Jacob Goldsmith
came to Ohio with his parents Joseph and Maria
Goldsmith/Goldschmidt and siblings from Switzerland in 1883 to
Fulton County, OH . He was 10 years old. He moved in 1893 to
Morton, IL where he married and started a family. They lived
there untill 1907. He moved his wife and family to Highmore, SD.
One reason for the move was the condition called "Catarrh" which
he was ill from . He tried several areas, but liked SD best. The
family went in what was called a emigrant train to SD to a 480
acre farm. In the move they sold their land and hauled their
furniture, matched teams of horses and personal belongings. He
worked his farm until 1937 when he retired. He helped establish
and was a member of the Missionary Alliance church of Highmore
where he taught a Adult Bible class . He became a naturalized
citizen of the United States.
He was on a trip to Harlem MT to visit his sons Walter and
Victor Goldsmith and their families when he died.
[Information given by
John Sleger, a grandson of Great-Uncle Jacob, Some of it from an
interview of Jacob's son Wilbert Goldsmith in book "Hyde
Heritage 1880's 1977 "by the Hyde Historical Society printed by
The State Publishing Co Pierre, SD 1977 and contributed to
Genealogy Trails by Norita Shepherd Moss]
WILBERT GOLDSMITH
My name is Wilbert. I would like to tell you about my
grandfather Joseph Goldschmidt of Bothell, Switzerland. Joseph
was a dairyman in Bothell but decided to move to the United
States so his sons Joseph and Jacob wouldn't be drafted into the
army. In the old country there was controversy between Catholics
and Protestants but the day they left for the U.S. a Catholic
lady brought them a basket of apples. The family settled in or
near Archbold, Ohio about 1879.
Jacob had his name Goldschmidt legally changed to Goldsmith
because so many people had trouble spelling it. Jacob married
Caroline Gerber, 1898, in Pekin, Illinois. They had four
children: Walter, 1902; Wilbert, 1905 (thats me); Anna, 1907;
and Victor, 1909. They called us boys Valter, Vilbert, and
Wicktor.
In 1907 my folks sold their land and moved their family by
emigrant train to a 480 acre farm near Highmore, South Dakota.
They brought all their furniture, matched teams of horses and
carpenters to build a new home. Their reason for moving was
Jacob had what was then called Catarrh condition and doctors
thought a drier climate would be better. So he traveled to
Arizona and California before coming to Highmore and deciding
Highmore was his choice.
We boys slept upstairs in an unfinished attic and in the winter
we would undress downstairs by the stove, then run upstairs and
jump into the feather beds. Many mornings there was snow on our
quilts. Anna preferred studying to housework so Mother kept
Victor with her and had him help her as long as she could. All
of us worked on the farm before we went to school
and as soon as we came home. I was called Wee Wee in school but
still made the basketball team. One game I will never forget. It
was in the district tournament. We played Hitchcock, and in the
closing seconds I had the ball and started to dribble in for a
lay up. All of a sudden I fell. While lying on my back I shot
and made it, giving us the needed points to win. At that
time our colors were purple and gold. We hauled gravel from our
pit for the streets of Highmore and a new school. My first two
years I went to school in the Franklin Hotel. My last two years
in the new school. I graduated in 1923.
I started going with Helen Oxwang. On September 5, 1930 we were
married at her home by Reverend Chase. Close family was present.
Louise Oxwang and Walter Goldsmith were attendants. Our
honeymoon was a trip to the Black Hills. Helen was an R.N. and
worked in town doing private duty and in the dentist office.
Times were dry and hard. I worked for W.P.A. one year, as there
was not enough money on the farm. I owned my own truck and
started hauling gravel in the summer and ice in the winter. In
1919, our gravel pit eventually became the city swimming hole.
Kids would walk out the 2 miles to cool themselves off.
I added other trucks and did livestock hauling, grain, and
general trucking for the people of our community. The first
truck I ever owned was a 1919 International with solid rear
tires. Then I went to a 1923 Stewart with cushion rear tires.
Later I found a 1929 Reo that had been repossessed I sold that
for a 1939 new International. Business was getting better so I
bought a 1941 International tractor and trailer. In 1945 I
bought a 32 trailer and in 1948, a 40 trailer and tandum
livestock trailer. I had many exciting adventures hauling. The
very first trip I made with my new 1939 International Straight
Truck was for Gerald Myers of northwest Hyde. I took 10,000
pounds of hogs to Watertown. He received $0.03 a pound for them.
I received $35 dollars for a round trip. On my return I brought
back a load of corn for Mr. Myers.
In 1947, I participated in a Tri-State Truck Rodeo in Sioux
Falls. Helen and I drove down in the Chevy. It was a three-day
affair in which you competed with other truck drivers that had
an accident free record. We did parallel parking, obstacle
driving, written tests and skill handling. The last night at the
banquet I made headlines. I came in second, only
losing by one point. The plaque and medal made me feel very
proud.
