History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 3

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. Newhanks was born in Seneca, Guernsey county, Ohio, on Christmas day, 1842, his parents being Strother MeNeil and Sarah Sophia (Larriek, Newbanks, natives of Virginia. He went to school at Seneca, Ohio, and Independence, Missouri, to which state the family removed in 1849. He intermittently attended school until he was about twenty-one years of age, making use of the opportunities as they presented themselves for further study. In 1859, when about eighteen years of age, Mr. Newhanks made his way to the gold mines of Colorado and there continued in the search of fortune in various mining camps until 1863, when he joined the parties making for the newly discovered Montana gold fields shortly after the discovery of the precious metal in Alder Gulch. Soon, however, he came to the conclusion that greater profits were to be made in the freighting business and engaged in that line, carry- ing goods from Salt Lake City to Virginia City, Montana. In the latter place he also engaged in mercantile business, and remained there until the fall of 1865. He was one of the pio- neers of the celebrated mining eamp at Virginia City and there saw much of the rough mining life in its most primitive stage. A summary hanging was not an infrequent occurrence and often came in just retribution of a lawless career. From Montana Mr. Newbanks made his way to Salt Lake City, Utah, and then to San Francisco, crossing the plains to Golden Gate and there taking passage for New York by way of Cape Horn. While in Salt Lake City he met and became a friend of Brigham Young, being a frequent visitor at his home.

From the eastern metropolis Mr. Newbanks returned to Missouri, where he was engaged in farming until 1868, when he made his way to Junction City, Kansas, where for one year he successfully conducted a mercantile establishment. At the expiration of that time he removed to Ellsworth, Kansas, being for two years a general merchant of that place. Return- ing to Missouri, he there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1875 and then went to Denyer, Colorado, remaining there for about twelve months. In 1876 he went to the Black Hills, reaching Custer City in April of that year, but removed shortly afterward to Rapid City, assisting in locating the town. He built the stockade and corral and helped in the erection of the blockhouse, which precautions were necessary for protection from Indians, who at that time were constantly on the warpath, although they mostly operated in small bands. Mr. Newhanks conducted a store in Rapid City for about two years and of the Indians of that period he writes as follows: "The only instance where the Indians did any great damage

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

was about August 1, 1876, when they attacked us in our stronghold, but they did not succeed in doing us any injury other than driving our men to cover. But upon leaving the stockade they circled around to the west of Rapid City and killed four men who were going into town. Two of the party escaped and came with the news. We then went out and recovered the four bodies, which were brought to the town, burying them in one grave. The next attack occurred early in September, when we had a running fight with the savages. They succeeded in taking all the cattle, but I saved my horses, getting them to the corral and thus protecting them."

Mr. Newbanks remained in Rapid City until 1878, when he commenced freighting from Fort Pierre to the Black Hills, continuing in these operations until 1886. He then again located in Rapid City and freighted between that point and Deadwood for about twelve months. In the following spring he went to Whitewood, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, a journey of twelve miles over rough roads. During this time he also hauled freight for the Homestake mine at Lead. In Whitewood he was engaged in the commission business and forwarded goods from the end of the Elkhorn Railroad to Deadwood, Lead and other points in the Black Hills. In 1889 Mr. Newbanks disposed of his business interests in White- wood and raised cattle on an extensive scale in Custer county until the autumn of 1892, when he removed to Lyman county, where he had a ranch of six hundred and forty acres. He afterward successfully raised cattle and horses in Stanley county, South Dakota, but in 1908 sold out his live-stock interests. In 1896 he had taken up his residence in Pierre and both he and his wife have ever since remained in that city. In 1905 Mr. Newbanks was instru- mental in organizing the American Exchange Bank, of which he served as vice president for three years. Not only is he one of the pioneers of the state, but did much work that has made possible the incoming of civilization and stable government. He has always been public spirited and has ever given bis support to worthy public enterprises.

