History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 5

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

USA > South Dakota > History of South Dakota, Vol. II > Part 5

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

971

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

trade and having a finely equipped store. His es- tablishment is modern in all its appointments, and the stock carried is exceptionally comprehen- sive and select, while he is recognized as an en- ergetic' and progressive business man and as one well worthy of the uniform confidence and es- teem in which he is held. In politics Mr. An- drews has ever given an uncompromising alle- giance to the Democratic party, has taken an act- ive part in the promotion of its cause, hav- ing been a delegate to various state and county conventions, and having been called to serve in a number of minor offices, though he has never sought personal preferment in the line. Frater- nally he is identified with Unity Lodge, No. 130, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons: Scotland Chapter, No. 31. Royal Arch Masons ; Parkston Lodge, No. 99. Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows ; and Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 262, Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.

On the 8th of February. 1899. Mr. Andrews was united in marriage to Miss Persis U. Tyler, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, being a daughter of L. S. Tyler, who has been a resident of Sioux Falls since 1892. Mr. and Mrs. An- drews have one daughter. Edith Alice.

EARL V. BOBB, M. D., was born August 2. 1873. in Richland, Wisconsin, and is the son of Martin L. and Mary (Wafling) Bobb, the father a native of Pennsylvania, the mother of Wisconsin. Martin Bobb came to Dakota a num- ber of years ago and settled in Davison county, with the public affairs of which part of the state he became quite actively identified ; he served six years as clerk of the county court, took a prom- inent part in advancing the material interests of his community, and was a man of intelligence and wide influence and withal a most excellent and praiseworthy citizen. As a leader of the Republican party he became prominent in state as well as in local affairs and in the private walks of life enjoyed the esteem of all classes. He died in Davison corntv. in October, 1902, at the age of sixty years, leaving to mourn his loss a widow. who is still living, and six children, of whom the

subject of this review is the second in order of birth. Dr. B. A. Bobb, the oldest of the sons of Martin and Mary Bobb, is a distinguished physi- cian of South Dakota, practicing his profession in the city of Mitchell and at the present time he is president of the State Medical Association.

Dr. Earl V. Bobb was about nine years old when his parents moved from Wisconsin to South Dakota and since 1882 his life has been closely identified with the latter state. After attending the public schools for some years, he entered the University of South Dakota, where he finished his literary education, and then be- came a student of the Northwestern University at Evanston, from the medical department of which he was graduated with high honors in 1899. Preparatory to the general practice of his profession, the Doctor did a large amount of hospital work under the direction of some of the most distinguished medical talent of the day. after which he opened an office in Sisseton. South Dakota, where he has since built up a very exten- sive professional business, commanding at this time a patronage second in magnitude and im- portance to that of no other physician in the city or county.

Dr. Bobb prepared himself for his life work bv careful study and critical research, and being a close student, he keeps in touch with the trend of modern professional thought, is familiar with the latest investigations and discoveries in the pro- fession and possesses the discernment and tact to select what is most valuable of this knowledge and use it in his practice.

In addition to his professional labors, Dr. Bobb, since coming west, has been actively iden- tified with the public and business affairs of Sis- seton and Roberts counties, and at the present time is holding the office of coroner. He is stanchly Republican in his political views, manifests a deep and abiding interest in his party and has contributed not a little to its success in the county, district and state.

In the fall of 1902 Dr. Bobb purchased the leading drug store in Sisseton and is now con- ducting the same in connection with his prac- tice and doing a very lucrative business. He is

972

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

a member of the State Medical Society, the Aber- deen District Medical Society, and other organi- zations whose object is to promote a higher standard of efficiency in the medical ranks of South Dakota. He is also interested in secret fraternal and benevolent work. belonging to the Masonic lodge at Sisseton and the Knights of Pythias, in both of which orders he is recognized as an influential member and a zealous worker.

On September 25, 1900, Dr. Bobb and Miss Elizabeth Morton, of Chicago, Illinois, daughter of John Morton, of that city, were united in the bonds of wedlock. Dr. and Mrs. Bobbs have a beautiful and attractive home in Sisseton which is well known to the best society circles of the city, and both are popular with the people and have many warm friends and admirers, here and elsewhere.

