History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 84

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

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Mr. Allen is a member of the South Dakota Press Association, of which organization he has been president. He is also a member of the Elks, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. On December 19, 1903. he was appointed by President Roosevelt as postmaster at Brookings. He has served as alderman and city clerk at Brookings, and has been an enterprising citizen, doing much for the substantial growth of the city.

PAUL DUTCHER, senior member of the firm of Dutcher & Breed, editors and publishers of the Brookings Register, is a native of the Badger state, having been born in Stoughton, Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 9th of August, 1864, and being a son of Curtis E. and Lucinda C. ( Mattice) Dutcher, the former of whom was born in May, 1831, and the latter on the 25th of September of the same year. The father of the subject stood representative of one of the early pioneer families of the state of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Bloomfield, Oakland county, that state, while he was a son of William Dutcher, who was born in the state of New York, being of sturdy Holland Dutch stock. Curtis E. Dutcher was reared to manhood in Michigan and as a young man he adopted a seafaring life, becoming a sailor before the mast and visiting

all the important ports of the globe. He con- tinued to follow the sea until his marriage, which was solemnized in 1861, and he then located in Stoughton, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the mercantile business, later removing to Lone Rock, that state, where he continued in the same line of enterprise for a time, finally removing thence to Waterloo, Wisconsin, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring on the 15th of April. 1872. His widow, who was born in the state of New York, is now residing in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Of her two chil- dren, the younger is the subject of this sketch, while his brother. Ward, is superintendent of the job department of the Daily News office in Aber- deen, this state.

Paul Dutcher secured his early educational discipline in the public schools of Waterloo, Wis- consin, where he continued his studies until he was about fourteen years of age, after which he passed one year in the high school at Lake Mills, that state, where his mother was at the time teaching, having followed this vocation for many years and having received her education in a ladies' seminary at Schoolcraft, Michigan. At the age of about ten years the subject began to depend, to a certain extent, upon his own re- sources, since he was but nine years of age at the time of his father's death. He worked on farms and in various other capacities until he was fourteen years of age, when he accompanied his mother to the city of Milwaukee, where his elder brother was then located. There he served his novitiate in the "art preservative." securing a position in the office of the Evening Wisconsin, and there learning the printer's trade, remaining there employed for a period of five years, at the expiration of which he returned to Waterloo, that state, where he and his brother effected the purchase of the Waterloo Journal, the publication of which they continued for the ensuing two years.

In August, 1884, the subject came to South Dakota and located in Clark county, where he was employed in the office of the Clark Pilot for a brief interval, at the expiration of which he purchased the Raymond Gazette, at Raymond,

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Clark county, successfully publishing the same for five years. He then removed to Aberdeen and took a position in the office of the Daily News. Six months later he came to Brookings, and on the ist of June, 1890, he established the Brookings Register, with the publication of which he has since been identified. In the same year he became associated with George N. Breed in the purchase of the Brookings Sentinel, which they consolidated with the Register, and they have since been associated in the conducting of the enterprise, having made the paper a partic- ularly successful one and developed the same in- to one of the best papers in the state. The Regis- ter is stanchly Republican in its political policy and is an appreciated exponent of local interests in all lines. The firm began operations upon a most modest scale, and they now have one of the best equipped newspaper plants to be found in any county seat town in the state, while the job department is maintained at an equal standard of excellence. Mr. Dutcher has been a member of the South Dakota Press Association from the time of its organization until within the past few years, having identified himself with the same in 1884. prior to the admission of the state to the Union. In the Masonic fraternity he has made the circle of the York-rite degrees. being identi- fed with the lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery in Brookings, as well as the chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and he has taken a deep interest in the affairs of this time-honored fraternity, being past master of his lodge at the time of this writing, while in 1903 he served as grand steward of the grand lodge of the state. He is also a member of the local lodge of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Dutcher has been an uncompromising advocate of the principles of the Republican party from the time of attaining the right of franchise. He served four years as aide-de-camp on the staff of Gov- ernor Seldon, with the rank of colonel, and in 1895 he was assistant chief clerk of the house of representatives in the legislature of the state. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church, of whose board of trustees he was chairman for a period of six years. They have an attractive

