USA > South Dakota > Who's who in South Dakota, Volume II > Part 8
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W. A. MORRIS
Redfield with the Hon. Thomas Sterling, now our junior United States senator.
This partnership was continued for ten years. Then Morris withdrew to become secretary and general manager of the Mem- orial college at Mason City, Ia. But three years later, in September, 1903, he returned to Redfield and resumed his practice of law- this time by himself. However, in October, 1904, he formed a new partnership with At- torney W. F. Bruell, also of Redfield. This business association was continued until January 1, 1912, when it was dissolved and Mr. Morris took in for a new law partner, M. Moriarty. The last partnership still con- tinues.
IN POLITICS
General Morris was elected state's at- torney for Spink county in 1896 and served four years, 1897-1900, inclusive. In the spring of 1910, he was elected mayor of Red- field, and in the fall of the same year, he was sent to the state legislature. Here he made a good record, not only as one versed in the initiation of new laws but as a ready, sub- stantial debater. He was re-elected in 1912, and his friends at once got busy with the hope of electing him speaker -- a position he could have had, if he had cared to sever old friendships. That he would have made a
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he resigned to form a law partnership at most excellent presiding officer for the house members, there can be no dispute. His political stock is still rated at a premium and it is not safe to foreshadow what the future may bring forth. The general is an able lawyer, a good public speaker, a shrewd organizer and a square-toed mixer. He is one of those fellows who were born to win (even though he did enter life on the 13th day of the month.) Success !
He was re-appointed adjutant-general in 1915 for four years, and his appointment was promptly confirmed by the senate.
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· T. W. DWIGHT
NOT A BULL MOOSER A LA MODE
"Money is the root of all evil." No it isn't. How often we use that old quotation incorrectly, for private gain. Let's quote it right, "The love of money is the root of all evil." Very well; that sounds different.
Money is all right. Without it where
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would our good things come from? How- ever, even in small denominations, it some- times plays a peculiar part in the affairs of men.
Recently the commercial club of Sioux Falls held their annual meeting. Eight men were voted on for directors.
Only four could be elected. The three highest men were promptly accepted. The chair announced that two men had tied for fourth place-Dwight and Reininger. He proposed another vote to settle it. "Non- sense!" said Mr. Dwight, "let's flip a cent and decide it that way." Everybody agreed.
The coin was tossed! "Heads up!" Dwight won. The directors held a meeting and Regent T. W. Dwight was elected presi- dent of the club for the ensuing year. That penny was worth a dollar, regardless of its stamp and composition. Correlatively, we all remember how President Roosevelt once disposed of the South Dakota senatorial patronage and settled a dispute between Senators Kittredge and Gamble, by flipping a coin to the ceiling in the executive mansion.
In politics Mr. Dwight is a progressive republican (all good republicans are pro- gressive), but he is not a bull mooser a la mode. He is so well balanced that he knows the difference between loyalty to a man's
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political organization with a disposition to await one's call to office, and the rantanker- ous bucking against a man's party organi- zation just because he failed to be its nom- inee for high office at a certain time. In other words, Regent Dwight is one of those regular progressives who believes that pro- gress should be made gradually, systema- tically and collectively. He is one of those political rationalists whom a party, at the proper time, delights to honor, and one in whose hands they willingly place permanent leadership.
HIS WHEREABOUTS AND ROUNDABOUTS
Our good friend with whom we are con- cerned at this moment, Theodore William Dwight "shuffled (on) this mortal coil" (we hope he won't shuffle off for at least a half century) near Madison, Wisconsin, in Dane county, March 12, 1865. His ancestors were sturdy New Englanders-Hon. Timothy Dwight, D. D., one of the early presidents of Yale college, being among them.
Mr. Dwight's father was an adventure- some fellow. At twenty years of age, simply because a young lady with whom he was in- fatuated would not marry him, he ran away and went to sea, boarding a whale ship on which he cruised all over the world. On one occasion, while near the Madeira Islands,
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east of Africa, they sighted a school of whales. The captain offered $10 to the first boat that would harpoon a whale and make him fast. The first mate's boat speared one. It angered the animal. He made direct for the second mate's boat in which was the senior Dwight and some of his comrades. The whale struck the boat a terrific blow with his tail and knocked in one whole side. Then, he came back and struck at them with his teeth, one tusk penetrating the bottom of the boat, between the second mate's knees. The mate tore off his shirt, wrapped it around one oar and made a plug which he thrust into the hole and kept the boat from sinking, while his comrades baled out the water. They finally got a rope onto the ani- mal, made him fast to the whaler and secured the prize. The whale, itself, was sold for $3,000. One tusk of the animal is still in the Dwight family. When the elder Dwight re- turned, with a story of his successful ad- ventures, the young lady who had rejected him, changed her mind and they were promptly married.
