History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 66

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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Mr. Giedt's military record covers connection with Company A, of the South Dakota National Guard, in which he enlisted on the 11th of April, 1901. He was immediately appointed sergeant and given charge of the Leola contingent of the company. For two years he served as battalion quartermaster sergeant and on the 21st of May. 1911, was commissioned as an officer with the rank of captain and assigned to the general staff under General C. H. Englesby. He was recommissioned May 21, 1913, under General W. A. Morris and appointed assistant judge advocate. Soon afterward Captain James McNeny,

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who was judge advocate general, was promoted to the rank of major of the First Battalion, S. D. N. G. and Mr. Giedt assumed full charge of the judge advocate general department.

In still other fields Mr. Giedt has rendered important public service to his community. lle was clerk of the courts in 1897 and 1898 and the following year was elected county auditor, which position he filled until 1903. It was then that he entered upon the study of law, being admitted to the bar in 1904, and in 1907 he was elected states attorney, filling the office until 1910. That year legislative honors were conferred upon him in his election as representative in the general assembly for a term of two years and he was reelected in 1912. He was again elected to the office of states attorney in the fall of 1914, assuming the duties of this position on the 1st of January, 1915, so that he is the present incumbent. In 1902 he was elected to the office of county judge but did not qualify for the position. He has held the offices of city attorney and city auditor of Eureka a number of terms, serving in the former position at the present time. He was also for two terms a member of the Eureka board of education and acted as its president.

On the 25th of January, 1895, in Dolinskoje, Russia, Mr. Giedt was united in marriage to Augusta E. Pritzkau and following her demise he was married on the 7th of November, 1907, at Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Emma N. Radak. The parents of his first wife still reside in Russia, where the father is a rich landowner and is engaged in farming on an extensive scale, much of his farm work being done with machinery manufactured in this country. In order to be better able to get around and over his possessions he uses an automobile made in the United States. By his first marriage Mr. Giedt has four children, Cecelia, Florence, Lydia and Walwin, the youngest being now ten years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Giedt are members of the First Baptist church of Aberdeen, South Dakota. He is a republican of the progressive type and has taken a prominent part in the political activities of the community and of the state during the past twenty years. He was one of the earnest working members of the legislature during his connection therewith, being considered one of the leaders of the house. With several fraternal organizations he is identified. He is a member of the local Masonic lodge, has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Maccabees. He has held a number of important offices in these various orders and is now secretary in both the Masonic lodge and the Woodmen camp. Ile belongs to the Commercial Club, of which he is the treasurer, and to the Busi- ness Men's Association. He is secretary of the local branch of the German State Alliance, is a member of the Maennerchor and is secretary of the Chautauqua association of the city. Something of his standing as a citizen is indicated in the fact that he has never been defeated when a candidate for any public office. He has been identified with practically every public enterprise of the city and county and is leaving the impress of his individuality upon the movements which have been put forth to promote development and progress. The bare statement of the facts of his life indicates his prominence. So varied have been his activities, so far-reaching and beneficial their results that without invidious distinction he may be termed one of the foremost residents of McPherson county.

WILLIS W. FRENCH.

Willis W. French, an attorney at law of Tyndall, was born in Yankton, the capital of the old territory, in 1882, a son of Levi B. French, who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work. The father removed from Michigan to Yankton when South Dakota was still a territory.

Willis W. French graduated from Yankton high school and then took a three years' course at Ann Arbor, Michigan, graduating from the law department of the State Uni- versity of Michigan in June, 1904. He returned to Yankton but on January 1, 1907, he accepted a position in the editorial department of the West Publishing Company of St. Paul, a firm issuing law books. He remained in their employ for three years and in December, 1909, came to Tyndall, where he opened a law office. In 1912 he was elected prosecuting attorney and discharged the duties of that position with fidelity and ability.

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In partnership with Dr. Herm Klima and C. C. Puckett he purchased the Tyndall Tribune, Mr. Puckett being the editor and Mr. French taking charge of the business management of the publication. The Tribune is a well edited and well managed journal and exerts a wide influence throughout Bon Homme county. Much of the credit for its success must be given to Mr. French, who is a systematic and efficient business man and is aggressive in his efforts to increase the circulation of his paper and to secure legitimate advertising.

Mr. French was married July 8, 1913, to Miss Emma Chladek, a native of Tabor, Bon Homme county, and a daughter of Louis and Louisa (Vyborny) Chladek. Her father is a native of Sadska, Bohemia. Her mother is also a native of Bohemia and when four years of age was brought hy her parents to the vicinity of Tabor, Bon Homme county. Mrs. French is the eldest in a family of four children.

Mr. French attends the Congregational church and fraternally is identified with the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges of Tyndall. He is one of the alert young business men of the town, and his friends prophesy for him a career of inereasing usefulness and success.

