Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
TRUMAN AMES, official abstracter and attorney-at-law who has his office and residence located in Elk Point, is a native of Lake county, Ill., and was born in 1851. He is a son of Elijah and Phoebe T. Ames, natives of Vermont and Pennsylvania, respectively. Elijah Ames was a farmer by occupation, and came to Illinois at an early date, being one of the first settlers in the region of Lake county, where his death occurred in 1886. He was originally a Whig in politics, and subsequently a Republican, and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Ames still resides on the old homestead in Lake county, Ill. They were the parents of eight children, viz.: Walter W., Lydia W., Edmund, Rizpah, Truman, Watie M., Lillie P. and Luella.
The subject of this personal history was raised on the home farm and educated in the common schools of his native county. At the age of twenty years he went to Tioga county, Pa., and worked on his uncle's farm, attending the district school the first year and then the state normal school at Mansfield, from which he graduated in 1874. After his graduation he went to Williamsport and taught one year in a private school for boys, then he returned to his home in Illinois, and remained a year during which time he was engaged in farming. On his return to Pennsylvania again he entered the office of his elder brother Walter W., and studied law for six months, but his health gave out and he went back to Tioga county, Pa., again where he secured employment on a farm in summer and taught school in the winter. From there he went to Williamsport, and read law in the office of his cousin, H. T. Ames, till 1880, when he was admitted to the bar. After his admission to practice he settled in Dubois, Clearfield Co., Pa., where he resided and followed his profession for a period of ten years. In that city he was elected mayor twice, and was appointed to fill the same vacancy twice, and he also held many of the minor offices of the town. While a resident of Dubois he was married to Miss Nellie Doyen, a native of Tioga county, Pa., and a daughter of Warren and Diantha (Grandy) Doyen. Mr. Doyen was a dentist, and his daughter received her education at the state normal school of Mansfield, after which she taught school for several years.
Mr. Ames left Pennsylvania in the fall of 1891 and came with his wife and two sons, Jay H. and Howard T., to visit his parents in Illinois. In the spring of 1892 he removed to South Dakota, and settled at Elk Point, where he engaged in the practice of his profession and at the same time opened a set of abstract books. Since his residence here he has taken an active interest in the welfare of the community and has purchased a beautiful residence in the city where he makes his home. He is a stanch Republican and for two years past has been chairman of the county central committee. He served as justice of the peace n Elk Point during 1894 and '95, and is one of the prominent, highly respected citizens and able lawyers of the county.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim DezotellJOHN R. CARLETON, the able and efficient editor and proprietor of the Beresford News is a native of Frankfort, Sussex Co., N. J. His parents were Dr. John W. and Jane (Rathburn) Carleton, the former born in Dublin, Ireland, and the latter in New Jersey. After their marriage they settled temporarily in New Jersey, and later went to Pennsylvania and made a permanent home at Carbondale, Luzerne county. Dr. Carleton was a graduate of the Royal College of Dublin, the New York College of Medicine, and also the New Jersey Medical university, and was one of the prominent medical practitioners of his day, as well as an expert surgeon. During the Civil war he served as surgeon in the hospital corps and was in charge of the Pennsylvania state troops. He and his wife were the parents of three children, of whom our subject was the eldest; Phoebe was the next in order of birth, and is now the wife of Richard Miller, of Pennsylvania; William, the youngest, resides in Italy.
John R. Carleton was born February 12, 1840, and was educated in the common schools at Carbondale, Pa., finishing his study with a course in the University of Montrose, Pa. His first initiation into the mysteries of the "art preservative of all arts" was when he was seventeen years of age, he at that time entering the office of the Carbondale Transcript. He served an apprenticeship of three years in this establishment, and then went to New York city, working on some of the principal morning papers, then edited there until the war broke out. His patriotic spirit was aroused, and, on offering his services to the government was accepted, and enlisted in, the Ninth regiment, New York state militia for three-months' service. He did duty most of that time around Washington, D. C., and at the expiration of his term of service re-enlisted in the same regiment, company L. This regiment then joined the army of the Potomac and served principally in and around the Shenandoah valley. Our subject was discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability in November, 1862, but two months afterward, January, 1863, he again enlisted, this time becoming a member of the Fifth Rhode Island regiment, heavy artillery, company I. He was mustered in as first sergeant, and the battalion was then transferred to Newberne, N. C., on garrison duty until July, 1865. During this time Mr. Carleton acted as hospital steward during the yellow fever epidemic of 1864. After being discharged our subject went back to New York city, and there and in other states worked at his trade until 1876, when he settled in Osage, Iowa. On the Osage News he was employed for two years, and while residing there was united in marriage to the lady who has ever since presided over the affairs of his household with grace and dignity. She bore the maiden name of Miss Louise H. Wass, and is a native of Grundy county, Iowa. After their marriage, which occurred May 15, 1876, the young couple went to New Hampton, Iowa, where Mr. Carleton bought an interest in the New Hampton Courier. After six years spent in conducting that paper he sold out, and then removed to Beresford, establishing the Beresford News in August, 1883.
As the editor and proprietor of this paper he has made a grand success, and has built up an enviable reputation as an able journalist, espousing the doctrines and advocating the principles of the Republican party through its columns. He has conducted the enterprise on business methods, and in 1895 built a fine brick office and residence. He served as postmaster of Beresford under President Arthur's administration, and has been elected a justice of the peace, also holding a commission as notary public. He is one of the charter members of the Gen. G. M. Dodge post No. 69, G. A R. and has at one time and another held all the offices in it. He is also an Odd Fellow and belongs to Beresford lodge No. 130, of that Order.
Mr. and Mrs. Carleton's married life has been brightened by the birth of two children, one of whom, William, survives, the other child dying in infancy. Mrs. Carleton is a devout Christian and a member of the Congregational church.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
JOHN CLARE. Among the foreign born residents of Union county who are thoroughly identified with American civilization and progress, may be noted John Clare. He owns a farm in section 6 of Prairie township, where the usual improvements have been made, and such arrangements consummated as make it a comfortable home.
Mr. Clare is a native of Queens county, Ireland, and was born July 26, 1851. He was raised on a farm in his native land until eighteen years of age, and in 1872 came to America, landing at New York city. For several years he worked in the pottery of Thomas C. Smith & Sons at Greenpoint, and in 1875 came west. September 3rd of that year he made his appearance in Vermillion, and, after looking around, decided on buying the farm on which he now resides. The gentleman from whom he bought the property, Mr. William Behnke, now deceased, had built a small shanty and had twenty-five acres improved. Our subject located here among strangers, and he stood many of the hardships through which the settlers passed, among them being the grasshopper plagues, etc. He persevered, however, and has succeeded in his chosen occupation. His present farm consists of 320 acres, all improved, on which he has erected two full sets of farm buildings, and carries on a general farming business, also raising horses and cattle. He has interested himself in thoroughbred horses and has some fine specimens which include Kitte C. and Wexford Boy. He is also a breeder of polled Aberdeen-Angus and Hereford cattle and does quite an extensive business in the bovine line. When he settled here he had practically nothing, and he owes his present well-to-do circumstances to his own ard work and industry. He has a fine farm and has been a successful agriculturist. Politically he has been a Democrat, and among the offices of the township which he has held is that of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served for a period of six years; he was subsequently re-elected to the position but did not qualify.
Mr. Clare was married in 1874 to Miss Annie Dolan, a native of Kilkenney county, Ireland, and this marriage has been blessed to them by the birth of five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Edward, born August 29, 877; Arthur William, born July 12, 1882; and Mary Agnes, born February 8, 1887. The deceased are: James, born June 2, 1876, and died October 9, 1876; and Margaret Ann, born December 5, 1887, died December 9th following. Mr. and Mrs. Clare also have adopted and orphan boy, Michael A. Belle, who they intend to raise and educate. The children are all having every facility thrown in their way to acquire good educations, and the daughter, Mary, is now a student at the St. Clara (Wisconsin) academy. Mr. Clare has served as and is now a director on the school board of his district. In his career as a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Clare has displayed much shrewdness, forethought and capacity for untiring labor that have brought him a comfortable competence. He and his estimable wife are people whose daily lives are such as to command the respect f all around them. They are earnest members of the St. Joseph Catholic church at Emmett, and are strong in the faith of their fathers, and are rearing their children in the same belief.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim DezotellS. CRUMRINE. Prominent among the residents of Brule township who are engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He has lived in Union county since July 4, 1867, when he entered 160 acres of land, and with the exception of eight years spent in Elk Point, where he kept a feed-store, the farm he homesteaded, and'on which he built a log cabin with sod roof, has been his residence.
Mr. Crumrine was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 18, 1821, and he is a son of Johnand Catherine (Bowers) Crumrine, both natives of Pennsylvania. George Crumrine, father of John Crumrine, was a German, and probably the founder of his family in this country. Barney Bowers, Mrs. Crumrine's father, was also a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Crumrine are now deceased, both having died in Ohio. The subject of this biography passed his early life in the Buckeye state, and there, during the winter terms of the subscription schools, he obtained what education was afforded. He grew to manhood in his native state, and there resided till 1857, when he went to Blackford county, Ind., and took up land, on which he lived three years. The ague drove him out, in 1860, and he located that year in Carroll county, Mo., where he bought land and settled, staying there during the Civil war. During his residence in Missouri, while the war was in progress, he was a member of the " Home Guards," an organization of loyal citizens, and he bore a prominent part during the stirring days of that period. On one occasion he was initiated into the first degree of the "Knights of the Golden Circle," an organization favoring the secession movement, and he was thus able to procure much information which was of great benefit to the federal cause. He was a man of great nerve and bravery, and carried information to the government authorities on many a perilous journey. In March, 1863, he left Missouri, the rebel element there having become acquainted with his Union sentiments, and Col. Hale, his commanding officer, advised him to leave the state and save his life. His land — 320 acres — he lost, not caring to claim it at the hands of men who would gladly have plunged a knife through his heart. From Missouri he wandered to Kansas, and for a few years was in Illinois, also, before coming to Dakota territory. Since coming to Union county, through his own efforts he has been eminently successful. When he arrived here he was poor, paying $45, all the money he had, for a cow. Then the grasshoppers for several years took the fruit of his labor, but through all the hard luck he never lost heart; he was frugal and industrious, and has prospered accordingly, and now is in good circumstances, surrounded by all the comforts of life.
