USA > South Dakota > Hyde County > History of Hyde County, South Dakota : from its organization to the present time > Part 12
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On page 116 will be noticed the group, S. R. Meigs and family. Mr. Meigs with his wife and children settled in Highmore township in 1882. He was a soldier in the civil war and a member of our local post. He endured the adversities of the early days in Hyde County, but later on accumulated consider- able property. He held the of- fice of sheriff two terms in the eighties, was elected again in 1906 and held that office at the time of his death. He died Feb- ruary 11, 1908, after a brief ill- ness. His death caused a feeling of profound sadness in the county for Mr. Meigs was well and fav- MRS. CHRISTIANIA MORRIS orably known. His wife, a most excellent woman, resides in Highmore in their elegant residence, accompanied by her daughter, Bessie, who is prominent in social circles. The children were raised in Hyde County and consist of Sylvester, a commercial traveler residing at Sioux City, Iowa; S. S., who represents Warfield, Pratt, Howell & Co., of Sioux City, and Austin, who resides in Highmore.
On page 188 will be seen the portrait of Duncan McDonald and
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
family. Mr. McDonald and his wife, who are in the center of the lower group, settled with their children at an early day in Holabird Township. They are both of Scotch descent and to the manor born. They were reasonably well fixed when they came here and by industry and economy in after years became well to do. Mr. McDonald died May 23, 1903. His wife now resides in Highmore, a woman who commands the respect of all. She has an elegant home; her daughter, Jessie, who married Doctor I. M. Burnside, with herself consti- tute the home family. Of the other child- ren grown to manhood and womanhood in Hyde County are W. D., who has a large farm a short distance north of Highmore; John E., who resides in Highmore, is Coun- ty Treasurer; Harvey A., who also resides in Highmore; James A., who also resides in Highmore; Ella, who married H. C. Harris; and Eliza, who married Jasper L. W. CARTER Gadd. Henry is in business in Chicago, and Gordon lives on his farm in Green County, Iowa. They have lost three children by death; Hannah and Winifred died at about the same time at an early day here and Maggie, who married John Figley, died several years ago. The McDonald family are all thrifty and progressive and are money makers.
Solomon J. Lighty is an early settler in Highmore, coming here with his family in the early eighties. He has been in the em- ployment of the government as mail carrier on a route north from Highmore for eighteen years, contending with the summer's heat and winter's cold and not any time has his service invoked com- plaint or even criticism. One daughter, Stella L. G. Fuller, resides in Washington, D. C., another daughter, now Louise Flemming, re- sides in Iowa and Jennie, who married J. M. Prostrollo, resides on their farm near here. A daughter, Nellie, and son, Earl, reside at the
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
family home. Mr. Lighty's portrait will be seen on page 261 and that of his wife, a matronly woman, will be seen on page 259 and a family picture on page 248. They now occupy a very elegant resi- dence in Highmore, recently constructed.
George Hirsch is a Hyde County settler of 1882. He first set- tled in Holabird and worked on the section and at one time there cobbled shoes. He and his family reside in Highmore most of the time, though they have a farm residence on their land in Valley Township. Mr. Hirsch kept on the section, afterwards section boss at Highmore until about a year ago, being there for nearly twenty- five years. During this time he made investments in land and start- ed in stock raising, so that at this time his accumulations would amount to seventy-five thousand dollars, a very significant showing how a man can prosper here working on a railroad section, if he only knows how. His wife has worked hard during this time rear- ing her family of children, and in time of sickness among her neigh- bors and friends she is always wanted. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch and of some of the children will be seen on pages elsewhere in this book.
ES
CHAPTER XV
TOWNSHIPS
We will now write the townships separately and intended to give the names of all present residents in them, but we have not the book space without extending it beyond the original intention, hence we can refer only to the old settlers as far as we can. We will also refer to the townships in the order in which they were or- ganized.