MARCUS H. WANGSNESS. .

Among Garretson's early settlers is numbered Marcus H. Wangsness, now a leading retired merchant of the city. There have been no unusual chapters in his life history; he has worked diligently and persistently to secure advancement and in the conduct of his mercantile interests has ever recognized the fact that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. Born in Norway on the 8th of September, 1846, he is a son of Herman and Brita (Tvete) Wangs- ness, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun. At length they determined to try their fortune in the United States and in 1855 left Europe for the new world, their son Marcus H. being then a little lad of eight years. They settled first in Dane county, Wis- consin, in the locality known as Norway Grove, but after two years removed to Winneshick county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm of two hundred acres. Carefully, systemat- ically and persistently he cultivated that land for fifteen years and then, in 1871, removed to Worth county, Iowa, where he purchased three hundred and twenty aeres. Upon that place he continued to make his home until death terminated his labors when he was about eighty-two years of age. His wife passed away at the age of seventy years.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Marcus H. Wangsness through the period of his boyhood and youth. He attended the common schools of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and in the periods of vacation worked in the fields, thus giving his father substantial assistance in the development and improvement of the farm. On reaching manhood he became identified with the agricultural machinery business and for some years divided his time between the work of a salesman and the active duty of improving the farm.

In 1871 Mr. Wangsness was united in marriage to Miss Lena Olson, who was a native of Chicago, but of Norwegian parentage. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Worth county, Iowa, which Mr. Wangsness had previously acquired, and there they resided for six years. In 1877 he came to South Dakota and filed on a homestead and on a timber elaim in Lone Rock township, Moody county. In 1878 he removed his family to his new home and lived upon that farm for six years. In 1884 he returned to Iowa and in company with his brother Thomas engaged in general merchandising in the town of Norman. He was con- nected with mercantile interests there for four years, when he sold out to his brother Ole and returned to South Dakota, establishing his home at Palisade, Minnehaha county, where he opened a general store. Two years afterward in 1890 he removed his business to Garretson and has since been prominently identified with the commercial interests of the city, covering a period of twenty-five years. He has ever carried a large and well selected line of goods and has enjoyed a liberal patronage, owing to the fact that he has been fair and honorable in his treatment of his patrons and energetie and progressive in the management of the trade. Into other fields he has also extended his efforts, for he was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Garretson and is still one of its directors. He yet owns the home- stead and timber claim in Moody county and his realty possessions likewise include a half section of land in McHenry county, North Dakota, and a quarter section in Minnehaha county,

MR. AND MRS. MARCUS H. WANGSNESS

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about three and a half miles southeast of Garretson. In 1908 he erected a substantial business block, which is a two-story structure, built of South Dakota red granite, and is one of the most imposing buildings in Garretson. At a recent date Mr. Wangsness has turned his mercantile interests over to his sons, who have become his successors. He is now practically living retired, giving his attention merely to the supervision and management of his landed interests. In 1915 he moved into a new house, built of frame, red stneco and cement, one of the handsome residences of the town.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wangsness were born seven children. Ole, who married Stella Her- manson, of Moody county, received excellent business training, being a graduate of the Business College of Sioux Falls and the Business College of Minneapolis, and was formerly a member of the firm of Wangsness Brothers, but is now in California. Perry received his early education in the common schools, subsequently went to Augustana College at Canton, South Dakota, from which he was graduated, still later attended school at Northfield, Min- nesota, for one year and finished his education at the University of South Dakota, graduating therefrom in 1913. Melvin received the same educational advantages as Perry and the two brothers are associated in business, constituting the firm of Wangsness Brothers, general marchants, of Garretson. Bertha is the wife of Ole Johnson, a druggist of Garretson. Helen married Dr. F. C. De Vall, a practicing physician of Garretson. Ida is the wife of Arthur Steinitz, vice president of the Minnehaha State Bank of Garretson. Ellen, the firstborn, died in 1890 at the age of sixteen years.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church and are much interested in its work. Mr. Wangsness has served for several years as a member of the school board and also as treasurer of Garretson. He is interested in all that pertains to publie progress and his influence is always on the side of improvement and advancement, so that he ranks among the most valued and representative citizens of his county.

FREDERICK JAMES PORT, M. D.

