History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 41

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

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Hooker Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Repub- lic; and Jasper Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the 13th of December, 1876, Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Best, daughter of John and Margaret Best, of Dous- man, Wisconsin, and they have one child, Stella M., who remains at the parental home, being one of the popular young ladies of the city.

CHRISTIAN C. FLEISCHER, D. D. S., whose finely equipped offices are located in the Van Eps building, Sioux Falls, is a native of the state of Wisconsin, having been born in the city of La Crosse, on the 13th of November, 1875, and being a son of Frederick and Josephine (Johnson) Fleischer, the former of whom died November 12, 1878, while the mother now makes her home with the subject. The Doctor com- pleted the curriculum of the public and high schools of his native city, and in 1892 was matric- ulated in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, in the city of Chicago, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898, receiving his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and being thoroughly well equipped for the active work of his chosen profession. He initiated the practice of dentistry in his home city of La Crosse, where he remained thuis engaged until September, 1901, when he came to Sioux Falls and here estab- lished himself in practice. He has gained a rep- resentative support and has already built up an excellent business, which shows a constantly cumulative tendency, as his abilities and devotion to his work become the better recognized. His office is supplied with the best mechanical devices and laboratory appurtenances, while the opera- tive department is thoroughly modern in its equipment and facilities. Dr. Fleischer has ever given his allegiance to the Republican party, and his religious views are in harmony with the ten- ets of the Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a bachelor. The father of the Doctor was a native of Norway and was a man of high intellectuality and sterling character. He was for many years prominently engaged in the newspaper business,

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having been editor and proprietor of the Fedre- landent og Emegranten, which exercised marked power and influence in connection with the colo- nization and material development of the west- ern states. The subject is a charter member of the Psi Omega dental fraternity.

JOHN A. BOWLER was born April 8, 1861, in North Adams, Massachusetts, and at the age of six years removed with his parents, William and Bridget ( Malvey) Bowler, to Sparta, Wis- consin, near which place he grew to maturity on a . farm, and in the public schools of which he re- ceived his educational training. He remained at home assisting his father until his twentieth year, and then engaged in the implement busi- ness at Sparta, but after spending about one year in that town, he, in 1882, came to South Dakota, locating at Groton, where he became a member of the well-known implement and machinery firm of Short & Bowler. This relationship con- tinued until 1884. when the subject purchased his partner's interest and since that time he has carried on business at the old stand, in connec- tion with which he also conducted a branch es- tablishment at Sioux Falls from 1896 to 1899. In 1903 Mr. Bowler bought an interest in the Western Security Company, of Sioux Falls, and from that time to the present he has been actively engaged with the enterprise as president and general manager, its continued success and pros- perity being largely the result of his energy and correct business methods.

Mr. Bowler has won a conspicuous place in the business circles of Sioux Falls and Groton and has also been influential in all that concerns the material advancement of the two places, be- ing a forceful factor in promoting all legitimate enterprises and to no small degree a leader in public affairs. He is a zealous and uncompro- mising Democrat and for a number of years has been prominent in the councils of his party, both locally and throughout the state, his ability as an organizer together with his judicious leadership gaining him such wide and favorable recogni- tion that in 1894 he was chosen chairman of

the state central committee. In this responsible and exacting position he demonstrated ability and resourcefulness of a high order and so thor- oughly was the party organized under his man- agement and so earnestly and effectively did he conduct the campaign of the above year. that for the first time in its history the state was carried by the Democracy. In the year 1902 Mr. Bowler was the choice of his party for United States senator, and received the full vote of the Demo- cratic side of both houses of the legislature, but failed of election by reason of the large Repub- lican majority. He made a gallant and dignified fight, however, and in addition to receiving the endorsement of the Democracy of the state, won many warm friends among those opposed to him by political ties. He held the chairmanship for a period of six years and the meantime, May, 1899. was appointed by Governor Lee warden of the state penitentiary, the duties of which position he discharged in an able and business-like man- ner until 1901, his administration being one of the most creditable and satisfactory in the his- tory of the institution.

Mr. Bowler is a man without an enemy, for his large humanity embraces all his race and neither party feuds nor religious differences are able to separate him from his kind nor mar the cordiality of his social relations. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, belonging to the lodge at Sioux Falls, and at various times he has held in- portant official positions in the organization. He is also a Knight of Columbus, at Sioux Falls, being grand knight of the local lodge, and dis- trict deputy.

Mr. Bowler was married at Sparta. Wiscon- sin. December 31. 1883. to Miss Mary E. Line- han, of that place, a lady of valued culture and sterling character and a favorite in the best so- cial circles of her present place of residence.

