History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 113

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 998

USA > South Dakota > History of South Dakota, Vol. I > Part 113

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).

771

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

among the earliest settlers of LaValley, he very naturally manifested a lively interest in its devel- opment, accordingly he assisted other settlers to secure homes, and in many other ways proved a benefit to them until they succeeded in getting a substantial start in the new country. He not only exercised a strong influence in the material af- fairs of his township, but took an active part in public matters and at different times held every township office within the gift of the people, prov- ing in all of these positions a capable, trust- worthy and exceedingly popular and accommo- dating official. Mr. Wood believed in the gospel of honest toil and throughout life was a great worker and made his industry and thrift redound greatly to his financial advantage. He not only established a fine home and acquired a sufficiency of worldly wealth to render his condition inde- pendent, but also assisted his older children to get a start in life, besides providing handsomely for his wife and the younger members of the fam- ily against the day of his death, an event which, unfortunately for them and the community, took place at a time when it was thought he could least be spared. This kind neighbor and estimable citizen, after an active and useful life of nearly sixty years, was called from the scenes of his earthly toils and achievements on the 27th day of August, 1901, his death being deeply lamented, not only by his immediate family and relations, but also by a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances in LaValley township and throughout the county. Six months before his death Mr. and Mrs. Wood left the farm and moved to the village of Worthing, where she has a comfortable home, in which she has since lived a life of quiet retire- ment. She is highly esteemed wherever known, stands high in the confidence of the people of Worthing, and by her excellent character and many kind deeds exercises a gentle but whole- some influence among all with whom she mingles. She has been twice married, her former husband, Davis Lippincott, a farmer and soldier, of West Union, Iowa, having been killed in battle at Jules- burg, Colorado, in the year 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood reared a family of four children, the oldest of whom, a daughter by the

name of Arminta, is the wife of George Voger, a farmer of Lincoln county, and the mother of a son. Floyd; Herbert L., the second in order of birth, served one and a half years as a soldier in the late Spanish-American war, and is now a prosperous young farmer of LaValley township : Franklin L., also a farmer and stock raiser, man- ages the homestead in LaValley, and is one of the enterprising citizens of his community ; he married Miss Ila Grace, of Canton, South Da- kota, who has borne him two children, Ray and Bernice ; Eddie, the youngest of the family, is un- married, and lives at home with his mother, managing her interests and looking after her comfort. Mrs. Wood is a Methodist in her re- ligious belief and is one of the respected and use- ful members of the local church at Worthing. Mr. Wood also subscribed to the same belief, and for a number of years was a faithful and consist- ent communicant of the above congregation, for the material support of which he contributed lib- erally as long as he lived. Fraternally he was an active worker in the Odd Fellows order, at Worthing, and his name appears among the first on the records of the Grand Army post at Can- ton. Politically he was a staunch Republican, and as such rendered valuable service to his party in Lincoln county, having long been one of its standard bearers in this part of South Dakota.

ARTHUR G. HILL is a native of War- wickshire, England, where he was born on the 7th of December. 1863, being a son of Thomas and Harriet L. (Briant) Hill, of whose five chil- dren four are living. The father of the subject was a watch manufacturer and he died in his native land, at the age of fifty-seven years, while his wife recently passed away at the age of seventy-two years. Arthur G. Hill received his early educational training in the common schools of his native county, completing a course in the high school at Coventry and thereafter continuing his studies in Northampton College, where he remained four years. He passed the examination for matriculation in Cambridge