Dr. Frederick James Port, a successful physician and surgeon who formerly practiced his profession in Parkston, South Dakota, but who has now removed to Chicago, was born in Milbank, South Dakota, September 4. 1886, a son of Henry G. and Sarah A. (Rooney) Port. The paternal grandfather came with his family to Dakota territory in 1879, settling at Milbank, and since that time representatives of the family have been connected with the development and progress of the state. taking an active part in the work of progress in pioneer times and during the later period which has brought South Dakota to its present condition. The grandfather engaged in the implement business. He drove all over his part of the state with a team of mules and was well known to the early settlers. He died at the age of fifty-six years and in his demise the community lost one of its prominent, rep- resentative and honored pioneer settlers. His son, Henry G. Port, was a mechanic and in early life acquainted himself with the occupation of engineering. He first worked as an expert machinist and miller and afterward had charge of a pumping station for the Mil. waukee Railroad, while still later he was employed on the road as inspector of water- works. He homesteaded land in Grant county, as did his father and father-in-law, and the property secured by Henry G. Port is still in the possession of his family. At one time he was a member of the fire department at Portage, Wis. He died at the age of forty-two years.

Frederick J. Port attended the public schools and also was a student in St. Lawrence Academy at Milbank and he won Archbishop Neland's scholarship in a competitive exam- ination, in which six states were represented among those who took the examination. Mr. Port won the prize for the two years course, the prize being two hundred dollars allowed as a scholarship at St. Thomas College. After entering that institution he took charge of the music of the college and was the leader of the band and orchestra for two years. He was afterwards in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway as stenographer for eighteen months and for nineteen months was engaged in the piano business. He then entered the College of Medicine of the University of Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1912. During his university days he was vice

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president of the freshman class. He put his theoretical knowledge to practical test in eight months' experience as assistant house physician at the Palmer House in Chicago, six months as interne in St. Bernard's Hospital in Chicago and six months at St. Joseph's Hospital at Fort Wayne, Indiana. This followed the last years of his course in preparation for medical practice.

Following his hospital work Dr. Port returned to Milbank, where he opened an office, remaining there for a year and a half, after which he removed to Parkston on the 27th of May, 1914. His ability won him almost immediate recognition there and he received a liberal share of the public patronage. On April 1, 1915, he was appointed house physician for the Auditorium Hotel, at Chicago, Illinois, and has moved there with his family. While there he will engage in general practice and general surgery with a view of progressing along intellectnal and professional lines. He is able and conscientious in the performance of his professional duties and is continually adding to his knowledge by further reading and investigation.

On the 28th of June, 1914, Dr. Port was united in marriage to Miss Gretchen Bleser, a daughter of Nicholas J. Bleser, who has been engaged in the drug business at Milbank for thirty-two years and is also president of the Merchants National Bank there. He came to the state in pioneer times and secured a homestead. His daughter, Mrs. Port, is a member of the Episcopal church.

In politics Dr. Port is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is connected with varions fraternal organizations in which he has held high offices. He has been medical examiner and has also been a delegate to the state and national con- ventions of some of these orders. During his university days he was president of the Phi Chi Fraternity for two years and he organized a chapter at the university known as the Phi Beta chapter of Phi Chi, the national medical fraternity. Dr. Port has been an enthus- iastie baseball player, being a member of the team at St. Thomas for two years. He was afterward for two years with the Minnehahas of Minneapolis and for one year played with professionals at Omaha, Leavenworth and Oklahoma City. He still plays ball and is like- wise interested in billiards and enjoys motoring, fishing and hunting. In fact he is a good all-round sportsman, enjoying all clean sports. He does not allow this, however, to inter- fere with his professional duties and he is a member of the Hutchinson County Medical Society, the Mitchell District Medical Society, and the South Dakota Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He is a lover of music and is interested in all that tends to promote the art. Wherever known he is popular and highly esteemed, as he possesses attractive social qualities as well as professional ability.

WILLIAM T. CALDOW.

William T. Caldow, postmaster and general merchant at Nunda, being junior partner of the firm of John Caldow & Son, was born in Moody county, South Dakota, on the 28th of April, 1883, a son of John and Rosa Caldow, who in the year 1878 removed westward to this state, settling in Moody county, where the father secured a tree claim. This he developed and improved, carrying on farming on that land for a number of years. He afterward took up his abode in Colman, where he engaged in general merchandising and in the live-stock business for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Brookings, where he continued in the live-stock business and in 1907 he located in Nunda, where he again began dealing in general merchandise, in which he is still engaged. Both he and his wife yet make their home in Nunda, where they are now widely and favorably known.

William T. Caldow pursued his early education in the common schools and afterward attended the high school of Flandreau, while still later he was a student in the South Dakota State College at Brookings. For special training he entered the commercial depart- ment and following his graduation was sent to work in the First National Bank at Hope. North Dakota, where he remained for three years. At the end of that time he became connected with the First National Bank at Sauk Center, Minnesota, where he continued for three years, and on the expiration of that period removed to Nunda, where he joined his father in business under the present firm name of John Caldow & Son. They conduct

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a general mercantile establishment, carrying a well selected line of goods, and their trade is growing along substantial and gratifying lines.

