History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 54

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 54

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In January, 1884. Mr. May was married at Lead to Miss Gertrude Roderick, a native of New York. They have two sons, Ernest R., Jr., and William F. Mr. May is a thirty-second-degree Mason and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

JOHN K. SEARLE, deceased, late of Lead, was born in Devonshire, England, on June I, 1851, and was reared and educated in his native land. In 1870, when he was nineteen years old, he came to the United States and located at Dixon, Illinois, where he remained five years. Being without a trade or any special business, he wrought at various occupations, saving his

money and making his way slowly but surely to independence and comfort. In 1875 he went to Harlan. Jowa, and spent a portion of the year. The gold excitement over the Black Hills then breaking out, he came to that region, arriving at Deadwood on January 7. 1877, having been de- layed some time at the Red Cloud Indian agency because of the hostility of the savages. After reaching the Hills he went to work at placer min- ing, carrying on his operations all over the Hills, and also working at a number of mines and mills, being one of the first men employed by the Homestake Company, when it started business. In 1883 he severed his active connection with the mining industry and opened a meat market and butcher shop at Lead, an enterprise which he conducted till his death, November 27, 1903. while recuperating at his old home in England. Beginning with a small outfit and on a very limited scale, he steadily enlarged his business until he had the most extensive and important of its kind in this part of the state, conducting both wholesale and retail trade of considerable magni- tude over a wide extent of country. He was also interested in mining to some extent, and had a voice of force and influence in all the com- mercial and political operations of the community, being accounted one of the leading business men and public spirits of his locality. He was a Re- publican in politics, close and loyal in allegiance to his party, and ever earnest and effective in its service. He served as a member of the city coun- cil of Lead and during the last eleven years of his life had been school director. In fraternal relations he was connected with the Odd Fellows and the Elks, in both being highly esteemed for the activity and usefulness of his membership. He was also a member of the Order of the Sons of St. George.

In September, 1880, at Lead, Mr. Searle was married to Miss Julia Lee, a native of Norway. They have one son, Charles, who was born and reared at Lead and received his education in the schools of the town, being graduated from the high school in 1900. He was associated with his father in business, and is widely known as one of the rising, progressive and capable young busi-

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ness men of the town, and since the death of his father has taken entire charge and management of the business. It is high praise, but a just meed to merit, to say that he is a worthy fol- lower of his father's excellent example, and has exhibited qualities of manhood which will en- able him to take up the work of that estimable man and carry it forward to its destined success and power. He also belongs to the Elks lodge at Lead and takes an active part in its fraternal and social life.

TIFFANY BROTHERS .- Among the lead- ing commercial enterprises in Aberdeen may be mentioned the Aberdeen Steam Laundry, which is conducted and owned by the subjects of this brief sketch, the firm controlling a business which extends into the most diverse sections of South and North Dakota and also into Minnesota, local agencies being maintained in the various towns. The equipment and accessories of the establish- ment are the best modern type and work is turned out with expedition and in such style as to retain the patronage of those who have once availed themselves of its conveniences. The laundry was established in January, 1900, and in the same em- ployment is given to a corps of from twenty-five to thirty persons, while the work is all under the direct supervision of a thoroughly skilled and ex- perienced foreman, the equipment of the laundry representing a financial investment of about twenty-five thousand dollars. The interested principals are William J. and Oliver M. Tiffany, both of whom are actively identified with the con- ducting of the rapid growing business. Prior to coming to Aberdeen they had been engaged in the same line of enterprise in Northfield, Min- nesota, for a period of five years, so that they fully understood how to secure the best results and give the most satisfactory service to their patrons.

W. J. and O. M. Tiffany were born near Northfield, Minnesota, the former on July 4, 1872, and the latter on June 18, 1877, the sons of Mathew Tiffany, who was born in Oneida county, New York, and married Elizabeth Steadman, of

New York state. The parents removed to Min- nesota during the early 'seventies.

W. J. attended the district schools and put in four years at the Northfield high school. He received his business training as a clerk in a dry- goods store at Northfield, where he spent two and a half years. He then engaged in the laundry business in Northfield.

