History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 74

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

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land, on the 8th of November, 1854, and being a son of Robert and Katherine Donald, both of whom were likewise born in Ireland, where they passed their entire lives, the father having been a coachman to a gentleman.

The subject was reared to maturity in his na- tive town and received his early educational dis- cipline in the excellent national schools, while in 1870, at the age of sixteen years, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Newry, becoming a skilled artisan in connection with the "art preservative of all arts." He continued to reside in Ireland until 1871, when he came to Canada in August, and resided at St. Mary's, Perth county, Canada, until 1882, when he came to Andover, South Dakota, remaining there until June, 1886. In the latter year he located at Langford, where he continued until 1902, and then came to Britton and purchased the Sentinel, which he has since conducted. In politics he has ever accorded stanch allegiance to the Democratic party: fraternally is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Royal Neighbors of America. He and his wife are both zealous and valued members of the Presbyterian church.

On the 20th of November, 1895, Mr. Donald was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Anders Byer, who was born at Bound Brook, New Jer- sey, on the 4th of January, 1864, being a daughter of Charles and Rosa Byer. Mr. and Mrs. Don- ald have no children.

DAVID L. PRINTUP, of Britton, Marshall county, is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Fultonville, Montgomery county. New York, on the 29th of December, 1857, and being a son of Lieutenant Colonel William H. Printup, United States army, who was likewise born in the state of New York, being a scion of the sturdy Holland Dutch stock who early settled in the Mohawk valley. The subject secured his early educational dis- cipline in the district school of his native town, 28-

later attended the Fort Edward Collegiate In- stitute, at Fort Edward, and the high school at Schoharie, New York, and in June, 1877, he entered the United States Naval Academy, at Annapolis, Maryland, where he was graduated in June, 1881, while his post-graduate degree was received in June, 1883. He was honorably discharged from the United States navy in the month and year last mentioned. as midshipman, having served in this capacity on naval vessels from July, 1881, up to that time, in European, Asiatic and North and South American waters. In August, 1883, Mr. Printup came to what is now the state of South Dakota, and in February, 1885. he took up his permanent abode in Britton. where he was engaged in the business of driving deep wells until 1887. when he was appointed deputy register of deeds, in which capacity he served until 1890, inclusive, in which year he was elected register, serving from 1801 to 1894, in- clusive, and giving an admirable administration of the affairs of the office. In 1895 he was elected cashier of the state bank of J. Voak & Company, of Britton, and in 1896-7 was the local representative of the Perkins Brothers' Com- pany, of Sioux City, a printing and publishing firm. In January. 1898, he engaged in his present business enterprise with E. A. Cooper. in which he has been very successful, having handled a large amount of city and farming property, grazing lands, etc .. while he has made a specialty of the extension of financial loans on approved real-estate security, and is the repre- sentative of a number of the leading fire and life insurance companies and gives careful attention to collections. He is an out-and-out Republican, unswerving in his allegiance and never diverted by heretical movements in the party ranks, while he is one of the local leaders in party affairs, being chairman of the Republican central com- mittee of Marshall county at the time of this writing, and having shown much skill in the manoeuvering of his forces. He is identified with the Odd Fellows lodge and Daughters of Rebekah degree, and also with the Knights of the Maccabees, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the United Commercial Travelers.

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He attends the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Printup is a member.

On the 26th of April, 1890, Mr. Printup was united in marriage to Miss Manon H. Gamsby, | in the county. In politics he has ever accorded who was born in Dodge Center, Minnesota, on the 17th of October, 1867, being a daughter of Ralph and Rosalthea Gamsby. Mr. and Mrs. Printup have one child, a winsome little daughter, Dorothy. Mrs. Printup was appointed by Gov- ernor Herreid as a member of the ladies' auxil- iary board of conventions and charities, to fill a vacancy, and was then appointed for a full term.

