History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 154

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

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identified with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Turney wedded Miss Mary Turner, daughter of John and Margaret Turner, and of this union have been born four children.

JOHN M. PORTER, who is now living practically retired in the village of Fairfax, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio. He was reared on the old pioneer homestead, and such were the exigencies of time and place that his early edu- cational advantages were extremely meager. He continued to be identified with the agricultural industry in Ohio for many years, having assist- ed in the clearing of much land and in the de- velopment of the resources of the old Buckeye commonwealth. In 1882 he disposed of his in- terests in his native state and removed to Ne- braska, where he took up government land, im- proving the property and there engaging in gen-

eral farming and stock-growing until 1894, when he sold out and came to Gregory county, South Dakota, where he took up a homestead claim. This property has been placed under an ex- cellent state of cultivation and equipped with good improvements. Mr. Porter there continued to be actively engaged in farming and stock raising until the spring of 1901, when he came to Fairfax, where he has since lived in the home of his son. The subject is a stalwart Republican but has never sought or held public office, and he has long been a zealous member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.

Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Martha Kirkpatrick, who was likewise born and reared in Pickaway county, Ohio, and they are the parents of seven children.

J. A. MILBURN, M. D., is a native of the province of Ontario, having been born in the attractive little city of Peterborough. After completing the curriculum of the common schools Dr. Milburn continued his studies in a collegiate institute, and later was a student in the Upper Canada College. He then was matricu-

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lated in the well-known McGill Medical College, in the city of Montreal, in which well-equipped institution he completed his technical course and was graduated, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Shortly after his graduation the Doc- tor located in the city of Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until he came to Wessington, South Dakota, where he has since remained, and where he has built up an excellent practice and where he enjoys marked popularity in professional, business and social circles. Shortly after coming to Wessington he here purchased a well-estab- lished drug business, which he has since con- ducted in connection with his professional work. In politics the Doctor gives his allegiance to the Republican party.

JAMES CONZETT is a native son of the old Keystone state, having been born at New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was afforded the ad- vantage of attendance at the public schools until 1864, when his father took him to Switzerland and placed him in a college there. Becoming dis- satisfied, however, he almost immediately quit the institution and returned to America, reaching here very soon after the return of his father. He spent the subsequent winter in school at New Castle, and then decided to take a trip through the west. He went to Ohio, but, his father dy- ing, he returned to New Castle the same year and took charge of his father's business. Subse- quently he went to Princeton, Indiana, where he remained a year and then went to St. Louis, where he remained another year. From there he went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he re- mained about a year and a half, going thence to Utah, where he was engaged in mining, in con- nection with which he was also in the produce business. In 1876 he decided to locate in the Black Hills, going first to Cheyenne, and from there going up the trail with teams, arriving in Deadwood about the middle of September. Shortly afterward he went to Galena and built one of the first log cabins in that locality. He was actively engaged in mining until 1897, when

he located and developed the Emma group of claims, which subsequently became the property of the Galena Mining and Smelting Company. He also became owner of the original Alexander property, later adding to it by location. He sub- sequently disposed of all his holdings to the Ga- lena Mining and Smelting Company and re- moved to Deadwood. He retained a property on Ruby gulch and organized a company known as the Ruby Gold Mining and Milling Company, and the property is now being developed and there is in sight a large body of ore, sufficiently rich to justify the expenditure of large sums in the erection of the mill.

Mr. Conzett is a member of the Pioneer So- ciety of the Black Hills and has been honored by being four times elected to the office of pres- ident of the society. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a member of the Business Men's Club and the Olympic Club.

Mr. Conzett was married to Miss Netta Maxam. The subject has for many years taken a keen interest in the trend of public events, and during the candidacy of William Jennings Bryan for the presidency Mr. Conzett partici- pated actively in the campaign and delivered many effective speeches in favor of Mr. Bryan and the principles for which he stood.

