History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 87

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 87

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in his convictions, and ready at all times to main- tain the soundness of his opinions. While dili- gent in the prosecution of his own affairs and successful in carrying them to conclusion, he is also interested in the welfare of the community and spares no reasonable sacrifice in encouraging agencies and enterprises for the promotion of the same. A pleasing presence combined with a genial disposition makes him popular with all classes and conditions of people, and his manly conduct and genuine worth are recognized and appreciated by those coming within the range of his influence.

HON. J. O. LANGNESS .- This enterpris- ing citizen and public-spirited man of affairs is an American by adoption, having been born near the city of Thronghgen, Norway, on October 22, 1839. He was reared and educated in the ro- - mantic land of his nativity, and grew to man- hood's estate as a tiller of the soil, which honor- able calling he prosecuted at the place of his birth until 1866. His early home training, under the tutelage of industrious, pious parents, was such as to foster habits of industry and arouse a laudable ambition to be of some use in the world. Accordingly, while still young, he ma- tured plans for his future course of action, and by following the same became in due time a symmetrically developed man of noble aims, gen- erous impulses and high ideals. On May I, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Kringen, a native of Norway, whose birth oc- curred May 16, 1842, and the same spring he started with his young wife for America, taking passage on a sailing vessel which was seven weeks at sea before reaching its destination. Im- mediately after landing, Mr. Langness proceeded direct to Minnesota, where he remained until 1868, in the spring of which year, in company with three others, he started out to select a favor- able location for a colony of his countrymen, desirous of settling in some part of the north- west. In the prosecution of his mission, he trav- eled over the northwestern part of Minnesota,

covering about thirty counties, and from Minne- sota came to the county of Minnehaha, in Da- kota, as the section of country best suited to meet the conditions required by the colony. Sat- isfied with the location, he at once took up a homestead in section 5, of what is now Sverdrup township, and in due time was joined by others, who laid claims to adjacent lands, and it was not long until the township was settled by an in- telligent, thrifty class of people who more than any others have contributed to the development and material prosperity of this part of the state. Mr. Langness began life in the new country in a modest way, but in the course of a few years he was able to replace his pioneer dwelling with a larger and more comfortable modern structure and to add other improvements from time to time until he now has a beautiful farm of about four hundred acres, which is not only one of the most beautiful and attractive places in the town- ship of Sverdrup, but also one of the best culti- vated and most valuable in the county. As an agriculturist Mr. Langness is enterprising, pro- gressive and keeps fully abreast the times, and in addition to tilling the soil, he derives no small income from stock raising, which industry he has prosecuted of recent years with a large meas- ure of financial success.

Mr. Langness platted and laid out the town of Baltic, Minnehaha county, a thriving village and important commercial center of much prom- ise, the growth of which is almost entirely at- tributable to the interest he has manifested in its behalf. Since coming to South Dakota he has been active and influential in the public affairs of his township and county, having filled nearly every position within the gift of the former, be- sides holding two important offices in the latter. He served two terms as county surveyor and in 1896 was elected treasurer of the county, the duties of which responsible trust he discharged in an able and satisfactory manner, proving a popular as well as a safe custodian of the public funds. Additional to the position noted, he rep- resented Minnehaha county one term in the state legislature and as a member of that body served

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his constituents faithfully and well, never losing sight of their interests, and at the same time using his best endeavors to further the welfare of the state. Mr. Langness easily ranks with the most energetic, public-spirited men of the county in which he resides, and has done as much as any of his contemporaries to promote its development. His influence is always on the right side of every moral question, and he dis- charges the duties of citizenship with the object in view of benefitting the body politic and advanc- ing the varied interests of the commonwealth. Inheriting the sturdy character and sterling qual- ities of head and heart for which his nationality is noted, he has used the same to excellent ad- vantage since becoming a citizen of the United States and, although retaining warm feelings and tender recollections of the land of his fore- fathers, he is now a true American citizen, loyal to the laws of his adopted country and earnest in his efforts to uphold and maintain its insti- tutions. In politics he affiliated with the Repub- lican party and as such has become a leader of his party in Minnehaha county, being active and influential in its councils and a zealous worker for its success during the progress of campaigns. In 1892 he cast in his lot with the Populist party, and has held their views ever since, hav- ing taken the stump for General Weaver.