The Dwight family have been prominent in all walks of life. Justice Hughes, of the U. S. Supreme court, was formerly associ- ated in law practice with one of Regent Dwight's uncles-the firm being, Carter,
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Hughes and Dwight. Senator Root studied law under Prof. Theodore W. Dwight, of Columbia University.
Regent Dwight got his early education at Evansville, Wisconsin. Later, he grad- uated from the high school at Red Wing, Minnesota, with the class of '85. He was not able to complete his education because of poor eye sight. So after clerking for three years in a general store at Brooklyn, Wis- consin, he migrated to Dakota in the spring of 1888, settled at Bridgewater and engaged in the mercantile business.
Mr. Dwight remained in Bridgewater fourteen years, during which time he enjoyed the confidence and respect of the entire community. However, in 1902, he "pulled stakes" and moved to Sioux Falls, at which place he engaged in the insurance and loan business, being a member of the firm of Knowles, Dwight and Toohey.
PLAYING THE GAME
While Mr. Dwight was yet at Bridge- water he was elected to the state legislature in 1898, and was made chairman of the committee-one that requires the most ex- acting care. As its chairman he gave the state splendid service.
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In the campaign of 1908, he acted as treasurer of the republican state central committee. His work was so successful that he was re-elected in 1910; and in addition thereto, as further appreciation of his ser- vices, Governor Vessey, in 1909, appointed him a member of the state board of regents, for six years. He has proved to be a valu- able member of this board, and was made its vice president. In 1915, he was re-appointed on the board of regents and was made its president.
PERSONAL
Regent Dwight married Miss Jennie M. Brink of Red Wing, Minnesota. Two child- ren bless their home-Helen and Edward. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, the U. C. T. and the Masons; also secretary of the South Dakota Society of Sons of the American Revolution.
It will thus be seen that Mr. Dwight came from good stock; that he has made good all along the line; that he is as yet but 48 years of age, in the prime of life, with good health, and, in the natural order of events, with a promising future still before him. He is one of the best read men in the state. In politics he has followed a course that has been entirely consistent. His manhood is
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above reproach. He owns a fine home in Sioux Falls and is thoroughly established there. We will watch his future with interest and shall take pleasure in chron- icling his success. May he mount high !
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W. R. RONALD
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IN NEWSPAPERDOM
"Style" in writing is just as pronounced and just as easily detected as style in dress. It is merely independence of thought, plus originality of expression. The literary style of some of our modern editors has become quite as flashy as some of the modern styles in dress, such as that of Elbertus Hubbard in "The Phillistine," of Clark in "Jim, Jam, Jems," and a few others.
But bringing the matter closer home, suppose that some "corporation hireling" (thanks to Mr. Crawford), for a stated fee, should write a public article and send it broadcast over the country, declaring that at heart President Woodrow Wilson is a high protectionist, the Argus-Leader would prob- ably say, "Just to keep the record straight we refer the gentleman to President Wilson's speech of acceptance, last year." The Sioux Falls Press would treat it as follows: "We demur to this allegation, on the grounds of insufficiency of the evidence. It is merely some political clap-trap trumped up to af- fect the proposed tariff legislation now pend- ing in congress." Perhaps the Huronite would say: "It is quite inconceivable to the average mind how any man, in view of the well-known facts, could become guilty of such editorial impropriety." The blunt,
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hard-hitting, editor of the Yankton Herald would exclaim, "He lied!" while the Aber- deen News would put it thus, "The fellow must be a fool." However, when it came to the editor of the Mitchell Daily Repblican, William R. Ronald, the man about whom this article is to center, he would dispose of it thus: "One falters at the mental processes of a brain that could arrive at such a con- clusion in view of all of President Wilson's well-known public declarations upon this im- portant theme. The article was evidently written at the instigation of certain inter- ested parties, and it may not be hard to guess who the coterie of individuals was that in- spired it." It is just as easy to mimic their writings as it is their hand-writings. One is no more pronounced than the other. Each has an individuality about it quite as distinct as the other.
