History of South Dakota, Vol. 2

by Doane Robinson

B. F. Bowen & Co., Publisher

1904

Contributed by Jim Dezotell

EPHRAIM MINER was born in Oswego, New York, and until eighteen years old remained with his parents, enjoying the meantime the best educational advantages his native. city afforded. At the age noted he severed home ties and gave his attention to teaching. After teaching for three successive winter seasons in that state, he taught two terms in Illinois and Minnesota respectively, then returned home and a little later accompanied his widowed mother to Wisconsin, where he

clerked for a short time in a store. From the latter place Mr. Miner went to Minnesota and engaged in merchandising, but later returned to Wisconsin and held a clerkship in a business house at Geneva Lake. Resigning his position, he and two companions drove overland to Pike's Peak and devoted his time to prospecting in Colorado. Returning to Wisconsin he entered the employ of the American Express Company and was located at St. Joseph Mission, being transferred from that place to the Chicago division, which he ran one year as messenger. At the expiration of that time he was promoted to an important and responsible office, which he held until he severed his connection with the company and came to Yankton, Dakota, where for three years he clerked for a hardware firm.

Subsequently Mr. Miner was appointed census taker of Dakota and in the discharge of his duties as such traveled over nearly the entire territory. He was elected to the state legislature, in which capacity he served two terms, and later he was returned to the same body two successive terms, serving on a number of important committees, besides taking an active part in the general deliberations and taking his proper place as one of the leading Republicans on the floor. Meantime he formed a partnership in the hardware business at Yankton, but later he disposed of his interests to his associates, and in the fail of 1876 was elected register of deeds. He later engaged in the cattle business, to which he devoted considerable attention for a number of years, and became interested in other enterprises, notably among which was the Yankton Pressed Brick Company. Later this business was discontinued and a flouring mill erected on the site of the works. This mill has since been one of the leading enterprises of Yankton and under the efficient management of Miner & Walker, present proprietors,the business has steadily grown in magnitude and importance until the demand for their brand of flour now exceeds the supply.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History of South Dakota, Vol. 2

by Doane Robinson

B. F. Bowen & Co., Publisher

1904

Contributed by Jim Dezotell

 

JAMES J. MILLER, of Yankton county, was born in Schleswig, which was formerly under the control of Denmark but since the war of 1864 the property on which the subject was born has come into possession of Germany. His natal day was the 1st of October, 1832, and his education was acquired in the Danish schools, which he attended until sixteen years of age. On leaving school he began working upon a farm for his uncle, J. L. Jacobson, in whose employ he remained for several ears. When twenty-two years of age he was called upon to serve in the army of his country and remained in its service for eighteen months.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Ann Maria Nickelson, the wedding taking place in their native land, and unto them three children were born. The mother of these children passed away in her native land and Mr. Miller was again married, his second union being with Maria Kestma. Eight children have been born of this union.

Shortly after his second marriage Mr. Miller and his wife sailed for the new world, reaching Yankton, South Dakota, in 1871. That day left an indelible impression upon their minds as they had to travel from Sioux City on a sleigh through one of the worst snowstorms witnessed in the west in many years. Mr. Miller secured a homestead in Yankton county and still resides thereon. He has made all of the improvements upon his property and has developed it into one of the most attractive farms in Yankton county. He served as school director for several years and was also road supervisor. In politics he has ever been a staunch Republican and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who’s Who in South Dakota, Vol. 2

By O. W. Coursey

Educator School Supply Co., Publisher, 1916

Transcribed and Contributed by Jim Dezotell

GEORGE W. KINGSBURY

DADDY OF THEM ALL

Those early newspaper pioneers who had so much to do with the development of our state are rapidly passing off the stage of action. Two of them, now above the seventy line, still remain at their posts of duty — Gossage, editor and publisher since away back in the seventies of the "Rapid City Journal," and W. S. Bowen, editor of the "Daily Huronite." Nash and Linn, both of Canton, have laid aside their editorial pens forever, and are today rehearsing reminiscences beyond the Veil of Time. However, the "daddy" of them all, George Washington Kingsbury, of Yankton, although not now at the helm of a paper, is with us still.

