History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 37

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

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his sons took up government land under the homestead laws, being now associated in the ownership of a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, of which one hundred and ten are under cultivation. The subject is also one of the successful stock raisers of the county, where he has been indefatigable in his efforts, assist- ing in developing the great resources of this sec- tion of the state. His boyhood days were passed on the homestead farm in Minnesota, in whose public schools he secured his early educational training, later attending the schools in South Dakota. He is one of a family of eight children, the others being Philip, Maggie, Kate, John, Mary. Minnie and Annie, and the parents and all the children are residents of South Dakota. Mr. Beatch is a Democrat in his political pro- clivities ; fraternally is identified with Spencer Lodge, No. 47, Ancient Order of United Work- men, at Spencer, South Dakota, of which his brother John is likewise a member, while the family are valued members of the Lutheran church.

DAVID S. GORDON, a native of the mid- dle west, manifests in his life the spirit of activity and energy so typical of this section of the country. He was born in Lanawee county, Michigan, July 20, 1863, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage, the family originating in Scotland, although Robert and Jane (Barnes) Gordon, the parents of the subject, came to America from the north of Ireland. It was in the year 1857 that the father crossed the Atlantic and took up his abode in Rhode Island. where he remained for four years, removing then to Michigan in 1861. Purchasing a farm in Lenawee county he continued its cultivation for two years and then he sold his property and went to Wisconsin. After a short time, however, he removed to In- diana in 1865 and bought a farm in Porter county, making it his home for a few years. For four years he lived in Lake county, that state, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits and in 1878 he brought his family to South Dakota, establishing his home in Yankton

county. Here he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of government land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improve- ment made. He built a shanty and also a dug- out and four years later he erected a nice resi- dence. He has also built large barns upon his place and still occupies the old homestead, which he has developed into a splendid farming prop- erty, its rich fields and excellent improvements giving evidence of his careful supervision and enterprising spirit. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church and in its work he takes an active and helpful part. His political faith is that of the Republican party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born seven children : Hannah, who died in infancy, as did the second child ; R. J., who married Miss Dunlap and after her death wedded Lucy Robin- son, his home being now in Viborg, South Da- kota. He has a family of four children and he owns eleven hundred and twenty acres of land, but is living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Mary J., born Novem- ber 3. 1861, became the wife of M. J. Mann, who has resided in South Dakota since 1886 and is now a farmer of Yankton county. They had four children and on the 15th of May, 1902, Mrs. Mann departed this life. David is the next younger. James B. wedded Mrs. Mallons and is a farmer of Edwards county, South Dakota. He had three children, of whom two are now de- ceased. William C. married Mary Christoperson and has three children, their home being on the old homestead. All of the children were pro- vided with good educational privileges and three of the number have been successful teachers. Mrs. Gordon died November 2, 1903.

Like the others of the family. David S. Gordon attended the public schools and in his youth he was also trained to the work of the home farm, remaining with his father until nineteen years of age, when he began teaching school. When twenty years of age he rented a farm and thus continued to operate land for several years. In the spring of 1884 he bought one hundred and sixty acres on Clay creek, Yankton county, all of which was wild, but he

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has placed many improvements upon the land, has built a fine residence, a large and substantial barn, has planted trees and now has a very de- sirable property, attractive in appearance. His farm comprises altogether two hundred acres and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he raises high grades of cattle and hogs.

On the 20th of April, 1899, Mr. Gordon was united in marriage to Miss Bertha, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Hormel) Rinker, both of whom were natives of Iowa and at an early day came to South Dakota. The father was identified with agricultural interests for many years and became a well-known farmer but is now living in Sioux Falls. His wife, however, has passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born three children : Ethel E., whose birth occurred January 15, 1901 ; Adaline M., who was born September 20, 1902, and Robert J., born July 10, 1903. Mr. Gordon endorses the principles of the Republican party by cast- ing his ballot for its candidates.

FRED JACOBS .- The sons of Switzerland have ever been noted for courage and fortitude and for loyalty to their honest convictions and the life record of Fred Jacobs exemplifies those sterling traits of character which have ever . marked the sons of the Swiss nation. He was born in Berne on the 15th of April. 1844, and is a son of John Jacobs, who never left his native country. The subject acquired a good education there and lived a life of energy and activity, but believing that his labors would prove more ef- fective in gaining succes in the new world, he came to the United States in 1884. Yankton county was his destination and he made his way by the Missouri river until he reached this sec- tion of the state. He rented land for nine years and then with the capital he had acquired through his own energy and determination he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. Since that time he has sold a portion, but still retains possession of two hundred and forty acres. He has planted all of the trees upon his farm and has made all of the improvements, including the

erection of splendid buildings. His fields are well tilled and he raises good grades of stock. One hundred and eighty acres of his land is under cultivation and the remainder is devoted to pasturage purposes. Each year he raises a large number of hogs and also makes a specialty of Hereford cattle.

