USA > South Dakota > Minnehaha County > History of Minnehaha county, South Dakota. Containing an account of its settlements, growth, development and resources Synopsis of public records, biographical sketches > Part 45
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KNIGHTS OF LABOR, JASPER ASSEMBLY 497 .-- Was organized in Sioux Falls by Z. D. Scott, state organizer, June 22, 1889, with the following charter members: P. D. Gushard, Frank Morse, C. V. Booth, Ole Olson, E. J. Sharon, F. L. Hartwick, Wm. Lass, Done- gan Halligan. P. D. Gushard was elected Master Workman in 1889 and the first term of 1890; Joseph Sampson, two terms, 1890-91, and J. T. Cogan; 1892, Geo. W. Burnside and J. E. Sides; 1893, 1. H. Grant; 1894, C. C. Peterson.
In 1892 the membership was nearly one hundred, but in 1894 so many members were out of employment and unable to keep up their dues that the membership was reduced to about fifty. In 1895 the number of members had been reduced to eighteen, and the meetings were suspended.
FEDERATION OF LABOR. Organized in Sioux Falls July 13, 1894, with the following charter members: Eighteen members of the Knights of Labor No. 497, twenty members of the Tailors' Union No. 221, thirty-five members of the Typographical Union No. 218, fifty-five members of the Cigar Makers' Union No. 153. H. H. Schwartz, Jr., was elected president, Wm. Jones vice president, Aug. H. Reichard recording secretary, Louis F. Gust treasurer. On the second Friday in July, 1895, Willis M. Pritchard was elected president, C. F. Allen vice president, Aug. H. Reichard secretary, J. H. Stout treasurer.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
CIGAR MAKERS' UNION NO. 153 .-- Organized December 25, 1888, with the following charter members and officers: Geo. Sutcliff president, Charles Johnson vice president, John Wittell recording secretary, Frank Carr financial secretary, John Stout treasurer, H. Paulson sergeant-at-arms, W. Hagcuberth, John Schneider and P. Pfeiffer trustees. Sam Ohlund auditor. J. L. Flynn was president from 1890 to 1895. At one time the membership was about 60, but at this writing (1895) it is about 40.
In addition to the foregoing labor unions there are now estab- lished and in flourishing condition in the city, the Retail Clerks' Union No. 218, the Barbers International Union No. 123, and the United Commercial Travelers.
GEORGE W. ABBOTT.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ABBOTT, GEORGE W., was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, October 10, 1858. His father was a farmer, and the subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and knows what farm work is from experience. He was educated at the public schools and at the high school and Phillips Academy at Exeter, N. H. At the age of twenty he went to Colorado as secretary for a mining expert, and remained there until he removed to Dakota in 1882. He settled in what is now McIntosh county, North Dakota. He helped organize the county, and was its first superintendent of schools. He was also appointed postmaster at Ashley, and was the first postmaster in McIntosh county. During this time he had a cattle ranch and was also en- gaged in merchandising. In 1887, he sold out his interest and re- moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and engaged in the furniture and hardware business until 1891, when he removed to Sioux Falls and became the general manager of the Co-operative Loan and Savings Association of that place. He occupied that position until Septem- ber, 1894, when he resigned, and organized the Union Savings Asso- ciation of Sioux Falls, and since then has devoted his time in pro- moting the interests of this association as its general manager. Mr. Abbott is an active, energetic business man and an enterprising and respected citizen.
AIKENS, FRANK R., the subject of this sketch - although he for several years resided at Canton, Lincoln county, since coming to Dakota - is so well known to the residents of Minnehaha county, and has been so closely identified with her affairs, that he is entitled to a more extensive notice than will appear incidentally upon the pages of this work. He was born in the city of New York, Decem- ber 14, 1855, and entered a law office so young, that he practically received his education in a law office. After five years of study was admitted to the bar January 5, 1877, and commenced the practice of law at Rome, N. Y., where he remained until August, 1880, when he went to Sioux Falls, and from there to Canton, where he opened a law office on the 1st day of September following. From the first he had a good practice, took an active part in politics, and in 1885 was elected to the provisional state senate; was also elected to, and served in the territorial assembly, 1887, and 1889; was chairman of the judiciary committee in 1887, and served on the same committee in 1889, and was practically its chairman; was a prominent and influen- tial member of the legislature during both sessions, and was recog-
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nized as one of its ablest debaters. He is always clear, concise and forcible in presenting his views, and has enough of the orator in his composition to command the attention of any audience he may ad- dress. On the 19th day of March, 1889, was appointed associate justice of the territorial supreme court, and the following October was elected judge of the second judical circuit for the term of four vears. At the expiration of his term of office as judge he resumed the practice of law at Canton until July, 1895, at which time he re- moved to Sioux Falls and entered into copartnership with the firm of Bailey & Voorhees for the practice of law, under the firm name of Aikens, Bailey & Voorhees, and was the trial lawver of the firm during its existence, which terminated in October, 1897. On the 22d day of that month he formed a partnership with Harold E. Judge un- der the firm name of Aikens & Judge, which partnership still con- tinues.
