History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 158

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

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1888

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

we find him on his way to Wisconsin, where in due time he found a "local habitation." This first settlement, however, was but temporary, be- ing disturbed by the outbreak of the great Civil war which interrupted the vocations of millions of men in every part of this vast country. James Douglass enlisted and was sent with his con- mand to Missouri. He remained in the service until November, 1865, when he received his hon- orable discharge and immediately thereafter re- turned to Wisconsin. He purchased a farm near Madison, the state capital, and lived there six years, after which he removed to Lake Mills, from which point he was engaged for several years in carrying the mails. In 1880 Mr. Doug- lass decided on a still farther immigration into the western territories, and purchased land in Miner county, South Dakota, which at that time was but sparsely populated. In fact, he was one of the first settlers and has since been largely in- strumental in developing and building up that part of the new state. He was elected county commissioner, and served one term to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. Further honors were soon conferred upon him in the shape of an election to the legislature, and the satisfaction with his services was so great 'as to lead to his re-election. In addition to the public offices above mentioned. Mr. Douglass served accept- ably as chairman of the board of supervisors of Redstone township. In politics he has been a lifelong Republican, firmly impressed with the correctness and soundness of the principles of his party and always a strong supporter of its policies and candidates. In 1899 he was ap- pointed postmaster of Carthage by President Mc- Kinley and has held this office continually since that time. Mr. Douglass was married to Miss Rachael Doolittle and they have three children.

FOSTER F. WHEELER is a native of the old Granite state, having been born in Amherst, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, and passed his boyhood days in his native town, where he availed himself of the advantages of the local schools. After attaining manhood he came to

the territory of Dakota, which was then abso- lutely on the frontier of civilization. He located in Yankton, and made that place his headquar- ters until he took up his residence on his present farm, where he has ever since maintained his home. He was one of the very first permanent settlers in Charles Mix county, and the county seat, Wheeler, was named in his honor. Upon coming to the county Mr. Wheeler took up gov- ernment land, and this has ever since been his home and the scene of his labors. He has made excellent improvements on his ranch, having a nice residence, surrounded by trees of his own planting, while on the place he has one of the best artesian wells in the state. In politics Mr. .Wheeler has given a stanch allegiance to the Re- publican party from the time of its organization, and he has wielded much influence in public af- fairs of a local nature, while he has served as a member of the board of county commissioners, as a school officer and in other positions of trust. He was also elected probate judge of the county. Mr. Wheeler is married and is the father of two children.

THOMAS JONES, one of the extensive farmers and stock growers of Hand county, is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in County Fermanagh, Ireland. The father of the subject passed his entire life in Ireland, and after his death his widow emigrated with her children to America, the subject of this sketch being about ten years of age at the time. She settled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, as a pio- neer, and there purchased a farm, upon which she continued to reside until her death, her sons ably co-operating in the work of carrying on the farming operations. The subject received his rudimentary education in his native land and after coming to America continued his studies as opportunity offered. The major portion of his educational discipline was secured in night schools, as his services were demanded in con- nection with the work of the farm during the daytime. He continued to attend school until he had attained the age of twenty years. Even-

1889

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

tually he removed to Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until he came to his present location in Hand county, taking up a homestead claim, in Florence township, and on this land his present substantial residence is located. To his original claim he has added until he now owns a valuable ranch. He is one of the sticcessful and extensive raisers of high-grade cattle in this section, and also devotes special at- tention to the raising of horses. His home place is equipped with modern improvements and is one of the attractive rural domains of the county.

In politics Mr. Jones has ever been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he was elected to the office of town- ship clerk, of which he has ever since remained incumbent. At the time of this writing he is also chairman of the board of township trustees.

Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Reed, and of this union have been born five children.

E. S. WILSON, editor and publisher of the Miller Gazette, was born in the town of Easton, Massachusetts. He received his educational training in the common schools of the old Bay state, and there continued until he had attained the age of twenty-three years, when he severed the home ties and set forth to seek his fortune in the west. He came to Iowa, where he was united in marriage.

Mr. Wilson was engaged in Iowa until 1872, when he came to the territory of Dakota and lo- cated in Hand county, as one of the first perman- ent settlers, while he and his wife encountered their full quota of the trials and vicissitudes inci- «lent to pioneer life on the frontier. He took up government land, improving the same and adding to it from time to time until he is now the owner of a model landed estate. He is peculiarly suc- cessful as a farmer. while in this line he has done mit1ch to raise the standard of agriculture in this section, since others have not failed to profit by his example. On his fine ranch he has a large herd of high-grade cattle, as well as horses of standard breeding and the best type of swine.