HENRY O. ORSTAD, one of the success- ful farmers of Lincoln county, is a native of Norway. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1866, locating in Iowa, whence they came through to what is now South Dakota in 1869, making the trip with ox-teams. The sub- ject was nine years of age at the time and his educational advantages were such as were af- forded in the pioneer schools. When he was a lad of fifteen his father met with an accident which permanently crippled him, and Henry thereupon took charge of the farm under the di- rection of his father and has ever since lived on the same, now having three hundred and twenty acres, well-improved and under effective culti- vation, while he also raises an excellent grade

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of live stock, including cattle and swine. His comfortable and attractive residence was erected in 1883 and remodeled in 1901, while his barn affords accommodation for one hundred tons of hay and other produce. His political support is given to the Populist party, and he has held varous township offices, while he has also taken a deep interest in educational affairs. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

HENRY HOATTUM, one of the represent- ative farmers of Lincoln county, was born in Clinton township, this county, and received the best educational advantages afforded in this sec- tion. He has always been associated with his father in farming and stock raising, and is now the owner of three hundred and forty acres while his brother Edward has two hundred and sixty acres, the two being associated in their op- erations. The subject is a member of the Luth- eran church and in politics supports the Repub- lican party. He has been a member of the school board and is identified with the Knights of Py- thias and is one of the successful and highly es- teemed citizens of his native county.

A. L. ARNESON, one of the prosperous and highly esteemed farmers of Lincoln county, was born in Rock county, Wisconsin. Thence he accompanied his parents to Iowa in 1852, and in 1868 he came with the family to what is now the state of South Dakota, making the trip with ox-teams. He took up a homestead claim in Lincoln county, while the original dwelling was a sod house of the most primitive type. The subject has improved his place, adding to its area until he now has a fine farm of three hun- dred acres.

The subject was united in marriage to Miss Julia Anderson, of Iowa, and their wedding tour was the trip to South Dakota in a "prairie schooner." To them were born eight children. Mr. and Mrs. Arneson are members of the Luth- eran church, and in politics the subject main- tains an independent attitude. He has served as a

member of the board of county commissioners and has also held the various township offices, while he is well known and greatly esteemed in the community.

J. A. HAWKINS, one of the interested print- cipals in the Bank of Pierpont, Day county, is a native of the state of Minnesota, having been born in the village of Frankfort, Mower county. He received his preliminary educational disci- pline in the public schools of his native town, and thereafter completed a course of study in the Minnesota State High School, at Spring Valley. In 1892 he came west with a carload of horses, intending to return to Minnesota. He visited Montana, Idaho and North and South Dakota, and became impressed with the attractions of- fered to a young man in the new commonwealth last mentioned, and finally decided to cast in his lot with its people. He first located in Waubay, Day county, where he maintained his home for five years, being engaged in various pursuits, in- cluding teaching, surveying and the operation of a meat market. He then removed to Pierpont, where he was employed as a teacher in the vil- lage schools for a short interval, at the expira- tion of which he established himself in the grain business, becoming associated with the late C. C. Dart, under the firm name of Dart & Hawkins. They built up a prosperous and important enter- prise in the line and continued operations until the death of Mr. Dart, when it devolved upon the surviving partner to settle up the business, and he became associated with Mrs. W. M. Hart, in establishing the Bank of Pierpont, in the own- ership of which institution they have since con- tinued, the bank now controlling an excellent business and being one of the solid financial con- cerns of this section of the state.

In politics the subject gives an uncompromis- ing allegiance to the Republican party, and served for many years as treasurer of the village and also as treasurer of the school district. He and his wife are active and valued members of the Baptist church, and fraternally he is identi- fied with the Masonic order, while he is also af-

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filiated with the Order of the Eastern Star, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and its aux- iliary, the Daughters of Rebekah; the Ancient Order of United Workmen and its Degree of Honor ; the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Neighbors and the Knights of the Macca- bees.