Personally Mr. Langness is universally es- teemed. as his friendships are strong and last- ing, his relations with his fellow men honorable, his integrity above suspicion, and his private life and character such as to commend him to the confidence of all with whom he is brought into contact. Religiously he is a member of the Nor- wegian Lutheran church, in which faith he was born and reared and to the teachings of which he has always remained loyal. Mrs. Langness is also a Lutheran and, with her husband, is interested in all the religious and benevolent work of the local organization to which she be- longs. To Mr. and Mrs. Langness have been horn eight children, four of whom died young, the following being the names of the living members of the family: Erik J., Julia J., Maria J. and Oline J.

HANS H. SANDVIG, one of the leading agriculturists and representative citizens of Min- nehaha county, was born in Norway on the 18th day of October, 1848. Reared on a farm, he early selected agriculture for his life work and fol- lowed the same in his native land until 1870, at which time he came to the United States and settled in Goodhue county, Minnesota. After spending three years there in successful prosecu- tion of his chosen vocation, he, in the fall of 1873, changed his abode to Minnehaha county, South Dakota, where he took up a homestead which he improved and upon which he lived and prospered until the latter part of 1880. In De- cember of that year Mr. Sandvig moved to Ly- ons township, where he continued to reside until the spring of 1903, when he rented his farm and took up his residence in Baltic, which place he has since made his home, living practically a life of retirement though still devoting much atten- tion to his large agricultural interests and to the management of his business affairs.

Mr. Sandvig owns a valuable farm, consisting of four hundred and forty acres, all in cultivation, and well improved with good buildings, and. everything considered, there are few as fine tracts of land as his in the county of Minnehaha. It is admirably situated for agricultural and live- stock purposes, being fertile, well watered and capable of producing abundantly all the grains and vegetable crops grown in South Dakota. Mr. Sandvig cultivates the soil according to the most approved methods, employs the best modern machinery, and by systematic and energetic ef- fort seldom fails to realize large returns for the time and labor expended on his fields. In the matter of live stock he has also been quite suc- cessful, having for a number of years devoted considerable attention to the raising of fine cattle. sheep and hogs, which, as all know, have long been considered a reliable source of wealth in Minnehaha county and throughout the state.

Mr. Sandvig was married, after settling in South Dakota, to Miss Ida O. Brown, who, like himself, is a native of Norway, but who had been living for some years prior to her marriage in the county of Minnehaha. Two daughters have

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been born to this union, Hilda O. and Christina A., both living and, like their parents, highly es- teemed in the social circles in which they move. Mr. Sandvig's long residence in South Dakota, covering a period of over thirty years, has made him widely known throughout Minnehaha county, and today there are few as popular men in the community and none more active or influ- ential in promoting the material welfare of this section of the state. Never an office seeker or an aspirant for leadership in any undertaking, he has been honored at different times with import- ant official positions, including the chairmanship of the Lyons township board, which he held for many years, and a place on the local school board, in which capacity he was instrumental in building up the educational system within his jurisdiction and making the schools among the best in the county. Mr. Sandvig possesses in a marked de- gree the physical characteristics and mental qualifications essential to success, being a man of wide practical intelligence, good judgment, clear perception and invincible integrity. His career throughout presents much that is commendable and worthy of emulation and, measured by the highest standard of excellence, his life as a neigh- bor, friend and enterprising citizen has been em- inently honorable and above reproach.

