History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 58

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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JOSEPH J. ORDAL.

Joseph J. Ordal has won a name for himself in Buffalo township as a suceessful farmer, his home on section 10 being one of the well developed farms of the locality. His birth ocenrred Mareh 4, 1867, in Norway, and his parents are Johannes and Martha (Sandal) Ordal, who came to the United States in the spring of 1880, arriving in Minnehaha county, South Dakota, on the 17th of May, of the same year. Three days later the father filed on a pre- emption located on section 11, Buffalo township, and the following year filed on a homestead farm, upon which the family now resides. For many years the father operated the place, reaping bountiful harvests in return for his labor in cultivating the fields. In 1906, however, he gave his son Joseph charge of the homestead, although he and his wife still reside thereon.

Joseph J. Ordal learned the secret of successful agriculture from his father, as he assisted in the work of the homestead from hoyhood. Since 1906 he has had the entire management of the farm and has operated it most successfully, together with additional land which he has purchased. He farms in all two hundred and sixty-eight aeres, the place being one of the best improved properties of Buffalo township. His parents are both living and make their home with him. His brother, Zachariah J. Ordal, is principal of the Lutheran Normal School of Sioux Falls and is recognized as an able and progressive educator. Mr. Ordal of this review is treasurer of the Lutheran church, to which he and his parents belong. He and his father are both progressive republicans and the former has served for years in various town- ship offiees, being at present clerk of the town board. He has been a member of the school board and has been repeatedly elected township assessor, performing his duties in all of these connections with the utmost care and ability.

EDWARD A. SKINNER.

Edward A. Skinner, the editor and owner of the Edgemont Enterprise. a weekly paper which is worthy of its name, and also the owner of a fine raneh, was born at Mount Vernon, Iowa, on the 11th of June, 1860, a son of Elias and Maria (Barnes) Skinner, both natives of Ohio, the father born on the 3d of September, 1827, and the mother on the 28th of March, 1832. Early in life the father entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and in 1837 emigrated with his family from Ohio to Iowa, loeating at Keosauqua. The Barnes family removed to Iowa at the same time and Mr. and Mrs. Elias Skinner grew to manhood and womanhood in that state. There their marriage occurred and there they continued to reside until called to the home beyond, the father dying at Waterloo on the 1st of May, 1913, and the mother passing away at that place on the 6th of August. 1898. He was chaplain of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry for twenty-one months and never faltered in the performance of his duty in the face of danger.

Edward A. Skinner is the second in a family of four children and attended school in various places in Iowa as his father was a minister and held various charges. At the age of

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seventeen years he completed the high-school course at Davenport and then turned his attention to learning the painter's trade. He continued in that business until 1898, when he went to Oklahoma and became deputy sheriff of Pawnee county, where he remained for five years. At the close of that period he entered the real-estate business and also became interested in an ice plant at Pawnee. In 1909 he became a resident of Edgemont, South Dakota, and purchased a claim and engaged in ranching for four years. He still owns his land, which is situated twelve miles from Edgemont, and has large stock-raising interests. However, much of his time is given to the conduct of the Edgemont Enterprise, of which he is now the proprietor and editor. It has a good circulation as its news columns are reliable and give accounts of all happenings of local interest, and the paper is liberally patronized by the local merchants as an advertising medium.

Mr. Skinner was married in July, 1899, to Miss Eva Mercer, who was born at Elliott, Iowa, a daughter of William and Lydia Ann (Layson) Mercer, both natives of Kentucky. In 1869 they emigrated to Iowa and located at Elliott, where the father engaged in farming. He passed away in 1899 and was survived by his widow until 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have a son, Harry Edward, who was born on the 13th of September, 1904, and is now attending school.

