History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 98

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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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA

New Windsor, Illinois, where he followed his profession successfully for three and a half years. On the expiration of that period he pursued a post-graduate course of six months in Chicago and afterward practiced in Bowen, Illinois, until 1910. In that year he located in Humboldt, South Dakota, and has there since remained, having built up an extensive and gratifying practice during the intervening five years. He is a member of the Seventh Dis- trict Medical Society of South Dakota, the Sioux Valley Medical Society, the South Dakota State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Anything that tends to bring to man the key to the complex mystery which we call life is of interest to him, and he conforms his practice at all times to a high standard of professional ethics.

In 1897 Dr. Sherwood was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Kyler, of Kirkwood, Illi- nois, by whom he bas two sons, Kenneth K. and Richard H. In politics he is an independent republican and now serves as a member of the board of trustees of the town of Humboldt. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the following organizations: Bowen Lodge, No. 486, A. F. & A. M., of Bowen, Illinois; Horab Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M., of Rio, Illinois; Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, K. T., of Galesburg, Illinois; and El Riad Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sioux Falls. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, of which he is a trustee and to which bis wife also belongs He holds to high standards and enjoys in large measure the confidence and trust of those with whom he is brought in contact in every relation of life.

ALFRED SWANSON.

Alfred Swanson has been identified with agricultural pursuits in Grant county for the past third of a century and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land on section 35, Big Stone township. His birth occurred in the western part of Sweden on the 30th of May, 1867, his parents being Swan and May Johnson, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father, born in 1818, passed away in 1869. Swan Johnson fol- lowed farming throughout his active business career and met with well merited success in his undertakings. His religious faith was that of the Lutheran church. His family num- bered four children, three daughters and one son, two of whom still reside in Sweden.

Alfred Swanson acquired his education in his native country and there spent the first fifteen years of his life. In 1882 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, making his way direct to Grant county, South Dakota, where he began working as a farm hand. In 1900, having accumulated the necessary capital by dint of untiring industry and careful expenditure, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Big Stone township and five years later bought another traet of similar size, so that he now owns a half section. His undertakings as an agriculturist bave been attended with a most gratifying measure of success and this is attributable entirely to bis own efforts, energy and perseverance.

In his political views Mr. Swanson is a stanch republican and he has served as a mem- ber of the central committee, while at the present time he is acting as assessor and treas- urer of Big Stone township. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He has ever led a busy, active and useful life and at the same time com- mands the respeet and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact, for his life has conformed to the highest principles of manhood.

OTTO A. RUDOLPH.

Otto A. Rudolph is one of the prominent and well known citizens of Canton, South Dakota. He was born in Saxony, Germany, August 3, 1850, a son of Otto B. and Hen- rietta (Schroeder) Rudolph. The family came to the United States in 1853, stopping for a short time in Chicago. After leaving Chicago they settled on a farm in northeastern Iowa. Both parents are now deceased.

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Otto A. Rudolph, one of a family of six children, was educated in the public schools and in Bailey's Business College at Dubuque, Iowa, where he pursued a commercial course. Sub- sequently he became connected with the hardware trade and in 1868 he removed to Sioux City, Iowa. He also conducted a hardware business in Cherokee, Iowa. At length he dis- posed of his interests in that state and made his way northward to Canton, South Dakota, where he owned some land. He arrived in Lincoln county in the fall of 1875. In Canton he purchased a hardware store and conducted the business with growing success for a quarter of a century. This and his land investments constituted the foundation of his wealth. Ile carried a large and well selected line of hardware, met the demands of the public and was accorded a liberal patronage up to the time when he sold out in 1900. Extending the scope of his activities, he also organized the State Mutual Insurance Association and for twelve years remained as its manager. In 1912 he disposed of his interest in the insurance business and is now living retired. However, he has large investments in this county and throughout the state and from his property holdings derives a most substantial annual income. He built the beautiful hostlery at Canton known as the Rudolph Hotel in 1902 and this is but one of his various property holdings.

