History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 42

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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When about eleven years of age Robert F. MeAdam began working for others, riding the range, and so continued for about fifteen years in Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana and in that time became acquainted with practically all of the western plains country. At the end of that time he engaged in ranching for himself in Custer county, South Dakota, and continued to devote his energies to looking after his interests in that connection for about eight years. He then came to Custer and established a general store, which he still conducts. Ile is also engaged in the tie and lumber business and has a contract with the Burlington Railroad Company, which buys his entire product. He operates a sawmill twelve miles southeast of Custer and finds that business a profitable side line. He still owns his ranch in Custer county, which is located near Wind Cave, and owns stock in the Custer Electric Light. Heat & Power Company.

Mr. MeAdam is a democrat and is at present representing Custer county on the state central committee of that party. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge of Custer, of which he is a past master, and the Modern Woodmen Camp. He is popular in these organiza- tions and is loyal to their teachings and best interests, doing all in his power to promote their welfare and exemplifying in his life the spirit of fraternity that underlies them. In his business affairs be has met with well deserved and gratifying success and since establish- ing his store has built up an extensive trade.

PETER BENSON.

Peter Benson, one of the well known and representative citizens of Highland township. residing on section 3, has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in Minnehaha county for the past thirty-nine years and now owns three hundred and twenty acres of some of the finest land in South Dakota. He was born in Norway on the 27th of Jannary, 1839, a son of Ben Benson, who spent his entire life in that country.

Peter Benson was reared at home and at an early age was obliged to begin providing for his own support, as his parents were in straitened financial circumstances. He had no educational advantages in his youth but has become a well informed man through reading, experience and observation. In 1872, when a young man of thirty-three years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Lansing, Allamakee county, Iowa, where he spent about four years, being employed in the town during a part of the time and working on a farm throughout the remainder of the period. In 1876 he came to South Dakota and preempted one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Highiand township, Minne- haha county. A year later, however, after proving up on the property, he disposed of it and homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 3, where he has resided continuously since. Subsequently he purchased the relinquishment on a tree claim embracing the southwest quarter of section 33, Lyons township, Moody county, and lying just across the road from his homestead. His holdings therefore comprise three hundred and twenty acres of valuable and productive land and in their cultivation he has won a most gratifying and enviable degree of prosperity.

Mr. Benson has been married twice. In 1866, in Norway, he wedded Miss Dorothy Peterson, who bore him two children and died soon after coming to this country, passing away on the 24th of March, 1973. The surviving child of this union is John, a resident of Jasper, Minnesota. In 1880 Mr. Benson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna Swenson, also a native of Norway, who has a son by her first marriage, Christian Olsen. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have three children, as follows: Emil, who makes his home in Jasper, Minnesota; Sverdrup, at home; and Mathilda, who gave her hand in marriage to Charles Thompson, of Brookings county, South Dakota.

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Mr. Benson is a republican in his political views and ably served as supervisor of his township for some years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Nor- wegian 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 won prosperity. He has now passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.

HARRY J. ROBB, M. D.

Among the younger representatives of the medical profession in South Dakota is Dr. Harry J. Robb, a physician and surgeon of Flandreau, where he located in June, 1915, wishing better hospital facilities than he had previously had. His birth occurred in Detroit, Michi- gan, on the 6th of October, 1887, his parents being James and Margaret Robb, who still survive. He acquired a public-school education in his youth and subsequently prepared for a professional career as a student in the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery, from which institution he was graduated in 1913. After spending a time in hospital work he came to South Dakota, and in August, 1913, opened an office at Colton, where he successfully engaged in practice until his removal to Flandreau. A gratifying and well merited patronage is accorded him, for he is a young physician and surgeon of ability who is rapidly gaining prestige as a representative of the profession.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Dr. Robb chose Miss Adelma L. Kellogg, a daughter of Edward B. and Nancy Kellogg. They now have two children, Merle and Harry. The Doctor gives his political allegiance to the democracy. He is fond of outdoor sports and finds needed recreation in indulging therein.

WILLIAM EARL STELLE.

