History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 61

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

USA > South Dakota > History of Dakota Territory, volume V > Part 61

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

William H. Pratt, Jr., president of the Brule National Bank of Chamberlain, was born in Rochelle, Illinois, on the 22d of May, 1881, and is a son of William H. and Louise Pratt. The father, who was in active life engaged in railroading, is now retired but the mother has passed away.

WOODSON B. CRAVEN.

Woodson B. Craven, who since 1912 has been cashier of the Ardmore State Bank, of which he is one of the owners, is a native of Platte county, Missouri, born on the 12th of June, 1859. His parents, James L. and Elizabeth (Ballew) Craven, were both natives of Kentucky, the former born in Jessamine connty in 1830 and the latter in Madison connty in 1833. The father, who was a farmer and stock-raiser, died in Clay county, Missouri, in 1874. He was very successful in business and during the Civil war he served in the Home Guards in Missouri. He drove the first herd of cattle from Texas to Kansas City. In 1887 his widow removed to Oelrichs, South Dakota, but passed away in Edgemont in 1891.

Woodson B. Craven attended the district schools, the schools of Platte City and Gaylord Institute. In 1881, when twenty-two years of age, he went west to Oregon and was for some time a cowboy. He drove a berd of cattle to Brush Creek. Colorado, and thence shipped them to Leavenworth, Kansas. The following winter he remained at home but in the spring again followed the trail westward and located near Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was a cowboy for the Angelo-American Cattle Company for about nine years. from 1883 to 1891. He became foreman and proved very efficient in that position of responsibility. For a number of years he was connected with his brother in the stock business, the latter having the actual snper- vision of the work. In 1891, upon severing his connection with the cattle company, Mr. Craven of this review located upon a ranch which he and his brother owned north of Edgemont, South Dakota, and for a year took an active part in its supervision. In that year they sold their cattle and horses and concentrated their attention npon raising sheep. From 1894 until 1897 Woodson B. Craven was engaged in mining and in 1905 he went to Kentucky, where he became a manufacturer of ice, although he still retained his interests in this state. In 1911 he dis- posed of his ice plant and after spending a year in travel returned to Sonth Dakota, arriving on the 10th of January. In partnership with a stepson, L. H. Hedrick, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, he purchased the Ardmore State Bank and has since been cashier of that institution, which does a general banking business. It was established in 1906 by O. K. Eastman, of Crawford, Nebraska, who is now deceased. Mr. Craven has disposed of his ranching interests and devotes his entire time to the work of the bank, which is one of

523

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

the substantial moneyed institutions of Fall River county. He was also one of the incor- porators of the Hedrick Holding Company of Hot Springs and is treasurer and a director of the Ardmore Oil Company.

Mr. Craven was married in September, 1904, to Mrs. Ada E. (Pollock) Snively. She was born in Clark county, Missouri, of the marriage of John and Isabelle Pollock, natives respec- tively of Scotland and Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1834 and the mother in 1840. When a young man Mr. Pollock emigrated to the United States and after residing in Pennsylvania for a time removed to Missouri, where he became a well known stockman. He died in that state about 1865 and his widow subsequently removed to Keokuk, Iowa, but passed away in Des Moines in 1891 while on a visit to a daughter. Mr. Pollock never aspired to public office but was persuaded by his fellow citizens to serve as sheriff of Clark county, Mis- souri. He was successful in business and wielded no little influence in local public affairs, his ability commanding the respect of all who knew him. Mrs. Craven, who is the youngest of six children, received her education in the schools of Keokuk, Iowa.

Mr. Craven is a democrat and in 1903 and 1904 was the efficient county treasurer of Fall River county, while during the years 1892 and 1893 he was county commissioner. He is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow, belonging to the local subordinate lodge, in which he is past grand master, and to the encampment at Hot Springs. He also has membership relations with the Woodmen of the World. His business ability has long been recognized and since becoming cashier of the Ardmore State Bank he has manifested a thorough grasp of the principles under- lying banking and a detailed knowledge of the routine work of his institution, and much of its prosperity in the last three years has been due to his ability and close attention to his duties as cashier. He is one of the best known residents of Fall River county and also one of tlie most esteemed and has many warm personal friends.