In 1952 I sold my two livestock trucks and went into the house
moving business. At this time I kept my straight truck and truck
tractors and bought a set of timbers 40 feet long and some built
up moving dollies. We built up from there to 52 and 65 footers.
Houses were moved with all the furniture in them and no cracks
in the walls. Some of the homes in Highmore that we've
moved are Wayne Studt home, Mark Durfees, Ray Weislers, Harry
Robinsons, Goldsmiths duplex, the house Randy Olson lives in,
Don Matres. I lifted up the Kenny Klebsches house, turned it
around, and then put it on the foundation again. I moved a barn
for Joe Husband and many others. I've moved a standby diesel
power plant for N.W.P.S's new plant. I placed steam boilers for
the Stephan Mission School, moved motels, elevators, churches,
barns, radar stations, and depots. One unusual move was Louie
Carter's house, which was made of tile and brick. It had to be
removed so Sully Buttes could build their new office building. I
moved it three blocks south on some lots that I owned and later
sold it to Mrs. Anton DeGooyer.
When Fort Thompson had to be moved on the hill, I helped
relocate all the government buildings that were moved to the new
site. We bought the school and two cottages and spent three
months salvaging them. We stayed there most of the time. At
Whitlock Crossing, 20 miles west of Gettysburg, we moved the
school to Eagle Butte, which is a distance of 65 miles. It was
30
by 80 feet long, and in one unit. An elevator was moved 125
miles from Broadland to Agar, South Dakota. It
was 45 ft high so we laid it down and then sat it back up. Our
son, Jim, made a small scale model so we could place our timbers
properly to find its drop past center. We agreed if I dropped
it, P.V. Grain Company of Minneapolis would have kindling and I
would have had experience. Good planning and strategy paid off.
After ten days it was set up again in its new location and I
received my $1,000 for the job. I figured $100 a day for three
men and all equipment. Gas was about $0.25 to $0.28 cents to a
gallon. The average move was 20 to 25 miles. I moved five new
ready built motel units from Onida to Martin, South Dakota 225
miles one way.
Overall, you name it, we did it. We unloaded, hauled, and placed
all the electrical equipment plus transformer, which weighed 65
tons each which came from Germany by boat down the St. Lawrence
Seaway then reloaded and shipped by rail to Highmore, to the
Fort Thompson Sub Station the first state of the cut out unit.
Also moved the old store back at Mac's Corner
near Stephan so they could build the new modern store and all
the while we were loading and unloading the grocery store, the
cash register kept ringing. This was another unusual moving
deal. Also moved Hagen Raske's old farmhouse back so they could
build a new one. While we were rolling it off the foundation one
evening, Mrs. Raske prepared supper. When supper was ready we
stopped and went inside and ate. Another unusual move was a
farmhouse northwest of Miller that was built on the wrong
section line. We had to load it up and move it across the
section line. While we were pulling it across the section line
the farmer's wife was getting dinner with a wood-burning cook
stove. I looked up and smoke was coming out of the chimney. When
we got it to the new foundation we went into the house and had
dinner. There were a number of these kinds of moves but
generally the people did not stay in the house. Generally people
would give us our meals while on the job if possible. We always
came home at night. The last ten years the custom changed and
people did not give us our meals. We carried
our lunch.
In these changing times, many people sold their farms to their
neighbors who were enlarging their own operations, so the farm
buildings were sold and the houses were moved to town and the
other buildings to the farms. I moved all the buildings from
five farms for Ted Jennings of Miller one fall. This was the
trend for the last full year that I moved, for the big were
getting bigger. Now a lot of the new homes are built at the
lumberyards and then moved to new foundations. In 1970 I sold my
house
moving business to Charlie Kleinsasser who kept himself busy and
is now booked six months ahead.
Retirement did not come easy. I was always so active and had to
do something. One winter while Helen and I were out to the West
Coast, we became interested in agate jewelry as a hobby. We
invested in a diamond tooth saw, polisher, tumbler, and grinder.
That winter we went to classes to learn the art of making
jewelry. We both enjoyed it. I did the first part and Helen did
the finishing touches. Now we make everything from tabletops to
lights, rings, belt buckles, necklaces, pins, and bola ties.
Our daughter Shirley had inspired us to make many unique things.
