History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 86

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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Dr. Harris pursued a high-school education in his native town, being graduated with the class of 1899. Having determined to make the practice of medieine his life work, he then entered the Harvey Medical College of Chicago, from which he was gradnated with the class of 1903. He pursued post-graduate work in the American Medical College the following year and became an interne in the Cook County Hospital at Chicago, where he remained for a year, his service there being most valuable, for there is no wider experience to be gained than is secured in hospital practice. In 1907 the Chicago College of Medicine and Surgery conferred upon him an honorary degree. He practices according to the teachings of both the eeleetic and allopathie schools. In a word, he selects that which is best for his patients and is most conscientious and careful in the discharge of his professional duties. In 1906 he came to Wilmot, where he has since practiced, and in 1912 he took over a hospital, which is one of the most complete in the state. It contains nine beds and he has a regular graduate nurse in charge and employs two other regular nurses. His hospital is not con- fined merely to surgical work, for he also takes patients who are to be treated medieinally. He has always had a very large patronage and has a considerable practice outside of his hospital work. He likewise owns a nice farm in Roberts county and is one of the substantial and prosperous citizens of his community, a position to which he has worked upward from comparatively nothing.

In 1909 Dr. Harris was married to Miss Alice Jones, a daughter of S. C. Jones, a pioneer

DR. HERSCHEL G. HARRIS

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settler of South Dakota, and now a druggist of Wilmot. They have three children, Mary Margaret, born in 1911;Gwyneth, born' in 1913; and Florence Roberta, born in 1915.

Fraternally Dr. Harris is connected with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is independent, while his connection along strietly professional lines is with the County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He devotes all of his time to his large practice and his hospital work and has made an enviable reputation as one of the skilled and successful physicians of his part of the state.

CHARLES N. MONK.

Charles N. Monk is a contractor carrying on a snecessful business in Viborg, where many substantial structures stand as monuments to his skill and handiwork. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on the 24th of September. 1871, a son of S. N. and Mary Monk. The family remained in Wisconsin until 1873 and then came to South Dakota, settling on a homestead a mile east of Viborg, where the father engaged in farming for a number of years, being one of the pioneer agriculturists of that district. He not only became a leading factor in the early development of Turner county but has also been an influential figure in official circles, having for two terms served as county treasurer. After prominent connection with both business and public life he is now living retired in Viborg, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.

Charles N. Monk was educated in the public schools and after his textbooks were put aside he engaged in farming with his father, having early become familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He devoted his energies to farm work on the old home place until twenty-six years of age and then started out independently on his own account. He engaged in the contracting business, in which his native mechanical skill finds ready expression. He has ereeted the larger part of the dwellings and buildings in Viborg and has recently completed the fine Lutheran church. He has also built the most handsome homes of the town and his skill as an architect and builder is well demonstrated there. He combines convenience and utility with beauty and the results are most satisfactory.

On the 13th of March, 1894, Mr. Monk was united in marriage to Miss Laura Hansen. a daugliter of Bernadt Hansen. Their children are three in number, namely: Clayton, Loretta and Hildon.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Baptist church, in which the parents hold membership. Mr. Monk exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and strongly indorses its principles, believing that the best interests of good government will be advanced thereby. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Woodman and he also holds membership in the Danish Brotherhood. Those who know him recognize his unselfish devotion to the general good and mark him as a public-spirited citizen whose work has been of value to the community.

MILLARD F. GREELEY.

Millard F. Greeley, a leading farmer and stockman of South Dakota, also a widely known speaker and writer on farm subjects, was born in Vienna, Kennebec county, Maine, November 6, 1851. His father, Levi M. Greeley, was also a native of the Pine Tree state and was a graduate of its then leading school. Kent's Hill Seminary. He passed away in Deuel county, South Dakota, in 1887. His wife, whose maiden name was Beulah A. Alden, was also born in Maine and is a direct descendant of the Mayflower Aldens. She is now living with her son at the age of eighty-nine years.

