History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 31

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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Ernest P. De Moulin, the fourth in order of birth, attended the district schools of Clin- ton county, Illinois, but when in the eighth grade became a pupil in the schools of Sebastapol,

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Madison county. His higher education was acquired at Effingham College. When twenty years of age he went to Chicago and entered the employ of the Chicago Street Railway Com- pany, but remained with that corporation only a short time. He next accepted a position as stenographer and bookkeeper and was employed in oflice work in that city for ten years. He rose to the position of office manager and manager of the loan department in a large real- estate office and gained much valuable experience during the decade that he resided in Chicago. Upon leaving there he went to Oelrichs and opened a farm-loan office, which, how- ever, he conducted but a short time. His next removal was to Hot Springs and he entered business in that city as a dealer in farm lands and farm loans. After a short time he estab- lished a partnership with L. H. Hedrick, which was maintained for a few months, when the business was incorporated and Mr. De Moulin purchased his partner's interest in the com- pany, of which he is now president and general manager. Owing to his natural business abil- ity and his long experience in such matters he is very successful in his operations and annually negotiates many important transfers of realty, while he has so placed his farm loans that he has suffered practically no losses during the years that he has made loans. He is also president of the State Bank of Oelrichs and owns his residence in Hot Springs, which is one of the comfortable homes of that city.

Mr. De Moulin was united in marriage, September 7, 1905, to Miss Virginia E. Southard, who was born at Mohawk, New York, a daughter of Samuel L. and Susan H. (Woodruff) Southard. Her parents afterward became residents of Chicago, where her father passed away in Jume, 1906. The mother is now living in Hot Springs. To Mr. and Mrs. De Moulin four children have been born as follows: Robert Southard, whose natal day was January 29, 1909; Ernest Paul, born June 29, 1910: Mary Elizabeth, May 8, 1912; and Virginia Helen, October 4, 1914.

Mr. De Moulin is a supporter of the republican party, but has never cared to take an active part in political affairs, feeling that his own interests demand his entire attention. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Massachusetts. His life of integrity and useful activity entitles him to the respect and esteem of his fellow townsmen and he is justly regarded as one of the valued citizens of Hot Springs.

In recognition of the executive ability displayed by Mr. De Moulin in his business sphere and of his adaptability to the management of important affairs he was persuaded, in January, 1915, to accept the presidency of the Hot Springs Commercial Club, an incorporated organiza- tion of leading business men of Hot Springs in the interest of business and social advance- ment, and immediately following in the same month he was called to the presidency of the "Black Hills Angostura Association." an organization covering several towns in two coun- ties in the interest of reclamation work and which is destined to bring about the investment of millions of dollars for the development of territory tributary to Hot Springs and other towns and for the development of Hot Springs itself.

JOHN S. GOODRELL.

As chief engineer of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium, John S. Goodrell, of Hot Springs, holds a position of much responsibility, but he has proved more than equal to all demands made upon his professional knowledge and executive ability. He was born in Washington county, Iowa, June 10, 1850, a son of Stewart and Elizabeth (Israel) Goodrell, both of whom were born in Westchester county, Pennsylvania. The father was engaged in carpentering in early life in Ohio and also in Iowa, and later he was in the employ of the Ohio & Iowa Railroad Company as a bridge builder. He became the owner of valuable farming land in Iowa and there passed away on the 23d of November, 1872, having survived his wife since August, 1854. He served as a private in an Ohio regiment in the Mexican war and was quite prominent in public affairs in Iowa, being a member of the legislature for three terms and having a seat in the first constitutional convention of that state. At the time of his death he was United States pension agent for Iowa and Nebraska.

