History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 35

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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Benjamin F. Willson, accompanying his parents to Minnesota when a lad of six years, pursued his education in the district schools of Olmsted county and afterward took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until 1894. In the meantime he had secured a homestead claim in Grant county, South Dakota, in 1881, retaining the ownership of that property until 1913. When he put aside the active work of the farm in 1894 he removed to South Shore, where he lived a short time, and in 1895 he engaged in the transfer business in Osage, Iowa, there remaining until 1898. In that year he went to Austin, Minnesota, where for six months he conducted a hotel, and on the 1st of September, 1898, he removed to

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Summit, South Dakota, where he engaged in the hotel business for sixteen years and one month. He was quite successful in that connection and although he reached Summit with a capital of but five hundred dollars is now one of the prosperous citizens of his part of the state. He has largely retired from active business although he deals to some extent in real estate and is the owner of a half section of land in Canada.

On the 3d of February, 1892, Mr. Willson wedded Miss Ethel Tenney, a native of Wis- consin. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and hoth he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. He is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has heid all of the town offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, but whether in office or out of it he is ever a loyal, public-spirited citizen and he has cooperated in many movements which have been directly beneficial to his community.

HANS MARTIN FINNERUD, M. D.

Dr. Hans Martin Finnerud is a physician and surgeon, who has figured as well in a prominent connection with the business life of Watertown. He was born in Norway on the 23d of May, 1859, and, there spending his youthful days, acquired an education in the public schools of his native country. In 1880, when a young man of twenty-one years, he came to the United States, first making his way to St. Peter, Minnesota, where he found employment in the state insane hospital, a work which proved attractive to him inasmuch as he had previously determined upon taking up the study of medicine. This gave him opportunity for further investigation along the line of mental and nervous diseases. In the fall of 1882 he entered Beloit College at Beloit, Wisconsin, where he pursued a scientific course. During his student days there he spent the vacation periods at work in the insane hospital of St. Peter and his earnings enabled him to continue his college course. He spent three years in Beloit College and in 1886 went to Chicago, where he matriculated in the Hahnemann Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1889. His first location as a practitioner was at Ashley, North Dakota, where he remained until October, 1890. He then removed to Watertown, where he has since heen in successful prac- tice. and is a well known member of the medical fraternity in eastern South Dakota. He has constantly broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency by attending clinics in Chicago and has done post-graduate work at various times, thus keeping fully abreast with the advancement which has characterized medical science. He is a member of the South Dakota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

While prominently connected with the profession, Dr. Finnerud is perhaps equally well known in business associations. He was one of the four men who organized the Watertown Gas & Light Company and is still serving on its board of directors. He was also one of the organizers of the Security National Bank of Watertown and has been vice president of the institution since it was established. In 1906 he became one of the prin- eipal factors in the organization of the Dakota Life Insurance Company and was the moving spirit in the reorganization of the company in 1909, when the charter was changed and the business placed on a successful financial basis, so that within the short space of five years they have written insurance representing nearly ten million dollars and have a million dollars in assets. Dr. Finnerud has served as vice president and medical examiner, in both of which capacities he is still acting.

In June, 1892, Dr. Finnerud was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice Mcintyre, of Watertown, and to them have been born three children, two daughters and a son: Mahren Adelaide, the wife of C. D. Johnson, an attorney of Watertown; Clark Wylie, who is attend- ing the Wisconsin State University at Madison; and Florence, a student at Oak Hall in St. Paul.

Dr. Finnerud is a representative of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the Watertown Country Club and of the Commercial Club of Watertown. In politics a republican, he has never sought public office, but in 1912 at the earnest solicitation of his friends he accepted the nomination for state senator and was elected to that office. At various times he has been

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called upon to act in different capacities, member of the board of regents, member of the board of examining physicians, etc. He has also served for some years as a member of the school board, stanchly advocating progressiveness in connection with the system of public education. Religiously he is of the Lutheran faith, while his wife is a member of the Congregational church. Both are held in high esteem, occupying an enviable position in the social circles of the city, and the attractiveness of their home is heightened by their warm- hearted hospitality.

WILLIAM J. QUIRK.

