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 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
Under Professor Christopherson's direction the Sioux Falls Business College greatly extended its usefulness, and earned for it- self a large patronage and a wide reputation for thorough and prac- tical work. In the spring of 1894, the Sioux Falls Business College and the Queen City Commercial College were consolidated under the name of Dakota Normal College and Business University and Pro- essor Christopherson was by the board of directors chosen business manager of the institution, in which capacity he has since remained, and it is due largely to his efforts that this college now takes a lead- ing place among this class of institutions in the Northwest in the methods offered young people desirous of obtaining a thorough and practical business education.
492
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
CLARK, JAMES B., was born in Orleans county, New York, April 21, 1860. He was reared on a farm, attended the public schools, and completed his education at the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1880. He then went to Mount Carroll, Illinois, and engaged in the drug business one year. In the spring of 1881 he came to Sioux Falls with a car load of horses, and when they had been disposed of he went into the real estate, loan and in- surance business, in which he has continued to the present time. He was one of the organizers of the State Banking & Trust Com- pany and is one of its directors. He is one of Sioux Falls best citi- zens, and takes an active part in all public matters.
CLOUDAS, JOHN B., was born in Pekin, I11., April 27, 1853. He attended the common and high schools, but while quite young went to work in a clothing store: in 1869 went to Sioux City where he was employed in a clothing store for one year; in 1870 went to Yankton and entered the employ of S. Eisman & Co., dealers in gent's cloth- ing and furnishing goods and remained with them several years; then went into the grocery business, but sold out at the end of two years, and went to Niobrara, Nebraska, and established the first clothing house there. On the 16th day of March, 1880. came to Sioux Falls, and opened a clothing store in company with S. Eisman, under the firm name of J. B. Cloudas & Co., and continued this busi- ness for two years, when he sold out, and was employed in the Queen Bee mill until it stopped operation; since that time he has been en- gaged in the insurance, real estate and stone business. Mr. Cloudas is a genial good fellow, a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
COATS, CLARK G., was born at Mecca, Trumbull county, Ohio, March 14, 1844, attended the public schools and worked in his fath- er's machine shop and novelty works until twenty-two years of age; then went to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked in cooper shops seven years; came to "Sioux Falls City," as it was then called, July 3, 1869, and went to work for C. K. Howard and the next winter went to Flandreau and took charge of C. K. Howard's general store at that place; the last of March, 1870, returned to Sioux Falls afoot, wading through water waist-deep in some places; in May went to Kalamazoo, Mich., and got married, but returned to Sioux Falls in a few weeks; his wife came in August, and during the next winter they kept house in the barracks, the next spring he commenced building the first frame house in Sioux Falls, but W. S. Bloom, who commenced soon after to build the house afterwards occupied by T. H. Brown, fin- ished his first. Mr. Coats took up one hundred and sixty acres of land in Sioux Falls township, and bought forty acres more; two years later he took up one hundred and sixty acres of land in Mapleton township and removed there; bought eight hundred and forty acres more and resided there until 1883, when he returned to Sioux Falls and bought five hundred and forty acres of land situated mostly within the city limits, and also acquired considerable city property.
Mr. Coats is a man of great energy and enterprise, and has spent large amounts of money in endeavoring to advance the prosperity of the city of Sioux Falls. In 1890 he erected a large number of build-
C. G. COATS.
MRS. C. G. COATS.
497
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
ings to accommodate the State Fair, and also constructed two race tracks, one a half-mile track, the other a kite-shaped mile track, supposing at that time that horse racing would be generally sup- ported. He has contributed liberally to other public enterprises, and is recognized as one of the best farmers in the county. He has been alderman from the Third ward six years, and was a member of the constitutional convention from Minnehaha county in 1889. He is a good neighbor and a good citizen.
COATS, MRS. ELLA P., wife of Clark G. Coats, came to Sioux Falls in August, 1870, and since then has resided there, except a few years, when Mr. Coats was farming on a large scale in Mapleton township. Before moving to their farm Mrs. Coats was very active in social affairs and was the first Sunday school superintendent in the county, if not in the state. Mrs. Coats is quite an artist, and has a large collection of fine paintings which are her own production. Her maiden name was Ella Pierson, and at the time of her marriage she was a resident of Michigan.
