History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 40

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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HON. BENJAMIN BUSSEY.

Hon. Benjamin Bussey has served his district acceptably in the state legislature and is known in Bon Homme county as a progressive and successful farmer. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 28th of October, 1849, a son of John and Jane (North) Bussey. who were natives of Yorkshire. England, and the vicinity of Sheffield, England, respectively. In 1843 they emigrated to America, making the voyage on a sailing vessel, which was long in crossing the Atlantic, as it encountered severe storms. They settled in Dane county, Wisconsin, where the father passed away in 1851. The mother survived for many years, and, shortly after paying a visit to her children in Bon Homme county, died in the Badger state, in 1906 or 1907. when seventy-three years of age.

Benjamin Bussey was reared in his native county and there became familiar with agricultural work. He was married there in 1870 and in the following summer drove a team to Calhoun county, Iowa. where for several months he engaged in breaking prairie. Later in the fall he threshed there, remaining in that county until the close of the season. While he was working in lowa his wife was teaching in Wisconsin. After his return to the Badger state he rented land until May, 1874, when he shipped his stock and household goods to Yankton, Dakota territory, which was then the terminus of the Dakota Southern Railroad. He filed on a homestead and a timber claim on sections 1 and 12. Albion precinct. Bon Homme county, and those claims constitute his present farm. He rented land near Bon Homme village soon after coming to the territory and broke the sod as he found time to do so. During 1876 he freighted from Yankton to Fost Bennett, as he was able to realize but little from his erops owing to the plague of grasshoppers. One of his first acts was to. plant trees upon his place and he now has a fine grove. Ile later purchased eighty acres more and now owns four hundred acres of fertile, well improved land. from which he derives a good income annually. He is progressive and energetie and his success naturally follows.

Mr. Bussey was married, on the 24th of November, 1870. in Emerald Grove, Wisconsin, to Miss Annie M. Hammerquist, a native of Wisconsin, and a daughter of Charles G. and Amelia (Reuterskiold) Hammerquist. natives of Sweden, who about 1845 emigrated to America and settled in Dane county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Bussey passed away on the 18th of September, 1908, leaving a son, Frank C., who now has full charge of the operation of the homestead.

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He married Miss Elizabeth Koenig, a native of Bon Homme county, and a daughter of August and Caroline. (Minow) Koenig, who are mentioned on another page of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Frank C. Bussey have three children, Benjamin, Mamie and Ethel.

Benjamin Bussey is a republican and has held a number of offices of trust and responsi- bility. He served as county commissioner, as deputy sheriff under Ed Benedict and for two years as a member of the lower house of the state legislature. His religious affiliation is with the Congregational church and fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Tyndall and the consistory at Yankton.

Mrs. Bussey's reminiscences of pioneer life are most interesting. On the morning of the 12th of January, 1888, Mr. Bussey went to Tyndall to deliver milk and the great blizzard that has made that date famous in South Dakota overtook him before he reached home. He stopped at the schoolhouse and got his son and drove in his cutter in the direction of his residence. The wind was so strong that it blew the milk cans from the sleigh, hut the patient horse plodded on and after several hours by following the wire fence Mr. Bussey found the road leading towards his home. He had to abandon the cutter later and, putting his son on the horse, covered with a blanket to keep him warm, led the horse until he found the driveway leading to the house, which they reached in safety. Although in the early days Mr. Bussey endured the privations of pioneer times, he now enjoys not only the necessities and comforts, but many of the luxuries of life. He has a fine large residence, which is thoroughly modern in its appointments and which is supplied with gas from its own plant. A beautiful lawn and a large grove beautify the place and large barns and other outbuild- ings provide amply for the shelter of the stock and grain. A grove in front of Mr. Bussey's house is a favorite pienie ground and he invariably makes all welcome. His agreeable per- sonality and generous spirit have won him many friends and the sterling worth of his char- acter has enabled him to retain friendship once gained.

CLYDE H. KING.

