History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 96

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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Rev. Edgar is a prohibitionist and his advice is much sought in the councils of that party, which at one time made him its candidate for governor. He has heen instrumental in furthering all good movements, hoth those directly connected with the church and those inaugurated by other organizations, feeling that all who desire the triumph of righteousness should unite in their efforts to bring about a better and higher condition of affairs. To his own people he is a trusted connselor and spiritual adviser, and he holds the sincere respect of all with whom he has come in contact whether of his denomination or of any church affiliation.

PAUL JULSON.

Panl Julson, who is successfully engaged in farming in Palisade township, Minnehaha county, is one of the pioneers of the locality, as he arrived here in 1874, a decade and a half before the admission of the state into the Union. He has retained his faith in South Dakota, even when the days were dark and unpromising. such as the times when the grass- hoppers destroyed the crops and when prolonged droughts made the harvests scant. His faith has been justified and he is now in possession of a competence.

His birth occurred October 6, 1853, and his parents were Jul and Tulre Paulverson. The family came to the United States in 1872 and first settled in Wisconsin, where they resided for ahout three years, after which they removed to South Dakota, homesteading land on section 3, Red Rock township, Minnehaha county. Both parents have passed away, the mother's demise occurring in 1872 and the father's in 1880.

Paul Julson was educated in Norway and accompanied his parents on their removal to the new world. He has continued to reside in Minnehaha county since first going there and is the owner of a valuable farm on section 34, Palisade township, which he homesteaded in the early days. He remembers the time when it was necessary to haul grain to Worthing- ton, Minnesota, as that was the nearest market. The trip was made with an ox team and it took a week to go there and back. He has improved his place and has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, thus doing his share in transforming the wilderness into

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fertile fields. He is meeting with success in his agricultural operations and is ranked as one of the progressive farmers of the locality.

Mr. Julson was married in 1881 to Miss Martha S. Thompson, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Thompson, pioneers of South Dakota, who are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Julson were born the following children: Tilda Juliana. now Mrs. B. Sterud; Thomas Mar- tin, deceased; Helma Rebecca, who married Otto Sorenson; George, deceased; and Thomas Martin and Jule, both at home.

The family are Lutherans in their religious affiliation and conform their lives to the teachings of the church. Mr. Julson is a republican in his political allegiance and is intel- ligently interested in all affairs of public moment. He has been a member of the district school board and has always promoted to the extent of his ability the welfare of the public schools. He has manifested all those sterling traits of character which are associated with the sturdy sons of Norway, and his integrity and sincerity have won for him the esteem and respect of his fellowmen.

HARRY L. DODGE.

Harry L. Dodge, well known as senior partner in the firm of Dodge & Crocker, proprietors of the Carpenter Hotel in Sioux Falls, was born in Merrillan, Wisconsin, July 14, 1887. He is a son of Dudley and Emma (Blenco) Dodge, the former of whom was born at Unity, Maine, in 1853, and died at Merrillan, Wisconsin, in 1907. He was a stock-raiser by occupa- tion and prominently and widely known in public affairs, serving for three terms as sheriff of Jackson county and for two terms as mayor of Merrillan. His wife was a native of Lan- castershire, England.

Harry L. Dodge acquired his education in the public schools of Merrillan, Wisconsin, graduating from high school in 1905. Since that time he has been engaged in business and he is now senior partner in the firm of Dodge & Crocker, proprietors of the Carpenter Hotel in Sioux Falls. This is a fine modern hostelry, well equipped in every particular and managed in a progressive and intelligent way. It is popular with the traveling public and the owners are well known in hotel circles.

Mr. Dodge is a member of the Episcopal church and belongs to the blue lodge Masons, the Elks, the Northwestern Hotel Men's Association and the Greeters of America. In all rela- tions of life his has been a creditable record and he has a wide and growing circle of friends.

LOREN A. FRANKFORTER.