EDWARD C. TOY, one of the representative business men of Andover, Day county, was born on a farm near Columbus, the beautiful capital city of the state of Ohio, on the 18th of Decem- ber, 1857, and is the youngest of the seven liv- ing children born to Harrison and Rebecca ( Bro- leck ) Toy, the former being of English and the latter of German descent. Harrison Toy enlisted a- a soldier in an Ohio regiment of volunteers -non after the outbreak of the war of the Rebel- lion and was in active service for three years, receiving his honorable discharge and returning to his home, where he died a few days later, as the result of injuries and hardships endured while in the army. The subject was a lad of about seven years at the time of his father's death, and passed his boyhood days principally on the home farm, while his educational training was secured in the public schools of Mount Vernon, Ohio, where he completed a partial course in the high school. He early became inured to the sturdy work of the farm, and after leaving school was successfully engaged in teaching for several terms, also clerking in a store, and being thus engaged until he had attained the age of twenty- one years. In 1880 he went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was associated with his brothers Frank, John and Seymour in the general store business until the latter part of the year 1884. In the spring of 1885 he came to Andover, Dakota territory, and here has ever since main- tained his home. He became identified with farming interests and also established himself in

the general merchandise business, to which latter he is now giving his entire time and attention. though he is still the owner of an excellent farm

an unqualified allegiance to the Republican party, and was continuously incumbent of some one or other of the village and county offices until his election to the state senate, in 1899, since retiring from which dignified and responsible position he has not permitted his name to be used in con- nection with nomination for any office. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church in their home town and enjoy the utmost popularity in the social affairs of the community.

On the 13th of June, 1886. Mr. Toy was united in marriage to Mrs. Olive J. Curtice, of Andover, who was born in Stewartville. Min- nesota, being a daughter of William Smith, a representative citizen of that place. Mr. and1 Mrs. Toy have two children, Victor and Horace, aged respectively fifteen and nine years at the time of this writing, in May. 1904.

PHILIP A. GROSS, of Webster, Day county, is a native of Sweden, where he was born on the 23d of May, 1865, being a son of Benjamin and Johanna Gross, of whose four children he was the second in order of birth. The subject was reared in his fatherland and there received his educa- tional training in the well-equipped national schools. At the age of sixteen years he emi- grated to America and located in Hutchinson, Minnesota, where he was employed until the spring of 1884, when he went to Illinois, where he passed the summer. He then returned to Minnesota and there remained until the autumn of 1885, when he came to Day county, South Da- kota. In the following year he purchased relin- quishment claims and turned his attention to farming, developing and improving his property and continuing to be successfully identified with agricultural pursuits until the autumn of 1892, when he rented his ranch and took up his resi- dence in the town of Webster. Here he found employment in connection with the management

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of the lumbering business conducted by H. O. Frank, with whom he remained in this capacity for two years, after which he was for six years employed by Mr. Frank in the buying and ship- ping of grain. He then entered into the employ of the Miller Elevator Company, and they have since conducted a most prosperous business, the concern having a well-equipped elevator and con- trolling a large and important business. Mr. Gross is a man of indefatigable industry and it may be noted in this connection that during his eleven years' residence in Webster he has never lost a day's pay, having always been found at his assigned post. He is the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, one mile distant from Webster, and is also the owner of village property, having four dwellings in Web- ster and renting three of the same, as does he also his farm.

In his political proclivities Mr. Gross is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and takes a deep interest in public affairs of a local nature. He is a member of the city council of Webster, and in 1904 was made the nominee of his party for the office of sheriff of the county. Fraternally he is identified with the lodge and en- campment of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and also with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On the 7th of June, 1890, Mr. Gross was united in marriage to Miss Emma Olsen, who was born in Sweden, and they have five children, Vina, Cora, Mabel. Herman and Dewev.