JOHN C. McVAY .- This honored citizen of St. Lawrence, Hand county, where he is now liv- ing practically retired from active business, was born on a farm in Knox county, Ohio, on the 18th

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of October, 1834, so that he has nearly attained the age of three score years and ten. He is a son of William B. and Sarah (Love) McVay. both representatives of old and prominent fami- lies of Pennsylvania. The McVay family is of Scotch-Irish extraction and the original American progenitors came to this country in the colonia! days, while the name early became linked with the history of the old Keystone state. Our sub- ject is one in a family of ten children, whose names in order of birth are as follows: Byram B., John C., Mary A., Emily P., William M .. Leonard S., Rebecca J .. Malinda, Thomas R. and Columbia. Of the number eight are living at the present time. The subject secured his carly ed- ucation in the common schools of his native state and then took a course in an excellent academy at Chesterville, the same being conducted under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal church. He taught and attended school alternately until he had attained the age of twenty-two years. He then, in company with his parents and other members of the family, removed to Illinois, where he passed about one year looking about for an eligible location, and removed to Garden Grove, Decatur county, Iowa, where the honored par- ents passed the remainder of their long and use- frl lives. There the subject devoted his atten- tion principally to teaching until he felt that a higher duty called him, the nation being en- gaged in the great civil war. In August, 1862. he accordingly enlisted in Company A. Thirty- fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and saw much hard service, participating in a number of the notable battles incident to the prog- ress of the great conflict. In the engagement at Arkansas Post Mr. McVay was wounded in the right foot, being permanently disabled. He took part in the first attack on the city of Vicksburg, under General Sherman, and later was on de- tached duty for some time, being finally dis- charged in April. 1863. by reason of disabilities resulting from the wounds which he had re- ceived. After the close of his military career Mr. McVay returned to his home in Iowa, where he continued to be engaged principally in the in-

surance business until his removal to the territory of Dakota, in 1882. He settled in Hand county, where he took up three quarter sections of gov- ernment land, which he improved and brought under a high state of cultivation, giving his at- tention chiefly to sheep raising. The family now own two entire sections of land in the county and the name is one which is honored in this section of the state, with whose development and progress it has been so intimately linked from the formative period to the present time. Mr. McVay has continued to reside on his farm until the present time, his home being practically in the village of Miller. He was for many years prominently identified with the insurance busi- ness, in which he met with marked success From this source he laid the foundation for his present competency, and also secured the means to provide exceptionally good educational ad- vantages for his large family of children, whose lives have been such as to amply compensate him for his solicitude and care. In politics Mr. McVay has given a stalwart support to the Re- publican party from the time of its organization to the present, but he has never had any ambition for public office and has never held such. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past fifty years, and his wife was likewise a devoted communicant of the same. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, at Wessington, South Dakota. On the 4th of July, 1859. was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McVay to Miss Hattie Coffin. of Newton, Illinois. She was born in Pennsyl- vania on the 14th of August, 1834. and was a successful and popular teacher in Godfrey. Illi- nois, for a number of years prior to her marriage, having been educated in Oberlin College, Ohio. Mrs. McVay was a woman of noble character and gracious presence, endearing herself to all with whom she came in contact, while she proved a devoted wife and helpmeet during the long pe- riod of nearly a half century, being summoned into eternal rest on the IIth of August, 1899. To her loved husband and children the memory of her pure and gentle life rests like a parma- nent benediction and thus is granted a measure

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of compensation for her loss. Of this union were born nine children, concerning whom we enter the following brief record: Horace M. died at the age of four years; Herbert H. died at the age of two and one-half years; and William L. passed away at the age of nine months. Bruce graduated at Mitchell University and is principal of the public schools at Highmore, Hyde county ; Louise, who was formerly a pop- ular teacher in the public schools, is now the wife of George B. Lincoln, a special agent of the government, in New York City; Winifred is a graduate of Mitchell University and took the state oratorical prize and second in the inter- state contest at Fargo, South Dakota. She was likewise a successful teacher and is now the wife of Llewellyn Sage, who is an extensive ranchman near Salida, Colorado: Ward B. took a business course at Mitchell University and is engaged in farming and stock growing in Hand county, South Dakota ; Emma Maude is a grad- uate of Highland Park College. Des Moines, Iowa, and is now pursuing her fourth year as a teacher in the primary department of the pub- lic schools of Miller ; and Mary Abigail is a suc- cessful teacher of music in St. Lawrence, using the famous Burrows kindergarten system in her work with children. The family is one of prom- inence in the social, religious and educational life of the county and it is eminently gratifying to present this sketch in a work which has to do with those who have wrought well in the great state to which this history is devoted.

