History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 83

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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men were the first prospectors in Deadwood and Mr. Nelson has many interesting remi- niscences of that early period. After prospecting for a short time in Deadwood and its vicinity he and another man went to Bear Gulch, where they had previously discovered gold. For about six months they prospected along the various creeks and then when the railroad was being surveyed to Buffalo Gap Mr. Nelson found employment on the survey. After spending a year in that connection he took np a ranch near Buffalo Gap, where he engaged in raising cattle and horses until 1907. In that year he sold his stock and removed to Buffalo Gap, establishing a feed and lumber business, which he is still conducting. He is meeting with gratifying success in his undertaking and is recognized as a reliable and energetic business man. He still owns three hundred and twenty acres of the ranch, which le rents and from which he derives a gratifying addition to his income.

Mr. Nelson was married in 1872 to Miss Rebecca Cline, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German descent, although her parents were likewise natives of the Keystone state. In 1908 she was called to the home beyond, her demise being the occasion of much sincere grief.

Mr. Nelson is a devout communicant of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally belongs to the Knights of Pythias. His political belief is in accordance with the principles of the democratic party and he supports its candidates at the polls. While actively engaged in ranching Mr. Nelson was attacked by Indians a number of times when some marauding band was attempting to steal his stock and in his varied experiences in the west in the early day he was often fired upon, but to the men of that period such danger was a part of the ordinary risk of life and was taken largely as a matter of course. His resolution, fearless- ness and faith in the future of the country are characteristic of the west and it is such qualities that have made possible the rapid development of this section of the country, which a comparatively few years ago was a wilderness and is now populous and productive of great wealth.

K. G. QUARVE.

K. G. Quarve is a leading citizen of Marshall county, filling the office of register of deeds, and in business connections is well known as the president of the Marshall County Bank of Britton. He was born and reared npon the western frontier and has ever been imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the development of this section of the country. His birth occurred in Houston county, Minne- sota, February 20, 1858, his parents being George and Lev Quarve, natives of Norway, born in 1827 and 1829 respectively. They were married in Wisconsin and for five years thereafter remained residents of that state, at the end of which time they removed to Houston county, Minnesota, where the father homesteaded, spending his remaining days in that locality, his attention being given to the development of his farm. He was recognized as one of the republican leaders in his community and in the '50s served as a member of the Minnesota legislature. In religious faith he and his wife were Lutherans. The latter passed away in January, 1863, while Mr. Quarve, surviving for fifteen years. died in 1878. His father had died on the ocean when the family were en route to the new world, but his mother lived to the very remarkable old age of one hundred and one years. Mr. and Mrs. George Qnarve had six children, of whom two are living, the younger being Mrs. Julia Kroshuse, a widow of Glenwood, Minnesota.

The son, K. G. Quarve, acquired a common-school education in Houston county and was reared to farm life, continuing active in that occupation in his native state until 1879, when he went to Fargo, North Dakota, and soon afterward took up a homestead claim in Griggs county, that state. On the 27th of May, 1883, he came to South Dakota and erected a hotel in Britton which be conducted for three years. On the expiration of that period he took up a homestead and is still the owner of that land. He has since made other purchases until his landed possessions in Marshall county now aggregate six hundred and forty acres. In his business affairs he has progressed and prospered and his life record illustrates what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the way. He had a capital of but one hundred and thirty-one dollars when he left home and today he is not only the owner

K. G. QUARVE

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of an entire section of land but is also the president of and a stockholder in the Marshall County Bank, which is capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars. His business interests have been most carefully and systematically conducted and his industry has brought him gratifying success.

In 1883 Mr. Quarve was united in marriage to Miss Ingar L. Erickson, a native of Black Hammer, Minnesota, by whom he has seven children, as follows: George L., who operates his father's farm; Louis, who assists his father in his duties as register of deeds; Clarence, who is employed in an implement store of Britton; Lloyd, a civil engineer residing in Blue Earth county, Minnesota; Gilhan, who is employed by Charles Hamilton of Britton; Roy, who is employed in the City Drug Store and resides at home; and Grace, a high-school student.

