History of South Dakota, Vol. 2
by Doane Robinson
B. F. Bowen & Co., Publisher
1904
Contributed by Jim DezotellALBERT WALWORTH RANSOM is at present business manager and a half owner of Public Opinion, daily and weekly, Watertown, South Dakota, the leading newspaper in the northwestern part of the state. Mr. Ransom is a native of the Empire state, having been born in Clinton county. New York. In early life he removed to Freeborn county, Minnesota, where he alternately attended school and worked on his father's farm. In 1882 he came to South Dakota, locating at Redfield, Spink county. He became associated with the Redfield Journal as an employe and later purchased a half interest in the plant. In 1892 he removed to Watertown, Codington county, and, in company with Herbert Geddes, purchased the Watertown News, a daily newspaper. Later, in company with Frank J. Cory, he purchased Public Opinion, a weekly paper, consolidating the two and taking the latter name. In 1894 Mr. Geddes retired from the firm, leaving Messrs. Ransom and Cory sole owners and equal partners.
History of South Dakota, Vol. 2
by Doane Robinson
B. F. Bowen & Co., Publisher
1904
Contributed by Jim DezotellOTTO C. BERG, who is now serving his second term as secretary of state of South Dakota, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of the commonwealth and has here maintained his home for more than a score of years, so that he is entitled to the distinction of being classed among the pioneers of this favored section of our great national domain. Mr. Berg comes of stanch Norseland lineage and is himself a native of Norway, having been born in Brottum, Ringsager, on the l0th of September, 1849, and being a son of Christian T. and Christence Berg, who are both now dead. The subject secured his educational training in the excellent national schools of his native land and instituted his independent career by securing a clerkship in a general store at Lillehammer, later becoming bookkeeper in a wholesale establishment at Drammen. In 1873 he came to America and located in Wisconsin, becoming one of the prominent citizens of Norwalk, Monroe county, where he served as postmaster and also held the office of county clerk. In 1883 he came to what is now the state of South Dakota and took up his abode in Northville, Spink county, where he engaged in the general merchandise business, building up a prosperous enterprise in the line. For six years he served as clerk of the circuit and county courts, manifesting an active concern in public affairs and early becoming one of the leaders in the ranks of the Republican party of the state. In 1900 he was elected secretary of state and was chosen as his own successor in 1902, so that he is incumbent of this responsible and exacting office at the time of this writing. He is a leading Republican and takes a deep interest in the furtherance of the principles and policies of the party. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran church, while Mrs. Berg and family are devoted members of the Congregational church. Fraternally he is affiliated with Redfield Lodge, No. 34, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at Redfield; Redfield Chapter, No. 20, Royal Arch Masons; South Dakota Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, in Aberdeen; and Northville Lodge, No. 36. Ancient Order of United Workmen, at Northville.
On the 1st of May, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Berg to Miss Edith O. Rowe, who was born at Coldspring, Jefferson county, Wisconsin, being a daughter of David R. Rowe, an influential citizen of that place. Of this union have been born three children, Edna Mathea, who died January 8, 1904, at the age of twenty-three years; Christine, who died in infancy, and Paul B., who is sixteen years of age at the time of this writing, in 1904.
EDWARD LIVINGSTON NOYES.
Edward Livingston Noyes is now living retired at Mellette, South Dakota, in the enjoyment of the comforts of life made possible by former years of unremitting labor. He was born in Franklin county, Massachusetts, on the 21st of September, 1836, and is a son of Dr. Bradley and Martha (Bordwell) Noyes. The father was a pioneer of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he practiced medicine and surgery. He died there in 1860 and is buried in a cemetery in that city. His wife survived until 1866, when she too passed away and she was laid to rest in Colerain, Massachusetts. The family is of English origin on both sides and ancestors of our subject came to this country in the seventeenth century. Members of both families fought in the war of the Revolution and Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, was a representative of one of these.
Edward L. Noyes was educated in Massachusetts but at the age of seventeen years laid aside his textbooks and for four years thereafter was employed as a farm laborer in Massachusetts. At the end of that time he came west to Illinois as a book agent for the firm of Henry Hill of Norwich, Connecticut, and represented them in that capacity for a short time. From Illinois he made his way to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where he was an engineer for some time, but eventually engaged in farming in that state, remaining there for about twenty years. At the end of that time, or in 1880, he came to Spink county, South Dakota, as he had heard much of the excellent opportunities of acquiring a good farm from the government. He took up a homestead six miles southeast of Mellette, which he cultivated for twenty-five years, making it one of the best improved farms of the neighborhood. As his resources increased he purchased additional land and eventually became the owner of eight hundred acres which returned to him a handsome income. Before leaving Wisconsin he had taken up carpentering and after his removal to this state continued to follow that trade to some extent, building a number of the houses and barns throughout Spink county. In his farming operations he confined himself almost entirely to the raising of grain, his enterprise and progressive methods of agriculture insuring a large yield annually. In 1903 he removed to Mellette and has since lived retired.
