History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 127

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

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properties, including his own residence, which he erected and which is one of the handsomest of the many modern homes which embellish Watertown. He and his wife are valued and zealous members of the First Baptist church, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

At Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1882, Mr. Case was united in marriage to Miss Capitola Pierce, a daughter of Christopher Pierce, a prominent and influential citizen of Menard county, that state. Mr. and Mrs. Case have six children, namely : Howard B., Claude E., Stella Bernice, Ruth L., Lerue R. and Lillian E. The elder son is at the time of this writing a student in the State University of South Dakota.

HENRY F. LIVINGSTON, M. D., was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1843. In 1858 Mr. Livingston went to Iowa, where he completed his education and received his degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of that state in 1865. Previous to this he had at- tended lectures at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, as well as had much practical ex- perience in the government hospital during the Civil war. In 1865 Dr. Livingston came to South Dakota, locating in Yankton, where he practiced his profession until May, 1878, when he entered the service of the United States gov- ernment in the capacity of physician to the Sioux Indians, with headquarters at Fort Thompson. The territory over which his duties called him extended along the Missouri river from Fort Thompson to Fort Rice, which was located not far from Bismarck, North Dakota, and em- braced the Indians now located at Crow Creek, Lower Brule, Cheyenne River and Standing Rock agencies, as well as many of the Indians now at Red Cloud and Spotted Tail agencies. In November, 1870. Dr. Livingston was ap- pointed United States Indian agent, in which capacity he served eight years, making a con-

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tinuous service of twelve years in the Indian service. At the expiration of this period he re- turned to Yankton, where he has since remained engaged in the private practice of his profession, excepting a period of four years, beginning in June, 1886, during which time he was connected with the State Hospital for the Insane at Yank- tón, the first two years as assistant superintend- ent and the last two years as medical super- intendent.

In 1871 Dr. Livingston was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna E. Hoyt, the daughter of Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, D. D. Of this union there are three sons living, Guy F., Harry L. and Everett Y. In politics the Doctor is a Re- publican and takes a keen interest in the success of his party. He has for some years served on the board of United States examining surgeons. He is identified with the Episcopal church.

WILLIAM JAYNE, first territorial governor of Dakota, was born at Springfield, Illinois, in 1826. Graduate of the University of Illinois and of the Missouri Medical School. Appointed gov- ernor by Lincoln in 1861 and served until March, 1863, when he resigned to take his seat as delegate in congress, from which he was ejected upon the contest of Gen. J. B. S. Todd. Returned to Springfield, where he engaged in his profession and amassed a fortune. He is president of the First National Bank of Springfield and has held many places of honor at the Illinois capital.

WILLIAM E. RAYMOND is a native of the state of Wisconsin, having been born on the homestead farm, near Ripon, on the 19th of August, 1857. He is a son of Ezra and Armine (Monette) Raymond, the former of whom was born in Vermont and the latter in the state of New York. In the agnatic line the genealogy is traced back to distinguished French stock, the subject of this review being a direct descendant of the fourth count of Toulouse, France, while the name figures prominently in the early annals of French history. Ezra Raymond was num-

bered among the pioneers of Wisconsin, and was there engaged in farming, though now residing in Morrison county, Minnesota. Three broth- ers were active participants in the war of the Rebellion, and the name is one which has ever stood for loyalty and patriotism as well as for a high order of citizenship.

The subject of this review was the second in order of birth in a family of five children, all of whom are yet living. He received his early educational training in the public schools of his native county, and supplemented the same by attending Ripon College, in the meanwhile having materially assisted in the work and man- agement of the home farm. He finally began reading law, with a view to preparing himself for the practice of the same, but his financial resources were limited and he was compelled to abandon his technical studies in order to earn a livelihood. He thus engaged in teaching school, having been successful in his pedagogic work and having been employed in various schools in Wisconsin and southern Minnesota, while later he was for three years engaged in the photographic business in Wisconsin. Thereafter he devoted his attention to teaching during the winter terms, while he worked at the carpenter trade during the summer seasons, thus continuing until 1886, when he left Wisconsin to cast in his lot with the coming state of South Dakota. In that year he established himself in the general merchandise business in the em- bryonic village of Twin Brooks, being the pio- neer merchant of the town and one of its found- ers, as is evident when we revert to the fact that when he located here the village was repre- sented by but one building, and that not com- pleted. Within six months the town had gained as large a population as it now boasts, but its fortunes waned during the hard times and the population dwindled. It is gratifying to note that the era of prosperity and substantial prog- ress has come once more to the village, which can not fail to hold its own owing to the mag- nificent resources of the country in which it is placed. Mr. Raymond continued in the mer- cantile trade here until 1889. after which he

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conducted a general repair shop for five years, also teaching at intervals, in Twin Brooks town- ship. In 1893 he entered claim to one hundred and sixty acres of his present farm, which now comprises an entire section, and upon his place he has made the best of permanent im- provements, having a nice residence and other good buildings, while the entire farm gives evidence of thrift, excellent management and prosperity. In addition to the agricultural fea- ture of his enterprise Mr. Raymond gives special attention to the raising of live stock, having some fine specimens of full-blooded Durham cattle and having his entire herd well graded up, while the same is true in connection with his swine. in which line he gives preference to the Poland-China type.