While upon the bench he was a good listener, always self-possess- ed, and understood thoroughly the case he was trying, and if he had not been so big-hearted would have laid down the law cold enough to satisfy the most exacting lawyer. Young, active and sagacious, with strong inclinations to take a hand in the affairs of the state, it is not too much to predict that thirty years from now the foregoing sketch will be remarkable for its brevity.
ALDRICH, HERBERT CLARK, is a native of Vermont and was born January 13, 1845. In 1850 he removed to Illinois with his par- ents, and resided a few years in Iowa, and finally in September, 1872, came to Sioux Falls and bought the southwest quarter of sec- tion 13, and settled down to farming. He has held several town of- fices. A few years ago he rented his farm and came to the city of Sioux Falls and engaged in the grocery business. He was a good farmer and is well liked as a business man, and is a thoroughly good citizen.
ALMOS, ANDREW O., was born in Norway November 22, 1849, and was raised on a farm. He emigrated to Lansing, Iowa, in 1870, and worked there at the carpenter's trade seven years. He came to Sioux Falls May 12, 1878, and since then has been engaged as a contractor and builder. He built the Lowell school house, and the Lutheran Normal school buildings, and several of the best residences in the city, and has also built a number of churches in the county. He is a good citizen.
ARCHER, THOMAS E., is a native of Stafforshire, England, and was born February 12, 1837; attended the public schools, worked on a farm and in the butcher business until he emigrated to this country with his parents in 1851, and settled in Iowa; engaged in farming until 1881, when he went to Brule county, Dakota, and opened a meat market, and also engaged in farming until April, 1888, when he came to Sioux Falls and opened a meat market in the Waples block. In 1890 went to Rowena, and opened a meat market there, but returned to Sioux Falls, and for several years has been established on Main avenue in the meat business. He is a good citizen.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY
AVERY, HENRY, M., was born at Newbury, Vermont, February 2, 1849. He removed with his parents to Walworth county, Wis., in 1857; was raised on a farm, attended public schools, and was a student at Beloit college for some time. When he attained his ma- jority he removed to Jackson, Minn., and started a newspaper called the Jackson Republic, and was its editor and publisher for five years. He then sold out the paper, and engaged in the mercantile business at the same place. In 1881, he removed to this county, and located in Sioux Falls on the 22d day of August. He was appointed deputy clerk of the courts of Minnehaha county, and held this position until 1888. Upon his arrival in Sioux Falls he purchased the abstract business of Charles Webber, and has continued that business since then. In 1892 it was incorporated under the name of the Sioux Falls Abstract and Title Insurance Company, with a capital stock of $50,000.00. In March, 1898, the name of this corporation was changed to the Sioux Falls Abstract Company, and Mr. Avery and wife own the majority of the stock. He has been a member of the Sioux Falls Fire Department fourteen years, and was its chief four years. Mr. Avery is one of Sioux Falls most energetic citizens, and an enthusiastic supporter of any project calculated to promote the prosperity of the city.