Mr. Noyes was married in Madison, Wisconsin, on the 15th of February, 1858, when a young man of twenty-two years, to Mrs. Mehitable L. (Boston) Towne. Her father, Isaac Boston, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a son of Thomas Boston, who participated in the Revolutionary war. The Boston family is of English origin. Mrs. Noyes' mother was in her maidenhood Miss Bessie Cleves. Mrs. Noyes had four children by her first marriage, namely: R. W. Towne, a resident of Los Angeles, California; Sara J. Towne, the wife of Dr. Kingsley, of Madison, Wisconsin; Oliver P. Towne, who is living retired in Downey, California; and George I. Towne, a ranchman of Moenville, South Dakota. By her marriage to Mr. Noyes she had three children: Sophia L., the widow of J. W. Akers, living in the vicinity of Mellette; Edward L., manager of the Bellingham Electric Light & Power Company, of Bellingham, Washington; and Henry W., who died in infancy and was buried in the Kingsley cemetery in Dane county, Wisconsin. Mrs. Noyes passed away March 19, 1915, and was laid to rest in Madison, Wisconsin, Mr. Noyes is a member of the democratic party and has held the office of county commissioner as well as various other local offices. He has taken a great interest in school affairs and has served as director on the board of education, doing all in his power to increase the efficiency of the public schools. His farm has a fine set of buildings and is improved in every way, being one of the valuable farming properties of Spink county. Having won success that assures him a comfortable income, he has retired from the active work of the farm and has moved to Mellette, where he is passing his declining days in well earned ease.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
HARLAN P. PACKARD.
Harlan P. Packard, secretary and general manager of the Merchants Mutual Insurance Association, is one of the most distinguished and prominent residents of Redfield, South Dakota. He has been a resident of this state since 1881, but his early home was in the east, for he was born in Madrid, St. Lawrence county, New York, on the 2d of June, 1845, and comes of a very old and prominent family of English origin. The first to locate in this country was Hiram Packard, who crossed the Atlantic in 1638, on the ship Vigilant, and settled in New England. Our subject is a direct descendant of John and Priscilla (Mullens) Alden, and his grandfathers on both sides were identified with the Revolutionary war. He is today a member of the Sons of the Revolution and also the Mayflower Descendants. His parents were Hiram and Caroline (Dimick) Packard, who spent their entire lives in New York and at their death were laid to rest in the cemetery at Madrid. The rather was a farmer by occupation and died when our subject was only two years old.
Harlan P. Packard was reared and educated in the Empire state and was graduated from the Potsdam Academy in 1863. Feeling that his country needed his services, he immediately enlisted after leaving school as an engineer in the Fiftieth New York Engineer Corps, with which he served until honorably discharged when hostilities ceased. Returning to his home, he engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store in Canton. New York, and then in Ogdensburg, New York, where he remained until 1868, when he started west and located in Janesville, Minnesota. There he embarked in the dry-goods business on his own account and conducted a store there until removing to Redfield, South Dakota, in 1881. There he carried on the same business for some years, having established the first general store in that section of the state. The lumber used in the erection of his store building had to be hauled from Huron with ox teams. Success attended his efforts as a merchant and he continued in the dry-goods business until 1895, when he disposed of the same and organized the Merchants Mutual Insurance Association, to which he has since evoted his entire time, making it one of the safest and most reliable institutions of the kind in the state. He is a man of exceptional business ability and sound judgment and has been able to carry forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. He is today the owner of considerable property in Redfield, having erected the present Central Hotel and two store buildings, besides the building now occupied by the Watkins Hardware Company.
At Janesville, Minnesota, on the 29th of March, 1876, Mr. Packard was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Wentworth, a daughter of Mrs. Virginia Wentworth and a representative of a very prominent family of that state. To them have been born five children, namely: Harlan, who is now treasurer of the Merchants Mutual Insurance Assottion; Franklin H., a druggist of Redfield; Lillian, the wife of C. L. Holton, an electrician Minneapolis; Hazel, a graduate of the Cumnock School of Oratory, at Evanston, Illinois, and now teaching dramatic art in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Clayton, attending the University of Minnesota.
His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, have called Mr. Packard to public office and for four years he most acceptably served as mayor of Redfield. He has also represented his district three times in the state legislature and for four years served as a member of the state board of charities and correction. While a member of the legislature he was instrumental in securing the location of the Home for the Feeble Minded at Redfield. He has always done everything in his power to promote the interests of the city and is justly regarded as one of its representative and most influential citizens. He is one of the most prominent members of the Grand Army of the Republic of South Dakota and served as department commander. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Mystic Shrine and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
WILLIAM C. ROBINSON.
William C. Robinson is cashier of the State Bank of Crandon, which office he has filled since 1910. Iowa numbers him as a native son, his birth having occurred at Runnells, that state, on the 1st of November, 1883, his parents being William F. and Mary (Dovey) Robinson, who still live at Runnells. The father is a prominent resident there and a very wealthy man who has been actively connected with business affairs and with public interests of that locality.
William C. Robinson attended country schools near Runnells to the age of thirteen years and then went to Boone, Iowa, where he worked for his board and room and at the same time attended the graded schools of that city until he reached the age of eighteen years. The determination and force of character which he displayed in acquiring his education have been salient features in all of his later life and have led to his present success. When his textbooks were put aside he remained for a time at Boone, but he took up the study of telegraphy in the Des Moines (Ia.) West high school, receiving the first diploma ever issued from that school to a graduate in telegraphy. He received his instruction from Professor J. W. Belding. He next went to Blairsburg, Iowa, where he obtained a position as assistant telegrapher, receiving fifteen dollars per month. That sum was expended for his board and he slept in the telegraph office for six months. On the expiration of that period he made his way to South Dakota, going first to Huron, where he arrived August 25, 1902, but immediately afterward he was sent to Crandon, where he acted as station agent and operator for six years. He then turned his attention to the real-estate and lumber business, in which he continued for two years, and at the end of that time, or in 1910, became cashier of the State Bank of Crandon, which was organised about a year before, and in that connection he has since remained. He bent his energies to the development of the business of the bank on assuming charge and its depositors have now more than doubled in number and in spite of poor crops the amount of deposits has greatly increased.