residence in Brookings and the same is a favor- ite rendezvous for their wide circle of friends, the family being prominent in the social life of the community. Mr. Dutcher has been practi- cally dependent upon his own resources from the early age of nine years, and on this score it is gratifying to note the distinctive success he has attained in temporal affairs. Of his cherished 1 and devoted mother, who has now attained the venerable age of more than three score years and ten, it may further be said that she came of stanch old Knickerbocker stock. Her father, Lawrence B. Mattice, was born at Middleburg, Schoharie county, and her mother, whose maiden name was Bouck, was a relative of Governor Bouck, who was a prominent figure in the early history of the Empire state.

On the 15th of June. 1885, Mr. Dutcher was united in marriage to Miss Susan M. Adams, a daughter of Hon. Mie Adams, of Columbus, Wisconsin, an honored pioner of that state and a man of prominence and influence in public af- fairs. Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher are the parents of two children, namely: Raymond A., who was born on the 28th of March, 1886, and who is now a student in the State Agricultural College, in Brookings; and Gladys Pauline, who was born on the 25th of August, 1892, being now a stu- dent in the public schools.

HANS H. KORSTAD, the able editor of the Individual, published at Brookings, was born in Valders, Norway, on the IIth of July, 1864, and is a son of Helge and Siegrid (Lommen) Kor- stad, the former of whom was engaged in teach- ing in the schools of his native land for a number of years, being a man of high intellectuality. In 1870 he emigrated with his family to America and located in Lyon county, Iowa, where he en- gaged in teaching in a Norwegian settlement, and also entered claims to a homestead, to whose improvement and cultivation he gave his atten- tion, in connection with his other vocation. In 1878 he came to Brookings, South Dakota, se- curing land in this vicinity and devoting the bal- ance of his days to farming. He died in 1897, and

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his widow still resides on the homestead farm, which comprises a half section of valuable land. In the family are seven children, all of whom are living, namely : Ole, who resides on the home farm; Hans H., who is the immediate subject of this sketch: Peter, who is likewise a farmer of this county : Tollef, who is a resident of Alberta, Canada : John, who is associated in the manage- ment of the old homestead : Belle, who is the wife of Rev. Nels Jacobson, of Claremont, this state; and Mary, who remains with her mother, who has now attained the venerable age of seventy- five years, being a devoted member of the Luth- eran church. as was also her husband.

Hans H. Korstad was but six years of age at the time of his parents' immigration to the United States, and at the age of eight years he became a student in the public schools of Lyons county, Iowa, having previously attended the Norwegian schools. He continued to there con- | tinne his educational work until the removal of the family to Dakota, where at that time educa -. tional advantages were most micagre, as the great territory, as yet undivided, was practically on the frontier of civilization. The town of Brookings had not yet been established and no railroads penetrated the territory. During the first few years after coming to what is now the favored and prosperous state of South Dakota, the subject of this sketch found his portion to be that of arduous and consecutive toil, while he had no opportunity to continue his education. Finally a school was established in Brookings, and he attended the same until he had attained the age of twenty years, when he entered the State Agricultural College, at this place, where he completed the general course in 1889, having fully profited by the opportunities there af- forded. During 1890-91 he was engaged in teaching and then turned his attention to farm- ing, in which he continued until the autumn of 1896, when he disposed of his land and came to Brookings, where he became associated with Stacy A. Cochran in the purchase of the plant and business of the paper known as the Individual, whose publication they have since continued, our subject being editor and having made the paper

an able exponent of local interests. It is issued on Thursday of each week and is non-partisan in politics. The paper has gained distinctive popularity, having a circulation of about one thousand at the time of this writing, while addi- tions to the list of subscribers are being made each week. Mr. Korstad is also the owner of a quarter section of valuable land near Pierre. while he owns his attractive residence in Brook- ings and also the building in which the office of the paper is located. In politics the subject has given his support to the Populist party, while he is quite in sympathy with the socialistic move- ment in its higher and legitimate form. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, and fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the 22d of October, 1899, Mr. Korstad was united in marriage to Miss Dorothea E. Skorr, who was born in Norway, being a daugh- ter of Elias Skorr. Her mother died in Norway, and when Mrs. Korstad was about sixteen years of age she came alone to the United States, where she joined her brother. Her father came to America in 1902 and died at the home of his son, Ole, of Bruce, South Dakota, on the 3d of September. 1901, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Korstad have one son, El- vin H., who was born on the 22d of July, 1900.