The first newspaper plant in the state was the "Dakota Democrat," later known as the "Western Independent," established at Sioux Falls for purely political purposes, in 1859. At the Little Crow Indian outbreak, it was abandoned. The second paper — the one which ultimately became the first permanent paper in the state — was the "Weekly Dakotaian" established at Yankton in June, 1861, by Hon. Frank M. Ziebach. He brought the outfit up by team from Sioux City. The old building in which it was first published, is still standing in the

city of Yankton.

The object of the establishment at Yankton of the "Weekly Dakotaian" was political rather than financial. Its primary purpose was accomplished in the election of General Todd as our first territorial delegate in congress. However, in September, 1861, three months after its birth, it suspended publication temporarily.

The first territorial legislature for Dakota convened at Yankton, March 17, 1862. On that very day there arrived at Yankton a young man but twenty-five years of age (George W. Kingsbury, the theme of this article), who was destined to guide the affairs of the burg, and with him came the Hon. Josiah Trask who was later killed in the Quantrelle massacre in 1864. They at once bought the "Weekly Dakotaian," converted it into the "Daily Dakotaian," and published it for sixty days — during the legislative session. Then, Ziebach bought Trask's interest in the plant and he and Kingsbury, in May, 1862, took up in earnest the publication of the paper.

Yankton was the territorial capital of the entire region of Dakota. It grew rapidly, so that by 1872, it was practically as large as it is today. In 1870, another newspaper, the "Weekly Press," was opened at that place. It was continued for three years. However, in 1873, it was consolidated with the Dakotaian.

Just at that time Yankton was undergoing a boom. Gold had been discovered in the Black Hills. Migration was heavy in that direction. Yankton was the western outlet. Between 50 and 75 steamboats were making regular trips up the Missouri from Sioux City and docking at Yankton. One of these boats did a yearly business of $1,000,000. Twenty of them established trade along the upper Missouri as far north as Ft. Pierre.

The same year, 1873, the Milwaukee railroad was extended as far west as Yankton. The next year, 1874, W. S. Bowen, now of the Huronite, came to Yankton from Wisconsin. He bought an interest in the Dakotaian, with Kingsbury, and in April, 1875, they got out the first issue of the "Daily Press and Dakotaian" which has been continued to this day; was, and still is, one of the most influential daily newspapers in the state.

It was always active in politics. President Arthur, in 1883, made Bowen postmaster at Yankton as a reward for political service previously rendered to his lamented predecessor, James A. Garfield. Cleveland "fixed" him as soon as he took the throne. When Harrison came in, he returned Bowen to the postmastership for four years. Then the Daily Press and Dakotaian got behind Richard Franklin Pettigrew and put him in the United States senate. Pettigrew called Bowen to his private secretaryship, and Kingsbury continued the publication of the paper until 1902, when, owing to advanced years, he sold out to David Lloyd, who, at present, is deputy treasurer of Yankton county.

OUR “DADDY” HIMSELF

It has been necessary to review these historical events that came up in the life of "Daddy" Kingsbury, in order to understand the old gentleman himself.

He was born at Lee, Oneida county, New York, December 16, 1837. At the age of four his parents removed with him to Utica, N. Y., where he got a scanty education, and fitted himself for a civil engineer. George Washington did this, you know; so George Washington Kingsbury "followed suit." Many a boy has been made into a man by naming him right. The implied' suggestion resulting to him from the utterance of his name, stimulates him.

He assisted in the survey of the Black River and Utica railroad; then he went to Wisconsin, in 1856, and helped to survey the Watertown, Madison and Prairie du Chien railroad. When this work, had been completed he went to St. Louis and took up the printers' trade which he had learned while a boy. From there he went to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1858, where he worked in a job printing office for a few months and then accepted a job as editor of a paper at Junction City, which he ran for three years.

During this period he formed the acquaintance of Mr. Trask with whom he came to Dakota Territory in 1862. In 1863, he was elected to the territorial legislature from Yankton, and served four years. He was appointed collector of internal revenue in 1890 ; was elected to the state senate in 1894, and in 1898 Governor Lee appointed him a member of the state board of charities and corrections.