COCHRAN, SAMUEL J., was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 20, 1834, and lived on a farm until twenty-two years of age. At that time he went to Dakota county, Nebraska, where he built a saw mill and manufactured lumber for about six years; went to Colo- rado and engaged in freighting and mining about the same length of time, and then engaged in mining in Montana two years; returned to Ohio and again took up farming for twelve years; came to Sioux Falls on the 4th of July, 1882, and engaged in the grocery business with G. B. Sammons, in which he has since continued. He also owns a nice farm in this county. Mr. Cochran is a careful, conservative business man, and a highly esteemed citizen.
COGAN, JOHN T., was born at Montello, Wis., May 21, 1855. He attended school until fourteen years old, and then entered the print- ing office of the Montello Express. When twenty years of age he purchased a half interest in the paper. Two years later he sold out his interest and went to Mondovi, Wisconsin, and assisted in the publication of the Mondovi Herald until 1879 when he removed to Ree Heights, Hand county, S. D., where he published the Ree Valley Free Press five years. In 1884 he went to Howard, Miner county, and published the Howard Press one year, and from there went to St. Paul, Minn., and engaged in job printing until 1889, when he re- turned to South Dakota, and located at Sioux Falls, and published the Sioux Falls Journal one year. In 1890 went into the employ of Tomlinson & Day and worked on the Argus-Leader nearly seven years. Since coming to Sioux Falls he has been alderman from the Second ward four years, and during two years was president of the city council, and for nine months, during the absence of Mayor Wil- liams, was acting mayor. He was elected register of deeds of Min- nehaha county in 1896, and re-elected in 1898. While a resident of Hand county he was a member of the legislature one term. In 1893 he was a delegate to the International Typographical Union, which met in Philadelphia and was the first delegate ever sent from the Da- kotas. He has been a member of the state central committee and
32
498
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
chairman of the county committee of the Populist party, and evinces great activity in political and other public matters. He is a good of- ficial and an esteemed citizen.
CONWAY, DANIEL J., is a native of LaSalle, Illinois, and was born March 8, 1859. He was educated in the common schools, the North- ern Illinois Normal, and St. Viateurs College. He read law at Dixon, Ill., two years, and then removed to Sioux county, Iowa, and while residing there was deputy county auditor two years. In March, 1889, he came to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided engaged in the practice of law. At first he was in copartnership with D. E. Powers, but in 1893 entered into a partnership with Henry A. Muller, which still exists. Mr. Conway has been active in politics. In 1890, was elected one of the state committee of the Democratic party, and acted as one of the executive committee that year. In 1896, was chairman of the state central committee, and in 1898 was elected secretary of the same committee. In 1897, was appointed United States commissioner, and in May, 1898, was appointed city attorney of Sioux Falls, both of which offices he now holds. Mr. Conway is a good lawyer as well as a good politician, and takes an active part in all matters of public concern.
CORSON, HARRY. On the 6th day of September, 1836, Harry Corson was born at Athens, Maine, and was named by his parents William Henry Harrison. He has dropped the Henry and the public have abridged the rest of his name to "Harry Corson." At the time of his birth his father "kept tavern" and when eight years of age, Harry removed with his parents to Monroe, Wisconsin, where his father engaged in the mercantile business. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools during his youth and clerked in his father's store until 23 years of age, when he went to Pleasant Grove, Eldorado county, California, and engaged in the hotel busi- ness three years, and three years in mining and grain speculations, and then returned to Monroe. Soon after, he was employed by a wholesale dry goods house, and was a commercial traveler for five years. In 1870, he came to Sioux Falls, and being acquainted with the surrounding country, and recognizing the natural advantages of Sioux Falls, he came to the conclusion that it would not be long be- fore it would be an enterprising city, and determined to become a resident. In 1871, he settled permanently in Sioux Falls and com- menced at once the building of a hotel. It was completed and opened to the public on the 5th day of August, 1871, and Mr. Foster, com- missioner of immigration, who then resided at Rockport, Hanson county, was the first to register at the Cataract House. In 1878, Henry T. Corson, a brother of Harry, came to Sioux Falls and from that time the business was conducted under the name of W. H. Cor- son & Brother, which partnership still exists. The same year they made quite an extensive addition to the Cataract House on the north, and again, in 1882, remodeled the whole building, besides adding largely to its capacity. The Cataract House is the most complete in all its arrangements, as well as the best kept and most popular hotel in the state, and while the Corsons live, it will in all probability re- main the hotel of South Dakota.
