History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 54

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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WILLIAM MERRILL POTTS.

William Merrill Potts, member of the Walworth county bar, practicing at Mohridge, was born on the 26th of February, 1883, in Turner county, South Dakota, his parents being Jolin and Henrietta Potts. The family arrived in Dakota territory in 1876, making settle- ment in Turner county during pioneer times. The father emigrated from Holland to the United States, landing at New York, and some time afterward he made his way to Michigan, whence he removed to Dakota, where his remaining days were passed. His widow still sur- vives and is living at Vermillion.

Reared in this state, William M. Potts attended the public schools and then continued his education in the University of South Dakota, in which he won the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906 and the LL. B. degree in 1909. A part of his law work was done at the Uni- versity of Chicago in 1908. He represented the State University in two intercollegiate debates-at Iowa City in 1906 and against North Dakota in 1909, both contests being won by the South Dakota team. Following his admission to the bar he located in Mobridge,

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where he has since remained, and his developing power and ability have brought him to the front in the ranks of the legal profession in Walworth county. He is now accorded a large and representative clientage that connects him with much of the important litigation heard in the courts of the district. He is also the owner of several real-estate holdings in the city and in addition has a farm of four hundred and eighty acres.

In his political views Mr. Potts is a republican and well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is always able to support his position by intelligent argument. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In Masonry he belongs to the blue lodge at Mobridge and as a Shriner, holds membership in Yelduz Temple at Aberdeen. He takes a particularly active interest in church work and is superintendent in the Sunday school of the United Congregational church. His activities are broad and touch those varied interests which are essential factors in the life of a community. The major part of his time is naturally given to his professional duties and in a calling where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit and ability he has steadily worked his way upward.

HENRY G. SOLEM.

Henry G. Solem, one of the leading, influential and prosperous citizens of Minnehaha county, is now representing his district in the state legislature. He first took up his a bode in Minnehaha county more than four decades ago and now owns from one thousand to twelve hundred acres of the most valuable land in South Dakota. He rents most of this, however, residing on the old home farm in Sverdrup township, where he devotes his atten- tion to stock-raising. His birth occurred in Norway on the 9th of November. 1853, his parents being Goodman P. and Solog (Brende) Solem, who emigrated to the United States in 1875. They located in Minnehaha county, South Dakota, homesteading in Sverdrup town- ship, where the father continued to reside until he passed away about 1886. The mother had died about 1881. They were highly esteemed as people of genuine personal worth and enjoyed a favorable acquaintance in the community.

Henry G. Solen was reared under the parental roof and obtained a limited education in the common schools of his native land. At the early age of ten years he began providing for his own support, being subsequently employed as a farm hand, at railroad work and at mining. In the spring of 1872, when in his nineteenth year, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Minnehaha county, South Dakota, where he devoted his attention to the work of the fields. In 1877 he went to the Black Hills with the gold seekers and there spent four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Minnehaha county and settled down to agricultural pursuits. He had acquired a farm before going to the Black Hills, and as the years have passed he has augmented his holdings from time to time until they now embrace from one thousand to twelve hundred acres of the most valuable land in the state, in Minnehaha and Moody counties. Mr. Solem rents most of his property and resides on the old home farm in Sverdrup township, where he devotes his attention entirely to stock-raising, his cattle being thoroughbred Durhams. About thirty years ago he organ- ized the first Farmers Cooperative Grain Elevator Company that was ever formed in the United States, serving as a director thereof and subsequently in the capacity of treasurer for a number of years. After the death of the president, Thomas Hanson, which occurred in 1912, he was made the chief executive officer and has since remained at the head of the company. In 1900 he organized the Baltic Creamery Company and has served as its presi- dent continuously since, ably and successfully directing its affairs. He is likewise a factor in financial circles as vice president of the Dakota State Bank of Baltic, which he organized and of which he has been an official from the beginning. He also holds the position of vice president in the Granite City Bank of Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He also became one of the organizers of the Mutual Insurance Company, a fire, lightning and tornado company, for the protection of farm buildings, live stock, etc. This company now carries risks of almost six million dollars and the business has proved of great benefit to the farmers. The com- pany was established only after a hard fight with a number of the old line companies, which were opposed to it, and of the people generally, who lacked faith in cooperation in those days.

