History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 75

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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BEN BRINK.

Ben Brink is well known in Charles Mix county as a member of the prosperous real- estate and insurance firm of VanderBoom & Brink, of Platte. He also has a number of other business interests and has gained financial independence. He was born in Illinois on the 1st of February, 1869, a son of J. A. and Mary (Kools) Brink. The father, a gardener by occupation, was foreman of a large estate in Amsterdam, Holland, for some time. In 1851 he located with his family in Michigan, where he remained for twelve years, and then removed to the vieinity of Chicago where Roseland is now situated and gave his attention to truck farming until 1871. In that year he removed to Ackley, Iowa, and two years later took up his residence at Orange City, where he remained until 1883, when he came to Douglas county, South Dakota, being one of the first settlers of the county. After remaining there for five years he returned to Orange City, lowa, where he died in 1898. He was survived by his widow until 1914, her demise occurring when she was eighty-two years of age.

Ben Brink was edueated in public and private schools and for six years followed the profession of teaching. He also farmed for some time and was likewise manager of the Farmers Creamery at Harrison. The stock business also claimed part of his attention but following his removal to Platte he purchased a half interest in a well established real-estate and insurance company, the style becoming VanderBoom & Brink. They do the largest real- estate business in this section of the state and also represent a number of reliable insurance companies. They understand both the real-estate and insurance business thoroughly and as they are strictly honorable in their methods their business has shown a steady and rapid growth. Many of their clients have dealt with them for several years and this is in itself proof of both their ability and their integrity.

Mr. Brink has a number of other business interests. He owns a dairy farm adjoining Platte and keeps a considerable number of high grade Holstein cows. He also holds title to a stock ranch, which is operated by his daughter and on which he keeps sixty head of cattle and a number of horses.

Mr. Brink was married on the 1st of February, 1889, to Miss Jennie Vandenbos, a daugh- ter of D. Vandenhos, and to this union have been born the following children: Johanna C., Maria, Sebia, Dirk B., Bert, Cornie A. and Cornelia.

Mr. Brink is a republican and supports the candidates of that party consistently at the polls. He belongs to the local commercial club and is in hearty sympathy with its aims and purposes. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian Reform

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church. Hle does all in his power to advance the interests of his community and of the state of South Dakota, never being too much taken up with his private affairs to cooperate with movements seeking the general welfare. The large measure of material success which lie has gained is entirely due to his own initiative and business aeumen and is incontrovertible testimony to his ability.

FRANK J. FRAUTSCHY.

Frank J. Frautschy is the proprietor of the Evergreen Stock Farm situated in Lake county, not far from Junius, and has resided thereon since 1908. He was horn in Green county, Wisconsin, on the 30th of May, 1876, and after spending the first seventeen years of his life in his native state accompanied his parents to lowa. His father, Jacob Frautschy, was a native of Switzerland and crossed the Atlantic in 1852, making his way to Wiscon- sin. He made the voyage in company with his father and mother, John and Catharine Frautschy, and was at that time twelve years of age. He was reared in Wisconsin and lived there for a number of years after his marriage and about 1893 went to lowa. He wedded Magdalena Miller, who died in 1904, at the age of fifty-three years. Mr. Frautschy sur- vived for several years, passing away on the 6th of July, 1910, at the age of seventy. He belonged to the German Baptist church at Madison and he was interested in all that per- tained to the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. He served for a time on the school board and his political allegiance was given to the republican party.

Frank J. Frautschy is indebted to the public-school system of Wisconsin and of Iowa for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He came to Lake county, South Dakota, witlı his father in 1902 and afterward rented land, continuing thus to engage in farming until his economy and industry had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a . farm. In 1908 he invested in the land upon which he now resides and has made many improvements thereon in the intervening years. His place is now a valuable farm property and in addition to cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climatic conditions he is quite extensively engaged in raising Duroc hogs and Aberdeen Angus cattle, having a fine herd of registered stock.

On the 27th of January, 1904, Mr. Frautschy was united in marriage to Miss Rose Frei- burghaus, a daughter of Gotlieb and Anna (Baechler) Freiburghaus, of German Swiss par- entage. To them have been born three children, namely: Carl Lewis, Carrie and Lena Rose.

Through his enterprise and diligence Mr. Frantschy has been enabled to provide a good home for his family and is now the possessor of two hundred and twelve acres of rich and productive land. He manifests a spirit of progress in connection with all public as well as private affairs and gives his aid in support of many measures for the general good. He is widely recognized as one of Lake county's most progressive farmers and stock breeders and in 'carrying on his business affairs is accomplishing what he purposes.