LEVI STONE TYLER, secretary of the Retail Merchants' Fire Insurance Company, of South Dakota, whose home offices are in the city of Sioux Falls, was born in Green- field, Massachusetts, on the 7th of June, 1847, and is a son of Levi and Sarah C. (Harring- ton) Tyler, representatives of prominent old fam- ilies of New England. He secured his educa- tion in the public schools of his native town, be- ing graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1861, after which he was for a short interval employed in a clerical capacity

in a mercantile establishment in Greenfield. He then became identified with the express business and in the connection was finally advanced to the position of local agent in his home town, where he remained until 1868, when, at the age of eighteen years, he determined to follow the advice of Horace Greeley and "go west and grow up with the country." He visited Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Omaha, Nebraska, and finally located in Des Moines, Iowa, where he clerked in a store about one year, at the expiration of which he removed to Dallas county, that state, and located in Xenia, where he opened a gen- eral store, where he built up a successful busi- ness, while for two years he served as post- master of the village. When the first railroad was completed through that section the new town of Perry sprung up on its line, Xenia be- ing a number of miles distant from the railroad. and Mr. Tyler removed his stock of goods to the former place, where he successfully continued business for the ensuing four years, at the cxpi- ration of which he disposed of his interests there and returned to Des Moines, where he was again engaged in clerking about two years. He then accepted the position of messenger for the Amer- ican Express Company on the run between Fort Dodge and Minneapolis, while later he was as- signed to the run between Tracy and Pierre. In the spring of 1881 he filed entry on a pre- emption claim in Hand county, this state, and remained on the same until he had perfected his title. He then returned to Tracy, Minnesota, and again became a railway express messenger, in which capacity he was employed until June, 1887. when he was appointed agent for the American Express Company at Tracy, Minnesota, of which office he was incumbent until October 12, 1892. In that year he was elected a member of the Minnesota legislature, representing the six- teenth district, and he proved a valuable working member of the assembly, while he takes justifi- able pride in the work he there accomplished in connection with providing for the erection of the new state capitol, in the city of St. Paul. At the close of his term as a member of the legis- lature he became traveling auditor for the

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American Express Company, and at the expira- tion of a year became agent for the company in the city of Duluth, where he remained a short time, being then made the company's agent in the city of Sioux Falls, in 1894. He continued in tenure of this position until 1898, when he was elected to the state senate, being nominated as a silver Republican. After the expiration of his term in the senate he became bookkeeper at the state penitentiary, in this city, retaining the office until 1901. when a change in political dom- ination led to his retirement. In the autumn of that year he opened a general store at Harrisburg. Lincoln county, where he effected the organiza- tion of the Tyler Mercantile Company, of which he has since been secretary and treasurer, the business having already grown to be one of very considerable scope and importance. At the con- vention of the Retail Merchants' Association held in Sioux Falls in January, 1903. he was one of those prominently concerned in the organization of the Retail Merchants' Fire Insurance Com- pany, of which he was chosen secretary at the time, while he is also a member of its board of directors. Through his executive and adminis- trative ability the work of the company has been signally advanced and its affairs are in a most prosperous condition. He is one of the liberal and progressive citizens of the state and is held in high regard in both business and social cir- cles. In politics he was originally a Republican. but in 1896 identified himself with the Bryan Democracy, being convinced that the financial policy of the party as defined in the Kansas City platform is best calculated to further the public prosperity of the nation, and he has ever taken a lively interest in political affairs. Fraternally he is identified with the Sioux Falls lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On the 18th of February, 1873, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Alice Perkins, who was born and reared in Indian- apolis. Indiana, while their marriage was solem- mized in Dallas Center, Iowa, of which place she was a resident at the time. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler have three children, Persis Uretta, who is the wife of Wellington Andrews, of Sioux Falls ;

Nathaniel Stone, who is a resident of Cherokee, lowa; and Josephine Alice, who is the wife of Sioux K. Grigsby, of Sioux Falls.

HENRY M. JONES, general manager of the extensive business of the B. C. McClossan Fruit Company, of Sioux Falls, and one of the enterprising and popular business men of the state, is a native of Utah, having been born in Wasatch, that state, on the Ioth of March, 1870. and being a son of William and Ellen M. (Keli- her) Jones, who came to South Dakota in 1877. The father died at Spearfish, this state, in 1886. while the mother is still living, maintaining her home in Lead, this state. The subject of this review secured his preliminary scholastic train- ing in the public schools and then entered the normal school at Spearfish, this state, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1887. which was the first class graduated in the insti- tution. His father had become prominently iden- tified with the cattle industry in this section, and until 1886 the subject worked on the great ranges during the summer months, spending the win- ters in school. In 1886 he secured employment in the office of the Homestake Mining Company. at Lead, where he remained until 1888, when he became traveling salesman for B. C. McClossan, wholesale fruit dealer in Sioux Falls, being thus engaged until 1897, and thereafter he was em- ployed about one year as traveling salesman for a cigar manufactory in Sioux City. In the spring of 1898 Mr. Jones again entered the em- ploy of B. C. McClossan and in the fall of the same year the business was incorporated, under the present title of the B. C. McClossan Fruit Company. Mr. Jones becoming one of the stock- holders of the concern and being chosen secre- tary and treasurer of the company, while later he was made general manager, in which capacity he has since continued to render most effective service, doing much to promote the expansion of the successful enterprise with which he is thus identified. In politics he has always given his allegiance to the Republican party, but he has

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never sought nor desired the honors or emolu- ments of public office.

