History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 81

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. AND MRS. LARS NESHEIM

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been born six children, of whom three survive, namely: Jonas, who is farming in Canada; Lena, who married Edward Babb, a farmer of Swift Current, Canada; and C. Rudolph.

The last named attended the public schools in the acquirement of his early education and later entered the College of Law of the State University at Vermillion, from which he was graduated in 1903. He began the practice of his chosen profession at Summit, but after remaining there for about four years he went to Aberdeen, whence, two years later, he removed to Sisseton, arriving there in June, 1909. He has gained a high position at the bar of Roberts county in the intervening six years and has appeared in much of the important litigation of the district. For two years he was in partnership with Carston Eggen, but is now practicing alone. In the fall of 1914 he was elected states attorney hy a majority of more than four hundred and he has already proved his fitness for the office. He has prospered financially and has not only repaid the money which he borrowed to meet his expenses while studying at the State University, but he has acquired considerable valuable farm land in the county and is recognized as a representative citizen of Sisseton.

In 1904 Mr. Jorgenson was married to Miss Ida Surring. who was born in Monona, Iowa, a daughter of William Surring, an early settler of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Jorgenson have two children: Milton, born in 1905; and Gladys, born in 1907.

Mr. Jorgenson is a republican and has taken an active part in political affairs for years. Ever since he was a youth of eighteen he has attended the conventions of his party and he was a delegate to the convention that nominated Senator Crawford for governor. He affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal church and is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, associations which indicate the principles which guide his conduct. As an attorney he has gained a gratify- ing measure of success, building up a large and lucrative practice; as an official he is proving conscientious and efficient, and as a citizen he is always willing to cooperate with others in securing the general good.

HANS A. USTRUD.

The northwest owes its development largely to the Scandinavian population which has settled in this district, bringing with them as a heritage from old world ancestry the qualities of determination, perseverance and ambition. Of this class Hans A. Ustrud is a representa- tive, for while born upon a farm in Minnehaha county on the 4th of November, 1871, his parents, Halvor O. and Julia (Kaasa) Ustrud, were natives of Norway. The father, born in 1841, came to America with his wife in 1866 and after two years removed to Minnehaha county, Dakota territory, in 1868. He has been a lifelong farmer and still occupies the old homestead farm in that county. His wife died in the year 1910. They were the parents of nine children, of whom three passed away in infancy, while three sons and three daughters survive.

Hans A. Ustrud.was the third in order of birth. He is indebted to the district schools of the county and to the public schools of Sioux Falls for his preliminary educational oppor- tunities, and in 1895 he was graduated from the Lutheran Normal School of Sioux Falls. He afterward went to Wisconsin and engaged in teaching in Dane county, that state, for three years. He then returned to Sioux Falls and taught in the schools of the county until 1901, when he was elected county superintendent of schools. So acceptable and capable was his service during his first term that he was reelected for a second term and filled the position for four years. Still higher educational honors awaited him, for he was then elected state superintendent of schools and served for two terms, or four years. Under his guidance the school system of South Dakota was carefully organized, the work systematized and developed and much of his own enthusiastic zeal was infused into the educational department of the state, thus greatly angmenting its efficiency and increasing the value of its work.

Mr. Ustrud is interested in the Cataract Book & Stationery Company, owning the most complete store of the kind in South Dakota. He has charge of the wholesale school depart- ment in connection with a printing plant which occupies the entire second floor. The school department is one of the most complete in the northwest. It issues five thousand catalogs which are distributed throughout the state and which indicates how extensive is the line of school hooks and school equipment handled. This department also acts as agents for the

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Smith system of heating and ventilation which is not only installed in schools but also in churches and other public buildings where perfect ventilation is necessary for the health of the student and the public. Mr. Ustrud has under his direction twenty-two agents having as their work the extending of the trade of this department. Other departments of the business include the sale of all that can be found in a modern book store, together with oflice supplies, filing cabinets, loose leaf ledgers and binders, together with a large trunk depart- ment and a factory in which are manufactured all kinds of trunks, suit cases, hand hags, traveling bags, sample cases, etc. Another department sells and repairs all makes of type- writers and each branch of the business is proving profitable.