J. T. LAWLESS.

J. T. Lawless, who carries on general farming on section 3, Farmington township, Lake county, owes his success not to any happy combination of circumstances, to influence or the aid of friends, but to his persistent, earnest efforts. He was horn in Fillmore county, Min- nesota, on the 7th of December, 1868, and is a son of Richard and Bridget Lawless, who came with their family to Dakota territory in 1877, driving across the country with two covered wagons. They brought with them fourteen head of cattle and when the long and wearisome journey was completed they took up their ahode on section 11, township 107, range 53, where Mr. Lawless took up a homestead and also took up a timber claim. He cul- tivated his land until his sons were able to buy the property.

J. T. Lawless was a little lad of but nine years when the family came to South Dakota and he attended the district schools of the neighborhood and afterward the high school of Madison, South Dakota. During periods of vacation he worked in the fields and when his

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school days were over he gave his father the benefit of his services in the further develop- ment and improvement of the old home place. At the age of twenty-six years he began farming on his own account on a quarter section of land belonging to his father, who at that time owned an entire section. In 1905 he purchased his present place, including one hundred and sixty acres on section 3, Farmington township, and an equal amount on section 10. He rents a quarter section of his land and confines his attention to the further develop- ment and improvement of the remainder .. The farm is thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every respect. He uses the latest improved machinery and has erected all of the build- ings upon his land. Everything about the place is thoroughly modern and his work is so directed that large crops are annually gathered as a return for the care and labor which he bestows upon the fields. In addition to his other interests he is connected with the Battle Creek Telephone Company.

On the 14th of June, 1904, Mr. Lawless was united in marriage to Miss Anna Schnell, a daughter of Joseph Schnell and a representative of an honored pioneer family. She passed away on the 27th of December, 1912, leaving the following children: R. Joseph, James, Cyril, John and Mary Anna.

Mr. Lawless is a communicant of the Catholic church. In politics he is independent, voting for the candidate whom he thinks best qualified for office without regard to party affiliations. His interest in South Dakota and particularly in his home locality is deep and sincere and is manifest in hearty cooperation with the plans and movements that are instituted for the benefit and upbuilding of the county.

P. M. VENNER.

P. M. Venner, engaged in general farming on section 23, Orland township, was born in Wisconsin, on the 7th of Septemher, 1859, his parents being Jacob and Nellie (Vassen) Venner. The father was a pioneer resident of Wisconsin, settling there in 1854. He con- tinues to make his home in that state and has devoted the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits. The mother has passed away.

When a little lad of six summers P. M. Venner began attending the public schools and there he mastered the common branches of learning, heing thus qualified for later responsi- bilities and activities of business life. He was early trained to farm work and continued to assist his father until he reached the age of nineteen years, after which he worked by the month as a farm hand for seven years in Wisconsin. Removing to northern Iowa, he there engaged in farming until he came to South Dakota in 1899. In December of the previous year he purchased his present place, becoming originally the owner of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, Orland township. He has been ambitious to advance in a business way and, further investing in farm property, has now an excellent tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres, which he has capably and profitably cultivated. He is well known as a breeder of Ayrshire cattle, having a fine herd of fifty head. He keeps thirteen head of horses for the farm work and intelligently manages his business interests along progressive lines, so that he now has one of the fine farms of South Dakota, conducted according to modern ideas. He has erected all of the buildings and made all of the improvements upon the place and has established a gas plant to furnish lighting. He is not content to do what others have done but pushes forward along the lines of improvement and progress and has won a place among the substantial agriculturists of his adopted county.

Mr. Venner was married February 3, 1886, to Miss Theresa Hoppenjan, a daughter of John Hoppenjan, who was a native of Germany, and their children are: Walter, Evaline, Mrs. William Byrne, Harry, Arthur, Jessie, Irene, Lawrence and Theresa.

The family are Catholics in religious faith and Mr. Venner is connected fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In politics he is a progressive republican and has twice been a delegate to the state conventions of his party, while in its local councils his opinions carry weight. His fellow citizens, appreciative of his worth and ability, have many times called him to public office, so that he has served for thir- teen years as township assessor, while for twelve years he has been a member of the school board. He indorses the good roads movement and was a contributor to the building of the

P. M. VENNER

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Meridian road. He is vice president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company, is a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Madison, is president of the Orland Telephone Company, a rural telephone line, is a stockholder in the Morley Twine plant at Sioux City and in the Lewis Electric line. It will thus be seen that his interests are broad and varied and that he has been and is an active cooperant in various enterprises which have had to do with the material development of the community. He believes strongly in progress in public affairs as well as in private business, and his aid and influence can always be depended upon to further any measure for the general good.

F. G. HILL.

F. G. Hill, of Mobridge, is division superintendent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, having jurisdiction over the Trans-Missouri division, covering four hundred and ninety miles of the system in North and South Dakota. His position is one of large responsibility and his duties are most capably performed. He was appointed to his present position on the 31st of March, 1913, having steadily worked his way upward in the intervening years from the time when he entered upon active business life.