Mr. Skinner is a republican but is not an office seeker, the only office he has ever held being that of deputy sheriff of Pawnee county, Oklahoma. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is now treasurer of the local lodge of the latter organization. As he is himself financially interested in the devel- opment of his county along agricultural and stock-raising lines he understands better the needs of his section of the state and is more thoroughly identified with its growth than would be possible to an outsider and this close community of interest with his locality is a factor in the influence which he wields as a man and as editor of the Edgemont Enterprise, which paper is always a leader in the promotion of projects for the welfare and development of Fall River county.

TOM C. McNAMEE.

Tom C. McNamee, who is serving his second term as states attorney of Hughes county, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, February 11, 1879, and is a son of John and Mary (Garvey) MeNamee, natives respectively of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and of Williamsport, that state. For some time the family resided in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the father en- gaged in the live-stock commission business, but about 1878 a removal was made to Sioux Falls. The demise of the mother occurred in 1897.

In 1898 Tom C. MeNamee removed to Brookings, South Dakota and entered the State Agricultural College, where he took special work in preparation for a legal course. In the meantime he worked during his spare hours, thus securing money to pay his expenses. In 1900 he located in Pierre and in the early part of 1901 he was appointed deputy clerk of the South Dakota supreme court, which office he filled until the fall of 1902. He then went to Sioux Falls and became deputy United States marshal under E. G. Kennedy. After serving for one year in that capacity he resigned to accept a position as secretary to Senator Kittredge. He remained in Washington from 1903 until 1906 and while serving as secretary to the senator studied law in the George Washington University, from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1906. Immediately upon his graduation he resigned his position and returned to Pierre, South Dakota, where he was admitted to the practice of law and opened an office. In 1911 he was appointed referee in bankruptcy for the central division of the state, a federal appointment which he resigned in 1913 to assume the duties of the office of states at- torney of Hughes county, to which he had been elected in November, 1912. In November, 1914, he was reelected and is now serving his second term as states attorney in a very capable and acceptable manner. He is also serving as local attorney for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. He is highly esteemed by his colleagues and keeps in touch with his profes- sional brethren through his membership in the South Dakota State Bar Association.

Mr. McNamee was married December 11, 1912, to Miss Winifred Mead, a daughter of Judge Corwin D. Mead, of Pierre, who is a highly respected attorney of that city, where he

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has resided for many years. Mr. and Mrs. McNamee have a daughter, Mary Ida, who was born March 4, 1915.

Mr. McNamee has always voted the republican ticket and his advice is often sought in party councils. He is a member of the Delta Tau Delta, a college fraternity, and is also identified with the Elks lodge at Huron and with Pierre Lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M. During the administration of Governor Elrod Mr. McNamee served as colonel and aide-de-camp on the governor's staff. The gratifying success which he has gained as an attorney is all the more creditable when it is remembered that he has made his own way in the world, having started out for himself at the age of twelve years. The same energy and determination which enabled him to secure an education have been strong factors in his advancement at the bar.

JOHN PARKER.

John Parker, who has been engaged in the real-estate business in Sioux Falls for some time, is contemplating turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he formerly followed. He was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, July 24, 1865, and is a son of Smith and Clara (Mott) Parker. His father was one of the pioneer lumbermen of Wisconsin and later became a pioneer settler of Iowa, where he engaged in farming. He has passed to his reward, but the mother is still living in Sioux Falls. A brother of our subject, Herbert E. Parker, was very prominent in Masonic circles.

John Parker received his education in the common schools and as a boy became familiar with agricultural methods through assisting his father. In 1882, when seventeen years of age, he came to South Dakota, but only remained here for a short time. He returned to Iowa, where he remained until 1900, when he came a second time to this state. He purchased land in Lincoln connty and operated his place for one year. He then removed to Sioux Falls, where he engaged in the ice and fuel business with his brother, H. E. Parker, for a decade. At the end of that time he returned to the farm, which he operated for two years. He then sold his property and returned to Sioux Falls, where he engaged in the real-estate business. He now intends, however, to again devote his time to farming.

