USA > South Dakota > Who's who in South Dakota, Vol. I > Part 5
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"Republicanism is stalwart. And when a man has con- scientiously classed himself as a stalwart republican, he has thought of the strong, fundamental stalwart principles of the party that have formed the basis of its career of fifty years of good government, sound money, protection of American indus- tries, honest and efficient public servants, and he has not been willing to see these principles abandoned or successfully assailed.
"Republicanism is also progressive. New conditions develop new issues and new problems. Special interests seek to enlarge their privileges and to perpetuate them. Power is often misused and must be rebuked. Graft and corruption entrench themselves in high places, and there is need of a general house-cleaning. Good government cannot be perpetuated without insisting vig- orously upon the highest moral and political standards. The man who conscientiously classes himself as a progressive republican has his eye upon these new and serious public questions, and em- phasizes the necessity of improvement and progress. The repub- lican party has always been the very party of progress. It has always been blessed with progressive leaders. Only by keeping fully abreast of the dvance thought and demands of the people can it hope to maintain its political leadership."
Congressman Martin has always been a great admirer of Theodore Roosevelt. He knew the Colonel when he was only a western ranchman, twenty odd years ago. He believes in Roos- evelt and his policies. Mr. Martin was the first public man in the west to advocate the ascendency of Roosevelt. He came out boldly for the Colonel in a public address delivered away back in May, 1900.
And Martin always supported the Colonel. During his re- cent western trip, while speaking at Sioux City, Col. Roosevelt said : "While I was president there were some men from the west who always stood with me. Congressman Martin of South Dakota, was one of the fellows who always stood without hitch- ing." It pleases the people of this state to know that they have in public life a man who is, and who for so long has been, in accord with the Roosevelt policies.
CHARACTER IN POLITICS
The telegraph diminishes the size of the continent. The cablegram brought the two continents together and diminished
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the size of the world. Wireless telegraphy put on speaking terms and made immediate neighbors of a billion and a half of human souls. Crippen riding along silently on the ocean's heav- ing breast was unknowingly already in the arms of the law. Wellman and his brave crew scrambled into a life boat hung be- neath his giant dirigible, cut the ropes, dropped into the sea, were picked up by the "Trent," and before they had gotten time to exchange their wet clothes for dry ones the story of their resuce had been wafted ashore on ethereal wavelets, and in less than thirty minutes loud-voiced newsboys, standing on street cor- ners, were distributing to anxious throngs the daily papers which broke the printed intelligence to a nervous world.
This shriveling of the earth into an articulating community has changed con- ditions wonderfully in the past ten years. Today, a man in public life betrays his con- stituents; and in a moment, as it were, after the evidence has been made public, people living in far-off island depend- encies are informed by the press, of the fellow's mis- deeds, and they are advised to turn him down at the polls. For this reason no man can long stay in public life now- adays whose character and whose public services are not above reproach. One careless step-suspicion is aroused- the X-ray of public opinion is turned on-an investigation is held; and down goes McGinty.
EBEN W. MARTIN
Herein lies Martin's strength. He has set up and maintained before the people of our state, and, as well, the nation at large, an unimpeachable character, an untarnished manhood and a standard of public ser- vice that have inspired unbroken confidence and commanded uni- versal respect. While a student at Cornell, he identified himself with the Christian work of the school. The moral lessons incul- cated at that impressionable period of his life, have lingered with him. Today he is, and has been for many years, a member of the
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great Methodist Episcopal church. The church folk of all denom- inations have stood by him to a certain extent. It may truth- fully be stated that today ninety per cent of the voters of the state are members of some religious denomination, either Protest- ant or Catholic; and he who in his political life ignores the church, will soon find himself counted out. He might have done so twenty years ago; he dare not do it now.
One of our sages said, "Character is three-fourths of life." In politics it is just the reverse-four-thirds; that is, you have got to have character enough to go round and then have some left over (just like the biblical story of the loaves and fishes), so as to fill up the dents in your armor plate, that have been made during a political bombardment.
