and 33, Mellette township, Spink county. In the spring of 1884 he came to South Dakota and in the intervening period to the present time has borne an active and helpful part in the work of general improvement and progress. He is a native of Chautauqua county, New York, horn on the 26th of July, 1858, and is a son of Alvin and Caroline (Balcom)

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Ford. In the paternal line he comes of English ancestry, the family, however, being founded in America long prior to the Revolutionary war. The Balcom family was established in Massachusetts at an early day, many generations having resided on this side the Atlantic, and a great-uncle of Mr. Ford was one of the officers with the Continental army in the war for independence. His father, Alvin Ford, devoted the greater part of his life to merchandis- ing and died in 1872, at the age of forty-three years, his remains being interred in Chautauqua county, New York. His widow survives at the advanced age of eighty-four years and makes her home with her son, Fernando A.

F. A. Ford, having attended the public schools to the age of seventeen years, then started out in business life, for it was necessary that he aid in the support of the family. He continued his residence in his native county until twenty-six years of age, when, in 1884, he left the Empire state and made his way to the northwest, which was being opened for settlement. South Dakota was his destination and following his arrival he took up land from the government in Potter county, which he began to improve and develop. Later, how- ever, he sold that property and invested in three hundred and twenty acres. To this he has since added as his financial resources have increased until he is now the owner of five hun- dred acres of rich and arable land lying mainly on sections 28 and 33, Mellette township. As soon as he could transform the wild prairie by breaking the sod he would put in a crop and for a considerable period gave his attention almost exclusively to the raising of grain, but during the past ten or twelve years he has been extensively engaged in stock-raising, handling horses and hogs. This branch of his business is proving profitable and he is today one of the substantial farmers of the state, which has more wealth per capita than any other state in the Union.

On the 28th of February, 1893, Mr. Ford was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Schulz, a daughter of Henry and Augusta Schulz. natives of Germany, who emigrated to this country and settled in McPherson county, South Dakota. Later they removed to Oregon but in 1892 located in Spink county, South Dakota. However, after a few years they again removed to Oregon and now reside at Medford, Jackson county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have hecome the parents of ten children: Hugo, who is living at home hut has begun his inde- pendent career by renting five hundred and fifteen acres of land; Freda, the wife of .Joseph: E. Kingsley, who is farming in Mellette township. Spink county; Martha and Juna, who are attending the Normal School at Aberdeen; Bertha, Florence, Henry, Matthew and Theodore, all attending the district school; and Eugene, a little lad of three summers, who completes the family.

Mr. Ford is a stalwart advocate of republican principles and, although not an office seeker, he is ever ready to encourage and assist worthy enterprises, cooperating with many movements which have been of material benefit and value to the community. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and has many friends in that organization. He has erected upon his place a fine residence, a substantial barn, two silos and a number of other buildings, making the place one of the finely modern properties of Spink county, giving every evidence of the care and labor and the progressive spirit of the owner. Mr. Ford is today numbered among the prosperous citizens of his county and well merits the rich return that. has come to him, for it is the logical result and direct outcome of his efforts.

HON. AUGUST C. BURNSTAD.

Hon. August C. Burnstad, now living largely retired at Florence, has lived to witness a remarkable transformation in South Dakota. He arrived in pioneer times, driving a team of oxen across the country, and aided in transforming broad prairie land into richly productive fields. He met many of the hardships and privations of life upon the frontier, but with the passing years success attended his well directed efforts and he became the possessor of a handsome competence, which now enables him to rest from further labor. He was born in Norway, August 11, 1853, a son of Chris and Martha Burnstad, both of whom passed away in that country. The father devoted his life to farming.

In the common schools of his native country August C. Burnstad pursued his education and then, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning the opportunities and

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advantages of the new world, he sailed for America when hut sixteen years of age and settled in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, in 1869. There he remained until 1880, working in the lum- ber woods, at the end of which time he made his way to South Dakota, settling in Eden township, Codington county. He traveled after the primitive manner of the times, driving a team of oxen hitched to a covered wagon. He homesteaded on section 24 and secured a tree claim on the same section. There was no competition for land there, for he was the first settler in the township. With characteristic energy he began to develop the place and con- tinued operating the two claims until seven years ago, when he removed to Florence. In 1914, however, he again began to cultivate his farm. At one time his landed possessions were more extensive, but he sold a portion of his holdings. His first work was done with the four oxen with which he had made the journey to South Dakota. Every evidence of frontier life was here to be seen. He had to haul his grain to and obtain his supplies from Watertown, twenty-five miles distant. No roads had been laid out and there were many hardships and privations to be met. The seasons were so dry that crops were poor and the winters were very severe, but as the years have gone on Mr. Burnstad has won a substantial measure of prosperity in the development and improvement of his farm. He is now a stockholder and director of the farmers' elevator, is a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank and also buys and ships cattle, for, while his competence is sufficient to enable him to live retired, indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he cannot content himself without some occupation.