John S. Goodrell is the next to the oldest of the living children born to his parents and his boyhood days were passed under the parental roof, while his early education was that

JOHN S. GOODRELL

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afforded in the country schools of Iowa. When seventeen years of age he left home and went to New York city, where he began learning the machinist's trade, entering a shop there as an apprentice. He continued in that shop for four years and six months and at the end of that time was employed as an engineer on tug boats in New York harbor, being for four years chief engineer. He also made three voyages across the Atlantic as assistant engineer, and upon leaving the marine service entered the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. After serving with that company as engineer for a year he became, in April, 1873, chief engineer of the capitol at Des Moines, lowa, which position he held for a number of years. He was next in the employ of the Des Moines City Street Railway Company as chief engineer and master mechanic for eleven years and later engaged in mining in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri for four years. In 1905 he was appointed chief engineer of the Battle Mountain Sanitarium of Hot Springs and is still serving in that capacity. He is also con- sulting engineer for the Water, Light & Power Company of Hot Springs and for the State Soldiers Home at Hot Springs. His long experience in his line of work well qualifies him for his duties and he keeps the plants under his supervision at the point of highest efficiency.

Mr. Goodrell was married on Christmas eve, 1874, to Miss Alice Hendricks, who was born near Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her parents, Joel and Leah (Gish) Hendricks, were both natives of Pennsylvania but were married in Ohio. The father was a civil engineer and an unusually fine mathematician. He passed away in 1899 in Des Moines, Iowa, to which place he had removed with his family, and his wife died in January, 1915. He was made surgeon of an Indiana regiment in the Civil war and was wounded after about eight months' service, being mustered out subsequently on account of disability. He held a number of offices in Indiana, being both state senator and state representative and also filling the position of county surveyor.

Mrs. Goodrell is the fifth in order of birth in a family of nine children. To Mr. and Mrs. Goodrell have been born four children: Rose A., the wife of George L. Garton, a resident of Des Moines and cashier in the postoffice there; Mabel M., the wife of Albert Horning, a resi- dent of Des Moines, where he is engaged in the insurance business ; and Edna and Ethel, twins. The former is the wife of Clyde Martin, a farmer residing near Greenfield, Iowa, and Ethel is teaching stenography in the Des Moines high school.

Mr. Goodrell is a republican and has held a number of local offices, discharging his duties with ability and conscientiousness. Fraternally he belongs to Home Lodge, No. 370. F. & A. M., at Des Moines, and to Ben Hur Tribe. The respect which is so freely accorded him is but the fitting reward of a life of honorable and successful activity.

KNUTE LEWIS.

Knute Lewis, a breeder of pure bred draft horses living at Lake Preston, Kingsbury county, is one of the pioneers of that place, having built the first store in the town. Ile has also served as its mayor. He was born in Deerfield, Wisconsin, May 21, 1853, a son of Lars and Marith (Olson) Lewis, both of whom are deceased. The early education of Knute Lewis was that afforded by the district schools of his native state and his later training was acquired in the State University of Wisconsin at Madison. After leaving school he spent eight years teaching and clerking in country stores of Wisconsin and Minnesota. In Septem- ber, 1880, he removed to South Dakota and located a mile and a half east of the site of Lake Preston. He erected a small store at the point where he settled and later, when the town of Lake Preston was established, he built the first store there, opening his establish- ment for business on the 14th of August, 1881. He sold the first goods in Lake Preston and continued to conduct his store there until 1907, when he disposed of the business. While still engaged in merchandising he began dealing in and raising blooded stock and since sell- ing his store he has given most of his attention to stock-raising. He raises blooded draft horses and derives a handsome profit from the sale of his animals. He is also engaged in the cultivation of the soil and in connection with his brother owns eighteen hundred acres of good land.