In 1866 Mr. Jacobs was united in marriage to Miss Magdalena Kupfer, a daughter of Jacob Kupfer, who was a stone-mason and spent his entire life in Switzerland. This worthy couple have become the parents of nine children : Rob- ert, who married Bertha Ezely and is a farmer and dairyman : Emil, deceased; Fred, who wedded Eliza Nordheck, and is a harness maker of Yankton ; Alfred, who married Carrie Thomp- son and served in the Philippine war as a mem- ber of Company M, First Regiment of South Dakota Volunteers, while now he is engaged in farming: Max, who wedded L. Peterson, now deceased, and who is a cook in Montana; Ida, the wife of Leonard McCone, a liveryman of Nebraska ; Herman, who is assisting in the oper- ation of the home farm; and Paul and Edward, who are under the parental roof. The children have attended the public schools and have been carefully trained in habits of industry and up- rightness. In his political views Mr. Jacobs is an earnest Republican and all of his sons support the same party, while five of them belong to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. Jacobs holds membership in the Congregational church and has ever been interested in the move- ments and measures pertaining to general prog- ress and improvement. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend and he has co- operated in many measures for the public good.

FREDERICK RITTER. a prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Jefferson township, Bon Homme county, is a native of Germany, born in the kingdom of Hanover, August 22, 1841. His father, also named Frederick, died in Hanover, at the age of forty-two, and later the mother came to America and settled in Iowa, where her death occurred some years ago.

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Frederick and Catherine (Bloom) Ritter reared a family of three children, one son, the subject of this review, and two daughters, the older of whom, Christina, married Henry Rhoderwolt and the younger, Louisa by name, having died in the land of her birth.

Frederick Ritter was reared and educated in Hanover and at the age of twenty began life for himself as a carpenter. Shortly after leav- ing home he came to America, arriving in this country in 1864 and settled at Richton, Cook county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade during the ensuing eight years, meanwhile ac- cumulating a handsome property, consisting of several lots and five and a half acres of valuable land in the vicinity of the town. Disposing of these possessions in 1871, he started west and in the spring of the following year settled in Butler county, Iowa, where he followed his chosen calling until 1881. In the spring of the latter year Mr. Ritter came to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and took up a quarter sec- tion of land in Jefferson township, which he still owns and on which he has made a number of substantial improvements, converting it into one of the most productive and desirable farms in the neighborhood. He has also added to his realty from time to time and now owns five hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as the county of Bon Homme can boast, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, besides con- taining good buildings, fences and many other evidences of prosperity. He is an enterprising farmer and since coming west has taken advan- tage of every opportunity to improve his financial condition, ranking at the present time with the leading agriculturists and stock raisers of Bon Homme county, as well as enjoying high stand- ing as an energetic, public-spirited man of af- fairs.

surrounding country bearing evidence to his efficiency as a master of his trade. In politics Mr. Ritter votes for the man instead of party and advocates principles which in his judgment make for the best interests of his country. In religion he subscribes to the Lutheran creed and for a number of years has been a faithful and consistent member of the church, contributing liberally of his means to the support of the local congregation to which he belongs.

In the year 1862 Mr. Ritter was united in marriage with Miss Dorothee Deerking, also a native of Hanover, the union being blessed with ten children, namely: Fred, Jr., a farmer and stock raiser of Charles Mix county, South Da- kota; Charles, who is interested with his father in farming and the live-stock business; Henry, also at home and a partner of his father and older brother; William, a resident of Charles Mix county, and a farmer by occupation ; Annie, wife of Fred Rabece, of the above county; Frank, a member of the home circle; Dora, now Mrs. Henry Evers, of Charles Mix ; Helen, Walter and George.

FRANK GABRIEL HERRON, one of the successful business men of Sioux Falls, where he conducts a well-equipped grocery establish- ment, was born on a farm in Vernon county, Wisconsin, on the 16th of August, 1857, and is a son of William A. and Mira Herron, both of whom are now living in Sioux Falls, while both were natives of Athens county, Ohio, and repre- sentatives of pioneer families of the old Buckeye state. When the subject was about twelve years of age his parents removed to Warren county, Iowa, and in the public schools of Indianola, the county seat, he received his early educational training. In 1875 he entered upon an apprentice- ship to the printer's trade, in the office of the Indianola Herald, becoming a skilled workman and being engaged in the work of his trade for several years. In 1883 he came to South Da- kota and took up his residence in Huron and was in business there for five years. In 1888 he re- moved to Sioux Falls and until March, 1902, he

Mr. Ritter not only erected all the buildings on his own place, but has also done considerable mechanical work in the neighborhood and throughout the county. He is a skillful carpenter and for several years after coming to this state his services were in great demand, many of the best residences, barns and other buildings in the , was employed as foreman in the Brown &