Mr. Ronald's style is pleasing. His editorials read smoothly. They are free from personalities and usually carry considerable conviction.
He was born at Granview, Iowa, in 1879. His grandfather on his father's side was one of the early pioneers in eastern Iowa. He it was who rode day and night on horseback for nearly sixty hours to reach the early convention where he cast the decid-
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ing vote that made Iowa City, instead of Burlington, the old capital of Iowa.
William was unfortunate, in that his parents both died, only two weeks apart- .the father, of disease, and the mother, of a broken heart-when he was but three years of age, leaving him to be reared by an old aunt on a farm near Wapello, Iowa. These old aunties frequently come in handy and they serve as the most respected substitutes for father and mother.
Just so in the case of Mr. Ronald. His aunt appreciated her responsibility. She sent the boy to a rural school, near by, and then put him through the Wapello high school. Cognizant of the fact that the best equipment for success in life is a liberal edu- cation, she next sent him over to Monmouth, Ill., where he graduated from the Monmouth college with the class of 1898.
A NEWSPAPER MAN
Immediately upon graduation, Mr. Ronald got it into his head that he wanted to be a newspaper man, so he went to Bussey, Iowa, and became identified with the "Tri- County Press." He rode a mustang pony over the counties, soliciting subscriptions for the paper. This was a tough beginning, but he already knew that if a man would be boss he must first learn to serve; that the safest
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way to get to the top and stay there is to begin at the very bottom and work up.
Next he answered an advertisement in a newspaper, and as a result he was called to Marion, Indiana, where he was given em -. ployment on a weekly paper-first as a so- licitor; then, business manager, and then to the editorial chair.
However, in 1901, he was called to Sioux City, Iowa, and given a position on the Trib- une. Again he had to work up. He began as a reporter; was then made editor, and finally, managing editor.
His next move was to Sioux Falls, S. D., January 1, 1908, where he became editor of the Sioux Falls Daily Press. This position he held for nearly two years, making the Press a tremendous factor in the memorable campaign of 1908 that transferred the United States senatorship from Sioux Falls to Huron.
But Editor Ronald was anxious to get into the newspaper and general printing business for himself. He had "made good" in every field since he left college. Finally in November, 1909, he came to Mitchell, bought out the Mitchell Printing company, which was doing a general printing business and issuing a daily and a weekly paper, re- organized the firm and changed its name to
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the "Mitchell Publishing Company," added new capital; put out a city salesman, two general salesmen and two subscription so- licitors; tripled the circulation of the "Mitchell Daily Republilcan," and increased the general business of the firm 250 per cent. It was his ambition from the start, through the influence of the Daily Republican, to make Mitchell a commercial center and the distributing point for that section of the state. In this he has succeeded well.
Here has been a life of phenomenal success. An orphan at three years of age; a college graduate at nineteen; managing editor of a big daily at twenty-five; editor of one of the big South Dakota dailies and pro- prietor of one of the state's biggest printing establishments at thirty : this is the inspira- tional career of W. R. Ronald. He has set a swift pace, to be sure; but the future beckons him on, and if his pace does not slacken he will have won life's race by a splendid margin. Forward!
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GEORGE A. PETTIGREW
THE STATE'S LEADING MASON
Free Masonry stands for advancement. Free Masons are progressives. Every com- munity that has a strong masonic order shows a healthy growth. The most sub- stantial citizens in most communities are masons. They are the town's builders, the town's leaders and the town's bulwark.
In fact the history of South Dakota is in a large measure the history of the de-
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velopment of Free Masonry within the state. The first Masonic charter granted to a lodge in Dakota Territory was dated June 3, 1863. It was given to St. John's No. 166, of the jurisdiction of Iowa, for a lodge at Yankton. The second lodge was Incense No. 257, or- ganized at Vermillion. From this time on, Free Masonry spread over the whole terri- tory until today there are organizations of the order in every town of any considerable size throughout the state. Several magnif- icent temples have been built. The auxiliary organization of the Order of Eastern Star has taken firm root and grown quite as rapidly as the parent lodge itself. To sub- tract from Dakota what the Free and Ac- cepted Masons have done to build it up, would be to turn backward the wheels of civic progress for over half a century.
