History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 149

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 149

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FRANK CHLADEK was born in Bohemia on the 15th of November, 1845, his parents be- ing Joseph and Annie (Novak) Chladek. Their family numbered five children: Frank, Joseph,

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Louis, Josie and Poweli. In the public schools of his native land the subject of this review ob- tained his education and when twenty-four years of age he emigrated to the new world, attracted by the favorable reports which he had heard con- cerning this land and its business opportunities. He made his way to Chicago, where he lived for five years, and in 1872 he came to South Da- kota, settling in Yankton county, where he pre- empted a quarter section of land seven miles south of Lesterville. Since that time he has been a resident of this portion of the state and has gained rank among the most successful farmers of this locality. Unfaltering industry has been the basis of his success and added to this are other strong traits of character, such as persever- ance, determination and sound judgment. He worked for five years as an engineer in Yank- ton and then his health became impaired so that he resumed farming. He also began the sale of farming machinery and subsequently in connec- tion with his brother established a large machine business which he carried on for some time, meeting with prosperity in their undertaking. Mr. Chladek now owns two thousand acres of the best land in Yankton county. As his finan- cial resources have increased he has placed his money in the safest of all investments-real es- tate-and his holdings are now very extensive. He is likewise largely interested in the business of buying and selling grain, live stock and farm- ing machinery. He carries forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes, brooking no obstacles that can be overcome by honest and persistent effort.

On the 24th of January, 1867, Mr. Chladek was united in marriage, in Bohemia, to Miss Mary Cizek and unto them have been born eleven children : Powlie, Lottie, Clara, William, Emil, Emma. Eddie and Frank, all of whom are living, and Powlie and Frank, who have passed away and one that died in infancy. The living son, to whom was given the name of Frank, married Miss Zeitka, and is now engaged in business in Hayward. Powlie is the wife of Joseph Fuchs, a resident farmer of Yankton county. Lottie is the wife of Frank Kolda, a 56-

business man of Lesterville, South Dakota, and the other children are at home.

In public affairs Mr. Chladek has been prom- inent and influential and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office. He served as county com- missioner for six years and was a school trustee for many years, doing much for the benefit of educational advancement in this locality. He is one of the most prominent Bohemian American citizens of Yankton county and has been looked upon as a leader and adviser of his countrymen. No native son of America, however, is more loyal to the stars and stripes or manifests greater fidelity to the county and its institutions. His church relationship is that of the Roman Cath- olic denomination.

CHARLES FRANKLIN PIERCE, super- intendent of the Riggs Institute, at Flandreatt, Moody county, was born in the town of Ware. Hampshire county, Massachusetts, on the 17th of January, 1858, and secured his early educational training in the public schools of his native state and at times assisted his father in the machine shops. In 1873 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Nebraska, and they settled on a farm near Creighton, Knox county, where his father took up government land and became numbered among the pioneers of that section. In 1876 the subject taught his first term of school and with money earned by teaching during the winter terms he was enabled to continue his own educational discipline, entering Boone Seminary, at Boone, Nebraska, where he prosecuted his studies for two years, after which he was en- gaged in teaching in the public schools of that state for several years. In 1887 Mr. Pierce en- tered the Indian school service as a teacher at the Santee Agency, Nebraska, where he soon re- ceived a promotion to superintendent of the school. In 1892 he was transferred to Oneida, Wisconsin, where he was detailed to erect build- ings and organize a school among the Oneida Indians. In 1895 he was again promoted, being made disbursing officer at that place, while in

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1900 he was transferred to his present important office as superintendent of the Riggs Institute at Flandreau.

Mr. Pierce is a Republican, and has been fre- quently a delegate to county and state conven- tions in the different states in which he has re- sided. In 1884 he was elected superintendent of schools for Knox county, Nebraska, and there- after he became editor and publisher of the Transcript. at Creighton, that county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the order of the Eastern Star, the Knights of the Maccabees, and Ancient Order of United Workmen. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Pierce was married to Miss Laura A. Jas- mer and they have had five children.

