History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 55

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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For nine years Mr. Noble followed . farming and then removed to Canton, where he established a lumberyard which he conducted successfully for ten years. At that time the Northwestern Railway was built and the town of Centerville was founded. He removed to that place, having there acquired a homestead and other lands that aggregated eight hundred acres. He continned for five years in the lumber business there and then engaged in general merchandising and also did some drainage engineering. In 1913 he removed to Woonsocket and became president of the Citizens National Bank, which had been founded in 1902. In 1914, when the institution became a member of the Federal Reserve, the name was changed to the First National Bank. It is capitalized for thirty-five thousand dollars and a general banking business is conducted along legitimate lines, the policy of the officers being to earefully safeguard the interests of depositors, so that the course of the bank has been such as has won public confidence in an unusual degree. In what- ever business Mr. Noble has engaged he has displayed adaptability and enterprise which, combined with close application and keen sagacity, have won for him a most gratifying measure of success. He has a large ranch in Hand connty comprising twelve hundred acres, on which he raises Hereford cattle.

On the 17th of October, 1872, Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Alida Pruyn, a daughter of Walter and Sarah (Kibbie) Pruyn, of Mercer county, Illinois. They have five children, as follows: William P., who is a ranchman of Hand county and a breeder of blooded cattle: D. Walter, of Chehalis, who is president of the Chehalis National Bank ; Harrict, the wife of Fred D. Henderson, who is connected with the Security National Bank of Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Edith, the wife of R. A. Carhart, who acts as agent for the Methodist Book Concern at Mexico City, Mexico; and Ralph C., who is a graduate of the Dakota Wesleyan University and also of Purdue University of Indiana. The last named formerly served as engineer under Samuel H. Lee and is now cashier of the First National Bank of Woonsocket.

NATHAN NOBLE

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Mr. Noble votes with the republican party nor does he regard lightly the duties of citizenship. He served as a member of the councils of Canton and Centerville and was mayor of the latter place at the time of his removal to Woonsocket.

He has also been county commissioner of Lincoln county, was county surveyor of Turner county for six years and is now filling the position of deputy state surveyor. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, and both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist church. Ile is serving on its board of trustees and does much to further and promote its work. He is a contributor to and member of the board of trustees of the Dakota Wesleyan University and stands for all that is progressive and helpful. His wife is very active in the Ladies Aid Society of the church and also in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mr. Noble possesses scholarly tastes and devotes con- siderable time to the study of current events which indicate the world's advancement. He is interested in all progressive movements and keeps in touch with the vital and signifi- cant problems of the day that have to do with the upbuilding and development of city, state and nation. He believes that it should be a matter of personal concern to every publie-spirited citizen to aid in the work of general improvement and he actively indorses those projects which are a matter of civie virtue and civic pride.

ANDREW G. WILLIAMS.

Andrew G. Williams, the president of the Potter County Land & Abstract Company, and a well known resident of Gettysburg, follows business methods which commend him to the confidence and support of the general public and therefore his success is assured. He has always been a resident of the middle west and the spirit of enterprise which has dominated the upbuilding of the Mississippi valley is manifest in his undertakings. He was born in Portage, Wisconsin, February 12, 1861, a son of Oliver P. and Mary A. (McFarlane) Williams, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Wisconsin. In early life the father engaged in the insurance and real-estate business, continuing along that line in Portage, Wisconsin, for many years. He died in 1885 and is survived by his widow, who is now living in Poynette, Wisconsin.

Andrew G. Williams pursued his education at the place of his nativity, graduating from the high school there. When about eighteen years of age he was employed in gov- ernment survey work in the Jim river valley of South Dakota and there spent the years 1881, 1882 and 1883. He had come to this state in 1880 and in 1884 he removed to Gettys- burg, where he opened a real-estate office. He continued in business independently until 1892, when, in connection with two partners, he formed the Potter Land & Abstract Com- pany. under which name he still continues business. After a time he purchased the interest of his partners, becoming sole owner in 1900, although the business is still conducted under the same firm style, with Mr. Williams as president of the company, Mrs. Williams as vice president, and a son, J. H. Williams, as secretary. Andrew G. Williams is quite an extensive land owner, having much property in the state. He located in Gettysburg in 1884 on the exact spot where his office now stands. At that time Forest City was the county seat and he spent two months there before removing to Gettysburg. He believed that there would be a more advantageous field at this point, however, and time has proven the wisdom of his opinion. The company, of which he is the head, has the only set of abstract hooks in the county. The firm occupies pleasant and commodious offices, well furnished and equipped, the building having been erected in 1913.