772

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

University, but instead of entering this world- famed institution turned his attention to business affairs. He was employed for six years in the office of a prominent business concern in the city of Liverpool, and at the expiration of this period, in 1884. he severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortunes in the new world. He landed in the city of New York and shortly after- ward started for the territory of Dakota, here to establish a home amid scenes and conditions radi- cally different from those which he had pre- viously known. He located in Buffalo county in April, 1884, and was here engaged in ranching for six years, his energy and discrimination en- abling him to attain success in connection with his new industrial venture, while he became the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. In the spring of 1897 he took up his residence in Gann Valley, where he became associated with Ellsworth E. Dye in the real- estate business, under the firm name of Dye & Hill. They also purchased the Dakota Chief, a weekly paper, of which they have since con- tinued editors and publishers, the paper being an effective representative of local interests and of the principles of the Republican party. The firm still continue their real-estate enterprise, which has become one of no inconsiderable scope and importance, and they have the only set of abstracts of titles in the county. In November, 1898. Messrs. Hill and Dye gave a further ex- emplification of their enterprising spirit by establishing the Bank of Buffalo County, which they still conduct, the institution being one of the solid monetary concerns of the state and secur- ing a representative support.

Mr. Hill is a stanch advocate of the prin- ciples and policies of the Republican party and is a zealous worker in its cause, being at the present time a member of the state central com- mittee, as a representative of this county. In 1890 he was elected county auditor, in which capacity he served four years, while in 1894 he was elected register of deeds, of which position he was incumbent for two years. He is well known throughout the county and both he and his coadjutor, Mr. Dye, are held in the highest

esteem as careful, reliable and progressive busi- ness men and public-spirited citizens. Mr. Hill is also one of the stockholders in the co-operative creamery, a prosperous enterprise in Gann Valley, and is at the present time treasurer of the company controlling and operating the same. Fraternally he is identified with the Ma- sonic order and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is one of the trustees of the Gann Valley Congregational church.

On the 18th of March, 1890, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Stroud, a daughter of John Stroud, a prominent resident of Buffalo county, and of this union have been born two children, Olive L. and Florence C. Mrs. Hill was born and reared in Polk county. Iowa, and is prominent in the social life of her home city.

OLE KJELDSETH .- In taking up the per- sonal history of Ole Kjeldseth we present to our readers the life record of one of the worthy sons of Norway, who has become a loyal defender of America and her institutions. He has enjoyed her business opportunities and by the improve- ment of the advantages with which he has been surrounded he has won for himself very comfort- able living and a desirable property. He is also one of the pioneer settlers of Yankton county, his residence covering one-third of a century.

Mr. Kjeldseth was born in Bye, Wardalen, Norway, March 20, 1835, and left that country in 1864, settling first at Muskegon, Michigan. He there worked in a sawmill for two and a half years, after which he engaged in farming in Wis- consin. Later he returned to his native land upon a visit and spent three years there, but in 1870 again came to the United States, locating in South Dakota on the 15th of September of that year. He held one hundred and sixty acres of land and for a time lived in true pioneer style, his original home here being a dugout. As time has passed prosperity has attended his efforts and he now has six hundred and forty acres of land, of which two hundred acres is under cultivation. Between the years 1870 and 1874 he lost heavily

773

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

because of the destruction of his crops by grass- hoppers. In 1889 he built a fine barn upon his place and in 1880 had replaced the little pioneer home by a splendid residence. He raises cattle and hogs and because of his practical methods he is meeting with success in all that he under- takes.

On the 21st of June, 1860, Mr. Kjeldseth was married to Miss Sarah Kuntson, also a native of Norway, and they have four children : Ellen, the wife of Augustus Holm, a farmer ; George F., who is married to Johanna Sothe and follows farming; Karl, who wedded Mary Abilson and is a farmer ; Mary, the wife of S. Erickson, a druggist of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In his political views Mr. Kjeldseth is an earn- est Republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party and upon its ticket he has been elected to several public offices. He served as county commissioner for three years, was justice of the peace for seven years and for twenty years has served as a school officer. His son George has been a member of the township board and his son Karl is now clerk of the township and both belong to the Modern Woodmen of America. The subject is pleasantly located on a farm on section 24, township 55, range 54, where he is surrounded hv many of the comforts of life, all acquired through his energy and diligence in former years. He gave to his children good educational privi- lcges and has also divided much of his land among them so that they now have nice homes and are among the progressive farming people of Yankton county. · Sound business judgment, keen discernment, unfaltering labor and perseverance have been the elements which have contributed to the success of Mr. Kjeldseth and made him one of the worthy and representative citizens of Yank- ton county. He has made three trips to Europe since his arrival in this country, and expects to re- peat the journey again soon.