ANFIN J. BERDAHL was born in Nor- way, December 12, 1852, and when about four vars old was brought by his parents to the United States, from which time until 1860 he lived at the family home in Winneshiek county, Iowa. In the latter year he was taken to Hous- ton county, Minnesota, thence six years later to Fillmore county, that state, where he remained until 1873. the meantime receiving his educa- tion in the common schools and his more prac- tical training as an assistant on his father's farm. Leaving the parental roof in 1873. he came to South Dakota and the following year took up a homestead in Edison township, Min- nehaha county, which he at once proceeded to improve and reduce to cultivation, and upon which he continued to reside until the fall of 1887, when he rented his farm and, returning to Minnesota, engaged in the mercantile business at the town of Pipestone. One year later Mr. Berdahl moved his stock to Jasper, in the same state, where he conducted a successful trade until the spring of 1890, at which time he returned to his Dakota farm and during the ensuing two years devoted his attention to agriculture and stock raising. Renting his land at the expiration of the_time noted, he established a gencral mer-

cantile business in Garretson, where he has since lived and prospered, building up a large and lucrative trade the meanwhile and taking dis- tinctive precedence among the leading merchants of the city.

Mr. Berdahl's domestic experience dates from 1878, on March Ioth of which year he entered the marriage relation with Miss Caroline Christianson, a native of Fillmore county, Min- nesota, where her parents, both born in Norway, settled in an early day. To Mr. and Mrs. Berdahl five children have been born, one of whom, a daughter by the name of Christiana. died at the early age of four years ; those living are Christian, Alfred, Clara and Elmer, who with their parents constitute a family of eminent re- spectability and high social standing.

Mr. Berdahl at different times has been called upon to assume responsible official status. having served as treasurer of Edison township, being the second man elected to the office in that jurisdiction, and he has also been identified for a number of years with the educational inter- ests of Garretson, being at this time president of the city school board, besides holding the posi- tion of alderman. In the conduet of his busi- ness affairs Mr. Berdahl is prompt and method- ical. not given to speculation, being satisfied with gradual advancement and sure gains. As a citi- zen he is enterprising to the extent of encour- aging every laudable movement for the general good, and his deep and abiding interest in the social, educational and moral welfare of the con- munity has resulted in substantial advancement along these various lines.

ANDREW L. COYLE, M. D .- Among the able exemplars of the medical profession in the state is Dr. Coyle, a young man of marked intel- lectual ability, thoroughly informed in the sci- ences of medicine and surgery, having had ex- eeptional advantages in the prosecution of his studies in technical lines, while he has been estab- lished in the practice of his profession in Plankin- ton, Aurora county, since 1003, securing a repre- sentative support from the initiation of his labors

973

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

here, by reason of his professional ability and genial and gracious personality.

The Doctor is a native of Jersey City, New Jersey, where he was born on the 15th of Feb- rmary, 1874, while he was thus reared under met- ropolitan surroundings and influences. After completing the curriculum of the public schools he was matriculated in Williams College, at Wil- liamstown, Massachusetts, where he completed the scientific course and was graduated as a member of the class of 1894. He then entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1808, receiving his coveted degree of Doctor of Medicine. Immediately after his graduation he received the appointment of contract surgeon in the United States army, serving in that capac- ity for more than two years, when he resigned and made a tour of Europe, visiting England, France, Germany and other countries and availing himself of the advantages offered for study and investigation in the leading hospitals and col- leges. After returning to the United States he made a trip to South America, where he remained about two years, at the expiration of which he came to South Dakota and established himself in practice in Plankinton, where he has since been actively engaged in practice. He is an independ- ent in politics, and has not yet assumed connu- bial bonds. He is a member of the South Dakota Medical Association and the Phi Beta Pi college fraternity.