BAILEY, CHARLES O., was born at Freeport, Illinois, July 2. 1860. He was a son of the late Judge J. M. Bailey of Freeport, who was a circuit judge in Illinois for one year, ten years a judge of the appellant court, and during the last eight years of his life was a judge of the supreme court of that state, and during a portion of the time was its chief justice. Charles O. during his youth attended the city schools, and at the age of twenty was graduated from the university at Rochester, N. Y. He then entered the law department of the Northwestern Railroad Company at Chicago, where he re- mained until admitted to the bar in the spring of 1883. He was admitted to the bar in Iowa and Nebraska the same year. He com- menced the practice of law in 1883 at Eagle Grove, Iowa, and re- mained there until the fall of 1886. While at that place he held the office of mayor for one year and during all the time he resided there was division attorney for the Northwestern railroad. Upon leaving Eagle Grove he went to Chicago and remained there six months, and came to Sioux Falls in April, 1887, where he opened a law office and in August following formed a copartnership with H. T. Root. In February, 1888, this partnership was dissolved and he was alone un- til January, 1889, when he associated with him W. H. Stoddard and W. H. Wilson under the firm name of Bailey, Stoddard & Wilson. This partnarship existed until May, 1890, when Mr. Wilson retired from the firm and Bailey & Stoddard continued the practice to- gether until January, 1892, at which time the firm of Bailey & Voor- hees was established. In July, 1895, Judge Aikens became a mem- ber of the firm, under the name of Aikens, Bailey & Voorhees which firm existed until the withdrawal of Judge Aikens October 25, 1897, Mr. Bailey has been the attorney of the Illinois Central at Sioux Falls since the road was built into the city. He has also been the attorney for R. G. Dunn & Co. Commercial Agency, since 1887, and
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for the Western Union Telegraph Co., since 1890. He was elected district attorney of Minnehaha county in 1888, by the Democratic party, and held that office until the 21st day of August, 1890. In 1893 he was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court. He has one of the most extensive law libraries in the Northwest, and is recognized as one of the most studious and well read lawyers in the state. Since coming to Sioux Falls the firms with which he has been associated have asked but few favors of their opponents or the court, and this in a great measure is owing to the careful prepa- ration made by him in all the cases in which they have been employed. The foregoing brief outline of Mr. Bailey's professional career is sufficient without comment to establish his standing at the bar, and it only remains to be added that he is at peace with his brother lawyers and is a respected citizen.
BAILEY, Jr., JOSEPH MEAD, a brother of C. O. Bailey, came to Sioux Falls in June, 1885, and announced that he had come to stay. He was not quite twenty-one years old, short in stature, and looked to be two or three years younger than he was. But it was soon known in the city that he was a man of affairs. He contracted for the convict labor in the penitentiary, and commenced at once to in- terest himself in the banking business. He was connected with the German-American Loan & Trust Co., and in 1886 became vice presi- dent of the Citizens National Bank, and was instrumental in the merg- ing of that bank with the Minnehaha National in 1888. When the consolidation had taken place he was elected its president, and held the position until his decease. April 1, 1889, he was appointed treas- urer of the Territory of Dakota by Governor Mellette, and held the office until a treasurer of the State of South Dakota was elected. He was interested in banking at Huron, Parker, Valley Springs and Garretson, and was concerned in several large enterprises during the boom days in Sioux Falls. He was as active in political matters as in business enterprises. In 1888, he was elected a delegate from the Territory to the Republican National Convention, and he found time to devote to city, county, and state politics. But his slight physical resources were not equal to the requirements of his active brain and wonderful energy. He became broken in health early in 1891, and went abroad to rest and recuperate, but never returned to Sioux Falls.
