History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 64

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 64

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).

On the 24th of December, 1879. Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louisa Roberts, who was born at Liverpool, England, a daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Eden) Roberts. The father died in Liverpool and the mother and her family afterward came across the Atlantic about 1873, first settling in Ames, Iowa. In 1877 they came to the Black Hills and took up their abode on a homestead a mile and a half west of Spear- fish. The mother still resides upon the home place and is now eighty years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Walton were born the following children: Robert Edgar, who was killed by a runaway team in 1910, when twenty-seven years of age; Emma, the wife of James Wester, a mining engineer living at Morenci, Arizona: Lee, who married Miss Uva Walthall and follows farming near Lewistown, Montana; Annette, a teacher at Provo, Utah; Louise, who is a teacher at Winterquarters, that state; Clyde, who was weighmaster at Scofield, Utah, but has recently removed to Idaho; Amy, who died in infancy; and Hugh Ernest and Gladys, both attending school.

The family attended the Congregational church and Mr. Walton gives his political support to the democratic party. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias and has passed through all of the chairs in the local lodge of the latter organization and is serving as a representative to the grand lodge. He is well known in this part of the state. Almost bis entire life has been passed upon the western frontier, his early youth in the mining regions of Montana and the period of his manhood in South Dakota. He has lived to witness remarkable changes here and bas borne his share in carrying forward the work of improvement and advancement.

WALTER GEORGE SYVERSON.

Walter George Syverson, of Willow Lakes, is a young man whose business enterprise and laudable ambition have led him beyond a point that many others of his years have attained and gained for him a creditable position among the business men of Clark county. He is a native son of South Dakota, having been born at Lead on the 10th of August, 1884, his parents being Edward L. and Josephine (Wamberg) Syverson. The father, who has fol-

548

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

lowed blacksmithing as a life work, is still living, but the mother has passed away. In their family were feur children.

Walter G. Syverson is indebted te the public-school system of the state for his educa- tional privileges. Passing through consecutive grades, he was graduated from the Lead high school and afterward werked around his father's blacksmith shep for about four years. He then went to Bryant, where he secured the position of assistant cashier in the Farmers & Citizens Bank, spending four years in that position, and on the 3d ef August, 1908, he became connected with the Bank of Willow Lakes, at which time he was made its cashier. He care- fully and wisely directed its interests in that position and in 1911 he was elected to the presidency. The business of the bank, which amounted to ninety-eight thousand dollars annually when he assumed charge has reached one hundred and seventy thousand dollars, and the institution has become of recognized vahie to the community, its policy being a conservative one that does not, however, hamper progress and advancement.

On the 9th of October, 1907, Mr. Syverson was united in marriage to Miss Mabel E. Mon- day, a daughter of Ed Menday, of Stevens Point. Wisconsin. Their children are three in number, namely: Edward, Margaret and Ruth. The religious faith of the family is that of the Congregational church and in polities Mr. Syverson is a republican. He belongs to Bryant Lodge, A. F. & A. M .: to Columbia Lodge, K. P. at Willow Lakes; and te the Willow Lakes camp of the Modern Woodmen. He is school treasurer, is treasurer of the creamery cem- pany, manager of the baseball team, enjoys fishing and metoring and thus in varied interests is leading an active life, connecting him with many of those things which have te do with the welfare and progress of society as well as the substantial benefits ef the community.

ALBERT K. HANSEN.

Albert K. Hansen, the efficient young president of the Farmers Savings Bank of Sher- man, is one of the most popular and progressive of Minnehaha county's business men. He was born in Lake county, South Dakota, September 17, 1887, a son of Terkel and Gre Han- sen. The father was born in Norway and emigrated from that country with his parents in 1859, when he was a lad ef but twelve years. They located in Lake county, South Dakota, in 1878, and Terkel Hansen homesteaded land on section 1, Lake View township, and also teek up a tree claim and a preemption claim, owning at the time of his death four hundred and ferty acres. There were ten children in his family, six girls and four boys. The mether is still living, but the father passed away August 9, 1910. He was one of the pioneers of the state and his crops were often injured by Jroughts and grasshoppers, but he never wav- ered in his belief that in time South Dakota would be a flourishing agricultural state and continued to cultivate his land. The results have justified his faith and the people of the present day owe to him, and to others like him. a debt that can never be paid.

