History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
ALEXANDER R. GRIFFITH.
Sioux Falls had not yet emerged from villagehood when Alexander R. Griffith became a resident of South Dakota. He took up his abode in the vicinity of the city and his later years were passed in the city, where he conducted business. He was born in Ohio, near Bladensburg, about 1846. He was a son of William Griffith, a farmer who spent his early life in Ohio and afterward removed to Iowa, where he also carried on agricultural pursuits. He married Sallie Wheeler, a native of Ohio, and it was subsequent to this that they went to Iowa, settling there during the pioneer epoch in the history of the state. Their remaining days were there passed.
Alexander R. Griffith was reared in Iowa and after reaching manhood was married in Grundy county, that state, in 1871, to Miss Sarah Wilson, a daughter of Jesse and Agnes Wilson. To this union were born two children: Agnes M., now the wife of W. F. Blood, one of the city surveyors of Sioux Falls; and June B., the wife of Tom Moore, a druggist of Waterloo, Iowa.
In 1873 Mr. Griffith made his way northward to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with the purpose of engaging in agricultural pursuits in this section of the state. He preempted a claim nine miles southeast of the town in Mapleton township, Minnehaha county; made the necessary improvements thereon; and in time secured the title to the property. He first erected a large frame house, two stories in height, and returned to Iowa for his wife, who shared with him in all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. After residing here for three years their house was completely destroyed by fire and Mrs. Griffith, with her baby, returned to Grundy county, Iowa, while Mr. Griffith erected a sod house, in which the family lived for some time. Encouraged by his wife, he decided to stick to the claim and begin life anew.
The present generation can scarcely realize the hard work and discomforts one had to endure during frontier days. Mr. Griffith continued the work of development and cultivation and wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, which he converted into rich and productive fields, annually gathering therefrom substantial harvests. His sod house was replaced by a fine up-to-date residence, in which the family lived until 1900, when they left the farm and removed to Sioux Falls. Mr. Griffith owned one hundred and sixty acres of land and also cultivated additional tracts. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made when the property came into his possession and he broke the sod, set out ten acres of timber and erected modern buildings. He was extensively engaged in the dairy business, making a specialty of butter making, from which he derived a substantial annual income. He also engaged in raising and selling hogs and followed general farming, the various branches of his business bringing him substantial success. When he removed to the city he sold his farm and here established a hack and carriage line. He owned a number of teams and conducted a good business, becoming well known in that connection.
Mr. Griffith held a number of school offices and the cause of education found in him a strong supporter. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and fraternally he was connected with the Improved Order of Red Men. He attended various churches but belonged to none. There were in him many sterling traits of character that gained him high regard and genuine friendship. On the 21st of January, 1911, he was on the sidewalk in Sioux Falls when a fractious horse dashed into him and knocked him down, fracturing his skull. He never regained consciousness and lived but a few hours. He was a very popular man and his sad ending was a great shock to the community. Mrs. Griffith still survives her husband and resides at No. 617 West Eleventh street, where she has recently completed a fine modern residence.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
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
JAMES A. HELMEY.
James A. Helmey, a well known and successful druggist of Sherman, South Dakota, was born in Rushford, Fillmore county, Minnesota, on the 25th of May, 1870, his parents being Lewis P. and Martha (Jackson) Helmey, natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States as a young man, while the mother came to this country with her parents as a girl. Their marriage was celebrated in Fillmore county, Minnesota. Lewis P. Helmey was for some years identified with the hotel business, conducting the Winona House at Winona, Minnesota, but subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1878 his wife died and the following year he came to South Dakota, locating on a section of school land in Lincoln county, of which he later purchased a quarter section when it was put on the market. He has reached the venerable age of eighty and during the past several years has lived retired, now making his home at Humboldt, Minnehaha county. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and, while never an office seeker, served for a number of years as justice of the peace in Rushford, Minnesota. The period of his residence in this state covers more than a third of a century and he is widely recognized as one of its honored pioneers and representative citizens.
James A. Helmey was reared under the parental roof and attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. On reaching his twentieth year he took up the study of pharmacy, entering his brother's drug store in Canton, South Dakota. In the fall of 1895 he matriculated in the Minnesota Institute of Pharmacy at Minneapolis, Minnesota, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1896, and on April 8th of the same spring he passed his examination before the state board of examiners at Huron. He then worked as a pharmacist for his brother in Canton until 1898, when he established himself in the drug business at Dell Rapids. At the end of three years he removed his stock to Trent, South Dakota, but sold out shortly afterward and took charge of the Brandt Drug Company at Brandt, this state, which he managed for about two years. Subsequently he spent two years as traveling representative of Frederick Ingram & Company, of Detroit, dealers in pharmaceutical specialties, and in 1905 opened a drug store in Toronto, South Dakota, where he was engaged in business for three years. On the expiration of that period he removed his stock to Brentford, this state, but soon afterward sold out and during the following two years was employed in Pierre, South Dakota. In 1910 he located in Sherman as manager of his brother's drug business and there has since remained, conducting the enterprise in a manner that has won and held an extensive patronage.
In 1898 Mr. Helmey was united in marriage to Miss Anna Paulson, of Kimball, South Dakota, by whom he had two children, Martha E. and James A., Jr. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 10th of July, 1902, passing away in Dell Rapids. In politics Mr. Helmey is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Norwegian Lutheran church. Fraternally he is connected with Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 262, B. P. O. E., and Sherman Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. In all relations of life he has proven himself upright, honorable and straightforward, well worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
JOSEPH M. HOSTETTER.
Joseph M. Hostetter has been identified with a number of business enterprises and for several years was superintendent of the county farm. He is now farming on section 6, Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, and is one of the popular residents of his locality.
He was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1863, a son of Abraham and Louisa (Mark) Hostetter, both natives of the same county, where they passed their entire lives. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Hostetter, ran a distillery and for many years made the whiskey which was used in the manufacture of Hostetter's Bitters, as the originator of that proprietary article was his cousin. The latter was a herb doctor who came to this country from Switzerland.
Joseph M. Hostetter was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the common schools of the neighborhood. In 1877, when in his teens, he came west to Illinois and for three years was employed in farm work. In 1880 he made the long journey to the Pacific slope and spent a number of months in California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. From Idaho he went to Colorado and worked in Leadville at mining and also in Denver. He next located in Kansas City, where he worked for Goodsell Brothers, who were owners of a stock farm. Subsequently he returned to Illinois, where he spent a year, and later worked in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota for some time.
In June, 1888, Mr. Hostetter came to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He had been interested in the state for almost a decade, as in 1870 he had made a trip here, although he did not remain long at that time. On his arriving at Sioux Falls in 1888 he was in the employ of E. B. Smith & Company, furniture dealers, until June 30, 1895, when he was appointed superintendent of the county poor farm. He served in that capacity for four years and six months and then resigned to engage in the implement business at Madison, South Dakota. He was associated in this venture with Sherman Bradiker and the partnership was maintained for one year, at the end of which time the business was sold. Subsequently Mr. Hostetter worked for the Deering Harvester Company for a similar length of time and in August, 1901, purchased the hotel at Hartford, conducting the same for five years. At the expiration of that period he was again appointed superintendent of the county farm and discharged the duties of that office for three years, when he resigned and began fanning independently. He has since given his attention mainly to the operation of the farm in Split Rock township where he now resides. This is rented land, but he owns three hundred and twenty acres in Norman county, Minnesota, which he rents to others. In addition to his farming property, he has stock in the Farmers Elevator Company of Ellis and in the Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company of Hartford.
Mr. Hostetter was married in 1890 to Miss Emma Olson, of Sioux Falls, and to this union have been born four children: Roy, Guy, Joseph J. and Irene, all at home. The family belong to the Lutheran church and manifest a lively interest in its work. Mr. Hostetter's political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served for a number of years as a member of the school board. Fraternally he belongs to Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., and to Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 262, B. P. O. E. Mr. and Mrs.
Hostetter are both very hospitably inclined and their home is the frequent meeting place of their many friends, and the latch string is always out, even for the stranger. There is not a more popular family in the county and their open-hearted generosity and sterling traits of character are the qualities that bind their friends to them.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
BEN MEKVOLD.