He was born November 4, 1864, at Freeport, Il1., and died at his birthplace on the 12th day of September, 1891. A large delegation from Sioux Falls attended his funeral. He was educated at Mount Morris Academy, Illinois, and was graduated from the University at Rochester, N. Y., in 1882. In 1883, he was appointed swamp-land agent for Iowa, to effect a settlement for the Federal government, and in February, 1885, was appointed swamp-land commissioner of Ohio. These positions he held while engaged in the law business at Eagle Grove, Iowa. He was companionable, generous and enterpris- ing, but the most remarkable element in his make-up, the one of all others which arrested public attention, was the tireless activity of his brain.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
BAILEY, DANA REED, was born in Montgomery, Vermont, April 27, 1833; was reared on a farm, educated in the district schools, Bakersfield Academy, Leland Seminary, and Oberlin College, Ohio, where he took a two years' course; taught district schools three terms, select school six months, and the Beekman school at Saratoga Springs, New York, one year; commenced the study of law in June, 1856; entered the law office of the late Chief Justice Royce of Ver- mont in 1857, and the Albany Law school at Albany, N. Y., in 1858, and was graduated in April, 1859. Commenced the practice of law in May of the same year at Underhill, Vt., removed to Highgate, Vt., in February, 1860, and practiced law there until September 1, 1864. While at Highgate was town agent two years, and trustee of the United States surplus fund two years; was deputy collector of the United States customs, having charge of the office there three years and three months; was special agent of the War Department six months, and in 1863, was appointed secret aid of the United States Treasury, and held this appointment three years. September 1, 1864, opened a law office at St. Albans, Vt .; entered into a copartner- ship with Park Davis, February 3, 1865, and a year later H. C. Adams was added to the firm. Was delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1868, and was a member of the State Central Commit- tee two years; was elected to the office of state's attorney of Frank- lin county, two terms, and to the State Senate in 1870, and re-elected in 1872; was chairman of the judiciary committee, and was appointed chairman of a committee of five, by joint resolution of the legislature, to investigate the Vermont Central Railroad, which investigation was not concluded until July, 1873. Was one of the school directors in St. Albans two years. In 1871, laid out and was the proprietor of the village of Baldwin, in St. Croix county, Wisconsin; built the Matchless Flouring Mills at that place, and was the owner of three saw mills, and half owner of two elevators, and for ten years was en- gaged in manufacturing flour and lumber, merchandising and farm- ing, and for several years had a large herd of Shorthorns, which in 1877, sold in Chicago for the highest average price of any herd in the United States that year. Moved to Baldwin in 1874; was president of the village three years, treasurer one year, and director of the village schools seven years. In 1877, was nominated for the State Senate by acclamation by the Republican convention of the Twenty- fourth Senatorial District of Wisconsin, comprising seven counties, and received all the votes cast in the county where he resided, ex- cept 57 out of a total vote of 3,131, the Republican nominee for the Assembly having only 99 majority in the county; was chairman of judiciary committee of the Senate in 1879. In 1880, was elected one of the county commissioners of St. Croix county, was re-elected in 1881, and again in 1882; resigned the chairmanship of the county board December 19, and arrived in Sioux Falls December 21, 1882, and had charge of the Nortwestern Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany's business in South Dakota until March, 1884. On the 11th day of March of that year opened a law office in the Masonic Temple, and was the first tenant to occupy that building. In January, 1886, formed a copartnership with Park Davis, and W. H. Lyon was added
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to the firm in 1888. Was city attorney from 1885 to 1889; on the 21st day of August, 1890, upon the resignation of C. O. Bailey, was ap- pointed state's attorney for Minnehaha county, and by subsequent elections held the office until 1895, since which time he has practic- ed law. In territorial days was a member for two years of the Re- publican Central Committee, and in 1895-6 was a member of the State Agricultural Board.
BAKER, WILLIAM L., was born in Madison county, N. Y., April 9, 1860; was educated in the public and normal schools, and was grad- uated from the Rochester University, Rochester, N. Y., in 1885; came to Sioux Falls in the fall of 1885, spent the winter in Chicago, returned the following spring, and was employed for one year and a half in the German Loan & Trust Company's office; from October, 1887, until January, 1889, was cashier of the First National Bank of Parker, in Turner county; in January, 1889, became cashier of the Minnehaha National Bank of Sioux Falls, which position he still holds. Mr. Baker is a social gentleman and has a large circle of friends. He belongs to the Masonic orders in the city, and has been honored with official positions by the bodies to which he belongs. He is a kind, obliging neighbor, and an esteemed citizen.
BARRETT, CHARLES, is a native of Mayo county, Ireland, and was born in 1842. He emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1848, and lived in Buffalo, New York, until 1850, when they removed to Wheeling, Virginia, where they remained until in 1856, and then removed to Freeport, Illinois. He attended school and acquired a fair business education at that place. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the 46th Illinois regiment and went to the front. At the great battle of Shiloh he was seriously wounded in his hip and so disabled that he was discharged from the service; the bullet which disabled him not being removed until six years and seven months later. He went back to his old home and resided there until in 1878, when he came to Sioux Falls and engaged in the real estate business, and soon became known far and wide as the "Great Locator." He engaged in farming in McCook county for awhile, but believing in the future success of Sioux Falls sold out his farm and returned to the real estate business at this place where he has ever since re- mained. He owns much valuable real estate, and has built a large number of buildings in the city, and has devoted his whole time and attention to its improvement. Mr. Barrett is a Mason, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine; has been Commander of Joe Hooker Post No. 10 G. A. R., is a prominent Odd Fellow, and a gentleman who is highly regarded for his many excellent qualities. His standing is that of an honest, upright business man, a good citizen and a genial liberal-hearted gentleman.
