History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 129

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 129

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After his admission to the bar Mr. Atkins practiced in Streator, built up a lucrative profes- sional business and soon took high rank among the successful young lawyers of the local bar. He remained in Streator until 1882, when he dis- posed of his interests there and came to Colum- bia. South Dakota, where he opened an office and engaged in the general practice of his pro- fession. His success from the beginning was

encouraging and he soon rose to a prominent place in the legal circles of Brown county, ac- quiring a lucrative practice in the courts, besides an extensive office business. He devoted his attention exclusively to the law until about the year 1898, when he became interested in farm- ing and stock raising, and since that time he has carried on the latter in connection with his legal work.

Mr. Atkins owns a fine farm of four hundred and eighty acres, about two miles east of Co- lumbia, and to the management of the same he devotes the greater part of his time, being largely interested in agriculture and the live- stock business, both of which he prosecutes with marked financial results. The farm is admirably situated and especially adapted to grain and pasturage. Mr. Atkins employs modern methods in cultivating the soil, raises large crops of corn and cereals and is accounted one of the most enterprising and successful farmers in the county of Brown. He has also achieved worthy pres- tige in the live-stock business, being one of the largest cattle raisers in the community, and as a citizen he also occupies a prominent place in public esteem, being enterprising in all the term implies and ever ready to give his encourage- ment and support to progressive measures for the material improvement of the country and the advancement of the people's interests.

Mr. Atkins was reared a Republican and gave his support to the party of that name until a few years ago, wlien, becoming dissatisfied with its policies, he became an earnest advocate of the People's party. Soon after adopting the principles of the latter he was nominated for the office of county judge, but by reason of the overwhelming strength of the opposition he failed of election. He ran a second time for the same position, with similar results, although he made an able canvass and ran far ahead of other candidates on the Populist ticket.

While not actively engaged in the law as for- merly. Mr. Atkins keeps in close touch with court affairs, does a large office practice and if lie felt so disposed could easily stand among the foremost attorneys of the Brown county bar.

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Farming and stock raising being more to his taste and far more satisfactory than the labor and care entailed by the practice of his profes- sion, he has gradually withdrawn from the latter in order to devote his attention more thor- oughly to the kind of work for which he mani- fests such decided inclinations. Mr. Atkins en- joys a wide acquaintance throughout the county, and his popularity among all classes of people is the direct result of his sterling character and genial personality. In everything tending to the building up of the community, materially or otherwise, he lends a helping hand, and his in- fluence has always been on the right side of every moral issue. As a lawyer he possesses the qualities essential to success, being well grounded in the underlying principles of his profession, apt in applying his knowledge to practice and his strong reasoning powers and fluency of speech make him especially strong as a logical and eloquent advocate whose power before jurists usually results in the obtaining of a verdict for his clients.

On August 28, 1879, Mr. Atkins was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. Burgess, of Streator, Illinois, in which city the ceremony was duly solemnized. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins have a family of four children, namely: Fred W., Arthur Burgess, Walter Carlos and Jay Willard. Religiously, the subject and wife are respected members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as such are deeply interested in the good work of the congregation to which they belong.

C. LORAN ROBERTSON, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of his hu- mane profession in the village of Delmont, Douglas county, is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in the town of Zaleski, Vinton county, Ohio, on the IIth of April. 1867, a son of Henry and Avaline (Smith) Robertson, the former of whom was born in Ross county, Ohio, and the latter in Athens county, that state, both being representatives of sterling pioneer families of that commonwealth. The father of the Doctor learned the trade of carpenter in his

youth, and became one of the leading contractors and builders of Vinton county, having located in Zaleski after his marriage. He also read law and was engaged in the practice of the same to a greater or less degree for a number of years, while for about ten years he served with marked efficiency as president of the village council, being one of the honored and influential citizens of the county, while in politics he gave an un- qualified allegiance to the Democratic party, his religious faith being that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife likewise was a devoted member. He died in 1894 and his wife is now living at Zaleski, Ohio. Henry Robertson served with marked loyalty as a Union soldier during the Civil war, having been in the service for four years, and he was a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic at the time of his death.

