History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 159

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

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A. C. ROBERTS, one of the prominent citi- zens of Day county, is a native of the old Buck- eye state, having been born in the city of Ober- lin, Ohio. When the subject was a child his par- ents removed to Livingston county, Illinois, where he was reared to maturity, having grown up on a farm and having duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, including the completion of a high-school course. After leaving school he devoted two years to the study of law, and was admitted to practice in all of the courts of the state of Illinois, and he has a license to practice in all the courts of South Dakota.

In 1876 Mr. Roberts engaged in the active practice of law in Illinois, continuing to follow the work of his profession for two years, and thereafter being engaged in farming in that state, while he was later engaged in the mercantile business for one year. Later he came to South Dakota and took up land in Homer township, Day county, which he improved and placed un- der effective cultivation, having one of the valu- able landed estates of the county. He continued to be actively and successfully engaged in farm- ing and stock growing until 1900, when he took up his residence in Pierpont, where he has since carried on a prosperous enterprise in the hand- ling of grain, coal and lumber. In politics Mr. Roberts maintains an independent attitude. In 1893 he was a member of the state senate, having

been elected on the ticket of the People's party. He and his wife are valued and zealous members of the Presbyterian church in Pierpont, and he is an elder in the same at the present time. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the Masonic order, the Modern Woodmen of America and the An- cient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Roberts was married to Miss Rachel Frances Chambers, who was born in Lowell, La- salle county, Illinois, and they have three chil- dren.

JOHN Z. REED, of near Rapid City, is a native of Scottsville, Monroe county, New York. He was reared and educated in his native county, and after leaving school was engaged in teaching for a number of years and later in farming. Sub- sequently he came to South Dakota and after a short residence there located a ranch on the Chey- enne river east of the town, on which he started an enterprise in raising stock, a line of industry in which he has been continuously engaged since that time. He continued to live on this ranch until 1900, when he bought the one he now occu- pies on Rapid creek, eight miles from Rapid City. He has greatly improved this and built a com- modious dwelling and other necessary buildings on it, and has brought the land to a high state of cultivation. In politics he is a Republican and an ardent supporter of the party.

H. J. ROCK, M. D., a well-known physician and surgeon of Aberdeen, South Dakota, was born on a farm ncar North English, Iowa. He was reared on the farm and attended first the . country schools, then graduated from the North English high school. He next graduated from the college at Valparaiso, Indiana, taking the course in teaching, business and science. He came to South Dakota and took charge of the high school at Big Stone City for two years. Following this he was principal of the Webster high school for four years. He was graduated from the medical department of the University of Illinois, in 1900, and began the practice of his

1895

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

profession in Aberdeen the same year. He is a member of the Aberdeen District Medical Soci- ety, the South Dakota Medical Society and the American Medical Society.

HENRY STRUNK was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1830, and is a son of Frederick and Minnie (Otto) Strunk. Germany remained his place of residence until 1852, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, settling first in Buffalo, New York. He soon afterward re- moved to Cincinnati and several years later went to Iowa, where hc resided until 1862, the year of his arrival in South Dakota. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the gov- ernment and as his financial resources increased he added to this until he now has seven hundred acres, one-half of which is devoted to pasturage purposes. He raises hay on a very extensive scale and he has set out a large number of trees and also greatly improved his property by the erection of substantial buildings.

IRVING R. SKILLING is a native of thic state of Wisconsin, having been born in Green county, on the 2d of March. 1860, and being a son of Ransom and Nancy (Hills) Skilling. The subject remained in Iowa until 1884, when he came to what is now the state of South Dakota and located on his present homestead, taking up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, in the rich bottom lands of the Missouri river valley, while later he purchased an adjoining eighty acres. He has since been successfully en- gaged in farming and stock raising and is one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of the county which has been his home for so many years.

FREDERICK TYSON, of Hecla. Brown county, claims New Jersey as the place of his na- tivity, having been born in the beautiful little port city of Hoboken, opposite from the national metropolis. A few years after his birth the fam-

ily removed to Wisconsin, and he was reared on the homestead farm, being afforded the advan- tages of the excellent public schools. When twenty years of age he decided to follow the ad- vice of Horace Greeley by coming west and growing up with the country, having previously served an apprenticeship in the drug business. He came to Brown county and took up land near Frederick, where he was engaged in farm- ing until he located in Hecla, as one of the first settlers of the town, and here engaged in the drug business, in which line he successfully con- ducted operations until he sold out. Before sell- ing, he had added to his drug stock a line of gen- eral merchandise, and this department he re- tained, the same being the nucleus of the present fine establishment of which he is the head. In 1902 lte admitted to partnership his brother-in- law and they have since continued the business. Mr. Tyson is a loyal and public-spirited citizen and is popular in both business and social cir- cles. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Or- dler of United Workmen and the Modern Wood- men of America.

