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 90
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
CARR, WILLIAM M., is a native of New Jersey, and was born November 4, 1827. After having resided in several of the middle states and California, he came to Dakota and located in this county in July, 1871. He took up land under the homestead, pre-emption, and tree culture laws, in the immediate vicinity of what is now the city of Dell Rapids. In the spring of 1873, he re- moved his family from Osage, Iowa, and they were on the road twenty-nine days between that place and Dell Rapids. He resided in Dell Rapids until 1893, when he removed to California. While a resi- dent of this county he was an active, enterprising citizen, was county superintendent of schools for one term, and was elected to township offices. His removal from Dell Rapids was sincerely regretted by his friends and neighbors.
CARR, ELMER P., a son of of Wm. M. Carr, was born in Penn- sylvania September 4, 1854. He came to this county June 4, 1872, being at that time in poor health from too close application while at-
1035
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
tending school. He came to what was then Dell City, from Mitchell, Iowa, by ox-team conveyance, and was on the road twenty-eight davs. He resided in Dell Rapids until the fall of 1892, when he re- moved to California. While a resident of this county Mr. Carr ac- cumulated considerable property, being the owner of two farms, and a residence in the city of Dell Rapids. He was a quiet, unassum- ing man, and a respected citizen.
ECKER, O., is a native of Norway, and was born in 1852. He em- igrated with his parents to the United States when ten years of age, and located in Freeborn county, Minnesota. In 1863 he went to Winona, Minnesota, and worked in a hotel until in 1867, when he took employment on a farm adjoining the city. In 1869 he went to Spring Valley, Minnesota, and engaged as clerk in a dry goods store until 1876, when he went to Blooming Prairie and started in the dry goods and general merchandise business for himself, which he continued for eight years. In the fall of 1888 he came to Sioux Falls and engaged in the real estate business for one year, and then went to Dell Rapids and became the cashier of the Granite City Bank, which position he still holds. Mr. Ecker is a popular citizen and a good business man.
ELLIOTT, E. J., was born at St. Catharine, Canada West, in 1852. In 1856 he removed with his parents to Milwaukee, where he received his education, and afterwards worked in the flouring mills of that place as a miller. In 1878 he engaged in the manufacture and whole- sale of boots and shoes, which he continued until 1880, when he re- turned to the milling business for three years. In 1883 he came to Sioux Falls and became employed as a miller at the Queen Bee mill, and remained as such until the mill was shut down in 1884. He then went to Dell Rapids and engaged in the flour and feed busi- ness, in which he still continues. In 1894 he was elected state sen- ator on the republican ticket by a large majority. Mr. Elliott is one of the most genial, gentlemanly men in the county, and popular wherever known.
FARRAND, HENRY, was born in Forest, Richland county Wis- consin, May 24, 1865. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. In 1879 he removed with his parents to Lake county, Dakota, and in 1889 came to Dell Rapids, where he has since re- mained. He is a mason, and worked at his trade for some time, and then took employment in the Dell Rapids Creamery for two years. Since then he has been chief of police in Dell Rapids two years, and is at this writing engaged as collector and agent for the Dell Rapids Times. He is a good, reliable citizen.
GIFFORD, CARMI S., was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1832. He was in the military service during the civil war for one year, serving in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, Battery L. He came to this county in June, 1879, and resided in Sioux Falls four months and then went to Dell Rapids. He took up a quarter section of land in Moody county, but resided at Dell Rapids until he removed from the state in 1894. During his residence in Dell Rapids, he was engaged in the lumber business as agent for C. L. Coleman.
1036
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA; COUNTY.
He was president of the village of Dell Rapids three years, and a member of the council two years. He was also a member of two con- stitutional conventions, and at the constitutional convention convened in Sioux Falls July 4, 1889, Mr. Gifford was appointed on the follow- ing committees: Executive and Administrative, Banking and Cur- rency, Amendments and Revision of the Constitution, and Manufac- turers and Agriculture. His record while a resident of this county is ample proof that he was a highly esteemed citizen.