In 1879 Mr. Rudolph was united in marriage to Miss Anna Miller, a daughter of Wil- liam Miller, and to them have been born three daughters: Lucretia, a graduate of Wellesley and now the wife of C. F. Whitmore; Florence, who was graduated from the Wisconsin University and became the wife of Will Barrett hut is now deceased; and Alice, at home.

The religious faith of Mr. Rudolph and his family is that of the Episcopal church and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. His Masonic connections center in Silver Star Lodge, No. 4, F. & A. M .; Siroc Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M .; and the consistory at Yankton. He is a very active Mason and the handsome new Masonic Temple at Canton is largely the result of his continued efforts. He began interesting his fellow Masons in the project ten years ago and the completed building stands as a monument to his integrity, energy and public spirit. It was erected at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars and was dedi- cated on the 8th of April, 1914. Mr. Rudolph has been a member of the school board and is greatly interested in public progress, his cooperation being an effective force in advancing many plans and projects for the general good. Now that he has retired from active business he devotes considerable time to gardening, a pursuit of which he is very fond. His life record should well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished when determination and energy lead the way. He has constantly been on the alert for opportunities, which he has splendidly improved, and as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well.

MANDIN HENRY HENNE.

Mandin Henry Henne, president of the State Bank of Buffalo Gap, Custer county, South Dakota, is also the owner of a mill in that city and likewise holds title to considerable real estate. He was horn in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d of February, 1862, the fifth in order of birth in the family of six children born to Levi and Sarah (Philips) Henne, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and hoth he and his wife passed away in the Keystone state.

Mandin Henry Henne attended school in his native state and when fifteen years of age started out upon his own account, emigrating westward to Iowa. He was employed for some time as a farm hand, but in 1881 went still farther west, settling at Long Pine, Nebraska, where he was employed in well drilling. Upon turning his attention to other pursuits he became connected with the flour mill there and assisted in building the mill and installing the machinery. He was connected with the mill for five years and learned the business thoroughly, working up until he was placed in charge. In 1886 the owner sold out and Mr. Henne came to South Dakota, arriving at Buffalo Gap on the 16th of March, of that year. He went into the Black Hills immediately and cut timber for the building of a mill. He had the lumber sawed and hauled to Buffalo Gap and in the winter of 1886 began the erection of his mill. In the summer of the following year it was completed and during the twenty-eight years that have since elapsed Mr. Henne has been continuously

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engaged in milling. For a time a Mr. Alexander, now of Joliet, Illinois, was his partner and they also conducted a general store but in 1896 Mr. Henne purchased Mr. Alexander's inter- est and has since been the sole owner of the mill, which is equipped for general milling and feed grinding, and he is accorded a large patronage. In 1906 he was one of the organizers of the State Bank of Buffalo Gap and has served as president of the institution continuously since, proving astute and able in the direction of the policy of the bank. He is likewise president of the W. G. Flat Telephone Company and also owns considerable land in the state and holds title to several residence properties in Buffalo Gap.

Mr. Henne was married in 1896 to Miss Sarah H. Cook, who was born in England but in her childhood accompanied her parents on their emigration to America. The family set- tled in Vermont and there her parents passed to the great beyond. In politics Mr. Henne is a democrat. He is at present clerk of the school board and he takes a keen interest in everything relating to the welfare of the public schools. He is president of the Buffalo Gap Fair Association, which he aided in organizing and with whose development he has been closely connected. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church and fraternally he is a charter member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He has succeeded admirably in his various undertakings and has won the full respect of those who have been associated with him.

FRANK WILBUR PILLSBURY.

