History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 84

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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Lawrence A. Kenneda is the oldest in a family of eight children and is indebted for his general education to the public schools of La Crosse and Onalaska, Wisconsin. He further prepared for business life by attending the Wisconsin Business University at La Crosse, from which he was graduated in 1906. When but sixteen years of age he began to provide for his own support. entering the employ of a farmer who lived six miles from their farm. At the end of four months be entered school at La Crosse and gave his time to study for ten months. He then became connected with the firm of Spicer & Buschman, acting in the capacity of book- keeper for several months. Upon leaving that concern he entered the employ of the W. W. Cayill Company of La Crosse as bookkeeper and remained with them for about eighteen months. At the end of that time he located at Ardmore, South Dakota, and entered a homestead about a mile and a half from town. He was for a time an employe of the Bezanson Land Company, but in March, 1910, became agent's helper for the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quiney Railroad and was later made relief agent on the Alliance and Deadwood division. He is now working as operator at Ardmore on the third trick and is also book- keeper for the Hill City Lumber Company.

On the 23d of July. 1913, Mr. Kenneda was united in marriage to Miss Lneinda Mont- gomery. who was born at Claysville, Pennsylvania. on the 20th of September, 1887. Her father. James B. Montgomery, has been a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania and is now a retired farmer. He is also connected with an oil company and is director of a bank and is quite well known in his community. He has served as constable, justice of the peace and

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notary public and still takes an active interest in public affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneda have a daughter, Madge Roselle, who was born on the 17th of July, 1914.

Mr. Kenneda was a member of the First Baptist church of La Crosse, Wisconsin and is now a member of the Congregational church of Ardmore, and his life is guided by the prin- ciples of Christianity. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge at Edgemont and the chapter and commandery at Hot Springs, and is a member of Naja Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Deadwood. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star chapter at Hot Springs. He is energetic and determined in carrying out his plans, and his resolution and industry are dominant factors in the success which he has gained.

FREDERICK G. GILBERT, M. D.

Dr. Frederick G. Gilbert, engaged in the practice of medicine in Rapid City, where he located in 1899, was born in Tilsonburg, Ontario, Canada, April 12, 1867. His father, Dr. George H. Gilbert, was also a physician and surgeon. He was a native Canadian, of English parentage, and has now passed away. He wedded Mary Lang, who was also born in Canada and was of Highland Scotch descent, her people coming from the vicinity of Edinburgh to the new world.

Frederick G. Gilbert was the elder of two children. He pursued his education in the schools of Eden, Ontario, and of Cleveland, Ohio, having removed to the latter city with his parents in his boyhood days. He was there graduated from the high school as a member of the class of 1886 and, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1890. He served for one year in the Huron Street Hospital of Cleveland and for seven years following was instructor in osteology and anatomy. In 1899 he arrived in Rapid City, where he opened an office and began practice. He has since followed his profession as a general practitioner and has been accorded a liberal patronage. He belongs to the Black Hills Medical Society and by reading, observation and research has kept in touch with the advanced thought of the profession and the methods followed by leading physicians throughout the country. He has served as county coroner and also as both city and county physician.

In 1891 Dr. Gilbert was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Gunn. He was married again, in 1896, his second union being with Anna Tonner, a daughter of Harry B. Tonner, of Rapid City. Politically Dr. Gilbert is a republican with progressive tendencies and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Hle enjoys motoring, fishing and hunting for big game and was for some time president of the local gun club. He is widely known and popular among his fellow townsmen and is every- where spoken of in terms of high regard.

JAMES A. RICKERT.

James A. Rickert has many important business connections in Sisseton and Roberts county and is generally recognized as one of the most successful men in that locality. He is president of the First National Bank of Sisseton, owns a great deal of land, is engaged in the real-estate business and also deals in farm implements. He possesses more than ordinary business acumen and insight and has the determination and force of character to carry through to successful completion all that he undertakes.

A native of Ohio, he was born in Trumbull county, September 21, 1852, a son of Felix and Eliza (Duffin) Rickert, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ireland. The father removed to Ohio in young manhood and there he worked in coal mines until 1856, when he went to Minnesota and homesteaded land. Subsequently he sold that farm but purchased another tract and continued to reside in that state until his death.

James A. Rickert was educated in the common schools and in St. Vincent's College of Wheeling, West Virginia. On beginning his independent business career he found employ- ment in a wholesale grocery at Wheeling but later removed to Minnesota and for a year

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clerked in a general store. Coming to Grant county, South Dakota, he took up a homestead and proved up on the place by paying for it in cash. In 1882 he sold it for nine hundred and fifty dollars and then entered the employ of the Bank of Milbank, where he remained for a year and a half. Subsequently he established a small general store in Corona and was very successful in that undertaking.