· Doctor Robertson may consistently be said to be the architect of his own fortunes, since he ac- quired his professional education through his own efforts. His preliminary training was se- cured in the public schools of his native village, where he was graduated in the high school, as a member of the class of 1882, after which he was engaged in teaching for three terms, having in the meanwhile determined to prepare himself for the medical profession. He accordingly sup- plemented his more purely literary education by entering the normal school at Atwood, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1888, and then took up his technical studies. As his financial re- sources were very limited he was compelled to carry on his medical studies at intervals, attend- ing a course of lectures and then teaching until he had acquired sufficient funds to continue his professional studies. He began the study of medicine in 1889 and graduated from the Ameri- can Medical College, in St. Louis, Missouri, May 10, 1899, receiving his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the meanwhile, in 1894, he had taken up his residence in South Dakota, and after his graduation he established himself permanently in practice in Delmont, Douglas county, this state, where he has since been lo- cated, having built up a most satisfactory busi-

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ness and gained prestige as one of the able prac- titioners of the state. He is fraternally identified with the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He holds mem- bership in the American Medical Association, and in politics he is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party.

In 1897. Dr. Robertson was united in mar- riage to Miss Edith W. Vaughn, of Olivet, this state. no children having been born of this union.

VICTOR K. STILLWELL, cashier and general executive manager of the Farmers' Bank of Alexandria, was born in Kilborn City. Co- lumbia county, Wisconsin, on the 8th of De- cember. 1856, a son of David and Melissa N. (Augir) Stillwell, to whom were born three children, namely: Arthur, who died in Alex- andria, this state, on the 24th of February, 1882: Victor K., who is the subject of this sketch ; and Wendell H., who is a division superintend- ent of the Illinois Central Railroad, with head- quarters in the city of New Orleans. David Stillwell was born in the state of New Jersey, and as a boy accompanied his parents on their removal to Waukesha county, Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood and was married. In 1855 he removed to Kilborn City, that state, where he purchased property. He was a man of versatility. and was employed in various me- chanical pursuits, working in a sash and door factory, as an engineer and as a stone-mason, at different intervals, the last mentioned business constituting his principal vocation. He pur- chased and operated stone quarries near the town and as a stone-cutter did a large and profitable business. He died there, on the 24th of July, 1883, at the age of fifty-eight years, honored by all who knew him. He was a stanch Republican in politics and was a member of the Freewill Baptist church, while he was strenuously opposed to secret societies of all descriptions. His widow, Melissa N. Stillwell. is now living at Alexandria, South Dakota.

town, and after availing himself of the ad- vantages afforded in its public schools he con- tinted his studies in Rochester Seminary, at Rochester, Wisconsin. At the age of eighteen he began teaching in the district schools, and he successfully continued to follow this vocation about twelve terms, giving his attention to farm work during the intervening summer vacations. In August, 1880, Mr. Stillwell, in company with his brother, Arthur N., came to South Dakota. both filing entry on homestead claims in Taylor township, Hanson county, where they took up their residence and inaugurated the work of im- proving and developing their farms. In 1881 our subject returned to Rochester. Wisconsin, where, on the 25th of May, of that year, he was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia A. Clark, daughter of Samuel Clark, a prominent citizen of that place. He soon afterward returned to his new home in South Dakota, being accompanied by his bride, who proved a true helpmeet to him during the days of his early experiences as a farmer in a new country. He continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock grow- ing until February, 1888, when he disposed of his farm and took up his residence in Alexandria, where he accepted a position in the Farmers' Bank. On the Ist of January, 1891, he was made cashier of the institution and has since managed its business with consummate dis- crimination and ability. He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and in the 'eighties he served two years as county assessor, while he has also held the office of mayor of the town and been a member of its board of education, of which he was president for a time, also having been clerk of the board. In the fall of 1898 Mr. Stillwell was elected to represent his district in the state senate, and so acceptable was his work in that body that his constituents honored him with re-election in 1900, his second term expiring December 31, 1902. He is a member of Alexandria Camp, No. 2956, Modern Wood- men of America, and of Alexandria Lodge, No. II, Ancient Order of United Workmen. In the latter order he was for three years grand re-

