History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 91

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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GEORGE RANDOLPH DOUTHIT.

George Randolph Douthit, general agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Society at Sioux Falls, has spent the greater part of his life in South Dakota and for several years was actively connected with commercial interests before entering upon his present relations. He is a western man by birth, training and preference and possesses the spirit of enterprise and progress characteristic of this section of the country. He was born at Ponca. Nebraska. December 12, 1874, a son of Thomas Jefferson and Emma (Webster) Douthit, who on removing to South Dakota in 1878 settled at Lodi, in Clay county. The father was a native of Kentucky and served for three years as a soldier in the Civil war. . being a private in the Thirteenth Regiment lowa Infantry. He participated in a number of hotly contested engagements and went with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. His father was H. B. Douthit, a native of Virginia.

After the removal of the family to South Dakota, George R. Donthit pursued his education in the schools of South Dakota until the year 1892 at which time he entered his father's store at Wakonda, Clay county, where he remained until the year 1894 when the family moved to Volin, Yankton county, at which place he spent two years in

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a general merchandise store which his father purchased. He next went to Mitchell, South Dakota, and entered the employ of Jewett Brothers & Jewett, wholesale grocers of Sioux Falls, in the capacity of traveling salesman, continuing on the road for ten years during which time he built up a very large business for the house he represented. On the expiration of that decade promotion came to him in his appointment to the position of general agent of the Equitable Life Assurance Society with which company he has since been connected. He displays excellent ability and keen insight in the control of the interests which come under his direction and is regarded as one of the leading insurance men of the state.

Mr. Douthit has been for two years president of the South Dakota Life Underwriters Association which has in charge the interests of the different life companies and in this work has rendered a large service to hoth the companies and the policyholders of this state. He has been particularly active in securing legislation protecting the interests of South Dakota policyholders.

On the 29th of March, 1894, at Sioux Falls, Mr. Douthit was united in marriage to Miss Fannie B. Kincel, a daughter of Fred B. Kincel, and to them have been horn three children, F. Lloyd, Geo. R., Jr., and Donald.

The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Douthit belongs also to the Country and Dacotah Clubs. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. Mr. Douthit has actively participated in the councils of the republican party for many years; was chairman of the state Taft republican committee in 1912; district chairman of the Burke-Anderson republican committee in 1914; has been secretary and chairman of the Minnehaha county republican committee and is a man whose judgment is much sought in political matters. He is interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare and as a business man and citizen has gained for himself a creditable position, while in social circles he has won a legion of friends.

GEORGE L. ALMOND.

George L. Almond, well known as a dealer of farm implements at Clear Lake and a prom- inent and influential citizen tliere, having served as mayor from 1910 until 1914, was born in Argyle. Scotland, May 9, 1848. a son of John and Anna Almond, who were likewise natives of the land of hills and heather. The father was a railway master mechanic and when our subject was a small child the family moved to England, where the father passed away. The mother came to the United States in 1868, settling in Wisconsin, where her remaining days were passed.

George L. Almond accompanied his mother to the new world, but remained for a year in Newark, New Jersey, where he was engineer in the city waterworks. In 1869 he removed to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he learned the trade of shoemaking and followed it until 1878, when he came to South Dakota, settling at Gary, Deuel county, where he home- steaded a claim on section 28, township 116, range 48. For five years he cultivated the place and he still owns that property, but on the expiration of that period he turned his attention to harness making in Gary, in which business he engaged until 1890. when he was appointed clerk of the courts of Deuel county. That he made a most excellent record in that position is indicated in the fact that he filled the office by election, when the law was changed, through eighteen years and retired from the office as he had entered it-with . the confidence and goodwill of all concerned. He then turned his attention to his present business, forming a partnership with Henry Hagene. He has since dealt in farm imple- ments and his trade extends over a wide territory. Moreover, with the settlement of the county his business has increased year by year and his patronage is now of gratifying pro- portions.

On the 20th of August, 1873, Mr. Almond was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna J. Hagene of Prairie du Chien and they became the parents of two children hut have lost both. The son, Fred C., was a graduate of the college at Brookings, South Dakota, and of the

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University of Wisconsin and at the time of his death, which occurred when he was twenty- eight years of age, was filling the position of engineer with the North Dakota Independent Telephone Company. The daughter, Edith Elizabeth, died at the age of three years.

In his political views Mr. Almond has always been a stalwart republican since becoming a naturalized citizen and has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For one term he served as a member of the city council at Clear Lake and in 1910 was elected mayor, in which office he made such a creditable record during the first term that he was reelected for a second term of two years. His administration was businesslike and progressive and resulted in the introduction of various needed reforms and improve. ments. Mr. Almond belongs to the Odd Fellows society and hoth he and his wife hold mem- bership with the Congregational church. His life has been well spent and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the oppor- tunities which he sought and in their improvement has worked his way steadily upward until he is now at the head of a substantial business, while the methods which he has fol- lowed in all of his business connections and in public life have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.