The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Quarve belongs also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. In polities a stalwart democrat, he has the distinction of being the only democratic officer in the county, having been elected register of deeds in 1914. He had served for four years as county sheriff, to which office he was elected in 1895, and his election as a democratie candidate in a republican eounty is proof of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen, who have found that their faith is well placed. for he has proved a most efficient and capable officer.

CHARLES L. GLESSNER.

The efficient discharge of the duties of the county auditor demands careful and exact work and the voters of Sully county chose a man well qualified for the office when they elected Charles L. Glessner, the present incumbent. He was born in Waynesburg, Ohio, January 16, 1872. His father, John W. Glessner, was also born in Waynesburg in 1539 and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Miss Josephine Keagle. was born in Liberty. Penn- sylvania, on the 29th of March, 1842. John W. Glessner learned the jeweler's trade early in life and followed that occupation until 1883, when he located at Okobojo, Sully county, South Dakota, and turned his attention to farming. He is now residing in Okobojo and is enjoying a period of well earned leisure. During the Civil war he served with the Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry for four years and the greater part of the time was principal musician of the regiment. Although he saw much hard fighting, he was never wounded. He was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea. While living at Waynesburg, Ohio, he served for a number of years as mayor of that town. His wife passed away on the 17th of March, 1915.

Charles L. Glessner, who is the third in order of birth in a family of six children attended the public schools of Waynesburg, Ohio, and of Sully county, South Dakota. as he was but eleven years of age when the family removed westward. The first year the crops were a failure and, although he was but a boy, he was compelled to contribute to his own support. He began working for others and not only paid his own way but also assisted the family for several years. When twenty years old he engaged in teaching, following that profession for fifteen years. During that time he entered the Indian service as di-ciplinarian and was connected with the' school maintained by that department at Pierre for seven years. At the end of that time he returned to Sully county and during the summers followed agricul- tural pursuits, while in the winter months he taught school. He was so occupied until elected anditor of Sully county. Since taking office he has given practically his entire atten- tion to his official duties and has proved thoroughly competent and courteous. He owns valu- able land in the county and has thoroughly identified his interests with those of his locality.

Mr. Glessner was married on the 20th of November, 1901. to Miss Myrtle MeGannon, a native of Illinois. Her parents, Reuben and Emma (Alexander) Mediannon, were likewise born in that state, where they resided until 1883, when they came to South Dakota. settling near Okobojo, Sully county, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits for many years. Subsequently he engaged in the mercantile business in Okobojo, where he took up his resi- dence, and he still has business interests, although he leaves the management of his affairs largely to others, as he is living retired. His wife died when Mrs. Glessner was but a child.

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To Mr. and Mrs. Glessner have been born three children, Marion, Mildred Josephine, and Alma Louise.

Mr. Glessner is a stalwart republican but previous to his eleetion as county auditor had never held public office. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and for a number of years served as venerable consul of that body. He is well and favorably known throughout Sully county and his personality has gained him the warm friendship of many.

VEST P. SHOUN.

Vest P. Shoun, who is engaged in general merchandising at New Underwood, was born in Johnson county, Tennessee, on the 18th of July, 1837, a son of William and Jennie (Brown) Shoun, who were also natives of that state. The paternal grandmother was of Welsh birth but the Shoun family comes from a long line of American ancestors. The parents of V. P. Shoun never came to the west, spending their entire lives in Tennessee. At one time Wil- liam Shoun held the rank of major in the state militia.