Mr. Lewis was married on the 3d of June, 1885, to Miss Bertha Peterson, a daughter of Ole Peterson, and to that union the following children have been born: Benedicta M. and Vol. V- 12

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Edwin H., both graduates of Yankton College; Emma E., who will graduate at Yankton Col- lege in 1916; Alma Louise; and Ruth E. Mr. Lewis is a prohibitionist and has taken a lead- ing part in the fight against liquor traffic which he believes is responsible for many of the ills of the body politic. He was twice a candidate upon the prohibitionist ticket for governor of the state, was bis party's candidate for state representative and has also been his party's choice for railroad commissioner. He was a member of the first state constitutional con- vention which met at Sioux Falls in 1885 and at that time did all in his power to secure a prohibition clause in the organic law of South Dakota. During the entire existence of the South Dakota Scandinavian Total Abstinence Society Mr. Lewis served as its president. He has been president of the board of trustees of Lake Preston and served three terms upon the school board. His beliefs and convictions are known to all, as his stand upon a matter is never an equivocal one, and he is not afraid to work earnestly for a cause which he believes to he a righteous one. His undoubted sincerity and his upright life command the respect of all and his personal friends, who are many, value highly his good opinion.

FRANK PEYTON GANNAWAY.

Frank Peyton Gannaway, who is now serving as postmaster of Chamberlain, was born in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, on the 5th of July, 1859, of the marriage of David C. and Cornelia (Peyton) Gannaway, both of whom have passed away. The father was a merchant and farmer and was successful in those occupations.

Frank P. Gannaway received a public school education and after putting aside his text- books worked for a wholesale grocery firm for eight years but in 1886 was appointed as farmer to the Lower Brule agency in this state. After four years' acceptable service in that position he was appointed trader for the Indians and discharged the duties devolving upon him in that capacity for twelve years. He then turned his attention to the stock and cattle business and not long afterward opened a meat market in Chamberlain which he conducted successfully for fifteen years. In 1914, however, he sold out as he was appointed postmaster of Chamberlain by President Wilson. Since assuming charge of the office he has demonstrated his fitness for the position and the work entrusted to him has been performed with con- scientiousness and ability.

Mr. Gannaway was married on the 27th of January, 1889, to Miss Helen Johnson, a teacher at the Lower Brule agency. They have the following children, Ruth Mary, Cornelia Helen, Margaret Lillian and Frank Clinton. Mr. Gannaway is a democrat and has been one of the loyal party workers in Brule county. He was the first county treasurer elected in Lyman county and since removing to Chamberlain he has served on the board of aldermen and the school board. The teachings of the Congregational church, to which he belongs, form the guiding principles of his life and he contributes liberally to the furtherance of the work of that organization. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, in which he bas taken the Knights Templar degree. He also has membership with the Workmen and the Elks. His great interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the city has prompted him to affiliate himself with the Commercial Club and he can always be dependeded upon to aid in carrying out any plan that has as its object the commercial expansion of the city.

WILLIAM HENRY ALLEN.

William Henry Allen, cashier of the Woonsocket State Bank, was born at Troy, Ohio, July 1, 1862, and is the youngest in a family of four children whose parents were William Henry and Margaret (Miller) Allen. The father was a merchant of Troy, Ohio, but died when his son William was but a year old. The boy was reared in his native town, where he re- ceived but limited educational privileges, as it was necessary for him to begin earning his living at an early age. He was afterward employed as a hotel clerk in Peoria and in Dixon, Illinois, in Clinton, Iowa, and at Sterling, Illinois. He came to Woonsocket in 1894 and became clerk and manager of a clothing store. Subsequently he accepted the position of clerk

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in a bank, was advanced to the position of assistant cashier in the Citizens Bank and still later served as assistant cashier in the Citizens National Bank. In 1906 he joined Ellis M. Smith in organizing the Woonsocket State Bank, which opened its doors for business January 15, 1907, and of which he has since been the cashier, the success of the institution being at- tributable in no small degree to his spirit of enterprise, his administrative ability and his executive power. In addition to his banking interests he has real estate in various parts of South Dakota. He owns farm lands in both North and South Dakota, his holdings amount- ing to two thousand acres. From his property, therefore, he derives a substantial income that has made him one of the well-to-do-citizens of Woonsocket.

On the 17th of November, 1891, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Rosa J. Barth, her parents being August and Carrie (Walter) Barth, the former one of the earliest settlers of Woonsocket. To them have been horn four children, namely: Walter Barth, Esther Al- vina Marguerite, Frederica and Phoebe Rose.