On November 29, 1885, at Kansas City, Kansas, Mr. Newbanks was united in marriage to Miss Mary Josephine Anderson, who was born in Sparta, Illinois, on the Sth of May, 1859, and is a daughter of Francis B. and Matilda T. Anderson. The former was a soldier in the Union ranks during the Civil war. Mr. Newbanks affiliates with the Baptist church, but Mrs. Newbanks was reared an Episcopalian. He supports the democratic party, although he is somewhat independent in his views and gives more attention to the qualifications of a can- didate for office than be does to party affiliation. In 1897 he was appointed by Governor Lee commissioner of brands and marks (for cattle) and he has been a member of this commission nearly ever since, having been continued in office by each succeeding governor with the excep- tion of the first. Four years of this time he has served as chairman of this board and the satisfactory manner in which he has served the state is evident in the fact that he has been retained in the position by each succeeding administration. In 1905 Mr. Newbanks was elected auditor of the city of Pierre and ably served for five years in that capacity. Many are the interesting tales which he can relate of times when this state was in its formative period, and it must be highly satisfactory to him that he has had the privilege of taking part in the molding of its history. He is highly respected and esteemed as a pioneer and as a man who has accomplished something worth while, and such honor as has come to him is well earned and merited. He has turned his ability to good account in achieving success for himself and in contributing toward the prosperity of a great commonwealth which is indebted for its very existence to such hardy and enterprising pioneers as Noah Newbanks.

HENRY C. FOGLESONG.

Henry C. Foglesong is an extensive landowner of Belmont township, Spink county. owning nine hundred and sixty-two acres lying mainly on section 10. He was born in Goodhue county, Minnesota, May 27, 1860. a son of Charles and Mary (Derking) Foglesong, who removed to Minnesota in 1856 and were numbered among the prominent early settlers of that state. The father is still living in Kenyon, Minnesota, at the age of eighty-two years, hnt the mother passed away in 1915 at the age of seventy-four.

Henry C. Foglesong attended the schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm, and when sixteen years of age put aside his textbooks, devoting his entire time to assisting his

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

father until 1880. He then came to South Dakota and investigated conditions here. He returned to Minnesota, however, but in 1882 came again to this state, traveling from Watertown by stage, and entered a homestead. The following year he located permanently upon his land and has since resided there. He cultivates about five hundred acres and raises excellent crops annually. He also keeps twenty-four horses, about sixty-one cattle and thirty-five hogs in addition to engaging quite extensively in poultry raising. He has adapted his methods of farming to soil and climate and as he manages his affairs judiciously his yearly income is much more than sufficient for his living expenses. He has accumulated a competence and is considered one of the substantial men of his locality.

Mr. Foglesong was married in Goodhue county, Minnesota, on the 15th of March, 1883, to Miss Sophia Lips, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lips. Both her parents are buried in Goodhue county. To Mr. and Mrs. Foglesong have been born six children: Alfred, in business at Tulare, Spink county; Arthur, who is farming in Belmont township, Spink county; Susan, the wife of Melvin A. Bollenbach, a farmer of Rice county, Minnesota; and Hattie, Pearl and Earl, at home.

Mr. Foglesong is steadfast in his allegiance to the republican party and for ten years served as county supervisor. He is a member of the German Methodist Episcopal church, and is not only willing to contribute of his means to its support, but also takes an active part in its work. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He attributes his success to his habits of industry and the assistance and encouragement of his good wife. They are one of the most highly esteemed couples of Spink county and their friends are legion.

WILLIS H. BONHAM.

Willis H. Bonham has for a number of years been the publisher of the Pioncer Times, an excellent morning daily of Deadwood, and has made his paper one of the leading journals of western South Dakota. He was born in Jasper county, Illinois, near the town of Newton, on the 13th of January, 1847, a son of Levi M. and Mary (Hunt) Bonham, both born near Richmond, Virginia, the father in 1813 and the mother in 1820. The father was a farmer and civil engineer and in 1840 went west, settling in Jasper county, Illinois. He was mar- ried in that state and continued to reside there until a few years before his death, when he removed to Iowa and located at Villisca, where both he and his wife passed away. His death occurred in 1890 and his widow survived him for five years. While in Jasper county, Illinois, the father served for some time as county surveyor.