A western sketch, devoid of an act by Cupid, could at best be but stale reading. In all human undertakings, from the sinful tragedy in the Garden of Eden, down through the ages, to Mary kneeling at the feet of her bleeding Lord on Calvary, there has invariably been a woman to play her part — to complete the act, make it fascinating, genuine, real. The thing bothering man now is whether the female is not going to play more than her part. Well, just so in the life of our pioneer, George W. Kingsbury. That printer's experience in Kansas had brought a southern belle — Miss Lydia M. Stone — into the pathway of his life. Cupid got busy, and on September 20, 1864, they became

husband and wife. To their union have been born and reared three sons — George, Theodore and Charles.

All are gone. Today the old gentleman sits in the silent home at Yankton, to which he brought his bride fifty-two years ago, all alone, writing what will undoubtedly prove to be the best history of South Dakota ever written. He has been working on it for ten years; that is, steadily; while as a matter of fact, he began it fifty years ago.

First, he thought to make it a history of Yankton, but when the Yankton semi-centennial jubilee was held a few years since, his friends who gathered there urged him to make it a history of Dakota. Again, with Yankton as the old territorial capital for over twenty years, its history would, of necessity, be largely the history of our state for that period. Only a few men are left

who are capable of writing its history largely from memory. One of

these pioneers is General W. H. H. Beadle. Recently he made a trip to Yankton to examine Mr. Kingsbury's manuscript which is now nearing completion, and after carefully reviewing it, he pronounced it the best history — par excellence — of the state in existence. The publication of it will be arranged for somehow during the next year or so; and its sale among our people should bring the old gentleman suitable recompense for his long patient years of toil. As a trained editorial writer he has acquired a style of written expression that is fascinating and clear. His diction is most

admirable; and even in sketching history wherein the literary confines are much more rigid than in newspaper work, his language is lucid and picturesque. But a few years more will have elapsed until the last one of the Dakota plainsmen will have passed from the theatre of operations forever, leaving behind him as a lasting heritage for the future the part he took as an empire builder of the west. The part taken by George W. Kingsbury will make a brilliant chapter in the history of the state, and he will leave behind him,

"Foot-prints on the sands of time."

"Foot-prints, that perhaps another

Sailing o'er life's solemn main,

A forlorn and ship-wrecked brother

Seeing, may take heart again."

At the date of the publication of this book, Mr. Kingsbury's history has been completed. Prof. G. M. Smith, of our state university, has re-edited it. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., of Chicago, have published it, and it is now for sale at $25.00.

---

Memorial and Biographical Record of

Turner, Lincoln, Union and Clay Counties, South Dakota

Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Chicago, 1897

transcribed by Jim Dezotell

MEL T. HOYT, publisher and proprietor of the Parker Press, is a native of Watertown, Wis., and was born in 1854. His parents five years later removed to Sioux City, where they remained six or seven years and then located in Yankton, Dak. Ter. In this latter place our subject grew to maturity and made his home until 1883, that year coming to Parker shortly after his marriage.

Mr. Hoyt in 1885 bought the Parker Press of McConnell & Hughes, and in 1889 put in a steam plant, making it the first printing office in the county to utilize steam. It was also the first building in the town heated by steam.

Mr. Hoyt and his wife are the parents of three children, two boys and a girl, but one of the sons died at the age of six months.

---

 

Who’s Who in South Dakota, Vol. 1

By O. W. Coursey

Educator School Supply Co., Publisher, 1913

Contributed by Jim Dezotell

WHEELER S. BOWEN

OUR CLASSICAL EDITOR

The days of swaying public sentiment through broadsides of oratory from the platform are rapidly passing away in this country, although they will never cease. The reason for this is the establishment of so many monthly and weekly magazines, the springing up here and there of such a multitudinous number of daily newspapers and the creation of local and rural mail carriers or their distribution; also to the diffusion of education and the creation of the reading habit.

The Revolutionary war period called forth a score of the ablest orators the world has ever produced. The Civil War period gave to us another band of spirited speakers who re-echoed the sentiments of revolutionary days. Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death," found its parting echo three-quarters of a century later in Dan Webster's "Liberty and union, one and inseparable, now and forever."