Mr. Allen enjoys hunting and fishing and also finds recreation in running his automo- bile. His life is actuated by high and honorable principles and is in harmony with his record as a member of the Episcopal church, in which he is serving as treasurer and trustee. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in the latter has filled the office of treasurer. In 1915 he was elected treasurer of the Sanborn County Fair Association and he has served as treasurer of the Coyot Club and of the Commercial Club. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party. That he has the confidence and goodwill of his fellow townsmen is plainly indicated in the fact that he has been city treasurer for twenty years, his long retention in office standing as incontro- vertible proof of his loyalty and ability. He is a self-made man, possessing laudahle ambi- tion, and he persists in a well defined course until he has reached the goal of success. Economy, good business judgment and the ability to readily discriminate hetween the essen- tial and the nonessential in business affairs have been important elements in his success, bringing him to the creditable place which he now occupies as a hanker and landowner.

C. A. SWENSON.

C. A. Swenson is proprietor of the Golden Rule department store at Sisseton. He belongs to that class of men who, when opportunity points the way, find the path to success. He has never heen afraid of close application nor hard work and his energy and firm purpose have enabled him to gain a creditable position among the business men of Roberts county. He was born in Lucas county, Iowa, December 8, 1872, a son of A. G. and Christina C. (John- son) Swenson, both of whom were born in Sweden. The father, whose birth occurred on the 13th of May, 1847, died in the year 1895, while the mother, who was born on the 22d of August, 1853, is still living. They came to the United States in 1869 and were married in Chariton, Iowa. The father was a farmer and also a minister of the gospel, and he con- tinned a resident of Iowa until called to his final rest. In bis business affairs he won suc- cess and at the same time exercised a potent influence for good in the community in which he lived. His political indorsement was given to the republican party and in all matters of citizenship he displayed a conscientious devotion to the general good.

C. A. Swenson is the eldest in a family of eight children, all of whom survive. He was educated in the schools of Chariton, Iowa, passing through the different grades, and he started out in business life on his own account when a youth of eighteen, securing a clerkship in a store in that town. That he was industrious, faithful and thoroughly reliable is indicated in the fact that he remained with his first employer for eight years. He then went to Ottumwa, Iowa, and spent three years as an employe of J. A. Phillips, after which he removed to Minneapolis and was with the Powers Mercantile Company for two years. On the expira- tion of that period he went to Sisseton with the Peever Mercantile Company and eventually became one of the partners in the business, but the firm failed and he was left with nothing. He then established the Golden Rule store upon borrowed capital and the success which has since attended his efforts is indicated in the fact that he now has the largest establishment of the kind in Sisseton, handling an extensive line of dry goods and ready-to-wear clothing. He has produced for his customers the latest that the market affords and his reasonable

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prices and fair dealing, as well as the courteous treatment which he accords his customers, have been the salient features in winning for him an extensive and gratifying patronage. In the six years in which the Golden Rule store has been established the business has been built up until he now carries a stock valued at twenty-five thousand dollars and employ> seven clerks.

In 1907 Mr. Swenson was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Pryor, a native of Min- nesota, and a daughter of Norman J. Pryor, one of the early settlers of Minnesota, where he followed farming and merchandising. He now lives with his son-in-law and daughter.

In his political views Mr. Swenson is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He takes an active and helpful interest in community affairs and strongly indorses and supports all those movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. His attention is largely devoted to his business and his close application has been one of the strong features in his success, combined with his ability to readily discriminate between the essential and the nonessential.

WILLIAM W. OLDS.