Mr. Crumrine was married in Ohio when he was twenty-three years of age — in 1844 — to Miss Frances Kerr, and they have been blessed with eight children, viz.: Ezra, John, Thomas, Andrew, Alvina and Greene, living; and Mary A. and Wesley, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Crumrine are religious people, he belonging to the Methodist Episcopal church and she a Congregationalist, and both take an active interest in all church matters. Politically, he started in life a Whig, was subsequently a Republican, and is now a Populist. He has held only school offices during his residence in Union county, having no desire to enter active political life. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, Elk Point lodge, master degree.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim DezotellTHEODORUS DAVIS, one of the well-to-do and enterprising farmers of the southern part of Union county, whose well improved farm is situated in section 5, of Civil Bend township, is a native of Macoupin, Co., Ills., and was born January 11, 1836. He is a son of Beden and Mary (Hodges) Davis, the latter a daughter of Seth Hodges, who at one time owned the land on which the city of Carrollton, Ills., now stands. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Illinois, and in 1836 went to Iowa, settling in Van Buren county, where they resided for seventeen years. From Iowa they went to Texas, where they spent one year, and then located near Gallatin, Mo., in Daviess county. There Mrs. Davis passed away, and Mr. Davis subsequently came to live with his son, the subject of this sketch, in Dakota, where he also died in 1891. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are still living, viz.: Seth, Theodorus, Sarah Jane Griffith, Thomas, Beden and John.
Theodorus was raised a farmer, his father being engaged in that occupation, and remained with his parents until he attained his majority. In May, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann James, a native of Johnson county, Mo., where she was born April 3, 1837. She was a daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza (Turner) James, both natives of Tennessee, who settled in Johnson county, Mo., at a very early date, and one of a family of ten children, nine of whom are alive, viz.: Calvin, Rail, David, Miller, Alvis, Rachel Ray, Sarah Ann Davis, Berilla Barker, and Catherine Hale. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Davis continued to reside in Daviess county till the war, when Mr. Davis, and four of his brothers—Seth, Thomas, Beden, and William—enlisted, all of whom subsequently returned home when the war was over. Our subject became a member of company F, Col. Hale's regiment, Missouri militia, and was assigned to guard duty on the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad. He served till the expiration of his term in 1864, when he returned to Daviess county, Mo., and in October of the same year came with his family to Union county, Dak. Ter., locating on a homestead of 160 acres, where he still resides. When he arrived in Union county settlers were very scarce, and no improvements of any kind had yet been made. During the first seven years of his residence he saw some pretty hard times, the grasshoppers ruining his crops and destroying the fruits of his labor; but he was equal to the emergency and kept steadily on. Mr. Davis is engaged exclusively in general farming and stock raising, and owns, or has an interest in 590 acres of fine land. He has taken an active interest in the development of the locality, and heartily supports any measure which tends to result to the public good. Much of his time also has been given to school matters, and he has been treasurer of the school district for ten years. Politically he is a Republican and cast his first vote for President Lincoln in Daviess county, Mo. He has never interested himself actively in politics, school positions and road overseer being the only public offices he ever held.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been blessed with a family of eleven children, eight of whom still survive, viz. : Eliza, the wife of S. Eslick, of Elk Point township; Thomas married Hattie Lilly and resides in Union county; George W. married Lizzie Eslick, and lives in Nebraska; Laura Belle, wife of Thomas Eslick, a resident of Union county; Jeremiah B. married Anna Cowell, and resides in Union county; Alpha O. , wife of John Yusten, of Civil Bend township; Martha Ann, wife of William Will, resides in North Dakota; and Dorisa Ann, wife of Robert E. LeGro, lives in Union county.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
ARCHIBALD DUNCAN, SR., was the first settler of Prairie township, Union county, and is now the fortunate possessor of a fine farm in section 32, of the same township. He has been numbered among the agriculturists of the county since 1869, and in prosecuting his farm work has been very industrious, progressive in his ideas, and ready to take advantage of every turn of the tide to improve his circumstances. He is widely known throughout the community for his many excellent traits of character, and his host of friends will be glad to read this sketch of his life work in the history of his adopted country.
Mr. Duncan is a native of Scotland, and is the second child of a family of eleven children born to Samuel and Janet (Flockhart) Duncan. Samuel, the eldest, is deceased; then came Archibald, our subject; and then, in order of birth, the following children: Mrs. Helen Patterson; Mrs. Janet Hayes; Margaret; John, deceased; Robert, whose biography will be found on another page of this record; Thomas, deceased; William; and Elizabeth and Ann, both deceased. The father died at the age of eighty-nine years, having been born October 10, 1800, and his good wife passed from time to eternity in 1854 at the age of forty-eight years.
Archibald Duncan, Sr., was born September 27, 1827, at Linlithgowshire, Scotland, and was raised in the land of his birth, imbibing during his boyhood the thrift and industry characteristic of the Scottish race, which is indelibly stamped in the natures of the lads and lassies of the land of heather. He learned the trade of blacksmith, but followed farming all his life, and began working out at the early age of eight years, in this wise assisting to rear and educate his younger brothers and sisters. Mr. Duncan left the home of his ancestors in 1854 and emigrated to Canada. He first settled in Gray county, Ontario, near the Georgian bay, on a farm which was of little use for the purpose of agriculture because of the stones with which it was covered. He succeeded in cleaning up sixty acres of this and then sold out in 1869 and came to Union county, Dak. Ter. The county had just been organized then and settlers in his neighborhood were few and far between, no claims to the north of his homestead having been taken. With nothing to speak of when he took up his residence in township where he yet lives, he has diligently and earnestly applied himself to his work, and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is improved. Although grasshoppers and hailstorms destroyed his crops and blizzards made life in the pioneer winter days uncomfortable, he has steadily kept pace with the growth of the country, gathering without scattering, and is now able to pass the evening of his life surrounded by everything his heart could wish that money can buy. As an early settler he has seen the county pass from a vast wilderness, fit only for a stamping ground for buffaloes and other wild animals, which were numerous in those days, to its present well-cultivated condition, and has himself been active in the development of its agricultural interests. His old homestead he improved and lived on until 1880, and then purchased and removed to his present farm, where he carries on an extensive general farming business. Politically he is a stanch supporter of Republican doctrines and casts his vote accordingly. He has served as road overseer and uses his influence as a prominent citizen in making a success any worthy enterprise calculated to advance the welfare of the community.
Mr. Duncan has a nice, comfortable home, and to the lady who has presided over his household affairs so gracefully for the past thirty-five years, and who has contributed so much to his happiness in life, he was wedded in 1861. Mrs. Duncan bore the maiden name of Miss Agnes Hill, and is, like her husband, a native of Scotland. She is the youngest of a family of twelve children born to George and Grace (Braidwood) Hill, the former a native of Leith, and the latter of Lannockshire, where, also, Mrs. Duncan was horn, August 28, 1840. The other children, in the order of their birth, are as follows: Grace, Margaret, Daniel, John, Mary and Elizabeth, deceased; George and Kate; the ninth and eleventh children died in infancy, and Helen, the tenth, also died young. Mr. and Mrs. Hill came to America in 1851, with their family, and settled in Buffalo, N. Y., and later went to Canada, their deaths occurring in Delaware county, Iowa, whither they went in 1861.
Mr. Duncan and his estimable wife have been blessed in their marriage by the birth of six children, viz.: Samuel; Mrs. Grace B. Anderson; Mrs. Jessie F. Johnson; Mrs. Mary E. Bussler; George H. ;and Agnes, deceased. All the children have been thoroughly educated and well-fitted for their various callings in life, and the whole family are members of the Baptist church.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim DezotellANDREW ERICKSON. One of the leading and well-to-do farmers of Brule township is the man whose name heads this sketch. He settled on the place where he now lives, in the spring of 1867, having the previous year entered 143 acres of land.
Mr. Erickson is a native of Norway, and was born January 12, 1841, a son of Erick and Mary (Haffland) Erickson. He lived in the land of his birth till 1857, when he was sixteen years old, acquiring in his native land a limited education in the common schools. He was accompanied to America by an uncle, Ole Netvik, on a sailing vessel which landed them at Quebec. From there they pushed west via Detroit and Chicago, and landed in Dane county, Wis., near the city of Madison. There he followed farming until he departed in 1859 for Arkansas and Mississippi, where he remained until the following year, when he again returned to Wisconsin.
In the fall of 1861 the subject of this biography, like many another gallant and courageous man, responded to the call of the country and enlisted in company B. Fifteenth Wisconsin regiment, infantry, a crack body of fighting men, composed entirely of Scandinavians, including officers; a braver lot of men never met and grappled with a foe. After enlistment the regiment was transferred to the front, serving independently at first in Kentucky, and afterward was connected with the Third division, Fourth army corps. They spent a part of this time under Buell, and later under Rosecrans' command, and participated in the battles of Perryville, Ky., and also Stone river, fighting under Gen. Corlins. At Chickamauga the regiment was badly cut up. Then they were in the battles of Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga, after which they marched into eastern Tennessee and then mustered into Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign, participating in many of the engagements of that campaign. Near Resaca, Ga., the regiment were in a desperate conflict, and lost very heavily. Mr. Erickson was discharged with the regiment at Chattanooga, the latter part of December, 1864, after which he went back to Wisconsin, and, in the spring of 1865, went on a raft to St. Louis, and spent some time there, later returning again to Dane county. In 1866 he came to Union county as above stated, entered his land, built a small log cabin, and started in improving his property. His uncle, who came to America with him, and was a soldier in the same regiment and company, was taken prisoner at Chickamauga, and placed in Andersonville prison, where he died. His cousin, John Johnson, who was also a private in company B, Fifteenth Wisconsin regiment, infantry, was wounded in the leg during the battle of Chickamauga, was taken prisoner, and died in the enemy's hands at Atlanta, Ga.