During the nineteenth century, journalism not only took root but multiplied itself and flourished greatly. In 1814, Nathan Hale, a talented nephew of the famous spy of the revolution, bought the "Boston Daily Advertiser," which was, and still is, the leading daily paper of New England. He edited it for fifty years. Down in a little, dingy cellar under an old building on Nassau street in New York City, James Gordon Bennet established the "New York Herald" in 1835; and for over seventy-five years has remained one of the most powerful papers on either continent. Horace Greeley, in 1833, had thrust the "Morning Post" to the arena of newspaperdom. It was the first penny paper ever published in the entire world. The next year it was converted into the "New Yorker," which six years later gave way to the "Logcabin," and which, in turn, yielded to the "New York Tribune," Chas. A. Dana, Henry Raymond, George Curtis and George Childs, each as editorial satellites, glided into prominence and took their respective places in the firmament of journalism.

While these men were rounding out journalism on a large scale in the far east, Dame Nature was slowly developing at Janesville, Wisconsin, a young lad who was destined to achieve distinction in a smaller way, as an editorial writer in the west; and, who, had he been given a chance with those of the east, would easily have taken rank with the best of them - Editor W. S. Bowen of the "Daily Huronite," the most classical editorial writer in South Dakota, and one of the ablest in the west.

Editor Bowen was born in 1843 at Akron, Ohio, where his father owned and published the "Summit County Beacon." Six years later the family removed to Janesville, Wisconsin, where W. S., as a mere boy, took up city editorial work in a print shop which his father established at that place.

In 1873, he "pulled stakes" and struck out for Yankton, S. D., where he took up and continued for twenty three years his editorial work on the "Press and Dakotan." A political editor of unusual force and ability, he had been one of the strongest factors in the state in sending R. F. Pettigrew to the United States Senate. Mr. Pettigrew was not ungrateful for the service rendered, and Editor Bowen soon found himself called to the Senator's private secretaryship.

He bought a half interest in the "Sioux Falls Daily Press," in 1901, and in 1907 he sold his interest to W. C. Cook, our internal revenue collector. It was during his six years as editor of The Press that he achieved distinction as an editorial writer. During this period, The Press enjoyed a remarkable growth, and it was quoted by all the leading dailies of the west.

Like Napoleon battering out the keystone to a strong-hold by centering his fire constantly on the pivotal spot, so Editor Bowen kept hurling large calibre missiles of political death at his opponents until he had forced a retreat and placed Coe I. Crawford in the United States Senate. Without Bowen's newspaper battery constantly in action, Mr. Crawford never could have won.

After selling his interest in The Press, Mr. Bowen went to Boise City, Idaho, where for one year he edited the "Idaho Scimater." Returning to South Dakota, he bought the "Daily Huronite," in 1909, and later bought and united with it the 'Huron Spirit." Although bowed with the turmoil of sixty-nine years, his editorial pen "still lives, forever young." Dipping it into the "fountain of eternal youth," he writes with the vigor, the courage, the clearness and the coherency of thirty years ago. Could anything be prettier than his editorial in the "Huronite," last year, on Memorial Day? It follows:

MEMORIAL DAY

"Through so many years of prosperous peace has the memorial anniversary in honor of the dead of the Civil War been observed that the event has become as well established as our Christian Sabbath. As the swift years go by, increasing solemnity is attached to the observances of each 30th of May, couched though they are in the forms that admit of no variation.

"It is far away now, the weary march, the bristling line, he sputtering fire, the roar of musketry, the boom of artillery, the weird cadence of flying shells and the hiss of the death dealing minnie, the sobbing away of life, the moans, the shrieks, the shouts of triumph, the groans of despair.

"So far away and covered by so many years of rising and advancing generations that the life of today knows little of the significance of Memorial Day to the survivors of one of the world's bloodiest periods.

"And the appreciation of the soldier of the '60's is somewhat dimmed, for he has lived long since there came unsought into his life experiences that were wrought into his soul in the red-hot crucible of war. He may feel that he, too, would be willing to lie down in his place 'on fame's eternal camping ground,' for the journey is becoming a weary one and the thinned column drags along the line of march.

"Today, under the stars that were saved and the stripes that wreathed about them, all over the loyal portion of our land, the people have turned their thoughts to the men of the sixties, have honored them as they will again on each recurring 30th of May, giving to the present the glorious lesson of the past, that the future may be saved against the conspiracies of evil."

AS A SOLDIER

During his busy life Editor Bowen found time to detach himself for three years from newspaper work to serve his country. At twenty years of age he enlisted in the 12th Wisconsin Battery and served till 1865, being mustered out on May 1, of that year, at Newburn, N. C., where he was marching northward with General Sherman's victorious army.

