History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 72

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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Henry J. Hammer was at that time a youth of eighteen years. He had up to that time always resided in his native county, where he attended the public schools. He also spent a short time as a student in the Normal School at Madison, South Dakota, but because of the financial condition of the family he had to return home to assist his father, to whom he gave the benefit of his services until he reached the age of twenty-one years. For three years he as- sisted his father in breaking the sod and tilling the soil upon the homestead claim in Lake county and then started out in life on his own account. He purchased the southeast quarter of section 7, Herman township, and with characteristic energy began to prepare the fields for eul- tivation. In due time the plowing and planting was done and later ahundant harvests were gathered. As the years went on he prospered and from time to time purchased other tracts

HENRY J. HAMMER

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of land until he is now the owner of five hundred and sixty acres, all in Herman township. He bas since been very successful in his farm work and his income increases year by year.

On December 19, 1889, Mr. Hammer was united in marriage to Miss Belle Fairfield, a daughter of Thomas Fairfield, a cattle man and a well known pioneer of Sanborn county, South Dakota. To them have been born the following children: Stella, who died at the age of seventeen years; Alta, who was fourteen years old when she passed away; Elmer, a youth of fourteen; and Blanche, a little maiden of eight summers.

Mr. and Mrs. Hammer are members of the Methodist church at Junius and in politics he bas been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was at one time a candidate of his party for the office of representative to the state legis- lature. He has held a number of township offices, has served as supervisor and has been a member of the school hoard in his district for eighteen years. He is also connected with the Farmers Elevator at Junius. His active life has been fraught with good results, his able business management resulting in the attainment of notable success.

REV. J. H. DOLNY.

Rev. J. H. Dolny, pastor of St. Peter's church at Platte and of St. Mark's at Lake Andes, was born November 3, 1883, in Prussian Poland, a son of John and Julianna Dohy. His father, who was a farmer by occupation, has passed to his reward.

Rev. J. H. Dolny received the greater part of his education in Germany and there pur- sued his classical and philosophical courses. He completed his study in theology in St. Paul Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota, and was there ordained to the priesthood in 1910 by Bishop Hefferon for the diocese of Sioux Falls. He said his first mass at Grenville, South Dakota. He was stationed at the mission at Leola for a year and was later at Miller for six months. Subsequently he was pastor of the church at Waubay for a year and in 1914 he was given charge of St. Peter's church at Platte and of St. Mark's at Lake Andes with residence at Platte. There are forty five families in each congregation and the two churches are strong forces in the moral and spiritual life of their respective communities. Rev. Dolny gives his attention and thought to building up his two churches and to fostering the growth of strong Christian character in his parishioners, but he does not forget that the church has a mission to the world at large and seeks to aid in embodying Christian teachings in the community life. He is energetic and progressive as well as zealous and cooperates in all movements seeking the moral development of his county and state. He has gained the confidence and esteem of those who have come in contact with him irrespective of their religious belief.

CAPTAIN BENJAMIN R. WAGNER.

Captain Benjamin R. Wagner, of Bon Homme county, was not only one of the real pioneers of the state but was also one of the leaders in public affairs in the early days. He was born January 30, 1830, in Washington county, Maryland, on what became the battle ground of Antietam. His parents, John and Catherine (Rice) Wagner, were natives of Pennsylvania and the father was a farmer by occupation. In 1837 they removed with their family to Ogle county, Illinois, and there Benjamin R. Wagner grew to manhood. He was educated in the famous Rock River Academy of Mount Morris, Illinois, which was estab- lished by Rev. Hitt.

In August, 1861, Mr. Wagner enlisted for service in the Union army, becoming a mem- ber of Company H. Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. On the 8th of April. 1862, he sustained a wound in the thigh at Shiloh and was appointed captain by Lincoln in ree- ognition of his gallantry. Upon partly recovering from his wound he was transferred to the Invalid Corps and Veteran Reserve. Captain Wagner had charge of the Confederate soldiers confined at the Rock Island military prison and on one occasion took five hundred Confederate prisoners south to exchange for Union men and at another time took the same

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number to Washington. He served in the army until the close of the war, being honorahly . discharged April 6, 1866.