In 1865 Mr. Erickson was married at Madison, Wis., to Miss Julia Anderson, and they have had six children, three of whom are living, viz.: Josephine, Edward and Carrie; the deceased being Maria, Julia and Carrie. The family are all members of the Lutheran church, and he is a member of Stephen A. Hulburt, post No. 9, G.A.R., at Elk Point. Our subject was a Republican in political faith until a few years ago, when he joined the Independent party.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
P. H. FARLEY occupies a prominent place as a well-to-do and progressive member of the farming community of Union county, in Prairie township, of which he has an elegant farm of 240 acres. Since his residence here he has placed upon it such improvements as entitle it to rank among the finest pieces of property devoted to agricultural pursuits to be found throughout the community, and has been instrumental in developing and promoting the growth of this section of the county.
Our subject was born in County Meath, Ireland, and in 1850 came to America with his parents. They first settled in Stephenson county, Ill., on a farm, and there Mr. Farley was raised to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of the same county. He enlisted in 1863, to take a position in the quartermaster's department at St. Louis, where he served for seven months. After his discharge he hired out to a farmer near Jacksonville, Ill., for a year, and then returned to his home in Stephenson county, where he followed agricultural pursuits for another year. He then took up lumbering on the Mississippi river in Wisconsin, and devoted his time to that occupation for six or seven years. Mr. Farley had been to Dakota territory in 1870, and took up land, but it was not until 1876 that he came and settled permanently. His original farm was in Prairie township, and when he settled upon it it was wholly unimproved. He built a frame house, started in to break up his land, and in time had it in a good state of tillage. In 1878 he moved to his present place, which at that time was also little better than raw prairie land. He is now the fortunate owner of 240 acres in section 4, and has put on himself all the present improvements, hiring nothing done. He had a good capacity for labor, and shows it in the immense amount of hard work he has done in bringing his estate to its present fine condition. He has devoted his time and attention exclusively to general farming and stock raising, and has succeeded admirably. He has also operated a threshing machine in connection with his agricultural interests, and increased his financial standing some in that way. Politically he affiliates with the Populist party, though he was ormerly a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the administration of local affairs. He organized his school district, and was the first director of the school board. Has also served as justice of the peace for his township but resigned the office.
The marriage of Miss Catherine Maher to our subject occurred in 1871, and this union has been blessed to them by the birth of nine children, viz: Mary, Francis, Jennie, Kittie, Adelle, Thomas, Julia, Clara and Rose. They are all members of the Catholic church at Beresford, and have been very active there. Mr. Farley takes special pains in the education of his children, giving them every advantage for obtaining a thorough and practical knowledge in the best schools. Five are graduates and three now hold teachers' positions in various institutions of learning. Miss Mary is a young lady of rare musical talent, and is a teacher of that art, both vocal and instrumental.
Mr. Farley is a student of literature, and has been a great reader in a general way. He peruses the newspapers and the best magazines and publications of this and other countries, and keeps well abreast of the times in current thought. He is posted on all subjects of local interest, political economy, etc., and uses his knowledge of ways and means unstintedly in the cause of good government.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
EDWARD FITZGERALD is successfully engaged in business as a grain grower and stock raiser and shipper, and his farm in Spink township, Union county, as well as the one in Prairie township, are classed among the most desirable pieces of property in that part of the county. He was born in county Kerry, Ireland, June 20, 1846, and was eleven years of age when he emigrated with his parents to the new world. They settled in Jo Daviess county, Ill., and in the city of Galena, Edward grew to manhood, receiving a practical education.
Our subject began life for himself at the age of seventeen years as assistant on a farm, and for three years he continued in this capacity. At the age of twenty he began the business of rafting on the Mississippi and Black rivers, which he followed for another three years, and at the expiration of that time secured employment in a saw mill on the Sinsinnawa river. In 1870 he made his first trip to Dakota territory, driving cattle for a Mrs. Fleig. He finally arrived at Vermillion and later at the claim of Mrs. Fleig's husband, where he left the cattle and then came back to Vermillion. After entering a homestead, which now constitutes a part of his present farm, he went back to Galena to harvest, and in the fall returned again to Dakota, travelling most of the way on foot, and locating on his claim. The cottonwood board out of which he built a little house, warped like a bow, but they were all he could get and had to be used. During the winter months he lived in the cellar under his shanty, and then in the spring put in a crop. He is now the owner of 640 acres, 600 of which are under a fine state of cultivation. The home farm consists of 400 acres and the balance of the property is located in Prairie township. All the improvements on both farms, including two complete sets of buildings he has put there himself. Besides tilling the soil Mr. Fitzgerald is also engaged in buying and selling live stock, and for the past five years has fed from sixty to one hundred head of cattle during the winter months. He has depended solely upon his own labor, and being a good manager and financier, carefully considering his expenditures as well as receipts, has accordingly prospered. He saw some pretty hard times, both as a boy and during his maturer years; but those times are past and he is now classed as one of the successful and enterprising agriculturists of the county. As a voter he uses his elective franchise independently, casting his ballot for the best man. He has served as a member of the local school board for a period of eight years, and takes quite a degree of interest in educational matters.
Mr. Fitzgerald has had the womanly assistance of a thoroughly competent and energetic wife in the accumulation of his property. They were wedded in 1872, and to their happy married life eleven children have come, ten of whom are living, viz.: Mary, James; Catherine, wife of Thomas Naughton, of Brule township; Margaret, Julia, William, Dennis, Delia, John and Ellen. One son, Edward, the first born, is dead. All the children are being given the advantages of a good schooling, and Miss Mary is now a teacher of this county. Mrs. Fitzgerald's maiden name was Julia Jordan, and she is a daughter of Andrew Jordan, of Prairie township. Mr. Fitzgerald says: "She was the first single young lady that came into this settlement, and I got her, and have never been sorry of the venture." The editor joins in a wish that he may never be tired of the bargain, and that their lives as happy man and wife may extend over many, many years to come. Mrs. Fitzgerald received an excellent training in housework and is a good housekeeper, making the home cozy and comfortable for its inmates. The family are members of St. Joseph Catholic church of Prairie township, and Mr. Fitzgerald has been secretary of the same for some time.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
HON. ROBERT R. GREEN, deceased, was one of the earliest settlers of Union county, having located in section No. 17, Civil Bend township, in 1863. He was a native of Kentucky, born August 10, 181 1, and spent part of his boyhood in that state, later removing with his parents to Wisconsin, where he grew to maturity. His early life was mostly spent on a farm.
Mr. Green was married June 11, 1834, to Miss Cinderella Fanner, and together they settled in Lafayette county, Wis., where she died in 1846. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are deceased. One son, Robert Allan Green, was killed in the Rattle of the Wilderness during the Civil war. Mr. Green subsequently married Miss Nancy J. Ashmore, a native of Coles county, Ill., the wedding taking place March 16, 1847. Miss Ashmore was a daughter of David and Margaret (Lovelace) Ashmore, both of whom are deceased. They were the parents of ten children, eight living; but Mrs. Green and her brother Ulysses are the only representatives of the family residing in Union county. Mrs. Green was born January 11, 1829, and spent her girlhood in Illinois, later removing to Wisconsin. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Green continued to reside in Lafayette county, Wis., where they prospered, coming in 1863 to Union county and settling on the place where Mrs. Green now lives. When they came here the country wasn't much better than a wilderness; there were very few neighbors, and settlers' cabins were few and far between. Their first place of abode was a shanty constructed of rails and roofed with dirt; but shortly after their cabin was finished and they moved into it. They endured all the hardships incident to the development of a new country. For seven years grasshoppers did terrible damage, and three times the Missouri river overflowed its banks and devastated the farms along its borders. Mr. Green, by industry and well-applied business judgment, had accumulated some $15,000, which he brought with him to Union county, and he started the first store ever opened in Elk Point,
conducting it for seven years, after which he devoted his time to superintending his farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Green are the parents of eight children, viz.: James, who married Martha Webster, lives near Calliope, Iowa, and has three children; Shelton married Henrietta Bowman, lives in Nebraska and has a family of nine children; Washington married Annie Payne and resides in Alcester; they have two children: Eliza Caroline is the wife of Jacob H. Pace, and resides in Union county, has five children; Edith is the wife of William Eslick, lives at Elk Point, and has six children; Jeannette, wife of John Skaife, lives in Civil Bend township, and has one child; R. S. married Ollie Crandall, lives in Union county and has no children. Mr. Green served in the ranks during the period of the Blackhawk war, and was a Methodist in religious belief. He was a man universally esteemed for his many excellent traits of character, and had the entire confidence of his friends and the community at large. He was elected to the territorial legislature and served one term, and held many minor offices of the township. His death occurred September 27, 1890, and he was buried in the cemetery at Elk Point, mourned by all who had known him. His wife, an estimable lady, still resides on the homestead and conducts the affairs of the farm, which consists of 333 acres, ninety of which are under cultivation and well improved.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim DezotellOLUF JOHNSON, the present treasurer of Union county, and one of the
popular and widely-known young men of the southern part of the state, is a native of Norway, and was born in 1859, a son of John A. and Gertrude (Haaven) Olson. He received a good education, and remained with his parents till eighteen years of age, when he engaged in bridge building for Lynch & Desparois, railroad contractors, of Sioux City, by whom he was employed for two years. Mr. Johnson then returned to Dakota territory, where his parents lived, and accepted a position with C. W. Beggs, in whose general store at Elk Point he clerked for five years. Mr. Beggs sold out to A. O. Ringsrud, and our subject remained with that gentleman a little over nine years, when he was elected to his present office of treasurer of the county. This was in 1894, and that he has discharged his duties since to the entire satisfaction of the people is evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected to that office in the fall of 1896. Mr. Johnson has a nice home in Elk Point, and outside his official duties he is also interested in farming land in Union county.Mr. Johnson and Miss Mary Anderson were united in marriage in 1885,
and they have been blessed with two children—Leonard J. and Milton E. Mrs. Johnson was one of a family of eight children and a daughter of Lars Anderson, a native of Norway, who emigrated to this country and settled in Wisconsin in 1858. In 1870 he, with wife and children, located in Union county, where the family still resides, Mr. Anderson having died in 1882.A few words regarding Mr. Johnson's parents, who are also residents of
Union county, will probably be of interest. Mr. and Mrs. John A. Olson were engaged in farming in the old country, and when they emigrated to this country with their four children they came direct to Dakota territory. Mr. Olson homesteaded 160 acres in Brule township at that time, which property he has brought from a wild piece of land to its present state of cultivation. He has improved it with some fine buildings, and is engaged in general farming. He has taken an active interest in school matters, and giving his children good, practical educations. The family are members of the Lutheran church, in which Mr. Olson has held various offices. He has been chorister for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Olson were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom still survive.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
JOHN R. KERR, an excellent type of the pioneer class who possess in a large degree the affability and hospitality that universally characterizes the hardy men who blazed the trail into the western wilds, now has his home in Brule township, Union county. He was born June 26, 1833, in Harford county, Md., and is a son of Robert and Mary (Rowlings) Kerr, natives of that state. His early life was spent in Maryland, where he derived his education from the subscription schools of the district.