CHARLES BRYAN BILLINGHURST was born at Juneau, Dodge county, Wisconsin, on the 17th of April, 1854, and is a son of Charles and Hannah ( Barber) Billinghurst, his father being a lawyer by profession. He is a scion of a family of distinctive pioneers, the orig- inal American ancestors having located in New England in the colonial epoch, while his paternal great-grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tion. His grandfather and father were num- bered among the earliest settlers in Dodge coun- ty. Wisconsin, where they took up their abode in the territorial days and long before the advent of railroads. Prompted perhaps by inherent pio- neer instinct, the subject himself came to Spink county, Dakota territory, in the early days. He

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attended the common schools of his native town until he had attained the age of twelve years, when, in 1866, he accompanied his parents to Horicon, in the same county, where he com- pleted the curriculum of the village schools, sup- plementing this by a course of study in the Spen- cerian Business College, in the city of Milwaukee. He was an ordinarily active boy, but not preco- cious, being devoted to swimming in Rock river during the summer season and to skating in the winter, varying the latter amusement by occa- sionally breaking through the ice in dangerous places. He early learned to milk the family cow and to groom the horse, while his good mother shrewdly encouraged him to effort and prompt- ed him to do many domestic chores and to learn how to use his hands by assuring him that there was not a lazy hair in his head. In short, he was just a boy, with all that the name implies. His first work after leaving school was to paint a foundry building for the firm of Van Brunt & Barber, seeding manufacturers at Horicon, and he then became assistant bookkeeper and finally head bookkeeper for the firm, as well as cashier and eventually a traveling salesman for the con- cern, which he represented in this capacity in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Dakota terri- tory. In 1882 he took up his permanent residence in what is now the state of South Dakota, arriv- ing in Ashton, Spink county, on the 28th of Feb- ruary. Here he opened a bank and engaged also in the real-estate business. He was named as one of the incorporators of the city of Ash- ton by legislative enactment and was one of its early mayors. In 1886 he was joined by his brother, William S., and they were associated in business, under the firm name of Billinghurst Brothers. In 1899 he removed from Ashton to Pierre, and in the capital city purchased a pub- lishing business, incorporating the enterprise un- der the title of the State Publishing Company, Mr. Billinghurst having since been the president and treasurer of the same. In November, 1903. he established in Pierre the Daily and Weekly Dakotan. His company published the supreme court reports, session laws and statutes of the state known as Revised Code of 1903. He is an

occasional writer for various publications, being the first and only one to draw up a historical sketch of the fiscal affairs of South Dakota, showing state expenditures, assessed valuations, bonding operations and debt per capita annually since the admission of the state to the Union, and these contributions are of great contemporary and permanent value. In the same are also in- cluded schedules of all state institutions and of all school and state lands. His fiscal articles continue to be in wide use for reference pur- poses, recourse being had to the same by state officials and by other citizens interested in the finances and endowments of the state. He has also contributed valuable articles touching the history of Spink county.

At Ashton, Spink county, on the 19th of May, 1887. Mr. Billinghurst was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bowman, daughter of Hon. Samuel W. Bowman, who settled in Spink county as a pioneer in 1879, becoming one of its most honored and influential citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Billinghurst have two children, Lida, born February 1I, 1890, and Florence, born March 10, 1895.