Frank Wilbur Pillsbury, who for one term of two years served ably as mayor of Sioux Falls, doing much in that time for the welfare of the municipality, was by profession a lawyer and for twenty-seven years successfully engaged in practice, but for the greater part of the time after removing to Sioux Falls lived practically retired. He was born in Bitterford, Maine, March 2, 1846, a son of Stephen and Susan (Averill) Pillsbury. The father was of English and the mother of Scotch extraction. Frank W. Pillsbury remained in his native state until he was ten years of age and began his education in the public schools there, continuing it in Bureau county, Illinois, to which locality the family removed. When seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Seventy-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry as a private and served throughout the Civil war, making a splendid record. His ability and cour- age were recognized and he was mustered out with the rank of second lieutenant. Although he was never wounded nor taken prisoner his health was greatly impaired. His company saw such hard service that at the close of the war there were only nineteen of the men who originally composed it left.

After returning from the front Mr. Pillsbury studied law in the office of his brother, N. J. Pillsbury, at Pontiac, Illinois, and following his admission to the bar practiced in Fair- bury, Illinois, in partnership with a brother-in-law, D. L. Murdock. In 1871 he removed to Grundy county, lowa, and later took up his residence in Union, Hardin county, that state, where he was actively identified with public affairs, helping to incorporate the town of Union and becoming the first mayor of the municipality, which office he held for six years. Subse- quently he went to Eldora, Iowa, where he practiced his profession successfully for four years, after which he located in Eagle Grove, that state, where he engaged in practice for thirteen years. He gained a high standing professionally and was accorded a large and representative clientage.

On the 29th of July. 1898, Mr. Pillsbury became a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and for eight or nine months engaged in the real-estate business, after which he practically retired from active life. However, he continued to take a great interest in the general welfare, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his ability and public spirit, elected him mayor of Sioux Falls, in which capacity he served in 1906 and 1907. His administration was characterized by progressiveness and efficiency and among other things that were accomplished during that time the street railway was established and also the power plant of the waterworks was put in operation. About 1910 Mr. Pillsbury began failing in health but he had nearly recovered when he fell on a cement step in his cellar, from the effects of which he died one and a half years later on the 23d of May, 1911. His demise was sincerely regretted throughout the city and his many friends still cherish his memory.

FRANK W. PILLSBURY

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Mr. Pillsbury was married in what is now Conrad, Grundy county, Illinois, on the 17th of March, 1872, to Miss Catherine Parke, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Sigler) Parke, both now deceased. On coming west her parents first located in Ogle county, Illinois, but when she was eighteen years of age they removed to Grundy county, that state. In early' life her father followed the shoemaker's trade but later turned his attention to farming. The Parke family was early established in America, the original home being in Maryland. To Mr. and Mrs. Pillsbury was born a daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of F. R. Brady, a traveling man living in Sioux Falls. They have two children: Frank, sixteen years of age; and Florence, eight years old, both of whom are attending school.

Mr. Pillsbury was a Mason and an Odd Fellow and was well known in local fraternal circles. Previous to removing to Sioux Falls he belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic, the Knights of Pythias, and the Modern Woodmen, but did not renew his membership in those organizations after taking up his residence in this state. The family are Methodists in their religious faith and Mrs. Pillsbury is active in the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society and the Ladies Aid. She is also affiliated with the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs and the Ladies History Club. She is well known and highly esteemed and her influence is cast on the side of advancement and progress.

FRANK J. KEATING.

Frank J. Keating is one of Yankton's successful business men, who in 1913 established and has since been active in the conduct of the Keating Creamery Company, in which his brother, John L., is his partner. He is a native son of the middle west and possesses the spirit of enterprise and progress which has ever been characteristic of this part of the coun- try. His birth occurred in Janesville, Wisconsin, on the 8th of June, 1886, and he comes of Irish ancestry. His father, Edward Keating, was a contractor and builder and wedded Mary E. Breen, who survives him and makes her home in Yankton.

