Brookings County, South Dakota

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

EMIL A. BERKE.

    Emil A. Berke, a well known and able attorney practicing at Elkton, has attained a position which many an older member of the bar might well envy. His birth occurred September 21, 1886, upon a farm in Deuel county, South Dakota, and he comes of Scandinavian parentage and ancestry. He was but a few years old when the family removed to Clark county and there he began his education in the district schools, while later he attended the high school at Bradley, South Dakota. He was ambitious to secure a good education that would fit him for life's practical and responsible duties and when fifteen years of age he went to Madison, where for four years he was a student in the State Normal School, where he came under the instruction of General W. H. H. Beadle. After putting aside his textbooks Mr. Berke took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Day county, and later he filed upon and proved up a claim northwest of Philip. He never abandoned his idea, however, of securing an education and preparing for the bar, and after securing his claim he matriculated in the university at Vermillion, South Dakota, where he entered upon a course of law and economics. Notwithstanding the fact that he entered late in the first semester of the school year, he very creditably passed all of his examinations. He has ever been a student and his tastes and habits along that line have gained him rank with the scholars of his part of the state. While a university student he manifested oratorical talent and ability of high order and at the same time he thoroughly mastered the work of the law course and qualified for later successes at the bar. During his college days he became a member of the Delta Theta Phi.

     Following his graduation, at which time the Bachelor of Laws degree was conferred upon him, he formed a partnership for practice with Fred W. Cuckow and the firm had two offices, with Mr. Cuckow at the Brookings office and Mr. Berke in charge of the practice at Elkton. A liberal clientage was accorded the firm until 1914, when it was found necessary to dissolve the partnership on account of the illness of the senior partner.

     During his university days Mr. Berke formed the acquaintance of Miss Lillian Marzian, a native of Kentucky, and the friendship which sprang up between them ripened into love, resulting in their marriage at Madison, South Dakota, in June, 1913. Theirs is an attractive home by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality and good cheer and is a favorite resort with their many friends at Elkton and through the surrounding country. Mr. Berke concentrates his energies upon his profession and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial, yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

PROFESSOR GEORGE LINCOLN BROWN.

    Professor George Lincoln Brown, dean of the faculty and vice president of the South Dakota State College at Brookings, was born in Bates county, Missouri, January 25, 1869. His father, John Brown, was of Ohio parentage, while his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Seavers, was a native of Illinois. The family numbered four sons, of whom George L. is the second. He was reared to farm life and his early education was acquired in a country school. In 1884 he entered the preparatory department of the University of Missouri and after an irregular attendance was graduated in 1892 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. At the end of his junior year he received the Rollins fellowship of fifty dollars, awarded to the best junior in the science course, and during his senior year he held a teaching fellowship in German. He returned to the same institution for post-graduate work in mathematics during the next two years, holding a teaching fellowship in mathematics and receiving the degree of Master of Science in Mathematics in 1893. Having been awarded a fellowship in mathematics in the Chicago University in 1894, he pursued post-graduate work in that institution through the succeeding two years, completing the work for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which he holds from that institution. In the fall of 1896 he obtained a position as teacher of mathematics in the high school of Rock Island, Illinois, but resigned on the 1st of February, 1897, to accept the chair of mathematics in the South Dakota Agricultural College, which name has since been changed to the South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.

    In the summer and fall of 1908, during the absence of the president, Professor Brown was acting president of that institution. He was made dean of the faculty in 1910 and was made vice president in 1913. Upon the transfer of President R. L. Slagle to the presidency of the South Dakota State University on the 1st of February, 1914, Professor Brown became acting president of the South Dakota State College, in which capacity he continued until August 1st of the same year, when President Ellwood C. Perisho took up the duties of that office.

    In June, 1898, Professor Brown was married to Miss Winifred Geraldine Loucks, a daughter of H. L. Loucks, at that time a resident of Deuel county but now of Watertown, South Dakota. In April, 1908, Mrs. Brown passed away, leaving three children: Cecil Langford, aged fifteen years; Elizabeth Louise, aged twelve; and Florence Margaret, nine years of age. In 1910 Professor Brown was united in marriage to Anna York Loucks, and they have one child, a daughter, Winifred York Loucks.