HOBART, RALPH WHIDDEN, was born in Calais, Maine, March 24, 1865. He was graduated from King's College at Windsor, Nova Scotia, in 1885, and from the law department of the Michigan Uni- versity in 1888. He came to South Dakota in 1889, and located at Dell Rapids, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law. He has been city attorney of Dell Rapids, and received the nomina- tion of county judge on the Republican ticket in 1898, but was de- feated at the polls with the rest of the ticket. He, however, re- ceived more votes in the city of Dell Rapids than any other candidate on either ticket. In May, 1899, he was elected deputy grand master of the I. O. O. F. grand lodge. Mr. Hobart takes an active part in local politics, is an enterprising citizen, and is building up a good business in his profession. In June, 1899, he entered into co- partnership with E. M. Green for the practice of law. He is genial and companionable, and well liked.
HUNTEMER, AUGUSTUS, was born in Grant county, Wisconsin, August 28, 1847. He lived in Wisconsin and Illinois until 1885, when he removed to this county, arriving in Dell Rapids on the 5th day of March of that year. Soon after he purchased the northeast quarter of section 1, in Taopi, and resided there for several years. He has been postmaster at Dell Rapids since February 15, 1896, and now resides there. Mr. Huntemer, while a resident of Lancaster, Wisconsin, was alderman for two years, and while a resident of Taopi, was town clerk several years. He is an honest, upright citi- zen, and highly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.
KENEFICK, M. R., is a native af Canada, and was born in Quebec, 1853. The year following, his parents moved to the United States and engaged in farming in Wisconsin. The subject of this sketch, after having received his education, followed the same pursuit until he lost his hand in 1868 by a gun accident. About this time the family removed to Iowa, and Mr. Kenefick engaged in teaching school in Butler and Grundy counties. During this time he also read law, and was admitted to the bar in Franklin county, Iowa, in 1874. Immediately thereafter he came to Dakota, took up land in Moody county, and remained there four years. In 1878 he re- moved to Dell Rapids and engaged in the law business with Robert Robertson, who died in 1881, after which Mr. Kenefick continued the practice by himself. In 1884 he became connected with the People's Bank of Dell Rapids, which was afterwards changed to the First National Bank. He was elected its cashier, and has held this po- sition to the present time. Was president of the city council for several years, and also a member of the school board. In 1890 was
-
M. R. KENEFICK.
1039
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
elected mayor of the city of Dell Rapids, and served in that capacity until 1894. Mr. Kenefick is independent, energetic and enterpris- ing, and is recognized as one of the best business men in the city of Dell Rapids, and one of the foremost citizens of the county.
MARTIN, REV. M. J., was born in Sligo, Ireland, Nov. 10, 1868. His ancestors were of "the real old Irish stock." He was educated at Summer Hill college in Sligo, and then studied medicine at Edin- burgh University, Scotland. After completing this course of study he entered Maynooth Ecclesiastical college, where he studied for the priesthood, and was ordained with a class of one hundred and four, June 24, 1893, by Archbishop Walsh of Dublin, and sent as assist- ant priest to Tulsk, Roscommon county. Soon after he was sent to a more important parish, where he established several schools and was instrumental in erecting a fine church. Owing to over exertion in this work, at the end of two years his health became so greatly impaired that he was compelled to accept a parish where his duties were not so laborious, but at the end of another year, his health not improving, he was advised by his physicians to try a different climate. He accepted their advice, and came direct to South Da- kota. He is now in charge of the Catholic churches at Dell Rapids, Garretson and Taopi, and the work he has accomplished during his short residence here, stamps him as a man of more than ordinary energy and ability.