Ben Mekvold, one of the substantial and representative agriculturiste of Minnehaha county, where he has resided for the past quarter of a century, is the owner of two hundred and fifty-two acres on section 17, Mapleton township, comprising one of the most productive farms in the state of South Dakota. His birth occurred in Norway on the 28th of January, 1867, his parents being Ole and Bertha (Eliason) Mekvold, who emigrated to the United States in 1904, seventeen years after their son Ben had come to this country. They still survive and make their home on the farm of our subject. Ben Mekvold spent the first twenty years of his life in the land of his nativity and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1887, desiring to take advantage of the opportunities held out in the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his abode in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he worked in the sawmills for two years. In 1889 he came to South Dakota, locating in Mapleton township, Minnehaha county, where he was employed as a farm hand by Ole Gunderson for nine years or until his marriage in 1898. Subsequently he settled on the tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 17 which was owned by his bride and has since added one hundred and six acres to the farm,
so that it now embraces two hundred and fifty-two acres. It is situated in the Sioux Valley bottoms and is therefore one of the most productive farms in the state of South Dakota, yielding its owner a most gratifying annual income.In 1898 Mr. Mekvold was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Peterson, a daughter of Robert Peterson, who was one of the early settlers of Minnehaha county, homesteading a quarter section of land on section 17, Mapleton township. Mr. and Mrs. Mekvold have two children, Roy and Irvin, both at home. The parents are consistent members of the United Lutheran church, and fraternally Mr. Mekvold is identified with the Modern Brotherhood of America. At all times his life has been active, useful and honorable and it is his genuine personal worth that has gained for him the favorable position which he occupies in the regard of those who know him.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
REV. PATRICK T. MONAGHAN.
Rev. Patrick T. Monaghan, pastor of St. Christina's Roman Catholic church at Parker and director of the Sioux Falls apostolate, was born in Jamesville, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1876. He is a son of John and Margaret (Dempsey) Monaghan, natives of County Monaghan, Ireland. The mother came to the United States at the age of eleven and the father at twenty-five and their marriage occurred at Audenried, Pennsylvania, where the father worked as a miner. In 1893 the family went to Iowa and in-that state John Monaghan passed away in 1897. His wife survives him and makes her home in Iowa. To their union were born twelve children, of whom Father Monaghan is the tenth.
Rev. Patrick T. Monaghan acquired his early education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and at the age of seventeen entered St. Joseph's College at Dubuque, Iowa, where he spent three years, finishing his classical education at St. Viateur's College, Kankakee, Illinois, in 1900. In the same year he entered St. Mary's Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, and there completed courses in philosophy and theology. He was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood June 17, 1905, and was placed in charge of the congregation at Gettysburg, South Dakota, where he remained for eight months. Following this he spent one year at the Catholic University in Washington, D. C, and then came to Parker, South Dakota, where he began work with Father O’Hara on the Sioux Falls apostolate or mission band. Upon the retirement of Father O'Hara one year later Father Monaghan was given charge of the apostolate and was also appointed pastor of St. Christina's church, a position which he has since filled. He is assisted by Rev. John Brady and Rev. John O'Mahoney, who are his associates on the mission band. Father Monaghan is indeed doing a great work in Parker among the Catholic people and he has their love in large measure. He is a man of scholarly attainments and most earnest and consecrated in his work.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
Fred Kapaun is a worthy native son of South Dakota and a substantial agriculturist of this community, owning and operating a valuable farm on section 21, Clear Lake township, in Minnehaha county. His birth occurred in a sod house on the southwest quarter of that section, on the 2d of March, 1880, his parents being Ignatius and Rose (Pilfer) Kapaun, natives of Austria. The father emigrated to the United States and landed in New York about the time of the opening of the Civil war, while the mother crossed the ocean to this country about three years later. Their marriage was celebrated in Portage, Wisconsin. Ignatius Kapaun worked as a farmer and also in a sawmill until 1879, when he came to South Dakota, homesteading the southwest quarter of section 21, Clear Lake township, and also taking up a timber claim comprising the southeast quarter of section 20. Subsequently he purchased four quarter sections of land and turned these over to his sons. Joseph is now proprietor of the Palace Hotel at Montrose and Theodore, Henry, and Ludwig are all engaged in farming.
Fred Kapaun assisted his father in the work of the fields until he had attained his majority and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating the home place. In 1907 he bought the property, which has since remained in his possession and in the operation of which he has been actively engaged to the present time. In 1914 he augmented his holdings, purchasing the northwest quarter of section 16, Clear Lake township, and also a tract of forty acres at Ipswich, South Dakota. He has met with gratifying success in his undertakings as an agriculturist and is widely recognized as a progressive, representative and esteemed citizen of his community.
On the 1st of February, 1905, Mr. Kapaun was united in marriage to Miss Louise Ebersviller, a daughter of Nick and Mary (Krusche) Ebersviller. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kapaun: Mildreth, Martha, John Joseph, Mary Elaine and Nina Dorothy.
He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now ably serving in the capacity of school treasurer, while formerly he held the office of constable. In religious faith he is a Catholic and is secretary of the St. Patrick's church at Montrose, which office he has held for the past three years. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Columbus. His entire life has been passed in the place of his nativity and he enjoys an enviable reputation as a substantial and enterprising young citizen.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
GEORGE H. KATTELMANN.
George H. Kattelmann, proprietor of the Boston Restaurant at Sioux Falls, has a wide acquaintance in that city, where he has conducted his present business for about eight years. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, April 11, 1856, his parents being William and Mary (Richardson) Kattelmann. The father, a native of Bremen, Germany, was born May 27, 1827, and came to America with his parents in 1837.
George H. Kattelmann had but limited educational opportunities, and whatever success he has achieved in life is attributable entirely to his own labors. In the spring of 1879 he came to Dakota territory, spending one summer at Valley Springs, where he worked as a farm hand. He later went to Hutchinson county, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. He also entered three hundred and twenty acres in Hanson county and there he engaged in farming for about five years, or until 1889, but on account of drouth and other discouraging circumstances he did not win much success. In 1889 be removed to Sioux Falls and secured a position in a restaurant, being thus employed until 1894, when he embarked in business on his own account. He has now a large and popular place, the business prospering from the beginning. The restaurant was originally called The Gem, later the Klondyke, afterward The Mint, and under that name he Bold out in 1905. The following year he established the Boston Restaurant, of which he is now proprietor, making it one of the popular eating places of the city, accorded a liberal and well deserved patronage.
Mr. Kattelmann was married in Chicago to Miss Lillian D. Bliss and they have a son, George W. They attend the Christian Science church and fraternally Mr. Kattelmann is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. He is truly a self-made man in all that the best sense of the term implies, for he has worked his way upward undeterred by obstacles and difficulties, his energy, persistency and unfaltering will having been the keynote in the success which he has achieved.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
JOHN L. KEATING
John L. Keating is secretary and treasurer of the Keating Creamery Company of Yankton and as such is a well known and enterprising business man of the city. He was born in Janesville, Wisconsin, on the 1st of October, 1886, a son of Edward and Mary E. (Breen) Keating. The father was a contractor, devoting his life to that work. He has passed away, but the mother survives and makes her home in Yankton. The ancestors of the family came from Ireland.
In the graded schools of Janesville John L. Keating pursued his education until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he started out in life on his own account, entering the office of the Sioux Falls Press. He was afterward with the Argus Leader of Sioux Falls for three years and in 1913 he came to Yankton to join his brother in the conduct of a creamery business. He was made secretary and treasurer of the company and so continues. This is a leading enterprise of Yankton and its trade is constantly expanding, owing to the capable direction and wise business management of the partners.
On the 23d of August, 1909, Mr. Keating was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth C. Cross, a daughter of Kirkwood Colin and Agnes (Rugg) Cross, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Keating was reared and educated in Sioux Falls and by her marriage have been born a son and daughter, Austin Brown and Mary Jane. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and Mr. and Mrs. Keating are active in its charities. In politics he is a republican, but, while interested in all matters of progressive citizenship, is not an office seeker. He finds recreation in an occasional game of golf, but business claims the greater part of his attention. He is a member of the Commercial Association and acts in connection with that organization for the upbuilding and progress of the city.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
S. T. KIRKEBY.
S. T. Kirkeby, residing on section 30, Sverdrup township, Minnehaha county, is the owner of two hundred acres of excellent farming land and has carried on agricultural pursuits with gratifying results. His birth occurred in Norway on the 16th of February, 1866, his parents being Torger G. and Kirsti S. (Tidemann) Kirkeby. In 1869 the family emigrated to the United States, locating in Goodhue county, Minnesota, and four years later came to South Dakota. Here the father homesteaded the farm on which our subject now resides, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his active business career and passing away in 1909 at the age of seventy-eight years. His demise was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of friends in the community which was his home for more than a third of a century. His wife was called to her final rest in 1902, when in the seventy-eighth year of her age.
S. T. Kirkeby, who was a lad of seven years when he came to this state with his parents, attended the country schools in the acquirement of an education and after attaining his majority continued at home, farming in cooperation with his father. In 1896 the latter deeded the property to his son. Five years before, in 1891, S. T. Kirkeby had purchased an adjoining forty-acre tract, so that his holdings embrace two hundred acres of rich and productive land. He has operated the place continuously to the present time and has won a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings as an agriculturist by reason of his practical methods and splendid management.