FRANK M. BROWNSON .- The enter- prising spirit which has been the dominant factor in the wonderful development of the west is manifested in the life record of Mr. Brownson,

who is a most energetic and progressive young farmer of Yankton county. He was born in North Dakota, April 28, 1869, his parents being Almon C. and Hannah J. (Judd) Brownson, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of the Empire state. They lived in New York for thirty years and the father there engaged in farming. In 1864 he came to the west, settling in South Dakota. He traveled across the coun- try from Iowa and on reaching his destination purchased a farm near Mechling, this state. After a year, however, he came to Yankton county and secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of government land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Indians still visited the neighborhood and pioneer conditions existed on every hand, but with resolute purpose Mr. Brownson began the development of his farm and the establish- ment of his home on this western district. He improved his place and has since lived upon it, making it a very attractive and desirable farm. His political support is given to the Republican party, of which he has ever been an earnest ad- vocate. His wife passed away in November, 1895. in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she was long a devoted member. In their family were eight children : Frederick E., Daniel E., Carrie, Mary, Herbert. Martha J., George and Frank. They also lost one child that died in infancy.

The members of the household were pro- vided with good educational privileges, which Frank M. Brownson enjoyed and whereby he became fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. At the age of fifteen years he took charge of the home farm and during the past eleven years he has rented this place, carrying on agricultural pursuits.

On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Brownson was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Seddon, a daughter of Henry and Agnes (Weir) Seddon, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they came to South Dakota in 1882, the father purchasing the farm near Yankton. He became well known as a successful agriculturist and his death, which occurred in March, 1894,

774

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

was deeply deplored by many friends. His wife has since become the wife of Rev. J. L. Grey and now lives upon the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brownson have been born four children : Ethel, eleven years of age; Edgar, seven years of age; Dorothy, a little maiden of four years; and Roy, who completes the family at the age of two years. The parents hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Brownson is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in political faith he is a Republican. Having spent all of his life in this county, he is well known and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those with whom he has been acquainted from his boyhood days is an indication that his has been an honor- able and upright career.

DAVID H. WEEKS, who is one of the ven- erable and highly honored citizens of Hand county, where he is the owner of a valuable ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, has the dis- tinction of being a pioneer of two states, having settled in Illinois in 1859 and having come to Hand county, South Dakota, in the days when its settlement had just been instituted.

Mr. Weeks was born in Herkimer county, New York, on the 29th of March, 1821, being a son of Levi and Jane (Hollenbeck) Weeks, of whose twelve children the subject is the only representative in South Dakota. The subject was reared on the homestead farm, and he early became inured to the strenuous toil involved, while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the lo- cality and period. He continued to attend school at intervals until he had attained the age of eighteen years, and thereafter continued to be associated with his honored father in the work and management of the home farm until he was twenty-nine years of age. He was then, on the 15th of January, 1851, united in marriage to Miss Eliza Shaul, who likewise was born in the old Empire state, being a daughter of John B. Shaul, a prominent farmer of Herkimer county. After his marriage Mr. Weeks purchased a farm

