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 50
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DETLIE, STENGRIM O .. is a native of Norway, and was born April 17, 1842. He received a common school education, and worked for an English carriage manufacturer in Norway several years. He emigrated to the United States in 1866, arriving in Chicago in April of that year. He remained in Chicago until August following, when he went to Union county, Dakota, and took up a homestead and en- gaged in farming for ten years. In 1876, he was employed by the government at the Crow Creek Indian Agency, and remained there until 1886, when he removed to Sioux Falls. In the fall of that year he bought a half interest in Martin Olson's carriage and blacksmith- ing business, and the copartnership of Olson & Detlie was then formed. In 1894, the firm erected a store building 50 by 90 feet, three stories high, on Seventh street, between Main and Dakota avenues, where they have since been engaged in the manufacture of carriages. Mr. Detlie was instrumental in the organization of the United Norwegian Lutheran church in Sioux Falls, and has been the superintendant of its affairs since its organization, and the fact that the congregation has a commodious church building in which to wor- ship is largely attributable to Mr. Detlie's enterprise and efforts. He is an energetic business man, and a good citizen.
DICKSON, JOSEPH M., was born in Logan county, Ohio, January 14, 1840. Attended public schools and worked in a tannery for some time, and then worked on a farm in Illinois until August 10, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. F, 125th Illinois Infantry, and served until June 29, 1865. After his discharge he engaged in farming until 1867
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when he moved to Bloomfield, Iowa, and went into the hotelandliverv business, in which he continued until he removed to this county. He arrived in Sioux Falls the last day of February, 1871, and took up a pre-emption and homestead in Mapleton township, in sections twenty- nine and twenty-two, which he farmed until 1880, when he assumed the duties of sheriff of Minnehaha county, to which office he was elected in 1879, receiving the unanimous vote of the county; was re- elected in 1881 and 1883, holding the office six years; was then chief of police in Sioux Falls three years and on the police force in all six years. December 28, 1898, he removed to the State of Washington. Mr. Dickson was one of the best known men in the county, a good neighbor and a highly esteemed citizen.
DIXON, SIMON H., was born in Star county, Ohio, October 13, 1832. He attended the public schools and worked on a farm until he was twenty-three years old. He then went to Iowa and for three years was engaged as a contractor and builder, and then resumed the occupation of farming. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 35th Iowa Inf., and was elected captain of the company at the time it was organ- ized and served through the war. He then returned to Iowa, and remained there engaged in farming until he removed to Sioux Falls in March, 1892. While a resident of Iowa he held several town offices and was appointed by the governor as commissioner at large from the state of Iowa to the Cotton Exposition at New Orleans. Since coming to Sioux Falls he has been engaged in the real estate busi- ness. At the Republican county convention of Minnehaha county, in 1898, he was nominated clerk of the courts, but the Republicans were in the minority. Captain Dixon is a good citizen and an active par- ticipator in all public matters, and, for the short time he has resided in the county has a host of friends.
DONAHOE, DEN, was born in Canada February 14, 1861. He re- moved to Iowa with his parents when only three years of age and from there removed to Chicago during the winter of 1871, where he worked in his father's brick yard when not attending school. In 1878 his parents came to Sioux Falls, and Den was one of a large family who accompanied them. Again Den went to work in his fath- er's brick vard, and continued in that occupation until he was ap- appointed deputy warden at the penitentiary under Daniel S. Glid- den, who was then the warden. He held this position two years. During the years 1893-4 was deputy sheriff under Sheriff George W. Knott, and had his office at the court house. The following two years he was engaged in the ice business in Sioux Falls. In 1896 he re- ceived the nomination for sheriff of this county by the Democratic and Populist parties and waselected, and in 1898 was re-elected. Mr. Donahoe makes a good official, is a good citizen, and, as the official returns in 1896 and 1898 demonstrate, has a host of friends.
DONOVAN, JOSEPH MITCHELL, was born in the beautiful town of Littleton, New Hampshire, on the 28th day of April, 1866. He was graduated from the high school at Littleton in 1884; then went to Georgetown, D. C., and attended the Georgetown University, re- ceiving the degree of A. M. in 1887, and the degree of LL. B. in
DEN DONAHOE.