Victor K. Stillwell, whose name initiates this article, was reared to maturity in his native , ceiver of the grand lodge of the state, while in

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his local lodge he has held the offices of recorder. receiver and master workman. His religious faith is that of the Freewill Baptist church, but he is liberal in his views and has ever shown himself ready to aid all denominations in their work. Mr. and Mrs. Stillwell occupy a promi- nent position in the social life of the community and their attractive home is a center of refined hospitality. They are the parents of four chil- dren, namely : Elmer W., who is a graduate of the State University of South Dakota, at Ver- million : Clarke H., who is a graduate of the Alexandria high school, being a member of a government surveying party in New Mexico at the time of this writing; Verna K., who is like- wise a graduate of the high school; and Ellis D., who is still a student in the public schools.

REV. HUGO VICTOR, resident priest of the Catholic church in Alexandria, was born in Osnabruck, province of Hanover, Germany, on the 15th of November, 1842, being a son of Henry and Mary (Von Ende) Victor, the latter being of the nobility of the great German empire, a representative of the well-known house of Magdeburg. The father of the subject was born in Doenitz, in the Black Forest district, on the border between France and Germanv, his par- ents having been natives of France. He was ac- corded excellent educational advantages and be- came a musician of distinction, having been a composer of high reputation. His musical tal- ents led to his being selected as leader of the hand of the Red Hussars, this being the official band of the king of Hanover. His death re- sulted from an attack of cholera, in 1847, the subject of this review being about five years of age at the time. Father Victor was then taken into the home of his uncle, Daniel Sickel, with whom he remained about four years, at the ex- piration of which, in 1852, he came to America in company with his mother and her second hus- band, Frederick Halthaus, the family locating in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. Though but ten vears of age at the time of his arrival in the United States, Father Victor soon began to

depend upon his own resources, finally entering upon an apprenticeship at the trade of cigar making, to which he devoted his attention until he had attained the age of sixteen, when he be- gañ the work of preparing himself for the priest- hood. In 1859 he entered the Redemptorist Brothers' College, in Annapolis, where he was graduated in 18-, being ordained to the priest- hood on the 30th of June, 1869, by Archbishop Spaulding, in Baltimore. He was soon after- ward sent to Savannah, Georgia, where he was assistant in the cathedral to Bishop William Gross. In 1874 Father Victor was given a charge at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, being trans- ferred eight months later to a neighboring parish, where he remained one year, at the ex- piration of which he was assigned to a pastorate at Lancaster, that state. About one year later he was sent to take charge of St. Joseph's church, at Racine, Wisconsin, but his health be- came impaired and after serving a few months he made a trip to Europe, for the purpose of re- cuperation, where he remained a few months. Upon his return to Wisconsin he was assigned to the pastorate of St. Joseph's church, at Waterloo, remaining one year and then being sent to the church at Eagle, that state, where he continued to labor zealously and effectively during the en- suing four years, being thereafter stationel at East Troy, Wisconsin, for three years. He then passed a short time in Waterloo and was then sent to LeSeuer, Minnesota, where he remained one year, passing the succeeding year at North- field, that state. He then made a tour through Mexico and upon his return established the parish organization at Marshall, Minnesota, where he was resident priest four years, at the expiration of which, in 1892, he came to South Dakota. For the first year he was located at Hoven and was then transferred to Krausburg, where he was stationed eight years, within which time he effected the erection of a new church edifice and also left other unmistakable evidences of his spiritual and temporal zeal. In June, 1902, Father Victor came to Alexandria, and since that time he has accomplished a notable work, erect- ing a new parish house, which was completed

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within the year 1904. Father Victor is known as an able executive and organizer, and the work which he has done in the various fields in which he has lived and labored has been earnest, de- voted, consecrated and signally fruitful in the furthering of the cause of the divine Master and in the uplifting of his fellow men. Father Victor is a forceful and logical speaker, his utterances being marked by earnest conviction, and he has the high regard of all with whom he comes in contact.

