History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 38

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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At the end of four and one-half years he moved to Duluth, Minnesota, and followed the jeweler's trade there for three years, after which he came to Sioux Falls and bought the jewelry business with which he has since been identified. He is recognized as a man of integrity and honor, and his straightforward business methods have gained him the confidence of the public.

Aside from his jewelry business Mr. Bechtold has built up an optical business by far the largest in the Dakotas, his store being the first and only exclusive optical store in this state. He may rightfully be called the father of optometry in South Dakota, as it was he who called together the opticians and optometrists of the state. The first meeting was held in Sioux Falls in October, 1903. Mr. Bechtold called the meeting to order and nomi- nated his former partner, W. H. Fritz, as the first president of the South Dakota Association of Optometrists, which was then formed. Mr. Bechtold has been affiliated with the asso- ciation ever since, and in 1911 served as its secretary. In that year the first determined effort was made to have enacted an optometry law requiring all persons wishing to practice optometry to pass an examination before the state board of examiners. On account of the demands made upon him by his steadily growing business Mr. Bechtold was forced to resign his position as secretary of the association, but continued to work for the passage of the law. Eventually Senator Cone, of Sioux Falls, succeeded in bringing about the enactment of the bill into a law and Mr. Bechtold was jubilant when he received word that it had passed and had received the governor's signature.

On the 17th of October, 1901. at Duluth, Minnesota, Mr. Bechtold was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Gertrude Nolan and they have become the parents of six children: Leo Vincent, Oswald John George, Mary Theresa, Ursula Marcel, Urban Ignatius and Paul Benedict.

Mr. Bechtold is a member of the Roman Catholic church and is connected fraternally with the Knights of Columbus. Those who know him recognize in bim many sterling traits of character and his business ability is such as will undoubtedly win for him further success with the passing years. Believing that every man should have a bobby, his is the weather and he keeps an accurate record thereof for the government, having been appointed voluntary observer November 1, 1908, and special observer in April 1913.

THEODORE O. TORBERSON.

Theodore O. Torberson is a prominent and well known citizen of Lincoln county, resid- ing at Canton. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of South Dakota, his birth having occurred in Canton township, Lincoln county, on the 23d of March, 1874, his parents being Ole and Svanoug Torberson, natives of Norway. They emigrated to the United States in young manhood and young womanhood, the former making the voyage in 1869 and the latter in 1870. Ole Torberson located in Oskaloosa, lowa, and the lady who later became bis wife took up her abode in Stoughton, Wisconsin. Their marriage was celebrated in Lin- coln county, South Dakota, in 1873. Mr. Torberson filed on a homestead in Canton town- ship, that county, and resided thereon throughout the remainder of his life, passing away on the 10th of August, 1908. His widow still survives.

Theodore O. Torberson was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the rural schools of Lincoln county. On attaining his majority he began farming for himself, renting a quarter section of land near the homestead which he cultivated in company with his brothers. During the years 1896, 1898, 1900 and 1902 he taught in the district schools, and in the alternating years remained at home in order that his brothers might attend school. In 1902 he bought his first tract of land, in association with his brother, Bernard, with whom he farmed in partnership for some years. Subsequently they divided their interests and in 1908 our subject bought the farm of two hundred and forty acres which he now owns and which is located in the southwestern corner of Canton township and adjoins the home place, one of the finest farms in Lincoln county. Mr. Torberson has never lived on that farm but resided within a half mile of that section until 1911, when he took up his abode in Canton to assume the duties of the county auditor's office, to which he had been chosen in the November election of 1910, and to which he was reelected in 1912. He

THEODORE O. TORBERSON

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proved an efficient and conscientious official. He is a republican in politics and has been an active worker in the interests of the party since attaining his majority.