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In 1886 Mr. Solem was united in marriage to Miss Lena Hoel of Minnehaha county, who is a native of Norway. They have one son, John Edward, who is at home. Mr. Solem gives his political allegiance to the republican party and for a number of years past has ably served in the capacity of township supervisor. He was the nominee of his party for the state legislature in 1914, this nomination resulting in election. When the legislature convened he became an active working member of the house and is chairman of the important com- mittees on insurance and chairman of the committee on warehouses, grain and grading and also serves as a member of other committees, proving his public-spirited citizenship in the helpful manner in which he is carrying forward the legislative work of the state. His fra- ternal relations are with the Modern Woodmen, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Brotherhood of America. 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 opportuni- ties which he sought and in their wise utilization has won prominence and prosperity and the high esteem of a host of friends.

FREDERICK CLAYTON DE VALL, M. D.

Dr. Frederick Clayton De Vall, one of the well known and successful physicians and surgeons of Minnehaha county, opened an office at Garretson in June, 1905, and has since built up an extensive and remunerative practice. His birth occurred in Plymouth county, Iowa, on the 25th of December, 1878, his parents being Harvey L. and Ella (Hasbrook) De Vall, who were born, reared and married in Ulster county, New York. The mother passed away when our subject was but nine years of age, and four years later Harvey L. De Vall wedded Miss Mary Mandelkow, a native of Clayton county, Iowa. Both are still living and make their home at Le Mars, Iowa. Mr. De Vall is a retired agriculturist, having devoted his attention to the work of the fields throughout his active business career.

Frederick C. De Vall was reared to manhood under the parental roof, attended the public schools of Le Mars, and later took a course in the Western Union College of that place, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1901. In that year he entered the Sioux City Medical College and at the end of four years devoted to study and preparation received the degree of M. D. with the class of 1905. In the month of June he located in Garretson, South Dakota, where he has remained continuously throughout the intervening ten years and has built up a large and lucrative practice, enjoying not only the confidence and regard of his patients but also the highest esteem of his professional brethren. In 1914 he attended clinics at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and the New York Post Graduate Medical School of New York city and in 1915 he took post-graduate work in the State University of Minnesota at Minneapolis. He keeps in close touch with the advancement made along the lines of medical science and holds membership in the Seventh District Medical Society of South Dakota, the State Medical Society of South Dakota and the American Medical Association.

In April, 1910, Dr. De Vall was united in marriage to Miss Helene Wangsness, her father heing MI. H. Wangsness, formerly a leading business man of Garretson. The Doctor is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His wife is a devoted member of the Lutheran church. A young man of unfailing courtesy and unfeigned cordiality, he is popular in professional and social circles alike.

HON. SAMUEL G. MORTIMER.

Samuel G. Mortimer has had a share in shaping the laws that govern the common- wealth of South Dakota as he served acceptably as state senator from his district. He has also contributed largely to the development of the business interests of Belle Fourche and the surrounding country and is at present engaged in sheep raising on a large scale. He was born in Lead, this state, October 16, 1879, a son of George G. and Eliza (Murray)

DR. FREDERICK C. DE VALL

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Mortimer, the former born in the vicinity of Glasgow, Scotland, September 29, 1832, and the latter born in London, England, March 12, 1842. In early life the father was a stonecutter and when nineteen years of age emigrated to the United States, locating first in New York. He next settled in St. Louis and later engaged in railroad contraeting in Iowa and also worked on the state capitol building at Des Moines, Iowa. In 1876 or 1877 he made his way to the Black Hills and entered the employ of the Homestake Mining Company. He also worked in the mines for a number of years but about 1885 removed to Denver, where he followed his trade. He resided in Denver until 1893 and then returned to a farm which he owned on the Belle Fourche river and on which he had lived for a year before going to Colorado. After spending another year upon his farm he moved to Crook county, Wyoming, where he engaged in raising stock until his death, which occurred March 4, 1899. His widow resides in Belle Fourche in summer but during the winter makes her home in California. She had been married previous to her union with Mr. Mortimer.

