History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 30

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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Joli Gange largely acquired his education in the schools of New York and in Mount Carroll and Freeport, Illinois, completing his course in Green county, Wisconsin. He worked his way through school and his desire and determination to secure an education indicated the strength of his character. He afterward purchased a farm in Wisconsin and about 1876 went to Nebraska where he remained until the fall of 1880, when he came to South Dakota. He then filed upon a homestead three miles north of Mellette and met the necessary conditions that brought to him a clear title to the property. At length, in connection with a partner, he opened the Bank of Mellette and after a time purchased his partner's interest, remaining as sole proprietor for a period. At length he closed out the bank, however, but paid dollar for dollar on deposits. In order to do so he had to mortgage his land and then he set himself to the task of clearing the property. His farm work was conducted in such a prac- tical and progressive manner that success attended his efforts and at his death he was one of the extensive landowners of South Dakota, his holdings embracing about two thousand six hundred acres lying in three different counties. He carried on general agricultural pursuits, cultivating various erops and also raising cattle and hogs. He continued in that business up to the end of his life and the wisdom of his judgment in business affairs was recognized by all who knew aught of his career. He was likewise a stockholder in the Duxbury Ele- vator Company and in the Farmers Elevator of Mellette.

On the 15th of May, 1861, in Green county, Wisconsin, Mr. Gange was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Crouch, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Crouch, who were pio- neer farming people of Wisconsin. They have both passed away and their remains were interred in the cemetery near Monroe, Green county. Mr. and Mrs. Gange became parents of seven children: George W .. a wheat buyer and farmer living in Mellette; Albert J., who follows farming in Mellette township; Elizabeth, the wife of J. Cullings, now proprietor of his father-in-law's store: Nancy J., the wife of Fred Potter. a landowner of Faulk county, residing at Cresbard; John T., who follows farming in Faulk county; William E., who died in 1911 and was buried in the Mellette cemetery; and Charles, who died in infancy, his grave being made near York, Nebraska. The wife and mother passed away in 1905 at the age of sixty-eight years. She was a devoted companion and helpmate, sharing with her husband in

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all of the privations and hardships in the early days and always encouraging him by her loyal support. She possessed, too, other traits of character which won for her the friendship of all with whom she came in contact and her death was therefore deeply regretted.

Mr. Gange voted with the democratic party and he was a Mason of high rank in the Scottish Rite and was also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He owned and occupied an attractive home in Mellette and had erected several other resi- dences and other buildings, his real estate investments proving the wisdom of his business judgment. He never feared to venture where favoring opportunity pointed out the way and yet he was actuated by no spirit of vaulting ambition. He was content to do the duty that each day brought and in the faithful performance thereof found strength and encouragement for the labors of the succeeding day. Advancing step by step, his outlook had continuously broadened and he was regarded as one of the forceful and resourceful citizens of Spink county whose ability and enterprise had proven factors in the substantial develop- ment of his part of the state. He passed away April 19, 1915, and was buried at Mellette.

ANTON S. NEDVED.