William Earl Stelle, who is engaged in general farming on two hundred and forty aeres of land on section 29. Mellette township, Spink county, came to South Dakota in 1882 and thus for almost a third of a century has been identified with the state. However, at the time of his arrival he was scarcely able to take a very active part. as he has done in later years, in the work of progress and improvement, for he was then hut two years of age. his birth having occurred in Benton county, Indiana. on the 5th of November, 1880. He is descended from French ancestry. The first representative of the family in this country was a Huguenot, who in the seventeenth century arrived in the new world. The great-grandfather of William E. Stelle fought for American independence in the Revolutionary war. The father. George D. Stelle, came to South Dakota with his family in 1882 and filed on eighty acres of the farm that is now being operated by his son. William Earl. The other part of the place was homesteaded by the maternal grandfather, Stephen Calhoon, who located upon the place in the spring of 1881, broke the sod and converted the traet into productive fields. He died in 1894 while on a trip to Iowa. Before coming to the northwest George D. Stelle had served as a soldier in the Civil war with the rank of corporal, thus protecting the Union which his grandfather had aided in establishing almost one hundred years before. He married Clara Calhoon and with their family they came to South Dakota in 1882, after which the father continued to conduct general agricultural pursuits in Spink county to the time of his death, which occurred in 1904. when he had reached the age of sixty-one years. He was a very industrious, energetic man and his diligence and persisteney of purpose brought to him a substantial measure of success. His widow survives and makes her home upon the homestead. In their family were seven children: William Earl: Jennie, now the wife of Ernest Smith, a resident farmer of Spink county; Ruth, who married Lee Smith, a brother of Ernest and also a farmer of Spink county; and Opal, Vena, Blanche and Elsie, all at home.

William E. Stelle, the eldest of the family, became a pupil in the district school near his

GEORGE D. STELLE

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father's home when in his seventh year and continued his studies to the age of sixteen, when his services were needed upon the farm and he then became the active assistant of his father and since his death has managed the property. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, raising corn, wheat and other cereals that are adapted to the soil and climatic conditions here. He likewise raises cattle, horses and hogs and is meeting with good success. He has helped to improve the farm in a substantial manner and it presents a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating the effectiveness of his work and his practical methods. Life has never heen to him a holiday affair; on the contrary he has ever recognized and performed his duty and in the control and management of his business interests he is meeting with a measure of success which numbers him among the more substantial of the young farmers of his part of the state.

W. H. T. FOSTER.

One of the largest and most important industrial interests in South Dakota is the great packing plant controlled by John Morrell & Company. Since the foundation of this con- cern it has had a rapid and steady growth, the credit for which is due in large measure to its efficient and capable general manager, W. H. T. Foster, recognized in business circles of Sioux Falls as a man of singular insight, discrimination and executive ability. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1873 and is a son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth M. (Thompson) Foster, the former a native of England. The father was born in Bradford in 1847 and came to the United States in 1868, locating ten years later in Ottumwa, Iowa, where he engaged in business.

W. H. T. Foster acquired his early education in the Brooklyn public schools and in the public schools of Ottumwa, supplementing this by three years at Parsons College at Fair- field, Iowa. He became associated with John Morrell & Company, Limited, at Ottumwa in 1893 and he has retained this connection since that time, rising rapidly to a position of prominence and responsibility in its affairs. He is now general manager of the packing plant at Sioux Falls, which is one of the model abattoirs of the world. Concerning the business the Sioux Falls Daily Press says: "John Morrell & Company have erected one of the finest, most complete, most sanitary and most efficient packing plants in the world on the banks of the Big Sioux river. The plant consists of twelve immense buildings with a grand total of three quarters of a million cubic feet of refrigerated space. The acreage of the company's plant is forty acres and at the time this is written there are three hundred men and women at work in the yards and plant. The stockyards will bouse four thousand hogs under cover. The present capacity of the plant is five thousand hogs and three hun- dred cattle per week in the summer and in the winter the capacity is almost doubled. The product is shipped to all parts of the United States and England, finding a ready market because of the favorable conditions under which the work is done and because of the splen- did reputation the Morrell organization enjoys all over the world as high-grade packers of pork and other meats. In addition to the magnificent plant at Sioux Falls, the Morrell Company has a large packing house at Ottumwa, Iowa. There are also cold storage ware- houses in Liverpool, England, and distributing houses in most of the important cities of the United States. It can thus be seen that with the entry of the Morrell Company into the industrial activities of Sioux Falls, the city becomes a great beneficiary as the home of an institution of world-wide scope. The Morrell business was established eighty years ago and for forty years it has been established in the United States. Growing bigger each year, the business of the company reached the point where a better plant than there had thus far been built in the world became necessary and in casting about for a stragetie point for its location, Sioux Falls appeared to be the logical place. The plant was therefore erected and has only been completed a few years. In coming to Sioux Falls the Morrell people asked no bonus or assistance of the people of the city, as less successful competitors had done in the past, but came with the necessary capital and the efficiency to carry the work through to the highly successful point it has attained. The executive personnel of the Sioux Falls plant is as follows: W. H. T. Foster, general manager; J. C. Stentz, sales manager; A. B. McCue, general superintendent ; George M. Foster, assistant manager; and J. W. Jensen, chief live stock buyer. All of these men have entered actively into the business and social activi- Vol. V-16