GREGORY SMITHBERGER.

Gregory Smithberger, assistant cashier of The Bank of Bowdle, was born in Noble county, Ohio, on the 17th of November, 1867. His father, William Smithberger, was born in the Rhine province of Prussia and with his parents came to America in his childhood days. In Pennsyl- vania he met and married Miss Theresa Fauth, who was a native of Baden, Baden, Germany, and was brought to the new world in her early girlhood by her parents. Following their marriage they removed from Pennsylvania to Noble county, Ohio, where the grandfather, John Smithiberger, had homesteaded land. William Smithberger afterward purchased that place and in addition to its cultivation and improvement also engaged in merchandising at Harrietsville, a small village to the corporation limits of which his farm adjoined. He and his wife both died on the old homestead property in Ohio and were buried on the same day in the same grave.

Gregory Smithberger spent his youthful days under the parental roof and his education was acquired in the common schools. When eighteen years of age he secured employment in a mercantile establishment in an adjoining town and the following twelve years were divided between clerking and working upon his father's farm. His entire life has been one of intense and well directed activity and whatever success he has enjoyed has been the direct outcome of his labors.

In 1892 Mr. Smithberger was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Groeschner, of Noble county, Ohio, by whom he has three children, namely: Ruth, who is the wife of Leo E. Auchampach, an agriculturist of Edmunds county, South Dakota: Grace, who lives with her sister Ruth; and Ralph, a resident of Jamestown, North Dakota.

In March, 1898, Mr. Smithberger left Ohio and came west to Bowdle, South Dakota, where he accepted a clerkship in the store of Aurand & Amerpohl, with which firm he was associated for four years. In 1902 he was offered and accepted the position of assistant cashier of The Bank of Bowdle and continued in that responsible position until his election to the office of county treasurer of Edmunds county in the fall of 1908, assuming the duties of the position on the 1st of January, 1909. He remained in the office for two terms or four years, having been reelected in 1910, and on the expiration of his second term he returned to Bowdle and resumed the duties of his former position as assistant cashier of the bank, in which connection

52₺

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

he still continues, his efforts being an important element in the continued success and growth of the institution. He has made judicious investment in property and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Cleveland township, Edmunds county, his farm return- ing to him a substantial annual ineome.

Fraternally Mr. Smithberger is identified with the following organizations: Hiddenwood Lodge, No. 117, A. F. & A. M .; the Order of the Eastern Star; the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a stanch republican but not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is officially connected with the schools, however, as a member of the present board and is a stanch champion of the cause of higher education. His efforts have been effective in raising the standards of instruction in Bowdle and in introdueing sub- stantial improvements in connection with the schools. He recognizes the broad opportunities of the west and believes in building this great western empire upon a safe and sure foundation, having as its basic elements enterprise, progress and reliability.

JOHN R. STOFFERAHN.

John R. Stofferalın is a successful and representative agriculturist of Minnehaha county, residing on section 19, Humboldt township. His birth occurred in Benton county, Iowa, on the 1st of January, 1873, his parents being John and Minnie Stofferahn, who emigrated to the United States from Germany and were married in this country. The father followed farming in Benton county, Iowa, for several years and subsequently spent five or six years as an agri- culturist of Carroll county, that state. On the expiration of that period he removed to Ida county, lowa, where he carried on farming for eighteen years and then took up his abode in Minnesota, living in Lakefield for one year. In the fall of 1901 he came to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, purchasing three quarter seetions of section 29 and one quarter section of section 20, Humboldt township. Later, however, he disposed of his South Dakota lands and bought a half section in North Dakota, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1914. His widow yet makes her home in that state.