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1889. He was admitted to the bar of the District of Columbia in June, 1889, and in October of that year removed to Sioux Falls, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law. He has had quite a large special practice, and if appearances are to count he is not suffering for the wherewithal to clothe and nourish his body. Always a gentleman, genial and companionable, he is well liked by the profession and a large circle of acquaintances.
DOOLITTLE, WILLIAM T., was born in Loudenville, Ohio, March 30, 1849. He attended school until he was fourteen years of age, and then entered a railroad machine shop as an apprentice. When nine- teen years old he became a locomotive engineer, and since March, 1873, has been engineer on passenger trains. He was in charge of the first passenger engine that ran into Sioux Falls, and, except for a little more than a year, has been the engineer on the passenger train between Sioux Falls and Worthington, Minnesota, since then.
In 1879, an incident occurred which gave him an unexpected va- cation for thirty days. He was engineer of the train which during that year started out from Worthington with R. F. Pettigrew and a Mr. Bottineau on board, each of them having in his pocket a deed which he was particularly anxious to get on record in Sioux Falls first, and was induced by Mr. Pettigrew to detach the engine about two miles east of the city and bring Mr. Pettigrew in on the engine. Mr. Bottineau made complaint to the superintendent of the road, Mr. John F. Lincoln, stating the facts and demanding $50,000 damages. Superintendent Lincoln sent for Engineer Doolittle, and when he appeared the following colloquy took place: "William, if what is told is true I am afraid you have got the company into trouble. I am told you detached your engine and took a party into Sioux Falls that he might get a deed on record before another passenger who had a deed to the same property could do so. Is this true?" Mr. Doolittle "It is." Mr. Lincoln -- "I could not believe you would do such an act. The party having the other deed says he is damaged $50,000 by the transaction, and demands your dismissal, and threatens to sue the company for damages." Mr. Doolittle -- " If my dismissal will appease the wrath of the gentleman it is a small matter; but as to the damages, that is another thing." Here Mr. Doolittle, who had been advised of all the facts in the case, related them to the superin- tendent, and told him it was simply a robbing scheme and so satis- fied the superintendent that it was true, that he ended the interview by bringing his fist down on his desk, saving: "Let him sue, he can't recover a cent; but William, you need a rest of thirty or sixty days; take a vacation; I will see that your pay goes right along."
Mr. Doolittle resides with his family in Sioux Falls, and was elected alderman from the First ward in 1896, and re-elected in 1898, and has been president of the council since May, 1897. He is prom- inent in Masonic circles, and at this writing (1898) is Grand Com- mander of the Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of South Dakota. Socially and as a citizen he stands well, and has a host of friends.
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DOW, WALLACE A., was born in Croydon, New Hampshire, Sep- tember 21,1844. His father was a carpenter and building contractor, and the subject of this sketch attended the village school and worked at his father's trade during his youth. For awhile he was engaged by the War department in secret work, but before twenty-one years of age he engaged in the steam heating business. For three years he was learning what he could of this business with the view of aiding him in what he proposed to become his occupation for life, namely that of an architect. For the next three years he was at work with a competent architect at Concord, New Hampshire, and then, until he came West, was engaged in architectural work and as a contractor and builder at Newport, N. H. In the fall of 1880 he came to Pierre, in this state, and the following February was appointed by the Gover- nor one of the board of directors having in charge the building of the state penitentiary at Sioux Falls. He was chairman of the board four years, and during that time the penitentiary was built and put in operation. Since the completion of that institution he has been engaged principally in architectural work, and has made the plans for nearly all the public institutions in the state. He is undoubtedly the best known and most competent architect in South Dakota. Mr. Dow is a man of positive character, and any project that he may champion is sure of persistent, earnest support. He is an enterprising, re- spected citizen.
