History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 96

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

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grandfather of the subject of this memoir, was also a soldier in the Continental line in the war of the Revolution. Ichabod Phillips was born in Pembroke, Massachusetts, on the 11th of April, 1765, and his death occurred October 13. 1830. In Hanover, Massachusetts, in July, 1798, he was united in marriage to Mary Bailey, who was born in that place, on the 15th of March, 1763, and whose death there occurred on the Ist of August, 1815: Annie (Croswell ) Phillips. the mother of the subject of this sketeli, was born at Falmouth, Massachusetts, on the 23d of August, 1795, and she died at Farmington, Maine, June 27, 1875.

Dr. Josiah L. Phillips was reared in .his native state, and after duly availing himself of the advantages afforded in the common schools, he entered Bowdoin College, in 1852, and there continued his studies for two years, at the ex- piration of which he was matriculated in Rush Medical College in the city of Chicago, Illinois, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1856, being one of the early graduates of this celebrated institution. He engaged in the active practice of his profession at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where he remained one year, and he then removed to Iowa, being es- tablished in practice in the city of Dubuque at the time when the Western Town Company sent out a party to locate a town at the falls of the Big Sioux river, in the territory of Dakota. He became a member of this party and arrived in what is now the city of Sioux Falls on the 27th of August. 1857. He thus became one of the first settlers of the new town, and here continued his residenec until 1861, within which time he served as justice of the peace, under appoint- ment by the governor of Minnesota, who had jurisdiction in Dakota. In the year last men- tioned Dr. Phillips returned to Dubuque, Iowa. and enlisted in the Sixteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was organized in Davenport, being commanded by Colonel Alexander Cham- bers. The original surgeon of the regiment was Dr. J. H. Camburn, and Dr. Phillips be- eame assistant surgeon at the time of the or- ganization of the regiment, while later he was

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promoted to the office of surgeon. Proceeding with his regiment to the front, he continued in active service until the close of the great Civil war, making an enviable record and attaining to the rank of major. After victory had crowned the Union arms he received his honorable dis- charge and then returned to Dubuque, Iowa. being thereafter engaged in the practice of his profession in East Dubuque until 1869. when he came again to Sioux Falls, where his family joined him in June of the following year. He gained a strong hold upon popular confidence and esteem and built up a large and represent- ative practice, being one of the pioneer physi- cians of the state and ever maintaining high pro- fessional rank and prestige. He continued in active practice here until the close of his life, while as a citizen he was ever loyal, progressive and public-spirited. Ile was a man of noble at- tributes of character and won to himself the friendship of all with whom he came in contact. while his name merits an enduring place upon the list of those strong and earnest characters who were the founders of the great and pros- perous commonwealth of South Dakota. In politics he was ever a stanch Republican.

On the Ist of July, 1867, at Houston, Texas, Dr. Phillips was united in marriage to Miss Har- riet C. Daggett, who was there engaged in philanthropic work. as a teacher in a school for negroes, Mrs. Phillips survives her honored husband and still retains her home in Sioux Falls, where she is held in affectionate regard by all who know her and have come within the sphere of her gracious influence. Of the chil- dren of this union we here enter the names. with respective dates of birth: Annie C., June 25. 1868: Abbie I., February 23, 1871 : Alice C .. August 10, 1873: Flora C., September 30, 1875 ; Charles A .. September 21. 1877 : Rossie C .. Feb- ruary 24. 1880; and Josie L., January 26, 1883.

FREDELL EUGENE FIELD. D. D. S., a member of the state board of examiners in dental surgery and ex-president of the South Dakota State Dental Society, was born in Sonth Acworth,