Millard F. Greeley attended the common schools only, with the exception of being a student for a short time in Northwestern University. In his boyhood and early manhood he worked on farms, in the pineries, at river driving, surveying, etc., and when but twenty-one years of age was given charge of a erew of eighty men, cutting the right of way north to Lake Superior for the Wisconisn Central Railway. After marrying, at the age of twenty-six,

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he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and for many years has given most of his attention to farming and stock-raising, following these occupations with success in Wis- consin, Minnesota and South Dakota-in Deuel county, South Dakota, for nearly twenty-five years. Mr. Greeley is a strong advocate of farm life and believes it by far the safest and most independent of any. With the exception of but two years he has always lived on the land. The two years referred to were spent at Long Beach, California, where he went for the benefit of the health of his family and where he still owns considerable property. He also has land in Minnesota and South Dakota and his business activities have extended to other fields, for he is a director of the State Bank of Menahga, Minnesota. His office is with the Dakota Farmer of Aberdeen, South Dakota, although he travels extensively.

In 1856 Mr. Greeley went with his parents to Waushara county, Wisconsin, whence, in 1882, he removed to Deuel county, South Dakota, where he became widely and favorably known.

He was married in Waupaca county, Wisconsin, December 29, 1877, to Miss Agnes Blair, a daughter of John Blair, a Highland Scot, and Isabella Blair, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland. The father was killed at the battle of Shiloh when Mrs. Greeley was but one year old. To this marriage have been born two children: R. B., who was born in Wisconsin on the 5th of March, 1881, and who married Miss Gertrude Tragerser, of Deuel county, is now publisher of a paper at Menahga, Minnesota. Alden B., the younger, born in Deuel county, February 16, 1899, is at home. They have also cared for several adopted children and given homes to others.

Mr. Greeley was for a short time in his youth a member of the Methodist Episcopal church but is not now affiliated with any denomination. He believes that forms and creeds are of no value but places great emphasis upon the simple teachings of the Master and his example. His political allegiance has always heen given to the republican party and he has never wavered in his loyalty to its candidates and principles. In 1885 he was elected a mem- ber of the house of representatives of the state legislature and was a member of that body again when Frank Pettigrew and G. C. Moody were elected to the United States senate. He was an active worker in behalf of Judge Edgerton in that memorable fight and did all he could to secure his election. Mr. Greeley was a member of the state senate during Andrew Lee's first term as governor of the state and was one of the five and the only republican to count the state funds over from Phillips, the retiring treasurer, to the new treasurer. Mr. Greeley was appointed regent of the State University by Governor Lee and was reap- pointed by Governor Elrod, serving in that capacity for seven years. He is a careful student of the trend of events and conditions and is a vigorous and independent thinker. He was opposed to the division of the territory and has always been opposed to dividing counties, since such action means only the doubling of the expense of the administration of government. Legislatures, he thinks, should meet not oftener than once in five years and thus not only effect a great saving to the people but also avoid encumbering the statute books with so many useless, unimportant and often unwise laws. Coming of Quaker ancestry, he is a stalwart advocate of arbitration as a means of settling all disputes, personal, local and national, believing that only in that manner can anything approaching real justice be secured.

Mr. Greeley is widely known throughout the northwest as an effective worker for agri- cultural advancement and has served as director of farmers' institutes in Minnesota, in North and South Dakota and in Nebraska, and has also earned considerable reputation as a speaker at Chautauqua and similar gatherings. He has likewise been called to various other states and to Canada to address meetings of farmers and has been a potent force in seeuring progress along many lines of agricultural work. His activity in behalf of the farmers of the country and their interests has not been confined to the lecture platform, for he is at present associate editor of the Dakota Farmer, a journal which has over sixty thousand subscribers and of which he was for twelve years editor-in-chief. That publication has gained a high reputation among the farm journals of the country and its snecess is due in no small measure to the energy, wide information and editorial ability of Mr. Greeley. He has also written for other publications. the first articles for which he received pay appearing in the Youth's Com- panion, to which he was a regular contributor for some time. While in the legislature Mr. Greeley secured the location of the first experiment station for drought resisting crops at Highmore, South Dakota. His first act after becoming a regent was to accompany Professor