HARRY CORSON.
501
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY
"Harry" was not only born in a hotel, but knows how to "keep a hotel," and his brother Henry is not only a brother in blood, but was a full brother in the hotel business.
With good business qualifications, attentive to the wants of their guests, always genial and pleasant, it is no wonder that they were successful hotel keepers, and until the hotel was leased in January, 1894, stood at the head of the list of popular hotel keepers in South Dakota. Mr. Corson at the present time is residing in his residence in the city of Sioux Falls, and occupies his time in the management of a farm in Sioux Falls township, which is owned by himself and his brother Henry. He has always been active in promoting the in- terests of the city of Sioux Falls, and his friends are as numerous as his circle of acquaintance is extensive.
CORSON, HENRY TABOR, is a native of Maine, and was born November 8, 1837. He attended school during his youth, and when nineteen years of age went to California, and remained five years. During his residence on the Pacific coast he spent some time in the mines, but during the larger portion was employed by a Chicago store house at San Francisco. Upon leaving California he went to Chicago where he made his home, remaining in the employ of the same house as a traveling salesman until 1878. When his brother Harry commenced the hotel business in Sioux Falls, he contributed to the enterprise, and in 1878 removed to Sioux Falls with his family and took up his residence at the Cataract, where he in connection with his brother had the management of this famous hotel until it was leased in January, 1894. Since then he has remained a private citizen of Sioux Falls, taking things leisurely. Mr. Corson, al- though never an office seeker, has occasionally been energetic in political affairs. He was a member of the board of directors of the Dakota penitentiary in 1885-6, and took a very active part in procur- ing the building of the Willmar & Sioux Falls railroad into Sioux Falls, and was one of the directors of the first railroad corporation organized for that purpose, and the first railroad station out of Sioux Falls received his name to commemorate his services in the enter- prise. He is a prominent Mason, a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
COUGHRAN, EUGENE W., was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, June 17, 1856; attended the common schools, and was graduated from the high school at Sparta, after which he entered the telegraph office of the Northwestern Railroad Co. at that place. He was in Sioux Falls a short time in 1875, but did not come there to locate perma- nently until November 10, 1876. He was at first employed in J. D. Cameron & Co.'s bank, but near the close of the month was em- ployed by the Northwestern Telegraph Co., in its office just opened at that time in a small frame building on Phillips avenue. The next year Cameron & Co. built the block now occupied by Charles Vin- cent, just opposite this frame building, and the bank and telegraph office were moved into the new block. In the fall of 1877, he entered the United States land office in Sioux Falls as chief clerk, and re- tained this position until the office was removed to Mitchell. In
502
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
1880, he entered into a copartnership with T. B. McMartin, under the firm name of Coughran & McMartin, which continued until Octo- ber 1, 1889. The firm was engaged in the practice of law, real es- tate and loans. Since the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Coughran has confined his business to real estate and loans. He is a good business man, and has been successful; is a good citizen, but has never been a candidate for office.
CRISP, JR., WALTER J., was born at Marshall, Wisconsin, March 4, 1870. His parents removed to this county and located in Logan township when he was three years old. He was raised on a farm, attended the public schools, and was a student at the State Normal school at Madison, So. Dak., for nearly three years. When he attained his majority he entered a law office at Dell Rapids, and studied law three months. During the fall of 1891 he purchased the machine business from the Jerry Law estate, and the following year bought out H. K. Hobart in the same kind of business, and contin- ued therein until he was elected clerk of courts of Minnehaha county during the fall of 1896. Upon assuming the duties of his office, he removed from Dell Rapids and took up his residence in Sioux Falls. During his official career he has given universal satisfaction. He was the nominee of the Fusionists for re-election in 1898, and not even an old soldier candidate was successful against him as Mr. Crisp was re-elected. He is an all-around good fellow, and has a host of friends.
