History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 156

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

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Mr. Freidel was united in marriage to Miss Abbie Hacesky and they have one son. In poli- tics Mr. Freidel is independent.

JOSEPH PAPIK, now deceased, was born in Bohemia, and was a lad of seven summers when brought by his parents to the new world. He was educated in the public schools of this country, manifested special aptitude in his stud-

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

ies and he was a linguist of superior ability, ; speaking the English, Bohemian and German tongues fluently.

Mr. Papik was united in marriage to Miss Josie Urban, who was born in Bohemia and unto them were born three children. In order to pro- vide for his family Mr. Papik followed the occu- pation of farming and as the years went by he was enabled to add annually to his income. He owned and operated three hundred and twenty acres of land and was a man not only successful, but who was also honorable and enjoyed the un- qualified regard and confidence of those with whom he was associated. His death was not only deeply regretted by his widow and their children, but also by many friends, who had en- tertained for him the most kindly feeling because of his excellent traits of character and his own geniality and consideration for others. In his political views Mr. Papik was an earnest Repub- lican and on its ticket he was elected to represent his district in the house of delegates of South Dakota, where he served for eight years. He gave careful thought and earnest consideration to every question which came up for settlement and he left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during his term.

FAY MATTISON was born in Shaftsbury, Bennington county, Vermont, and when but four years of age was taken by his parents to Wis- consin and there he was reared, obtaining his education in the public schools. After arriving at years of maturity he married Miss Emma E. Tillison, of Iowa, and they have become the par- ents of four children.

Mr. Mattison's residence in South Dakota dates from 1865, when he secured a homestead claim in Union county, occupying it for a year, but he lost the property because of having been away from the farm for one night only. He now engages in the sawmill business and is also the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land, his time and attention, however, being largely given to the manufacture of lumber and the product of his mill finds a ready sale on the

market because of its excellent quality and the honorable dealing of our subject. Socially Mr. Mattison is connected with the Masonic frater- nity, belonging to a lodge in Dixon county, Ne- braska. He belongs to that class of citizens whose deep interest in the public welfare has caused them to become active factors in the work of general progress and improvement. While successfully carrying on his individual business interests he has at the same time labored for the welfare of his adopted county and state and his efforts in its behalf have been far-reaching and beneficial.

JOHN VENECEK, of Yankton county, was born in Bohemia. His parents came to the new world, establishing their home in Yankton county, South Dakota, on land not far from Tabor, the father securing a tract of land from the government. The subject of this review was thirteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents. His education was acquired in Bohemia, but after arriving in this country he had little opportunity for attend- ing school. He married Miss Rosalia Kocowiek, who was born in Bohemia and who by her mar- riage has become the mother of seven children.

The home farm of Mr. Venecek comprises four hundred acres of land, and in addition to the cultivation of the soil he is engaged in the raising of stock. His fields are devoted to the production of grain, oats and wheat and he us- ually harvests good crops, which find a ready sale on the market. He is a member of a Bo- hemian society, Z. C. B. J., and enjoys the high regard of his fellow countrymen and of other residents of this community.

JOSEPH WEGENER, one of the leading business men of Hecla, Brown county, is a na- tive of the Hawkeye state, having been born in the city of Dubuque, Iowa. He was educated in private schools in Dubuque and then entered a local drug store, where he learned the science of pharmacy in a most practical way. When twenty

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

years of age he came to South Dakota and lo- cated in Columbia, Brown county, while in the following year he took up a claim of government land. He resided on this claim until he had per- fected his title to the sante, and then came to Hecla and opened a drug store, gaining a rep- resentative support from the start and now hav- ing one of the most popular and attractive busi- ness places in the town. He has ever shown him- self ready to give his aid and influence in sup- port of all measures for the general good of the community, being essentially public-spirited and progressive. Fraternally he has attained to the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, being thus crowned a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret and standing high in the circles of this time- honored fraternity. He is a member of the con- sistory at Aberdeen, and a charter member of Humanity Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in Hecla, while he is also affiliated with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Wegener was married to Miss Jennie A. Myra, and they have five children.

METHIAS LARSON was born in Norway and there he spent the days of his childhood and youth, remaining in his carly life with his par- ents, also natives of Norway. In 1850 the par- ents left that country and became residents of Dane county, Wisconsin, and after coming to America he assisted his father in the ardous task of developing a new farm. When the country became involved in civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and became a valiant soldier. He arrived in Dakota in 1862 and entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land and soon afterward he planted seven acres to timber. All the improvements upon the place have been made by him and he now has a valuable prop- erty. He raises cattle, most of which is of com- mon grades, but he also has some full-blooded shorthorn and good Hereford cattle. He like- wise raises Poland-China and Berkshire hogs.

Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Hoesgard, and unto them were born four children. The family are identified with the Lutheran church and Mr. Larson votes with the Republican party.

PETER W. JOHNSON was born January 6, 1829, in Vassenwangen province, Norway, in which country his parents, John B. and Christi (Olson) Johnson, spent their entire lives as farm- ing people. The subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land and there worked at the shoemaker's trade. At the age of eighteen years he decided to try his fortune in America and on reaching this country first lo- cated in Chicago, where he worked in a lumber vard for six years, remaining there until 1859. The following two years were spent in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1861 he came to South Dakota and took up a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Yankton county, for which he paid the government price of one dollar and a quarter per acre, and is today the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres and has sold a tract of eighty acres for sixty-five dollars per acre. Although he carries on general farming he gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, being a breeder of cattle, and he also keeps good horses and hogs.

FRANK NIKODYN was born in Bohemia on the 15th of May, 1865, and is a son of Joseph Nikodyn. He was reared in his parents' home and educated in the public schools. In December, 1892, he was married to Miss Mary Feefar, and four children were born unto them, namely : Tiny, Mary, Lillie and Frank, all of whom are yet living, but the mother passed away on the Ioth of March, 1901. On the 17th of June, 1902, Mr. Nikodyn was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Nedved, who was born in Bohemia. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Othilia.

The landed possessions of Mr. Nikodyn com- prise two hundred and twenty acres, all within

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the boundaries of his home farm, located near Lesterville. He operates all of his land and each year harvests good crops, and also raises consid- erable stock, making a specialty of the raising of hogs and each year he places a large number of these animals upon the market. He belongs to the Farmers' Fire Insurance Company, a Bohem- ian society, insuring against loss by fire or light- ning. He also has membership relations with the Z. C. B. J. Society, likewise having as its members the native sons of Bohemia. His relig- ious connection is with the Presbyterian church and his life is in harmony with his professions in this regard.

ROBERT L. McINTOSH was born in Dela- ware county, Iowa, May 16, 1855, grew to ma- turity on a farmn and received a practical educa- tion in the public schools. He remained in his native state until 1887, at which time he disposed of his interests there and moved to Springfield, South Dakota, where he spent some time dealing in horses, later purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 6, Homer township, Bon Homme county.

Mr. McIntosh has succeeded well as a farmer and at the present time owns a fine homestead of two hundred and eighty acres, two hundred of which are in cultivation, and in addition thereto he rents three hundred and sixty acres in the vi- cinity, devoting the greater part of the latter to live stock, in the raising of which he has achieved a wide and enviable reputation. He 1 served two terms as county commissioner, one of the most important local offices within the gift of the people. Politically he is a zealous supporter of the Republican party.

PATRICK MARTIN, who resides near Run- ning Waters, is one of eight children born to Patrick and Anna Martin, and dates his birth from March 17, 1835, having first seen the light of day near the city of Quebec, Canada.

The early life of Patrick Martin was spent in Canada, and, being reared to agricultural pur-

suits, has followed the same nearly ever since. In the year 1865 he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Malone, a native of Kilkenny, Ire- land, and the daughter of William and Mary (Roach) Malone. After his marriage Mr. Mar- tin engaged in farming and continued to live in Canada until the spring of 1881, when he moved to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and set- tling at Running Water, entered the employ of the Chicago, Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad, with which he was engaged during the ensuing nine years. Meanwhile he purchased one hun- dred and seventy-one acres of land near the above town and on severing his connection with the road at the expiration of the time noted, moved to the same and began the work of its improvement. He has succeeded well as a farmer and now owns seven hundred acres of fine real estate, all but one hundred cleared and in a higli state of cultivation, his improvements of all kinds being among the best in the county.

Politically Mr. Martin is a Democrat, and re- ligiously belongs to the Catholic church, his wife being a member of that communion also.

C. A. JOHNSON was born in Spring- ville, Erie county, New York, and is a scion of sturdy Puritan stock, the name which he bears having been identified with the annals of American history from the early colonial epoch. The subject was a lad of about nine years at the time of the family removal to Wisconsin, and there he was reared to the sturdy discipline of the homestead farm, while he received such edu- cational advantages as were afforded in the com- mon schools of the locality and period. At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Johnson entered the Elroy Seminary, at Elroy, Wisconsin, where he completed a three-years course of study. His financial resources were limited and in order to accomplish his ambition to thus further prosecute his educational work, he entered the office of one of the leading physicians of Elroy, and by his services in the connection defrayed the expenses of his board in the home of the doctor. He was compelled to borrow money to pay his tuition in