    Professor Brown is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a college fraternity, whose membership is based upon scholarship. He is also a Mason, belonging to Brookings Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and to Brookings Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M. While a man of scholarly attainments, his ambition and opportunities carrying him beyond the point that many men have reached, there is nothing in him of the pedantic; on the contrary, he has that touch of human sympathy and interest which has enabled him to understand and inspire not only students but also those with whom he has come in contact in other relations. He exemplifies in his life the teachings of Masonry, recognizing the brotherhood of man.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

GEORGE H. BURLEIGH, M. D., C. M.

    Dr. George H. Burleigh has won for himself a prominent position among the practitioners of Estelline and he displays particular ability in surgery and has also specialized to a large extent in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He was born in Cambray, Canada, County Victoria, Ontario, on the 11th of October, 1870, and is a son of William Spencer and Delia Ann Burleigh. The father was a carriage builder, devoting the greater part of his life to that business, but both he and his wife have passed away. After attending the public schools Dr. Burleigh became a student in Trinity University and afterward in the medical school, now the Toronto Medical College, from which he was graduated on the 1st of June, 1900. He then entered the Toronto General Hospital as an interne, there remaining for twelve months, during which time he gained the broad knowledge and experience that only hospital practice can bring. After leaving Toronto Hospital he attended Chicago Clinical School and then located at Emerson, Nebraska. In 1903 he returned to Chicago for six months' study in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College. He then returned to Toronto for a short while, but on account of ill health again came west. He located first at Lane, South Dakota, where he was first president of the town board Soon after he removed to Estelline, where he has since remained. In 1913 he attended the Polyclinic Post Graduate School of Chicago and each year he goes to Chicago for further post-graduate work in the leading medical colleges of that city. He now has an extensive practice in Estelline and throughout the surrounding country and the nature of his business is of a most important character. He practices surgery in the Volga Hospital at Volga, in the Brookings Hospital, and does nearly all of the surgery for the neighboring country. Even in his surgical work he specializes in the surgical treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. His study and investigations along those lines have given him particular ability and power and his efforts have been attended with excellent results. In addition to his other professional work he is health officer for Estelline.

    On the 24th of March, 1896, Dr. Burleigh was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Long, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ann Long of Melbourne, Ontario. Dr. and Mrs. Burleigh have a daughter, Ruby Adelaide, born June 30, 1898. Motoring is a favorite source of enjoyment with the family and when opportunity offers Dr. Burleigh turns from his professional activities to attend the meetings of the Masonic, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Workmen and Woodmen societies. Mrs. Burleigh is past matron of the Eastern Star Chapter and past noble grand of the Rebekahs. The Doctor was worshipful master in 1914 of Kurhum Lodge, No. 96, A. F. & A. M., also belongs to the chapter and has passed through all of the chairs in the Odd Fellows lodge. He is most loyal to the teachings and tenets of the craft and he utilizes in his profession the many opportunities offered to exemplify its principles. Along strictly professional lines his membership is with the Third District Medical Society, the South Dakota State Medical Society, the Sioux Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He recognizes fully the duties and obligations that devolve upon him and as the years go by be increases his efficiency by broad reading and study, his ability winning for him high rank in his chosen field.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

JESS W. FOSTER, M. D.

    Dr. Jess W. Foster, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Aurora, is one of the younger representatives of the profession, yet already has displayed ability and attained a professional position that many an older man might well envy. He was born in Fayette county, Iowa, on the 14th of September, 1886, and is a son of John A. and Jessie (McNaught) Foster, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to the United States in childhood with their respective parents and settled in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and eventually married. From early manhood the father worked in the coal mines of Pennsylvania until his removal to Iowa about 1870. He was a veteran of the Civil war, being among the first to respond to the call for troops following the outbreak of hostilities in 1861. He enlisted as a member of Company E, Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and served with that command throughout the war, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. When peace was restored he returned to Pennsylvania, after which he continued work in the coal mines until 1870, when he came to the west, settling in Fayette county, Iowa, where he took up a homestead and began farming. For some time he carried on general agricultural pursuits but in his later years he retired from farm work and removed to Arlington, where his death occurred in January, 1913, while his widow still resides there.