Mr. Hawkins was married to Miss Ethel M. Dart, who was born in the state of Illinois, and they have three children.

JAMES GOODWIN, one of the prominent farmers and stock growers of Charles Mix county, was born in Portsmouth, England, on the 16th of March, 1838. He received his pre- liminary education in his native land and after his father's death he and his sister accompanied their widowed mother on her emigration to the United States. They remained for a short time in the state of Ohio and then removed to Wis- consin, in each of which states Mr. Goodwin was able to attend school for a time, thus supplement- ing the training which he had previously se- cured in England.

Mr. Goodwin was reared to maturity in Grant county, Wisconsin, where he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until the out- break of the war of the Rebellion, when he gave prompt evidence of his loyalty to the land of his adoption by tendering his services in defense of the Union. After a gallant and meritorious serv- ice of over three years he received his honorable discharge, but he thereafter continued in the service until the close of the war, having re-en- listed, his record having been that of a loyal and valiant son of the republic.

After the close of the war Mr. Goodwin re- turned to his farm in Wisconsin, later disposing of the property and removing to Minnesota, where he was engaged in farming about six years, when he returned to Wisconsin, where he passed the ensuing two years. He then removed to Kansas, where he was engaged in the raising of and dealing in cattle, being later similarly en- gaged in Nebraska. In 1883 he came to Charles Mix county, South Dakota, where he took up a

homestead claim near the Missouri river. Since that time he has here added materially to his landed estate, and the family now own jointly five hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as is to be found in the entire state, the same being located in the rich bottoms of the Missouri val- ley and practically all being available for culti- vation, though the greater portion is utilized for grazing purposes, while the subject has person- ally under cultivation one hundred and sixty-five acres, while in addition to his own holdings he also rents one hundred and sixty acres. He raises cattle and has also given attention to the breeding of hogs, being one of the extensive breeders of swine in this section, while in all his operations he is progressive, bringing to bear a marked executive ability and mature judgment. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican and his interests in the cause of education has led him to consent to serve as a member of the school board, and at the time of this writing he is chairman of the board of his district. Frater- nally he affiliates with the Grand Army of the Republic, at Geddes.

Mr. Goodwin was married to Miss Martha Potts, of Grant county, Wisconsin, and they be- came the parents of seven children.

EUGENE HOLCOMB was born at Car- thage, Jefferson county, New York, and when he was eight years old the family moved to Du- buque county, Iowa, where his father engaged in farming, and where he was reared and educated. When he was twenty years of age he crossed the plains to Los Angeles, California, where he passed the summer. In the fall of that year he returned east as far as Abilene, Kansas, and was occupied in the stock industry there. The next year was passed at his Iowa home, and he then came back to Kansas and renewed his enterprise in the cattle business. Later he sold his inter- ests in Kansas and went to Iowa again for the winter, after which he came to the Black Hills, bringing a large herd of cattle with him which he placed on the Cheyenne river. These were the first cattle placed there, the whole country

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at the time of his arrival being new and unde- veloped. Starting on a small scale, he gradually enlarged his herds until he became one of the largest stockmen in this section. Of late years he has become possessed of extensive tracts on the Cheyenne and elsewhere, and has also con- siderable pasture land leased. From the time of his arrival in the Hills he has made his home at Rapid City, and he now has there an elegant modern residence. Of the fraternal orders he has united with but one, the Masonic order, which he joined soon after reaching the age of twenty-one. He was married in Dubuque coun- ty, Iowa, to Miss Laura Jewett, a native of that state, and they have one child.

