History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 5

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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During the period of his residence in this state Mr. Bierce has won substantial success, yet all days have not been equally bright. In 1878 he had a crop of early wheat devoured by grasshoppers, but later he plowed the land and raised a crop of corn on it in the same year. Other difficulties had to be encountered, but perseverance and determination enabled him to overcome the obstacles in his path and gradually he advanced toward the goal of success.

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

In 1882 in Parker, South Dakota, Mr. Bierce was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Echelberry, a daughter of Abraham and Emily (Atwood) Echelberry, natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. Their children were born during the period of their residence in Ohio. Their son John was the first of the family to come to Dakota, arriving abont 1870, removing from Illinois to this state. He drove across the country with teams, being forty- one days upon the way. A married sister followed the next year. John Echelberry after- ward returned to Ohio, and, accompanied by his brothers, Joseph and Louis, again drove to Dakota, settling in Clay county at a period when the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun there. During the flood of March and April, 1881, the parents of Mrs. Bierce lived on the bluff's at the edge of the high water and gave refuge to many who fled from the flooded bottom lands. They were just removing to Dakota at that time and their furniture was still in the freight house at Vermillion. The high water lifted that freight house from its foundation and carried it down stream. The railroad lost many rods of its rails and the ties were washed from the roadbed and distributed along the hluffs. Mrs. Bierce's brother and sister who came in the early '70s lost many crops through drought and grasshoppers. One year in the '70s her sister brushed the snow from the vines in the garden and gathered a mess of peas on the 12th of April, a deep snow having fallen so late in the season. Mr. Bierce, too, has many recollections of the early days which were fraught with hardships, privations and trials. In the blizzard, which occurred on the 12th of January, 1888, he had started to town on horseback. With the increasing severity of the storm he turned back, but could not get through on his horse and left it two miles from his home, making the remainder of the distance on foot. The snow was so deep along the hills that he sank in to his waist and knew he must try some other expedient than walking, so he lay down and rolled up hill until he reached solid ground. He feared that the supply of wood was not enough to keep his wife warm and returned in order that he might help her to be comfortable through the storm. Mrs. Bierce, however, did not realize the severity of the blizzard and was not worrying in the least.

Mr. Bierce is a republican in his political views, giving unfaltering allegiance to the principles of the party, yet never seeking nor desiring office as a reward for his fealty. He ranks high in Masonry, holding membership in the lodge and chapter at Vermillion, in the consistory at Yankton, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and in the Mystic Shrine at Sioux Falls. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft, which is hased upon a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby entailed.

PETER M. BARNESS.

Peter M. Barness, who owns a splendid farm of four hundred acres on section 33, Lincoln township, Spink county, is a native of South Dakota and was born on the old homestead which is now in possession of his mother, Mrs. Christina Barness. His father, Martin P. Barness, has passed away. The birth of Peter M. Barness occurred March 18, 1883, and he was reared under the parental roof, gaining much valuable knowledge by assisting with the work of the farm. At the usual age he entered the public schools of Lincoln town- ship and continued his studies until eighteen years of age. For four years he gave his parents the benefit of his labors and then worked at carpentering for one year. At the end of that time he again turned his attention to farming and has since followed that occu- pation. He is now operating four hundred acres of land, and is carrying on mixed farming, as he finds the raising of both grain and stock profitable. He keeps about twenty horses. eighteen cattle, and sixty hogs, in addition to several hundred chickens. He is alert, enter- prising and industrious and is already accounted one of the well-to-do farmers of his locality.

Mr. Barness was married in the fall of 1905 in Mica, Washington, to Miss Margery MeGaffin, a daughter of George and Eliza (Copeland) MeGaffin, both of whom were horn at Belfast, Ireland, but now reside at Niagara, North Dakota. They settled in Minnesota on emigrating to the new world but removed to Lincoln township, Spink county, in the early '80s. In 1904 they went to Washington but returned to North Dakota in 1907. Mrs.