Mr. Robinson is a democrat in politics and has served as justice of the peace in Crandon, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial and winning for him "golden opinions from all sorts of people." He was married May 8, 1904, at Crandon to Miss Meda Carico, a daughter of Henry W. and Lucinda (Bedsaul) Carico, now residents of Crandon, who removed from Virginia to Spink county, South Dakota, about 1887. Mr. Robinson may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life independently when but thirteen years of age and the marked strength of character which he displayed in acquiring his education foreshadowed his later advancement and success. He today occupies a creditable place in the financial circles of his district and what be has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his time, talents and energies.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
OLIVER A. ROBINSON.
Oliver A. Robinson is a well known and greatly respected resident of Spink county, where he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 31, Harmony township. In addition to the cultivation of his farm he follows his trade of carpentering to some extent and is known as a capable and reliable workman. He was born in St. George, Quebec, Canada, on the 22d of February, 1867, a son of Francis Xavier and Emily (Russeau) Robinson. The family are of Scotch descent, but have been in the new world for many generations. The father came to South Dakota with his family from Iowa, where he had lived for thirteen years, and after coming here took up a homestead in Brown county, which he improved and where he lived for ten years, after which he removed to Spink county, but subsequently went to Parker and resided there for a time. Still later he took up his residence in Jefferson and is now a resident of that place. He is eighty-six years of age, but is in better health than many a man ten years his junior. His wife passed away in 1892 and is buried in Aberdeen, this state.
Oliver A. Robinson received his education in Iowa, but left school when a youth of seventeen. He then assisted his father upon the farm until he had reached the age of twenty-four years, when for two years he rented a farm, after which he purchased a relinquishment. He still owns that farm and raises both grain and stock, keeping eleven head of cattle, nineteen horses and a number of hogs. In connection with farming he works at the carpenter's trade and has built a number of residences, barns, etc., in his locality. Whatever he does is done well and his labors return him a good annual income.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage, on the 6th of June, 1893, at Frankfort, South Dakota, to Miss Barbara Valder, a daughter of Peter and Matilda (Duren) Valder, the former a hotel proprietor at Frankfort. Her father passed away in 1901 and was buried in Frankfort, but her mother still resides in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have ten children, namely: Loretta, the wife of Merritt Sheldon, a farmer of Spink county; Ermena, at home; Loraine and Louis helping their father; Stephen, who passed away in 1914, at the age of thirteen years and is buried at Frankfort; Callist and Alma, who are attending school; and Audrey, Eulalia and Maurice.
The father is independent in the exercise of his right of franchise, voting for the man rather than the party. He is a member of the Catholic church and is ever ready to aid in the furtherance of its work. For three, decades Mr. Robinson has farmed in South Dakota and has always been among the first to adopt new machinery or new methods that promise to be of value. His progressive spirit and his industry have brought him prosperity and he is one of the substantial farmers of Spink county. Those who know him best esteem him most, as his character is based upon those admirable qualities which stand the severest tests of life.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
HENRY G. SCHWARTZ.
Henry G. Schwartz is a partner in the Robertson-Schwartz Company, proprietors of a department store at Redfield, with which business he has been connected since March, 1909. That was the year of his arrival in this state. He came from Brodhead, Wisconsin, and he is numbered among the native sons of Janesville, Wisconsin, born May 2, 1879. His parents were Thomas and Theresa {Vogel) Schwartz, who were pioneer residents of Wisconsin, taking up their abode in that state in 1872. They were the parents of eight children: Michael, who is now engaged in farming near Spring Green, Wisconsin; Margaret, the wife of George Lagerman, foreman of the roundhouse for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company at Milwaukee; Thomas, Jr., who is engaged in the hardware business at Spring Green; Henry G., of this review; Mary, the wife of John Kramer, a resident farmer of Plain, Wisconsin; Catherine, the wife of Frank Lagerman, a real-estate dealer of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Joseph, who is assisting his father, who is extensively engaged in growing ginseng; and Albert, who is proprietor of a general store at Spring Green, Wisconsin. The father still resides at Spring Green, but the mother passed away there in 1884 and was laid to rest in the cemetery at that place.
Spending his youthful days under the parental roof, Henry G. Schwartz pursued his education in Spring Green until graduated from the high school. He completed his course at the age of nineteen years and was afterward employed for six years at Spring Green in mercantile lines. On the expiration of that period he went to Brodhead, Wisconsin, where he embarked in business on his own account, remaining at that place for four and a half years. Thinking that still better advantages might be enjoyed in this growing western country, he then came to South Dakota, locating at Redfield, where he became a member of the firm owning The Leader, a department store. There were two other partners in the business but after two years C. R. Robertson and our subject embarked in business under the style of the Robertson-Schwartz Company. They carry a carefully selected line of goods and at all times are ready to meet the demands of their customers. Their methods are thoroughly reliable and progressive and their patronage is steadily growing.
Mr. Schwartz was married August 24, 1914, to Miss Evangeline M. Myers, a daughter of Frank S. Myers, an early settler of Spink county, who is now in the grain business at Redfield. In politics Mr. Schwartz is independent. He served as alderman of the second ward of Redfield for four years and while a member of the city council did everything in hit power to further public interests and to uphold the plans for advancing the civic welfare. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Knights of Pythias. There has been nothing particularly unusual in his career and certainly nothing spectacular, but it is the men who faithfully perform their duties day after day who constitute the strongest and most substantial element in the growth of city and county. Mr. Schwartz belongs to that class of enterprising men who know that obstacle and difficulties can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort and thus he labors untiringly whether for the benefit of his individual interests or for the welfare of the community.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
MARTIN L. TOLVSTAD.
