History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 122

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1138

USA > South Dakota > History of South Dakota, Vol. II > Part 122

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Judge Rice was reared on the homestead farm and received his carly education in the public schools of his native county. At the age of eighteen years he put his scholastic acquire- ments to practical test and use by engaging in teaching in the district schools, and he followed this profession successfully for several years. At the age of twenty-three he began reading law in the office of the firm of McKee & Jayne, whose principals were leading members of the bar of Memphis, Missouri, and under their effective di- rection he continued his technical studies until 1884, in May of which year he was duly admitted to the bar of Missouri, being pronounced spe- cially well equipped. Shortly afterward he started for the west, and in July of the same year located in Deadwood, where he has been identified with a large percentage of the more important cases litigated in the courts of this and adjoining counties, and has retained a representative clien- tage, gaining popular favor at the very inception of his professional career. In 1888 he was

elected to the office of district attorney serving six consecutive years in this important que es acting position, which fact indicates that he was twice chosen as his own successor. He served the three terms and could not become again a candidate, this being the limitation prescribed by the constitution of the state. In 1804 he was elected to represent his district in the state sen- ate, serving during the fifth general assembly and making a most excellent record as a discrim inating, loyal and public-spirited member of the deliberative body of the legislature. He intro- duced and ably advocated the bill providing for the better protection of the state funds. and it was largely due to his carnest and unceasing effort that this wise measure was enacted. In 1806 the Judge was again the choice of his party for the state senate, and while he made a vigor- ous canvass and secured a gratifying support he was not able to overcome the Populistie landslide which swept the state in that year. From May. 1896, until May. 1902, the Judge served as city attorney of Deadwood, and on the 11th of June of the latter year he was appointed to his present office as circuit judge, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Frank J. Washabaugh, whose death caused the vacancy. In politics the Judge has ever been an uncompromising Republican, and has been an able advocate of the principles and policies of the party. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Judge is an enthusiastic devotee of sports and afield and afloat, and his vacations are largely given to recreation with rod and gun. On the 21st of October, 1885. Judge Rice was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Smoot, who was born and reared in Memphis, Missouri, being a daughter of H. E. Smoot, a prominent citizen of that place and a native of Virginia.

IRA C. KINGSBERY, cashier of the Bank of Hartford. Minnehaha county, is a native of the state of Indiana, having been born in Monti- cello. White county, on the 14th of September, 1851. a son of Albert and Maria (Adams) Kingsbery, the former of whom died in 1864,

1672

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

while the mother still lives at Monticello, Indiana. The subject secured his educational discipline in the public schools of his native county. hav- ing also attended the high school at Crawfords- ville, Indiana. for one year. In 1869 he initiated his independent business career by establishing himself in the grocery trade in Monticello, con- tinuing this enterprise for three years and being successful in his efforts. In 1873 he purchased an interest in the Monticello woolen mills, which had been operated by his father up to the time of his death, in 1864. With this industrial un- dertaking the subject continued to be identified until 1876, when he disposed of his interest in the same and removed to Remington, Indiana. where he was engaged in the general-merchan- dise business for the ensuing six years, at the expiration of which, in 1882, he came to South Dakota, and located in St. Lawrence, Hand county, where he became the pioneer merchant of the town, there continuing operations for the ensuing three years and then removing to High- more, Hyde county, where he became associated with his brothers in the hardware and implement business, in which he there continued until 1888. when he came to Hartford and established the Bank of Hartford, forthwith assuming the of- fice of cashier of the institution, of which the president, William H. Wells, owns the remain- ing half interest, he having never taken up his abode in South Dakota. so that the entire executive charge of the business has been in the hands of the subject from the time of establishing the bank. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Kingsbery is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres adjoining the village, while he owns other lands in the county to an aggre- gate area of thirteen hundred and eighty acres. being prominently identified with the raising of the highest grade of Aberdeen Angus cattle. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while both he and his wife are prominent and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

On the 3d of June. 1874, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kingsbery to Miss Lu A. Curtis, of Monticello, Indiana, and they are the

parents of three children, namely : Lois K., who is the wife of Frank L. Mays, editor and pro- prietor of the Daily Journal at Pensacola. Flor- ida : Albert C., who is a graduate of the Uni- versity of Colorado, at Boulder, Colorado; How- ard L., who is a member of the class of ico3 in the University of South Dakota, at Mitchell.