MARTIN, THE MAN
Eben Martin is an Iowa product. He was born in the old- fashioned burg of Maquoketa, in Jackson county, situated on a branch line of the N. W. R. R. running from Clinton to Ana- mosa, April 12, 1855. On one side of the parental house he came from English stock; on the other, from Scotch-Irish. This mix- ture of bloods from Johnny Bull, from the Land of Mary, and from Old Erin, is enough to produce just exactly such a specimen as the Martin whom we have heretofore pictured.
Every man's success depends largely upon : (1) his prep- aration. (2) his application, and (3) his determination, to suc- ceed. Martin laid a broad foundation for his success in life. Handicapped in childhood by being passed into another home for rearing, he nevertheless worked his way through Cornell college where he graduated in 1879, at the age of only twenty-four. He took his B. A. degree and three years later he was again honored by his alma mater which granted to him his Master's degree.
But this was only a part of his preparation. From Cornell he went to the University of Michigan, entered the law depart- ment, became a leader in the school, was elected president of his class, and graduated at the end of one year with signal honors.
Upon the completion of his law course, young Martin was admitted to the bar, and he immediately struck west to "grow up with the country." He did not stop in the settled eastern portion of Dakota, as most professionally inclined men would have done, but he made his way overland to a little lonely village neatly tucked away along the sun-kissed hillsides of a deep Black Hills canon, stuck out his newly-stenciled law sign, went to work; and for thirty years Deadwood has echoed with his name and responded to his call.
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WHO'S WHO IN SOUTH DAKOTA
HOME STRENGTH
Martin's triumphant success in politics has been due largely to his strength in his home town and county. He has repeatedly come up to state conventions with a MAJORITY of over 2,000 from his own county. The entire Black Hills region has always stood loyally by him. This year, he did not even return from Washington to look after his own political interests, but remained at his post of duty; yet he carried not only Lawrence county, but his opponent's. county as well. When a man continuously on the ground during a campaign, cannot overcome the influence of a man who is continuously absent, then the absentee must have a hold on the affections of his opponents's home folk which is pretty hard to break.
MARRIAGE AND PROSPERITY
Mr. Martin was married in 1883 to Miss Jessie A. Miner, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. They are the proud parents of five children, three boys and two girls -all living. He has prospered greatly in a business way in the Hills. Investing the small savings of his early law practice, he has seen these investments double, triple, quadruple, quintuple and even sextuple in value so many times over that today he is one of the richest men in the Black Hills. He has a large ranch just north of Buffalo Gap that is rapidly developing in earning power. In addition to this he has heavy interests in Hot Springs and at Deadwood.
MARTIN THE STATESMAN
Congressman Martin has never "tooted his own horn." He has kept on plugging, and evidently intended to let the next gen- eration tell of his work. Here is where we shall, in this respect, thwart his inclinations. His speech on the trusts and how to curb them, delivered before the students of the State University at Vermillion, some four or five years ago, is now regarded by able critics as the most powerful public utterance on this all impor- tant theme that has ever been delivered. President Roosevelt in one of his latter messgaes to congress urged that all interstate corporations be compelled to take out federal licenses. Where did he get the idea? From Eben W. Martin. Bless you! we have it on good authority, not gained from either of the inter- ested parties, that Congressman Martin wrote that portion of Roosevelt's message for him, and the latter only recast the phrase- ology here and there so as to put it more nearly into his own lan- guage. Not one single man dare deny that Martin was the pio-
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neer advocate of this reform. He introduced a bill in congress to this effect, and came very near getting it through. Powerful corporations all over the country sent delegations to Washington to defeat it. They wrote certain people in South Dakota and even sent secret agents to see them, in an effort to get Mr. Mar- tin's constituents to hold him in check.
But, let us tell you that Congressman Martin was right, and that the Martin idea of regulating the trusts is the one that is yet going to find its way into the federal statutes of the country, -and in the not far-distant future either. In his next message to congress President Taft is going to recommend the Martin scheme.