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Shepperd of the Brookings Agricultural College to Highmore and arrange for the active open- ing of this station. When the hill for a technical school at Aberdeen was vetoed by Governor Lee, he said it was a good thing and at once suggested an industrial normal school in its place, knowing the whole state was in need of such a school and feeling confident so practical a man as Governor Lee would not oppose such a measure. In this he proved to be correct and the hill passed promptly, was quickly and gladly signed by the governor and the great school was at once gotten nnder way. Mr. Greeley was at St. Louis, Missouri, attending a national meeting of institute speakers, on his way to speak before a large gathering of students at Atlanta, Georgia, when a telegram reached him announcing a near date for the opening of the school. He at once cancelled all engagements and returned to speak on that occasion. He still has great faith in the future of this only industrial normal school in the northwest and also in the widely known dry crops station at Highmore.

Speaking of Mr. Greeley's work in connection with the Dakota Farmer, one long acquainted with it writes:

"Mr. Greeley has been connected with the paper in some capacity almost from the begin- ning. I like to write about Mr. Greeley because I know that so many like to hear of him. As farmer, stockman, editor, educator and statesman, he has indelibly impressed himself upon the history of The Dakota Farmer Empire-but it is the man of simple tastes and sympathetic nature, of kindly words and wise advice whom the people love and admire. But I don't need to tell of his work. The Dakota Farmer shows it twenty-four times a year."

FRANK TURNER.

Frank Turner. actively engaged in the general practice of law, with offices at Faulkton, was born at Hennepin, Illinois, October 20, 1859, a son of A. H. and Elizabeth (Nash) Turner. The father was born in Fulton, Maine, in 1810, while the mother's birth occurred at Auburn, New York, in 1820. In early life the former engaged in the business of lumbering, while later he became a stonemason and subsequently gave his attention to farming. He removed westward to Illinois about 1840 and in that state A. H. Turner devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. His wife went to Illinois with her people in pioneer times and on a raft the family floated down the Ohio river, for this was before the era of railroad travel. For more than thirty years Mr. Turner served as school director in one district and he held some local political offices. He was twice married and hy his first union had five children. By his marriage to Elizabeth Nash there were horn six children, of whom Frank Turner is the fourth in order of hirth. The father passed away in 1901, while the mother survived only until 1902.

Frank Turner pursued his education in the public schools of Hennepin, Illinois, and in his youthful days became acquainted with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer. When about eighteen years of age he began operating his father's farm in Illinois and so continued until 1880. He then went to Ottawa, Illinois, where he began reading law with the firm of Blanchard & Blanchard, who directed his studies for two and a half years. He arrived in Faulkton, South Dakota, in March, 1883, and in that part of the state secured a claim, after which he did not engage in law practice to any extent until he accepted the office of district attorney. Since then he has followed his profession continuously and is now successfully engaged in general practice, a liberal clientage heing accorded him. In the conduct of his cases he displays ability and resourcefulness and is regarded as an able lawyer. He is also a landowner, his aggregate holdings embracing twenty-five hundred acres of farm land, a part of which he still operates, devoting his attention to the raising of grain.

On the 22d of January, 1890, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Clara Slattery, who was born in Oconto, Wisconsin, a daughter of John and Cathryn (Sweeney) Slattery, the former a native of Nova Scotia and the latter of Ireland. The father was a lumher cruiser and did expert work in that line, engaging in that business in Wisconsin for many years. He still resides in Oconto but his wife passed away there about 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have become the parents of five children, Josephine, Florence, Hamlin O., Clara E., and Frank B. All have attended school in Faulkton and the eldest daughter is now a teacher.