In 1899 Mr. Kirkeby was united in marriage to Miss Britha Johnson, of Minnehaha county, South Dakota, whose birth occurred in Sweden. They now have seven children, namely: Theodore, John, Gideon, Thora, Phillip, Norman and Sigfred, all at home. Mr. Kirkeby gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. He has an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the community in which he has now resided for more than four decades and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its representative citizens and prosperous agriculturists.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
KNUD KNUDSON.
Knud Knudson, a farmer of Highland township, Minnehaha county, has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of his stats and nation, although he was born in the distant land of the midnight sun. His natal day was September 30, 1853, and his parents were Knud and Osa (Knudson) Olverson. The family came to the United States in 1870 and resided in Clayton county, Iowa, for about six years, after which they removed to Minnesota, where the father homesteaded land. Both parents are deceased.
Knud Knudson received an excellent education in Norway and studied for the ministry, although he was never ordained. In 1875 he started out in life for himself and came to South Dakota, where he homesteaded on section 3, Highland township, Minnehaha county. He subsequently purchased one hundred acres of land and is also the owner of a farming property in Minnesota. In the early days of the state Mr. Knudson met many discouragements in his efforts to improve his farm and to raise good crops, as at times the severe winters made it impossible for the grain to grow well and at other times the grasshoppers destroyed the crops. Markets were many miles away and he has often hauled his grain to Luverne and to Sioux Falls in order to dispose of it. He persevered, however, in the face of all obstacles and as the country became more settled and as the farmers learned better how to protect themselves against the rigors of climate, prosperity came to him and he does not regret coming to the state and casting in his lot with its citizens. He carries on general farming and raises some stock for the market, having at the present time about thirty head of cattle, forty-five head of hogs and sixteen horses. He is a stockholder in the Jasper Elevator and in the Highland Creamery, which connections indicate that he realizes the value of local business enterprises.
Mr. Knudson is married and all of his children were born on the homestead and have been reared under the parental roof. The family belong to the Lutheran church and support all movements undertaken for the moral welfare of the community. Mr. Knudson is a republican and for many years has been a member of the town board, ably discharging the duties devolving upon him in that capacity. He is well known throughout the county and has many friends, who value his good opinion highly.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
HANS LARSON.
Hans Larson, who for the past twelve years has resided on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 10 and 11, Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, has for twenty-three years devoted his attention to both agricultural pursuits and carpentering. His birth occurred in Norway on the 10th of August, 1857, his parents being Lars and Christina Hanson, who emigrated to the United States in 1669 and took up their abode in Chicago, Illinois. The father was for many years a ship's carpenter and sailed the high
seas for over thirty years, touching at all principal ports of the world. After coming to this country he worked at carpentering in Chicago for three years and in 1872 made his way to Trempealeau county, Wisconsin, where he took up a homestead. In 1882 he came to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where be worked at his trade for about three years, on the expiration of which period he went to North Dakota and preempted a quarter section of land in Dickey county, residing thereon for twelve years. Subsequently he returned to Sioux Falls and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1910 at the age of eighty-seven years. The mother of our subject died two years later, at the age of seventy-nine, and was buried on the same day of the month on which her husband passed away— April 3d.
Hans Larson, who was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, was reared at home and acquired a limited education in the common schools. At an early age he served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade and this has been his life's occupation. He learned his trade in Chicago and in 1878 came to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Soon afterward he took up a homestead and a tree claim in Buffalo township, Minnehaha county, but held it for only a short time and then sold his relinquishment on both claims and continued his trade in Sioux Falls. For the past twenty-three years, however, he has combined farming with carpentering and now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 10 and 11, Split Rock township, on which he has made his home during the past twelve years. In 1912 his two sons undertook the operation of the farm. Mr. Larson is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Brandon and has long been numbered among the enterprising, representative and successful citizens of his community.
On the 14th of December, 1880, Mr. Larson was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Qualley, of Sioux Falls, who is a native of Norway. To them have been born six children,
four of whom survive, as follows: Arthur and Louis, who operate the home farm; Louisa, who is the wife of Evan Lommen, of Lincoln county, South Dakota; and Hilda, who gave her hand in marriage to Garfield Hanson, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.Mr. Larson is a member of the board of trustees of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covers thirty-seven years and he has won an extensive circle of friends here, for his life has been upright and honorable in all relations.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
JOHN T. LEE.
John T. Lee, the period of whose residence in South Dakota covers forty-six years, is one of the well known and representative citizens of Minnehaha county and is actively identified with business interests as manager of the S. H. Bowman Lumber Company and of the Farmers Elevator Company of Brandon, this state. His birth occurred in Christiania, Norway, on the 11th of February, 1855, his parents being Thorsten and Anna (Okre) Lee, natives of Norway, who emigrated to the United States in 1867 and took up their abode in Allamakee county, Iowa. The father, a blacksmith by trade, opened a shop in the town of Waterville In the spring of 1870 he came to South Dakota, filing on a homestead in Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, on which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1898. The mother of our subject was called to her final rest in the year 1906.
John T. Lee, who was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his father and mother on their emigration to the United States, left home at the age of thirteen and came to South Dakota in 1869—one year prior to the arrival of his parents. During the first winter here he lived with a brother in Canton and worked in a sawmill. When his parents came to this state he joined them on the home farm and assisted his father in the work of the fields until he had attained his majority. In 1876 he wedded Miss Christina Nelson, a native of Sweden, and after his marriage located on a farm which his brother had homesteaded. John T. Lee succeeding to the ownership of the property at his brother's death. He extended the boundaries of the place until it embraced two hundred and forty acres and continued its operation until 1891, when he left the farm and took up his abode in Brandon. There he was made buyer for the Farmers Association, serving in that capacity for six years. On the expiration of that period the Farmers Association sold out and Mr. Lee became agent for its successors, remaining with his new employers for about six years or until his election to the office of county treasurer in 1903. He served in that position for two terms or four years and some time after the expiration of his second term returned to Brandon. On the organization of the Farmers Elevator Company he was made manager, and subsequently, when his son resigned as manager of the Bowman Lumber Company, he was offered and accepted the management of the latter concern as well. In these connections he has manifested excellent executive ability and sound judgment, and his efforts are a recognized factor in the continued growth and success of the institutions with which he is identified.
To Mr. Lee and his first wife were born four children, as follows: Edward, who acts as manager for the S. H. Bowman Lumber Company at Canton; Anthon, a member of the Frank Hyde Jewelry Company, of Sioux Falls; Hannah, who is employed as bookkeeper by the Loonan Lumber Company of Sioux Falls; and Albert, an inspector of fruits and vegetables at Minneapolis. The wife and mother passed away in 1894, and on the 31st of December, 1903, Mr. Lee was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary Holmes, who was formerly a Miss Hustad and is a native of Norway. Mrs. Lee conducts a successful millinery establishment in Sioux Falls, her store adjoining the Sioux Falls National Bank.
For a number of years Mr. Lee has been a factor in the local councils of the republican party. He served for twelve years as county commissioner of Minnehaha county and in that connection made a most commendable and creditable record. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the following organizations: Minnehaha Lodge, No. 5, A. F. & A. M., of Sioux Falls; Sioux Chapter, R. A. M.; St. Croix Commandery, No. 2, K. T.; the Consistory; and the Mystic Shrine. He likewise belongs to Lodge No. 262 of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his religious faith is indicated by Mb membership in the Lutheran church, with which his wife is also connected. During the long period of his residence in Minnehaha county he has proven himself a public-spirited, progressive citizen, a trustworthy business man and a stanch friend, and his salient qualities of character justly entitle him to the esteem of those who know him.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
DAVID EMANUEL LLOYD.
David Emanuel Lloyd has for an extended period been active in business circles and in the public life of Yankton. He was born September 27, 1856, in Red Wing, Goodhue county, Minnesota, a son of Walrath and Johannah (Anderson) Lloyd, who emigrated to the United States in 1852 from Sweden, settling at La Crosse, Wisconsin. The father afterward removed with his family to Red Wing, Minnesota, and preempted land in that district, but lived again at La Crosse for some years. In 1863 he removed to Lansing, Iowa, and in 1878 became a resident of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1899, while his wife survived until 1903. Throughout the entire period of his residence in America he was identified with pioneer life and with the early development of various sections of the west. To him and his wife were born nine sons and a daughter, of whom the daughter, Clara V. Lloyd of Sioux Falls, and four sons survive.
David Emanuel Lloyd attended the district schools until thirteen years of age and the following year became a clerk in the postoffice. He held the position of accountant in the First National Rank at Yankton from 1881 until 1895. In 1891 he was elected a director of the Yankton Building & Loan Association and has continued to be reelected each year since that time, being still a member of the board. He has been called to various public offices, the duties of which he has discharged in a most capable and commendable manner.
In 1887 he became city clerk of Yankton and was city treasurer from 1890 until 1894 inclusive. The following year he was elected county treasurer and filled that position for two years. In 1898 he was again called to public office in appointment to the position of postmaster, in which he served for four years. In 1909 he was made a member of the board of education for a term of four years and was reelected in 1913, so that he is now active in directing the management of the schools of the city. He served as treasurer of the board of education from 1890 until 1895 and in 1903 he was made a member of the city council for a two years' term.