in Herkimer county, New York, and devoted himself to its improvement and cultivation for the ensuing six years, when he disposed of the prop- erty. In the same year, 1859, he removed to Illinois and located in Ogle county, where he pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he continued to reside until 1883, when he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, having previously sold his farm .in Illinois. Upon his arrival in Hand county he secured homestead and. pre- emption claims, in Pearl township, and the same comprise his present finely improved and valu- able ranch, while on every side are evidences of the energy and good judgment which he has brought to bear in connection with his farming industry during the score of intervening years which have wrought such magical changes in this section of the Union. He is one of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of the county and as a man and citizen commands the most unqualified esteem in the community. Though he is an octogenarian his years rest lightly upon his head and he is a man of great physical and men- tal vigor, though he now relegates the more oner- ous work of the ranch to his sons. Though not a member of any religious body he is a firm be- liever in the Christian faith and gives his support to church work, regardless of denominational lines. His political views are in harmony with the principles exemplified by the Populist party. Mr. and Mrs. Meeks, who have walked side by side on the journey of life for more than half a century, are the parents of seven children, namely : John, Ida, Alma, Dayton, Albert, Henry and George.

JOHN H. MCLAUGHLIN. - Familiarly known throughout the northwest as "Major" McLaughlin, the honored subject of this sketch has had an eventful career, having followed the sea for a number of years, been in the govern- ment service at the time of the Civil war, and later having seen long, arduous and perilous service as a member of the regular army on the great frontier at a time when the Indians were

775

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

a constant menace. He is a sturdy type of the pioneers of the northwest, is now custodian of Fort Randall, in Gregory county, and though venerable in years, maintains the mental and physical vigor which little indicate his age or the strenuous duties which have fallen to him in the past.

Major Mclaughlin was born in the city of Limerick, Ireland, on the 22d of June, 1826, being a son of William and Mary McLaughlin, the former being of Scotch lineage and the latter of Irish. Our subject received good edu- cational advantages in his native city, where he completed a course of study in a classical school. In 1847, at the age of twenty-one years, he sailed before the mast and continued thereafter to follow the sea for a period of about seven years, within which time he visited many of the principal ports of the world and met with nu- mcrous perils and adventures. He was in two or three shipwrecks, and at one time the vessel on which he sailed was wrecked and lay for thirty-seven days before those on board were rescued by another ship, all hope having been practically abandoned. Soon after this memor- able voyage Major Mclaughlin sailed from St. Thomas, West Indies, for Calcutta, India, and upon reaching that port he was offered a posi- tion as chief of the native police, but as he was unable to speak the vernacular of the country he felt compelled to decline the appointment. Shortly afterward he was attacked by the dreaded Asiatic cholera and smallpox and his strong constitution alone enabled him to recover, though he was indebted to careful nursing by a native woman after the English physicians had pronounced his case hopeless. Shortly after his recovery he sailed for the West Indies and thence came to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1846. where he abandoned for the time a seafaring life. As a young man he had learned the trade of paper making, and he was employed at the same for a time in the city of Brooklyn, New York. There, in 1850, he enlisted as a member of the mounted rifles of the Third United States Cav- alry, in which he was eventually promoted to the office of first sergeant, being discharged as

such at the expiration of his term of service. He soon after re-enlisted, becoming a member of the Sixth Cavalry, in which he served several years under General Miles on the western fron- tier, taking part in many expeditions against the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Comanche and other warlike tribes of Indians. In 1864 he left the army and shipped as a seaman on the United States steamship "Virginia," which was making ready for war. He was later transferred to the government steamship "Ida." While on the man-of-war he participated in the taking of Mo- bile, Fort Gaines, Blakely and Spanish Fort and thus aided in the dismemberment of the Con- federacy. While the "Ida" was proceeding down Mobile bay under a full head of steam a great obstruction was encountered in the channel and, as the Major expresses it, the vessel was literally "blown into a thousand pieces." Many of the crew were killed or wounded and drowned, but Major Mclaughlin managed to keep afloat on a piece of timber, though seriously injured, and was finally picked up by the steamer "Talla- hatchie." He finally recovered from his injuries and a few months after receiving his discharge he enlisted as a soldier in the Third United States Infantry, which was thereafter stationed for a short time at Fort Larned, Kansas, and later the subject became a member of the Sixth Cavalry, with which he was in many spirited engagements with the Indians, being much of the time in the command of General Miles. In 1874, his former term of enlistment having ex- pired, the Major re-enlisted, as a member of the Eighth Cavalry, with which he again served under Miles, and during this term of service he again met with many hazardous and dangerous exploits. Since 1877 the Major has lived retired from active service, residing at Fort Randall, where he held the office of wagon master and forrav master for several years, while from 1891 to 1897 he was postmaster at the fort, while since 1892 he has been custodian of the fort. It is signally fitting that this valiant and honored old sailor and soldier of the republic should be thus placed, and it is a pleasure for his many friends throughout the northwest to know that