Anton S. Nedved, a farmer of Jackson precinct, Bon Homme county, has been a resident of this state for forty-six years, arriving here in the '60s, when white settlers were just be- ginning to take up land and a score of years before the admission of the state into the U'nion. He was born May 14, 1861, three miles west of Prague, Bohemia, in the village of Chynava, and remained in his native land until the spring of 1867, when, a child of six years, he accompanied his parents, Frank and Veronica Nedved, to the new world. The family sailed from Bremen and as the steamer on which they had intended to cross the ocean was delayed two or three days they were prevailed upon to embark on a sailing vessel which was ready to start, as it was represented to them that by so doing they would save heavy expenses for board in port. The passage was a long and stormy one and it was nine weeks after embarking at Bremen that the family landed in New York city. They made their way direct to Cleveland and there the father found work on the canals and railroads. There were a number of his fellow countrymen in Cleveland and upon hearing of a Bohemian colony which was forming in Chicago for the purpose ot taking up land in the west the Bohe. mians in Cleveland appointed Mr. Nedved to make the trip to Nebraska and investigate the opportunities there. Early in 1869 he arrived in South Dakota with a party who were being shown lands on the Niobrara. Mr. Nedved understood German as well as the Bohemian lan- guage and overheard the surveyor who was engaged to maik ont the lands remark that the Bohemians must have lived in a poor country to take up such land as was being shown them. Mr. Nedved with three others then left the party in the night and made their way down the river banks to Yankton, arriving there on the Fourth of July. They were all day crossing the river at that point as the only means of transportation available was a small flatboat pro- pelled by oars. Their wagon was taken apart and carried over, a few pieces at a time, and their oxen were taken one at a time, after which their provisions were transported to the other side. They were pleased with the land in the vicinity of Yankton and Mr. Nedved homesteaded a quarter section nine miles west of that city. The family joined him there and the residence was for a time a small cabin of cottonwood lumber even to the shingles. As prosperity came to him he built a commodious house and erected barns, granaries and all of the necessary outbuildings. He passed away upon his homestead in April, 1914. at the advanced age of eighty-six. His wife's death occurred in 1894. To their union were born nine children, seven of whom survive.

Anton S. Nedved grew to manhood upon the homestead west of Yankton and passed through the hardships of the early days in this state but has never regretted those experi- ences, it being rather a source of pride to him that he had his share in the first work of redeeming the land from the wilderness. His education was acquired in the early district schools and under the instruction of his father he learned valuable lessons in practical agrien ?- ture, being by the time that he reached his majority an able and efficient farmer.

On the 15th of July, 1884, Mr. Nedved married Miss Anna Smejkal, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, and a daughter of James and Anna (Mach) Smejkal, natives of Bohemia. To Mr.

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and Mrs. Nedved has been born a daughter, Bessie, who is now a student in the Tyndall high school.

Mr. Nedved is a democrat and a communicant of the Catholic church. His fraternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Yeomen, and the Z. C. B. J., a Bohe- mian society. Mr. Nedved remembers a number of notable storms and recalls vividly the winter of the deep snow and the flood that resulted therefrom. His most interesting experience, however, was that in connection with the blizzard of the 12th of January, 1888. He had gone to town and was on his way home when the blizzard broke and he reached his brother's place without much trouble. He knew that there was not sufficient wood in the house to last during a severe storm and therefore determined to reach home if possible. Accordingly, he put his team in his brother's barn and started home on foot, but after running into the well house, which was situated on an entirely different part of the farm than the residence, he decided that to attempt to reach the latter would be to risk losing his way and returned to his brother's where he remained for the night. His brother was unable to reach home from town and remained there all night. The wife of our subject fortunately saw the storm coming and housed all of the stock, remedying the deficiency in the wood supply by burning boxes. As Mr. and Mrs. Nedved bore their share of the privations that were the lot of the early settlers and as they labored long and diligently to make for themselves a home in this new country it is but fitting that they should now enjoy not only material prosperity but also the esteem and respect of all who are associated with them. Mr. Nedved always works for the good of the county in which he lives. He has held several minor offices. He has been clerk of Nedved school district No. 47 for nineteen years and served nine years as road supervisor, one year as township supervisor, and three years as president of Z. C. B. J., a Bohemian society.

JAMES GRAHAM.

James Graham is general manager of the Hill City Lumber Company, which concern owns the electric light, heat and power company of Hill City, and he has a number of other busi- ness interests, being a representative citizen of Pennington county. His birth occurred in Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, on the 15th of February, 1866, and he is the youngest of five children, whose parents were Dr. Theodore and Serena (Lewis) Graham, natives of Penn- slyvania and Lancaster, Wisconsin, respectively. The father, who was a physician and surgeon, removed to the Badger state about 1850 and located at Potosi. The region was still sparsely settled, and as he was the only medical practitioner within a radius of from twenty-five to thirty miles, his life was that of the pioneer physician who is compelled to make long journeys over bad roads at all times of the day or night and who must to an unusual extent forget all personal considerations in the performance of his work of healing disease and relieving suffering. He continued to practice until his death, which occurred abont 1875. He had survived his wife since 1866, her demise occurring when our subject was but an infant.