Clyde H. King, a prominent representative of the legal fraternity in South Dakota, has maintained an office at Salem, in McCook county, for the past three years and has held the important position of states attorney since 1912. His hirth occurred in Green county, Wis- consin. on the 10th of September, 1879, his parents being James P. and Marietta (MeClari- non) King, the former a farmer by occupation. James P. King came to South Dakota in the spring of 1882 and homesteaded in Sanhorn county, his being one of the pioneer families there. He is now living retired in Artesian, that county, and holds the office of county commissioner. The period of his residence in the community covers nearly a third of a cen- tury, and he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance. His wife is deceased.

Clyde H. King acquired his early education in the public schools and afterward attended the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, which institution conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Subsequently he emharked in the banking business, remaining identified with financial interests for four years. He likewise acted as principal of a high school and later took up a homestead claim, which, however, he eventually sold. Having determined upon the practice of law as a life work, he entered the School of Law of the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and a year later, in October, 1911, took the bar examination. He then opened an office in Salem and has there practiced his profession con- tinuously since, being accorded a liberal and lucrative clientage. He is so well read in the minutiae of the law that he is able to base his arguments upon thorough knowledge of and familiarity with precedents, and to present a case upon its merits, never failing to recognize the main point at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough preparation. His pleas have been characterized by a terse and decisive logie and a lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and his power is the greater before court or jury from the fact that it is recognized that his aim is ever to secure justice and not to enshroud the cause in a sentimental garb of illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity involved. In 1912 he was elected states attorney and served two years, filling that responsible position in a highly commendable and efficient manner.

On the 21st of April, 1908, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Roxciena Andrews,

CLYDE H. KING

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a daughter of Cornelius Andrews of Vermillion, South Dakota. To this union two children have been born, namely, Ruth and Elizabeth. Mr. King is a republican in politics, was appointed city auditor on the 1st of January, and is also clerk of the board of education. He is a Methodist in religious faith, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is fond of outdoor sports and these afford him needed recreation. He is everywhere recognized as a man of firm convictions, to which he is thoroughly loyal, and his many admirable traits of character have won him high and enduring regard.

THOMAS W. WEISS.

Thomas W. Weiss, a pioneer and the owner of a garage in Kimball, was born in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, on the 19th of November, 1853, a son of John and Katherina Weiss, who in 1879 eame with their family to South Dakota. The subject of this review had filed on a homestead sixteen miles northeast of Mitchell, in Hanson county, in 1877, and thereon the family located. The father subsequently also took up a claim. Both he and his wife have passed away.

Thomas W. Weiss was educated in the district schools of his native state and after putting aside his textbooks gave his entire time to assisting his father with the farm work until he was twenty-eight years of age, when he hegan his independent career as an agri- culturist. He continued to farm for fourteen years and then for two years traveled in the south. He next went to the Pacific coast, where he resided for two years, after which he returned to his farm in Hanson county, this state, and remained there until the spring of 1892. He then sold his land and removed to Kimball, where he engaged in the restaurant business for six years, after which he disposed of it and established a garage, which he has since conducted. He was among the first to see the possibilities in business opened up by the rapid development of the automobile and as he has kept pace with the industry his annual profits have always been gratifying. His garage is a concrete building, designed and ereeted especially for the purpose, and he does a large general repair business. He is also agent for the Buick and Dodge cars and makes a large number of sales annually. He is likewise a stockholder in the Brule Mercantile Company of Kimball and he is interested in threshing, having an outfit which he operates every fall, having continued this business for the past twenty-six years.

On the 19th of November, 1892, Mr. Weiss was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Small, daughter of John Small. Mr. and Mrs. Weiss are communicants of the Catholic church and he also belongs to Maher Council, K. C. He is likewise identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given to the democratic party. He believes firmly in the prosperity in store for this section of the state and has invested quite heavily in land in Brule county. He is alert, progressive and energetic and as he is also upright and honorable in all his dealings he enjoys the unqualified respect of his fellow citizens.