On the 3d of September, 1908, at Gayville, South Dakota, Mr. Ustrud was united in marriage to Miss Lulu Dahl. They attend and hold membership in the Lutheran church and he gives his political indorsement to the republican party. His military experience covers two years service as a member of Company B, South Dakota State Guards. Mr. Ustrud has been active in republican cireles and for two years has been chairman of the republican central committee of Minnehaha county, laboring earnestly to secure the success of his party and the adoption of its principles. His life has been one of activity erowned with success and has also been one of far-reaching benefit and helpfulness to those with whom he has come in contact. He has always held to high ideals and his worth is widely recognized in commercial, political and educational cireles.

JOSEPH BRUNSCHMID.

Joseph Brunschmid, who is conducting a hotel in Buffalo Gap, was born in Tyrol, Austria, on the 5th of February, 1841, of the marriage of Nicholas and Anna (Kolhofer) Brunschmid, likewise natives of that mountain province, where both passed away. He attended school in Withering, Austria, but at the age of twelve years was compelled to earn his own living. He worked for others, taking care of cattle and milking cows among other things. but when about seventeen years of age began learning the miller's trade. At the time of the war between Austria and Italy he was sent to the front as a sharpsbooter, as he was past eighteen years of age and liable to military service. After three months, or at the close of the war, he returned home and continued to follow his trade there until 1869.

Mr. Brunschmid then emigrated to the United States and located first at South Haven, Michigan, where he engaged in the butcher business until 1873, when he started for the Black Hills. He went hy railroad to Sioux City, Iowa, and thence made his way to Yankton, where he opened a butcher shop in 1874. which he continued to conduct until the spring of the fol- lowing year. He then sold out. In company with two other men, he hired a man to haul their six months' supply of provisions and the party started for the Black Hills. His part- ners were Joseph Walter and Michael Seelig, both of whom are deceased. The train with which the party traveled was just behind Gordon & Witcher's train, which was captured by the soldiers, who were endeavoring to keep settlers out of that region. The wagons of their train were burned and the men taken prisoners. Mr. Binnschmid's party had lowered their wagons by rope from a steep hill to the valley below before they discovered the situation, but upon realizing the condition of things they took the wagons apart and carried them up the hill and retreated about six miles to a watering place. where they remained in camp for about six weeks, having escaped the notice of the soldiers. At the end of that time they went on to the Indian Reservation and found that there had been no treaty made as yet throwing the land open to white settlement. They then continued on their way to Spotted Tail agency, where the train was broken up. Mr. Brunschmid and his party went to the North Platte river, crossing the stream in a skiff and taking with them what few provisions they had left. They entered the employ of a man who had located there and who had the contraet for supplying wood for the government fort at Red Cloud agency. The party engaged in chopping wood throughout the season and when there was no more work of that kind to be had Mr. Brunschmid found a position in a store. On the 6th of December, 1875. he again started for the Black Hills as a member of a party of nine and on the 12th of December, of that year, he arrived at Custer, which at that time was just a fort. He spent part of the winter hunting and in the spring of the following year he went to Castle Creek and devoted

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the summer to prospecting. The following winter he hunted again, but in the spring of 1877 he went to Heyworth, where he assisted in drilling a well for Sears & Peterson, who were erecting a stamp mill. However, the venture did not prove a paying one and the mill was abandoned. In the spring of 1878 Mr. Brunschmid went to Lead and worked in the mines for a time. He and Mr. Walter and Mr. Seelig, together with John Long, then built the Western Star Brewery, which was the first in the Hills. About the time the brewery was finished he sold his interest therein and returned to the mines. During all of this time he continued to prospect upon his own account and became quite familiar with the region. After leaving the May Booth mine he entered the employ of Jack Fossil, who was also engaged in mining.