NISBET, WILLIAM CORNWALL, was born in Dane county, Wis- consin. December 30, 1863, of Scotch parentage. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Osage, Iowa, and in 1872 moved from there to Dakota, and settled on a claim four miles north of Dell Rap- ids. The subject of this sketch has resided in Dakota ever since, except when away attending school. In 1883 he commenced learning the printer's trade and worked as a compositor in several offices in the state. In 1885, in company with W. L. Davis, he established the Dell Rapids Times. In 1886 he became the sole proprietor and ed- itor of that paper, and continued to publish it until August, 1892, when he sold it to Ward Bros. In October, 1892, he became the ed- itor of the Dell Rapids Tribune, established and published by the Tribune Publishing Co., and this paper is still under his editorial management. On the 11th day of June, 1891, he was appointed post- master of Dell Rapids, and performed the duties of this office until February 15, 1896. On the 30th day of January, 1889, he was mar- ried to Miss Anna C. Morrison of Leeds Centre, Wisconsin. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen orders. While in control of the Dell Rapids Times he established an enviable reputation as an all-around news-
paper man. Although a Republican in principle he has always main- tained that he was not bound to support any nominee of the party if he did not believe he was qualified for the office, either morally or otherwise, and has voted accordingly. This course has resulted in his being severely censured by his editorial brethren, but as this class of people are increasing rapidly, he seems to enjoy the dis- tinction of being one of the pioneers in advocating that only men of character and standing should be elected to office. He is one of the
1040
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY
foremost citizens of Dell Rapids, as well as being a good newspaper man, and is highly respected as a man and citizen throughout the county and state.
NORTON, REV. HOMER E., was born February 18, 1839, in Springfield, Erie county, New York. In 1842, he removed with his parents to Rochester, Racine county, Wisconsin, where he spent most of his time at school and in his father's wagon factory, and dur- ing the summer worked on a farm to relieve the monotony of shop work. In 1856, they removed to Fayette county, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch took charge of the farm, while his father and elder brother worked in town. In the fall of 1858, he entered the "Upper Iowa University" and remained there until 1861, except dur- ing one term he taught a district school. During that year his elder brother enlisted in the military service, and his father being feeble, he returned home and assisted him in taking care of the farm until the spring of 1864. At that time he enlisted in the 46th Iowa In- fantry Regiment for 100 days, at the expiration of which he entered the Burlington Collegiate Institute at Burlington, Iowa, having de- termined to take up the ministry as his life work. He was graduated from this college in 1868, and was the valedictorian of his class. He was then city missionary for six months, under the auspices of the Burlington Y. M. C. A., and then accepted a call from the First Baptist Church of Kirkwood, Illinois. Soon after this he was or- dained to the gospel ministry. He has been pastor of Baptist churches at Berwick, Havana and Pekin, Illinois; St. James, Fari- bault, and the Emmanuel church in St. Paul, Minnesota; Sioux Falls and Dell Rapids, South Dakota. He resided in Dell Rapids from 1892, as pastor of the First Baptist Church at that place, until Octo- ber, 1896, when he removed to Batavia, Illinois. Mr. Norton has a well disciplined, logical mind, and is more than an ordinary preacher, and as a pastor stands in the front rank. He was an active partici- pator in the affairs of the city in which he resided, and always ready, by word and deed, to promote the general welfare.
RICE, DENNIS, was born at Panama, Chautauqua county, New York, January 2, 1830. On the 19th of April, 1855, he and his broth- ers, Frank C. and Gilbert H. settled in Iowa at a place which soon after received the name of Riceville. In 1868, the brothers moved to Osage, Iowa, where they built and operated the Cedar Valley mills. On the 1st day of July, 1871, he came to Sioux Falls to pur- chase a half interest in the water power where the Cascade mill is now located, but in this he was not successful. He, in connection with his brothers, however, soon obtained a foothold at Dell Rapids, then known as the Dells, and the same fall they commenced building a dam across the Sioux river, which was completed in 1872, when a saw mill was also erected. In 1873, they built a flouring mill which was operated by Frank C. Rice until August, 1874, when it was pur- chased by William VanEps of Sioux Falls. In 1875, Mr. Rice re- turned to Osage, Iowa, where he resided until 1881, and then came again to Dell Rapids and engaged in farming and various enterprises. In 1890, he removed to Running Water, Texas, and engaged in the
W. C. NISBET.
63
1043
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
real estate business. His family returned to Dell Rapids in October, 1894, where they now reside.
Mr. Rice at an interview said that "the first Christmas tree at the Dells was a cedar, and the celebration was held at my house. Lew Hulitt, Albion Thorne and wife, Miss Bolster (Mrs. Thorne's sister), E. F. Metcalf, and myself and wife, made up the entire party, but we had Christmas all the same. A good many funny incidents happened in those days, some resulting from fear of the Indians, and some from causes that attend all new settlements. A little incident occurred in 1872, which will always amuse me when I think of it. I was working at the mill when a man by the name of Gibbs came down from Flandreau and wanted to sell a claim he had at that place. Upon inquiry I found that he had been shot at several times, and after re- lating his experience he said in a cool, honest sort of away: "I kind of mistrust they don't want me up there any more."
