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 47
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BOYCE, WILLIS C., was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, Sep- tember 16, 1851. He worked on a farm and attended school during his boyhood, and took a two-years' course in the Madison University, after which he graduated from the Northwestern Commercial Col- lege at Madison, Wis. He then worked on his father's farm until 23 years of age, when he rented and worked the farm for three years. In September, 1878, he came to Sioux Falls and entered into a copartnership with Daniel Scott in the feed and fuel business. This partnership continued for one year, when Mr. Scott retired and H. A. Fairbank took his place in the business for two years and a half. After this Mr. Boyce carried on the business for a short time and then took in W. H. Bryan as a partner for a little over two vears, when Mr. Bryan retired and Mr. Boyce continued the busi- ness until in 1884, at which time he sold out and bought a farm a short distance west of the city for $3,235. In 1889, he sold the farm for $24,000, and bought the McGarraugh stone quarry and a half in- terest in the North Sioux Falls quarries; the former of which he operated three years and the latter about one year. In 1892, he be- came state agent for South Dakota of the Aetna Life Insurance com- pany, and in 1894 became the district agent for the two Dakotas of the Mutual Life Insurance company of New York, and in 1895 re- moved to Fargo, N. D., to pursue this business.
Mr. Boyce while in Sioux Falls was active in promoting agricul- tural fairs and expositions, and was marshal of the first territorial fair held at Huron. While upon the farm he bought some very fine stock, both horses and cattle. He brought the first high-bred Short- horns to this county, and he is entitled to a great deal of credit for his enterprise in this direction, as this locality has been greatly bene- fitted by it. He was always a good neighbor and citizen.
BRACE, GEORGE H., was born in Orleans county, New York, on the 26th day of July, 1838. He was educated in the public schools, and when twenty-one years of age entered the mercantile business in his native county, and remained there in business until he re- moved to Sioux Falls, where he arrived on the 23d day of May, 1885. He at once received the presidency of the Dakota National Bank at this place, and remained its president until December 21, 1886. Since then he has been engaged in the loan and real estate business, and has large real estate interests. Mr. Brace is an active business
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
man, with no political aspirations, an upright citizen, a good neigh- bor, and has a large circle of friends.
BRATRUD, CHRISTIN C., was born at Chatfield, Fillmore county, Minn., December 27, 1855; was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. When 23 years old went to Nebraska and remained one year, and then was employed in Sioux City four years. In 1883, went to Hamlin county, Dakota, and bought grain at Estelline four vears, and was engaged in the real estate business at Bryant eight years and moved to Sioux Falls in 1896, and is engaged in the real estate business there. He is not much of a political aspirant. He de- clined the nomination of state senator and county treasurer while in Hamlin county; belongs to the Masons, Odd Fellows and the A. O. U. W., and has during the short time he has resided in Sioux Falls become known as an enterprising, upright citizen.
BRIDGE, MARK, was born in Berry, Lancashire, England, Octo- ber 7, 1857, emigrated with his parents to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1864, where he attended school and worked in his father's brick yard until eighteen years old; then worked on a farm two years; came to Sioux Falls on the 20th day of April, 1878, and from that time until 1888, was engaged in various employments, at one time operating a large farm and raising Holstein cattle; engaged in the livery busi- ness for several years, and in November, 1896, leased the Commer- cial Hotel in the city of Sioux Falls, and has since been the propri- etor. In 1885, was elected alderman from the First ward, and by re- elections held this office until May, 1890; in 1892, was again elected, and re-elected in 1899, holding this office nine years. He organized Hose Company No. 1, the first hose company in the county and was made its foreman; was also chief of the fire department two years. He never secured an election without a contest, but in some way has managed to defeat some of the best men in his ward, which settles the fact that he has considerable sagacity and strength, and is a fac- tor in local politics not to be ignored. He is a popular landlord, and has a wide circle of acquaintances.