On the 14th of June, 1882, at Mason City, Iowa, Mr. Lloyd was united in marriage to Miss Dorothea Elizabeth Kumpf, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Eming) Kumpf, who emigrated to America from Germany in the late '50s, settling in Allamakee county, Iowa, Mrs. Lloyd being born at Dorchester, that county, in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd have been born the following named: Clara D., James M., Dorothea E. and William W., who are yet living; and David E., who died in December, 1900, at the age of nearly four years. All were born in Yankton, South Dakota.
Mr. Lloyd has been a Mason since 1879, always maintaining his affiliation with the craft. He is now secretary of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., of Yankton; is a past high priest of Yankton Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M.; and is the present preceptor of Oriental Consistory, No. 1, A. & A. S. R., also of Yankton. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and with his family attends the Congregational church.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
GEORGE MAIER.
George Maier, a representative and successful agriculturist of Minnehaha county, is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 29 and 31, Valley Springs township, where he has been actively engaged in farming during the past fifteen years. His birth occurred in Germany on the 1st of March, 1870, his parents being Joseph and Catharine Maier, both of whom have passed away. Throughout his active business career the father devoted his attention to farming.
George Maier acquired his education in the common schools of his native land and after putting aside his textbooks turned his attention to the work of the fields. When a young man of twenty-three years he left the parental roof and set sail for the United States, desiring to test the truth of the many favorable reports which had reached him concerning the advantages and opportunities of the new world. He made his way first to Iowa and in that state was employed as a farm hand for a number of years or until 1899, when he came to South Dakota, purchasing a quarter of section 31 and a quarter of section 29 in Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county. In the operation of that property he has been actively and successfully engaged to the present time, and in connection with the cultivation of the soil he feeds forty head of cattle. He has expended six thousand dollars in the improvement of his place and now owns an attractive and productive farm as well as all modern implements and equipment.
In 1899 Mr. Maier was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bender, a daughter of Louis Bender. They now have two children, Amy and William. Mr. Maier enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout his home community and well deserves the prosperity that has rewarded his efforts.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
MILES MANIFOLD.
Miles Manifold, numbered among the progressive and representative agriculturists of South Dakota, is the owner of an excellent farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Split Rock township, Minnehaha county. His birth occurred in Pennsylvania, on the 26th of February, 1875, his parents being Benedict and Anna Manifold, the former a farmer by occupation. In the acquirement of an education he attended the common schools and also pursued a short course in a private academy. After putting aside his textbooks he came west, locating in Illinois, where he secured employment as a farm hand and was thus engaged for eight years. In 1903 he came to South Dakota, taking up his abode in Humboldt, where he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he purchased an improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Split Rock township, which he has opcrated continuously and successfully to the present time. In connection with the cultivation of cereals he also devotes considerable attention to live stock, keeping ten bead of cattle, sixty-five head of hogs and ten horses. He follows the most modern and practical methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests and has won a well merited and gratifying measure of prosperity.
On the 14th of March, 1913, Mr. Manifold was united in marriage to Miss Mabel Baggs, a daughter of Edward and Mary Baggs, of Minnesota. In politics our subject is independent, preferring not to be bound by party ties in exercising his right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is generous in his support of a worthy cause and in all the relations of life measures up to the full requirements of an intelligent and progressive member of the commonwealth.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
MARTIN M. GROVE, M. D.
The reputation of Dr. Martin M. Grove in the field of surgical practice extends far beyond the limits of Minnehaha county, in which he makes his home. He maintains his office in Dell Rapids, where he located in 1905. Through the intervening period he has demonstrated his marked ability in successful private practice and in hospital work as well, for he was the founder and has been the promoter of the Dell Rapids Hospital, now widely recognized as one of the most valuable institutions of the southeastern part of the state.
Dr. Grove is a western man by birth, training and preference. He was born in Plainview, Minnesota, on the 18th of September, 1879, and is a son of Martin A. and Mary A. (Christopher) Grove, both of whom were natives of Norway, but came to the United States in childhood with their respective parents, the two families settling in Wabasha county, Minnesota. There Martin A. Grove and Mary A. Christopher were reared and married, following which they began their domestic life upon a farm in Wabasha county, where they have since made their home. For many years Mr. Grove continued in active connection with general agricultural pursuits, but is now living retired, making his home in Plainview.
Dr. Grove was reared upon the old home farm in Wabasha county and the district schools afforded him his early educational privileges. Later he attended the Plainview high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He afterward entered the University of Minnesota and in 1901 took up the study of medicine, matriculating in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the University of Illinois at Chicago. In due time he was graduated with the class of 1905. During the last year of his college course he took up hospital work and filled the position of interne in St. Mary's, following his graduation until the fall of 1905, when he removed to Dell Rapids and opened an office for the private practice of medicine. There he has since remained, covering a period of ten years, and as time has passed his practice has constantly grown in volume and importance. In 1908 he established a hospital with four beds and since that time his hospital practice has grown to such an extent that he now has thirty beds. For the conduct of the institution he organized the Dell Rapids Hospital Company and in the summer of 1914 a modern hospital building, equipped with thirty beds, was built. It is supplied with every modern facility for the care of the sick and for surgical work and, in fact, is a model institution of its kind. In 1911 Dr. Grove was joined in practice by Dr. J. B. Eagan and in February, 1914, they admitted a third partner, Dr. Arthur F. Grove, a brother of the senior member of the firm. These three are today practicing under the style of Grove, Eagan & Grove and they are the only ones doing major surgery in Dell Rapids. They have a well merited reputation as expert surgeons of eastern South Dakota and do a vast amount of work along that line.
In January, 1906, Dr. Martin M. Grove was married to Miss Grace Fisk, of Plainview, Minnesota, and they have become parents of four sons, Martin Stewart, Raymond Fisk, Donald B. and Harold. Dr. and Mrs. Grove are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Their home is a hospitable one, whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by many friends.
Dr. Grove is identified with several fraternal organizations. In Masonry he has attained high rank, belonging to Dell Rapids Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M.; Occidental Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R.; and El Riad Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Sioux Falls. He is a member of both the subordinate lodge and encampment of Odd Fellows at Dell Rapids, of Dell Rapids Lodge, K. P., and of Sioux Falls Lodge, No. 262, B. P. O. E. He likewise belongs to the Dell Rapids Commercial Club and is in sympathy with all of its movements and purposes for the progress and upbuilding of the city. Dr. Grove belongs to the Seventh District Medical Society, in which he has been honored with the presidency, and he is also a member of the South Dakota Medical Society and a fellow of the American Medical Association. He is likewise connected with the Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America and thus he keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession in all its scientific researches and investigations.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
MARTIN N. PETERSON.
Martin N. Peterson is one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Minnehaha county, cultivating a good tract of land on section 34, Sverdrup township, which belongs to his mother. His present condition is in marked contrast to that of his grandparents when they sought a home m the new world. All honor is due to such sturdy pioneers as were Jorgen Peterson and his family. In their old home in Norway they saw the vision of the promised land and, resolved to follow its leading, they crossed the Atlantic to the new world, traveled westward to Sioux City, Iowa, and thence walked to Minnehaha county, a distance of more than one hundred miles. The grandfather carried a sack of flour and other supplies, while the grandmother carried the cooking outfit and Nels B. Peterson, the father of Martin N. Peterson, then a boy of but fourteen years, carried a younger brother, who was ill and who died on the homestead of Jorgen Peterson's brother, who had preceded them to this country. The child was buried one-half mile east of Renner and thus it was with heavy hearts, because of their bereavement, that the family started life in their new home. Jorgen Peterson secured a homestead claim—the farm upon which his grandson, Martin N. Peterson, now lives—and in its ownership he was succeeded by Nels B. Peterson, who was born in Norway and, as previously indicated, came to the new world with his parents in 1868. He continued to remain upon the old home farm until his life's labors were ended in death on the 3d of January, 1908, when he was fifty-four years of age. As the years passed he won a creditable and substantial measure of success and extended the boundaries of his place from time to time until his holdings included six hundred and eighty acres and he was regarded as one of the substantial men of the county. He served for several years on the town board and exerted a widely felt and beneficial influence in public affairs, his efforts contributing much to the material growth and prosperity of the community. In was in Minnehaha county that he wedded Gurine Almlie, also a native of Norway, who came to the United States with her parents in 1881. She is still living and yet resides on the old homestead.