Albert K. Hansen received the education afforded by the district schools and then at- tended the State Nermal at Madison. He was also a student at the Lutheran Normal in Sioux Falls and at Sioux Falls Business College. He began his business career as a stenog- rapher in the Lake County Bank located at Madison, and remained with that institution fer six months. He then took a position as assistant cashier in the Chester State Bank, where he remained for one year, and at the end of that time acquired an interest in the Sherman State Bank, becoming its cashier. After four years he sold out his interest in the bank and organ- ized the Farmers Savings Bank, becoming president of the new institution, which commenced business October 15, 1913. Although the bank has been open but a short time, it has already won the confidence of the business public and is in a very prosperous condition. Mr. Han- sen has detailed knowledge of banking routine, is well informed on local financial and com- mercial conditions and is also familiar with the trend of modern banking. Aside from his position as president of the Farmers Savings Bank, he is actively connected with other business enterprises. He is the owner of the A. K. Anderson general store at Sherman and of the Sherman Telephone Exchange. He is heavily interested in farming lands, ewning one hundred and eighty acres in South Dakota and four hundred acres in Minnesota.

Mr. Hansen was married June 15, 1911, to Miss Nettie Hanson, a daughter of Ole and Matilda Hanson, both of whom are living. To this union has been born a daughter, Marjorie.

ALBERT K. HANSEN AND FAMILY

551

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

The family attend the Lutheran church and are consistent members of that denomination. Mr. Hansen is a republican in his political belief and fraternally is a member of the local lodge of Knights of Pythias and of the Elks lodge at Sioux Falls. He is a rapid and sys- tematie worker and believes that efficiency is best maintained by alternating work and play. He finds most of his recreation in the out-of-doors, greatly enjoying motoring, fishing and hunting. Although he is but a young man, he bas accomplished much and all who know him believe that still greater prosperity will he his.

CHARLES M. WILLIAMS.

Charles M. Williams is the proprietor of the Stony Point Pleasure Resort, the pioneer enterprise of its kind on Lake Kampeska, and has developed the possibilities of the loca- tion, making it an attractive place for those seeking recreation. He was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on the 20th of May, 1854, a son of Jolin D. and Mary A. (Evans) Williams, both natives of South Wales, where they were reared and married. Two children were born to them there, but in 1838 they left their native country and came to the United States. The father was a tailor by trade and followed that occupation for some years in South Trenton, New York. He later removed to Waukesha, Wisconsin, and subsequently to Berlin, that state, where his death occurred in 1873. He was one of the dominant factors in republican eireles, representing his district in the state legislature for three terms.

Charles M. Williams grew to manhood under the parental roof and received his train- ing for the duties of life in the public schools. In 1878 he started out for himself as a farmer and four years later came to South Dakota, homesteading a quarter section of land at Stony Point, Lake Kampeska. His land fronts upon the lake for a mile and the place is admirably adapted for a pleasure resort. He early recognized the possibilities of his property and was the first man to establish a summer resort upon the lake. He owns the boat privilege and the refreshment privilege, and has built up one of the most popular places of the kind in South Dakota.

Mr. Williams was married in 1878 to Miss Margaret E. Jones, of Waushara county, Wisconsin, and they have had five children, four of whom survive. Mary Mable is the wife of George Buholz, of Aberdeen, William T. is associated with his father in business, George E. is a farmer of Kampeska, and Dora Fay is the wife of Ward T. Williams, principal of the high school at St. Clair, Minnesota. Mr. Williams is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has prospered financially and has also gained the respect of his fellow citizens.