In February. 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Williams and Miss Carrie B. Ayres, who was born in Knightstown, Indiana, a daughter of H. H. and Minerva Ayres. who came to South Dakota in the year 1883, settling in Potter county. The father engaged in the furniture business in Gettysburg for a number of years and both he and his wife passed away there. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born four children: Anna Grace, who studied domestic science at the University of Wisconsin: Jay H., who is a graduate of the South Dakota University and is now associated in business with his father and also is active in the practice of law; Dorothy May, attending the University of Wisconsin; and

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Donald Ayres, in school. The son Jay is now married, his wife having previously been Bonnie S. Beebe.

Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being connected with the blue lodge at Gettysburg, of which he was master for two terms. He likewise belongs to the chapter, to the consistory and to the Shrine, and he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is independent and has never aspired to office, although he served as the first mayor of Gettysburg and was chairman of the county board when the present county courthouse was erected, it being one of the best built and most thoroughly equipped public buildings of the kind in South Dakota. His home is one of the attractive and pleasantly situated residences in the town and in fact everything connected with Mr. Williams breathes the spirit of enterprise and progress. He has proven his faith in his town, his county and his state by his investments and the success which has come to him is the reward of the earnest effort which he has put forth to advance the public interests.

ELLIS T. PEIRCE.

Ellis T. Peirce, of Hot Springs, South Dakota, has had a life of varied experience and during most of his mature years has resided in this state, being familiar with most phases of pioneer life in South Dakota. For the last few years he has conducted a barber shop in Hot Springs and is meeting with success in that business. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county, near Philadelphia, April 24, 1846, a son of Joseph and Prudence (Blackburn) Peirce, the former a native of the same locality and the latter born five miles away, across the line in Maryland. Joseph Peirce was born in 1800 and his wife sixteen years later. He was both a farmer and miller and took quite an active part in publie affairs. He passed away in 1848 and bis widow removed to Sioux City, Iowa, where she lived for a time, but later returned to Philadelphia, where her death occurred in 1908. Both were Quakers in religious faith.

Ellis T. Peirce received a good education in the public schools and later attended the State Normal School at Millersville, Pennsylvania. When seventeen years of age he put aside all other considerations and offered himself for service in the Union army, enlisting in Nevin's Battery at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1863. His coolheadedness and valor won him promotion to the rank of corporal and then successively to first duty sergeant and commissary sergeant. For sixty days he was confined in a hospital hut when not incapacitated by sickness was always found at his post of duty. He was mustered out at St. Louis on the 16th day of March, 1865. In addition to his service in the Union army he was employed under Governor Fletcher, of Missouri, in ridding the state of outlaws, being one of one hundred and thirty-five men picked from different regiments whose services were required in that connection from April until July. Upon returning to private life he engaged in the pump business, selling pumps, manufactured by his brother, throughout northern Missouri. After spending ten months in that occupation Mr. Peirce engaged in the show business for a time and upon abandoning that fed cattle in Illinois and Iowa. In 1871 he removed to Omaha and was connected with the hotel business but in February, 1876, he went to Custer, Dakota territory, as captain of a train with which there were sixty-nine men, and began prospecting, later taking up three claims on French creek. When gold was struck at Deadwood Gulch there were some eight thousand people living in Custer but shortly afterward the population had decreased to about two thousand, most of whom were women and children. Mr. Peirce at that time was engaged in scout duty for incoming and outgoing trains but in the fall of 1876 he opened a free hospital at Custer City for the sick and wounded. He conducted this until March of the following spring, having at that time fourteen patients to care and provide for. He found it necessary to make definite pro- vision for securing funds and accordingly opened a barber shop in Custer on the 16th of October, 1876, devoting the profits therefrom mainly to the upkeep of his hospital. He was appointed deputy sheriff of Custer county and in the election in the fall of 1877 was elected to that office, serving therein until the 1st of April, 1878, when he resigned. In connection with Daniel J. Stafford he opened the Stafford House in Rapid City and remained

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there until the Ratchford stampede, when he joined the rush and took up a claim or two. He located the Maid of Athens pocket mine, which he worked until the fall of 1880, when he was elected sheriff of Pennington county. After serving in that office for two years he engaged in ranching but in 1886 was compelled to abandon that work on account of rheu- matism. Removing to Hot Springs for medical treatment, he engaged in the real-estate business there and met with a fair measure of success until the panic of 1893. He then went to Mobile, Alabama, but after six months was so anxious to return to Hot Springs that he sold his property in Hot Springs at a heavy loss, this being the only way of securing the necessary funds at that time. On his way back to this state he stopped at St. Louis and purchased the equipment for a barber shop and since his return to Hot Springs has engaged in that business. He also deals in real estate to some extent. practically owning all of the property he handles. Since his return he has resided continuously in the city save for four weeks that were spent at Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Mr. Peirce was united in marriage July 3, 1883, to Miss Iris E. Williams, who was born at Forsythe, Missouri, in Ozark county, a daughter of Ira L. and Annie C. Williams. On her mother's side she comes of distinguished colonial ancestry, the line being traced back to the family that produced Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary war fame. Mr. Williams, as a pioneer of Yankton, was one of the early settlers on Turkey creek. He is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Peirce, having survived his wife since 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Peirce has been horn a daughter, Ethel, who has taken post-graduate work at the State Normal School at Spearfish and who for eight years has taught in the Hot Springs schools.