Mr. Parker was married on the 17th of December, 1883, to Miss Martha Crofts, who passed away in 1912. To that union were born the following children; Elmer and Walter, both of whom are farming in Minnehaha county; Almeda, now Mrs. George Stoner of Minnehaha county ; Vida, who is living in Sioux Falls; and Edith, who is attending school. In March, 1913, Mr. Parker married Miss Mary Colthoff, and they have a daughter, Charlotte.

Mr. Parker is a republican and has supported the candidates of that party since age conferred upon him the franchise. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he cooperates in the work of that organization. He has firm faith in the great future in store for South Dakota and holds title to two hundred and forty acres of land in this state, to the cultivation of which he plans to give his time. He is always willing to do all in his power to promote the material and moral progress of his community and his publie spirit, added to his other admirable qualities, has gained him the esteem and good will of those who have been brought into contact with bim.

ALBERT H. THORNTON, M. D.

Dr. Albert H. Thornton, a successful physician and surgeon of Edgemont, was born at Fort Dodge, Iowa, on the 16th of March, 1874, of the marriage of Frank G. and Naomi (Herrick) Thornton. The father was born in the state of New York in February, 1854, and the mother in Minnesota in November of that year. About 1868 the father removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, with his parents and there grew to manhood. He engaged in the hardware business at Kalo, Iowa, and later at Laurens and Rolfe, Iowa. While living at Laurens he served as postmaster and for four years was county auditor of Pocahontas county. At length he removed to Grand Junction, Colorado, and was engaged in ranching there until his death, which occurred in May, 1904. He had survived his wife for many years as she

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passed away in November, 1887. They were the parents of two children, of whom our subject is the elder, the other being Fannie B., the widow of James Calvin. She was formerly a resident of Miles City, Montana, but now makes her home in San Francisco.

Dr. Thornton attended the common schools of Pocahontas county, lowa, and remained at home until twenty-one years of age, assisting with the work upon his father's farm. For about three years in his early manhood he taught during the winter but at the end of that time entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa as he had decided upon the practice of medicine as his life work. He was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1898 and began practice at West Bend, Iowa. After eighteen months he removed to Pocahontas, where he continued until the fall of 1907. He then located at Buffalo Gap, in the Black Hills, but four years later took up his residence in Edgemont, where he has since resided. He has built up a good practice and has won an enviable reputation for conscientiousness and for ability in his chosen field of work.

On the 31st of January, 1899, Dr. Thornton married Mrs. Linnie C. (MeGonigle) Seymour, who was born at McGregor, Iowa, on the 29th of October, 1872, a daughter of Charles and Helen (Barnes) MeGonigle, hoth of whom are now deceased. By her first marriage she had a son, Mac K., who was born on the 4th of December, 1895, and who is now employed in a bank at Hawarden, Iowa. By her union with Dr. Thornton she became the mother of a son, Frank G., who was born on the 6th of December, 1900. Mrs. Thornton passed away on the 6th of November, 1911, and on the 11th of February, 1914, the Doctor was again mar- ried, Miss Nellie Colgan becoming his wife. She was born in Nebraska of the marriage of Arthur J. and Ella (Stack) Colgan, both natives of Iowa.

Dr. Thornton is a republican with independent tendencies but has never taken an active part in politics, the only office that he has ever held being that of coroner of Pocahontas county, Iowa. His wife belongs to the Royal Neighbors and is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church. He finds that his practice demands his undivided attention, and his devotion to his professional duties and constant study are among the most important factors in his success as a physician. He holds not only the confidence of his patients but also the sincere respect of his colleagues.

WILLIAM T. HAESSIG.

It is little more than a quarter of a century since the entire district comprised within the borders of Spink county was wild, uncultivated prairie, covered with the native grasses. Today the place is dotted with many farms and a large part of the acreage is under cultivation. One of the good properties in Mellette township is that owned by William T. Haessig, whose land lies partly on section 27 and partly on section 34, but he is now practically living retired in Redfield. Twenty-eight years have come and gone sinee he arrived in South Dakota, making his way direct from Germany, his native land. He was born in Isenhausen, Alsace-Lorraine, July 5, 1867, and is a son of John and Anna (Burger) Haessig. The father died in the year 1912 and was buried in Isenhausen, where his entire life had been passed. His wife still survives and yet resides in her native country.