Mr. Wilson effected the purchase of the plant and business of the Miller Gazette, of which he assumed control on the ist of October, 1903, and which he will continue as an exemplar of the principles and policies of the Republican party and as an exponent of local interests. He has ever been a stalwart adherent of the "grand old party," and has been prominent in its councils since coming to South Dakota. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity.

S. R. WALLIS, M. D., who is established in the practice of his profession in the village of Miller, is a native of the state of Maryland, hav- ing been born in Hartford county. In the pub- lie schools of his native state Dr. Wallis secured his preliminary educational discipline and there- after continued his studies in the Belleaire Acad- emy, in Maryland, and in a boarding school at Falkston, that state. Later he entered George- town College and then was matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in Balti- more, in which celebrated institution he com- pleted his technical professional course, being graduated and receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He passed his vacations in hospital work, being an attache of the Boston city hos- pital for the first vacation, of the Long Island hospital for the second, the Tewksbury hospital, in Masaschusetts, for the third, while during his final vacation period he had charge of the North End Hospital dispensary in the city of Boston. Dr. Wallis came to Miller, South Dakota, where he has since been established in the active prac- tice of his profession and where he has met with most gratifying success. Dr. Wallis was united in marriage to Miss Ella Stritehoff, and they are the parents of one child.

CHARLES H. FRASER, of Gann Valley, Buffalo county, is a native of the state of Iowa, and was reared on the homestead farm and early began to assist in its work and management, while he continued to attend the public schools of his native county at varying intervals until he

1890

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

had attained the age of seventeen years. He then engaged in farming on his own responsi- bility, continuing operations along this line for the ensuing several years and then engaged in the grain and live-stock business, with which he continued to be actively identified for five years, at the expiration of which he came to South Da- kota and purchased a ranch in Buffalo county. He was there engaged in farming and stock raising until he disposed of the property and took up his residence in Gann Valley, where he has been since established in business as noted in the opening paragraph of this sketch. Shortly after locating in the village Mr. Fraser purchased the general merchandise business of J. W. Johnson, and has since successfully conducted the same, increasing the stock in the various departments and making the establishment one of the leading mercantile concerns of the sort in this section. He also buys and ships cattle upon a large scale, and is one of the reliable and progressive busi- ness men and popular citizens of the county. In politics he gives allegiance to the Republican party.

E. D. COWEN, D. D., was born in Pennsyl- vania and during his earlier years attended school in the neighborhood of his place of nativity. At a late period he became a student at the Northern Illinois College, located at Fulton, after which he took up the study of medicine and eventually completed his education in the Bennett Medical College, of Chicago. After he secured his diploma lie lost no time in seeking an eligible lo- cation for a young doctor and found employment for some years at various points in Iowa and Illinois. Finally he decided to cast in his lot with the rising young state beyond the Missouri which but a few years before had been admitted into the Union. Arriving in South Dakota, he se- lected McCook county as the theater for his fu- ture operations and without loss of time was soon practicing his profession among the people of this prosperous section of the great northwest. Making liis headquarters at Canastota, his en- ergy and affability soon brought him business

and during his five-years residence in this place he has done a good and growing business. Dr. Cowen is a Republican in politics and as a can- didate of that party was elected coroner of Mc- Cook county at the last election for a term of two years.

Dr. Cowen was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Gage. He is a member of the church of God and has fraternal connections with the Masonic fraternity, Modern Woodmen, the Yeo- men and Home Guardians.

W. C. BOORMAN, one of the important business men of Miner county, was born at Wa- terloo, Wisconsin, his only education being ob- tained in the public schools of his native place. He was brought up to work and during his entire life has been a busy man. His first venture was in the milling business and this afforded him his sole occupation for many years after reaching his majority. He achieved reasonable success and accumulated some means as the result of unflag- i ging industry and close attention to duty. His attention had for some time been attracted by the advantages offered in various pursuits by the young states beyond the Missouri and in 1898 he carried out a resolve long before arrived at to cast his fortunes with South Dakota. He de- cided on Miner county as his place of abode and lost no time in establishing an elevator at How- ard. He began dealing in grains, coal and other commodities incident to the trade of that locality and has given his close attention to this enter- prise ever since his arrival in the state.

Mr. Boorman was united in marriage with Miss Kate Lum, by whom he has four children. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and his religious affiliations are with the Episcopal church.