It was our original intention to incorporate herein a long list of the meritorious measures that Mr. Martin introduced into congress, which have now become laws, but space forbids. How- ever, this part of his worthy public life is already largely famil- iar to our people.
MARTIN'S RISE
Martin got into the political game early in life. At twenty- nine he was a member of our territorial legislature. Then he was elected to the fifty-seventh, fifty-eighth and fifty-ninth con- gresses, in succession. At the eventful Sioux Falls convention of 1906, he went down to defeat with the "old guard" before the tide of insurgency. Called to the platform by his friends for a speech, he laughingly remarked, "Vox populi, vox dei," added a few pleasing words and sat down.
But Fate said, "This worthy son shall not remain in private life." Congressman Parker of Martin's own town, who was nominated in his stead, died during his congressional career. A clamor went up from the whole state for Martin's immediate re- turn to congress. A campaign was already in progress. Martin had been nominated. He confidently expected to be elected, but in this event he could not take his seat until March 4, following. The governor called a special election, in conjunction with the regular election, to elect a congressman for the four months of Mr. Parker's unexpired term. Martin's name was placed on the special ballot. He was, therefore, elected twice the same day ; and as a result he took his seat in December following.
Under these peculiar circumstances, Mr. Martin was out of congress only a portion of one term. He was renominated at the primaries in June of this year, and he will be overwhelmingly re-elected on November 8, 1910.
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It will thus be seen that he has been a member of five con- gresses in succession, and he will be a member of the sixth. What the future will bring forth in the career of this ambitious, ably-qualified and far-seeing westerner, none can definitely say. He is yet a comparatively young man filled with vigor. The west is gaining more and more recognition in the larger field of na- tional politics. In the last national campaign, the lamented Dolliver, of Iowa, was favorably talked of for vice-president, but he declined the honor. Nebraska, on our south, has been honored with a presidential candidate for three campaigns. "Westward, the march of empire takes its way." The whole migratory movement of the United States is westward. Western states are rapidly settling up. Railroad developments have opened to set- tlement vast empires that heretofore were occupied by only an occasional ranger. Westward! Westward! Ohio can no longer claim the balance of power between the east and the west and set herself up as the mother of presidents. Iowa will be the divid- ing line in the future, and the west is going to demand recog- nition. A competent, progressive, congressman's services be- come valuable to his state in direct proportion to the number of years he is kept in public life. Let South Dakota keep at Wash- ington our legislative twins, Martin and Burke.
(Later. - Martin was again elected to Congress this year- 1912).
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GEORGE H. GRACE
A "GRACE"-FUL MAN
The apostles repeatedly referred to the "grace of God." Throughout the union, except where there is a special statute or agreement providing otherwise, three days of "grace" are given on promissory notes. However, it is not either of these kinds of "grace" that we are going to write about; but just simply Professor Grace, Editor Grace, Postmaster Grace-plain George Grace, if you please.
In years gone by we have worked with Grace and worked for him. stood with him and stood for him, taught with him and taught for him; therefore, if perchance this article should at cer- tain angles take on a little unintentional personal coloring, we ask for liberty of judgment, and invite our possible critics' at- tention to the fact that the associations of school days and during the years of young manhood or womanhood, are the most lasting in life, and that from them spring friendships that are as endur- ing as the hills. Few men, in their quiet, unpretentious, hum- ble way, have done more for South Dakota and for building up strong, rugged, genuine character and manhood throughout the state, than George Grace. We knew him as a boy on the farm; we were one of his institute instructors when he was superin- tendent of Buffalo county; we were intimately associated with him while he was principal of the Mitchell high school; we were in close touch with him while he had charge of the Miller schools; we articulated with him while he was superintendent of Hand county; we have played ball with him, fished with him, swam with him; heard him teach, preach, lecture and joke; and yet, in all these intimate and cherished associations, we never knew him to do an unmanly thing. Hence, it will be readily seen, that to us he becomes a congenial theme.
NATIVITY
In preparing our articles on "Who's Who in South Dakota," we have been agreeably surprised to find that so many men who
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have exerted an influence in this state, came from Wisconsin. Just so with Grace, he was born and raised, until he was twelve years of age, at Monroe, Wisconsin.
