History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 132

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

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and after an illness of but four days passed away April 8, 1882. On the 4th of December, 1883, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Virginia E. Crary, of Roxbury, Delaware county, New York.

PETER SCHENCK .- It is signally fitting that in this work be entered a memoir of this well-known pioneer of Faulk county. for, while he was a resident of the state for but a few years prior to his death, he was prominently identified with the early history of the develop- ment of Faulk county. Mr. Schenck came of the staunch old Holland Dutch stock which had so much to do with the early history of the Em- pire state of the union, of which he was himself a native, having been born in Elmira, New York. on the 9th of August, 1845. While still a child his parents left New York and removed to Jef- ferson county, Wisconsin, where his father be- came a pioneer farmer and where the subject was reared to maturity. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he was but sixteen years of age, and his patriotism was roused to such a degree that when he had attained the age of nineteen he tendered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting as a private in a regiment of volunteers, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wis- consin, and with the same continued in active service until the close of the great conflict, mak- ing the record of a valiant and loyal young soldier of the republic. After receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Schenck returned to his home in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, where he remained a short time and then removed to Rock county, that state, where he owned and managed the Columbia Hotel, at Emerald Grove, until 1883, when he disposed of his interests there and came to Faulk county, South Dakota, where he took up the homestead ranch of six hundred and forty acres now owned by his widow and family, the same being located eight miles east of Faulkton, the thriving county seat. The family were numbered among the first set- tlers in this section and Mr. Schenck at once initiated the improvement of his farm, continu-

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ing his labors earnestly and effectively until the time of his death, on the 19th day of February, 1887. He was a man of spotless character, sig- nally true and faithful in all the relations of life, and his death was a grievous blow to his family, though his devoted wife bravely assumed the added responsibility, and with inflexible deter- mination worked on with head, heart, and hands for the attainment of the ideals established years before by herself and husband for their home and family. She has given her children excellent educational advantages and all of them have well repaid her devotion and self-abnegation by their filial solicitude and willing assistance and co- operation. Mr. Schenck was a Republican in his political proclivities and took an active and intelligent interest in the questions of the hour, heing a man of strong individuality and high mentality. He was a consistent member of the Methodist church, as is also his widow. He was a Mason of good standing, being a member · of the Mutual Masonic lodge of Chicago.

On the 26th day of October, 1866, at Luck- now, Ontario, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Schenck to Miss Elizabeth Henderson, who was born in Toronto, Canada, being a daughter of James and Jane Henderson. Her father was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to America when a young man, locating in the vicinity of the city of Toronto, where he en- gaged in farming and where both he and his wife passed the remainder of their lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Schenck were born ten children, six sons and four daughters, six of whom still survive: William S. married Miss Katie Joynt, an estimable young lady who was connected with the public schools of Faulk county several years prior to their marriage. He operates a large farm near the homestead ranch; Ida was married January 20, 1904, to M. R. Staight, a prominent and wealthy mineowner at Republic, Wash- ington ; Florence is the wife of G. F. Scollard, a Chicago publisher ; Frank and Charles, who still manage the home place. Though mere boys at the time of their father's death, they assumed full-grown responsibilities and have at all times shown marked discrimination and good judg-

ment. They have attained a success that many men of maturer minds could well envy, having one of the best improved and most valuable properties in the county; Elizabeth Hazel, the youngest of the family, also remains at the home. She is a young lady- of vivacious manner and sparkling wit, and rivals her city friends in ar- tistic accomplishments. Next year she will enter the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Massachusetts.

S. L. SPINK, born in Illinois, 1830; died in Yankton, 1881. Came to Dakota in 1865 as sec- retary of the territory. Delegate to congress, 1869-70. He was a man of great ability.

