History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 70

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. Woodring is a stanch republican but has always refused to accept office. He keeps in touch with the other veterans of the Civil war through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He has prospered since coming to South Dakota and has erected a comfortable residence upon his land and otherwise improved it so that it is now one of the valuable and attractive farms of Spink county. He has not only won material success, but his lite has been so upright and open that all who know him hold him in high esteem for his sterling qualities of character.

FREDERICK C. WILLOUGHBY, M. D.

Meeting all of the requirements of the successful physician, Dr. Frederick C. Willoughby now enjoys a good practice in Winfred and throughout his section of Lake county. He was born in Burr Oak, Kansas, on the 18th of October, 1876, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Coleman) Willoughby. It was in the year 1891 that the family arrived in South Dakota, settling at Hot Springs, since which time the father has been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, to which pursuits he still gives his attention. The wife and mother has passed away.

Dr. Willoughby was a youth of fifteen years at the time of the removal to this state. He pursued his high-school course in Hot Springs and did preparatory work in the Hot Springs College, after which he entered the Lincoln Medical College at Lincoln, Nebraska, being graduated therefrom on the completion of the regular course on the 8th of May, 1908, at which time his professional degree was conferred upon him. Immediately afterward he came to Winfred, where he opened his office, and in the intervening years he has built up a good practice and has been very successful in its conduct. He does ali of the work in the neigh- borhood in minor surgery and as a physician is now well established among those whose ability entitles them to a liberal patronage. In addition to practicing medicine at this point, Dr. Willoughby is also proprietor of the Willoughby Hotel. He erected the hotel build- ing in 1910-a well appointed hostelry containing twenty rooms. That it is capably and attractively conducted is indicated in the fact that it is liberally patronized by commercial men.

On the 12th of April, 1900, Dr. Willoughby was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Adamson, a daughter of David Adamson. They now have three children, namely: Ardith, Herbert and Harold.

Dr. Willoughby is a Congregationalist in religious belief and his political faith is that of the republican party. He holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors. He is interested in the local and state medieal societies and through attendance at their meetings keeps in touch with the progress of the profession, which is continually bringing to light new truths concerning disease and the laws of health. Experience and reading are continually bringing to him greater skill and he well deserves the practice that is accorded him.

LAWRENCE A. O'CONNELL.

Lawrence A. O'Connell is a resident farmer of Orland township, Lake county, his home being on section 22. A considerable portion of the citizens of that county have come to this state from Wisconsin, among which number is Mr. O'Connell, who is a native of Sauk county, Wisconsin. He is a son of Thomas and Anna (Fox) O'Connell, of whom mention is

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made elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of their son Edward. At the usual age Lawrence A. O'Connell became a pupil in the district schools and he also received ample training in farm work, assisting in the development of the old home place in Wis- consin until 1881, when he came to South Dakota, which was then under territorial rule. He worked on farms in Lake county and in association with his brother Edward operated his mother's homestead claim. Following his marriage he took charge of the old homestead and has since heen actively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He now owns four hundred and eighty acres of choice land, giving personal attention to a quarter section, while the remaining half section is rented. He has eighteen head of cattle upon his place and high grade horses and hogs. His farm is one of the finest in this part of the state. He erected one of the most beautiful homes in the county and he has his own lighting plant and all other modern conveniences and accessories, while the latest improved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields. In connection with his farming interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company, the Electric Railway Company and the Farmers Elevator and in business affairs displays sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise.

In December, 1901, Mr. O'Connell was married to Miss Mary Jenssen, a daughter of John Jenssen, of Iowa, and their children are: Thomas, Vera, Andrew, Lawrence, Matt, James, Robert and Mary. The religious faith of Mr. O'Connell is that of the Catholic church and he is identified with the Holy Name Society. His political indorsement is given to the men and measures of the democratic party, but he does not seek office for himself. In all connections he looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the needs and opportunities of the future and therefore he stands for progress and improvement in public affairs and does all in his power to bring about the upbuilding of the section of the state in which he lives. Ilis labors have heen carefully directed and success has come to him as the reward of persistent, earnest effort and sound judgment.

WARD L. MCCAFFERTY.

Ward L. McCafferty, postmaster at Roscoe and the editor of the Reveille published at that place, was born in MeComb county, Michigan, on the 27th of January, 1881. His parents, Van and Phoebe (Dewey) MeCafferty, were also natives of that state and the mother there passed away in the year 1885, after which the father married again and in 1886 removed to Edmunds county, South Dakota, where he settled upon a farm. He gave considerable time to the cultivation of his land there but afterward went to Canada, where he is now living. By his first marriage he had two children: Arthur J., now in Mobridge, South Dakota; and Ward L., of this review. By the father's second marriage there were horn four children, all of whom yet survive.