Vest P. Shoun attended the public schools but his educational privileges were somewhat limited. At eighteen years of age he left Tennessee and went to Montgomery county, Mis- souri, in 1855. He spent some time in different counties of that state, where he was employed at manufacturing rails and in railroad work. He then started on foot to California, driv- ing a bull team, and was nine months in making the trip from Springfield, Missouri, to Sacramento. He afterward spent a half year in working in a sawmill and then engaged in mining, remaining in California for a year. On the expiration of that period he made his way northward to Oregon, leaving San Francisco for Portland, where he arrived on the 22d of June, 1858. He then went to Salem, where he engaged in the lumber business for three years and at the end of that time removed to Washington territory, where he engaged in mining. Idaho was separated from that state in 1861 and he found himself in the latter district, continuing his mining operations in Idaho until 1865. He next went to Montana, where he engaged in the freighting business from Salt Lake to Fort Benton on the upper Missouri river, and during the three years spent in that way he had many interesting, excit- ing and difficult experiences such as occurred upon the frontier. He afterward engaged in railroad contract work on the Union Pacific until the completion of the line in the spring of 1870. He next took his freighting outfit to Nevada, going to Eureka and various other points, where he continued until 1871, when he started for Omaha, Nebraska. He thence made his way to Mexico but afterward returned to Galveston, Texas, and from that point journeyed northward to St. Paul, Minnesota. Later he arrived in Duluth, Minnesota, and afterward went to Mankato and to St. Cloud. He purchased an outfit at Saint Peter, Min- nesota, and again engaged in contract work, this time being employed on the St. Paul & Sioux City Railroad until the line was completed. He afterward took his outfit to the St. Vincent branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad and was engaged in contracting in connec- tion with construction work and also active in the tie camps. He remained on that work until the failure of Jay Cooke caused the suspension of railroad building, after which he took his outfit to St. Paul and engaged in street grading. Still later he went to Wisconsin and was engaged in logging on the Yellow river, but eventually he sold his outfit there and returned to Tennessee. For some time he remained in the south, going to Mississippi, Louisiana and again over Texas and on the Rio Grande river to the border of Mexico. Later he proceeded to Kansas, seeking railroad contracts in that state, Nebraska and Colorado. After a brief period passed in Iowa he once more went to St. Paul, where he engaged in the butchering busi- ness in 1873. After a year he lost his place of business through fire and then went again to Omaha and on to Arizona. He proceeded thence to lower Colorado, where he remained for six months, and in the winter of 1874 returned to Iowa.

On the 5th of April, 1875, he started for the Black Hills with Gordon's train. On the 25th of May the whole train was burned on the south bank of the Niobrara river, about fifty miles from Spotted Tail agency. Mr. Shoun was taken as a prisoner to Fort Randall. After a day they were put across the river with orders not to return, but Mr. Shoun went back the next day after being liberated by the soldiers. He returned across the river, where he worked for a wood contractor, waiting for a government train to come in. When that train

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reached Fort Randall he joined it and went to Fort Robinson, where he organized a party of seven men and proceeded to the Hills. They left Harney Peak on the 25th of October, 1875. Mr. Shoun was compelled to hide from the soldiers who were camped about Custer, keeping in the clear until the soldiers left. He then engaged in mining, opening mines on Castle Creek, but the venture there did not prove profitable and the sixteen men of the party reached Deadwood in December, 1875. Mr. Shoun is today the only survivor of these sixteen men. He engaged in placer mining and soon afterward other people came. He continued there until 1876, when he sold his mines and engaged in the freighting business on the Sidney route and also to Fort Pierre and to Bismarck, North Dakota, spending his time in that way between 1876 and 1879. In the latter year he moved onto his ranch on Elk Creek, sixty miles southeast of Deadwood, continuing upon that ranch until 1908. He made shipments of cattle to Chicago and Omaha but sold out in 1908 and took up his abode at New Underwood, where he has since engaged in general merchandising. He recently sold out the lumber busi- ness but still conducts his store and carries a large and well appointed line of general mer- chandise, devoting his entire time to the business. Through all these years he has continued in South Dakota without interruption save when in the fall of 1888 he left the state and spent six months in travel.