RICHARD DUNLOP, one of the pioneer mining men of the Black Hills, and now in charge of the Mineral Point stamp mill, of the Homestake Mining Company, at Central City, is a native of the city of Belfast, Ireland, where he was born on the 15th of February, 1855, being a son of James and Mary (Clark) Dunlop, who were likewise born and reared in that city, where their marriage was solemnized. In 1857 they came to America and after passing a short period of time in the state of New York came west to Iowa, locating in Scott county, where Mr. Dunlop continued to be engaged in agri-

cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1877, while his devoted wife passed away in 1892. They were folk of sterling character and commanded unqualified regard in the com- imunity which was so long their home. Their religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Dunlop was a Re- publican. Of the six children in the family all are yet living, the subject of this review having been the fifth in order of birth.

Richard Dunlop was reared on the homestead farm in Iowa and received his educational dis- cipline in the public schools of his locality. In 1872 he went to Colorado, where he remained for a few years, devoting his attention princi- pally to mining. In 1877 he came to the Black Hills, being numbered among the venturesome spirits who braved the dangers incidental to making the trip to this section, then isolated from civilization by many leagues of plains, infested by the warlike and implacable Indians whose originally was the domain. From Cheyenne, Wyoming, he came through hy team to the Hills, in company with a party of other men, and they had little trouble with the Indians while enroute, reaching their destination in Deadwood, in March. There Mr. Dunlop engaged in placer mining for the Whitewood Flume Company, about five miles below Deadwood, a portion of the time working for himself, and he was suc- cessful in his efforts in both directions. In 1870 he entered the employ of the Homestake Mining Company, working as amalgamator and in other positions of responsibility, and in 1887 he was given charge of the Father DeSmet mill, owned by the company and named in honor of one of the heroic missionary priests of the Catholic church in the pioneer days in the north- west. He has since been the superintendent of this mill, which is now known as the Mineral Point, which is equipped with one hundred stamps and which is running to its full capacity since the completion of the auxiliary cyanide plant, in 1902. Since coming to the Hills Mr. Dunlop has given more or less attention to prospecting and has become interested in a num- ber of promising properties. In 1892 he made

974

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

a trip through Central America for the purpose, primarily, of looking over the mining properties in that section, and he has in his possession some fine specimens of gold-bearing quartz which he secured there. In politics he gives his al- legiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he has attained the capitular degrees in the Ma- sonic order and is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America.

On the 18th of October, 1882, Mr. Dunlop married Miss Jennie Baker, who was born and reared in Michigan and who died in April, 1884, leaving one son, Richard F., who is now attending St. John's Military Academy at Dela- field, Wisconsin. On the 26th of March, 1890, Mr. Dunlop was united in marriage to Miss Laura Davidson, who was born in Johnson county, Indiana, and who was a resident of Lead City at the time of her marriage. No chil- dren have been born of this union.

FRANK ABT was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on the 28th of August, 1838, and is a son of Francis and Mary (Schneider) Abt, both of whom were likewise native of Ba- varia, where the father followed the vocation of stone-mason until his death, the subject being a child at the time. In the family were two chil- dren, of whom he is the elder, his sister Katharine being deccased. Mr. Abt attended the excellent national schools of his fatherland until he had attained the age of fourteen years, and then en- tered upon an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, becoming a skilled workman, while he also served the required term in the Bavarian militia. Each county furnishes its quota to the German army, and the selection is made by drawing lots from the various local military organizations. Mr. Abt drew the second highest number and thus was not called into active service. He was offered twelve hundred dollars for his chance, but re - fused the same, as he desired to come to Amer- ica. Had he thus disposed of his exemption priv- ilege he would have been required to serve six years in the army. In 1861 he bade adieu to home and fatherland and set forth to seck his