Spending his youthful days in his native city, Frank J. Keating passed through eon- seeutive grades in the public and high schools of Janesville and, coming thence to this state, entered upon his business career in connection with the South Dakota Water Company at Sioux Falls. He was afterward with the Sioux Falls Produce Company, having charge of the creamery department of that business for about eight years and thus gaining the broad, practical training and experience which have qualified him for his later success. He also spent one year in connection with the Alamito Creamery Company at Omaha, Nebraska, and for about three years was in the employ of the Turner Creamery Company at Sioux Falls. In 1913 he came to Yankton and established the Keating Creamery Company, of which he is the president. This is a rapidly growing concern. They buy direct from the producer and the business is independent of all other concerns. Mr. Keating is a most industrious and energetic young business man, prompted by laudable ambition to give close attention to his business and carefully direct its interests. Gradually, therefore, he is win- ning success and the future seems to hold before him bright promises.

Mr. Keating was reared in the Catholic faith, to which he still adheres. He is a member of the Commercial Association and is interested in all that has to do with the progress and prosperity of Yankton. In politics be is a democrat, where national issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He ranks with the city's successful young business men and has made for himself an enviable position in commercial circles.

GEORGE M. CASTER.

George M. Caster, wbo is successfully engaged in the practice of law at Lake Andes, Charles Mix county, was born in Alton, Missouri, January 13, 1861, a son of James and Fannie .J. (Wayman) Caster. The father was a Presbyterian minister and was highly estecmed by all who came into contact with him. Both he and his wife are deceased.

George M. Caster attended the public schools in the acquirement of his early education Vol. V-36

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and was then a student in Lincoln College at Lincoln, Illinois, which is now connected with the James Milliken University of Decatur, Illinois. He was graduated from that institution in 1885, after the completion of the literary course, and in 1888 he took a commercial course in a business college at St. Joseph, Missouri. In the meantime he had engaged in educational work and he subsequently spent one summer in the Harvard Summer School. He was made superintendent of the city schools of Red Cloud, Nebraska, and held that position until 1895, when he resigned to enter the College of Law of the State University of Nebraska at Lincoln. In the following year he was admitted to the bar and located for practice at Bloomington, Franklin county, Nebraska, where he remained until 1904. He then removed to Lake Andes, South Dakota, and in the intervening years has gained a large and repre- sentative clientage, having proved his ability as a lawyer. His logical and analytical mind enables him to go to the root of a matter at once and this power, combined with his habit of careful preparation of his cases and his ability to present his arguments in a convincing manner, has resulted in his winning favorable verdicts for his clients in a great majority of the cases with which he has been connected. He was recently appointed by the com- missioners of Gregory county to prosecute the cattle rustlers and has already secured two convictions.

Mr. Caster was married on the 15th of March, 1911, to Miss Isabel Simpson, a daughter of Sherdrich Simpson. Mr. Caster is a republican and takes a prominent part in local political affairs. He is a member of the Commercial Club and his support and cooperation have been of value in carrying out the plans of that organization for the commercial expansion of Lake Andes, Fraternally he belongs to the consistory of the Scottish Rite Masons at Yankton and is also a member of the Odd Fellows. Both he and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian Church and do all in their power to further the spread of its influence. Mr. Caster is recognized as one of the valued citizens of Lake Andes and can he depended upon to work for the advancement of his community along the lines of moral, material and civic progress.

HON. P. J. TSCHARNER.

Hon. P. J. Tscharner, an attorney at law practicing in Lemmon, was born in Fountain City, Wisconsin, February 10, 1878. His parents, Lutzi and Mary (Messinger) Tscharner, were natives of Switzerland, the former coming to America when a youth of seventeen years, while the mother crossed the Atlantic with her parents in childhood. The former was identified with mercantile interests in Alma, Wisconsin, for a quarter of a century and was also prominent in public affairs there, filling the office of register of feeds in Buffalo county for seven years. He is now living retired in St. Paul.