In the fall of 1879 Mr. Brunschmid arrived in Fall River, now known as Hot Springs, and began working for Thomas Turner, who built the first cabin on the site of Hot Springs, although at that time it was a part of a cattle ranch. Mr. Brunschmid continued upon the ranch until the fall of 1881 and then took up a homestead near Buffalo Gap. He had previ- ously settled on land near Hot Springs by squatter's right and erected a cabin where the Evans Plunge now stands. His claim was jumped by Joseph Beattie after the land was surveyed. Mr. Beattie, feeling that he had done wrong, gave Mr. Brunschmid a horse worth thirty-five dollars for the claim and Mr. Brunschmid always felt that he had made a good deal. His second elaim lay adjoining what is now the town of Buffalo Gap and he proved up thereon and received a patent from the United States government. He continued to reside upon the place until 1907 and was very successful in its operation. In that year he removed to Buffalo Gap and established a hotel which he has since conducted. He takes careful thought for the comfort of his guests and his hostelry is favorably known by the traveling public. He has great faith in the future of Custer county and as his resources have increased he has invested in a number of residence properties in Buffalo Gap.

In February, 1884, Mr. Brunschmid married Miss Anna Grunnig, a native of Switzerland, who accompanied her parents upon their removal to the United States, the family home being established in Highland, Illinois, where both the father and mother passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Brunschmid have four daughters: Hattie and Lucinda, at home; Nannie, the wife of Andrew Seeright, a fruit grower residing at Buffalo Gap; and Ella, the wife of Floyd Haley, who lives upon the old Bond ranch near Buffalo Gap.

Mr. Brunschmid is a republican and although he has always taken a keen interest in the public welfare he has never been active in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic blue lodge. He assisted in laying out the town of Custer in 1876 and at the time that General Custer was massacred on Little Big Horn river in Montana, Mr. Brunschmid was prospecting on Castle creek, South Dakota. Although he was comparatively close to the scene of the massacre, he heard nothing of it until three weeks after it had ocenrred. Although he saw many Indians and had many dealings with them, he never met one who was hostile or unfriendly. He has known intimately the life of the western frontier and has performed well his part in the work of development and is now a factor in the business life of Buffalo Gap, having adapted himself admirably to the change in conditions that the advance of civilization has brought about. He commands the respect of all who know him, as fearlessness, determination and energy are numbered among his characteristics-qualities that are admired everywhere but especially in the northwest, where they seem characteristic of the people in general.

FORREST J. EAGER.

Forrest J. Eager, one of the successful young attorneys of Onida, is a native son of this state. He was born at Pierre on the Sth of April, 1889, a son of Jerome C. and Minnie L. (Lee) Eager, both of whom were born near Brattleboro, Vermont. In early manhood the father engaged in clerking in a general store in Rochester, Minnesota. whither he had removed upon leaving home. After being so engaged for two years he went to Pierre, South Dakota, about 1880, where he became manager of a store in what is now East Pierre, and continued in that position for a number of years, after which he purchased the establishment and conducted it for many years. He is now the owner of a elothing store upon the same

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location but is leaving its management largely to others. Many years ago he became con- nected with the National Bank of Commerce and for twenty years served as president of that institution. He also hecame interested financially in the Capital Milling Company, the Lock Hotel Company and the Missouri River Transportation Company and owns a great deal of property in Pierre. To him and his wife were born three children: Clarence Lee, deceased; Forrest J .; and Mildred R., who is at home with her parents.