Martin L. Tolvstad owns a farm of six hundred and forty acres situated on sections 1, 6, 12 and 19, La Prairie township, Spink county, and is recognized throughout his locality as an able and up-to-date agriculturist. He came to South Dakota in the fall of 1880, a number of years before the admission of the state into the Union, and in the intervening thirty-five years has witnessed an almost magical transformation in the country. It was then a wilderness and the Indians were still feared by the comparatively few white settlers who had begun the work of transforming the wild prairies into a highly developed agricultural section. Mr. Tolvstad was born in Ringsaker, Hedemarken; Norway, on the 11th of July, 1859, a son of Lars and Elie Tolvstad. When he was two years of age his father came with his family to this country and settled in Wisconsin, where he rented a farm. In 1882 he came to South Dakota and filed on the land which his son Martin L. now owns. He passed away in 1891, at the age of seventy-flve years, and three years later his wife was called to rest at the age of sixty-six years. Both are buried in Bethany cemetery in La Prairie township.
Martin L. Tolvstad received his education in the district schools of Trempealeau county. Wisconsin, but put aside his textbooks when but fourteen years of age. He then assisted his father in the work of the farm until 1880 when he came to South Dakota and filed on a pre-emption claim near the present town of Stratford, Brown county. This he sold in 1883 and then filed on the homestead where he now makes his home. He later bought additional land and now owns in all six hundred and forty acres, which he has mainly devoted to the raising of grain, although he is gradually giving more attention to the raising of stock as well. The land is in a high state of cultivation and the buildings and fences are kept in excellent repair. The house, which is a commodious structure, is rendered especially attractive by a beautiful grove which surrounds it. Mr. Tolvstad has proved himself a man of sound business judgment and of untiring industry and the material success which he has achieved and the esteem of many friends are but the merited reward of his life of usefulness.
In La Prairie township, December 4, 1893, Mr. Tolvstad married Miss Gertrude Kittlesland, a daughter of Ole and Lüv Kittlesland. The former died in Norway, but his wife, who emigrated to America with her children after the death of her husband, survived him until 1912 and is buried in the Bethany cemetery in La Prairie township, Spink county. Mr. and Mrs. Tolvstad have three children: Ella, who attended the high school of Brentford and the Normal School; Harry and Frank, who are assisting their father in the work of the farm.
Mr. Tolvstad votes for men and measures rather than for party and takes an active part in local public affairs. He has held several township offices and in 1892 was elected clerk of the town, serving with ability in that position. He was appointed eighteen months after that term expired and was reelected on the expiration of his appointment and still holds the office. He also served for years either as clerk or treasurer of the school board and is now holding the latter position. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has done much to aid in the agricultural development of Spink county and the esteem in which he is held is justly merited. He has built one of the finest country residences in that county and it is the meeting place for his many friends.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
KNUT TORKELSON.
Knut Torkelson is engaged in the cultivation of his farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 18, Harmony township, Spink county. Although the last thirty years of his life have been passed in this state, to which he came in 1882, he was born in Stavanger, Norway, on the 22d of September, 1841, a son of Torkil and Aasa (Knutson) Torkelson, the former a farmer in his native country. Both parents are deceased and are buried in Stavanger, Norway.
Knut Torkelson obtained a good education in Norway and then followed various occupations for some time. He engaged in both fishing and shipbuilding before coming to this country, but eventually decided that better opportunities awaited an ambitious young man in the new world. He therefore crossed the Atlantic, landing in the United States in 1880 with no capital but health and strength. The first thing he did was to find work and for two years he was employed as a railroad section hand in Ford county, Illinois. He then came to this state and took up a homestead in Clifton township, Spink county, which he improved, but, as he had several crop failures, he gave up that farm and rented land for some years. He carefully saved his money and subsequently bought the farm where he now lives, then raw prairie land. He has expended much time, labor and money on its improvement and it is now worth seventy-five dollars per acre, although he paid but seven hundred dollars for the quarter section. He follows mixed farming, as he believes that method insures the least waste and the greatest returns. In addition to his field crops he raises stock, including cattle, hogs and horses. He is interested in local business affairs and is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Frankfort.
Mr. Torkelson was married at Ashton, this state, on the 1st of June, 1883, to Miss Martha Nelson, a daughter of Andrew and Dena (Petersen) Nelson, the former a pioneer farmer of Wisconsin. Both of her parents are now deceased, her mother dying in 1874 and the father twenty years later. The former is buried near Chaseburg, Wisconsin, and the latter in Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Torkelson have three children: Thomas, an engineer and carpenter residing at home; Anna, the wife of John Beard, a farmer; and Melvin, a farmer at home. Politically the father is a democrat and his religious belief is indicated in the fact that he holds membership in the Lutheran church. He is the owner of a valuable and well kept farm and his residence is well arranged and comfortably appointed, the place being widely different from the farm which he purchased many years ago. His prosperity is the result of hard work, intelligently directed, and of perseverance in the face of difficulties and discouragements, and Mr. Torkelson attributes his success in part to the cooperation and loyalty of his wife, whose determination to succeed has been as great as his own.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
WILLIAM YOUNG.
William Young, owning a farm of four hundred acres in La Prairie township, Spink county, was born in Waunakee, Wisconsin, December 28, 1876, a son of Goddard and Elizabeth Young. The former, who came from Germany, was a farmer and for some time followed agricultural pursuits in Wisconsin before his arrival in South Dakota about 1890. After coming to this state he first settled on a farm in Tetonke township, which he rented for several years. Subsequently he bought four hundred and eighty acres of land in La Prairie township and later added a quarter section. He has since sold one hundred and sixty acres to his son, but is still owner of four hundred and eighty acres. He resides in Warner, Brown county, and is respected by all who know him as a man of sterling integrity. His wife died near Waunakee in 1881 and is there buried. They were the parents of three sons and a daughter, namely: John, who is farming in partnership with his brother; Mary, who died in 1904 and is buried in the Aberdeen cemetery; William; and Henry, a farmer of La Prairie township.