Mr. Kerr first saw the territory of Dakota in 1862, having resided since 1857 in Sioux City, Iowa, where he returned after having spent two months assisting as a mechanic in the construction of the first hotel in Yankton, Dak. In 1864 he went to eastern Iowa for four years, after which he returned to Sioux City, residing there till 1869. The same year he located 172 acres where he now lives, on which land he moved his family in 1870. He constructed a small frame building at first for a dwelling, and then began breaking up and clearing the land which constitutes his present farm.
A few words regarding our subject's ancestors will be of interest. His grandfather Kerr was an Irishman by birth, and was the founder of the family which bears his name in this country, his grandmother Kerr having been born in America. His maternal grandparents were of Scotch-Irish origin. Mr. Kerr's parents had eleven children, four sons and seven daughters; there are seven living, viz.: Lorena, Mary, Caroline, Hannah, Sarah, William and John R. Those deceased are Rebecca, Agnes, John and Robert. His father served in the war of 1812-15 in a Maryland regiment, was a pensioner and received a land warrant from the government. He resided within five miles of his birthplace all his life, and died aged eighty-nine years.
Mr. Kerr was married near Sioux City, Iowa, in 1863, to Miss Sarah A. Clark, who has borne him eight children, all living, viz.: John R., Jr., Frank F., Lena C., James W., Johnson H., Thomas J., Mary S. and Florence M. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which they have been connected for many years — he for forty-five, and she, for thirty-five years. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, and subsequenty, a Republican, of which party's principles he is a strong supporter. He has held the office of school director of his district several years, is widely known and highly-respected, and has a beautiful home where he and the partner of his life are surrounded by every comfort that the fruits of his toil can furnish.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
MONS J. LEHNE, a public-spirited and enterprising member of the farming community of Union county, has devoted the greater part of his life to agriculture, in the pursuit of which he has been very fortunate, and is the proprietor of as good a farm as can be found within the limits of Spink township, his homestead being located there in section 32.
Mr. Lehne was born in the southern part of Norway, November 26, 1843, and grew to maturity in his native land on a farm, receiving his education in the excellent common schools the neighborhood afforded, and finishing with a special course of study in a private institution of learning. After he had attained the age of twenty-five years he came to America, landing at Sioux City, Iowa, June 29, 1869. He engaged in steam-boating on the Missouri river between the latter city and Fort Benton, which he continued until 1873, and that year located on his present farm. On the prairie he erected a house 12 x 16 feet, which at that time was about the best structure of the kind between his claim and the city of Elk Point, and started in to break up and improve his future home. He now has 160 acres under cultivation, nicely fenced, and on this he conducts a general farming business. All the present improvements he has made himself, and among the buildings which he has erected is a fine residence, with square mansard roof, constructed in 1891. It is substantial, commodious and well built, and a glance at it and the outbuildings with which the farm abounds will show the thrift and enterprise of the owner. Mr. Lehne is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, with enlightened views on various subjects, and brains and business tact, combined with steady industry, have brought him to the front. His fellow-citizens, recognizing his ability and superior business qualifications for civic life, have repeatedly called on him to accept positions of responsibility, but, although he has taken an active part and interest in local politics, and has frequently been a delegate to county and state conventions of the Republican party, with which he affiliates, he has always refused nomination for any office except that of assessor; he is the present incumbent of that position, and has served in that capacity for the past fourteen years. He strongly and unwaveringly supports the principles of his party, and is a model citizen.
The subject of this brief biographical notice has been twice married. His first wife he was married to in 1873. Her maiden name was Miss Anna Kindlie, and she was a native of Norway. This union was productive of a family of five children, four of whom are living, viz.: Alice Bertha Maria, Laura Melia Maximelia, Jorgon Julius and Ole. After the death of Mrs. Lehne, he subsequently married Mary Kindlie, a sister of his first wife, who was also born in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Lehne are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church of Emmett, in which he serves as secretary, and also is a director in the parochial school connected with that church. He has been a member of the local school board for at least eighteen years, and, believing in the maxim that "knowledge is power," follows it by giving his children every advantage for good educations.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
HOWARD MOSIER, who resides in section in, Civil Bend township, is one
of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers, and also one of the prominent citizens of the southern part of Union county. He is a native of southwestern Missouri, born April 5, 1842, and a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Mosier.Howard was raised on a farm in Iowa, his father having moved to Jasper
county, that state, about 1846, being one of the first settlers in that region, and in the common schools of the district received a practical education. He served in the Civil war and saw much of the exposure and privation incident to that period. His enlistment dates from July 15, 1861, when he became a private in company B, Fifth Iowa regiment, infantry, and was mustered into the service of the United States at Burlington, Iowa. From Burlington the regiment was transferred to Keokuk, Iowa, and from there took a boat down the Mississippi river to St. Louis, thence to Jefferson City, Mo., and later to Booneville, same state, where they were attached to Fremont's battalion, and then ordered to Springfield. From the latter city they returned to Booneville under Gen. Hunter's command, for winter quarters. In the spring the regiment went to St. Louis, and shortly afterward participated in the siege of New Madrid, at which time 5,000 prisoners were captured, and then to Cairo, Ill., where they were mustered into Buell's army and marched to re-inforce Gen. Grant at Shiloh. Mr. Mosier participated with his company in the siege of Corinth and the battles of Iuka and Corinth, and was present when the latter city was taken after the siege. He became ill while on duty, and was sent to the hospital at Jackson, Tenn., where he recovered. After he got well he was detailed as cook in the Webster hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and he served in this position until the expiration of his term. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, July 18, 1864, after three years and three days of service, during which time he was never wounded nor captured by the enemy.When our subject returned home to Monroe, Iowa, he secured employment
on farms in the vicinity, working by the month for a year and a half, and then rented a farm which he conducted for one season. In the fall of 1866 he came to Union county, Dak., and settled upon his present farm, trading a span of horses and a wagon for 160 acres, also filing a homestead claim. At that time Union county had but a scant population, and the present thriving town of Elk Point was only a small trading station. He has seen the country pass by stages from a vast wilderness with grass from eight to ten feet high, to its present well- eveloped state, and has passed through the grasshopper scourge, several tremendous overflows of the Missouri river, in 1881, '86 and '88 which did much damage,, and some terrible blizzards in winter. But Mr. Mosier applied himself industriously to his business; the hardships and discouragments he was compelled to endure did not dampen his spirits, and he has plodded vigorously and steadily onward. His present farm consists of 360 acres, one-third of which is under cultivation, and all the improvements on the property are the result of his labors. He makes a business of general farming and stock raising, and has some fine specimens of shorthorn cattle, of which he is a breeder.Mr. Howard Mosier and Miss Laurinda Summy were married in 1868, two
years after Mr. Mosier came to Dakota. They have no children. Politically he is a Republican and takes an active interest in the affairs of Union county. He has served as a member of the school board, and was also elected county commissioner for one term.Daniel Mosier, the father of our subject, now resides in
Mitchellville, Iowa. By his first wife he is the parent of six children, five of whom are yet living, viz.: Minerva Boots, who lives in Mitchellville, Iowa, no children; Harriet Sheeler, resides in Monroe, Iowa, ten children; Howard, the subject of this biography; Jane Heffelfinger, a resident of Monroe, Iowa, three children; and Adeline McBeth, who lives in Nebraska. Mr. Mosier subsequently married again, the result of which union has been two sons and three daughters, viz.: Margaret Fudge, residing in Monroe, Iowa, two children; Nancy Hughes, living in Nebraska; Ellen McBride resides in Union county, and has four children; George, who lives in Monroe, Iowa, has one child; and Ose, who makes his home in the state of Washington.Mr. and Mrs. Main have been blest with two children, viz.: Cora and Chester. The former was born in Kansas, the latter in Illinois.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
JACOB H. PACE, who is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in
Section 18, Civil Bend township, Union county, is a native of the "Hoosier state," having been born in 1845, in Delaware county, Ind. He is a son of Horatio and Jemima J. (Pendroy) Pace, who were among the early residents of that state. They were the parents of three sons, James M., Marion and Jacob H. Marion was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pace are now deceased.Jacob was raised on a farm in Jasper county, Iowa. He had none of the
common advantages for an education, and what knowledge he has acquired, has been through his own efforts. When he attained his majority he started out in the battle of life for himself, and in 1876 came to Union county, Dak. Ter., and settled where he now lives and has resided ever since. Five acres of his land had previously been "broke," and he started in to further develop his future home, keeping "bachelor's hall" and working during some of his time in a sawmill. Although he started out in life empty handed he was accustomed to hard work, and by frugality, industry and well-applied judgment, has succeeded, and his farm is now a fine piece of property, well-improved with a good residence and outbuildings. He owns 160 acres, 110 of which are under good cultivation, and does general farming exclusively, raising wheat, oats and corn. Mr. Pace is a Republican politically. He has been a member of the school board, but further than this official capacity, has never cared to enter a race for office in the whirl-pool of politics.Mr. Pace was married in 1878 to Eliza C. Green, a daughter of Robert
R. and Nancy J. Green, who came to Union county with her parents in 1863. This union has been blest with five children, viz.: Jemima, Hulda, Aaron, Harry and Osa. Mrs. Pace, has, by her former husband, George Le Gro, one son, Robert E. Le Gro.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
DR. PENNEL, a leading agriculturist and apiarist of Union county, and one of the oldest settlers in this part, residing in section 12, Civil Bend township, was the eldest of a family of six children. He is a native of Bedford county, Pa., and was born January 1, 1837, a son of Jacob and Rosella (Jay) Pennel, to whom were also born our subject's brother, Thomas, and four sisters, viz.: Margaret Pennel, Elizabeth O'Neal, Juliana Drake and Nancy Jane Diehl. His parents were reared and died in their native county.