Jolin R. Stofferahn started out as an agrieulturist in fowa on his own account when eighteen years of age and at the end of six years devoted to farming and stock-raising took up his abode in Dickinson county, that state, where he remained for one year. In the spring of 1902 he came to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, locating in Humboldt township, where he owns four hundred acres and where he has resided continuously since. In 1908 he undertook the raising of pure blooded Durhams, beginning with three cows which he has increased to thirty-six head. He borrowed seven thousand dollars in order to purchase his present place but has now completely discharged the indebtedness and has a beautiful country home and one of the finest barns in the entire county. All the improvements on the property were made by him. Until quite recently he has always been engaged in threshing, abandoning that work in 1913. Success has attended his understakings and he is now numbered among the pros- perons and esteemed citizens of his community.

In 1896, in Towa, Mr. Stofferahn was united in marriage to Miss Adelia Kuehl, by whom he has the following children: Edward, Hikla, Viola, Annie, Harry, Johnnie and Ernest.

EMIL G. BOHL.

Emil G. Bohl has a member of business interests as he not only engages in farming but operates a meat market and is vice president of a bank and road contractor. He owns eight hundred and eighty aeres of land situated in Tetonke township, Spink county, and the splendid condition of his farm is due entirely to his own labor. His birth occurred at Springfield Corners, Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 20th of August. 1863. His parents were Herman and Sophie (Keirst) Bohl, who in 1883 brought their family to this state, where they took up a homestead claim near the town of Faulkton. There the mother passed away in 1900 and the father died in 1910, when eighty-one years of age. Both were buried in the Faulkton ceme-

EMIL G. BOHL

527

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

tery. The family is of German descent and has been represented in the United States since 1852.

Emil G. Boll attended the district schools near his boyhood home in the pursuit of his education until he was seventeen years of age but only during the winter months as he, as well as the other boys of that time, was needed in the cultivation of the farm. Although he received but a meagre education in school he has done much reading throughout life and has always been a close observer, so that he is now a well informed man. After leaving school he worked upon farms in Wisconsin and South Dakota for several years but in 1886 he purchased a relinquishment of one hundred and sixty acres in Tetonke township, Spink county, which is his present home. He has since added to his possessions until he now holds title to eight hundred and eighty acres of land, upon which he does diversified farming. He keeps forty horses, about one hundred head of cattle and one hundred hogs and is consid- ered one of the most successful stock-raisers in his district. His fields yield large returns per aere and as his grain is of high quality brings a good price upon the market. He coordinates the various phases of farming so as to avoid waste and secure the best returns for his time and money, and his activities secure him a gratifying annual income. He has a number of other business interests, including a meat market at Brentford and an interest in a threshing outtit. He also takes contracts for the repair of public highways; is a stock- holder in the Farmers State Bank and is vice president of that institution, his insight into financial matters enabling him to advise wisely as to the management of the bank.

Mr. Bohl was united in marriage on the 21st of December, 1891, at Ashton, to Miss Nettie Houseman, a daughter of Jeremiah and Patience (Bedsall) Houseman, pioneers of South Dakota but now residents of Seattle, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Bohl have three children, all at home, namely: Herman, who is a graduate of the State Normal School at Aberdeen; Robert; and Cora, a graduate of the Brentford high school.

Mr. Bohl is a republican in his political belief and has held various township offices and for several terms was assessor. Fraternally he is a Master Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His enterprising and progressive spirit is manifested by the fine buildings upon his farm and the excellent condition in which everything is kept. In his anxiety to make the farm an efficient working plant he has not neglected his residence, which is one of the comfortable and attractive farm homes of Spink county and which is often the seat of neighborhood gatherings. He believes that a high salary is not essential to a young man starting ont in the world for he recognizes the fact that success does not come to a man without effort on his part and has accordingly labored persistently and intelli- gently in the belief that prosperity is within the grasp of any man who is willing to apply himself diligently to the work at hand. His faith in the power of wisely directed industry has been justified and he is now considered one of the most substantial agriculturists in his locality.

ROBERT F. DRENNAN.