William Young received his early education in his native county, but completed his schooling in the La Prairie district school, putting aside his textbooks at the age of twenty. Needless to say, during this time he assisted his father in the work of the fields during the summers. After leaving school he remained home for some time and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, later buying one hundred and sixty acres from his father and eighty acres from another farmer. His place comprises in all four hundred acres and he does mixed farming; his stock and crops together bringing him in a substantial income. He manages the varied work of the farm so as to secure the best results with the least expenditure of time and energy and, as he keeps everything in splendid condition and uses the most up-to-date machinery, he finds farming not only profitable but congenial. He is also interested in Minnesota land, owning two hundred and forty acres near Breckenridge.
Mr. Young was married in La Prairie township, Spink county, on the 20th of March, 1901, to Miss Rosie Jahnke, a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Charles and Caroline (Glandzmann) Jahnke. The former resides at Groton, South Dakota, but the latter has been laid to rest in the cemetery at Verdon, South Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Young have two sons, Luverne J., who is attending school, and Floyd William. The father is one of that rapidly increasing number of men who refuse to be dictated to by party leaders, voting for men and measures rather than for party. His land is in the river bottom and constitutes as fine a farming property as there is in Spink county, but much of its value is due to the efforts of Mr. Young, for when it came into his possession it was wild land and considered of small value. It was necessary to clear it of trees and undergrowth before it could be cultivated and this arduous work he performed before putting in his crops. He has used excellent judgment in the care of his land and has conserved its fertility so that it products excellent crops annually.
History of Dakota Territory, George W. Kingsbury, Vol. 4, 1915. Submitted by Karen Seeman
Who’s Who in South Dakota, Vol. 2 By O. W. Coursey Educator School Supply Co., Publisher, 1916 Transcribed and Contributed by Jim Dezotell
W. A. MORRIS
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIER
"Whom shall I appoint adjutant general" asked Governor Byrne of Representative W. A. Morris of Redfield, whom he had summoned to his executive chamber for consultation.
"I really don't know," replied Mr. Morris, "just how you will settle that dispute."
"Well, sir," said Governor Byrne, "I have been thinking of appointing you."
"Appointing me!" ejaculated Morris.
"Yes; you!" declared the governor. And the appointment was promptly made.
It was this way: Mr. Morris as the reelected house member from Spink county, was a candidate for speaker of our last legislature. Dean Thomas Sterling of his home city was a candidate for the United States senate. Many of those who were backing Mr. Morris for speaker were opposing Mr. Sterling for the senate. Noses were counted; it was ascertained that Mr. Morris, by a collusion of democrats and republicans, had enough votes to be elected. It was at this critical moment that his warmest supporters put him on the mat and asked him whom he intended to favor for the United States senate, if they "put him over" as speaker.
Mr. Morris had two cards to play: one was politics; the other, loyalty to a friend. If he had chosen to play his political cards, he could have been elected. On the other hand, he had studied law under Dean Sterling. They had also been law partners, and they were, in a measure, fellow townsmen. Morris said, "I'm going to stand by Sterling." That settled it ! Morris was promptly defeated. But "the administration," of which Dean Sterling was a component part, decided that Mr. Morris, because of this sacrifice, must be "taken care of," and he was; hence, his appointment to the adjutant generalship.
But, from the standpoint of efficiency, the appointment was wisely placed. It doesn't take a man versed in military technique to be a competent adjutant general. If a man has this knowledge, it is, of course, an asset, but it is not an indispensable necessity. This is abundantly demonstrated by the secretary of war and the secretary of the navy. Neither of them know the manual of arms. They are selected for their judgment, their probity and their business sagacity. However, General Morris was not without military experience. He had formerly served in the Wisconsin militia, and he was captain of the Redfield company, S. D. N. G., for two years. In addition thereto, he possessed the poise, the tact and the business instinct necessary to handle the work most successfully. So that, aside from politics, the appointment was well placed. The past four months have already attested this.
His promotion of Majors Wales and Hazle to colonel and lieutenant-colonel, respectively, was a master stroke of military genius. There are in the state enough competent Spanish war veterans to officer the entire regiment, but more particularly to complete the complement above the line officers. On this basis — merit, instead of politics — General Morris started out well. His military school called at Redfield, the same year of his appointment, showed his tact and his determination to make the regiment a twentieth century force.
General Morris was born on a farm south of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, December 13, 1864. He spent his boyhood on the farm, working hard during the summer months, and attending country school during the winter. Finally, he entered the Northern Illinois college at Fulton, 111., and took his law course, graduating with the class of 1884, while yet but twenty years of age.
After graduation, he engaged in the mercantile business at Fulton. Later he removed to Darlington, Wis., where he continued the mercantile business for awhile. In the fall of 1888, he came to Dakota; settled at Doland where he was elected principal of schools; was admitted to the state bar the following June, worked in Dean Sterling's law office during vacation, but continued his school work at Doland on through the second year until January 1, 1890, when Redfield with the Hon. Thomas Sterling, now our junior United States senator.