Willis H. Bonham is the fourth in a family of eleven children born to his parents. He attended school in a log schoolhouse in Illinois, but his educational opportunities were quite limited, much of his knowledge being self acquired. At the age of eighteen he began working on neighboring farms in the Prairie state and so continued for two years, after which he removed to Denver, Colorado, where he learned the house decorating trade, which he followed for four years. He then came to Deadwood in 1877 and for one year did sign painting and then drifted into the newspaper business, being first employed in running a hand press on the Pioneer, the first paper in Deadwood, the date of its establishment being June 8, 1876. Its owners were Merrick & Laughlan and he continued with them for a number of years and was also connected with the Times, which was started in April, 1877, by Porter Warner. In 1885 Mr. Bonham became the owner of the Pioneer and twelve years later purchased the Times and consolidated the two papers, forming the Pioneer Times. He has installed modern equipment and put in the first linotype machines used in Western Dakota. The Pioneer Times is issued as a morning daily and as a weekly paper. The old Pioneer was made a daily in 1877 and its successor, the Pioneer Times, has grown steadily in circulation and influence, being now one of the hest dailies in western South Dakota. Its news columns give complete and reliable accounts of all happenings of local interest and also of events in the world at large. Its editorials are trenchant and its large circulation makes it an excellent advertising medium. The office is also prepared to do all kinds of job work and that department is proving a very lucrative one. Mr. Bonham is interested in a number of local business enterprises, being a director and stockholder in the Franklin Hotel Company,

WILLIS H. BONHAM

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

a stockholder in the Black Hills Trust & Savings Bank and in the First National Bank. He also is part owner of a number of gold mines and bolds title to considerable real estate in Deadwood and in Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Bonham belongs to the Christian Science church and fraternally is a member of the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as city clerk of Deadwood for four terms and as postmaster for one term, being capable and conscientious in the performance of his duties. He is widely known not only in Deadwood but throughout the Black Hills, and his ability and integrity have won for him many friends.

MARVIN LOYD WEED.

Marvin Loyd Weed, a successful representative of business interests in Fort Pierre, is the proprietor of a general mercantile establishment and enjoys an enviable patronage in this connection. His birth occurred in Oakdale, Wisconsin, on the 11th of October, 1867, his parents being William David and Helen (Meloy) Weed. His paternal grandmother, Caroline (Jones) (originally Jans) Weed, was a descendant of Anneke Jans, who owned a farm in what is now the heart of New York city.

Our subject was twelve years of age when in 1879 he accompanied the family on their removal to Solomon City, Kansas. The following year, however, they became resi- dents of Livermore, Humboldt county, Iowa, and from there removed to Sully county, South Dakota, on the 16th of May, 1884. The father, who was a shoemaker hy trade, died in 1910, but the mother is still living and now makes her home in MeMinnville, Oregon.

Marvin L. Weed has devoted his attention to merchandising throughout his entire busi- ness career. He lived with his parents on the homestead until 1889, when he went to Onida, South Dakota, where he entered the employ of a mercantile establishment as clerk, remaining there until 1897. He was afterward in the employ of the MeLaughlin Company at Highmore, South Dakota, but in 1902 located in Fort Pierre and was in the employ of E. F. Dorothy for two years. In 1904 he established the business which has since been conducted under the firm style of M. L. Weed & Company, being now the proprietor of an attractive and up-to-date establishment which enjoys an extensive and profitable trade. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods which he sells at reasonable prices and has an unassailable reputation for business integrity and fair dealing.

On the 24th of June, 1903, at Genoa, Illinois, Mr. Weed was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Venelia Arnold, a daughter of Elijah B. Arnold, and they have one child, Helen Venelia Weed. In his political views Mr. Weed has always been a republican, regarding the principles of that party as most conducive to good government, and he is now acceptably serving as one of the county commissioners of Stanley county.

FREDERICK W. MINTY, M. D.