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Barness is a native of the township in which she now makes her home. To Mr. and Mrs. Barness have been horn two children: Eleanor M. and Milton G. Mr. Barness is inde- pendent in politics, casting his vote for those men and measures that he deems most likely to advance the community's interest. He is a son of a pioneer family and manifests the same courage and determination that characterized the early settlers of this state, and many movements for the general good have profited by his advice and cooperation.

H. W. PETERSON.

H. W. Peterson is a merchant and landowner residing at Alsen, on the line that separates Union and Clay counties. He was born in Illinois in 1882, a son of J. P. Peterson. The family removed to Clay county, this state, when Mr. Peterson of this review was but two years of age. The father proved up a homestead in Garfield township and operated that farm until his retirement in 1899. Since that time he has resided in Vermillion, and his wife is also living. Their family numbers five children: Julia, the wife of C. H. Jacob- son, who is a partner of H. W. Peterson in the conduct of a mercantile business; P. H., residing on the old homestead; Clara, the wife of John Rasmussen, of Union county; H. W .; and Meckie, the wife of J. W. Fowler, Jr., of Deadwood, South Dakota.

H. W. Peterson attended the public schools of Clay county until he was sixteen years of age and then began working as a farm hand, so continuing until 1900. He then entered the employ of C. H. Jacobson, the owner of a store, as a clerk, and in 1908 was taken into the firm as a partner. They conduct a store at Beresford and one at Alsen, Mr. Peterson being the manager of the latter. He also has a third interest in one hundred and sixty acres of land in Lake county, this state, and is treasurer of the Alsen, Beresford & Emmet Telephone Company and treasurer of the Alsen Creamery Company. The store condueted by Mr. Peterson and his partner is one of the best equipped in their section of the state and the business is steadily growing in importance as the high quality of the goods and the reasonableness of the prices asked become more widely knwon.

In 1909 Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Theodosia Spensley, who was horn at Vermillion, Clay county, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Spensley, the former a native of Dubuque. He and his wife were among the early settlers of Clay county and became the parents of five children: Pearl, who married W. H. Carter, a resi- dent of Montana; J. E., whose home is at Vermillion, this state; Ella, the wife of Harry Kolb, of Vermillion: Theodosia. now Mrs. Peterson: and Merrill. the wife of Joseph Rippel, of Lesterville. Mrs. Peterson attended the State Normal School after completing a public- school course and for six years previous to her marriage was engaged in teaching school. To Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have been born three children: Iona Fern, whose birth occurred June 30, 1910; Avis M., born in November, 1911; and Elwin C., born in August, 1914.

Mr. Peterson is a democrat and has served upon the county central committee, but is without aspiration for office. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has proved a capable and resourceful business man and in developing his store has also aided in the commercial progress of Alsen.

L. M. HANSON, D. D. S.

Dr. L. M. Hanson is a successful young dental practitioner of De Smet, where he has followed his profession since 1910. His birth occurred in Howard, Miner county, South Dakota, on the 17th of February, 1890, his parents being H. M. and Cora B. Hanson, the former a homesteader of that county. The father of our subject subsequently became a hanker and is now engaged in business as a dealer in farm implements, being widely recog- nized as one of the esteemed citizens and prosperous merchants of his community.

L. M. Hanson was educated in the graded and high schools of Howard, and in 1907 completed a course in the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Having determined upon the practice of dentistry as a life work, he prepared for the profession as a student

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

in the Northwestern University Dental School of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1910. Thence he came direct to De Smet, South Dakota, where he has since remained and has been accorded an extensive and profitable practice. He has proven his skill and ability in the line of his chosen calling and has already won a creditable measure of success for one of his years.