R. F. LYONS, of Carthage, was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, and was still a child when his parents removed to the Illinois metrop- olis. He was educated in the Chicago schools and remained in that city about eighteen years,

1891

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

at the end of which time he removed to Winne- shiek county, Iowa, where he embarked in the farm and live-stock business. He continued in this line with fair success until he decided to go farther west and eventually became a resident of Lake county, South Dakota. In the spring of 1883 he settled in Miner county and built the first grain elevator and general merchandise store at Carthage, with which enterprises he has ever since been connected. Mr. Lyons was elected as a member of the constitutional con- vention which met at Sioux City in 1889. In fact he was quite active in politics as a Demo- crat and lent his best efforts in establishing his party in power, always being ready for neces- sary work of organization and campaigning. After the great Democratic triumph of 1892, which led to the election of Mr. Cleveland to the presidency, Mr. Lyons was appointed post- master of Carthage.

Mr. Lyons was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Shea, who died, leaving two daughters, and subsequently he married Miss Sara A. Don- lay, of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and by this union there have been born eleven children.

C. J. ANDERSON, of Plankinton, the capi- tal of Aurora county, was born in the city of Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio. He se- cured his early educational discipline in the com- mon schools and supplemented this by a course of study in the Ohio State Normal School, where he continued his discipline until he had attained the age of twenty-one years. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, which was assigned to the Western Army and with which he continued in active service for four years and three months, representing practically the entire period of the war. He re- ceived his honorable discharge and then returned to his home in Zanesville, where he remained un- til he removed to Delavan, Illinois, where he maintained his home for a number of years, hav- ing been engaged in the hardware business for the major portion of the time. He then came to South Dakota, and located in 'Aurora county,

taking up a homestead claim adjoining the site of the present city of Plankinton, and becoming one of the founders of the town, while he was also concerned in the organization of the county. Soon after his arrival he established the first mercantile business in the town, having a small building in which he installed a stock of general merchandise, while later he gave his attention entirely to the hardware business, in which he was engaged until he disposed of his interests in the line and established his present enterprise, having a well-appointed establishment, in which he carries a fine assortment of clothing and fur- nishing goods, while he controls a large and rep -. resentative trade.

In politics Mr. Anderson has ever given a stanch support to the Republican party, taking an active part in the promotion of its cause, while he has been called upon to serve in various posi- tions of public trust. He received from the board of county commissioners the appointment to the office of register of deeds, and hecame ex- officio county clerk, the two offices having been jointly administered for a number of years. He held the dual office under this appointment for a period, and then was elected to fill the same, and was chosen as his own successor at the expira- tion of his first regular term. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Gates, of Delavan, Wisconsin, and they have three children.

L. H. MARTIN, proprietor of the Sunny- side stock ranch. located in Davison county, about four and one-half miles from Mitchell, was born on a farm in Jackson county, Iowa. He received his early educational training in the common schools of the various localities where his parents resided, and he has made his home in South Dakota for the major portion of the time since 1888. He was engaged in farming in Clay county during the period when the grass- hopper plague worked such havoc, and after his crops had been destroyed for three successive

1892

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

seasons he removed to Iowa, where he was en- gaged in farming. He has never lost faith in South Dakota, however, and has now located here for the purpose of making it a permanent home. His farm is one of the model places of Davison county, being improved with modern and attractive buildings and having the best of facilities for the raising of stock, besides agri- cultural products if so desired. On his farm are found the best types of horses, cattle and swine, and he makes large shipments each year to the eastern markets. In politics he gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party. Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Annie Johnson, and they have had eight children.

MICHAEL FEENEY is numbered among the representative stock growers of Stanley county. He was born in Ireland and obtained a common-school education in this country. On his present ranch he has made excellent improve- ments, is one of the highly esteemed citizens of this section of the state and has been very suc- cessful in the raising of cattle. In politics he is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and his religious views are in har- mony with the faith of the Catholic church.

WILLIAM I. MURRAY, of Hanson county, is a native of the Empire state of the Union, hav- ing been born in Erie county, New York. He was reared on the homestead farm and received a common-school education, and he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits in his na- tive state tintil 1880, when he came to what is now the state of South Dakota and took up a homestead claim in Hanson county, where he has ever since resided, now having a valuable and attractive landed estate, the major portion of which is under a high state of cultivation, yield- ing large returns for the labors contributed. Mr. Murray also raises an excellent grade of cattle and other live stock, and his efforts have been di- rected with such discrimination and good judg- ment that he has been very successful in both

departments of his farming enterprise. He is the oldest member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in the state, having affiliated with this fraternity in 1876, and is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. From his retain- ing membership in the Grand Army it will be un- derstood that he was one of the brave "boys in blue" who aided in the preservation of the Union. He enlisted as a member of the Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and with which he saw much active and arduous service, having participated in many important battles and in the Atlanta campaign, while he was three times wounded in action.