CHARLES J. ANDERBERG.

Charles J. Anderherg, residing on section 33, Taopi township, is one of the successful and substantial agriculturists of Minnehaha county. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 21st of May, 1858, his parents being John and Christine (Nicholas) Anderberg, likewise natives of that country, who emigrated to the United States in 1870. They took up their abode in Chicago, Illinois, where the father worked at the painter's trade until 1878, when he went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Four or five years later he purchased and removed to a farm in Grand Meadow township, Minnebaha county, which he still owned at the time of his death, which took place in June. 1915, when he was in his eighty-third year. He was widely and favorably known throughout the county which had been his home for a period of about thirty-seven years.

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Charles J. Anderberg, who was a youth of twelve years when his parents came to this country and located in Chicago, attended the public schools of that city. When fifteen or sixteen years of age he began an apprenticeship at the painter's trade and after completing his term of indenture worked as a journeyman painter in Chicago until the spring of 1879. At that time he removed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he opened a shop and was engaged in business as a contractor and painter for about nine years. Soon after coming to this state and after attaining his majority he tiled on his present homestead in Taopi township, on which he made the required improvements. He did not take up his abode thereon until 1888 but since that time has been continuously and successfully engaged in the operation of the farm. He gives bis place careful personal supervision and always fol- lows the best and most modern agricultural methods.

On the 2d of July, 1884, Mr. Anderberg was united in marriage to Miss Lena Brakke, a sister of C. S. Brakke, who is president of the Farmers State Bank in Flandreau, South Dakota. To our subject and his wife have been born nine children, eight of whom still survive, as follows: Alfred N., who is a homesteader in Montana; Della May, who is the wife of P. C. Petersen, a farmer of Moody county, South Dakota: Edith Luella, who attended the Madison State Normal School and Sioux Falls College and who now follows the pro- fession of teaching in Montana, where she is proving up on a homestead; Linda Teresa, who also attended the Madison State Normal School and Sioux Falls College and who is now a teacher and is proving up on a homestead in Montana; Mabel Caroline, who was edu- cated in the Madison State Normal School of Madison, South Dakota, and who is now a teacher in the district schools and lives at home; Fern Myrtle, who is now in the sophomore year in the Sioux Falls high school; Pearl Amy, who is in the junior year in high school; and Clifford, at home. In his political views Mr. Anderberg is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covers thirty- six years and he is well entitled to representation among its prosperous agriculturists and esteemed citizens.

WILLIAM A. MERTENS.

William A. Mertens, who holds title to five hundred and sixty acres of excellent land in Grant county, was born in Germany, on the 9th of June. 1861. His parents, Joseph and Annie (Peal) Mertens, were also natives of Germany and both were born in 1835. They were married and remained there until 1871, when they crossed the Atlantic to the new world. making their way to McHenry county, Illinois, where the father followed the mason's trade and also operated a small farm which he owned. He passed away there in 1909, but is sur- vived by his widow. He was a republican in politics and in religions faith a Lutheran. To him and his wife were born nine children. of whom five are still living, namely: Bertha, the wife of Louis Haight, a farmer residing in Illinois; William A .; and Julius, Albert and Herman, all of whom are farming in Illinois.

William A. Mertens received his education in the common schools and during his boy- hood and youth also assisted in the work of the home farm. He followed agricultural pur- suits in the Prairie state until 1886, when he removed to Grant county, South Dakota, and purchased a relinquishment. on which he proved up. Subsequently he sold that place and purchased a quarter section of land near Milbank, for which he paid thirteen hundred dollars. Later he bought an additional eighty acre tract which cost him one thousand dollars and subsequently he added still further to his holdings. At length he disposed of three eighty- acre tracts for five thousand dollars, after which he purchased four hundred and eighty acres tor ten thousand five hundred and sixty dollars. He placed a mortgage of six thousand and sixty dollars upon the farm which, however, he paid in six years. He erected a beautiful residence upon his new homestead and has made many other improvements upon his farm, which is one of the most valuable of the county. He owns in all five hundred and sixty acres of excellent land, which is worth about one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre, and he carries on general farming and stock-raising. However he specializes to some extent in breeding Percheron horses and has a fine thoroughbred stallion for breeding purposes.