Mr. Rice is one of those enterprising sort of men who keep things moving, and to this element in his make-up Dell Rapids is greatly indebted for many of its early enterprises.
ROBERTSON, HENRY MCNEIL, was born in Barrington, Shel- burne county, Nova Scotia, on the 18th day of March, 1859. He re- ceived his education in the common schools, the Seminary at Yar- mouth, U. S., and the McGill University at Montreal, Canada, and was graduated from the Law Department of Dalhousie University at Halifax, in 1886, and admitted to the bar in November of that year. In May, 1887, he became a resident of the city of Dell Rapids, and has been in the active practice of his profession at that place since then. He has been city attorney of Dell Rapids several years, and is one of the most reliable attorneys of the Minnehaha county bar. He comes of a good family, his father having been a prominent citi- zen of Nova Scotia for half a century, and a member of the legisla- ture for twenty-one consecutive years. His elder brother has also been a member of the Nova Scotia legislature two terms, and of the Dominion parliament for ten years. It only remains to be added that Mr. Robertson is active and enterprising, and is highly re- spected not only for his ability as a lawyer but as an honest, up- right citizen.
SAWYER, DR. ORA O., son of E. T. Sawyer, was born at West- field, Vermont, January 6, 1856. At the age of seven years he re- moved with his parents to Stoughton, Wisconsin, where they re- mained until 1873, and then removed to Osage, Iowa. He worked on a farm and attended the common schools during his youth, and grad- uated from the Cedar Valley Seminary in Iowa, at the age of twenty years. He then commenced the study of medicine, and at the ex- piration of three years, in March, 1879, graduated from Rush Medi- cal College. He was married the same year he graduated, and immediately after his marriage went to Dell Rapids, arriving there the first of April, 1879. He at once commenced the practice of medicine, and since then has been actively engaged in his profession. He is highly esteemed as a careful, conscientious physician, and has a good practice. He was one of the charter members of the old Territorial Medical Society, and has been president of the Minne-
1044
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
haha County Medical Society. He is not only prominent in his pro- fession, but is an active, enterprising citizen and highly respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
SMITH, O. H., was born in Norway in 1846. In 1869 he emigrated to this country, and the first three months after his arrival worked on a farm in Fillmore county, Minnesota. Then entered a store at Rushford, Minnesota, where he was employed as clerk for two years; then engaged in the mercantile business for himself in the same place until 1876, when he became a resident of this county, and car- ried on a general store in Dell Rapids until 1885, when he changed his occupation and engaged in the real estate business. In 1889, Mr. Smith, in connection with others, organized the Granite City Bank of Dell Rapids, and has since then been its president. He has been a member of the city school board and of the city council, and was elected mayor of Dell Rapids in the spring of 1894, and re-elected in 1896 and 1897. He has been quite active in political matters, and especially so in his city and county. As a business man he has been successful, and as a citizen he is enterprising and respected.
THORNE, ALBION, was born in Canton, Oxford county, Maine, on the 19th day of October, 1836. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools, the state seminary at Westbrook, Maine, and Tufts college, where he completed his education and was graduated in 1862. In September of that year he enlisted in the 23d Maine In- fantry, and was first lieutenant of Company C, during the time of his service. It was a nine months' regiment, and he received his dis- charge in July, 1863. He then engaged in the mercantile business for eighteen months. Previous to his entering college he had studied law, and in September. 1865, was admitted to the bar, and at once commenced the practice of his profession. He remained in his native state until 1868, when he removed to Waterloo, Iowa. He was engaged as teacher in the schools at that place, and was principal of the schools at East Waterloo a little over two years. In the spring of 1871 he removed to Beloit, Iowa, where he resided until the 12th day of August, following, at which date he put in an appearance at what is now the city of Dell Rapids. From this time he went back and forth between this place and Beloit until fall, when he removed to Dell Rapids. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, surveying, practicing law, editing newspapers and holding official positions. He has been county superintendent of schools, county attorney, postmaster, clerk of the courts, besides holding several minor official positions in Dell Rapids township and the city of Dell Rapids. In July, 1899, he purchased the Plain Talker plant of Hart- ford, and is now publishing the Hartford Herald. He has good, staying qualities, and would not give an inch of ground to a coach- and-four. He has had what is termed "bad luck" on more than one occasion. Three times he has been burned out, as he says, "slick and clean," having no insurance, entailing a loss of at least $5,000. Mr. Thorne has a good many warm friends, and no one of his wide circle of acquaintances wishes him anything but prosperity and hap- piness.