    Dr. Foster spent his youthful days under the parental roof and after attending the district schools continued his education in Arlington, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high-school pupil. Later he took up the study of medicine, for he believed that he would enjoy the practice of that profession, and in 1906 he entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, spending a year as a student in that institution. He next entered the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1910. Immediately after the completion of his course he located for practice at Lake Preston, South Dakota, where he successfully followed his profession for three years. In August, 1913, he went to Brookings, where he remained until he removed to Aurora, where he is enjoying a fine practice. Dr. Foster recently erected in Brookings a handsome residence, which is supplied with all modern improvements, equipments and conveniences and which he sold advantageously. In 1911 he was united in marriage to Miss Blanche Welch of Arlington, Iowa, and they have gained many friends. Dr. Foster belongs to the Brookings Commercial Club And has membership in Brookings Lodge, No. 24, F. & A. M. He is a member of the Third District Medical Society of South Dakota, of the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has built up a remunerative practice and undoubtedly has a bright professional career before him. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their sterling traits of character have established them in the high regard of their fellow townsmen.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

CHARLES A. GULLICK.

    Chosen as the custodian of public funds, Charles A. Gullick has made an excellent record in the office of county treasurer of Brookings county and is moreover a well known and popular citizen and was formerly a successful and enterprising merchant. He was born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, on the 22d of November, 1869. His father, Gullick Gullickson, was a native of Norway and came to the United States in 1854, settling in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in farming. In 1884 he made his way westward to South Dakota, settling on a tract of land in Sterling township, Brookings county, whereon he passed away three years later.

    Charles A. Gullick was a youth of fifteen when the family came to this state. He was reared at home, acquiring his education chiefly in the public schools of Wisconsin although he attended school for one term in South Dakota. After arriving in this state, however, his time was principally given to work upon the home farm until he reached the age of twenty years, when he went to Brookings and apprenticed himself to the tinner's trade, where he worked for about two and a half years, after which his employer, W. H. Roddle, was elected county treasurer of Brookings county and gave over his hardware business to the charge of Mr. Gullick. After the expiration of Mr. Roddle's term of office as county treasurer he was elected to the position of secretary of state and Mr. Gullick continued the management of the hardware business for about eight years. In February, 1898, he embarked in the hardware trade on his own account and conducted his store with growing success for eight and a half years but disposed of the business in the fall of 1906. He afterward worked for two years for his successor and was then called to public office, being appointed on the 1st of January, 1909, to the position of deputy county treasurer. He served for four years as deputy and in the November election of 1912 he was chosen by popular suffrage to the position of county treasurer, taking charge of the office on the 1st of January, 1913. In 1914 he was the republican candidate for reelection,the excellent record which he made during his first term commending him to the further support of the voters.

    In November, 1895, Mr. Gullick was united in marriage to Miss Eva B. Hause, of Brookings, and to them was born a son, Howard II. The wife and mother passed away in March, 1902. Mr. Gullick is a member of the Brookings Commercial Club and his cooperation and support can be counted upon at all times to further public improvement and advance the beet interests of town and county. He regards a public office as a public trust and is most faithful to the duties that devolve upon him in connection with his present position.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

JAMES L. JARVIS.

    Business enterprise finds a worthy, alert and energetic representative in James L. Jarvis, a hardware dealer of Brookings, who is also chairman of the board of county commissioners of Brookings county. He recognizes the duties and obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship and thus can find time from a growing business to devote to public service. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, on the 7th of January, 1860, a son of Eli and Lovina (Wyland) Jarvis, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of the Hoosier state. The father has been a lifelong farmer.   After leaving the south he removed to Indiana and in 1860 went to Kansas but in 1862 took up his abode in Shelby county, Iowa, where he and his wife still make their home.