This partnership was continued for ten years. Then Morris withdrew to become secretary and general manager of the Memorial college at Mason City, la. But three years later, in September, 1903, he returned to Redfield and resumed his practice of law — this time by himself. However, in October, 1904, he formed a new partnership with Attorney W. F. Bruell, also of Redfield. This business association was continued until January 1, 1912, when it was dissolved and Mr. Morris took in for a new law partner, M. Moriarty. The last partnership still continues.
IN POLITICS
General Morris was elected state's attorney for Spink county in 1896 and served four years, 1897-1900, inclusive. In the spring of 1910, he was elected mayor of Redfield, and in the fall of the same year, he was sent to the state legislature. Here he made a good record, not only as one versed in the initiation of new laws but as a ready, substantial debater. He was re-elected in 1912, and his friends at once got busy with the hope of electing him speaker — a position he could have had, if he had cared to sever old friendships. That he would have made a he resigned to form a law partnership at most excellent presiding officer for the house members, there can be no dispute. His political stock is still rated at a premium and it is not safe to foreshadow what the future may bring forth. The general is an able lawyer, a good public speaker, a shrewd organizer and a square-toed mixer. He is one of those fellows who were born to win (even though he did enter life on the 13th day of the month.) Success!
He was re-appointed adjutant-general in 1915 for four years, and his appointment was promptly confirmed by the senate.
Who’s Who in South Dakota, Vol. 2
By O. W. Coursey
Educator School Supply Co., Publisher, 1916
Transcribed and contributed by Jim DezotellTHOMAS STERLING
A CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCE
"Politics in this country has gotten to be one continuous performance," said A. F. Allen, managing editor of the Sioux City Journal, to the writer, not long since. Yes, the "performance" is continuous, because the performers are so numerous and the occasions are so continuous.
One of the strong men of the state who got caught in the whirlpool of politics in his younger days, and kept on "playing the game" until he landed in the United States senate, is Dean Thomas Sterling of Redfield, now of Vermillion.
THE GAME OF LIFE
Ohio, in addition to being the "mother of presidents," is also the mother of many other prominent men. That state gave birth to Senator Sterling, February 21, 1851. He was, therefore, a lad of 14 when Lincoln's tragic death occurred. His father was Scotch-Irish, his mother German. It is from this mixture of bloods that many of our best citizens have been developed.
When "Tom" was four years of age, his parents removed with him to McLean county, Illinois, and settled on a farm near LeRoy. Here the boy grew to manhood, doing the heaviest kind of labor. His parents were poor and he received very little early schooling. Finally his latter teens were upon him. He yearned for an education. An old friend of the family told us recently that when he started off to school at Illinois Wesleyan, his father took him to town on a load of brooms which they had made from broom corn raised on their own farm; sold it, spent the money for some books for the lad and gave him the balance of the cash — a little over a dollar. It was therefore up to him to make his own way through school. The room he secured did not have in it a single piece of furniture. It's only equipment was a small woodstove. He did his own cooking, sat on a box, used a box for a table and the floor for a bed. Out of these surroundings, seasoned with a sturdy determination, came forth the man who was afterwards to be a United States senator; and up from the same conditions, slightly improved, rose his distinguished brother, John A., who is today a member of congress from Illinois. It is not only a strange, but a commendable incident, that two brothers should be members at the same time of the two branches of the greatest legislative body on earth.
HIS LEGAL EXPERIENCES
Senator Sterling was admitted to the bar at Springfield, Ill., in 1878. During the years of 1880-81, he served as city attorney at Springfield. But in 1882, he came west and settled at Northville, Spink county, this state, where he took up the practice of his profession. After a couple of years he moved to Redfield. He served as state's attorney for Spink county in 1886-87; was a member of the constitutional conventions of 1883 and 1889, and was the first state senator from Spink county. He was made chairman of the judiciary committee, and as such he rendered invaluable service to our young state which had just been admitted to the union.
STERLING IN ACTION
Senator Sterling was recognized as one of the leading members of the bar of the State long before he went to Vermillion to take charge of the law department there. Whenever an important case was on for trial in his county (Spink) he was usually found in the case on one side or the other.
One of the most important civil cases ever tried in Spink county was the case of Bopp vs. C. & N. W. Ry. Co. In this case Agnes Bopp brought suit for damages against the Railway Company for the death of her husband in an accident that occurred in a wreck between Aberdeen and Redfield. The deceased was a young man of rare attainments and drawing a good salary from the Cary Safe Co. At that time the amount of recovery for death by wrongful act was not limited by statute, and suit was brought for $75,000 damages. The case was fiercely contested. Senator Sterling conducted the prosecution, but the defendant was ably represented by Senator Coe I. Crawford and A. W. Burtt of Huron with local attorneys at Redfield. The case occupied eight days in trial. In closing the case Senator Sterling made one of the most effective pleas ever heard in the Court room. The room was packed, and as Senator Sterling proceeded in his masterly argument the silence of the audience was impressive. At the conclusion of his argument an attorney from Wisconsin who was present in the Court room came forward and said with tears in his eyes, "Mr. Sterling, I have heard Spooner and I have heard Vilas, and I have heard some of the best arguments ever heard in the Courts of my State, but I have never heard a more effective plea than the one you have just delivered." The jury was out but a short time and returned a verdict of $30,000 in favor of the plaintiff. This was probably the largest verdict that was ever returned as damages for death by wrongful act in the State up to that time.
When Senator Sterling went to Vermillion his ability as a trial lawyer had preceded him and his assistance was eagerly sought in the more important cases that were tried in Clay county. He assisted in the Clark murder case, and the Edmunds murder case and in other important litigation.
