History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 80

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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On the 20th of December, 1882, Mr. Edmunds was united in marriage to Miss Ella J. Dewey, who was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, a daughter of William P. and Eleanor Dewey, who came to Dakota territory in 1873. Her father was appointed surveyor general of the territory when living in Wisconsin and came to Dakota to enter upon the duties of the office, in which he served for two terms. He afterward filled the position of mayor of Yankton and was engaged in the practice of law in that eity to the time of his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Edmunds was born a son, Woodward, who died at the age of eighteen months.

Mr. Edmunds has exerted a widely felt and beneficial influence along many lines. He belongs to St. John's Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., of which he was secretary for many years; Yankton Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; Oriental Consistory, No. 1, S. P. R. S .; and El Riad Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sioux Falls. He likewise has membership with the Elks. His political indorsement is given to the republican party and Yankton has called him to the office of mayor, in which position he exercised his official prerogatives in support of many plans and measures for the general good. He was also chairman of the board of county commis- sioners for six years and at no time has he ever been neglectful of the duties of citizenship. On the contrary, he has fully recognized the obligations which have devolved upon him in this connection and his efforts have heen a strong and beneficial element for progress and upbuild- ing in Yankton and in the state. There are indeed few who have longer been identified with South Dakota or have witnessed in larger measure those events which have shaped its his- tory. Moreover, he has done his full share in advancing every project which he has deemed of benefit to county and state, and viewed from the business standpoint, he has garnered in the fullness of time the merited harvest of his labors, which have ever been directed by sound judgment and keen sagacity.

B. F. MORGAN.

B. F. Morgan is connected with various interests in Wagner and Charles Mix county, as he owns and operates six hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, is the present manager of the Farm & Home Telephone company and is quite prominent in politics, having repre- sented his distriet in the state senate for two years. His birth occurred at Shullsburg, Lafay- ette county, Wisconsin, on the 12th of August, 1858, and he is a son of Daniel and Mary Morgan. The father, who followed agricultural pursuits, has now passed to his reward.

B. F. Morgan was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his eduea- tion attended the public schools. Upon putting aside his textbooks he turned his attention to farming and was so engaged for some time. For six years he was engaged in business in Shullsburg but at the end of that time he returned to the farm and continued to follow agricultural pursuits until 1905, when he removed to South Dakota, arriving here on the 4th of March. He purchased six hundred and eighty acres of land in Charles Mix county, which he operates personally, and his labors have been very efficient and his resources have steadily increased. He is not only one of the extensive landowners of the county but is also a director of the First State Bank and of the Farm & Home Telephone Company, of whiell he is now president. He is an excellent business man as well as a progressive agriculturist, and under his management the telephone company has enjoyed continued prosperity.

Mr. Morgan was married January 22, 1883, to Miss Maggie McCormish, a daughter of

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Ed McCormish, and they have become the parents of six sons and three daughters: Edward J., Daniel H., Bernie V., Emery, deceased, Chester, Orville, Gladys, Marguerite and Francis.

Mr. Morgan is a progressive democrat and in 1911 was elected state senator, serving in that capacity until 1913. He was a working member of the upper house and his efforts were particularly effective in behalf of the bank guarantee act. Mr. Morgan presented a bill to appoint two delegates from South Dakota to go to Europe to study the rural credit system. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and the Knights of Columbus, which fact indicates his membership in the Roman Catholic church. He is always ready to give of his time and means to movements whose aim is to advance the interests of his community and state, and his energy and initiative prove him to be a typical western man.

JUDGE WALTER BISSELL BURR.

For thirty-two years Judge Walter Bissell Burr, of Selby, has been a resident of Wal- worth county and during that time he has been an important factor in the development of the county along various lines of advancement. For twelve years he has served ably as county judge, his retention in the office indicating the confidence and esteem in which he is held by the public. Although the greater part of his time has been given to his official duties and to the practice of law, he is also interested in farming and in merchandising.