Upon his return to Illinois Captain Wagner was elected deputy sheriff of Ogle connty and in 1868 was elected sheriff, winning reelection to that office in 1870. He was also high- way commissioner of Ogle county and during his incumbency in that office the bridge over the Rock river at Oregon was built. In the meantime he entered the hotel business and for four years the Wagner Hotel at Forreston was known as one of the most comfortable hostelries in that part of Illinois. On removing to Oregon, the county seat, he became pro- prietor of the American House at that place. In 1874 he removed to South Dakota and filed on preemption and homestead claims in Bon Homme county, later securing a timber claim adjoining his other land. In September of that year his wife and children came to the territory and the home of Captain Wagner at once became the center of refinement and culture in Bon Homme county. It was in marked contrast to the usual frontier home, as there were books, periodicals, flowers and other evidences of culture that at that time were scarcely ever seen in this state, as most of the settlers were unable to do more than make a living for the first few years.

Captain Wagner was recognized as a leader almost immediately upon his arrival in the territory and served as a member of the territorial legislature at Yankton and in the first council of the territory after the capital was removed to Bismarck. He was sheriff of Bon Homme county, was a member of the board of directors of the insane asylum and chairman of the board of regents of the State Agricultural College at Brookings, and in many ways exercised a great influence upon the early development of South Dakota.

On the 29th of May, 1862, Captain Wagner was married at Mount Morris, Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth Hitt, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Hitt. As soon as the Captain had suffi- ciently recovered from the wound received at Shilob Mrs. Wagner accompanied him to Rock Island, where, as before stated, he was in charge of the Confederate prisoners. They extended the hospitality of their home to the officers stationed there and it became the center of the social life at that place. To Captain and Mrs. Wagner were born three sons and a daughter: Robert R., deceased; Howard H .; Walter W .; and Emily Elizabeth, deceased.

Howard H. Wagner was reared in Bon Homme county and has served as sheriff thereof. He married Miss Lydia M. Peck, of Wisconsin, by whom he has five children. The oldest, Marie Elizabeth, graduated very young from the Springfield Normal School, attended All Saints School, Dakota Wesleyan College and for one summer did special work in the Chi- cago University. Previous to her marriage she taught school and was unusually successful in her profession. She was teaching near an uncle's home in Montana when Sweet Grass county was set off in the readjustment of county lines and was elected the first county superintendent of schools. Under her direction the school system was well organized and placed upon a high plane of efficiency. She subsequently married James E. Murray and her daughter, Elizabeth Emily, was the first great-grandchild of Captain and Mrs. Wagner. The other children of Howard Wagner are: Ben Harrison; Nina M., a graduate of the Springfield Normal School and now a teacher at Santee, Nebraska; Howard, Jr .; and Harold. Walter W. Wagner, the third son of Captain and Mrs. Wagner, married Clara James, of Ogle county, Illinois, and now lives at Wagner, South Dakota. Their three children are: Morris, Frances and Walter W., Jr.

Captain Wagner passed away in 1898 and his demise was the occasion of much sincere regret. He was a member of Grierson Post, G. A. R., at Tyndall and found much satisfac- tion in meeting his comrades and in reviving associations of the '60s.

After the death of Captain Wagner his widow assumed charge of the bachelor house- hold of her brother, M. E. Hitt, and remained with him upon his farm until he retired and they removed to Tyndall in 1913. During the spring of 1881 Mrs. Wagner and her brothers had a number of unpleasant experiences in endeavoring to return to South Dakota from Illinois, where they had been called by the illness and death of their mother. The unusually heavy floods of that spring had cut off the usual means of transportation and it was not only almost impossible to go from place to place but all communication by mail or tele- graph was also suspended. Her brother Martin reached Sioux City, Iowa, before the others and went to Yankton on what proved to be the last train until July. Thomas M. Hitt, after waiting for twenty days at Sioux City, succeeded in getting a train to Marion Junction by way of Sheldon, Iowa, from which point he walked to Scotland, this state, the journey con-