BROCKWAY, CHARLES L., was born in Homer, Cortland county, New York, July 6, 1850, and came West with his parents in 1857, locating at Whitewater, Wisconsin. He attended the common schools and the University of Madison, and graduated from the state Normal school. In 1872, went to Kansas, where he was admitted to the bar. In 1883, removed to Sioux Falls, and engaged in the practice of law. In 1890, was appointed city attorney and reappointed in 1891, and served the city in that capacity until May, 1892. In 1898, was a mem- ber of the state senate, and was one of the most influential members of that body. In 1896, was nominated by the Republican party of Minnehaha county for the senate, but, like all others on that ticket, was defeated. He is at the present time receiver of the land office at Chamberlain, S. D. Mr. Brockway is well informed upon all the public questions of the day, and is one of the most effective speakers in the state. He has a host of friends and is highly respected as a citizen.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
BROOKINGS, WILMOT W., was born in Woolwich, Maine, Octo- ber 23, 1830. His father was of English descent, and his ancestors came over in the early settlement of the Colonies. His great grand- father was killed in the British service while repelling an attack made by the French and Indians on the fort of Phipps Neck, Woolwich, Maine, in 1858. His mother, Susannah Bailey, was of Scotch and Hugenot descent.
His early boyhood was passed on the farm, with the exception of several short fishing and sea voyages. In 1850, he determined on a college course and in 1851 was admitted to Bowdoin college, and graduated in 1855, supporting himself largely by teaching during the annual vacations. After graduating and while reading law with Hon. W. P. Fessenden of Portland, Maine, he taught at the Litch- field Institute, North Anson Academy and Wiscasset high school, each one term. In May, 1857, he was admitted to the bar in Port- land. The June following he started for the West, and on the 27th day of August, 1857, reached Sioux Falls, then a part of Minnesota Territory, with only nine white persons in all the country now con- stituting the two Dakotas.
Soon after his arrival, a county was organized and the subject of this sketch was appointed district attorney. In 1859, he was elected a member and president of the council of the People's Legislature of Dakota, and by the same legislature, appointed governor. In 1861, was elected to the council of the Dakota legislature from the first district for two years; to the house of representatives from Yankton county for three successive terms, 1863-4-5, and was speaker in 1864; was appointed in 1865 to the superintendency of a United States military wagon road from Minnesota to Montana; in 1866, was nominated for Congress by the anti-Johnson branch of the Republican party; was elected member of the council from Yankton county in 1867 for two years; elected president of the council in 1868; served as district attorney for Yankton county in 1867-8. In March, 1869, was married to Clara A. Carney, daughter of Capt. William Carney of Dresden, Maine. In April, 1869, was appointed by Pres- ident Grant associate justice of the supreme court of Dakota for four years, and served until 1873; was a member of the constitutional con- ventions of 1883 and 1885 from Minnehaha county. He was the most prominent organizer of the Dakota Southern Railroad in 1871-the first railroad to enter Dakota-and was either president, vice presi- dent or solicitor for more than ten years of the Dakota Southern, Sioux City & Pembina, and the Sioux City and Dakota railroad, now part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system. Published the Sioux Falls Leader in 1883-5. In 1889, the Minnehaha Canning Factory was built. He was the principal owner, and was president of the company organized to conduct the business. He was pro- moter of the Sioux Falls Linen Mills, and one of its directors; organ- ized the Minnehaha Trust Company, of which he was president, and was for some years a director in the Sioux Falls National Bank, Na- tional Reality Company and the Safe Deposit Company.
October 15, 1862, he pre-empted the northwest quarter of section 16, township 101, range 49, the first land ever entered from the gov- ernment in Dakota.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY
The activity and enterprise of Judge Brookings need no com- ments, and the various official positions he has held politically and in connection with enterprises looking to the development of South Dakota vouch for his ability and integrity. He is not only zealous in whatever he undertakes, but is a man of resource and courage. He was "in at the beginning" and has suffered more than ordinarily falls to the lot of the pioneer, and no person who is acquainted with Judge Brookings and his active work in behalf of the city of Sioux Falls and South Dakota can for a moment do otherwise than remem- ber him kindly, and hope that he may yet reap a rich harvest from his many enterprises.