THOMAS CALE, of Bon Homme county, was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, Decem- ber 22, 1836. He spent his early life near the place of his birth, but enjoyed few advantages in the way of educational training. When twelve years of age he followed his mother to America, and joined her at Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she located immediately after her arrival in this country. Later Mr. Cale went to Portage City, Wisconsin, but subsequently changed his abode to Pike county, Missouri, where he tilled the soil until his removal to South Dakota. On coming to the territory, he took up a quarter section of land in what is now Cleve- land township, Bon Homme county, being one of the first pioneers in that part of the country. After building a small log cabin Mr. Cale set to work improving his land and in due time reduced the greater part of it to cultivation and became quite a thrifty and prosperous farmer. The orig- inal log dwelling answered, the purposes for which intended until replaced by the present sub- stantial and commodious structure, and from time to time other buildings were erected, addi- tional improvements were made and continued sticcess attended the energetic and well-directed labors of the proprietor.

In 1869 was solemnized the marriage of Mr.

Cale and Miss Ann Carroll, the latter, like her husband, being a native of county Roscommon, Ireland, and to them nine children have been born.

STEPHEN OLIVER, of Bon Homme coun- ty, South Dakota, was born in Rock county, Wis- consin, September 13, 1860. His early life was spent in the state of his birth and during his childhood and youth he attended the public school and acquired a good practical education. When a young man he learned the machinist's trade and worked at the same until 1883, when he came to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, with the object in view of devoting his attention to farming and stock raising. He first purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, but later exchanged it for a like number of acres, on which he has since lived and prospered, and which, un- der his effective labors and judicious manage- ment has become one of the best improved and most productive farms of its size in the county. He has made a number of substantial improve- ments on his place, the buildings, well-tilled fields, and the large number of fine domestic an- imals bearing evidence to its prosperous condi- tion. Mr. Oliver votes the Republican ticket. He was married to Miss Amy Crandall, of Bon Homme county, and to them have been born six children.

HUGH HARTLY was born in Stonington, Connecticut, January 8, 1860. He was ten years old when his parents left Connecticut for the west and since the year 1870 his life has been very closely interwoven with the history of Bon Homme county, South Dakota. He was not per- mitted to enjoy many educational advantages ; however, he made the most of his opportunities and obtained a valuable practical knowledge. He assisted his father in developing and culti- vating the homestead and on reaching the age of manhood entered one hunderd and sixty acres of land in Springfield township, on which he lived for a period of five years, during which

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time he addressed himself manfully to its im- provement. At the expiration of the time noted Mr. Hartly moved to the place where he has since lived, a beautiful, productive and admira- bly situated farm, devoted to stock raising and farming. Mr. Hartly is familiar with the nature of soils and their adaptability to the different products of this part of the state and he seldom fails to realize abundant returns from the wheat, oats, corn and hay crops which are every year harvested from his place. In connection with general farming, he devotes a great deal of at- tention to cattle, hogs and horses, and from the sale of his animals he derives no small share of the income which comes to him as a reward for his well-directed labors. Mr. Hartly in politics supports the Democratic party, while he is earn- est and devout in his allegiance to the Catholic church.

JOSIAH A. PIERSON, deceased, was born on the 8th of April, 1838, in Woodsfield, Ohio, and in the public schools of his native state he acquired his education. After arriving at years of maturity he sought a companion and helpmeet for life's journey, being married to Miss Nancy A. Alexander, of Princeton, Indiana. Their wed- ding took place in Illinois, and unto the union four children were born. Mrs. Pierson, the first wife of the subject, was called to her final rest and Mr. Pierson was again married, his second union being with Miss F. L. Houlton, and to them was born one child.