Mr. Raymond is a man of strong in- lectuality and liberal ideas, and his public spirit is exemplified in the support which he lends to all worthy measures and enterprises tending to enhance the general welfare and material prog- ress of his county and state. In politics he ac- cords an uncompromising allegiance to the Re- publican party, and served in the office of justice of the peace of his township for twelve years, showing marked discrimination and good judg- ment in the discharge of his official duties, while his advice is often sought by his neighbors, who have confidence in his ability and integrity. Fraternally, he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Twin Brooks. Mr. Raymond is a man of broad information and is a vigorous and able writer upon subjects of various orders, being a frequent contributor to leading newspapers, while he gives particu- lar attention to the consideration of topics of interest to farmers and stock growers. He is one of the associate editors of the Northwestern Agriculturist. published in the city of Minne- apolis, contributing to its various departments, and having charge of the department devoted to sheep breeding.

On the IIth of November. 1880, Mr. Ray- mond was united in marriage to Miss Mina B. Stymiest, who was born in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Of the nine children

of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond we incorporate the following brief record in conclusion of this sketch: Jessie M., who was a successful and popular teacher in the schools of Grant county for several years, is now the wife of S. W. Bur- dine, a prosperous farmer of Assiniboine; and the other children all remain at the parental home, their names, in order of birth, being as follows : Frances M .. Charlotte A., Ernest A., Ethel I., Phoebe E., Gladys B., Benjamin G. and Layton L. The family is one of prominence in the community and the pleasant home is a center of gracious hospitality.

WILLIAM L. NIELAND .- During the early epoch in the development of Yankton county William L. Nieland first opened his eyes to the light of day within its borders. He was here born on the 17th of October, 1867, and is a well-known representative of a worthy and honored pioneer family. His parents were Henry and Henrietta (Zeanter) Nieland, whose family numbered five children. The parents were natives of Germany and on coming to the United States settled in South Dakota in June. 1865. The father then secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres and, fol- lowing the occupation of farming. he thus pro- vided the needs and wants of his family. His death occurred about twelve years ago, but the mother is still living and is now sixty-two years of age. Like the others of the household, the son William L. attended the public schools of his native state and continued his studies until twenty-one years of age. He early began work in the fields and soon became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. The occupation to which he was reared he chose as his own life work and has become one of the most prosperous farmers of his native county.

On the 14th of December, 1891, Mr. Nieland was united in marriage to Miss Anna Madsen, who was born in Denmark and was brought to this country by her parents, both of whom are now living upon a farm in Yankton county.

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Mr. and Mrs. Nieland became the parents of four children, as follows: Clara L., Henrietta, Arthur E. and Harry E.

Mr. Nieland operates about one hundred and sixty acres of land and owns more than seven hundred acres. He has recently planted an orchard, having set out plum, cherry and apple trees in the present year 1903. The improve- ments of his farm are still in progress and he is continually directing his labors along lines that are proving of practical benefit and that con- tribute in large ineasure to the attractive ap- pearance as well as to the success of his efforts. He has recently erected one of the best farm residences in the county and he also has large barns and other good outbuildings.

Politically, Mr. Nieland is independent, sup- porting the men whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He has served for a number of years as a member of the school board and his efforts in behalf of edu- cation have been effective and beneficial. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World and to the Lutheran church and is always found on the side of progress, of right and of justice. He stands as a high type of our American man- hood and his life record is indicative of the splendid opportunities which the west offers to those who ally their interests with hers and who are not afraid to engage in the laborious work which fields need in bringing desirable returns.

GEORGE C. WAGNER is a western man by birth, training and preference, thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit which has ever dominated this section of the country and has led to its splendid growth and its marvelous achievements. He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, December 30, 1855. His father, Constant Wagner, was a native of Germany and in the year 1854 came to the United States, settling in Clayton county, Iowa, where he purchased forty acres of timber land. At once he began to clear away the trees and to improve his land. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, how- ever, for his death occurred when the subject 55

of this review was only two years of age. His wife bore the maiden name of Caroline Helf- esrider, and was also a native of Germany. They have but two children, Constant, the brother of the subject dying when about fourteen years of age.