James Graham attended the Cumberland Valley State Normal School at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and thus received a good education that has proved of much value to him in his later life. He was but five years of age when he went to live with an aunt. his father's sister, who resided in Pennsylvania, and he remained with her until her demise, which occurred when he was nineteen years of age. He then went to Seymour, Indiana, where he was employed in a hotel for about two years. At the end of that time he became manager of the hostelry and continued in that capacity for three years, after which he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and entered the employ of the E. Bull Medical Company as a traveling salesman. Following the demise of Dr. Bull, the head of the company, Mr. Graham went to Florida as the repre- sentative of bis widow. He remained in the Peninsular state for a year, looking after her fruit groves and real-estate interests, but at the end of that time came to South Dakota. locating in Hill City and entering the employ of the Buckeye Mining Company. He continued to mine until 1904, when he established the Hill City Lumber Company, of which he has since been general manager, secretary and treasurer. The concern has branches at Ardmore, Edge- mont and Argentine, South Dakota, and is now rebuilding its plant at the last named place, which was destroyed by fire. The company not only does an extensive business in lumber and

JAMES GRAHAM

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is well and favorably known to the trade, but also owns the electric light, heat and power company of Hill City. Their continued success has been due mainly to the constant vigilance and wise management of Mr. Graham, their general manager. He also conduets a stock and hay ranch four miles from Hill City and is a stockholder in the Gopher Mining Company and in the Cumberland Mining Company, of which he has been secretary and treasurer for a number of years.

On the 29th of January, 1902, Mr. Graham was joined in marriage to Miss Agnes Borkey, who was born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Solomon and Cecilia ( Willebrand) Borkey, also natives of Pennsylvania. About a quarter of a century ago they removed to South Dakota and located at Ardmore, where the father was extensively engaged in ranching and farming, operating about five sections of land. To him and his wife were born ten chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Graham is the fifth.

Mr. Graham is a republican, but, although he is not lacking in a proper interest in public affairs, he has never desired to hold office. His membership in the Elks Lodge, No. 1187, of Rapid City, affords him opportunity for the expression of his capacity for comradeship and he is popular in that organization. Since taking up his residence in Hill City he has made for himself an important place in the business life of the city and many of those who have come in contact with him have become his warm friends.

ALFRED J. ABBOTT.

Alfred J. Abbott, who has represented his district in the state legislature, has resided in Bon Homme county since September 23, 1867, and has witnessed practically the entire development of the state, as when he came there was but a little fringe of settlements in the southeastern corner. He was born December 22, 1844, in Yorkshire, England, the fifth in a family of eleven children whose parents were Thomas and Emma (Dunley) Abbott, who were likewise born in that county, the birth of the former occurring August 8, 1809. and that of the latter November 8. 1813. They were married April 6, 1837, in Yorkshire, and there their children were born. The births of three, including Alfred J., occurred at the coopera- tive store of which the father was the manager. In December. 1848, the family left England on a sailing vessel bound for America and after a voyage of ten weeks reached New Orleans by way of Jamaica. At the Cresent City they took a river steamer for St. Louis and later continued their way up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Peoria, Illinois. Thomas, one of the children, two years of age, died on the boat and was buried after reaching Peoria. The family proceeded overland as far as Ottawa, Illinois, and there the mother and children remained while Mr. Abbott went on foot to Dane county, Wisconsin, to get a friend, Samuel Clark, to give them a wagon. It was not until the 1st of June, nearly six months after leaving home, that the family arrived at their destination near Albion, Wisconsin. There the mother died August 27, 1865, but the father survived for many years, his demise oc- curring on January 25, 1892. when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-two. He was a man of upright character and much esteemed in his community.