One unusual rock, brought to us by our granddaughter Susan, was
a rough piece of turquoise. I cut it and made three rings form
it. Our jewelry has gone to the West and East Coast, Germany,
and Yugoslavia. We are now enjoying retirement, fishing or
making our jewelry. The world moves ON. [Read
Wilbert's obit]
[Read
Helen's obit]
Note: from an
interview of Wilbert Goldsmith in book "Hyde Heritage 1880's
1977 "by the Hyde Historical Society printed by The State
Publishing Co Pierre, SD 1977 - submitted by Norita Shepherd
Moss
WWI Draft Card of Jacob Goldsmith
Goldsmith, Jacob --- 11 Jun 1873 --- W --- naturalized citizen
--- Hyde SD
Name: Jacob GOLDSMITH
Birth: 11 JUN 1873 in Alschwil Canton Basle, Switzerland
Death: 6 SEP 1946 in Harlem, Blaine Co., MT
Burial: Highmore Hyde Co., SD
Father: Joseph GOLDSMITH b: 16 NOV 1841 in Alschwil Canton
Basle, Switzerland
Mother: Maria (Mary) Lydia GOLDSMITH b: 14 JAN 1846 in Alschwil
Canton Basle, Switzerland
Marriage 1 to Carolina (Carrie) GERBER b: 24 FEB 1868 in Pekin,
Tazewell Co., IL
Married: 21 JUL 1898 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL
Children
Walter GOLDSMITH b: 1902 in Pekin, Tazewell, IL
Wilbert GOLDSMITH b: 12 JAN 1905 in Perkin, IL
Anna GOLDSMITH b: 24 NOV 1906 in Pekin, Tazewell, IL
Victor Amos GOLDSMITH b: 27 JAN 1909 in Highmore, S.D.
Name: Carolina (Carrie) GERBER
Birth: 24 FEB 1868 in Pekin, Tazewell Co., IL
Death: 30 MAY 1948 in Highmore Hyde Co., SD
Burial: Highmore Hyde Co., SD
Father: Christian GERBER
Mother: Anna Unknown
Obit for Carolina Gerber Goldsmith printed in a newspaper in
Highmore, Hyde Co.,SD on 30 May, 1948
MRS. JACOB
GOLDSMITH
Funeral services for Mrs. Jacob Goldsmith, who passed away
Sunday morning were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 P. M. at
the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and conducted by
Rev.James A. Odgen, assisted by W. E. Ellsworth. Mrs. Jacob
Goldsmith quietly passed away in the arms of her daughter Mrs.
Joe ( Anna ) Sleger about 3:20 a.m. Sunday morning ,following a
heart attack at 2:45 a. m. Her son Wilbert and his wife were
also by her side when she passed on to be with her Lord and
Savior. She had been suffering from a heart ailment since 6
March, 1945. Her condition had improved until she was seriously
stricken on 8 Feb.,1948.
Since then she had been tenderly cared for at the home of her
daughter. All that human hands could do was done for her during
that time.
Carolina Gerber, daughter of Christian and Anna Gerber was born
at Pekin, IL. 24 February, 1868. She was 80 years, 3 , and 6
days old at the time of her death. She was a resident of Hyde
County, SD the past forty one years. 21 July, 1898 at Pekin, IL.
she was united in marriage to Jacob Goldsmith. To this union
four children were born;
Walter and Victor of Harlem, MT: Wilbert and Anna( Mrs. Joe
Sleger) of Highmore SD. Her husband preceded her in death on
September, 1948. Though the days without him by her side were
lonely, she possessed the " peace which passeth all
understanding," Her life and influence as a Christian wife and
mother will never be forgotten. She leaves to mourn her loss her
four devoted children; seven grandchildren; and a host of
relatives and friends. Those from out of town who were here for
the funeral were Mr. William Birkey of Morton, IL; Misses
Cecilia and Alvina Ropp; Mr.Raymond Ropp and Mr.Theodore Udfers;
all of Gibson City, IL. Music for the funeral services was
furnished by Mrs. James A. Odgen, Mrs. Fred Erlandson, Dick
Lauing and Leroy Ratzlaff with Mrs. Dick Kauing as pianist.
Pallbearers were Sam Stephenson, John Konrad, Fred Erlandson,
Chris Schnieder, Furley Fife and Dick Lauing.
* CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our appreciation for the many kindness of our
friends following Mother's death. The music; the floral
tributes;the words of the pastor; the services of the ushers;
the pall bearers; the Hurd Funeral Home; and the ladies who
served such lovely meals meant much to us.
Mr.and Mrs. Walter Goldsmith and family
Mr.and Mrs. Wilbert Goldsmith and family
Mr.and Mrs. Joe Sleger and family
Mr.and Mrs. Victor Goldsmith and family
Royal Cleaves Johnson
(1882—1939)
Royal Cleaves Johnson, a
Representative from South Dakota; born in Cherokee, Cherokee
County, Iowa, October 3, 1882; moved with his parents to
Highmore, Hyde County, S.Dak., March 19, 1883; attended the
public schools; was graduated from the law department of the
University of South Dakota at Vermilion in 1906; was admitted to
the bar in 1906 and commenced practice in Highmore, S.Dak.;
assistant State’s attorney of Hyde County in 1906 and 1907 and
State’s attorney of the same county in 1908 and 1909; moved to
Aberdeen, S.Dak., in 1913 and resumed the practice of law;
attorney general of South Dakota 1910-1914; elected as a
Republican to the Sixty-fourth and to the eight succeeding
Congresses (March 4, 1915-March 3, 1933); chairman, Committee on
Expenditures in the Department of War (Sixty-seventh and
Sixty-eighth Congresses), Committee on World War Veterans’
Legislation (Sixty-ninth, Seventieth, and Seventy-first
Congresses); was not a candidate for renomination in 1932;
during the First World War he absented himself from the House
and on January 5, 1918, enlisted in the Army; served in the
Three Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry as private, sergeant,
second lieutenant, and first lieutenant; was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross by the United States Government and
the Croix de Guerre with gold star by the Republic of France;
continued to practice law in Washington, D.C., until his death
there on August 2, 1939; interment in Arlington National
Cemetery.
