History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 76

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. Slater and his family are members of the Congregational church and contribute liberally to its support. He is a republican in politics but has never been an office seeker. When he came to this state a few deer were still seen and several times the family slept upon the open prairies as they feared to remain in the house because of threatened hostility on the part of the Indians, but they were never really molested. Mr. Slater has accumulated more than a competence by dint of unceasing industry. uniailing determination and by the wise management of his iarm work and the judicious investment of his capital. He has also gained the esteem of his fellowmen, as his life has been guided by high standards of morality.

LEWIS S. HOUGEN.

Honored and respected by all, there is no resident of Wilmot or of Roberts county who occupies a more enviable position in public regard than Lewis S. Hougen. not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also because of the straightforward, honorable busi- ness policy which he has ever followed. He was born at Telemarken, Norway, on the 25th oi September, 1555, his parents being Soren and Anna Hougen, who were also natives of the land of the midnight sun and there spent their entire lives.

Lewis S. Hongen pursued his education in the schools of both Norway and the United States, having come to America with his eldest brother when about sixteen and a half years of age. They made their way to Dodge county, Minnesota, where he was employed at farm work for about seven years. He was ambitions. however, to engage in business for himself and in 1979 came to Dakota territory. securing a homestead claim in Roberts county when there were but two houses in his neighborhood. He homesteaded in Springdale town- ship, taking up three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he proved up and of which he is still the owner. His labors wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, for he converted raw prairie into richly cultivated fields and added to the farm many substantial improvements in the way of iences. machinery and good buildings. For a number of years he carried on general farming. personally supervising the work, but at the present time he is renting his land. In 1993 he removed to Wilmot to enter upon the duties of county treasurer, to which office he had been elected for a four years' term. He retired from the position as he had entered it-with the confidence and goodwill of all concerned. Later he was for a time engaged in the hardware business and in 1901 he embarked in the banking business, becoming one of the organizers and the first cashier of the Farmers state Bank, in which connection he still continues. The bank is capitalized for eleven thousand, nine hundred dollars and now has a surplus and undivided profits of forty-one hundred dollars. while the average deposits amount to one hundred and fifteen thousand dollars. The success of this institution is attributable in no small measure to the efforts and enterprise of Mr. Hougen.

In 1852 occurred the marriage of Mr. Hougen and Miss Emma Leiquam, who died August 20, 1901, leaving seven children: Mrs. A. E. Wahl, a resident of Minneapolis; Clarence, editor of the Wilmot Republican; Isabella, who has just graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where she specialized in mathematics and now intends to engage in teaching ; Louise, who is a teacher; Sophia and Sherman, both at home; and Oscar, who is attending the University of Minnesota. The children have been given excellent educational privileges. it being Mr. Hougen's desire to fit them in every possible way for the practical and responsible duties of life. In 1903 he was married again, his second union being with Isabelle Ambrosen. who was born in Cedar County, Nebraska.

Politically Mr. Hougen has always been a republican and his careful study of the ques- tions and issues of the day convinces him that he has made no mistake in his political allegiance. In 1905 he was elected to the state senate and reelected in 1907 and he has also served as county treasurer. making a most creditable record in public office, for he has

LEWIS S. HOUGEN

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ever placed the general welfare before partisanship and the good of his constituents before personal aggrandizement. In religious faith he is a Lutheran and is now serving as deacon of his church, in the work of which he takes a very active and helpful part. It will thus be seen that his influence has been a potent factor in advancing the material, intellectual, political and moral progress of the community, where he is known as an honored and respected citizen whose life record should serve as a source of inspiration to others, for he started out a poor boy and by persistent energy and intelligently directed effort has worked his way upward to a place of prominence, the community profiting largely by his efforts along many lines.

JAMES M. LAWLESS.

The name of Lawless has figured long and prominently in connection with farming interests in Lake county and representatives of the name have taken an active and helpful interest in bringing about the present conditions of the county, especially in advancing its agricultural development. James M. Lawless, now extensively and successfully engaged in farming on section 11, Farmington township, Lake county, was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 8th of September, 1866, and is a son of Richard and Bridget Lawless. Upon his arrival in Dakota territory in 1877, the father homesteaded on section 11, township 107, range 53. He secured a tree claim and afterward owned an entire section of land, having extended the boundaries of his original tract by later purchases. He continued to carefully, systematically and successfully till the soil until- he retired from active business life. He is now living in Madison, enjoying the fruits of his former labor, and his wife also survives.