William J. Quirk. postmaster of Kimball, was born in Ireland on the 8th of August, 1873. a son of Patrick and Laticia Quirk, who, in 1880, left the Emerald isle and came to the United States, making their way to South Dakota. The father homesteaded land at Elk Point and devoted the remainder of his life to farming there. His wife has also gone to her last rest.

William J. Quirk was but seven years of age when the family took up their abode in this state and his education was acquired in the district schools. After leaving school he turned his attention to railroading and was employed on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Panl Railroad for abont fifteen years. At the end of that time he received an appointment from President Wilson as postmaster of Kimball and assumed the duties of that office. He is prompt and systematic in his performance of the tasks that devolve upon him, and the mails are handled with dispatch and accuracy. He is also courteous and is proving popular as well as efficient.

Mr. Quirk is a member of Maher Council. Knights of Columbus, a fact which indicates his membership in the Catholic church. His political views coincide with the principles of the democratic party which he supports by his ballot. He has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his community and is willing to make any sacrifice of time and energy to advance the development of Kimball and Brule county.

JOHN R. THOMPSON, M. D.

Dr. John R. Thompson was for a number of years successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Northville, South Dakota, but since 1906 has retired therefrom and has devoted his entire time to the management of his eighteen hundred and eighty acres of land, which he rents to others. He was born in Kane county, Illinois, September 13, 1858, and is a son of Thomas J. and Hannah A. (Tucker) Thompson. Both the Thompson and Tucker fam- ilies came to this country from England in colonial days. The mother was a descendant of John R. Tucker, who was descended from Thomas Dickerman, who located in Massachusetts in 1635. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Thompson were numbered among the pioneers of the prairie state, settling there in 1849, but in 1880 the father and his son, John R., came to South Dakota, where they took up land. The father then returned to Kane county, Illinois, and the following year brought the other members of the family to this state. He died in April, 1908, at the age of seventy-five years, having survived his wife for four years. Her demise occurred on the 8th of April, 1904, when she was sixty-five years of age. Both are buried in the Northville cemetery.

Dr. Thompson received his elementary education in the public schools of Burlington, Kane county, Illinois, after which he attended Elgin Academy for two years. On leaving that institution he entered Bennett Medical College in Chicago and was graduated therefrom in 1884 with the degree of M. D. He took an additional course in the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Chicago and was graduated from that institution in 1885, receiving the degree of M. D. from that institution also. He returned to Northville, this state, in that year and continued in the practice of his profession until 1906. He was very successful as a physician and built up a large and representative practice. He was careful to take into consideration all conditions indicated upon making a diagnosis and after once determining the nature of

DR. JOHN R. THOMPSON

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the disease his wide medical knowledge enabled him to prescribe the right remedy. He was to many of his patients much more than a physician, being also a valued friend; and the con- fidence which he inspired in his professional ability and in his genuine worth was an important factor in his success as a physician. In connection with his praetee he managed his farms and although his holdings were at first limited to a preemption, homestead and tree claim, he purchased additional land from time to time until he became the owner of eighteen hun- dred acres, which he still owns and which he rents to others.

Dr. Thompson has been twice married. On May 29, 1887, he wedded Miss Etta M. Gregory, a native of Waybridge, Vermont, and a daughter of Leander D. and Eliza Gregory, both of whom have passed away and were laid to rest in a cemetery at Beloit, Wisconsin. Mrs. Thompson died on March 4. 1907, and was buried at Northville, South Dakota. She was the mother of one daughter, Ketha A., now the wife of James P. Townsend, a traveling sales- man residing at Watertown, this state. They have two children, Etta Adeline and Margaret Catherine. On March 24, 1909, Dr. Thompson was again married, his second union being with Miss Luzetta W. Dittes, a daughter of Fred and Mary Dittes, who reside at Monticello, Minnesota, but formerly lived in Roberts county, this state, where Mrs. Thompson was born. The Doctor and his wife have a daughter, Mary Hannah.