Source: Biographical
Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present;
contributed by A. Newell.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4,
1915
Transcribed by Karen Seeman
NORMAN O. HAMLIN.
Norman O.
Hamlin, one of the foremost citizens and enterprising
agriculturists of Sioux Falls township, Minnehaha county,
residing on section 34, is busily engaged in the cultivation of
about four hundred and sixty acres of land and also conducts a
dairy business. His birth occurred in Toledo, Ohio, on the 23d
of October, 1871, his parents being William B. and Eva A.
(Barney) Hamlin, who were born, reared and married in the state
of New York. About 1870 they removed to Toledo, Ohio, where the
father was employed as foreman in a planing mill for about five
years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Chicago,
where for about eight years he was identified with the retail
grocery business. In 1883 he located in Hyde county, South
Dakota, and there entered a homestead, took up a tree claim and
also preempted a quarter section of land. In 1895 or 1896,
however, he sold his holdings and took up his abode in Highmore,
where he has since made his home. William B. Hamlin is a veteran
of the Civil war, serving for two years in the Twenty-fourth New
York Infantry and subsequently reenlisting with the First New
York Veteran Cavalry. He remained with the army during the
entire period of hostilities between the north and the south and
held the rank of first sergeant of his troop at the time of his
discharge. For a number of years he served as police justice and
chief of police at Highmore, Hyde county, where he is most
widely and favorably known, having now lived in the county for
more than three decades.
Norman O.
Hamlin was reared at home and acquired a common-school education
in his youth, also pursuing a commercial course in the Sioux
Falls Business College. Following the completion of his studies
he secured a position with the Dempster Mill Manufacturing
Company as cashier and bookkeeper, remaining with that concern
for two years and being appointed assistant manager of the Sioux
Falls branch shortly prior to his resignation in 1903. In that
year he rented a tract of land near Colman, in Moody county, and
turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, farming
there for four years. In 1908 he located in Minnehaha county and
has since resided in Sioux Falls township, where he is engaged
in farming on an extensive scale, cultivating a tract of rented
land comprising about four hundred and sixty acres. He also
conducts a dairy business, milking about twenty-five cows, and
in both branches of his business has met with a gratifying
measure of success. He has recently purchased a farm of forty
acres one mile south of the city limits of Sioux Falls.
On the 17th
of August, 1901, Mr. Hamlin was united in marriage to Miss
Nellie A. Dunlap, a native of Colman, South Dakota, and a
daughter of R. J. Dunlap, Jr. The latter is a prominent stock
buyer and farmer of Colman who came to this state in 1877. Our
subject and his wife have two children, Gladys E. and Norman
William. Mr. Hamlin gives his political allegiance to the
republican party and is identified fraternally with the
Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He has many attractive social
qualities which have gained him warm friends, and he deserves to
be ranked among the representative citizens of the state.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4,
1915
transcribed by Karen Seeman
JUDGE DANIEL A. W. PERKINS.
Judge Daniel
A. W. Perkins, who was the first representative at the bar of
Highmore and is now serving upon the county bench, has
throughout his professional career held to the highest
standards, and by reason of his comprehensive knowledge of the
law and ability to accurately apply its principles has gained an
enviable reputation as a leading attorney of Hyde county and
that section of the state. He is a native son of New England,
his birth having occurred at Newburyport, Massachusetts,
November 12, 1837, his parents being George and Rebecca (White)
Perkins. The father, who was born in Maine, followed the sea and
during the boyhood days of his son Daniel ran a fishing smack.
He was born in the year 1805, while his wife, a native of
Massachusetts, was born in 1806. Their family numbered three
daughters, two of whom are yet living in the old home at
Newburyport, Massachusetts, in which they were born and in which
the parents passed away; and two sons, Charles, now deceased,
and Daniel A. W.