Loren A. Frankforter, postmaster of Hill City, South Dakota, is interested in a number of valuable mining properties and is well known in his locality. He was born in Tobias, Saline county, Nebraska, on the 15th of April, 1880, the fifth in a family of nine children whose parents were David and Mattie (Bowers) Frankforter. Both parents were natives of Henry county, Ohio, the birth of the father occurring in 1840 and that of the mother some years later. In his young manhood David Frankforter assisted his father in sawmilling and in the lumber business but at the beginning of the war enlisted in the Union army for ninety days. Later he reenlisted and was at the front throughout the entire conflict as a member of the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Although he was wounded two or three times he was never confined in a hospital and was on the firing line whenever his company was engaged. When peace was restored he went to Saline county, Nebraska, and there home- steaded land. upon which he resided until about 1910. He then retired to Tobias and is still making his home there. He is highly thought of in his community and has at all times proved a good citizen. He has survived his wife for many years, her demise occurring in 1892.

Loren A. Frankforter received a high-school education in Tobias. Nebraska, but at the age of sixteen years began working for others as a farm hand. After spending about three years in that manner he came to South Dakota, locating at Redfern, in the Black Hills. He was employed upon a stock ranch for about six months and then went to the

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northern part of the Hills, where he found work in Carbonate camp, twelve miles west of Deadwood. After two years' service there he became connected with the Montezuma mines, between Deadwood and Central, and was there for about eight months. At the expiration of that period he worked in the mines near Pactola for six months and then returned to Redfern and entered the employ of a company which was getting out timber. After three or four mouths he was married and returned to mining but only for a short time and then moved to Custer, where he found work in the paint mills. He remained in that connection for about two years and then located in Hill City, entering the employ of C. E. MeEachron, the owner of a general store. Mr. Frankforter clerked for about five years and then returned to mining hut four months later received his appointment as postmaster of Hill City. He has since been the incumbent of that office and the work that devolves upon him is systematically and correctly done. He retains his interest in a number of mining pros- pects in the southern Hills and is recognized as a well-to-do resident of Hill City.

On the 30th of September, 1903, Mr. Frankforter married Miss Nettie Tinsley, who was born near Sidney, Nebraska, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tinsley, both born in Illinois. The father, who was by occupation a farmer, continued to follow agricultural pursuits after removing from his native state to Nebraska. For a number of years past he has resided in Custer county, this state, and is now engaged in stock ranching. To him and his wife have been horn eleven children, of whom Mrs. Frankforter is the fourth in order of birth. By her marriage she has three children: Gerald, born March 15, 1907; Torrence, born February 15, 1911; and Cland, whose birth occurred on the 7th of April, 1913.

Mr. Frankforter is a member of the Masonic blue lodge, of which he has served as master for two years and he is the present secretary of that organization. He is loyal to the underlying principle of Masonry, that of human brotherhood, and is always willing to promote in any way the interests of the order. He is a republican and since August 15, 1911, has capably and acceptably served as postmaster of Hill City. He has resided in the Black Hills for many years and not only thoroughly understands conditions there but is in harmony with the spirit of enterprise and progress that characterizes the section and is willing to cooperate in movements for the advancement of the district.

ELNATHAN B. ADAMS.

Elnathan B. Adams, who is successfully engaged in the practice of law at Hot Springs, South Dakota, was born at Westhaven, Vermont, May 21, 1881, the youngest child and only son in a family of five children born to Benajalı P. and Emma S. (Benjamin) Adams, who were natives of Westhaven, Vermont, and Washington county, New York, respectively. The father's birth occurred on the 16th of June, 1845, and the mother's on the 15th of June of that year. Benajah P. Adams devoted his entire life to farming and in 1886 removed with his family to Campbell county, South Dakota, where he engaged in the cultivation of the soil and the stock business. He was also a carpenter but did not devote much time to that trade. In 1887 a removal was made to Walworth county, this state, where Mr. Adams engaged extensively in dealing in stock. He is still living and is in business in that county, making his home at Java. He has served as justice of the peace but has never aspired to other offices. His wife passed away in 1910.