Sullivan county, New Hampshire, on the 21st of June. 1866, and is a son of George B. Field, who likewise was born in the old Granite state, the family having been founded in New England in the colonial era of our national history. The Doctor passed his boyhood in his native state and duly availed himself of the advantages of the pub- lic schools, while in 1885 he took up the study and work of dentistry under the direction of an able instructor, in Brattleboro, Vermont. In the following year he came to South Dakota, locat- ing at Sioux Falls, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which he returned to Ver- mont and opened an office in Putney, where he followed professional work for the ensuing two years. He thereafter was connected with dental offices in various cities and towns, finally entering a dental college in the city of Chicago, where he completed a technical course and was graduated in 1892, receiving the degree of Doctor of Den- tal Surgery. He then engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession in Phillips, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1895, when the town was practically destroyed by fire, and he there- upon returned to Sioux Falls, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of dentistry. having finely equipped offices and receiving a rep- resentative support. In 1901 the Doctor was elected president of the South Dakota State Den- tal Society and served in this capacity for one year, while in 1903 Governor Herreid appointed him 'a member of the state board of dental exam- iners, for a term of five years. In his political allegiance the Doctor is known as a stalwart Re- publican, while both he and his wife are valued members of the Congregational church. He is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the An- cient Order of United Workmen.

On the 21st of November, 1894. Dr. Field was united in marriage to Miss Etta Belknap, who was born in Hancock, New York, being a daughter of George W. and Olive Belknap. Dr. and Mrs. Field became the parents of two chil- dren, Eugene Belknap, who is now attending the public schools: and Gladys Olive, who is de- ceased.

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WALTER R. KINGSBURY. who is one of the successful real-estate dealers of the city of Sioux Falls, is a native of the state of Connecti- cut, having been born in the town of Andover, on Christmas day of the year 1832, and being a son of Joseph and Amelia (Reynolds) Kingsbury, both of whom were likewise native of Connecticut, where they passed their entire lives. the father having been a farmer by vocation. It is practi- cally well authenticated that the original progeni- tors of the Kingsbury family in America were of stanch old English stock and that they immigrated to the new world and settled in the Massachu- setts colony about the year 1635, while the mater- nal ancestors of the subject came from Scotland at an early period. Mr. Kingsbury completed the curriculum of the common schools in his native state, and then continued his studies for a time in an academy at Monson, Massachusetts, while in 1854 he was matriculated in the Connecticut State Normal School, at New Britain, where he completed a course of study and fitted himself for the pedagogic profession. He began teaching in the common schools of his native state in the year 1849, meeting with signal success, and he con- tinued to follow this vocation, in various localities, for the ensuing ten years. After teaching he en- gaged in the merchandise business at Camp Point, Illinois, where he had been engaged in teaching for some years previous. He served as postmaster in 1863 and in 1865 he closed out his business and removed to Chicago, where he en- gaged in the dry-goods business, continuing until 1875, having been successful until the panic of 1873. He then removed to Oak Park, a suburb, where he continued in the dry-goods business un- til 1878. Coming then to Sioux Falls, he engaged in the same business, continuing five years, being successful. He then engaged in the real-estate husiness, in which he has since continued. He has been successful in his operations and is one of the honored citizens of the place, being held in high esteem by all who know him. He is inde- pendent in his political attitude, giving his sup- port to men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment, and both he and his wife are prom- inent and valued members of the Congregational church.

On the 20th of April, 1865, at Mendon, Illi- nois, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kings- bury to Miss Cornelia Starr, who was born in Mendon, Adams county, Illinois, on the 2d of November, 1837, being a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Benton) Starr, who were numbered among the sterling pioneers of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury have two children, Helen L., who is still at the parental home, and a teacher in the public schools, and Howard L., who is en- gaged in the lumber business at Sioux Falls.

JOHN FRANCIS HULSEMAN, JR., who is engaged in the hardware business at Cham- berlain, Brule county, is a native of the beautiful old city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the 26th of June, 1868, being a son of John F. and Louisa Hulseman, who were likewise born and reared in Philadelphia, being representatives of stanch old families of the Keystone state, whither the original progenitors in the new world came from Germany. The father of our subject is a leather merchant by vocation and at present resides in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania.