Judge Perkins
was the fifth in order of birth in a family of five children. He
attended school in Massachusetts and subsequently became a
student in the New Hampshire University at New London, that
state. Having prepared for the bar, he was admitted to practice
in Massachusetts and opened an office in Newburyport, where he
lived until 1865, when he removed to Iowa. There he engaged in
teaching for about two years and then was admitted to practice
in that state, after which he followed his profession at Wilton
Junction, Iowa, for about three years. He next removed to
O'Brien county, Iowa, where he practiced until 1882, when he
came to South Dakota, being at Highmore at the time the town was
platted. He took a claim west of the town, where Holabird now
stands, but in 1883 sold that to the railroad company. The
following year Highmore was platted and he opened a law office
there in 1885, Judge Perkins and A. N. Van Camp being the first
lawyers of the town. Mr. Perkins was called to the office of
county attorney, in which he served for a year, and later he
returned to Iowa for a brief period but has practically engaged
in practice continuously in Highmore since 1884. He was not long
in demonstrating his ability to cope with the intricate and
involved problems of the law and win success for his clients—a
success based upon thorough preparation and strong and forceful
presentation of his cause. His marked ability led to his
selection for the office of county judge, in which he is now
serving for the eleventh year, having been reelected by a
constituency that recognizes his marked ability and the close
conformity of his judicial duties to the highest standards of
the profession. While living in O'Brien county, Iowa, he served
as county attorney one term. For two years he conducted the
Sheldon Mail at Sheldon, South Dakota, and in 1910 started the
Hyde County News, in which paper he is still interested,
although he does not actively take part in its publication.
In August,
1875, Judge Perkins was married to Miss Dana Chrysler, who was
born in Canada but accompanied her parents to Iowa in her early
girlhood, remaining in that state until after her marriage.
Their children are Mrs. Rebecca White, whose husband is an
extensive landowner now living in Sioux City; and John Bad well,
who married Miss Abbie Drew and is the editor of the Highmore
Herald.
Judge Perkins
was made a Mason in 1863 and has membership with the lodge at
Highmore, which finds in him an exemplary representative of the
craft. His political allegiance has always been given to the
republican party since age conferred upon him the right of
franchise. He has closely studied political questions and issues
and believes firmly in the principles of the party which he
supports. Not only was he one of the pioneer members of the
Highmore bar but is today one of the most venerable judges upon
the bench in South Dakota, being now in the' seventy-eighth year
of his age. His is a splendid record, faultless in honor and
stainless in reputation. He has never regarded his duties
lightly but has always recognized the fact that in his official
capacity he stands as the conservator of public right, life,
property and liberty.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4,
1915
transcribed by Karen Seeman
M. HARRY O'BRIEN.
M. Harry
O'Brien, engaged in the practice of law at Highmore, was born at
La Sueur Center, Minnesota, February 19, 1877, a son of Martin
and Johannah Lucy O'Brien, natives of Tipperary, Ireland, and of
Kentucky respectively. When a lad of ten years the father
accompanied his parents to Canada and in the early '60s he made
his way across the border into the United States, settling at La
Sueur Center, Minnesota. Throughout his entire business life he
carried on agricultural pursuits but at length retired and
removed to Mankato and afterward to St. Paul, where he is now
living, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and well
deserves.
M. Harry
O'Brien pursued his early education in the public schools of his
native county and afterward became a student in the State
Normal School at Mankato. He began studying law in the office of
Judge Andrews of that place and in the meantime had provided
for his own support, starting out in life to earn his own living
when but seventeen years of age. He worked for others and at
intervals attended school until twenty-seven years of age, when
he was admitted to practice before the bar of South Dakota.
Removing to this state in 1903, he opened a law office at
Highmore, where he has since continuously followed his
profession, being now accorded a good general practice. He also
engaged in making farm loans and in stock-raising and his
interests along those lines are capably and wisely conducted,
bringing him substantial success. At the same time he enjoys a
growing law practice that has connected him with much important
litigation tried in the courts of the district.
On the 25th
of July, 1906, Mr. O'Brien was married to Miss Margaret Davis,
who was born at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a daughter of Tom and
Mary (Chelius) Davis, the former a native of Wisconsin and the
latter of Germany. They became early residents of South Dakota,
and for a period the father engaged in farming, but afterward
took up his abode in Sioux Falls, where he lived retired until
called to his final rest about 1907. His widow still survives
and is now living in Highmore. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien have become
the parents of three children, Beverly Rose, Gerald D. and
Muriel Elaine.
Mr. O'Brien
served as states attorney of Hyde county for four years, from
1911 to 1914 inclusively, and at the same time he also acted as
assistant attorney general for the state, serving under Royal C.
Johnson. He holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, has passed through all of the chairs of the local lodge
and has acted as representative to the grand lodge. He also has
membership with the Elks lodge at Huron; belongs to the United
Workmen lodge at Highmore, of which he is the present presiding
officer; the Modern Woodmen camp; and the Maccabce tent. He is
in hearty sympathy with the principles and purposes of these
organizations and exemplifies in his life the teachings
concerning the brotherhood of man. He has many substantial
qualities which have won him high regard, while his ability has
gained for him professional success.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4,
1915
transcribed by Karen Seeman
ROY B.
ROCKWELL.