MARTIN E. HITT .- The subject of this review is an honorable representative of an old and highly respected American family, which has been closely identified with the history of several states and it is also well known that cer- tain of its members have risen to distinguished position in the public affairs of the nation. Martin Emory Hitt is a native of Ohio and the son of Rev. Thomas and Emily Hitt, the father born in Kentucky, the mother in the state of Pennsylvania. Thomas Hitt was reared in his native commonwealth and when a young man entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which capacity he traveled extensively throughout Ohio, Indiana and other states, preaching at various points and becoming widely and favorably known as an able and faithful minister of the gospel. After spending a num- ber of years in the itinerancy he located at Ur- bana, Ohio, but three years later removed to Mt. Morris, Ogle county, Illinois, where he sub- sequently closed a long and useful career by re- tiring from active life on account of failing health. Later he took up his residence on a farm near the above city and spent the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the quiet and con- tent which he had so nobly earned, dying about the year 1851.

Rev. Hitt, in 1830, was united in marriage

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with Miss Emily John, of Pennsylvania, who bore him eight children and departed this life in 1881. The oldest of the children, a son by the name of John, lives in Chicago, where for the last thirty-seven years he has been serving as first deputy collector of internal revenue. Hon. Robert R. Hitt, the second of the family, was one of the distinguished public men of Illinois and for over twenty years represented the old thirteenth district in the United States congress. He was first assistant secretary of state under James G. Blaine, also served as first secretary to the American legation to Paris, France, and accompanied General Grant on his tour of the world, having been a warm friend and personal confidant of the famous soldier and distinguished ex-President. His name has not only added luster to his native state, but his services to the government in different capacities have won for him a conspicuous place among the leading statesmen of the Union. Martin Emory Hitt, whose name introduces this sketch, is the third in order of birth, the fourth being Eliza- beth, widow of Captain Benjamin R. Wagner. of Washington county, Maryland. Captain Wagner entered the army at the beginning of the Civil war as first lieutenant of Company H. Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Shiloh and after his recovery rose to the rank of captain, in which capacity he served until the downfall of the rebellion. His military career embraced a period of nearly five years, during the greater part of which time he was on duty at Rock Island. Subsequently he was honored with various public positions, in- cluding among others that of deputy United States marshal, sheriff, representative and sen- ator, in all of which he rendered distinguished service and made himself popular with the peo- ple. In 1874 he came to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and purchased a large tract of land to which he moved his family four years later and from 1878 to his death he was promi- nently identified with the public affairs of his adopted state. He represented Bon Homme county in the general assembly from 1882 to 1885 inclusive, served for several years as

trustee and commissioner of the board of edu- cation and was also president of the state board of education, in which capacity he did much to promote the efficiency of the schools and bring the system up to its present high standard of ex- cellence. Captain Wagner possessed a broad, well-balanced mind, a keen intellect and ripe judgment, and he honored every station in the public service to which he was called. He was as deeply interested in local matters as in state affairs and during his residence in Bon Homme county encouraged every laudable enterprise for the material development of the country and used his influence in behalf of all progressive measures for the social, educational and moral welfare of his fellow men. He was popular with all classes and conditions of people, stood especially high in the esteem of the large circle of personal friends who learned to value him for his sterling worth and his death, which occurred in Febru- ary, 1898, was deeply lamented by all who knew him. Since the latter year his widow has lived with her brother. Martin E., over whose home she presides and after whose interests she looks with more than sisterly regard. She bore her husband two children, the older of whom, Howard H., ex-sheriff of Bon Homme county. is now a prominent resident of the county of Charles Mix, where he is quite extensively en- gaged in farming and stock raising. He mar- ried Miss Lydia Peck and at this time has a family of five children, whose names are Mary E., Benjamin H., Nina M., Howard W. and Harold. Walter, the second of Captain Wag- ner's sons, farms the old Wagner homestead and is one of the' rising young men of the county of Bon Homme. He took up one of the first claims in the Yankton reservation, was postmaster at Wagner for some years and also conducted a mercantile establishment in that city, of which place he was founder and the name of which was given in his honor. Walter Wagner mar- ried Miss Clara James, of Bon Homme county. and is the father of two children, Morris and Francis.