In his early manhood Mr. Pierson engaged in teaching school in Illinois and afterward turned his attention to merchandising and farm- ing. In 1881 he arrived in South Dakota and purchased land in this state. He became a very extensive stock raiser and was one of the prom- inent and successful representatives of agrictil- tural interests in this part of the state. After purchasing his land he discovered that it con- tained clay beds and afterward sold a large tract to a cement company.

Mr. Pierson gave close attention to his busi- ness and his efforts at farming and stock rais-

ing brought to him a splendid financial return. In his political views he was a Republican and was a member of the Christian church.

J. T. REILLY, of Orient, Faulk county, was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 14th of April, 1859, and was reared on the old homestead which was the place of his birth, and his educa- tional training was received in the excellent pub- lic schools of Iowa. He continued thereafter to be associated with his father until 1882, when he came to South Dakota and took up a timber claim in Clark county. In the fall of that year he re- turned to his old home, and in the spring of the following year he came once more to South Da- kota, with whose advantages and resources he had become greatly impressed. At this time he took up squatter's claim in Faulk county, and re- tained the same after the government survey was made, ultimately perfecting his title to the prop- erty, the claim lying four miles northwest of Orient. He continued to be actively and success- fully engaged in farming and stock raising until December, 1902, when he disposed of the prop- erty and removed to Orient, where he has since been established in the general merchandise busi- ness. In 1890 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, while for eight years he held the office of assessor of his town- ship, and has been a member of the board of su- pervisors.

Mr. Reilly was married to Miss Jane E. Hand, and of this union have been born seven daughters.

SVENNING PETERSON, of Charles Mix county, was born in Norway, December 6, 1853. He grew up and was educated in his na- tive land, but before reaching his majority de- termined to seek a new home in the great repub- lic beyond the sea. It was in 1880 that he started on his long journey to the new world, accom- panied by his recently wedded wife, and on ar- rival he hastened overland to the distant territory of Dakota. After spending two years at Yank-

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ton he came to Charles Mix county, and home- steaded one hundred and sixty acres of land, the cultivation of which has constituted his occupa- tion ever since. He has greatly improved his land and made out of it a farm which compares favorably with the best in the county. Besides general farming, Mr. Peterson raises horses, cat- tle and hogs, and conducts his business in the manner of a prosperous agriculturist. He is a member of the Republican party and usually votes that ticket.

Before leaving Norway Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Angaba Olson, by whom he has six children. Mr. Peterson and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

JOHN CONNOR, whose postoffice address is Orient, Faulk county, but whose finely improved ranch is located across the line in Hand county, was born in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, which was at that time ' still an integral portion of Virginia. He was reared under the sturdy discipline of the home farm and early became inured to the strenuous work involved in its cultivation, while his educa- tional advantages were those afforded by the common schools of the locality and period. He continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until he had attained the age of twenty- three years, when he went to Lancaster county, Missouri, where he remained for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he purchased a team and wagon and started for northwestern Nebraska. Upon arriving in Nebraska City he turned to Sydney and thence to Coonsville, where he traded his team for a house and lot. He then made a trip to Omaha, Lincoln and other places in Nebraska, and then came down the Elkhorn river to Blair, and on to Missouri Valley, Iowa, from which place he returned to Coonsville and disposed of his interests there, and then took up his residence in Mondamin, Iowa. Later he pur- chased an outfit and started for Dakota, coming by way of Sioux City, to Sioux Falls, and mak- ing an overland trip of one hundred and fifty miles. In Sioux Falls he purchased a breaking

plow, and then started on in search of a location. He finally filed on a homestead claim in McCook county, where he put up a sod house, in which he domiciled himself in true pioneer style. He held down the claim for four years and passed the severe winter of 1888-9 in his primitive dwelling. Mr. Connor finally sold his property and turned his attention to dealing in oxen, meet- ing with fair success. He then came to Hand county, where he took up a pre-emption claim. He found the land unsuited for grazing purposes and, accordingly removed east of his original claim, and purchased a reliquishment claim for fifty dollars, while he now controls about two sections of land, by right of lease. Upon his home place he has made excellent improvements, having good buildings and other facilities, and here he gives his attention to the raising of cat- tle as a principal enterprise. He has been sig- nally prosperous since coming to Hand county. and is known as one of the influential citizens of the county. Mr. Conner was united in mar- riage to Miss Eliza Deal, and they have five chil- dren.