Ward L. McCafferty was but four years of age at the time of his mother's death. When a young man of nineteen years he left home and started out to earn his living, working for the first year as a common laborer. He was then appointed to the position of deputy county treasurer of Edmunds county, in which capacity he served for four years, at the end of which time he was made bookkeeper in the Beebe Bank at Ipswich, where he continued for a year. Removing to Roscoe, he was appointed cashier in the bank at that place and after five years spent in that capacity he turned his attention to the real-estate business, forming a partnership with M. J. Lightner, of Roscoe. They organized a company of which he is still the secretary and treasurer. In 1913 Mr. MeCafferty purchased the Roscoe Reveille, a newspaper, of which he is now the editor. He has made it a popular journal, well patron- ized in both its circulation and advertising departments. In February, 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Roscoe and is now acceptably filling that position. He has also occupied other political offices, having served as treasurer of his town for ten years, being elected to the position on the democratie ticket.

In 1901 Mr. McCafferty was united in marriage to Miss Emma Engdahl, a native of Sweden, who was brought to America when but six years of age by her parents, John and Emma Engdahl, who are now residents of Salem, Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. McCafferty have been horn four children: Arden L., Edmond W., Phoebe and Vivian.

The parents are members of the Baptist church and are interested in the moral progress

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of the community. Mr. MeCafferty is also a member of Devotion Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., at Ipswich; Lodge No. 1046, B. P. O. E., at Aberdeen; Lodge No. 227, I. O. O. F., at Roscoe. He exemplifies in his life the beneficent purposes of these organizations, which have as their basic principles a recognition of the brotherhood of mankind. Mr. McCafferty has steadily worked his way upward and the steps in his orderly progression are easily discernible, showing that his advancement has been won through earnest purpose, capability and fidelity to duty.

WILLIAM G. WILLIAMS.

William G. Williams is president of the State Bank of Winfred, with which he has been continuously connected since 1905. He was born in Iowa on the 29th of September, 1871, a son of William H. and Jane Williams, who in the year 1879 brought their family to Dakota territory. The work of progress and development was in its initial stages and William H. Williams homesteaded on section 32, Winfred township, Lake county, securing the northwest quarter. He also entered a tree claim on the northwest quarter of section 8, Winfred town- ship, and a preemption on the southwest quarter of section 29. For a number of years thereafter he continuously engaged in general farming and he met all of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The land was entirely wild and unimproved when it came into his possession and it required much arduous labor to convert the raw prairie into pro- ductive fields. Moreover, one had to drive long distances to market and there were many things which barred progress, but resolute will and determination overcame these disadvantages and the father at length reached a place among the men of affluence in the county. He is now living retired in Winfred, but his wife has passed away.

After acquiring a public-school education William G. Williams bent his energies toward assisting his father upon the home farm and later he embarked in agricultural pursuits on his own account, devoting two years to that work. He was then called by popular suffrage to public office, being elected in 1901 to the position of county treasurer of Lake county for a term of four years. He then purchased the controlling interest in the State Bank of Winfred, with which he has since heen connected. Under his presidency the business of the bank has continuously increased and the institution is today regarded as one of the safe financial con- cerns of the county. Mr. Williams also has other business interests of importance. He is engaged in dealing in hogs and he is the owner of a homestead of a half section in North Dakota.

On the 27th of January, 1899, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Winfred Griffith, a daughter of Hugh Griffith. Their children are as follows: Latimer B., Lavida, Clayton, Ruth and Wendell. The family adhere to the faith of the Congregational church and take an active interest in its work and also contribute generously to its maintenance.

Mr. Williams votes with the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day but does not seek nor desire political preferment. He is an Odd Fellow and a Woodman and has many friends in those organizations. For thirty-five years he has made his home in Lake connty, where he is widely known and where his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.

F. W. SCHULTZ.

Financial interests in Lake county find a worthy representative in F. W. Schultz, the cashier of the State Bank of Junius. Although a young man, his has been a somewhat varied and eventful career. He was born in Iowa, June 3, 1879, a son of P. H. and Wilhelmina (Gethmann) Schultz. It was in the year 1884 that the parents brought their family to what was then Dakota territory, settling in Jerauld county, where the father homesteaded the southwest quarter of section 9, township 106, range 64. He likewise secured a tree claim, thus becoming the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, and upon his place he carried on general farming for several years. He still owns that property but now rents his land and is living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, making his home at Wessington

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Springs, South Dakota. He has long survived his wife, who passed away during the boyhood of their son, F. W. Schultz.

In the public schools F. W. Schultz acquired his early education, which was supple- mented by study in the Wessington Springs Seminary. He afterward went to the Philippines as a volunteer following the outbreak of bostilities with Spain, joining Company A, Thirty- fourth U. S. V., with which he served for two years, meeting all of the experiences of war- fare in those faraway eastern islands with a population which in part had advanced but a little way on the road to civilization. After two years' service he was mustered out as a non-commissioned officer.