JOHN L. PYLE .- Many strong and noble men have lent honor and dignity to the state of South Dakota by distinguished public service, and among them stands the subject of this sketch, who was the first South Dakotan to die while in a state office. He was attorney general of the state at the time of his death.

John Levis Pyle came of sturdy stock. His mother was born near 'London, England, and came to America with her parents while still a child. On his father's, side his ancestors were identified with American progress from the earliest times, the founder of the family having been one of Penn's colonists in the seventeenth century. The Pyles were carly noted for their fearlessness and sturdy independence. They were steady, temperate men, of strong character, indomitable energy and magnificent physical de- velopment. Early settlers in Pennsylvania, they were also pioneers in pushing westward along the frontier. They were famous as fighters and many stories are told of their deeds of physical prowess. John Pyle presented in his own person. the full development of this splendid ancestry, being a man of great mental and physical power, noted for his honesty, courage and progressive energy.

The future attorney general was born at Coal Run, Ohio, May 5, 1860. His mother, Mary Dean Pyle, was a woman of remarkably sweet and gentle disposition. The influence of her self-control and kindly ways were very great upon her son. It remained with him through life and made him in his private walks one of the most lovable of men. His father, Dr. Levis Pyle, was a man of restless and progressive spirit-energetic, public-spirited and absolutely fearless. During the strife and turmoil of the

1673

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

ante-bellum days in Ohio he took a prominent part in the agitation for the abolition of slavery and more than once was in peril for his life on account of his activity. Shortly after the war he removed to Raritan, Illinois, where he resided until 1882, when he came to the territory of Dakota and settled in Miller. Here he con- tinued to reside, engaged in the active practice of his profession, until he was called away by death, at the ripe. old age of seventy-five.

The early schooling of the subject of this sketch was obtained in the public schools at Raritan and was later supplemented by a course of study in the college at Westfield. Illinois. He early went to work for himself, earning his own living from the age of thirteen. In 1879 he went to Montana and engaged in mining until 1882, when he came with the early settlers to Dakota and took up land near Miller. He then began the study of law, was admitted to the bar and elected state's attorney for Hand county in 1886. In 1889 he removed to Huron, where he was residing at the time of his death. The best of his life work was done at Huron. He rose rapidly in his profession, commanded the un- equivocal confidence and love of the entire com- munity, and was finally elected attorney general in 1898. He was the first state officer ever se- lected from Beadle county and at the time of his election attracted attention by the unusual degree to which he received the support of his home county. In politics he was a stanch Republican and an influential party worker. As attorney general he gave a most able and satisfactory ad- ministration of the exacting duties of his office. The fever which brought about his death was contracted while in the discharge of his official duties, in Helena, Montana, whither he had gone to attend the conference of governors and at- torneys general relative to the prosecution of the famous merger suit against the Northern Se- curities Company.

Mr. Pyle was a man who often attracted at- tention on account of his magnificent physique, and his untimely death was a great surprise to all. He was buried with the honors of state. 46-

In his special proclamation touching the death of the attorney general, Governor Herreid said : "Mr. Pyle was an efficient public officer ; an able, conscientious lawyer and an honorable Christian gentleman, who was respected by all classes and loved and admired by all who had the privilege of his personal acquaintance. In his untimely death his family, the legal profession, the public service and all the people of the state have suf- fered an unmeasurable loss. '

Mr. Pyle was a prominent and active member of the Presbyterian church and president of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian College of South Dakota : fraternally he was identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, with the Modern Woodmen of America and with James River Lodge. No. 32, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The bar of Beadle county adopted resolutions of respect and esteem at the time of his death, from which the following is an extract : "Our deceased brother was a man of high character and worth ; as a public officer, he served the people of his state with fidelity ; as a private citizen, he was zealous in the discharge of every civic duty ; as a husband, he was faithful and kind; as a father, he was patient, gentle and indulgent ; as a lawyer, he was able and conscientious, steadfast in his relation with his clients and earnest and careful in the protection of their interests; as a man, he was mild and sincere, true in his friendships, dignified in his bearing, and in all his conduct governed by a lofty sense of duty."