In the land of his birth William T. Haessig spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in accordance with the laws of that land attended school until he reached the age of fourteen years. He was a youth of fifteen years when he severed the ties that bound him to the old world and sought the opportunities of the new, of which he had heard favorable reports. He was empty-handed, but, while he did not possess capital, he had in substantial measure the desirable qualities of energy and determination. He immediately sought employment and worked for others until he felt that he was justified in renting land and engaging in farming on his own account. On his arrival in this country he went to Leighton, Iowa. where he remained for about a year and a half and then proceeded to Wyoming, where he rode on the range for three years. Returning east. he located in Minnesota, where he worked for two years before removing to South Dakota. He came direct to Mellette and was here employed for one year, after which he rented land for three years, and was then once more employed at farm labor until he purchased a threshing outfit. which he operated until 1897. He then filed upon the northwest quarter of section

WILLIAM T. HAESSIG

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34, Mellette township, and the same year purchased an adjoining one hundred and sixty acres-the southwest quarter of section 27-so that he is now the owner of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he has brought to a high state of culti- vation, his labors having been productive of excellent results. He pursued general farming and the concentration of his efforts upon his individual business affairs, combined with indefatigable energy, brought to him well merited success. He won for himself a creditable position among the active and representative farmers of his part of the state. That his labors were intelligently directed is indicated in the fact that he was able in 1912 to purchase an attractive property adjoining Redfield to which he has since removed and is now practically living retired, enjoying the competence he has earned. He is also the owner of land in Florida.

On the 13th of October, 1898, in Freeman, South Dakota, Mr. Haessig was united in marriage to Miss Edith M. Dubois, a daughter of John and Juliette (Lane) Dubois. Her father was a farmer and now resides in Watertown, South Dakota. The family is of French origin and three brothers of the name went from France to Holland, where they married and then came to America long prior to the Revolutionary war, since which time representatives of the family have here resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Haessig have been born eight children: Anna, John, Arthur and Florence, who are attending school at Redfield; and Hattie, Jessie, Edith and Hazel, who complete the family.

Mr. Haessig belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has never become a stanch advocate of any political party but votes independently, regarding the capability of the candidate for the office which he seeks. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the opportunities which he sought. He realized the fact that industry is the basis of success and by persistent, earnest work he has reached his present position as a well-to-do citizen of Spink county. He broke every foot of ground on his farm that is today under cultivation. It was covered with willow trees, which he grubbed out, reclaiming the land and transforming it into its present cultivable condition. He has erected all of the buildings upon the place and these are an evidence of his progressive spirit. His wife has been to him an able assistant and has shared with him in the good management of their place.

LEVI J. THOMAS.

Levi J. Thomas, state grand master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the present mayor of Ipswich, was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of April, 1878, a son of William W. and Luey A. (Stough) Thomas, the father a native of Akron, Ohio, and the mother of Dubuque, Iowa. They were married in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Thomas was employed in the coal mines, and after residing for some years in the east they came to South Dakota in 1886, settling on a farm in Edmunds county, about fifteen miles southwest of Ipswich, where they still reside.

Levi J. Thomas was a lad of eight years at the time the family came to this state and in the district schools he pursued his education, while his early training was that of the farm. He continued to assist in the work of the fields until 1898, when at the age of twenty years he left the old home and took up his abode in Ipswich, securing employment in the American House. Some months later the proprietor of the hotel died and Mr. Thomas took over the business, conducting the hotel for three years. During the succeeding two years he was engaged in the grain business and in 1905 he was appointed to the position of deputy county treasurer. In 1906 he was elected county registrar of deeds, taking offiee on the 1st of January, 1907, and serving for four years or two terms, during which he made a most creditable record. Following the expiration of his second term in this office he was appointed deputy auditor and acted in that capacity for two years, while in May, 1913, he was elected state grand master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in May of 1915 was reelected to the office.