DAVID HAGMANN.

David Hagmann is the owner of a farm of three hundred and thirteen acres in Three Rivers township, Spink county, and the result of his continuous care and cultivation is seen in the excellent appearance of the farm, which constitutes one of the attractive features of the landscape. Mr. Hagmann was but four years of age when he was brought to South Dakota by his parents, John J. and Eva B. (Wichner) Hagmann, from Arens, Wisconsin, where he was born July 30, 1878. The father came to this state in 1879 and located on the homestead now owned by his son David.

Reared on the home farm where his parents settled, David Hagmann completed his education as a student in the Redfield high school, which he left at the age of nineteen years. During that time he had largely aided his mother and later he continued upon the home farm, purchasing the interests of the other heirs in the property in 1909. In the same year he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of school land and is now the owner of a valuable place of three hundred and thirteen acres in Three Rivers township, not far from Redfield. He keeps on hand pure bred stock, is engaged in the cultivation of various crops and in the care, management and cultivation of the farm has laid the foundation for his present enviable success. He is also interested in the Redfield Farmers Elevator.

On the 29th of May, 1909, Mr. Hagmann was married to Miss Harriette Mickel, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Joseph R. and Emily (Hunsinger) Mickel. Her father was a glass blower hy trade and continued to follow that occupation for the remarkable period of twenty-nine years but is now engaged in farming in Indiana. He comes of German ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Hagmann have two sons, Kenneth and Claire.

In politics Mr. Hagmann is a stalwart republican and for the past five years has filled the office of supervisor. He could not be said to be a politician, however, in the usually accepted sense of desiring office as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows. Almost his entire life has been passed in Spink county and for a third of a century he has been an interested witness of its development and npbuilding, cooperating in many movements that have had direct benefit in advancing the public welfare.

F. H. JOHNSON.

F. H. Johnson, president of the Scandinavian-American National Bank at Sioux Falls, has been a resident of South Dakota since 1884 and in the interim has lived at Edgerton, Armour and Geddes. From the last named town he removed to Sioux Falls in 1913 and has become well established in its business circles as a progressive financier. He was born in Osceola, Iowa, March 13, 1867, and comes of a family of Scotch-Irish descent, which, how-

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ever, has been represented in America through several generations. His father was a native of Indiana but afterward took up his residence in lowa.

In the public schools of his native city F. H. Johnson pursued his edueation, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school at the age of seventeen. The same year he entered the workaday world, removing to Edgerton, South Dakota, and later he went to Armour, where he engaged in the banking and real-estate business. He afterward established his home at Geddes, where he continued in the same lines, and in 1913 he located in Sioux Falls, where he now figures prominently in business circles as president of the Scandinavian-American National Bank. Throughout his entire business career he has been watchful of opportunities, is ever alert and wide-awake, and in utilizing the advantages which have come to him has steadily advanced toward the goal of success.

In 1886 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Candus Folger and to them have been born the following children: Mrs. Ruby Tucker, of Sioux Falls, who, has two children, Candus and Hoyt, the former now in school; D. B .; Mrs. Margaret J. Berry, who is a worker for juvenile interests in the state of South Dakota: and Ted H., who is connected with the Scandinavian-American National Bank of Sioux Falls.

Mr. Johnson is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity and his family are members of the First Congregational church. While he has been a resident of Sioux Falls for only a comparatively brief period he has long lived in the state and has contributed to the advancement, material prosperity and upbuilding of the various localities in which he has made his home, so that at all times he has been numbered among the citizens of worth.

His elder son, D. B. Johnson, the cashier of the Scandinavian-American National Bank, was born in Armour, South Dakota, June 8, 1890, and pursued his education in the public schools of Sioux City, Iowa and Geddes, South Dakota, and in the Ward Academy of Academy, South Dakota. In 1906 he entered the bank at Geddes with which he was connected until 1913, when he removed with his father to Sioux Falls and now figures in the financial circles of that city. The excellent record made by his father is being emulated by him and laudable ambition prompts his steady advance in the business world.

On the 20th of October, 1909, D. B. Johnson was married to Miss Emma Tronvold, by whom he has one child, Marit Aileen, now about a year old. The wife is a member of the Lutheran church. The name of Johnson has become a synonym for progressiveness and enterprise in the southern part of the state and the record of the father and son is a most substantial and creditable one.

EPHRAIM WESTBURG.