Martin N. Peterson was born on the farm where he now resides on the 10th of July, 1887. He was educated in the district schools and in the State Agricultural College at Brookings, so that he received technical training concerning the best methods of tilling the soil and carrying on all branches of farm work. Through the period of his youth he remained under the parental roof and following his father's death took charge of the home farm, which he has since operated. In 1903 his father built a large elevator and feed mill and these are still being operated by Martin N. Peterson, who is a most energetic young business man, wide-awake to his opportunities and ready at all times to utilize them. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and is one of the most respected among the young business men of his county.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
PETER NESTE.
Peter Neste, one of the enterprising agriculturists and substantial citizens of Split Rock township, residing on section 16, owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land and is busily engaged in its cultivation. His birth occurred in Winneshiek county, Iowa, on the 14th of April, 1868, his parents being Ole S. and Carrie (Wren) Neste, who were born, reared and married in Norway. In 1865 they crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up their abode in Winneshiek county, Iowa. It was in 1877 that the father came to South Dakota, his family following a year later. He filed on a preemption in Moody county and after living thereon for six months in order to prove up, came to Minnehaha county and purchased a farm in Split Rock township. During the past fifteen years, however, he has made his home with our subject. The period of his residence in this state covers thirty-seven years, and he has long been numbered among the representative and esteemed citizens of his community.
Peter Neste was reared to manhood under the parental roof and attended the, common schools in the acquirement of an education. He continued on the home farm and assisted in its operation until 1899, when be purchased one hundred and sixty acres of his present place and took up his abode thereon. In 1905 he bought an adjoining tract of similar size, so that his farm now embraces three hundred and twenty acres. He specializes in the raising of horses, cattle and hogs and has been very successful in both his farming and live stock interests, enjoying an enviable reputation as one of the prosperous and progressive citizens of Split Rock township.
Mr. Neste is a member of the Lutheran synod and fraternally is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Valley Springs Lodge, No. 143. In all relations of life he has maintained a high standard of honor and integrity and has won the respect and confidence of those who have come in contact with him.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
JONAS NORDSTROM.
Jonas Nordstrom, who passed away on the 29th of June, 1907, was actively and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits in South Dakota for a third of a century, owning three hundred and sixty acres of productive and valuable land in Brandon township, Minnehaha county, and three hundred and twenty acres in Day county. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 19th of October, 1845, his parents being Jonas and Brita Louisa Nordstrom, the former a laborer.
In 1871, when twenty-six years of age, Mr. Nordstrom crossed the Atlantic to the United States and, making his way into the interior of the country, passed through Chicago on the night of the disastrous conflagration. He located in Lockport, Illinois, where he spent two years and on the expiration of that period came to South Dakota, homesteading a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 19, Brandon township, Minnehaha county. This still remains the family home. Mr. Nordstrom won success in his undertakings as an agriculturist and at the time of his demise owned three hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Brandon township, Minnehaha county, and also a half section in Day county, this stale, his holdings therefore embracing six hundred and eighty acres. His death occurred on the 29th of June, 1907, and in his passing the community lost one of its most prosperous agriculturists and honored pioneer settlers.
Mr. Nordstrom was twice married. By his first wife, whom be wedded in 1871, he had three children, namely: Jonas, Nannie and Hilda. On the 3d of July, 1883, be was again married, his second union being with Miss Matilda Anderson, a daughter of Ander George. To them were born the following children: Amanda, Tekla, Magnus, Selma, Nels, August and Hedleigh. Mr. Nordstrom gave his political allegiance to the republican party and ably served as treasurer of the school board for a number of years. He was a devoted member of the Mission Friends church, a branch of the Lutheran denomination, and exemplified its teachings in his daily life.
Magnus Nordstrom, a son of Jonas Nordstrom, is now managing the family estate and cultivates five hundred and twenty acres of the land, leasing the remaining quarter section. He employs the most modern and practical methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests and in connection with the cultivation of cereals also feeds fifty head of cattle and one hundred and twenty-five head of hogs. He is widely recognized as a public-spirited and valued young citizen of his community and since his twenty-first year has served as chairman of the school board. In the locality which has always been his home he has many warm friends and an extensive circle of acquaintances.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
E. A. OLANDER.
E. A. Olander, an agriculturist residing on section 13, Split Rock township, owns and operates one of the best improved farms of that township. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Minnehaha county, South Dakota, his birth having occurred in Split Rock township on the 16th of December, 1879. His parents, Charles and Hilma (Bowman) Olander, both of whom were natives of Sweden, emigrated to the United States as young man and young woman. They first settled in Michigan and were married in that state. Some time later they came to South Dakota, Charles Olander homesteading the southeast quarter of section 11, Split Rock township, Minnehaha county, and also taking up a forty-acre timber claim adjoining that property on the west. There he continued throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1910 at the age of sixty-four years. His death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had gained many friends in the community where he had so long resided. His widow still survives and lives on the old home farm
E. A. Olander was reared at home and acquired his education in the common schools. He remained under the parental roof, assisting his father in the operation of the home farm, until 1904. when be started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting the farm of his grandfather, S. A. Bowman. At the end of about three years, in 1907, he bought and removed to his present home farm on section 13, Split Rock township. Since locating on the property he has built one of the finest barns in the township and has also erected other farm buildings, so that his place is now one of the best improved in the community. Mr. Olander follows up-to-date methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests and such success as has come to him is the result of indefatigable labor, well applied energy and good judgment. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Brandon.
In 1905 Mr. Olander was united in marriage to Miss Clara Johnson, her father being Charlie Johnson, one of the early settlers of Brandon township. They have become the parents of three children, namely: Florence, Warner and Margaret. In politics Mr. Olander is a republican, while his religious faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church, to which his wife also belongs. Fraternally he is identified with Valley Springs Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His entire life has been spent in Minnehaha county and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its prosperous farmers and respected citizens.
“History of Dakota Territory”, George W. Kingsbury, 1915
OLE S. SWENSON.
Ole S. Swenson, serving in a creditable manner as warden of the South Dakota state penitentiary at Sioux Falls, was born in Halingdal, Norway, November 9, 1845, and is a son of Swen and Julia (Sanderson) Swenson, also natives of that locality. The family is descended from a Scottish nobleman of the Clement clan, who fled from his native country in 1604 for political reasons and settled in Halingdal. In the course of years the name became changed to its present form.
Ole S. Swenson began his education in the country schools of Nicollet county, Minnesota, where his parents had settled on a farm in 1857. He later attended public school at St. Peter, Minnesota, and, laying aside his books at the age of eighteen, began clerking in a store in that city. In 1876 he established a hardware store there, but business being poor on account of the plague of grasshoppers he moved his stock to Grand Meadow, where he controlled an important patronage for four years. At the end of that time he came to Sioux Falls, where from 1880 until 1892 he was a well known hardware merchant. In the latter year he disposed of his interest in that business and turned his attention to flour milling, engaging in that occupation until 1902. He is a director in the Queen City Fire Insurance Company of South Dakota, also in the Albert Lea Gas Company of Albert Lea, Minnesota; in the Union Insurance Association of Sioux Falls and a member of the executive committee of that company. He is a man whose business ability is known and recognized.
In 1872, at St. Peter, Minnesota, Mr. Swenson married Miss Celia Thompson, a daughter of Stone and Julia (Roan) Thompson. Mrs. Swenson passed away in 1879, leaving two children, Arthur W. and Josephine G. In 1880, at Grand Meadow, Minnesota, Mr. Swenson was again married, his second union being with Miss Eliza Susan Ranney, by whom he has three children, William L., Norma M. and Ernest S. Mr. Swenson was reared a Lutheran and holds membership in the Elks Club of Sioux Falls. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason and is affiliated also with the Woodmen of the World. He is a republican in his political beliefs and stands high in the party's councils, taking an intelligent and active interest in public affairs. From 1898 until 1902 he was chairman of the republican central committee of Minnehaha county and he has been at all times a loyal supporter of the party's principles and candidates. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to fill positions of honor and trust. In 1886 he was elected county treasurer and so acceptably did he fill that office that he was reelected in 1888, serving in all four years. He then declined to become a candidate for reelection. In 1901 he was first appointed warden of the South Dakota penitentiary and after serving two years was reappointed for a similar period of time. He was then out of office until 1909, when he was again given that position, in which he has since served by reappointment. He has made many improvements in the institution. When he took charge in 1901 there was no work for the prisoners except in the quarry and on the farm, which was not enough to give employment to all of them, but Mr. Swenson went before the legislature and was instrumental in getting a bill passed to establish a shirt factory and twine plant. The former has now been in operation since 1905 and the latter since 1909. There are now two hundred and twenty spindles in use in the twine factory, manufacturing about seven million pounds of twine annually, which is one-half of what the state uses. The prison is now up-to-date in all its appointments, having a good dining room, chapel, laundry, hospital, solitary apartments, deputies' offices, measurement rooms, music room, carpenter shops, bath rooms, etc. There are a total of two hundred and eleven prisoners and the honor system, which has recently been recommended or put in operation in different states, has been tried here for some years. There is an evening school with studies up to the eighth grade and fifty-five prisoners in voluntary attendance. The teachers are also prisoners. There is also a moving-picture machine and exhibitions are given once or twice each week. Besides this, there is an orchestra and a quartette to lead the singing, all composed of prisoners. In 1901 the lockstep was abolished and the prisoners are now dressed in cadet gray, the stripes being used only temporarily as a punishment. The farm consists of five hundred and eighty acres and all of the buildings thereon have been erected by prison labor, with no foreman.