Elnathan B. Adams entered the country schools of Walworth county, South Dakota, when ten years of age and gained his elementary education there. His professional work was done at Drake University of Des Moines, Iowa, which institution conferred upon hint the degree of LL. B. in 1906. When but twelve years of age he did a man's work on his father's ranch and when seventeen years old began teaching school, being so employed during the winters until he was twenty-two years of age. He then entered Highland Park College of Des Moines and there prepared for his college work, which he took in Drake University, as previously stated. By intense study he was able to finish a four years' high-school course and a three years' law course in two years and one month. In July after his graduation he took the state bar examination at Pierre, South Dakota, and in the following September began practice at Java, where he practiced until September 1, 1912. On that date he removed to Hot Springs and entered into partnership with Elmer R. Juckett for the general practice

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of law. That relationship bas since been maintained with mutual pleasure and profit and the firm is represented as counsel in most of the important litigation tried in the courts of that section of the state. Mr. Adams possesses a logical mind which has been trained to the greatest efficiency and his arguments are convincing, as they are based on exaet reasoning. He devotes his entire time to his legal business and is respected by both the general public and his colleagues in the profession.

On the 25th of June, 1907, at Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Lillian G. Hall, who was born at Nevada, Missouri, and is a daughter of D. Coleman and Almira (Hainline) Hall, both natives of Tazewell county, Illinois. Her father made teaching his life work and was for a number of years instructor in the Reform School at Pontiae, Illinois. In his early life he also did some carpentering and likewise engaged in farming. He was killed at Des Moines in an automobile accident on the 21st of June, 1906. His widow sur- vives and resides with our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born two children: E. Hall, whose birth occurred July 22, 1909; and Janice A., horn June 2, 1912.

Mr. Adams is a republican and in 1910 was elected states attorney of Walworth county, this state, and served for two years, resigning in order to remove to Hot Springs. While living in that county be was chairman of the republican central committee and at present holds the same position on the Fall River county republican central committee. He is a member of the Christian church and fraternally is identified with the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Elks. He belongs to the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery of the York Rite of Masonry and is high priest of the chapter and eminent commander of the commandery. He is likewise a member of the Eastern Star. He is also quite prominent in the Modern Woodmen, being at present vice consul and having served as a delegate to three national conventions of the order. He fulfills all of the obligations devolving upon him, whether as a lawyer, as a good citizen or as a man, and in the few years that he has resided in Hot Springs has won many warm personal friends and the respect of the community.

ALFORD C. STRATTON, D. D. S.

Dr. Alford C. Stratton, practicing dentistry at Aberdeen, was born in Indiana, on the 23d of May, 1869, and is a son of Albert and Anna (King) Stratton. The parents moved to Beadle county, South Dakota. in 1882 and the father took up government land, engaging in farm- ing for a number of years. He was also extensively interested in the lumber business.

Dr. Alford C. Stratton acquired his early education in the public schools of Beadle county and later entered the Kansas City Dental College, from which he was graduated with the degree of D. D. S. in 1900. He located at Aberdeen and has since engaged in practice there, his large and representative patronage being the best proof of his ability and of his standing in the eyes of the community.

In 1893 Dr. Stratton married Miss Pauline Anderson, of Aberdeen, and they have become the parents of two children. Dr. Stratton is a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in the lodge, chapter, commandery and Shrine, and he is affiliated also with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His career has been inspired by laudable ambition and his industry, enterprise and ability have gained him a position of prominence in professional circles of the city.

JOHN H. PARROTT.

John H. Parrott, serving as postmaster at Pierpont, was born at Kingston. Green Lake county, Wisconsin, June 10, 1861. His parents. Charles and Catherine (Small) Parrott, were natives of England. They were married at Kingston. Wiseonsin, and hoth have passed away, the mother having departed this life in 1911.

