History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 60

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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His birth occurred in Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 4th of May, 1849. He was a man of broad education, attending Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, and also taking a theological course in Concordia Seminary at St. Louis, Missouri, where he was graduated with the class of 1873. In October of that year he came to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, having accepted a call from the Nedaros Evangelical Lutheran congregation in Sverdrup town- ship and three other congregations, one located at Brandon, Minnehaha county, one in Brook- ings, South Dakota, and one in Rock county, Minnesota. At that time he was the only Lutheran minister in that section of the state and an enormous amount of missionary work devolved upon him. Many a man would have grown faint hearted at the mere thought of the work, but Rev. Sando never faltered and threw himself into the task before him with all the enthusiasm and energy of his youth. Before the expiration of the first year he had organized six congregations in addition to the four he came to take charge of. Not only was he the organizing pastor, but he also preached to them, one of the congregations heing in Yellow Medicine county, Minnesota. The others were in many cases miles apart, so that it was necessary for him to spend much of his time in the saddle in going from one charge to another. As the immigration of Lutherans into that section of the state increased, his mis- sionary duties were added to and his field of labor was broadened. At one time he preached to not fewer than seventeen congregations and he held service in whatever building was avail- ahle, sod honse, frame residence and later schoolhouse. The congregations which were organ- ized by him in those pioneer days are now in charge of twelve pastors and many fine church

REV. O. O. SANDO

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edifices have been erected. In 1874 Rev. Sando organized the first Norwegian Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, after having preached regularly to a few Lutherans at that place since 1873. In the latter years of his life he had charge of two congregations, one in Sverdrup township and one in Taopi township, Minnehaha county, and continued to give his parish- joners the same whole-hearted service as when he first came to South Dakota a young minister just from the seminary.

The Lutheran church in South Dakota can never repay the debt of gratitude which it owes to such men as Rev. Sando, who came to the state when it was a pioneer region and gave the best years of their lives to arduous duty upon the frontier, organizing small bands of devout men and women into churches, holding services wherever possible and laying the foundation for that splendid growth and development which has made the Lutheran church one of the strongest in the state. Rev. Sando was known as an excellent preacher, but the great hold which he had upon his parishioners was due in large measure to his work among them as a man of sympathy, kindness, good judgment and godly life. He passed away on the 24th of December, 1903, mourned by those whom he had served as pastor and also by the community at large.

W. W. AND C. F. SANDO.

W. W. and C. F. Sando are among the well known farmers of Minnehaha county and reside on section 10, Taopi township. Both are native sons of the county, born in Lyons township, the former on the 19th of July, 1886, and the latter on the 23rd of August, 1888. They are sons of the Rev. O. O. Sando, the pioneer minister of the Lutheran church in this section of South Dakota, whose sketch is given above. He was for thirty years minister of the Nedaros Norwegian Lutheran church at Baltic and gave to his parishioners the best of his strength and thought.

W. W. and C. F. Sando received their elementary education in the public schools and also attended for one term the school at Wilmer, Minnesota, where they received commercial training. W. W. Sando was later a student in the Jones Anetioneering School in Chicago and was graduated from the same in the winter of 1913. Since then he has cried many sales in the state and has been very successful in seeuring good prices for the articles sold. He and his brother bought their present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 10, Taopi township, in the spring of 1914. They are now farming it together and are making a specialty of breeding pure bred shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, having over two hundred head of the latter. The brothers are well versed in the principles of animal hus- bandry and are among the most successful stock-raisers of the county.

Both are members of the Lutheran synod and, applying the teachings of the church to their daily lives, they merit and receive the sineere respect of all with whom they have been brought in contact. They give their political adherence to the republican party and they take a deep interest in all movements tending to the progress and advancement of their locality.