    James L. Jarvis was educated in the public schools of Harlan, Iowa, and in the high school there and remained upon the home farm until he reached his twenty-first year. He then went to Wauseca [sic], Minnesota, and a year later removed to Winona, Minnesota, where he worked at the carpenter's trade through the summer months, while in the winter he taught school. In 1881 he took up railroading and was employed by the Northwestern Railroad Company until 1883. In the fall of 1886 he came to South Dakota, settling at Langford, where he entered the service of the Dakota Lumber Company as manager of the yards, remaining in that position of trust and responsibility for five years. In 1891 he resigned his position and entered into partnership with J. C. Bassett of Aberdeen, South Dakota, opening a hardware store at Langford. Mr. Bassett, recognizing the ability of Mr. Jarvis, furnished him the requisite capital and for ten years the firm of Jarvis &, Company did a prosperous business at that point. In 1901 Mr. Jarvis disposed of his interests there and removed to Brookings, where he established his present business, which has since been developed into one of the leading hardware houses of Brookings. He carries a large line of both shelf and heavy hardware and his patronage has grown from the beginning until his business has now reached large and gratifying proportions.

    In the spring of 1883 Mr. Jarvis was united in marriage to Miss Vesta V. Sanford, of Winona, Minnesota, by whom he has one child, Ruth, now a high-school pupil of Brookings.
    Politically Mr. Jarvis is a republican, stanch in his advocacy of the principles of the party, and in 1908 he was elected to the board of county commissioners, where he made a creditable record, so that he was reelected to the board in 1912 and was made its chairman in 1913. Mr. Jarvis is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership in Brookings Lodge, No. 34, F. & A. M., while he and his wife are members of Brookings Chapter, No. 15, O. E. S., of which he is the present patron. He likewise belongs to Brookings Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., and has membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen. He is likewise a member of the Brookings Commercial Club and is in full sympathy with its purposes to further the business interests of the city, extend its trade relations and uphold its municipal honor. He and his wife have been members of the First Presbyterian church for many years and Mr. Jarvis is serving as one of its elders. His life has been characterized by high and honorable principles and the record which he has made in every relation marks him as a man who never lowers his standards and one who pursues a course not because it is policy to do so, but because he believes in the value and efficacy of the path that he has marked out.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

JOHN A. LUNDEN.

    John A. Lunden, clerk of the courts of Brookings county, was born in Norway on the 26th of March, 1874, a son of Peter J. and Anna B. (Bjorken) Lunden. The father came to the United States in 1877 and in February, 1878, filed on a homestead covering the southeast quarter of section 11, Medary township, Brookings county, South Dakota. In the spring of that year he sent for his family and they arrived in August, 1878. The parents are still hale and hearty and yet reside on the old homestead.

    John A. Lunden was but four years of age when brought to America by his mother, so that he has been practically reared in Brookings county and in the public schools acquired his preliminary education, which was supplemented by study in the State College at Brookings and in the Sioux Falls Business College. He then returned to the home farm and soon afterward he was married. It was on the 26th of February, 1900, that he wedded Miss Ida Trygstad, a native of Brookings county. They began their domestic life upon a rented farm and for several years he continued to cultivate leased land. In 1907 he purchased the southeast quarter of section 30, Medary township, to which place he then removed and it is still in his possession. He continued to engage actively in the work of the farm until November, 1912, when he was elected to his present office, the duties of which he assumed on the 1st of January following. In 1914 he was nominated for reelection without opposition—a fact which indicates that he has made a popular official and that the duties of the office have been discharged in a most capable and efficient manner.

    In 1911 Mr. Lunden was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 2d of December of that year, leaving four children: Millard, Alvin, Walter and Evelyn. In March, 1915, Mr. Lunden married Mrs. Selma Roe, of Brookings, South Dakota. He is an active member of the Brookings Commercial Club and is interested in all plans and projects for the upbuilding of the city and the extension of its trade relations.

    He stands at all times for progress and improvement and the same spirit actuates him in the discharge of his official duties.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

JOHN G. MILES.