RETROSPECT

Mr. Bowen looks backward upon his early time experiences in the territory of Dakota with keen interest, feeling that they covered the most important and the most enjoyable period of his life. The making of a state out of nature's raw material had just begun. Settlements had fringed the large rivers of the territory, the Red, the Sioux and the Missouri, and the advance guard had begun to creep up the Jim. The vast interior was an unpeopled stretch, awaiting the advent of railroads and inhabitants, a scene of summer beauty and winter desolation. To witness the occupation of this wonderful agricultural

and pastoral realm by the people who have since developed it, and to have participated in the creation of two important commonwealths is something to call up pride and gratifying retrospection. Yankton, his home, was the headquarters of the legislative and executive force of the new empire, and a resident of that city came into close touch with the builders of the two Dakotas. Many of them are now only memories and about their work the coming generations will know but little. They left their impress. Their names are passing with their lives. All of the nearly forty years of Editor Bowen's residence within the Dakotas have been years of growth and expansion, and one who has given the larger part of his life to such experiences treasures them in memory

as the best achievements of an earthly pilgrimage.

Our gray haired sires, like Editor Bowen, who builded with blistered hands and weary feet our young empire of the west, are gradually, and of late, quite rapidly, taking their places "in the silent halls" of eternal rest, while their sturdy sons are pressing forward with manly vigor to complete the tasks their sires began. Hail! Chieftains of yesterday! Hail Bowen! Hail! All Hail!

---

History of Dakota Territory, Vol. 5 by George Washington Kingsbury 1915

trancribed by Pamela Hamilton

ERNEST W. CRANE

Ernest W. Crane, founder and proprietor of the Crane Automobile Company of Yankton, is a native of Turner County, South Dakota, born March 3, 1879. His father, J. A. Crane, still resides in Centerville, this state. He was born in Ohio and came to South Dakota, or what was then Dakota territory about 1867, in company with his father, William Crane, who established the family home in Vermillion, Clay County, and there opened the first blacksmith shop in the Dakotas. J.A. Crane wedded Minnie Hall, a native of London, England who came to the Dakotas with her parents. She died in the year 1889. Ernest W. Crane is the eldest in a family of five, having two brothers and two sisters, the others being: Arthur a farmer living near Beresford, Lincoln County South Dakota; Forest, a house mover of Sioux Falls; Nettie the wife of Reuben Saville, of Centerville, South Dakota; and Myrtle, the wife of Burt Cune, also of Centerville.

Ernest W. Crane was born on a farm, but his father later built the first hotel at Centerville, Turner County, and in that establishment the boy largely spent his youthful days. He was educated in the public schools, which he attended to the age of sixteen years, after which he was employed at farm labor for two years. He then engaged in blacksmithing and house moving in connection with his father and when about twenty-five years old purchased his father’s house moving outfit and began business on his own account. In 1903 he removed to Yankton, where he continued operations as a house mover, his business, however, extending over a wide section of the state. He became particularly well known in the southeastern section of South Dakota and he continued his activities along that line until 1913, when he embarked in the automobile business in Yankton, establishing a first-class garage. He now has the agency for the King motor car and the Carnation car and in addition he conducts a general repair and storage business and deals in all kinds of automobile accessories and supplies. He has been very successful in the new venture, his business growing rapidly.

In 1903 Mr. Crane was married to Miss Marie Nelsen, a native of Denmark, and they have one son, Harvey. Mr. Crane holds membership with the Modern Brotherhood of American and his political indorsement is given to the republican party. He is well informed concerning important political issues, but is not an office seeker. His entire life has been spent in the northwest and has been one of intense and well directed activity, his energy and utilization of opportunity bringing to him the success which he now enjoys.