The rapid development of the science of surgery within the last few decades has been one of the greatest marvels of our modern civilization and it is but natural that many young men of great natural ability have been attracted to its study and practice. Dr. Frederick W. Minty is one of the leading surgeons of Rapid City and has already gained considerable prominence in that part of the state. He was born in Shannon, Illinois, April 28, 1882, a son of Rev. Walter F. Minty, a native of England. As a young man he emigrated to the United States and became one of the pioneer missionaries of the Methodist Episcopal church in the Black Hills country. His wife, who was in her maidenhood Maria S. Reming- ton, is still living and resides at Mitchell, this state.

Dr. Minty is the third in order of birth in a family of five children, and after finishing the public school course entered the Dakota Wesleyan College. After leaving that institu- tion he took a medical course at the Sioux City College of Medicine and was graduated Vol. V-2

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

therefrom with the degree of M. D. in 1904. He first practiced his profession at Woon- socket, South Dakota, where he remained until 1907, and in that year he removed to Rapid City, which has since been his home. He has confined his work altogether to surgery and his wide experience and constant study are bringing him rapid advancement in his chosen profession. He founded the Methodist Deaconess Hospital of Rapid City and is the head surgeon of that institution. His private practice is large and of an important character and his reputation has already extended throughout his part of South Dakota. His high standing among his colleagues is indicated by the fact that he is secretary and treasurer of the Black Hills Medical Society and he is also a member of the Clinical Congress of Sur- geons of North America. a body composed only of surgeons of proven ability.

Dr. Minty was married on the 10th of October, 1906, to Miss Caroline Crawford, daugh- ter of Captain James E. Crawford, of Sioux City, Iowa. The Doctor and his wife have two children, Earl and Marion. His right of suffrage is exercised independently, as he pre- fers to vote for those candidates whom he deems best suited for the office rather than to follow blindly the dictates of party leaders. His religious allegiance is given to the Metho- dist church, in the work of which he is quite prominent, being a member of the board of trustees. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. His greatest enjoyment ont- side of his work is found in fishing, shooting and motoring, and he is very fond of all athletic sports. At college he took a leading part in athletics as a member of the track team and later coached the Sioux City Giants. which was considered the fastest hasket- ball team of its day. He is an accomplished musician and quite prominent in musical circles, being known especially for his work as leader of the Methodist Episcopal church choir. He has not only succeeded professionally but has won financial prosperity and has invested quite heavily in irrigated ranch lands in Montana. While his labors as a surgeon require the greater part of his time and while he has won deserved recognition as an able representative of his profession he has also found opportunity to take part in many other activities of life and is a man of well balanced powers and interests.

WALTER H. COX.

Walter H. Cox is a factor in journalistic circles of South Dakota as editor and publisher of the Fairfax Advertiser, which he purchased in 1909. His birth occurred in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 5th of September, 1860, his parents being Sanford C. and Charity E. (Davis) Cox, likewise natives of the Hoosier state. Joseph Cox, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Kentucky. For many years the Cox family have annually held a reunion at Campbell's Island in the Mississippi river. Sanford C. Cox was a lawyer by profession and an able writer. being the author of a volume of poems depicting pioneer days and also of a book entitled "History of the Wabash Valley." He was the first recorder of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and a prominent political leader and speaker, stumping the state in the campaigns of both Lincoln and Grant. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church. His wife was a daughter of George Davis, who fell a victim to the cholera plague of the '40s, dying while on a trip to St. Louis.

Walter H. Cox, the second in order of birth in a family of six children, acquired his education in the graded and high schools of his native town and since early boyhood has been interested in the newspaper business, printing a small sheet on a hand press while still in school. This was called the Lafayette Bee and later became one of the city's leading journals. Subsequently Mr. Cox and his brother Joseph established the Lafayette Call, which became one of the most widely read newspapers of the state. His brothers are prac- tical printers and the inventors of the Cox press and various other printing machinery in universal use. In 1887 Mr. Cox made his way westward and became connected with the Sioux City Daily Tribune of Sioux City, where he remained as general mechanical foreman until 1909. In that year he located in Fairfax. South Dakota, and purchased the Advertiser. of which he has since been the editor and publisher. The sheet is devoted to the dissemina- tion of local and general news and boasts an extensive advertising and subscription patronage.