John F. Hulseman, Jr., secured his early edu- cational training in the public schools of his na- tive city, after which he engaged in the saddlery and heavy hardware business in Philadelphia with Kennedy, Nilling & Company. In 1889 he went to Chicago and was house salesman for A. F. Resser & Company, wholesale saddlery and hardware. In 1802 he moved to Milwaukee, as city salesman for B. Young estate, wholesale saddlery and hardware, remaining with them until 1894. At that time he changed firms to travel through the state of South Dakota and northwestern Iowa, with headquarters at Sioux Falls. South Dakota, for Scheffer & Rossum. of St. Paul, Minnesota, wholesale saddlery and hardware. The following year he accepted a po- sition with Wallace Smith & Company, wholesale saddlery and hardware, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, remaining with them until January 1. 1903. when he engaged in the hardware business at Chamberlain, South Dakota, with B. G. Wattson,

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under the firm name of Wattson & Hulseman, hardware, harness, farm implements, etc.

In politics Mr. Hulseman is a stanch Demo- crat, his religious faith is that of the Catholic church and fraternally he is identified with the Catholic Order of Foresters, the United Com- mercial Travelers and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

On the Ist of September, 1895, at Sioux Falls, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hulseman to Miss Anna A. Donahoe, who was born in Decorah, Iowa, and reared in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, being a daughter of Daniel Donahoe, and of this union have been born three children, namely: Giles Daniel, Leo John and Raymond Francis.

JULIUS D. BARTOW, one of the promi- nent and highly esteemed merchants of Plankin- ton, Aurora county, was born in Republic, Seneca county, Ohio, on Christmas day of the year 1851, being a son of Joel C. and Mary A. (Hosford) Bartow, the maternal ancestry tracing back to English origin. The name is of French derivation and was originally spelled Barteaux. Joel C. Bartow was born at Bartow's Ridge, in Erie county, Ohio, the name having been given to the locality by four brothers of his mother, they having been pioneers of that sec- tion, whither they emigrated from the state of New York in an early day. After his marriage the father of our subject removed to Seneca county, Ohio, where he was identified with farm- ing, and also with merchandising and the hotel business in the town of Republic, where he died October 19. 1901. at the age of seventy-four years, having been one of the honored and in- fluential citizens of that locality. He was a Democrat and a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. His devoted wife, who died on the 9th of March, 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years, was born in Dartmouth, England, whence she came to America with her parents when a child of six years. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of his native place and then completed a four-years course in the

academy at Republic. He then entered the em- ploy of the firm of Hemmingway & Hensinger, dealers in groceries and drugs at Republic, where he remained one year. He was married in 1873 and for the following eight years had charge of his father-in-law's farm, in Seneca county, Ohio. On the 19th of February, 1883. he and his family arrived in Plankinton, South Dakota, having been out on a tour of inspection through the west during the preceding year. Shortly after locating in Plankinton Mr. Bartow purchased the general store of Conway Thomp- son, and from this modest nucleus has been built up the magnificent business now controlled by him, twenty-one thousand two hundred feet of floor space being demanded for the accom- modation of the various departments of the en- terprise, which is one of the most extensive of the sort in the county. In September, 1900, the business was incorporated and is now conducted under the title of the Aurora Lumber Company, while the mercantile house has well-equipped de- partments, including those devoted to dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, harness and saddlery goods, agricultural implements, etc. Mr. Bar- tow is also the owner of valuable farming land in the county. He is now a stanch Republican in politics, but was formerly arrayed with the Democracy, as the candidate of which he was elected to the state legislature in 1890. serving one term. He was for several years a member of the board of education of Plankinton, which is celebrated for having one of the best schools in the state. He is identified in a prominent way with the Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with the lodge in Plankinton, the chapter and commandery in Mitchell, the consistory of the Scottish Rite in Yankton and the temple of the Mystic Shrine in Sioux Falls, while he is also a member of the lodge of Elks in Sioux Falls and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in his native town in Ohio. He and his family are members of the Congregational church.

On the 7th of May, 1873. Mr. Bartow was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Stearns, of Republic, Ohio, where she was reared and edu- cated, being a daughter of John B. and Adaline

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H. Stearns. Of this union were born six chil- dren, of whom three survive, namely: Addie, who remains at the parental home; Nona, who is the wife of F. L. Snyder, of Plankinton, and John S., who is also at home.