    John G. Miles, a cigar manufacturer of Brookings, was born in Howard county,. Iowa, January 8, 1859, a son of John O. and Louise (Taft) Miles, the former a native of Maine and the latter of Wisconsin. The father went to Iowa about 1854, settling in one of the pioneer districts of the state, where he purchased government land at a dollar and a quarter per acre. With resolute energy he began converting the claim into a cultivable and valuable farm and thereon made his home until his death. His widow afterward took up her abode in Cresco, Iowa, where her remaining days were passed.

    John G. Miles had good home training, with the benefits to be derived from public school education in Cresco, where he supplemented the work of the lower grades by a high school course. He came to South Dakota in 1881 and took up a preemption in Day county, which he proved up on. In the spring of 1883 he arrived in Brookings, where he entered the employ of B. J. Kelsey, a general merchant. In the fall of 1885 he established himself in the furniture and hardware business in Brookings, but sold out after five years and for some time thereafter gave his attention to the management of his landed properties. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, however, called him from private life to public office, electing him sheriff of Brookings county in 1906. He made such an excellent record during his first term that he was reelected and thus served for two terms. When he retired from office he purchased his present cigar manufacturing business, which he has since conducted, his trade being largely confined to the eastern part of the state. He is also the owner of the speedy pacing horse Dad Mix, with which he has been winning many of the best purses at the various fairs throughout the middle west, the horse never receiving a lower mark than 2:12 1/2. He is very speedy and will undoubtedly later show among the fast representatives of the track. The landed possessions of Mr. Miles aggregate more than a thousand acres of farming property in Brookings county and in Minnesota.

    In 1890 Mr. Miles was married to Miss Katie M. Hall, a daughter of A. M. Hall, a large landowner of Brookings county, who served for four years as county treasurer and otherwise was known as a valued citizen but is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miles became the parents of a son. Hall J. In his political views Mr. Miles has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as justice of the peace and as town clerk. He belongs to Brookings Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M.; Brookings Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M.; Brookings Commandery, K. T.; the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Elkton; and the Brookings Commercial Club. He advances steadily along the line which he has chosen as a life work, his close application and his judicious investments being salient features in his prosperous career.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

EDGAR C. OLSON.

    In all of his business career, progressive and successful as it has been, his has never been the command of the tyrant to go, but always the call of the leader to come, and thus Edgar C. Olson today occupies a conspicuous and enviable position in the commercial circles, not only of Sioux Falls, but of the northwest, being at the head of a company which owns a chain of clothing stores throughout this part of the country.

    He is a native of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, born April 6, 1874, his parents being Gabriel and Martha (Nelson) Olson. He was the seventh in order of birth in a family of three sons and five daughters, all of whom are yet living with the exception of the eldest son, John G., who died in 1004. The removal of the family in 1875 to Kasson, Minnesota, enabled Edgar C. Olson to there pursue his education in the public schools. He also attended high school at St. Paul, Minnesota, and spent three years as a student in a night school in that city in order to overcome what he regarded as a lack of early educational opportunities. He has ever been a student of life and in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons which he has put to good use.

    Mr. Olson became a clerk in a clothing store in St. Paul in 1890, and there remained until 1900, when he went to Marshall, Minnesota, and in partnership with a brother, established a clothing store under the firm name of Olson Brothers. This was successfully conducted for two years. In 1902 the firm of Olson Brothers opened a branch store at Brookings, South Dakota, which is still in operation and Edgar C. Olson continued in charge there until 1912, when he came to Sioux Falls, where the previous year he had been instrumental in organizing the firm of Olson, Delaney & Berdahl. This firm continued until July 15, 1913, at which time the business was taken over by the present E. C. Olson Company. Theirs is one of the leading clothing establishments, not only of the city, but also of this section of the country, and their store presents a most attractive appearance. The fixtures are of late design done in fumed oak. The big suit rack will accommodate twelve hundred men's and boys' suits and overcoats, and the stock includes clothing, hats, haberdashery and men's furnishings.