Thomas M. Hitt, the fifth of the children of Rev. Thomas and Emily Hitt, is a retired

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farmer and stock raiser, living at this time in Tyndall, South Dakota. He served four years in the army as a member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, participated in a number of battles and earned an honorable record as a brave, gal- lant and, under all circumstances, faithful and trustworthy soldier.

Henry P. Hitt, the next in succession, was also a farmer and stock raiser, but, like his older brother, is now living a life of retirement in the enjoyment of the fruits of his many years of labor and thrift. Margaret, the seventh in order of birth, married A. W. Newcomer and lives at Mt. Morris, Illinois, where her husband is en- gaged in business pursuits. Sarah, the youngest of the family, whose home is also in Mt. Morris, is the wife of Charles Newcomer, a well-known and popular resident of that city.

Reverting to Martin Emory Hitt, the direct subject of this sketch, it is learned that his birth occurred in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, on April 27. 1836. With his brothers and sis- ters, he received his preliminary education in the schools of Mt. Morris and later entered the Rock River Seminary, of Illinois. where he pur- sued his studies until finishing the prescribed course. He remained on the old home place in Mt. Morris until the year 1874, when he came to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and, entering three hundred and twenty acres of land in Hancock township, began the task of its im- provement, in which enterprise his labors were in due time crowned with the most encouraging success. By persevering industry he soon suc- ceeded in reclaiming his land from a wild state and converting it into one of the best and most desirable farms in the above township, the mean- time adding to its area until he now owns six hundred and forty acres, the greater part of which is leased to other parties, the portion re- served for his own use being largely devoted to pasturage.

Mr. Hitt has been a model farmer, but hav- ing accumulated an ample competence he is no longer under the necessity of laboring for a live- lihood, consequently he spends the most of his time looking after his live-stock interests and

managing his other business affairs. Few men in the community are as well known and cer- tainly no one individual has taken a more active part or exercised greater influence in forward- ing the development of this section of the state and developing its various resources. He en- courages and supports every enterprise having for its object the material growth of his town- ship and county and the interest he has ever manifested in public affairs has given him pres- tige second to that of few of his contemporaries, his generosity, unswerving integrity and pro- nounced ability having gained him a distinctive position as an intelligent, broad-minded citizen and progressive man of affairs.

As already indicated, Mr. Hitt is a man. of fine intellectuality and, being a wide and dis- criminating reader, he keeps in close touch with the trend of modern thought and with current events, having well grounded opinions on the leading questions and issues of the times con- cerning which men and parties are divided. His study of political economy and kindred subjects has made him an independent thinker ; neverthe- less he is a politician in the broad sense of the term and believes that every good citizen should manifest an abiding interest in the elective franchise. Of recent years he has given his al- legiance to the Populist party as more nearly representing his ideas than any other and, while zealous in maintaining the soundness of his con- victions and active in supporting his favorite can- didates, he has never been an office seeker in this regard, preferring to labor in behalf of others rather than press his own claims to public recog- nition.

Mr. Hitt has never assumed the responsi- bility of family ties, being an unmarried man, and, as already stated, his home at this time is presided over by his sister who spares no pains in making the domestic circle mutually pleasant and happy. A great lover of home, he has done much to beautify the same and add to its comfort and his free-handed hospitality has at- tracted to him a large circle of warm friends and admirers, who find beneath his roof a wel- come characteristic of the typical gentleman of

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the old school. Mr. Hitt's career has been emi- nently honorable and crowned with usefulness and, sustained by genuine, popular approval, he is destined long to be remembered as one of the leading men and representative citizens of his day and generation in the county of Bon Homme.