CRAIG, Cyrenius H., was born at Greenbush, Rensselaer county, N. Y., November 20, 1856; attended school until thirteen years old. then worked in a foundry one year, and was one year on a steamboat between Greenbush and New York city. His father was captain of the boat. When fifteen years old went into the printing office of the Rensselaer Gazette, where he remained until twenty-one years of age. On the 18th day of May, 1878, arrived in Sioux Falls and worked at the printer's trade four years. In May, 1882, went to Decorah, Iowa, and purchased the Decorah Radical, and conducted it for two years; sold out and returned to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. From July, 1884, until 1888, worked on the Press, then purchased the Sioux Falls Journal, and published it about one year and then sold the plant to Cogan & Stebbins, and again was employed on the Press until March, 1890, since which time he has been on the Argus-Leader. He has been its city editor for several years. Is a newspaper man, and knows how to gather news. Is a genial good fellow, minds his own business, but hates a "scoop" un- less he can make it himself. His good citizenship is unquestioned.
DALTON, A. EDGAR, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1859, and received a classical education. He engaged in the foundry busi- ness for several years at Lincoln, England, and came to the United States with his brother Henry in 1880, and located at Le Mars, Iowa, where they engaged in farming for five years; then lived at Luverne, Minnesota, two years, and came to Sioux Falls in 1887, and estab- lished the Queen City Bottling works under the firm name of Dalton Bros. During that year he married his present wife, and now has a
EDMUND J. DANIELS.
505
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
family of two bright children, and a pleasant, hospitable home. He is a kind neighbor, and a good citizen.
DALTON, HENRY J. M., was born in Lincolnshire, England, November 26, 1853, and received a classical education. He engaged as broker in cotton at Liverpool for several years, and came to the United States in 1880. He first located at Le Mars, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for five years; then removed to Luverne, Minne- sota, where he resided two years, and came to Sioux Falls in the early part of May, 1887, accompanied by his brother. During that year they established the Queen City Bottling Works at Sioux Falls under the firm name of Dalton Bros., for the manufacture of mineral waters of all descriptions; and since that time they have continued to do a successful business. Henry still enjoys single blessedness, and is a genial good fellow, and a good citizen.
DANIELS, EDMUND J., was born in St. Albans, Vermont, Novem- ber 22, 1855. When a lad he attended the village school, but at the age of thirteen became a clerk in a dry goods store, and from that time to the present writing has been engaged in some capacity in the dry goods business. For a while he was a clerk in Providence, R. I., but in 1878 went to Minneapolis, where he remained in the employ of Goodfellow & Eastman for two years. He then entered into copart- nership with Harry Hornefius, and in the fall of 1880 they removed to Sioux Falls and immediately commenced business in general mer- chandise on Phillips avenue in what has since been known as the "Checkered Front," under the firm name of Dan and Harry. The firm was enterprising and soon commanded a large trade. On the 8th day of August, 1885, the firm was dissolved by mutual consent; Mr. Daniels continuing the business. He did not commence business in Sioux Falls in a dugout, but the original little "Checkered Front" he first occupied would bear no comparison to the splendid store he now occupies, it being the finest and best equipped store in the city, if not in the state. He is a merchant in all that the name implies. Al- though a good citizen, he never meddles with anything but business. He is a thorough business man.