On completing a full course in the high school of Alma, P. J. Tscharner was graduated with the class of 1895 and subsequently continued his education by a year's study in the River Falls Normal. He next entered the law department of the State University of Wis- consin at Madison and was graduated with the class of 1901. While pursuing his course there he was honored by being chosen to represent the university in an interstate debate against the University of lowa. Following his admission to the bar he opened a law office at Greenwood, Wisconsin, where he remained in active practice for five years and in 1907 went to Lemmon, South Dakota, locating there in advance of the railroad. He was made assistant state's attorney of Butte county and after the division whereby Perkins county was formed he became the first prosecuting attorney of the latter. In 1911 he was elected to the state Legislature by his fellow citizens, who appreciated his worth and ability and recognized his public spirit. So ably did he represent the district that in 1913 he was returned to the house and such was the goodwill and appreciation of his colleagues in the assembly that he was honored with election as speaker. In 1915 he was once more made representative from his district and was appointed chairman of the judiciary committee. He has been connected with much important constructive legislation and has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the history of the state. At the present time he is frequently spoken of as the logical candidate for congress from his district.

In 1907 Mr. Tscharner was united in marriage to Miss Gaile Sheets. of Greenwood,

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Wisconsin, by whom he has two children, William Wendel and Robert Lucius. Fraternally he is identified with Lemmon Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., and the Knights of the Macca- bees. His religions faith is indicated hy his membership in the Presbyterian Church, to which his wife also belongs, and in social circles they occupy a prominent position. He is numbered among those who are recognized as leaders of public thought and opinion in this state. In considering questions of public moment he brings to hear the same power of clear analysis that he displays in preparing his cases for the courts, and his logical reasoning is just as strongly evidenced in his presentation of public questions as when he discusses legal problems before court or jury.

WALTER C. LEYSE.

Walter C. Leyse, now in the third term of his able service as city anditor of Sioux Falls, was born in Brookings, South Dakota, October 7, 1888, and is a son of Christian G. and Eliza K. (Erickson) Leyse. His paternal grandfather, a native of Norway, founded the family in America, dying in this country.

Walter C. Leyse acquired his education in Sioux Falls, whither his parents had moved in 1892. He was graduated from the Sioux Falls high school in 1907 and immediately after- ward went to Colorado, where he entered the employ of the Cripple Creek & Sioux Falls Gold Mining Company at Cripple Creek. At the end of two years he returned to Sioux Falls and gave his attention to the life insurance business, in which he met with gratifying snecess. After two years he was appointed to the position of city auditor of Sioux Falls, and he has served by reappointment sinee that time, his work having met with the approval of all concerned.

Mr. Leyse belongs to the Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. For eighteen months he served as a private in Company B, Fourth Regi- ment, South Dakota State Guard. In his present office he has proven capable, farsighted and progressive and he will undoubtedly be carried forward into still more important rela- tions with official life in the community.

FRANK BOLDT.

Alert and enterprising, Frank Boldt is now an active factor in business circles of Edmunds county as the manager of the Hosmer Mercantile Company. He was born in Germany, February 25, 1868, and his parents, Gottfried and Caroline Boldt, were also natives of that country, in which they spent their entire lives.

After attending the public schools Frank Boldt came to America in 1885, at the age of seventeen years, settling first in Wisconsin, where he was employed as a common laborer. Hoping to better his condition, he removed to Spink county, South Dakota, in 1888 and turned his attention to farming, there remaining until 1895, when he became a resident of Edmunds county, where he again located upon a farm, which he occupied and cultivated for five years. In the meantime his financial resources had increased as the result of his industry and perseverance and eventually he turned his attention to merchandising at Hosmer, where he has lived continuously since about 1900. He is now manager for the Hosmer Mercantile Company, owning one of the large commercial establishments of his part of the state, and his capable control is seen in a growing trade and in the satisfaction of the many patrons of the store, who appreciate his courtesy, attention and honorable business methods.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume V, Part 98

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