Dr. Thompson is a republican in his political belief and is president of the board of education. Since retiring from practice he has also retired from all societies. He has been of great service to his community as a physician and as a public-spirited citizen he has done much to further many movements looking toward the betterment of the community, while as a large landowner he has been instrumental in aiding the agricultural development of Spink county. He has improved all of his land with buildings and has also sunk thirce or four artesian wells besides bringing the land itself to a high state of cultivation. His life has been a useful one along many lines of endeavor and he is now living retired from the cares and responsibilities of active life, rich in the honor and esteem of all who know him.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

Andrew Johnson, who passed away in Hartford township, Minnehaha county, on the 7th of September, 1913, was an honored pioneer agriculturist of South Dakota who success- fully followed farming here for a third of a century, owning three quarter sections of valu- able land. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 1st of September, 1846, his parents being Gens and Inga Polson, both of whom are deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation.

Andrew Johnson obtained his education in the common schools of his native land and after putting aside his textbooks assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1870, when a young man of twenty-four years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Wisconsin, where he was employed as a farm hand for nine years. On the expir- ation of that period, in 1879, he came to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, homesteading a quarter section of land in Hartford township and also taking up a timber claim of eighty acres which he later sold. He improved his property in excellent manner, erecting all the buildings, and conducted agricultural interests successfully throughout the remainder of his life. At the time of his demise he owned three quarter sections of land which are now being cultivated by his sons, Melvin and Rudolph, who, like their father before them, employ the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. They also devote con- siderable attention to live stock, feeding seventy head of cattle and one hundred head of hogs.

On the 19th of December, 1882, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Neta Person, a daughter of Per and Anna Bengstson, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson became the parents of the following children: Ida, who gave her hand in marriage to J. L. Johnson; Bessie Pauline, who is the wife of Albert Johnson; Anna Nathalia, who wedded Ned Hanson; and Ebba Alfreda, Carl Melvin and Ernest Rudolph, all at home.

Mr. Johnson was a republican in politics and a Lutheran in religious faith. He was a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber Company of Crooks and enjoyed enviable recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of the community which had known him from pioneer times. He experienced all of the hardships and privations which confronted

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the early settlers who established homes in this state when it was still largely a wild and undeveloped region. His death occurred on the 7th of September, 1913, when he had attained the age of sixty-seven years, and his remains were interred in the Benton cemetery. His life had been upright and honorable in its varied relations and his demise was the occasion of deep regret to his many friends.

FRED LEMAN PADDOCK.

F. L. Paddock, familiarly known as "Tom," has passed the greater part of his life in Bon Homme county, where he is now farming in Cleveland precinct. He was born at Lime Springs, Howard county, Iowa, March 15, 1868, a son of Charles A. and Sarah (Barnes) Pad- dock. The father, a native of Cook county, Illinois, was born January 9, 1837, and was a scion of old New England stock. His parents, Richard and Nancy (Betts) Paddock, were born in Oneida county, New York. Mrs. Saralı (Barnes) Paddock was a daughter of Elisha and Sally (Palmer) Barnes. Richard Paddock came west in the early '30s and settled in Cook county, Illinois, when Chicago was a mere village and about 1841 removed there. Five years later he emigrated to McHenry county and in 1887 went to Minneapolis, where he passed away in 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. His wife died in MeHenry county in 1882.

In 1862 Charles Paddock removed still farther west and settled in Howard county, Iowa, finding employment at his trade as a mason around Lime Springs until he came to South Dakota in 1873. Loading his worldly possessions into a prairie schooner drawn by oxen, he started in September on a journey of three hundred miles to his destination in Bon Homme county, arriving October 10, 1873, having previously inspected the country and decided upon his location. The journey took twenty-four days and was not without its hardships. He first filed on a preemption claim, hut later changed to a homestead claim, his farm com- prising the northwest quarter of section 20, township 94, range 59. As the family arrived too late in the fall to build a house Mr. Paddock rented for the winter, but in the spring bnilt a small log honse, to which he added another room in 1876. Three years later he added a half story and replaced the straw and clay roof with shingles, making his residence a very comfortable pioneer dwelling. In the early days before his land was producing to its fullest extent and when the prices for prodnce were very low he followed the trades of mason and plasterer throughout the winter and thus kept his family supplied with the necessities 'of life. Later he concentrated his attention upon his farming interests, from which he derived a gratifying income. He had but fifty cents when he reached Yankton and the comfortable competence which he accumulated was the reward of much toil and self-denial and the use of good judgment. In 1880 he and his wife united with the Congregational church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. From 1885 until 1892 he served on the state board of agriculture and in that capacity did much to further the development of scientific farming in the state. He retired and removed to Oregon in 1899 where he passed away November 26, 1902, and his wife died in that state March 16, 1900. To Mr. and Mrs. Paddock were born ten children, eight of whom survive: Elliott, who is engaged in the real-estate business at Pierson, Iowa; James and Willis, who are living in Oregon ; F. L., of this review; Nellie, living in Oregon; Nena, the wife of Milton Turnbull, of Oregon; Anna, who married William P. Eymer, of Tyndall, South Dakota; and Albert, a veterinary surgeon living in Oregon. Emma, who died in 1897, was the wife of I. W. Seman, formerly a stockman of Mitchell, South Dakota. Frank A. died in Union, Oregon, in 1906.