Upon his return to the United States, Mr. Schultz was employed in connection with the conduct of a general mercantile business at Woonsocket for five years, being in the store of A. Strub. This brought him valuable information and experience concerning business methods and the best ways to judge men. On the expiration of that period he came to Junius and entered the State Bank upon its organization in 1907, John Wadden of Madison becoming its president. The business has continuously increased while Mr. Schultz has been manager and the institution is now regarded as a safe, reliable moneyed concern, meeting a need in the community for a medium of financial transfers. Mr. Schultz is also a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator Company.

On the 30th of November, 1905, Mr. Schultz was united in marriage to Miss Christine McLean, a daughter of John McLean and a representative of an honored pioneer family of this state. They now have three children: Stuart F., Ona Jean and Wallace G.

Mr. Schultz belongs to the Odd Fellows society. He has served as clerk of the school district and he is interested in all those measures which tend to promote the progress and prosperity of the community. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and its teachings guide them in all of their relations. The spirit of bravery and loyalty which prompted Mr. Schultz' enlistment for service in the army has characterized him in every relation of life. He may be counted upon to do what he promises and it has become a recognized fact that he never makes an engagement that he does not keep nor incurs an obligation that he does not meet.

S. J. RISLOV.

South Dakota has proved attractive to many Scandinavians and S. J. Rislov, a native of Norway, is among the number who have found here a congenial climate and splendid agricultural opportunities. He is a well-to-do farmer of Highland township, Minnehaha county, and has become thoroughly American in spirit and interests. He was born on the 21st of February, 1841, a son of John S. and Liva Rislov. The family emigrated to the United States in 1864, and settled first in Illinois, whence they removed to Iowa in the spring of 1866. They remained in that state for eight or ten years. The subject of this review was the first to come to South Dakota, where he homesteaded land. His parents followed him to this state two years later and remained here until their deaths. They are laid to rest not far from the homestead of their son.

S. J. Rislov was educated in Norway and prepared for teaching in that country. While he was a resident of Iowa he taught for six years and after coming to South Dakota was for thirty years engaged in teaching in the country schools. His duties in this line, however, did not occupy all of his time and in 1874 he homesteaded the northeast one-half of section 21, Highland township, Minnehaha county. He also took up a tree claim and located sixteen hundred acres for others of the party that came to South Dakota with him. His farm is now splendidly improved and is a source of a good annual income.

Mr. Rislov was married on the 22d of May, 1871, to Miss Ingeborg Wemark, a daughter of Ole and Gro Wemark. Mr. and Mrs. Rislov became the parents of the following children: Ole, who died at the age of thirty-seven years; Gana, now Mrs. John Stadheim; Ivrin, who operates the old homestead; Gustave L .; Josie, the wife of John O. Oihus; and Sigurd Ingeman. The family belong to the Lutheran church and are faithful in the support of the work of that organization.

Mr. Rislov was the first assessor of his township and for years served as secretary

MR. AND MRS. S. J. RISLOV

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of the school board. His long experience as a teacher well qualified him for directing the affairs of the public schools of the township and he was influential in securing many improve- ments. He has aided much in the development of the county along several different lines, his work as a farmer identifying him with agricultural interests, his service as a teacher and member of the school board being of great value to the educational growth of the county, and his connection with the Farmers Elevator Company at Sherman placing him among those who are actively concerned in the business life of his locality. He is a stock- holder and one of the organizers of the last named enterprise, which has proved very suc- cessful. Mr. Rislov has never regretted coming to America and has proven himself a valuable and public-spirited citizen of his adopted state.

SAMUEL H. HOTCHKISS.

Samuel H. Hotchkiss, engaged in general farming on section 14, Winfred township, Lake county, was born in Olmsted county, Minnesota, July 24, 1875, a son of Robert B. and Polly F. (Winslow) Hotchkiss. It was in the year 1901 that the family came to South Dakota, settling at Madison, where the father devoted his attention to general farming. He pur- chased five hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 13 and 14, Winfred township, Lake county, and was thereafter busily engaged in further developing and improving his place until his life's labors were ended by death on the 17th of November, 1903. His widow sur- vives and is now seventy-five years of age.

Samuel H. Hotchkiss is a product of the west and possesses the enterprising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. His boyhood and youth were passed in Minnesota and his education was acquired in its public schools. He was twenty-six years of age when the family came to South Dakota, after which he was employed in various ways until 1911, when he took up his abode upon his present farm on section 14, Winfred township, and is now devoting his attention to the work of tilling the soil. He has been very successful and annually gathers rich harvests as compensation for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. He has the latest improved machinery upon his place and his land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. Upon his farm he has thirty head of cattle and twenty-one fine horses, and the equipment of his farm in every partienlar is thoroughly modern and commendable.