Mr. Hill was born in Richland Center, Wisconsin, on the 14th of June, 1868, and is a son of Alfred B. and Susan (Cupper) Hill, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in the latter state and journeyed westward to Wisconsin with team and wagon. In early life the father learned and followed the blacksmith's trade but his strenuous service as a soldier in the Civil war undermined his health, rendering him unfit for the hard work of the smithy, so that in later years he engaged in the hotel business at Lone Rock, Wisconsin. For four years he was a soldier of the Union army, enlisting from Richland county, Wisconsin, and participating in many of the hotly contested engagements which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hill are now deceased, the former having passed away in 1899 and the latter in 1897.

After acquiring a public-school education while spending his youthful days in his par- ents' home F. G. Hill entered the railroad service, starting upon his business career at the early age of sixteen years. He first entered the telegraph office at Lone Rock, Wisconsin, in 1885, and for eight years he served as a telegraph operator. He next entered the office of the train dispatcher and filled various positions in that office, gradually working his way upward until he became chief train dispatcher, trainmaster and eventually superintendent of the department. On the 31st of March, 1913, he was appointed division superintendent of the road with headquarters at Mobridge and is now filling this responsible position. In addition to his duties in connection with the railroad Mr. Hill is interested in banking as the vice president of the First National Bank of Mobridge.

On the 16th of June, 1896, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Gillman, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, and their children are Charles G. and Fred G. In politics Mr. Hill is independent, while fraternally he is connected with Mineral Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M .; Savanna Chapter, No. 200, R. A. M., of Savanna, Illinois; and Long Commandery, No. 60, K. T., of Mount Carroll, Illinois. He and Mrs. Hill attend the services of the Episcopal church, of which she is a member. They have gained a wide acquaintance during the period of their residence in Mobridge and the circle of their friends is constantly increasing as the eirele of their acquaintance is extended.

PETER F. COSGROVE.

Peter F. Cosgrove devotes his time and attention to the cultivation of a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Lake county and also has property interests in North Dakota. He was born in the northern peninsula of Michigan on the 12th of April, 1864. His father, Patrick Cosgrove, a native of Ireland, came to America in early manhood and settled in New Jersey, whence he afterward removed to northern Michigan. Still later he became a resident of Minnesota and in 1880 arrived in Dakota territory, filing on a homestead in

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Orland township, Lake county, now known as the Blarney Castle Farm. For many years he was energetically and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He died in March, 1901, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, passing away in the faith of the Catholic church, of which he had long been an active member. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Duffy, was a native of Ireland and they were married in New Jersey. In their family were eight children, of whom Peter F. Cosgrove is the third in order of birth. His brother, Michael Cosgrove, is now a resident of Madison.

Peter F. Cosgrove accompanied his parents on their various removals, so that his educa- tion was acquired in the district schools of Minnesota and South Dakota. He has always remained upon the old homestead farm since coming to this state thirty-five years ago and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive farm land here in addition to a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in North Dakota. He raises shorthorn and black Angus cattle and has some fine specimens of stock upon bis place. His business interests are carefully managed and in addition to farming he has made investment in the Farmers Elevator Company, of which he is still a stockholder.

On the 20th of November, 1900, Mr. Cosgrove was united in marriage to Miss Emma Fisher, her parents being William and Augusta (Barchat) Fisher, pioneer settlers of Lake county. To them have been born six children, namely: William, Elmer, John, Margaret, Francis and Helen.

In religions faith the family are Catholics, being identified with Madison parish. In his political views Mr. Cosgrove is a republican where national issues are involved but casts an independent local ballot, supporting the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office. He is identified with the good roads movement which is so rapidly bringing about the improvement of the public highways of the state and he is an advocate of progress along many lines that have to do with the public interest and welfare.

JACOB GUNDERT.

Among those who claim Russia as the land of their nativity and who have become sub- stantial and valued citizens of South Dakota is numbered Jacob Gundert. Born near Odessa, Russia, on the 18th of January, 1853, he is a son of Andrew and Kathrina (Frazer) Gundert, who were also natives of Russia, in which country they spent their entire lives.