PHILIP A. ZOLLMAN, who is successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Alexandria, Hanson county, merits recognition in this work as one of the representative members of the bar of the state. He was born in Charles- town, Clark county, Indiana, on the 14th of Oc- tober, 1866, a son of Philip and Catherine (Schaid) Zollman, to whom were born eight children, of whom the following named six sur- vive: Elizabeth, widow of Frederick Weigel, resides in Louisville, Kentucky; Amelia is the wife of Emil Achneman, of that city; William is a resident of Otisco, Indiana, as is also Lena, who remains at the parental home in that place ; Louise is the wife of Herbert Gregorv, of Wes- sington Spring, South Dakota: and Philip A. is the immediate subject of this sketch. The father was born in Germany and was there reared to the life of a farm. At the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to the United States and lo- cated in Clark county, Indiana, where he became a prosperous and influential farmer, there con- tinuing to reside until his death, in 1879, at the age of sixty-two years. He was a Democrat in politics and his religious faith was that of the Lutheran church, of which his wife also was a devoted member. She likewise was born in Ger- many, where she came with her parents to the United States as a young woman, the family locating in Louisville, Kentucky. She was sum- moned into eternal rest in February, 1903. at the age of seventv-two years.

Philip A. Zollman remained at the parental home until he had attained his eighteenth year,

having early begun to assist in the work of the farm, while his preliminary education was se- cured in the public schools of his native county. In 1886 he entered Drake University, at Des Moines, Iowa, where he continued his studies for three years, later being matriculated in the law department of the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, where he remained as a student for one year, being then compelled to discontinue his technical course by reason of lack of funds. In 1890 he entered the law office of C. W. Steele, of Coridon, Iowa, having previously been en- gaged in teaching in the district schools in order to secure sufficient money to enable him to con- tinue his professional studies. Under the pre- ceptor mentioned he continued his technical read- ing until he was thoroughly well informed in the science of jurisprudence, being admitted to the bar of Iowa in March, 1893, upon examination before the supreme court of the state. In Sep- temper of the same year he came to Alexandria and opened an office for the practice of his pro- fession, his novitiate being of brief duration, since he soon proved his skill as an advocate and his conservative ability as a counsellor, gaining thus a hold upon popular confidence. He has built up an excellent practice and is one of the leading lawyers of the county, retaining a repre- sentative clientage. He served as state's attor- ney for this county from 1894 until 1898, having been appointed to the office in the former year. to succeed Judge Frank B. Smith, and having been chosen as his own successor in the election of 1896. Prior to 1900 Mr. Zollman was affili- ated with the Democratic party. He was a dele- gate to the Democratic state convention of 1896, held in Aberdeen, and after that time he had but little influence in the party councils, since it was his privilege in that convention to show the cour- age of his convictions and to cast the deciding vote which placed the party in the state in line of support for sound money, repudiating the sil- ver heresy, the result being that the state was "turned down" in the national convention. In the Mckinley campaign of 1900 Mr. Zollman identified himself unreservedly with the Re- publican party and wielded much influence in

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securing the success of the party in the state that year. He has been a zealous worker in the party cause and has been chairman of the Republican county central committee since the summer of 1902. Mr. Zollman is an enthusiastic and appreciative member of the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has risen to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, being identified with the following bodies : Celestial Lodge, No. 37, Free and Accepted Masons ; Mitchell Chapter, Royal Arch Masons: Mitchell Commandery. Knights Templar; Oriental Consistory, No. I. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, in Yankton, and El Riad Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in Sioux Falls. He is also identified with Alexandria Lodge, No. 36, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with Mitchell Encampment, No. 9, of the same order, and also holds membership in Alexandria Camp, No. 2956, Modern Woodmen of America.

