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 46
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BEAR, SAMUEL M., was born at Fostoria, Ohio, March 9, 1857. When three years of age he removed with his parents to Olmstead county, Minnesota. He worked on a farm, attended common schools and graduated from Chatfield Academy, at Chatfield, Minn. He then worked as clerk in a dry goods store at Austin, Minn., for six vears, after which he removed to Sioux Falls, where he arrived Jan- uary 29, 1879, and has since remained. He engaged in the book and stationery business with E. S. Ireland, under the firm name of S. M. Bear & Co. In the spring of 1883, the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Bear continued in the business a few months alone, when the firm of Emerson & Bear was formed, which continued business until 1898. Mr. Bear has been manager of the theatre business in Sioux Falls for fifteen years. He is a genial, good fellow, a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
BECHER, JACOB, is a native of Germany, and was born March 3, 1840. He attended school from his sixth to his fourteenth year, and then learned the tailor's trade. He emigrated to the United States in 1863, arriving in New York on the 27th day of January of that year. He resided in New York three years, and then went to Free- port, Illinois, and worked at his trade until 1880, when he removed to Sioux Falls, arriving there on the 10th day of August, since which time he has been engaged in the merchant tailoring business at that place. He is an honest man and a respected citizen.
BECKER, PETER, who conducted the first train into Sioux Falls, is a native of Germany, and was born August 15, 1845. He emi- grated with his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852. They soon after moved on to a farm a few miles out of the city, where the sub- ject of this sketch attended school and worked on the farm until 1871. On the 17th day of August of that year he commenced work as a brakeman on a work train at St. James, Minnesota, and in 1873, was made conductor of the train. October 2, 1876, he ran the first train from Worthington to Luverne as its conductor. As this rail- road was built west his run was lengthened, and he had charge of the
PETER BECKER.
PROFESSOR G. M. BINKS.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
first train into Valley Springs, Brandon and Sioux Falls. After hay- ing had charge of this train for two years and three months, he be- came conductor of a train running from Sioux City to St. James until May 14, 1883, when he was transferred, and made conductor of the daily train running from Sioux Falls to Worthington and back, which train he was in charge of from that time until the spring of 1896. Everybody in Minnehaha county knows Peter Becker and he was deservedly popular with the traveling public. Mr. Becker has been importuned by his many friends to become a candidate for local official positions, but has always declined. Upon the decease of Dr. Livingston a few years ago, which created a vacancy upon the school board in the 4th ward, he was appointed to serve out the term, which he did, but refused to permit his name to be used for the position at the next election. He is an active member of several secret societies and in social as well as business circles has a host of friends.
BENSON, MARTIN R., is a native of Norway, and was born Sep- tember 7, 1860. He emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1865, and spent his boyhood days in Stoughton, Wisconsin, and Winneshiek county, Iowa. In 1872 he came to this county with his parents, who settled in Edison. He worked on a farm as a brick mason until 1883, when he removed to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. In 1888, he went into the grocery business in Sioux Falls, to which he has recently added a stock of boots and shoes, and is do- ing a good business. Mr. Benson attends strictly to business, has no political aspirations, and is a respected citizen.
BINKS, GEORGE MUSGRAVE, was born in Castle Bolton, York- shire, England, April 16, 1836; attended school forty-two days; when seven years old became apprentice to a butcher and remained there two years; then commenced to work in a lead mine, and later became superintendent and manager of the Keld Helds mining works, Eng- land; in 1867 emigrated to the United States and located in Bureau county, Illinois, and was employed in the coal mines for two years; in 1869 went to Iowa and became a Methodist preacher; in 1871-2 was located at Vermillion, Dakota; in 1873-4 went to England, urging emi- gration to Dakota, but returned in 1874, and since then his home has been in Sioux Falls; took up a homestead and a tree-claim in Split Rock township, and now has four hundred acres of land in this county, besides some city property.