LINCOLN
A petition was presented to the county board on the 12th day of December, 1884, signed by D. W. Pepple and thirty others, ask- ing that Congressional Township No. 113 of Range 72 be organized as a civil township. The county board in acting upon the petition made an order in which it was declared that Congressional Town- ship No. 113 of Range 72 be and is hereby a civil township to be known by the name of "Lincoln." Probably the name was given in accordance with the wishes of the petitioners and no doubt all of the settlers of the township at that time had a feeling of great pride in living within the borders of a part of Hyde County which bore the name of the great emancipator, a name>which will be ever prominent in history as that of one of the greatest of all American citizens. It was also ordered that on the 30th day of December, 1884, an election be held at the residence of George W. Sanders for the purpose of electing township officers. At this election H. M. Badger was elected chairman of the board of supervisors, the other members E. B. Thompson and C. W. Sanders. D. W. Pepple Clerk; John McGovern Treasurer; Alexander Mitchell and J. W. Beardsley Justices of the Peace; J. W. Hall and Peter O'Brien Constables; and John Canode, Overseer of Highways. Elmer B. Thompson filed a squatter right in 1882 on land not then surveyed.
MR. AND MRS. JACOB DE WITTE AND THREE CHILDREN
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Upon the completion of the survey he put up the first building in the township and broke the first furrow of its soil, which was in 1883. Mr. Thompson was one of the best of men, strictly honest, and thrifty as a farmer. He was killed in the cyclone of July 15, 1885, mentioned in another chapter. His wife lives with her son, Luke, at Wheaton, Illinois; Fred is at Alfalfa, Washington; and William has charge of an elevator dealing in grain and coal at Highmore, remaining in the county while the other boys went elsewhere. He lives on the original home quarter near Highmore. He has the confidence of all who deal with him and his word and his honesty have never been questioned.
Jacob De Witte and family settled in Lincoln Township in April 1884. He filed a preemption and followed this by a homestead fil- ing and still lives on the same piece of land. There came with him his wife and children, Isaac H., Harry, Susan M. and Mabel A. Since he came here three children have been born to them, Agnes, Don and George. Isaac is still there and has land of his own. Susan married and died three years ago next June, Harry lives at Huron, also Mabel. Mr. DeWitte with his family and Mr. Thomp- son are the only early settlers now living in the township. Mr. De Witte built a house the first year, did some breaking, and raised some corn and potatoes on the broken sod. His wife is a modest, matronly woman and Mr. DeWitte and his entire family command the highest respect of all who know them.
VAN ORDER
Van Order was the next organized township, being III-71, or- ganized by the county board Dec. 12, 1884, on petition of L. C. Cramer and others and named after Cyrus Van Order, one of the first settlers, now a resident of California. John Seeman and William Bottcher were among the earliest settlers. Both of these men, like all the rest of us at an early day, had a hard time of it, but Mr. Seeman is now well fixed. Mr. Bottcher died several years ago, but his family still reside in the township and are all pros-
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perous. Hiram Young and his brother, Charles, settled early there. Hiram was sheriff of the county and on the County Board. He moved away about a year ago. Charles, a very prosperous farmer, still resides in the township. John Melbourne is an early settler, has raised his family there and is well to do. Mr. Brewer and fam- ily were early residents. He died here several years ago, his wife recently. A son, Ira, still resides there. One of the daughters is now Mrs. Charles Swanson. Mr. Charles Lesh was an early settler. He also died there. His family is now scattered. Clara married F. M. Barnes, and Minnie married E. C. Calkins. Ed Hollander settled there at an early day. He now lives in Highmore. John Hinkel, whom we familiarly call Jack, and who is an old settler in this part of South Dakota, resides now in Van Order Township. Charles E. Cowin is now a resident of Van Order, originally in Bramhall. H. A. Cramer, mentioned more particularly in the G. A. R. Chapter, is an early settler in that township. A portrait of himself and wife appears on page 252. Fred Sheen is an early settler. The family picture will be seen on page 118. Other early settlers in Van Order are W. J. Jackson, D. G. Oliver and M. L. Hague. It is enough to say that all of the old settlers who still reside in that township are now enjoying life, surrounded with plenty of property.
DOUGLAS
This township was next in organization. It was organized by the County Board December 12, 1884, upon petition of E. S. Chappel and others. Their first meeting elected E. S. Chappel, Chairman of the Township Board; F. G. Kirtz and R. J. Middaugh, Supervisors; Wm. McGlashan, Sr., Treasurer; Samuel Chappel, Assessor; E. S. Chappel and Carl Sunding, Justices of the Peace; Stephen Moss and Christ Larsen, Constables; M. Emery, Road Sup- ervisor. Of the first settlers of this township but few remain. Peter Sturr, whose portrait is on page 219, is now living in San Diego, Cal. He is remembered by the old settlers as an active, rustling fellow and quite a politician, and had the backing of many friends.