HIS CHARACTER
During those early days in Spink county, Mr. Sterling practiced law, handled real estate and loaned money for eastern parties. The hard times came on. Many of the loans made by him became valueless. Rather than see any of his clients suffer, Tom Sterling assumed responsibility for every poor loan and paid off every dollar of these obligations. It was the response of conscience and "sterling" manhood to a moral obligation — he was not obligated in the least under the law. These old loans kept his "nose on the grindstone" for years; but he paid them off and preserved his manhood. Nothing more concerning the character of Tom Sterling need be written.
SPINK COUNTY'S TOM TOM'S
In those eventful pioneer days in Spink county, there were two young lawyers, each named Tom, who were the direct anthitheses of each other — Tom Walsh and Tom Sterling. Walsh was a democrat; Sterling a republican. Each was a good lawyer, a good speaker and a good fellow. They had the opposing sides on practically every big law suit in Spink county. Despite their political and professional rivalry, they always remained firm friends. Long years ago, Tom Walsh went to Montana. On March 4, 1913, they met each other at Washington, D. C. — Walsh as junior United States senator from the great state of Montana, and Sterling as junior senator from our own progressive young commonwealth. Again, after many years of separation, they meet on common ground, and vie with each other for supremacy.
BECOMES A TEACHER
A college of law was established at our state university in Vermillion in 1901. The regents of education looked around faithfully for a man of ripe scholarship, broad experience and exemplary manhood, to assume the deanship of this new law school. One man in the state seemed pre-eminently fitted for the task. That man was the sage of Redfield, Hon. Thomas Sterling. The position was tendered to him; he accepted it, and it is needless to say that he made good and surpassed the expectations of his most admiring friends. Sterling is one of those few lawyers in the state who take time to read the Bible and to keep up on the classics. He can quote more Shakespeare, offhand, than any other lawyer or politician in the state. His Sunday addresses to young men reveal his own unimpeachable character, and they show the scope of his study and the trend of his intellect.
He remained at the head of the law school from October, 1901, till June, 1911, when he resigned to "play the game," on a large scale. During his deanship, a large number of capable and brainy young fellows had graduated under his instruction. Many of these are now practicing law throughout the state; some are state's attorneys, and a few are county judges. One of them, Royal C. Johnson, is at present attorney general of our state. (He has since been elected to congress). When their old professor plunged into politics for the United States senatorship, he had this array of alumni from his law school, as a natural organization throughout the state, on whom he could rely. They "put him over."
This was not the first time that he was a candidate for the United States senate. In 1901, when Kyle was elected, Sterling was also a candidate, and on one ballot, he lacked but five votes of winning. After his defeat, one of his friends who was a member of the "Kyle" legislature, stepped up to him and said, "Tom, I hope to have the privilege of voting for you for United States senator again some day when my vote will count." That friend is a member today of our present legislature, from another county, and he voted for Tom Sterling for United States senator and his vote did count! This article will scarcely issue from press until he will have been sworn in as United States senator, and the ambition of a life time will have been realized. It pays to "play the game" good and hard, even if it does require a "continuous performance."
LATER — STERLING IN THE SENATE
At Fairbanks, Alaska, on July 4, 1915, in an address delivered by the Hon. James Wickersham, delegate to congress from Alaska, at the laying of the cornerstone of the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, the speaker, in relating the serious and devious ways that a bill establishing this school had in its course through congress to a final and successful end, paid the following compliment to United States Senator Thomas Sterling, of our own state:
"As a boy in 1877 I entered an office in Springfield, Illinois, and took up the study of law. In an office nearby another young fellow, named Tom Sterling, was similarly engaged. We studied together and passed through the same general course which led to admission to the bar upon a successful examination before the supreme court of the state. After admission we went west to grow up with the country, and it thus happened that when the opposition to my school bill seemed to doom it to defeat I turned to Hon. Thomas Sterling, IL S. Senator from South Dakota, for help. He was a prominent member of the senate committee on public lands, and at my request he introduced the bill in the senate in the same form that it was recommended for passage in the house. When the senate committee met to consider the bill I was present to explain its provisions and to urge its favorable report. Senator Smoot of Utah, a member of the committee, criticized me for taking up the time of the committee, when, as he declared, every one knew there was no possible chance to get the bill passed by the senate, even if it were favorably reported, before the 63rd congress must adjourn on the 4th day of March. I pleaded with him and the members of the committee to report it favorably anyway, since a favorable report would be of great assistance before the next session, even if we failed to pass it in this. Senator Smoot finally withdrew his objection and at 12 o'clock, noon, just as the senate was convening in regular session the committee voted to report it favorably and instructed Senator Sterling to make the report and take charge of the bill. Five minutes later Senator Sterling stood on the floor of the senate with the very short but favorable report in his hand. It often happens that the machinery of legislation does not move promptly on the opening of the morning hour, and it so happened now. Instantly Senator Sterling asked leave to report the bill and thereupon moved that the rules be suspended and the bill passed, and when Senator Smoot came in a moment later he was surprised to find what he had declared to be impossible in that congress, was done — our bill had passed the senate and was on its way to the house for passage. But for the happy accident, and Senator Sterling's square chin, the bill might not have passed before another congress."
Who’s Who in South Dakota, Vol. 2 By O. W. Coursey Educator School Supply Co., Publisher, 1916 Transcribed and Contributed by Jim Dezotell
DR. W. H. THRALL
A SUPERB ORGANIZER
It was Sunday morning, May 8, 1898. The battle of Manila bay had been fought and won by Admiral Dewey on the previous Sunday. The heart of the nation was throbing with patriotic pride. The First South Dakota infantry, U. S. volunteers, were in camp on the old Sioux river bottom at Sioux Falls. A large tent had been pitched at the southeast corner of the ground in which to hold services for the soldier boys. At a stirring time like that a magnetic, inspirational orator was needed to deliver the address. The Reverend W. H. Thrall of Huron came out to camp to visit his neighbor, Chaplain C. M. Daley, of his home city; and so our preacher-educator, Dr. Thrall, was selected as orator for the occasion.