Ephraim Westburg, a farmer and stockman residing on section 7, Garfield township, Clay county, was born npon that farm in 1870. His parents, Olaf W. and Anna Westburg, were born, reared and married in Sweden and came to America in 1868. They first settled in Moline, Illinois, but a year later removed to Sioux City, lowa. The father was for a time employed on a steamboat on the Missouri river, but in 1869 he took up a homestead in Clay county, Dakota, and made settlement upon the same in 1870. He operated his farm until his retirement and brought it to a high state of cultivation. His demise occurred on the homestead in 1905 and his wife died in 1900. He divided his land between his two sons, John E., of El Campo, Texas, and Ephraim, of this review. A third son died in infancy and Vesta died at Moline, Illinois.

Ephraim Westburg received his education in his native county and after leaving school worked for three years in the employ of others at the cabinetmaker's trade and at carpenter- ing. During the same time he was employed in a furniture store and also attended night school. When he had attained his majority he came into possession of forty acres of the homestead and some time later began farming for himself. He at length purchased his brother's interest in the farm and thus became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he has operated ever since. He has made a number of improvements upon his place, which is now one of the valuable properties of the county and which is in a high state of cultivation. He also owns forty acres in Pleasant Valley township, which he also

EPHRAIM WESTBURG

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farms. He is a stockholder in the A. B. & E. Telephone Company and is a well-to-do resi- dent of his locality.

On the 24th of December, 1904, Mr. Westburg was married to Miss Emma Johnson, who was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, a daughter of Swen and Bertha Johnson, both natives of Sweden. They emigrated to the United States when young people and were married in Ottumwa. Mr. Johnson was engaged in railroad work until his removal to South Dakota in 1881, when he bought land, to the cultivation of which he has devoted his time ever since. His wife died in 1890. Seven of their ten children survive, as follows: Mrs. I. J. Lohre, of Clay county ; Alfred, of Clay county; Mrs. Westburg; Carl E., of Clay county; Oscar and Albert, also residing in that county; and Mabel, at home. Mrs. Westburg received her education in the Clay county public schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of a son, Orvin S., who was born in 1907.

Mr. Westburg is a republican and has served acceptably as justice of the peace. Ile and his family belong to the Lutheran church and can always be counted upon to advance the moral welfare of their community.

BURT BURTON.

Burt Burton is proprietor of the Majestic Moving Picture and Play House at Sturgis, where he is also engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. He likewise has important ranching interests and in the conduct of his business affairs displays unremitting industry. His plans are well formulated and be never stops short of success. He was born ten miles north of Rapid City, South Dakota, in that part of Meade county which was then within the boundaries of Lawrence county, his natal day being August 7, 1885. His parents were Joseph W. and Mary (Stephens) Burton, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Chicago. The father was engaged in mining until 1881, having come to the Black Hills country in 1875. He went to Pike's Peak during the rush following the discovery of gold there, but returned to the Black Hills on the first stage that made the trip in 1876. He settled at Dead- wood and operated there and in that vicinity, engaging in mining until 1881, when he took up his abode upon the farm ten miles north of Rapid City upon which his son Burt was born. There the father engaged in tilling the soil and in raising live stock until the spring of 1894, when he removed on to the Belle Fourche river, where he is still engaged in the stock busi- ness. He has one of the best equipped and improved ranches in his part of the state and devotes his entire time to raising horses and cattle, in which business he is meeting with a well merited measure of success,

Burt Burton is the eldest in a family of three children. He attended the rural schools of Meade county and afterward completed his education in the School of Mines at Rapid City. When nineteen years of age he was employed as a range rider and practically followed the life of a cowboy until his election to office. In the meantime he homesteaded in Meade county and is now the owner of four hundred acres of rich meadow lands, upon which he has a number of head of horses which he grazes. He sells the hay from the balance of the ranch. In July, 1913, he became half owner of the Majestic Moving Picture and Play House of Sturgis and a year later became sole owner. He now conducts the moving picture show, which is liberally patronized, for he brings to the public the finest films put out by standard companies and thus provides a high-class entertainment. He is also engaged in the real- estate and insurance business and he deals in automobiles, representing the Overland cars.

On the 25th of November, 1912, Mr. Burton was married to Mrs. Agnes Smith, a native of Sturgis and in fact the first white child born in that city. Her parents, Max and Anna (Lang) Hoehn, were both natives of Germany and became early settlers of South Dakota. Her father acted as a clerk in Custer's commissary department but because of illness was not present when Custer made his last stand, being unable to accompany the expedition, else he would have met the fate of all the others-death at the hands of the savages. He was a pioneer resident of Sturgis and taught the first school there. After the organization of Meade county he held various county offices and engaged in the abstract, real-estate, loan and insurance business, there continuing until his death, which occurred in January. 1911, having held office during the greater part of the time for twenty-five years. His was a most creditable

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record, characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty, and he enjoyed the highest respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. His widow survives and yet makes her home in Sturgis.