W. J. MAYTUM, M. D.

Dr. W. J. Maytum, one of the pioneer physicians of Alexandria, Hanson county, has also been quite prominent in public affairs, having served as state senator in addition to holding a number of local offices. He was born in Penn Yan, New York, on the 11th of December, 1864, a son of Charles and Emma (Fagg) Maytum, now residents of Washington, D. C. The father is a miller by trade.

Dr. Maytum received his education in the publie schools of Iowa and in his youth worked upon a farm and in a mill, thus learning much concerning both agriculture and milling. In the meantime he attended high school and in 1888 matriculated in the University of Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of M. D. He paid his way through school by working, and the energy and willingness to apply himself that characterized

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his student days have been large factors in his subsequent success. Following his graduation from medical school he removed immediately to Alexandria, South Dakota, and there entered upon the practice of his profession. In a comparatively short time he had established himself in the confidence of the people and as the years have passed his practice has grown and his reputation as an able and up-to-date physician and surgeon has extended to a wider territory. He is a member of the Mitchell District Medical Society, the South Dakota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and from the meetings of those bodies he derives much valuable knowledge concerning the discoveries in medical science and the improved methods used by other wide-awake and progressive practitioners. For a number of years the Doctor was secretary and treasurer of the South Dakota State Medical Society. In 1913 he took a three months' special course in surgery under Dr. Emil Reis of the Chicago Post Graduate Medical School.

On November 19, 1894, Dr. Maytum was united in marriage to Miss Lillie M. Syferd, a daughter of John W. Syferd of Wayne county, Iowa. Dr. and Mrs. Maytum have the fol- lowing children: Koran and Genevieve, both students at the State University of Vermillion; and Cecil, Thelma, Crystal, Loraine, John Terrance and Harry R.

Dr. Maytum supports the democratic party. In 1890 he was county superintendent of schools and efficiently discharged the duties of that office. In 1911 he was honored by election to the state senate from his district and as a legislator sought to further the best interests of the commonwealth. He is at present on the board of health of Alexandria. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Yeomen and the Woodmen, and his genial nature enables him to make and retain friends easily. He is a stockholder and officer of the Security National Bank and also owns some excellent land in this state. He is one of the best known residents of Alexandria and is also one of the most highly respected citizens of the town, and those who have been most intimately associated with him hold him in the warmest regard.

JOHN C. GROSS.

John C. Gross, prominently connected with the business interests of Bowdle, belongs to that class of men whose enterprise constitutes an upbuilding force in the life of a con- munity. He is connected with banking and mercantile concerns and is the owner of valu- ahle city and farm property. Moreover, his life is an indication of the opportunities that are offered in America to men of foreign birth who seek the chances that are to be found on this side of the Atlantic.

Mr. Gross is a native of Russia, born at Kluckstohl, near Odessa, September 28, 1875, a son of Christian and Kathrina (Lapp) Gross, who were also natives of the same country, whence they came to America in 1889, first settling in MePherson county, South Dakota. The father took up three quarter sections of land and built thereon a sod house and stable, He at once began the development of his property and brought it to a high state of culti- vation. In 1910 he put aside the active work of the fields and retired from business life, removing to Bowdle, where he and his wife now make their home. In their family were nine children, six of whom are yet living: Kathrina, the wife of Fred Reiner, of MePherson county ; Jolin C .; Henry; Christian; Martin; and Rosa, the wife of J. K. Kurle, of Bowdle.

John C. Gross remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-two years, after which he devoted three months to grain buying at Bowdle. He then accepted a clerkship in a store, in which he was employed for thirteen months, and later he established an implement business in Bowdle, which he conducted with growing success for nine years, enjoying a liberal patronage. On the expiration of that period he and his father-in-law, Jacob Gundert, estab- lished and incorporated a state bank at Bowdle, of which Mr. Gross was made president and still acts in that capacity. A year afterward he and his brother Henry became sole pro- prietors of this institution, which they now own. They conduct a general banking business and theirs is regarded as one of the sound financial institutions of this part of the state. They have also purchased a general store, known as the German Bazaar, which they are still conducting in connection with the banking business. They own a brick block in Bowdle,

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in which they carry on business, and they are likewise the owners of several farm properties in Edmunds county and also of a farm in Sargent county, North Dakota. All four brothers are now associated together in these business enterprises. They have ever been watchful of opportunities, alert and energetic and gradually they have advanced in business to the goal of prosperity.