At length, however, Mr. Rickert turned his attention to politics and was elected county treasurer, serving in that capacity for four years. On the expiration of his term he erected an elevator in Sisseton and in 1900 aided in organizing the First National Bank of Sisseton,. of which he has since served as president and which he has made one of the leading finan- cial institutions of Roberts county. He also organized the Okanogan Valley Bank of Okano- gan, Washington, now the First National Bank of Okanogan. He owns stock in a number of other banks, including the State Bank of Summit, of which he is a director. In addi- tion to serving as president of the First National Bank and president of the First Savings & Trust Company of Sisseton, Mr. Rickert is now dealing in real estate and is also engaged in the farm implement business. He, moreover, owns a large amount of land in Roberts county and supervises his agricultural interests.

Mr. Rickert was married in 1882 to Miss Frances MI. Thomson, a native of the state of New York. They have one son, Paul, who was born in 1886 and, after graduating from the Pillsbury Academy at Owatonna, Minnesota, attended the State University of Minnesota for three years. He is a member of the Theta Delta Chi. He is associated with his father in business and is treasurer of the Rickert Opheim Company.

Mr. Rickert is a republican in politics and has served on the city council, while for one year he held the office of mayor of Sisseton. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge, of which he has served as secretary for a number of years; the Royal Arch chapter; the Knights Templar commandery; and El Riad Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Sioux Falls. He is not only one of the most able and successful business men of Sisseton but is one of its most public-spirited citizens and is willing to do all in his power to further the advancement of his community. He is progressive and enterprising and would sacrifice personal gain to the general good. He is justly held in high esteem and has gained the warm friendship of many.

WILLIAM ROSS.

William Ross, for many years chief carpenter of the H. & D. & James River division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Panl Railroad, is now yard foreman and is well known in rail- road circles. He has resided in Milbank since 1882 and is one of the well respected residents of that town. He was born in Richmond county, province of Quebec, Canada, October 20, 1847, a son of John and Ann (Monroe) Ross, hoth of whom were born in Scotland, the father in 1805 and the mother in 1824. Both came to the new world in 1836 and settled in the province of Quebec. The father followed agricultural pursuits until his demise, which oc- curred in 1860. The mother survived for many years, dying in 1902. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity and four of whom are still living, namely : Jeannette, who resides in Vandraul, in the province of Quebec, and who is now the wife of Joseph Nixon; William; Findlay, a farmer of Quebec; and Catherine, the wife of John H. Chapman, who is farming in Grant county, this state.

William Ross was educated in Quebec but when thirteen years of age began working, as it was incumbent upon him to support himself and his widowed mother. He followed the carpenter's trade in Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Missouri and Iowa and in 1879 entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 1882 he was made chief carpenter of the H. & D. & James River division of that road with head- quarters at Milbank and since that time has resided in that town. He held the position of chief carpenter until 1911, when he became yard foreman, in which capacity he is still serving. Whatever he has done he has performed to the best of his ability and his work has always been of a high order. Although he was a poor boy and has been compelled to rely solely upon bis own resources throughout life he has gained a gratifying measure of success. As his capital has increased he has invested in land and now owns three excellent farms.

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In 1897 Mr. Ross was married to Miss Annie Rooney, who was born in the state of New York. They have two children, Esther Elizabeth and William H., both of whom are in school. Mr. Ross is a republican in polities and is stalwart in support of that party at the polls. He attends the Congregational church but his wife and children are members of the Roman Catholic church. Fraternally he is identified with the various Masonie bodies, belonging to the blue lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Knights Templar Commandery, the Consistory and the Shrine. He has served as master of the blue lodge and as high priest and captain of hosts in the chapter. He has done a great deal of effective work in behalf of the temper- ance cause and believes that the liquor traffic is one of the greatest evils of today. For over three decades he has resided in Milbank and the fact that his fellow citizens, who have known him intimately during that time, hold him in the highest respect and esteem is proof of the genuine worth of his character.

DANIEL T. HINDMAN.

Daniel T. Hindman is a well known capitalist of Marshall county, figuring prominently in financial circles as the president of the First National Bank of Britton. He still gives supervision to his business interests and his investments, although he has passed the seventy-sixth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred February 22, 1839, near Oxford, Butler county, Ohio. His parents were Dr. Andrew and Margaret (Trembly ) Hind- man, the former born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1800 and the latter in Eliza- beth, New Jersey, in the same year. They were married in Ohio and it was in that state that Dr. Hindman studied medicine, attending the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. He then entered upon the practice of his profession in Richmond, Indiana, where he remained for a number of years, removing thence to Brownsville, Indiana, where he passed away in 1852. His widow survived him for two decades, dying in 1872. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Hindman was an active representative of the Masonic fraternity, and when death called him was laid to rest with Masonie honors in Brownsville, Indiana. His political indorsement was given to the democratie party and he held some municipal offices. To him and his wife were born seven children, as follows: Dr. William E., who was a practicing physician of Indiana and passed away in 1865, his remains being in- terred at New Boston, Illinois, where he was then following his profession; S. E., who was a millwright and farmer living in Illinois and has passed away; Daniel and Mary. both deceased: James A., who was a millwright and carpenter by trade and is deceased; Samuel B., who was manager of the Gaar Scott Manufacturing Company and died in Indiana in 1897; and Daniel T., twin brother of Samuel and the subject of this review.