GEORGE B. BALE is a native of England and dates his birth from November 25, 1867. He first saw the light of day in Norfolk and spent his early life in that place, receiving a good education in the schools of the same, and remaining with his parents until eighteen years of age. Severing home ties in the spring of 1885, he came to the United States, making his way direct to Watertown, South Dakota, where he remained for a brief period, after which he traveled extensively over various western states and territories, going as far as the Pacific coast. Being pleased with Dakota, he finally returned to this state, and took up a pre-emption on the "Divide" near Battle creek, Custer county, where he engaged in farming, but the venture not proving successful, he left his place and for some time thereafter was employed by a horse dealer, to whom his services proved of great value. Later Mr. Bale began buying and selling horses upon his own responsibility, and in due time worked up an extensive and lucrative busi- ness in the vicinity of Battle creek. In 1890 he changed his location to the Cheyenne river, where he continued running horses until 1897, when he effected a co-partnership in the business with C. W. Arnold, the two greatly extending the scope of their operations, buying up all the outfits in a large area of territory and within a short time achieved the reputation of being the largest and most successful horse dealers in the western part of the state. The firm thus con- stituted lasted until 1902, in which year the sub- ject withdrew from the partnership and pur- chased the ranch on Battle creek, twenty-three mines east of Hermosa, where he has since lived and prospered, as a cattle raiser, devoting con- siderable attention the meantime to the improve- ment of his place. In addition to the live-stock

business, Mr. Bale also carries on farming, the greater part of his land being irrigated and easily susceptible to tillage. He raises abundant crops of grain, vegetables and fruits, which with the returns from his cattle sales yield him a hand- some income every year. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Hermosa, and, like the ma- jority of intelligent and progressive citizens, manifests an abiding interest in public and po- litical affairs, giving his support to the Repub- lican party.

On November 11, 1901, Mr. Bale and Miss Nettie Bower, of South Dakota, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, the marriage result- ing in the birth of one child, a son who answers to the name of George J.

JAMES L. PRATT, editor and publisher of the Elkton Record, at Elkton, Brookings county, is one of the able and popular newspaper men of the state and has made his paper a potent factor in local politics and an effective exponent of the interests of the section in which it is published. Mr. Pratt was born in Allamakee county, Iowa, on the 13th of September, 1856, and is a son of Azel and Mary (Hersey) Pratt, both of whom were born and reared in the state of Maine, whence they came west to Iowa in 1848, becoming pioneers of Allamakee county, where the father of our subject purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he im- proved and sold, moving to Waukon, the county seat, where he lived until his death, which oc- curred in 1881. He was a carpenter by trade and continued to work at the same to a greater or less extent after his removal to Iowa, where his services in the line were in much demand in the early days. He built the first house in the village of Waukon, Allamakee county, said village hav- ing been named in honor of a prominent Indian chief. He was a man of prominence and in- fluence in his township and county, and held various township offices. He was an expert player of the snare drum, and in the time of the Civil war he used his abilities in this line most

JAMES L. PRATT.

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HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

effectively in connection with the organizing of various companies, being past the age of service at the time. He was a most devoted member of the Baptist church, in which he served as deacon for many years, and his wife also ex- emplified the same faith in her beautiful and gracious character, her death occurring in 1881. They became the parents of seven children, con- cerning whom we offer the following brief rec- ord: William C. died in infancy ; Noah H. is a resident of Waukon, Iowa, and is a carpenter and builder by vocation ; Marellus H., who was a wheelwright by trade, died in Spokane, Washing- ton, in 1892 ; Richmond G. died in Sheldon, Iowa, in 1890; Emery W. is a carpenter and builder of Waukon, Iowa; Ella is the wife of Altheras J. Rogers, of Chicago; and James L. is the im- mediate subject of this sketch.