William W. Olds, of Custer, is a successful representative of mining interests and has found prosperity in that industry which has made the Black Hills famous the world over and which contributes so largely to the wealth of the southwestern part of the state. He was born .in Carroll county, Indiana, October 22, 1848, of the marriage of Reuben P. and Philena (Buckingham) Olds, both natives of Ohio. In early manhood the father engaged in speculat- ing and went to California about 1850. He was with the party who discovered Boise Basin in Idaho and afterward located Olds' Ferry on the Snake river. That point was a busy and important one, as all of the freight bound to Boise, Idaho, and Umatilla, Oregon, was trans- ported over the river there. Upon selling his property there about 1868 Mr. Olds located at Walla Walla, Washington, where he purchased land and turned his attention to farming. While a resident of Josephine county, Oregon, he was elected to various county and town offices which he filled acceptably. He passed away in 1873 and his wife died when our subject was a child. They were the parents of three children, of whom William W. is the second in order of birth. Mary F. is the widow of Samuel F. Coit, a farmer and stockman who resided at Hudson, Wisconsin. He passed away in the spring of 1914 and his widow is now residing at Washington, D. C. Julia married J. C. Baker, of Bandon, Oregon, who owns and operates the Bandon Creamery.

William W. Olds attended public school at Hudson, Wisconsin, and after completing his preparatory work at Oregon City, Oregon, entered Willamette University at Salem. When nineteen years of age he went to Idaho and took charge of a gang of men who were working on a toll road for bis father. The following year he went to the mines at Shasta, Baker county, Oregon, and continued there until a party started for the head waters of the Snake river in 1869. He was in that region when the first railroad crossed the continent and was present when the golden spike was driven connecting the Central Pacific with the Union Pacific. He mined for some time on the bars of Snake river and invented a process for saving fine gold. In the fall of 1869 he went to Texas and for three years devoted his attention to the cattle business. He drove three herds to Kansas and upon disposing of his cattle went to California and entered the employ of a railroad company at Santa Cruz, that state. He checked out and shipped redwood ties for some time, but in the winter of 1876 he arrived in the Black Hills. He traveled as far as Sidney on the Union Pacific, but at that point with three others hired a fonr-borse team and was driven to Deadwood. He engaged in mining there until the summer of 1877, when he removed to Custer. He organized the Ruberta Mining & Milling Company and the May Mining Company, both of which are operating a number of paying mines. He engages in quartz mining chiefly and his various mining prop- erties are yielding him a good income. Since coming to the Black Hills he has also equipped and sold seven ranches and still has his homestead right. At one time he held title to the Cascade Springs at Hot Springs and he also formerly owned the Crown Hill mining group at Bald mountain, the Hudson group of mines above Central and other properties. He under- stands mining thoroughly and devotes his entire attention to that business.

WILLIAM W. OLDS

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Mr. Olds was married on the 9th of November, 1880, to Miss Pauline Pettijohn, who was born in Chile, South America. Her father, William Pettijohn, who was a native of Missouri, served in the Mexican war and was captured and imprisoned in Mexico City. After regaming his liberty he went to Chile, South America, where he was married to a Spanish lady, and for thirty years he engaged in mercantile business there. At length he returned to the United States with his family and they resided in this country for two years, after which he again went to Chile. He had a contract on the Harry Meggs Railroad, furnishing all of the lime and kindred products used for the culvert and bridge work. Three years after huis return to Chile Mr. Pettijohn started for the United States to visit his two daughters, but died at sea and was buried off Panama. His widow is still a resident of Santiago, Chile. They were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Olds is the third in order of birth. She was edu- cated in St. Louis, Missouri, and was married at the time of the visit of the family to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Olds have two children: Frank R., who is now in the employ of the government forestry bureau and is stationed at Custer; and Ruby M., who received her education at the Spearfish Normal School and is now in South America under a three year contract to establish a normal school at Santiago, Chile. She has been very successful and the school now has an enrollment of over four hundred and has already made itself telt as a powerful educational force.

Mr. Olds is a republican and for one term was register of deeds and for three terms served on the town board. For a number of years he has been a member of the school board and has always taken the keenest interest in the welfare of the public schools. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic blue lodge at Custer, in which he is past master and is the present senior warden. The greater part of his time has naturally been taken up with his own business interests, which he has managed successfully, thus gaining financial independence, but he has also found time to cooperate with worthy movements and is justly considered a valuable and public-spirited citizen.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 31

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