James M. Lawless spent the first eleven years of his life in his native county and then accompanied his parents to South Dakota. He supplemented a district-school education by study in the Madison State Normal School and afterward helped his father in the work of the home farm, being thus engaged until twenty-nine years of age, when he began farming on his own land. He now cultivates the old homestead, farming altogether six hundred and forty acres, and he is accounted one of the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of South Dakota, making continuous advance in his business affairs. His fields produce good crops of corn, wheat and other cereals and he has upon his place sixty-five head of shorthorn cattle, thirty-five head of horses and one hundred and fifty head of hogs. He has helped to make all of the improvements upon the farm and he utilizes the most modern implements in furthering the work of the place, upon which he has lived for thirty-six years, this being one of the oldest developed properties of the county. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Ramona, in the Farmers Elevator at Madison, in the Fair Ground at Madison and in the Battle Creek telephone lines.

Mr. Lawless is a Catholic in religious faith. He has no club nor fraternal associations, preferring to concentrate his efforts upon his business affairs, which, carefully directed, are bringing to him substantial success. There is no phase of farm life with which he is not familiar. He has studied with scientific thoroughness the best time to plant his crops, the best methods of tilling his fields and knows what the soil will best produce. His efforts are therefore attended with substantial results and he is now numbered among the leading agriculturists of Lake county.

HON. SOLOMON A. AYERS.

In all those affairs which are a matter of public concern, having to do with the upbuild- ing and substantial improvement of the community, Hon. Solomon A. Ayers of Junius is deeply interested, and the efforts which he has put forth along public lines have been far- reaching and beneficial. His life history, therefore, cannot fail to prove of interest to those who wish to know of the history of those who are numbered among the builders of the state.

Mr. Ayers was born in Cuba, Allegany county, New York, July 20, 1854. His father, Vol. Y-28

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Uriah C. Ayers, was a native of Cayuga county, New York, and a descendant of an old New England family. Removing to Wisconsin, he there resided until 1879, when he became one of the early pioneer settlers of Lake county, Dakota territory. He secured a preemption claim in Winfred township and upon his homestead resided until his death, which occurred in 1893, when he reached the age of sixty-six years. He was a lifelong republican, having firm faith in the principles of the party and doing all in his power to secure its success. His religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and he was one of the useful and highly respected citizens of bis community. In early manhood he wedded Miss Phoebe Hoag, also a native of New York, by whom he had three children, as follows: Solomon A., of this review; Cora, who is deceased; and Mrs. Enna D. Cole, of Junins, South Dakota.

Solomon A. Ayers attended the public schools but his educational opportunities were quite limited, as his time was needed in the work of the home farm, upon which he remained until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then removed to Minnesota, where he resided until 1878, and in that year he came to Dakota territory and secured a homestead in Winfred township, Lake county, which he still owns. To his original property he has added from time to time until he now has seven hundred and twenty acres of as fine farm land as can be found in the state. This he devotes to the raising of varied crops and to the breeding of high grade horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. His is one of the county's most highly developed farm properties, thoroughly equipped in every way and indicating on every side his progressive methods. He continued in the active work of the farm until 1908, when he retired and he now devotes his attention to private interests. He is a stockholder and was one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company at Junius and in all busi- ness affairs he has displayed sound judgment and keen discrimination.

On the 28th of May, 1883, Mr. Ayers was nnited in marriage to Miss Agnes Ayers, a daughter of Austin B. and Ann (Clark) Ayers, who were natives of New York and Massa- chusetts respectively. Our subject and his wife have two sons, namely: Delbert L., who wedded Miss Bertha Giles and had three children. Ralph, Faye, deceased, and Floyd; and Arthur E., who married Miss Louise Olson, by whom he has one son, Milton.

Mr. Ayers is a republican, active and influential in both the county and state organiza- tions of the party, his opinions carrying weight among the republican leaders of South Dakota. He has served for many years as a member of the varions township boards and he represented Lake county in the state legislature in 1892-3. He is an advocate of the good roads movement, a stalwart champion of the cause of education and a strong supporter of public improvements. In fact matters relating to the general welfare have always had his thorough cooperation and all movements looking to the community betterment have had his ardent support. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, loyal to the purposes of the order. He is classed with the county's substantial, prosperous and highly respected pioneer citi- zens who courageously met the conditions of frontier life to be rewarded with the prosperity that came to those who had faith in the future, together with the good judgment to take advantage of the opportunities offered.

CHARLES STEDRONSKY.

Charles Stedronsky is a member of the Stedronsky Brothers Company, of Lake Andes and Wagner, Charles Mix county, well known dealers in furniture, hardware and implements. He is a native of this state, born in Yankton county, May 29, 1874, a son of John and Mary Ann Stedronsky, who in the '60s settled in the vicinity of Yankton. The father home- steaded land and continued to operate his farm until his demise. The mother survives and resides with our subject.