Forrest J. Eager attended the schools of Pierre and after completing his elementary and secondary education he matriculated in the College of Law of the State University at Ver- million from which he was graduated with the class of 1910. Upon leaving school he entered the employ of the Union National Bank of Rochester, Minnesota. as teller but after a little more than a year was obliged to sever his relation with the bank because of impaired health. He spent about a year traveling in the west and then became a representative of the Bradstreet Company, traveling out of Milwaukee. He remained with them for two years, after which he entered the employ of R. G. Dun & Company at Minneapolis. Six months later, in June, 1914, he returned to South Dakota and located in Onida, where he opened an office for the practice of law. He has already proven his ability as an attorney and is rapidly building up a large clientage. He is careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and in presenting his arguments in court he is forceful and convincing. It is recognized that he is a valuable addition to the bar of the city.

Mr. Eager is a loyal democrat but has never desired to figure prominently in political life. While attending the State University he was made a member of the Beta Theta Pi, a well known college fraternity. Since locating in Onida he has not only gained standing in the community professionally but has also made many warm friends, who esteem him for his admirable traits of character.

BYRON ABBOTT.

Byron Abbott has passed almost the entire period of his professional activity in Britton, where he opened a law office in 1888. Through the intervening years he has made steady progress and is today one of the foremost lawyers of his part of the state, accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage. He was born in Marion, Indiana, August 21, 1855, a son of Burroughs and Angeline (Ruggles) Abbott. The founder of the Abbott family in America was James Abbott, who was born in England, but emigrated to America in 1670. Joseph Jackson Abbott, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in New Jersey in 1789 and in 1810 became a resident of Ohio. where he remained until 1816, when he went to Franklin county, Indiana, his last days being spent in Rushville, that state. The maternal grandfather, Silas Ruggles, was one of the early settlers of Kentucky. He married a Miss Davidson and their children included Angeline Ruggles, who was born in Indiana in 1833. Burroughs Abbott was also a native of that state and they were married there, after which he followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in teaching school. On account of ill health, however, he left Indiana and removed to Minnesota in 1856, purchasing a tract of land in Lesueur county, removing thence to Kandiyohi county, where he lived until 1883, the year of his arrival in South Dakota.

A well educated and broad-minded man. Burroughs Abbott became a citizen of influence in every community in which he lived and while in Minnesota, was elected a member of the first state legislature and also became one of the first state senators of South Dakota, elected from Brown county. His political allegiance was given to the republican party in early life, while later he became a populist. Reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, he was identified therewith for some years but afterward joined the Congregational church. He died in 1909, while his wife survived until 1915. To them were born seven children, namely: Byron; Lizzie; Ida; Rose; Lilly: Charles, who is a miner of Arizona; and Mande.

Byron Abbott was educated at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he won his Bachelor of Arts degree, and upon the foundation of broad literary learning he builded the superstructure of his professional knowledge. He was educated in law in the University of Wisconsin, where he remained for a year, and he also read law in an office. Following his

BYRON ABBOTT

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admission to the bar in 1883 he practiced law in Winona, Minnesota, for several years and then located in Britton, where he has remained continuously since 1888. He has enjoyed a large practice and has been connected with much important litigation heard in the courts of the district. He is an able lawyer, conscientious in the performance of his professional duties, and while his devotion to his clients' interests is marked, he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. For eight years he has served as states attorney of Marshall county and he devotes his entire time to his practice and the supervision of his two farms.

In 1893 Mr. Abbott was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna Vanderhorek, a native of Berlin, by whom he has a daughter, Margaret, at home. Mrs. Abbott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Abbott is a very prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge and to the chapter, of which he is the present high priest. He has also taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and has crossed the sands of the desert with the nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of Lodge No. 1046, B. P. O. E., at Aberdeen. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has always been active in polities, earnestly adhering to the principles which he believes contain the best elements of good government. Mr. Abbott has won a substantial place in Marshall county as one of its most able lawyers and successful business men. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents. He has worked along well defined lines of labor, realizing ever that industry is just as essential in law practice as in industrial or commercial pursuits. His cases, therefore, have been prepared with great thoroughness and care and he enters the courts well qualified to protect the interests intrusted to his charge.