Mr. Torberson was married September 2, 1914, to Matilda, a daughter of Peter and Marie Kjerstad, natives of Norway, who emigrated to America and are now residing in Canton, South Dakota. Mr. Torberson has fraternal relations with the following organiza- tions: Centennial Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F., of Canton, and its auxiliary-Columbia Lodge, No. 17; and Homestead No. 307 of the American Brotherhood of Yeomen at Canton. He is also a popular member of the Commercial Club at Canton, and in the community where his entire life has been spent enjoys an enviable reputation as a leading, enterprising and pro- gressive citizen.

JOHN A. COLE.

John A. Cole, a farmer of Bon Homme county, was born April 1, 1874, in that county, a son of Thomas and Anna (Carroll) Cole. The latter was born in Castlereagh, County Roscommon, Ireland, and was a daughter of John and Nellie (Finan) Carroll, the former of whom passed away on the Emerald isle. The latter emigrated to America and passed away in Iowa. Anna Carroll, emigrated to America at the same time and for a time made her home with an unele in Wisconsin, subsequently residing in St. Louis with another uncle. She was married to Thomas Cole in April, 1869, and now resides on the oid home farm with her son Ben. Mr. Cole was one of four brothers, Bartholomew, Thomas, Barney and Timothy, who, together with their sister, the venerable Mrs. Cogan, played such a large part in the development of Bon Homme county. Their parents were Bernard and Catherine Ann (Me- Cormack) Cole, natives of County Roscommon, Ireland, whence they emigrated to America and resided for a time in Newark, New Jersey, where the death of the father occurred. The mother came west with her sons, Thomas and Timothy, and her daughter, the other two sons having previously arrived in South Dakota. They had come west, expecting to make their home with a bachelor uncle who had been a soldier in the Mexican war, but owing to the severity of the latter's discipline, both ran away and Barney, who was then eight years of age, did not rejoin the family until he was a lad of sixteen. Mrs. Cole came west with her other children in order to find her two lost boys and lived for a time in Milwau- kee and other Wiseonsin towns and in Dubuque, Iowa, but finally took up her residence on a farm a few miles from Clarksville, in Pike county, Missouri, where the family was reunited. For many years Thomas Cole was his mother's mainstay upon the farm, as the other three boys were soldiers in the Union army. Thomas was drafted but as he was better able to carry on the farm work than Barney and as the latter was eager to enlist he went in his brother's place.

Thomas Cole learned the hatter's trade in Newark but after removing to the west devoted his attention to farming, filing on a homestead two miles north and two miles west of old Bon Homme. Later he purchased a farm in Cleveland precinct, which was his home at the time of his death. To him and his wife were born nine children: Nellie, the wife of William McMahon, now living near Parkston, South Dakota; Kate, who married Edward Hoey, who is living near Wagner, this state: Bernard, who died when nine months of age; John A., of this review ; Thomas Jr., who lives near Wagner; Ben, who is at home upon the farm with his mother; Mary, who died when nineteen years of age; Susan, who died at the age of five years; and Bartholomew, now of Gonward, Alberta, Canada.

John A. Cole remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, when he homesteaded in Charles Mix county, living on his land long enough to receive his patent. Returning to Bon Homme county, he rented the home farm until 1912, when he purchased his present place, which is the western half of section 15, in Cleveland precinct. There are good substantial buildings, extensive groves and a fine orchard on the place which is well stocked and is being developed into one of the best farms in the county.

Mr. Cole was married January 19, 1909, to Miss Mary Benesh, a native of Bon Homme county and a daughter of James and Barbara (Koftan) Benesh, both of whom were born in Bohemia. In the spring of 1871 Mr. Benesh sailed from Hamburg to America, the voyage lasting seventeen days. He made his way to Chicago and worked there for a year and a half,

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being in that city at the time of the great fire in October, 1871. In the following year he removed to Pawnee county, Nebraska, joining a colony of his fellow countrymen and working at farm labor for nine years. He saved his money and purchased a farm and subsequently he removed to Bon Homme county and bought land north of Bon Homme church, still later becoming the owner of the farm he now occupies in Springfield precinct. Mrs. Cole is the seventh in a family of ten children and by her marriage has become the mother of four sons: Cletus, Firman, Vitalis and Nester.