PARENTAGE
George Grace came from good, patriotic stock,-a mixture of "Yank" and "Brit." His father, John Grace, served with distinction in the Union army. He was a member of the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry, and as such he was in the hardest fighting of the war, including the Battle of Gettysburg. He was wounded in the stubborn fight at Chancellorsville Court House. George's mother is an English lady-she having come to America but a short time before her marriage to John Grace. Her maiden name was Harriet Thorpe. She is a dear old lady, with one of the most fascinating English brogues to which we have ever listened. Personally, we should like very much to yield to temptation and stop right here and pay her a just tribute for the many kind- nesses we have received at her hands, but she is not our theme and we dare not digress too far. The old couple still reside at Mitchell, South Dakota, where they are universally loved and revered, and where they are esteemed as types of that town's best citizenship.
MIGRATION
When George was twelve years of age, in 1883, his parents brought their family westward and settled on a farm in Lincoln county, this state, near the present town of Hudson. In 1885 they again pushed westward and settled in Buffalo county. Here is where Grace spent his 'teens and grew to manhood.
A SELF-MADE MAN
Young Grace was a studious chap, by nature. He longed for an education. Finally, in the fall of 1889, an opportunity came. He got a chance at Wessington Springs to pay for his board by doing chores, and he was enabled thereby to attend the Free Methodist Seminary, located at that place.
By leaving school occasionally to teach and earn a little money, he finally succeeded, as a result of this alternating ar- rangement, in graduating with honor in the summer of 1894.
Later he did post graduate work at some school in Iowa.
HIS RISE
Wacth his rise and progress! The same year that he grad- uated at Wessington Springs he was elected clerk of courts in
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Buffalo county. The next year he was appointed county super- intendent of schools in that county, and he did the work of both offices. The next year he was elected county superintendent without any opposition, and the very next year he resigned and accepted the principalship of the Mitchell high school, which position he held for three years. Then he jumped over to Miller to become city superintendent of their schools. He served them for three years, and then quit to become a candidate for super- intendent of the Hand county schools. He was elected; served one term; declined to accept a second term, owing to ill health ; removed to Lead, at the doctor's instigation, so as to be in a higher altitude; bought a half interest in the "Lead Daily Tribune," in 1905; later bought the "Lead Daily Call" and con- solidated it with the Tribune; got into the political game again, played it succes fully, and was nominated for postmaster at Lead on January 20, 1910; was confirmed in April and took charge of the office on May 1. Such is the record of the man who has enjoyed public con- fidence in this state to an ex- tent seldom, if ever, surpassed. "America is only another name for opportunity," said a wise, old sage long ago.
Yes! and South Dakota is the choicest spot in America for the development of that opportunity. Here every young man is part of the great common herd of humanity. If he fails, he has himself to blame; if he wins, it is merely because he embraced his op- portunities. Grace took ad- vantage of his, and he won.
GEORGE H. GRACE
HANDICAPPED
But Grace has always been handicapped. He contracted asthma in a very malignant form while yet a lad eight years of age at Monroe, Wisconsin. It has always stuck to him. As a result of the exposure during his long drives while superintend- ent of Hand county, his asthma got so bad that he had to give up
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his work and seek an elevation where the air is lighter. Lead is 6,000 feet above sea level. The change to this place has benefitted him wonderfully. It was this malady that prevented him from completing his college education. Yet he won in spite of it.
MARRIAGES
The greatest loss and the most severe setback that any man can recieve between the cradle and the grave is the loss, during middle life, of his chosen companion. Grace's first wife was Miss Minnie Waterbury, of Jerauld county. She graduated from the normal department of Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell with the class of '93, and shortly thereafter was united in mar- riage to George Grace. Universally beloved by all who knew her, Grace was not alone in his grief. She was the pier of any student in school at the university at that time; yet in her quiet, un- assuming, lovable way, she could excell all others without excit- ing envy or ill-will.