EDWARD LADICK, one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of Charles Mix coun- ty, was born in the city of Rochester, New York, in 1852, and when he was four years of age his parents removed to Michigan, and in that state they passed the remainder of their lives. The subject attended the public schools of Michigan, while he learned the trade of blacksmith under the direction of his father, but was principally engaged in farm work until he had attained his legal majority. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Franklin, Pennsylvania, where he served an apprenticeship at the trade of boiler making, to which he devoted his attention for five years. In 1874 he was married to a Miss Campbell, who was born and reared in Pennsyl- vania, and they became the parents of one child. Mrs. LaDick was summoned into eternal rest and Mr. LaDick contracted a second marriage, being then united to Miss Lizzie Volland, of Yankton county, this state, and of this marriage were born three children.

Mr. LaDick came to South Dakota in 1884 and entered claim to a homestead in Charles Mix county, near the Missouri river, and here he has ever since maintained his home, having made excellent improvements on his farm, which is principally devoted to the raising of live stock, though a portion of the tract is maintained un- der a high state of cultivation, the land being

particularly fertile. In politics Mr. LaDick is a stalwart advocate of the principles and politics of the Republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which both he and his wife are communicants.

VEUCEL MACH was born in Bohemia on the 8th of June, 1850, and was only three years of age when brought by his parents to the United States and upon the home farm in Wis- consin he spent his youth, pursuing his education in the public schools of that locality. At the age of twenty-one years he came to Dakota, settling in Yankton county, where he secured a home- stead claim and in order to have a home here he was married to Miss Annie Stepanck, whose birth occurred in Jackson county, Iowa. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mach has been blessed with four children.

Mr. Mach is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land near Utica. He became one of the first settlers in this county, locating here thirty-two years ago when this sec- tion of the country was almost an unbroken wil- derness. Taking advantage of the opportunities afforded here for the successful conduct of agri- cultural pursuits Mr. Mach has become prosper- ous. In all matters pertaining to the general good he has been active and helpful and his co- operation for public improvement has been of marked benefit to his locality. He was a mem- ber of the school board for several years, having been elected for three consecutive terms. He gave his political support at an early day to the Democracy, but in more recent years has affili- ated with the Republican party and is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

T. W. TAUBMAN, of Plankinton, Aurora county, is a native of the state of Iowa, having been born in Cedar Falls, on the 18th of April, 1865. He received his early educational disci- pline in the public schools of his native town, where he later continued his studies in the State Normal School. After leaving school at the age

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of eighteen years, he came to Plankinton, Au- rora county, South Dakota, where he secured employment in a lumber yard, remaining thus engaged until 1885, in the autumn of which year he became an employe in the office of the Aurora County Standard, where he received his train- ing in newspaper work. In the fall of 1888 he established the Plankinton Herald, which he has since successfully conducted. It has the largest circulation of all papers in the county, and its in- fluence is indicated in this fact. The office of the Herald is well equipped, including a good job department. Mr. Taubman is a stanch supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and during the second administration of President Cleveland he served four years as postmaster at Plankinton. He was also a member of the village council for a period of four years. He was one of the eight delegates of the Demo- cratic party who represented South Dakota in the national Democratic convention in Kansas City, 1896, and was a member of the committee which notified Mr. Bryan of his nomination. Frater- nally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Knights of the Mac- cabees.

Mr. Taubman was united in marriage to Miss Muriel G. Samuels, of Mount Vernon, this state, and of this union was born one child, who died in infancy.

CHARLES T. OLDHAM, one of the hon- ored pioneers of Charles Mix county, was born in Lawrence county, Illinois, on the 22d of De- cember. 1849, and was about five years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Iowa, and as the state was at the time but slightly settled his educational advantages in his youth were limited. There he learned the trade of cabinet-making, to which he devoted his attention in that local- ity until 1868, when he made a tour through Kansas and Missouri, working at his trade in various places until he came to what is now Charles Mix county, South Dakota, where he secured land, under homestead, pre-emption and timber culture entries. Subsequently he pur-

chased an entire section of land in the county. He owns at the present time about twelve hun- dred acres of rich bottom land on the Missouri river, and has the greater portion of his land un- der cultivation, and is also one of the successful cattle raisers of this section, having been ener- getic and progressive and having been successful in both departments of his farming enterprise. In politics Mr. Oldham was formerly a Demo- crat, but he is now a stanch advocate of the so- cialistic principles of the high type represented in the modern movement. In 1878 he was elected sheriff of the county, but failed to qualify, . the population of the county being so small that all officers followed the same course, the object being to keep down the rate of taxation.