Mr. Cole was at school with his brothers and sisters on the day of the great blizzard in 1888 hut succeeded with his brother Thomas in reaching home, going more than a mile without a fence to guide them. His younger brothers and sisters remained over night at a neighbor's honse. Mr. Cole is a democrat and belongs to the Catholic church, as do his family. He is a man of considerable influence in his locality and has a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen, who know him to be able, determined and energetic, and he also has the sincere and unstinted liking of those who know him and who call him familiarly by his boyhood name, Johnnie. His life has been a successful one, not only in the accumulation of wealth but also in gaining honor and regard.

CARL EATON FELLOWS.

Carl Eaton Fellows, a druggist of White Lake, Aurora county, is a native of the state, born at Plaukinton on the 19th of August, 1889, a son of Hubbard F. and Hattie B. Fellows, the former one of the most prominent attorneys of South Dakota.

Carl E. Fellows was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the high school in Plankinton. He then entered Brookings College and was graduated from the school of pharmacy on the 4th of June, 1911. He worked in Plankinton in the' employ of W. J. Chevalier until the 1st of November, 1914, when he removed to White Lake and opened a drug store of his own. It is fully equipped and in addition to carrying a large stock of pure drugs he handles a complete line of druggists' sundries. He has already gained a place among the prominent business men of the town and has built up a good trade in his line.

Mr. Fellows is a democrat and is stanch in his support of the principles and candidates of that party. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a member. Fraternally he is a Mason and an Elk. He is a valued addition to the citizenship of the town and is contributing to the development of his community not only along business lines but along those things that have to do with civic and moral progress.

DENNIS J. DELANEY.

Dennis J. Delaney, the efficient postmaster of Cnster, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 25th of March, 1868, a son of Martin H. and Ann (Delaney) Delaney, natives, respectively, of Kings county and Queens county, Ireland. They were married at Cincin- nati, Ohio, and the father followed the carpenter's trade in that city until after the Civil war. They then removed to Chicago and he continued to work at his trade until after the great fire of 1871. As his health was impaired from overwork in the rebuilding of the city he returned to Ireland and was living there at the time of his demise, which occurred in 1875. His widow survived until 1895.

Dennis J. Delaney, the second in a family of three children, attended the Sacred Heart school of Chicago and the night school of the Bryant & Stratton Business College. When about eleven years old he began working for others in Chicago and for one year was with the N. K. Fairbank Company, after which he engaged in the printing business as an employe of Jamison & Morse, who did book and job work. He was in the printing business for abont seven years and then became cashier and bookkeeper for the Keeley Brewing Company. After ten years spent in that capacity he became a traveling salesman for the Charles P. Kellogg Company, a clothing house of Chicago, and was later in the employ of Crouse &

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Brandegee. He traveled for about six years and then entered the retail clothing business in Rapid City, South Dakota, in connection with Lathrop & Reeves. After two years, however, he returned to the road and covered a number of the western states, including Montana, Idaho and Wyoming as a clothing salesman with headquarters at Chicago. On removing to Custer, South Dakota, he was employed as a clerk by a Mr. Willis for about six years, or until appointed postmaster. He is a courteous and accomodating official, accurate and systematic in handling the mails, and his record as a postmaster is a very creditahle one. He owns business property in Custer and is a substantial resident of that city.

Mr. Delaney was married, in July, 1911, to Mrs. Frances McLaughlin, who was born at Center Point, Iowa, of the marriage of James B. and Martha J. Burns. Both her father and mother have passed away. Her first husband was T. F. MeLaughlin and they were the parents of a daughter, Elizabeth B., who makes her home with her mother and stepfather.