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Thomas F. Cody, an early settler, is still in the township. He went through the early hard times, but is now in the best of circum- stances. He has raised his family here and all command the re- spect of their fellow citizens. Lars A. Larson, also an early set- tler, is still there at the old stand with his family, has been pros- perous and in his quiet way enjoys life with good circumstances. Stephen Moss was one of the first settlers in this township, but later on moved to Valley Township, where he is further mentioned. Aug- ust Sunding settled in Douglas in the early eighties and is still there He is a jovial and gen- where he has farmed and raised his family. ial fellow and is in good circumstances. His brother, Charles Sunding, was an early settler in this township, but later on moved to Holabird Township, where he now resides. Of the first settlers other than those mentioned, some have died and others reside else- where. We think the Kernbergers went to Chicago, where Adolph has a store. Frank died several years ago.
WASHINGTON
On December 12, 1884, F. A. Furnier and others petitioned the County Board for civil township organization, which was granted, and December 30, 1884, was the day fixed for its first election.
The election was held at the residence of Murdock McIver and resulted as follows: Supervisors, M. McIver, David Moore and James Stewart; Clerk, O. P. King; Road Overseer, James Buchan.
Thus the township had an organization of its own after one year of settlement, for the first settlement was made in the spring of 1883. The earlier settlers who took land were Captain R. P. Pilkington, George and John Furnier, R. C. Allison, Frank Omer, William Rodgers, James Stewart and later on were David Moore, M. McIver and O. P. King. To this latter named settler, we are indebted for some of the facts, and among other things he says: "Those early days for making history were something great when we lived in sod houses, had sod stables, drove oxen, and met oc- casionally at some neighbor's well to swap yarns and pull home a
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few barrels of sparkling water for the good wife and babies, as well as to water such stock as we might happen to have, but they were few indeed. Our means of transportation were usually a yoke of cattle and a stone boat, which also served as a conveyance when visiting or on a trip to town, and the writer (Mr. King) remembers paying five cents per pail for water for his oxen when he arrived at the county seat, until the noble Dick Briggs, a merchant there,
erected a tank, kept it filled with water and had a sign up reading, "Help yourself, it is free." Those" were severe and trying times for most of our people, but by pluck and perserverance they are now in better times, for we live in good houses, have fine barns and well improved farms, drive good horses hooked up to a nice buggy or carriage, have a bank account and we enjoy life. The early settlers are most of them gone, scattered to the four corners of the earth, and some of them have passed on to that bourne from O. P. KING which none ever return. Of the 1883 and 1884 settlers there re- mains in the township only four; these are O. P. King, J. H. and
J. E. Hodgson, and Fred Anderson. Fred Anderson and a few more had at first settled elsewhere in the county, but afterwards settled in this township. When in all parts of our county our peo- ple were going into the stock business and some of them owned several hundred head of stock, it was difficult to get water sufficient for us, for we depended on shallow wells. At the present time there are eleven artesian wells flowing from seven to sixty-
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five gallons a minute, and it is as nice, healthy water as there is anywhere.
In the early eighties the John A. Dix Post at Highmore offered a beautiful flag to the largest delegation on Decoration Day from any township in the county, outside of Highmore Township. While Illinois Township was a close second with seventy-one, Washington was first with eighty and secured the prize, and still has the flag, which it unfurls to the breeze on national holidays.
EAGLE
This township was organized along with others mentioned Dec. 12, 1884, and like many other townships in the county, but few of the early settlers are there now. Paul Hendricks, an early settler, now resides at Miller. J. S. Mesick and his sons, F. H. and M. R., are still residents there, also Julius Pahl, John Shearer, G. J. Wurtz and Charles Nelson. J. B. Ringer is also an early settler. Emanuel M. Volz, an early settler with his family, is there now; their portrait will be seen on page 182. W. W. Yeandle formerly resided in that township. Those early settlers mentioned are all well-to-do, and are surrounded by all the comforts of life. This township is considered one of the best in the county.