On the 22d of June, 1910, Mr. Hotchkiss was united in marriage to Miss Leona E. Northrup, a daughter of George Northrup. They are Methodists in religious faith and are interested in all that pertains to the moral development and the upbuilding of the commu- nity. In politics Mr. Hotchkiss is a republican but has never sought the honors or emolu- ments of public office as a return for party fealty. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is among that class of Sonth Dakota's citizens who favor good roads and have given to the state its splendid highways.

HON. JACOB E. ZIEBACH.

Hon. Jacob E. Ziebach, of Gann Valley, Buffalo county, and member of the state senate, was born at Sargent's Bluff, Iowa, March 1, 1858, a son of Hon. Francis M. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Ziebach, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and became pioneer resi- dents of Dakota territory. Their son Jacob was educated in the public schools of Sioux City, Iowa, and Yankton, and after putting aside his textbooks entered the newspaper field with his father, who was one of the founders of the Weekly Dakotan, the first newspaper published in Dakota territory. Craving the outdoor life, however, he joined the government engineers in surveying the territorial lines and served on most of the survey work in the two Dakotas. He turned, however, to commercial pursuits, subsequently managing a book and stationery store in Yankton for three years. He afterward returned to newspaper work in Potter county and while there residing also served as clerk of the courts. In 1885 he became connected with the Vol. V-20

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Scotland Citizen and thus continued until 1894, when he was appointed special agent of the United States treasury department, his duties taking him to Alaska in connection with the sealing interests there. That work successfully completed, he returned to South Dakota and in 1902 went to Buffalo county, where he has since been largely interested in the live-stock business, operating a ranch of several thousand acres, on which he has hundreds of head of stock. He is familiar with every phase of the business which he is now successfully managing, his indefatigable industry, determination and careful management bringing him a gratifying measure of success. He is also financially interested in the Bank of Gann Valley.

It was on the 21st of March, 1887, that Mr. Ziebach was married to Miss Ada Beardsley, a daughter of E. R. and Olive (Bandle) Beardsley, of Kankakee, Illinois, and a granddaughter of Dr. Davenport Beardsley, a pioneer of Indiana, and founder of the city of Elkhart, that state.

Mr. Ziebach largely finds his recreation in outdoor sports, greatly enjoying a hunting trip. He is a Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, he has crossed the sands of the desert. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has always been an active worker in its ranks. In 1908 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and was returned in 1910 and in 1912. At the close of his third term he was elected to the state senate in 1914 and his long service in the house and his grasp of public affairs has made him one of the leaders in the upper branch of the general assembly where he has served on important committees, on appropriations, elections, printing and railroads. Already he has left his impress for good upon the legislative history of the state and his course is characterized by an unfaltering devotion to duty that rests upon a cognizance of the needs of the commonwealth, its oppor- tunities and possibilities.

JAKOB RICHTER.

Jakob Richter is well known and active among those who, realizing the natural resources of Lake county, have made it a splendid agricultural district. His home is on section 31, Farmington township, and there he has lived since 1905, being one of the extensive land holders of his community. He was born near Warsaw, Poland, on the 30th of May, 1860, and is a son of John and Katherina Richter. The father has devoted his life to farming hut now, in the evening of his days, is living retired, having reached the advanced age of ninety- three years. The mother has passed away.

Jakob Richter pursned his education in his native country and his youth was a period of earnest and unremitting toil. At twenty-one years of age he joined the army and after serving for three years returned to his home, where he remained for two years. He was then married and began farming on his own account. He continued his residence in Poland until 1887, when, at the age of twenty-seven years, he sought the opportunities of the new world, making his way direct to South Dakota. He journeyed to Madison, making the trip soon after the train service was started. His initial step in the business world was taken as an employe of Henry Roherer, for whom he worked at eighteen dollars per month. He was afterward employed in the lumber woods in Wisconsin during the winter season, but the following year he returned to Lake county, where he worked at the carpenter's trade. He built many houses in Madison, leading a most industrious life, and then with his savings he purchased land. In 1905 he built his present residence, which is one of the attractive homes of the county. In the rear are good barns and outbuildings, the improvements upon his place being worth ten thousand dollars. His home stands in the midst of a large farm of five hundred and twenty acres situated on section 31, Farmington township, and a glance over the place indicates the efficiency of his farm methods both in the production of grain and in the raising of stock. He handles a large amount of registered stock, including fifty-two Percheron horses and a large number of Poland China hogs. He has his own lighting plant upon the farm and in the spring of 1915 he purchased a tractor. He utilizes the latest improved methods in farming and has one of the most beautiful and attractive places in the state.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 70

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