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suming three days. At the Jim river he was ferried aeross in a skiff, as that was the only boat available. He continued his journey, passing through Tyndall April 25tb, and upon reaching his home farm, found that the family had not received any communication from the outside world for weeks. Mrs. Wagner was the last to return and was delayed a month at Sioux City. Finally a boat came up the river and she secured passage to Yankton for her- self and a supply of provisions. At that city she took a stage for Springfield and from there was driven home. However, before leaving Yankton, she divided her supply of late newspapers with the isolated citizens who were very anxious for news. It was not until the middle of May that Mrs. Wagner reached home. Such hardships as these, however, were not considered unusual, and the courage and determination of the pioneers increased as greater obstaeles to be conquered arose.

HUD C. MAINS.

Hud C. Mains, editor of the English Java Herald, published at Java, Walworth county, was horn in Defiance, Ohio, February 25, 1882, a son of Frank and Amanda (Hartman) Mains, both of whom are natives of Ohio and are still living there. Their family numbered seven children, five of whom survive.

Their son, H. C. Mains, remained at home mitil he attained his majority and pursued his education in the public schools of Defiance until graduated from the high school. After reaching man's estate he established a job printing plant in Defiance, Ohio, where he remained for two years, after which he came to South Dakota and entered the employ of J. F. Kelley, of Aberdeen, with whom he remained for six years. On the 20th of July, 1910, he arrived in Java and entered into business with Carl Clement, his father-in-law, this relation being since maintained. His previous training and experience in the printing business and his natural aptitude for the work have made him successful in editing and conducting the Java Herald.

In 1904 occurred the marriage of Mr. Mains and Miss Ella E. Clement, a daughter of Carl F. and Emma (Rady) Clement, the latter now deceased. Further mention of Mr. Clement is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Mains have a daughter, Laurella Ruth, who was born November 26, 1913. The parents attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Mains is well known as a member of the Masonic lodge of Java, the Modern Woodmen camp, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and the Yeomen lodge. His wife is connected with the Maccabees and the Yeomen. For two years Mr. Mains served as secretary of the Commereial Club and has put forth earnest and effective effort to advance the interests of the city along lines which have a direct bearing upon its welfare, upbuilding and substantial improvement.

JOHN C. CASSUTT.

The home farm of John C. Cassutt is a well developed and productive tract of land situated on section 27, Badus township, Lake county. Mr. Cassutt is a native of Switzer- land. He was born December 1, 1850, of the marriage of Louis and Christina Cassutt, who came with their family to the United States in 1859 and established their home in Clayton county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1882. The home was afterward sold and in 1892 the mother passed away.

John C. Cassutt was but nine years of age when he erossed the Atlantic with his parents. After attending the public schools for a time he continued to assist his father with the work of the home farm and then began farming on his own account in Iowa. He afterward learned and followed the .blacksmith's trade and in the spring of 1880 he eame to South Dakota, where he homesteaded a tract of land, paying the usual government price and obtaining the title thereto in 1882. He has six quarter sections save about forty acres. He was one of the Catholie colony that settled in Lake county and he had his blacksmith shop where is now seen the burying ground at Lake Badus. He was the blacksmith for the

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entire countryside at that time. He afterward removed to his claim and began its develop- ment and improvement. There were few families then residing in his section of the country and most of them were living near Lake Badns. The land was wild and undeveloped, but the settlers were a class of sturdy, resolute frontiersmen and their labors soon wrought a marked change. Mr. Cassutt has worked persistently and earnestly in the development of his farm and now has a valuable property. He also owns a quarter section of land in Texas. In the year 1876 he was a miner in Nevada but in recent years his undivided attention has been given to agricultural pursuits with the result that he now has' a splendidly improved farm. Upon his place he has twenty head of cattle and good Percheron horses and he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Ramona.