Mr. Delaney is a democrat and has served upon the town hoard of Custer for three years. In 1900 he was nominated upon the democratic ticket for county auditor but as Custer county is one of the strongest republican counties in the state it was a foregone conclusion that the democratic ticket would lose and its candidates were hardly considered worth paying any attention to. However, when the votes were counted to the surprise of all, Mr. Delaney, the democratie candidate for auditor, was defeated by but seventy-three votes, although his opponent was one of the strongest republicans in the county, the heavy vote which Mr. Delaney polled being a tribute to his personal popularity and the confidence that people have in his integrity and ability. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster and in the discharge of his duties he has earned the commendation of his fellow citizens. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church and he can always be counted upon to further movements seeking the moral betterment of his community. He is a man of great energy and has the vitality and power of endurance of a man ten or fifteen years his junior. He has not only prospered in his individual affairs but has also been a factor in the advance- ment of Custer and his personality has enabled him to make and retain a host of warm friends.

F. S. BROWN.

F. S. Brown is the efficient cashier of the State Bank of Doland, which position he has occupied since 1898. However, for a much longer period he has been a resident of South Dakota, having arrived in the spring of 1883, at which time he left his old home in Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he was born on the 12th of June, 1857. He is a son of Jabez and Sarah (Van Dorflinger) Brown, the former a pioneer settler of Sauk county, in the improve- ment and material development of which he took an active interest. In addition to tilling the soil and successfully carrying on farming pursuits he also engaged in teaching school and was a prominent factor in the educational progress of the community. He died in 1902, at the age of seventy-eight years, having for only a few months survived his wife. They were laid to rest side by side in a cemetery at Madison, Wisconsin.

F. S. Brown pursued a public-school education and afterward attended Ripon College of Wisconsin, continuing his studies to the age of twenty-one years. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in various rural and town schools of Wis- consin for five years. On the expiration of that period he came to South Dakota, thinking that in the new and growing territory good opportunities were offered for advancement. He first became agent for a grain elevator company at Doland and while in that employ became thoroughly familiar with the trade and its opportunities. Accordingly from 1890 until 1898 he engaged in buying grain on his own account and then turned his attention to the banking business, entering the State Bank of Doland, of which he is the cashier and one of the directors. Through this connection he is recognized as one of the leading business men of the town and he was also one of the organizers of the Doland Electric Company, of which he is now the treasurer.

On the 29th of June, 1881, at North Freedom, Wisconsin, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Dickey, her parents being John and Agnes Dickey, the former of Scotch descent and a pioneer settler of Wisconsin. Our subject and his wife have two

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children: Paul L., who acts as assistant cashier of the State Bank of Doland; and Donald C., who is employed as bookkeeper in the Merchants Bank at Redfield, South Dakota.

Mr. Brown exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has held the office of president of the board of education for ten years and has served on the board for a much longer period. He was instrumental in ereeting the school building at Doland and he is a trustee of the Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and his efforts along that line have been beneficial and farreaching. Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He made no mistake in choosing Spink county as a place of residence, for there he found good opportunities and has steadily worked his way upward, his efforts proving an element in the county's growth and advancement as well as a source of individual success.

OLE HANSON.

Ole Hanson, an agriculturist living on section 14, Burk township, has been a resident of Minnehaha county for the past four decades and still owns four hundred acres of valuable and productive land. His birth occurred in Norway on the 27th of September, 1848, his parents being Hans Thompson and Nellie Olson, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a seafaring man and for many years acted as a pilot. He died at sea while at his post of duty.

Ole Hanson was reared to manhood under the parental roof and obtained his education in the common schools. In 1871, when a young man of twenty-three years, lie crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up his abode in Winneshiek county, lowa. Three years later, in 1874, he came to South Dakota and filed on a homestead and a timber claim. He then returned to Iowa and in the spring of 1875 brought his family to the new home in South Dakota. Throughout the intervening years to the present time he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits with excellent results and still owns four hundred acres of rich and productive land. He deeded one hundred and sixty acres to his sons.