In 1904 Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Gundert, a native of Yankton, South Dakota, and a daughter of Jacob Gundert, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Gross now have three children, Edna K., Gardner B. and Maurice J.

The parents are members of the Congregational church and are interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the community. Mr. Gross was a youth of fourteen when he came to the new world. His educational advantages were limited to those offered by the public schools and from an early age he depended upon his own resources. He never sought to depend upon any fortunate combination of circumstances in his business career but placed his faith in industry and perseverance and by the intelligent direction of his efforts he has won a substantial measure of success, being numbered among the foremost residents and business men of Edmunds county.

JOHN R. CALDER.

John R. Calder, a furniture and secondhand dealer of Edgemont, Fall River county, was born in Liverpool, England, on the 6th of July, 1855, and is a son of George and Katherine (McMullen) Calder, the former born in Somersetshire, England, and the latter in Ireland. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and was an expert workman. Both he and his wife passed away in England, his demise occurring in 1889 and that of his wife when our subject was but three years of age.

John R. Calder attended school at Longport, Bristol and London, England, and continued his education in Illinois after his emigration to this country. When but twelve years of age he crossed the Atlantic and made his way to the vicinity of Galesburg, Illinois, where he made his home with an unele for four years. When a youth of sixteen he became a farm hand and was in the employ of others until he was twenty-three years old. At that time, he went to Iowa and after renting land for two years was married and he and his bride settled upon a homestead near Kearney, Nebraska. About seven years later he removed to Akron, Colorado, and there entered the real-estate field. After spending two years in that way he returned to Kearney county, Nebraska, and for some time engaged in the livery business at Minden. From 1891 to 1893 inclusive the crops were poor in that section of the country and times were so bad that he lost heavily and disposed of his business, removing to Sheridan, Wyoming. He entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and had been with that corporation for about eighteen months when he was transferred to Edgemont, South Dakota, in the capacity of head clerk, which position he held until he was appointed postmaster. On the expiration of his term in that office he embarked in the furniture and secondhand business, in which he is still engaged. He carries a full line of furniture, queens- ware and rugs and also deals in secondhand goods of all kinds. He draws custom from quite a wide territory and his annual profits are gratifying. He is also associated with William Bartlett in the ownership of the franchise of the sulphur well at Edgemont and his interest therein is the source of a substantial addition to his income. He owns land near Edgemont and is one of the substantial residents of Fall River county.

Mr. Calder was married in August, 1877, to Miss Mary Barry, who was born at lowa City, Iowa, of the marriage of William and Katherine (Welsh) Barry, both natives of Ireland, who, however, were married in America. Her father, a farmer hy occupation, was an early resident and landowner in the vicinity of Iowa City. He passed away at Des Moines, Iowa, and his widow subsequently removed to Kearney county, Nebraska, where she died while living with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Calder have had four children. Carter E., married Miss Alma Wilson, and is engaged in the laundry business at Alliance, Nebraska. Fred W., an undertaker of Greeley, Colorado, married Miss Minnie Savon. Maud is the wife of Fred S. Miner, who is a civil engineer in the employ of the Bell Telephone Company and

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resides at St. Louis, Missouri. Harry G., who passed away on the 24th of August, 1912, was a printer by trade.