fortunes in America, landing in New York and thence coming westward to Davenport, Iowa, where he was engaged in the work of his trade for the ensuing four weeks, at the expiration of which, on the 23d of June, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call, he gave significant evidence of his loyalty to the country of his re- cent adoption, by enlisting in Company E, Sec- ond Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Elliott. With his command he pro- ceeded to St. Louis and there they remained in Benton Barracks about four weeks, when they started for the front, having an engagement with the enemy near Paducah, at the mouth of the Ohio river. Thence they came up the river to Pittsburg Landing, where they remained some time, participating in the engagement at that place, after which they went on to Corinth, Mis- sissippi, where, under General Rosecrans, they assisted in defending the city against the attacks by the forces under General Price. Their next engagement was at New Madrid, and at Tipton the command succeeded in surrounding the en- emy during the night and captured thirteen hun- dred prisoners. Thence they proceeded to Nash- ville, Tennessee, where our subject was incapac- itated by illness, resulting primarily from a wound received at Corinth, and he was sent to the marine hospital at Evansville, Indiana, where he received his honorable discharge in August. 1862. He then returned to Davenport, Iowa. where he remained until February of the follow- ing year, when he started for the newly discov- ered gold fields of Colorado, where he remained a brief interval and then started for Idaho, in company with a party of about one hundred men. They had a skirmish with the Indians while en route but lost none of their number, though a party three days ahead of them lost three men. He engaged in prospecting for gold in Idaho for several months and then came eastward into Montana, stopping in Bannock, the original capital of the territory, and thence proceeding to the chief mining camp, Virginia City, in Alder Gulch. The country was at the time infested with border outlaws and other des- perate characters who were a constant menace

975

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

to life and property, and it became necessary for the better class of citizens to take drastic measures for protection, resulting in the organ- ization of the vigilantes, of which Mr. Abt became a member. It is unnecessary to enter into de- tails in regard to the action justly taken by these bands of law-abiding citizens, who had recourse to severe means of dealing with the offenders, for all is a part of the written history of the lo- cality and period, but it may be said that through their efforts many desperate characters were brought to expiate for their many crimes, Mr. Abt having personally witnessed the hanging of thirty-three men of this type. Each of the ac- cused was granted counsel and a fair trial, and the vigilantes represented the very best element in the community, as may be understood when we state that in Virginia City their attorney was Colonel Wilbur F. Sanders, who later became United States senator and who still resides in Helena, Montana, a venerable pioneer and dis- tinguished citizen.

Mr. Abt bought a placer claim in Alder Gulch, and worked the same at intervals during the ensuing year, and then removed to Silver Bow, where he remained about a year, being fairly successful in his mining venture there. He then returned to Virginia City and purchased a claim on German Flat, working the same until May 12, 1866, when the diggings were washed out by a severe flood, resulting from a cloud- burst. On the 16th of the same month he started for Helena, where he engaged in the boot and shoe business, doing a prosperous business and there remaining until 1876, when he started for the Black Hills, coming down the Missouri river from Fort Benton to Bismarck, and thence pro- ceeding overland with a party of more than one hundred men, who made up a large wagon train. The first night out they camped at Little Heart, and at three o'clock in the morning were attacked by Indians, who stampeded their horses, secur- ing thirteen head. A party of fifty men started in pursuit and captured all the horses with the exception of two, returning at four o'clock in the afternoon of the succeeding day. That night they camped at Oak Hill, having a guard about

the camp, as did they each succeeding night, but they had no further difficulty with the Indians and finally reaching their destination. In July Mr. Abt located at Gold Run, where he became associated with John Roberts, Thomas Bell and Frederick Istelhurst in the purchase of a placer claim, below the present town of Lead, for a con- sideration of three thousand dollars. They worked the claim successfully during that season, and thereafter the subject continued to give his attention to placer mining, in various localities, for the ensuing three years. He then located some quartz claims, of which he finally disposed. after which he engaged in the hotel business in Lead, conducting what was known as the Abt hotel, which was a popular resort in the early days. In 1882 he retired from the hotel business and resumed quartz mining, to which he devoted his attention until 1886, when he was appointed postmaster at Lead, serving four years, since which time he has lived practically retired, though he is still interested in a number of valu- able quartz-mining properties.