Robert F. Drennan, of Ardmore, Fall River county, is conducting an extensive real-estate and insurance business. He was born at Valley Mills, Bosque county, Texas, March 22, 1869, a son of John A. and Mary E. (Willett) Drennan. The father was born in Arkansas on the 20th of December, 1844, and the mother in Lafayette county, Missouri, May 18, 1853. In his early manhood the father went to Texas and there engaged in the stock business, which he continued to follow on an extensive scale for many years. Then, being convinced that better opportunities for expansion in that line were to be found farther west, he went to Colorado and located in the vicinity of Trinidad before the railroad had even been planned to that point. He raised cattle there in large mimbers but experienced much trouble and enor- mous losses because of the enmity of the restless Indians and Mexicans. He was a man of unlimited courage and inflexible determination, was an expert marksman and was the most hated enemy of the lawless characters that infested that country. He was assaulted from ambush a number of times and, as his favorite saddle horse was a fine large bay animal, which was of far better grade than any other to be found in that country, he was easily identified by the "rustlers," who made attempts upon his life. After he had been in that region for

528

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

seven or eight years his horse was shot from under him and he was himself twice wounded, but, being a better marksman than the three Mexicans who were his assailants, he succeeded in killing all of them. The lawless element continued to harass him unrelentingly and at last he decided to leave the country and disposed of his business at a loss of approximately two hundred thousand dollars. Returning to Texas, for a short time he was in the general mercantile business and then became a peace officer, serving in that capacity for sixteen years, or until his death on the 18th of June, 1899. He was also a veteran of the Civil war. His widow is now living at Snyder, Scurry county, Texas.

Robert F. Drennan attended school in San Angelo, Texas, but when eight years of age left his father's home and went to a large cattle ranch in western Texas known as the Half Circle Six. He very soon became a favorite of the owner and of the cowboys, a fact which his father recognized and which prompted him to permit the boy to remain. He was employed on that ranch for four years and then returned home and attended school for three years. At the end of that time he apprenticed himself to the firm of Potter & Edgar, decorators, painters and dealers in wallpaper at Ballinger, Texas. He continued with that firm for four years and then purchased the business, which he conducted for about three years. At the end of that time he removed to Temple, Texas, but a year later went to Dallas. He disposed of his painting and decorating business in that city and entered the employ of a large installment house, the L. W. Price Company, of Kansas City, Missouri, as traveling collector, but after remaining with them for some time he resigned his position and became connected with H. H. Pennock, of Dallas, a firm engaged in the same business. He was placed in charge of their branch house at Mobile, Alabama, where he continued until 1898, when he enlisted as a musician in the Fourth Texas Volunteer Infantry for service in the Spanish-American war. The command was mobilized at Camp Mosby, Texas, and was mustered out on the 10th of March, 1899. He returned to Mobile, but not long afterward went to Chicago, where he followed the painter's trade for a short time. He was then suc- cessively a resident of Princeton, Seatonville and Spring Valley, Illinois, establishing a paint and wallpaper store in the last named place, where he remained continuously in business until the 2d of January, 1909. Upon that date he disposed of his interests there and came to South Dakota, locating at White Lake. After spending a few months there in the real- estate and insurance business he decided to go farther west and on the 6th of August, 1909, arrived in Ardmore, where he has since lived. He is one of the prominent operators in the field of real estate and insurance and loans in that part of the state and handles and controls large tracts of land in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and other states. He was also one of the incorporators of the Ardmore Oil Company and served as secretary of that cor- poration until January, 1915, when he resigned that office in order to devote his undivided attention to his other business interests. He is aggressive and wide-awake; is quick to realize the possibility of future development in any section and prompt in taking advantage of the opportunities offered the progressive real-estate dealer in a new country. He has built up a large business and is one of the substantial men of his part of the state.