In October, 1873, Mr. Hanson was united in marriage to Miss Annie Larson, of Winne -. shiek county, Iowa. She is a native of Norway and accompanied her parents on their emi- gration to the new world in 1866. By her marriage she has become the mother of eleven children, nine of whom survive, namely: Henry O., who follows farming in Burk township, Minnehaha county; Lewis O., an agriculturist residing in Saskatchewan, Canada; Albert O., a farmer living in Burk township, Minnehaha county; Severin O. and Thomas O., who assist their father in the operation of the home farm: Nellie, at home; Hannah O., who is the widow of E. S. Pierce and resides in Sioux Falls; Lena, who gave her hand in marriage to Joseph Hanson, of Sioux Falls; and Minnie, who married Leo Moore, of Sioux Falls.

In his political views Mr. Hanson is a progressive republican. For the past six years he has served as township treasurer of Burk township, making a creditable and commendable record in that connection. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in the new world has been more than realized, for here he found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won and maintained a place among the substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.

IRVIN SIMMONS.

Among the many progressive and successful farmers in Spink county is Irvin Simmons, who owns three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 15, Beotia township, and is recognized as one of the most up-to-date and most prosperous of them all. He is thoroughly identified with its interests, having lived there for over three decades and having done much in that time to aid in its agricultural development.

Mr. Simmons was born near Middleton, Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 28th of May,

MR. AND MRS. IRVIN SIMMONS

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1853, and is a son of Jeremiah and Almira (Bullock) Simmons, both of whom were natives of New York state. Previous to coming to Wisconsin the father was a factory worker, but after removing to that state, in 1848, he devoted his time to farming. He went to Wis- consin by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, thence by steamboat to Milwaukee and from that point by ox team to Middleton. He remained a resident of the Badger state until 1881, but then came to South Dakota, settling near the James river in Spink county. Ten years after locating here he passed away, but his wife survived until 1910. Both are buried in the town of Springfield, Wisconsin. On the paternal side our subject is of Dutch descent, hut his maternal ancestors were of English and Scotch extraction, hut all came to this country long before the Revolution.

Irvin Simmons was educated in Wisconsin and after leaving school assisted his father in the work of the farm until he was a young man of twenty-four years. He then hought land and operated it for a time, but subsequently sold, after which he came to South Dakota. Upon his arrival in this state he settled upon prairie land and immediately began its improve- ment. He has brought it to a high state of cultivation and has made many improvements thereon. Everything is kept in excellent repair and the appearance of the place indicates the enterprise and good management of its owner. He does mixed farming and in addition to raising grain keeps considerable stock. He derives a gratifying income from his own farm and also operates three hundred acres of rented land, which increases his profits materially.

Mr. Simmons was united in marriage in Springfield, Wisconsin, on the 10th of June, 1877, to Miss Emily J. Slark, a daughter of Abraham and Orpha (Huntington) Slark, who were early settlers of Wisconsin and natives of England and Canada, respectively. The father is now a resident of Hudson, Wisconsin, but the mother has passed away and was buried at Tyndall, South Dakota.

Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are the parents of ten children, namely: William, who died April 26, 1891, and was buried in the Conde cemetery; Boyd, who was born in 1885 and died in December, 1902, interment being made in Conde; Gordon, a farmer of Tetouke township; Harvey, a well driller, living in North Dakota; Frank, Charles and Ray, who are assisting their father; Gladys, a graduate of the Conde high school and now a school teacher; Elmer, assisting his father; and Mabel, attending school.

Mr. Simmons is independent in politics and votes for the man rather than for the party. He and his wife are well known throughout Spink county and are held in respect and honor, as their lives have always conformed to the highest standards of morality.

ARTHUR ROLLAND SCHLOSSER.

The South Dakota Training School takes high rank among the state institutions for the education and moral development of delinquent children and much of the credit for its standing is due to the efficient superintendent, Arthur Rolland Schlosser, who was horn in Lodi, Wisconsin, on the 20th of June, 1880, a son of George and Helen (Chandler) Schlosser. In 1881 the family removed to this state, locating at Blunt, Hughes county, where the father conducted the Blunt Advocate until 1889. In that year he removed with his family to Aberdeen, which remained his place of residence until 1896, when the family went to Sioux Falls. There he again engaged in newspaper work.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 38

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