DAVIS, PARK, the subject of this sketch, is better known to the writer than any other person whose name is mentioned in this book. In the fall of 1853 we attended the Leland Seminary in Town- shend, Vt., and the acquaintanceship formed at that time resulted a few years later in a copartnership for the practice of law at St. Albans, Vt. Mr. Davis was born in Athens, Vt., September 24, 1837. His father was a farmer, but died when Park was twelve years of age, and his mother died a year later. Under the direction of a guardian, he worked on a farm during his minority, except when at- tending school. He entered Middlebury college at Middlebury, Vt., in 1858, and graduated in 1862. He studied law in the law office of Butler & Wheeler, at Jamaica, Vt., and was admitted to practice in September, 1864. On February 3, 1865, he commenced the practice of his profession at St. Albans, Vt., with D. R. Bailey under the firm name of Bailey & Davis, and remained in the practice of law at that place until the fall of 1879, when, in company with H. F. Stevens
506
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
who was then his law partner, he changed his place of business to the city of St. Paul, Minn., and there remained in practice under the firm name of Davis & Stevens until September, 1881. At the last mentioned date he entered into copartnership with a brother-in-law, in the pork packing business at Albany, N. Y .. under the firm name of Gray & Davis. On January 1, 1886, the old firm of Bailey & Davis was renewed at Sioux Falls, and during the summer following Mr. Davis built his residence on Dakota avenue and removed his family to Sioux Falls, and commenced again the practice of law September 11. In January, 1889, W. H. Lyon was added to the firm, but soon after Mr. Bailey's retiring in November, 1890, the firm of Davis, Lyon & Gates was established, and they are now engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Davis is a thoroughly well read lawyer, and during his long practice has been engaged in a great many important cases. He is a conservative, conscientious legal adviser, and when employed, his client gets his services to the full extent of his ability. His standing among the legal fraternity is evidenced by the follow- ing request, signed by thirty-six members of the Minnehaha county bar July 26, 1889:
"HON. PARK DAVIS, Sioux Falls, Dakota:
The undersigned, members of the bar of Minnehaha county, re- spectfully and earnestly request, that you permit yourself to become a candidate for the office of judge of the circuit court of the second judicial circuit of the state of South Dakota, at the election in Oc- tober next."
In 1874 he represented St. Albans in the Vermont legislature, serving with recognized ability and influence. For several years he was Grand Master of the Masons of Vermont, and was the author of a treatise on Masonic offenses, trials and restoration, prescribing full forms of procedure, which was adopted by the Grand Lodge of Vermont and incorporated in the Monitor. Since coming to South Dakota he has held the office of Grand High Priest of Roval Arch Masons, and other important Masonic offices. He is a good neighbor, a steadfast friend, a social, genial gentleman, and a respected citizen.
DARLING, MRS. MARY H., was born in Belgrade, Maine, Decem- ber 29, 1801, and died in Sioux Falls March 26, 1898. Her maiden name was Mary H. Buffington. In 1826, she was married to the Rev. J. W. Darling, a Free Will Baptist minister, who died at Freeport, Illinois, in 1868. In 1882, she came with her daughters, Mrs. Row- land and Miss Ella L. Darling, to Sioux Falls, where she resided until her decease. "Grandma Darling" as she was called by those who knew her, was a woman of more than ordinary strength of char- acter. She had a purpose in living. Industry, frugality, and benev- olence, were the rules of her life. She took an active interest in all the public questions of the day, and her sympathies were keenly en- listed in the Cuban cause during her last days. Living such a life, covering nearly a century, made rich and great by the devotion of noble, good women, it is no wonder that she was a grand good woman herself.
PARK DAVIS.
C. M. DAY.
511
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
DAY, CHARLES MANLEY, was born at Sidney, Iowa, November 4, 1863. He is a son of the Hon. James G. Day of Des Moines, Iowa, who for fourteen years was one of the supreme court judges of Iowa. During his early youth he attended the public schools and then en- tered Tabor college where he was graduated in 1886, and is at the present time one of the trustees of this institution. His newspaper work commenced while in college, by reporting for newspapers in Iowa and editing the college paper. Immediately after completing his course of study at Tabor college he came to Sioux Falls, arriving on the 10th day of July, 1886. He was at once employed by the God- dard Brothers on the Argus, and from that time to the present writ- ing he has been connected with the paper, except for ten days when the Argus-Leader was taking a vacation from the 1st to the 10th day of November, 1889. During this time Mr. Day was at work on the Sioux Falls Press. After the purchase of the Argus-Leader by Tomlinson & Day, and the responsibility of conducting a daily news- paper was assumed by them, Mr. Day developed into a strong news- paper man. He was equally at home as city editor or editor-in-chief, and it required an expert to determine by a perusal of the columns of the paper while he was actively connected with it which one of the two was in charge of the heavy work upon any particular day. In 1897, he was appointed deputy postmaster in the Sioux Falls post- office, but he still retains his interest in the Argus-Leader and writes its editorials. He is a man of excellent good sense, stands well socially, is an obliging neighbor, and a thoroughly good citizen.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.