EDGAR B. NORTHRUP .- Although a young man and for only twelve years a resident of Dakota, the subject of this review has achieved much more than local reputation in business cir- cles, besides becoming prominent in the public affairs of the state. Edgar B. Northrup is a native of New York and an honorable representa- tive of the large, intelligent and influential class of citizens the Empire state has contributed to the population of various states and territories of the great northwest. He was born April 21, 1867, in Broadalbin, Fulton county, and is the son of Leonard S. and Jane Elizabeth (Burr) Northrup, both parents members of old and respected fam- ilies. The father, who was for many years a inanufacturer of gloves in the state of his nativity, died in September, 1891, while the mother is still

living at the age of seventy-four years. The early life of Edgar B., devoid of striking incident or thrilling experience, was spent in his native place, where he received his preliminary education in the public schools, after which he was prepared for college at Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massa- chusetts. With the discipline thus received, he in due time entered Yale University, which noted institution he attended until completing the pre- scribed course and from which he was graduated with a creditable record in June, 1900. Two years after finishing his education Mr. Northrup came to South Dakota and located in Hanson county, where he remained about one year, re- moving at the expiration of that time to Sioux Falls, in which city he has since resided. Since coming west Mr. Northrup has devoted his at- tention largely to the real-estate business, in- vestments, loans, etc., and having a favorable field in which to operate, he has acquired a large, far-reaching and lucrative patronage, being at this time one of the leaders in these lines in the thriving city of his residence, besides having ex- tensive interests in various parts of the state. He is a man of sagacity and keen perception, is rarely mistaken in his judgment of men and things, foresees with great clearness future pos- sibilities and determines with a high degree of accuracy the outcome of present action. In all . business relations he manifests scrupulous integ- rity and gentlemanly demeanor and by his intel- ligence and his unassuming and pleasant bearing he has gained a large circle of friends. Mr. Northrup is decidedly Republican in his views and has wielded considerable influence in his party since moving to Sioux Falls, being wise in counsel, judicious and resourceful as an organ- izer and untiring as a worker. In November, 1902, he was elected to the upper house of the general assembly, and thus far his senatorial career has been able, eminently honorable and satisfactory to his constituents of all parties. By reason of his business success, high social standing, un -. blemished character and the universal esteem which he enjoys, he might without invidious dis- tinction be called one of the most honored, as well as one of the most prominent citizens of

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Sioux Falls, his right to this rating being cheer- fully conceded by all who know him. Mr. North- rup is a member of the Masonic order, includ- ing the Mystic Shrine, and is also a leading spirit in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, be- sides being an influential factor in the Dacotah Club, one of the leading social organizations of the city. He was married March 14, 1894, at Johns- town, New York, to Miss Laura Hays, an ac- complished lady, and they have one child, a daughter by the name of Elizabeth Hays North- rup, whose birth occurred July 4, 1896.

PATRICK J. DINNEEN .- The subject of this review is one of the many self-made men who have sought homes on this side of the Atlantic and who, by their industry, economy and thrift. have become well-to-do citizens of their adopted country. Mr. Dinneen was born in County Cork, Ireland, March 17, 1834, his parents being Timo- thy and Hannah (Conklin) Dinneen, who were also natives of the Emerald isle, where they made their home throughout life.

In the land of his birth the subject grew to manhood and for fifteen years prior to coming to America he made his home in England. In 1854 he wedded Miss Mary Walsh, a daughter of Kane and Margaret (Donovan) Walsh, the former of whom died in England and the latter in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Dinneen have become the parents of nine children, all still living : Dan- iel, who married Fannie Gill and is engaged in farming ; Margaret, wife of Bert Aman, an agri- culturist of Yankton county; Timothy, also a farmer, who married Johanna Finn; John, who married Fannie Roberts ; Hannah, wife of Otis Kessey, a wealthy fruitman of California ; Pat- rick, who is running a barber shop in Irene, South Dakota ; James, who assists his father in the op- eration of the home farm ; Mary, wife of Thomas Garvey, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; and George, who married Millie Walsh and lives on his father's farm.