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

1879

the seminary, and this kindly loan he promptly repaid with his first earnings. For a number of years after leaving school Mr. Johnson was suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in the public schools of Wisconsin, and his ability and judgment led him to make a number of excellent investments in land; in the connection it is a significant fact that practically every real-estate venture in which he has embarked has been brought to a successful issue. In 1884 he moved to Wood Lake, Ne- braska. At that time there was nothing located at that station on the Elkhorn Railroad except a section house and a claim shanty. Mr. Johnson rented the claim shanty and started a general store, established a postoffice, and became the first postmaster of Wood Lake. In 1886 he es- tablished the Wood Lake Bank. In 1892, through the efforts of Orion Porter, Mr. John- son made a visit to Fairfax, South Dakota, and the resources of Gregory county so impressed - him that he located several business enterprises. Those at Fairfax were dealing in general mer- chandise and lumber. On the Missouri river, at Porter's Landing, he established the Johnson Lumber and Grain Company, which he operated for five years and which made necessary the re- establishing of the boat line between that point and Running Water. In 1893 he established the Fairfax State Bank, which is the strongest bank- ing institution in Gregory county. Mr. Jolin- son's business transactions in Gregory county since starting business here aggregate over a mil- lion dollars. He has always been a successful investor in real estate and his dealings in that di- rection have become so numerous that the C. A. Johnson Realty Company was formed to con- duct that branch of the business. The company owns the most desirable of the additions to the towns of Fairfax and Bonesteel, as well as much other of the most desirable realty in the county. Mr. Johnson is the owner of large tracts of land in this county, the same being utilized principally for grazing purposes. He is president of the Fairfax State Bank and also of the Citizens' Bank of Bonesteel. In politics he gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and is iden- tified with the Masonic fraternity, the Independ-

ent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Chandler, and they have two children.

P. L. PIERCE, one of the sterling pioneers of Campbell county, is a native of the great Em- pire state of the Union, having been born in Sparta, Livingston county, New York. When he was a lad of six years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Columbia county, Wisconsin, where he was reared to manhood un- der the conditions of the pioneer days in that state, his father there being engaged in farming. The subject received a common-school education, and continued to reside in Wisconsin until 1868, when he removed to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming for the ensuing eight years, at the expiration of which he took up his abode in Min- nesota, where he was engaged in the hotel busi- ness until 1882, in which year he came to what is now the city of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Here he was engaged in the livery business for two years and then came to Campbell county, enter- ing a homestead claim of government land. This homestead he still retains, the same being located three miles distant from the Missouri river and two miles from the line of North Dakota. In this favorite locality Mr. Pierce now owns a half section of land, and his place is well improved, being one of the best in this locality. Mr. Pierce has been at all times progressive and has taken advantage of opportunities which others would not have discerned, and he has labored in season and out to gain the goal of independence and success. For fourteen seasons he operated a threshing machine, and his services in the con- nection have been demanded in past years far and wide through this section, as is evident when we recall the fact that he has assisted in the har- vesting and threshing of grain at points fully three hundred miles distant from his home place.

Mr. Pierce was united in marriage to Miss Re- becca Briggs, who was born in Indiana, and they became the parents of four children. Mr. Pierce is a stanch Republican.

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

CARL L'ECKER was born in Anklam, Ger- many, and was reared and educated in the father- land, where he learned in his youth the trade of ship carpenter, to which he there continued to devote his attention until he emigrated thence to America, believing that here were afforded su- perior opportunities for the gaining of independ- ence through personal effort. In the following year he came to South Dakota and took up a tract of government land in Clark county, where he turned his attention to farming, this original homestead being a portion of his present estate. He was not conversant with the language of the country, was not experienced in agricultural pur- suits and had to contend with the many hard- ships and privations which ever fall to the lot of the pioneer, but he pressed steadily forward, never flagging in courage and determination, and in the course of time prosperity crowned his efforts and he came into his just deserts. He was married to Carlina Nuske, who was born in Greifsvalt, Germany, and they have five children.

I. M. GEYER was born in Ogle county, Illi- nois, and was reared in Whiteside county, Illinois, whither his parents removed from Ogle county when he was a mere child, and his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality. He continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits in Illinois until he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, arriving in Watertown, Codington county, in the spring of that year. He then pro- ceeded on foot to Faulk county, and there took up government land. Mr. Geyer forthwith set himself to the task of breaking his land and mak- ing it ready for cultivation. The very day that he finished harvesting his first crop the stacks were struck by lightning and the grain entirely destroyed. His second crop, covering two hun- dred and fifty acres, was destroyed by hail, and the third crop secured to him only a half yield, as he met with an accident which confined him to the hospital for some time, so that he was unable to give the necessary attention. These successive misfortunes would have daunted the courage of

one less self-reliant and determined, but the sub- ject did not waver in his loyalty to the state and has lived to see his confidence in the same amply justified. He remained in Faulk county two years and then removed to Clark county, where he became the owner of land, to which he de- voted his attention until 1894, engaged in both farming and stock raising. In 1894 Mr. Geyer came to Stanley county and took up land on the Cheyenne river, at a point forty-five miles north- west of Fort Pierre, and here turned his atten- tion more specially to the raising of stock, in which he has been very successful. He raises sheep on an extensive scale, usually having a large band and that of high-grade type, while he also raises horses.