On the arch over the gateway at the eastern entrance to the old site of Andersonville prison, in Georgia, are these words,
"The noblest place for man to die Is where he dies for man."
This glorifies the noble sacrifice made by the Union soldier to free his colored brother. It deifies the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Yes, it does more; it includes those members of the female sex who go down into the valley of the shadow of death: and there, in that awful agony known only to a mother, offer themselves up a living sacrifice upon the alter of motherhood to bring another life into being Such was the fate of Mrs. Grace; and then. a few days later, that unforseen Force that shapes the destiny of man, snatched from the grief-stricken father the girl babe for whom the sacrifice had been made, and left him alone in an apparently cruel world, wrapped in solitude.
On June 26, 1900, Mr. Grace was married to Miss Belle Leffingwell, of Exira, lowa. Here again he showed his apprec- iation of educational training, for the present Mrs. Grace is a graduate of Drake University. Keen, logical, brilliant-her work on the editorial page of the "Lead Daily Call" is exciting interest and commanding admiration. Standing shoulder to shoulder with her distinguished husband in his strenuous double duties, she has proven herself an indispensable helpmeet; and she is gradually weaving herself into the home life of Lead and into the commercial life of the Black Hills, where the future alone will be able to give her just reward.
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CONCLUSION
Such has been the self-development of George Grace for twenty-nine years in South Dakota. Always possessed of con- fidence in his own ability, he has never been afraid to plunge in debt, but has always felt himself able to overcome any obligation. During the past year he has added over $6,000 worth of new machinery to his already well-equipped newspaper plant, so that today he has one of the very best printing establishments in the west.
Grace is yet a comparatively young man. The western part of the state is already throbbing in response to his ideas and leadership. No doubt the future holds still greater reward for him than the past; therefore, may we conclude by saying, there's nothing too good for Grace.
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OUR SENIOR SENATOR
Obedient to divine command, nature gave to Robert J. Gam- ble, a commanding physique. Tall, wedge-shaped, erect, he typifies that perfect form so greatly admired by the British, and used by them as a model in the selection of their armies. With a rather large, but well-shaped head, symmetrically poised on a short neck which holds it majestically above a pair of broad, massive shoulders-it gives to him a striking appearance *hat commands respect and invites both admiration and envy. Again, his silver hair, his high. wide forehead, his pleasing cast of fea- tures and his neatly trimmed gray moustache-all combine to give him a personal charm that is peculiarly magnetic.
Senator Gamble has often been reputed to be "the best dressed man in Washington." This does not signify that he is the most expensively dressed man in our national capital but rather that he is the most tastily dressed. And this is no fault! Clothes and manners largely make up the gentleman. A term in the United States senate is six years. It now pays $45,000. plus clerk hire, car fare and minor incidentals. On this basis a sen- ator can afford to wear decent clothes and give due consideration to his person. South Dakota is proud that she has at Washing- ton a man who is a leader instead of a trailer in this important matter. Just now we recall having seen him at a public banquet a few years since, at which all who were present commented among themselves relative to the exquisite good taste in which the senator was clad. On this occasion he wore a splendid, full- dress, evening suit, with a low-cut white vest; a white, bow necktie; gold nose-glasses, white kid gloves, and high-heeled shoes. Recently when he arrived in Chicago to sit as a member of the Lorimer investigating committee, an observing reporter of the "Chicago Daily News" detected at first glance the dainty har- mony of the senator's clothes, and he became so infatuated with his perfection of attire that he gave considerable space in his
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article to a comment on the blending of the senator's gray suit with his silvery-gray hair, and other points of interest.
Senator Gamble is a New Yorker by birth, -he having come into being near the little town of Akron in Genosee county, that state, February 7, 1851. His father, Robert Gamble, Sr , was Scotch-Irish; correlatively, his mother, Jennie Abernanthy- Gamble, came from the north of Ireland. The elder Gamble was a descendant of Major Root Gamble, who, as a sol- dier from Virginia, distin- gusihed himself during our Revolutionary war. The sen- ator's mother was a second cousin of President Andrew Jackson.
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