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Saenger printing establishment, but gave up that position and, with his son, Bert, established his present prosperous business enterprise, and they, under the firm name of Herron & Son, have gained a place of prominence in the commercial life of the city. In politics Mr. Herron is a stanch Republican but has never sought official preferment, and fraternally he is identified with the local organization of the Masonic order and its adjunct, the Order of the Eastern Star, and also with the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

On the 28th of November, 1883, Mr. Herron was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Tisdale, who was born and reared in Lake City, Minne- sota, being a daughter of Luther J. and Adaline Tisdale, and of this union have been born four children, of whom three are living: Bert F. was born October II, 1884; Roy was born January II, 1888, and died on the 7th of February of the following year; Mabel R. was born January 2, 1889; and Charles L., March 6, 1890.

GEORGE SPURRELL, one of the repre- sentative farmers and stockmen of Bon Homme county, is a native of the Hawkeye state, having been born in the city of Sabula, Jackson county, Iowa, on the 3d of January, 1855, and being a son of James and Eliza (Ward) Spurrell, both of whom were born and reared in England, where they were married and where four of their children were born. In 1854 they emigrated thence to the United States and located in Jack- son county, Iowa, thence in 1855 removed to Clinton county, Iowa, where Mr. Spurrell be- came a prominent and successful farmer, being one of the honored pioneers of that section and one who wielded no little influence in the com- munity. He continued to reside on the old home- stead until he was summoned from the scene of life's endeavors, his death occurring on the 15th of May, 1900, at which time he was seventy- seven years of age. He was a Republican in his political proclivities, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as

is also his widow, who still resides on the old home farm. Of their six children we enter the following brief record : Anna died in childhood, before the removal of the family to America ; Walter, who was a soldier in the Second Iowa Cavalry Regiment during the war of the Re- bellion, died in 1901 : John is a resident of Wall Lake, Sac county, Iowa; Arthur has the man- agement of the old homestead farm in Iowa, and also owns six hundred and forty acres in South Dakota; George is the immediate subject of this sketch ; and Ellen is married to Seth L. Collins, of Goose Lake, Iowa.

George Spurrell was reared to manhood on the liome farm and secured his educational discipline in the excellent schools of Iowa. At the age of twenty-one years he initiated his independent career, becoming at that time dependent upon his own resources, and he has worked his way to success through the medium of energy, industry, integrity of purpose and good management. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Sac county, Iowa, and was there engaged in farming for three years, after which he was en- gaged in the same line of enterprise in Plymouth county, that state, until 1891, when he sold his farm of one hundred and sixty acres and re- moved to Rock county, Minnesota, where he pur- chased land and also engaged in the real-estate business, retaining his residence there about eigh- teen months. He then, in August, 1893, came to South Dakota and purchased a ranch of two hun- dred and forty acres in Springfield township, Bon Homme county, where he has since re- mained. He has made many improvements on the place, including the remodeling of the house, and the ranch is one of the most attractive and valu- able properties in this section, being devoted to diversified agriculture and to the raising of excel- lent grades of live stock, including shorthorn cattle, sheep, swine and horses. Mr. Spurrell is also the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Wilson county, Kansas, the same being located in the oil district, and this property he rents. He has owned property in several other states, and has traveled somewhat extensively. having visited various sections of the Rocky

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mountains and owning interests in the gold fields of Colorado. In politics Mr. Spurrell is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party. While a resident of Iowa he served as justice of the peace, but he has never been ambi- tious for official preferment.

On the 8th of April, 1882, Mr. Spurrell was united in marriage to Miss Christine Kruser, of Wall Lake, Iowa. She was born and reared in Denmark, being a daughter of Maren and Peter P. Kruser, who emigrated to the United States in 1881, and who are now dead. Of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Spurrell we enter the following brief data: Melvin J. died at the age of sixteen months; Marvin is at the parental home; Cora and Ida are attending the Spring- field State Normal School, and Elmer J. is the youngest member of the family, being nine years of age at the time of this writing, and is also at- tending the Normal School. Mrs. Spurrell and Cora are members of the Congregational church.

WILLIAM J. ROBINSON .- No better in- dex of the material prosperity and general status of any community can be found than in its news- paper press, and in this respect South Dakota is favored in having ably conducted and progres- sive papers in its various cities and towns, the sub- ject of this review being the editor and publisher of the Avon Clarion, at Avon, Bon Homme county, and having made his enterprise one of successful order as representative of the interests of the attractive town and its surrounding coun- try. He is a thorough newspaper man and the Clarion maintains a high standard of excellence from both an editorial and mechanical standpoint, being a five-column quarto and being issued on Thursday of each week.