HOLABIRD
This township was organized Jan. 7, 1885, and named after some railroad man in Chicago. E. P. Farr was an early settler, now county treasurer of Hughes County. Also J. S. Harris, W. M. Morrison, a popular photographer now in Chicago; Charles Mor- rison, who died there in 1905, and Natt. Cline, now at the Sisseton Agency. His son, Fred, still lives in the township and Frank in Highmore. George Clark was an early settler, now elsewhere. Of the early settlers who still reside there are Samuel Mason, James Cunningham with his mother, Wm. O. Lawson, W. B. Hamlin Jr., and John Figley. Reuben Ellerton, who was an early settler, is now chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, whose por- trait will be seen in a group of the present board on page 242.
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A. M. Moore is a resident of this township, also J. H. Stanton. ILLINOIS
This township was next in organization, being brought into corporate existance January 7, 1885. John A. Sedgwick, afterwards County Treasurer, was an early settler there and started the post- office by the name of Sedgwick, and he also had a store which he sold afterwards to W. J. Triplitt. They had an Indian scare there at an early day. Many settlers hurried to Sedgwick and many more drove on to Highmore. A severe snow storm in 1886 caused a great loss of cattle in this township. John Jensen was an early settler there; a bright fellow and a valuable member of the Board of County Commissioners. His wife and family still reside there. Wells F. Pidge still resides there. He has been on the County Board and is a prominent citizen. His portrait is on page 265. O. O. Hart, formerly Clerk of Courts, was an early settler. Of the early settlers still residing there are Swan Anderson, John Bern, John Framberg, Peter Hanson, G. A. Rudine and Hans Swanson. These settlers have raised their families there and most of their children have land of their own and all are prosperous. Capt. Van Etten was an early settler there. James Humphrey, elsewhere mentioned, was an early settler in this township.
LOOMIS
This township, next in order, was organized January 7, 1885. It was named after William Loomis, its earliest settler. Mr. Loom- is was born in New York state, enlisted in the war in Co. H Ist Michigan Engineers in 1863 and served over two years. He was living in Canada previous to that and only his love for the cause of our Union prompted him to enter our army. He built the first claim shack in the township. He is a very worthy, upright man and now resides at St. Lawrence, S. D. His only son, J. A., re- sides at St. Lawrence, a genial blacksmith there, who is highly re- spected. Mrs. William Loomis is a woman much respected by all who know her. The family portrait will be seen on 282. D.O. Welch
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
was an early settler now residing in New York state. The portrait of himself and wife will be seen on page 14I. There his son, Fre- mont, was raised, now residing in Highmore. His portrait will be seen on page 147. L. T. Adair an early settler still resides in the township with his family. Their portrait will be seen on page 284. Ole Lee is a resident there yet, also W. E. Smith and Peter De Witte. Hans Aasby, with his family, still reside in Loomis, also Firman Weaver and his wife. The husband and father died several year ago. Tim Porter was an early resident of Loomis. A daugh- ter married L. T. Adair. All of the old settlers now living there are in the best of circumstances. J. W. Parlin and his estimable family now own and occupy the old D. O. Welch place.
HIGHMORE
It would seem that Highmore should have been the first in point of organization, as it was the first settled, but it was not or- ganized until January 7, 1885. Gus Harno was an early settler in this township. He died a few years ago. His wife and some of the children live in Highmore. E. B. Weaver was an early set- tler and recently moved to California. C. H. Bancroft was an early settler. He now lives in Highmore. Of the other first set- tlers mention is made of them elsewhere in this book. Louis Kreid- ler was a member of the Post. He was born in New Jersey. En- listed in Co. C 2nd New York Cavalry and was honorably discharg- ed from the army January 30, 1865. He lived in Hyde County at an early day, and now resides with his wife near Wessington Springs, this state. The family are well and favorably remembered and particularly the boys.
BRAMHALL
A petition signed by John Newell and others was presented to the County Board and acted upon by them January 7, 1885, upon which they made an order that Township No. 112, Range 71, be organized as a civil township by the name of Bramhall, and that the first election to elect township officers be held at the school
MR. AND MRS. WM. LOOMIS AND SON
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
house in the town of Bramhall January 24, 1885. Louis Rolewich and John Newell are among the first settlers in this township. The portrait of Mr. Rolewich is on page 208 and that of his wife on page 209. The John Newell group will be seen on page 206. Jasper Gadd is also an early settler. His portrait is on page 121. J. W. Newell, whom we familiarly call "Wes," son of John, lives in the township and has acquired considerable property. J. E. Whipple is an early settler in the county and now lives in Bramhall Town- ship. His family group is on page 148. Clara Tryon, an early set- tler, still lives in the township. Alexander Robinson is quite an early settler. His family group is on page 254, his own on page 167. D. M. Sarvis, an old settler, died in 1908.