An excellent
record of public service is that which Roy B. Rockwell has made
in the position of clerk of the courts of Hyde county, in which
capacity he is now serving for the fifth term. He was born at
Morris, Illinois, March 4, 1876, a son of Eugene and Sarah
(Sawyer) Rockwell. The father's birth occurred in Cortland
county, New York, while the mother was born in Putnam,
Connecticut. In early life Eugene Rockwell engaged in
merchandising, removing from Wisconsin to Morris, Illinois, and
his wife there conducted a millinery business for a number of
years. They were married in Morris and Mr. Rockwell carried on
merchandising there for some time and also in other Illinois
towns. His wife died in 1883, while his death occurred in 1885.
In the family were three sons: Curtis E., who is engaged in
ranching near Highmore; Roy B.; and Frank C, who was born but a
short time before his mother's death and was adopted by a Mr.
and Mrs.Palmer. He is now a farmer and resides at Brookings,
South Dakota.
Roy B.
Rockwell pursued his education in the public schools of Chebanse
and Maroa, Illinois, and in the district schools of Nebraska, to
which state he removed when about ten years of age. He worked as
a ranch boy near Alliance for about four years, after which he
returned to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended school for a
year and a half, at the same time taking treatment for defective
hearing. He then went to Chebanse, Illinois, where he learned
the printing trade, after which he removed to Maroa, Illinois,
where he worked for the Illinois Central for a number of months.
He next went to Onarga, Illinois, where he attended Grand
Prairie Seminary for about two years, pursuing a commercial
course. He has always been ambitious to advance his education
and broad reading and a retentive memory have made him a well
informed man. He has also learned many lessons in the school of
experience. When he had completed his commercial course he
secured a position as a bookkeeper in Chicago, where he remained
for about two years, when he returned to Chebanse, there working
at the printer's trade for three years. In the meantime he had
spent about six months in traveling through the west on a
bicycle. After abandoning the printer's trade he engaged in
selling machinery and in bookkeeping for about six months and in
August, 1900, he went to Rock Rapids, Iowa, where he met his
brother, Curtis E. Rockwell. Together they came to South Dakota
and filed on a claim in Hyde county, since which time they have
been residents of the county. Roy Rockwell took charge of the
Highmore Herald, managing the paper for about three years, and
during that time he also proved up on his claim. He afterward
took up his abode on the claim, where he engaged in raising
stock and also cultivated some crops, remaining upon that place
until January. 1907, when he assumed the duties of clerk of the
courts in Hyde county. In May. 1912, he purchased the Hyde
County Bulletin from H. C. Shober. whohad established the paper
in 1885. This he issues weekly and does all the writing for the
paper, employing two people to attend to the mechanical part of
the business, while he has entire charge of the office work.
He is still connected with Curtis Rockwell under the style of
Rockwell Brothers. They are operating a ranch of six hundred and
forty acres, raising both grain and stock.
In his
political views Mr. Rockwell has always been an earnest
republican and since called to the office of county clerk in
1907 he has continuously filled the position, being now the
incumbent for the fifth term, his reflections being
incontrovertible proof of the confidence reposed in him by his
fellow townsmen and of the efficiency with which he has
discharged his duties. He has also held some township
offices. Fraternally he is connected with Ree Valley Lodge,
No. 70, F. & A. M., and with the Elks lodge at Huron and is
loyal to the teachings and purposes of those organizations,
which are based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of
mankind. From the age of ten years Roy B. Rockwell has Largely
depended upon his own resources and has been both the architect
and the builder of his own fortunes. He has overcome obstacles
and difficulties which would have utterly discouraged others,
but by determined effort he has worked his way upward,
constantly learning new and valuable lessons from experience and
gaining a place among those who are recognized as forceful
factors in advancing the welfare of the community in which they
live.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4,
1915
transcribed by Karen Seeman
ANDREW NELSON VAN CAMP.
Andrew Nelson
Van Camp is now devoting the greater part of his time and
attention to the management of the business of the telephone
company at Highmore, South Dakota, but has been a prominent
figure in political circles of the state, his opinions carrying
weight in republican councils, while his efforts have been
productive of beneficial results along political lines. Mr. Van
Camp is a native of the neighboring state of Iowa, his birth
having occurred in Muscatine county, December 18, 1850. Mention
of his family is made in connection with the sketch of A. E. Van
Camp, which appears on another page of this work.
After
attending the public schools of his native state Andrew N. Van
Camp continued his education in the Wilton (Ia.) Academy and in
the Iowa State University at Iowa City, in which he pursued his
law course, being graduated in 1871. He also pursued a
commercial course before he entered upon preparation for the
bar. He had completed his education before he attained his
majority and had tried some cases before he reached the age of
twenty-one years. Following his admission to the bar he
practiced in Iowa until 1882, when he came to Dakota territory,
settling on government land which at that time had not been
surveyed.
His place was
a mile from the present site of Highmore and he still owns the
land. He resumed the practice of law in Highmore and continued
the cultivation of his farm until 1903, when he removed his
family from the farm to the town. In 1907 he erected the
Telephone Exchange building, which would be a credit to a city
of much larger size. It is a brick veneer, two-story structure
with basement and its dimensions are forty by forty-eight feet.