DUNNING, LYMAN T., was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, July 26, 1847. He spent his minority at work on a farm and in ob- taining an education in the district and city schools. Atabout twenty- two years of age he entered employment in a drug store, and worked in the capacity of clerk until he came to Sioux Falls in July, 1873. Soon after his arrival he opened a drug store at this place, and from that time to the present writing has done a successful drug business. In 1880 he was elected one of the trustees of the Village Board, and in 1881 was elected its president. He has never been a politician, but has attended strictly to business and has been successful. He can justly be numbered as one of our best citizens, not only on ac- count of his personal characteristics but because of his public-spirit- ed attitude on questions affecting the interests of the city.
EDDY, JONATHAN G., was born in Jamaica, Windham county, Vermont, August 27, 1844; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools and at the Leland & Gray seminary, in Town- shend, Vermont. In 1865 he entered the law office of Hoyt H. Wheeler, of Jamaica (now U. S. district judge of the district of Ver- mont), where he remained until April, 1869, at which time he was ad- mitted to the bar. He then practiced law in Jamaica for six vears. In 1875 removed to Brattleboro and formed a copartnership with Charles N. Davenport under the firm name of Davenport & Eddy. It was one of the strong, successful law firms of the state of Vermont. This copartnership continued until January, 1882, when, owing to poor health, Mr. Davenport was compelled to retire from active work. Mr. Eddy then formed a copartnership with James L. Martin, of Brattleboro, which continued four years. In July, 1886,
WILLIAM T. DOOLITTLE.
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he came to Sioux Falls and formed a copartnership with H. J. Daven- port, a son of his former partner. This firm commenced the prac- tice of law, but soon drifted into the real estate business. Real estate was at that time booming, and they made some large deals and built the Temple Court on Main avenue, but the hard times which followed left them with the consolation only that they had been with the crowd and had shown great faith in the future of their adopted city. While a resident of Jamaica, Mr. Eddy was elected represen- tative to the legislature and served one term. He was highly es- teemed by the legal profession, and had the reputation of being a thoroughly good lawyer. He is now practicing law in Sioux Falls, and has many friends who hope that when prosperous times return he may reap a bountiful harvest, such as will to some extent repay him for his labor and outlay in advancing the material interests of Sioux Falls.
EDGERTON, ALONZO J., was born at Rome, N. Y., in 1827, and was educated at the Lowville academy at Lowville, N. Y., and at the Wesleyan university at Middletown, Conn. In 1850 he came to Dodge county, Minn., where he engaged in the practice of law. In August, 1861, he raised Company B, 10th regiment of Minnesota infantry, and was elected its captain. He served in the Indian campaigns of 1862- 63, and then went south with his regiment, where he was in active service during the remainder of the civil war. He was mustered out in 1867, but before that time commanded a brigade during the riots in New Orleans. He was a member of the first legislature of the State of Minnesota, and from 1871 to 1874 was railroad commissioner. In 1876 was one of the Haves electors from Minnesota. In 1881 was elected United States senator to fill the vacancy created by Senator Windom's accepting the office of secretary of the treasury in Presi- dent Garfield's cabinet. In December, 1881, was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of the Territory of Dakota, and removed from Minnesota to Yankton, Dakota. Was elected president of the South Dakota constitutional convention in 1885 and 1889, and was for a short time president of the state board of regents. November 19, 1889, was appointed United States district judge of the district of South Dakota and held this office until his death, which occurred on the 9th day of August, 1896. He resided in Yankton four years, Mitchell four years, and Sioux Falls six years. Judge Edgerton was a sagacious politician, an honest, upright judge, and enjoyed the absolute confidence and the highest esteem of his fellow citizens.