O. M. attended the district schools, graduated from the Northfield high school, and also gradu- ated from Carlton College (Northfield) in 1898. He then taught school one year, after which he joined his brother in the laundry business. They came to Aberdeen together.

W. J. married Minnie Miller, a native of New York state, who is the daughter of Jay Miller, of Glenn, New York. Six children have been born-of this union : Ernest W., Jay M., Stan- ley M., Dewey E., Lillian V. and Irene V.

O. M. married Maude McGandy, of Marshall. Minnesota, daughter of James McGandy, and they have one child, Earl.

FLOYD C. DARLING, deceased, was a native of the great Buckeye state, having been born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, on the 18th of February, 1853, and being a son of Russell and Mary (Laraway) Darling. He re- ceived liis educational training in the public schools of Ohio, and as a youth became identified with the great railroading industry. At the age of twenty-two years he engaged as locomotive fireman on the line of the Erie Railroad, between Cleveland and Youngstown, Ohio. He was faitlı- ful and capable and in due time advancement came, and in 1879 he was placed in charge of an engine. In 1883 he came to Aberdeen, and was given an engine on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, which he continued to run until his death. He was punctilious and careful in the discharge of his responsible duties and to this fact was due the excellent record he made, no serious accidents having marred his experience as an engineer.

In politics Mr. Darling was a member of the Republican party, and he held the Knights

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Templar degree in the York Rite of the Masonic fraternity, and also the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, being a pop- ular member of the various bodies of the or- der in Aberdeen, including the temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a knight commander of the Court of Honor and was also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

In Titusville, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of June, 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Darling to Miss Margaret McCauley, who was born in Pennsylvania. Of this union were born six children, concerning whom we enter the fol- lowing brief record : Viola is the wife of Arthur W. Oliver, of Victor, Colorado; Etta is the wife of Orville Gard, of Aberdeen; Nellie is the wife of Jolin Clawson, of Aurora, Illinois ; Margaret is employed in one of the leading mercantile es- tablisliments in Aberdeen, and Ruby is a mem- ber of the class of 1906 in the high school. Flora, the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Darling, died in Cleveland, Ohio. The eldest daughter was for- merly the wife of the late Eugene A. Lamb, who was proprietor of the Aberdeen marble works and brick yard, and three children were born of this union, Gertrude, Francis and Marie. Mrs. Darl- ing is a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Darling died April 3, 1904.

FRED I. DOTEN was born on July 29, 1855, at Spencer, Massachusetts, and is the son of Isaac W. and Fidelia (Wright) Doten, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Massachusetts. The forefathers of both came to this country in colonial times, and were prominent in the early history of New England, Mr. Doten's great- grandfather serving as an officer in the American army through the Revolution. The father was a physician, practicing most of his time as such in Massachusetts, and dying at Spencer when a comparatively young man. The sheriff grew to manhood in his native state, remaining there un- til he was twenty-one years old and getting his education in the district schools of Middlefield. Early in 1877 he left his native heath for the

wild and undeveloped Black Hills region, travel- ing by way of Yankton and arriving at Rapid City on May I. He passed the first summer pros- pecting on Rapid creek and in the autumn moved to Deadwood where he has had his home almost continuously since that time. He engaged in various pursuits necessary and profitable in the early days, such as driving stage, farming and running a hack line. In 1894 he went to Terry and put on a line of hacks to run between that place and Lead which he owned and managed until the beginning of 1901, when he gave it up to take charge of the office of sheriff of the county, to which he was elected in the fall of 1900 by a large majority of the people without seeking or desiring the nomination himself, being the can- didate of the Republican party, to which he has always belonged. In his management of this office he has been very successful and has won high commendation from all classes of his fellow citizens. He is brave, keen and honest, true to every public interest and ever considerate as well of private rights and the feelings of all, proving with force and impressiveness that the public judgment which singled him out for the place was good and wisely heeded. He mingles freely in the fraternal life of the community, belonging to the Knights of Pythias and the United Work- men at Terry, and the Eagles, Red Men and Elks at Deadwood.