At Luverne, Minnesota, in July, 1880, Mr. Burnstad was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Best, a daughter of Valentine Best, who came from Canada. Their children, all born upon the farm, are: John, who is now engaged in farming and cattle-raising in Canada; Gracie, who died in 1898, at the age of fifteen years; Carl, who is conducting a drug store in Watertown; Hattie, the wife of E. Meyers, who has been postmaster of Florence since the establishment of the town; and Jessie, at home.

Mr. Burnstad is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Mod- ern Woodmen of America. He is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of town, county and state and his efforts have been a substantial element in promoting public progress in his community. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth, ability and public spirit, have frequently called him to office. He has served in various township positions, was county commissioner from 1894 until 1900, is a member of the school board of Florence at the present writing and in 1901 was elected a member of the state legislature, in which he proved so faithful to the interests of the commonwealth that he was reelected in 1903 and again in 1909 and 1911. He stands loyally for all that he believes to be beneficial to the commonwealth and is just as stalwart in his opposition to any interests which he believes will he inimical to the advancement of the state.

ELMER F. SCOTT.

Elmer F. Scott, a druggist of Chamberlain, is one of the well known business men of that city, where he has resided for a number of years. He is a native of Iowa, horn July 18, 1859, a son of Samuel and Sarah Scott, both now deceased. The father, who was a contractor, was one of the pioneers of Iowa.

E. F. Scott acquired his education in the public schools of Cherokee, Iowa, and upon starting out upon his business career found a position as clerk in a drug store. He worked in that capacity until 1882, when he came to South Dakota and established a drug store of his own, being one of the pioneers in that business in Brule county. When he arrived in Chamberlain it was but a little village on the western frontier and it required great faith in the future of the west to foresee the rapid development that has so changed conditions in Brule county and indeed in the whole state of South Dakota. Mr. Scott decided to cast in his lot with that of the new town and has remained through good times and bad. On the whole however, he has prospered beyond his expectations and has seen the little village grow to a thriving town. His first store was in a little frame building, sixteen hy twenty-four feet, but he now occupies a two story brick structure, covering two lots, which he built in 1913. He does a large business annually and is one of the substantial men of Brule county.

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In addition to his large and paying business, he owns stock in the Whitbeck National Bank of Chamberlain. His natural business ability and his long experience as a druggist com- bine to make him one of the leading men in his section of the state in his line and his patronage comes from a wide territory. His financial success is equalled by the respect which is accorded him by his fellow citizens, who justly hold him in high esteem.

In April, 1883, Mr. Scott married Miss Katie Hurley, a daughter of William Hurley, of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have a son, Marc W., who is a registered druggist and is asso- ciated with his father in the conduct of his store.

The family are Protestants and are identified with many movements that seek the moral advancement of the community. Mr. Scott is a republican and has served as city clerk and as alderman for six years, while for eight years he was a member of the school board. Fraternally he is quite well known in the Masonic order, has taken the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is also identified with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

RUDOLPHUS D. JENNINGS, M. D.

Dr. Rudolphus D. Jennings, a well known physician and surgeon of Hot Springs, has been prominently connected with the development of South Dakota for many years, as he arrived here before there was a mile of railroad in the entire state. He is a native of Fre- mont, Sandusky county, Ohio, born November 21, 1853, and is a son of F. A. and Luella (Wringler) Jennings born respectively in New York and Pennsylvania. The father was a physician and early in his life removed to Ohio, locating in Maumee, where he practiced his profession in connection with his father. During the cholera epidemic of 1855 he con- tracted the disease and succeeded in curing himself, which won considerable notice, as his was the first case cured. In 1856 he left that city and located at Dewitt, Clinton county, Iowa, and practiced there until he passed away about 1868. His wife had died many years previously, her demise occurring when our subject was yet a child in arms. The father raised a regiment of soldiers for the Union army in the fall of 1862, being a recruiting officer, but was never at the front himself. To him and his wife were born five children.