Mr. Pennel's father being a farmer it was but natural that he, his eldest son, should follow in his footsteps, and the home farm was where he grew to manhood. In 1860 he came west to Black Hawk county, Iowa, and settled there, it being in the spring of that year, where he continued to reside until 1870. Union county first extended its hospitality to Mr. Pennel during the latter year when he arrived at his present location. He bought a man's right to a homestead, which consisted of 120 acres of land and one of those, at the time, universal log cabins covered with dirt that every old settler remembers. Five acres of this property had been broken and fenced in with large cottonwood logs, some of which were forty feet in length. During his early residence here he operated a shingle mill, and manufactured many thousands of that useful article of cottonwood timber. Upon the advent of railroads, however, he discontinued operations in that line. He has lived here continuously, and now owns 160 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation. He is also an enthusiast in the subject of bee culture, and has in his apiary generally about twenty swarms of that busy and interesting little insect.
Mr. Pennel was united in marriage in 1859, shortly before he started west, to Miss Lucy A. Steckman, a daughter of one of the old families of his native county. They are the parents of ten children, one deceased—Douglas— who died when a young man, and nine living, as follows: Charles, married Miss Flora Summy, has three children and lives in Civil Bend township; Lillie, wife of Charles Reams, one child, lives in Spink; Mattie, wife of Robert Pond, five children, resides in Civil Bend township; Clara, wife of Harvey Noggle, one child, lives in Spink; Frank, married Miss Lottie Frank, two children, makes his home in Civil Bend township; Harry, resides at home; Victoria, wife of George Booth, one child, lives in the vicinity; and Minnie May and Rosetta at home.
Mr. Pennel is closely affiliated with the Farmers' Alliance, and, although politically he has been a Democrat, at present is independent. He is a man of good common sense, and makes use of it; has served one term as county commissioner (three years), and has for many years been connected in official capacities with the schools, in the faithful discharge of the duties of which he takes much interest.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
JOHN ALBEN PETERSON, one of the representative farmers and citizens of Brule township, Union county, was born in the southern part of Sweden, February 28, 1835. His boyhood was spent in his native land, where also he acquired his education. In 1864 he emigrated to America and landed at New York, the voyage from the old country being made in a sailing vessel and occupying three months. While en route twenty-two of his fellow passengers died, the result of "bad water, bad food and bad everything" as Mr. Alben expresses it. From New York he came west to Chicago and thence to De kalb county, Ill., where soon after arrival he enlisted in the Twenty-third Illinois regiment, infantry, company K, and was attached to the Twenty-fourth army corps under Gen. Grant. He took part in the battles fought in and around Richmond, and during his active service was marched and counter marched, suffered much from exposure, and endured a great many hardships in upholding the national honor and for the preservation of his adopted country. His reward was an honorable discharge at Chicago, in July, 1865, from where he went again to De Kalb county, Ill.
In 1866 Mr. Alben started for Des Moines, Iowa, and while living there was married to Miss Carrie Miller. This union has been blessed by the birth of four children — John W., Alfred, Alida E., and Oscar W. — all of whom have had the advantage of a liberal education in the schools and colleges.
Union county first saw our subject in the fall of 1867, when he located in Brule township, homesteading 160 acres, on which he built a small log cabin and at once started in breaking ground and improving his future home. At that time he was surrounded by nothing but raw prairie, his nearest neighbors being several miles distant, but Indians were numerous and quite troublesome at times. On various occasions Mr. Alben found it necessary to take his wife and child into the field where he was breaking land, as the redskins had visited his cabin and mistreated his family, and he did not feel warranted in leaving them at home alone and unprotected while he was absent at work. Like most of the old settlers of Union county he started poor, but his natural progressive nature combined with sound judgment have produced their results, for he now owns 480 acres in Brule township and 160 acres in Charles Mix county, S. Dak. His land is all improved and in an excellent state of cultivation.
The subject of these brief paragraphs is a member of the Lutheran church and takes an earnest interest in its welfare. His estimable wife, and likewise his children, also belong to this denomination. Socially he is a member of the Stephen A. Hulbert post No. 9, G.A.R., at Elk Point.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
THOMAS RONAN owns and occupies one of the valuable farms of Spink township, his estate comprising 320 acres of as fine land as can be found in Union county. Even in the vicinity where good farm buildings are the rule and modern conveniences abound, there are few places that in these regards equal the one mentioned. The dwelling is a commodious and beautiful one, pleasing in architectural design, built with a view to the comforts of the inmates, and furnished in a manner in keeping with their means and tastes. The barn is also large and fine, and every arrangement that will conduce to the conveniences with which the farm and household economy is carried on, may be found upon this estate. The property is divided into two farms of 160 acres each, and there is a complete set of buildings on both.
Mr. Ronan is a native of county Waterford, Ireland, and was born November 10, 1836. He came to America when seventeen years of age, landing at New York city, where he stayed for a short time and then removed to Yonkers, of the same state. Later he took up his residence on a farm near London, Canada, where he worked for a period of two years, and then bought a farm for himself in Door county, Wis. The land was heavily timbered and he cleared up sixty acres of it and then sold out and came to Union county, Dak. Ter. That was in 1870, and he then settled on his present farm. It was nothing but wild prairie land then, and the country for miles around looked like a wilderness. His little frame house, which he constructed for shelter, was the first in his immediate locality, and in this he continued to live until 1893, when he finished and moved into his present fine residence. All the improvements on the farm he resides on, as well as his other piece of property, which lies just to the north of his original claim, are the result of his labor. The property is all nicely fenced and 200 acres of the entire farm are under cultivation. Mr. Ronan is exclusively a farmer now, though in 1880 he opened a general store on his farm, which he operated for six years. He started the postoffice of Emmett, which was located in his store, and served as postmaster for nine years. He built the first bridges ever constructed over Blue creek, went through the grasshopper times, and, in fact, has endured all the hardships incident to the development of a new country, although he was in comparatively fair circumstances when he came to the county. He helped organize the school board of the district wherein he resides and has been a member of that body. Politically he has always been a Democrat and has taken an active interest in all local politics. He served as county commissioner from 1881 to '84, and filled a second term from 1890 to '93, being chairman of same part of the time. He has also been a candidate for the legislature from his district, and also the office of sheriff.
An important event in the life of Mr. Ronan occurred in 1859, when he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Catherine Mulvahill, a native of county Limerick, Ireland. This union has been blessed to them by the birth of nine children, seven of whom are living, viz.: William, James, John, Thomas, who married Miss Nellie Jennings; Richard, who married Miss Mary O'Connor; Morris and Mary. The family are all members of St. Joseph church, of Prairie township, in which Mr. Ronan has been an officer. He is at present a member of the building committee, who have in charge the construction of the new church edifice. He has always been identified with this place of worship, in fact he hauled the first load of lumber used in building the original St. Joseph Catholic church.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
agriculturists of Union county, living on section 13, Civil Bend township, was born January 28, 1830, and is a son of Barzilla and Margaret (Stanford) Rozell, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter born in Ohio. After their marriage they settled in Henry county, Ind., where the subject of this biography was born and where Mr. Rozell died; later Mrs. Rozell removed to Hancock county, Ind., and from there, after the Civil war was over, to Dallas county, Iowa, where she also died.