Mr. Pyle was married at Miller, on the 26th of May, 1886. to Mary I. Shields, who survives him and still lives at their beautiful home in Huron. Of this union four children were born, all of whom survive.

In conclusion, the whole matter of Mr. Pyle's standing in the community and his relation to his fellow men may well be summed up in the declaration of a former state official who had known him closely for nearly a score of years. Said this gentleman to the writer, "Physically, mentally and morally, John Pyle was one of the most perfect men I ever knew."

1674

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

WASHINGTON T. HUNT. who holds the responsible executive office of manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company, at Hartford, Min- nehaha county, claims the Empire state as the place of his nativity, having been born in North New Berlin, New York, on the 22d of February. 1856, and the fact of his having thus been ushered into the world on the birthday anni- versary of the immortal Washington led to his being given the name of the "father of his country." He is a son of Reuben and Elizabeth (Wrench) Hunt, the father born in England and the mother in New York state. The father was engaged as a stone-mason until 1857, when he removed to Fayette county, Iowa, becoming one of the pioncers of that section, where he fol- l'owed his trade, in connection with farming, for many years. He maintains his name at Fayette. Iowa, while his wife died April 4. 1901.

The subject of this review was not yet one year of age when his parents removed to Iowa, and thus he is a typical western man in spirit and training. After availing himself of the ad- vantages of the public schools he continued his studies for a time in the Upper Iowa University, at Fayette. As a youth he learned the trade of stone-mason under the effective direction of his father, and to the same he continued to de- vote his attention in Iowa until 1878. when. at the age of twenty-two years, he came to Sioux Falls. South Dakota, thus gaining title to consid- cration as one of the pioneers of this common- wealth. Here he was engaged in teaching in the public schools for the first two years, and the ensuing seven years he devoted to agri- cultural pursuits in Minnehaha county. In 1802 he was elected superintendent of schools of the county, retaining this incumbency for a term of two years, during which he resided in East Sioux Falls, while later he devoted his attention to teaching and to the work of his trade, residing in Vall y Springs. He returned to Iowa in 1900 and during that and the succeeding year was principal of the school at Larchwood, that state. He then returned to South Dakota and took up his abode in the thriving town of Hartford. where he was engaged in the work of his trade

until August, 1902, when he was chosen to his present position of business manager of the Farmers' Elevator Company, in which capacity he has since continued to serve, manifesting that administrative ability and good business judg- ment which ever make for the success of any enterprise, and so materially has he advanced the interests of the company as to gain the un- qualified approval and endorsement of its board of directors, who voluntarily increased his sal- ary at the opening of the year 1903, thus tan- gibly showing their appreciation of his efforts. In politics Mr. Hunt is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party and signified the same by supporting its cause. He and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On the 7th of May, 1880, Mr. Hunt was united in marriage to Miss Louise C. Vander- mark, of Sioux Falls, and they are the parents of three children, May E., who is the wife of Grant H. Stone, of Sioux Falls; Roy A., who assists his father in the work of the elevator business ; and Faith A., who is attending the public schools of Hartford.

FRANK E. VAN DE MARK, who is the owner of a fine landed estate of six hundred and forty arcres, in Hartford and Grand Meadow townships, Minnehaha county, was born in Lake county, Illinois, on the 8th of October, 1851, be- ing a son of Henry A. and Mary (Adams) Van De Mark, who came to the territory of Dakota in 1877. the father dying here in 1887, at the age of sixty-six years, while his wife passed away in 1902, at the venerable age of ninety years. The subject of this sketch secured his early education in the public schools of Illinois and Iowa, to which latter state his parents re- moved when he was twelve years old, and after coming to South Dakota he supplemented the discipline by a course of study in a business col- lege in Sioux Falls. In 1872, when twenty-one years of age, he left his home in Iowa and started for Dakota, making the trip principally on foot