John H. Parrott was reared in his native state and in 1878 went to Watertown, where

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he engaged in farming for six years. He afterward removed to Raymond, South Dakota, where he carried on general merchandising until 1888, when he hecame a resident of Pier- pont. There he established a store which he conducted successfully until 1904, when he turned his attention to the real-estate and land business. Along these different lines he has met with prosperity, and although he started out in life empty-handed he has gradually worked his way upward. He also owns farm lands in this state and has a large tract in Montana.

In 1882 Mr. Parrott was united in marriage to Miss Rose E. Holdridge, a native of St. Charles, Minnesota, and a daughter of C. H. Holdridge, who was an early agriculturist of that state. Our subject and his wife have three children, namely: Jesse H., who fol- lows farming in Day county; Mrs. Eva M. Knight, whose husband is a farmer living in Lewistown, Montana; and Norma A., who is the wife of the Rev. Thomas Huxley, a minister of the Baptist church residing in Kansas City, Missouri.

The religious faith of Mr. Parrott is that of the Baptist church, which finds in him a loyal member. He is also well known in fraternal connections, being a Mason, Workman, Maccabee and Woodman. He is also connected with the Degree of Honor. He served as master of his lodge for several terms and for four years was grand overseer of the district for the Workmen. In politics he is a democrat and filled the office of deputy postmaster of Pierpont from 1888 until 1893, in which year he was appointed postmaster, serving until 1897. He then retired from the position but was reappointed to the office by President Wilson in 1914. He has always been active in politics, believing it to be the duty and obliga- tion as well as the privilege of a citizen to exercise his right of franchise in support of the principles in which he believes. He has attractive social qualities rendering him popular with his fellowmen, and through the years of his residence in Dakota the circle of his friends has grown as the circle of his acquaintance has widened.

ROBERT W. BEEBE.

Robert W. Beebe was a highly respected and esteemed merchant and live-stock dealer of Blunt, Hughes county, and managed his business interests well, gaining therefrom financial independence. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 13th of June, 1841, and began his education in the public schools of that state. However, he removed to Wisconsin when but a lad and there continued to attend school. On reaching mature years he turned his attention to merchandising and followed that occupation in Mankato, Minnesota, where he was also interested in the humber business. In 1884 he removed to Blunt. South Dakota, and accepted a position in the Citizens Bank, with which he remained for five or six years. At the end of that time he disposed of his interests in that institution and engaged in merchandising in Blunt, in which he met with gratifying success. He continued his con- nection with mercantile pursuits until his demise, which occurred on the 25th of February. 1906. He also dealt in live stock and had other interests as well. owning considerable property in Blunt, while for a number of years he held title to valuable real estate in Mankato.

Mr. Beehe was twice married. Soon after attaining his majority he was united in mar- riage to Miss Jennie M. Jones, a native of Wales, and they became the parents of two children : William E., who died in Blunt in 1890; and Florence, now Mrs. Harry Mccarthy. of Kewanee, Illinois. The wife and mother died in Mankato, Minnesota. On the 28th of February, 1886, Mr. Beebe was married again, Miss Jeannette Howell becoming his wife. She is a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and is a daughter of Daniel T. and Elizabeth J. (White) Howell, both born in Greensburg, Indiana, the father in 1832 and the mother in 1843. For many years Mr. Howell followed agricultural pursuits hut later turned his attention to brickmaking, which occupation he followed in Fort Dodge, Iowa. In 1883 he eame to South Dakota and entered a claim, which he improved until he was taken sick. His daughter Jeannette then came and finished proving up on the claim. While so doing she was employed in the Citizens Bank, where she met Mr. Beebe. In the winter of 1884 she received a patent to the claim but continued to work in the hank until a few months prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Beebe were born three children. Clifford Allison and Robert Clayton, twins,

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were born September 25, 1891. The former is postmaster of Blunt and the latter is em- ployed in Fresno, California, as a stenographer in the office of the superintendent of the Santa Fe Railroad. Silas Bernard who was born October 14, 1893. is now living in Seattle and is employed in the parcels post department of the postoffice.