JAMES L. HANNETT, junior member of the prominent law firm of Preston & Hannett, of Mitchell, was born in Washington county, New York, on the 28th of March, 1855, being a son of Edward and Elizabeth (Bailey) Hannett, of whose seven children six are living at the present time, the subject having been the youngest in the family. Edward Hannett was born in County Down, Ireland, where he was reared and educated, there learning the trade of shoemaker. His wife was born in the same county, and there three of their children were born. In 1837 they emigrated to the United States, and for three years they remained in the eastern states, the father working at his trade in various towns and cities, and he then came to the west, locating in the city of Chicago, where he was engaged in' the shoe business for a number of years, being successful in his efforts and living retired in that city for several years prior to his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a member of the Catholic church, as was also his wife, who is now dead, and in politics he gave his support to the Democracy.

The subject of this review remained at the

parental home until he had attained the age of sixteen years, his educational advantages in the meanwhile having been such as were afforded in the public schools. At the age mentioned he entered Masson College, near the city of Mon- treal, Canada, and during the pursuit of his studies there lived in the home of his brother, William, at Middle Granville, New York. He was graduated in the college as a member of the class of 1874, and soon afterward was matricu- lated in the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, having previously taken up the study of law under the preceptor -- ship of Hon. M. C. Betts, of the firm of Betts & Grover, of Granville, New York, the junior member of said firm now being the general coun- sel of the Great Northern Railroad. Mr. Hannett completed the prescribed course in the law de- partment of the university and was there gradu- ated as a member of the class of 1876, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He then went to Amsterdam, New York, where he continued his study of the law in the office of Z. A. West- brook about one year, after which he located in the town of Whitehall, that state, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession about four years. In 1882 Mr. Hannett came to Mitchell, South Dakota, and in July of that year here opened a law office, forming a professional partnership with T. E. Blanchard, with whom he continued to be associated in practice for seven years, after which he continued an indi- vidual practitioner until 1892, when he entered into partnership with H. C. Preston. This alli- ance continued for five years, at the expiration of which Mr. Preston removed to the city of Sioux Falls, the subject continuing in practice at Mitchell. In 1901 Mr. Preston returned to Mitchell, and the two attorneys again entered into partnership relations, under the firm name of Preston & Hannett, the firm having to do with much important litigation and having a repre- sentative clientele.

Mr. Hannett is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and in 1888 he was elected district attorney, in which ca- pacity he served two years, making a most credit-

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able record as a prosecutor. In 1891 he was elected county judge, presiding on the bench for a term of two years. He is at the present time a member of the board of aldermen of the city of Mitchell and is president of the municipal council. Fraternally, he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Home Guard- ians, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which he is a communicant.

On the 12th of August, 1877. was solemnized the marriage of Judge Hannett to Miss Martha Ryan; of Schenectady county, New York, and of their nine children all are living except Leo, who died at the age of eleven. The others are Ray, Nellie, William, Edward, Bessie, James L., Mary and Rachel, and all remain at the parental home.

REV. HARLAN PAGE CARSON, D. D., was born on a farm near Medora, Macoupin county, Illinois, January 3. 1845. being a son of James M. and Eliza (Jane) Carson, the line- age on the paternal side being traced back to Scotch-Irish origin, and on the maternal side to the Holland Dutch. The father of the subject was a farmer by vocation and continued to reside in Illinois from 1834 to 1887, his death occurring near Belleville, Kansas, in 1891, he having re- moved there four years previous. He was a strong abolitionist and a conscientious and in- sistent advocate of temperance. The paternal grandfather of the Doctor was a successful teacher in North Carolina, and the mother of the subject likewise engaged in teaching before her marriage, her death occurring when he was a lad of seven years. Her grandfather was a patriot soldier in the war of the Revolution, being a member of a New Jersey regiment and taking part in the battle of Princeton, his widow being accorded a pension after his death. The father of the Doctor was an elder in the Presby- terian church, and his wife clung to her ancestral faith, being a member of the Dutch Reformed church, both being earnest and devoted Chris- tians and exemplying their faith in their daily

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History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 129

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