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
CARVER ROZELL, one of the industrious, thrifty and enterprisingCarver was raised to manhood in his native county in Indiana, living
on a farm until he was about fifteen years of age. His education consisted of what knowledge he acquired in the common schools of the district, which was sufficient for practical use. He spent fifteen years working in a sawmill in Indiana, and in 1857 came west to Polk county, Iowa. There he lived, and was married in 1860 to Mary J. Bell, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and daughter of Samuel Bell, of that city. After the wedding he rented a farm in Iowa which he conducted for six years, and then came to Union county, Dak. Ter., settling four miles south of his present location. This was in 1866, and the property he now owns he purchased a year later and has resided there ever since. The farm was improved with a log house and sixteen acres had been plowed. Mr. Rozell applied himself industriously to improving his future home, and now has 160 acres, ninety of which are under cultivation. He devotes his time to general farming, and, although he started here with comparatively nothing, by frugality and diligent application to his business has seen his property improve and has prospered accordingly. Mr. Rozell has been a member of the school board and politically affiliates with the Populist party, having formerly been a Republican.Mr. and Mrs. Rozell are the parents of seven children, four of whom
are living, viz.: Barzilla, Addie Remington, Ernest and Vernon. The deceased are Newton, Elmer and Bertha. Mrs. Rozell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a zealous worker in the cause of Christianity.Mrs. Rozell's father, Samuel Bell, was a native of Pittsburg, Pa.. and
emigrated to Kentucky when a young man, at Lexington. There he married Miss Sarah Curtis, a native of that city, and to them four children were born. The family afterward located in St. Louis, where Mr. Bell followed his trade, that of blacksmith. His demise occurred several years ago in New Mexico. Mrs. Bell died in Iowa, her home having been in Polk county, of that state, for several years.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
FRANCIS M. RUST, one of Union county's esteemed and highly respected citizens, is a native of Switzerland, and from the mountains of that picturesque land he imbibed the patriotism that makes the Swiss famous the world over for love of country. He was born in the city of Sullidorn, near the border of the French republic, October 4, 1844, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Eckard) Rust, both natives of Switzerland. Francis was but five years of age when his parents emigrated to America, in 1849. They landed at New York city, and came directly west to Chicago and settled in Du Page county, Ill., where they lived for two years. About 1851 they continued on westward and settled in Buchanan county, on the border of Blackhawk county, Iowa. This was on the frontier then, and they entered government land and made a permanent home there till their deaths, Mr. Rust dying in 1876, and Mrs. Rust in 1885, both at advanced ages. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom were born in Switzerland save the youngest; four are living, viz.: Mary Ann Pratt, who resides in Turner, Ill.; Frank, who lives in this county; Elizabeth Genier, of Buchanan county, Iowa; and Francis M. Of the deceased Johnny was a member of company B, Fourth Iowa cavalry, and was killed at the battle of Memphis, Tenn., in 1863, aged seventeen years. Frank was also a member of the same company and regiment, as was likewise Francis M., the subject of this memoir. The latter enlisted in 1862, and participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark.; it was his first engagement, and lasted three days, during the third day of which he received a wound in the arm from a bayonet thrust at close quarters, and, besides this, his and besides this, his horse was shot and he was ruptured by the animal falling on him. While in this precarious condition he was run over and had an ankle dislocated. From the battle field he was taken to the hospital tent, where he remained for three weeks, and was subsequently discharged and sent home. He returned to his home in Iowa, and after recovering from his wounds he took up farming in connection with a broom factory, which business he was engaged in for several years. He established a broom factory in Albany, Mo., near St. Joe, which he operated for several years, subsequently returning to the Hawkeye state and locating in Palo Alto county, where he engaged in farming. He afterward traded off his farm and went to Emmetsburg and engaged in the carriage-making and broom factory business; but later on all his property was totally destroyed by fire, leaving him with but $20. He then returned to his old home in Waterloo, Iowa, and in 1880, with his family, removed to Union county, Dak. Ter., purchasing 160 acres for $1,000. This property he improved, and three years later disposed of for $4,000. Then he bought 110 acres adjoining his present place, paying $2,200 for it, and two years later sold this property for $4,000. His next move was to erect a double brick store in Elk point, now occupied by Ed Ringsrud, which was the first brick building in that city, the citizens donating him the lot, for which they had paid $700. The same summer he built a large dwelling for his own use in Elk Point, which for a time was his place of residence; then he sold his store and bought the property where he now lives, one mile from the town (160 acres), for which he paid $4,000. He has rebuilt and remodeled the premises, and it is now nicely improved and comfortable, and the land is in a high state of cultivation. In addition to farming, raising principally broomcorn, he conducts a broom factory for the consumption of his product. He plants from thirty to eighty acres of broomcorn every year.
Mr. Rust is an all-around good citizen, kind-hearted, sociably inclined and deservedly popular, and he is possessed of a keen business judgment, which has made him successful in all his undertakings. He affiliates with the Republicans in politics, and is a member of the G.A.R. post at Elk Point, in the welfare of which he is much interested. He is also a member in good standing in both the Masonic and Odd Fellow lodges, having attained the master degree in the former, and noble grand in the latter.
Mr. Rust was married in Iowa in 1864 to Miss Alice Fenstermaker, daughter of a minister located in that state, and they are the parents of the following children, viz.: George, Adda, L. T., Cora, Arthur, Martin, Ralph, Leonard; Sadie, deceased. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in religious matters take a prominent part.
During the past seven years Mr. Rust has been conducting experiments in the raising of fruit, and has met with success. He was one of the first in this section to make such experiments on an extensive scale, having put out 200 apple trees at one time, and about half of these are now bearing. Mr. Rust has demonstrated that cherries, apples and plums thrive well and can be grown successfully in this climate, and the orchard of these varieties of fruit established by our subject, after several years of careful study as to its demands and needs, is one of the largest and finest in Union county. In small fruits, currants and gooseberries are all that can be grown with any degree of success, according to Mr. Rust's experience, which has been very wide and thorough.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
REV. M. TRAYNOR, pastor. This church is located in sec. 4, Prairie township, Union county, and is the place of worship of one of the most flourishing parishes in the state. The old church building was erected in 1874 by some farmers living near the present location of the church property, and the congregation is the oldest in the diocese with the exception of Jefferson. The first resident priest stationed here was Very Rev. F. X. Lawler, Mgr., who took charge in 1881 ; he was succeeded by Rev. M. P. Horgan, now in England; he by Rev. J. B. McInnerny; he by Rev. C. J. Quinn; he by Rev. J. J. Shea, now of Huron, S. Dak. ; he by Rev. D. F. Desmond, now at De Smet; he by Rev. F. Flannigan, deceased; and he by Rev. M. Traynor, the present incumbent.
When Father Traynor took up his labors here he found the old building inadequate and immediately set to work agitating among the parishioners the cause of better facilities. The people, who have taken an active interest in their church, responded handsomely, and in May, 1896, the reverend father was able to begin the erection of a fine new edifice on the church property. It is 40 x 80 feet, which includes a sanctuary of 21 feet, and will seat about 400 people, including the gallery. The cost was about $6,000.00, and eighteen memorial windows of stained glass were donated by different members of the congregation, besides paying their several regular assessments. The church was dedicated November 18, 1896, by Rt. Rev. Thomas O'Gorman, bishop, assisted by several of the priests of the diocese. The present congregation numbers forty-eight families, who are regular members and attendants, and ten transient families. Since the Rev. Traynor has taken charge, which was in July, 1895, the congregation has had a steady, healthy growth and compares very favorably with any in the state.
Rev. M. Traynor is an American born gentleman and is highly educated. He first saw the light in Philadelphia, April 5, 1849, and received his education at the Niagara university, of Niagara, N.Y., where he took up the study of the classics, and completed his studies at St. Vincent's seminary, Germantown, Pa. He was ordained a priest June 18, 1879, by Archbishop Wood, of Philadelphia, now deceased, and took up his first ministerial charge in Missouri; from there he was stationed at various places — Niagara Falls, Baltimore and Philadelphia, and in 1892 was detailed to South Dakota. His first charge in the latter state was at Tyndall; from there he went to Deadwood, and in July, 1895, as stated above, he began his labors at the Church of St. Joseph. Father Traynor is an able and efficient representative of the Catholic clergy, liberal in his views and well-posted on all current topics.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
HON. JOHN TUCKER. Prominent among the well-known gentlemen engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in Civil Bend township, Union county, is the subject of this sketch. His father, Thomas Tucker, was a native of Devonshire, England, born in 1790, and his father, William Tucker, was also born, reared and died there. Our subject's mother, Mary Ann (Brown) Tucker, was born in 1803, in Devonshire, a daughter of Thomas Brown, who was also born, reared and died there. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tucker were members of the Congregational church, formerly of the Church of England, and were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom grew to maturity, viz.: William, deceased, was the father of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew to man and womanhood; Thomas, who lives in England, has two daughters; Richard, lives in Somerset, England, has no children; John, the subject of this sketch; Betsey, wife of Peter Tucker, lives in Devonshire, England, and is the mother of seven children; Mary Ann; Peter, of Devonshire, is the father of eight children; and Daniel, also of Devonshire, is the parent of twelve children.
John, our subject, was born July 13, 1835, in Devonshire, England, and was raised to manhood on the home farm, receiving in the common schools a practical education. December 4, 1854, he enlisted for a term of twelve years in the famous "Royal Marine Light Infantry." Beginning service at Plymouth, England, he embarked, August 27, 1855, from that point on board H. M. S. "Alarm," detailed to the Pacific station. They visited the Madeira islands, and from there the vessel sailed for Rio Janeiro for provisions and water, visited the Falkland islands to assist in inaugurating a governor there, and after a tempestuous voyage around Cape Horn arrived at Valparaiso, Chili, the trip consuming one hundred and nine days from England. He was then assigned to the flagship "Monarch," Admiral Bruce, commanding, called at Callao, Peru, and was there transferred to the storeship "Naiad," being assigned to the duties of quartermaster, and remained thereon during the Peruvian revolution. He was then transferred again to the "Monarch," which made a trip to Valparaiso, thence to Juan Fernandez isle and back to Valparaiso, leaving there in January, 1858, for England. The ship reached home after a voyage of one hundred and eight days, and our subject was then given a leave of absence for six weeks. At the expiration of that time he went to Plymouth and purchased his discharge at his mother's request, and then joined the county police. However, he soon gave up his position on the police force and secured employment in a sugar refinery at Plymouth, later on joining as a volunteer H. M. S. "St. George," on which the young Duke of Edinburg was a "middy." The vessel anchored off Osborne, England, and was there inspected by Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, in person, and the royal family, and then proceeded to Barbadoes islands, West Indies, where she arrived in February, 1861, and spent the next four months in cruising among the islands of the neighborhood. From there she sailed for Halifax, Nova Scotia, visiting Prince Edwards island, and in November, 1861, hoisted anchor and spread sail for Jamaica. About this time the "Trent affair" occurred; the new government of Mexico, having repudiated the debts of the old government, the bond-holders appealed to their respective governments, and England and France combined to make a demonstration against Mexico, Spain having already sent a force for that purpose. The "St. George" was among the vessels rendezvoused off Cape Antonio, West Indies, and early in January, 1862, sailed for Vera Cruz. They found the Spanish already in possession, and the French there agreed to pay the debts and assume the war indemnity, and the anticipated excitement was allayed. News of the death of the prince consort reached the ship about this time, and she at once proceeded to England. On arrival Mr. Tucker was discharged at his own request and took up farming in Devonshire, but on learning that land could be obtained on favorable terms in America, he decided to come to the new world. He accordingly sold his property in England for $750 in gold, and April 9, 1897, embarked from Liverpool for America, arriving April 21, at Boston. He proceeded direct to Sioux City, Iowa, thence to Dakota territory, and pre-empted a claim in Prairie township, Union county, on which he remained two years, proved up, and then sold out. March, 1874, he came to Civil Bend township and bought some timber land, paying $45 per acre, and he has lived here for the last twenty-two years, carrying on farming and the wood business. He is now the owner of 200 acres, and all the improvements he has made himself. He is a member of the Seventh Day Adventists, the Sunday-school of which he has been superintendent, and has always taken an active interest in all religious matters. He was for seven years clerk of the school district, and is now in his thirteenth year of service as school treasurer. Politically he is a Republican, liberal in his views, and has advanced ideas on all current topics. He has been assessor of Civil Bend township for fourteen years, and in 1817 was elected to the territorial legislature, serving one term.