Judge Burr was born on the 13th of May, 1850, in Middletown, Indiana, one of the ten children whose parents were Chauncey H. and Jane (Williams) Burr. The father, a native of New York, was born on the 11th of March, 1806, and about 1828 settled in Indiana, where he continued to reside until called by death on the 1st of February, 1891. The family is of English descent but has been represented in America since colonial days. In 1631 Benjamin Burr settled in Hartford, Connecticut, and his descendants are now found not only in that state and in New York but in many other states of the Union. Judge Burr is of the eighth generation in descent from Benjamin Burr.

Judge Burr received his education in the common schools of Henry county, Indiana, where he continued to reside until he removed to Cedar county, Missouri, in 1871. He remained in Stockton, that county, until April, 1883, when he located in Walworth county, this state, where he has since lived. In 1874 he was admitted to the practice of law in Mis- souri and since settling in this state he has gained an enviable reputation as an attorney. His known ability and integrity have led to his election to public office. While residing in Missouri he was for three terms or six years, prosecuting attorney of Cedar county and he held the office of states attorney of Walworth county, South Dakota, for fourteen years, while for the last twelve years he has been county judge of Walworth county. He has dis- charged all of his official duties with efficiency and conscientiousness and has proved that the confidence reposed in him is not misplaced.

Judge Burr has also been engaged in merchandising for a number of years, being first located at Bangor, although he is now in business in Selby. His activities along that line have been profitable and he is recognized not only as an excellent lawyer and judge but also as a successful business man. He also has farming interests.

Judge Burr was married on the 31st of March, 1878, to Miss Lizzie Nippert, a daughter of Charles and Evalyn (Hathaway) Nippert, the former of German descent and the latter of American ancestry. They were married in Wisconsin but in 1870 took up their residence in Vernon county, Missouri. To Judge and Mrs. Burr have been born three children: Bertha L .; Chauncey N., who on the 7th of June, 1908, married Miss Rose Personius, hy whom he has four children, Walter C., Louis, who died in infancy, Eunice Z. and Francis E .; and Ethel, who died when three and one-half years old.

Judge Burr is a republican and stanchly supports that party at the polls, although he never allows partisanship to influence his official acts. With the exception of the com- mandery he belongs to all of the Masonic bodies, including the Court of Honor and the Mystic Shrine. He has held office in the Grand Lodge of South Dakota, A. F. & A. M., and is at present junior grand warden, and he has also held office in the Grand Chapter of South Dakota, R. A. M. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is deeply interested in everything that pertains to the

JUDGE WALTER B. BURR

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welfare and progress of his community and is the president of the Selby Improvement ( om- pany, which has done much to promote the general good. He is widely known and those who have been most intimately associated with him hold him in the highest esteem, which is proof of his genuine worth,

ROGER M. FARRELL.

Roger M. Farrell, a real-estate dealer of Avon, was born in Chicago, January 29. 1873. a son of Roger and Margaret (Mahan) Farrell. The father was a powder boy in the navy at the age of nine years and by merit won promotion to positions of greater responsibility until he was made an ensign, and served in that capacity on Farragut's flagship on the expedi- tion up the Mississippi river during the Civil war. Our subject has in his possession a sword and belt presented his father by Admiral Farragut and also a flag that floated from the mast of one of the flotilla. Mr. Farrell was captured and was confined for a considerable period in Andersonville prison, although it was believed that he was exchanged before the close of the war. At the time of his release he was quite ill, owing to the poor food and toul water. One of his guards was a cousin, but he expected and received no favors. Upon return- ing from the war he was married in New York and then established himself in the awning business in Chicago, where his four children were born. His place of business was burned in 1871 and he then removed to Du Page county, Illinois, where he also had the misfortune to be burned out again in 1873. He next removed to Grand Ridge, La Salle county, that state, where he located on a farm. The death of Mrs. Farrell occurred there in November. 1879. Subsequently Mr. Farrell removed with his children to South Dakota and the family took up their residence on a homestead and timber claim four and one-half miles northwest of Avon. In 1895 he made an extended visit in North Platte, Nebraska, in Missouri and in Illinois, and then took up his home in a colony of old soldiers in southern Georgia. This was about 1897 or 1898. and he resided there until his death, which occurred in 1901. His body was brought back to South Dakota and interred at Tyndall. To him and his wife were born four children: Lydia: Roger M .: William, deceased: and Ellen, deceased. Lydia married William Lowthian, who lives at Milbank, South Dakota.