1675

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

and driving a yoke of oxen, which represented his worldly possessions, since he did not have even a wagon. He took up the southeast quar- ter of section 29, Grand Meadow township, as a pre-emption, proving up on it and developing the property into a good farm, of which he dis- posed in 1876. He is thus one of the pioneers of Minnehaha county. Part of his present fine estate lies in sections 3, 4 and Io, Hart- ford township, and comprises six hundred and forty acres, as before noted, while it is one of the best stock farms in this section. The place on which he resides comprises seventy-three and a half acres and lies in section 22, Hart- ford township, just east of the city limits. and contains his fine home and buildings. He also plotted and owns the Van De Mark addition to Hartford. In addition to raising the various cereals best adapted to the soil and climate, he gives special attention to the raising of the finest grade of live stock, including registered short- horn cattle, Poland-China swine and Shropshire sheep, and at the present time he is devoting practically his entire attention to the fancy stock business, of which he has developed more than any other breeder in the state. Of his place and its attractions a leading stock journal has spoken as follows :

We feel compelled, through the merits of the case, to direct the attention of our stockmen to what is being done in their line by F. E. Van De Mark, of Hartford. South Dakota. Located in the imme- diate vicinity of a town, with splendid natural con- ditions and excellent accommodations for all kinds of stock, his farm furnishes most that could be de- sired for the successful breeding of pure-bred stock. While short-horn cattle, Shropshire sheep and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens are respectively represented by a number of the very best specimens, we wish to make particular mention of the Poland- China herd, having at its head Van Dee 69449, sired by the sweepstakes hog at the state fair of 1902. Viola Over 160780, who won sweepstakes at Yank- ton. is a sow of splendid proportions and her points of excellence are away in the majority. Paulina 174762, hred by Rockwell Brothers, of Iowa, is also a nicely turned and vigorous-looking animal. Other young sows, as Dakota and Iowa, show clearly that Mr. Van De .Mark is on the right track and is more than an amateur in the business. The close

proximity to the depot and town and the quality and variety of stock kept, should induce any lover of good stock to stop off at Hartford and give Mr. Van De Mark a call.

In politics Mr. Van De Mark is a stanch Re- publican, and he is now serving as justice of the peace and also as treasurer of the Hartford school fund, while in 1898 he received the nomi- nation for representative in the state legislature, but met defeat with the rest of the party ticket in the state. He and his wife are prominent and valued members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Hartford, and fraternally he is identi- fied with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the Ist of March, 1878, in Fayette county, Iowa, Mr. Van De Mark was united in marriage to Miss Amelia E. Hunt, who was born in Eng- land, whence she came with her parents to America in her childhood. The subject and his wife are the parents of seven children, namely : Guy E., who is attending the Northwestern Med- ical College, in Chicago: Walter E., who is a graduate of the university at Mitchell and who was principal of the East Sioux Falls public schools in 1902; and Blanch E., Frank E., Jr., Henry E., Martin E., and Ruth E., who remain at the parental home.

JOHN A. PHELPS, one of the interested principals in the Hartford Milling Company, at Hartford. Minnehaha county, is a native of the state of Minnesota, having been born in Shelton, Houston county, on the ist of February, 1863, a son of John and Julia (Lyon ) Phelps. The father died in 1899, and the mother is living at Richville, Washington. The subject attended the public schools of his native town until he had completed a course in the high school, and at the age of eighteen years he identified himself with the milling business there, working in va- rious mills in Minnesota and gaining a thorough knowledge of the business in all its details. In . 1886 he came to Madison, South Dakota, and there held the position of head miller in the Madison roller mills until April, 1902, when he came to Hartford and associated himself with

16-6

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

Duncan A. McGillidray in the erection of the finely equipped roller-process mill which is now operated by them under the title of the Hartford Milling Company, our subject having the sup- ervision of the operation of the mill, which is one of the best in this section, having a capacity for the output of one hundred barrels of flour per day, while the various brands manufactured, have gained a high reputation, so that the busi- ness of the company is constantly increasing in scope and importance. Mr. Phelps is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Re- publican party, in whose cause he takes an active interest, though he has never desired the honors or emoluments of public office. Fraternally he he is affiliated with Hartford Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, at Hartford, and with the chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Madison, South Dakota.