In polities Mr. Shoun is a democrat and for one term he served as sheriff of Boise county, Idaho, while for seven years he was postmaster at Viewfield, South Dakota. In early life he was made a Mason but for many years has not attended lodge meetings. He has been a frontiersman from 1855 and has heard the whoop of many an Indian on the war- path. He says that a hat would not hold the lead which has been shot at him, but he was very fortunate in escaping wounds. He was in Deadwood when Henry Weston Smith was killed, also when Wild Bill was killed, and in fact he was one of the first white men who ever set foot in Deadwood. He eut the first tree where Lead City now stands and there are few phases of pioneer life with which he is not familiar. He participated in an Indian fight on the Humboldt in Nevada, and his first Indian fight was at Gravelly Ford on Humboldt river, in 1857. He has been in many an Indian fight since that time and knows all of the methods of the wily red foe. For one year he acted as wagon master for General Custer, whom he knew intimately. The experiences of frontier life drew them strongly together and their friendship continued until Custer's death. The story of pioneer experiences in the west, if written in detail, would present a correct picture of the life history of V. P. Shoun, and his reminiscences of the frontier are most interesting and entertaining.

ALFRED A. BARNES.

In real-estate circles the name of Alfred A. Barnes is a familiar one. He is one of the most successful and well known auctioneers of real estate not only in South Dakota but throughout the middle west. Resourceful, apt, tactful, energetic, persistent and progressive -- these qualities have gained him prominence in his chosen field of labor and have made his efforts of value to many who have to do with the purchase and sale of real estate. Moreover, he has a most ereditable chapter in his life record covering service as a soldier in the Span- ish-American war. He was born in Decatur county, Indiana, February 25, 1874, a son of William H. and Elizabeth P. (Demoff) Barnes. The father, too, was a soldier, having been a member of Company E, Seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war.

In the schools of Greensburg, Indiana. Alfred A. Barnes pursued his education and when twenty-one years of age he left his native state for the northwest, arriving in Deadwood, South Dakota, in 1895. He engaged in teaching school on the military reservation for two years, after which he returned to Greensburg, Indiana, where he remained until after the out- break of the war with Spain. He then went to San Francisco, California, and in that city enlisted in 1898 as a volunteer in the Third United States Artillery, of which he became a private. He served for three years and was discharged with the rank of corporal. Within ten days of his enlistment he started with his eommand for the Philippines. In the fall of 1900 the Spanish gunboat La Guna De Bay was captured and Mr. Barnes was placed in charge of four Hotchkiss guns. He remained upon that boat for nine months and rendered valuable aid to his country throughout the period of his connection with military affairs.

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After the Spanish-American war he returned to Greensburg, Indiana, where he continued until 1908. He then once more came to South Dakota, making his way to Sioux Falls, where he is now engaged in business as a real-estate auctioneer. He handles large blocks of real estate and much merchandise in many districts of the Mississippi valley and is widely known as one of the most successful auctioneers of the middle west.

In Greensburg, Indiana, in August, 1902, Mr. Barnes was united in marriage to Miss Pearl S. Tucker, a daughter of Jacob Tucker, and their children are Irvin Tillson. Ordus C. and Harold P. The parents attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Barnes holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. In politics he has always been an earnest republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His military experience awakened in him a spirit of loyalty such a's is common to the soldier who defends the old flag upon the fields of battle. His experiences in the Philippines stored his mind with many interesting incidents and he readily calls upon his memory for events and anecdotes which enrich his conversation and make him a most inter- esting companion.

GEORGE WIEDENMAN.

George Wiedenman, the efficient and popular manager of the Atlas Lumber Company's yard at Blunt. Hughes county, was born in Clayton county, Iowa, January 28. 15>4. a son of George and Mary (Hoefner) Wiedenman. The father was born in Germany and the mother in Allamakee county, lowa. The father, who is a farmer by occupation, crossed the Atlantic to the United States when about twenty-two years of age and made his way to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he located and hecame in time a landowner. In 1903 he removed to South Dakota, settling upon a farm near Iroquois, Kingsbury county, where he is stil' residing.