Dr. Hanson gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. Fraternally he is identified with De Smet Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M .; Huron Lodge, No. 444, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Howard Lodge, No. 1333, of the Modern Brotherhood of America. He finds recreation and pleasure in hunting and fishing, and is popular in social circles by reason of a pleasing and genial disposition. South Dakota numbers him among its enterprising and worthy native sons, and in the line of his profession he is making steady and commendable progress.

PAUL MURRAY YOUNG.

Paul Murray Young, engaged in the practice of law at Mitchell, is one of the younger representatives of the bar to whom early manhood seems no check to professional progress. In fact, he has won a position that many an older representative of the legal profession might well envy. Mitchell is his native town, his birth having there occurred August 3, 1884. His parents were Clark Montgomery and Retta (Murray) Young, natives of Holmes and Portage counties. Ohio, respectively. They arrived in South Dakota in 1883 and Professor Young was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the State University of South Dakota in Vermillion to the time of his death. He had been identified with the University for more than twenty years and was thus a prominent figure in educational circles of the northwest. His wife still resides at Vermillion.

Paul Murray Yonng, the eldest in a family of three sons and one daughter, supple- mented his public-school conrse by study in the State University from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1903. He secured the first Rhodes scholarship from this state and in 1904 went to Oxford, England, continuing his studies there until gradnated with honors in law in 1907. He represented the University of Oxford in field athletics and personally won the high and broad jumps. Following his return to America he was director of athletics in Huron College for one year and for two years at the State Normal School at Aberdeen, South Dakota. He then entered the law school of the State University and was graduated with the class of 1912. He was also a prominent representative of athletic interests at the State University, playing on all the football and baseball teams and holding the tennis championship. In 1912 he entered the law office of T. J. Spangler, senior partner in what is now the firm of Spangler & Haney and at the present writing is devoting his attention to professional interests.

On the 7th of October, 1913, Mr. Young was married to Miss Alice Stenerson of Menomonie, Wisconsin. He belongs to Phi Delta Theta and to Phi Delta Phi, a legal fraternity, holds membership with the Masons and the Elks and is also a member of the Baptist church-associations which indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct. He has been a lifelong resident of the northwest and is imbued with the spirit of progress and enterprise characteristic of this section of the country.

JOHN BENJAMIN MAYO.

The city of Lead is justly proud of its efficient fire department, which ranks among the best in the state, and its excellence is due in a large measure to the unceasing vigilance and the marked ability of the fire chief, John Benjamin Mayo. He was born in Greenville, Illi- nois, on the 17th of October, 1877, a son of Alonzo J. and Phoebe (Hoover) Mayo. The father was born near Greenville upon a farm that his father entered from the government.

JOHN B. MAYO

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

The latter was Thomas J. Mayo, a native of Boston, Massachusetts. The great-grandfather of the subject of this review was born in Ireland and came with two brothers to this coun- try. He settled in Massachusetts but his brothers located in Virginia. Alonzo J. Mayo, who was a civil engineer, removed to Columbia, Tennessee, in 1881, and in 1888 went to Nevada, Missouri, where he remained for four years, after which he became a resident of Chicago, where he still resides.

John Benjamin Mayo was educated in the public schools of Nevada, Missouri, and Chi- cago, Illinois, and was graduated from the West Division high school in Chicago about 1894. He was employed at various occupations in that city until November 26, 1900, when he removed to Lead and became connected with the liquor business. He subsequently was a member of the firm of Kelly & Mayo, wholesale and retail dealers in liquor, and after dis- posing of his interest in this, was appointed chief of the fire department of Lead in 1914. During the years 1905, 1906 and 1907 he had served as chief of the volunteer fire department of the city, which was very efficient and had four hundred men on its rolls. Since assuming charge of the reorganized fire department Mr. Mayo has made it one of the best in the state of South Dakota and the citizens of Lead are assured of adequate protection from fire. He has been a member of the National Firemen's Association for a number of years and is also a member of the International Association of Fire Engineers.