Professor Binks is a unique character, and well known all over the Northwest; and notwithstanding his early surroundings being so adverse to the development of literary tastes, he has become a popular lecturer. He is a keen observer of man and nature, and is at home upon his theme -- human nature. He was an early student of George Combe, and is a phrenologist of acknowledged ability. It is rare that one meets with a person endowed with so many gifts. As a public speaker he is humorous, pathetic, and forcible, as occasion may demand; and what is more, his whole life has been a constant endeavor to elevate the standard of correct living among those with whom he has come in contact.
We will close this sketch with an incident in his life that needs
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
no comment. When the professor first arrived in western Iowa he was in great need of an overcoat, and having earned $20.50, pur- chased one for $20. He put it on and went to the post office, where he received a letter from his mother in England asking him to send her $20 to pay rent. He returned to the street, sold the overcoat, and sent her the money.
BLACK, JOHN HARLEY JENKINS, was born in Henry county, Indiana, September 5, 1866, and attended school until he was four- teen years old. At that time he removed to LeMars, Iowa, and commenced his apprenticeship at the printer's trade, and since then has engaged in the printing business. On the 15th day of October, 1889, he came to Sioux Falls and entered the employ of Brown & Saenger, and remained with them one year. He was then engaged by Wm. A. Beach in his printing establishment, where he has remained and is its foreman. Mr. Black is very prominent in labor circles, and takes an active part in local politics. In 1898 he was nominated by the Republican party for member of the house of repre- sentatives of the state legislature. He made an active campaign and did some J. H. J. BLACK. good work, but it was not a Republican year in Minnehaha county, and together with his associates upon the ticket he was defeated. Mr. Black is a good citizen, and highly esteemed by all who know him.
BLACKMAN, FRANK L., was born at Batavia, Genesee county, New York, August 13, 1855, but removed with his parents to Rockford, I11., where he attended the common schools and graduated from the high school. He then assisted his father until he removed to Sioux Falls, where he arrived in September, 1878, and since then has been principally engaged in the real estate business at that place; was one of the trustees of the Deaf Mute school four years; aldermam from the First ward two terms, and city auditor of the city of Sioux Falls two terms, and was for some time traveling in the interest of the Sioux Falls Press. Mr. Blackman is an energetic business man, makes a good official, and is highly respected socially and as a citizen.
BLAUVELT, SILAS E., is a native of Wisconsin, having been born at Fox Lake in that state October 26, 1851. He received his educa- tion in the common schools, supplemented by a few terms at an academy, and when nineteen years of age, went to Cherokee, Iowa, and began business life for himself. He remained there until Sep- tember, 1871, when he removed to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. He has always been an active, but conservative business man, and has accumulated quite a large property. In 1891, he was elected alderman from the Second ward, and served two years. He
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SILAS E. BLAUVELT.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
was a charter member of Granite Lodge No. 18, Knights of Pythias, Sioux Falls, and is a past chancellor of that order. He has held the office of grand patriarch of the Grand Encampment of Odd Fellows of Dakota, and represented that body in the Sovereign Grand Lodge as grand representative at Denver, Colorado, in 1887, and also at- tended the Sovereign Grand Lodge at Los Angeles in 1888. He is a member of the Patriarchs Militant, and received at Los Angeles the "Decoration of Chivalry." He takes an active interest in political matters. While alderman, he was prompt in the faithful discharge of the duties of the office. It is never a difficult matter to find where he stands upon any question of public interest in Sioux Falls, and usually the public is aware of his position without making any at- tempt to ascertain what it is. The block at the corner of Main ave- nue and Fifth street in Sioux Falls, testifies to his loyalty to the city and his confidence in its future prosperity. Nothing needs to be added to establish his high social and business standing in the community.
BLEIFUSS, OTTO H., is a native of Germany, and was born November 26, 1859; emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1863; lived in Wisconsin and Minnesota, engaged in farming until he removed to Sioux Falls, where he arrived on the 13th day of March, 1890, since which time he has been engaged in the grocery business in the city. He is a good business man, active in local poli- tics, and a respected citizen.