Dr. Rudolphus D. Jennings entered Cornell College of Mount Vernon, lowa, when sixteen years of age and when eighteen years old, in May, 1872, removed to Bismarck, Dakota ter- ritory, where he engaged in teaching school. He was for a time a bookkeeper and clerk for the Puget Sound Land Company, with which he was connected for three years. In 1876 he located at Deadwood and there engaged in the mercantile business. He became deputy collector of internal revenue and engaged in a number of occupations such as mining, con- tracting and architectural work. In 1881 he removed to Hot Springs and it was largely through his endeavor that the place became noted as a health resort. He became much interested in the study of medicine and attended the Chicago Medical College and also Kings College and Hospital of London, England, thus preparing himself thoroughly for the work of a physician and surgeon. Since his graduation in medicine he has practiced in Hot Springs and his patients are among the representative people of the city. In September, 1906, he was appointed governor of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium and held that position for one year, after which he resumed his private practice. He has great faith in the future of South Dakota and owns considerable land in Fall River county.

Dr. Jennings was married in August, 1879, to Miss Mattie May Curtis, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of Sidney and Abigail (Bundy) Curtis, both of whom are now deceased. They removed to lowa, where the father farmed and raised stock, and both passed away near Sioux City, that state. Dr. and Mrs. Jennings have two children. Abbie is the wife of J. C. Spencer, who is living retired in Hot Springs and who is one of the well-to-do men of his section of the state, as he is the owner of Sylvan lake, an ex-stockman and miner, having opened among others the Golden Reward mine. Louise is attending high school.

Dr. Jennings is a republican and was the first clerk of the courts in Burley county, Dakota territory. For five years he served as superintendent of the state board of health and during that time inaugurated a number of movements that contributed much toward the

DR. RUDOLPHU'S D. JENNINGS

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spread of hygienic knowledge in the state. He is a member of the blue lodge, chapter, the council and the commandery of the York Rite of Masons and has taken all of the degrees in the Scottish Rite up to and including the thirty-second, belonging to the consistory at Deadwood. For a number of years he was a member of the Grand Commandery and is well known in Masonry. He is also identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Jennings arrived in this state before many settlements had been made and practically all of the city of Hot Springs is on the land which he entered as a homestead. He is the inventor and has patented a preparation for the prevention of parasitic diseases in trees. It is in the form of a powder which is inserted in a hole bored in the base of the tree near the ground. Practically all of his time, however, is devoted to his profession and as a physician and surgeon he has gained an enviable reputation in Hot Springs and its vicinity, holding not only the confidence of the general public but also that of his colleagues.

ELMER E. WILLARD.

Elmer E. Willard, who has spent practically his entire life on the old homestead farm in Taopi township, Minnehaha county, where his father located about thirty-seven years ago, is busily engaged in the cultivation of a half section of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Lyon county, Iowa, on the 3d of December, 1878, his parents being Levi and Mary Willard, who in 1879 came to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, locating in Taopi township. The father acquired a homestead and also a timber claim and devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursnits throughout the remainder of his active business career, owning two hundred and forty acres of valuable land at the time of his retirement. He is now liv- ing in Colton at the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife has attained the. age of sixty- four. They were among the first settlers of their locality and experienced all the hardships and privations of life in an undeveloped region. Markets were distant and no roads had been laid out. As the years have passed, however, they have witnessed and aided in the won- derful transformation that has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization. They are the parents of two sons and two daughters.

Elmer E. Willard attended the common schools in pursuit of an education and also took a six months' business course in the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. He then returned to assist his father in the operation of the home farm in Taopi township and has remained thereon continuously since, being actively engaged in the cultivation of a half section of land. He utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and also feeds fifty head of cattle, one hundred head of sheep and one hundred head of hogs. As an agriculturist he has manifested ability and knowledge which insure his continued success.

On the 31st of January, 1910, Mr. Willard was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Waston, by whom he has three children, Myrle, three years old; Mabel, two years of age; and Elsie, an infant.