In 1866 Mr. Dinneen bade good-by to home and family and sailed for the new world. Here

he began work as a laborer in New Jersey, and from there went to Illinois, where he was em- ployed for nine months. Going south he spent some time in Mississippi and Louisiana and in 1867 went to Houston, Texas, where he worked two months. During the following five months he herded cattle in the Panhandle mountains of Texas, and then came up the Mississippi river and entered the employ of the Union Pacific Rail- road Company.

On the 7th of May, 1869, Mr. Dinneen took up his residence in Yankton county, South Da- kota, and the same year sent for his family, whom he had supported in England up to this time. He homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of government land, on which there was not a stick of timber, and he set out twelve acres in trees, from which he recently cut ten thousand feet of lumber to build a barn. It is now a beautiful grove and the trees which he has cut down can hardly be missed. Mr. Dinneen has made all of the improvements upon his place and to-day has a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres under excellent cultivation. His first home here was a little log cabin, twelve by sixteen feet. which sheltered a family of eight for some time. The grasshoppers at times have destroyed his crops and when the Jim river has overflowed its banks during the spring and summer rains he has met with losses to the amount of five thou- sand dollars, but notwithstanding these misfor- tunes he has prospered in his new home and is today accounted one of the substantial men of his community, as well as one of its most highly esteemed citizens. He is a Catholic in religious faith and a Democrat in politics. For fifteen years he has filled some school office, and his sup- port is never withheld from any enterprise cal- culated to promote the social and moral welfare of his county.

HANS C. OLSON .-- Since attaining to man's estate Hans C. Olson has been identified with the growth and development of South Dakota and as a farmer he is still carrying on the work of im- provement in Yankton county, where he now

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makes his home. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Norway, October 29, 1854, and was about fifteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, Ole and Mary Olson. On land- ing in this country they proceeded at once to South Dakota and settled in Clay county, but after residing there for thirteen years they came to Yankton county. The father became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he subsequently sold, buying the property in Gay- ville where his widow now resides. While en- gaged in farming he met with good success, al- though his crops at times were greatly damaged by the floods and were almost completely de- stroyed by grasshoppers when those pests invaded the land. He improved the farm before selling it and later was engaged in wagonmaking at Gayville for about fifteen years. By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and he held membership in the Lutheran church, to which his widow also be- longs. She has now reached the age of seventy- six years. After a useful and well spent life, he died in August, 1901. His children were Jo- hanna, Hans C., John, Peter, Herman, Oliana, Otena, Martin and Regina.

As soon as old enough to be of any assistance Hans C. Olson began to aid his father in the operation of the home farm and has since de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land, two hundred and thirty of which are under cultivation. He is quite extensively engaged in the raising of stock, making a specialty of Here- ford cattle, and usually ships from one to two carloads of cattle annually and also sells from fifty to one hundred hogs.

Mr. Olson was married in August, 1879, the lady of his choice being Miss Becka Erickson, also a native of Norway, and after her death he wedded Dora Simmion, who was born in the same country, her parents making that their home throughout life. Mr. Olson has six children by his first marriage and four by the second, namely : Ole, Nels, Martin. Fred, Herbert, Eddie, Wil-

liam, John, Edna and Carl, all living at the pres- ent writing in 1903. He is providing his chil- dren with good school privileges and as a school official he takes an active interest in educational affairs. For seven years he served as deputy assessor of his township, and the Republican party has always found in him an ardent sup- porter. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, and being a man of strict integrity and sterling worth he has the confidence and respect of all who know him.

JAMES O. CONRICK is a successful farmer and reputable citizen of Brule county, South Da- kota, and an ex-soldier in the great war which tested the, stability of America's free institutions and proved that a government of the people, by the people and for the people should not perish from the face of the earth. James O. Conrick is a native of Montgomery county, New York, and the son of E. P. and Harriet ( Petit ) Conrick, both parents born in the state of Connecticut. In early life E. P. Conrick was a teacher, but later became a contractor, and as such helped to con- struct the first railroad in the United States, also finished a considerable part of the old Erie canal in New York, besides doing much other work of a public character. He migrated to Wisconsin in an early day, took an active interest in the ma- terial development of that state, also became a leading Republican politician, and served at dif- ferent times in the upper and lower houses of the general assembly. He was a man of prom- inence and influence, widely known and highly esteemed, and he lived to a ripe old age, dying in 1897 in his ninety-first year. E. P. and Harriet Conrick reared a family of three children, namely. Mary, James O. and Frank, the subject of this sketch being the sole survivor.