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ties of the city and have made countless friends. Sionx Falls does not hesitate to admit that the coming of the Morrell interests marks a significant epoch in the city's progress. The fact that Sioux Falls was chosen for the finest plant in the world is of itself a dis- tinction that demands recognition of the citizens of the city and of the other cities of the world. Quick to seize upon this advantage, the Commercial Club has used the argument to other prospective industrials with telling effect. To the merchants and retail interests of the city, the coming of the plant is of value for the number of people to whom it fur- mishes employment. These people, almost entirely skilled labor from the outside, have come to Sioux Falls to make the city their home and to enter into its daily life and con- tribute to its prosperity. Their salaries will swell the grand total of living expenditures in Sioux Falls, thus directly benefiting all of the business interests and indirectly benefiting every man, woman or child who calls Sioux Falls his or her home." Thus it may be seen that Mr. Foster's position as general manager of this concern is one of power and responsi- bility, calling for keen insight, sound judgment, resourcefulness and executive ability. These qualities he possesses in an unusual degree and upon them has built a measure of success which places him among the representative business men of the city where he makes his home.

On the 22d of June, 1909, at Fairfield, Iowa, Mr. Foster married Miss Jeanneatte Scott Pattison and they have become the parents of two children, Anna Elizabeth and Thomas D. Mr. Foster is a member of the Presbyterian church, belongs to the Country Chib and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is widely and favorably known in Sionx Falls, where by virtue of his position and the force of his ability and enterprise he has entered into important relations with general business life.

FRANK RANDALL.

Frank Randall, one of the well known citizens and substantial agrienlturists of Burk township, Minnehaha county, has continuously resided on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 9 during the past third of a century. His birth occurred in Valparaiso, Indiana, on the 23d of January, 1850, his parents being Edwin and Panlina (Hewlings) Randall, the former a native of Chautanqua county, New York, and the latter of Ohio. Edwin Randall, a carpenter by trade, worked at that occupation for a number of years in New York, Ohio and in Valparaiso, Indiana. In 1858 he removed to Fayette county, lowa,

where he purchased a tract of land for three dollars an acre and engaged in farming until 1881. In the fall of the latter year he came to South Dakota and purchased and located on a farm of eighty acres in Burk township, Minnehaha county. On that place he continued to reside until the death of his wife, when he came to live with our subject, in whose home he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in February, 1912. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covered more than three decades and he gained a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the community.

Frank Randall was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his education in the dis- trict schools of Iowa. When twenty-one years of age he started out as an agricultorist on his own acconnt by cultivating rented land. In the fall of 1881, as a young man of thirty one years, he came to South Dakota and purchased his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 9, Burk township, Minnehaha county, paying three dollars an acre for the land. He also purchased eighty acres on section 4 and one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, but has since given this property to his sons. As an agriculturist he has won a well deserved and most gratifying measure of prosperity. following modern, practical methods that have made his labors effective and resultant. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers Elevator Company of Dell Rapids.

In 1872 Mr. Randall was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Selders, of Fayette county, Iowa, by whom he has seven children, as follows: Minnie, who is the wife of William Bardell, of Lake county, South Dakota; Mertie, who gave her hand in marriage to George Roberts, of Huron, Sonth Dakota; Anna, the wife of Harry Loucks, of Trent, South Dakota; Lina, the wife of J. W. Morris, of Huffton, South Dakota; Lettie, who is the wife of Albert

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Chidley and resides in Courtenay, North Dakota; Ross, at home; and Roy, an agriculturist of Burk township.

Mr. Randall gives his political allegiance to the democracy, exercising his right of fran- chise in support of its men and measures. In business his course has been characterized by striet fidelity to principle, and in social relations he has displayed a courtesy and cordiality which have won him many friends.

THOMAS V. GARLOCK.

Thomas V. Garlock owns a general store at Custer, has a large interest in three mills which supply the Burlington Railroad with ties, etc., also has a number of other business interests and is one of the well-to-do men of his eity. He was born in Newark, New York, on the 18th of April, 1862, a son of Peter and Maria (Vander Vort) Garlock, the former also a native of Newark and the latter of Phelps, New York, which place was tben known as Vienna. The father farmed to some extent and also manufactured cider, cider brandy and distilled peppermint. To him and his wife were born eight children, five of whom survive. Ellen is deceased. Abraham, who is residing in Newark, New York, is a farmer and like- wise manufactures cider vinegar and distills brandies. Thomas V. is the next in order of birth. Charles, who lives in Phelps, New York, is engaged in the same business as his brother Abraham and is also president of the First National Bank. He has built up quite a reputation for cider vinegar, which he manufactures, and is deriving a handsome profit from his activities in that line. Katherine is the wife of Frank Warner, a merchant of Clifton Springs, New York. Minor passed away when sixteen years of age and Alfred is also deceased. Jessie, who completes the family, is the wife of Alden Smith, a farmer of Clifton Springs, New York.