In Sioux Falls Mr. Swenson is known as a refined and courteous gentleman, progressive in his views, and straightforward and honorable in all relations of life, and he holds the esteem and confidence of all who are in any way associated with him.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
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
HERBERT E. PARKER.
Herbert E. Parker was well known as a valued resident of Sioux Falls. He saw the possibilities for advancement and improvement in the city and ever labored to make these a reality. It was not so much the success he achieved that gave him high standing in business circles, as the progressive methods which he followed and the honorable policy which he pursued. He was born in Sparta, Wisconsin, July 22, 1863, and spent his boyhood days upon the farm there, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. After mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools he became a student in the high school at Boscobel, where he was graduated. In 1882 he came to Sioux Falls, where he worked as a journeyman carpenter. He afterward found an opening in the restaurant business and turned his attention to that pursuit. Subsequently be became a guard at the South Dakota penitentiary, where he remained for three years. He then entered the coal and wood business and later he engaged in the ice business with his brother, John, the association being maintained until 1906, when our subject withdrew, his brother continuing the business. Herbert E. Parker remained in the coal, wood and feed business, was the first man to engage in the wholesale seed business in South Dakota and at one time was for six years in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. He was industrious and energetic and was also straightforward and reliable with firm belief in the golden rule, which he ever endeavored to follow in the conduct of his business interests. People who gave him their support knew that his word was to be depended upon and that his promises would be kept and his obligations met. He therefore gained an enviable reputation and his business record constituted an example well worthy of emulation.
In 1883 Mr. Parker was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Clark, a native of Minnesota. They became the parents of seven children, who are yet living, Nellie A., Harry E., Bessie H., Effie R., Burton L., Margaret K. and Teddy Hugh.
Mr. Parker was prominent in Masonic circles, holding membership in Unity Lodge. No. 103, A. F. & A. M., of which he became a charter member. He served as junior warden for a number of years and refused higher positions on account of the pressure of business duties. He was also connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Labor and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in his life exemplified the sterling principles of those organizations. In his political views he was independent, voting for men and measures rather than party, while his religious connection was with the Congregational church, which found in him a consistent and faithful member. He was a public-spirited man, withholding his indorsement and support from no measure that he deemed would prove of public value and benefit. A fitting epitaph for him would be the words of the philosopher that "an honest man is the noblest work of God."
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
ASHER K. PAY.
The value of industry, enterprise and ability is well illustrated in the career of Asher K. Pay, who, starting in business with a capital of ninety-six dollars, has so intelligently and capably managed his interests that he is today the proprietor of the finest art store in Sioux Falls and, the builder, owner and manager of the Colonial Theater, which is the finest and most modern house of entertainment in the state. He was born in Washington, Iowa, November 13, 1866, and is a son of Thomas L. and Jennie (Wagner) Pay. The father was born in Dover, England, and was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to America. After coming to South Dakota he took up a homestead in Brookings county, in 1881, and there lived for many years.
Asher K. Pay spent his early life upon the home farm in Brookings county and acquired only a limited common-school education. For some time he spent his summers learning the trade of a painter and paper hanger And attended school during the winter months. In 1888 he came to Sioux Falls and after working for one year at his trade determined to engage in business on his own account. With a capital of only ninety-six dollars he established a small art store and from this humble beginning has developed his present large and profitable enterprise. He understands the business in principle and detail, is industrious, ambitious and energetic and has therefore met with excellent success, controlling today a large and representative patronage. On the 13th of June, 1914, he opened the Colonial Theater to the public. A fire had swept away the wholesale drug house that stood on the site where the theater is now located and Mr. Pay purchased the ruins and erected there the finest moving picture house in the state.
On the 3d of June, 1891, at Sioux Falls, Mr. Pay was united in marriage to Miss Dora Gremmels, and they have three children, Howard H., Milton A. and Clifford T. They have a beautiful summer home on Lake Okoboji, Iowa. It is equipped with waterworks and all modern conveniences and here the family spend the summer months each year. Mr. Pay belongs to the Elks Club and is a York Rite Mason, holding membership in the Shrine. His political support is given the men and measures of the republican party. He has an extensive circle of friends in Sioux Falls, where he has resided for over a quarter of a century, and he merits the confidence and trust which are uniformly accorded him.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
OLAF P. PETERSON.
Olaf P. Peterson, who devotes his time and energies to the pursuit of general farming, owns and operates a tract comprising one hundred and fifty-six acres in Minnehaha county. He was born in Sweden on the 23d of September, 1855, a son of Peter Peterson, who emigrated to the United States in 1868 and after a brief residence in Iowa came to South Dakota in 1869, homesteading a quarter section of land in Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county. Mr. Peterson was one of the first settlers of the locality and died on this homestead two or three years later.
Olaf P. Peterson, who acquired his education in the public schools of his native land, was a youth of thirteen when he came with his father to the new world. After spending the winter in Sioux City, Iowa, he came up into South Dakota and took up a homestead on section 8, Valley Springs township, Minnehaha county. Here he carried on general agricultural pursuits continuously and successfully until 1913, when he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and fifty-six acres in Valley Springs township. The appearance of the place indicates the prosperity of the owner and the land is in a good state of cultivation.
In early manhood Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Amelia Bowman, of Split Rock township, who is a native of Sweden. To them have been born six children, four of whom survive as follows: Julia, Ethel, Alice and Hazel, all at home.
In his .political views Mr. Peterson is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party. He is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen, while his religious faith is that of the Swedish Lutheran church, to which his wife and children also belong. The period of his residence in Minnehaha county covers forty-five years and he has long enjoyed recognition among its representative agriculturists and highly esteemed citizens.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
FRANK S. PRETTYMAN, D. D. S.
Dr. Frank S. Prettyman, who since 1900 has successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in Sioux Falls, was born in Stryker, Williams county, Ohio, April 23, 1867, and is a son of Louis Wyatt and Hannah Rachel (Kintigh) Prettyman. The father was also a native of Williams county, born in 1831. He died in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1896 and his wife passed away in 1912. The family is of English origin and was founded in America by the grandfather of the subject of this review, Thomas Prettyman, who came from England to America in early manhood.
Dr. Frank S. Prettyman acquired his early education in the public schools of Stryker and other communities and later entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in dentistry in 1892. He located first in Sioux City, Iowa, and there remained for six years, after which he was for two years at Hartington, Nebraska, just across the river from Yankton, South Dakota. In 1900 he came to Sioux Falls and established an office, where he has since engaged in practice. He has embraced every opportunity for promoting his skill and ability along the line of his profession and has secured a large patronage which he is very successful in conducting.
On the 30th of July, 1909, at Madison, South Dakota, Dr. Prettyman was united in marriage to Miss Anga Haugen, and they have a daughter, Wynona Isabel. The Doctor is a member of the Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He belongs to the Elks and the Dacotah Clubs and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He gives practically all of his time to the duties of his profession and is regarded as one of its leading representatives in Sioux Falls.
“History of Dakota Territory”, George W. Kingsbury, 1915
HON. R. F. PETTIGREW.
Hon. R. F. Pettigrew, for two terms a representative of the state of South Dakota in the United States senate, for one term delegate in congress from the territory of Dakota, is today the foremost citizen of the state in intellectuality, in purpose, in capability. He is a product of the state of Vermont, having been born at Ludlow, on the 23d of July, 1848. Of remote Scotch ancestry, he has come down to the present through several generations of Yankees.
At six years of age, with his parents, he left Vermont and moved to Wisconsin during the rush of early immigration to that state. In the course of a year after their arrival, the family located upon a farm in the town of Union, Rock county. Mr. Pettigrew engaged in farm work until he was sixteen years of age, receiving such education as the rural schools afforded, when he entered the Beloit (Wis.) College. At this institution he remained two years and then went to Iowa, where he remained a year, teaching school and engaging in the study of law. He then undertook a course of law study at the State Law School at Madison, Wisconsin, but was called home in December, 1867, by the death of his father, the management of the farm devolving upon him.
In 1869 Mr. Pettigrew came to Dakota as chainman on a land surveying party, and after a couple of weeks of service the compass was intrusted to him. He remained in the field throughout the season, his work being in Moody and Brookings counties. At the close of the surveying season, he returned to Madison and devoted the winter to studies in the Wisconsin Law School.
The next spring (1870), Mr. Pettigrew returned to Dakota and made his home at Sioux Falls, where he has since resided. He constructed a modest law office on Phillips avenue, teaming the lumber himself from Sioux City, a hundred miles away, and entered upon the practice of law.