Mr. Drennan has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Anna E. Carnigia, a native of Georgia. Their wedding was solemnized at Ballinger, Texas, and they became the parents of three children: Roy A., horn September 7, 1891, who has recently returned from the Hawaiian Islands and is now engaged in farming near Ardmore; R. Elmore, who was born on the 3d of September, 1893, and died on the 22d of October, 1894, at Dallas, Texas; and James B., whose birth occurred on the 27th of September, 1895, and died February 26, 1900. On the 5th of January, 1903, Mr. Drennan was married to Miss Anna C. Koch, who was born in La Salle county, Illinois, a daughter of William and Bertha (Lobetz) Koch. The father is residing in Bureau county, Illinois, where he is engaged in the saddlery business, which he learned in Germany. The mother died in the year 1898. Three children have been born to Mr. Drennan's second marriage: Floy, whose birth occurred on the 13th of August, 1904, at Spring Valley, Illinois, and who is attending school; Fay A., whose birth occurred at White Lake, South Dakota, on the 25th of April, 1909; and Leo, whose birth occurred on the 21st of March, 1911.

Mr. Drennan is a democrat and has always been stanch in his allegiance to that party. For one term he served as deputy sheriff of Tom Green county, Texas, and while living at Ballinger, was deputy city marshal. At one time he was appointed deputy United States marshal and detailed to run down a number of criminals, whom he captured in Kansas

529

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

City and returned to Texas. Fraternally he is well known in the Knights of Pythias order and on the 19th of January, 1915, he received appointment as deputy grand chancellor for the state of Nebraska. He holds membership in the lodge of that order at Crawford, Nebraska, of which he is past chancellor. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and to the Elks lodge at Rapid City. Since his arrival in Ardmore he has been an important factor in the development of that town and its locality and is well known in that part of the state. His personality is one that commands respect, fearlessness, and integrity, the power of initiative being among his dominant characteristics.

JOHN HECKENLAIBLE.

John Heckenlaible, president of the Hosmer State Bank and a representative business man and citizen of Hosmer, was born in Hutchinson county, South Dakota, August 30, 1878, a son of Christoph and Christina Heckenlaible, both of whom were natives of southern Russia. They came to America in early life, settling in South Dakota, and in 1899 estab- lished their home in Edmunds county, this state, taking up their abode at Hosmer, where they are now living. The father has retired from active business cares.

John Heckenlaible is one of the three survivors of a family of five children. He remained at home until he attained his majority and supplemented a public-school education by study in the State University. He afterward established a general store at Hosmer, which he con- ducted until 1905, when he turned his attention from commercial to financial interests. In 1901 his father was one of the organizers of the Hosmer State Bank and four years later the son became its president and has since filled that position. The institution entered upon an era of growth and prosperity, its annual statement showing a steady and healthful growth. The bank is capitalized for ten thousand dollars, has a surplus and undivided profits of seven thousand six hundred and forty-eight dollars and the deposits amount to eighty-one thousand two hundred and sixty-six dollars. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Heckenlaible is one of the most extensive landowners of his part of the state, having four thousand acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation and splendidly equipped with modern improve- ments in the way of buildings and machinery.

In 1903 occurred the marriage of Mr. Heckenlaible and Miss Cora Knodel, a native of Bon Homme county, this state, and a daughter of Bernhard and Christina Knodel, both deceased. The children born of this marriage were five in number but four have passed away, the surviving daughter being Olivia Ramona, whose birth occurred on the 31st of December, 1908.

Mr. and Mrs. Heckenlaible are members of the German Lutheran church and guide their lives according to its teachings. In politics Mr. Heckenlaible is a republican and has served on the town board, while at the present time he is one of the county commissioners of Edmunds county. He has also been treasurer of the school board and is actively interested in various movements relating to the welfare of his town and county. Liberal educational advantages qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties, but he had no financial assistance at the outset of his career and that he is now one of the prosperous business men of Edmunds county is attributable to his determination, enterprise and ability.

FRED C. ARNDT.

Germany has furnished to America many substantial citizens who have brought with them the enterprise and determination characteristic of the Teutonic race. Fred C. Arndt is among the number, but though born across the water, he is thoroughly American in spirit and interests and is accounted one of the public-spirited citizens of Leola, where he is now engaged in general merchandising, having one of the finest stores in MePherson county. He was born in Germany, January 16, 1861, a son of Carl A. and Katherine Arndt, also natives

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 61

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