Mr. Murray was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Plunket, and she passed away, being sur- vived by two children. Mr. Murray consum- mated a second union, by which he has become the father of four children.

F. D. TYLER, one of the well-known and honored farmers of Davison county, was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin. When he was but five years of age his father was killed by acci- dent, and he was but nine years of age when his mother likewise passed away. His educational advantages were meager, but he availed himself of school privileges whenever his self-sustaining labors permitted him to attend school for even a short interval, and this limited training has been effectively supplemented by the lessons gained in the broad school of experience. Mr. Tyler left Wisconsin when a lad of fourteen years and went to Iowa, where he grew to manhood and where he remained until coming to Dakota territory. He settled in Davison county, where he took up a tree claim and forthwith set about to improve the same and bring it under cultivation. He de- veloped a good farm and made excellent im- provements on the same, and has here maintained his home during the intervening years, the place being devoted to diversified agriculture and to the raising of live stock of excellent grade. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, but takes a proper interest in local affairs and has

1893

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

been called upon to serve in positions of public trust and responsibility. He is at the time of this writing a member of the board of township trus- tees and also of the school board of his district. He is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Congregational church.

E. F. STEVENS, who has a fine farm north of the town of Woonsocket, Sanborn county, is a native of the Badger state, having been born in Rock county, Wisconsin. He was reared on the homestead farm in Wisconsin, where he received a good common-school education, having been a successful teacher for one year while a young man. He continued to assist in the work and management of the home farm until he had at- tained his legal majority, and thereafter was en- gaged in farming on his own responsibility in Wisconsin until he took up his residence in San- born county, South Dakota, locating upon a farm which is an integral portion of his present fine place. He has made excellent improvements of a permanent nature, having good buildings, wind- mills, fences, etc. He rasises a fine grade of cat- tle and feeds each year a great many sheep and hogs, his dealings in live stock being quite ex- tensive. He is one of the leaders of the Repub- lican party in his county, being a member of the county central committee and having served for eight years as clerk of his township. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Miss Amanda E. Hopkins, and they have two chil- dren.

JAMES A. OAKES, one of the honored pio- neers and influential citizens of Moody county, was born in Pennsylvania, and received his rudi- mentary education in his native place. He was about eleven years of age at the time of his par- ents' removal to Illinois, where he continued his scholastic training in the common schools, in the meanwhile assisting in the reclamation and culti-

vation of the pioneer homestead. At the age of seventeen he signalized his loyalty by tendering his services in defense of the Union, enlisting as a private in the Ninety-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he proceeded to the front. and he continued in active service for a period of two years. After the close of the war Mr. Oakes returned to Illinois, and there engaged in the work of the painters' trade, to which he con- tinued to devote his attention at irregular inter- vals. Subsequently he came to what is now the state of South Dakota and entered claim to gov- ernment land in Moody county, and in the spring of the following year he brought his family here and located on the new farm. To this original claim he has added until he now has a fine ranch, while he also owns and operates a farm in the adjoining county of McPherson, his substantial and attractive residence being located on the homestead claim which he secured when he first came to the state. He carries on diversified farm- ing and raises live stock of excellent type, while he devotes no little attention to dairying. He also owns an interest in a lumber yard and a grain elevator. He is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, while frater- nally he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.

Mr. Oakes wedded Miss Malinda S. Sater- lec, and they became the parents of four chil- dren. Mrs. Oakes was summoned into eternal rest and the subject wedded Miss Hannah S. Johnson, who was born in Iowa. Of the second union have been born two children.

H. HOLMGREN, M. D., of Canton, Lincoln county, was born in the picturesque old city of Stockholm, Sweden, and was there reared to ma- turity, having received liberal educational ad- vantages in the fair land of his birth. At the age of twenty-six years he came to America and lo- cated in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where he at once began a course of study in the Beau- mont Hospital Medical College, completing the prescribed curriculum and being graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Soon after-

1894

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

ward he located in the city of Ishpeming, in the upper peninsula of the state of Michigan, where he was actively engaged in practice until he came to South Dakota and established himself in prac- tice at Alcester, Union county. He remained there only a short interval and then came to Canton, where he has since resided, having here built up a large and representative practice. He established the Canton hospital, which he has since successfully managed, the institution being specially well equipped and exercising most be- neficent functions. He is popular in all classes of society, is a man of high intellectual and profes- sional attainments, and is an acquisition to the medical fraternity and citizenship of the state.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 158

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