Thus, twenty-two years after life came to him in the rugged fastnesses of one of the oldest states in the Union, he found himself among the few who had cast their fortunes in the solitude of the far west region of the plains. His feet were on the threshold of a new empire, a wilderness to be subdued and developed and finally added to the crown of the republic as one of the richest jewels. The new man and the new west were face to face and the life struggle of one was cast in the unknown future of the other. Raw manhood and raw nature walked hand in hand, the mission of man to strive, of nature to respond.
Into the task Mr. Pettigrew entered with the energy of youth, with unflinching courage, with a will before which all obstacles yielded, opposition vanished and healthy ambition triumphed. These were the characteristics that came out of the east along with this new man of the new west and they have attended his career as be has led continuously the
march of progress in his chosen field of labor.In this embryonic commonwealth there came to Mr. Pettigrew many of the honors to be gathered along the frontier of civilization. He was three times elected to membership in the upper house of the legislature of Dakota territory, as a republican, and in 1880 that party sent him to congress as the delegate for the territory, in which capacity he served throughout the forty-seventh congress. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1883, a convention composed of delegates from the south half of the territory. As chairman of the committee on public indebtedness he framed the existing constitutional provision under that head, the second constitutional convention under a congressional admission act incorporating the report of his committee into the constitution that finally became the
organic law of the state of South Dakota.On February 27, 1879, Mr. Pettigrew was married to Bessie V. Pittar of Chicago, Illinois. Miss Pittar, at the time of her marriage, was a teacher in the public schools of Chicago. Her mother was the daughter of an English judge in Ireland, and her father was of French descent, whose ancestors had lived in England since the Edict of Nance was revoked. He was a civil engineer by profession and for many years had resided in Chicago. They have two sons—Franklin S. Pettigrew and Arthur L. Pettigrew, thirty-four and thirty-two years of age, respectively. They are both residing upon a large irrigated farm in Grant county, Washington.
South Dakota, a state created from the south half of the territory of Dakota, was admitted to the Union in 1889, and under the provisions of the admission act Mr. Pettigrew was elected United States senator on the 16th of October, of that year, along with the late Gideon C. Moody, both of the republican party, taking his seat in the senate on the 2nd of December following. Under the rules of the senate, the two South Dakota senators drew for the long and the short terms respectively and Mr. Pettigrew secured the long term. At the expiration of hi6 term, Mr. Pettigrew was reelected to the United States senate as a republican for the term beginning March 4, 1895. He served until March 3, 1901. During the moat of his last term as senator be was chairman of the committee on Indian affairs and a member of the committees on appropriations and public lands, besides serving on several less important committees.
Mr. Pettigrew was a delegate from his state to the republican national convention in 1856 and was one of those who led in the stormy conflict in that body against the repudiation of bimetalism. The termination of that struggle was the practical defeat of the double monetary standard as a principle and a policy of the republican party. With several other distinguished advocates of the cause of bimetalism, Senator Pettigrew withdrew from the convention and from the party and became one of the organizers of the silver republican party. During the presidential campaign of 1896 he was along with those who spoke and labored in South Dakota and other states in behalf of the fusion ticket and he was largely instrumental in carrying South Dakota for the fusion presidential candidate, William J. Bryan, and the fusion candidate for governor of South Dakota, Andrew E. Lee. In the year 1900, Mr. Pettigrew was the candidate of the fusionists for the United States senate to succeed himself. The legislature was that year strongly republican and he was defeated. He retired from the senate March 3, 1901, and has since held no public position. He was fourteen years a member of the national legislative body, two years as territorial delegate and twelve years as senator, representing the territory of Dakota and the state of South Dakota.
Mr. Pettigrew's career as a member of the United States senate brought him prominently before the nation. He became one of the leaders in that distinguished body of statesmen, and it is well enough known among those versed in the affairs of the senate, that it is led by a few, while the others follow. Mr. Pettigrew was at all times distinctively a leader. Throughout the formative period of his life, which covered his frontier experiences, his training gave to him those characteristics of self-reliance which admonished him to go first and say to the others "come." In the senate, as elsewhere, his place was in the van and he quickly found it and then retained it. It was not his nature to sit under the restraint of silence or the direction of others. His ever busy mentality must originate, plan, suggest and confer—must bring the friction of his reasoning in contact with the arguments of others and do his share in the formation of principles that sustain the fabric of government. He was one of those who gave time and thought and toil of mind to the intricate questions that arise to perplex the nation and array sentiment against sentiment. In this school there is no short road to recognition. It comes at the end of processes that transform the student into the statesman, and because of these requirements it is only the few that attain to positions of leadership.
Mr. Pettigrew was never through with an undertaking until he had mastered all its intricacies and had familiarized himself with every detail. This involved continuous application. His most laborious hours were spent in his library and the time thus taken was not borrowed from the sessions of the senate. His evenings, often lengthened to the coming of another day, were devoted to study and research. Through his attention to public questions he became a counsellor among the thoughtful men that direct the affairs of the highest legislative body of the nation and by them his wisdom was freely sought, his stock of general information being admittedly voluminous and accurate. This man was an achievement of industry, of comprehensive mental grasp and of the wonderfully retentive memory with which he is endowed.
During his second term as a senatorial representative of South Dakota Mr. Pettigrew found himself alienated from the political party with which he had served from the beginning of his active career. It was not alone that he differed from his political associates on the monetary question. The republican party had made other departures from the faith in which he had been schooled and had committed itself to what seemed to him an abandonment of the doctrine that governments derive their jus* powers from the consent of the governed, and to an espousal of a policy laden with imperialistic possibilities.
In combatting these tendencies of the republican party, Mr. Pettigrew delivered a speech in the senate on the 22d and 23d of June and the 2d and 6th of July, 1S98, against the annexation of the Hawaiian islands. This extended presentation of the case, covering one hundred and eighteen pamphlet pages, at once gave him his national prominence. In it he implicated representatives of the United States government in the insurrection that over-
threw the Hawaiian government, giving a complete history of the events leading to the subsequently achieved annexation of the islands to the domain of the United States. In a visit to Honolulu he had obtained information that was made the basis of his argument, which no public man undertook to refute. His facts were new to the public and their vigorous presentation attracted general attention.Among his other notable speeches in the senate were several in opposition to the acquisition of the Philippine islands, to which he applied exhaustive research. His defense of the South African republic was another painstaking and effective effort. Throughout his entire service in congress he contended for generous laws in behalf of settlers on the public lands and for honorable treatment of the Indians from whom the lands were taken. On the 24th of February, 1899, he addressed the senate in opposition to the Nicaragua canal bill, advancing reasons why Panama should be selected as the site of an interoceanic canal. In this he pioneered the movement that has resulted in the substitution of the Panama for the Nicaragua route.
During the period of his membership in the United States senate Mr. Pettigrew gave close attention to legislation affecting the public domain and through his interest and knowledge of the matter he ultimately became author of all the legislation creating and governing forest reservations. This was probably his greatest work during his senatorial career. It was during the year 1890 that Mr. Pettigrew secured the passage of a measure authorizing the president of the United States to set apart forest reservations, known as section 24 of the act of 1891. The law containing this section is a comprehensive one, constructed with great care by Senator Pettigrew, assisted by Senator Walthall of Mississippi.
The germ of the measure came to the senate from the house, having been put through that body by Representative Holman of Indiana. It consisted of one section, repealing the timber culture law. Mr. Pettigrew was a member of the committee on public lands and the chairman. Senator Plum of Kansas appointed Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Walthall a sub-committee to construct around the house bill a revision of the land laws. When their work was completed they had a measure of twenty-four sections, the last of which authorized the president to set apart forest reservations.
Mr. Pettigrew was more familiar with the subject than any other member of the senate and for that reason the task of creating radical changes in the meaning and effect of the land laws was intrusted to him and his work stands as a monument to his industry and integrity of purpose. He had been a close student of the forestry laws of France and Austria, at that time more advanced than any other nations in the specialty, recognizing the necessity for the preservation and the replacement of the trees that had been wasted with almost criminal prodigality. His legislation was the opening of a new era in this country in the conservation of forest resources.
When his bill came up for discussion and passage in the senate and the house, none of the members of those bodies gave attention to the importance of section 24, and the bill was enacted without any objection of importance. Afterwards, when the completed act came before the department for enforcement, it was found that nearly all the western senators objected to its provisions and entered upon an attempt to secure their repeal.
After some of the forest reservations secured under the provisions of this act had been relieved from the provisions of the act through amendments to sundry civil appropriation bills, Mr. Pettigrew, with the assistance of Mr. Wolcott, head of the geological survey, drafted a measure in which was provided the means for administration of the national forest law. This he offered as an amendment to the sundry civil appropriation bill and it became a law. He prepared the rules and regulations for the government of the Black Hills forest reservation provided for in his legislation and they were adopted and put into force by Secretary of the Interior Bliss.