Samuel G. Mortimer was the only child born to his parents and passed his boyhood days at home. In the acquirement of an education he attended the schools of Denver, Colo- rado, and later the country schools of Butte county, this state. He was fourteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Wyoming and, his father being in ill health, the management of the ranch devolved upon his shoulders and although he was very young for such a responsibility he directed the work successfully. In the fall of 1901 he left Wyoming and removed to Belle Fourche and engaged in the hardware business, continuing in that line until 1904. He then disposed of his interests and devoted his attention to various other affairs. He is now raising sheep, which he finds a very profitable business, and also owns valuable farm lands five miles east of Belle Fourche. He was for a number of years president of the Bee Publishing Company and is now the executive head of the Belle Fourche Valley Creamery Company.

Mr. Mortimer was married on Christmas day of 1903, to Miss Mabel Wood, who was born in Yankton, a daughter of Alfred F. and Martha Wood, natives of Rhode Island and Connecticut respectively. The father was a native of Rhode Island or Connecticut and the mother was born in Norway. Mr. Wood engaged in various occupations in the early part of his life and removed to the Black Hills in the pioneer days of this state. He eventually engaged in the stock business near Belle Fourche and passed away there in November, 1903. His widow still resides upon the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer have three children, Ruth Helen, Dorothy Agnes and Freeman George.

Mr. Mortimer is a republican and was the first mayor of Belle Fourche after the ineor- poration of the eity. In the fall of 1904 he was elected state senator and served acceptably in that position of trust and honor. In 1906 he was chosen county treasurer and in 1908 was reelected. In June, 1909, he was appointed receiver of the government land office and held that position for four years and three months. It is worthy of note that at the time of his service as state senator he was the youngest man in the upper house of the legislature. He is now president of Belle Fourche school district No. 1 and is always seeking to further the interests of the publie-school system. He has manifested a great deal of interest in the Masonie order and belongs to all of the bodies thereof from the blue lodge to the Shrine. He is high priest in the chapter and past master of the blue lodge, having served for two terms as master. He is also a loyal member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His genial personality has won him many friends and his sterling worth of character has enabled him to retain the friendship thus gained.

ARCHIE W. RIORDAN.

Archie W. Riordan, the popular mayor of Hot Springs, South Dakota, is the owner of a bottling works there which makes and places upon the market all kinds of soft drinks. He was born in Hart county, Kentucky, June 30, 1861. a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Rey- nolds) Riordan, who were born in County Limerick, Ireland, in 1830 and in Hart county, Kentucky, in 1834, respectively. Thomas Riordan left the Emerald isle and emigrated to the United States, locating in the state of Pennsylvania, where he was employed at various

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occupations. Subsequently he went to Kentucky, where he worked for a large transfer and stage company, operating over the Louisville & Nashville pike, there being at that time no railways. About 1858 he was married in the Blue Grass state and settled upon a farm which remained his home until his death, which occurred in 1892. Four years later his widow died upon the old homestead. Although he was never ambitious for political honors he was elected to fill several local positions of trust and responsibility and was prominent in the affairs of his county. To him and his wife were born nine children, of whom our sub- ject is the second in order of birth.