Mr. Tucker was married in England, while a member of the county police force, November 29, 1858, to Mary Ann Hay ward, of Exeter, England. This young lady was a daughter of William and Fannie (Shipman) Hayward, both natives of Devonshire and the parents of four children, Mrs. Tucker being the eldest, and then in the order of their birth: Elizabeth Jane Stevens, who now resides in Normana, Tex. ; Mrs. Eliza Smith, of England, who is the mother of five children; and Mrs. Emma Cobley, who resides in Devonshire and has seven children. Mrs. Tucker was born May 9, 1836, and she and her husband have had a family of ten children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Katie, Charles, Albert, Ernest, Arthur John, Edgar and Frederick. One son, Thomas, was drowned in the Missouri river when fourteen years old.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
GEORGE W. VINSON, the gentleman whose sketch next claims attention,
is a native of Lee county, Ill., and the eldest son of Hon. Richard T. and Elizabeth (Cowin) Vinson, who came with their family to Dakota territory in 1865, and settled in Union county. They lived there until 1891, when they removed to Vermillion, and there Mrs. Vinson passed away, in February, 1893, having borne her husband eight children.Our subject first saw the light February 10, 1852. He accompanied his
parents to Dakota, and remained under the parental roof till 1890, February 23rd of which year he led to the altar of hymen Miss Margaret L. Hempstead, who was a native of Ohio. After their marriage, the young couple settled on the farm in section 25, Fairview township, Clay county, where they now live and have ever since resided. The estate consists of some 120 acres, all improved, on which Mr. Vinson carries on a general farming business.The family is completed by two children, Agnes E. and Dwight McKinley.
Mr. Vinson has served his fellow-men as school clerk and treasurer, taking an active interest in all educational matters, and socially he holds membership in the Diamond Willow camp No. 3403, M.W.A. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, and is a stanch upholder of its principles by both voice and vote.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
HON. ELI B. WIXSON, a portrait of whom will be seen on another page,
was born May 6, 1833, at Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y. He came to Dakota in 1859, and settled at the present site of Elk Point. He was the first white man to settle in this portion of Dakota. His first house was built of logs. It was 12 x 16 feet, with ground floor and sod roof. In this rude structure Mr. Wixson kept hotel and grocery store at the same time.During the following winter Mr. Wixson's only neighbors were some
seventy-five Santee Sioux Indians, who had encamped here for the purpose of hunting. He dealt quite extensively with them and report says he lost nothing in his bargains.An incident or two occurred at this time which serves to illustrate
the quality of stuff necessary to constitute a successful pioneer. The heart of the savage, like that of civilized man, is deceitful above all things. Mr. Wixson says they disposed of their chief in the following manner:"One bitter cold night I was called to go to the Indian's camp. The
messenger said the chief was dead. On my arrival I found the body of the chief wrapped in the American flag. Unfurling a portion of the Stars and Stripes, I found to my surprise, that the body was warm and lifelike. This recalled to memory what one of the tribe had told me a few days before; that a certain grayish powder, which he showed me, when smoked together with 'Kinnikinick,' would cause the smoker to take a 'long sleep.' And I thought that in the case of the chief the powder was being put to the test, and was working to a charm. But I discreetly kept my own counsel. About noon of the following day, there was a commotion in the camp of the reds. The bucks divested themselves of by far the greater portion of their clothing and bedaubed their persons with mud or clay. Then with their dead chieftain strapped to poles attached to a pony, they began their parade. They very soon brought up in front of my cabin and began to horribly mutilate their bodies. Each one would take hold of the skin and pull it out from his body and thrust a knife entirely through it, thus inflicting great gashes from which the blood flowed profusely. The squaws were less ostentatious, removing their leggins only and using shells to scratch the skin. One big brave pulled up the skin upon his breast and then handed me the knife to see if I had the pluck to draw blood. I took the knife and made a feint as though I would strike right down into his body. He dodged and displayed much astonishment at my threatening attitude. Another came into the cabin and got his musket in shape to blow off his head. I took the gun from him and removed the cap, but he immediately recapped it and got once more into the same position. But by this time, others were present to witness the tragedy and I offered no more protests. But he decided to defer the act to a future date. For two or three hours they kept up these hideous performances and then began their march to Minnesota, carrying their chief with them."At another time before this I was awakened from my slumbers late at
night by the loud cracking of the fire in the chimney corner. Looking about I saw a score or more of the reds. Indignant at the liberties thus taken by them, I sprang from my bunk and gave orders to evacuate. I used strong arguments, and they all adjourned except one surly fellow, whose tardy motion provoked me. I caught him by the hair and led him to the door, where I administered a good swift kick that sent him into the outer darkness. They afterward called me by a peculiar name, which I have forgotten, but which meant the 'little brave white man.'"The next year several families settled near Elk Point, and Mr. Wixson
plowed and planted sixty acres, which yielded good sod corn and potatoes.The town of Elk Point was platted in 1861; in 1862 it was
incorporated, and Mr. Wixson was president of the first council.In 1860 Mr. Wixson was appointed postmaster of Elk Point. It was a
small affair then, but he has held the office since the town has grown to larger proportions.Mr. Wixson at one time represented the county of Union in the house of
representatives of Dakota. He presented the county with the block of land now used as a courtyard, and the city of Elk Point with the
ground where the high school building now stands.Eli B. Wixson was one of a family ten boys and one girl born to Daniel
Wixson—born August 18, 1786, died December 2, 1852, of English descent; and Deabrah (Conkling) Wixson, born July 7, 1793, died in March, 1864, of Dutch ancestry. Of the eleven children there are now living four sons, three in the state of New York, and the subject of this sketch, in Union county, S. Dak.Born on the frontier of Christian parents (close communion Baptists),
Mr. Wixson never lost, entirely, the desire for a frontier life, nor lost sight of or belief in the faith in which he was reared.Mr. Wixson was married on November 30, 1865, in Elk Point, Dakota
Ter., to Mrs. Clara E. Christie (née Cook), and there have been born to them six children—three boys, William M., now in business in Hawarden, Iowa; Frank B. and Eli B., both at home with their parents; and three girls, Mary D., now Mrs. George Walker, residing at Elk Point, S. Dak.; Clara, deceased; and Alice May, now Mrs. Rev. Wheeler, of Aberdeen, S. Dak.Mr. Wixson, after speculating a great deal in real estate and town
lots, still retains an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well improved and valuable, lying about five miles northwest of Elk Point, where he with his good wife and two unmarried sons live in much enjoyment and comfort.In politics, he has always been a Democrat until the organization of
the Populist party in South Dakota; has always been a prominent figure in his party councils, and has filled many positions of honor and trust. In 1866, as before noted, he was elected to and served with honor in the territorial legislature as a representative from Union county. He served one term as register of deeds of his county and one term as county commissioner. He has acted as notary public, is a past master Mason, and was a charter member of the first Masonic lodge of Sioux City, Iowa, and Elk Point, S. Dak. Since coming to Elk Point he has been engaged in farming, hotel-keeping, merchandising, and now boasts that he has settled down to the conscientious occupation of an honest granger.Mrs. Wixson, a daughter of Capt. Cook, was born August 7, 1840, in
Onondago county, N. Y. She is of English descent, and when married to Mr. Wixson had one daughter of a former marriage, Lottie Christy, now the esteemed wife of J. W. Steckman, who is successfully engaged in business in Elk Point, S. Dak. Mr. and Mrs. Wixson, along with their two sons, are members of the First Church of Christian Science of Elk Point, and all firm believers in its tenets and earnest workers in the advancement of its principles. Mr. Wixson, being the first settler of the present location of the city of Elk Point, and being a man of a peculiarly observant nature and possessed of rare judgment and acumen, is looked upon by his neighbors as a sort of oracle and as an authority on the early history of the Dakotas.In the fall of t862 he enlisted in company B, First Dakota cavalry, in
the organization of which he materially assisted. This battalion, along with the Sixth Iowa cavalry, rendered excellent service until the close of the war in successfully keeping back the Indians from the frontier settlements. Mr. Wixson served during the whole time and was commissary sergeant of the battalion.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
JOHN R. WOOD, the well-known and popular liveryman and sales stable
proprietor of Elk Point, is a native of Montgomery county, N. Y. He was born in 1820, and is a son of John I. and Sarah L. (Cornue) Wood, also natives of Montgomery county, N. Y. The father of our subject was a contractor and builder by trade, and was engaged in that occupation all through his life with the exception of four years when he was guard at the Auburn state prison of New York. Mr. Wood died in New York State, and his wife after his demise, came to reside in Walworth county, Wis., where she also passed away. They were the parents of seven children, viz.: John R., Mary, Norman L., Jane A., Charlotte, Charles H. and Harriet E.Our subject remained at home till he was eleven years of age, when his