BROUGHTON, CASS, was born in Wayne county, New York, March 13, 1844. He attended school and worked on a farm until sixteen years old, then engaged in railroad work seven years, and in carpenter work until 1870, when he came West. He reached Sioux Falls on the 23d day of January of that year, and the May following, his family arrived. He then opened a boarding house in the old stone building previously occupied by the surgeon who had been stationed there with the soldiers. The building was then owned by his brother Ed. Broughton. On the 30th day of January, 1870, he took up a farm in sections thirty and thirty-one in Sioux Falls township, where he resided most of the time until 1889, when he moved into the city of Sioux Falls. While a resident of the town- ship he held school and township offices, and made a good official. He is a respected citizen.
BROWN, EMMETT J., was born in Saline, July 25, 1848. He was reared on a farm, and received a common school education during his early youth, and at the age of sixteen years graduated from the high school at Ypsilanti, Mich. In 1865 he removed to Shakopee, Minn., and for a short time was employed in a bank, and then went into the grocery business. On the 28th day of March, 1878, he came to Sioux Falls and opened a grocery store, and also a photograph gallery on Phillips avenue. In 1881 he went to Brookings county and took up a homestead and lived there four years. He then returned to Sioux Falls, where he has since been engaged principally in the real estate business. Mr. Brown is a respected citizen.
BROWN, GUSTAVUS, was born in Ogdensburg, New York, Octo- ber 22, 1852; graduated from the city high school, and from the Bry- ant & Stratton commercial college; was then employed as cashier in the Ogdensburg & Champlain Railroad Company's office, and from 1872 to 1876 held the same position in the office of the Northern Pa- cific railroad at Duluth, Minn., was station agent at Hamburg, Iowa, and Kenton, Ohio, three years; came to Sioux Falls February 28, 1879, and was in the employ of the Phoenix Insurance Company, and the Omaha R. R. Co., until 1882, when he became the agent of the U. S. Express Co., and remained in its employ until 1890, since which time he has been bookkeeper for the Hickey and McNamara Mercantile Co. Mr. Brown has always been an efficient, capable man in his work, and has a large circle of friends.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
BROWN, DR. SAMUEL AUGUSTINE, was born in North Carolina, June 25, 1848; was reared on a plantation, and attended the common schools, and the Marion high school. In February, 1867, commenced the study of medicine, and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia in the spring of 1871; took a special course, and was examined and admitted into the United States navy as as- sistant surgeon; was assigned to duty in the navy hospital at Nor- folk for six months, and then on board the Marion a short time, the Powhattan eighteen months, and the Kansas eighteen months, and was on board this ship when it sailed into the harbor at Santiago de Cuba and demanded the prisoners taken from the Virginia, with notice that the city would be bombarded in two hours if the request was not complied with; was then in the hospital at Philadelphia eigh- teen months, and from there was transferred to the Pacific station; was aboard the Independence at Mare Island two years and a half, and was also surgeon of the Pensacola hospital in Florida, and re- mained there six months, when he removed to Dakota, and located at Sioux Falls August 28, 1882, where he has since resided, practicing his profession; has been city health officer two terms, superintendent of Minnehaha County Board of Health two years; and on November 27, 1887, formed a copartnership with Dr. A. H. Tufts, which part- nership still exists. He has attained a high rank in his profession, and the firm of Brown & Tufts gets its full share of professional business. Dr. Brown has been advanced to the thirty-second degree in Masonry, is of genial temperament, is a respected citizen, and has a large circle of friends.
BROWN, SAMUEL LEWIS, was born in Genesee county, New York, January 23, 1853. He was reared on a farm, and during his youth attended the common and high schools. At the age of twenty years went to Oregon, Illinois, where he entered a Normal school to fit him- self for teaching. The year following commenced active work as teacher in the town of Bonus, Boone county, Illinois. In 1875, was elected principal of the schools in Union, and two years later held the same position in Capron, Illinois. Remained in Illinois until he removed to Sioux Falls in 1889. During the entire time of his resi- dence in that state he was engaged in teaching, and established for himself a high reputation as a successful educator. The first year after his coming to Sioux Falls he became a teacher in the high school, and in 1890 was elected assistant principal of the city schools, which position he occupied until he resigned in 1893, to take charge of the Normal institute (which has since then merged into the Dakota Normal College.) At the expiration of two years he resigned, to accept the chair of Mathematics and Pedagogics in the Sioux Falls University, which position he held until July, 1897. During the summer vacations for several years past, he has been engaged either as instructor or conductor in a number of county institutes, and has become widely and favorably known throughout the state. He is al- ways a gentleman, and an exemplary citizen.