Mr. Abt early became prominent in local- af- fairs of a public nature, and has been called upon to serve in various positions of trust. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and in 1800 he was elected a member of the village council, serving four years, while in 1900 he was chosen mayor of Lead, of which office he was incumbent two years, giving a progressive and business-like ad- ministration of the municipal government. Un- der his administration the city sewerage system was installed and the work of paving the streets initiated. Mr. Abt is a member of a number of fraternal organizations, having been the first grand vice-chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in the state ; being at the present time senior sag- amore of his camp of the Improved Order of Red Men, and also commander of E. M. Stanton Post, Po. 81, Grand Army of the Republic, while he is also affiliated with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the 4th of March, 1867, Mr. Abt was united in marriage to Miss Mary Distel, who was born in Germany and who came to Montana

976

HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

with her brother. She proved a true and devoted wife and helpmeet during the long period of thirty years, having been summoned into eternal rest on the 10th of March. 1899, only a few days before the thirtieth anniversary of their marriage. Of the children of this union we enter the following brief record: John is engaged in mining in Butte, Montana: Frank resides in Chicago ; William is a civil engineer, with head- quarters in Seattle : Annie, who became the wife of R. H. Purcell, died November 18. 1900. and Mary remains with her father in the pleasant home in Lead.

JOHN W. MARTIN, one of the representa- tive citizens of Watertown, was born at Scales Mound, Jo Daviess county, Illinois. on the oth of October, 1856, being a son of Henry and Ketu- rah (Thomas) Martin, both of whom were born and reared in England, whence they emigrated to the United States at the age of thirty and twenty-four years respectively. he becoming one of the prosperous and influential farmers of the state of Illinois. Henry Martin died at Scales Mound, Illinois, February 15. 1900, while Mrs. Martin died April 30, 1894.

After completing the curriculum of the pub- lic schools of his native country the subject of this review continued his studies in the German- English College at Galena, Illinois, and later en- tered the State Normal School at Plattville, Wis- consin, where he ably prepared himself for the pedagogic profession, to which he thereafter de- voted himself, as a teacher in the public schools of Illinois, until August. 1885. when he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, locating in Watertown and becoming identified with the real-estate and banking business. He was one of the organizers and directors of the Dakota Loan and Trust Company, of Watertown, and of the Watertown National Bank. In 1889 he was elected cashier of the Watertown National Bank, in which capacity he served four years, at the expiration of which he individually en- gaged in the real-estate business in Watertown, with which important line of enterprise he has

since been prominently identified, his transactions having reached a wide scope, while upon his books are at all times represented the most de- sirable investments, including farm lands in vari- ous sections of the state, and also improved and unimproved town and city property.

From the time of attaining his legal majority Mr. Martin has been an uncompromising advo- cate and supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and he has labored zeal- ously for the promotion of its cause in South Da- kota. He served for two years. 1891-92, as mayor of Watertown, giving a most able and busi- ness-like administration of the municipal gov- ernment, and in 1900 he was one of the presi- dential electors of this state on the Democratic ticket. In 1902 he was honored by his party with the nomination for governor of the state, but in the ensuing election met defeat. in common with the party ticket in general throughout the com- monwealth. Since 1900 he has been president of the South Dakota Business Men's Association, a strong organization and one which exercises most beneficent functions in furthering the best interests of the great state. Fraternally he is identified with Kampeska Lodge, No. 13. Free and Accepted Masons ; Watertown Chapter. No. 12. Roval Arch Masons: Watertown Command- ery, No. 7, Knights Templar; Tryschocoton Lodge, No. 17. Knights of Pythias; Watertown Lodge, No. 24. Ancient Order of United Work- men : Kampeska Camp, No. 2031, Modern Wood- men of America, and Lodge No. 838. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

ISAAC STAINBROOK. - Conspicuous among the leading farmers and prominent citi- zens of Hutchinson county. South Dakota, is Isaac Stainbrook, than whom few men in this part of the state are as well known or as highly esteemed. His father was John Stainbrook, a native of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Susan Keiser, was born in Westmoreland county, the same state. John Stainbrook was a farmer and millwright, in addition to which vocations he

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 5

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