Mr. Beebe was a republican and supported all progressive movements in politics. His religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he was identified with the Masonic blue lodge, while through his membership in Dumont Post, G. A. R., he kept in touch with others who served in defense of the Union. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and proved a brave and loyal soldier. He gained high standing in the business circles of Blunt and his admirable personal char- acteristics won for him the sincere friendship of many.

In its issue of March 2, 1906, the Blunt Advocate said: "In the death of Mr. Beebe Blunt loses one of its best known and foremost citizens. He was essentially a thorough, enterprising business man of sterling integrity. Quiet and unassuming in general demeanor, the hours, weeks and years of his active life were largely occupied in the condnet of busi- ness operations so varied and extensive as to overcome many physically better able to withstand the strain than he. He successively and successfully engaged in banking, dealt in lumber, coal, horses, cattle, sheep, wool, general merchandise and machinery, and eon- dueted a hotel, generally operating half a dozen lines of business at once. During these years of activity there were few days when he did not unmurmuringly suffer pain from wounds received during his service with the Fourth Minnesota Volunteers during the Civil war and he carried to the grave, imbedded in his body, a leaden memento of the battlefickl. On the occasions when Mr. Beebe mingled socially with his friends at their homes, or when the doors of his own home were thrown open to friends and neighbors, he was the soul of geniality and hospitality, and it was an easy matter for the serious business man to become the life of the gathering. In a quiet and modest way he was always philanthropie and public-spirited, a well balanced man whose superior judgment and advice were often sought and acted upon to advantage by others-in brief, a man who will be truly missed."

Before the demise of her husband Mrs. Beebe had removed to Brookings with her ehil- dren in order to give them the excellent educational advantages offered in that city and fol- lowing his death she continued to reside there until they had all received a high-school education and also attended business college for a year. She then returned to Blunt and in December, 1909, was appointed postmaster, assuming charge of the office May 16, 1910. She held that position for four years, her services being entirely satisfactory to the resi- dents of the town. She owns considerable land and is also engaged in the stock business. She is a woman of unnsnal executive ability and business acumen, and her investments have been very profitable. She belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and has many friends within and without that organization. All who know her respect and esteem her highly.

ALBERT WILLIAMSON.

Albert Williamson is engaged in the practice of law at Kennebec, Lyman county, and is also identified with mercantile interests there as one of the owners of the Williamson Hardware Company. He was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, October 24, 1873, of the mar- riage of William and Mary (Erland) Williamson, both natives of Norway. The father was born in 1843 and grew to manhood in his native land, where in 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Erland. The same year they emigrated to the United States, settling in Mahaska county, Iowa, where they remained until 1882, when they located in Anrora county, Dakota territory. There the father took up a homestead, which he developed and improved, becoming one of the prosperous landowners and prominent citizens of his county. In 1913 he retired from active life and is now tesiding in Mitchell. The subject of this review is one of a family of seven children and after the death of the mother in 1883 the father was again married and had five children by his second union.

Albert Williamson was about nine years old when the family removed to South Dakota and attended the public schools of Aurora county. Subsequently he entered the South Dakota State College at Brookings, from which he was graduated with the class of 1896,

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and some time afterward he did post-graduate work at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. For a number of years he taught school and from 1901 until 1905 served acceptably as superintendent of schools of Lyman county. In 1898 he turned his attention to newspaper work, purchasing the Gazette-Leader at Oacoma, and later founding the Prairie Sun at Lyman, now the Prairie Sun at Kennebec, and the Cayote, now located at Murdo. Deciding to become a member of the legal profession, he read law in the office of his brother, Judge William Williamson, Jr .. at Oacoma and in 1913 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been in active practice at Kennebec. He has already demon- strated his fitness for his chosen calling and has gained a creditable place among the attorneys of Lyman county. He is also the chief owner and manager of the Williamson Hardware Company of Kennebec and his sound business judgment and his desire to please his customers has resulted in the building up of a large and lucrative patronage. In addi- tion to the interests already mentioned he is a director of the First National Bank of Kennebec.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 96

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