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

On May 11, 1878, Mr. Cox married Miss Anna Reese, of Francesville, Indiana, and to this union were born two children: Jessie B. and Joseph S., who are now living in North Dakota. His first wife died in November, 1885, and on the 24th of October, 1894, Mr. Cox was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Richardson, by whom he has two children: Milton and Ralph.

In polities Mr. Cox is a stanch republican, and in 1914 was elected to the state legis- lature, serving with distinction during the session of 1915 as chairman of the committees on engrossing and enrolling, insurance and printing. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religions faith is that of the Baptist church. As a means of recreation he indulges in hunting, boating and other outdoor sports. His hay been a well spent life, in which he has made good use of his opportunities. Early realizing that there is no excellence without lahor and that the present and not the future holds one's chance for advancement, he has so directed his efforts day by day that he has laid a solid foundation for a successful career. His friends-and they are many-find him a genial, companionable gentleman and his good traits are acknowledged by all who know him.

ERICK B. ERICKSON.

Erick B. Erickson, a well known farmer of Clay county, was born in Sweden, August 12, 1862, a son of Andrew B. and Bertha (Jens) Erickson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father's birth occurred July 12, 1835, and in May, 1860, in his native land, he was married. Nine years later he came to the United States and a year later was followed by his family. Upon their arrival a removal was made to Sioux City, which remained the family home for two years. In 1872 they emigrated to Dakota territory and Mr. Erickson homesteaded land southwest of Beresford, this state, where he resided for forty years. In 1912 he retired from active farm work and removed to Beresford, where he lived at the time of his death, which occurred October 17, 1913, when he was seventy-eight years old. He was one of the first to settle in that part of the state and experienced alı of the hardships and privations incident to making a home in a pioneer region. He was not discouraged and was rewarded hy achieving personal success and by witnessing the rapid transformation that made of wild prairies cultivated farms and thriving towns. To him and his wife were born ten children: Erick B., of this review; August, who is farming near Newell, this state; Gertie, the wife of Ed Cambell, of Beresford; Charles, deceased; Alfred, of Clay county: Albert, residing in Beresford: Erika, deceased; Minnie, the wife of August Danielson; and two who died in infancy.

Mr. Erickson was seven years old when he accompanied his mother to this country. He had only attended school one week in his native land but after the family home was established in Sionx City he attended the public schools there. Subsequently his father removed to a farm and he then was a student in the country schools. However, he had bnt limited opportunities to secure a scholastic edneation as he was the oldest in the family and was compelled to work much of the time even during his hoyhood. He put aside his text-books when sixteen years of age and began working for others at farm labor, being so employed in various states. After his marriage he rented a farm for two years and then homesteaded land in Lyman county, this state. He relinquished his homestead after residing thercon for three years and for ahout eight years rented land, after which he engaged in the livery business at Mission Hill for three years. At the end of that time he returned to Lyman county and homesteaded another quarter section but sold his improve- ments thereon after a short time. He went to Yankton, South Dakota, and after living there for a time purchased forty acres near that city and rented it for the first year. He then operated it himself for a year, after which he returned home and purchased the homestead from his father. The latter lived with our subject for fifteen months and then removed to Beresford, where he resided until his death. Mr. Erickson of this review still owns in addition to the home place of one hundred and sixty aeres forty acres adjoining Yankton. He does general farming and the sale of his erops yields him a good sum of money annually. He has also given considerable attention to the stock business and finds that quite profitable.

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Mr. Erickson was married on the 25th of June, 1890, to Miss Louisa Anderson, a native of Norway and a daughter of Andrew S. and Carolina Anderson. Both of her parents were born in Norway and passed their entire lives there. The father was a farmer by occu- pation. Their family numbered eight children: John, of Norway; Louisa, the wife of our subject : Rika and Edward, who are residing on farms in Norway; Christian, of Portland, Oregon: Olina, who married Victor Bloomquist, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Mary, of North Dakota: and Julia, who is still living in Norway. To Mr. and Mrs. Erickson were born four children: Anna, a public-school graduate and the wife of Chris Steinbach, a merchant of Mission Hill, South Dakota; Esther, who is a graduate of the Yankton schools and is residing at home: Edna, at home; and one who died in infancy.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 3

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