JOHN H. DAVIS.

John H. Davis, residing in Oneida township, Sanbom county, is the owner of one thou- sand nine hundred acres of the county's finest farm and stock land and is one of its wealthy and substantial citizens. A native of Gloucestershire, England, he was born July 20, 1845, his parents being George and Mary Ann (Haines) Davis. The father was an expert farmer and served for many years as farm superintendent on large English estates.

John H. Davis acquired his education in the public schools of England and following his schooldays worked for a time as a farm laborer, while later he became connected with the Midland Railway of England as telegraph clerk, from which position he was promoted to that of train conductor. In 1870 he came to America, settling for a time at Memphis, Tennessee, and for a number of years operated a dairy near that place, after which he returned to England. In 1881 he again came to America and for a time was employed in the Humboldt mines in northern Michigan. In 1883 he came to Dakota territory, settling at Milwaukee Junction and working on the construction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. He afterward took contracts for building various stations along the new line. In 1884 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he began to improve, and as time passed and opportunity offered he added to his holdings until they reached

552

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

approximately twenty-two hundred acres. He has been for many years one of the most extensive farmers and stock-raisers of the district and he has displayed the most sound judgment and the keenest discrimination in the management of his undertakings. His farm is equipped with modern, commodious and substantial buildings, with the latest improved machinery, and water is supplied from fine artesian wells. Advanced scientific methods are followed in all branches of the farm work and in the care of stock and he is well known as an extensive breeder of Hereford and shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.

On the 5th of August, 1869, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Hitchens Tinkler, a daughter of William Tinkler, of Gloucester, England, who was a merchant of that city. In young womanhood Mrs. Davis was a successful school teacher. She has become the mother of thirteen children, but only three are now living: George Ernest; Emily Maude, the wife of G. F. Butterford, of Sioux City, Iowa; and Mahel Rose, the wife of Professor Victor Ruppert, of Evansville, Indiana.

In his political views Mr. Davis is a republican and for many years has held a place on the local boards and in connection with public office. For some years he was inspector of stock for Sanborn county and at all times his aid and cooperation have been counted upon to further the general welfare. Since childhood he has been identified with the Episcopal church. In a review of his life history it is seen that perseverance, hard work and good business judgment in making investments have been the strong elements in his growing and honorable success.

WALTER L. JOHNSON.

Walter L. Johnson has devoted the greater part of his life to newspaper publication and is now the owner and editor of the Standard of Sisseton. He was born in Jackson, Minnesota, August 20, 1885, a son of John K. and Susan (Swenson) Johnson. The father was born in Norway in 1835 and was married in Houston, Minnesota, in 1854 to Miss Swenson, whose birth occurred in Sweden in 1846. He had been brought to the United States by his parents when eleven years of age and has always been identified with the middle west. His wife came with her parents to the new world when eight years of age, the family settling iu Houston, Minnesota. Mr. Johnson, however, was reared in Racine, Wisconsin, but afterward removed to Minnesota. He has devoted his entire life to farming and he homesteaded land near Jackson, Minnesota, living upon that place for fifty-two years. He still owns the prop- erty but has now retired from active life and resides in Menahga, Minnesota. Success in substantial measure rewarded his well directed efforts. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his aid to the government, joining the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, with which he served for fourteen months. He was on active duty in Dakota territory in fighting the Indians but became ill and was in the hos- pital for three months, after which he was mustered out. He lived in Minnesota at the time of the grasshopper scourge and he worked in shops in order to earn money to enable him to make payments upon his farm, for the insects destroyed his crops to so large a degree that there was nothing to be sold from his fields. He has been a lifelong member of the Lutheran church and his political opinions are in accord with the teachings and principles of the republican party.