EDMISON, PERCIVAL H., is a native of Canada, and was born February 24, 1844. He attended the public schools during his youth, and then took a two years course in the Queen's University at Kings- ton. He taught school three years in Canada and Michigan, and dur- ing the same time attended the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, one term. He next engaged in mercantile business at Win- throp, Iowa, remaining in trade about four years, and then traveled for a commercial house for seven years. In November, 1871, he started for Sioux Falls, but was caught in a blizzard at Beloit, and did not get any further until April, 1872, when he again started for
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Sioux Falls. this time arriving at his destination in due time. He took up the southeast quarter of section thirteen in Sioux Falls town- ship, and bought the corner of Phillips avenue and Ninth street upon which the Edmison -Jameson building now stands, where he built a frame building in 1873, which remained there until the present stone structure was erected. In November, 1880, he removed his family to Sioux Falls. In 1882, he built the European Hotel, and in 1883, he erected the three story building on Ninth street, west of the Edmison-Jameson block. In 1890, he built a stone front business block on the west side of Phillips avenue between Ninth and Tenth streets, and the same year, in connection with James Jameson, erected the Edmison-Jameson building, a six story stone business block, the finest and most costly in the city. One thing is certainly true of Mr. Edmi- son, he had great faith in the future of Sioux Falls, and has not hesitated to invest largely in such enterprises as bid fair to return a good income, and has added greatly to the imposing character of the improvements of the city. For this he is entitled to great credit, and it has stamped him as one of the most enterprising and courageous citizens of Sioux Falls.
ELLIS, AXEL S., was born in Sumner, Oxford county, Maine, May 2, 1851. His parents removed to Sparta, Wis., when he was quite young, and from there to Owatonna, Minn., where the subject of this sketch graduated from the high school. He was reared on a farm, and upon attaining his majority went to Minneapolis and for two years was employed in the Pillsbury flouring mills; from there went back to Sparta, where he was employed in the post office as as- sistant postmaster until the last of January, 1887. At that time W. P. Carr was postmaster at Sioux Falls, and at his solicitation Mr. Ellis came to Sioux Falls January 31, 1887. The next day he went into the post office as assistant, and remained in the office in that capacity until he was appointed postmaster in June, 1896. He re- ceived his appointment on the 10th of June, but did not take charge of the office until the first day of August following. The office under his charge has been conducted to the entire satisfaction of its patrons, and a more efficient and obliging corps of employes would be diffi- cult to find. Mr. Ellis is a pleasant, courteous gentleman to meet, popular with his associates, and a highly esteemed citizen.
EMERSON, FRANK S., was born at Bangor, Maine, in 1847, but was reared and educated at Melrose, Mass. In 1866, he went to Memphis, Tenn., in 1869, to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1871, to Western Kansas, where he engaged in the stock business six years. In 1877, he fitted up a "prairie schooner" and with his wife and baby started for Sioux Falls, where they safely arrived, and where they have since resided. Mr. Emerson has lead a very active life since coming to Sioux Falls. He has not only engaged in business, but has been enterprising in public affairs. He was an official under the village organization, and city assessor in 1883-4-5, and also a member of the board of education in 1887. On the 3d day of January, 1893, was ap- pointed county commissioner from the fourth commissioner district, which office he has since held. Mr. Emerson makes a good official. He is a charter member of Granite lodge No. 18 of the order of the
F. S. EMERSON.
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Knights of Pythias, has passed the chairs of the lodge, and was elected Grand Representative in 1888. He has also passed the chairs in the subordinate lodges in the order of I. O. O. F., and served as secretary of both the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment of Da- kota, Grand Master, Grand Patriarch, and Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, and has also the rank of Major in the Patri- archs Militant. He is also a Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery, and Shrine at Sioux Falls. No man in the city is better or more favorably known in social circles than Frank S. Emerson, and if he is as happy as he always appears to be, he is the most enviable man in the city.
ENGLISH, OVANDO D., was born in Oswego county, New York, October 19, 1841. He came with his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1849; graduated from the high school at that place and from Delton Academy at Delton, Wis. He learned telegraphy, and taught it two vears in a commercial college, and became a telegraph operator on the first railroad built out of St. Paul; established the officeat Shak- opee, Minn., and was the operator there for one year; was in the same employment at Red Wing for a few months; in 1868 went to Nashua, Iowa, and engaged in the furniture business until 1872; on the 21st day of October of that year came to Sioux Falls and took up several claims on Nine Mile creek and in Grand Meadow township; for the next few years was employed in freighting and taking care of his claims; was engaged in the flour and feed business for two years in the city of Sioux Falls, and for six years was the telegraph opera- tor at the Omaha depot. He is now employed in the county auditor's office. Mr. English is highly respected as a neighbor and a citizen.