JOHN W. LAUGHLIN, sheriff of Hughes county, and also deputy United States marshal, was born in the vicinity of Mount Pulaski, Lo- gan county, Illinois, on the 2d of January, 1860, and is a son of Robert H. and Susie (Jackson) Laughlin, the former of whom was born in Union county, Ohio, and the latter in Illinois. The Laughlin family have made an enviable rec- ord for loyalty and patriotism since its founding in America in the latter portion of the sixteenth century. The original progenitor in the new world was Patrick Laughlin, of Scotch-Irish an- cestry, who came to America on a French vessel in 1597. landing in St. Augustine, Florida, and the subject of this sketch has a complete record of all his descendants down to the present time, the work having been carefully and admirably compiled by one of said lineal descendants. The paternal great-grandfather of Sheriff Laughlin

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was a valiant soldier in the Continental line during the war of the Revolution, having been with Washington at Valley Forge, and his son John C., who was born in Pennsylvania, was the grandfather of the subject and was an active participant in the war of 1812. Three of the latter's sons ably upheld the military prestige of the family during the Civil war, and one of the number was the father of Sheriff Laughlin. It should be noted in the connection that said Rob- ert H. Laughlin was the first man to enlist in Lo- gan county. Illinois, after the outbreak of the Rebellion. He became a member of Company H, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, in which he served for three years and six months. He became a prosperous farmer of Logan county.

John W. Laughlin was reared on the old homestead farm in Logan county, Illinois, and secured his early education in the public schools. He continued to be associated in the management of the home place until 1883. when he cast in his lot with the pioneers of Hughes county, South Dakota. He took up government land in Byron township, and there passed the first seven years of his residence in the state, improving the prop- erty and being still the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres. Upon leav- ing his ranch he removed to the village of Blunt, where he became identified with the raising and training of high-grade horses, having owned some of the best standard-bred stock in this sec- tion of the state. In May, 1898, at the time of the organization of the well-known regiment designated as Grigsby's Rough Riders, he en- listed as a member of Troop E, and was mus- tered into the United States service as second lieutenant, while later he was promoted first lieu- tenant. His command proceeded to Chicka- mauga Park, where it remained for four and one- lialf months, its services not being demanded in the active military operations of the war with Spain. A previously published article has said of Mr. Laughlin in the connection that upon re- ceiving his commission as first lieutenant he "Honored the office by uncomplaining, intelligent and loyal service at a time when sickness, hard-

ship and dull routine best tested the soldier's mettle."

Concerning his official service in Hughes county we cannot do better than to quote farther from the same appreciative article published in the Weekly Capital Journal of February 20, 1902: "The fact that Mr. Laughlin was elected to the office of sheriff in 1900-an office most hotly contested in both primary and general elec- tions-is proof of the capacity and worth which secured his appointment as deputy United States marshal in 1901, and testifies to the respect in which his large circle of acquaintances hold him as an honorable, capable and courageous man. Socially he is a good fellow and politically he is an unswerving Republican who will work days and sit up nights to further the interests of his party, which he helps by pulling instead of kicking." Mr. Laughlin is a Master Mason and is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the An- cient Order of United Workmen and the Sons of Veterans.

On the 7th of April, 1887, Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Dickey, who was born in Indiana, being a representative of stanch old Kentucky stock. She is a lady of cul- ture and gracious presence, was graduated in the high school of Greensburg, Indiana, and in the Northern Indiana Normal School, in Valparaiso, while in 1892 she was elected county superintend- ent of schools for Hughes county, South Da- kota, giving a most capable administration and remaining incumbent of the office for four years. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin have one son. Robert Virgil.

REV. HENRY STRAKS, A. M., at present pastor of the Reformed church of Harrison, South Dakota, was born of pioneer Dutch par- ents in a rude cabin in a clearing near Waupun, Wisconsin, on February 13. 1853. His father, John Straks, elder for over fifty years in the Re- formed church of Alto, Wisconsin, came to America in 1846 and his mother, Johanna Van Wechel, came in 1848. Henry S. received his

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common-school education in the common schools of Wisconsin and at the same time by private in- struction from his pastors, Revs. J. H. Karsten and R. Pieters. Then he attended a parochial school near his home for five years, where he completed an academic course and at the same time aided his teacher as tutor in the same school. In 1873 he became teacher in the same school. and taught very successfully the same pupils that attended with him for years as fellow pupils. En- couraged by his success as a school teacher, his father sent him for three years to the State Nor- mal School at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He grad- uated from the elementary department in 1875, and the following year finished the full course so nearly that he concluded to spend his time in teaching the next year. He taught the large village school of his school-boy days successfully for six years, carrying along with his usual work a class in advanced or academic work.