776

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

this historic government post is under his charge. The Major is a stalwart Republican in politics, and fraternally is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masonic order, in which last he has attained the Knights Tem- plar degrees. He is also a member of the Army and Navy Union, while he served for three terms as commander of his post of the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1883 Major Mc- Laughlin was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar- garet Moran, widow of Michael Moran. She was born in County Clare, Ireland, being a daughter of Patrick Fitzgibbon and Susan Price, of the town of Kelkee, Ireland. Mrs. McLaughlin has four children, two boys and two girls : Dennis, J. F., Mary Ann and Louisa C. Moran, all living.

GUSTAVE RIEDER is one of those enter- prising and industrious citizens of Gregory county who have won distinctive success in connection with the development of its agricultural resources, and he is entitled to mention in this work. Mr. Rieder is a native of the province of Baden, Ger- many, where he was born on the 3d of June, 1846, being a son of Leopold and Mary Rieder, to whom were born three children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest and the only repre- sentative of the immediate family in the United States. The other children are August and Fidella. The father was a butcher by trade and vocation and both he and his wife have been deceased for a number of years, having been peo- ple of sterling character.

Gustave Rieder secured his educational train- ing in the excellent national schools of his native land, where he was reared to the age of nineteen years, when he valiantly set forth to seek his fortunes in America, whither he came in 1865, as a stranger in a strange land. After his arriva! he passed a few months in the cities of New York and Philadelphia, where he was identified with the butchering business, having learned the trade in the Fatherland. That his lovalty to the institutions of his adopted country soon became a

prominent characteristic is evidenced by the fact that in 1865 he enlisted in the United States army, as a member of Company C. Fifth Artil- lery, with which he was stationed at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, about three years, receiving his honorable discharge in February, 1869. Soon afterward he re-enlisted, becoming a member of the Sixth Cavalry, which was assigned to duty in Texas. He was thus stationed for one year at Fort Richardson, that state, and his command was then sent to Kansas to assist General Custer in his operations against the hostile Indians. Mr. Rieder did much scouting duty in this connection and later was in active service against the Indi- ans in various portions of the west and north- west, serving under General Miles and making an enviable record for bravery and fidelity to duty. having taken part in many spirited skirmishes and battles. Finally his command was sent to relieve the Fifth Cavalry in Arizona, and thereafter he served until the expiration of his second term, on the 20th of July, 1875. when he received his honorable discharge. His military ardor was not yet satisfied, however, and he soon afterward en- listed as a member of the First United States Infantry, with which he was stationed at Fort Randall, in what is now Gregory county, South Dakota. He was with his command in the Black Hills for one year and then returned to Fort Ran- dall. in which vicinity he has made his home since 1875, having received his final discharge from the service in 1878. Upon the opening of the reservation, in 1897, Mr. Rieder took up a quarter section of land, having previously lived on the reservation through the special permission of the secretary of war, and for some time he here operated a dairy farm, from which he supplied Fort Randall. He has made good improvements on his farm and now has forty acres under effect- ive cultivation, devoted principally to the raising of corn, while he has also been very successful in the raising of live stock of high grade, being one of the energetic and progressive farmers of this section. In politics Mr. Rieder is a stanch Republican, and he served two years as justice of the peace and four years as county assessor. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church,

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.

History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 113

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen Number of Pages: 998

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 998