    As the years have passed Edgar C. Olson has established business in various sections until he now has a chain of nine stores. The one at Watertown, South Dakota, established in 1907, which was conducted under the name of Olson-McCosham Company, is now under the name of The Olson-Lee Company. The business at Rapid City was started in 1909 and has always been conducted under the firm style of Olson & Company. M. G. Olson, brother of E. C. Olson, established stores at Montevideo, Minnesota; Wheaton, Minnesota; Sisseton, South Dakota, and Grand Forks, North Dakota. These are all owned by the E. C. Olson Company, together with the stores at Rapid City, at Brookings and at Sioux Falls. The business today is extensive, being one of the important commercial enterprises of the northwest and the capability, progressiveness and laudable ambition of E. C. Olson and his brother have constituted a substantial foundation upon which their success has been built.

    On the 8th of January, 1905, at Brookings, South Dakota, Mr. Olson was united in marriage to Miss Callie T. Williams, a daughter of Edward Williams, and they have one son, Lyle Williams, born July 31, 1907. The parents are members of the Baptist church, while Mr. Olson belongs also to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of the York Rite and the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Commercial Club and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. While he is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship and in fact stands many times as a leader in support of public projects, he has never sought political preferment, giving to his business affairs that close attention which is largely the secret of success. He keeps in touch with the most modern commercial methods and conforms his interests to the highest requirements of commercial ethics.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

O. G. OYLOE.

    O. G. Oyloe, filling the position of postmaster at Brookings, was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 8th of February, 1859, a son of Gudmund and Mary (Garden) Oyloe, both of whom were natives of the land of the midnight sun, in which they were reared and married. In 1852 they crossed the Atlantic to the new world, their first location being in Decorah, Iowa. They were among the early pioneers of that section, there being no settlers west of them. The father purchased land from the government at the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre and thereon followed general agricultural pursuits, both he and his wife living upon the farm until they were called to their final rest, the former passing away in 1896, while the latter died in 1907.

    O. G. Oyloe was reared at home and acquired his education in the common schools. In 1887, he removed to Brookings and opened a photograph gallery which he successfully conducted for thirteen years. In 1900 he turned his attention to the real-estate business, with which he was identified until 1910, and during the succeeding two years he gave his attention to the management of his landed holdings and also managed property for others. In 1912 he was appointed postmaster of Brookings, which position he has since filled, and he has made an excellent record in the office by the prompt and faithful manner in which he has discharged his duties and his courteous treatment of the patrons of the office. He has likewise filled other positions, having served for six years as a member of the school board and for eight years, beginning in 1901, as a member of the board of county commissioners. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He believes in its principles and has seen no reason to change his opinions, feeling that the adoption of the party platform will most quickly serve the interests of the public at large. In addition to discharging his official duties he gives supervision to the farm of three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land near Brookings which he owns.

    In 1887 Mr. Oyloe was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Jagerson, of Decorah, Iowa. He belongs to the Brookings Commercial Club and has membership in the Lutheran church. His position as a leading and representative citizen no one questions, and the circle of his friends in this part of the state is an extensive one.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

FRANK H. RIPLEY.

    Frank H. Ripley, county auditor of Brookings county and one of its native sons, was born June 11, 1881, his parents being Charles S. and Sarah M. (Armstrong) Ripley, who in the year 1878 came to South Dakota from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Following his arrival the father homesteaded the northeast quarter of section 34, Trenton township, Brookings county, and subsequently acquired various other farms, of which he has disposed at different times, now retaining possession of only a half section, which includes the original homestead and a quarter section adjoining it on the east. He figured for an extended period as one of the leading agriculturists of the county but in 1907 retired from active farm work and removed to Aurora, where he has since lived, giving his attention to his real-estate holdings, and he has leisure to enjoy those things which are to him a matter of interest and recreation. In politics he is a republican but, while he has served as a delegate to county and state conventions, he has never been an aspirant for public office. He and his wife hold membership In the Methodist Episcopal church.