Daniel T. Hindman, the only survivor of his parents' family, was educated in the public schools of Indiana and Illinois and also pursued a commercial course. With the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted for active service at the front. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when on the 18th of April, 1861, he joined Company I of the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three years. He was sent home on recruiting service by General McPherson in 1863 but both before and after that time par- tieipated in a number of hotly contested engagements. In the early part of his serviee he held the rank of first sergeant and afterward became a lieutenant of Company E, Eighth Illi- nois Infantry. On the 21st of October, 1861, he fought with his command at Fredericktown, Missouri, where they defeated the Confederate troops. He was afterward in the engagements at Fort Henry. Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Vicksburg and the last battle in which he partici- pated was at Fort Blakely, Alabama, on the 9th of April, 1865. His regiment afterward acted as provost guard in Mobile, Alabama, stationed in Texas for a year after the elose of the war, so that for five years Mr. Hindman was engaged in active military service.

In the spring of 1866 he returned to Illinois, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1884. In the meantime he had visited Dakota territory and had selected what he believed to be a favorable location. He settled in Day county, now Marshall county, and was treasurer of the Britton Land & Trust Company, which organized the town site of Britton in 1883. He is now living in the first residence built in the town. After the place was laid out he returned to Illinois and organized a lumber company formed of Mercer

DANIEL T. HINDMAN

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county (Ill.) men. Then going to Minneapolis, he purchased sixty-nine car loads of lumber, which he shipped to Andover and thence hauled to Britton. For twenty years thereafter he was engaged in the lumber business and he also bought and sold land, making consid- erable money in his real-estate deals. Later he turned his attention to the hanking business and from its organization served as president of the Citizens Bank for a number of years. On the 1st of January, 1902, he was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Britton and has since been its president. This is now regarded as one of the strong financial institutions of the county, being capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, while the surplus amounts to ten thousand dollars, the undivided profits to six thousand dollars and the average deposits to three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The other officers are: Charles Hamilton, vice president; S. A. Bell, vice president; W. S. Given, cashier; C. E. Printup, assistant cashier; Walton W. Thorp; George Bingham; and Alma M. Russell. In addition to his banking interests he is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land and at different times has owned extensive tracts. He also has large invest- ments in Los Angeles and he and his wife spend the winter seasons in that sunny elime.

In 1866 Mr. Hindman was united in marriage to Miss Viola J. Willits, a native of Illinois and a daughter of J. Monroe Willits, who was born in Centerville, Indiana, and in 1848 removed with his wife to Illinois, in which state both spent the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Hindman were born two children. Grace May, a graduate in music and art of the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois, passed away in 1900. She was the wife of F. J. Brown, who is engaged in business as an abstractor of Britton and also held the position of postmaster for a number of years. George M., who was born in 1873 and died in the year 1894, was employed in a bank and stores and also acted as leader of the Britton Band.

Mrs. Hindman holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Hind- man is serving as a trustee, although not a member. The Masonic fraternity numbers him among its worthy exemplars. He holds membership in the lodge, chapter, commandery and Mystic Shrine and in the lodge has filled all of the offices. He is also an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been very prominent in politieal connections as a supporter of the republican party. While residing in Mercer county, Illinois, he served for three terms as county treasurer, being first elected in 1875 and holding the office altogether for seven years. He filled the offices of treasurer of the Agricultural Society and treasurer of the Soldiers and Sailers Monument Association there, and after coming to South Dakota was one of the commissioners of Day county. He was also Indian agent at the Sisseton agency, acting in that capacity for a year under President Harrison, at the end of which time he resigned. In 1891 he was elected state senator, serving for two years, and in 1895 was chosen lieutenant governor, filling the position for one term. In that office as a repub- liean he had to preside over the state senate, which had a majority of six opposed to him in polities, but they never challenged his rulings on a single occasion, so just was he at all times. He was afterward urged to become a candidate for governer but refused. He has, however, left the impress of his individuality upon the political history as well as the material development of the state. The integrity of his views and the stability of his position have never been questioned. He stands unequivocally for what he believes to be right and works untiringly to accomplish a purpose which he believes will promote the welfare of the state. His activities have been farreaching and beneficial and the public record of none has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation.

OLE E. LIEN.