James O. Conrick was born September 8. 1838, and spent his early life in New York and Wisconsin, receiving a limited education in such schools as the latter afforded during the pioneer period. When a young man, in company with

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a number of spirits as brave and daring as him- self, he made an overland trip to California in search of gold, being six months enroute, but after spending four years in the mines, and real- izing some remuneration for his labors and strug- gles, he returned home and resumed the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. In 1860 he again went west, making his way as far as Pike's Peak, and shortly after his return, the following year, en- listed in Company A, Tenth Wisconsin Infantry,' which was soon sent to the front, to experience all the realities and horrors of war. Mr. Con- rick shared with his comrades all their varied vicissitudes and hardships and took part in a number of campaigns and battles, in one of which he was captured and sent to Libby Prison. After four months in that noted bastile, he was ex- changed and, rejoining his command in 1863, served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Stone River, Spring Hill, Mur- freesboro, Chickamauga and many other engage- ments and skirmishes, in all of which he sustained the reputation of a brave, gallant and fearless de- fender of the flag.

At the expiration of his period of enlistment Mr. Conrick returned to Wisconsin, later to Du- buque, Iowa, where he continued to reside until 1885, when he moved his family to Brule county, South Dakota, and took up a homestead near the town of Chamberlain, on which he still lives and which, under his wisely directed labors, has been converted into one of the best farms and most attractive homes in that part of the state. While devoting the greater portion of his time to agri- cultural pursuits, he also pays considerable at- tention to live stock, making a specialty of graded cattle and Poland-China hogs, large numbers of which he sells every year at good prices. Mr. Conrick is an enterprising man and, for one of his age, is still active, physically and mentally. He manifests a lively interest in the welfare of the community, uses his influence to promote its material prosperity and moral advancement, and is accounted one of the wide-awake, energetic and progressive citizens of the county in which he lives. In politics he is a Republican and few in the community are as active as he in public

affairs. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Lodge No. 125, at Dubuque, Iowa, into which he was initiated a number of years ago.

In the year 1868 Mr. Conrick and Miss Nancy M. Larnard, of New York, were united in mar- riage, which resulted in the birth of four chil- dren, namely: George E., chief clerk at Lower Brule Indian agency, South Dakota; John P., a lawyer practicing his profession at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan ; Frank M., civil engineer and contractor for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and Clair H., a' student of Vermillion ·College, South Dakota. Mr. Conrick is a friend of higher education and has given his children the best ad- vantages in this direction obtainable and all but the youngest are now filling responsible stations in life and making records which are alike cred- itable to themselves and to their parents. The family is an old and honorable American family, having come as Pilgrims to the New England states in the seventeenth century and many of its members having held high offices of trust in our country, and those now living bid fair to sustain the reputation which the worthy name has always borne.

HENRY B. FARREN, who is one of the leading members of the bar of Buffalo county, is a member of the legislature of the state at the time of this writing and is one of the prominent and popular citizens of this section of the com- monwealth. Mr. Farren is a native of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born in the city of Philadelphia, on the 4th of November, 1848, and being a son of James L. and Mary (Bellfield) Farren, both of whom were members of old and honored families of Pennsylvania. They became the parents of nine children. namely: Mary V., Henry B., Helen F., Emma C., James L., Martha F., Alfred R., Alice M. and Horace W. and of the number all are living ex- cept Mary, Helen, Alfred and Horace. When the subject was quite young his parents removed to the city of Columbus, Ohio, and a few years later. in September of 1856, took up their abode in Van Buren county, Iowa, becoming pioneers

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History of South Dakota, Vol. I, Part 87

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