Mr. Peirce is a republican, loyal in his allegiance to that party. In addition to his service as sheriff he has held official positions of importance. In 1903 and 1904 he was a member of the state legislature and at various times he has been deputy United States marshal. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church and his fraternal connec- tions are with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In the former organization he belongs to all of the York Rite bodies, including the Knights Templar com- mandery. He has gained the right to be considered one of those hardy spirits who have laid the foundation for the material prosperity of the state, while his upright life and concern for the public welfare have heen factors in the moral and civic development of his community.

WILLIAM R. GLASSJE.

William R. Glassie, of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, is engaged in business there as the proprietor of a grocery store and is also interested in the raising of horses upon a fine ranch which he owns in that locality. He was born in Clarion, Wright county, Iowa, November 12, 1869, and is the oldest of a family of four children born of the marriage of Samuel and Sarah (Schafer) Glassie. The father was a native of Kentucky and the mother of Illinois. Samuel Glassie early in life learned the painter's trade in Chicago, to which city he had removed, and continued to work at that occupation until he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of an Illinois regiment. He was at the front during the entire war and after its close settled in Wright county, Iowa, where he followed his trade until 1870, in which year he removed to western Nebraska. Six years later he went to the Black Hills by ox team and in February, 1877, arrived at Custer City. After remain- ing there for a short time he proceeded to Hayward and engaged in prospecting and also did some house painting. He lived at Hayward for about a year and then went to Dallas, Texas, where he had charge of the car-painting work of the railroad yards. While so engaged he was shot and killed, presumably by southern sympathizers, his demise occurring about the latter part of 1878. Mrs. Glassie died while the family was residing in Nebraska, in the fall of 1877.

William R. Glassie attended school successively at Central City, this state, Elk Creek, Sturgis and Spearfish, being a student in the State Normal at the last named city. When about sixteen years of age he made his home with a cousin, Mrs. J. Arnold, of Sturgis, and was employed there as driver on a freight road. Subsequently he was for a time a cowboy in western South Dakota but in 1890 he entered the State Normal Sebool at Spearfish.

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During his vacations he worked in a grocery store in Belle Fourche and in 1892 he purchased an interest in a grocery in that city and also in one in Whitewood. The firm of which he was a member was known as Arnold Brothers & Glassie and operated stores in Sturgis, Whitewood and Belie Fourche. In 1911 Mr. Glassie severed his connection with that firm and for a few years concentrated his energies upon the development of his stock interests in the vicinity of Belle Fourche. He had for some time previous to this been operating a general store at Nisland and on March 1, 1914, he transferred his stock of groceries from that store to Belle Fourche, baving disposed of the dry-goods end of his business. He is now operating a grocery store in Belle Fourche and carries a fine line of fancy and staple groceries. His long connection with the grocery trade enables him to correctly judge of the demands of his enstomers and to bny wisely, and as he is satisfied with reasonable prices his trade is constantly growing in volume. He is also still engaged in the stock business, raising high grade horses upon a large ranch near Belle Fourche which he owns.

Mr. Glassie was married July 26, 1893, to Miss Sarah Lutz, who was born at Jefferson, Iowa, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lutz, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German parentage. The father, a farmer by occupation, removed with his family to the Black Hills in 1877, locating in Deadwood. There he and a brother engaged in blacksmithing for some time but Abraham Lutz later located with his family in what is known as Spring Creek valley, where he became a landowner and agriculturist. His wife died there in 1880 and he now resides with a son near Faith, this state. He was a soldier in the Civil war, serving throughout the entire conflict as a member of the Union army. To him and his wife were horn five children, of whom Mrs. Glassie is the third. She has become the mother of two children, Ethel and Mildred, both at home.

Mr. Glassie is a republican, is serving his seventh year as president of the board of county commissioners and for six or seven years was a member of the city council. He is an enthusiastic Mason and holds membership in the blue lodge, the chapter and council of Spearfish and in the consistory and Shrine at Deadwood. He also belongs to the Elks lodge at that place and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Belle Fourche. He is con- sidered one of the successful and enterprising business men of his city and in building up his own financial interests has also contributed to the general prosperity.

HENRY D. MARLETT.