Mr. Tyson led to the marriage altar Miss Matilda Wilmsen, who was born and reared in Portage county, Wisconsin, and they have one child.

J. E. BOUNDEY, of Brown county, was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and passed his youthful days on the homestead farm, receiving a common-school education. In 1871 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, with which he was engaged for the ensuing four years, at the expiration of which he went to California, where he became identified with the lumber business. Subsequently he came to South Dakota and lo- cated on a tract of government land in Liberty township. Brown county, his being the only fam- ily in the township during the first winter. He perfected his title to his original claims and still retains the same, to which he has added until he now has a fine landed estate, well-improved and

1896

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

under a high state of cultivation. He secures large yields of grain from his ranch and also gives considerable attention to the raising of cat- tle, while he also breeds fine horses. On the place is a fine artesian well, which furnishes an abundant supply of pure, sparkling water for all purposes. Mr. Boundey continued to reside 011 his farm until 1894, when he removed to Hecla and engaged in the buying and shipping of grain and also in dealing in all kinds of farming im-

plements and machinery of the best type. He car- ries a stock of the leading makes of harvesters, threshers and other machines, besides the smaller implements, and controls a large and constantly increasing business. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Boundey was married to Miss Alice Bradner, who was born and reared in Wisconsin and who was summoned into eternal rest, leaving one son. Mr. Boundey later consummated a sec- ond marriage, being then united to Miss Gene- vieve Shattuck, who was born and reared in Michigan. They have a pleasant home in Hecla and the same is a center of cordial hospitality.

CLARENCE E. HAYWARD, of Raymond, Clark county, comes of old colonial stock, of English origin, and is himself a native of the old Pine Tree state, having been born in Winthrop, Kennebec county, Maine, on the 4th of August. 1858. He completed the curriculum of the pub- lic schools of his native town and thereafter con- tintied there his studies in Towle Academy, while later he attended the well-known and ably-con- ducted academy at Monmouth, Maine. At the age of sixteen years he engaged in teaching, con- tinuing to follow the pedagogic profession in Maine until he came to the west, while later he took up his abode in Raymond, South Dakota, with whose development and progress he has been intimately identified, while he has built up an excellent business as a dealer in real estate, personally owning twelve hundred acres of im- proved farming land in Clark county, while he retains the confidence and good will of all with whom he has come in contact in either a business

or social way and is one of the popular and pub- lic-spirited citizens of his county and town. In politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party and frater- nally is identified with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Hayward was married to Miss Alice Armi- tage, who was born in Pennsylvania.

JOSEPH A. MCKIBBEN, a retired farmer and extensive landholder of Day county, is a na- tive of Edwards county, Illinois. While still a youth, his father died and the widowed mother removed with her family to Minnesota, where they remained until 1881, when all came to South Dakota, locating five miles southwest of Web- ster, Day county, where they took up govern- ment land. Here the subject now has a finely improved landed estate, over which he still main- tains a personal supervision. The tract under cultivation is devoted principally to the propaga- tion of wheat, oats and barley, and Mr. McKib- ben also gives much attention to the raising of cattle, sheep and horses. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Ancient Order of United Work- men. He was married to Miss Louisa Butler, who was born in Indiana, and they have five chil- dren.

BERNS JOHNSON SOLEM was born in Norway, and was reared and educated in his na- aive place and there continued to give his atten- tion to business until his immigration to America. He landed in Quebec, Canada, and thence made his way to Wisconsin, and thence went to Min- nesota, where he was engaged in railroad work for the ensuing two years, at the expiration of which he went to Mason City, Iowa, and in that locality devoted three years to grading work on a railroad. Subsequently he came as a pioneer to what is now Lincoln county, South Dakota, and took up a homestead claim in Norway town- ship. On his land he proceeded to erect a shanty. and hired men to break some of the land, while he soon returned to Mason City, Iowa, where he

1897

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

purchased a yoke of oxen and transported his little stock of household goods to his primitive house. He energetically set himself to the task of developing his farm and placing it under cul- tivation, and with the passing of the years marked success came to reward his efforts. He became the owner of a finely improved ranch, and there continued to reside until he disposed of the prop- erty and removed to the village of Canton, where he has since lived practically retired. In politics he gives his support to the men whom he consid- ers best qualified, and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Solem was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Johnson, who was born and reared in Nor- way and who has proved to him a devoted wife and helpmeet, and of this union were born two children.