JOHN J. McCAUGHEY, one of the leading business men of Aberdeen, being president and general manager of the Aberdeen Hardware Com- pany, is a native of the state of New Jersey, hav- ing been born in the historic old town of New Brunswick, Middlesex county, on the IIth of June, 1857, and being a son of Robert and Agnes (Cummings) McCaughey, the former of whom was born in County Antrim, Ireland, about twelve miles distant from the city of Belfast, on the 12th of March, 1833, while his wife was born in the same locality, on the 12th of January, of that

year. The paternal grandfather of the subject was a weaver and a designer of shawl patterns, and removed from Paisley, Scotland, in which city he became one of the leading designers of the famous Paisley shawls, to Ireland in the fall of 1832, just prior to Robert McCaughey's birth. The latter and a younger brother were born in Ireland and two older brothers and two sisters in Scotland. From Ireland he immigrated with his family to America and located in the city of Philadelphia, where he was associated with two of his sons, John and William, in the manufac- turing of shawls. About 1858 or '9 the grand- parents moved to Wisconsin, near Madison, there continuing to reside until the close of their long and useful lives. Robert McCaughey was a child at the time of the family immigration to the United States, and in his youth he learned the 'tanner's trade, continuing to follow the same in New Jersey until 1860, when he came west and joined the family near Madison, Wisconsin. He was there engaged in farming until the autumn of 1875, when he removed to Kasson, Dodge county, Minnesota, where he devoted his attention to farming for the ensuing five years, at the expira- tion of which he came to the present state of South Dakota, being among the first to file claim to government land in township 120, range 62. Spink county, making entry on the 28th of May. 1880, while he did the first plowing in said township. June II, 1880, he and his son John J. first filed on land in range 63, but this filing was rejected, as the land had not as yet been thrown open, and thus each of them secured claims in range 62. In the spring of 1881 the remainder of the family came to the county from the old home in Minnesota, and the land secured here in the early pioneer epoch is still retained by the family, the same being located in LaPrairie township and being well improved and under ef- fective cultivation.

John J. McCaughey received his educational training in the public schools of Wisconsin, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Min- nesota and eventually to South Dakota, as noted. He remained on the farm until the spring of 1884, when he accepted a position as traveling

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salesman for farming machinery, being thus engaged for one year, at the expiration of which he established himself the implement and farming machinery business at Northville, Spink county, where he continued op- erations two years. He then disposed of his in- terests in that line, and thereafter was engaged in the buying and shipping of grain until the autumn of 1896, when he became traveling representative of the Acme Harvester Company, of Pekin, Illi- nois, covering a very considerable territory in the northwest and being thus engaged until the spring of 1899, when he and W. G. Wells purchased the hardware business of E. O. Mead, of Aberdeen, which was thereafter continued under the firm name of Wells & McCaughey until the Ist of January, 1902, when the subject effected the pur- chase of his partner's interests and forthwith or- ganized the Aberdeen Hardware Company, which was duly incorporated under the laws of the state. He became president and general manager of the company and has since remained incum- bent of this important dual office, while he is directing the business of the concern with con- summate discrimination and ability. The com- pany utilize a store fifty by one hundred and forty - two feet in dimensions, with basement, and also have a large warehouse located on the line of the Chicago, Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad. They carry a full and comprehensive stock of heavy and shelf hardware, stoves, ranges, paints, oils, glass, etc., while in addition to controlling a large and representative retail business their jobbing trade is one which is far ramifying and constantly expanding. In politics Mr. Mc- Caughey is stanchly aligned with the Republi- can party, but has had no ambition for official preferment. He has attained to the thirty-sec- ond degree of Scottish-rite Masonry and is also affiliated with the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America.

On the 11th of June, 1884, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McCaughey to Miss Nettie L. Austin, who was born in Minnesota, being a daughter of Philip B. Austin, who was one of the

honored pioneers of LaPrairie township, Spink county, where he located in 1881, there continu- ing to reside until 1900, when he removed to the city of Aberdeen, where his death occurred Au- gust 26, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. McCaughey have one son, Lester, who is employed in the establish- ment of which his father is the head.