Archie W. Riordan had bnt little opportunity for acquiring the knowledge that is con- tained in books and is indebted to the district schools of Kentucky for the advantages along that line that were accorded him. He left Kentucky in 1879 and made his way into Mis- souri but did not remain there long, as in December, 1879, he went to Sidney, Nebraska. He was employed as a cowboy for five or six years and then removed to Buffalo Gap, South Dakota, where he was made city marshal. His marriage occurred in that city and after the expiration of his term as marshal he entered the hotel business, which he carried on for a number of years. After abandoning that field of endeavor he engaged in farming for two years but returned to the hotel business because of a drought. Later he conducted a drug store in Buffalo Gap for about three years and then removed to Hot Springs, where he engaged in the drug business for two years. At the same time he became interested in the manu- facture of soda water and established a bottling works which has been continuously in opera- tion to the present time. All kinds of soft drinks are manufactured and the celebrated Kidney Spring and Minnekahta waters are shipped from that establishment. The product of the bottling works is an important factor in the advertisement of Hot Springs and the virtues of its waters, and in this way Mr. Riordan has contributed to the development of his section. He is now giving the greater part of his time and attention to the bottling works but is, however, connected with the Hot Springs Feed & Fuel Company and is the owner of considerable land in this state.

Mr. Riordan was married on the 25th of September, 1888, to Mrs. Luln E. Tuthill, who was born in London, England. By her first marriage she has a son, James W. Tuthill, who is a resident of Sioux City, Iowa, and is a traveling salesman for the Washburn Crosby Milling Company.

Mr. Riordan is a democrat and is now serving his second term as mayor of Hot Springs, his reelection proving the acceptability of his administration. In the early days of the Black Hills district he was city marshal of Buffalo Gap and served as deputy sheriff of Custer county in 1885 and 1886. As a member of the blue lodge and chapter, the commandery and the Shrine of the Masonic order and of the Elks he is quite prominent in local fraternal circles. He has made many friends in Hot Springs and has the confidence of the community, which he is ably serving as chief executive and of which he has for a number of years been a valued citizen.

HENRY H. DESCHNER.

Henry H. Deschner is actively identified with mercantile interests in Ipswich and has also been connected with building operations in Edmunds county. He was born in Russia on the 27th of August, 1857, and is a son of H. F. and Cecelia Deschner, both of whom where natives of that country, where they lived and died. The family is noted for longevity.

Henry H. Deschner was one of a family of twelve children and in his native land he was reared and educated. He served for five years in the Russian militia. Following his marriage he came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in 1893, at which time he settled in McPherson county, South Dakota, where he resided for eight years. He then removed to Edmunds county and took up his abode upon a farm, carrying on general agricultural pur- suits there for nine years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in business in Ipswich, establishing a poolroom and confectionery store. He has since continued in trade and has secured a good patronage, being thoroughly reliable in his treatment to his patrons. He has erected a fine two-story brick business block. In former years he gave considerable attention to work as a carpenter and contractor and has erected many buildings in Edmunds

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county. He owns a second store building at Ipswich in addition to that which be occupies and he also has twenty-two acres of land inside the city limits.

Mr. Deschner was united in marriage in Russia to Miss Elizabeth Adler and to them have been born eleven children, ten of whom are yet living, namely: Katherina, now Mrs. W. Hersch, of Aberdeen; Andrew J .; Elizabeth; Annie May; Agatha; one who is deceased; Walburka; Henry; Johannes; Vebien and Cecelia. Mr. Deschner has provided them with the means of securing a liberal education and thus qualified them for life's practical and responsible duties. One of his sons, Andrew J. Deschner, is now proprietor ot a large elec- trical business at Miles City, Montana.

In his political views Mr. Deschner is a democrat and for six years he has filled the office of city councilman. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, in which he has reared his family. Since coming to the new world he has acquired all that he now possesses, for he brought with him no capital when he crossed the Atlantic. He was actuated by a desire to enjoy the advantages which he believed could be secured in the United States and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in South Dakota.

JOHN HENRY MUNDT.

John Henry Mundt, the period of whose residence in South Dakota covers thirty-seven years, is a retired agriculturist now residing at Humboldt, Minnehaha county, who still has extensive landed interests. He has long been numbered among the leading and influential citizens of his community and has taken a prominent part in public affairs. His birthi occurred in Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany, on the 21st of October, 1853, his parents being Christian and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Mundt, who emigrated to the United States in 1868. The father passed away in 1898, at the age of eighty-three years, but the mother still survives and is now eighty-three years old.