O. H. SMITH.
G. A. ULINE.
1049
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
TRESIDDER, STEPHEN, was born near Galena, Illinois, April 12, 1855; was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools and at the Cedar Valley seminary; in 1875 he commenced learning the har- nessmaker's trade, and on the 22d day of June, 1880, located at Dell Rapids, and opened a harness shop, but at the end of ten years had gradually worked into the boot and shoe trade. In January, 1898, he transferred his business to the city of Sioux Falls, where he is at the present time doing a good business. While a resident of Dell Rapids he was a member of the city council seven years, three years of which he was its president. Mr. Tresidder is a good busi- ness man and an enterprising, highly respected citizen.
ULINE, GUST. A., is a native of Sweden, and was born in the province of Wermland on the 12th day of October, 1849. He came to the United States in 1867, and stopped first in Michigan for about five months, then went to Wisconsin for six months and from there to northwestern Minnesota. In the spring af 1870 he went to Cher- okee, Iowa, being then so hard up that the first good meal he had had in months he got at the old Cottonwood hotel at that place. He secured work in Cherokee at eight dollars per month, and took up land where the city of Sheldon now is, which he afterwards sold for fifty dollars. At that time there was only one other piece of land taken up in that locality. He left Cherokee on the 5th day of July, 1871, and went to Jackson, Minnesota, where he remained three vears in the store of J. W. Cowing. March 5, 1874, he started for Dell City, Dakota. He then had just $700, and concluded to com- mence business for himself. When Mr. Uline reached Dell City there were only two buildings where the city of Dell Rapids is now. He rode his pony up to a man who was sawing wood, and said he was looking for Dell City. "You are right in it," answered the man. A man by the name of Cowan had started a store in Dell City in 1872, but his mother died and he grew melancholy, and in sixty days after he had commenced business he shot himself. His store was a little north of the VanEps mill, and there Mr. Uline commenced business. He purchased $1,000 worth of goods, and paid $1.25 per hundred to get them transported from the nearest railroad sta- tion. At this time B. D. Graves had a small store at Dell City, but his stock was quite limited, and Mr. Uline was the first merchant who put in a general stock of merchandise in this place. He con- tinued in trade for seventeen years, and made a success of his busi-
ness. In 1881 he was elected president of the village, and has at various times since then served the village and city of Dell Rapids in official positions. In 1885, he was appointed by Governor Pierce a member of the board of directors of the Dakota penitentiary at Sioux Falls, and served two years. In 1889, he received an appoint- ment to the same position from Governor Mellette, and served one year, and when South Dakota became a state he was appointed a member of the state board of charities and corrections, and was the first president of the board. He was also appointed colonel on the staff of Governor Mellette. In 1892, he organized the Dell Rapids State Bank and became its president, which position he still holds. He is also a director in the First National Bank at Dell Rapids, and
1050
HISTORY OF MINNEHAHA COUNTY.
the Minnehaha National Bank at Sioux Falls. It would be super- fuous to add anything to the foregoing record to establish the fact that Mr. Uline is recognized as one of the foremost citizens of the state.
WARD, DAVID EDWARD, was born at Darlington, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, August 7, 1864, and resided there until he was twenty years of age, receiving his education in the high school at Darlington. In 1884 he went to Cherokee county, Iowa, for two years, and has during the last fifteen years been engaged in the printing business, working on papers in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minne- sota and South Dakota. On the 1st of August, 1892, in connec- tion with his brother, H. W. Ward, he purchased the Dell Rapids Times, and since then the firm of Ward Brothers has published this paper. David E. is an energetic practical newspaper man, and takes an active part in all local matters. He is a good fellow and a good citizen, and highly respected by his acquaintances.
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.