HON. HERMAN KOCH is a native of Ger- many, born in Thuringia on the 6th of October, 1853. He received his early education in the schools of his native land and was about thirteen years old when his parents came to the United States. He attended a number of terms of school after coming to this country, grew up to habits of industry and at the age of twenty-eight was united in marriage. Meanwhile he accompanied his parents to South Dakota and later took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in McCook county, on which he lived for a period of two years, and at the expiration of that time he pur- chased a quarter section of land in the county of Lincoln, which was his home during the suc- ceeding nine years. Subsequently Mr. Koch discontinued the pursuit of agriculture and moved to the village of Tea, where he has since been handling coal, wood and lumber, doing an extensive business and becoming widely known as an enterprising and progressive man of affairs.

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He has been influential in public matters ever since becoming a citizen of South Dakota, served several years as justice of the peace, and for a long period held the office of town clerk. Mr. ·Koch is a Republican in politics and as such was elect to represent Lincoln county in the legisla- ture, in which capacity he served four years.

Fraternally Mr. Koch is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows ; also belongs to the local organization of Woodmen at Tea, and in religion he is a faithful and active communi- cant of the Lutheran church. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Koch consists of four children.

OLE HOKENSTAD is a native of Norway, born in Christiania, the capital of that country, on the 28th of March, 1846. He was reared and educated in his native land and when a youth turned his attention to mechanical pursuits, be- coming in due time skillful at carpentry and cab- inet-making. In 1886 he came to America and after spending a short time in Quebec, Canada, went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, thence to Mon- roe, the same state, where he worked at cabinet- making for a period of three years ; he also fol- lowed his trade about one year in the city of Janesville, and there returned to Monroe, where he resumed his trade until the spring of 1870, when he came to South Dakota, locating on the present site of Sioux Falls, of which city he was one of the first settlers. On April 14th, of the above year, Mr. Hokenstad took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres on the public domain near Sioux Falls and after living on the same for six weeks secured employment at his trade in the above town. He devoted the next three years to carpentry work in Sioux Falls and at the ex- piration of that time came to Lincoln county and entered a quarter section of land in Dayton township. He at once proceeded to improve his place in Dayton township, and in the course of a few years his farm was one of the best in the county. Mr. Hokenstad has worked hard and by patient and long continued effort has succeed- ed not only in making a good home, but in ac- quiring a competence sufficiently liberal to place

him in independent circumstances. He served as supervisor for several terms, also as road master and for a period of years filled the responsible position of school treasurer. A Republican in politics, he was elected county commissioner, an office he held for six years, during which time he labored zealously to promote the interests of the county. In 1893 he was honored by being elected to represent Lincoln county in the state legisla- ture, in which capacity he served two terms. Mr. Hokenstad belongs to the Pythian lodge at Can- ton, and in religion subscribes to the Lutheran creed.

JAMES FEE, one of the representative farm- ers and stock raisers of Dayton township, Lin- coln county, is a native of county Antrim, Ire- land, and was born in August, 1836. After the death of his parents he lived with friends of the family until old enough to earn his own liveli- hood when he found employment in various parts of his native county as a farm laborer. At the age of eighteen he took passage for the United States and spent some time in the city of Philadelphia. From there he went to Swartz- ville, New Jersey, where an uncle was living, and after devoting several years to farm work in the vicinity of that town, changed his location . to Jackson county, Wisconsin, where he followed agriculture and lumbering. Disposing of his in- terests in the latter state, Mr. Fee went to Ford county, Illinois, and purchased eighty acres of railroad land, which he cleared and othewise im- proved, and on which he made his home until his removal to South Dakota, in 1873. On coming to this state he took up land in section 10, Day- ton township, Lincoln county, and at once pro- ceeded to improve the same. His property in- creased greatly in value until in the course of a few years he was the owner of one of the finest and best located farms in the township of Day- ton. Mr. Fee is now in comfortable circum- stances and ranks with the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of Lincoln county. Mr. Fee has held a number of township offices and takes an active interest in public affairs,