MICHAEL F. BOWLER, a representative business man of Groton, Brown county, was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, on the 15th of ()c- tober, 1871, and is a son of William and Bridget ( Maloney) Bowler, both of whom were born in Ireland. As a young man William Bowler emigrated from the Emerald Isle to America, remaining for a number of years in the eastern states and then removing to Wisconsin and settling near Sparta, where he engaged in farmn- ing, having been one of the pioneers of that sec- tion and having attained definite success. His devoted wife passed away in 1896, and he is now living practically retired in the city of Sparta. Of the nine children in the family eight are liv - ing at the present time, the subject of this re- view having been the sixth.

Michael F. Bowler was reared on the home farm and duly availed himself of the advantages of the public schools, after which he completed a course of study in the Northern Indiana Nor- mal School and Business College, at Valparaiso. Shortly after leaving school, in 1882, he came to South Dakota and joined his two brothers, Patrick and John A., at Groton, the elder of the two having been here established in the imple- ment business at the time. This brother, John A., was one of the pioneers of the state, and was one of the first to engage in business in Groton, where he continued to maintain his home until 1894, when he removed to Sioux Falls, where he has since resided, being president of the Western Surety Company, of that city. The subject assumed charge of the business in Groton after the removal of his brother and has since continued the same most successfully. handling all kinds of farming machinery and implements and having a trade extending over

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a wide radius of country. The enterprise is still conducted under the name of his brother, who was the pioneer implement dealer of the town, and who is still associated in the business. The subject also carries on operations most success- fully in the handling of real estate in Brown county, and also is agent for a number of the leading insurance companies. He is the owner of a stock farm of two hundred and sixty-five acres, twenty-two acres of the property being within the corporate limits of Groton, and he makes a specialty of raising the Chester White swine and registered Hereford cattle. Mr. Bowler is a stanch adherent of the Democratic party and is one of the leaders in its local ranks. In 1894 he was appointed postmaster of Groton by President Cleveland and was reappointed under President Mckinley in 1897, the appoint- ment having originally been made by Cleveland. but the commission not having been sent forward until after President Mckinley was installed in the presidential chair. His term expired in 1898.

On the 30th of August, 1898, Mr. Bowler was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Robinson, who was born in Minnesota, being a daughter of Franklin C. Robinson, now a representative citi- zen of Groton. Mr. and Mrs. Bowler have three children, namely: Maurice Clifford, Marvin Ed- win and Margaret Jane.

GUSTAVU'S C. THORP, deceased, who was one of the leading citizens of Britton, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, on the 24th of December, 1847, being a son of Alexander and Martha Thorp, who were likewise born and reared in that state, where the respective families were founded in an early day, the lineage on the paternal side being of stanch English origin. Mr. Thorp secured his early educational training in the public schools and supplemented this by a course of study in the academy at Hightstown, New Jersey. When about twenty-three years of age he secured a position as United States reventie officer in Virginia, and later he engaged in the manufacture and sale of illuminating oils in New York city, having been secretary of the New

York Refining Company from 1880 to 1885. In November, 1886, he came to what is now the state of South Dakota, and located in Britton, Marshall county, where he continued to make his home during the remainder of his life, save for an in- terval passed in North Dakota, as will be noted. Upon locating in Britton he established himself . in the real-estate business, having confidence that this section of the Union would experience a rapid development as its attractions and magnificent natural resources became more fully known. He succeeded in building up a most prosperous en- terprise in this line of business, showing marked discrimination and initiative power. He contin- ued to be identified with this business until the time of his death, which occurred on the 11th of May, 1901. From 1891 to 1894 Mr. Thorp was an incumbent of the responsible office of inspector of immigration for North Dakota, having head- quarters at Pembina, that state, and his work in that department was highly commended by the commissioner of immigration. Mr. Thorp at all times manifested a lively interest in the public affairs of his town, county and state, and his aid and influence were extended in support of all measures tending to conserve progress and ma- terial prosperity. He was a.stalwart and zealous adherent of the Republican party and was an influential factor in its councils in South Da- kota, representing his county repeatedly in both territorial and state conventions and having done much to promote the party cause. He will be re- membered as one of the loyal and progressive citizens who were influential in molding public opinion and directing civic affairs in the state dur- ing its infancy. His death was deeply deplored by public men throughout the commonwealth, while his loss was felt as a personal bereavement by the wide circle of loyal friends whom he had gath- ered about him. Mrs. Thorp became associated with her husband in the real-estate business and after his death continued the enterprise with marked success, largely extending its ramifica- tions during the years 1901-2, when there was marked activity in transaction in realty. She still controls a satisfactory and profitable enterprise and is recognized as a woman of exceptional ex-