Roger M. Farrell was seven years of age when the family removed to Dakota territory, at which time Yankton was the terminus of the railroad and the bed of the river was closer to the city than it is at present. He remained under the parental roof until he was seventeen years of age and then became a farm laborer. After his marriage he began farming on liis own account and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1901, when he removed to Avon and entered the employ of H. D. Giedd, the owner of an elevator. He spent seven years in that connection but in 1908 opened a real-estate and insurance office and has since devoted his time and attention to those lines of business. He deals extensively in lands in Nebraska and the two Dakotas but the greater part of his business is naturally transacted in this state. He also represents a number of well known and reliable insurance companies and writes a large number of policies annually.

Mr. Farrell was married in the vicinity of Avon, March 24. 1897. to Miss Alda Hayworth, a native of Gayville, South Dakota. Her father, Freeman Hayworth, deceased, was one of the pioneers of this state, removing with his family to Fort Benton at an early day. He afterward returned to Minnesota, hut subsequently the family home was established at Gayville, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Farrell have five children, Leo L., Viola MI., Virgil R., Ellen E. and Thelma.

Mr. Farrell is a progressive in politics and fraternally is a member of the Masonic order, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, belonging to the consistory at Yankton. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Avon and of the Yankton Lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He remembers pioneer conditions vividly and his education was obtained largely in a sod schoolhouse. In his early manhood he taught school for several years in the Vodnanny district, west of Scotland, and even then pioneer conditions prevailed to a large extent. For a few years after their arrival in the territory the family lived in a sod house and at times burned hay and corn for fuel. Prairie fires were frequent and the entire family often spent long hours in fighting the flames. Dur-

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ing the winter blizzards cut off communication with other families to a large extent and Mr. Farrell remembers well the blizzard that occurred in January, 1888. He was attending school and the storm was so furious that he with most of the other children remained in the schoolhouse until daylight, eating for supper the remains of their lunches. Those days of hardship and trial have passed, but Mr. Farrell finds satisfaction in the thought that he had a share in laying the foundation for that prosperity which South Dakota enjoys today.

BERT S. HILL.

Bert S. Hill is the proprietor of the Mobridge electric light plant, one of the most com- plete in the northern part of the state. He was born in Aurora, Illinois, January 30, 1872, a son of Benjamin F. and Louisa (Austin) Hill, both of whom were natives of New York. They were married in Illinois, to which state they had removed in childhood with their respective parents. In early manhood the father engaged in farming but subsequently removed to Evanston, Illinois, and became prominently identified with the lumber business in Chicago, winning a place among the leading lumbermen of that city. He died in 1906, while his wife passed away in 1905.

Bert S. Hill spent his youthful days in his parents' home and attended the Evanston high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1888. The same year he became connected with the insurance business by accepting a position with the Home Insurane Company of New York, with which he remained for two years. He afterward removed to La Belle, Missouri, where he was connected with farming enterprises for a decade. He then returned to Chicago and entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company in the bridge-building department and subsequently was advanced to the position of chief carpenter for the road with headquarters at Miles City, Montana, whither he was sent in 1906. He remained with that road until October, 1911, when he resigned his position and located in Mobridge, where he built the electric light plant, which he has since brought to a high state of efficiency. The plant is thoroughly equipped and the business is character- ized by excellence in every department. Mr. Hill is also a stockholder in and a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Mobridge.

On April 23, 1901, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hill and Miss Mamie I. Smith, a daughter of L. L. and Belle (Marchand) Smith, of Monticello, Missouri. Mrs. Hill belongs to the Congregational church and is interested in its activities and in many other good works. Mr. Hill has membership in Mobridge Lodge, No. 164, A. F. & A. M., and in Miles City Lodge, No. 537, B. P. O. E. He was police magistrate in 1913 and 1914 and served acceptably in that position as efficiency has ever been his watchword in public affairs as well as in business life. He is regarded as one of the foremost representatives of industrial interests in his part of the state and his efforts have been a resultant factor in promoting the welfare of his home town.