Mr. Oldham was united in marriage to Miss Archambean, who died, leaving three children. Mr. Oldham subsequently married Mrs. Victoria Montang, widow of Adolphus Montaug.

JAMES J. MILLER, of Yankton county, was born in Schleswig, which was formerly un- der the control of Denmark but since the war of 1864 the property on which the subject was born has come into possession of Germany. His natal day was the Ist of October, 1832, and his edu- cation was acquired in the Danish schools, which he attended until sixteen years of age. On leav- ing school lie began working upon a farm for his uncle, J. L. Jacobson, in whose employ he re- mained for several years. When twenty-two- years of age he was called upon to serve in the army of his country and remained in its service for eighteen months.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ann Maria Nickelson, the wedding taking place in their native land. and unto them three children were born. The mother of these children passed away in her native land and Mr. Miller was again married, his second union being with Ma- ria Kestma. Eight children have been born of this union.

Shortly after his second marriage Mr. Miller and his wife sailed for the new world, reaching Yankton, South Dakota, in 1871. That day left

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an indelible impression upon their minds as they had to travel from Sioux City on a sleigh through one of the worst snowstorms witnessed in the west in many years. Mr. Miller secured a homestead in Yankton county and still resides thereon. He has made all of the improvements upon his property and has developed it into one of the most attractive farms in Yankton county. He served as school director for several years and was also road supervisor. In polities he has ever been a stanch Republican and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

FRANK LVATOS, now deceased, was born in Bohemia and there he was educated. He aft- erward followed farming in his native country and he was there married to Miss Annie Steskal, also a native of that land. When about thirty years of age he bade adieu to friends and native country and with his little family crossed the ocean to the United States. He did not tarry long, however, in the east, but made his way at once into the interior of the country and on reaching Yankton county, South Dakota, he se- eured land, which he entered from the govern- ment in accordance with the homestead act. This did not, however, represent his total possessions for as the years passed and his financial resources increased he added to his property until he be- came the owner of a valuable tract of four hun- dred and eighty acres, which he possessed at the time of his demise.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lvatos were born ten chil- dren. Mr. Lvatos passed away in 1885, respected by all who knew him and leaving to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, for he was highly esteemed as an upright man and as a devoted and loyal member of the Cath- olic church. His widow still resides upon the old homestead.

Joseph Lvatos was born in Yankton county and was educated in the district schools, wherein he pursued his studies until he reached the age of sixteen years. He then began to work on his father's farm, where he was employed contin- uously until twenty-three years of age. He mar-

ried Miss Clara Kudrna, and the marriage of the young couple was blessed with three children. Joseph Lvatos now engages in the cultivation of land near Lakeport.

PATRICK CUNNINGHAM is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in the province of Ontario, and to the public school system of his native country he is indebted for the educa- tional privileges he enjoyed. He left school at an early age and began to earn his own living by working in the lumber woods. He soon re- alized that there is no royal road to wealth and that no excellence can be accomplished without labor, so he set himself resolutely to the task of building up his fortune through energy and un- faltering perseverance. In the fall of 1869 he came to South Dakota with his brother William and together they eut down trees which they floated down the river to Yankton, where they were converted in the sawmill into marketable lumber. Mr. Cunningham also assisted in making governmental surveys. The state was then upon the wild western frontier and pioneer conditions existed on every hand. With the progress that has since been made he has been actively iden- tified, taking a deep and helpful interest in ev- erything pertaining to the publie good and to the general improvement of his adopted state.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 154

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