Chief among this class of secret society people and public benefactors, is Dr. George A. Pettigrew, of Sioux Falls. (One should not confuse him with R. F. Pettigrew, our ex-United States senator.) We do not have in the state another man with such numer- ous friends. What gained them? Personali- ty. If some one will explain what personality is, perhaps some of the rest of us might, to
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a certain extent, cultivate it. Dr. Pettigrew has more than personality. He has per- sonality, plus a rich, ripe, ideal manhood.
Dr. Pettigrew is a typical easterner. He was born in Ludlow, Vermont, on April 6, 1858. For a boyhood playmate he had Dr. F. A. Spafford, of Flandreau. His early education was acquired in the public schools and at Black River Academy. Later he at- tended the New London Literary and Scien- tific Institution-now known. as Colby In- stitute-at New London, New Hampshire. Then he entered the medical department of Dartmouth college and was graduated as an M. D. with the class of 1882. His parents were comparatively poor. His scholastic preparation required an heroic struggle. While at Dartmouth, he served as a waiter for three summers at a hotel in the White mountains ; first as an individual waiter and then as head writer with 28 others under him.
COMES WEST
Upon the completion of his medical course, he decided that the best opportunities down east had been seized by older men, and that if he were to mount up rapidly in his chosen profession or in a monied career, it would be better for him to strike westward.
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Accordingly he came to Flandreau, South Dakota, and at once stuck out his local sign and began work. This was on February 2, 1883. The following June he was joined by his old boyhood chum, Dr. Spafford, and they formed a partnership for the practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. Spafford is at the "old stand" yet.
Dr. Pettigrew practiced for ten years at Flandreau. The country was new. Win- ters were severe. Travel was difficult. He lived thirty years instead of ten, during this period, if they could be measured by hard- ships and sacrifices. During one exception- ally hard blizzard, he lay out all night. His rugged manhood saved him.
While at Flandreau he also held the position of government surgeon to the Indians. Upon his retirement he turned this work over to Dr. Spafford. In addition to this, he was surgeon for the Chicago, Mil- waukee and St. Paul Railway company for eight years; surgeon of the second regiment of territorial guards 1885-93; surgeon-gen- eral of South Dakota for two terms under Governor Sheldon; member of the board of U. S. pension examiners, 1884-1901, with the exception of one year; and he was surgeon of the first and the second regiments of South Dakota state guards (after their organiza-
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tion into a state guard), until the Spanish- American war. It will be recalled that Andrew E. Lee was our war governor. He was a rank democrat. Pettigrew was a radical republican. "Nuff said."
Dr. Pettigrew organized the Flandreau State bank in 1891, and he was elected its first president. This position he held until he resigned in September, 1903, to move to Sioux Falls. Away back in 1889, he had been elected grand secretary of the Grand Chapter (Masonic order). In 1893, he was elected grand secretary of the grand lodge; and in 1903 he was elected grand secretary of all the Masonic bodies in the state.
This made it advisable for him to move to Sioux Falls. At first he had his offices in the old Peck building. But he was very active in building the beautiful Masonic Temple in Sioux Falls, which was dedicated in June, 1906. In it he has accumulated the finest and costliest collection of ancient relics to be found in the state; also a library of ancient and modern literature without a parallel anywhere. He has it admirably classified into Theology (including an origi- nal copy of the famous "breeches" Bible), Sociology, Philosophy, Masonry and dozens
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of other sections. Every Mason has free access to this valuable collection of famous works.
After going to Sioux Falls, Dr. Petti- grew showed himself to be the same active business man and public spirited citizen that he was at Flandreau. In a short time he was made president of the Sioux Falls Union Savings association, which position he held until 1914 when he resigned. During 1909-11, he served on the board of education in Sioux Falls as president. In this
position he made an enviable record. While he was on the board, by applying to school affairs the same business instinct that a man gives to other business affairs (a thing, by the way, that you can seldom get men to do), he helped to raise the teachers' salaries in Sioux Falls 40 per cent without increasing the levy, and the board, in ad- dition to this splendid showing, paid off their old school debt at the rate of $1,500 per month. It is impossible to estimate the value to any community of a man of his temper- ament and sagacity. South Dakota could use several of them at other points to good ad- vantage just now. In 1914, he was re-elected president for another five-year term.