On the 25th of August. 1887, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Phelps to Miss Elva Berry, of Money Creek, Minnesota, and she was summoned into eternal rest on the 25th of Oc- tober, 1892, being survived by her only child. Hazel May, who was born on the 16th of March, 1891.

LUCIUS A. PEASE, who is now living retired in the pleasant village of Hartford, Min- nehaha county, was born in the village of Hills- boro, Louisa county, Iowa, on the 18th of March, 1849, being a son of Allen W. and Esther N. ( Blivens) Pease, his father having been a school- teacher by vocation and a man of much ability and sterling character. He died in 1877 and his devoted wife is still living at the age of seventy- five years. The subject secured his early edu- cation in the public schools of Muscatine, Iowa, and when he was ten years of age his parents removed to Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he continued to attend school until the time of the Civil war, when his youthful patriotism led him to tender his services in defense of the Union. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Pease en- listed as a member of Company C. Thirty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, with which he

continued in service during his term of one hun- dred days. In 1865 he re-enlisted, at this time be- coming a private in Company D, Sixty-fifth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, but as the war closed soon afterward he did not see much active service with this command. He received his discharge after his first term in the city of Milwaukee. Wisconsin, while the final discharge was re- ceived in the city of Chicago. After the close of the war he rejoined his parents, who were then residing on their farm in Kenosha county, Wisconsin, and there he remained, assisting his father in his labors, until 1873, when he came to the territory of Dakota, taking up a home- stead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Minnehaha county, and also a pre-emption claim adjoining, and to this landed estate he later added until he is at the present time the owner of a valuable farming property of four hundred and twenty acres, the same being equipped with excellent improvements of a permanent nature and maintained under a high state of cultivation. On this farm he continued to be successfully engaged in diversified agri- culture and stock growing until the spring of 1903, when he rented the place, by reason of im- paired health, and took up his residence in Hart- ford, where he is now living practically retired, though he still maintains a general supervision of his farm property. In politics Mr. Pease gave his allegiance to the Republican party until the organization of the Populist party, when he joined its ranks, having since been a stanch ad- vocate of its principles and policies. Mr. Pease served for twenty years as postmaster at Lyons, this county, said postoffice being located on his farm, and there he was also incumbent of the of- fice of justice of the peace for a number of years.

On the 3Ist of December, 1873, Mr. Pease was united in marriage to Miss Josephine A. VanWie, of Salem, Wisconsin, and they are the parents of three children,-Luella E., who is the wife of David M. Crooks, of Lyons, this state ; Maud May, who is the wife of George Lott, a successful farmer of Grand Meadow township, this county ; and Walter L., who resides in Hart- ford, where he is engaged in farming.

1677

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

DUNCAN A. McGILLIVRAY, one of the representative business men and influential citi- zens of Hartford. Minnehaha county, comes of stanch Scotch extraction and was born in Glen- garry county, province of Ontario, Canada, on the 4th of May, 1859. a son of John and Mary (McGillivray) McGillivray, the former of whom died in Lake county, South Dakota, in 1894. The subject received such educational advantages as were afforded in the excellent public schools of his native province, and was there identified with farming until 1878, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he remained about a year, be- ing employed in connection with the lumbering industry. In May, 1879, he arrived in Lake county. South Dakota, where he took up a home- stead claim and also a tree claim, developing and improving a good farm and being there engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock raising un- til the spring of 1902, when he came to Hartford and associated himself with John A. Phelps in the formation of the Hartford Milling Com- pany. The finely equipped mill was erected by them in the same year, while they have built up an excellent business in the manufacturing of high-grade flour from selected spring wheat, the other products of the mill also being of marked superiority. The mill represents an investment of about fifteen thousand dollars, and has a ca- pacity of one hundred and fifty barrels a day. the major portion of the output being sold in the local markets, while shipments are made at intervals to Illinois.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 122

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1138

Author: Robinson, Doane, 1856-1946. cn
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1138