George C. Wagner attended the public schools and was instructed in both German and English. He pursued his studies until fourteen years of age and then began working upon the old homestead where he remained until eighteen years of age. At that time he started out in life on his own account, being employed as a farm hand until his removal to South Dakota in 1876. Knowing that the government offered good inducements for the settlement of this sec- tion of the country and wishing to become the owner of a tract of land, he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Yankton county located seven miles northeast of Utica. For this he paid two and a half dollars per acre. It was entirely wild and unimproved and with characteristic energy he began its development and in course of time he afterward brought one hundred and twenty-five acres, for which he paid thirteen dollars per acre. He now owns and operates two hundred and eighty-five acres and has one of the best farm properties of his locality. He erected a very fine farm residence at a cost of two thousand dollars and his barns and other outbuildings are models of convenience for the commodious shelter for grain and stock. He uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on his farm work and all of the equipments and accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century are found upon his place.

In October, 1880, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Wagner and Miss Annie Kramer, of Yankton county. They have become the par- ents of nine children : Katie, who is the wife of Peter Hasker, a well-to-do farmer of Yankton county and a son of one of the pioneer settlers of the state; Theresa, deceased; Josie Lucy and George, who are with their parents; Peter and Joseph, who have also passed away; Rosie, who is yet under the parental roof; and two who died in infancy. With the exception of the

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eldest, all of the living children are yet under the parental roof.

In religious faith Mr. Wagner is a German Catholic, while in politics he is independent, but while he has never sought or desired office he has ever been deeply interested in measures for the substantial improvement and advancement of his county. He has been connected with the school for many years and what he has done in behalf of education entitles him to the grati- tude of the public. His life has ever been an active, industrious and useful one and the strongly marked traits of his character are such as commend him to the good will and respect of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

FRANK W. FANSLOW is a native of the state of Wisconsin, having been born in the town of Beaver Dam, Dodge county, on the 6th of October, 1862, the son of Michael and Bridget (Kuich) Fanslow, of whose thirteen children six are living, namely: John, who is associated with the subject in business ; Frank W .; August, a mechanic employed at the state hospital for the insane at Yankton; Adam, a resident of Des Moines, Iowa; Anna, who resides in Chi- cago. Illinois, is the widow of Henry Gotts- chalk; Martha is the wife of Clarence Fisher, of Yankton.

Michael Fanslow was born near Bromberg, Germany, in 1819, being a son of Francis Fans- low, who was of French lineage and birth, hav- ing been an active participant in the war be- tween France and Germany in 1812. He was captured by the German forces and later was released, upon swearing allegiance to Germany, in which country he passed the remainder of his life. His son Michael was thus reared and educated in the German empire, and there he learned the trade of blacksmith, while he was in service in three different wars in which Ger- many was engaged. In 1856 he emigrated to America, landing in New York city, where he remained six months, at the expiration of which he went to Buffalo, that state, thence to Detroit.

Michigan, later to Chicago, and thence to Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, from which point he made his way to Beaver Dam, where he took up his abode in 1858, becoming one of the pioneers of the place. He there continued to reside until 1877, having become one of the representative business men and honored citizens of the town, and he then came to what. was then the ter- ritory of Dakota, locating in Milltown, Arm- strong county, in what is now the state of South Dakota. He was there engaged in the flouring mill business for a number of years, and in 1882 he came to Yankton and purchased property. and here he has since maintained his home, being eighty-three years of age at the time of this writing. It may be further stated that his father held a permanent government position in Germany and accumulated a considerable for- tune. Bridget (Kuich) Fanslow, the subject's mother, was born in Lissa, province of Posen. Germany, where she was reared and educated. and her marriage to Michael Fanslow was solemnized in her native country. She is still living and both she and her husband are com- municants and worthy members of the Catholic church, while in politics the latter gives his al- legiance to the Democratic party. He is one of the venerable pioneers of the state and is well known and highly honored in Yankton.

Frank W. Fanslow passed his boyhood days in his native town in Wisconsin, receiving his early education in the parochial schools of Beaver Dam and later continuing his studies under the private instruction of old Professor DeGrote. an able educator of that place. While still a boy he began to assist in the work of his father's blacksmith shop, and attained proficiency in the trade, as well as in that of wheelwright. He thus learned to appreciate the dignity of honest toil and recalls the fact that in his boyhood days he arose at four o'clock in the morning and put in good time at work before going to school. while his services were also in requisition after the close of the school day. He was about fifteen years of age at the time of the family removal to what is now South Dakota and thus he has been a witness of the inception and rise