BLOMILEY, FREDERICK WILLIAM, was born in La Grange, Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, August 3, 1849. He was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools, and for a short time an academy. Before he was twenty-two years of age, he was elected town treas- urer of La Grange, and held this office six years. During this time he was in poor health, but studied medicine when able. He was then elected treasurer of Walworth county, and held this office six years. During this time he turned his attention to dentistry, and was graduated from the Indiana Dental College, and practiced his profession at Elkhorn, Wis., one year. On the 17th day of January, 1883, he located at Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. Other dentists have come and gone since he opened his dental office in Sioux Falls, but he remains, and is recognized as one of the leading dentists in the state. Dr. Blomiley is a highly respected citizen.
BLUM, JACOB, is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was born October 26, 1826. He received his education in the public schools, and when sixteen years of age he was employed by an uncle to travel for him in the hide and wool business. At the age of twenty-one years he emigrated with his wife to the United States, and located in New Jersey. From that time on he has been engaged in the hide and wool business in Philadelphia, then Pittsburg, St. Louis, and Nebraska City, Nebraska, from which place he came to Sioux Falls on the 26th day of August. 1882, where he has since re- sided. He and his good wife celebrated their golden wedding on the 10th day of June, 1896. Mr. Blum is a good business man, and a re- spected citizen, and notwithstanding his seventy-three years, is seen
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
daily at his place of business, actively engaged in managing his affairs.
BOE, REV. NILS N., is a native of Norway, and was born April 1, 1863. He emigrated to the United States with his parents and located in Minnesota in 1868. He was reared on a farm, and during his youth attended the common schools. In 1879, entered St. Olaf's Academy, where he graduated in 1882; then took a four years' course in Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and graduated from that institu- tion in 1886. In the fall of that year entered the Lutheran Theologic- al Seminary at Madison, Wisconsin, and when that institution was removed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1888, went there and com- pleted his course, graduating in 1889. In August of that year he ac- cepted a call from the mission committee of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod to go to Montana and do mission work for the Lutheran Church. He was the first Scandinavian Lutheran minister in Mon- tana, and built the first Scandinavian Lutheran church in the state at Helena, where he made his headquarters. He also organized con- gregations in Great Falls and Sand Coulee, and remained in Montana until in 1892, when he received a call from the Lutheran congrega- tions in Sioux Falls, Brandon and Springdale to become their pastor. He accepted at once, and came to Sioux Falls the latter part of March, 1892, where he has since remained. He is a indefatigable worker, and a good pastor. He holds services once in two weeks at Brandon and Springdale, and in Sioux Falls every Sunday, either morning or evening and sometimes both morning and evening in addition to his Brandon or Springdale services.
BOOTH, CHARLES VASSAR, was born in Poughkeepsie, New York, September 12, 1833. When twelve years of age he moved to New York City with his mother, where he received a common school education; studied with an architect about three years, and then served as an apprentice with a carpenter. When twenty-one years of age he moved to Brooklyn, and followed the business of architect and builder for awhile, and then was employed in the Brooklyn navy yard until 1863. He was a member of the 47th New York State Na- tional Guard, which regiment was for a short time in 1863, in the United States service. When his regiment was mustered out he re- sumed work in the navy yard. In 1866 moved to Red Wing, Minn., and in partnership with his brother Richard H. Booth was engaged as architect and builder until the spring of 1870, when he removed to Sioux City and engaged in the same business for one year. In the fall of 1871, came to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. He took up a homestead about two miles east of the city, but continued to work at his trade until 1880, when he went into the undertaking business, which he has since followed. Mr. Booth enjoys the dis- tinction of being the first class-leader in the Methodist church in this county. He has been elected coroner of the county three times, and makes a good official. He is an upright business man, and a re- spected citizen.
REV. N. N. BOE.