    Frank H. Ripley was reared upon the old homestead farm, with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm lad upon the frontier. After acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools he attended the State College at Brookings and when his studies were completed he taught school through one term—the winter terra of 1898-9. He then turned his attention to the grain business at Elkton and Aurora, buying grain for two different firms. In 1909, in company with his brother, Charles A., he embarked in the mercantile business at Aurora, in which he still retains his interest. He was actively associated therewith up to the time when he assumed the duties of his present office on the 1st of March, 1913. It was in November, 1912, that he was elected to the position of county auditor and he was renominated in the spring primary of 1914, being reelected without opposition, a fact which attests strongly his personal popularity and the capability with which he discharges his duties.

    On the 23d of January, 1907, Mr. Ripley was united in marriage to Miss Goldie Lombard, of Aurora, also a native of Brookings county.   Her father, Colmar D. Lombard, came to Brookings county in 1878 from Chatfield, Minnesota. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are widely and favorably known in this part of the state and the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. Mr. Ripley belongs to Elkton Lodge, No. 57, A. F. & A. M., and to Brookings Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M., and is also a member of the Brookings Commercial Club. He has always resided in the county which has honored him with office and the fact that some of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present is an indication of the fact that his has been a well spent life.

History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915

transcribed by Karen Seeman

GEORGE H. STODDART.

    George H. Stoddart, city auditor of Brookings, was born in Shullsburg, Wisconsin, on the 29th of July, 1854, his parents being William and Sophia (Hatt) Stoddart, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and the latter probably of New York city. William Stoddart was but a young lad at the time his parents died and he and his four brothers were reared by their grandparents. In his young manhood he and two of his brothers came to the United States and William Stoddart settled at West Point, New York, where he pursued a seven years' medical course under one of the government surgeons at that place, eventually winning his M. D. degree. At that time Lee, McClellan and Burnside were all at the West Point Military Academy and Mr. Stoddart knew them well. Following his graduation he went to Shullsburg, Wisconsin, where he practiced for several years, and subsequently removed to Minersville, afterward to Jamestown and still later to Boscobel, Wisconsin. In the meantime he had entered upon the work of the ministry of the Congregational church and gave his later life to Christian service. He passed away at Black Earth, Wisconsin, where he was occupying a pulpit at the time.

    George H. Stoddart spent his youth in Wisconsin and was educated in the public schools. He left the parental roof at the age of nineteen years and in 1873 made his way to Yankton, South Dakota, where he became identified with the government survey work, with which he was connected for five years. In the spring of 1878 he removed to Codington county and took up a homestead on the shores of Lake Kampeska. In 1880 he proved up on the land, for which be paid a dollar and a quarter per acre, and that year he went to work in the engineering department of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, working with the surveying force of that road for eight years, during which period he gradually advanced and in 1888 became roadmaster of that division, in which important capacity he served for ten years. During that time, or in 1891, he transferred his headquarters to Brookings, where he has since resided, and in 1898 he resigned his position, but the following year ran the transit for the surveying gang on the location of the road from Tyler to Astoria and subsequently did special work for the road at different times. In 1903 he was elected city clerk of Brookings, which was then acting under a special charter.   After the city came under the general laws he continued his work, but the name of the office was changed to that of city auditor, in which position he has continued to serve. From the fact that the city owns its electric light, heat and power plant, heating the business section of the city, and also owns its telephone line, the position is one of importance and Mr. Stoddart has been most faithful and efficient in the discharge of his duties.

    In 1891 Mr. Stoddart was united in marriage to Miss Marie Marrow, of Redfield, South Dakota, and they became the parents of three children, of whom two are yet living: Mattie, who is attending the South Dakota State College at Brookings; and Harriett. Mr. Stoddart is a member of Brookings Lodge, No. 24, A. F. A A. M.; Brookings Chapter, No. 18, R. A. M.; Brookings Commandery, No. 14, K. T.; and he and his wife are members of Brookings Chapter, No. 15, O. E. S. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and he has membership in the Brookings Commercial Club, while his wife and daughters are members of the First Presbyterian church. He is one of the representative citizens of Brookings and in an analyzation of his life work it will be found that loyalty .to duty has been one of his strong characteristics. If study and work can make for efficiency—and it always does—there is no doubt that he has displayed efficiency in every position to which he has been called. Another proof of this is found in the fact that he has been continuously promoted and that his life work has been of constantly increasing responsibility and value.

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