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MARRIAGE
Our subject had prospered so well out west, in four years, that he decided to take unto himself a helpmeet; so he went back to Troy, New York, in the fall of 1887, and on October 19th was united in marriage to Miss Eudora Zulette Stearns. She was born at Felchville, Vermont, July 28, 1858. By a comparison of dates it will at once be seen that he is but three months and twenty-one days her senior. To assume that they had never met in their "younger days" would be to impoverish one's own imagination. Their marital blessing is an only daughter, Miss Addie, born September 17, 1890.
MASONIC RECORD
Reverting again to Dr. Pettigrew's Masonic record (it is as a Mason that he is best known), we deem it advisable to give it in full, not only as a matter of informa- tion to all readers of the Argus-Leader, but as an inspiration to others. It is doubtful if there are a half dozen other men in the United States with a record equal to his.
King Solomon Lodge No. 14, New Hampshire. Entered apprentice July 2, 1879; Fellow craft June 14, 1880; Master Mason, June 14, 1880 ; dimitted November 7, 1883.
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Flandreau lodge No. 11, South Dakota. Admitted, January 5, 1884; secretary, 1884- 1885; senior warden, 1886-1887; worshipful master, 1888-89; dimitted October 4, 1905.
Unity lodge No. 130, South Dakota, ad- mitted November 3, 1905.
Minnehaha lodge No. 5, honorary mem- ber, April 8, 1908.
Grand lodge of South Dakota, A. F. and A. M., grand pursuivant, 1889; grand secre- tary, June 13, 1894, present time.
Chapter-Orient chapter No. 19, South Dakota-Mark master Mason, May 18, 1885; past master, May 21, 1885; most excellent master, May 22, 1885; Royal Arch Mason, May 27, 1885; secretary, 1886-87; principal sojourner, 1887-92; high priest, 1893; di- mitted August 23, 1905.
Sioux Falls chapter No. 2, South Da- kota-Admitted September 6, 1905.
Order of High Priesthood, South Da- kota-Initiated June 11, 1896, at Huron.
Grand chapter of South Dakota, R. A. M .- Grand secretary, organization 1890 to June 1906 ; grand high priest, June, 1906-07; grand secretary, June, 1907,present time.
Grand representative grand chapter, Illinois since 1890.
Royal and Select Masters-Koda coun- cil, Flandreau, S. D .; royal master, Decem-
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ber 18, 1894; select master, December 18, 1894; super excellent master, December 18, 1894; dimitted December 2, 1896.
Alpha council No. 1, Sioux Falls-Ad- mitted November 7, 1903; thrice illustrious master, 1896-97; deputy master, 1903-15.
Cyrene Commandery No. 2, K. T .- -Red Cross February 28, 1888; Knights Templar February 28, 1888; Knights of Mal- ta-February 28, 1888; dimitted November 2, 1892.
Ivanhoe Commandery No. 13, Flan- dreau, S. D .- Charter member, June 30, 1893; captain general 1893-95; generalissi- mo, 1896; eminent commander, 1897; di- mitted November 27, 1905.
Cyrene Commandery No. 2, Sioux Falls -Admitted December 5, 1905.
Grand Commandery K. T., South Da- kota-Grand standard bearer 1892-3, grand recorder June, 1895-1906 ; grand commander, June 1907-08; grand recorder, 1908-present time.
Honorary member Grand Commandery of Iowa, August 9, 1907.
A. A. A. Scottish Rite, Alpha lodge of Perfection No. 1. Yankton, S. D., February 14, 1894; Mackey chapter, Yankton, Febru- ary 15, 1894; Robert de Bruce council No. 2, February 16, 1894; Oriental Consistory
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No. 2, Yankton, February 17, 1894; master of ceremonies, 1897; chancellor, 1899-1900; preceptor, 1901.
Khurum lodge of Perfection, charter member; Albert Pike chapter, Sioux Falls, charter member; Coeur de Leon council, Sioux Falls, charter member; Occidental Consistory No. 2, Sioux Falls, charter mem- ber.
K. C. C. H. at Washington October 19, 1897.
Honorary thirty-third degree January 16, 1900.
Deputy inspector general for Sioux Falls, November 28, 1902.
Royal Order of Scotland October 19, 1903.
A. A. O. N. M. S .- El Riad temple, Sioux Falls, June 8, 1899; held all inter- mediate offices, and elected potentate Decem- ber 12, 1908; re-elected potentate December 15, 1909; grand representative New Orleans 1910; grand representative, Rochester, July 11, 1911.
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