In 1902 he organized the Hyde County Telephone Company, of which
he is now a stockholder and the secretary and general manager.
He rents his farm lands and is devoting the greater part of his
attention to the telephone business.
On the 22d of
July, 1873, Mr. Van Camp was married to Miss Kate Allen, a
native of County Tipperary, Ireland. Her father came to America
in early manhood and died in Boston before the arrival of his
family in the new world. Mrs. Van Camp with her mother removed
from the east to Rock Island, Illinois, and later came to South
Dakota, Mrs. Allen spending her last days at the home of her
daughter, where she passed away in 1895.
To Mr. and
Mrs. Van Camp have been born nine children: James K., who is
district agent at Yankton for the De Laval Separator Company,
married Marguerite Mulvey, by whom he has two children, Cyril
and Marguerite. William N., residing in Highmore, is engaged in
educational work in Hyde county and for two terms was county
superintendent of schools. He was a member of the lower house
of the state legislature for one term and secretary of the
state senate during the sessions of 1913 and 1915. During the
last three or four years he has been special traveling salesman
for the American Book Company, having charge of the territory
of North and South Dakota. He married Marie Quirk, of Highmore,
and their children are Fred, Florence, Howard and Royal. Francis
Joseph, the third of the family, died in Wilton, Iowa, in
infancy. Harry Theodore died in 1895, at the age of fifteen
years. John Edgar, residing at Fort Dodge, Iowa, is district
agent for the Free Sewing Machine Company, having charge of
several counties. He married Miss Georgia Thompson, of Canton,
South Dakota, and they have five children. Allen A., born in
Hyde county, is now residing in Highmore and is assisting his
father in the telephone business. He married Edith McKillip and
they have one child, Philip. Ella Ann is the wife of J. H.
Quirk, a stockman and real-estate dealer of Highmore. George is
now in the moving picture business at Los Angeles, California.
For a number of years he was connected with the Sioux City
Journal and was secretary of the senate in 1911. Kathryn B.
completes the family. Mr. Van Camp is a member of the Masonic
lodge at Highmore and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen
and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His
political indorsement has always been given to the republican
party, which recognizes in him one of its prominent supporters
in this state. He served as the first county superintendent
of schools of Hyde county, was district attorney in territorial
days, was states attorney fur two terms and was assistant chief
clerk of the house during the session of 1893. He also served
on the board of education in Bramhall township, Hyde county,
for about fifteen years. At the convening of the special session
of the first state legislature under the constitution October
15, 1889, in the transition from territorial to state
government, at which time the first state officers were sworn in
and the first United States senators were elected, he acted as
assistant to Secretary of the Senate F. A. Burdick and for him
wrote the records of the session in the great book in the
office of the secretary of state, and also at the dictation of
State Senator A. B. Kittredge, afterward United States senator
from this state, wrote the certificate of election of one of
the newly elected United States senators, Moody and Pettigrew,
to the United States senate. During the regular session which
convened January 7, 1890, Mr. Van Camp acted as legislative
reporter for the Sioux Falls Daily Press and The Deadwood
Pioneer-Times and made what is termed a newspaper scoop by
discovering and exposing a movement on the part of some of the
members to dissipate and waste the large patrimony given the
state by congress for educational, charitable and other general
state purposes, to accomplish which purposes and to boost
favored localities, as well as to draw away as much opposition
as possible from a permanent location of the capital at Pierre,
the combination sought to locate an additional agricultural
college at Aberdeen, another state university at Huron, another
reform school at Watertown, another normal school at Forest
City and various other institutions at different places in the
state. His early exposure of the plot in the columns of the
Press resulted in arousing the friends of the institutions
already located to action and caused the bills, which had been
referred to a special committee, composed of friends of Mr. Van
Camp, named by Lieutenant Governor Fletcher, to never be
reported for action. The value of the services thus rendered
can never be estimated. With him patriotism has ever been before
partisanship and the public good before personal
aggrandizement. He has worked earnestly and effectively to
advance the best interests of :he state along many lines and the
value of his services places him among the substantial and
honored residents of South Dakota.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4,
1915
transcribed by Karen Seeman
ABRAM E. VAN CAMP.
Abram E. Van
Camp baa devoted his life to various business interests, most of
which have brought him substantial success. He is now giving his
attention almost exclusively to the selling of farm implements
and machinery in Highmore and to the insurance business, but in
previous years was active in real-estate dealing and also owned
and conducted a farm located within the city limits, devoted
principally to stock-raising.
Mr. Van Camp
was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, September 29, 1852, a son of
Kiple and Ann Maria (Little) Van Camp, who were natives of
Sussex county. New Jersey. The father, who always followed
farming as a life work, removed to Iowa in 1850, securing a
farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death. He held
various local offices, making a creditable record in such
connections, and his sterling worth won for him the high regard
of all with whom he came in contact. His widow still spends the
summer months at the old home, which is yet a part of the
estate, and passes the winter months with a son in western Iowa.