Mr. Turner is a prominent Mason, helonging to the lodge and chapter at Faulkton and

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to the commandery at Redfield. He is a past master of the lodge and past high priest of the chapter and is an exemplary representative of the craft. He belongs also to the Odd Fel- lows lodge at Faulkton, of which he is a past nohle grand; the Knights of Pythias, in which he has been chancellor commander; the Modern Woodmen camp; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also bolds membership in the Congregational church. His political belief is in accord with the principles of the republican party and he was called to the office of district attorney in territorial days. In 1890 he was elected states attorney, which posi- tion he filled for two terms in Faulk county. For four years he occupied the mayor's chair in Faulkton and was also alderman for several years, and in 1905 hecame a member of the state legislature, so that he has been prominently connected with local and state interests. He likewise served on the board of education for eight years and in all these connections he has proven loyal to the trust reposed in him and capable in the discharge of his duties. His record as a public official and a private citizen is above reproach and a feeling of warm regard is entertained for bim by all who know him.

HENRY MORRIS.

Henry Morris is a representative agriculturist of Minnehaha county. residing in Sioux Falls township, where he cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Galena, Illinois, on the 24th of June, 1877, his parents being James and Lonisa Morris, both of whom are deceased. He is a brother of C. J. Morris, who acts as United States attorney in South Dakota and a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work.

Henry Morris attended the public schools in early life and subsequently was employed at bridge work by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company for five years. He after- ward assisted in the operation of the home farm until eighteen years of age and then rented the property in association with his brother. Later he began work in the lead mines of northwestern Illinois and was thus employed until 1910, when he came to South Dakota, locating in Sioux Falls township, Minnehaha county. He rented a quarter section of land and has since cultivated the same with excellent results, annually gathering rich harvests which find a ready sale on the market. He owns and uses four horses.

On the 10th of November, 1906, Mr. Morris was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Turner, a daughter of Joseph and Jennie Turner, of Illinois. They have two children, Glenn and Ruth. In his political views Mr. Morris is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is interested in all that pertains to general progress and cooperates in many movements for the good of the community, being at all times a public- spirited and progressive citizen.

JUDGE GEORGE J. JARVIS.

Judge George J. Jarvis, who since the 1st of January, 1897, has occupied the hench of the county court of Faulk county and makes his home in Faulkton, is numbered among the pioneer settlers of his section of the state and has not only been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred but also an active participant in those movements which have led to the material, intellectual, political, social and moral progress of the community. His rulings on the bench are fair and impartial and he is an honored representative of that profession which has ever been regarded as the conservator of property, life and liberty. In another capacity he was active in defending the interests of liberty, for he served through- out the entire period of the Civil war, wearing the nation's blue uniform.

Judge Jarvis was born at Columbus, Ohio, March 26, 1843, a son of George and Sarah (Broeklehurst) Jarvis, who were natives of England, the former born in Staffordshire and the latter in Sheffield. His paternal ancestors lived in Staffordshire, famous for its pot- teries. They were in limited financial circumstances and it was this that induced them to

JUDGE GEORGE J. JARVIS

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try their fortune in the new world. Here the paternal grandfather, William B. Jarvis, prospered and eventually established his home in Ohio. The maternal grandfather, Jolin Brocklehurst, was a manufacturer of silk thread at Sheffield, England. Trouble with employes, who resented the introduction of improved machinery to do the work that had form- erly been done by hand, led to the destruction of the mill and machinery by the employes and it was then Mr. Brocklehurst sought a home in the United States, "to enjoy the blessings of religious and personal liberty," as he said. He lived to he more than ninety years of age and never regretted his determination to seek a home on this side the Atlantic.