In 1911 Mr. Mayo married Miss Genevieve Murry, of Sioux Falls, a daughter of John Murry, a pioneer of this state. Mr. Mayo is a republican, as was his father and grandfather before him. In 1909 and 1910 he ably represented the fifth ward in the city council. He belongs to a number of fraternal organizations and secret societies, in many of which he has held office. His time and thought are almost wholly given to the work of the fire depart- ment, in which he takes great pride, and he is a constant reader and student, especially along the lines of prevention and control, seeking always to increase the efficiency of his depart- ment. His devotion to duty has won him the esteem of his fellow citizens, who recognize the value of his services.

DONALD ALEXANDER CRAWFORD.

Donald Alexander Crawford, who has been successfully engaged in the practice of law at De Smet since 1903, has gained an enviable and well merited reputation as one of the leading representatives of his profession in Kingsbury county and South Dakota. ITis birth occurred in Megantic county, Canada, on the 4th of April, 1867, his parents being Alexander and Jessie Crawford. In 1870 the family crossed the border into the United States and took up a homestead claim in Plymouth county, Iowa. A decade later they came to Union county, South Dakota, and then took up a preemption claim in Hyde county, this state. Mrs. Crawford is still living, but the father of our subject passed away in 1913 and in his death the community lost one of its honored pioneers and esteemed citizens.

Donald A. Crawford, who was a youth of thirteen when he came with his parents to this state, supplemented his public-school education by a course of study in the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. Subsequently he entered the College of Law of the Uni- versity of Nebraska, and in 1902 was graduated from that institution. He first located for practice at Elk Point, South Dakota, and there followed his profession in association with H. M. Wallace for a period of nine months. In 1903 he removed to De Smet, where he has since remained. and he has been accorded a liberal and lucrative clientage. His standing in the profession is indicated in the fact that he was elected states attorney in 1910 and has served as eity attorney for a number of years, his record in both connections being highly commendable and eminently satisfactory. He was also honored by his party with the election to county judge in 1914. In business cireles his cooperation has likewise been sought and for seven years he served as secretary of the Waters Land & Loan Company, a local concern.

In 1911 Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Nuna Symns, a daughter of T. II. Symns of Iowa and Montana. Mr. Crawford gives his political allegiance to the republican party and from 1897 until 1901 held the office of county superintendent of schools in Union county. He is still doing valuable service in the interests of education as president

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

of the De Smet school board. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter of that organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen. Coming to this state more than a third of a century ago, he has since been an interested witness of its growth and development and has done all in his power to further the work of progress along many lines, so that he has long been numbered among the prominent and valued citizens of the commonwealth.

JOHN WESLEY PLATT.

John Wesley Platt, of Montrose, is engaged in the harness and shoe business and has a gratifying and profitable patronage. He was horn in Ithaca, New York, August 24, 1857, a son of William S. and Catherine (Gibbs) Platt. The father, who was a farmer, went to California in 1859 and started on the return trip home by vessel, but was never heard from afterward. The mother is still living.

J. W. Platt was not able to continue his education very far as he was compelled to go to work to assist in the support of the family when but a boy. He was apprenticed for seven years to the harness trade and in 1878, having completed his term of service, he went to Flandrean, South Dakota, and there followed his trade. After leaving that place he went to Dell Rapids and thence removed to Montrose in 1881. On the 1st of October, 1884, he went into business for himself and established the first harness store in his locality. He has heen in business longer than any other merchant in Montrose, and the success that has steadily attended his efforts during three decades is proof of the integrity of his deal- ings with his customers. He carries a fine line of harness and shoes, and is content with a reasonable profit, thus being able to sell his goods at a moderate price. His store has grown with the growth of the community and is a credit to its owner. He has preempted land in Moody county.