F. L. Paddock was a child of five years when he accompanied his parents on their over- land journey from Iowa to Bon Homme county, and well remembers the long trip made in covered wagons. He vividly recalls passing through Sioux Falls, which at that time consisted of but a few log houses on the banks of the Sioux river. He remained upon the homestead until he was twenty-two years of age and acquired his education in the public schools. Upon leaving home he went to Iowa and engaged in draying there for three years. At Estherville, that state, in connection with a partner, he built a feed shed which they operated for a year and then sold at a good profit. Mr. Paddock then turned his attention to the

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lumber business, being engaged therein in Story county, Iowa, for two years, at the end of which time he was compelled to quit because of illness. He went to Oregon to recuperate and remained upon the coast for a year, returning, in March, 1903, to the old homestead in Bon Homme county. The last eleven years have been passed thereon and he has not only prospered financially but has enjoyed good health in the bracing climate of South Dakota. His farm is well improved and in a high state of cultivation, producing excellent crops annually, from the sale of which Mr. Paddock derives a good income.

He was married in Story county, Iowa, February 9, 1898, to Miss May Eatherton, a daughter of Caleb and Margaret (Burroughs) Eatherton, both natives of Ohio. Mrs. Pad- dock was born in Jones county, Iowa, and has passed her entire life in the west. By her marriage she has become the mother of seven children, namely: Freda, who died in infancy; Ruth and Nina, twins; Marie and Mary, twins; and Frederick and Charles. The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and take a helpful interest in its activities.

Mr. Paddock gives his political allegiance to the progressive party, and while living in lowa was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the winter of 1880 and 1881, the winter of the deep snow, as it is known, a drift over fifteen feet deep formed in the young trees surrounding the garden of Mr. Paddock and did not disappear until June, the continued seepage keeping the garden so wet that it was necessary to make the garden for that season elsewhere. Although the big game had been driven from the country before the '70s Mr. Paddock occasionally saw a few antelope, but did not have an opportunity to hunt them. His life is typical of the men who have done the greater part in developing the state of South Dakota and his salient characteristics have been energy, sound, practical judgment, determination and integrity, traits which are universally honored.

HON. JOHN B. TRIPP.

Hon. Jolın B. Tripp, of White Lake, Aurora county, the present representative in the state legislature from the fifteenth district, was born in Brooklyu, Connecticut, on the 16th of January, 1856, a son of Perry G. and Lydia A. Tripp, both of whom are deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation and was known as a man of unquestioned integrity, of industry and of enterprise.

John B. Tripp received an excellent education, attending both the public schools and a private academy. In early manhood he taught for a number of winters and subsequently worked in a meat market for three years. In 1883, when a young man of twenty-seven, he determined to emigrate westward, having heard much of the superior advantages of this section of the country. He homesteaded land on section 2, township 102, range 66. He at once concentrated his energies upon the cultivation and improvement of his land and has been very successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, now owning a section, which he operates with the assistance of his son, Perry G. Tripp. In the early years of his residence in this state he worked in the United States Indian service at Rosebud for thirteen years during the dry season, first as a teacher and later as superintendent of the boarding school, which position he held for four years. He is one of the well-to-do men of his locality and takes just pride in the faet that his success is dne to his willingness to work, his exercise of sound judgment and his habit of thrift.