Mr. Geyer was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Doughty, and of this union have been born two children.

JOSEPH WERTHERER, one of the most successful and popular business men of Potter county, claims the "right little, tight little isle" of England as the place of his nativity and comes of stanch old English lineage. He was born in Staffordshire, and was reared to maturity in his native county and received a common-school edu- cation. At the age of twenty-one years he severed the home ties and came to Amer- ica, locating in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. Six months later he moved to the Hock- ing valley of Ohio, where he was employed in connection with the mining of coal in that famous district about three years. He then went to the Indian territory, where he devoted three years to prospecting and mining and met with fair success. In the spring of 1888 he came to South Dakota, making Lebanon his destination, and forthwith engaged in farming and stock growing in this vicinity. In 1890-91, leaving his family at the home in this county, he was in Wyoming, passing the two years at Cambria, near New- castle, where he was foreman in the coal mines, having one thousand workmen under his super- vision. On his return to Lebanon he established himself in the general merchandise business, in

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

which he has since successfully continued, having a large and well-equipped store and controlling an extensive trade. He has accumulated a large amount of real estate in the town and county, his fine ranch being devoted to diversified agricul- ture and to the raising of live stock of excellent grade. In politics he is an ardent Populist and is one of the influential men in its local contingent, having been chairman of the county central com- mittee of the party for the past ten years and having shown much skill in the maneuvering of his forces in the various campaigns. Fraternally the subject is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Wertherer was united in marriage to Miss Emily Dudley, who, like himself, was born and reared in Staffordshire, England, and of this union have been born seven children.

JUDGE EDWIN PARLIMAN, deceased, who during his lifetime was considered a leader of the bar of Minnehaha county, was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 21, 1832. He was given the advantages of a common-school educa- tion, which was supplemented by attendance at Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1850. Upon attain- ing his majority, he removed to Decorah, Iowa, where he learned the watchmaker's trade and where he later engaged in the jeweler's business on his own account. In 1857 he went to Austin, Minnesota, and shortly afterwards located in Hastings, the same state. He took up the study of law and in September, 1860, was admitted to the bar and practiced law at Hastings until his enlistment in the United States military service. He enlisted in the Second Minnesota Cavalry Regiment and the following year received a com- mission as first lieutenant of his company, being promoted to a captaincy in 1865 and at the time of his discharge, in December, 1865, he was bre- vetted major. Upon the completion of his mili- tary services he returned to Hastings and re- newed his law practice, continuing so engaged until coming to Sioux Falls in 1867. While still 59-

a resident of Minnesota, he held the office of dis- trict attorney of Dakota county two terms. He was the first village attorney of the village of Sioux Falls and was appointed county attorney by the county board, holding this position three years. At the first election after South Dako- ta's admission as a state, he was elected county judge and held his position until 1897, seven consecutive years, to the great satisfaction of liti- gants and lawyers. After leaving the bench he resumed the practice of law, at first in partner- ship with Harry R. Carlten, and later continuing the practice alone. He was appointed referee in bankruptcy, being the first appointee to this posi- tion after the bankruptcy law went into effect, hokling the position until ill health compelled him to resign, when his son Ralph was appointed to the position. On March 1, 1899, he formed a partnership with his son Ralph, under the firm name of Parliman & Parliman, this association continuing until his death.

Judge Parliman was a good lawyer and a good citizen. His judicial integrity was beyond criticism and his death was deemed an irrepar- able loss by the members of the bar with which he had been so long associated.

Judge Parliman was twice married. In 1852 he wedded Miss Jerusha North and to them were born four children : Emma B., wife of C. S. Donaldson, of Lakeville, Minnesota ; Percy M., wife of Jessie Scofield, of Lakeville, Minnesota ; Ralph, of Sioux Falls; and Maty, wife of E. G. Brickner, of St. Paul, Minnesota. By mutual consent Judge Parliman and his wife separated and were divorced in 1880. Mrs. Parliman still lives at St. Paul, Minnesota. On February I, 1881, the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cunningham, to which union has been born one child, Arthur C. Mrs. Parliman survives her husband and makes her home in Sioux Falls.

In Judge Parliman we find united many of the rare qualities which go to make up the successful lawyer and jurist. He possessed perhaps few of those brilliant, dazzling meteoric qualities which have sometimes flashed along the legal horizon, riveting the gaze and blinding the vision for the moment, then disappearing, leaving little or no

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 156

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