On June 8. 1896, Mr. Doten was married at Terry to Miss Mary Zink, a native of Kansas and daughter of William L. Zink, one of the promi- nent citizens of the Hills who settled in this re- gion when she was only one year old.

HENRY NOBLE was born January 26, 1852, at Garnadilla, Iowa, and there grew to maturity on a farm. During his boyhood and youth he attended the public schools of his neigh- borhood, and until his twenty-fifth year remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in running the home place and contributing his full share to the support of the family. In 1877 Mr. Noble severed home ties and engaged with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad as fire-

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man, the duties of which position he discharged until 1879, when he was promoted engineer, with headquarters in the town of McGregor. In 1883 he was transferred to Mitchell, South Dakota, and after remaining ten years at that place, removed to Aberdeen, where he has since resided, being on the run between these two points. Mr. Noble's run is one of the most important on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system in the west and his responsibilities are therefore very great. During his long period of service he has rarely been absent from duty, and his efficiency and faithful service have been such as to gain the unbounded confidence of his superiors. Fra- ternally Mr. Noble is a Knight Templar and a thirty-second-degree Scottish-rite Mason, being one of the leading members of the order in the city of his residence and honored at different times with important official station. He is also an influential factor in the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, and as a citizen enjoys in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of the community. Blessed with a strong physique and endowed with an ardent nature, he is exceedingly fond of field sports and out-of-door amusements, and during his vacations finds his greatest enjoy- ment with the rod and gun.

In 1872, while residing in his native state of Iowa, Mr. Noble was united in marriage with Miss Phila Pickett, a union which has been blessed with two children, Lila, a teacher in the public schools, and a son by the name of Field.

EMORY C. LASHLEY is a native of Cum- berland, Maryland, where he was born on Oc- tober 12, 1855, and the son of David H. and Sarah (Ash) Lashley, natives of Virginia. In 1856 the family moved to Washington, Iowa, where they remained until 1868, then settled at Lincoln, Nebraska. Here they were veritable pioneers, there being but three houses in the town when they located there. The father en- gaged in the lumber business and made that town his home until 1879, when he moved to Furnas county in the same state, and built a grist mill which he conducted until his death. The son

had but limited opportunities for securing an education, as the school facilities at Lincoln in his day were meager and primitive, and he was taken there at the age of thirteen. He at once went to work with his father in lumbering, and a few months later began clerking in a clothing and furnishing store, in which he was employed until he reached the age of seventeen. For two years from 1873 he worked on the range in western Kansas, then, after a short visit to his home. went to Colorado and during the next two years prospected and mined in different parts of that state. In 1877 he came to the Black Hills, ar- riving at Deadwood on April 3d and going to work immediately for H. B. Young on his mining property, which was afterward sold to the Home- stake Company, remaining with Mr. Young until July. He then found employment with Moses and Fred Manuel, who at that time owned the principal claims that later formed the Homestake group. When they sold their properties to the Homestake Company he went into the employ of that organization, beginning work for it the same morning when it acquired this property. He was shift boss of miners and laborers for this company until 1894. except during one year when he was prospecting in Montana, and while working for the company acquired mining claims of his own which are of great value. In 1894 he resigned from the service of this company and in partnership with J. B. Tortat leased the Golden Crown mine, near Lead, for six months. Four months were consumed in boring a tunnel in search of good veins of ore which had disappeared and then they were again discovered and found to be rich and profitable. Two months later the owner sold the property and Mr. Lashley leased other mines and prospected in various places throughout the Hills, working also at different times for the Homestake Company. In 1901 he took a position with this company, intending to remain in its employ, but in the fall of the next year he was elected register of deeds on the Re- publican ticket, and on January I, 1903, resigned his position with the company and took charge of his office. He has not, however, abandoned his interest in mining and still owns a number of very

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promising claims. On February 16, 1882, he was married to Miss Katie Kostamo, a native of Finland, the marriage taking place at Lead. They have two children, Florence B. and Charles H. Mr. Lashley's fraternal affiliations are with Lodge No. 747, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, at Lead, the United Workmen and the Min- ers' Union of Lead.