On the 14th of February, 1877, Mr. Tripp married Miss Emelina Hill, a daughter of Charles Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp became the parents of the following children: Charles Hill, who died when a young man of twenty-six years; John B .; Lydia A .; Mrs. C. Riggle; Emma C., who is teaching school; and Perry G., who is associated with his father in the operation of the latter's land. Mr. and Mrs. Tripp have five grandchildren. He is a Baptist in religious faith, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Tripp is a republican and has held several positions of trust and honor. He is now supervisor of Gales township, and has served acceptably as clerk of the school board, while in the fall of 1914 he was elected to represent the fifteenth district in the state legislature. He has always taken a keen interest in public affairs and is well informed on the issues of the day, while his integrity and publie spirit are unquestioned. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonie order, belonging to Pilgrim Chapter, No. 32, R. A. M., of

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Chamberlain, South Dakota. He believes thoroughly in the importance of cooperation among farmers and is a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator Company, of which he has been secre- tary since its organization. He is indifferent to nothing that concerns the interests of South Dakota and it is to such men as he that the state must look for its future advancement and progress. He is fond of the out-of-doors and finds much pleasure in motoring, fishing and hunting. A man of well balanced personality, he does not allow either work or recreation to take up an undue amount of his time and he is liberal and broadminded in his views. Aurora county has benefited much from his residence within its borders and he is one of its most valued citizens.

HON. ROBERT FLOYD KERR.

Hon. Robert Floyd Kerr, educator, editor and legislator, has left the impress of his indi- viduality upon the history of the state along various lines which have marked intellectual public progress. He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Sugar Grove, Tippe canoe county, on the 12th of April, 1850, and is today an honored resident of Brookings, South Dakota. His father, Andrew J. Kerr, was a native of Franklin county, Ohio, while his grandfather, Samuel Kerr, was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and the great-grand- father, John Kerr, was the founder of the family in America, having emigrated from the north of Ireland during the colonial epoch in the history of this country. He settled in Penn- sylvania and subsequently enlisted for service in the colonial army, with which he took part in the war of the revolution. The mother of Hon. Robert F. Kerr bore the maiden name of Nancy Sayers, and she, too, was descended from Revolutionary stock. Her mother belonged to the McMillan family which sent several representatives to the American army at the time of the war for independence.

Robert F. Kerr acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Tippecanoe county, Indiana, and at the age of nineteen taught one term of school in Warren county, Indiana. He afterward entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville, there continuing his studies through one term, after which he taught another term in the school in which he had first been employed. In 1872 he matriculated in Asbury College, now known as DePanw University, at Greencastle, Indiana, and thereafter continued to teach and attend college at intervals, depending upon the teaching to secure the necessary funds in order to enable him to meet his college expenses. He was a student at DePauw University during the terms of 1876 and 1877, completing the classical course and winning the Bachelor of Arts degree upon gradu- ation with the class of 1877. Following this he was employed as a teacher in the Kentland (Ind.) public schools and in the spring of 1878 was chosen county superintendent of schools in . Newton county, Indiana. In April, 1879, he went to .Japan, where for eighteen months he was employed as a teacher in the provincial school at Hirosaki, Japan, and in October, 1880, he returned to the United States. During the two succeeding years he served in the engineering department on the survey of the route of the Clover Leaf Railroad through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, although he had no knowledge of the details of that business when first employed. In nine months he had gained such technical knowledge and skill that he was placed in charge of a corps of men. He returned to the educational field in 1883 and through that and the suc- ceeding year was assistant principal of the high school of Blair, Nebraska. In 1885 he came to Brookings, South Dakota, to accept the principalship of the preparatory department and the professorship of history in the State College. This school had been organized but one year before and he became one of the effective forces in shaping the educational system of the insti- tution with which he was so long to be associated. He served as professor of history and economics from 1887 until 1892. In the latter year the college was placed under different executive control and Professor Kerr left the school. In 1894 he was elected county super- intendent of schools of Brookings, which incumbency he retained until his recall to the South Dakota State College in 1899 as principal of the preparatory department and librarian of the college, with which he remained until 1905. He received the degree of Master of Arts from DePauw University in 1880 and at different periods has done active and important work, that has furthered public progress or promoted educational advancement. He served as private

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 35

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