Alfred J. Abbott was in his fourth year when the family emigrated to America. He received his education in the schools of Wisconsin, and remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age, giving his father the benefit of his labor. In order to get enough money to come to Dakota he husked corn by moonlight after having already done a full day's work. By this means he was able to save just enough to pay his way to South Dakota accompanied by his brother William and when he arrived in Bon Homme county his last dollar was gone. He was not in the least discouraged and filed on the east half of the southwest quarter and the north half of the southeast quarter of section 1, township 93, range 59, and that farm has remained his bome ever since. He, however, has added to his holdings and his place after setting aside land for his children comprises five hundred and sixty aeres. He has also donated a half section of land in Charles Mix county to Yankton College, of which he is a trustee. Energy, progressiveness and thrift are his salient char- aeteristics and it is to those qualities that his success is due.

On the 22d of March, 1876, Mr. Abbott was united in marriage, in Albion, Wisconsin, to Miss Susanna Bussey, a native of the Badger state and a daughter of Benjamin and Jane

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North) Bussey, who were born in England but who emigrated to Wisconsin when that state was upon the western frontier. To Mr. and Mrs. Abbott six children have been born, three of whom are living: William E., attending Columbia School of Oratory of Chicago; Emma Jane, who attended Yankton College and subsequently married Hugh Madole, a farmer; and Hazel Belle, who also attended Yankton College. Mr. and Mrs. Madole live upon a quarter section of land adjoining her father's farm and given to them by him. Their first- born, Jean Elizabeth, is the first grandehild in the family.

Mr. Abbott and his family are members of the Congregational church and are known as supporters of every good cause. He is an adherent of the republican party and casts his ballot for its candidates and measures. In 1868 he represented the Bon Homme district in the territorial legislature and made a ereditable record in that connection. He takes justifiable pride in having cast the first vote ever east in the general assembly for state-wide prohibition m South Dakota. He also held various county offices during early days being county treas- urer in 1868 when the total collections were about two hundred and fifty dollars. He has also served as trustee for various state and church institutions and there has never been any question as to his probity or ability.

One of Mr. Abbott's earliest childhood recollections is that of seeing the Light Brigade known as the Queen's Own on its way to win immortality at Balaklava in the Crimean war. After reaching the United States he had a narrow escape from drowning, as on leaving the boat at Peoria, Illinois, a tipsy Irishman, noticing that he was separated from his parents, took him in his arms and started for the wharf. Just before reaching it he reeled and fell off the gangplank into the river. He hastened to wade out, leaving the boy in the water, but was driven back by the mate at the point of a pistol to rescue the child, who was carried to the furnace room and restored to consciousness. It was some time before his parents found him or learned of the accident. After his arrival in this state he bad many hardships to endure and many discouragements but his determination never faltered and he eventually won great material prosperity. In the early days prairie fires were a constant menace, grass- hopper plagues ravaged the erops and blizzards were common occurrences during the winters. At the time of the most memorable blizzard, that of the 12th of January, 1888, Mr. Abbott was in a well, cleaning it, and wondered what caused the sudden darkness and it was with difficulty that he made his way to the house. His recollections of pioneer days are valuable contributions to the history of the state, as he remembers many of the notables of the frontier-Harney, Crook, Custer and a number of famous Indian chiefs. To him and to all of the pioneers, who like him, laid the foundation for the development of their section of the state, is due the greatest honor and respect and it is fitting that the story of the obstacles overcome and the work achieved should be preserved for the present generation.

HON. OLYMPHIOUS S. THOMPSON.

Hon. Olymphious S. Thompson, who has represented his distriet in the state legislature, is a native son of South Dakota and of Minnehaha county, where he resides, his home being on section 29, Sverdrup township. His birth occurred on the same farm, February 18. 1875, his parents being John and Kirsti (Syverson) Thompson, natives of Norway, who came to the United States as children. A sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this work. He passed away July 2, 1913, but the mother is still living. enjoying the respect and esteem of all who know her.