EDWARD OWENS.

Edward Owens is a resident farmer of Lake county, living on section 8, Herman town- ship. He was horn in Portage, Wisconsin, on the 3d of June, 1866, and is a son of Owen D. and Grace Owens, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he entered the public schools and mastered the branches of learning therein taught. The family came to South Dakota in 1876 and the father homesteaded a claim. Through the period of his youth Edward Owens assisted in developing and cultivating that property and later began farming on his own account about 1891. He was twenty-four years of age when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 5, Herman township, to which he afterward added eighty acres on section 8 and ten acres where his home now stands. Since he began farming he has been very successful. His place is equipped with all modern improve- ments and farm machinery and the neat and attractive appearance of his place indicates his careful management and practical, progressive efforts. He specializes in the raising of white- faced Hereford cows, of which he has twenty head, and he is also extensively engaged in

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raising hogs, stock-raising being an important feature of his business. He is one of the pioneers of his section of the state, having settled here when the entire distriet was nothing but prairie.

On the 14th of October, 1897, Mr. Owens was united in marriage to Miss Rella Tyrrell, a daughter of Preston and Frances (Hasner) Tyrrell and a representative of an honored pioneer family of South Dakota. They have two sons: Mark Vernon, who was born on the 27th of Angust, 1904, and now attends school in Junius; and Glenn Edward.

Mr. Owens and his wife hold membership in the Methodist church and take an active part in promoting the moral development of the community. In politics he is a republican but without aspiration for office, although he has served as road supervisor. He has taken all the degrees of Odd Fellowship, holding membership in Madison Lodge. He is a stock- holder in the Farmers Elevator of Junius and is interested in all that tends to promote the material development of South Dakota, where he has now made his home for almost four decades. He has witnessed much of the growth and improvement of the section in which he resides and has lived to see the wild prairie converted into fine farms which are the homes of a contented and prosperous people. Here and there thriving towns and villages have sprung up and there is every indication of advancement. Mr. Owens stands for all that is progressive and he is widely and favorably known in Lake county.

GEORGE A. BAILEY.

George A. Bailey, cashier of the Underwood State Bank at New Underwood, which insti- tution he assisted in organizing and of which he has been continuously an office holder, was horn in Dixon county, Nebraska, June 14, 1885, his parents being William C. and Mary (Curry) Bailey. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania and the father was born on the sea while his parents were en route to Canada. He was of English descent, while his wife was of Irish birth. William C. Bailey always followed the occupation of farming and remained a resident of Canada until 1869, when he removed to Nebraska and filed on a home- stead, residing there until 1908, when he removed to Orchard, Nebraska, there living for two years. He next went to New Underwood. South Dakota, where he is now living retired. He has never been active in public affairs nor has he held or filled public offices. To him and his wife were born eight children: Jessie, now the wife of Archie D. Joyce, who is engaged in merchandising at New Underwood; Maud, the wife of Warren E. Pruce, assistant postmaster at Missouri Valley, Iowa; J. Albert, a farmer living at Allen, Nebraska; Emma Mae, at home; George A .: William Guy, who is associated with his brother in the bank; and two who died in infancy.

George A. Bailey attended the public schools of Dixon county, Nebraska, and the high school at Newcastle. Nebraska, and pursued a course in the National Business Commercial School at Sioux City. When twenty years of age he went to Chamberlain, South Dakota, where he was employed by the Meyer Land Company as a stenographer, remaining with that company for nineteen months. He then went to Kadoka, South Dakota, as assistant cashier of the Kadoka State Bank, with which he remained until the spring of 1908, when he removed to New Underwood, where he assisted in organizing the Underwood State Bank, becoming its cashier, in which capacity he still continues, his efforts being an element in contributing to the success of the institution. In addition to his stock in the bank, Mr. Bailey is the owner of five hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and is also interested in another tract of eleven hundred and twenty acres, all being South Dakota property. With his brother and father he operates a part of the last mentioned as a stock ranch and he is also interested as secretary and treasurer in the Short Line Telephone Company. His attention, however, is given almost entirely to the bank and the real-estate business.