Taking the battle of Manila bay as his text — a text in keeping with the occasion — the gifted orator made the eagle scream for an hour as he unfolded the duties and responsibilities of good citizenship. The address set forth in a beautiful strain of inspiring eloquence the obligations of every man to that country under whose flag he enjoys his citizenship. The effect was electrical. Many who had merely wandered into camp for a day or two, thinking to return home again, went the next morning to headquarters and promptly enlisted. Telegrams were sent to the companies raised at Woonsocket and at other points not to come, that the regiment was full to overflowing and that men were being turned away by the hundreds; in fact South Dakota sent to the war including Grigsby's rough riders, just three times her quota under the call.
Throughout the long campaign in the Philippines, and especially as the South Dakota boys stood on the banks of Manila bay and saw lying therein the shell-riven wrecks which Dr. Thrall had so vividly painted to them with his brush-tipped tongue at Sioux Falls the year before, they frequently referred to that eloquent address that had caused them to enlist.
Dr. Thrall comes from prominent New England stock. His ancestors, John Holland and Elizabeth Tillie, came over on the Mayflower. His immediate ancestors on his mother's side — the Bowmans — had charge of the "minute men" of Massachusetts for fifty years prior to the eventful morning near Lexington when these famous colonial troops
"Fired the shot heard 'round the world."
W. H., himself, was born at Kewanee, Ill., February 25, 1854. His father was a Congregational minister. As a result, the boy was raised in town. He was educated in the public schools of the various towns in which his father preached. Finally, when William was a lad well along in his teens, the family moved to Galesburg, Ill., where he attended high school. Here he also attended Knox College until he was well along in his junior year. From there he went to Amherst college, where he remained for two years, taking his A. B. degree with the class of 1877. Yale granted him his B. D. in 1881. Amherst gave him his master's degree in 1882; and Redfield college honored him with his D. D. in 1903.
In 1881, Dr. Thrall joined the "Yale-Dakota band of missionaries." There were nine of them. As they passed through Chicago they were given a large reception at the grand opera house. The nine previously met in a room and elected young Thrall as their speaker to represent them on that occasion.
Upon arriving in Dakota territory he went to Chamberlain where he organized the Congregational church at that place, and built the building. He remained at Chamberlain but one year, during the latter part of which he also did "minute man" work.
Then he accepted a call from the American Missionary association to do educational and missionary work. They assigned him to the principalship of Gregory normal institute, Wilmington, N. C. After that he was made principal of the Tougaloo (Miss.) university.
Not liking the southern climate he returned to Dakota, took up missionary work and organized the Congregational church at Armour. >From there he went to Tomah, Wis., where he preached for two years.
His wife's health having begun to fail rapidly, the doctors advised them to go south again, so Dr. Thrall accepted the principalship of Pleasant Hill (Tenn.) academy.
However, in 1891, he returned to South Dakota again and became pastor for two years of the church at Redfield. During his last six months there he also acted as superintendent of the Congregational churches of the state. His organizing ability was so effective that he was made superintendent in May, 1893, and he has held this position now for upwards of twenty-two years.
The greatest honor that has been conferred upon him was the organization and naming after him of Thrall academy at Sorum, Perkins county, this state, in 1913. This gives the Congregationalists four institutions of higher education in South Dakota — Thrall academy, Ward academy, Redfield college and Yankton college.
It is due Dr. Thrall to lay additional stress on his effective platform work. At Yale, he was one of the seven speakers chosen from a class of thirty to represent them at commencement time. At Amherst, in a class of seventy-four, he was one of the six speakers chosen for commencement honors. He wrote for the Hyde prize. His oration ranked first. Today he is in general demand for commencement season, and his addresses are always refreshing and up-to-date.
The books show that at the time Dr. Thrall became superintendent the total membership of the Congregational churches in South Dakota was 5,173. It has now 10,574. The number of families has also doubled. Benevolences have grown from $7,665 to $21,560. Home expenses from $50,543 to $164,234. The value of church property has multiplied several times.
There are more Congregationalists in South Dakota to the population than in any other state west of New England, South Dakota in this respect even standing ahead of Congregational Iowa, the ratio now being one congregationalist to every fifty-eight people in the state.
Some 127 of the churches still living have been organized since the beginning of his work as superintendent twenty-two and more years ago. Of the churches still living 101 have erected new buildings during that time. Superintendent Thrall has taken part in the dedication services of all of these but four or five. He raised final bills on such occasions where called, except in four instances. Sometimes this involved the raising of several thousand dollars, e. g., Mitchell. Most all occasions of that kind called for some last bills to be provided for and yet almost without exception no church has been dedicated without the money being raised. The two or three exceptions have been cases where the finances were not put in the superintendent's hands ahead of time nor carefully reported upon.
Sixty-nine parsonages belonging to the Congregational churches still alive have been completed in that time. At the beginning of his superintendency there were but six churches in his district which were self-supporting. Now the majority of them are.
He has been chairman of the committee on legislation appointed by the federation of Christian churches, several years in succession. In that capacity, or representing his own denomination, he has taken an active part in some important legislative work. He took a very active part in effecting an amendment to the South Dakota divorce law when Bishop Hare was also interested in that particular legislative work. And other legislative acts better guarding the home and the purity of womanhood have received his active attention during various sessions of the legislature.