In his political views Mr. Thomas is a republican and has not only filled the offices already mentioned but for several years served as a member of the town board and was one of the dominant factors in bringing about the incorporation of Ipswich as a city in the

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year 1908. In 1911 he was elected mayor, in which capacity he is now serving for the third term, his reelections indicating clearly how efficient he has been in office, giving to the city a businesslike administration in which he avoids equally useless extravagances and needless retrenchments. He is actnated in his official duties by a desire to benefit the city in every possible way, keeping it in touch with modern municipal improvements, and at the same time its business affairs are managed with the care which he would give to a private business concern.

In 1899 Mr. Thomas was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Lawrence, of Ipswich, South Dakota, by whom he has four living children, namely: Adelaide, Everett, Donald and Margaret. Mrs. Thomas is a daughter of James and Annie (MeCrimmon) Lawrence, natives of England and Scotland respectively and early settlers of Edmunds county. The father is deceased, and the mother now resides in Ipswich.

Mr. Thomas' fraternal relations are with the following organizations: Devotion Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M .; Ipswich Chapter, No. 111, O. E. S., to which his wife also belongs; Ipswich Lodge, No. 135, A. O. U. W .; the Degree of Honor, with which his wife is also con- nected; and the Knights of the Maccahees. Mrs. Thomas and her eldest daughter are mem- bers of the Congregational church. The family is one of prominence in the community, occupying a leading position in social circles, and in those things which touch the general interests of society Mr. Thomas has been most active, while his efforts have been farreaching and beneficial.

JENS C. NELSON.

Jens C. Nelson was for many years identified with the business interests of Irene, South Dakota, but is now living retired on a farm near the village, having removed to this place in the spring of 1915. He was born in Jutland, Denmark, on the 30th of September, 1861, his parents being Nels and Elsa (Herning) Jensen, who lived and died in that country. Mr. Nelson was reared under the parental roof and in the schools of his native land acquired his education. Upon reaching years of maturity he decided to come to the new world and on the 26th of December, 1882, embarked at Liverpool on a steamer which set sail for New York. After coming to the new world he spent some time in the east and in the fall of 1883 made his way to Yankton, South Dakota, where he secured work as a carpenter. His first work along this line was in building the hospital north of that city and he afterwards secured work on many other buildings, being thus engaged for two or three years. He eventually took up a homestead in Brule county but the land was later withdrawn by the government and he was paid eighty dollars for his claim. although this did not cover the expense that he had been put to in filing on the land. In the spring of 1888 he purchased eighty acres of land seven miles northwest of Irene, which he later traded for one hundred and twenty acres. He also sold the latter tract and invested his money in eighty acres near the little town of Talmo, south of Irene. He eventually traded this for the northwest quarter of section 7, township 53, range 95, Clay county, located a mile south of Irene, and in the spring of 1915 he took up his abode thereon. In December, 1897, however, he abandoned agricultural por- suits and removed to lrene, where he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, these pursuits claiming his entire attention until May 1, 1905, on which date he received his appoint- ment as postmaster of that village, and through reappointment served until April 1, 1914, a period of almost nine years. In 1897 he also paid a visit to his old home in Denmark but eventually returned and resumed his business interests in South Dakota. His father passed away the following year, or in 1898, while the mother had preceded him in death many years before.

Mr. Nelson has been married twice. He was first married in this state, in June, 1890, to Miss Mary Anna Jensen, a native of Denmark, and by this marriage there is one daughter, Ella Christine, the wife of George Streman, of Viberg. For his second wife Mr. Nelson chose Miss Anna Christenson, also a native of Denmark, and a danghter of Rasmus Christenson, a resident of Yankton. She emigrated with the family to this country in 1880 and it was on the 7th day of April, 1897, that she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Nelson. By the second marriage there is a daughter and son, Clara Marie and Nels Herning.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 58

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