On the 11th of May, 1911, Mr. Caldow was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Flem- ing, a. daughter of John and Martha Fleming, and they have two children: Rose Martha; and Corrine. Mr. Caldow is a Protestant in religious faith, while his wife is a Catholic. He enjoys baseball, fishing, hunting and motoring and knows how to play well and how to work well, a fact which maintains an even balance in his hife. In January, 1914, he was appointed postmaster by President Wilson, a fact which indicates his political belief. A young man, he has won a position in business and political circles that many a man of twice his years might well envy, and in both connections he has proven his worth and ability.

C. L. BLODGETT, D. D. S.

Dr. C. L. Blodgett is one of the leading dentists of Platte, Charles Mix county, where he has resided for many years. He was born in Iowa on the 4th of January, 1875, and is a son of Simeon and Maria (Tucker) Blodgett, who were from Pennsylvania and settled in Towa in 1853. There the father followed agricultural pursuits. The parents were well known in their community and aided in the early development of the locality.

Dr. C. L. Blodgett received his education in the public schools and following his gradu- ation from high school entered the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, where he took a dental course. He first practiced in Yankton, South Dakota, but after remaining there for a year located in Platte, which was then but a small village. He has gained financial independence and has invested to a considerable extent in South Dakota land.

Dr. Blodgett was married September 1, 1912, to Miss Bernice McCall, a daughter of W. F. McCall. The Doctor is a republican but has never had time to take a very active part in public affairs, although he has served on the city council. He is well known in fraternal circles and is a member of the various Masonic bodies, including the consistory, in which he has taken the thirty-second degree, and the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership in the Eastern Star chapter and is likewise identified with the Odd Fellows. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. Along professional lines he is a member of the South Dakota State Dental Society and gains much valuable knowledge from the meetings of that organization. He is greatly interested in the development of South Dakota and does all in, his power to promote its advancement along all lines.

TOMAS V. PTAK.

Tomas V. Ptak is engaged in the lumber business in Tyndall, South Dakota, and has won more than ordinary success in his undertaking. His father, Joseph Ptak, was born in Bohemia, where he was married to Miss Anna Mainer in 1851. Four years later they emigrated to the new world and established a home in Johnson county, Iowa, where the father secured a farm near Solon. The family resided there until the spring of 1870, when they removed to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and he filed on a claim about seven miles northeast of old Bon Homme, where he passed away four years later when but forty- five years of age. He had driven to Vermillion, then the end of the railroad, and as a result of exposure contracted pneumonia, which was the cause of his death. The mother kept her family together and continued to reside upon the farm, proving up on the claim and cultivating the fields. She spent the remainder of her life upon the homestead and, although she would have been made welcome at the home of any of her children, she was never content off the farm where she had lived so long and which she had done so much to develop. She passed away in 1914, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Six of her children survive, as follows: Joseph H., who lives on his farm near Tabor; Mathias, also a farmer near Tabor; Frank, who is engaged in the lumber business in Avon but resides in Tyndall; Vaclav J., who lives at Fayetteville, Arkansas; Tomas V., of this review; and Jiri A., who is known as George and who lives on a farm near Tabor.

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Tomas V. Ptak remained upon the home farm, giving his time and labor to his widowed mother until he reached the age of twenty-seven years. He then, in 1890, came to Tyndall and with his brother Frank bought a lumberyard, which they conducted in partnership for twelve years. They also started branch yards at Ayon and Tabor. In 1902 the subject of this review purchased his brother's interests in Tyndall and Tabor and has since been the sole owner of the business. Ile has prospered abundantly and has established another branch yard at Blaha station. These yards have proved successful ventures and his busi- ness interests yield him a good income. He has found a safe and profitable investment for his surplus funds in farm lands and now owns eight hundred acres in Bon Homme county, a quarter section in Pennington county, this state, and a like amount in Emmons county, North Dakota. One of the most potent factors in his snecess is his habit of systematic work and the accurate keeping of a record of business done so that he is always able to ascertain the facts of any disputed transaction.

Mr. Ptak was married at Tyndall, in June, 1897, to Miss Karoline J. Burgr, a native of Bon Homme county and a daughter of Frank and Maria (Kubik) Burgr, both of whom passed away in Bon Homme county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ptak, Ladimir K. and Tomas K.

Mr. Ptak is a member of the Bohemian Benevolent Society, C. S. P. S., the Yeomen of America and the Knights of Pythias. In the blizzard of January 12, 1888, he was a mile from old Bon Homme but made his way safely to the home of his brother. He began with no capital and by his thrift, industry and sterling integrity has worked his way upward until his success is a measure greater than that attained by the average business man. Moreover, in his determination to win personal prosperity he has not forgotten the duties which every citizen owes to his community and has at all times manifested praiseworthy publie spirit.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 66

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