JOHN C. WHALEY.

John C. Whaley, of Hot Springs, is connected with various business interests, being secretary and treasurer of the Fall River Abstract Company, secretary and treasurer of the Tri-State Land & Loan Company and president of the Bennett Abstraet Company. He was born at Norfolk, Nebraska, April 2, 1885, and is numbered among the more enterprising of the younger business men of Fall River county.

His parents were Harrison H. and Hannah Emily (MeCrillis) Whaley. The former was born near Athens, Ohio, June 30, 1835, and the latter's birth occurred in Topsham, Vermont, February 6, 1848. In early life Mr. Whaley was a captain and pilot on the Mississippi river until he removed to the northwest, the birth of his son John C. occurring while the family were en route for the Black Hills in 1885. The father first came to South Dakota in. 1876, when he went to Deadwood. He afterward made a number of trips back and forth between Dakota territory and his old home before he brought his family to the northwest in 1885. At one time he operated a ranch near Hill City at the dam in Whaley canyon for a number of years. He was a resident of Watertown, South Dakota, from 1881 until 1886 and in the spring of the latter year returned to the vicinity of Hot Springs, where he spent his remaining days, being engaged in the stock business to some extent. He was elected register of deeds, taking the office on the 1st of January, 1909, but after a brief period that position was left vacant owing to his death on the 14th of July, of the same year. He had served as sheriff at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, for four years and was deputy sheriff in the same county for four years. He resided at that place prior to his removal to the Black Hills and when the call to arms sounded he proved his loyalty to his country, serving for three years as a member of Company A, Thirty-first Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, in which he was orderly sergeant. He was twice married and of the three children born of the first union all have now passed away. His second wife was Hannah Emily MeCrillis, who died November 29, 1907.

Jobn C. Whaley was the third of the four children born of the father's second marriage. He attended school at Edgemont in Fall River county and was also a pupil in the district schools. When fifteen years of age he began working for others as a cowboy, spending a number of years in that way in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota. It was when nine- teen years of age that he entered high school at Edgemont and he later attended business college for a year. He afterward entered the employ of the Burlington Railroad Company in 1905 as night agent at Edgemont, where he remained for three years. He afterward spent Vol. V-30

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about two years as car accountant and was engaged at day work in the yards. He was also employed as a switchman in Edgemont for a short time, when, in December, 1910, he removed to Hot Springs and on the 3d of January entered the duties of the office of register of deeds. He is secretary and treasurer of the Fall River Abstract Company, secretary and treasurer of the Tri-State Land & Loan Company and president of the Bennett County Abstract Com- pany. He owns city property in Edgemont and is well informed concerning realty values.

On the 27th of July, 1909, Mr. Whaley was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Sanders, who was born at Jewell City, Kansas, a daughter of John and Mary Sanders, both natives of Pennsylvania. Her father is a farmer and stock-raiser and he and his wife are still resi- dents of Jewell City, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Whaley has been born a daughter, Faustina Elizabeth, whose birth occurred on the 18th of May, 1910.

In his political views Mr. Whaley is a republican and upon the party tieket was elected to the office of register of deeds of Fall River county, in which position his second term expired on the 5th of January, 1915, and he retired from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and goodwill of all concerned. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks at Lead, and in Masonry he has taken all the degrees of the blue lodge of Edgemont and of the chapter at Hot Springs. He is likewise connected with Hot Springs Lodge of Odd Fellows. He is a lover of sports and is considered the champion duck hunter of the county, returning always from his trips laden with many evidences of his skill with the rifle. He has also killed a number of deer and he enjoys various phases of outdoor life. His comparative youth prevented the possibility of his being an active participant in affairs in pioneer days, but he is contributing to the later progress and upbuilding of the section of the state in which he lives and is everywhere recognized as a public-spirited citizen.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 81

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