Mr. Platt was united in marriage to Miss Marcia L. Sexton on the 28th of June, 1882. She is a daughter of A. L. and Jennie Louise (Scellinger) Sexton, of Iowa, and by her marriage has become the mother of the following children: Louis W., Kenneth E., Catherine and Aaron. Mr. Platt is a democrat, supporting the candidates and measures of that party at the polls, and for a number of years served as chairman of the town board. He was also on the school board for some time and as a director did much to further the progress of the public-school system. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He finds much pleasure in fishing and is a lover of outdoor life. He is in sympathy with all movements that have as their object the de- velopment of South Dakota, has found here splendid opportunities and has so utilized them that he has won material prosperity, although when he came he possessed very little capital.

IRVING M. DONALDSON.

Irving MI. Donaldson is a well known representative of business activity at Custer, where in 1915 he purchased the Peterson meat market, which he has since conducted. In 1914 he opened a retail feed store and both lines of business are capably managed and are bringing to him growing success. He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, November 8. 1854, a son of James P. and Sarah J. (Eckels) Donaldson, who were also natives of Mercer county, born January 1. 1816, and September 3, 1829, respectively. The father made farm- ing his life work and in the year 1856 he removed westward with his family to Iowa, where he resided until his death, which occurred in Page county in 1883. His widow survived him for more than a quarter of a century, passing away in California in 1910. While devoting his life to agricultural pursuits, the father also held various township offices and was a publie-spirited and progressive citizen.

Irving M. Donaldson is the eldest of seven children. He pursued his early education at College Springs, Iowa, where he attended the graded schools and later became a student

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

in Amity College. He remained with his father until he reached the age of twenty-one years and then took up the profession of teaching, being placed in charge of a high school at College Springs. He taught in that locality for nine years and in the spring of 1885 came to South Dakota, settling in the eastern part of Custer county fifteen miles east of Hermosa. Upon the claim which he there secured he remained until the fall of 1887 and then went to Hermosa, where he was employed in the general store of John L. Buckingham until the fall of 1890. He was then elected to the office of register of deeds, in which position he served for four years, after which he was elected treasurer and acted in that capacity for a similar period. He next entered the employ of the M. J. Bailey Company of Custer, with which he continued for six years, at the end of which time the company dis- solved. Mr. Donaldson then continued with W. F. Hanley for six years, after which he went to Washington and was engaged in general merchandising at Clarkston, that state, for one year. The succeeding year was passed at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, after which he returned to Custer and was in the employ of the MeAdam Company for a year. At the end of that time he purchased the Peterson meat market, which he has since conducted with growing success. In the fall of 1914 he opened a general retail feed store, which he still conducts in connection with his other business, and is now numbered among the active, energetic merchants of the town.

On the 3d of July, 1882, Mr. Donaldson was married to Miss Elizabeth McClelland, a native of Ohio, and they have become the parents of six children. Walter A., horn March 18, 1884, married Miss Emma Conrad and is engaged in the government forest service, making his home at White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Arvilla L., born April 12, 1885, resides with her aunt near Ferdinand, Idaho. Della J., born November 2, 1889, is the wife of G. D. Reeder, living on the state game preserve in Custer county, being in the employ of the state. Homer J., born February 11, 1895, is assisting his father. Grace E. and Earl, twins, were born October 10, 1897. The former is at home, but the latter died at the age of four months.

Fraternally Mr. Donaldson is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has passed through all of the chairs of the local lodge and was representative to the grand lodge in 1911 and 1914. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Modern Brotherhood of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and in addition to the offices already mentioned that he has filled, he is now serving as justice of the peace at Custer. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial and are win- ning for him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." His is a record of a busy life fraught with successful accomplishment and characterized hy honorable purpose.

EDWARD S. ALLEN.

Edward S. Allen is identified with various corporate interests which are factors in the business enterprise, development and prosperity of Rapid City and the surrounding country. Ile carefully formulates his plans, carries them forward to successful com- pletion and at all times follows constructive methods which do not interfere with the suc- cessful conduct of the business of others. He was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, March 30, 1866, a son of Levi and Eliza J. (Cartwright) Allen.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 5

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