D. GRANT STEWART is a native of the state of New York, having been born in York Center, Livingston county, on the 2d of Novem- ber, 1845, and being a son of David and Mary Ann Stewart, both of whom died in that state, the father having been a plow manufacturer bv vocation. Our subject received an education in the schools of his native town and Brockport Collegiate Institute, and remained in the old Em- pire state until he had attained the age of nine- teen years, when he set forth to seek his for- tunes in the west. He located in Hamilton, Fill- more county, Minnesota, and was there engaged in merchandising for the ensuing decade, at the expiration of which, in 1879, he came as a pioneer to what is now the state of South Dakota. He took up a homestead and tree claims ten miles south of the present village of Bath, in Rondel township, and also secured a pre-emption claim. In the following year he began the improvement of his property, all three claims now being under cultivation and well improved with substantial buildings, good fences, etc., while the timber on the tree claim is now well grown. He remained on the farm for ten years and since that time has resided in Bath, while he still owns the fine prop- erty which he secured in its wild state from the government nearly a quarter of a century ago. He was married in Minnesota to Miss Emma F. Doten, in 1881, and she survived her marriage by only one year. Prior to her marriage she also had filed on a tree and homestead claim in Brown county and in the same township as the property secured by her husband. His sister, Mrs. Cath- erine J. Anderson, also came to Brown county and took up a claim, in 1880, and she died a few months later. On the 19th of March. 1885. Mr. Stewart consummated a second marriage, being

united to Miss Celia Hanson, who was born in Denmark, but reared and educated in Minnesota and Iowa, whence she came to Brown county and took up a claim prior to her marriage, having also perfected her title to the property. This was the same claim on which Mr. Stewart's sister had previously filed entry, and the claim is now in- cluded in the full section of land which consti- tutes the fine landed estate of our subject and his estimable wife, who has been a true helpmeet to him. He also owns an eighty-acre tract sepa- rate from the main farm. In connection with the growing of the various agricultural products best suited to the soil and climate, Mr. Stewart also raised cattle upon a quite extensive scale. The subject has taken an active interest in public af- fairs of a local nature and is well informed upon current topics and upon the vital questions of the day. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, and he was prominent in the reform movement which was so strongly in evidence in the west a few years since. He is a student of sociological matters and is a firm believer in many of the teachings of those who classify themselves as socialists. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Bankers' Union, while both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. They have six chil- dren, all of whom remain at the parental home, namely : Emma, Anna, Fay, Florence, Frances and Carlisle.

ED D. LEWIS .- The subject of this sketch was born in 1856 and was a native of the state of Virginia, in which state, Ohio and Wisconsin, he was reared and attended the public schools. His father is a native of Wales and after coming to this country he signified his allegiance to the Union by servng from 1861 to 1865 in the Fed- eral army during the war of the Rebellion. After his return from the army he removed to Girard, Ohio, where he still resides, being in comfortable financial circumstances.

In 1877 Ed D. Lewis removed from Ohio to Spring Green. Sauk county, Wisconsin, where he engaged successfully in the drug business, and

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while there he was also assistant postmaster for two years. Believing that the new and rapidly developing west afforded better opportunities for a young man, he, in 1882, came to Dakota terri- tory, locating at Worthing, Lincoln county, where he started a general merchandise business. He was thus engaged until 1886, when he went to Sioux Falls and entered into the retail boot and shoe business, in which he successfully continued until 1891, when he returned to Worthing. About the time of his return he was appointed postmaster of Worthing, and three years later, in 1894, he bought the banking business of the late Charles Judd, and which is now known as the Farmers and Merchants' Bank. Upon taking hold of the banking business Mr. Lewis relinquished the post- office to his wife. He was eminently successful in all his business enterprises and was considered one of the foremost citizens of Worthing.

On December II, 1882, Mr. Lewis was mar- ried to Miss Mary Morgan, of Spring Green, Wisconsin, and they have one child. Evan Elias Lewis, who is a cadet åt West Point. Fraternally Mr. Lewis was identified with the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge at Lennox, the chap- ter at Canton and the commandery at Sioux Falls. He died January 21, 1904, at Worthing.