On the 15th of May, 1882, Mr. Cassutt was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Fitzen- tin and they have become the parents of the following children: Louis, at home; Thomas, who was an engineer on the Northwestern Railroad and died at Washington Falls, Texas, when twenty-seven years of age; Christina, the wife of K. Mosher; Cora and John, at home; Matt, who is operating his father's other farm; and George, Frunica and William, all at home.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. Cassutt is one of the few remaining representatives of the Catholic colony that settled near Lake Badus in pioneer times. He has held various township offices in the past and has always been interested in the substantial growth and improvement of his part of the state, taking an active and helpful interest in everything that he has believed would further the welfare and progress of his section. In a word, he is a public-spirited man and a representative citizen and his name is closely interwoven with the pioneer development of his part of the state.

ANDREW H. BIM.

Andrew H. Bim, a well-to-do farmer of Highland township, Minnehaha county, is a representative of one of the most sturdy races of Europe, his birth having occurred in Norway. His natal day was September 17, 1854, and his parents were H. T. and Bertha Bim. The former, who also followed agricultural pursuits, is now living retired at the venerable age of ninety-three years, but the latter has been deceased for many years, her demise occurring in 1864.

Andrew H. Bim attended the common schools of his native land and in the time which was not thus occupied assisted his father in the work of the farm. After leaving school he remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he emigrated to the United States, arriving in New York, June 24, 1875. He made his way to Minnesota, where he found work as a carpenter and wagon maker and was also employed for a time as a farm hand. After spending two years in the Gopher state he came to South Dakota, arriving here on the 12th of June, 1877. He homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 8, High- land township, Minnehaha county, and took a tree claim on section 5. He subsequently purchased two eighty acre tracts situated on section 8 and has improved all of his land until his place is one of the most beautiful farms in the southeastern section of the state. He has erected all of the buildings and has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, his energy and sound judgment being rewarded hy bountiful crops. His farm comprises four hundred and sixty acres and in addition to raising the crops best adapted to the soil and climate he feeds some stock for the market, having about fifty head of cattle and thirty hogs. He also holds stock in a number of farmers' cooperative business enterprises through- out the county.

On the 2d of March, 1832, Mr. Pim was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Olson, a daughter of Ole and Bertha Michelson. Her father died in November, 1914, but her mother is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Bim have been born the following children, the birth of all occurring on the homestead in Minnehaha county: Henry Olia; Simon, who died at the age of nineteen years; Benhard; Sivert Johan: Bethre: Alma: Alfred; and Simon, the second of that name, born July 31, 1914. About six years ago Mr. Bim visited his old home in Norway and three years previous to that time his wife also made a trip to their native land.

The family are members of the Lutheran church and are active in promoting its growth

MR. AND MRS. ANDREW H. BIM

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and progress. Mr. Bim is a republican in politics and has served as treasurer of the township board for a number of years and was a member of the school board for fifteen years. He arrived in this country with no assets but his strength, his willingness to work, his integrity and his sound judgment. He has been industrious and has been able to recognize a good opportunity when such presented itself and as a result he has prospered. The honorable principles which have always actuated his life have won for Mr. Bim a high place in the estimation of his fellowmen and he has found in the new world many friends as well as material prosperity.

W. R. VEITCH.

W. R. Veitch is the postmaster of Groton and also owner of the Herald, one of the well known newspapers of Brown county. He was born in the state of New York, April 28, 1875, a son of William and Mary (Holmes) Veitch, who were also natives of the Empire state and were descended from old families represented in the Revolutionary war. The ancestry in the paternal line was from Scotland, while the mother's ancestors were from England, the line being traced back as far as 1594, and the family being established in America in 1630. The Holmes family figured very prominently in the war for independence. William Veitch served in the Civil war and was for many years engaged in merchandising in New York but about 1881 removed westward to Dakota territory, settling in Spiuk county, whence he afterward went to Groton, Brown county, where his death occurred in 1913.

W. R. Veitch was educated in the Harriman University at Harriman, Tennessee, and subsequently attended Valparaiso University at Valparaiso, Indiana. He next entered the newspaper field and after serving an apprenticeship of several years on various papers and in various states went to Groton in 1900 and established the Groton Herald, which he has developed from a small country paper to one having a large circulation and more than loeal influence. The paper is democratic and is aggressive in the statement of its political opinions. In September, 1913, Mr. Veitch was appointed postmaster of Groton, being one of the first five postmasters appointed in the state by President Wilson. He is a prominent figure in political eireles and was secretary of the state central democratie committee in 1912.