WILLIAM HAMILTON
This township was organized by the County Board on Decem- ber 12, 1885. Petition for organization was signed by A. V. Hay- den and others which petition asked that Township 113 of Range 71 be organized as a civil township. The County Board granted the petition and fixed the name of the township as William Hamil- ton. Mr. Hamilton was the first settler there in 1883. His wife still resides there with Geo. Tosh, a son by a previous marriage. The first election was held in February, 1885, at which they elected for Supervisors, William Buchan, Chairman, W. C. Wooley and A. C. Bogess; Clerk, C. K. Tower; and A. E. Ayers, Treasurer; at that election also the name of the township William Hamilton was ap- proved. There were but few settlers there in 1883 and as near as we can remember they were Mr. Hamilton, Robert Cook, A. C. Ayers, W. C. Wooley, Geo. Gould, A. V. Hayden and Geo. Tosh, none of which are now in the county except Mrs. Hamilton and Geo. Tosh and also Mr. Cook, who now resides in Valley Township. Additional settlers went there in 1884. Some of them were Albert Wells, Alvin Rosen, W. Tyler, Wm. Buchan and his nephew, James who first settled in Washington, later on in William Hamilton. William Buchan was a man of strict integrity and intelligence. He
MR. AND MRS. L. T. ADAIR AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
died there in 1890. His nephew, James Buchan, has also been identified with the best interests of the township and was township clerk for fifteen years. James Buchan is now County Auditor. A. V. Hayden was quite a local character, especially in politics. John K. Wooley was an early settler there. He died Dec. 18, 1886, at the age of 77. His son, William C. Wooley, settled there in the spring of 1885, was prominent in the township and in the county and a man very much respected by all. He came here from Mich- igan and returned to his former home in Banister, Michigan, where he now resides. The portrait of Wm. Wooley and wife will be seen on page 20. D. C. Fields and Henry Doling settled in the town- ship we think in 1902. We could not omit the mention of these two gentlemen for they and the writer emigrated from the same County of O'Brien in the State of Iowa, and landed in the same Hyde County in the State of South Dakota, and we can personally vouch for both of them as good citizens, as substantial men and suc- cessful farmers. All the farmers of this township are thrifty and well-to-do, indeed they are a living proof of what industry and economy can do for men who cast their lot right here upon our fertile and productive soil.
VALLEY
Valley Township was organized January 29, 1885. Of the early settlers Sarah Kemery lives in Highmore. Hans Larson died a few years ago. His family lives in Valley Township now. Fred Traver is still a resident of the township. Stephen Moss and fam- ily live in this township, although he first settled in another town- ship. His portrait and that of his family will be seen on page 42. Thomas Mc Weeney is an early settler still residing there and still lives on the original claim.
CHAPELLE
On the 19th day of February, 1885, a petition was presented to the County Board signed by Joseph Dreyton and others asking that Township No. III of Range 73 be organized into a civil township.
MR. AND MRS. S. J. NESHEIM AND FAMILY
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HISTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
The petition was granted and the name fixed as Chapelle. Of the early settlers Matt Ellerton, son of Reuben, still resides there, also George Foster. Mrs. Serena Foster died this year, 1908. John Henfrey, an early settler, is still there. His son, Will, will be a member of the County Board after Jan. 1, 1909. J. W. Jones and family are residents and among the first settlers. Z. L. Parker, an early settler, is still there. Ed. Quinn and family are still there, the family portrait will be seen on page 180. John Quirk and family were early settlers. He died a few years ago. His wife now resides in Highmore, also the boys except, Henry, who resides on the home place in that township.
BANNER AND EDEN
Banner and Eden townships were settled at first principally by Bohemians and but few of the early settlers have gone away. Those people have been very industrious and are well fixed and are good citizens. We would have made more extensive mention as to the early residents of these townships, but not having the data at hand cannot do it, so we speak of them generally as good and desirable citizens.
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