1
C. V. BOOTH.
R. H. BOOTH.
MRS. R. H. BOOTH.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
BOOTH, RICHARD H., was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, September 20, 1826. His father was the proprietor of a cloth factory, and had the latest and most approved machinery known at that date. At the age of seventeen the subject of this sketch was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, and when he attained his majority commenced business for himself as contractor and builder. In 1847 he removed to New York City. On December 17, 1848, he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah C. Boulette, and celebrated his golden wedding in Sioux Falls December 17, 1898. He spent the summer of 1852 in Minnesota. In 1855 he moved from New York to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained eight months, and then removed to St. Paul, Minn. In April, 1861, he took up a farm in Goodhue county, Minn., where he engaged in farming and worked at his trade until 1870. when he removed to this county, arriving in Sioux Falls the 11th day of July of that year. He took up as a homestead the northwest quarter of section twenty-four, in Sioux Falls township, but has always been a resident of the city, and engaged as a contractor and builder. He built the first church in the county - the Episcopal church at Sioux Falls. He built the Cataract hotel, the VanEps block, the Deaf Mute school buildings, and other public buildings, besides some of the finest residences in the city. He was one of the directors of the South Dakota penitentiary at the time it was built, holding that position four years, and has been building inspector of the city of Sioux Falls several years. Mr. Booth during his long residence in the city has been a very active man, and while not aspir- ing for political positions has nevertheless been an influential and respected citizen.
BOOTH, MRS. SARAH C., wife of Richard H. Booth, as mentioned above, came to Sioux Falls with her husband in July, 1870. She is a woman of domestic instincts and habits, kind and generous-hearted, and has greatly endeared herself to her neighbors, all of whom greatly rejoiced in having the opportunity of making the celebration of her golden wedding an enjoyable event. She has the respect and esteem of all who have the pleasure of her aquaintance.
BOOTH, WILLIS H., was born at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, April 23, 1859; attended the district and high schools, and at the age of fourteen years commenced learning the jewelry business. On the 12th day of August, 1880, came to Sioux Falls with D. J. Turner, and remained in his employ until Mr. Turner's death, which occurred in the spring of 1885. He then bought the stock of goods of the estate, and since that time has been in business for himself. Mr. Booth is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Elks. He is always genial, social and happy, and one of the most agreeable men to do business with in the city of Sioux Falls.
BOWEN, ABRAHAM M., was born in Franklin county, Pennsyl- vania, March 19, 1828; was reared on a farm, and educated in the public schools in Ohio, where his parents moved when he was very young. When twenty-one years old he took charge of the home farm, his father dying at that time. During the civil war he was employed three years in the United States service, a part of the timeas revenue
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
assessor. In 1882 came to this county and bought a farm in Wayne township, and lived there several years, but sold it and moved into the city of Sioux Falls, where he now resides. He has been upon the school boards in the various places where he has resided nearly forty vears, has held township offices, and was one of the board of apprais- ers of damages for right of way in this county for the Illinois Cen- tral and the Willmar & Sioux Falls railroads. Mr. Bowen hasalways been an active man, a thoroughly good citizen, and is highly es- teemed.
BOWER, CHARLES F., was born in Glidden, Iowa, May 24, 1869; was reared on a farm, and educated in the public schools and at the Glidden Normal schools, where he was graduated. In 1884 moved to Walworth county in this state, where he worked on a farm, attended and taught school until September 9, 1890, when he came to Sioux Falls. The next three years he taught school near Valley Springs, the two next at Ben Clare, then at Baltic two years, and in the vil- lage of Hartford one year, making nine successive years in all of successful teaching in this county. In 1898 he was nominated county superintendent of schools by the Republican party, and was one of the three persons elected on that ticket. It was a great personal compliment, and can only be attributed to the fact that he was popular among the teachers with whom he had been associated for nine years in educational work. He is genial and companionable, and is faithfully performing the duties of his office.
BOWLER, JOHN A., was born at North Adams, Mass., April 8, 1861. He removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 1867, where he attended school and worked on a farm until 1881. At that time he was employed as salesman by a machinery house for two years, oper- ating in South Dakota the second year. In 1883 went into the farm machinery business on his own account at Groton, S. D., in which business he still continues at that point. From 1885-90 served as member of the city council or mayor of the city of Groton. In 1894 was elected chairman of the central committee of the Democratic party of South Dakota, and re-elected in 1898. In 1896 moved to Sioux Falls, and in April, 1899, was elected warden of the South Dakota penitentiary, and assumed the duties of this office in May following. Mr. Bowler is a genial good fellow, a good citizen, an astute politician, and has a wide circle of acquaintances.