In 1901 Mr. Veitch was united in marriage to Miss Matie Wismer, of Groton. Frater- nally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, belonging to Aberdeen Lodge, No. 1046, and he is a member of the executive committee of the Groton Country Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church, with which his wife is also affiliated. During their residence in Groton Mr. and Mrs. Veitch have gained a wide and favorable acquaintance and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

WALTER M. KNOWLTON.

Walter M. Knowlton is a clothing merchant of Hot Springs and has been identified with the business interests of that place for twenty-three years. Moreover, he is also one of the pioneer residents of the Hills, where he arrived in March, 1880, when twenty-two years of age. He was born in South Stukely, Canada, on the 27th of August, 1857, his parents being Luke Holland and Elizabeth (Spinney) Knowlton, who were also natives of the Dominion. The father was born at the same place as his son Walter and the mother's birth occurred in Bol- ton. In early life Luke H. Knowlton engaged in merchandising and afterward turned his attention to farming. He acted as secretary and treasurer of the municipality for between twenty and thirty years and was a prominent and influential man of his community. He died in July, 1892, and was survived for only a few months by his wife, who passed away in January, 1893.

Walter M. Knowlton was the youngest in a family of eight children. He attended school in Canada and came to the Black Hills country in 1880, when a young man of twenty-two

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years. Making his way to Deadwood, he became an employe in the Chase Clothing store and continued in business connections with Mr. Chase from 1880 until 1913 and is still in charge of the books of the firm. On the 9th of April, 1892, he opened a store at Hot Springs for the firm, they baving previously conducted a store at Buffalo Gap from 1885 until 1892. Since the latter date he has remained continuously in Hot Springs and in the fall of 1913 he pur- chased the clothing department from Mr. Chase and now conducts the business independently, carrying a full line of clothing, shoes, hats and men's furnishings. He handles the goods of the leading manufacturers of the country and keeps his stock thoroughly up-to-date in style and workmanship, while his reasonable prices and thoroughly reliable business methods further commend him to the confidence and support of the public. He is also a stockholder and director in the Bank of Hot Springs and he owns property in the town.

On the 1st of June, 1898, Mr. Knowlton was united in marriage to Miss Rose A. Perkins, who was born in Promise City, Iowa, a daughter of Thomas M. and Alice (Ackley) Perkins. Her father, a native of Ohio, engaged in the mercantile business in early life and has continued along that line to the present, being now a well known merchant of Seymour, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton has been born one child, Myra P., who is now a high-school pupil in Hot Springs.

Mr. Knowlton holds membership in the Masonic lodge and chapter and exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit and purpose of the craft. In politics he is a republican with inde- pendent tendencies, nor has he ever sought or desired public office. He served for one term as a member of the board of education and is interested in all that contributes to the material, intellectual, social, moral and political advancement of the community. His influ- ence is always on the side of reform, progress and improvement and as a leading and repre- sentative citizen he ocenpies a high position in the public regard.

ROBERT WESTALL.

Among those whose efforts contribute toward making South Dakota one of the richest agricultural states of the Union is Robert Westall, who is living on section 29, Concord town- ship, Lake county, where he has an excellent tract of land, thoroughly modern in its equip- ment and conducted according to scientific methods of farming. He was born in Lancashire, England, on the 22d of February, 1865, a son of Richard and Betty (Holden) Westall. The father was a quarryman and engineer and in the year 1882 came with his family to the United States, settling first at Slayton, Minnesota, where he engaged in farming on land which he purchased from the railroad company. He devoted nineteen years to the enltiva- tion and further improvement of that place and in 1901 came to South Dakota, where he arrived on the 1st day of April. He then purchased seven quarter sections of land, erected thereon large buildings, made extensive improvements and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1908. There were five sons in his family and to each he gave a quarter section of land. The mother still resides on the old home place, comprising three quarter sections, and the farm is cultivated by one of her sons.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 72

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