ERICSON, CARL OSCAR, was born in Sweden April 15, 1853. His father was a manufacturer of tower clocks, watches and other clocks on quite an extensive scale, and the time he could spare from his studies was spent in the shops, where he soon learned to master the intricacies of machinery and watchmaking with wonderful accuracy. When only seventeen years of age he was employed to regulate and remodela great number of clocks of exceedingly fine workmanshipfor the royal family of Sweden, and daily visited the royal palace at Stockholm. In 1872 he was taken with the fever of seeing America, and setting out for that country landed in Quebec, Canada, where he engaged in the watchmaking and jewelry business for about five years; came to the United States and after looking the country over located at Brodhead, Wis., until he removed to Sioux Falls, where he arrived in the fall of 1879. He opened a jewelry store on Phillips avenue, and soon after commenced building the tower clock which is now doing duty in the Masonic Temple at Sioux Falls, and was the first tower clock in Dakota. In 1886 he was induced to take charge of the Electric Light plant at Sioux Falls, which was then in its in- fancy, and he remained its superintendent and ·manager through all its stages of development until it became one of the largest and best running plants in the Northwest, and gained for himself quite an en- viable reputation as an electrician. He was a mechanical genius and made several inventions, one of which in particular attracted the at-
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tention of the scientific world and was discussed at length in the Sci- entific American and other kindred papers, and for which the Invent- ors' Academy of Paris, France, awarded him on the 12th of August, 1893 the "Great Gold Medal," and conferred upon him the title of Member of Honor of the Academy. During the latter part of 1896 his health commenced failing and he was compelled to resign his po- sition at the electric light works and went to California in the hope of regaining his health, but after a few months stay in that country returned to Sioux Falls, where after a lingering illness he died on the 4th day of February, 1898. Mr. Ericson was a conscientious, upright and highly respected citizen, and his death was deeply regretted by his large circle of friends.
ERICSON, MISS ANNA BERNARDINA, is a native of Sweden and came to the United States in 1889, to visit her brother, Oscar Eric- son, of Sioux Falls. In 1890 she commenced a course of phonog- raphy in the office of the court reporter, E. P. White, in order to perfect herself in the English language. In 1891 she had become so proficient in stenography and type writing that she obtained em- ployment as stenographer in a law office, and since then has been employed by some of the best law firms in the city. She has also devoted considerable time to the collection of data, and in prepar- ing the manuscript of this History for the press.
ESTABROOK, L. M., is a native of Platteville, Wisconsin, and was born February 25, 1852. He received his education in the first State Normal School which was located at Platteville, and was graduated from the law department of the Michigan University in the class of 1875. He then located at Logan, Iowa, and practiced law for one year, and then came to Sioux Falls, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and in the real estate business for several years. Owing to poor health of himself and family he moved out on his farm in Brandon and remained there until 1894, when he returned to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. He was appointed city auditor in May, 1898. Mr. Estabrook is one of the leading politicians in the state. He was one of the first men in this county to join the Populist organization, and has grown up with it. During the presi- dential campaign of 1896 he was chairman of the state committee, and contributed largely to the success of the party. He is well posted, and makes a good speech from his standpoint when cam- paigning, and is radical enough in his political views to be recognized as one of the advance guard. He is a good citizen, and popular with the laboring classes whose cause he most heartily espouses.
FERNYHOUGH, JOHN HARRY, was born in England, June 22, 1863. When about four years old he came to the United States with his mother; his father having previously died. After coming to this country he resided with his mother in Wisconsin and Iowa, and came with her to Sioux Falls, December 18, 1879, where he has since re- sided. He graduated from the high school in Sioux Falls, and then entered the law office of Boyce & Boyce, and also attended a law school in Chicago for one year. After being admitted to the bar he was employed in Boyce & Boyce's office for two years. He then
L. M. ESTABROOK.
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opened a law office for himself, but soon drifted into the real estate business. After the boom was over in 1893, he resumed the practice of law, in which he has since continued. Mr. Fernyhough is a genial, good fellow, attentive to business, a good citizen, and has a host of friends.
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