BROWN, THERON G., was born at Ithaca, New York, on the 21st day of March, 1856. He was educated in the common schools, and
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THOMAS H. BROWN.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY
graduated from the high school in Rochester, Minnesota. He also took a most thorough course in shorthand. In Angust, 1879, he came to Sioux Falls, and in October of that year commenced work as of- ficial reporter of the courts in the fourth judical district of the Ter- ritory of Dakota. At that time Judge Kidder was presiding judge in that district, and Mr. Brown remained with him until he died. He was reappointed by Judge Palmer, and held the position until 1888, when he resigned. He was the first reporter in the district, and did the first work in Lincoln, Clay and Union counties without compen- sation. In 1879 the legislature fixed the compensation for court re- porters, and from that time he received pay for his work. In 1888 he went to Flandreau, Moody county, and was engaged in the County Bank of that place for one year. He then returned to Sioux Falls and became the secretary of the city school board and of the Mutual Aid Building & Loan Association, and was also connected with the Co-operative Savings & Loan Association for several years. He was employed as stenographer by the county court and was deputy clerk of the county and circuit courts from 1893, to January, 1897. On the 2d day of August, 1897, he was appointed city auditor of the city of Sioux Falls. In June, 1899, he removed to Howard, S. D. Mr. Brown is a genial good fellow, active in political matters, and an esteemed citizen.
BROWN, THOMAS H., was born in Portabello, Durham county, England, August 17, 1837. In 1848 he came to the United States with his parents, who settled in Wisconsin. Until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion he was engaged in farming and mining. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, Third Wisconsin Infantry, and served until August, 1865. After the war he went to Montana, where for a year and a half he engaged in mining. He then went to Brodhead, Wis., and engaged in the hardware business. In 1867 he was married to Miss Mary Morse. In 1872, he came to Sioux Falls, and moved into the first frame dwelling house built at that place, which was located where his present residence now stands, on the corner of Phillips avenue and Twelfth street. The next spring he entered into a co- partnership with B. F. Roderick in the lumber business, but during the year following retired from the firm, and bought a half interest in the business of Nye Phillips, who was dealing in hardware, drugs, and leather. This firm was in existence about five years. He was then employed by the Northwestern railroad company in obtaining the right-of-way and locating town sites on the Dakota Central. In 1888, he bought the job office and bookbinding plant of Sam T. Clo- ver, and when the effects of the Insurance Company of the Dakota were disposed of by its receiver, he purchased the printing outfit. May 1, 1889, he took into the business Eugene Saenger, and the firm of Brown & Saenger has now the largest and most complete book- binding and printing establishment in the state.
Mr. Brown since coming to Sioux Falls, has been active in Ma- sonic matters. He organized the first lodge in the county, and was its Master the first three years. He was the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge in the Territory of Dakota, and a few years later was again elected to this office. He has taken an active part in edu-
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
cational matters, and was president and member of the school board for several years. He took a prominent part in securing for Sioux Falls the B., C. R. & N. railroad, and has been a director of the com- pany since that time. He was one of the South Dakota Commission- ers at the World's Fair in 1893, and was the executive officer of the commission. It is needless to add anything to the foregoing record to establish the fact that Mr. Brown is a prominent man of affairs, and takes great interest in the welfare of South Dakota in general, and Sioux Falls in particular.
BROWN, MRS. MARY, came to Sioux Falls with her husband, Thomas H. Brown, in 1872. Her first home was not in the barracks, but on the contrary she resided in the first frame house built in the little hamlet. Mrs. Brown is prominent in social matters, and is well known throughout the state, especially among the members of the Eastern Star and the Woman's Relief Corps, in which organiza- tions she has held high official positions. During the World's Fair at Chicago, she made her home at the South Dakota building, and contributed largely to the comfort and entertainment of its visitors.