James L. Pratt was reared to maturity in his native county and received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Waukon, where he continued his studies until he had attained the age of sixteen years. During his boyhood days he worked with his father at the carpenter trade during his vacations, receiving one cent a day in recompense for his services, while with in- creasing years and ability he continued to se- cure larger wages, until he finally commanded three and one-half dollars a day. Upon leaving school, at the age of sixteen, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the printers' trade, at Post- ville, Iowa, serving six months in the dignified and autocratic office of "printer's devil," and there gaining in due time a comprehensive knowl- edge of the "art preservative of all arts." At the age of seventeen he became foreman in the office of the Waukon Standard, retaining this position four years, after which he had charge of the Waukon Democrat for an equal length of time. Thereafter he was for a time employed at the carpenter trade, and in 1882 he was called to accept a position on the Pipestone Republican, in Pipestone, Minnesota, where he remained about two years. In 1885 he came to South Dakota and took charge of the Elkton Record, of which he is now editor and publisher and which he has made a most successful publication.

At the time he assumed .control the business was at the lowest possible ebb, the town being small and the paper eking out a precarious existence, but by good management and thorough technical ability he has gained to the paper the reputation of being one of the best local papers in the state, while he has a well-equipped job department, controls a satisfactory advertising patronage and has built up a gratifying circulation. The paper is Republican in politics and thus voices the sen- timents of Mr. Pratt, who is a vigorous and forceful writer. He has been village clerk of Elkton for the past twenty years, and is at the present time justice of the peace for the town and county. He is one of the leaders in the political affairs of the county and is prominent in the councils of his party in the state. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the Knights of the Maccabees and other social and beneficiary organizations. He and his family are members of the Baptist church, and he is one of the most influential workers in the church in his home town, taking an active part in forward- ing its spiritual and temporal interests. He is one of the popular citizens of the village and county and commands unqualified esteem, while his aid and influence are ever cast in favor of all objects and enterprises tending to conserve the general welfare. He is also manager and drum major of the Woodmen band of Elkton, one of the best bands in the state.

On the 31st of March, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pratt to Miss Edith F. Wedgwood, of Rossville, Iowa. She was born in the state of Iowa and is a daughter of the late Rev. John M. Wedgwood, a prominent mem- ber of the clergy of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have six children, concerning whom we enter the following brief record: Ada M., who was graduated in the Elkton high school and in the Cedar Falls Seminary, at Osage, Iowa, and the State Normal at Winona, Minnesota. She is a successful and popular teacher, and was assistant principal in the Elkton high school at

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the time of this writing ; Jesse L., who was gradu- ated in the Elkton high school and the seminary at Osage, Iowa, and also in the Commercial Business College at Mankato, Minnesota, is now employed as bookkeeper in the office of the Haysr Lucas Lumber Company at Watertown, South Dakota: Vern and Vera, twins, and Gladys are students in the home high school; Ruth is the youngest, not yet of school age.

JOHN E. C. WILSON, one of the extensive farmers and stock growers of Charles Mix county, is a native of the fine old Hoosier state, having been born in Adams county, Indiana, on the 30th of April, 1845, and being a son of Edward D. and Elizabeth (Covnor ) Wilson. The father was a farmer in Indiana, where he died when the subject of this sketch was a mere child. The latter received his rudimentary edu- cation in the district schools of his native state, where he remained until he had attained the age of ten years, when he began to depend upon his own resources, going to Peoria county, Illinois, securing work on a farm and continuing to at- tend the public schools as opportunity afforded. At the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion Mr. Wilson gave prompt evidence of his youthful ardor and patriotism by tendering his services in defense of the Union. At the age of sixteen years he enlisted as a private in Company G. Eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and it was his fortune to take part in many of the most im- portant campaigns and battles of the war, among which may be mentioned the following: Fort Henry, Donelson, Shiloh, Holly Springs, Mem- phis, Vicksburg, from which last mentioned city the command proceeded into Arkansas, later re- turning to Vicksburg and thence going to Jack- son, Mississippi ; thereafter he was a participant in the engagements at Memphis, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Knoxville, and later the regiment was in the battle of Atlanta. The subject was then on a veteran furlough, and then joined Sherman, at Newbern, North Carolina. Mr. Wilson con- timed in active service for a period of four years,

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History of South Dakota, Vol. II, Part 96

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