ROLLIN J. WELLS, senior member of the well-known and prominent law firm of Wells & Blackman, of Sioux Falls, was born in the city of Moline, Illinois, on the 24th of June, 1848, and is a son of Luke and Harriet (Robinson) Wells. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of his native city Mr. Wells was matricu- lated in the University of Michigan, at Ann Ar- bor, in the literary department of which celebrated institution he continued his studies for two years, after which he was for a time engaged in teaching in the public schools of his native state. He began the reading of law in the office and un- der the direction of Judge George E. Waite, of Geneseo, Illinois, and was admitted to the bar of the state in 1878. In the same year he came to Sioux Falls and established himself in practice as one of the pioneer members of the bar of this 57

state, while in 1887 he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the United States. Mr. Wells conducted an individual practice until 1881, when he entered into a professional partnership with William A. Wilkes, under the firm name of Wilkes & Wells, this alliance continuing until 1890, when he entered into his present profes- sional association with George T. Blackman. Mr. Wells has attained high prestige as an able advo- cate and counselor, being thoroughly well in- formed in the minutiae of the science of jurispru- dence, preparing his causes with most punctilious care and presenting the same with force and di- rectness, so that he has naturally been success- ful as a trial lawyer, while he has so ordered his course as to retain the unqualified respect of his professional confreres as well as the general pub- lic. His firm has a clientage of a distinctively important and representative character through- out and incidentally it should be noted that it has charge of the financial business in the state of the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut.

Mr. Wells is known as one of the city's most public-spirited and loyal citizens and has been identified with a large number of important enter- prises, while he has lent his aid and influence in the furtherance of all measures tending to con- serve the material and civic advancement and prosperity of his home city and state. In politics he may be designated as an independent Republi- can, having taken an active interest in public af- fairs but never having sought the honors or emol- uments of political office. Fraternally he is a master Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Congregational church.

It is signally consonant that in this connection reference be made to the exceptional literary taste and ability possessed by Mr. Wells, who has writ- ten several books, the most notable of which is a dramatic poem in three acts, entitled Hagar, and having to do with the pitiful story of Hagar and her son, Ishmael, whose tragic wanderings, as told in the Bible, have been a favored theme of paint- ers and poets from the earliest times. That in the midst of an intensely busy and practical life Mr. Wells should have found time and inclina-

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tion to bring forth even this one beautiful literary gem speaks well for his appreciation and insistent gift of poesy. The work is one which merits a place in every ecclesiastical and secular library and is a distinctive contribution to the sum total of pure and undefiled English-a veritable classic in its dignity and exaltation of thought and felic- ity of expression. Concerning this work the Chi- cago Chronicle spoke as follows :

From Sioux Falls, South Dakota, comes an unex- pected piece of literary work that commends itself to public attention. "Hagar," by Rollin J. Wells, is a dramatic poem in three acts. The story, as given in the Bible, is altered somewhat, but not in any wise distorted. Mr. Wells has accented and modified cer- tain points, as the literary artist has the right to do in order to heighten poetic effect. The beauty of Hagar, her misfortunes through no fault of her own, the important part her descendants have played in history, have made a frequent and worthy subject for pen and pencil. A special merit of Mr. Wells' poem is that he has brought out in strong light the moral character of the heroine.

The maid Hagar has a lover, Athuriel. The bond between them is the purest, and nothing seems possi- ble to mar their happiness. Suddenly Hagar is in- formed through a priest that it is the will of God that she should be the proud mother of Abraham's race. The heart of the girl instinctively rebels at the proposition and she declares she will die before sub- mitting to such a violation of her love. Deeply re- ligious, and accustomed to venerating the commands of God, she has a prolonged struggle between what is pointed out as duty and what seems to her the rights of her own heart. Finally she yields, knowing

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History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 132

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