BOYCE, FRANK L., was a native of Dane county, Wisconsin, and was born March 7. 1854. He worked on a farm and attended district school until fourteen years of age, when he entered the University of Madison, Wisconsin, where he took a complete collegiate course and was graduated in 1873. Immediately thereafter he entered the law department of this university, from which he graduated in 1874, and on the 20th day of June of that year was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Wisconsin. He then entered the law office of Baker, Buell & Wait of Chicago, where he remained until Septem- ber, 1875, when he was admitted upon examination by the supreme court of Illinois to practice law in that state, which practice he pur- sued in Chicago until May, 1878. At that time he went to Sioux
FRANK L. BOYCE.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
Falls on a visit, remaining there about a month, and was so well pleased with Dakota and its future prospects that he concluded to make Sioux Falls his future home. He returned to Chicago, finished up his business there and removed to Sioux Falls and opened a law office the October following. In March, 1879, he formed a copartner- ship with John Bippus for the practice of law under the firm name of Bippus & Boyce, which partnership continued until August, 1881. He then practiced by himself until late in the year of 1883, when he took his brother Jesse W. Boyce in with him under the firm name of Boyce & Boyce. In the spring of 1884 the firm of Boyce, Noyes & Boyce was established, which continued until January, 1886, when T. W. Noyes removed to Washington, D. C. In 1879, Mr. Boyce was elected secretary of the Board of Education, and in 1883 was elected alderman from the third ward. In 1894 he was elected sen- ator from Minnehaha county upon the Republican ticket.
He is known as a most studious, painstaking, conservative lawyer, and has been connected in his professional capacity with some of the most important cases that have occupied the attention of the courts of the state. His firm has had in charge the legal business of the B., C. R. & N. railroad at this place from the time it was built into Sioux Falls, and also that of the Northwestern Packing Company. As an official no one in the city has a more enviable reputation. In the performance of his senatorial duties in the legislature of 1895, he was noted as being the most industrious member of that body, and no member brought to the discharge of his duties a more careful, con- scientious regard for the welfare of the state than Frank L. Boyce of Sioux Falls. A man of this character is always a good neighbor and a respected citizen, and nothing good could be said of him in this respect that would not receive the unanimous indorsement of his wide circle of acquaintances.
The foregoing sketch was written in 1895. During the summer of 1896, Mr. Boyce, being in feeble health, went to his old home in Wisconsin to visit his friends and take a much needed rest for a few weeks. Instead of recuperating, he became more enfeebled and on the 19th day of December, 1896, he died at the home of his parents. His remains were brought to Sioux Falls and interred in Mount Pleasant cemetery. Not only the legal fraternity with whom he had so long been associated, but all who knew him, sincerely mourned his death.
BOYCE, JESSE W., is a native of Wisconsin and was born De- cember 19, 1859. He attended school and worked on his father's farm during his youth. Arriving at more mature age he entered the University at Madison, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, leaving college at the end of the sophomore year. He then read law in the office of J. H. Carpenter at Madison a little over a year, and then took a year's course in the law department of the University. In 1881, he came to Sioux Falls and immediately upon his arrival was admitted to the bar and entered into a copartnership with his brother Frank. In 1884, when Mr. Noyes was added to the. firm, Mr. Boyce went to the Boston Law University, where he took the three years' course in one year, and was one of seven of ninety
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
students who graduated with honors. In June, 1885, he took his de- gree from the law department in Madison University, and then re- turned to Sioux Falls and resumed the practice of law with his brother. Jesse Boyce was not only a partner in the law firm of Boyce & Boyce, but shared with his elder brother Frank in the esti- mation of the legal profession in all the commendations which were freely bestowed upon and so well merited by the firm. Since the death of his brother Frank in December, 1896, he has continued in the practice by himself. In March, 1893, he married Miss Etta A. Estey, a lady of high social accomplishments and rare musical attain- ments, and his home life is exceptionally happy. Genial, honest and enterprising he makes a good citizen.
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