On the 7th of June, 1899. Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Lois Ray, of Salem, Missouri, and they have a winsome little daugh- te-, Linne Lois, who was born on the 19th of May, 1901.

CHRISTEN C. BRATRUD was born on a farmi on Root prairie, Fillmore county, Minne- sota, on the 27th of December, 1855, and was thus reared amid the scenes of pioneer life in that state, being a son of Ole C. and Ambjor Bratrud, the former of whom was born in Sigdal and the latter in Eggedal, Norway, from which fair Norseland they came to America and be- came pioneers of Fillmore county, Minnesota, where by industry and honesty the father attained a position of independence, becoming one of the successful and highly honored farmers of that section. The subject was reared on the home- stead farm and early began to assist in its work. while his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality and period. In 1883 he came to South Dakota and located in Estelline, Hamlin county. where he was engaged in the buying and ship- ping of grain for the ensuing four years. In the autumn of 1887 he removed to Bryant, in the same county, where he became identified with mercantile pursuits, having an interest in a gen- eral store. In the following year he effected the organization of the Merchants' Bank, of that place, and had the supervision of its affairs until 1893. In 1894 he closed out his interests in Bry- ant and came to Sioux Falls, where he has since been successfully engaged in the real-estate and loan business, his books at all times showing most desirable investments, particularly in choice lands in the southeastern part of the state and residence and business property in the city of Sioux Falls. He is a loyal citizen and takes an active interest in all that makes for the progress and material prosperity of the state of his adop- tion, the state in which he has attained success through his own well-directed efforts, while he

has so ordered his life in all its relations as to merit and receive the unqualified esteem of his fellow men. In politics he exercises his fran- chise in support of the Republican party and its principles ; he is an appreciative member of the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are prominent and valued members of the Norwe- gian Evangelical Lutheran church in their home city.

On the 20th of November, 1897, Mr. Bratrud was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Marie Strom, who was born in the beautiful old city of Christiania, Norway, on the Ist of January, 1873, being a daughter of Feodor and Elizabeth Strom.

OLIVER S. PENDAR. the virtual founder of the town of Salem, McCook county, which he named in honor of his native place, and one of the popular and well-known citizens of Sioux Falls, where he holds the responsible of- fice of clerk of both the United States circuit and district courts, was born in the historic old city of Salem, Massachusetts, on the 29th of September, 1857. and comes of stanch old colo- nial stock. He secured his early education in the public schools and was graduated in the Salem high school, where he was reared to manhood. In 1877, at the age of twenty years, he started for the west, believing that better opportunities were here afforded for advancement through personal effort. He was located in the city of Minneapolis for one year, at the expiration of which, in 1878, he cast in his lot with the pio- neers of what is now the state of South Dakota, taking up his residence in McCook county. where he took up a timber and a pre-emption claim, in due time perfecting his title to the property, to whose improvement he gave his attention. In 1879 a postoffice was established at the point now occupied by the flourishing little city of Salem and the subject was appointed the first postmaster, while he gave the name of Salem to the same in grateful memory of his home town. while the title was retained by the village which eventually grew up on the site. In connection

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with his official duties as postmaster he estab- lished a general store, in 1879, and continued to conduct the same until 1886, having been the first merchant of Salem and having built up an ex- cellent trade. In the year last mentioned he turned his attention to the real-estate and loan business, in which line he successfully conducted operations until 1890, when he was appointed clerk of the United States district court and re- moved to the city of Sioux Falls, having re- ceived this appointment on the 30th of January, at the hands of Judge Edgerton, who was then presiding on the bench of the district court for the district comprising the state. On the 17th of the following June, Mr. Pendar received from Judge Caldwell the appointment of clerk of the United States circuit court for the same district, which office he still holds. The district clerkship he retained until October, 1891, when he retired from the same, but on the 26th of December, 1896, Judge Carland reappointed him to the of- fice and he has since been in tenure of both, giv- ing a service which has been satisfactory to all concerned. As has been said of him in another published article he is "a genial good fellow, well liked by everybody, and is a competent offi- cial." In politics he has ever been an uncom- promising Republican, and up to 1888 he took an active part in the political affairs of the territory. having served as a delegate to several territorial and state conventions. He is a Knight Templar Mason and is also identified with the auxiliary organization, the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 41

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