In March, 1893, Mr. Mertens was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Fritz, who was born

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in Illinois, but her parents, Joseph and Dora (Geister) Fritz, were both natives of Germany. In 1871 they emigrated to the United States and settled in Illinois, where the father fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Mertens have four children: Louis and Harry, at home; and Royal and Milton, who are in school.

Mr. Mertens is a republican and is now serving as township supervisor and as a member of the school board. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and at all times conforms his conduct to high standards of morality. He devotes practically his entire time to the work of the farm and the competence which he has gained is the merited reward of his well directed industry.

ERNEST J. ARCHER.

Ernest J. Archer, whose demise occurred at Sioux Falls on the 16th of January, 1906, was for a number of years actively and successfully identified with agricultural interests in Minnehaha county, owning four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Buffalo township at the time of his death, and enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of the highly esteemed and representative citizens of his community. His birth occurred in Illinois on the 15th of February, 1859, his father being John Archer, who removed from the Prairie state to South Dakota in 1881, when our subjeet was a young man of twenty-two years. The parents homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Buffalo township, Min- nehaha county, but for about eighteen years prior to his death John Archer resided in Sioux Falls. He was an honored veteran of the Civil war and gained an extensive and favorable acquaintance in his home community.

Ernest J. Arehier attended the common schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education and in 1881 came with his parents to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, taking up a homestead in section 24, Buffalo township, on which he resided until within two and a half years of his demise. At that time he took up his abode in Sioux Falls, where he died of heart disease, from which he had long suffered. He met with well merited suecess in the conduct of his agricultural interests and had extended the boundaries of his farm until at the time of his death it embraced four hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land.

On the 27th of January, 1887, Mr. Archer was united ir marriage to Miss Laura Rad- spinner of Grand Meadow township. Minnehaha county, her father being Charles H. Radspin- ner, who came to South Dakota from Clayton county, Iowa, in 1879, and homesteaded in Grand Meadow township. His death occurred in Sioux Falls. To Mr. and Mrs. Archer were born four children, as follows: Rosa May. who is the wife of Pete Sorenson, of Sioux Falls; and Fay Elton, Walter Allen and Henry Ernest, all of whom are engaged in the operation of the home farm. Mr. Archer was identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won many friends during the twenty-five years of his residence in Minnehaha county. Mrs. Archer is widely and favorably known throughout the community as a woman of many excellent traits of heart and mind.

DAVID F. JONES.

David F. Jones, of Watertown, is one of the leading druggists and chemists of South Dakota and in connection with his extensive drug business in Watertown maintains the only private chemical and bacteriological laboratory in the state. Mr. Jones was born in La Crosse county, Wisconsin, on the 27th of October, 1869, a son of John W. and Mary (Jones) Jones, both natives of Wales, whence they removed to Canada with their parents in pioneer times. Both families settled near London, Ontario, and Mr. and Mrs. John W. Jones subsequently became pioneers of Wisconsin. The father was a farmer in La Crosse county, that state, and afterward in Monroe county, where much of his life was spent. He passed away there when he had lived more than the three score years and ten allotted to man by the Psalmist. The mother is still living at the old age of eighty-two years and

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resides in Sparta, Wisconsin. The father was one of the most prominent men in his county for many years and was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