JOSEPH WALTERS CATLETT, cashier of the Bank of Estelline, Hamlin county, was born in Monroe county, Missouri. He was reared on the home farm and assisted in its work during the summer seasons, while during three or four months each winter he pursued his studies in the public schools, so continuing until he had attained years of maturity, after which he taught one term of district school and then attended the normal school at Kirksville, Missouri. Thereafter he returned to the homestead farm, and for the fol- lowing five years taught during the winter terms in the country schools, while for the major por- tion of the intervening period he was employed as bookkeeper in the office of a lumber firm at Centralia, Missouri. He then obtained a state certificate to teach and applied for the principal- ship of a city school, but was defeated by one vote, the only objection entered being that he was not a married man. He then came to the territory of Dakota and arrived in Estelline on his birthday anniversary. Here he established himself in the lumber business, becoming one of the pioneers of the town, and later added a hard- ware department to his enterprise, which he suc- cessfully conducted for a number of years, while he is still the owner of the lumber business which

he established more than a score of years ago, having disposed of his hardware business. Upon the organization and incorporation of the Bank of Estelline, Mr. Catlett was elected its president, in which capacity he continued to serve until the stockholders felt that the prestige and success of the enterprise would be furthered if he were placed in active charge of its affairs, and he was accordingly elected cashier and has since re- mained incumbent of this position, while under his direct management the bank has gained a place among the most popular and substantial financial institutions in this section of the state. He is a stalwart advocate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and was prominent in effecting the party organization in Hamlin county, while for the past twelve years he has represented said county as a member of the South Dakota delegation to the national convention of the party in 1900, at Kansas City. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and he was reared in the faith of the Christian church, but is not for- mally identified with any religious body, Mrs. Catlett being a member of the Baptist church.

Mr. Catlett was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bland, who was born in Paris, and they have three children.

P. S. JOHNSON, one of the prosperous farmers and stock growers of Deuel county, was born in Norway, and was there reared and edu- cated. In 1871 he severed the ties which bound him to home and native land and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He located in Iowa, where he was engaged in farming. Dis- posing of his interests there, he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, first settling in Brookings county, where he continued to devote his energies to agricultural pursuits. He then came to Deuel county, where he took up a home- stead claim, while later he effected the purchase of an additional tract, placing the major por- tion under effective cultivation. He has dis- posed of a portion of his landed estate, but still retains a fine ranch, nearly all of which is avail-

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1898

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

able for cultivation, while he also gives no little attention to the raising of high-grade cattle and hogs. He continued to give his entire attention to his farm until 1901, when he purchased an at- tractive and modern residence property in the village of Toronto, where he has since resided.

In politics Mr. Johnson is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he has been a prominent figure in public affairs of a local nature. He has served seven years as a member of the board of county commissioners, of which important office he is incumbent at the time of this writing, while for twelve years he was an official of his school district, and for five years supervisor of his township. He and his wife are valued and zealous members of the Lutheran church.

Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Ingeborg Eggen, who was likewise born in Norway, whence she came with her parents to America when a girl. The subject and his wife have no children of their own, but have adopted a son.

N. M. WADE, M. D., is a native of Virginia and springs from one of the old families of that historic commonwealth, his ancestors for three generations having been American in all the term implies. He attended the common schools and when a young man took up the study of medi- cine, which he prosecuted with great assiduity, first under private instruction and later in the Chicago Medical College. He was graduated therefrom in 1880, and three years later came to South Dakota and engaged actively in the prac- tice of his profession. Subsequently he sought a wider field in the Black Hills and since 1895 has been located at Lead City, where he enjoys a large and lucrative practice. For a while he was connected with the medical department of the United States army in the department of the Platte and at this time he is official physician of Lead City, besides holding the position of grand medical examiner for the Ancient Order of United Workmen of South Dakota. Dr. Wade has read and studied extensively and kept him- self fully abreast the times in all matters relating

to his profession. He is a politician of consider- able prominence, a leader of the Democratic party in Lead City and Lawrence county, and at the present time is chairman of the county cen- tral committee. He is identified with several secret fraternal organizations, being a Knight Templar in the Masonic order, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Dr. Wade married Miss Anna Stanley, who was born in Wisconsin, and they are the parents of three children.