Mrs. Burton is the eldest of four children and has always lived in Sturgis, where she has a wide acquaintance and many friends. Mr. Burton is well known in Masonic circles in his town and is also a member of the Elks lodge at Rapid City. He votes with the republican party and has served as auditor of Meade county for four years. He likewise filled the office of deputy assessor for two years, of deputy clerk for fifteen years and of depnty auditor a short time before elected to the higher position. He maintains an unsullied reputation as a business man and as a citizen, and warm esteem is entertained for him by all who know him throughout his section of the state, in which his entire life has been passed.

WILLIAM HENRY ROUSE, M. D.

Dr. William Henry Rouse, who spent his last days in Sioux Falls, where he passed away August 25, 1893, was one of the pioneer physicians of Dakota territory. In fact, much of his life was spent on the frontier and his efforts contributed to the upbuilding of the various districts in which he lived. He was born on his father's farm at Saline, Michigan, May 7, 1828, and there passed his boyhood as one of a family of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to adult years. Having decided upon medical practice as a life work, he was graduated from the State Medical College at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and began professional activity at an early age.

On the 5th of May, 1853, Dr. Rouse was united in marriage to Miss. Emily Adaline Com- stock, of Saline, Michigan, and soon afterward they removed to Minnesota, settling in the young city of Minneapolis. Dr. Rouse entered upon the active practice of his profession there and identified himself with the early history of the city and state. When the Civil war broke out he responded to the country's call for volunteers and went to the front with the Eighth Minnesota Infantry Regiment, serving as assistant surgeon until the close of the war. When hostilities ceased he was stationed at Fort Ripley, Minnesota, as govern- ment physician and surgeon and at various times served the government as agency physician at Sisseton, South Dakota, and in the Indian territory with the Nez Perces agency.

When his military duty was over Dr. Rouse rejoined his family. Five children were born to him and bis wife, as follows: Jennie E., who is the wife of A. F. Clark, of Saline, Michigan; Maude W., who is the widow of Frank L. Boyce and resides in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; William G., a resident of Three Forks, Montana; Eddie A., who died in infancy; and Ellen Alma, deceased.

About 1878 Dr. Rouse removed with his family to Lennox, Dakota territory, taking a homestead and a tree claim near the town. He there resided for some years, proved up his claim and developed the farm. Eventually, however, he sold the land and established his home in Sioux Falls, where he resided to the time of his death, which occurred August 25, 1893. His professional service and his participation in public work along other lines con- tributing to the upbuilding and development of the state made him a valued citizen and all who came in contact with him entertained for him high regard because of his sterling worth.

THOMAS J. DALTON.

Thomas J. Dalton, president of the Sully County State Bank, gives the greater part of his time to its management, but is also interested in a large stock ranch, which he and his brother own jointly and which they devote chiefly to the breeding of thoroughbred Hereford cattle. His birth occurred in Mauston, Wisconsin, on the 25th of March, 1885, and he is a son of John W. and Mary E. (Comer) Dalton, born respectively in New York state and in Wisconsin. The father went to Wisconsin when about fifteen years of age and there grew to manhood. He followed the occupation of farming and became a landowner in that state,

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where he was killed in a cyclone on the 7th of June, 1908. In 1911 his widow came to South Dakota and is now living with a daughter at Hecla. He was quite prominent in local public affairs, serving for about twenty years on the board of county commissioners and also being a member of the board of education for some time.

Thomas J. Dalton, who is the fifth in order of birth in a family of ten children, was graduated from the high school at Mauston, Wisconsin, in 1904. When twenty years old . he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for a year. He thus earned money which enabled him to attend the State University of Wisconsin at Madison for one year and during that time he took quite a prominent part in athletics, being a member of the freshman football squad. Upon leaving school he became assistant cashier in the State Bank at Mauston and two years later was made cashier of that institution, his attention to his work and his ability winning him rapid promotion.

In 1910 Mr. Dalton disposed of his holdings in the Badger state and came to South Dakota, locating at Onida. In connection with his brother he established the Sully County State Bank and became the cashier of that institution. In 1913 he was made president, a position which he still holds. His experience in banking has made him thoroughly familiar with all details of routine work and he also understands the larger aspects of banking. The continued growth of the business of the institution and the high place which it occupies in the confidence of the people of Sully county is due in no small measure to his wise manage- ment and to the careful attention which he gives to all phases of the work. His brother Charles is cashier and R. J. Dougherty is vice president. In connection with his brother Charles, our subject operates a ranch near Onida and they have gained an enviable reputa- tion as breeders of full blooded Hereford cattle. At the present time they have from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five head of pure bred animals. Charles A. Dalton practically has charge of the ranch, as our subject finds his time taken up with his duties as president of the bank.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 91

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