There Jacob Gundert was reared and educated. He came to America in 1873, when a young man of twenty years, and made his way to Yankton, South Dakota, where he was employed in a lumberyard, being identified with the business for several years. He next removed to Hutchinson county, South Dakota, and established a lumberyard in the town of Menno. He devoted seven years to business there, at the end of which time he sold his lumberyard and purchased a farm of eleven hundred and twenty aeres in Hutchinson county, on which he lived for seven years, making excellent improvements upon the place. He erected fine buildings and set out an orchard of five acres, while his fields were brought to a high state of cultivation. On selling that place he removed to Menno and embarked in the implement business, in which he continued for two years. He then disposed of all of his holdings in Hutchinson county and removed to Hosmer, Edmunds county, where he again established a lumberyard and organized a bank known as the Hosmer State Bank. of which he was the president for four years. Again he changed the scene of his activities by selling bis business at that place in 1907 and removed to Bowdle. He incorporated the first state bank of the town with John C. Gross as a partner and was a director of the bank for a year, after which he sold out to Gross Brothers and established and incorporated a bank at Tolstoy, South Dakota, known as the Farmers State Bank, of which he is now the presi- dent. He is also engaged in the real-estate business, being at the head of a land company known as the Gundert & Son Land Company, which now has between three and four thou- sand acres of land. The business interests of Mr. Gundert have constantly increased in volume and importance and he now has extensive connections which make him a prominent factor in the development and material upbuilding of his part of the state.

In 1875 Mr. Gundert was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Yongman, a native of

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Russia, who came to America in the same year as her future husband. Her parents, Wil- liam and Margaretta Yongman, crossed the Atlantic in 1873 and established their home at Yankton, South Dakota, where their remaining days were passed. To Mr. and Mrs. Gundert have been born ten children, of whom eight are yet living: William, a merchant of Tolstoy ; John, who is engaged in the banking business at Tolstoy; Walter, who is the proprietor of a market at Rock Valley, Iowa; Helmuth, who is in the bank at Tolstoy; Paulina, the wife of Emil Sebnaidt; Lydia, who married John Gross; Carrie, the wife of Christ Gross; and Martha, at home.

In his political views Mr. Gundert is a republican and has supported the candidates of the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen but has neither held nor desired office. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church and are highly esteemed in the community where they live. Mr. Gundert had but twenty-five cents remaining when he came to America and all that he now possesses has been made in South Dakota. It is no wonder that he is an enthusiastic advocate of the state and its opportunities and the state is proud to claim him as one of its citizens, for his efforts have been of material worth to the commnuities in which he has lived. His life record is commendable and furnishes an example well worthy of emulation.

JOHN ALBERT SLATER.

John Albert Slater, a pioneer farmer of Bon Homme county, was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, April 24, 1857, and is a son of William and Eliza (Noble) Slater, the former a native of Sheffield, England, and the latter also born in England. About 1846 the father emigrated to this country and made his way to Wisconsin, where he farmed until he removed to Dakota territory with his family in the summer of 1867. They reached Bon Homme county on the 5th of July after a journey that consumed nearly two months, as they left Wisconsin early in May. All of their worldly possessions were loaded into prairie schooners. It was an unusually wet spring and travel was exceedingly slow as the roads through Iowa were hub-deep in black mud. One of the worst places on the way, which was known as Purgatory slough, delayed them a day, as it was necessary to carry their belong- ings on their heads through the water, which was breast deep. The men not only did this but also arranged high seats on the wagons so that the women and children could ride across in safety and it took three teams to draw each wagon through the morass. When nightfall came they had gone but half a mile on their way. There were no bridges then and it was necessary to ford streams that were deep under ordinary conditions and almost impassable in flood, but in every case a way was found to cross and the journey was made in safety. Mr. Slater passed away in this state in 1874 and his wife died in Wisconsin about 1866. Of the children born to their union four are living: John, of this review; Jane Ellen, the wife of Thomas Bussey, residing near Tyndall, South Dakota; Annie, now Mrs. George Howland, of Mason City, Iowa; and James, a resident of Tyndall.

John Albert Slater was a boy of ten years when the family removed to this state and his education was acquired in Wisconsin. He assisted in the operation of the home farm until the death of his father and, being at that time sixteen years of age, began providing for his own support. On attaining his majority he took up a homestead which he cultivated until his marriage and subsequently bought a farm one-half mile north of that place. In the early '90s he purchased his father's old homestead and has made it one of the best farms in Bon Homme county. It is naturally fertile and he has conserved the productivity of the soil by wise methods of cultivation and has equipped the place with modern machinery which facilitates the farm work. There are also flowing wells and the fields are enclosed with strong fences, while the buildings are commodious and kept in excellent repair. When Mr. Slater came to this state the ox cart was the most common means of conveyance bnt he now uses an automobile in going from place to place and this change is but indicative of the transformation that bas made South Dakota the prosperous and thriving common- wealth that it is today.

Mr. Slater was married in Wisconsin to Miss Ellen Jane Bussey, a native of that state and a daughter of Benjamin and Jane Bussey. To Mr. and Mrs. Slater have been born three

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children. Rolley, who attended Yankton Academy and is now assisting his father with the farm work, married Miss Hazel Lawson. He is a member of the Independent Order of ( dd Fellows. Ethel Jane became the wife of William P. smith, who cultivates a farm south of her father's, and they have a son, Harold Ja es. William, the youngest in the family, is still under the parental roof.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 75

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