George Wiedenman is the oldest of a family of nine children. He attended school mn Clayton county, Iowa, until fifteen years of age and thus acquired his education. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, giving his father the benefit of his labor upon the farm, but when he began his independent career he followed the carpenter's trade at Iroquois and also at Blunt. After devoting seven years to that work he entered the employ of the Atlas Lumber Company as manager of their yard at Blunt and is still serv- ing in that capacity, faithfully looking after the interests intrusted to him. Under his management the yard has done an excellent business and has proved a profitable investment for its owners. He owns land in South Dakota and a considerable number of cattle

Mr. Wiedenman was married on the 26th of January, 1910, to Miss Mabel Redick. who was born in Hughes county, and is a daughter of A. A. and Edna (Willis; Redick, both natives of Merrill, Wisconsin. The father was formerly actively identified with the ranching interests of the state but for several years has lived retired in Canning, Hughes county. To Mr. and Mrs. Wiedenman have been born two children: Alfred George, whose birth occurred on the 16th of January, 1913; and Francis Henry, born March 3, 1915.

MIr. Wiedenman is a stanch adherent of the republican party but has never aspired to office. Fraternally he is connected with the Yeomen and is well known both within and with- out that organization. His life has been one of well directed activity and the fair meas- ure of success which he has gained is dne solely to his own enterprise and business ability. In all of his relations with his fellowmen he adheres to high standards of morality and is well spoken of in his community.

IION. C. C. BUSHI.

Hon. C. C. Bush, an attorney living at Wanbay, has been prominently connected with the work of farming as well as interpreting the laws of this state, for he has twice repre- sented his district in the general assembly. Moreover, he enjoys a gratifying law practice and the importance of his work at the bar is attested by the court record-, Ohio claims him as a native son. He was born in Fayette county, that state. August 11. 1871. and after

HON. C. C. BUSH

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pursuing his education in the Ohio Normal School entered the Northern Indiana Law School at Valparaiso, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899, winning the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He has been admitted to the bar in Ohio, in Indiana and in South Dakota. He located at Waubay in 1899, beginning his practice there, and in the intervening period has won an extensive clientage that has connected bim with much important litigation and has proven his ability to cope with intricate and involved problems of the law, His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his ability and publie spirit, have again and again called him to publie office. He served as town clerk of Waubay for ten years and his long continuance in office is proof of his fidelity and capability. In 1910 he was elected to the state legislature from the thirty-seventh district, comprising Day county, and in 1912 was reelected. He has proved an able working member of the house and has been an influential force in guiding public thought and action.

In 1906 Mr. Bush was married to Miss Margaret Stephenson, who was born in South Dakota in 1884, a daughter of Robert Stephenson, one of the early farmers of Day county. They have become the parents of two children, John and Frank. The family is well known socially, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them.

Mr. Bush started out in life as a poor boy, but laudable ambition has been the impetus of his effort and his intelligently directed labor in the field of his profession has brought to him a gratifying measure of success. He has always been deeply and actively interested in the political situation and is a stalwart republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellow>. the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, his life conforming most consistently to its teachings.

LAWRENCE ALBERT KENNEDA.

Lawrence Albert Kenneda, telegraph operator at Ardmore, Fall River county, was born at Winnipeg. Manitoba, on the 11th of January, 1888, a son of Alverse and May (Lep- per) Kenneda, born respectively at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the 14th of November, 1860, and at St. Catharines, Ontario, in March, 1868. The fatber accompanied his parents on their removal from Milwaukee to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where the grandfather engaged in the hotel business, and in farming near Onalaska. Alverse Kenneda grew to maturity at La Crosse and later spent several years in Canada, being passenger conductor on the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He then returned to La Crosse and subsequently engaged in farming near Onalaska for fourteen years. He is now living retired in La Crosse and his wife also survives.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 83

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