Ole E. Lien. the efficient auditor of Roberts county, is one of the well known and highly esteemed citizens of Sisseton. A native of the neighboring state of Iowa, he was born in Clayton county, on the 24th of June, 1869, a son of E. E. and Carrie (Olson) Lien. His paternal grandfather, Evan Lien, passed his entire life in Norway but bis maternal grandfather, Ole Olson, became a resident of Iowa, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his demise. E. E. Lien was born in Norway in 1837 and passed away in 1909, while his wife was horn in that country in 1844 and died in 1894. He emigrated to the United States when Vol. V-31

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twenty years of age and she was brought to this country by her parents when but three years old. Mr. Lien followed agricultural pursuits in Clayton county, Iowa, and was also engaged in merchandising there and was likewise connected with banking interests as a partner of ex-Governor Larrabee. In 1904 he removed from Iowa to Roberts county, South Dakota, and homesteaded land, upon which he resided until his demise. He was very suecess- ful in all of his business operations and was active in public affairs. He was a republican in politics and for a number of years served on the school board, while he was one of the first commissioners of Roberts county. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, and he was well known and highly esteemed in his community.

Ole E. Lien completed the public-school course and was then for one year a student in Luther College at Decorah, Iowa, and for two years attended the Breckenridge Normal School at Decorah, after which he took a course in the Richards Business College of that place. For a year he was employed in a hank at Elgin, Iowa, and then went to Eagle Grove, where he engaged in the mercantile business for six years, conducting a store in partnership with Niel Hanson under the firm name of Lien & Hanson. In 1895 he sold out and removed to Roberts county, South Dakota, where he took up a elaim. Later he returned to Iowa and was for one season with the International Harvester Company, after which he purchased his father's farm in Roberts county, this state, and gave his time and attention to its cultivation for a number of years. Later he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business and for ten years he has been secretary of the Roberts County Insurance Company. In 1912 he was elected county auditor and made such an excellent record that in 1914 he was reeleeted to that office, in which he is still serving. He is thoroughly reliable and in the discharge of his duties is both prompt and accurate.

Mr. Lien was married in 1891 to Miss Vinnie Hard, who was born near De Kalb, Illinois, and they have three children: Hobart, at home; Millard, who is in the eighth grade at school; and Vivian, who is in the fourth grade.

Mr. Lien is a stalwart republican and has done much effective work in behalf of his party. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Wood- men of America and the Knights of Pythias, and in all three orders has passed through all of the chairs. He devotes his entire time to the duties of his office and has gained the com- mendation of his fellow citizens for the efficient manner in which he performs the work in- trusted to him. In all relations of life he has measured up to high standards of manhood and has gained many warm friends.

ERNEST W. CRANE.

Ernest W. Crane, founder and proprietor of the Crane Automobile Company of Yankton, is a native of Turner county, South Dakota, born March 3, 1879. His father, J. A. Crane, still resides in Centerville, this state. He was born in Ohio and came to South Dakota, or what was then Dakota territory, about 1867, in company with his father, William Crane, who established the family home in Vermillion, Clay county, and there opened the first black- smith shop in the Dakotas. J. A. Crane wedded Minnie Hall, a native of London, England, who came to the Dakotas with her parents. She died in the year 1889. Ernest W. Crane is the eldest in a family of five, having two brothers and two sisters, the others heing: Arthur, a farmer living near Beresford, Lincoln county, South Dakota; Forest, a house mover of Sioux Falls; Nettie, the wife of Reuben Saville, of Centerville, South Dakota; and Myrtle, the wife of Burt Cune, also of Centerville.

Ernest W. Crane was born on a farm, but his father later built the first hotel at Center- ville, Turner county, and in that establishment the boy largely spent his youthful days. He was educated in the public schools, which he attended to the age of sixteen years, after which he was employed at farm labor for two years. He then engaged in blacksmithing and house moving in connection with his father and when about twenty-five years old purchased his father's house moving outfit and began business on his own account. In 1903 he removed to Yankton, where he continued operations as a house mover, his business, however, extending over a wide section of the state. He became particularly well known in the southeastern section of South Dakota and he continued his activities along that line until 1913, when he

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embarked in the automobile business in Yankton, establishing a first-class garage. He now has the agency for the King motor car and the Carnation car and in addition he conducts a general repair and storage business and deals in all kinds of automobile accessories and sup- plies. He has been very successful in the new venture, his business growing rapidly.

In 1903 Mr. Crane was married to Miss Marie Nelsen, a native of Denmark, and they have one son, Harvey. Mr. Crane holds membership with the Modern Brotherhood of America and his political indorsement is given to the republican party. He is well informed concerning important political issues, but is not an office seeker. His entire life has been spent in the northwest and has been one of intense and well directed activity, his energy and utilization of opportunity bringing to him the success which he now enjoys.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 84

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