Abram E. Van
Camp was the second in order of birth in a family of ten
children, eight of whom are living. He supplemented his
public-school education by a term of three months in an academy
at Iowa City and through the period of his boyhood and youth
aided more and more largely in the work of the home farm as his
age and strength increased. He remained at home until about
twenty-two and then began farming on his own account in Iowa,
where he remained for seven years. In June, 1882, he came to
South Dakota and took up his abode on a quarter section of land,
on which a part of the town of Highmore now stands. In that year
he platted the town and began selling lots. In fact he conducted
a general real-estate business for some time. In the spring of
1884 he shipped the first carload of farm machinery to the town
and with the exception of a few years has been continuously
engaged in that business to the present time. He also carried on
general farming and stock-raising for a number of years and to
some extent he still engages in raising the crops best adapted
to soil and climate. He has one hundred acres within the
corporation limits of the town but at the present time he
devotes the major part of his attention to the implement trade
and to the insurance business.
On the 5th of
May, 1874, Mr. Van Camp was married to Miss Louisa C. Sherfey, a
native of Muscatine county, Iowa, and a daughter of John and
Patience A. Sherfey. Her grandparents were natives of Germany
and the grandfather on coming to America was bound out so that
his wages might pay his fare. Her father was a farmer by
occupation and in 1837 removed westward to Iowa, settling in
Muscatine county, where he secured land and developed a
homestead farm, upon which he and his wife spent their remaining
days. Their family numbered six children, of whom Mrs. Van Camp
was the fifth. She died on the 19th of October, 1899, leaving
one son, Shreve, who was born June 1, 1875, and is now
associated with his father in business. He married Emma
Bottcher, of Highmore, who was born in New York state and came
with her parents to South Dakota in 1883. After the death of
his first wife Mr. Van Camp of this review married Miss Florence
E. Walker, a native of Illinois, who was brought by her parents
to South Dakota in 1883, the family locating in Sully county,
seven miles north of Harrold.
In his
political views Mr. Van Camp has always been a stalwart
republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
He served as one of the first county commissioners of Hyde
county and was postmaster of Highmore under appointment of
President Harrison for four and a half years and again under
appointment of President Roosevelt for seven and a half years.
He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Ree Valley Lodge, No.
70, A. F. & A. M., at Highmore, of which he served as master for
six years; to the chapter at Miller; to the council at Salem; to
the Capital City Commandery, No. 21, K. T., at Pierre; and to
the Mystic Shrine at Sioux Falls. He is an ex-president of the
Masonic Veterans Association of South Dakota and is a charter
member of the Eastern Star chapter at Highmore. He is likewise a
charter member of the Ancient Order United Workmen, and of the
Degree of Honor at Highmore. The city in which he lives is
largely a monument to his enterprise and progressive spirit.
Laying out the town, he has cooperated in every movement and
measure for its upbuilding and development, and his work has
brought excellent results, largely promoting the public welfare
and at the same time advancing his individual interests. He
planted a whole block of trees and also many others.
History of Dakota
Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
contributed by Karen Seeman
CHARLES PARKER WARREN.
Charles Parker Warren, attorney at law of Huron, was born at
Oronoco, Minnesota, April 28, 1873. His father, Josiah H.
Warren, was both a farmer and builder and after living for a
considerable period in Minnesota removed to Dakota territory in
1882, settling in Kingsbury county, where he engaged in farming
until his death in 1902. His wife, who bore the maiden name of
Mary A. Gibson, is now living in Highmore, South Dakota.
In their family were four children, of whom Charles Parker
Warren is the third in order of birth. He was a lad of nine
years when brought to this state and in the district schools he
acquired his early education, later attending the high school at
Iroquois, South Dakota, and the Western Normal School at
Lincoln, Nebraska. He then entered the University of South
Dakota, in which he pursued his classical course, and afterward
became a student in the Law University of Minnesota, from which
he was graduated with the class of 1901. Mr. Warren located for
practice at De Smet, South Dakota, and while there residing
served for two terms as states attorney, making a creditable
record in that position. After a residence there of about nine
years he removed to Huron in 1910, joining ex-Governor Coe I.
Crawford in a partnership under the firm style of Crawford &
Warren. This relation is still maintained and the firm occupies
an enviable position at the bar of the state.
In his political views Mr. Warren has always been a
republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
He is identified with several leading fraternal organizations,
including the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the
Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
He is a member of the Huron Commercial Club and is filling the
office of president. His interest in behalf of the general
welfare is manifest in many tangible and effective ways and his
cooperation proves a potent force in advancing the general
interests of the community. He belongs to the South Dakota State
and the American Bar Associations and in his profession has
steadily advanced. He worked his way through college, teaching
at intervals between college terms, and the strength of
character which enabled him to pursue that course has been one
of the potent elements on which he has builded his later
success. Since beginning the active work of the profession he
has constantly advanced, and the court records bear testimony to
his ability in the practice of law.