Walter L. Johnson was the twelfth in order of birth in a family of thirteen children, of whom ten are yet living. In the aequirement of his education he attended the Jackson bigh school, where he studied for two years. He was reared upon the home farm to the age of sixteen years and afterward began .learning the printer's trade at Battle Lake, Minne- sota, assiduously applying himself to his task until he had become an expert worker in that line. In the fall of 1905 he established a paper, the Nome Tribune, at Nome, North Dakota, which he edited for two years. He then purchased his brother's paper at Battle Lake, Min- nesota, where he remained for three years, after which he removed to White Rock, South Dakota, where he edited and published a paper for four years. In September, 1914, he arrived in Sisseton and purchased the Standard, which has a circulation of thirteen hundred. He also does a nice job printing business and his paper has become an excellent advertising

553

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

medium. He has installed a new outfit and has a thoroughly equipped and modern printing plant which enables him to do excellent work.

In 1910 Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Sarah Henson, of Battle Lake, Minnesota They are well known in Sisseton and the community where they reside and have gained a large circle of warm friends. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife belongs to the Lutheran church. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- men and with the Masons and his political allegiance is always given to the republican party, in the support of which he edits his paper. He deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished and for the success which he has won, for he started out in life with a capital of but fifteen dollars. He has always devoted his attention to the printing business and in his chosen field of labor has made steady and commendable progress.

FRED W. KOCH.

Fred W. Koch, who owns five hundred and fifty acres of excellent land in Grant Center township, Grant county, was born in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, July 21, 1868, a son of Frederick and Albertina (Trapp) Koch, more extended mention of whom appears in the sketch of their son, Charles J. Koch.

Fred W. Koch received his education in the graded schools of Odessa, Minnesota, and during his boyhood and youth gained valuable knowledge concerning agricultural pursuits through assisting his father. On reaching mature years he continued to follow the occupa- tion to which he had been reared and became the owner of a farm in Lac qui Parle county, that state. In 1897, however, he removed to Grant county, South Dakota, and purchased two hundred and ten acres of land, to which he has since added from time to time until his hold- ings now aggregate five hundred and fifty acres. He has erected commodious buildings and has made his farm one of the well improved places of the county. He successfully carries on general farming as he is both progressive and practical and is energetic and enterprising. He also does considerable threshing and is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of his locality.

Mr. Koch was married in 1892 to Miss Hulda Trapp, a daughter of Herman Trapp, of Wisconsin. To this union have been horn six children, Pearl, Florence, Elton, Evelyn, Lowell and Forrest.

Mr. Koch gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious belief is that of the Evangelical church, to which he belongs. He is a fine representative of a self- made man as he began his career without capital and has now achieved financial independence and at the same time has won the sincere respect of all who have come in contact with him because of his fine qualities of character.

FREDERICK ED FYLE, M. D.

Dr. Frederick Ed Fyle is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Geddes and is at the head of the Charles Mix County Hospital, which he founded. He was born in Ontario, Canada, Angust 12, 1872, a son of Levi and Sarah (Long) Fyle, who were of United Empire Loyalist stock. The father, who has followed the occupation of farm- ing throughout his life, is still living at the age of eighty-nine years. The mother was a descendant of Dr. John Long, a noted physician of London, England.

Dr. Fyle pursued his literary education in the Woodstock College of Ontario, from which he was graduated in 1900, and took his professional work in the University of Toronto, com- pleting the course there in 1904. He was then for two years an interne in the Toronto Gen- eral Hospital but at the end of that time began his independent practice, locating in Langton, Ontario. After living there for a year he went to California, where he remained until Janu- ary, 1907, when he removed to Geddes, South Dakota. He established the Charles Mix County Hospital in 1908 and is still at the head of that institution. It is modernly equipped and has fourteen beds, while seven nurses and one man are employed. He has gained noteworthy

554

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

suecess as a surgeon and has performed the greater part of the major operations in his sec- tion of the county. In 1914 he performed over three hundred and thirty operations. He possesses the essential qualifications for a good surgeon-accurate knowledge of anatomy, skill in the technique of surgery and the ability to think quickly and to keep a cool head under all circumstances. He also recognizes the fact that constant study is necessary and in 1906 took a post-graduate course in the University of Toronto, Ontario, and in 1910 took post- graduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic. He has not only gained an enviable reputation professionally but he has also won financial independence and owns three valuable farms.