At the polls Mr. Willard supports the men and measures of the republican party and he has ably served in the office of town clerk. His wife is a devoted member of the Lutheran church but he has not identified himself with any denomination, though always endeavoring to exemplify in his life the highest principles of Christianity. In motoring and fishing he finds needed recreation and much pleasure. He is a man who takes a deep interest in the general welfare of the community, and he commands the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.

JACOB G. TOWLE. M. D.

For a half century Dr. Jacob G. Towle has engaged in the practice of medicine and is one of the most capable representatives of the profession not only in Roberts county but in his part of the state. He has lived in Sisseton since 1904 and has established and now con- ducts the Sisseton Hospital. He was born in Jackson, Michigan, on the 2d of June, 1846, his parents being Jacob G. and Jane (Sharpsteene) Towle, both of whom were natives of

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Genesee county, New York. The ancestry of the family in America can be traced back to Jacob Towle, who came to the new world in 1620. The grandfather of our subject also bore the name of Jacob Towle and was a native of New York. The father, who was born in the year 1808, died in 1879, while the mother, who was born in 1810, passed away in 1895 at the advanced age of eighty-five years. They were married in Michigan, having gone to that state in early life. The. father was a physician and devoted his entire career to active practice. He followed his profession in Jackson, Michigan, until 1854 and then removed to Mauston, Wisconsin, where he continued in active practice to the time of his death. His two children followed in his professional footsteps, his daughter, Dr. Jane Towle, being now a member of the medical profession in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In his political views Dr. Jacob G. Towle, Sr., was always a stalwart republican and at the time of the Civil war he served as a member of a Wisconsin regiment, giving valiant aid to the country in the struggle to preserve the Union.

Following the removal of the family to Wisconsin, Dr. Towle of this review there acquired the greater part of his education and afterward engaged in teaching for sixteen terms. He has practiced medicine for a half century and, entering the Bennett Medical Col- lege of Chicago, he was graduated therefrom in 1891. He has kept in touch with the advancement of the profession through wide reading and study and is thoroughly informed concerning modern methods. He was in active practice at Mauston. Wisconsin, until 1879, when he removed to Lake county, South Dakota, remaining there until 1904. He practiced and conducted a drug store there and for eight years was postmaster of Towle, which was later named Oldham. In 1904 he removed to Sisseton where he is accorded a liberal patronage. He also established the Sisseton Hospital, which is well equipped for all kinds of surgical work and for the care of the sick.

On the 3d of April, 1867, Dr. Towle was married to Miss Adelia Northrup, a niece of William P. Lyon, who was associate justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin. She was horn in Wisconsin and died in 1888. In the family were five sons, of whom three are living: Wilson J., now of Minneapolis; Austin, living at Lily, South Dakota; and Junior, living in Hettinger, North Dakota. The wife and mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and she had many excellent traits of character which endeared her to her friends. Twenty-three years after losing his first wife Dr. Towle was again married in March, 1911, his second union being with Mrs. Lucinda McDermott. She is a member of the Episcopal church.

Dr. Towle holds membership with the American Yeomen and in politics he is independ- ent. While in Juneau county, Wisconsin, he was elected county superintendent of schools and he was also appointed register of deeds to fill out an unexpired term. He is a member of the State Eclectic Society and is an able practicing physician whose skill is manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts to relieve suffering and restore health.

GEORGE CARROLL SMITH.

George Carroll Smith, who is well known in business circles at Hot Springs as cashier of the Bank of Hot Springs, was born at Horicon, Dodge county, Wisconsin, January 24, 1867, a son of Samuel L. and Jeanette H. (Herrick) Smith. The father was born in Elmira, New York, and the mother just across the line in Pennsylvania. Mr. Smith in early life became a railroad man and was connected with the Union Pacific railroad for many years. He was a conductor and as the road was built westward he removed westward. In 1872 he took up his residence at Cheyenne. Wyoming, and twelve years later moved to Rathdrum, Idaho, which remained his home until he located in Spokane. Washington, where he passed away in 1908, his wife dying four years later.

George Carroll Smith, the second of nine children. attended school in Cheyenne until he was thirteen years of age. but when only nine years old began selling newspapers in that city, being so engaged until he was fourteen. He then worked on the government sur- vey for two years. after which he removed to the state of Washington and became con- nected with mercantile business at Ainsworth. a town which has now gone out of existence. After a year spent there he went to Rathdrum, Idaho, where he engaged in merchandising

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 27

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