---

“History of Dakota Territory”, George W. Kingsbury, 1915

Transcribed by Pamela J. Hamilton 9-23-2010

Joseph Frick

One of the attractive, well appointed and carefully arranged stores of Yankton is the one owned by the firm of Frick & Lawrence, furniture dealers and undertakers. The senior partner is Joseph Frick, whose birth occurred on the James River, not far from Yankton, August 6, 1860, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Buckhart) Frick. The father, a native of Germany, came to America in 1850, settling in Clayton County, Iowa, upon a farm. Later he was employed in the lead mines at that place. His wife, a native of Baden-Baden, Germany, came to the new world with friends and with them went to Iowa, where she formed the acquaintance of Thomas Frick, to whom she afterward gave her hand in marriage. They remained in that state for nine years and then removed to Yankton County, in Dakota Territory, in May, 1859, being among the first to settle in that district. They secured a homestead three miles northeast of Yankton and bore the usual hardships and privations of pioneer life while developing the farm.

In 1862 Mr. Frick enlisted for service with the United States volunteers under General Sully, becoming a member of Captain Miner’s company. He went all through the succeeding campaigns with his regiment, proving himself a valorous defender of the cause which he espoused, and was mustered out in 1865. He then returned to the farm and resumed its development and improvement. The early years devoted to the improvement of the place were attended with the greatest hardships. Drought and grasshoppers caused the failure of all crops, and Indian scares made life in that region very uncertain quantity, keeping the settlers in a continuous state of mental excitement. The remoteness, too, from towns made it difficult to obtain supplies and there was every hardship of pioneer life to be borne. Mr. Frick continued to operated the old homestead until his death, at which time he was the owner of two hundred and seventy acres of valuable and productive land. He had also borne his part in the public work and was a member of the territorial legislature held in Yankton in 1865. On the 23d of October, 1888, he lost his wife, and when a few days had passed he, too, was called to his final rest, dying on the 1st of November of the same year. They were both sixty years of age. In their family were five children: Mary, the wife of Joseph Utsch, of Yankton; Joseph, of this review; Frank B., who is a resident of Sioux City, Iowa; John H. who made his home in Yankton until he passed away on the 17th of March, 1894, leaving a widow and two children; and Thomas J., who resides on the old homestead.

Joseph Frick spent his youthful days on the old home place and relates many interesting incidents of pioneer times. During the Indian scare of 1862 the family was taken into Yankton, in the famous old stockade. He attended the country schools and assisted his father in the work of the fields until he reached the age of twenty-two years. He then entered the harness shop of Christian Boller, of Yankton, as an apprentice, and served in that way for three years, or until 1885. The succeeding year he went to Hurley, Turner County, South Dakota, where he engaged in the harness and saddler business, remaining at that place until June, 1903. This was a most successful venture. He built up a business of extensive and gratifying proportions and enjoyed the confidence and goodwill as well as the patronage of the public. In fact, he became a very prominent and influential citizen of the community, and his party, the democratic, elected him to the office of auditor of Turner County, notwithstanding that the county is strongly republican, his election indicating his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him. He was elected in 1891 and served for twenty-six months. He was also town trustee of Hurley for several terms. In June, 1903, he returned to Yankton, where he lived refired for two years. He next went to Utica, Yankton, County, on the 1st of January, 1905, and there engaged in merchandising until the 1st of August. On the 1st of January, 1906, he purchased the furniture business of C.J. Herrick & Company, of Yankton and in partnership with C.L. Lawrence, conducting the business under the firm style of Frick & Lawrence. They added an undertaking department and have developed their business into one of the largest enterprises of the character in this part of the state, Mr. Frick devotes his entire attention to his business and Yankton points with pride to his establishment, as it is most thorough and progressive one in keeping with the modern business spirit.

On the 11th of May, 1887, Mr. Frick was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Murray, a native of Kentucky, who was reared in Illinois and in 1855 came to South Dakota. To them were born six children: May now the wife of Dr. J. L. Delmore, of Roseau, Minnesota; Pearl, a teacher in the public schools; Marjorie, who is a bookkeeper for the Excelsior Mill Company of Yankton; Fay, a student in Yankton, College; Ruth, who died January 10, 1912; and Hazel at home.

Mr. Frick belongs to the Elks Lodge, No. 994,and to Yankton Council of the Knights of Columbus, a fact which indicates his Catholic faith. He has been active in municipal affairs and has been a member of the city commission being commissioner of water and sewers. He has always voted with the Democratic Party and is a believer in its principles. Long residence in his section of the state has made him familiar with its history. He can recount many events which have been of interest in the development of the state, in many of which he has been an active participant. His business interests have ever been of a character that has contributed to the public progress and he cooperated in all that is beneficial to the community.