Charles Stedronsky first attended the district schools in the acquirement of his educa- tion and later became a student in the Yankton Academy. Upon putting aside his text- books he engaged in farming in Yankton connty, but after twelve years devoted to agricul- tural pursuits he removed to Lake Andes and has since been a member of the Stedronsky Brothers Company, his partners being his brothers, Adam and John. The company, which is incorporated, erected their present building, a fine two-story brick structure in 1909, and their stock is valued at about ten thousand dollars. They also conduct a branch store in

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Wagner. Their patronage has steadily increased as the years have passed and custom once gained is usually retained, as they carry high grade lines and as they give full value for every dollar received. Mr. Stedronsky of this review is also financially interested in the Farmers Elevator Company and owns an interest in the old homestead in Yankton county.

In politics he is a democrat and was for eight years a member of the city council. IIis fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic blue lodge, the Odd Fellows and the Z. C. B. J. He is up-to-date and energetic, holds the respect and confidence of all with whom he has had dealings and has also gained the sincere friendship of many.

FRANK HAMMER.

Frank Hammer, a retired Lake county pioneer farmer, was born in Carlsbad, Bohemia, January 7, 1840, a son of Frank Anton and Theresa (Garlsch) Hammer. The father, who was an expert hrewmaster, came to America in 1855, when his son Frank was a youth of fifteen years, and settled in Menasha, Wisconsin, where for many years he was brewmaster of the Lescher & Hall Brewing Company. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years, dying in 1894, while the mother passed away in the same year at the age of eighty-three. They had three children but Joseph, the eldest, and Charles, the youngest, are now deceased.

The surviving son, Frank Hammer, acquired a common-school education in his native city and served an apprenticeship at the tanner's trade. On coming to America he entered a large woodworking plant at Menasha, Wisconsin, as an employe and won promotion through successive steps until at the end of a few years he had become foreman. He continued with that firm for twenty years. after which he came to Lake county in 1882 and purchased a three hundred and twenty acre farm, to which he afterward added one hundred and sixty acres, so that his landed possessions now embrace four hundred and eighty acres of highly improved land. Year after year he carefully, systematically and successfully tilled the soil until 1900, when he retired from active business and is now looking after his private inter- ests and investments. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Chester, South Dakota, and in the Franklin Telephone Company and from his farm he also derives a gratifying annual income.

In 1861 Mr. Hammer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Prichard and they became the parents of two children. Mrs. Hammer and one child were fatally hurned in a fire which destroyed their residence and in which Mr. Hammer nearly lost his life in the year 1864. In 1865 he married again. his second union being with Esther Ulsner, a native of Germany, who died January 14, 1912. To them were born three children, Albert C., Delia and Louisa.

In his political views Mr. Hammer is a democrat, recognized as an active and promi- nent worker of the party in his section of the state. He has served on various township boards and in 1891 was representative from the second district in the state legislature. He was also for twenty years chairman of the township school board. He belongs to the Catholic church and has been a liberal contributor to its support. His position in the com- munity is that of a prosperous and highly respected citizen, his friends and neighbors recog- nizing the fact that his success has been worthily won and well used, while the salient qual- ities that he has displayed in other than business relations have commended him to the goodwill of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

CARL F. SPIRY.

Carl F. Spiry is one of the extensive landowners of Walworth county and is also cashier of the German State Bank at Java. He is a native son of the county in which he lives, his birth having occurred on the 16th of December, 1893. His parents, Philip and Rosina (Oster) Spiry, were natives of Russia and came to America in 1883, settling at Menno, South Dakota, where the father first worked as a common laborer. Five years later he removed to Walworth county, where he settled on a farm which he entered as a claim from the government. For an extended period he was identified with general agricultural pur-

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suits but in 1901 put aside the work of the fields and removed to Java, where for four years he was engaged in the implement business. In 1906 he organized the German State Bank of Java, of which he has since been the president.

In his political views Mr. Spiry is a republican and for two terms filled the office of county assessor, while in 1902 he was elected county treasurer and occupied that position for two terms, or until 1906. He is regarded as a most prominent and influential business man, resourceful, enterprising and progressive. His plans have been well defined and care- fully executed and what he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion.

In the family were twelve children: Magdalena, the wife of G. F. Sweigardt; Philip H., who is married and is now vice president of the German State Bank of Java; Carl F .; John E .; Bertha, at home; Samuel; Rosa; Arthur; Theodore; Johanna; Albia; and one who has passed away.

Carl F. Spiry was reared in the county which is still his home, its public schools afford- ing him his educational training. He was a lad of eight years when the family left the farm and removed to Java and as soon as old enough he became a factor in the management of his father's business interests. He is now cashier of the German State Bank and is also associated with his father and brothers in the ownership of fourteen hundred and forty acres of land in Walworth county, all of which is now under cultivation. They also own the bank building and other city property.