Olymphious S. Thompson was reared at home and enjoyed such educational advantages as were offered by the common schools of the district. Upon reaching manhood he continued working with his father on the home farm until 1904. when the place was deeded to him. He has since had the entire management of the farm, which comprises five hundred and three acres, including in its limits the Old Settlers pienie grounds in Sverdrup township. The farm is situated in the Sioux river valley and is one of the most valuable and best improved agri- cultural properties in the county. Its well kept buildings and fences and the high state of cultivation of its fields all indicate the progressiveness and energy of the owner. He is identified with the business interests of the county as president of the Farmers Mutnal Fire & Lightning Insurance Company, director of the Crooks Lumber Company of Crooks, director

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of the Cooperative Lumber Company of Baltic, and director of the Dell Rapids Hospital Asso- ciation. He was also proprietor of the Morefield Grain Company, but exchanged this interest for one hundred and sixty acres in North Dakota and has also purchased four hundred acres in Lake county, South Dakota. He is also treasurer of the Early Settlers Association.

Mr. Thompson was married in 1898 to Miss Salina Gilseth, of Mapleton township, Min- nehaha county, a daughter of Ole Gilsetb, one of the pioneer settlers of the township, hav- ing located there in 1866. By her marriage she became the mother of a daughter, Cora Agnes. Mrs. Thompson died in 1905, and in 1909 Mr. Thompson married Miss Julia Vollan, of Sverdrup township, a daughter of John Vollan, deceased, one of the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson attend the services of the Lutheran church, of which they are loyal members. He is a republican in politics and, as before stated, represented his distriet in the last state legislature, his record being so satisfactory that he was again made his party's candidate and reelected. He is a son of one of the most prominent of the pioneer settlers of the county and has himself added to the honor in which the name of Thompson is held in this region, upholding the family tradition of integrity and able publie service.

REV. WILLIAM ECKL.

Rev. William Eckl is the pastor of St. Joseph's church at Waverly. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 5th of May, 1878. His parents, Francis and Theresa Eckl, are farming people and both are yet living. Their son William attended the parochial schools of Bavaria and in 1897, when a youth of nineteen years, crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling first in Alabama, where he remained for a year. He then removed westward to Illinois, becoming connected with the Benedictine Monastery. He studied at Cluny, Illi- nois, for a time and pursued his theological studies in the St. Paul Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota, thus qualifying for the priesthood. He was ordained on the 13th of June, 1904, at St. Paul by Archbishop Ireland with a class of twenty-one, being ordained for the St. Paul diocese. He was then assigned to the church of St. Francis de Sales of St. Paul as assistant and there remained for fourteen months, after which he was appointed pastor of the Catholic church near Rogers, Minnesota, where he continued for four years. On the expiration of that period he came to South Dakota in the fall of 1909 and was assigned to duty in the parish of Hillsview, McPherson county, where he continued for a year and eight months, at the end of which time he was called to his present pastorate, in charge of St. Joseph's church at Waverly. Here he has made extensive repairs on the church property and has erected the present beautiful parish house. The congregation numbers about forty families and the work is well organized, there being an Altar Society and an Infant Jesus Sodality.

ERNEST P. DE MOULIN.

Ernest P. De Moulin, who is actively engaged in business in Hot Springs as the president of a company dealing in farm lands and in farm loans, is a native of Illinois, born at James- town, Clinton county, June 13, 1881. His parents, Nathan and Fannie (Combe) De Moulin, were born respectively in France, March 16, 1835, and in Switzerland, June 23, 1843. They emigrated to America when quite young and their marriage was celebrated in this country. Mr. De Moulin was but sixteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their jour- ney across the Atlantic to New Orleans, whence they went by boat to St. Louis. Not long afterward the family located on a farm in Clinton county, Illinois, of which the father became the owner and on which he resided for more than fifty years. About 1906 he retired and removed to Highland, Illinois, where his death occurred February 15, 1913. He is survived by his widow, who is still living at that place. He was quite prominent in his community and held a number of local offices. He was twice married, the mother of Ernest P. being his second wife. To their union were born seven children.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 30

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