Dr. Fyle is a republican in politics but has never sought official preferment, as his pro- fessional work demands his undivided attention. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and fraternally he is identified with the Masonie blue lodge, the Eastern Star chapter, the Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs. In all relations of life he measures up to high standards of manhood and is held in warm regard by those who have come in contact with him.

ANDREW MARVICK.

Andrew Marviek is not only prominent in public affairs, now serving as state senator. but he is also one of the leading business men of Sisseton as well. He is secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Iowa & Dakota Land & Loan Company and is a director of the Citizens National Bank, which he aided in organizing and which is the largest bank in Roberts county, and in all that he has undertaken he has met with gratifying suecess.

A native of Illinois, he was born in Grundy county, June 28, 1871, a son of Sivert and Lorencia (Naadland) Marvick, both born near Stavanger, Norway, the former in 1829 and the latter in 1834. They emigrated to the United States in 1834 and on the 4th of September of that year they were married at Ottawa, Illinois. After renting land for a time the father purchased a farm in the Prairie state and then engaged in agricultural pursuits until August, 1904, when he and his wife removed to Story City, Iowa, where he is now living retired. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and his political belief is in accord with the principles of the republican party. His father, Andrias Marviek, passed his entire life in Norway, but his mother, Mrs. Martha Marvick, came to the United States after the death of her husband, and died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

To Mr. and Mrs. Sivert Marvick were born eight children, namely: M. O., who is engaged in the lumber and grain business in Story City, Iowa: Joseph, a banker of that place: Mary, the widow of O. B. Hanson, of Story City: S. S., a real-estate dealer of Morris, Illinois; Celia, the wife of Joseph H. Osman, of Morris, who is a farmer by occupation and is now also deputy sheriff; L. S., a minister of the United Lutheran church, who has charge of the congregation of that faith at Black River Falls, Wisconsin: Andrew and Margaret, at home.

Andrew Marvick received his early education in the country schools of Illinois and subsequently took a business course. On beginning his independent career he continued to follow the occupation to which he had been reared and farmed in Illinois until 1902. In that year he removed to Sisseton, South Dakota, and embarked in the real-estate business ou a small scale. As the years have passed his business has grown steadily and he is now one of the leading men in the real-estate field in his section. He buys and sells outright and is also serving as secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Iowa & Dakota Land & Loan Company, which office be has held since the organization of the coneern. He assisted in organizing the Citizens National Bank of Sisseton in September, 1902, and is a director of that institution, which has a capital and surplus of sixty thousand dollars. Its affairs are excellently managed and it has gained the complete confidence of the people of Roberts county.

In 1893 Mr. Marvick was united in marriage to Miss Linnie Bjelland, who was born in Leland, Illinois, a daughter of Ola Bjelland, an early settler and agriculturist of that state. To this union have been born the following children: Lydia. R. O., Amos, Ethel. Beatrice and Ruth.

Mr. Marvick is a Lutheran in his religious belief and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor commander. He is a republican and his

ANDREW MARVICK

557

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

advice is frequently sought in party councils. For four years he served as alderman and in 1912 he was elected to the state senate and reelected in 1914, his record thus receiving the indorsement of his constituents. During the last session of the general assembly he served as chairman of the important appropriations committee of the senate and was also a member of the committees on banks and banking, elections, temperance, agriculture and public health. He has proved not only a public-spirited but also an efficient member of the upper house and has given the most careful study and investigation to the matters that have come up for consideration, realizing that the duties of the legislator entail a great deal of hard work. For the past three years he has been an active member of the Meridian road committee and has done much good work in developing this highway through Roberts county. He is also serving as a member of the school board of Sisseton. He has gained marked success since taking up his residence in Sisseton and is considered one of its leading citizens.

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 64

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