Henry D. Marlett, who since 1902 bas owned and developed a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Three Rivers township, Spink county, has been a resident of South Dakota for about a third of a century, coming to this state from Albert Lea, Minnesota. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, February 7, 1859, and is a son of Loron and Louisa (Bailey) Marlett. The father was a carpenter by trade and in pioneer times took up his abode in Minnesota, where for many years he continued to make his home. In 1882 he came to Spink county, Dakota, but soon afterward went to Bismarck, remaining there only a short time, however. lle then settled in Redfield, where he died in 1906, at the age of seventy-four years, and was laid to rest in the cemetery therc. His first wife, who was the mother of our subject, died in 1871 and was buried at Chillicothe, Illinois. About two years later he married Emma Powell, of Chillicothe, who still makes her home in Redfield. The Marlett family is of French origin and was established in America when this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain.

At the usual age Henry D. Marlett became a pupil in the schools of Albert Lea, Min- nesota, where he completed his studies at the age of seventeen years. He then began assisting his father in the development of the home farm. Soon after his arrival in this state he purchased a relinquishment on what is his present property and has since carried on general agricultural pursuits. His work has been carefully managed and the results, therefore, have been sure and certain. He raises corn and various other grains and his fields present a splendid appearance, indieating the practical methods and careful supervision of the owner. Stock raising is also an important feature of his business. He handles horses, cattle and logs and his sale of stock annually brings him a good return.

On the 30th of October, 1898, in Redfield, South Dakota, was celebrated the marriage of

MR. AND MRS. HENRY D. MARLETT

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Mr. Marlett and Miss Anna Arnold, a daughter of Frank and Anna (Zeitler) Arnold, carly settlers of this state. For many years her father was actively engaged in farming but is now living retired in Huron. He came from Germany and belongs to that class of German-Ameri- van citizens who have constituted an important element in the development of the northwest. On coming to this country he first settled in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but in 1885 removed with his family to Beadle county, Dakota, having located a claim there four years before. Mrs. Arnold died in 1894 and was buried at Cavour, Beadle county, and four years later Mr. Arnold married Mrs. Ella Money, of Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Marlett have become parents of seven children: Lawrence, Mildred, Frank, Charles, Vincent, Louisa and John, all at home.

Mr. Marlett votes with the republican party and is thoroughly informed concerning the leading questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Athol and to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Ashton, and he has many friends both within and without those organizations. He has led a busy life, as is indicated in the improvements upon his farm, all of which he has made himself. He built his present residence, also put up substantial barns and outbuildings affording shelter for grain and stock. He broke every acre of the land that is now under cultivation, performing the arduous task of converting new land into productive fields. Ernest, persistent labor has been the chief element in his success and has won for him a position among the substantial farmers of Spink county.

CHARLES TURNER.

Charles Turner, organizer and president of the Bank of Leola at Leola and also exten- sively engaged in farming and stock-raising, is a progressive citizen whose activities have been an element in public prosperity as well as individual success. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Janesville, December 13, 1853, a son of John and Margaret (Jehu) Turner. natives of England and Wales respectively. They came to America in 1838, establishing their home upon a Wisconsin farm, which state was then on the frontier, and there their remaining days were passed. The father built a log cabin immediately after his arrival and occupied it for some years but at length the primitive home was replaced by a more modern and commodious residence. He made other excellent improvements upon his farm, divided it into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and carried on his work according to the most modern methods. He died in the year 1885, while his wife survived until 1893. In their family were eight children, of whom five are living.

At the age of seventeen years Charles Turner left home and took up the profession of teaching. which he followed in the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to farming. He is a graduate of the State Normal School at Whitewater, Wisconsin, and is a well educated man who proved an efficient and capable teacher, doing much to advance the interests of the schools in the localities in which he taught.

The spring of 1881 witnessed his arrival in Lake county, South Dakota, and throughout the intervening period to the present time he has been identified with banking. He was assistant cashier of a bank in Lake county for three years and in June, 1884. went to Leola, where he organized the MePherson County Bank, now the Bank of Leola, of which he has continuously been the president, covering a period of thirty-one years. The bank has had a steady and healthful growth. Its policy commends it to the confidence and support of the public. for in the management of the bank progressiveness and conservatism are well bal- anced factors. Into other branches of business activity Mr. Turner has also extended his efforts and is now the owner of a ranch of six hundred and forty acres which is stocked with seven hundred head of cattle and one hundred and fifty head of horses. In addition he owns another tract of land of five hundred acres and he is the owner of an excellent brick hank building in Leola that he ocenpies, his town and country property being evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift.

Mr. Turner has been twice married. In 1880 he wedded Miss Cedora Johnson, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Isaiah and Nancy Jane Johnson. The latter still survives and is now in the eighty-seventh year of her age. To Charles and Cedora (Johnson) Turner was born a son, Worth C., who is now vice president of the Bank of Leola and is married and has two children, Vernon and Delphy. Mrs. Cedora Turner passed away in February,

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 55

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