In 1898 Mr. Pettigrew introduced a bill to provide for the withdrawal from sale of all of the public domain, covering agricultural and mineral land, and the conveyance of the same to the states, with the provision that the states might lease it but could not sell it. This attempt at legislation failed. The time was not ripe, and the public domain has since
passed rapidly from public to private ownership.Along toward the close of his senatorial career, Mr. Pettigrew presented to the senate a bill that contemplated the ownership of the railroads of the country by the general government. It was discussed at length before the committee on interstate commerce and the discussion brought out a great deal of valuable testimony, which was printed as a senate document and is yet on file for reference. He further attempted, in his vigorous way, to install public ownership of street car and the electric lights of Washington city.
Throughout his career as United States senator, Mr. Pettigrew was always in advance of his associates. What would now be of easy accomplishment was then difficult—impossible. Public sentiment is coming up to his views of a dozen years back, and he is forging ahead— keeping always in advance of the advanced thought of the nation.
It was not alone in his public capacity that Mr. Pettigrew left the impress of his strong personality upon the undertakings with which he has been connected. The city of Sioux Falls, his home since 1870, the metropolis of South Dakota, wealthy, progressive and always growing, owes much of its success to his efforts in its behalf. Cities do not create themselves. They are the product of well directed intelligence and it was in part his intelligence that has covered the granite hills of the Sioux with beautiful homes and the facilities for creating homes. He has also had a prominent share in the constructive work of the territory of Dakota and the state of South Dakota. He gave to each a strong guiding hand, recognizing from the beginning the possibilities of a realm almost unknown when he came
into its existence.Since Air. Pettigrew returned from official life he has devoted his talents and energies to his personal affairs with the same success that always attended his labors in behalf of the public. He has engaged chiefly in mining enterprises, out of which he has accumulated a comfortable fortune in the few years in which he had been free from the cares of a congressional career.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
CHARLES J. MONSON.
General agricultural pursuits claim the attention of Charles J. Monson, the owner of a valuable and productive farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Split Rock township, Minnehaha county. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 24tb of January, 1866, his parents being Andrew and Christina Monson, who emigrated to the United States in 1869. They took up their abode near Dos Moines, Iowa, and there the father purchased land and carried on fanning until 1881, when he removed to Montgomery county, Iowa, where he still resides. The mother was called to her final rest in 1907.
Charles J. Monson acquired a common-school education in Iowa and his youth was spent like that of most other lads of the place and period, being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the home farm. He continued farming in association with his father until 1914, when he came to Minnehaha county. South Dakota, having in September, 1910, purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land in Split Rock township. He also keeps forty-five head of hogs, ten head of horses and ten head of cattle and has already established his position among the prosperous and enterprising agriculturists of his community.
In 1889 Mr. Monson was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Carlson, a daughter of A. P.
and Johanna Carlson, of Sweden. Their children are three in number, namely: Carl, Myrtle and Myron. In politics Mr. Monson is independent, preferring not to be bound by party ties and always considering the fitness of a candidate rather than his political affiliation. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Monson have an extensive circle of warm friends in their home community, enjoying the high regard and esteem of all with whom they have come in contact.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
PETER J. MORSTAD.
While the Bob and Nels clothing store has for some years passed from the hands of the original proprietors, it has ever remained one of the chief commercial enterprises of the city and the high standard has been in no whit abated since it came under the presidency of Peter J. Morstad, whose name introduces this review. In fact, a spirit of progress has been manifest and the success which has come to the establishment is attributable in large measure to the efforts, close application and sound business judgment of him whose name introduces this record. He was born in Norway, December 27, 1853, his parents being Juul P. and Ingeborg (Lynne) Morstad. The father died in 1877, aged seventy-seven years, while the mother passed away in the year 1907, having survived her husband for three decades. They had two sons and four daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are living.
Peter J. Morstad, the fifth in order of birth, benefited by a high-school course in Norway and in 1870, when a youth of sixteen years, came to America with a brother aged eighteen years, making his way to Albert Lea, Minnesota, where lived his married sister and a paternal uncle, who had come to the new world in 1848. Mr. Morstad was employed at farm labor for five years in the county of Freeborn, of which Albert Lea is the county seat. He spent that entire time in the employ of Hans Christopherson, whose daughter he afterward married. In 1875 he left the farm and entered the farm implement business as clerk in a store in Albert Lea, being connected therewith for two years, the last year as silent partner of T. L. Torgeson. He afterward spent two years as a clerk in a general store in Albert Lea and in 1881 removed to Miner county, Dakota territory, where he took a preemption claim and also a tree claim, totaling three hundred and twenty acres of land. In October of that year, he located in Grand Forks, where he spent a year as clerk in the general store conducted by M. I. Mandelson. In 1882 he purchased the Star clothing business in connection with A. Christopherson and with his former employer as a silent partner. Three months later, however, the store was destroyed by fire, and as no other location could be secured in that town, Mr. Morstad found it necessary to seek a home elsewhere.
On the 6th of April, 1883, Mr. Morstad located in Sioux Falls and opened the Boston Clothing Store in connection with A. Christopherson under the firm style of Morstad & Christopherson, which association was continued until the 1st of September, 1911, the partnership being dissolved on that date. Mr. Morstad then purchased an interest in the Bob & Nels Clothing Company, Incorporated, and now carries on the business. He is president and general manager with Mrs. Nels Arnston as part owner of the business. This is one of the old established mercantile houses of the city. In fact, it is regarded as one of the landmarks of this part of the state. The store was opened by R. E. Vreeland and Nels Arnston, and following the custom of those days when every man was known to his acquaintances by his first name, these two young merchants named their store after the popular nickname it had been given by the people of the time, calling it the Bob and Nels Store. The name has since been retained, although the original proprietors have both passed away. The business has now been in existence for twenty-four years and many of its old patrons remain with it, showing that the most reliable business methods have ever been employed. An extensive line of clothing and men's furnishings is carried and a liberal patronage is enjoyed, for the firm has ever employed progressive methods and has carried a most up-to-date line of goods. In all business transactions they are thoroughly reliable and trustworthy and the success which has come to the institution is the merited reward of the energy, close application and business ability of the owners.
On the 10th of January, 1884, at Manchester, Minnesota, Mr. Morstad was united in marriage to Miss Antoinette Christopherson, a daughter of Hans Christopherson, and their children are: Juul Henry, treasurer of the Bob & Nels Clothing Company; Irene Cora Marie; Porter Alfred, of San Francisco; Carl Alfred and Clay Eugene Grant. All the children are at home save Porter Alfred.
The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and Mr. Morstad belongs also to the Masonic lodge. He is also connected with the Elks and is a member of the Commercial Club. In politics he is a republican and for four terms, or eight years, he served as one of the aldermen of Sioux Falls, during which period his influence was ever on the side of right, progress and improvement. In fact, he stands for all that is commendable in commercial and municipal affairs and has done much to further those interests which arc a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915
PAULUS NELSON.
Paulus Nelson, one of the influential citizens and representative agriculturists of Valley Springs township, living on section 18, has been a resident of Minnehaha county for the past three decades. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 18th of February, 1860, his parents being Nils and Christine (Swanson) Pearson, who came to the United States in 1883, following the emigration of their children to this country. They took, up their abode in Wisconsin, in which state their children had located on arriving in America. In 1894 they came to South Dakota, the father here making his home with our subject until he passed away in 1907. He had visited New York twenty times prior to his removal to the United States, being a seafaring man who sailed all over the world for a period of thirty years. His widow still survives and resides with her son Paulus.
In the acquirement of an education Paulus Nelson attended the common schools of his native land. When a young man of twenty-two years, in 1882, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, locating in Washburn county, Wisconsin, where he secured employment in a sawmill. At the end of two years, in 1884, be came to South Dakota, taking up his abode in Valley Springs, where he went to work at the carpenter's trade, which he bad learned in Sweden. For about ten years he was engaged in carpentering and building and during that period also took up farming in partnership with his brother, S. P. Nelson, the two young men cultivating rented land in Valley Springs township. In 1901 Paulus Nelson purchased his present home farm of eighty acres on section 18, which was then an unimproved tract of land, having only a thousand dollars to pay down on the property and to buy his machinery. He erected the necessary buildings, planted a grove of trees and an orchard and today has an ideal country home and is out of debt. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with merited success, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company at Valley Springs.
Politically Mr. Nelson indorses republican principles, supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. He is a member of the school board and now serves as its chairman. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Lutheran church. Since he crossed the Atlantic to the United States in early manhood his ambition has been gratified and his hopes realized, for by persistent and well directed effort he has won a place among the substantial and representative citizens of his community.
HOME
©2008 Genealogy Trails
Background courtesy of http://www.christiangraphics.org/