In 1877 the subject was married to Miss Pris- cilla Neevel, of Alto, Wisconsin, a granddaugh- ter of Rev. G. Baay, the first pastor of his home church. For awhile he was interested at the same time in the mercantile business, at which he spent his spare time during vacation as well as when "school kept." but he soon gave that up. In 1885 he was engaged as principal of the high school of Waupun, Wisconsin, which position he resigned after two years in order to take up his long coveted course in theology to prepare himself for the active work of the Christian min- istry. In 1891 he finished a three-years course in the Western Theological Seminary of the Re- formed church in America, located at Holland, Michigan. June .21, 1891, he was installed and ordained as pastor of the Second Reformed church of Cleveland, Ohio, which church became very prosperous during his three years' service as almost their first pastor. This charge he re- signed in 1894 to accept the pastorate of a larger church and a wider field of usefulness at Mau- Benjamin S. Russell, father of the subject, was born in Pennsylvania and is living now in Jamestown, North Dakota, being still active in business. Mary Gaskill, wife of Benjamin S. and mother of Samuel W. Russell, and also a na- rice, Iowa, which charge he resigned after five years in November, 1898, to become financial sec- retary and educational agent of an academy of the Reformed church at Orange City, Iowa, then heavily in debt. After clearing away this | tive of the Keystone state, departed this life in 32-

debt and teaching the mathematical branches the last half year to fill out the year for the principal. Rev. M. Kolyn, who had resigned, he resigned this work to accept the pastorate of the Re- formed church of Harrison, South Dakota, Au- gust 1, 1901, which church he has served for nearly three years. Mr. Straks was stated clerk of the classis of Iowa for a number of years and is at present member of the board of domestic missions of the Reformed church in America, meeting regularly three times a year in New York city. He is also a member of the board of superintendents of the Western Theological Seminary at Holland, Michigan. For successful work in the gospel ministry and elsewhere the council of Hope College, Holland, Michigan, be- stowed on him the degree of Master of Arts in June, 1900. Rev. H. Straks is the father of Rev. John H. Straks. now pastor of the Reformed church of Clymer Hill, Chautauqua county, New York.

SAMUEL WAGNER RUSSELL is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and paternally is descend- ed from one of the oldest families of New Eng- land, tracing his ancestry in an unbroken line to Hon. William Russell, who came to America in 1632 with Lord Seal, and who was one of the founders of Connecticut, as well as one of the first judges of the colony. Later, when the col- onies revolted, the Russells espoused the Amer- ican cause, and a number of the family served with distinction during the Revolution; subse- quently they demonstrated their loyalty to the government in the war of 1812, and in the va- rions Indian wars ; indeed, the Russells have been represented in every war in which the United States has been engaged, patriotism and love of country being prominent characteristics of the family.

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the year 1891. Samuel Wagner Russell was born September 27, 1857, in Towanda, Bradford county, and received his early education in the schools of his native town, subsequently, in 1871. entering Shattuck School at Faribault, Minne- sota. By reason of failing health, however, he was not able to finish his studies; accordingly, in 1873, he quit school and returned home, re- maining with his parents until 1877. In that and the following year he took special courses in civil and mining engineering at Lehigh Uni- versity, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, but his health again becoming impaired, he laid aside his stud- ies and during the winter of 1878-9 taught school at Chelton Hills, in his native state. The fol- lowing summer he went to East St. Louis, Illi- nois, as bookkeeper for the National Stock Yard Bank, of that place. which position he held for three years, resigning at the expiration of that time to go on the cattle range in Nebraska and Montana.

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 84

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