REV. W. HOWELLS BUCHANAN, D. D., was born at Florence, Pennsylvania, in 1829; fitted for and entered Jefferson College, and was a student there until the close of his sophomore year, then at- tended the Miami University, Ohio, until the close of his junior year, and was graduated from Monmouth College, Illinois, receiving the degree of A. B. The next two years was principal of the public schools at Mount Vernon, Ohio; studied theology in Oxford, Ohio, and Monmouth, Ill., and was licensed to preach in the Presbyterian church in 1859. He built the First Presbyterian church at Elvaston, 111., the Westminster Presbyterian church in St. Louis, Mo., and the Madison Square Presbyterian church in San Antonio, Texas; has been a member of the Presbytery of New York City and Boston, and during the past three years of the Presbytery of South Dakota. In 1889, received the degree of D. D. from the trustees of Richmond College, Ohio, of which the Rev. Dr. G. W. McMillan is president. During the past three years he has been City Missionary in Sioux Falls, and is known as an exemplary, earnest Christian worker.
BUCHANAN, ROBERT, the subject of this sketch was born in Glas- gow, Scotland, on the 26th day of March, 1836. He emigrated to Canada in 1842, where he resided until 1863. He graduated from the Canadian University at Toronto. In 1863, he came to Appleton, Wisconsin, and commenced the publication of a newspaper called The Post, which he conducted for several years. He then went to Michigan, but was soon after burned out and lost all his property. In 1869 he went to Cherokee, Iowa, and started a newspaper called The Cherokee Times. His outfit was small, and so was the town, but as Cherokee increased its population and commercial importance, the Times' plant also prospered. In short, he made a business suc- cess of the enterprise. In 1875 he sold out the Times and came to Sioux Falls, and on the 21st day of February, 1876, purchased the Sioux Falls Pantagraph, and took an active part during the cam- paign which started a bitter factional fight in local politics. But
MRS. T. H. BROWN.
ROBERT BUCHANAN.
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HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY,
Mr. Buchanan did not remain long in Sioux Falls, as his Cherokee sale fell through, and he returned there and again took charge of the Times until 1884, when he bought the Gazette at Davenport, Iowa. In May, 1886, he came to Sioux Falls and bought the Leader, which he published for two years, and then sold the plant to W. W. God- dard. The Leader was consolidated with the Argus, as the Argus- Leader, and for a short time Mr. Buchanan had charge of the edi- torial columns. After severing his connection with this paper, he engaged in the real estate business for several vears in connection with his son-in-law, J. H. Gray. In 1890, he was elected to the legis- lature from this county, and was the caucus nominee of the Republi- can party for speaker, but the Republicans needed one more vote than they had, to secure his election. During that session of the legislature he was the acknowledged leader of the house. In 1893, he commenced the publication of the South Dakota State Forum, and continued to do so until his death, which occurred on the 22d day of June, 1895.
Mr. Buchanan was in many respects a remarkable man. As a journalist he was well equipped, and the editorial columns of his paper bristled with sarcasm, wit, invectives or logic, as suited him best. He took an active part in politics and was a strong, sagacious political manager, and brought great zeal and energy to his political work. In brief, he was a strong man, an enterprising citizen, and had a host of admirers and friends who profoundly regretted his death. Such men as Robert Buchanan are rare in communities of much larger size than Sioux Falls, and it is only recording what was remarked by every one at the time of his decease, that Sioux Falls had lost one of her most valued citizens.
BUCHANAN, CEYLON W., was born in Tuckersmith, Upper Canada, November 23, 1865. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the Bryant and Stratton business college at Chicago. He is a son of the late Robert Buchanan, and resided with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. His first business venture was in connection with his brother William. They estab- lished a Democratic newspaper at Luverne, Minnesota, and published it three years. In 1888, he was employed as mail agent on the Cedar Rapids and Watertown route, and remained in that position for nearly a year. From there he went to Oregon and worked on a newspaper about a year, and then returned to Dakota, worked in a real estate office at Pierre for awhile and was clerk in the county treasurer's office in Sioux Falls about one year. Upon the estab- lishment of the South Dakota State Forum by his father he became connected with it, and upon the decease of his father, entered into copartnership with his brother Fred, and published the Forum until the latter part of July, 1896. He was the business manager, and it was this firm that established the first patent auxiliary house in Sioux Falls for furnishing ready prints.
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