father died, and then went to live with an uncle in the same county, for whom he worked hauling lumber. etc., doing a man's work. He remained with his uncle for three years when he hired out to drive a wholesale liquor wagon, which he continued for six years. That was the first position he had had where he received any pay for his services. Later on he went to the state of Arkansas where he was to take charge of a plantation and slaves; there he remained for a year and then went to Louisiana to another plantation which he conducted for eighteen months. That plantation was near Charles City, and employed forty field hands. When he finished in the south he returned to Montgomery county, N. Y., and in 1844 was married to Miss Eveline Palmer, a native of that county, and a daughter of Henry Palmer who was a man engaged extensively in dairying in that vicinity. After his marriage he came to Southport (now Kenosha), Wis., where he started in farming and the next year purchased eighty acres of land on the Fox river which, he farmed for six months. When he sold out he went to Columbia county, Wis., and settled on a pre-emption claim of 160 acres at the head of the Fox river, where he lived for ten years, and during that time he made some fine improvements in the shape of a nice residence, orchard, etc. After selling that farm he removed to Portage City, Wis., where he was engaged in conducting a large livery business for four years, after which he came to Faribault, Minn., and engaged in farming again until 1860, purchasing two hundred acres of land. From Minnesota he came to Dakota territory June 1, 1860, and took up a homestead adjoining the city of Elk Point. This property he improved and lived on for seventeen years, when he moved into the village where he has since resided. While he was a resident of Elk Point township h served in the Civil war for three years, enlisting as first lieutenant of company B, Dakota cavalry; he was also commissioned a recruiting officer which position he filled for three years. He participated in the battles of White Stone Hills and Falling Spring Montana, and during the latter engagement was slightly wounded. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged at Sioux City, November 15, 1865, and returned to his home.After his return from the war, Mr. Wood engaged in the hotel business
for two years, during which time he also conducted a livery, and the latter business he has continued for the past twenty-five years. He has also dealt in real estate a little and was quite extensively engaged in live stock and cattle trading. In politics he is a Democrat, and was the first county commissioner appointed by Gov. Jayne. He served as commissioner of Union county for eleven years, and sheriff one year, having been appointed to fill a vacancy, and since the incorporation of Elk Point he has served as city councilman for seven years. As a citizen, he has been closely identified with the success of the city's development. Socially, he belongs to the Stephen A. Hulbert post No. 9, G.A.R., and he is also a trustee of the Baptist church, of which he and wife are members in good standing.Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of the following children, viz.:
Charles H., Lorenzo L., Uriah, Harriet E., Margaret, Mary, Eveline, and Charlotte.The attention of the reader is invited to a portrait of Mr. and Mrs.
Wood, which will be found in another part of this volume.
Memorial and Biographical Record of
Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota
Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897
transcribed by Jim Dezotell
EDWARD D. WOODS, one of the survivors of that great army of brave men who responded to the call for volunteers to uphold the flag and honor of their country in the late war of the rebellion, is now engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in section 19, Elk Point township, Union county. He is a native of Richland county, Ill., and was born January 23, 1837, a son of Andrew and Nancy (Benson) Woods, natives of Bracken county, Ky. Andrew Woods was an agriculturist by occupation, and in 1835 came to Illinois, where he tilled the soil for ten years in connection with his trade of bridge building. In 1846 he located in Spencer county, Ind., near Rockport, where he engaged in farming until 1868, when he moved to Dakota territory. In early life he affiliated with the Whigs, and subsequently was a Republican. His demise occurred on his farm in Union county in 1878, and his wife died in 1880. They were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, viz. : John J., Edward D., Mary E., Andrew H. and Zachariah B.
Edward attended school until he was thirteen years of age, and then assisted in the work on the home farm till July 16, 1861,. when he enlisted at Rockport, Ind., in company K, Twenty-fifth regiment, Indiana infantry, pivate. When he enlisted the company was in camp at Evansville, Vanderburgh Co., Ind., where they remained for six weeks in training, drilling eight hours per day. From camp they went to St. Louis, where they spent fve weeks, and then to Jefferson City, Mo. , where they remained three weeks more. The regiment then received orders to reinforce Gen. Mulligan, but when within sixty miles they heard of his surrender, and went into camp at Sedalia, Mo., for two weeks. From Sedalia the regiment went to various places — Springfield, where they only remained one day, and then returned 200 miles to Otterville, Mo., and then to Warrensburgh, where they captured 1,300 rebels, whom they escorted to St. Louis. They stayed in the latter place until 1862, and then marched to Cairo, Ill., Ft. Henry, Tenn., and later to Ft. Donelson, where the regiment was engaged in battle for three days. They next participated in the battle of Shiloh, and then went to La Grange, Tenn., where they remained thirty days on scout duty. From La Grange they marched to Memphis, then to Boliver, Tenn., and five weeks later participated in the battle of Hatchie, Tenn. In this battle our subject was wounded in the foot, which laid him up in the hospital for forty days. From this time on the regiment did guard duty on railroads and scouting at various places — Boliver and La Grange, Tenn. ; Davis Mills, Miss.; La Mar Station, Memphis on provost duty, and then back again to La Grange. From La Grange the regiment went to Memphis, Vicksburgh, Miss., and then participated in the Meridian raid, after which they marched to Canton, Miss. This was in 1864, and after re-enlisting, his term of service having expired, our subject secured a veteran's furlough of thirty days and went home. At the expiration of his leave of absence he rejoined his regiment at Nashville, Tenn., and went to Decatur, Ala., where they built forts and did scout duty for three months, after which they decamped for Atlanta, Ga. The regiment next went to Resaca, Ga., and in an engagement near there Mr. Woods was wounded in the right arm by a mine ball. This unfortunate occurrence and the incidents which followed are best told in Mr. Wood's own words. He says: "I was wounded in the right arm in an engagement at Snake Creek Gap, Ga., October 15, 1864. The examining surgeons pronounced me disabled and sent me back to Resaca. I was there placed under the care of Dr. Buell, surgeon of the Eighteenth Ohio infantry, and he performed a resection in my arm the following day. For several successive days I failed rapidly, and soon became entirely helpless. On the morning of the 24th I had a hemorrhage of one of the small arteries, but Dr. Buell soon succeeded in stopping it. On the 28th my nurse, Tillman Willard, discovered gangrene in the wound. The doctor, on account of lack of proper medicine, was unable to check the disease, and by the 3rd of November it had grown so much worse that he said my arm must be amputated in order to save my life. After performing the operation he was ordered to his brigade. I, with fourteen other wounded soldiers, was then transferred to Chattanooga. I shall never forget what I suffered on that journey. It seemed to me that I died a thousand deaths. We were compelled to ride in a box car, and were very much crowded. The train had not been in motion fifteen minutes before I had another hemorrhage. A young physician on board came to my assistance, thereby saving my life, for had it not been for him in all probability I should have bled to death.
"We reached Chattanooga on the morning of November 8, and were admitted into ward 3, section 5, of hospital No. 1. Dr. McGrath, on examining my wound, discovered that gangrene had attacked the stump. He then began burning it with bromide. I had another hemorrhage November 11, and the doctor placed me under the influence of chloroform, and took up the artery. He continued the burning process for eight days longer, and at the expiration of that time the disease was eradicated. I had a hemorrhage of the main artery November 17, and had to undergo the same treatment as before. On February 15, I was transferred from Chattanooga to Nashville, and upon application a furlough was granted to me by Dr. Nofsinger, dated March 3, 1865, ordering me to report to the nearest medical director for disposition of my case. After remaining at home for thirty days, I reported to hospital No. 1, Evansville, Ind. By the 20th of April my wound was entirely healed, and I received my discharge papers May 12 following."
Mr. Woods enlisted as a private, and in the latter part of 1863 was promoted to the rank of corporal. During the last year of service he acted as first duty sergeant and as such was discharged. His captain makes the following statement upon his discriptive roll: " Was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Miss.; was severely wounded in the battle of Matamoras, Tenn., October 5, 1862; was in the siege of Atlanta, Ga. , was severely wounded in the battle of Snake Creek Gap, Ga., October 15, 1864; and has not been able for service since. Conduct in battle, good."
After his discharge, Mr. Woods traveled on the road selling books, and in 1867 came to Dakota territory and settled in township 91, Union county, where he took a homestead, and lived on it for eighteen years. He subsequently sold out and bought his present location. He has forty acres under cultivation, and his land is improved with a fine home. He is extensively engaged in grape culture, and the growing of various other fruits, farming and stock raising.
Mr. Woods was united in marriage in 1868 to Miss Harriet L. Butts, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of David and Susan (Champlin) Butts, natives of Canterbury and Norwich, Conn., respectively. The former by trade was a carpenter, and later in life followed farming. In Rock Falls, Iowa, where he located when he came west, he was county commissioner for two years, and held other public offices. Both he and his wife were members of the Congregational church in which he was a deacon. Mr. Butts died at Rock Falls, and his wife in Norwich, Conn. They were the parents of six children, Mrs. Woods being the only one surviving. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have a family of seven children, viz.: Mary E., Rebecca J., Benson H., Ida L., George A., Lotta C, and Edward F. Mr. Woods is an ardent silver Republican in politics, and a member of the Stephen A. Hulbert post No. 9, G.A.R., at Elk Point.
The reader will be pleased to notice a portrait of Mr. Woods on another page of this volume.
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