On the 29th of June, 1910, Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Laura C. Kennedy, who was born near Gilmore City, Iowa, a daughter of Walter H. and Carrie (Edgington) Kennedy, both of whom were natives of Iowa. The father devoted his early life to farming and after- ward became proprietor of a meat market. In 1899 he removed to Mount Vernon, South Dakota, where he conducted business until 1908, when he came to New Underwood and home- steaded a ranch nine miles from that place. He is now engaged in the meat business in

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New Underwood, being one of the active and representative men of the town. He has served as deputy sheriil and as constable and has made an excellent record in both positions. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have bnt one child, Beverley.

The parents are members of the Congregational church and Mr. Bailey gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has served as village treasurer and also treasurer of the school board in Moulton district No. 23. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks lodge at Rapid City, but his time and attention are mostly concentrated upon his business affairs and his indefatigable energy and industry are important factors in his success.

LARS NESHEIM.

Lars Nesheim, an honored pioneer of Minnehaha county, is now living practically retired upon his farm on section 35, Logan township. He was born in Norway on the 13th of January, 1850, and is a son of Sjur and Ingeburg Nesheim, who brought their family to the United States in 1867 and located in Iowa, where both spent their remaining days.

Lars Nesheim passed his boyhood in his native land, being seventeen years of age on the emigration of the family to America, and for seven years he made his home in Iowa. In 1874, however, he came to South Dakota and homesteaded a tract on section 35, Logan township, where he now owns three-quarters of a section. He experienced all the difficulties and trials that come to one who locates on the frontier, his erops being almost destroyed by grasshoppers and drought. He has made all of the improvements on his farm, including the ereetion of good and substantial buildings, and the place is one of the most attractive in the locality. For many years he labored untiringly in the cultivation of his land. but now leaves the more arduous duties of the farm to younger hands, while he enjoys a well earned rest.

In January, 1873, Mr. Nesheim was united in marriage to Miss Betsy Hanson, a dangh- ter of George and Martha Hanson, of Iowa. Her father is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. The children horn to Mr. and Mrs. Nesheim are as follows: Bertha, now the wife of Seivert Dahl, of North Dakota; George, who is engaged in farming in Canada; Ida, the wife of B. Hillstad; Mina, at home; Severina, the wife of L. Njos: Mary, the wife of Walter W. Downey, of New York city: Selma, who married O. Hillstad: Nettie, the wife of A. Larson; Eleanora, who is a graduate of Valder College of Decorah. Iowa; and Leonard, Seivert and Melvin, at home. There are now seventeen grandchildren.

In religions faith Mr. Nesheim is a Lutheran and in politics he is an ardent republican, taking quite an active interest in public affairs. He has acceptably served as a member of the school board and as road overseer, but has always given the greater part of his time and attention to his business affairs, in which he has steadily prospered until today he is one of the well-to-do citizens of his community. Besides his fine farm he owns stock in the Sherman Elevator. It is to such men that South Dakota owes her prosperity at the present time.

C. RUDOLPH JORGENSON.

C. Rudolph Jorgenson, the capable and aggressive states attorney of Roberts county, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 3d of September, 1877. His parents, Martin and Matilda (Sorenson) Jorgenson, are natives of Norway. the former born in 1844 and the latter in 1849. They were married in that country and continued to reside there until about 1875, when they emigrated to America, but their respective parents were lifelong residents of the land of the midnight sun. Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jorgenson settled in Milwaukee and the father, who was a sea captain, hecame connected with navigation on the Great Lakes. He sailed on the ocean and on the lakes for thirty-seven years. In 1880, however. he removed to Roberts county, South Dakota, and turned his attention to farming, taking up a home- stead three miles sonth of Wilmot, on which he resided for a number of years. In 1905 he sold that place and removed to Glenham. South Dakota, where he is now living retired. He is a Lutheran in religious faith, and in politics is a republican. To him and his wife have

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 80

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