BARRETT, OGDEN, was born at Patterson, New York, June 27, 1823, and lived in that state until 1837, when he removed to Janesville, Wisconsin, where he resided for several years. In 1854 he went to the Pacific coast. On the 4th day of July of that vear he was in Salt Lake City and heard Brigham Young deliver an address. After a few years he returned to Wisconsin, enlisted in Company C, 2d Wis.
CHARLES P. BATES.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY
Cavalry, and served four years. After the war he engaged in farm- ing in Kansas for ten years. He came to Sioux Falls in 1878, and re- sided there until his death, which occurred on the 31st day of Decem- ber, 1898. He was one of the best known men in the city.
BATES, CHARLES P., is a native of New York, and was born De- cember 4, 1860, and although his father was a minister of the gospel Charles was reared on a farm. He completed his education at the Genesee Wesleyan seminary, and commenced the study of law at Rochester, N. Y. From the time he was eighteen years of age until he was twenty-three he taught school and studied law in connection with his course at the seminary. In 1883 went to Ipswich, S. D., and engaged in the hardware business for nearly two years. In March, 1885, came to Sioux Falls, and entered the law office of H. H. Keith. In January, 1887, was admitted to the bar, but continued in the employment of Mr. Keith until January, 1889, at which time they formed a copartnership under the firm name of Keith & Bates. This copartnership existed until January 1, 1893. He then engaged in the practice of law by himself until January, 1898, when he formed a copartnership with P. J. Rogde, under the firm name of Bates & Rogde. In May, 1894, he was appointed city attorney of the city of Sioux Falls, was reappointed in 1895, and held the office until May, 1896. During the campaign of 1894 he was chairman of the Republi- can county committee of Minnehaha county, and conducted the cam- paign with great credit and ability. After the nomination of Mc- Kinley for president in 1896, he joined the silver Republicans, and received the nomination for state's attorney upon the Fusion ticket, and, with all the rest of the candidates on that ticket, was elected. In 1898 he was re-elected, and was chairman of the executive com- mittee of the Fusion party, and had the managementof the campaign in the county during that year. Mr. Bates is a good lawyer, is care- ful in the preparation of his cases for trial, and is a good trial law- yer. In the performance of his duties as state's attorney he has been faithful, energetic and successful. A few years ago he married Miss Grace Chester, an estimable young lady, and they are now bringing up two bright boys, possibly to enlarge the circle of the legal profession, but probably for the ministry.
BAUCH, LOUIS, was born in Stephenson county, Illinois, May 6, 1864; attended the public schools, but at the age of seventeen com- menced to learn the butcher's trade, and has followed this business since then; came to Sioux Falls in 1887, and went into business for himself in 1889, and recently erected a fine market building on south Phillips avenue. He is a good business man and a good citizen.
BEACH, WILLIAM A., is a native of Sullivan county, Pennsyl- vania, and was born May 2, 1862; moved with his parents to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1869, and from there to Emmetsburg, same state, in 1871; was educated in the public schools, and was graduated from a commercial college at Milwaukee, Wis., came to Sioux Falls, Sep- tember 10, 1883, and worked in F. W. Taylor's hardware store five years. In 1888, bought a half interest in a job printing office in
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Sioux Falls, and in May, 1890, bought his partner's interest, and since then has added to the business until now he has one of the best equipped job printing, blank book manufacturing and stationery plants in the state. He is a good business man, and a pleasant, agreeable man to do business with, and everybody has a good word to say of Will A. Beach.
BEAN, LEVI V., was born at Corina, Maine, March 3, 1845; at- tended the common schools and worked on a farm during his youth, and after attaining his majority engaged in milling and farming until he removed to Osage, Iowa. In 1871, he commenced work as a photographer, and was in business at Osage until October, 1880, when he removed to Dell Rapids in this county. He remained there engaged as photographer until January, 1882, when he located at Sioux Falls and opened a photograph gallery. In 1889 he rented his residence and business building until 1897, when he resumed busi- ness at the old stand. He is an artist of established reputation, and a respected citizen.
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