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ecutive ability and mature judgment. She re- tains her home in Britton, where her circle of friends is coincident with that of her acquaint- ances.

On the 24th of September, 1876, Mr. Thorp was united in marriage to Miss Chestina S. Greene, who was born in Oxford, Maine, on the 13th of May, 1849, being a daughter of Jonas and Louisa Greene. Her father was a man of prominence in the old Pine Tree commonwealth, and served for several terms as a member of the state senate. Mr. and Mrs. Thorp became the parents of one son, Walton W., who was gradu- ated in the law department of the University of Minnesota, as a member of the class of 1904. He is at present adjutant, with rank of lieutenant, of the First Battalion, Third Regiment, South Da- kota National Guards.

WILLIAM T. CLARK, one of the repre- sentative business men and popular citizens of the thriving town of Bath, Brown county, was born in Randolph, Columbia county, Wisconsin, on the 6th of March, 1864. being a son of Samuel and Julia (Howse) Clark, and there he was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, while he received his educational training in the public schools, having been graduated in the high school at Cambria, Wisconsin, as a member of the class of 1882. At the age of eighteen . cars he began teaching in the district schools luring the winter terms, while he continued to assist in the work of the home farm during the suinmer seasons, following this plan until he had attained the age of twenty-three years,. at which time, in the autumn of 1887, he came to Bath, South Dakota, as a teacher in its public schools, while later on he devoted two winters to pedagogic work at other points in the county. In 1888 he opened a hardware store in Bath, and later became associated with William Fisk and added a grocery department, while in 1893 he became sole owner of the business, which is ex- tended to include all lines of general merchandise demanded in connection with his trade. In 1898 Matthew Kerr became a partner in the enterprise,

and so continued until his death, three years later, since which time the subject has again remained in sole control, having purchased the interest of his deceased partner. Mr. Clark carries a stock reaching an average valuation of about eight thousand dollars, while his annual business has attained an annual average of about fifteen thousand dollars. Mr. Clark is also manager of the Farmers' elevator at Bath, the same having been purchased in 1901 by a stock company composed of farmers in the vicinity, each owning a small block of stock. This com- pany ships from its elevator about sixty-five thousand bushels of wheat each year and its in- terests are ably handled by the subject, who is himself a stockholder, while he is also the owner of a well-improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, one and one-half miles southeast of the town. Mr. Clark takes a deep interest in political affairs and gives his allegiance to the Republican party, being frequently a delegate to local and state conventions. Fraternally he is a prominent member of Bath Lodge, No. 117, Ancient Order of United Workmen, which he has represented in the grand lodge of the state.

On the 27th of November, 1886, in his native town of Randolph, Wisconsin, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Phelps, who was likewise born and reared in that state, and they have two children, Ruby and Carl.

THOMAS M. STUART, register of deeds of Marshall county, and a well-known stock grower, was born at Colerain, Londonderry county, Ireland, on November 18. 1855. the son of John and Jane M. Stuart, both natives of Lon- donderry county. The father was for years a linen merchant at Colerain, and there died in 1894. His widow still resides on the old home- stead.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 74

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