SAMUEL SCHWARZWALD was born on February 16, 1848, in Prussia and is the son of Jacob and Fuerda (Kohn) Schwarzwald, natives of that country where their families lived for many generations. In 1857 the family emigrated to the United States and located in New York city, where the father became a successful dealer in horses. Here the son grew to the age of six- teen and was educated in the public schools. In 1864 he went to Augusta, Georgia, where he passed seventeen months working in a dry-goods store. He then returned to New York, and in June, 1867. again left the city for a distant point, going to St. Joseph, Missouri, by rail and from there up the Missouri to Fort Benton, Montana, whence he made his way overland to Helena. In that city he wrought at various occupations until 1869, then went to Cedar Creek, and until 1873 carried the mails between that place and Forest City. At the end of that period he re- turned to Helena, and during the next three years was a salesman in the clothing store of Gans & Klein, one of the leading mercantile establish- ments of Montana's capital. In the summer of 1876 he came to the Black Hills, making the trip by boat from Fort Benton to Bismarck and from there overland to Deadwood, arriving at that place on August 12. Here he began deal- ing in grain and produce and soon built up an extensive trade, handling all the grain and similar commodities brought into the Hills by trains. In the fall of 1877 he opened a new and second-hand furniture establishment, having bought the lot on which he is now doing business in 1876 and built a frame house on it for a store. Since 1879 he has devoted his time entirely to furniture, and in 1894 erected the storehouse he now uses for

the purpose, adding the adjoining building three years later. In addition to his mercantile enter- prise he has always been interested in mining, dealing principally in stocks connected with the industry, making a success of that as he has of his other ventures, and occupying a leading position among the business men of the community. He is an active Republican in politics and has during the whole of his manhood been zealous in the service of his party ; and he has been equally energetic in the matter of public improvements and the prog- ress and development of every good undertaking for the advancement of his section and the com- fort and convenience of its people.

On January 19. 1903, at Chadron, Nebraska, the subject was married to Mrs. Gussie (Lowen- theal ) Nathan, a native of Brooklyn, New York. He finds pleasure and relief from the cares of business in two of the fraternal orders, being an esteemed member of the Elks and the Eagles.

CHARLES P. PINSONNAULT is a native of the province of Quebec, Canada, where he was born on May 22, 1862, the son of Charles and Louise (Quintal) Pinsonnault, also natives of that country. He received his education in his native land, remaining there until he reached the age of eighteen years. Then, in 1880, looking upon the mining regions of the United States as affording more extensive and better opportunities for thrift and enterprise than any portion of the Dominion at that time, he came to the Black Hills, making the trip by trail to Bismarck and from there by stage to Deadwood, arriving at the latter place on June 15th. He clerked at Cen- tral City until December 10th, when he came to Lead and entered the employ of the Homestake Mining Company, working in the mills for a period of three years, and during that time ac- quiring a good knowledge of amalgamating. He was employed in this branch of the industry for six years in a subordinate capacity, and in 1893 was made chief amalgamator of what was then the Highland and is now the Amicus mill. In the interest of his line of the mining business he visited the Columbian Exposition at Chicago for

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observation and study and brought back much new light and many valuable hints. He still holds his position and is well established in the confidence and regard of his employers and his fellow men and having devoted all his mature life so far to the study of his business, he has ac- quired a knowledge of it, both technical and prac- tical, that is scarcely surpassed anywhere. He has also made good use of his earnings, becoming possessed of valuable mining claims adjoining the Golden Reward properties, which are full of promise, and a number of desirable pieces of real estate at Lead, among them a handsome residence in which he lives. He is a member of the Com- mercial Club of the town and is active in pushing forward the development and progress of his community. In fraternal relations he is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and has rendered excellent service to the order, representing his portion of the state in the gen- eral convention at Kansas city in 1899, and at Indianapolis in 1903. He is also a member of Lead Hose Company No. I.