Thomas V. Garlock received his education in the district schools of his home locality, in the high school at Newark, and in a business college at Rochester, New York. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age and assisted his father in his various lines of work. Upon attaining his majority, however, he emigrated westward and made his way immediately to Custer, South Dakota, where he was employed in the hardware store of his cousin, A. T. Vander Vort. After a year Mr. Garlock purchased an interest in the business and at Buffalo Gap established a store which he managed. Two years later the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Garlock became the owner of the Custer store, which he enlarged, adding other lines, making it a general mercantile establishment. In 1890 he erected a business block twenty-five by ninety feet, the basement and lower floor of which he utilizes for his store. The upper floor was at first used for a lodge hall but in 1910 he remodeled it and it is now occupied by the Garlock Hotel, which is conducted on the European plan. The general store which Mr. Garlock owns is one of the enterprising and reliable mercantile establishments of Custer and its patronage has grown steadily with the passing of the years. In 1908, in connection with S. E. Ainsley, he engaged in the manufac- ture of ties, bridge and mine timbers and after a year the Burlington Railroad contracted with them to take their entire product. The firm operates three mills below Pringle and their business is a successful and profitable one. Mr. Garlock is also a stockholder in the Electric Light, Heat & Power Company, vice president and a director of the Custer County Bank and agent for the Ford Automobile Company, as well as the owner of the Auto Service livery. In addition to the interests already mentioned he owns the Custer Opera House and other valuable business property in Custer, besides a number of residences. He is connected with almost every phase of business activity in Custer and the city owes much to his energy and ability.

Mr. Garlock was married on the 24th of November, 1887, to Miss Teresa Walsh, who was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan, a daughter of Edward P. and Mary (Cosgrove) Walsh, natives of Ireland, who were married, however, in Ypsilanti. In 1880 they came to South Dakota, the father coming with a number of other carpenters who were employed in erect- ing the buildings at the Rosebud agency. After the completion of his work there Mr. Walsh made his way to Custer, took up a homestead three miles from that city and thereon engaged in ranching. He is now eighty-seven years of age but is still active in the manage-

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ment of his ranch. His wife passed away in 1876. They were the parents of eight children. Mary is the wife of Henry Monheim, who has a fruit ranch near Grand Junction, Colo- rado, but was for many years engaged in mercantile business at Lead. Robert, a resident of Redlands, California, is a painter by trade. James was for a number of years in the employ of the Homestake Mining Company and later engaged in mining in South Africa, where he took miner's consumption, which caused his demise in 1909. He married Miss Alice Richardson, whose father was a pioneer of Custer. She went to South Africa to be married and resided there until after the demise of her husband, but is now living in California. Mrs. Garlock is the next in order of birth. Sarah is a milliner and resides in Goldfield, Nevada. Frank, a stockman living at Dewey Station, Custer county, served as deputy sheriff of the county for two terms and for a similar length of time as sheriff. He married Miss Katherine McMahan, of Rapid City. Edward is a miner living in Gold- field, Nevada. Elizabeth, who completes the family, is the widow of P. J. Lynch, a miner, who was one of the original owners of the Gold Coin mine at Victor, Colorado. For a number of terms he was county. commissioner in Colorado and also held that office while living at Goldfield. He passed away in February, 1912, and his widow is now a resident of Boise, Idaho.

Mr. and Mrs. Garlock have five children. Frank W. was educated in the public schools of Custer, the South Dakota State Normal School at Spearfish and the Sacred Heart College at Denver. He is at home and assists his father in the management of his business interests. Ellen M. received her elementary and secondary education in Custer and later attended the Spearfish Normal School, where she won the first medal in declamation in 1910. She is now engaged in teaching school at Pringle. Mary Theresa also won a medal in a declamatory contest at the Spearfish State Normal School in 1910 and has received the medal for first place in the Custer schools and also the state medal at Huron. She is now teaching in the schools of Custer. Lucile E., who was likewise educated in the Custer schools and the State Normal School at Spearfish, is teaching in Pringle. Alice L., the youngest in the family, is now a student in the State Normal School at Spearfish.

Mr. Garlock is a democrat with independent tendencies and for several years was city treasurer. For two years he has served on the hoard of education and is a man who believes thoroughly in the advancement of the public schools. He is a loyal member of the Knights of Pythias and he has held all of the offices in the local lodge. The enviable place which he has gained in the estimation of his fellow citizens and his gratifying success are due entirely to his many excellent qualities, his ability and industry and are well deserved.

ROBERT M. BURLINGAME, M. D.

Dr. Robert M. Burlingame is a well known and successful physician and surgeon of Water- town, who has won enviable recognition as a skilled representative of the profession. His birth occurred in Owatonna, Minnesota. on the 15th of February, 1873, his parents being James M. and Marie L. Burlingame. The father, who was a lawyer by profession, passed away June 5, 1915, at Great Falls, Montana, where his widow still makes her home.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 42

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