Mr. Calder is a republican and for three and a half years served as postmaster of Edge- mont under President Roosevelt. He has also been city treasurer and school treasurer and is now police judge. In all of the official capacities in which he has been called upon to serve he has proved faithful to the trust reposed in him and has discharged his duties ably. The Episcopal church, of which he is a devont communicant, finds him at all times ready to further its work, and his life is an influence for good in his community. He is equally loyal to the Masonic order and the Modern Woodmen of America, to which he belongs. His is a well rounded life, in which business, political, moral and social interests are all represented, and he is one of the valued citizens of Edgemont.

JACOB HELM.

Jacob Helm, vice president and assistant cashier of the First State Bank of Java, Wal- worth county, is one of the most efficient young business men in his community and is held in high esteem. He is also serving as city treasurer and gives the same care to his public duties as to the management of the bank. He was born in southern Russia on the 7th of March, 1883, a son of Fred and Christina Helm, also natives of that country. In 1892, when Jacob Helm was a lad of nine years, the family emigrated to America and settled upon a farm in Walworth county, South Dakota, where the parents resided until 1914, when they removed to Java, where they are now living.

Jacob Helm received a good common-school education and remained at home until he began clerking in a store in Java, where he was employed until 1905. He entered the First State Bank of Java, with which he has since been connected, being now vice president and assistant cashier of that institution. The bank has the full confidence of the business men of Java and is in excellent financial condition. On the 1st of July, 1915, the deposits totaled sixty-two thousand twenty-four dollars and forty-five cents, the surplus fund was twenty- five hundred dollars and the undivided profits thirteen hundred and seventy dollars. The bank is capitalized for fifteen thousand dollars and its affairs are so managed that it yields a good income to its stockholders and the interests of depositors are amply protected.

Mr. Helm was married in 1906 to Miss Katie Jesser, a native of South Dakota and a daughter of Fred and Maria Jesser, both of whom were born in Russia and are now residing in Java. Mr. and Mrs. Helm have two children, Albert E. and Laura C. The parents belong to the Lutheran church and take an active and helpful interest in its work.

Mr. Helm is a republican and for two years. in 1910 and 1911 served acceptably as mayor of Java, while at the present time he is the present efficient city treasurer. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge, of which he is serving as treasurer, and he has many friends both within and withont that organization. Although he is still a young man he has gained a creditable place in local financial circles and his continued success seems assured.

REUBEN C. STYLES.

Reuben C. Styles is the owner of Plainview Farm, an attractive property of six hundred and forty acres located on section 6, Tetonke township, Spink county, but is now living retired in Brentford, where he has ereeted the largest and one of the finest residences of the place. He was born near Salem, Washington county, Indiana, on the 10th of December, 1861, a son of Robert and Rachel (Benedict) Styles. The father followed school teaching and also engaged in farming in that state but in 1866 removed to lowa, where he made his home until his death in April, 1905, when he was ninety years of age. In Iowa he also taught school, being at one time the oldest teacher in the state. He was buried in New Sharon, Iowa, and his widow makes her home in that state. The family is of English descent but has been represented in this country for many years.

Reuben C. Styles was educated in New Sharon, lowa, and attended school until he was

REUBEN C. STYLES

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twenty years of age, after which he rented and operated his father's farm for some time. He continued to engage in farming on rented land in that state until 1884, when he came to South Dakota and acquired title to a quarter section of land west of Brentford, which he began to cultivate. In 1890 he sold that place and bought a part of his present farm south of Brentford. He added to his holdings from time to time and is now the owner of six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, on which he carries on diversified farming. However, he has made a specialty of sheep raising and keeps two hundred and fifty head of the Shrop- shire breed. He also raises about one hundred Yorkshire hogs annually and about twenty head of cattle and thirty horses. Besides his farm he also owns town property in Brent- ford and is also a stoekholder in the South Dakota Life Insurance Company, whose head- quarters are at Watertown.