David F. Jones remained at home until he reached man's estate and acquired his gen- eral education in the public schools. In 1893 he took up the study of pharmacy and was graduated from the pharmaceutical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago in 1894 with honors and the degree of Graduate in Pharmacy. In the spring of that year he came to South Dakota and located in Watertown, where in connection with his brother, E. M. Jones, he bought his present business. After two years D. F. Jones became sole pro- prietor of the drug store, which is one of the best in the state. He carries a full line of druggist's sundries and the prescription department is unusually excellent, the drugs being of unquestioned purity and their compounding being done with the greatest care. In 1895 a department of pharmacy was established at the State Agricultural College at Brookings and Mr. Jones was appointed to fill the newly created chair. In 1898 he was appointed by Governor Lee a member of the state board of pharmacy to fill a vacancy and his services were so eminently satisfactory that he held the office for fifteen years, being twice reap- pointed by Governor Herried, once by Governor Crawford and later by Governor Vessey. The chemical and bacteriological laboratory which he maintains in connection with his drug store is known over the state and many of the men who are now leaders in those lines of investigation served their apprenticeship under Mr. Jones, including the chief bacteriolo- gist of the state of Michigan. His knowledge of the principles underlying the sciences of chemistry and bacteriology, his long experience in the work of the laboratory, his accuracy and his intellectual honesty all combine in making him not only an expert chemist and bac- teriologist but also an able teacher of others.

He is one of the prominent members of the American Pharmaceutical Association, having held offices in the organization and also served for three years on the National Syllabus Com- mittee which outlined the courses of study for colleges of pharmacy and examining boards of pharmacy of the United States. He is at present a member of the committee for formu- lating laws that will bring about uniformity throughout the various states.

Mr. Jones was married in February, 1896, to Miss Mabel E. Coe, of Barren, Wisconsin, a daughter of Clinton D. Coe, one of the prominent bankers of that city. To their union were born a son and daughter, but the daughter is deceased. The son, David F. Jr., survives. The family are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Jones has been superintendent of the Sunday-school for the past fifteen years. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Dakota Wesleyan University of Mitchell. He is a republican in politics and has been actively connected with the local government for a number of years. He was appointed a member of the city council to fill an unexpired term and was subsequently elected to the office. He belongs to the Watertown Country Club and the Watertown Commercial Club, being in hearty sympathy with the efforts of the last named organization to aid in the business expansion of the city. He owns one of the finest homes in Watertown and is widely known as a substantial and highly respected resident of the city.

HENRY WIERSBECK.

Henry Wiersbeck is engaged in house moving, excavating and grading at Watertown. and is thus actively connected with industrial activity. He was born in Ottawa, LaSalle county, Illinois. May 12, 1858, his parents being Theodore and Emma Wiersbeck, the former a carpenter by trade. Both parents are now deceased, the father passing away when our subject was but eleven years old. However, even before that Henry Wiersbeck had worked for others in the country. He was educated in the public schools and after his textbooks were put aside worked at any employment which he could secure that would yield him an honest living. He was thus engaged until about twenty-one years of age, when in 1879 he came to South Dakota, where he secured a homestead and tree claim near Elrod in Clark county. He proved up on his property and at length traded the tree claim and afterward the homestead. He worked in Watertown while proving up his claim and for twenty years he has been in business in Watertown, devoting a decade to the draying business. Then he sold out and has since been engaged in house moving, excavating and grading, taking

HENRY WIERSBECK

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many contracts for work of that character, his business growing as the result of his well established reputation for thoroughness, capability and reliability. He has done the excavat- ing for all the large and small business houses of Watertown.

Mr. Wiersbeck is a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he also has membership in the Catholic church. His political support is given the democratic party, and for two terms, from 1907 until 1911, he served as sheriff of Codington county, bis reelection being due to his fidelity during his first term. He was also city marshal for one year. was deputy sheriff at an earlier period, and in 1910 he was chosen by popular ballot to represent his district in the state senate for the session of 1911. In the spring of 1913 he was elected a member of the board of city commissioners, this being the first board of the kind ever elected in Watertown. He has proven his loyalty in these different offices. at all times carefully looking after the interests of the general public. When he has leisure he enjoys a fishing trip and out-of-door sports.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 40

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