On December 22, 1887, at Piedmont, in this state, Mr. Pinsonnault was married to Miss Cor- inne Mochon, a native of Montreal. They have three children, Hector A., Eugene P. and Lucile.

ABRAM L. READ is a native of Fairfield, Iowa, where he was born on July 18, 1860, and is the son of William M. and Matilda ( Bottom) Read, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of England. His father was a miller and followed his craft at Fairfield, where the son grew to manhood and received his education. At the age of thirteen he began to assist his father in the mill during the vacations between the school terms, and when he reached the age of twenty turned his attention to farming, remaining there aiding in the work on the farm three years. In the spring of 1883 he came west to Colorado where he worked in the mining mills for one year, then passed a year in traveling over various western states. In 1885 he made a journey with teams to the Black Hills, stopping at a number of places on the way and arriving at Lead in

May, 1886. He soon after entered the employ of the Homestake Mining Company, in its mill at Terryville, where he learned the work of amalga- mating and remained until the mill closed in 1893, being at the time chief amalgamator. He pur- sued a year's course in the School of Mines at Rapid City, and in 1894 came to Lead and se- cured a position as chief amalgamator in the Golden Star. a two-hundred-stamp mill and one of the two largest mills of the kind in this part of the country. He saved his money and invested it in mining property and claims, of which he now owns a considerable and valuable body. He also bought real estate at Lead, where, in addition to his beautiful residence, he has other valuable property. On May 3, 1900, he was married at Lead, to Miss Emma Robbins, a native of New York. Mrs. Read was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Lead for a number of years. They have one son, Robert R. Mr. Read is an earnest and devoted member of the Masonic lodge at Lead, and he and his wife are promi- nent and active in the social life of the town where they have a host of friends who find their home a center of refined and considerate hospi- tality and social enjoyment. As chief amalga- mator for the Golden Star Mining Company, Mr. Read has a position of importance and responsi- bility, and it is but just to say of him that he meets its exacting requirements in a masterful manner and in a way that has secured for him the utmost confidence and regard of his em- ployers.

GEORGE W. CURTIS is a native of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, born on July 9, 1856, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gibbard) Curtis, who were born and reared in England. The father was a farmer in Wisconsin, and the son grew to the age of twenty years on the pa- ternal homestead, receiving his education in the district schools of Oakfield in his native state, and acquiring habits of useful industry and thrift on the farm. In 1876 he went to Minnesota, and after passing a few months in that state, in the spring of 1877 outfitted at Long Prairie with ox-

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teams and came with a party across the country to the Black Hills, where he prospected for a year. In 1878 he located at Lead and entered the employ of the Homestake Mining Company in the first mill owned and operated by it, the old No. 2 mill, which the company renamed the High- land mill. This was his first experience in amalgamating and he was new to the business. But by continued and studious application he soon mastered it, and in this line of activity he has been since steadily employed. At the end of nine months he was made night foreman of the mill, and he served in this capacity until 1879, when he returned to Wisconsin on a visit to his parents. In the following spring he came back to Lead and went into the company's new High- land mill as amalgamator, and six years later was made head amalgamator of this mill. He served in that position until February, 1896, and was then transferred to the Homestake mill as head amalgamator. This is a two-hundred-stamp mill and one of the largest this company has. From that time until now he has filled the position ac- ceptably and has risen to a high place in the con- fidence and esteem of both the company and the community in which it operates, being now one of the oldest and most trusted employes of the. establishment. He mingles freely in the social life of the town and surrounding country, and is an active participant in all phases of their productive enterprises. A valued member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Lead, he has been of great service to the organization through his intelli- gence and energy and his breadth of view in lodge affairs. On January 6, 1886, he was mar- ried at Lead to Mrs. Florence G. (Ashton) Nel- son, a native of Ohio. They have four children, Leo A., Hazel, Gertrude and George W., the latter having died at the age of two years and four months.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 54

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