On the 25th of February, 1886, at New Sharon, Iowa, Mr. Styles was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary E. Arnold, a daughter of Joseph and Tacey (Smith) Arnold. Her father was pastor of the Friends church at Lynnville, Iowa, and also engaged in the practice of law. He lived to the ripe old age of seventy-one years and passed away in 1904, having survived his wife for many years, as she died in 1869, at the early age of forty-three. Both were buried in Lynnville. To Mr. and Mrs. Styles were born seven children, namely: Robert J., who now manages his father's farm; Mabel R., who was graduated from Redfield College and is now engaged in teaching at Ashton; Ardilla M., a student at Yankton College; Arnold . A., who is attending high school; two who died infancy; and Gertrude, who died at the age of ten years and is buried in Plainview cemetery, near Brentford.

Mr. Styles is a democrat and has been quite prominent in political affairs in his section of the state, being at one time the nominee of his party for state senator. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonie order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife were reared in the Friends church but now affiliate with the Congregational denomi- nation, being the only remaining charter members of Brentford church, which was organized in 1889 as the La Prairie church. About five years ago they removed to Brentford, where Mr. Styles erected an elegant home the largest in the town, which is often the scene of large social gatherings, as both he and his wife are hospitable by nature. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability who has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. He has not only won individual prosperity but has also aided in the development and upbuilding of Spink county.

HON. WILLIAM H. FROST.

The name of William H. Frost is worthy to be enrolled upon the list of South Dakota's pioneers, for he has made his home in this state for nearly forty years, coming to the Black Hills in 1875. Since that year he has participated in various ways in the growth and develop- ment of the state and in a private way as well as in public positions has shown himself to be a valuable citizen.

Mr. Frost was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, February 25, 1854. His father, Henry Frost, was born in Yexam, near Norwich, England, April 7. 1826, and was married in Jersey City in 1846 to Miss Elenor Welsh, who passed away March 10, 1875. In 1880 he contracted a second union, being married to Miss Nancy Grisworld of Lamotte, Iowa. He died June 5, 1895.

William H. Frost acquired his education in the public schools of Jackson county, Iowa. After terminating his lessons he turned his attention to farming and in 1875. when about twenty-one years of age, made his way into the Black Hills of South Dakota. He prospected for gold for about one month, at the end of which time he was escorted out of the country by the military, but he returned in February, 1876, and located on White Wood creek. a mile and a half above Crook City. He afterward left the Black Hills and removed to Yankton, traveling 'by means of ox teams, but later again made his way into the Black Hills, where in 1877 he engaged in mining and lumbering until in the summer of that year, when he began driving oxen for a freighting outfit between Fort Pierre and the Black Hills.

Subsequently Mr. Frost was elected to the office of register of deeds for Stanley county, his term beginning in 1892, and he was reelected in 1894, having established himself in the confidence of the public who appreciated his faithful and conscientious service. In 1898 he

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was elected county anditor and reelected in 1900. In later years he served as deputy county treasurer. At the general election of November, 1914, Mr. Frost was elected state senator from Stanley county, from which has since been carved Haakon and Jackson counties, and he is now filling that responsible position in a most acceptable manner. Since 1903, he has been a partner in the wholesale and retail hardware firm of F. S. Rowe & Company of Fort Pierre, one of the thriving, substantial concerns of western South Dakota. He has also been active in farming and stock-raising since locating in Fort Pierre, where he now resides-one of the city's respected citizens.

On May 6, 1883, William H. Frost was married at Lamotte, Iowa, to Miss Eliza Veach, a daughter of Elzaphen and Barbara Veach. He has given his support to the democratic party since attaining his majority and has ever stanchly supported its principles and its candidates. He has been for many years a resident of this state and his activities have contributed toward its growth and development. Mr. Frost is a charter member of Pierre lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and also belongs to Hiram Lodge, No. 123, A. F. & A. M., serving for four years as master. He is as popular in these organizations as be is in private and public life, and such honor and esteem as has come to him are well merited by a long and active career, over which falls no shadow or taint.

WILLIAM H. PRATT, JR.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 60

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