Carl F. Spiry was united in marriage to Miss Rosina Zeller and they have one son, Harold F., who was born June 7, 1915. C. F. Spiry, like the others of the family, is a mem- ber of the German Lutheran church, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. The name of Spiry has always been associated with progress and improvement in Wal- worth county along material, intellectual, social and moral lines and the influence of the family has been a potent force for good.

JOHN A. FOLEY.

In a history of the pioneer development of Lake county it is imperative that mention be made of John A. Foley, who was one of its early settlers and was actively interested in the work of reclaiming and improving the land for the purposes of civilization. He was born in Galena, Illinois, on the 1st of June, 1855, and is a son of Michael and Anna (McDon- nell) Foley, who were farming people. The father went to California in the early days during the gold rush but afterward returned to Illinois and purchased a farm in Gilford township, Jo Daviess county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death.

John A. Foley was educated in the public schools of that part of the state and continued to assist his father in the work of the home farm until he came to the west in 1877, when twenty-two years of age. He settled near the old town of Madison and afterward came to what is now the homestead place of the family, on sections 29 and 30, Farmington township, Lake county. He preempted a quarter section of land and secured a tree claim. There were few neighbors and the work of development and improvement seemed scarcely begun in the county. He met the usual hardships and experiences of pioneer life but managed to continue his work and as the years went on wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of his place, which he carefully and systematically conducted until he met death in 1902, being struck by lightning on the 1st day of August of that year, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Madison.

. On the 6th of February, 1889, Mr. Foley had married Miss Ann Mead, a daughter of Morris and Alice (Breen) Mead. To them were born three children: John C., who manages the farm for his mother; Mary Alice, who is teaching at Beresford; and Loretta Anna, a graduate of the Normal School at Madison.

The family are Catholics in religious faith and Mr. Foley was a member of that church. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was always loyal to any cause or principle in which he believed. He worked hard to provide a good living for his family and was devoted to their welfare and happiness.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Foley took the management of the place and has since directed the work of the farm, which has been developed into one of the prettiest and

MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. FOLEY

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most attractive farms of Lake county. Upon the place are found sixty head of registered shorthorns, one hundred and fifty head of Poland China hogs and sixteen head of good horses. They have their own lighting plant, the latest improved farm implements and all modern conveniences. There is also a good orchard in bearing. Mrs. Foley has had the able assist- ance of her son John, who has largely relieved her of the care of the place. The Foleys are numbered among the leading families of Lake county, occupying a prominent position in social circles as well as in business connections.

JASON J. CLARKE.

Jason J. Clarke is successfully identified with business interests in the conduct of the Colton Farm Implement Company, which he assisted in organizing in 1910 and which car- ries a complete line of farm implements, machinery, gasoline engines and vehicles. His birth occurred in Jefferson county, New York, on the 11th of February, 1869, his parents being Zadock and Sarah Clarke, both of whom have passed away. The father was an agrienlturist hy occupation and a pioneer settler of South Dakota. He was also a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in the Ninety-fourth New York Regiment in 1861, and serving throughout the war.

Jason J. Clarke enjoyed the advantages of a public-school education in his youth and subsequently assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. In 1910 he abandoned the work of the fields and assisted in organizing the Colton Farm Implement Company, with which he has since been connected, the firm carrying a comprehensive line of farm imple- ments, machinery, gasoline engines and vehicles. The business has increased in volume annnally, and the stock now carried is as extensive as any in that part of the state, repre- senting an ontlay of about fifteen thousand dollars. The concern was incorporated for ten thousand dollars, and its growing success may be attributed in large degree to the sound business judgment, enterprise and ability of Mr. Clarke. He is likewise a director of the Colton Telephone Company and is widely recognized as a progressive, representative and popular citizen of Minnehaha county.

As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Clarke chose Miss Lncy McKee, a daughter of James and Frances McKee, of Spring Valley, Minnesota, the former a farmer by occupation. By this union there are two children, Marie and Clifford, who are now attend- ing school.

Mr. Clarke gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done valuable service in the interests of the cause of education as a member of the school board, on which he is serving at the present time. His religious faith is that of the Baptist church, and fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Modern Brotherhood of America. He has always shown great interest in all that pertains to the general welfare and has been known as a publie-spirited man who has found time and inclination to cooperate in move- ments for the public good. In all the relations of life he has been honorable and straight- forward, and his example is well worthy of emulation.

JOHN HAERTER.

Since the spring of 1898 John Haerter has resided in Hosmer, where he has been iden- tified with mercantile interests, the grain trade and with the lumber business, his activity and enterprise contributing in large measure to the business development of the town. He was born in sonthern Russia, September 4, 1871, a son of Lawrence and Mina Haerter, who were also natives of that country, in which they spent their entire lives.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 76

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