George Jarvis, Sr., came to America with the family when about seventeen years old. He was a natural mechanic and devoted much attention to the builder's trade, becoming an extensive and expert contractor. For some time he resided in Columbus, Ohio, where he engaged in the contracting business, and in 1849 he removed to Wisconsin, this being before the building of railroads into Chicago. He settled at Barahoo, Wisconsin, hut afterward returned to Ohio. Still later he hecame a resident of Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1883 removed to South Dakota, settling in the vicinity of Faulkton, although the county was not organized at that time. In 1886 he went to Iowa and thence to the state of Washing- ton, where he died at the advanced age of ninety-four years and six months. He held vari- ons local offices in the different localities in which he lived and in politics was a strong pro- hibitionist. His wife passed away in Redfield, South Dakota, when sixty-eight years old.

Judge Jarvis is the eldest of their six children. He vividly relates many interesting incidents and occurrences of the early days. The family lived in Wisconsin in pioneer times, when land could be purchased from the government at a dollar and a quarter per acre. They were there during the financial panic of 1857, when money was issued by banks and there was such fluctuation in it that daily there were bulletins issued, giving values. The money was known hy such names as wild cat, red dog, red back and state bank bills. Living upon the frontier, Judge Jarvis had no opportunity to attend school. His youth was a period of earnest and unremitting labor. He recalls driving twelve and one-half miles to a town where he sold a cord of hard wood for two dollars and a quarter and then running the horses through the streets for the purpose of getting to the bank so as to make a deposit before the bank should close. All was not hard work, however, for he tells that during the winter of 1860-1 he expended fifteen dollars, which he had earned by entting and selling cord wood, in Madison, in attendance at a hall given by the Dane county cavalry.

Following the outbreak of the Civil war Judge Jarvis made several attempts to enlist and on the 1st of October, 1861, entered the United States service and became a member of the Third Battery of Wisconsin Light Artillery, with which he served for three years, two months and twenty-two days. He was never wounded nor confined in the hospital, although often in the thickest of the fight. All of the experiences and hardships of army life in camp and field are familiar to him. After spending some time in camp, the order came on the 20th of January, 1862, to proceed to Louisville, Kentucky, and on the 23d, marching through deep snow in the face of a raging blizzard, the troops started on their way to the south. The history of his army life is the record of the experiences of the battery to which he belonged. He was always on active duty and participated in many of the most hotly contested engagements of the war. He was in the siege of Corinth and from that time was actively engaged in duty until the close of the war, being numbered among those who fought in many of the most hotly contested engagements which led up to the final victory that crowned the Union arms.

Following the war George Jarvis was associated with his father and brother in the operation of a sawmill in Richland county, Wisconsin, until 1875, when he sold his interest to his brothers, having in the meantime studied law, so that in that year he passed the required examination for the bar. He continued in active practice in Wisconsin until 1883, when he came to South Dakota, establishing his home upon a farm near Faulkton, where he remained until elected county judge in 1896, since which time he has made his home in Faulkton. He still owns the original homestead, however, and it is now a valuable and well improved property. Practically his entire attention, however, is devoted to the practice of law, his efforts heing now concentrated upon the prompt and faithful discharge of his duties on the bench.

On the 3d of July, 1865, Judge Jarvis was married to Miss Diantha M. Nichols, a native of Richland county, Ohio, and to them were born six children: Nellie, the wife of W. R.

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Hathaway, a druggist of Minneapolis; George L., who is connected with mining interests at Globe, Arizona; Harry J., living at Winnemucca, Nevada, where he is engaged in clerical work; Frank A., deceased; Fred W., who is conducting a barber shop and pool and billiard room at Faulkton; and S. Belle, at home. The younger daughter taught school in Faulk county for thirteen years and also held the office of deputy county auditor for two terms. The other daughter, Nellie, was deputy county register of deeds for two terms. Judge and Mrs. Jarvis celebrated their golden wedding July 3, 1915.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 86

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