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being .a Populist in politics. As an earn- est and faithful minister of the Presbyterian church, he has been untiring in his efforts to in- culcate and disseminate a healthy religious in- fluence among the people of his neighborhood.

LOUISE CAVALIER is a native of the city of Janesville, Wisconsin, and was reared and educated in Wisconsin, and in 1881 became identified with educational work among the In- dians, having first been assigned to the Cheyenne agency, in Dewey county, this state, where she labored faithfully and acceptably for a long per- iod. She accomplished a most noble work in the agency, where her services were such as to en- title them to perpetual recognition and commen- dation. She continued to be the principal teacher at the Cheyenne agency until 1895, when she was sent to an agency in Nebraska, where she was superintendent of the schools for the ensuing three years, at the expiration of which she was assigned by the department of the interior to her present position as principal of the Riggs In- stitute, the admirable Indian school at Flandreau, Moody county, South Dakota. She finds pleas- ure in her work, is kind and considerate and gains the affection of her pupils, and these are the elements which have contributed to the marked successs which has been hers.

MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM was born in 1855 in Mount St. Patrick, Ontario, Canada, and in his parents' home he was reared and there had instilled into his mind lessons of industry, of economy and integrity. After attaining his ma- jority he married Miss Mary Slowey, of Wis- consin, whose parents were of Irish birth and who in early life came to the new world, taking up their abode in the Badger state. It was in that state that the daughter gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Cunningham, and their union has been blessed with four children.

On coming to Decatur Mr. Cunningham se- cured a' homestead claim in Mayfield, and later made a purchase of land here, comprising a

quarter section near the James river. He sold his property and with the proceeds he bought four hundred acres, on which he is now living, paying for it ten dollars per acre. He makes a specialty of the production of corn and oats and he also raises hogs and cattle on an extensive scale. His farming methods are progressive and in all of his work he is methodical and syste- matic. Mr. Cunningham is a warm friend of the cause of education, realizing its value as a prep- aration for life's practical duties and he is giv- ing his children excellent advantages in this di- rection.

JOHN F. DAUGHERTY was born in Maryland on the Ist of August, 1847, and is in- debted to its public-school system for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed. His father died when the son was a mere boy and the mother af- terward married again. John Daugherty did not receive very kind treatment from his stepfather and so left home in Baltimore and made his way to Illinois. He was there living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, and, with patriotic. spirit, he offered his services to the government. He was captured during service and was incar- cerated in the famous Libby prison, where he was detained for several weeks, at the end of which time he was liberated and paroled. After the war Mr. Daugherty went to California, where he became manager of a large lumbering business in the famous Redwood regions of that state. Leaving the Pacific coast, he allied his interests with those of Dakota and became largely interested in land here. In order to es- tablish a home of his own and to enjoy the com- panionship of a helpmate he married Miss Ella Colton, a native of South Bend, Indiana. In the year after their marriage the young couple went to Pierre, where Mr. Daugherty engaged in freighting. His residence in that place continued until 1882, when he removed to Wakonda, where he began huying and selling grain and stock. He has since engaged in this line of business, ship- ping both products of the state on a very large scale. He also owns an extensive ranch in the

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Black Hills, and is the proprietor of a large stock farm near Yankton, besides much other land in this state. His splendid possessions have been ac- quired through his own efforts. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty has been blessed with four children, of whom three are yet living.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 149

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