Mr. Robinson was born in Delaware county. Iowa, on the 14th of November, 1854. being a son of James and Mary A. (Gregg) Robinson, of whose twelve children he is the eldest of the nine surviving, a brief record concerning the oth- ers being here incorporated : Margaret is the wife of Christy Bleakly, of Galva, Iowa ; Dr. Thomas

is a practicing physician at Gallup, New Mexico ; Robert R. is a prominent capitalist and promoter of Manchester. Iowa, and served for twelve years as auditor of Delaware county, that state; Eliza is the wife of Rev. James P. Perry, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church; Alexander has charge of the old homestead farm, in Dela- ware county, Iowa ; John B. is a successful ranch- man near Oakdale, Nebraska; Henry E. is a member of the Hollister Lumber Company, of Manchester, Iowa, and is manager of its yards at Elkport, Illinois; and Gregg C. is likewise a member of that company and resides in Man- chester, Iowa. The parents of the subject were both born in the north of Ireland, whence they came to the United States when young, their marriage having been solemnized in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1853. Immediately afterward they removed to Delaware county, Iowa, becoming pioneer settlers of that state, and there he invested his available cash in land, be- ing able to buy only forty acres. James Robinson was a man of ability and had received excellent educational advantages for his day, having at- tended school in Pittsburg after coming to the United States and having been there reared in the home of his uncle, who took much interest in the young man. He had the prescience to recog- nize the possibilities in store for Delaware county through its agricultural development, and upon locating in Iowa in the early days he was able to secure land for about one dollar and a quarter an acre, and after securing his original tract he bent every energy to developing his property. investing every dollar which he could spare in adding to the area of his landed property and fin- ally becoming the owner of ten quarter-sections of the best land to be found in Delaware county, and how his faith has been justified needs no fur- ther voucher than to state that the land is now worth one hundred dollars or more per acre. He is now one of the substantial and successful citi- zens of the county, retaining possession of all the land which he has acquired, while he still resides on the old homestead farm, being about eighty- five years of age and being one of the honored pioneers of the state. He has done much to as-

WILLIAM J. ROBINSON.

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sist his friends in a financial way and has con- tributed in large measure to the development and progress of Delaware county, where he is held in the highest confidence and esteem. While he has never sought political preferment he has been called upon to serve in the various local offices of trust and responsibility. He is a man of strong individuality and pronounced views and wields a marked influence in his community, while his inflexible integrity has gained to him the respect of all who know him. He is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His ancestors were prominent in the early wars in which England was involved, representatives of the family having been with Cromwell in the battle of Waterloo, having been members of the Enniskillen Dragoons, one of the regiments held in reserve to combat Napoleon's life guards, whom they defeated in a fierce con- flict.

William J. Robinson, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the old homestead farm in Iowa, attending school during the win- ter months and assisting in the work of the farm during the summer seasons. In the autumn of 1869, when fifteen years of age, he was matricu- lated in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa, where he continued his studies about five years, being there graduated as a member of the class of 1875, and having received from his alma mater the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts. The year prior to and that following his graduation he was employed as a teacher in the university, having full charge of the department of mathematics, in which science he excelled. After leaving the university he taught in the pub- lic schools of Iowa until 1889, when he took charge of a small college in Tennessee, but he was not pleased with the outlook and retained the incumbency only one year, at the expiration of which he came to Bon Homme county, South Dakota, and purchased a quarter section of land, in Albion precinct, where he was engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits and stock growing until 1901. when he sold his property and purchased a quar- ter section in Sanborn county. In the autumn of

1902, he left the ranch and took up his abode in Avon, where he purchased the plant and business of the Clarion, which newspaper he has since con- ducted with marked ability and discrimination, making it one of the best county papers in the state. While residing on his ranch he devoted special attention to the live-stock industry, leasing large tracts of land from the Indians and util- izing the same for the grazing grounds for his cattle. He is a man of high intellectuality and much business acumen, and the town of Avon is fortunate in having secured his interposition as editor and publisher of its local paper. In poli- tics Mr. Robinson gives his allegiance to the Re- publican party, of whose interests his paper proves an effective exponent. In the autumn of 1894 he was elected superintendent of schools of Bon Homme county, and was returned to this of- fice as his own successor in 1896, while in 1902 he was again a candidate for the position, but through a technicality several votes cast in his favor were thrown out, giving the victory to his opponent, who was elected by a majority of only two votes. Fraternally he is identified with Avon Tent, No. 66, Knights of the Maccabees.

On the 4th of August, 1875, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Robinson to Miss Emma E. Glasner, who was a fellow student at the Univer- sity of Upper Iowa, her home being in Fayette, that state, and of this union have been born four sons-William L. and Robert R., who are editors and publishers of the Tyndall Tribune, at Tyndall. this county ; and Leon A. and Earl V., to whom their father will transfer the control of the Avon Clarion in the near future. On August 18, 1903, Mr. Robinson was appointed postmaster at Avon, which position he still holds.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 37

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