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of this great and prosperous state and has con- tributed in no small degree to its civic and in- dustrial development. In 1882, when his father removed to Yankton, the subject became as- sociated with his brother John in the establish ?- ing of a blacksmith and wagon-making estab- lishment at Milltown, where they continued operations until 1886, when they also came to Yankton and here effected the organization of the firm of Michael Fanslow & Sons, engaging in the operation of the grist-mill which their father had previously acquired, and also con- ducting a blacksmithing business. In 1888 the partnership dissolved and the subject and his brother John thereafter continued the black- smithing business, to which they have since added a complete line of agricultural implements and heavy hardware, doing a wholesale business in the latter line, while they also handle heavy and light vehicles, their stock in the various departments comprising one of the largest in this section of the state, while the trade of the concern is widely disseminated and of repre- sentative character. The enterprise is conducted under the firm name of Fanslow Brothers, and the interested principles are numbered among the wide-awake and public-spirited business men of the city, while their course has ever been such as to retain to them the fullest measure of popu- lar confidence and regard. In politics the sub- ject of this sketch gives an unqualified support to the Democratic party, in whose cause he takes a lively interest, as does he also in all that con- cerns the welfare of his home city. In 1898 he was elected a member of the board of aldermen of the city, and served two terms in this ca- pacity, or four consecutive years. That his services in this office did not lack of proper ap- preciation is evident when we take cognizance of the fact that in 1902 he was further honored by the voters of this city by being chosen as the chief executive of the municipal government, while his administration was so acceptable that he was re-elected mayor in 1903, and is incum- bent of this office at this time. His policy has been a progressive one, and yet marked by discrimi- nation and wise economy. He is a man of dis-

tinct individuality and has ever shown the cour- age of his convictions, and he has made his ad- ministration of municipal affairs a thoroughly businesslike one, sparing no pains to secure the most effective service in all departments of the local government. He is an earnest and ardent advocate of municipal ownership and has made a strenuous fight against the iniquitous practice of indiscriminately granting private franchises. In October, 1903, the Yankton Electric Lighting Company passed into the hands of private parties, who, seeing the advantage of operating a water system with the power wasted at the lighting plant, applied to the city council for a franchise. Mayor Fanslow, however, firmly opposed the grant and was supported in his stand by a part of the city council. Finally the owners of the plant made an offer to sell it to the city at a fraction of its original cost, and of this move the Mayor at that time said: "This is he oppor- tunity of a lifetime for Yankton. At present our city water system is in a deplorable condition. We have let the contract for a new artesian well, but that does not promise permanent pressure. If we buy the electric lighting plant we will have power enough to pump Missouri river water into the city and maintain a pressure suf- ficient to safeguard the city against fire. We will increase the number of arc lights on the streets to fifty and will be able to double that number later on. We will be able to cut the cost of private lights squarely in two and we will im- prove the service a hundred-fold. In place of Yankton paying thousands yearly for street lights, the city will be receiving a substantial revenue from private lights. We have tried artesian wells and they have failed. We have private ownership of the lighting plant and it has been unsatisfactory. By the proposed com- bination we can do away with the former bad conditions and in their place will be ideal con- ditions. If the people of the city will stand be- hind me and the city council, and I am sure they will. we will give to the city pure water. ample fire protection and the best of lights. I have gone into this fight for the benefit of the city of Yankton and I expect to win."

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On the 14th of November, 1886, Mr. Fanslow was united in marriage with Miss Eunice E. Gray, of Milltown, this state, and of their six children all but one are living, Lilly having died at the age of seven weeks. The five surviving all remain at the parental home and are named, in order of birth, Geneva, Clarence, Ruth, Frank E. and Sylvia.

HON. EDWIN TERRY WHITE .- For many years prominent in the legal and general business circles of Yankton, Hon. Edwin Terry White ranks with the city's most distinguished citizens, besides occupying a conspicuous place in the annals of South Dakota. He springs from sterling New England ancestry and traces his genealogy in this country to an early period in the history of the colonies. Some time in the early part of the seventeenth century three brothers by the name of White came from Eng- land to America and settled in one of the New England colonies, the one from which the Judge is descended eventually making his way to New Hampshire, where he reared a family and where he is supposed to have spent the remainder of his life. From that remote day to the present time the name has been a familiar one in the Granite state and it is also widely and favorably known throughout New England, many bearing it hav- ing filled high official stations or otherwise be- come useful in various spheres of public and civic life.

Samuel White, the Judge's father, the son of a Revolutionary soldier, was born in January, 1800, in New Hampshire, being descended pa- ternally, as already stated, from English, and maternally from Scotch, antecedents. When young he served a seven-year apprenticeship at wood carving, became an expert and highly ar- tistic workman, and the evidences of his skill may still be seen in the state capitol building at Montpelier. Vermont, on which he did all the fine carving. He followed his chosen calling during the active years of his life, achieved a wide reputation throughout New England, and especially in the state of Vermont, where he lived

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History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 127

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