John Henry Mundt was a youth of almost fifteen years when he accompanied his par- ents on their voyage to the new world, the family home being established at Giard, Clayton county, Iowa, on the 3d of September, 1868. He resided with his father and mother in Giard and worked with the former in a wagon shop until 1870. For two terms he attended the normal school at Galena, Illinois, while afterward he spent three years in a wagon shop at Postville, Allamakee county, Iowa, and for two years conducted a wagon shop for J. H. Schwenkee at Clayton Center. It was in the year 1878 that he came to South Dakota, reaching Sioux Falls on the 23d of March. He homesteaded the southeast quarter of sec- tion 34, township 102, range 52, Humboldt township, and there turned his attention to gen- eral agricultural pursuits, his efforts in that connection being rewarded with gratifying sue- cess. In 1884 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35, Humboldt township, and he still owns two hundred and eighty acres on section 16, that township, as well as a quarter section of land north of Pierre, in Sully county, this state. On the 1st of March, 1914, he put aside the active work of the fields and has since enjoyed honorable and well earned retirement. Numerous other interests have claimed his attention, for he is a man of excellent executive ability and sound judgment in business affairs. He served as secretary of the telephone company and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Elevator Company, of which he acted as president for four years. At the end of eleven years' service as secre- tary of the Farmers Mutual Fire & Lighting Insurance Company of Humboldt he was made president of the concern, the business of which has increased tenfold under his able direction. In 1911 he assisted in the organization of the local branch of the German State Alliance and has since been its president.

On February 11, 1882, Mr. Mundt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Niehaus, by whom he had the following children: J. C., a graduate of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, who also pursued a course in the law department of the University of South Dakota at Vermillion and was admitted to the bar following his graduation therefrom in 1913; H. C., who is a graduate of the School of Law of the university at Vermillion; Alma; Emma; Ida; and five who are deceased.

In politics Mr. Mundt is a democrat and his public work has been felt as a potent influ- ence in the local ranks of that party. In November, 1888, he was chosen county commis-

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sioner of Minnehaha county and held the office for three years, being reelected after all interval of six years and again serving in that capacity for a period of seven years. He acted as chairman of the county board in 1905 and 1906, also made a splendid record as justice of the peace and in 1882, at the time of its organization, was chosen assessor of Hum- boldt township. From 1894 to the present time he has served continuously as school clerk. In 1907 he was chosen to represent his district in the legislature, doing commendable work in the interests of his constituents as a member of the senate. For a number of years he also served on the township board and at different times acted as its chairman. He is moreover a valued member of the Commercial Club and is widely recognized as a leading citizen of his community, which owes its advancement and growth along many lines and in considerable degree to the zealous labors of John H. Mundt.

NATHAN NOBLE.

Nathan Noble, banker and ranchman, controlling important business interests and a citizen whose interest in all progressive movements finds tangible expression, was born in Mercer county, Illinois, June 17, 1851, a son of D. J. and Sarah (Raeder) Noble, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a native of Indiana but the ancestral line is traced back to Ireland, whence came the great-great-grandfather of Nathan Noble, who settled in South Carolina in the latter part of the eighteenth century.

In the public schools of his native county Nathan Noble acquired his preliminary education and later became a student in Hedding Seminary, a Methodist school at Abingdon, Illinois. In early manhood he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for a short time, and in 1872, when twenty-one years of age, he came to Dakota, settling on a homestead claim in Lincoln county. On his removal here he was the first to ship goods over what was then known as the Dakota Southern Railroad, now the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and paid. the first freight to that road and still has the receipt for the same in his possession. The road permitted Mrs. Noble to ride in the cab of the engine, as it was a construction train, no regular train having been put on the road at that time. This was the first railroad built in what is now South Dakota.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 54

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