C. P. WARREN, of Kingsbury county, was born on a farm in Olmsted county, Minnesota. He received his rudimentary educational disci- pline in the district schools of his native county, and was nine years of age at the time of the family removal from Minnesota to South Dakota. Here he continued to attend the public schools. He began teaching in the district schools of the county, and taught during the winter terms and worked on the farm during the summer seasons. Later he entered Western Normal College, in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he continued his stud- ies for one school year, after which he was again engaged in teaching. He then attended the State University of South Dakota, after which he again engaged in teaching for one season and then re- sumed his studies in the university, where he remained another year. He entered the law de- partment of the Minnesota State University, be- ing graduated and being simultaneously admitted to the bar. Shortly after his graduation Mr. Warren located in DeSmet, and here he has since built up a most gratifying practice, gaining rec- ognition as an able advocate and counsel. He was elected state's attorney of the county, and has proved a most capable public prosecutor, while he is also serving as city attorney. He is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and takes an active part in local political affairs. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

1899

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

CAPT. CHARLES S. FASSETT, of Beadle county, an honored veteran of the Civil war, is a native of the Wolverine state, having been born on a farm in Sandstone township, Jackson county, Michigan. He was reared on the home- stead farin, early beginning to assist in its work and securing his early educational training in 1 the district schools. He continued on the farm until he was about sixteen years of age, and thereafter alternated his time between attending college and teaching. He was a student in Al- bion College, Michigan, when the firing of rebel guns on Fort Sumter announced the beginning ; of the long fratricidal conflict, and in that term he completed the course of preparatory work which entitled him to admission to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. A few days before the close of the term he was elected second lieu- tenant of a volunteer company, was mustered into the service as such and was sent to Fort Wayne. Soon afterward he was mustered into the United States service, as a member of the Sixth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, of which he was commissioned second lieutenant. He bore : an honorable and gallant part in the long strng- gle, rising by meritorious service to the rank of captain, and was mustered out in August, 1865, with a record of which any man might well be prond. After the war Captain Fassett returned to Michigan, where he resumed his educational work. He was matriculated in Hillsdale Col- lege, that state, where he completed the classical course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1868, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He devoted the next several years to teaching in the public schools of his native state, while for a period of four years he rendered ef- fective service as county superintendent of schools in Ottawa county, that state. In 1875 he removed to Carson City. Nevada, and later to Virginia City, that state, devoting his attention during these years principally to the furniture and upholstering business. In 1881 he returned to Michigan, where he remained about ten months, at the expiration of which he came to what is now the state of South Dakota. In 1882 he filed entry to a claim in Spink county, eight

miles north of Frankfort, while at the same time he secured a soldier's declaratory claim, north of Hitchcock, of which village he became a resident soon after its founding, while he has ever since maintained his home here. He established the Hitchcock News, of which he was editor and publisher for several years, while in the mean- while he continued the improvement of his ranch property and was otherwise prominently identi- fied with business and industrial interests. IIe was state engineer of irrigation, and in the con- nection made a special investigation and study in connection with the artesian-well system of the state. At the time of President Harrison's ad- ministration he was appointed postmaster at Hitchcock, continuing incumbent of this office until the election of President Cleveland, while he was reappointed to the office by President Mc- Kinley and has ever since served in the same. He again became the publisher and editor of the Hitchcock News, which he owns at the present time. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has been an active worker in its cause since com- ing to South Dakota, while he also served as a member of the board of commissioners of Beadle county. He is one of the charter members of T. O. Howe Post. No. 33, Grand Army of the Republic, while he is also identified with the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Captain Fassett was married to Miss Louise M. Bickford, who was born in the state of New York, and they became the parents of two sons.

SAMUEL W. OVIATT, one of the ven- erable and honored pioneer citizens of Beadle county, is a native of the old Buckeye state, hav- ing been born on the old homestead farm in Trumbull county, Ohio, and being a representa- tive of one of the sterling pioneer families of that state. He was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm and his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. About the time of the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion he re- moved with his family to Minnesota, where he continued to be engaged actively in farming until

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

his change of residence to South Dakota. He changed his allegiance from the Whig to the Re- publican party, and is a stanch advocate of the principles of the latter. While a resident of Minnesota he served with marked ability in the office of justice of the peace. He and his fam- ily are members of the Baptist church, whose faith he has held from early youth, and he has long been identified with the Independent Order of Good Templars, being a stanch friend of the temperance cause.

Mr. Oviatt was united in marriage to Miss Julia Salisbury, who, like himself, was born and reared in Ohio, and they have had six children.

J. W. BOYCE, senior member of the firm of Boyce & Warren, which controls an excellent and important legal business at Sioux Falls, was born in the town of Oregon, Dane county, Wis- consin. He remained on the homestead farm until he had attained the age of fifteen years, hav- ing in the meanwhile attended the public schools of the locality, and then his parents removed to Madison, the capital of the state, where he com- pleted a course in the high school and then en- tered the University of Wisconsin, where he completed courses in both the literary and law departments. He then came to Sioux Falls and engaged in the practice of his profession, entering into partnership with his brother, the late F. L. Boyce, under the firm name of Boyce & Boyce. In order to still farther fortify himself for the broader work of his profession he entered the law school of Boston University, being graduated with high honors. He then returned to Sioux Falls, where he continued in practice.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 159

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